tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-383533752012-02-10T11:30:24.202-06:00<img height="173" src="http://www.silentservants.net/stfrancis.jpg" width="150" vspace="10" hspace="10" align="left"><br><br><b>... of the Used, Abused, and Utterly Screwed Up. <br><br> A Secular Franciscan looks at the world... with a more jaundiced eye than ever... and lots of ellipses for you to fill in the missing text...</b> (with thanks to Thomas S. Klise for the title) <br><br><br><br> <center><br><br><hr> <hr></center>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.comBlogger85721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-62674523332478563322012-02-10T01:26:00.000-06:002012-02-10T11:30:24.214-06:00

The Martini: Why everything you know is wrong Probably like a lot of people I had no idea what made a real martini. I still don't, but I can talk intelligently about it after reading this article. Good thing I'm not a purist about this sort of thing. Really, when you think of it, gin is not traditionally known as the drink that the upper classes drink, so it's probably just a way to make gin

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-23173446591289822922012-02-10T00:55:00.000-06:002012-02-10T10:58:14.002-06:00

The world has lost a good, holy and very talented man. Fr. Jim Hanrahan, a member of the Congregation of St. Basil, died last Wednesday. He was President of the College at our university that I attended and later worked for, and I always liked him. He was a talented, intelligent individual and I'm very certain that his presence will be missed. Requiescat in Pacem, Fr. Jim. May God grant you

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-15234852582077867362012-02-09T00:20:00.000-06:002012-02-09T00:20:00.898-06:00

Private member’s motion could re-open abortion debate President-for-Lif...er.. Prime Minister Harper has already stated that he will not allow the abortion debate to be reopened. A back-bencher can table any motion they want, but if the government doesn't want to allow debate it won't happen. And if a back-bencher gets über-control freak Harper upset at them they'll find themselves out on the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-20436741329505401622012-02-08T00:41:00.000-06:002012-02-08T00:41:00.655-06:00

to try to get him back in the good graces of his followers, it certainly didn't help him with the rest of the world. http://www.indeonline.com/life/religion/x458334926/Jewish-leaders-offended-by-Ga-preacher-s-ceremony What an incredibly thoughtless thing to do...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-9226412584198075202012-02-08T00:31:00.000-06:002012-02-08T00:31:00.200-06:00

He's either taking the prayers for 'the office of Bishops' in each new Mass translation too seriously, or something else is happening. One doesn't make an apology for something so serious and then say that they shouldn't have apologized. Egan's remarks on priest abuse scandal draw fire The people who are out to destroy the Church as it is are always looking for more ammunition.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-17547823259074533072012-02-07T00:59:00.000-06:002012-02-07T00:59:00.587-06:00

of history... Prosecutors rebut jailed RFK assassin's claims in freedom quest ...and very few people are going to care because of 2 possible reasons: 1) he was still a shooter so he shouldn't go free, or 2) there was some sort of conspiracy, and he shouldn't go free to keep it quiet What with all we know about the CIA and others during that time, I'm not slipping this one into the '

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-73105867449231216802012-02-07T00:09:00.000-06:002012-02-07T00:09:00.131-06:00

Truly, a hero... A father who gave his life for his neighbor Please pray for his family, his wife, his children who saw their father shot and die in front of them, and for the repose of the soul of this brave man, who we should all be willing to act like if called upon.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-14734304371547627172012-02-06T00:44:00.000-06:002012-02-06T12:52:14.671-06:00

Why an eccentric band of tree lovers is cloning an ancient forest I found this article froma link from somewhere (it's so easy to get lost on the 'net and not find your way back). It tells about some people who care enough to try and save the earth's biggest, hardiest trees by cloning them. Such good work, really. He started this work after a near-death experience. Did you know that the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-88385738420034860192012-02-06T00:06:00.000-06:002012-02-06T13:49:50.172-06:00

This past Friday,February 3, a wonderful woman passed away at a local hospital. She, her husband and her family, were our family friends for many years, and she was like a second Mom to me with all the time I spent at their house and all the secrets I shared with her that I couldn't tell my own parents. One of her children, my own age, became one of my best friends in high school. This weekend

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-23749594608974642362012-02-04T01:17:00.000-06:002012-02-04T01:17:00.699-06:00

Hornady, a manufacturer of firearm ammunition, is riding the wave of the zombie craze with their new Zombie Max ammunition in various calibres, "just in case". As someone who has always been interested in the zombie genre (along with vampires, werewolves and mummies - the traditional horror genres) even before the current zombie craze took hold, I have to laugh and be amused at this, and the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-89353632281228022982012-02-03T06:37:00.000-06:002012-02-03T09:27:15.189-06:00

