As part of the Year of Faith we are using the Saturday and Sunday sermons to preach the Catechism.

This was preached in a local parish where I was doing supply. Very different to our usual congregations in the Friary Chapel.

The problem with vocations is complex; there are many factors. One that is often overlooked is contraception. Once Catholics start contracepting the Catholic population begins its decline. it's there in the statistics. Before contraception was legalised in Ireland about 1978 the Net Fertility Rate was about 3. After legalisation it declined steadily and dropped below Replacement Rate (2.1) about ten years later and kept declining. It has reached as low as 1.85 and some Government bodies believe … [More]

I think it's a very good idea! It does resemble that Irish animated series 'Give up yer pool sins!' though. As someone who teaches teenagers though I would have one criticism: language. Words like 'pedagogy' are way over the heads of the weaker students. It does mean that teachers will have to explain these words but they can be a barrier to understanding. Other than that these kinds of videos can be an aid to teaching the faith. I'm passing the link onto my department head.

While I am not doubting for one moment that much has changed since Vatican II and there has been much lost it is unjust to ascribe this loss to the Council. A faithful, orthodox reading of the Council documents does not justify any of the changes made after the Council. Pope Paul VI was, to my mind, easily swayed and he trusted too much that those who 'experimented' would respect tradition and the Magisterium. His trust was betrayed and by some, such as Archbishop Bugnini, who were close to him … [More]

As part of the Year of Faith we are devoting most of our Sunday sermons to preaching the Catechism. We are restarting, having broken for Christmas, with the Creed. Yesterday the sermon was on the Oneness of God. Today I was preaching on the Father … [More]

Well said Cannoli! There are differences between the situation of Bl. John Paul and the present Holy Father. John Paul's illness was of the body alone - his mind was intact but Pope Benedict has hinted that his illness is affecting his mental abilities. In such a situation a pope is open to serious error or even manipulation. If the captain cannot govern his ship he needs must pass the burden on to one who can. We must never forget that Christ is still in charge and He will give us, with the … [More]

Video of his Holiness' resignation speech is online from CNS on Youtube and at http://blog.newadvent.org/2013/02/watch-video-of-moment-pope-benedict.html.

I don't believe priest's are 'born priests' but we are called to be priests from eternity by the mercy of the Father. Even when called there are those who refuse to listen, those who follow the call but for selfish or immoral reasons and even those who perhaps set out to destroy the Church.

Since all of us are conceived as fallen we all … [More]

While this might be misused by some Muslims and Islamic extremists to do more evil . I would be very careful of Walid Shoebat's interpretation of anything. There's a video on YouTube of him identifying an Islamic group as a sign of the end times based on his reading of a corrupted very late addition to a very early copy of the book of Revelations - it took me a few minutes research to check it out. No scholarship from that man just biased opinion!

On cannibalism it should be remembered that … [More]

Pax et Bonum!

We all need to remember that we will each answer to God not only for every act but for every word spoken or written, in deed for every evil thought we have indulged.

This archbishop, who may be quoted out of context, has not committed any public sin to my knowledge - apart from this faux pas. He is in serious error if he thinks that state protection of homosexual relationships (no thought for siblings living together or friends who choose do so) will stop there. As said in the … [More]

Thank you for this! I don't know Italian but these are Conventual Friars at the Basilica of St Francis (looks like the lower church) with the remains of Brs. Bernardo di Quintavalle, Silvester, William of England, Electus and Valentino. All of them were very early companions of St. Francis and are buried in the basilica. For further information see http://www.keytoumbria.com/Assisi/Early_Franciscans.html

Disgusting!

“[S]tudents have taken this really impressive leadership role in this issue,” Anne Hoffman, associate chair of the English department and advisor to the queer task force, said. “The university is a place of inquiry and freedom to explore and that the students have really shown us the way.”

Once one abandons any acceptance of an objective moral order (one Western civilisation has been built on) then one has truly lost one's way and one can be led anywhere. Those who ought to lead become those … [More]

I was there but I don't think there was 10,000 others! It seemed closer to about 5,000 or so. I base that on our annual school sports awards where we have 1,000 students and their teachers in our gym- so I know what a big crowd looks like. Still it was impressive and I hope our politicians got the message. Unfortunately with the budget out today it's likely to be quickly forgotten. The real way to get a politician's attention is by hitting their pocket by hitting their votes. To those outside … [More]

Thanks for this. Their album is available on iTunes.

Thank you for posting this! This is exactly what gloria.tv should be about - accessing good Catholic talks and building up our knowledge and love for the Faith. Thank you again!

