Edited by author 05-09-2009 05:48 PM
Again, I have definitely been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and am now being attacked for simply pointing out the irony of a historical situation. I am most definitely pro life. And that's ALL life. Period. Paragraph. End of Chapter.

   Following up on Bea's last post. I don't know how many of you receive Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio's weekly Crossroads Initiatives, but he had a very interesting topic this week. It concerns the low population growth (in many what were once "Catholic" European countries) and the spread of Islam there. Several years ago while visiting Spain my husband and I were told we should move to Spain as the govenment would pay us to live there because we had 4 children - they were that concerned about their population growth. Follow this link to Crossroads Initiatives and watch the small attached film clip: http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/librar...come_a_Mosque_.html I can't imagine St. Peters ever becoming a mosque, but maybe we should offer some extra prayers for the Church in Europe.

I didn't have much to add to the debate about Notre Dame's invitation of President Obama to speak at the graduation. Frankly, I think that they never imagined the firestorm that would erupt. They have always invited Presidents and this means that they come with their baggage.

Another commented that the earlier Bishops' document on Church design, Environment and Art in Catholic Worship, lacked any authority. It was not a publication of the full Conference of Bishops as the current one, Built of Living Stones, is. That document carries great authority. However the previous one was more of a directive, having the authority of good advice. Built of Living Stones works off of it.

Edited by author 05-15-2009 03:24 PM
Bea,

I have not moved and I am a girl. That’s ok; I do have a boy’s name – my parents wanted a boy, and when I came, the name stuck!

Also, I am the nursing home/homebound coordinator for St. Mark. If you and an elderly parent would like to receive Communion at home once a week, let me know. I can make arrangements for someone to come. My contact information is in the bulletin.

Jaye Griswold

We were in Houston this past weekend and went to Sunday Mass at the new cathedral, Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. If you're in Houston near downtown, stop in for a visit. It is a truly beautiful worship space, very traditional and modern, and very serene. It is a very inspiring and peaceful space. It's comforting to know that craftspeople still exist to create such beauty.

Does the Church forbid having two tabernacles - one in the church in view of all, and one in the chapel?

To the best of my knowledge, the Church does forbid more than one place of reservation, even though the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in two places at St. Peter's in Rome. There it is reserved at a small side altar and in the main chapel of reservation. What they do doesn't really make sense, since the main chapel is open all the time and is a place of quiet and prayer. Why reserve it at another altar? If it is important there, why not at 2 or 3 more?

The Blessed Sacrament is reserved for two purposes: first, to take communion to the sick and secondly, for adoration. It was the preferred position to reserve it in a space other than the main worship area so that the act of adoration and the act of celebrating the Eucharist are not confused (that may not be the best word.) Yes, Mass involves worship but it is not the same dynamic, it seems to me, as the act of adoration.

In any case, it can be reserved in only one place.

Thank you Father for explaining this.