Hello Everyone,
In case some of you were questioning what happened to the monthly practice over the last two months, simple explanations:
1) March: The last friday of the month was Good Friday. 'Nuff said.
2) April: Quite frankly I was caught up in my work priorities and other things in my personal life and needed to step back a bit from Latin Mass stuff. I was also quite exhausted thanks to said other issues. Nothing like a part time job at all hours with requests for help to wear you out.
So no, to those who think it has tanked and died, WRONG! The group is back on, and will be having a practice tomorrow, May 31, at 8pm at St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church, Scarborough, ON.
Where: St. Lawrence the Martyr, 2210 Lawrence Ave. E, Scarborough, ON. It is closest to St. Lawrence Ave. E + Kennedy Rd. TTC access via Kennedy Station 43/43B bus and a 10 min walk west on L.A.E.
The focus of this practice will be the Solemn Latin Mass. We will be working in tandem with St. Lawrence the Martyr parish and the St. Patrick`s Gregorian Choir, as the next Solemn Latin Mass in the core of the Archdiocese of Toronto will be the evening of next Friday, June 7, at 7pm at St. Lawrence the Martyr. In this practice, roles will be assigned to servers who desire to serve the Solemn Mass. We will go through a run through of the serving portions of the Mass as a refresher to all who attend, but in addition to teach new roles to servers who are new to the Mass, or who have been "promoted" to a more demanding role in serving.
The serving group is always looking for new servers! If you are an adult or young man who wants to start serving, please come to the practice and send me your contact information, both an e-mail AND a cell or home phone number (or that of your parents in addition to your own if you are a minor under 18) to torontotlmservers@gmail.com. I will also be forwarding your contact information to the organizers of the SPGC choir so they may contact you for further/future Masses and to know who will ACTUALLY be serving next friday.
In addition, if you want to do serving outside of the group, via a Latin Mass parish and/or a Solemn Latin Mass choir in the diocese as well. I will forward your information onto the organizers, or give you information for one of the Latin Mass parishes in the diocese. Please submit all information by e-mail, not by comment boxes (more for your privacy).
Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Highlight: Antiphon Catholic Academic Journal for Orthodox/Traditional Catholic issues
Hello Everyone,
I would like to highlight a site on the internet for a Catholic-Academic-Theological journal which while not specific to the Extraordinary Form, nonetheless contains many articles concerning the EF, including contributions from many well-known advocated for Traditional Catholicism and the EF, e.g. Canon Lawyer Edward Peters, Cardinal Ranjith, ...
The website for the journal is http://www.liturgysociety.org/antiphon/ and contains a number of articles that are "samples" of the content of the journal for free reading, some concerning important issues or works being discussed in Traditional Catholicism. Have a read, please! They even ship to Canada and have a unique subscription price for Canadians. Do support this publication.
Hat tip to New Liturgical Movement for putting this on their blog, and popping up in my blog feed.
Pax, Julian.
I would like to highlight a site on the internet for a Catholic-Academic-Theological journal which while not specific to the Extraordinary Form, nonetheless contains many articles concerning the EF, including contributions from many well-known advocated for Traditional Catholicism and the EF, e.g. Canon Lawyer Edward Peters, Cardinal Ranjith, ...
The website for the journal is http://www.liturgysociety.org/antiphon/ and contains a number of articles that are "samples" of the content of the journal for free reading, some concerning important issues or works being discussed in Traditional Catholicism. Have a read, please! They even ship to Canada and have a unique subscription price for Canadians. Do support this publication.
Hat tip to New Liturgical Movement for putting this on their blog, and popping up in my blog feed.
Pax, Julian.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Breaking News!!! Pope Rejects Anti-Latin Mass sentiments of bishops of Apulia, Italy, and will not Destroy Summorum Pontificum!
Hello Everyone.
Breaking news from my Blog Feed.
Summary: Some bishops from some region of Italy came for an ad limina visit to Rome. They presented concerns about their diocese. One bishop, of Conversano and Monopoli, declared that the Mass in the old rite was creating "division." Reading between the lines they want the Pope to nullify Summorum Pontificum and kill the Latin Mass or at least to give control back to the Bishops.
So what did the Holy Father do? Just as expected from a doctrinally and dogmatically traditional Pope, from a man who now is in the seat of the Bishop or Rome who MUST respect the tradition of the Church: He told them in essence that SP will NOT be deleted, and that they must be watchful for RadTrad groups and organizations, "extremists."
See here at New Liturgical Movement: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2013/05/pope-francis-and-motu-proprio-summorum.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheNewLiturgicalMovement+%28New+Liturgical+Movement%29
See. The Pope truly does respect the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. He's not going to do anything to it, at least while Benedict Emeritus XVI is alive.
Pax Julian.
P.S. Don't forget to view my last post on the Devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Breaking news from my Blog Feed.
Summary: Some bishops from some region of Italy came for an ad limina visit to Rome. They presented concerns about their diocese. One bishop, of Conversano and Monopoli, declared that the Mass in the old rite was creating "division." Reading between the lines they want the Pope to nullify Summorum Pontificum and kill the Latin Mass or at least to give control back to the Bishops.
So what did the Holy Father do? Just as expected from a doctrinally and dogmatically traditional Pope, from a man who now is in the seat of the Bishop or Rome who MUST respect the tradition of the Church: He told them in essence that SP will NOT be deleted, and that they must be watchful for RadTrad groups and organizations, "extremists."
See here at New Liturgical Movement: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2013/05/pope-francis-and-motu-proprio-summorum.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheNewLiturgicalMovement+%28New+Liturgical+Movement%29
See. The Pope truly does respect the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. He's not going to do anything to it, at least while Benedict Emeritus XVI is alive.
Pax Julian.
P.S. Don't forget to view my last post on the Devotion to the Sacred Heart.
The Devotion to the Sacred Heart: First Fridays
Hello Everyone.