Poll shows majority rejects OAS change The current Conservative Harper government in Canada isn't about the will of the people, it is about the ideology of the Right. That is what is driving this change and that is the only thing that will make any difference regarding any change to their plans and to the programs of the Government of Canada. (Oh, and if you disagree with them, well, you're

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-61320621987332133242012-01-30T17:17:00.002-06:002012-01-30T17:17:37.624-06:00

or he's a complete idiot. Gingrich sketches Day 1 agenda for his presidency Health Care? Who needs it? People with health problems brought it on themselves. Wall Street controls? Why would free enterprise need controls? What has Wall Street ever done to hurt anyone? People to help deal with all the important things that one person can't take care of? Heck, he can do it in his sleep. Even

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-53577270501392204422012-01-30T00:47:00.000-06:002012-01-30T00:47:00.113-06:00

"I imagine hell like this: Italian punctuality, German humour and English wine." - Peter Ustinov

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-67896157696363799672012-01-28T01:50:00.000-06:002012-01-28T10:51:33.730-06:00

Stop The Threats This is frightening, but not surprising: "According to the whistleblower, a former senior communications manager for ForestEthics named Andrew Frank, the Prime Minister’s Office told Tides Canada they consider ForestEthics to be an “enemy of the Government of Canada” because of the group’s opposition to the Enbridge pipeline and tar sands expansion."So, according to the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-13157328722570355082012-01-28T01:39:00.000-06:002012-01-28T10:40:15.791-06:00

The cats and I have never discussed these things, but I think that it can be inferred, simply from their behaviour... How I See Things vs. How My Cat Sees Things

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-79351034572537068692012-01-28T00:44:00.000-06:002012-01-28T00:44:00.373-06:00

...the enshrining of everything as a religion to supposedly protect it from the government and the law. Sweden recognises new file-sharing religion Kopimism (The cartoon is a little dated, but it's by the great comic book artist Will Eisner, and it fits perfectly despite its age...)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-51419306232110645022012-01-27T00:18:00.000-06:002012-01-27T09:20:38.814-06:00

that could be called 'Angel stories' if we think back on our lives. Angel to the Rescue Angel stories transcend religious boundaries. They seem to be found in most cultures and most faiths. There must be a reason for that. Angels seem to be the usual way that God interacts directly with humans. Still, so many people focus on angels that there's a danger that they will lose sight of the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-56145486341587136032012-01-26T12:15:00.000-06:002012-01-26T14:56:27.169-06:00

Stephen Harper says `major' changes coming to Canada's pension system: speech The ordinary working folk who have paid into the pension plan all their working lives are going to pay to have 'free enterprise' take care of things for them for a couple of extra years. Except for politicians, of course, who will get their pensions right away. I mean, it's only fair, right? Notice how he says these

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-11298976857569158042012-01-25T01:19:00.000-06:002012-01-25T01:19:00.047-06:00

Now if Russia wasn't run by the Russian Mafia everything would be great. New Russian Submarine named after Russian Saint (Of course, the West is run by the Corporate Mafia, so what's the difference, really?)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-48791786493102564372012-01-25T01:06:00.000-06:002012-01-25T01:06:00.257-06:00

This was announced at his year's just completed NAMM Show. It's a small tube amplifier by Fender called the Greta. A two-watt tabletop amp from their pawnshop series with a special design 4" speaker, designed to look like an old-time radio. MSRP is $259.99, but street price puts it at $199. I'm thinking it looks wonderful, and the reviews of it are great so far. They're not available yet,

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-8094372238796242062012-01-25T00:13:00.000-06:002012-01-25T00:13:00.429-06:00

It's a good idea. Shhh: Pope urges silence to communicate better Our culture knows nothing of silence. A two-minute moment of silence during Mass gets people shuffling their feet, rattling hymnal pages, coughing and getting up to go to the vestibule area. They're uncomfortable! Even worse are the young people who are already distracted by not being able to have their ear buds plugged into

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-78024843679312057912012-01-24T00:29:00.000-06:002012-01-24T00:29:00.664-06:00

Priest: Show up to Mass on time, turn off your phone and dress properly That's just my humble opinion, of course. While most people say that nothing is more disconcerting than having a cell phone go off during Mass (Remember when it used to be pagers, and they were only carried by doctors so you knew it was important?), I tend to lean toward being more than a little ticked off by short shorts