Really, guys, do we have to turn to Protestants for our thinking? They at least acknowledge that Halloween is the eve of the feast of All Saints - that's why there's a celebration. The present feast has become 'paganised' but that does not make it a pagan feast. These people can't even be bothered to get pronunciations right: it's Celtic with a hard 'C' not a soft 'C' (that's a Scottish football team) and Samhain is 'sow-en' (that's 'sow' as in a female pig) not 'sam-hane'. The Church baptised … [More]

I hope and pray Obama does not get re-elected but I don't think even Romney can have much of an impact on the decline of the States. Like all the Western nations (including little old Ireland) you are not replacing yourselves. Not enough babies means collapse in the near distant future even in a perfect world. Obama will make it worse but Romney will not make it better. We all have the same dilemma when it comes to elections. You are in my prayers.

Perhaps no plan will work. I am working on an article relating the decline in the Irish (and Western) fertility rate with the decline in vocations. The grim reality is that just as governments refuse to see that contraception is killing their societies so many in the Church refuse to see that contraception is also killing the Church. Perhaps the whole system has to collapse before we can start again. Perhaps the Roman empire had to fall for the faith to spread further afield. Perhaps the West … [More]

Dear A. Principe,

I did not criticize the article but the page it links to. The website it links to is antiCatholic. My criticism stands.

The above links to an anti-Catholic site. Why give our enemies space? They have enough space on the internet as it is.

This video has been shown elsewhere and it appears that at least it was not part of a Mass (thanks be to God for small mercies). Everyone blames Vatican II but it was Paul VI who permitted a period of experimentation. Once the cat is out of the bag it is very hard to get it back in. Slowly, slowly these bishops are being replaced. It can be a bit hit and miss with their replacements (as we know in Ireland) but the Holy Father is steering the Church back on course. As for the SSPX one cannot … [More]

Bishop Wcela shows disturbing ignorance of basic theology of the priesthood. As it says in the report the Sacrament of Holy Orders is one sacrament given in three degrees. To be ineligible for one is to be ineligible for the other two - if women cannot be priests they cannot be deacons either.

While it would not be my kind of music or worship (not any more - too loud) I cannot see anything here that is sinful or immodest or disgraceful. None of the bands seem to be playing in a church but rather in church halls. Of course that Charismatic Renewal has lacked orthodox guidance on a local level seems incontrovertible as has the negative (separate ) impacts of Medugorje and Evangelicalism/Pentecostalism. The former has drawn off people of a more orthodox/conservative bent and the latter … [More]

I think the author misunderstands the nature of beatification. St. Francis was undoubtedly holy but even so, while he was alive, the Order was already going astray. A Pope or any other person is not canonised for success in the world but for heroic faithfulness to Christ. Blessed John Paul II began to swing the great barque of Peter off the course Paul VI had mistakenly set and Benedict continues that swing but the ship is still moving. One does not a great ship in a few moments nor does one … [More]

Many more years! Your poor grandmother she does not seem comfortable at all. I will remember her at Mass.

Is she really eight? She rang a Northern company to do demolition?

At least here in Ireland bishops have resigned for not acting to confront the issue and so protect children in the past.

There is another 'elephant' in the Church and society though. Only about 3% of abuse involves clergy (that's bad enough) but what about the other 97%? Are victims of sexual abuse by family members, friends, neighbours, teachers or youth workers less significant? Do they suffer less? Are the crimes of their abusers less sinful? Are those in their families, neighbourhood or … [More]

well done!

It is interesting to actually read some of the questions in the poll sponsored by the Irish Times (was Protestant now secularist). The question on whether the bread merely represents the Body of Christ or is the Body is slanted. If one were a little muddled one could easily answer wrongly. There is no doubt though that 40 years (and ongoing) of poor catechesis has left the average Catholic in Ireland with very little knowledge of his or her faith. The Irish Church was too arrogant to see the … [More]

The picture above shows Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv) but the statement is from the American provinces of the Friars Minor (OFM or 'Leonine Union') and only the American provinces - they don't speak for the entire order and certainly not for the Conventuals, Capuchins, Third Order Regular, or any other Franciscan communities. It may very well only come from the provincial leadership teams and not from all the friars. There are bound to be friars who object to this statement. The picture … [More]

How do you tell the difference between genuine memories that have been 'recovered' and those produced by 'False Memory Syndrome'? While not doubting that Satanism exists and its followers may attempt human sacrifice the uncritical acceptance of this woman's testimony only feeds hysteria and ultimately hinders rather than helps the fight against abuse. It eventually leads to a society wide scepticism in this matter. Vicki Polin, the Jewish girl interviewed, founded the Awareness Centre (the site … [More]

In Ireland it is very rare to have the national flag displayed inside a church. I don't know what canon law says about it - it must be permitted but I prefer not to have it on display. The Crucifix is our banner.

