Richard Chonak: February 2003 Archives

It's a good thing when somebody can admit a mistake like this, but it does illustrate a weakness of the bishops' Dallas policy -- suspend first, seek evidence later.

While we're remembering Mr. Rogers, his show, and his songs, let me take the opportunity to introduce you to the piano jazz of Johnny Costa, whose music was an indispensable part of the show's style.

From the documentary magazine DoubleTake.

If '70s church music and ribbon-waving dancers make you feel ill...	cover your mouth and restrain your nausea...	...while you get as far as possible from the source of offending liturgy.

More and better captions at Victor's.

The question from the spirit-filled Christian brother (below) is one of the most basic importance. He's asking Sal: are you one of those worldly people who thinks he's going to get to Heaven based on his own goodness?

The Evangelicals' message is an echo of Scripture: it starts with a recognition that God is holy and that man needs a savior from sin. This is the fundamental issue in evangelism: getting past the de facto Pelagian attitude -- that being a morally good enough person will get you to Heaven -- which is the basis of most people's religious thinking in our culture, even that of many poorly-formed Catholics.

So if you want to bridge the communication gap when a non-Catholic Christian asks you whether you're going to Heaven, your answer should not just express hope in an unspecific way, but indicate (as St. Paul reminded us) the reason for your hope. There is only one real reason for hope, one on which Catholics and Evangelicals agree: salvation comes as a grace, a gift from God, not something earned. For example, you could give an answer such as "Am I saved? With the mercy of God, yes." The basis of our salvation is not in us or our good works, but in the merits of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. Sal knows that already; Catholics just aren't in the habit of talking about it over lunch, but we believe it.

Here's what Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) used to believe about abortion, before he announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party's nomination for President.

As it happens, he's a vegan -- no, no, we mustn't kill any animals for food -- but now he's perfectly willing to support -- well, you know the rest. So, Mr. Kucinich, were you a hypocrite beforehand or are you one now? Let me guess.

Poor man: his chances of actually winning the Presidency are slim, as he is already one of the more left-leaning members of his Party. So he's doing evil by embracing abortion, and all he's going to get for it is a modest boost in his post-electoral career.

Aristotle Esguerra, the "Accidental Choir Director" who moved his weblog to a new URL a few weeks ago (everyone please update your links), has written his own setting of the ordinary parts of the Mass. It's based on a popular melody that whole crowds of people are known to sing. He calls it the Stadium Mass.

If Cardinal Bevilacqua retires this year as expected, who will succeed him as Archbishop of Philadelphia? The Inquirer lists, well, the usual names.

AP: In 1976, repentant priest confessed molesting teens; NH Bishop Gendron assigned him to youth work.

The details will be in 9,000 pages of investigative files the state plans to release March 3.

Meanwhile, the current bishop of Manchester, the Most Rev. John McCormack, plans to meet with clergy and lay leaders Tuesday, while two polls show over 70% of NH adults wish he'd resign over the scandal.

(by bloggers on holiday.)
UPDATE: I was mistaken: our Cranky Reader in Rome isn't on holiday: he's teaching there.

Fr. Bryce Sibley, connoisseur of nuttiness and author of the weblog A Saintly Salmagundi, has awakened from a long winter's nap, and indicates that he will return to the world of St. Blog's real soon now.

...when you can learn to be a Christian the easy way, thanks to The Bible Osmosiser? (RealVideo stream, 02:30, 34 KB/sec)

Thanks to Eric for the link, and hats off to Caleb Cohen who produced the video. Hey, Caleb: Mark 12:34a!