This post is a bit special to me, as I am going to write about a devotion topic that I have participated in and has since held a place in my prayer life: The Sacred Heart of Jesus. More specifically, this post will be devoted to the practice of the First Fridays. This post is even more relevant, as Friday June 7, 2013 is the feast day devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in both the Extraordinary and Ordinary Form liturgical calendars.
I will begin with some introduction and some history behind the devotion, and then will go through what is necessary to do the devotion and the indulgences/promises attached to the devotion.
Introduction: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and History behind the Devotion
What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus? It is commonly depicted as Jesus' literal heart, however it has the addition of two key components: The crown of thorns that is around the top perimeter of his heart, as well as a cross, the one he was crucified on, atop his heart. (This is not to be confused with the Immaculate Heart of Mary which usually has flowers around it and seven swords in it, representing the Seven Sorrows of Mary.) Flames often surround the cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and some depictions also include a diagonal laceration, from being impaled by the spear of the Roman soldier ``Longinus?``, where out came blood and water from the wound. Here's an example:
While yes it is depicted as his literal heart of his incarnate body, it has more meaning than being his circulatory organ.
Theological History
Christ himself in the Gospel of John 7:37-39 says this: "And on the last and great day of the festivity, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and let him drink that believeth in Me. As the Scripture saith: Out of his heart there shall flow rivers of living waters.' Now this He said of the Spirit which they should receive who believed in Him."(3). This was made all the more prominent and came true literally when the Roman soldier ("Longinus"???) pierced the side of Christ with his spear, and out poured out blood and water from the wound. Whether it pierced Jesus' actual organ of the heart, it is uncertain.
As is commonly used in literature and poetry, the heart is the organ associated with the deepest of emotions, especially that of love. In the pre-Vatican II encyclical, Haurietas Aquas, by Pius XII, which is devoted to the Sacred Heart, he describes to us more deeply what the Sacred Heart of Jesus is about and why veneration and devotion is to be rightly given:
" .... Holy Writ declares that between divine charity, which must burn in the souls of Christians, and the Holy Spirit, Who is certainly Love Itself, there exists the closest bond, which clearly shows all of us, venerable brethren, the intimate nature of that worship which must be paid to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. If we consider its special nature it is beyond question that this devotion is an act of religion of high order; it demands of us a complete and unreserved determination to devote and consecrate ourselves to the love of the divine Redeemer, Whose wounded Heart is its living token and symbol. It is equally clear, but at a higher level, that this same devotion provides us with a most powerful means of repaying the divine Lord by our own. (6, H.A.) ...."
".... The other reason which refers in a particular manner to the Heart of the divine Redeemer, and likewise demands in a special way that the highest form of worship be paid to it, arises from the fact that His Heart, more than all the other members of His body, is the natural sign and symbol of His boundless love for the human race. "There is in the Sacred Heart," as Our predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII, pointed out, "the symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return ...."(16)"
(22, H.A.)
And so, the Sacred Heart of Jesus ...
" .... 55. is a symbol of that divine love which He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit but which He, the Word made flesh, alone manifests through a weak and perishable body, since "in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily."(52) 56. It is, besides, the symbol of that burning love which, infused into His soul, enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs its acts by the most perfect knowledge derived both from the beatific vision and that which is directly infused.(53) 57. And finally - and this in a more natural and direct way - it is the symbol also of sensible love, since the body of Jesus Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, possesses full powers of feelings and perception, in fact, more so than any other human body (54) .... " (55-57, H.A.)
Devotional History
The actual devotion of the Sacred heart that is practiced, originates with Saint Mary Margaret Alacoque in the late 1600's. From 1673-1675, the saint received a series of visions of our Lord, revealing to her his Sacred Heart. Jesus asked her in these visions to spread devotion of his Heart throughout the whole church, as reparation for sins and offenses against our Lord. (8, First Fridays and First Saturdays)
At the center of the revelations are twelve promises, made to her by Jesus. For those who consecrate themselves and make reparation to His Sacred Heart:
1. He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. He will establish peace in their homes.
3. He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honoured. (I have provided one above, though there are paper, gold-painted cross cards that seem to be popular for this purpose.)
10. He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
12. In the excessive mercy of His heart, that His all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, nor without receiving the sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
Of course, these promises are also bestowed onto the faithful who engage in this practice, not just St. Mary.
The Devotion of the Sacred Heart
1. The actual devotion of the sacred heart consists of going to Mass on the First Friday of the month for nine consecutive months, and receiving the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace. You MUST do this consecutively for nine months, without any break in the practice. I have found no document, be it in Church Law, Catechism, Papal/Vatican writings, nor writings from trusted Catholic sources that allow for such an interruption other wise, even for valid and legitimate reasons. Not even a priests' dispensation can allow for a valid break.Communion MUST be received on this particular day of the Month. The practice cannot be delegated to another day.
2. They must be done in honour of His Sacred Heart, and thus one must practice devotion to the Heart and have a great love for Christ.
3. Note: This devotion will not dispense you from obligations or from exercising vigilance necessary for leading a good life and overcoming temptation. You will however be bestowed graced to carry out obligations and persevere to the end.
In addition, associated with the devotion is Eucharistic Adoration before or after the Mass. Unfortunately, when it is done after, those parishes that do this tend to schedule confession then, not before the Mass, which deprives people from the ability to receive the Eucharist in the state of grace and perform the devotion. You absolutely cannot receive the Eucharist in the state of Mortal Sin, so you deprive the faithful of the ability to do this practice. Any clergy reading my blog, PLEASE do confession before the Mass, be it with or without Adoration!
Regardless, the beauty of having Eucharistic Adoration attached to this devotion, is that one can receive additional indulgences, which when obtained, remit the temporal effects of sins. A half hour of Eucharistic Adoration minimum, qualifies for the indulgent act. Better yet if one removes themselves from sin completely, the indulgence is plenary, or full.
