Off the Beaten Path: Heading into the Sacrament of Marriage Tomorrow. Please Pray for Us.

Hello Everyone.

Just a simple request. Please pray for my wife-to-be and I as we head towards the Altar of the Lord for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. May we be protected and guided by the Lord, against the assaults of the Devil who seeks, especially now to destroy all family life.

I might shed a few details later if I choose post-wedding, but for now, just the prayers are enough.

Pax, Julian.

Off the Beaten Path: Maggie Wang at the Calling All Girls Conference this past Mar 14-15, 2015 Weekend

Hello Eveyrone,

I`d like to divert your attention to something I`ve found through my Facebook feed. Some of you may recall I`ve been promoting a young Catholic musician on Servimus, Maggie Wang A.K.A, MAGS, because unlike the Radicals Misrepresenting Traditionalists, who haven`t found her ``Catholic`` enough for the Church, I find her as a great role model for young women, as part of a large Catholic family striving to do their best to follow the Lord.

This weekend, she was invited to be a participatory speaker for the ``Calling all Girls`` conference, a smaller youth conference for mothers and their daughters. held as part of the bigger Dynamic Women of Faith Catholic Women`s conference annually in Toronto. Her topic for her segment was ``The Joy of Pure Dating.`` Considering how many parents today in the Church are not even bothering to fulfill their duty as the child`s primary teacher, including the realm of dating and social skills, it is a blessing that Maggie is educating young Catholic women (and parents!) about these topics and putting herself out there as a Catholic role model.

Attached is the weblink to a recording from the female youth conference on YouTube. Listen and enjoy as MAGS talks about dating to young Catholic women. Enjoy, and pax. Julian.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWX6bM3xnGs

Off the Beaten Path: A Few Rotten Apples Spoil the Bunch as Always OR Defending the Basilian Order Generally, NOT Specific priests

Hello Everyone,

There has been a lot going on on the Blogosphere, regarding the bad behaviour of certain Basilians, either caught red-handed, or being part of some nefarious plot to destroy Traditionalist Catholics. Just today, I happened to catch a post that smears Basilians as behaving badly on the Society of Canadian Catholic Bloggers feed. I won't link to that site though. I try to refrain as much as possible here on SUD from exposing readers to Radical Misrepresenting Traditionalist (RMT) websites, ones that could send them spiraling down a path of spiritual evil and possible, gradual separation from Holy Mother Church.

Now, the examples displayed, unfortunately, are ones of poor un-Catholic behaviour. I cannot condone the behaviours of these two priests, but they have been exposed to some degree, or fully. As to the Basilians in question, they are Fr. Thomas Rosica of Salt and Light, and Fr. Timothy Scott of the Basilian Fathers.

Fr Rosica right now is the primary target of RMTs and associated allies' blogs and websites, because he is engrossed in a potential lawsuit with a local Toronto blogger. Should you want to find out more, go do a google search on your own. The crux of the matter is that the blogger has been doing commentary on Tweets, print, and social media statements made by Fr Rosica over the years, of what is looking more like Heterodox views and encouragement of them, contrary to Catholic Church teaching. Go read the blogger if you find them and be the judge of the content yourself. Personally, I do not side with Fr. Rosica as being totally innocent, and it seems as early as his deaconship (pre-priesthood), according to a Windsor Star article, he was expressing such views. However the vitriol and hatred being thrown towards the priest is in my view, highly hypocritical and even sadistic, of the RMT bloggers, who cry fowl at what they claim of the "corrupt clergy" and the "False/Novus Ordo Catholic Church."

As for the other priest, Fr. Timothy Scott, he was caught red handed on his Twitter feed telling Cardinal Raymond Burke to Shut the F*#^ up. Vulgar, Rude, and unacceptable of a man, a Catholic man, especially a Catholic Priest in an order whose motto is to "teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge." The image of his Twitter comment was caught, so this is undefensable, even after an apology was issued.

[UPDATE 26/02/2015 ... It has been confirmed by a RMT media organization that the Vicar General of the Basilians has confirmed, Fr. Scott is now FIRED from his position.] 

Needless to say, the Basilians are looking, unfortunately, dire as of late.

Still, I must chime in. I am not defending, nor condoning the actions of these two Basilians. Neither I am coming out in support of the RMTs and what they are doing. I also, did NOT experience the Basilians at the university/college level, which is a different kettle of fish. However, I must, as an educated man in the Basilian Tradition via his private, all-boys Catholic high school defend the Basilian tradition and the order, despite their small numbers compared to other older orders left in the Church today.

I was thankfully educated at St. Michael's College School, at ye old Bathurst and St. Clair West near the downtown core of Toronto. St. Mikes is a grade 7-12 private college school, that seeks to educate young men in the Basilian Tradition. Although the school has few Basilian priests still actively involved due to declining vocations in the Church and an overall shift in things over the years, there is still some involvement by the order in my school, and some younger priests do take a portion of time as teachers in the school. My school boasts a number of excellent programs, from the visual arts and the musical/dramatic arts programs (drama is not a full program with courses, but the involvement in the plays alongside other schools is as intense as coursework), an excellent athletics program spanning its popular hockey as well as other sports, and a rigorous academic tradition that has not ceased to this day.

