On the issue of pornography .... How can I encourage my pastor to address this issue, even if just in men’s groups? I really believe that as a parish, if we want to keep marriages strong, we need to tackle this problem from the beginning. Maybe this topic needs to be talked about in the marriage preparation classes. The problem is real, and exists, but no one seems to want to openly address it. The marriage of a dear friend of mine has been destroyed because her husband was involved in pornography, that later led him to be involved in prostitution and extortions.  I really wish men would be more open to reach out to other men and hold each other accountable. But maybe the problem is that none want to admit that they struggle with that, so they keep it withing the box of the confessional but then pretend it is not an issue. As long as the topic is not addressed more openly then this will never be resolved.

I seriously question the Parry article urging us to face the East during Eucharistic prayer.  We are not Muslims.  In my Diocese (Spokane, WA) churches were built decades ago based on the shape of the lots purchsed.  Many of the churches are built on a north-south axis.  I fail to see any doctrine from the Holy See or Church Councils that dictate such a concept.  It may very well be that many centuries ago there was some sentiment that encouraged an “ad orientam” posture.  But is the author seriously arguing that we should tear thousands of churches down and re-build them in an east-west direction? 

Please.  Be serious.

Sal,

It is a tradition, not dogma, that we worship ad orientem.  This was always the case in the early days of the Church, which predates the heresy of Islam by 600 years.