Indulgences are obtained when one receives confession and communion within 8 days of the indulgent act, prays for the intentions of the Holy Father (which can be at minimum one of the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be), and removes oneself from attachment to all sin. An analogy I use is that sin is like a sticky snail. When we go to confession, we take the snail from his shell and boot him off your skin. However, that shell is taking up space on you. Think of that shell is the time in purgatory one will need to spend to become purified in such a state to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Indulgences remove the temporal effects of sin, that is, that shell is now removed from your body, and thus the complete effects of sin are removed from you, though how many and how much time is reduced is unknown.
Finally, while this is not a mandatory part of the devotion, there are also associated with the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Acts of Consecration and Reparation to the Sacred Heart. They are as follows:.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for me is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Your alter (in Your presence) eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying for from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow You, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Your Law. We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against You; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against You and Your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Your Vicar on earth and Your priest are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Your Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which You have founded. Would, O divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Your divine honor, the satisfaction You once made to Your eternal Father on the cross and which You continue to renews daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Your grace, for all neglect of Your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent other from offending You and to bring as many as possible to follow You.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowing gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to You, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where You with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen.
Summary:
Therefore, to do this devotion to the Sacred Heart, you must do the following:
1. Be in the state of Sanctifying grace to receive the Eucharist worthily on First Friday. So go to confession, especially if you have one or more Mortal Sins on your soul. Without true repentance and ceasing of the situation, you will obviously not be able to receive the Eucharist in certain situations (e.g. co-habitation, 2nd marriage if 1st was not annulled, masturbation with/without pornography ...)
2. You must attend Mass on First Friday and receive the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace, for 9 consecutive months, with no break in between occasions.
3. For the promises to be fulfilled, you must be promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart, whether it be by taking about the devotion, generally why you love the Sacred Heart of the lord, prayer to the Sacred Heart, etc.
In addition to these conditions,
3. You may also attend , and should, the Eucharistic Adoration that comes before and after the Mass. Under the usual conditions of Confession, Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (at minimum 1x Our Father, 1x Hail Mary, and 1x Glory be, or a specific prayer for His intentions), PLUS a minimum of 1/2 hour of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, you will gain an indulgence aside from the usual benefits and graces.
4. While it is not absolutely necessary according to numerous sources, some recommend the addition of the Act of Reparation and Consecration to the Sacred Heart to be said during those First Friday sessions. I say, do it.
Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.
Works Cited
Pius XII. Encyclical of Pope Pius XII Haurietas Aquas On the Devotion to the Sacred Heart. May 15, 1956. [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_15051956_haurietis-aquas_en.html]. Retrieved 2013 May 28.
Catholic Truth Society. First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained. Catholic Truth Society: London, UK. 2008.
This post is a bit special to me, as I am going to write about a devotion topic that I have participated in and has since held a place in my prayer life: The Sacred Heart of Jesus. More specifically, this post will be devoted to the practice of the First Fridays. This post is even more relevant, as Friday June 7, 2013 is the feast day devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in both the Extraordinary and Ordinary Form liturgical calendars.
I will begin with some introduction and some history behind the devotion, and then will go through what is necessary to do the devotion and the indulgences/promises attached to the devotion.
Introduction: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and History behind the Devotion
What is the Sacred Heart of Jesus? It is commonly depicted as Jesus' literal heart, however it has the addition of two key components: The crown of thorns that is around the top perimeter of his heart, as well as a cross, the one he was crucified on, atop his heart. (This is not to be confused with the Immaculate Heart of Mary which usually has flowers around it and seven swords in it, representing the Seven Sorrows of Mary.) Flames often surround the cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and some depictions also include a diagonal laceration, from being impaled by the spear of the Roman soldier ``Longinus?``, where out came blood and water from the wound. Here's an example:
Source unknown.
While yes it is depicted as his literal heart of his incarnate body, it has more meaning than being his circulatory organ.
Theological History
Christ himself in the Gospel of John 7:37-39 says this: "And on the last and great day of the festivity, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come to Me, and let him drink that believeth in Me. As the Scripture saith: Out of his heart there shall flow rivers of living waters.' Now this He said of the Spirit which they should receive who believed in Him."(3). This was made all the more prominent and came true literally when the Roman soldier ("Longinus"???) pierced the side of Christ with his spear, and out poured out blood and water from the wound. Whether it pierced Jesus' actual organ of the heart, it is uncertain.
As is commonly used in literature and poetry, the heart is the organ associated with the deepest of emotions, especially that of love. In the pre-Vatican II encyclical, Haurietas Aquas, by Pius XII, which is devoted to the Sacred Heart, he describes to us more deeply what the Sacred Heart of Jesus is about and why veneration and devotion is to be rightly given:
" .... Holy Writ declares that between divine charity, which must burn in the souls of Christians, and the Holy Spirit, Who is certainly Love Itself, there exists the closest bond, which clearly shows all of us, venerable brethren, the intimate nature of that worship which must be paid to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. If we consider its special nature it is beyond question that this devotion is an act of religion of high order; it demands of us a complete and unreserved determination to devote and consecrate ourselves to the love of the divine Redeemer, Whose wounded Heart is its living token and symbol. It is equally clear, but at a higher level, that this same devotion provides us with a most powerful means of repaying the divine Lord by our own. (6, H.A.) ...."
".... The other reason which refers in a particular manner to the Heart of the divine Redeemer, and likewise demands in a special way that the highest form of worship be paid to it, arises from the fact that His Heart, more than all the other members of His body, is the natural sign and symbol of His boundless love for the human race. "There is in the Sacred Heart," as Our predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII, pointed out, "the symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return ...."(16)"
(22, H.A.)
And so, the Sacred Heart of Jesus ...
" .... 55. is a symbol of that divine love which He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit but which He, the Word made flesh, alone manifests through a weak and perishable body, since "in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily."(52) 56. It is, besides, the symbol of that burning love which, infused into His soul, enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs its acts by the most perfect knowledge derived both from the beatific vision and that which is directly infused.(53) 57. And finally - and this in a more natural and direct way - it is the symbol also of sensible love, since the body of Jesus Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, possesses full powers of feelings and perception, in fact, more so than any other human body (54) .... " (55-57, H.A.)