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-55376925068257932782012-01-23T12:25:00.000-06:002012-01-23T12:25:00.657-06:00

your name could be taken off, or the change noted. Flood of ‘de-baptisms’ worries European church leaders But how would the Church go about 'kicking out' the Holy Spirit? Baptism is more than the act of receiving someone in the Church. While you can kick them out of the Church, you can't remove an indelible mark caused by an action of God, even if you don't believe in it. The churches in

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-13397883349746725142012-01-23T01:16:00.000-06:002012-01-23T09:25:10.754-06:00

while Homer has some remarkable flashes of insight, I can't pattern my life after what he states. Struggling with the question of belief? Homer Simpson's got the answer "The Springfield philosopher shows us that the issue of God's existence or non-existence is of little importance"I'm sure that neither he, nor his creators, are great philosphers, brilliant comedians though they are...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-48665347931894319942012-01-23T01:07:00.000-06:002012-01-23T10:18:29.456-06:00

Various website have different dates, so I'm splitting the difference to suggest that today might be the anniversary of the birth of Huddie William Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly, one of the more important figures in the history of Blues and Folk music...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-8563020894966118492012-01-23T00:39:00.000-06:002012-01-23T00:39:00.607-06:00

Calumny and Lies (I Tell You!) A Combermere, Ontario, Madonna House priest discusses the writings of Pope Benedict XVI. I know one thing, Pope Benedict XVI is a wonderfully articulate, clear and understandable writer who can hold a reader tightly in subjects that, from most writers, would be dry and, possibly, bore one to tears. He is a marvelous writer who has a clear idea of who his

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-38298029487119234362012-01-21T01:31:00.000-06:002012-01-21T01:31:00.277-06:00

Nuns Denounce Human Trafficking Ahead Of Super Bowl XLVI All everyone else will be thinking about is money, sports and entertainment. Oh, and themselves. But that goes without question. Some time ago someone was asking me who I thought would be in, and win, the Super Bowl. I thought, Ultimately? I guess God wins. Because these things are just small, small things in the grand scheme, and we

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-7418770048408220562012-01-21T01:20:00.000-06:002012-01-22T10:18:41.609-06:00

Best Paid Pastors Make Hundreds Of Thousands To Millions Of Dollars Annually It brings to mind the 1960 Burt Lancaster/Jean Simmons film Elmer Gantry, based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis. (Both are excellent by the way.) Things that come to a bad end...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-74212771240897671012012-01-21T01:05:00.000-06:002012-01-21T01:05:00.057-06:00

"In the middle of life it happens that death comes and measures man. The visit is forgotten and life continues. But the suit is made, quietly." - Tomas Tranströmer (Swedist Poet)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-43648783738265433922012-01-21T01:01:00.000-06:002012-01-21T01:01:00.521-06:00

but I also understand the Church's position on this. I think it's an issue of Church officials being more bureacratic and not terribly pastoral in the way they interact with these people. Fury at boy’s Holy Communion ceremony ban On the other hand, it gets tedious hearing people go on about their 'rights' regarding things that are really privileges. There are many times you don't have a

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-25123920101299588012012-01-21T00:09:00.000-06:002012-01-22T10:19:51.979-06:00

Are Mormons Christian? It’s complicated Why are people asking this question now? Only because of politics. Religion and politics. Two items we're warned never to discuss in polite gatherings but which always fill the news sources. And people thought religion was an issue when John F. Kennedy, a Catholic, became President of the U.S.. Time marches on...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-37829299089821785002012-01-20T12:52:00.000-06:002012-01-20T12:52:00.133-06:00

...Edgar A. Poe, a man of great talent and intellect, and, sadly, a tragic life. THE RAVEN Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore — While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door — ­ “ ’Tis some visiter,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-55877299911836862422012-01-20T06:55:00.000-06:002012-01-20T09:57:21.488-06:00

claims another victim. Eastman Kodak Files for Bankruptcy And, as usual, the ones that may be the hardest hit are the ones who devoted their working lives to the company: Kodak Bankruptcy to Hit Health Benefits, Pensions But I would guess that the top executives won't be hurting too much. They may, in fact, get their bonuses as usual. Or extra bonuses, for work above and beyond the call of

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-73068130243429511682012-01-19T02:34:00.000-06:002012-01-19T02:34:01.138-06:00