While I loathe some of the damage that has been done to the religious education program in the Gr. 11 world religious course (no more 1/2 year theology anymore ...) and the OAC non-credit course was stripped due to the pulling of grade 13 for political/financial reasons, I must say that you will not receive a better religious education in high school for the Catholic faith outside of St. Michael's. Other programs will emphasize social justice too much or watered down theology, and the Gr. 11 world religion courses in other schools can be extremely secular or anti-Catholic (see the catholic intelligence blog for Ottawa on SCCB), but not St. Michael's courses. Also, in Gr. 10 we study Church history and sacraments, NOT what the other schools teach which is definitely, NOT Church history.

I will admit, that the more I progress in the world, the more I detest it, despite many blessings that have happened in my life. While I am thankful, I now look back fondly on my time at that Basilian tradition school, and wish I could return to that time.

Now, here is where I must defend the Basilian tradition further, as I will provide examples of a couple of Basilians who still show that tradition is lively and vibrant. Although the impact might be less as I will not use their real names, just falsified last initials, these examples show that not ALL the Basilians have abandoned their values, and some still maintain that tradition of the great St. Basil.

Fr. S is probably in his 70's to 80's. He was one of the last generation of his time to be ordained a priest in the minor orders and the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. Fr. S lives modestly in an apartment, and must ask permission for further expenses depending on the situation (e.g. cab fare, trips, pilgrimages, etc.). Personal mass supplies are either basic as provided by the order, and anything extra is via donations. Fr. S is also the chaplain of a Knights of Columbus chapter and believe it or not, has the awesome ability to say the Low Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. This priest relies on the charity of his brother Knights to assist him in his transportation, and does not live the lavish lifestyle that some other Basilian Priests do, forsaking their vow of poverty. I thankfully have known this priest since my time at St. Michael's from 1997-2002, as he took over the archery club after the death of the previous moderator, another great priest by the name of Fr. Matthew Mulcahy (R.I.P., and I will work harder to "keep my anchor straight" Father!).

Fr. R is also likely around the same age as Fr. S. Fr. R has been a Basilian priest for countless years since his youth, and has been a firm contributor to St. Michael's College School. Over the years, Fr. R has taught numerous religious courses, and is choirmaster for the School's choir. This choir is not a professional, road-tripping one currently (maybe in past?), but it still provides beautiful English Chant and hymns for the school's Masses. At one point, the choir was even disbanded by administration at some point in the last couple decades, but because the students valued Fr. R's contribution to the life of the school and love him as a true example of Christ's priesthood (as he is frequently spoken of as a "legend,") they petitioned to have the choir reinstated. During my time, I had the pleasure to receive one of the best religion courses in that school, the non-credit Theology/Philosophy (beginner)/Catechesis course for Grade 13. No credit course philosophy for me, that's too over my head and my science-minded brain! The course covered many topics such as the Fall of Man and Original Sin, the characteristics of God (a,k.a. the 12 I's), Sanctifying vs. Actual Grace; the Mind, Intellect and the will ..... It was a bit of rehash, new material, and insight all into one, and YET despite receiving no credit, we still had to do essays, letters and assignments! And our tests always included parts of the Universal Prayer for All Things Necessary for Salvation!!!!

Further, Fr. R is always a pleasure to see at every Turkey Roll at St. Mike's that occurs every November and will give students a tour of the school, ending in his famous room 9. Although all the photos are now in the school archives, it would be a highlight to go back and see those photos he takes of many students over the last several decades since handheld photography became widespread for the general public (we are talking 1960's and 70's here!!!). Also, I have had the blessing on an occasion to be able to see him, catch up, and seek spiritual counselling on issues pressing me at the time. I still have a long way to go, but regardless, it was great to hear his wisdom, but also to know that even he knows, that there were significant changes to the liturgy in the Novus Ordo that really impacted the faithful, as well as priests in the spiritual realm. He did NOT advocate its removal, but rather expressed a sadness of such changes and the effects they have had on the laity and clergy alike.

My main point, then, is that looking at the examples of Frs. R and S, despite how some modern Basilians may not be keeping to their vows of chastity, obedience, poverty, and the mission to teach people goodness, knowledge, and discipline (as poorly exhibited by their actions,) those ones whom RMT bloggers are smearing, are only 2 or so people of the whole order. There are still good Basilians out there, whose mission and legacy is still surviving and persisting in one way or the other. Further, as the Church is gradually seeing a more conservative uptick in its seminarians and ordained priests, perhaps this might in turn spill over to the Basilians. While I do not foresee their order booming rapidly again in the near future, maybe some new recruits might just start sticking back to the foundations of the Order of St. Basil, and prove that there is still good being done Basilians worldwide.

While one's sins are one's errors, public or not, a few rotten apples spoil the bunch, always. Don't let a couple of bad apples ruin one's impression of the whole batch, being touted by a bunch of "pickle-faced pepper" people whose greatest joys in their spiritual life is hurting others and crying afoul of a Church they struggle to be faithful to, or secretly hate in not meeting their unrealistic standards of religion. It doesn't mean you partake in their struggles, and their sins.