Devotional History
The actual devotion of the Sacred heart that is practiced, originates with Saint Mary Margaret Alacoque in the late 1600's. From 1673-1675, the saint received a series of visions of our Lord, revealing to her his Sacred Heart. Jesus asked her in these visions to spread devotion of his Heart throughout the whole church, as reparation for sins and offenses against our Lord. (8, First Fridays and First Saturdays)
At the center of the revelations are twelve promises, made to her by Jesus. For those who consecrate themselves and make reparation to His Sacred Heart:
1. He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. He will establish peace in their homes.
3. He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honoured. (I have provided one above, though there are paper, gold-painted cross cards that seem to be popular for this purpose.)
10. He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
12. In the excessive mercy of His heart, that His all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, nor without receiving the sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
Of course, these promises are also bestowed onto the faithful who engage in this practice, not just St. Mary.
The Devotion of the Sacred Heart
1. The actual devotion of the sacred heart consists of going to Mass on the First Friday of the month for nine consecutive months, and receiving the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace. You MUST do this consecutively for nine months, without any break in the practice. I have found no document, be it in Church Law, Catechism, Papal/Vatican writings, nor writings from trusted Catholic sources that allow for such an interruption other wise, even for valid and legitimate reasons. Not even a priests' dispensation can allow for a valid break.Communion MUST be received on this particular day of the Month. The practice cannot be delegated to another day.
2. They must be done in honour of His Sacred Heart, and thus one must practice devotion to the Heart and have a great love for Christ.
3. Note: This devotion will not dispense you from obligations or from exercising vigilance necessary for leading a good life and overcoming temptation. You will however be bestowed graced to carry out obligations and persevere to the end.
In addition, associated with the devotion is Eucharistic Adoration before or after the Mass. Unfortunately, when it is done after, those parishes that do this tend to schedule confession then, not before the Mass, which deprives people from the ability to receive the Eucharist in the state of grace and perform the devotion. You absolutely cannot receive the Eucharist in the state of Mortal Sin, so you deprive the faithful of the ability to do this practice. Any clergy reading my blog, PLEASE do confession before the Mass, be it with or without Adoration!
Regardless, the beauty of having Eucharistic Adoration attached to this devotion, is that one can receive additional indulgences, which when obtained, remit the temporal effects of sins. A half hour of Eucharistic Adoration minimum, qualifies for the indulgent act. Better yet if one removes themselves from sin completely, the indulgence is plenary, or full.
Indulgences are obtained when one receives confession and communion within 8 days of the indulgent act, prays for the intentions of the Holy Father (which can be at minimum one of the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be), and removes oneself from attachment to all sin. An analogy I use is that sin is like a sticky snail. When we go to confession, we take the snail from his shell and boot him off your skin. However, that shell is taking up space on you. Think of that shell is the time in purgatory one will need to spend to become purified in such a state to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Indulgences remove the temporal effects of sin, that is, that shell is now removed from your body, and thus the complete effects of sin are removed from you, though how many and how much time is reduced is unknown.
Finally, while this is not a mandatory part of the devotion, there are also associated with the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Acts of Consecration and Reparation to the Sacred Heart. They are as follows:.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for me is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Your alter (in Your presence) eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying for from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow You, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Your Law. We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against You; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against You and Your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Your Vicar on earth and Your priest are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Your Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which You have founded. Would, O divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Your divine honor, the satisfaction You once made to Your eternal Father on the cross and which You continue to renews daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Your grace, for all neglect of Your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent other from offending You and to bring as many as possible to follow You.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowing gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to You, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where You with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen.
Summary:
Therefore, to do this devotion to the Sacred Heart, you must do the following:
1. Be in the state of Sanctifying grace to receive the Eucharist worthily on First Friday. So go to confession, especially if you have one or more Mortal Sins on your soul. Without true repentance and ceasing of the situation, you will obviously not be able to receive the Eucharist in certain situations (e.g. co-habitation, 2nd marriage if 1st was not annulled, masturbation with/without pornography ...)
2. You must attend Mass on First Friday and receive the Eucharist in the state of sanctifying grace, for 9 consecutive months, with no break in between occasions.
3. For the promises to be fulfilled, you must be promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart, whether it be by taking about the devotion, generally why you love the Sacred Heart of the lord, prayer to the Sacred Heart, etc.
In addition to these conditions,
3. You may also attend , and should, the Eucharistic Adoration that comes before and after the Mass. Under the usual conditions of Confession, Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (at minimum 1x Our Father, 1x Hail Mary, and 1x Glory be, or a specific prayer for His intentions), PLUS a minimum of 1/2 hour of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, you will gain an indulgence aside from the usual benefits and graces.
4. While it is not absolutely necessary according to numerous sources, some recommend the addition of the Act of Reparation and Consecration to the Sacred Heart to be said during those First Friday sessions. I say, do it.
Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.
Works Cited
Pius XII. Encyclical of Pope Pius XII Haurietas Aquas On the Devotion to the Sacred Heart. May 15, 1956. [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_15051956_haurietis-aquas_en.html]. Retrieved 2013 May 28.
Catholic Truth Society. First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained. Catholic Truth Society: London, UK. 2008.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
ATTENTION: Latin Mass Transfer in Kinkora, ON to London, ON for Latin Mass in Kitchener-Waterloo-London Area
Hello Everyone.
While I do not frequently cover the outskirts of the Archdiocese or other dioceses' efforts for the purposes of this blog, "start-ups" and, may the Lord forbid them, closings of Latin Mass efforts, should be duly noted for the sake of documentation and making it known we care, regardless of area of the diocese.