The Egely Wheel: Vital energy measurement for the masses With a conclusion with which I completely agree. Sorry, that's just the way I am...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-12742997068865666362012-01-19T01:35:00.000-06:002012-01-19T01:35:00.566-06:00

Pets head to church for blessing Everyone who has a pet (or who has had one) knows how loved the pets are, and how much they want their special family members to do well and live happy, and long, lives. If they blessed pets here, and I could bring ours, I would bring them. Mind you, Thomasz Goldwyn (Goldie) would have a heart attack in the car on the way there, so that wouldn't do much to

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-31174561641008686642012-01-19T01:15:00.000-06:002012-01-19T01:15:00.693-06:00

their own form of liturgy approved. "Placet" or "Non placet"? The wager of Carmen and Kiko Given the current climate of the Vatican, I would doubt that they'll be successful. Even under Pope John Paul II I doubt that formal and permanent approval would be given...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-64866487972371213712012-01-19T00:46:00.000-06:002012-01-19T00:46:01.695-06:00

And does it matter? CathBlog - Magi relics in Cologne Cathedral Along with many things in the Church, as long as they're not abused and don't become a focus of people's faith, belief in certain things, such as relics, act to deepen believer's faith in God and in God working in this world, something that isn't bad in itself. It falls into error when the objects (apparitions, prophecies, relics

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-9052002966829195382012-01-19T00:05:00.000-06:002012-01-19T00:05:00.640-06:00

the Stop SOPA one-day strike is over. Will it accomplish anything? Why was it important? It's about business, and making certain that U.S. business continues to make every cent that they feel they're entitled to. But it is more than that. I believe that the U.S. government is using business as a means of creating a way to control the internet, and to make certain that something is in place

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-68257625377691714182012-01-18T00:01:00.000-06:002012-01-18T09:04:41.767-06:00

No, seriously. Click the image above to find out why the U.S. wants to censor foreign websites. They claim it's all about helping their friends in business, but it's just the beginning. And it's about foreign websites. That includes Canada. Seriously.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-32643264202222986542012-01-17T06:24:00.000-06:002012-01-17T13:33:23.713-06:00

The world has lost another good soul. Helen was the mother of my best friend, Dan, who died a few years ago. Dan's death was a sad blow to her. She was a such a lovely person, and I always enjoyed visiting with her. She had wit and charm and we spent some very enjoyable hours with her and Harley.  I'm sure her wonderful dog Harley can't understand where his long-time companion has gone.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-88526396344043430442012-01-16T02:23:00.000-06:002012-01-16T11:24:39.963-06:00

Premiers look for unity as health talks begin Looking at the hard-nosed manner in which Mr. Harper is approaching healthcare funding, I'd say it's patently obvious that he's paving the road for for-profit healthcare. Now that he's trying to push the cost of healthcare on the provinces, he'll be able to say that it's not his government causing the problem, it's the provinces. He's never been

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-36789689770125591512012-01-16T01:17:00.000-06:002012-01-16T11:18:18.172-06:00

but the humans... Seals blamed for lack of cod recovery

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-78370108581150570802012-01-16T00:37:00.000-06:002012-01-16T00:37:00.292-06:00

Conservative ridings benefit from Service Canada closures They can't keep up with the claims now, and they're cutting offices that process them. I don't care about the patronage thing, that happens under any government, but what strikes me the most hard-hearted and corrupt is the closing down of the offices themselves, needed for people who have worked and paid for this insurance! It's like

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-87141548047408036342012-01-14T01:47:00.000-06:002012-01-14T01:47:00.323-06:00

"Food for the body is not enough...there must be food for the soul." - Dorothy Day

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-23180382115556635922012-01-14T00:39:00.000-06:002012-01-14T00:39:00.232-06:00

what to think of Medjugorje. Marija takes the apparitions to Assisi There's just too much to comment on here. Until Rome makes a definite statement (or as definite as they can without declaring dogma) then I'll just watch the whole thing, and smile indulgently at the folks who seem to spend more time thinking of, talking about, and praying to, Mary than Jesus. Jesus may well have a word

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-55786595651237361922012-01-14T00:28:00.000-06:002012-01-14T00:28:00.494-06:00

'Gay people should get the death penalty’: Five Muslim men on trial for stirring up hatred after 'handing out homophobic leaflets near mosque' Sigh. What is left to say? While this is a small group, how many other Muslims in England (and around the world) feel like sentiments? It seems that their whole approach to the world is to kill anyone who doesn't believe as they do. And they want

