Feast of Our Lady of Ransom

Our Lady of Ransom, pray for us!

Papal Caption Competition

"Vatican launches early version of the Space Shuttle."

Darkness Covers the Earth

Watching and listening to the increasingly ugly and violent attacks on the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, it is quite chilling to see the hatred of children and child-bearing. I can't bring myself to quote some of the attacks on her for being the mother of five children - let alone being the mother of a child with Downs Syndrome - but the ugly hatred of life is quite satanic - if you doubt the satanic roots of the anti-life ("pro-choice") movement, check out the YouTube segment on the Hermeneutic of Continuity blog, showing the protest in Argentina - look at the venom and hatred of the female protesters against the young men who are defending the Cathedral against sacrilege - thanks to the Herman's Hermanaut for that clip. On Tuesday in Burlington, I was sworn at twice, by two different car-loads of young people - simply for being dressed as a priest. Careful readers of "Father Elijajh" will remember that open abuse of the clergy was one of the signs of the rise of the anti-Christ. Can we say that he is in our midst.....it is hard to know....some will say say we can't.....some will say .... yes, we can.

Where was I?

The Mulier Fortis has tagged me for one of those meme things - a "where were you" when some famous events happened. So, in order:

1. President Kennedy's assassination, 22 November, 1963

I was suckling at my Mother's breast.

2. England's World Cup Semi-Final v Germany, 4 July, 1990

In the Capuchin House of Studies in Canterbury, Kent.

3. Margaret Thatcher's resignation, 22 November, 1990

Ditto the above - actually that morning at the seminary - the Franciscan Study Centre.

4. Princess Diana's death, 31 August, 1997

I was just getting ready to celebrate the Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Angels in Erith, Kent. I heard it on the radio and announced it to the people - it was a sombre Mass.

5. Attack on the Twin Towers, 11 September, 2001

I was at a rather dreary meeting in the rectory of St. Augustine's Church in Montpelier, Vermont. My Mother actually called from England to ask me what I thought! We had not heard or seen any news. We abandoned the meeting and stayed glued in horror to the television for hours.

6. Election of Pope Benedict, 19 April, 2005

This one is special! I was one of the five MC's getting things set up for the Ordination of our new Bishop, Salvatore Matano, in St. Joseph's Co-Cathedral in Burlington. Some 40+ Bishops were making their way back from lunch, about an hour or so before the Mass. Someone came running into the Cathedral where we were arranging things and said, "there's white smoke!" We went rushing into the house and turned on the tv. I was joined by about 14 bishops from different parts of the USA - I was overjoyed - they were not! Priceless! Bishop Matano became the first Bishop in the world ordained in the papacy of Pope Benedict.

Another strong woman

......how can she balance work and family, she's not experienced, it's a man's world....blah, blah!

Running scared

The vicious, muck-racking around the next Vice-President of the United States shows only one thing: the end of the culture of death is in sight, and the forces of darkness are afraid - very afraid. Time for another picture!