Pax, Julian.

Off the Beaten Path: #howtodad ad for Cheerios

Hello Everyone,

Time to take a break from my usual posts, and go off the beaten path. While viewing my blogs, this advertisement popped up in the side screen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GYxH2-WeZY

What makes this video so epic? Well it's a salute in an advertisement that hails all fathers out there, but also large families.

Watch the whole thing from start to finish. In the video, this guy has 4 kids. That's right, 4! That is a statement in itself where most families are not procreating enough, especially Catholic families. Further, this dad is NOT a bumbling idiot as portrayed by the man-sterilizing, anti-male, misandrist media and society. No, rather he's protector, advice giver, multi-tasker, and man-in-command of this house as he associates with all the members he's got.

Kudos to General Mills and their latest advertisement for Cheerios. If you aren't a organic foods/health nut, then go buy a box of Cheerios and let them know you did it because of this ad. Especially you Catholics!

Pax, Julian.

A Sunday Funny for Us "Trads"

I like youth ministry, yes I do.

However, I might have to inform the liturgical police about this one .... seems that some bad liturgical music "instruction" is about to cause some "treble" amongst our youth ministries this coming month ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EloJwgcjYXc

 

WATCH IF YOU DARE!

 

Have a laugh on me. Pax, Julian. 





Off the Beaten Path: Raising a Large Catholic Family, Even Without the Latin Mass

UPDATE 23/07/2013

While on the theme of parenting and raising a well-adjusted family, this article popped in my Facebook news feed. Traditional Catholic culture and manliness do intersect in a number of occasions, and this is one of them:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/07/22/family-culture/

Once you read though this article, you can clearly see that the Catholic Traditional attitude and practice of raising a family, contains many of these principles and more, superseding material bounds and limitations. Still, even lukewarm Catholic parents to be and families could benefit from the advice in the article. It's not just a "trad" thing.

On a side note, Art of Manliness is an excellent site for learning about, and reclaiming, traditional men's culture, values, etc. Definitely look around.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Everyone.

On occasion, I do delve into things that are centered around Traditional Catholicism, but are not directly related to the Latin Mass, the culture if you will. Many posts ago I highlighted something on Catholic Parenting.

While I personally detest the hard line ``Mad Trad``/SSPX sympathies of this blog, Rorate Caeli does provide a source of online TLM news and often features Latin Masses that are done. In addition to when they are not allowing content that I detest, they produce a "diamond" on occasion. That "diamond" today, is in an account of a family who explains how they raised their kids Catholic, and how their kids KEPT the Catholic Faith. This is part of an ongoing request for large, Catholic, Traditional, homeschooling families to show it can be done in this messed up modern world.

The original link is here: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2013/07/guidance-for-young-parents-how-to-raise.html

Still, I am going to repost this in full. I think it's entirely important to do so, because it's an all encompassing post, and there is much needed into TRULY having a Catholic Family, not just one or two main things. Important points will be in bold and my commentary in square brackets.

The only reason I'm writing you is because young families DO need inspiration.

I thought I could add a tidbit to the "inspiration" because thanks be to God, our children turned out well, with no heartaches and a great spiritual "togetherness". The hardest part is letting go, but they belong to God in the first place, anyway.

We are a very private family (NOT outgoing) and we are NOT a large family (as you requested) NOR EVEN a homeschooling family (as you requested), so we don't fit the mold but it takes all kind of families to raise good children in good Catholic environments. 

We only had 5 children (we married late in life 30 and 33). 3 are priests with the FSSP, a married son with 7 children (they homeschool) and our daughter-in-law has 2 Catholic blogs and a married daughter with 6 children (they also homeschool). Son-in-law teaches at a Traditional Catholic Opus Dei boys school. They both graduated from TAC (Thomas Aquinas College in Ojai, Calif.) Some of these 13 grandchildren already talk of vocations. [As you can see, right of the bat, the parents were NOT of the traditional Catholic homeschooling, Latin Mass stereotype. There CAN be vocations even to the EF wings of the Catholic Church from ordinary Catholic families. continue on to see how they did it ...]

Since our engaged days my husband and I both agreed that only one thing mattered. Getting each other to heaven and getting our children (whatever children God sent us) to heaven.

 

The first outing for each of our children was going to Mass. They were baptized ASAP. [God and their souls first.]

They learned to kneel and bless themselves for nightly prayers before or at the same time that they learned to walk. They went to "Catholic" schools but we stressed that they were there for education and because they had more discipline than public schools. They were not there for catechism or to learn their Faith, this they would learn at home.

They learned their catechism at home from the Baltimore Catechism. They knew it better than the "Catholic" teachers and nuns, who more often than not only taught "social" messages. (Sandinistas, wishy-washy "Love", Church of "Nice"), while their orthodoxy was ridiculed or slighted before others, but they learned to endure and forgive though they suffered as the "odd man-out" in school. They learned "white martyrdom" at a very young age. 