In addition, I know some of you, be you university students who travel to London area universities for your education, or some of you from this diocese, travel(ed) to the Latin Mass in Kinkora on occasion or during your academic year.
From the Facebook page of Vox Cantoris (a.k.a. David Domet, choirmaster of Toronto Traditional Mass Society), comes this highly important update:
"Effective July 1, the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite will cease at St. Patrick's Kinkora in the Diocese of London."
" However, Bishop Ronald Fabbro has long desired that the Mass be in a more permanent location in the seat of the Diocese, the City of London."
"Therefore: the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass will be transferred to London, Ontario. New location: John Paul II High School Chapel. New time: Each Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
beginning in September it will be permanently celebrated at Regina Mundi. College (High School Chapel)."
"Coordinator: Fr. Paul Nicholson (assisted by: Fr. John Johnson, Fr. Ross Bartley, Fr. Tom Ferrera, Fr. Ray Lawhead, and Fr. Theo Pinto). That's right six, SIX diocesan priests from the Diocese of London will celebrate the Holy Mass on a rotation. It will continue to be a full Sung Mass and the opportunity will now arise for Solemn Mass on occasion. The TTMS-UNA VOCE TORONTO gives thanks to the LORD for the blessings of Father Nicholson and these priests of the Diocese and especially to Bishop Ronald Fabbro for his pastoral care of the 100 people who attend at Kinkora weekly, many who travel from over 1 hour away, including the City of London."
This is likely because Fr. Paul Nicholson has been allowed to have a similar or the same type of online/in-person ministry as well known priest, Fr. Robert Barron of the "Catholicism" DVD series that has been shown in many different parishes. Fr. Nicholson has a website that is under development but will expand to include more content (hopefully), here: www.fatherpaulnicholson.com
Please pass on the information to those attendees in the Kitchener-Waterloo-London area, or whom are known to attend the masses here on occasions.
Pax, Julian.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
GASP! FRANCIS WAGES WAR WITH THE DEVIL IN PUBLIC!!!!
Hello Everyone.
Let me tell you, Francis is one Pope who does not take spiritual warfare lightly. Constantly in his fervorinos, covered only by Vatican Radio or News.Va (which forwards the articles from Vatican Radio), he has been not afraid to mention the Evil One and all his false lies and promises in this post-modern, secular world. He's no joke when it comes to the four last things, especially Hell and the Evil One, who rules that domain (not by choice or God's commission. St. Michael bested him in battle and speared him down to that infernal abyss).
This past Sunday when he celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Square, he took things to the next level, in public, exorcising or at least started the process of exorcising 4 demons possessing a man in the public square. Here's the link covering this story from the Associated Press:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_POPE_AND_THE_DEVIL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-05-21-10-08-39
Also, there is a YouTube video that has appeared here. The text is in Spanish, but once can clearly see what was taking place in the square here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9XHYFiAH4hY
May 21, 6:31 PM EDT
Read the article and watch the video for yourself. Clearly, this was no ordinary reaction to the prayer, and further, the Vatican's lead exorcist Fr. Amorth, well known after his commentary on the Anthony Hopkins led movie, The Rite, completed the act with a true, full exorcism of the man yesterday. So hopefully those demons were vanquished (unless those demons are in it for a long haul. Considering this man was involved in the pro-abortion industry, I wouldn't be surprised.)
Seriously everyone, this is no flimsy pope. This Pope, might just be one of the most gutsy and fearless Popes that we have come to have line our Papacy. A humble man from outside of Europe, who doesn't indulge in the trappings of his cohorts, now is becoming one of the fiercest fighters against our biggest enemy. More and more he is seeming like the right man at the right time, for how our world is disintegrating into savagery and inhumanity at the Evil One's manipulation and lies, he is becoming the biggest example of Spiritual Combat!
Ever see those children's shows, or movies, where a regular joe or young boy is plucked from obscurity into the heat of a war against an evil overlord or an empire, and becomes the champion and mightiest fighter of them all? You know, like Star Wars with Luke Skywalker being the One to bring balance to the Force? Well it sounds just like that.
Pax. Julian.
Let me tell you, Francis is one Pope who does not take spiritual warfare lightly. Constantly in his fervorinos, covered only by Vatican Radio or News.Va (which forwards the articles from Vatican Radio), he has been not afraid to mention the Evil One and all his false lies and promises in this post-modern, secular world. He's no joke when it comes to the four last things, especially Hell and the Evil One, who rules that domain (not by choice or God's commission. St. Michael bested him in battle and speared him down to that infernal abyss).
This past Sunday when he celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Square, he took things to the next level, in public, exorcising or at least started the process of exorcising 4 demons possessing a man in the public square. Here's the link covering this story from the Associated Press:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_POPE_AND_THE_DEVIL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-05-21-10-08-39
Also, there is a YouTube video that has appeared here. The text is in Spanish, but once can clearly see what was taking place in the square here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9XHYFiAH4hY
May 21, 6:31 PM EDT
Read the article and watch the video for yourself. Clearly, this was no ordinary reaction to the prayer, and further, the Vatican's lead exorcist Fr. Amorth, well known after his commentary on the Anthony Hopkins led movie, The Rite, completed the act with a true, full exorcism of the man yesterday. So hopefully those demons were vanquished (unless those demons are in it for a long haul. Considering this man was involved in the pro-abortion industry, I wouldn't be surprised.)
Seriously everyone, this is no flimsy pope. This Pope, might just be one of the most gutsy and fearless Popes that we have come to have line our Papacy. A humble man from outside of Europe, who doesn't indulge in the trappings of his cohorts, now is becoming one of the fiercest fighters against our biggest enemy. More and more he is seeming like the right man at the right time, for how our world is disintegrating into savagery and inhumanity at the Evil One's manipulation and lies, he is becoming the biggest example of Spiritual Combat!
Ever see those children's shows, or movies, where a regular joe or young boy is plucked from obscurity into the heat of a war against an evil overlord or an empire, and becomes the champion and mightiest fighter of them all? You know, like Star Wars with Luke Skywalker being the One to bring balance to the Force? Well it sounds just like that.