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-12381536292293580852012-01-13T01:44:00.000-06:002012-01-13T08:28:44.762-06:00

And I really mean that! "The average Christian doesn't have to pick up his phone when it rings and think about somebody killing him or his children. The average Christian didn't have any of that" - Rev. C.T. Vivian, vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, on why Rev. Martin Luther King’s favorite hymns and spirituals helped carry him through troubled times.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-83265702897037537332012-01-13T00:42:00.000-06:002012-01-13T00:42:00.442-06:00

that death doesn't have to be the end. Cryonics This is a good little article. It discusses history, theology, philosophy and other issues that surround this somewhat fantastic idea. The biggest concern to me would be the necessary funds to keep this going for the, perhaps, thousands of years until the science may have progressed this far and the trust that people will really do as they say 

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-4172951116443805602012-01-12T06:25:00.000-06:002012-01-12T08:28:33.941-06:00

this is a example of awful disrespect for human beings, and it really can't be excused. Afghan president condemns U.S. marines urination video Keep in mind the whole list of who is complaining, though. Many are the same people who behead journalists on video and share it with the world. Then you'll be able to realize that it's all propoganda, that it's all political. People who are offended

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-46496205481972417522012-01-12T01:06:00.000-06:002012-01-12T01:06:00.753-06:00

He speaks of pain in the usual Catholic manner... Colbert, comedy and the cross ...but the last line of the last quote of his, his words on manners, is something we all should take away from this. Ignore the comments. Whether he's orthodox or heterodox in his beliefs is none of our business. Only if we are looking to him as an icon to follow would that matter. I can't believe the targets of

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-53626807737842429222012-01-11T12:50:00.000-06:002012-01-11T12:50:00.565-06:00

I certainly don't question people's faith, nor do I deny miracles, I just want to know why? Madonna Mania "In Ballinspittle I saw an inanimate statue of the Virgin Mary sway from side to side..."If (bear that word in mind always) God is doing this, why is God doing this? Is God truly affecting hearts? Why does one person see something and another person not? Why doesn't God do something that

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-56616120179634004712012-01-11T01:42:00.000-06:002012-01-11T10:12:44.646-06:00

about this blog post about food... 20 Surprising Artificially Colored Foods ...and that is that the author thinks it is surprising that all those things are artificially coloured. Looking at the list I would be surprised if any of them weren't artificially coloured, and I would include a lot more foods in the list as well...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-8592457056495006452012-01-11T01:40:00.000-06:002012-01-11T01:40:00.265-06:00

Church charges for calls to mobile phone-carrying angel Heh, heh, heh, heh... (Though I would rather see a gargoyle on a cell phone on the cathedral ramparts rather than an angel.)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-3884578172172131672012-01-11T00:55:00.000-06:002012-01-11T00:55:01.144-06:00

If There Are No Kneelers, Is It a Catholic Church? I feel sorry for pastors in Catholic churches that were built during a certain period post-Vatican II and were built without kneelers. A previous pastor (and bishop, I guess), who was in place during the construction of the church, showed his spirit of renewal by not including pews with kneelers. This is the 20th century! We don't kneel to show

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-83248973471106741092012-01-10T01:22:00.000-06:002012-01-10T09:24:06.763-06:00

On this date in 1863 the London Underground opened for business. 1863! The industrial age continued for a long time in England...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-82079960836389405102012-01-10T01:11:00.000-06:002012-01-10T09:11:34.333-06:00

that some of us are likely monsters (or at least that's how we feel sometimes)... "Who has not asked himself at some time or other: am I a monster or is this what it means to be a person?" - Clarice Lispector

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-10567304878404153462012-01-09T19:50:00.000-06:002012-01-09T19:50:29.662-06:00

ideology über sanity, anyway. 'Radical' groups working against oilsands "Environment groups 'threaten to hijack' system, natural resources minister says"See that little speck of dust over there? That's the environmental groups. See that huge mountain over there? That's the big oil companies. And that speck of dust is working against the huge mountain. It'll be UFOs next. Harper is losing it

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-29905510309710894572012-01-06T01:26:00.000-06:002012-01-08T10:30:00.061-06:00

in the U.S., of course... 6 Myths Catholics Tell About Libertarians I present this, not as a statement of my personal beliefs, but for the information contained in this person's opinion. My personal beliefs have nothing to do with Libertarianism...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-68789046316569564342012-01-05T01:48:00.000-06:002012-01-05T01:48:00.155-06:00

a Catholic Bishop, but a bishop of another Christian denomination. Muslim Extremists in Uganda Throw Acid on Bishop And they claim to be a peaceful religion. I really am horrified by their violence...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-55459165105325399872012-01-05T00:55:00.000-06:002012-01-05T00:55:00.076-06:00