It isn't just the major Catholic festivals that attract such nonsense - every year for St. Patrick's day there's a professor trotted out (sometimes Irish sometimes English) to proclaim some new theory that debunks the patron saint of Ireland. Wherever the faith is perceived to be still a force the evil one stirs up this rubbish. They wouldn't do it to Islam or Judaism.

As for the Cardinal - I begin to despair of that man. I think doctrinally he's orthodox but he seems to lack the backbone to … [More]

David Quinn is only repeating what has long been said by not a few here in Ireland - that our bishops are an uninspiring lot, nice even holy men, but uninspiring. Perhaps it is years of being 'pastoral' or just that these were the 'safe' men recommended to Rome by the nuncios Rome had sent here. Whatever the reason the only one who gets the attention is the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin...

Actually slavery goes much further back. The Romans practiced it and probably so did many European peoples (Celtic, Germanic tribes etc). I had not realised the extent of the Islamic role in this evil though.

Have they forgotten the Germans had these 'Euthanasia Commandos' back in the thirties and forties only they called them the SS.

The accompanying video is sad. Those atheists who try to claim reason as their exclusive province are guilty of the height of arrogance. What amazes me is this idea that one has the right to say what one wants to. One has the right to free speech once one is seeking to contribute to the pursuit of truth and entering into a genuine dialogue with others in the process. "Saying what I like' is a perversion of that right. The right to free speech not only carries with it the duty to seek the truth … [More]

Go to http://opac.bologna.enea.it:8991/RT/2011/2011_14_ENEA.pdf for the report (in Italian) and then follow instructions at http://shroudofturin.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/translating-the-whole-enea-report-into-english-with-google/ . Enjoy!

Part two of a two part series on the new translation of the Roman Missal delivered in Raheny Friary, Dublin, November 26 2011.

This talk was given on Saturday November 19 in the Capuchin Friary, Raheny, Dublin as part one of a two part series preparing the people for the New Translation. It wasn't the only preparation they have received but at one of our community meetings … [More]

While Hegarty may be in trouble for mishandling cases of abuse it seems that his actually declining health is the real reason for his resignation. Rumour has it that he suffers from Alzheimers.

Like all heresy the above event is banal even as it celebrates its blasphemy. This is 'worship-us' liturgy, centred on human beings (they'd object to 'man') rather than on God. Likewise with the group in Austria and their kin in Ireland: cut off from God's plan they descend into banal self-worship. It is the same path that the devil took.

Tavener's religious work is often composed for performance in a Church setting. Thank you for this.

Amen indeed! Politely, clearly and firmly put.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, there is a set of stairs that should not be standing. This is the story of how they came to be - as an answer to prayer.

Excellent! This is what Gloria.Tv should be about. Scholarship deepening our understanding of the Faith.

This report about the Irish Government and the Church is seriously flawed. In Ireland the Primary schools are funded by the State but built on land owned by a Church/Diocese (usually Catholic). The Government (particularly the Minister for Education) wants the Church to hand over a large number of Primary (Elementary) schools to the State. The Church is negotiating with them about this. Some will be handed over - the Church cannot afford them. In a separate issue the Religious involved in … [More]

To all posters- Please, brothers and sisters, in all things: Charity! 'One cathces more with honey than with vinegar' and 'a kind word never cost a penny'.

ReaderMichael - I have not read all the reactions to your video. I admire and look up to the Churches of the East and have read some of your great theologians. Wouls that the riches of your Church were better known in the West and vice versa.

If I had any criticism of your video it would be that you are not comparing like with like. … [More]

Sunday sermon, unedited. I hope these words will help.

This is one of THREE Irish Unions but it represents teachers in the National or Primary (Elementary in the US) Schools. This is what happens when faithful Catholics don't take an interest in their Unions and when the Bishops allow years of faulty catechetical formation: a generation without faith and increasing hostility to faith in the public sphere. This union is run by a minority and they are now publicly hostile to the Church. They sense the Bishops can't keep up management of the schools … [More]

Excellent work you're doing. This is very much needed. Archbishop Sheen was a great preacher and teacher and making him available will bring many benefits and blessings.

They got the habit wrong on the friar - that's a Franciscan (OFM) habit not a Capuchin (OFM Cap) habit.

Surely, Calvin, Luther, Zwingli and all the rest would've lept back into the arms of Rome had they seen this fruit of their rebellion and heresy. It's the most blatant (yet I hope unintentional) mockery of the Eucharist I have ever seen. Even without faith in the Real Presence surely they realise that to celebrate any service in this manner is blasphemous even sacriligous.

Well that's what the liberals love. Exactly what one gets from GIRM's 'any other suitable song'. It's bad but I've seen worse.