Pax. Julian.
Friday, 17 May 2013
NEW PAGE ON RIGHT SIDE! Long Term Project Regarding Vatican II Documents
Hey Everyone,
Check out the new page on the right hand side of my blog. The link to it is here:
http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/p/long-term-project-vatican-ii.html
And you get to help out too! Don't expect a lot in a short time, but it's something to work on after being inspired by a Fr. Z post today. I'll be reminding you about this from time to time.
Pax, Julian.
Check out the new page on the right hand side of my blog. The link to it is here:
http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/p/long-term-project-vatican-ii.html
And you get to help out too! Don't expect a lot in a short time, but it's something to work on after being inspired by a Fr. Z post today. I'll be reminding you about this from time to time.
Pax, Julian.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Off the Beaten Path: Concerns About Modern Education. I think it's time to go Private or Homeschool.
Hello Everyone,
I will have to put my Latin Mass stuff and other items on the back burner mostly, as I took on extra shifts at work for various purposes for the next 2 weeks. However, keep checking online every often for updates to my Summer Latin Mass post for special offerings. The next offering is June 7. Check the post out.
This post though, received some inspiration from Fr. John Zuhlsdorf. He had this to say today: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/05/ramifications-of-the-new-normal/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wdtprs%
2FDhFa+%28Fr.+Z%27s+Blog+-+What+Does+The+Prayer+Really+Say%3F%29
I was also checking out my Blogger feed, and I found this article with the Windsor Star here:
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/05/10/are-kids-still-learning-the-basics/
Looking into the Windsor Star Article, the fact that an article is covering the issue of what kids learning in school, should bring concern alone in our minds, be us current or future parents. This isn`t just a sentiment shared with Catholic parents though. Even secular people, as said in the beginning of this article, are wondering what is going on at times with our system, with our children not even being able to learn the 3 basic `R`s: Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic:
``When parent Nikki Pilutti walked into her daughter Jill’s Grade 3 class and saw “Lerning” misspelled prominently on the board, it drove home what she’s long believed. Like many parents raised on weekly spelling tests, grammar work sheets and multiplication times tables, she contends the basics aren’t getting the attention they deserve.``
So then, what are our young little future _(insert six figure salary career here)`s learning then? Well they are apparently still learning the "basics" but our wounderful education systems deem the old school drilling methods archaic. So new methods are now employed:
"Students at Dougall elementary don’t use the old spellers ... the vocabulary list in Kathy Freeman’s Grade 1-2 class. Environment, garbage, carbon and pollution were among the dozen or so words these six- and seven-year-olds were learning to spell and write. The words all come from their study of polar bears, a subject the kids themselves chose, but which incorporates all kinds of curriculum requirements for their grades. After learning throughout the week about polar bears and how their survival is threatened by climate change, they each wrote letters – edited and corrected – to Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking him to help. Last week, they focused on space, studying reports from Canadian Commander Chris Hadfield aboard the International Space Station. The inquiry included forays into math, science, writing and reading."
Alright, while I think it's cool for astronaut Chris Hatfield to share his experiences from space and encourage students to think about higher level sciences related to astronomy (e.g. physics), the bolded text I've highlighted has shown where the emphasis is these days in education. The emphasis is not on can these kids do X, but can they be liberal/socialist change agents in the world? Listen, I am for proper social justice in the right context of the Catholic Church, and over the decades the Church has written documents for social justice in the Social Compendium of the Catholic Church. However, what is demonstrated above is that the education system is being used as a breeding ground to turn these students into climate change or environmental zealots by their educational overlords (e.g. teachers, the education ministers under our liberal provincial governments). Sadly, this is what's being emphasized in the education curriculum across the grades, that there is a noticeable, detrimental effect being seen in our children:
".... “They don’t focus as much on the phonics and the repetition of doing your addition and subtraction over and over and over again,” said Pillutti, a LaSalle mom who takes her two kids to a Kumon tutoring program to supplement their regular school .... with old-time, back-to-basics education. “They drill them,” she said, ... He’s not counting on his fingers, he just knows, says Pilutti. “They don’t get that at school.”
``.... It’s a sentiment felt by an army of parents who are complaining their kids can’t spell, have terrible grammar and don’t know their times table. In response, tutoring centres have sprouted up across the city. Scott Sylvestre started with one Kumon and 20 students in 1996. Today he has two locations and 300 kids ....``
".... When Amanda Coughlin was supply teaching a Grade 7-8 class few years ago, about 75 per cent of the students did not know the times table. When it comes to one of the basics, teachers teach it and move on, and the kids who haven’t grasped it are “kind of left hanging,” said Coughlin, whose tutoring service is called There and Back Again, a reference to her back-to-basics approach."
That third paragraph has me especially concerned. I thought that the purpose of education was to give our young pupils a better life and to allow them to become smarter and more able to contribute to their society. Instead it seems that it is doing the opposite, producing illiterate and less intelligent kids who might be great at protesting social causes on a sidewalk, but could likely not special "social justice" on paper. Worse, technological devices with auto-correct doesn't even give those students the chance to know their typing/writing skills contain errors. And what's with kids about to go into high school not knowing how to do even basic math or writing??? I should not have to pay extra money, on top of the taxes the governments suck out of me for either the public school or separate school systems, to pay for additional tutoring to fix what I am paying the educational system to do in the first place! Seriously, the economy is in the toilet and most people overall are going to have less spare cash to throw around, even for necessary supplements like this! Plus, those students that get left behind these days are more often boys than girls, and you wonder why they are retreating to video games, where at least they can get stuff and feel temporarily like their protagonists in the games: capable of even basic tasks and feats they cannot do in their regular lives.
