Film Review: Stone of Destiny

While the majority of the offerings on the streaming side of Netflix are junk (aside from some classic TV shows you can't find anymore) occasionally you stumble across some film that is worthwhile. We came across one that we watched recently and it was an enjoyable film, the Stone of Destiny. It is based upon the true story of a group of young Scots, who plan (and succeed) in stealing the Stone of Scone which is a symbol of English rule over Scotland.

George Weigel Responds to the Critics of the John Jay Report Regarding Sexual Abuse Crisis

George Weigel has done a good job in answering the "usual suspects" who are apopletic over the release of the John Jay Report that connects the sexual abuse crisis in the Church with the sexual and secular cultural revolution that began in the 1960's. Here is an excerpt from the article which can be read at National Review Online.

The American narrative of the Catholic Church’s struggles with the clerical sexual abuse of the young has been dominated by several tropes firmly set in journalistic concrete: that this was and is a “pedophilia” crisis; that the sexual abuse of the young is an ongoing danger in the Church; that the Catholic Church was and remains a uniquely dangerous environment for young people; that a high percentage of priests were abusers; that abusive behavior is more likely from celibates, such that a change in the Church’s discipline of priestly celibacy would be important in protecting the young; that the Church’s bishops were, as a rule, willfully negligent in handling reports of abuse; that the Church really hasn’t learned any lessons from the revelations that began in the Long Lent of 2002.

But according to an independent, $1.8 million study conducted by New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and released on May 18, every one of these tropes is false.

Two: The “crisis” of clerical sexual abuse in the United States was time-specific. The incidence of abuse spiked in the late 1960s and began to recede dramatically in the mid-1980s. In 2010, seven credible cases of abuse were reported in a church that numbers over 65 million adherents. (Of course the sexual revolution continues, as do cases of sexual abuse, except they are even more rarely committed by priests now than before. Look at any offender today and undoubtedly you will find a computer full of pornography close by. But just try and get the Times to go after the porn industry.)

Malta Auxiliary Corps

The Malta Auxiliary Corps works in association with the Order of Malta to supports its mission of serving the sick and the poor. Some activities Auxiliary members can be involved in are visiting the sick and elderly in hospitals and nursing homes, feeding the poor and homeless in soup kitchens as well as many others. One particular effort of the Order of Malta in the U.S. is in prison ministry and we are really hoping to build that ministry here in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Auxiliary members also have the opportunity to join the Knights and Dames in taking Malades (French for "the sick") on the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. If you would like more information visit the following links:

Order of Malta American Association Auxiliary Corps

Auxiliary Corps Membership Policy

We have a growing group in the Twin Cities so if you think you would be interested please leave me a comment or send me an email.

Harmon Killebrew - R.I.P

A sad day for baseball fans as Harmon Killebrew succombs to his battle with cancer. As great as a player as he was perhaps it is fitting that he will be remembered for the person that he was off the field. In the sportsworld there are many anti-hero's but Harmon Killebrew was not one of them. As the statement from Twins President Dave St. Peter says, his legacy will the class, dignity and humility that he demonstrated throughout his life. Harmon Killebrew, requiescat in pace.

May 17, 2011 – Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew has passed away at age 74 after a long-running battle with esophageal cancer.

"No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins Territory than Harmon Killebrew. Harmon will long be remembered as one of the most prolific home run hitters in the history of the game and the leader of a group of players who helped lay the foundation for the long-term success of the Twins franchise and Major League Baseball in the Upper Midwest. However, more importantly Harmon’s legacy will be the class, dignity and humility he demonstrated each and every day as a Hall of Fame-quality husband, father, friend, teammate and man. The Twins extend heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the Killebrew family at this difficult time."

- Dave St. Peter, President, Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

“Harmon was a Hall of Famer on and off the field. He was baseball's version of Paul Bunyan, with his prodigious home run power, leading by example in the clubhouse and on the field. Off the field, he emanated class, dignity, and warmth, and he was a great humanitarian. He was so down-to-earth, you would never realize he was a baseball legend. It’s ironic that his nickname was ‘Killer,’ as he was one of the nicest, most generous individuals to ever walk the earth.”

- Jeff Idelson, Hall of Fame President

A native of Idaho, Killebrew made his name in baseball in the nation's capital near the end of the '50s, underscored it many times in 14 summers playing for the Twins in Minnesota, wrapped up his career with one final season in Kansas City, and eventually found a permanent baseball address in Cooperstown, N.Y., among the most prominent names in the game's long history.

English Catholics Set to Dust Off Their Tuna Casserole Recipes

From Zenit News comes this encouraging story out of England. Hopefully the U.S. Bishops will follow suit.

The bishops of England and Wales are re-establishing the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays as a penance to identify with Christ on the cross.

"Every Friday is set aside by the Church as a special day of penance, for it is the day of the death of our Lord," a statement of resolutions from the assembly reminded. "The law of the Church requires Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays, or some other form of food, or to observe some other form of penance laid down by the Bishops’ Conference." (Most people have forgotten or are unaware that some form of penance is still required) 

"The Bishops wish to re-establish the practice of Friday penance in the lives of the faithful as a clear and distinctive mark of their own Catholic identity," the statement announced.

The prelates added that it is "important that all the faithful be united in a common celebration of Friday penance."

After 40 Years the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form in the Twin Cities

After 40 years the Sacrament of Confirmation was held again in the Extraordinary Form at the Church of St. Agnes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. On Wednesday May 11th, twenty seven young men and women received this Sacrament with the customary slap on the cheek from Fr. Ubel, the pastor of St. Agnes, who was designated to administer the Sacrament by Archbishop John Nienstedt. Following the administration of Confirmation a High Mass was celebrated by Fr. Ubel. Archbishop Nienstedt has promised to continue this tradition next year, mostly likely on the eve of Pentecost.  I have posted a couple pictures but apologize for their quality.

Sculpture of BVM "Descent from the Cross" in Cathedral Notre Dame

During one of the reflections given on our pilgrimage, Fr. Joseph Callipare talked about a sculpture of Mary holding Jesus which is found behind the main altar at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. This beautiful Pieta by Nicolas Coustou depicts the "Descent from the Cross." Since it was unfamiliar to many of us I thought I would post it here. It is a reminder of how works of art can teach us the Faith more deeply.

After New Constitution, Hungary Launches Pro-Life Ad Campaign | LifeNews.com

Last month Hungary adopted a new constitution that includes an article which protects life from the moment of conception.

Article II states: “Human dignity shall be inviolable. Every human being shall have the right to life and human dignity; embryonic and foetal life shall be subject to protection from the moment of conception.”

After New Constitution, Hungary Launches Pro-Life Ad Campaign | LifeNews.com

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2011

It was my wife's first time on the Lourdes pilgrimage and she really lucked out, being able to meet both the Grand Master, Fra Festing, and also the Prelate of the Order, Archbishop Acerbi.

Reflections on Lourdes Pilgrimage from Archbishop Dolan

My wife and I had blessing of being on the pilgrimage to Lourdes this year with our fellow Knights and Dames of Malta and also the good fortune of having Archbishop Dolan along with us as our chaplain. As usual his homilies were wonderful.  He has written a beautiful article on the pilgrimage, reminding us of our Blessed Mother's love for us in his weekly column in Catholic New York which you can read here.