The boys quit serving Mass when girls were introduced as altar girls, and a few other boys followed their lead. The girls were then delegated to helping set up the altar linens and other tasks. Some of their mothers complained but the boys came back. Unfortunately in later years, when our boys were long gone, this policy got re-established.

At Mass when very young, though they could not read, we let them hold the missalettes and pointed to where we were at that point in Mass. They behaved better than a lot of adults who wanted to Kootchi-Koo them and we would turn their heads to the front reminding them that Mass is in front not in the back or the people around them. Though we only had Novus Ordo Masses we taught them to fight the distractions. 
[Again. They did NOT have the TLM to help them. They did this all in the Novus Ordo Mass. The KEY difference is they taught even while young the emphasis of what was happening there, and not feeding them cheerios and toys and letting them run loose. They were disciplining them to worship our Lord in the Mass. They did NOT indulge their children's selfish whims.]

It wasn't until they were grown that they had the opportunity to attend the TLM Masses and they learned to really appreciate them.   

We looked upon them not so much as OUR children, but GOD'S children that had been confided to our care and we raised them as God's children. Its like they were a blank cassette (nowadays it would be CD or DVD) and they would pick up from us whatever they heard and saw.

We just raised them as Catholics are supposed to be raised. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Saying the Rosary, making visits to the Blessed Sacrament, dressing properly for Mass Sundays and occasional weekdays, regular confessions, morning and evening prayers.

But we were an ordinary family, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Piano, Guitar, various summer sports (swimming, baseball, tennis, soccer etc city-sponsored stuff) and picnics with trips to zoos etc., just our family with an occasional friend. Almost no TV: mostly "Mr. Rogers".  

They learned to discern at an early age and if I had the radio on because I could not hear the words only the tune, they themselves would turn it off and tell me "that's a bad song, mom". 

If we got angry with them when they misbehaved or went off the track, we would explain why we were angry and apologize but explain that it was our duty to teach them, their duty to learn and that only one thing mattered : "doing God's Will". 
[So Important!!!!! See my commentary in the bullet points below]

People at our Parish ask us "What did you do?" We can't really tell them except we're an ordinary family bringing up God's children the way God would expect us to. 

We saw our children as a grave responsibility and we only get one shot at bringing them up. Start guiding them from the day of their birth for as the sapling grows so grows the tree. 

I was frightened at the grave responsibility and when each was born I placed them in Mary's hands and asked her to help me bring them up. So it really is more her doing than my husband's or mine.

In summary, marriage is between 3 people, not 2, God being the head of the other 2.
------------------------------------------------------

In my evaluation, were I to give a bullet point list of what this family did right to raise their kids Catholic and KEEP THEM CATHOLIC, Here it is:

• They did not treat marriage as an everlasting bliss. They committed to their Marriage as a SACRAMENT, not a special occasion or milestone. "... marriage is between 3 people, not 2, God being the head of the other 2."

• They were open to life, as is supposed to be agreed to by the couple upon marriage in the Catholic Church. What is NOT SAID openly but implied, they did not abort, contracept with pills, condoms, etc., and had as many children as their biology allowed them to.

• They both AGREED in full, that their obligation to their children was to instill in them the virtues and habits necessary to get to Heaven. This was their number one priority with their children, NOT making them future doctors, lawyers, etc. with large money-making jobs, or seeing them as the next professional athlete, or whatever the kids want to their hearts content. "We saw our children as a grave responsibility and we only get one shot at bringing them up. Start guiding them from the day of their birth for as the sapling grows so grows the tree. "

• The majority of Catholic school education must NOT be trusted due to lukewarm Catholics being your teachers, warped by the same "Jesus loves everybody" garbage they were taught and most parents of today were fed in their schools. What must be taught to the kids is: "... they [are] there for education and because they had more discipline than public schools. They [are] not there for catechism or to learn their Faith, ..." If you are blessed with more money and possibly, private Catholic schools in your area or homeschool groups, then you could have your child in those if they are orthodox.

• Furthermore, your spouse MUST be 100% committed with you, in teaching the true, unaltered Catholic Faith to your kids as parents, at home. This is EVERYTHING from gestures of prayer (e.g. genuflection to the tabernacle entering and leaving the main body of the church) ... to the Major doctrines and dogmas of the faith (e.g. Scripture, abortion, contraception ...). If your husband/wife to be is NOT 100% committed to this, you will either have major problems with her/him or your kids. It would be highly best to NOT marry them, and let them have their way with a lukewarm Catholic partner or someone not Catholic. This does NOT mean your future partner in marriage needs to be a stereotypical "trad" who will homeschool, but they must be 100% committed to the Catholic Faith with you.

• You MUST prepare your children, and yourselves to undergo "white" martyrdom against your family, lukewarm friends, even their teachers, "role-models" and even certain CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS!!! You will be harassed, insulted, taunted, etc. by those who do not want to truly practice their Catholic faith or find your methods ``archaic`` for lack of a better word and have embraced the modern world and its parenting ideologies, and modern theologies.
• NRSV Matt 10:34-36: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; ³⁶ and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
• The last of the Beatitudes in NRSV Matt 5:11-12: ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
• Basically, your family will be harassed and insulted for the Faith. If they are not prepared for the insults and harassment, you, collectively, will be too weak to withstand the teasing and will falter in your attempts, and maybe give up. This can be especially hurtful to the kids growing up, so they must be made strong while they are young.