Catholics: An Additional Element of Failure
What is from the article above is only just the tip of the iceburg if you happen to be a Catholic who actually cares about their faith and the education system that is supposed to be nurturing their faith, while giving the same ``education" that public schools are. The environment is just one example of social indoctrination the governments and the teachers in them are imposing on our students. This is happening in the Catholic system as well. Fr. Z's article clearly expressed this sentiment, and my very province in Canada was an example that was brought up in the commentary box on his site.
In Ontario, we had the passing last year of the infamous Bill 13 by the Liberal government, led by the reviled Dalton McGuinty and at that time, Lesbian, pro-homosexual and anti-Catholic minister Kathleen Wynne, with the latter now leading the Liberal Party of Ontario. This bill was an ``anti-bullying```bill for education, but DID NOT protect the rights of Catholic/Separate schools. It had no legal provisions or clauses to ensure that the rights of Catholic students to practice and live their Faith were valued. Because of that, Catholic schools now must have Gay-Straight alliances that violate the consciences and the central beliefs of Catholics everywhere. Don't believe me: Read this recent article about the efforts to encourage the Catholic Board to defend against this onslaught: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/toronto-catholic-board-trustee-new-motion-to-overturn-gay-clubs-enforcement. When you have a system that is publicly funded by the government, a Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms that is wielded as a weapon by biased Human Rights Councils, a government and education minister hell bent on implementing a radical social agenda that violates the rights of Catholics and even social AND moral conservatives, you have a system that either forces your kids to obey them, or they and you will answer to the law.
So what does this boil down to? Well if you are a parent or future parent and want your kids to be taught the basic and necessary life skills, you will trust less and less in the formalized education system these days. Your kids will NOT get the same education you received in past generations and you must supplement in some way, even the most basic skills. Further if you are a TRUE CATHOLIC FAMILY, not one who is CINO or "catholic in name only" and you want your child to be educated in the faith, you will have much more against you. You really only have two good options: Homeschooling, or private catholic school. However with the way the world is going, those options might even become against the law of the almighty State, as is now in Germany, as exemplified in the case of the Romeike family, who sought asylum into the USA for the freedom to educate their children not in the government system (which is clearly anti-Catholic) http://www.hslda.org/legal/cases/romeike.asp?src=slide&slide=Romeike_05-14-2013_decision&pos=1
Honestly, this world is getting darker, and I fear for the safety of my future children, if the Lord blesses me ever with a future wife and family.
Pax, Julian.
I will have to put my Latin Mass stuff and other items on the back burner mostly, as I took on extra shifts at work for various purposes for the next 2 weeks. However, keep checking online every often for updates to my Summer Latin Mass post for special offerings. The next offering is June 7. Check the post out.
This post though, received some inspiration from Fr. John Zuhlsdorf. He had this to say today: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/05/ramifications-of-the-new-normal/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wdtprs%
2FDhFa+%28Fr.+Z%27s+Blog+-+What+Does+The+Prayer+Really+Say%3F%29
I was also checking out my Blogger feed, and I found this article with the Windsor Star here:
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/05/10/are-kids-still-learning-the-basics/
Looking into the Windsor Star Article, the fact that an article is covering the issue of what kids learning in school, should bring concern alone in our minds, be us current or future parents. This isn`t just a sentiment shared with Catholic parents though. Even secular people, as said in the beginning of this article, are wondering what is going on at times with our system, with our children not even being able to learn the 3 basic `R`s: Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic:
``When parent Nikki Pilutti walked into her daughter Jill’s Grade 3 class and saw “Lerning” misspelled prominently on the board, it drove home what she’s long believed. Like many parents raised on weekly spelling tests, grammar work sheets and multiplication times tables, she contends the basics aren’t getting the attention they deserve.``
So then, what are our young little future _(insert six figure salary career here)`s learning then? Well they are apparently still learning the "basics" but our wounderful education systems deem the old school drilling methods archaic. So new methods are now employed:
"Students at Dougall elementary don’t use the old spellers ... the vocabulary list in Kathy Freeman’s Grade 1-2 class. Environment, garbage, carbon and pollution were among the dozen or so words these six- and seven-year-olds were learning to spell and write. The words all come from their study of polar bears, a subject the kids themselves chose, but which incorporates all kinds of curriculum requirements for their grades. After learning throughout the week about polar bears and how their survival is threatened by climate change, they each wrote letters – edited and corrected – to Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking him to help. Last week, they focused on space, studying reports from Canadian Commander Chris Hadfield aboard the International Space Station. The inquiry included forays into math, science, writing and reading."
Alright, while I think it's cool for astronaut Chris Hatfield to share his experiences from space and encourage students to think about higher level sciences related to astronomy (e.g. physics), the bolded text I've highlighted has shown where the emphasis is these days in education. The emphasis is not on can these kids do X, but can they be liberal/socialist change agents in the world? Listen, I am for proper social justice in the right context of the Catholic Church, and over the decades the Church has written documents for social justice in the Social Compendium of the Catholic Church. However, what is demonstrated above is that the education system is being used as a breeding ground to turn these students into climate change or environmental zealots by their educational overlords (e.g. teachers, the education ministers under our liberal provincial governments). Sadly, this is what's being emphasized in the education curriculum across the grades, that there is a noticeable, detrimental effect being seen in our children:
".... “They don’t focus as much on the phonics and the repetition of doing your addition and subtraction over and over and over again,” said Pillutti, a LaSalle mom who takes her two kids to a Kumon tutoring program to supplement their regular school .... with old-time, back-to-basics education. “They drill them,” she said, ... He’s not counting on his fingers, he just knows, says Pilutti. “They don’t get that at school.”
``.... It’s a sentiment felt by an army of parents who are complaining their kids can’t spell, have terrible grammar and don’t know their times table. In response, tutoring centres have sprouted up across the city. Scott Sylvestre started with one Kumon and 20 students in 1996. Today he has two locations and 300 kids ....``
".... When Amanda Coughlin was supply teaching a Grade 7-8 class few years ago, about 75 per cent of the students did not know the times table. When it comes to one of the basics, teachers teach it and move on, and the kids who haven’t grasped it are “kind of left hanging,” said Coughlin, whose tutoring service is called There and Back Again, a reference to her back-to-basics approach."