California bishop resigns, says he has 2 kids You have to suspect that he somehow got found out. Is it likely that his conscience was bothering him after so many years? Well, I admit it is possible. No one is past reclamation, and God is all-powerful. There's really some things happening of late to the Church in the area of priests and sexuality. I wonder if the whole issue of married

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-55555648936201056352012-01-05T00:13:00.000-06:002012-01-05T00:13:00.772-06:00

and the media seem to have taken a 'guilty until proven innocent' position (or, rather, a 'guilty even after proven innocent' position) on this issue. Falsely Accused Priest: 'My Life Has Been Ruined' It appears that in this case the diocesan position is that if you've been accused at any time, you're guilty no matter what. So go away.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-70674709323452982952012-01-04T01:37:00.000-06:002012-01-04T01:37:00.157-06:00

know what a new year is about...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-72134203579454840012012-01-04T00:55:00.000-06:002012-01-04T00:55:00.283-06:00

to really be aware of. .Books That Are Never Done Being Written "Digital text is ushering in an era of perpetual revision and updating, for better and for worse."People who would normally not publish until their work was really complete may be encouraged to publish earlier and correct or revise later, leading to some not too tiny problems...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-40128969904706404432012-01-04T00:37:00.000-06:002012-01-04T00:37:02.007-06:00

they've got the power. Nigeria: The fundamentalists’ ultimatum. The appeal of Bishop Ayau Kaigama "The Islamic group Boko Haram has given Christians three days to leave the north of the country. A bishop: “There are secret forces that move them.”"Even if they don't have a majority, how do you deal with a religion that solves disputes or exerts the power it does have at the end of a gun?

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-65259209346178934612012-01-04T00:28:00.000-06:002012-01-04T00:28:01.442-06:00

Philippines: priest's murder involved in hydroelectric project There are many instances in the third world where people, particularly priests and religious, who have been advocates for the rights of the poor and dispossessed, have been murdered by those who favour change that can make them wealthy. It has happened forever, and it still happens today. It seems that it is just much more obvious

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-10212410765134092562012-01-03T01:24:00.000-06:002012-01-03T09:26:00.863-06:00

and inspirinng story. Daniel Baumann: Imprisoned in Iran Did it happen just like that? I don't know, but I have no reason to disbelieve him. A very similar thing happened in the book of Acts, so why not?

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-26421092483942158082012-01-03T01:12:00.000-06:002012-01-03T01:12:00.235-06:00

...my favourite character. ‘Harry Potter’: Alan Rickman looks back on decade of dark magic The article talks a bit about his difficult role...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-10767759063003247982012-01-02T00:47:00.000-06:002012-01-02T00:47:00.328-06:00

but a library is a library... Mysteries and Masterpieces: The latest stage in the “American conquest of the Middle Ages” The article is pretty good, and there's some interesting criticism in the comments, too...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-39546056959359428742012-01-02T00:04:00.000-06:002012-01-02T00:04:00.425-06:00

talks about the end of the world more often lately. Apocalypse Soon "Prophecies of impending doom — based on hard science as well as Scripture — abound. Where does our appetite for retribution come from?" Or talks about our talking about it...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-74207719885390915622012-01-01T00:01:00.000-06:002012-01-01T00:01:05.779-06:00

Happy2012Everyone!

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-52266257898064941782011-12-31T17:23:00.003-06:002011-12-31T17:23:41.716-06:00

Happy New Year!

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-19707903148503786112011-12-31T12:54:00.001-06:002011-12-31T12:54:27.233-06:00

in 1759, Arthur Guinness signed up to a 9,000 year lease for his brewery, for £45 per annum! (If only one could get a mortgage like that!)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-56673247580048959772011-12-31T03:17:00.000-06:002011-12-31T03:17:00.953-06:00

Apocalypse 2012: how will the world end? Out of all this comes the funniest thing of all - end of the world theorist capitalists who spend their time making money off of the possibility of this happening by selling necessary products to those poor people that they've helped to believe in the end of the world in the coming year. If it is truly going to end, as the people selling survival things

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-70609526761910634042011-12-31T01:19:00.000-06:002011-12-31T01:19:00.148-06:00


 Priests brawl in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity This, in miniature, shows the tensions of the Middle East. They weren't arrested because they're all men of God? Really bizarre!