• You MUST teach your children that the Mass is NOT an obligation to just attend and go. IT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF PRAYER TO THE LORD, AND DEMANDS YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN's FULLEST ATTENTION! In addition, you must not let your kids be distracted from it by toys and cheerios and teach them that their whims are not important ... JESUS ON THE ALTAR IS IMPORTANT!!!

• "We looked upon them not so much as OUR children, but GOD'S children that had been confided to our care and we raised them as God's children. Its like they were a blank cassette (nowadays it would be CD or DVD) and they would pick up from us whatever they heard and saw." You must understand YOUR actions will affect your child's faith life and their conduct in the world. You are their primary educators and teachers of morals, the Catholic faith, etc. You cannot just leave others to teach your kids. YOU ARE THEIR BEST TEACHER AND ROLE MODEL and must have this idea of the "Tabula Rusa" in mind. You are the one with the stylus writing on their "tablets".

• In terms of the parenting and their children's exposure/interests:
• They did NOT allow their children to be exposed to the multitude of sinful, immoral programming and entertainment on the TV, Movies, etc.
• They only went out with other trusted families or friends. Not mentioned: clearly, those who did not have similar ideas with regards to parenting, the faith, etc. or children with bad influences. They ensured that positive peers/role models with the utmost attentiveness to the Catholic Faith were allowed to be with their kids.
• They allowed their children to pursue interests that would help them mature and develop their natural, God-given/Holy Spirit-given talents and abilities. They were not allowed to pursue those that would not do so.
• They were allowed to pursue other interests in their spare time, period. They were not always having a constant infusion of Religion and faith 24/7 to the point of denying them even basic interests/friends/outings, etc. In other words, the parents were not extremely authoritarian.

• "If we got angry with them when they misbehaved or went off the track, we would explain why we were angry and apologize but explain that it was our duty to teach them, their duty to learn and that only one thing mattered : "doing God's Will". This is important:
• Parents are the earthly expression of God/Jesus' love for us. We get our understanding and our reflection of God through them. If the parents in general are not doing such, we will have a poor understanding of the Lord.
• Children do need discipline to be able to not become selfish miscreants. The world doesn't 100% work that way. It has many a vice and means for being selfish and sinful/serving the devil while being a part of it, but it will not allow extremes such as wanton crime and murder, or anarchy. Without discipline, a person will have to learn the "ways of the world" the hard way, or "sink or swim". Not a good prospect.
• On the opposite hand, if the child does not understand the discipline of the parents, or find it just to be for their selfish desires, they will rebel against the parents who did not discipline out of love, but out of cruelty or their selfish emotions.
• I can personally attest to this. Growing up, I was made to dress up for Mass, was made to sit up straight in the pew, be quiet, etc. I was also disciplined through yelling and sharp comments upon immediate violation of rules or something that my parent's didn't like. I received no explanation for the actions (until recently as an adult). I only viewed what they wanted of me as following orders. I did not understand why to do all that for Mass, and they did not tell me what the Mass was truly all about. Their focus was also more on materialism in terms of jobs, success, etc. Is it no wonder when I went away partially to university (home on weekends) I didn't care as much about my studies and rebelled against my Faith? And if they do ever see this someday. I am 100% unapologetic for writing this. I came back and reverted to my faith, understood what the Mass was all about, dress up more and attend Mass willingly on my own, by doing this all myself, with support from youth ministries. My reversion was not of my parent's hands. And as for "well we gave you the basics so of course you came back", it sure didn't keep me there. I had to re-discover the Faith and choose this all on my own. The "training" failed.

And there you go. Enjoy the post and the bullet points.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

Off the Beaten Path .... but IMPORTANT: Walk in Ajax to End Human Trafficking August 17, 2013

Hello Everyone,

This request is a little unusual for my blog, but I have been asked to pass this on by a holy, reverent, and Catholic priest I know in the Archdiocese. I hope some of you will consider this and pass on the word.

A business, called CandlePledge that operates out of Ajax, Ontario, makes beeswax bricks and candles. It can be found at www.candlepledge.org. Considering beeswax candles are the true candle preferred for the Latin Mass, it might be worthwhile to stop by (hint, hint). In seriousness, this business is sponsoring a walk that covers a serious sin of the Culture of Death in our world today, and wants to aid in combatting it.

CandlePledge is sponsoring a walk in Ajax, Ontario, that is called the "Walk for Children: Raising funds to rehabilitate child sex trafficking victims." It takes place Saturday August 17, 2013 at Rotary Park in Ajax. They plan to donate all proceeds to the Somaly Mam Foundation, that aids and empowers victims of sex trafficking.

One can find a poster for the event here on the Somaly Mam website: http://www.somaly.org/event/walk-children. In order to get a pledge form, it is best to contact by phone or to email CandlePledge directly on their site by e-mail here: http://www.candlepledge.org/contact-us/. Unfortunately, I cannot post the pdfs of the pledge form or the poster here in the blog so please use the links provided to get the poster and obtain a pledge form from CandlePledge.

