There's a new blogger in the parish with some great commentary. Check this out. His name is Shin and his blog is Wa on my mind. I've added him to my perma-links

I found this interesting bit of stigma lore over in the comments at A Saintly Salmagundi

For some unknown reason, I generally can't visit Xavier+, but if you can get from here to there, this is a lovely posting

Sucker-Punched
"At the height of the media frenzy last April, the Associated Press reported that it could find only half of 1% of priests guilty or accused. And only a tiny percentage of this tiny percentage had anything to do with pedophilia. Yet that statistic found practically no echo among Catholics.

Instead, Catholic journalists with quick-hit Web sites seized on abuse case after abuse case, bringing them to the public's attention and creating the impression that clergy sex abuse of children was rampant."
[courtesy of Mark Shea's site] . . . For more, check out National Catholic Register

Makes one stop and think...or does it?

I know that I'm late in plugging this but the ASCC looks like a great organization for high energy college kids. They even have their own blog, Ever Ancient, Ever New! Pass the Word around!

After a visit with my folks, I have the following to pass on...
In 1791, the first archbishop in the United State, Archbishop John Carroll composed the following Prayer for the Church and for Our Civil Authorities. It is as pertinent today as it ever was. I hope you will consider adding it to your list of daily prayers.

Prayer for the Church and for Our Civil Authorities
We pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N.N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop (or archbishop), N.N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of the United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the Governor of this State , for the members of the Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

And from St Augustine
Breathe in us, O Holy Spirit. that our thoughts may all be holy,
Act in us, O Holy Spirit. that our work too may be holy,
Draw our hearts, O Holy Spirit. that we love but what is holy,
Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit. to defend all that is holy,
Guard us then, O Holy Spirit. that we always may be holy.

Thanks Mom!

A bit of overlooked news from the Bishop's Conference
Historic Mexican-U.S. Joint Statement On Migration Released: Calls for Reform of ‘Broken' System

Two good postings over at Ut unum Sint
How full is your life?
And more importantly, "There are some who say..." on whether bloggers should be attacking bishops. Authority in the Catholic Church rests in the bishops of the Church who are in communion with Rome. It doesn't rest in bloggers or journalists or freelance writers or even in theologians.

I'm taking a long weekend. I should be back Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend and please say a prayer for peace. A rosary would be nice!

A Discipleship of Letters:The Gap.
This is an excellent posting at a great site. Although I am sure that you've seen it, I thought that I would note it since it is in keeping with my current theme of A Problem of Perception

Personal obligations will keep me from posting anything until next Monday. My apologies.