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-48125449261321829442011-12-31T01:01:00.000-06:002011-12-31T12:56:26.055-06:00


 that it is growing quickly again, or is still continuing to grow as it has over the years? Charismatic movement growing quickly worldwide The Charismatic Movement in the Catholic Church started at the beginning of the 1970s, so it already has a history of some duration. After growing quickly it went into a decline, for a lot of reasons. I expect what the writer of the headline is trying to

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-2835474834188403912011-12-31T00:41:00.000-06:002011-12-31T00:41:00.165-06:00

Consistory near: Vatican orders new cardinal's rings ...Vatican gossip about Vatican politics... (In deference to the current Pope's love of all things traditional in the Church, I've chosen to go beyond the usual 'red hat' image for this post all the way to a very formal, old style image of a Cardinal's traditional hat, complete with tassels. No, don't thank me.)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-28540970335555453522011-12-30T00:50:00.000-06:002011-12-30T09:33:07.298-06:00

Who, reading this out there, hasn't seen someone texting or doing something emailish walk straight into a parking meter or light pole? Eventually it will weed them all out, we just have to be patient.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-38843424608679229192011-12-30T00:29:00.000-06:002011-12-30T09:30:29.042-06:00

All the Biblical literacy that’s fit to print This is a very good website, one which has the position that the media doesn't really 'get religion'...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-66357359904697584052011-12-29T01:39:00.000-06:002011-12-29T01:39:00.061-06:00

10 Creepy Examples of Twilight Craziness I think the one that bothers me the most is number 7. They all bother me, but number 7 really shows how much parents (and professionals) will do, how far they will go, to pander to the desires of their children today.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-81464723302451836542011-12-29T00:53:00.000-06:002011-12-29T08:18:19.229-06:00

becoming their theme song now that the U.S. Supreme Court has considered them the equivalent of human citizens. Incredibly well done! Brilliant! (And sadly, not so funny, if looked at in context...)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-50052296468256330612011-12-29T00:36:00.000-06:002011-12-29T00:36:00.345-06:00

The Chinese Restaurant Association would like to extend its thanks... It really is terrific that God knows where and what they should eat. He's got good taste, for certain! (But then, He would have, wouldn't He?)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-6760154384772628462011-12-29T00:14:00.000-06:002011-12-29T08:17:48.557-06:00

Fuck Your Prayer, Show Me Solidarity She's angry. Angry for good, legitimate reasons. She is consumed by the injustice that swallows her and her anger is directed toward the 'justice' proposed by certain liberal Evangelicals. But she has very, very good points. I have felt anger toward some of these people for years. The situation really is class warfare. It is all around us. Our society is

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-11468218625259429372011-12-28T01:31:00.000-06:002011-12-28T01:31:00.207-06:00

10 Unexpected Optical Illusions in Photos

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-57946484779630373112011-12-28T01:01:00.000-06:002011-12-28T01:01:00.852-06:00

'Good Grief' articles for one day. I'm on a roll! On the religious roots of celebrity worship I'm not saying the article is wrong, I'm just saying "a genuine religious phenomena."? I wouldn't have thought that. They must have a room reserved for me at Bedlam...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-50226722485883501862011-12-28T00:53:00.000-06:002011-12-28T00:53:00.265-06:00

Tim Tebow and the Second Coming Americans seem more likely to make a completely unsubstantiated leap of faith than most people and they're searching just as hard an anyone. They admire strong, husky manly men, and this one honours God, consequently he may very well be God! I know the work of two of the three scholars they contacted for the article. I'd trust them more than anyone else to be

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-57216174079792526252011-12-28T00:38:00.000-06:002011-12-28T00:38:00.169-06:00

to preserve art with far less cultural importance than this. Saving works of God I would hope that help will be found to preserve as much as possible...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-48028092581685434542011-12-28T00:11:00.000-06:002011-12-28T00:11:00.798-06:00

of reading of and hearing people say that something someone else has said is 'hurtful', suggesting that therefore they shouldn't say it, because it might hurt someone's feelings. Anything someone says might hurt someone else's feelings. That doesn't make it a crime, or hateful. Cardinal Francis George Warns That Chicago Gay Pride Parade Might 'Morph Into Ku Klux Klan' They want to be respected

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-71897390119951937912011-12-27T01:43:00.000-06:002011-12-27T09:39:18.179-06:00

it seems to be 'old things' day here on Silent Servants... Ancient Seal Found in Jerusalem Linked to Ritual (I include myself in that beginning statement I made.)