Please consider this as an act of Catholic Charity and solidarity, in line with our current's Holy Father's encouragement and Papacy.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

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.  

Off the Beaten Path: Late but Still Great The 2013 Palm Sunday Procession with Novus Ordo Mass Celebrated by ++Collins

Hello Everyone,

For Saturday, March 23, the Vigil of Palm Sunday, I was with my Novus Ordo/Home parish young adult ministry, attending the diocesan Palm Sunday procession with the WYD 2002 Cross, Novus Ordo Mass, and a speech for the youth to follow. This event was hosted by Ontario Catholic Youth (OCY), an office associated with the Archdiocese of Toronto, responsible for working with other parishes with regard to youth and young adult ministry, and holds youth ministry events of their own as well.

The procession was preceded by Eucharistic Adoration at St. Paul's Basilica (a beautifully restored church with fresco-like paintings in it, reminiscent of a mini-Sistine Chapel in Toronto), followed by the Palm Sunday procession to the Cathedral. With many priests concelebrating and a plethora of servers, I'd say this is a "Missa Solemnis Novus Ordo"

While the Mass was a Novus Ordo, I will say, there were many elements in this Mass that were quite riveting to see at the Cathedral, besides His Eminence, Cardinal Thomas Collins as celebrant. Here's what we were treated to:

• A talented, young Man, playing the main organ in the Cathedral
• The choir for the Mass was courtesy of the Solidarity of the Anglican Ordinate (from the Sacre-Coeur Anglican Rite Mass?), who have their own blog/web coverage and have been featured on other Latin Mass blogs.
• That very choir sang all the responsory parts in Latin in the Liturgy of the Eucharist! (e.g. The Sanctus, the Agnus Dei, ...)
• Numerous altar servers in varying positions as if it were a Missa Cantata/Solemn Mass! A cross-bearer with the Cathedral's gilded crucifix, four torch-bearers with processional/acolyte candles, of which two servers were acolytes, a thurifer, and even two Master of Ceremonies! Here's the proof, albeit my camera isn't a professional one that can reduce/eliminate motion. So the pictures are really bad .... 

Thurifer with boat and two Acolytes (and/or front torch bearers)

Cross in the Center, and two rear torch bearers

Master(s) of Ceremonies

This image, however, was taken by their professional photographer with high-powered camera able to take pictures despite motion. It is only available on the Facebook page of OCY until the pictures are uploaded to the OCY website. 

• When the servers were processing to and fro around the altar with nothing in hand, they were in the orans prayer position! Even the lectors proceeded up and down to/from the ambo with hands in orans position!
• At Communion, All the ministers were ordinary ministers of the Eucharist (Priests!) and even the Cardinal himself handed out our Lord to us in the main aisle, left side (I, unfortunately did not get that pleasure as I was on the right side :( )

As for the homily, the Cardinal focused on the fact that our life is a marathon, a journey .... but with one key point for us to keep in mind. He reflected back to his time in the Conclave, being in front every day of Michaelangelo's "Divine Judgement" fresco. While on this journey, we will be judged in the end, like the parable of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25. You cannot just wheeze by on this journey. You must be active in your faith life, both in faith and works. And at the end of this journey, you will be judged by Him. 

The youth were blessed with this Novus Ordo Liturgy. This liturgy was evidence that it can be done!

Post retreat, we were treated to excellent refreshments (gourmet Italian-style pizzas! Though I think they were courtesy of Pickle Barrel catering) and another riveting speech from the Cardinal. I must say for a jet-lagged prelate, he sure was quite lively. Some of the lighter points was interjecting J.R.R. Tolkien into his speech (Yes! +1 with me) and doing tasteful jokes (Collins vs. Bergoglio for final vote .... NOT! [Author: You in the peanut gallery, be silent!]) and non-secretive insights about the Conclave (believe it or not, they DID know about "Adopt a Cardinal" which is awesome! The cardinals really could feel and know you were all praying for them! They also knew about some "media buzz" ranking system, and get this, Pope Francis (Bergoglio) was NOT high ranking!). As for the big gist of his speech, he wanted to get the message to all of us youth, that reflecting on the new Pope, Francis, carrying out our faith actively is of utmost necessity for the New Evangelization. We should be doing such according to 3 H's: Hands, Heart and Mind. 

This, believe it or not, you traditional readers should know. See, Cardinal Collins, as he told us, was educated in his early catechesis using a certain catechism. He didn't say which, but between being question and simple answer style, being in his mid sixties, and telling us the question about our purpose in life was to "Know, love, and serve God," I would bet highly that our good Cardinal was taught with the Baltimore Catechism! Even my nonno and my other senior relatives know that one! With regard to the three H's: Knowing = Head, that is, KNOW THE FAITH! Know the Church's teachings on theology and moral issues, straight from the Catechism and the Vatican documents. Loving = Heart, that is believe and have your faith intact, worship our Lord in the Holy Mass and Eucharist and love it! Do not hide your Faith or discount it! And then, Serve = Hands. Go out and DO the faith. 