That third paragraph has me especially concerned. I thought that the purpose of education was to give our young pupils a better life and to allow them to become smarter and more able to contribute to their society. Instead it seems that it is doing the opposite, producing illiterate and less intelligent kids who might be great at protesting social causes on a sidewalk, but could likely not special "social justice" on paper. Worse, technological devices with auto-correct doesn't even give those students the chance to know their typing/writing skills contain errors. And what's with kids about to go into high school not knowing how to do even basic math or writing??? I should not have to pay extra money, on top of the taxes the governments suck out of me for either the public school or separate school systems, to pay for additional tutoring to fix what I am paying the educational system to do in the first place! Seriously, the economy is in the toilet and most people overall are going to have less spare cash to throw around, even for necessary supplements like this! Plus, those students that get left behind these days are more often boys than girls, and you wonder why they are retreating to video games, where at least they can get stuff and feel temporarily like their protagonists in the games: capable of even basic tasks and feats they cannot do in their regular lives.
Catholics: An Additional Element of Failure
What is from the article above is only just the tip of the iceburg if you happen to be a Catholic who actually cares about their faith and the education system that is supposed to be nurturing their faith, while giving the same ``education" that public schools are. The environment is just one example of social indoctrination the governments and the teachers in them are imposing on our students. This is happening in the Catholic system as well. Fr. Z's article clearly expressed this sentiment, and my very province in Canada was an example that was brought up in the commentary box on his site.
In Ontario, we had the passing last year of the infamous Bill 13 by the Liberal government, led by the reviled Dalton McGuinty and at that time, Lesbian, pro-homosexual and anti-Catholic minister Kathleen Wynne, with the latter now leading the Liberal Party of Ontario. This bill was an ``anti-bullying```bill for education, but DID NOT protect the rights of Catholic/Separate schools. It had no legal provisions or clauses to ensure that the rights of Catholic students to practice and live their Faith were valued. Because of that, Catholic schools now must have Gay-Straight alliances that violate the consciences and the central beliefs of Catholics everywhere. Don't believe me: Read this recent article about the efforts to encourage the Catholic Board to defend against this onslaught: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/toronto-catholic-board-trustee-new-motion-to-overturn-gay-clubs-enforcement. When you have a system that is publicly funded by the government, a Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms that is wielded as a weapon by biased Human Rights Councils, a government and education minister hell bent on implementing a radical social agenda that violates the rights of Catholics and even social AND moral conservatives, you have a system that either forces your kids to obey them, or they and you will answer to the law.
So what does this boil down to? Well if you are a parent or future parent and want your kids to be taught the basic and necessary life skills, you will trust less and less in the formalized education system these days. Your kids will NOT get the same education you received in past generations and you must supplement in some way, even the most basic skills. Further if you are a TRUE CATHOLIC FAMILY, not one who is CINO or "catholic in name only" and you want your child to be educated in the faith, you will have much more against you. You really only have two good options: Homeschooling, or private catholic school. However with the way the world is going, those options might even become against the law of the almighty State, as is now in Germany, as exemplified in the case of the Romeike family, who sought asylum into the USA for the freedom to educate their children not in the government system (which is clearly anti-Catholic) http://www.hslda.org/legal/cases/romeike.asp?src=slide&slide=Romeike_05-14-2013_decision&pos=1
Pax, Julian.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Brief reflection on Blog Stats: Purpose Accomplished
Hello Everyone.
I just wanted to show you some of the stats I obtained through my blogger analysis. Over a week's worth of stats, ending today, here's the top ten search terms that have led to my blog:
This is great. Save that weird hypocrisy hit, This means people are wanting to attend the Latin Mass, learn about Catholic traditions or specific objects, and parts or people pertaining to the Extraordinary Form. There is a need for such online coverage and people are wanting this information out there.
Here's the specific post viewings for this week:
As you can see, 3 of the top 5 viewings are for my altar serving information postings on how to serve the Latin Mass. The biggest, is my most popular serving post of all time, the General Altar Knowledge/Starter Points II part 2/3 posting. Second was my listings of the additional Latin Masses by organizations/parishes for the Feast of the Ascension this past Thursday in the EF liturgical Calendar.
This blog clearly is serving its purpose, and I am glad for that. It's filling that niche that people want in the Church, or your sheer curiosity. I just hope you are acting on that knowledge and contributing to the Extraordinary Form in your Sunday/daily worship or entering into altar serving. Thank you for stopping by.
Happy Ascension Sunday (Ordinary Form) or Sunday after the Ascension (Extraordinary Form).
Pax, Julian Barkin
I just wanted to show you some of the stats I obtained through my blogger analysis. Over a week's worth of stats, ending today, here's the top ten search terms that have led to my blog:
This is great. Save that weird hypocrisy hit, This means people are wanting to attend the Latin Mass, learn about Catholic traditions or specific objects, and parts or people pertaining to the Extraordinary Form. There is a need for such online coverage and people are wanting this information out there.
Here's the specific post viewings for this week:
Posts
As you can see, 3 of the top 5 viewings are for my altar serving information postings on how to serve the Latin Mass. The biggest, is my most popular serving post of all time, the General Altar Knowledge/Starter Points II part 2/3 posting. Second was my listings of the additional Latin Masses by organizations/parishes for the Feast of the Ascension this past Thursday in the EF liturgical Calendar.
This blog clearly is serving its purpose, and I am glad for that. It's filling that niche that people want in the Church, or your sheer curiosity. I just hope you are acting on that knowledge and contributing to the Extraordinary Form in your Sunday/daily worship or entering into altar serving. Thank you for stopping by.
Happy Ascension Sunday (Ordinary Form) or Sunday after the Ascension (Extraordinary Form).
Pax, Julian Barkin
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