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-7192223693049833012011-12-27T01:39:00.000-06:002011-12-27T08:08:19.301-06:00

and appropriate for Christmas... Ancient document sheds new light on Magi story It makes the line from the song that goes 'we three kings from orient are' more accurate.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-17763197878636009402011-12-27T01:09:00.000-06:002011-12-27T01:09:00.759-06:00

the correct word to use. Top 10 Disgustingly Expensive Gifts People have always sought wealth and some have looked for the most ostentatious way to display their wealth. Here's a few of the most incredibly vulgar...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-11409810650859994722011-12-27T01:08:00.000-06:002011-12-27T01:08:00.598-06:00


 At the world’s hottest church ...it's something that there doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground about in the mainline churches. I'm not talking about Pentecostals, who are not in the picture in Protestant or Catholic church life, but rather of Charismatics. In my experience people I know either love them or hate them (or rather, the movement, or perhaps both) for many and varied

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-59229088583156215852011-12-27T00:06:00.000-06:002011-12-27T00:06:00.166-06:00

Belief in guardian angels rooted in experience I also believe that my poor Guardian Angel is kept so busy that there must be multiple ones to spell each other off. Some people are easier to watch over than others. Some people make bad decisions and make life difficult for their helpers...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-4624832078319069872011-12-26T01:03:00.000-06:002011-12-26T10:11:41.089-06:00

Pope Benedict XVI attacks Christmas consumerism at Mass People who see the Pope and the Papacy in black and white don't really see the good that is said and done that they actually agree with if they were to admit it. To liberal Catholics he's a conservative roadblock for the renewal of the Church, yet this sort of thing is just what they, and many others, are wanting to hear in our Church.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-45551771686354113332011-12-26T00:40:00.000-06:002011-12-26T00:40:00.201-06:00

is doing a very good work, I think, anyway... Jamaica's patois Bible: The word of God in creole "The Bible is, for the first time, being translated into Jamaican patois. It's a move welcomed by those Jamaicans want their mother tongue enshrined as the national language - but opposed by others, who think learning and speaking English should be the priority."

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-37683255921664206112011-12-26T00:01:00.000-06:002011-12-26T10:10:17.391-06:00

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Boxing Day  *** * ************ * *** *I've always *thought that it was* weird to have *this day right at this time.*A holiday focussed  specificallyon spending *money? In some places a statutory holiday? What is *that about?Why *do we have to focus on this just at this*time? How did* sharing out of love become corrupted*into giving* as a requirement,

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-11191729372254561122011-12-25T00:01:00.000-06:002011-12-25T00:01:01.472-06:00

Peace, Joy, Love, Happiness and every blessing to anyone who reads my drivel, and to all your families and friends. My prayer is for every blessing and good thing for you, now and always. May the promise of the Christ Child be a reality in your lives. May you know all these things and more, and finally, peace and joy forever. God bless... "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-56056787823037566952011-12-24T00:32:00.000-06:002011-12-24T00:32:00.210-06:00

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-35695617364494546392011-12-23T01:05:00.000-06:002011-12-23T01:05:00.299-06:00

Ohio shooting of girl in Amish buggy a homicide A 15-year-old girl from a religious group dedicated to peaceful religious values. Despite the fact that this type of violence is the act of a violent, immoral, insane (though perhaps not clinically insane) person in the first place, who would do this to a helpless individual like this? I guess I just answered my own question. Lord, I pray that she

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-51767293569937828992011-12-23T00:25:00.000-06:002011-12-23T00:25:01.930-06:00

Psychiatrist says disgraced Bishop Lahey not a pedophile I'm staying away from the whole pedophilia issue. I'm just wondering about the Bishop's stable 10-year gay marriage. One can speculate that if the images weren't found on his computer (and he may even have set himself up for that, in some twisted way) he would have continued his role in the Church and continue his stable, committed, gay

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38353375.post-85319403479327327282011-12-23T00:20:00.000-06:002011-12-23T00:20:00.731-06:00

Mystery buyer acquires vatican.xxx web address Perhaps it was purchased by some good Catholic in order to prevent it from being purchased by someone who might misuse it or hold it for ransom? Naw... The one thing that the intertubes has done is brought all the slime the has hidden in the corners and shadows of the world out into the open. What is even worse than that is that it seems to have

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025031193397025698noreply@blogger.com0