Come to think of it, our triumvirate of recent popes post-Vatican II, as one commentator on Fr. Z alluded to,  each has one element of this purpose of ours a major demonstration of their pontificate. John Paul II gave us the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1993) and updated/amended Canon Law (1983), as well as published a number of Encyclicals and the audiences that compose the Theology of the Body. Benedict XVI gave us fewer writings in his 8-year pontificate, but they were nonetheless important Papal writings on the Faith, and by becoming Pope, the world was opened to a treasury of his theological works as Cardinal Ratzinger, and who could forget he "freed" the Latin Mass, as well as made his own Masses more orthodox in praxis and liturgy. And as for Pope Francis, his pontificate has barely started, but already in his externals and his past actions/conduct as Cardinal Bergoglio, he is demonstrating carrying out the Faith to the world, the doing part. 

Anyways, back to the main event, I can say that this event was a great spiritual benefit to the youth who attended and received a solid Novus Ordo liturgy with worthwhile catechesis, and I hope that those of us who went will take this forward in our faith lives. 

For those of you with Facebook, more pictures of the event can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151510031886382.1073741830.27666276381&type=1

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian. 

Off the Beaten Path: Turning Back the Clock to 1962 - 4th Attempt at Straight Razor Shaving Now 100% more Shaving Cream

Hello Everyone,

My adventures in straight razor shaving land continues. I did a third straight razor shave off-camera, and while I was getting much better, I still was not getting the baby-smooth shave I desired. Thus, I purchased more items from www.classicedge.ca/ and obtained what I should have had at the beginning: Shaving cream and a badger-hair brush.

Here goes my 4th adventure in straight razor shaving.

My now complete kit

Actual Shave post warm cloth and stropping ~15 times

Final Result after 2nd round of shaving with cream and oil

So while it went much better and I got some decent hair shaved off, my face still has a 5 O'clock shadow. I did another 8-10 rounds of honing with the combined low/high grit water whetstone I purchased after this and I'll try once more while at home tomorrow to shave and see if more honing was the problem. Other than this, I just can't figure out for the life of me why this isn't working. 

I don't suppose anyone can help me out? Yes, I'll even take advice from those who are not Catholic or Christian too (though you should seriously snoop around my site. Go on, I dare ya). I'd really appreciate it. Just remember my blog rules though, nothing malicious eh? We Canadians like peace and civility eh. 

Pax, Julian Barkin. 

Off the Beaten Path: Turning Back the Clock to 1962 - Failed Attempt at Straight Razor Shaving

Hello to all,

This post .... is not specifically about the Latin Mass, though it is connected in a sense. It deals also with a general trend of young chaps in my generation, whether they be EF-attending young men or not. I'll let the introductory video explain away, though excuse my ugly, fat, bloated mug of a face first thing in the morning. The camera does add 10 pounds. And like I say in the video, I can't believe I am exposing myself like this .....

Introductory Video

And now without further ado, my miserable attempt at doing something of Traditional Man Culture/tradition/Latin Mass Culture circa 1962 .... whereupon I fail miserably.

Part 1 of the Shaving Fail

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Anyhow, likely the razor was not in a "ready-to-shave" condition, as I did a test from YouTube videos, the thumb/thumbnail test, and it was a smooth glide, so likely the answer is dullness (though I should go easy on the shave oil). I've taken the liberty of spending my hard earned work money, and ordered myself a special water honing stone from a Canadian company in Oakville, www.classicedge.ca/ to sharpen my blade. Once I get it, I'll film the sharpening of my razor and try again. 

And spiritually speaking, cause the wolves are ready to pounce on me saying "hypocrite! Vulgar brute you swearing fiend!" I did go to confession later that day and DID confess using vulgarity to the self in excitement or self-conversation at no less than a Latin Mass Parish. So if you want to be a Pharisee remember my blog rules, and depending how vitrolic you are, you'll get a yellow card or be booted from S.U.D. and your posts archived for evidence.

As for the rest of you, if you think its something else besides sharpening my blade or less oil, let me know. Maybe I need more stropping than 10-15 passes?

Pax, Julian Barkin. 

Off the Beaten Path: CCCB statement of the Society of St. Pius X (Updated Jan 28 2013)

Hello everyone,

I Julian, sole author of Servimus Unum Deum, must take an urgent break from doing the serving portions of my blog to touch on an issue that has struck a nerve with me as a young EF-partaking Catholic. You young people should especially listen up.

If some of you have noticed, in certain places I have stressed here on Servimus Uunum Deum, that we should support the extraordinary form via VALID AND LICIT DIOCESAN Latin Masses. I say so because these masses and their clergy involved are those with true and proper faculties who are under the Magisterium and specifically, the diocesan ordinary, +Collins, as dictated by canon law. Canon Law is the acting divine and practical law, that is part of the Magisterial and binding authority of the Church. We the laity are even bound to it in certain parts (e.g. Mass obligation, sins that incur automatic excommunication).

Any priest, acting outside of the authority of their diocesan ordinary, has NO faculties (save maybe consecration and emergency confession in danger of death). This includes excommunicated, illicit, or invalid priests. The bishop is responsible for faculties of priests to validly and licitly carry our the Sacraments of Jesus Christ. This is stated in Canon Law. First off:

"Can. 838 §1. The direction of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church which resides in the Apostolic See and, according to the norm of law, the diocesan bishop."

This extends to all sacraments, as they are performed within the Liturgy (save emergency baptism in a period of crisis/imminent death). For example, lets use the Sacrament of Reconciliation:
"Can. 966 §1. The valid absolution of sins requires that the minister have, in addition to the power of orders, the faculty of exercising it for the faithful to whom he imparts absolution."

"Can. 969 §1. The local ordinary alone is competent to confer upon any presbyters whatsoever the faculty to hear the confessions of any of the faithful. Presbyters who are members of religious institutes, however, are not to use the faculty without at least the presumed permission of their superior."

Why Am I saying this? Because sadly, there are certain organizations that exist that do not operate within the authority of the Church and are canonically illegal. They may practice Catholicism and look like "true Catholicism" including using the rubrical books and liturgies of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, but are really acting in defiance of the Magisterium and our bishops and Holy Father.

The most well known and popular, especially with the resurgence of the Extraordinary form, is the Society if St Pius X. I do not want to delve into their history here as there are numerous books and blog posts flying around, (with some of them biased in their favour), except to say that since 1988 when pope JPII had to excommunicate its founder Archbishop Marcel Lefevbre and 5 other bishops (a co-consecrator and 4 newly consecrated bishops, of whom one, Fellay is the SSPX's current head), they have been obstinate in not reconciling with Rome, despite B16's heroic efforts.

Unfortunately, the organization operates in my diocese and many others around the world, and continues to attract people in the wake of our institutional (clergy, lay teachers, separate school teachers, parents ... etc. NOT the true Catholic) Church's failure to minister to its laity. Seeking solid catechesis that was never or poorly given to them, and what they feel is "true Catholicism unadulterated by the Smoke of Satan that is Vatican II," misinformed Catholics are sadly being sucked into what they provide. What really sickens me is that they offer the Latin Mass AND ``sacraments`` as well as ``theology`` and ``teaching`` but all their Masses are illicit (illegal) and while supposedly they can confect the Eucharist, ALL their other sacraments are EMPTY, NULL, and VOID facsimiles in Latin as they separate themselves from, and act without, the authority of their dioceses` bishops in rejection of their ``Novus Ordo Church``. They even have their own marriage tribunals outside of the Church! So already they deem themselves in action the "eyes of the Church" as that is who sees and does not see valid marriages.

Even the Holy Father, when he remitted the excommunications on the bishops of the Society, reaffirmed that the `ministers` in the Society have no faculties to administer anything sacramental in his 2009 letter, 3rd paragraph:

`` The fact that the Society of Saint Pius X does not possess a canonical status in the Church is not, in the end, based on disciplinary but on doctrinal reasons. As long as the Society does not have a canonical status in the Church, its ministers do not exercise legitimate ministries in the Church.``

(Updated here, Jan 28, 2013)
Also in this letter, despite the removal of the excommunications of the four bishops, the bishops AND the society are still not in communion with Rome. What is even more sorrowful is that while they may have paid, and still pay lip service to the Pope regarding his divine authority, The Society and their adherents/supporters denied that the excommunications ever took place under a case of "dire emergency" in the Church, and still hold onto that false truth. The Society and their adherents/supporters have also said they are not schismatic, in communion with Rome, and have good standing prior to and after the remission of excommunications including sacramental faculties, when clearly the Pope`s 2009 letter says otherwise. They are wrong. They do not have canonical status and they are in a schismatic position because they reject Vat.II etc. They do not have faculties.

Nice to know that Matthew 16:19 only applies selectively to the Society and not the whole of the Church or what is done onto them.
(End Update Jan 28, 2013)

I would also like to highlight something important for the Laity. While the Church has not issued a ban on attending their masses for Sunday Obligation in cases of dire necessity (e.g. Going and not receiving their ``communion`` vs. violating the obligation), going to their Masses can eventually lead to schism.

Schism is an automatic excommunication action, as it is ``latae sentetiae``

Can. 1314 Generally, a penalty is ferendae sententiae, so that it does not bind the guilty party until after it has been imposed; if the law or precept expressly establishes it, however, a penalty is latae sententiae, so that it is incurred ipso facto when the delict is committed.

Schism is latae sententitae as indicated here:
``Can. 1364 §1. Without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 194, §1, n. 2, an apostate from the faith, a heretic, or a schismatic incurs a latae sententiae excommunication; in addition, a cleric can be punished with the penalties mentioned in ⇒ can. 1336, §1, nn. 1, 2, and 3.``


This fact of schism by attending their ìllicit (a.k.a. illegal) Masses which comes about with frequency of attendance has been made clear by the Pontifical Commission of Ecclesia Dei in Rome, in a published correspondence to a layperson who blogs, Brian Mershon, back in 2008. The correspondence is here and I highlight the relevant paragraph:

"While it is true that participation in the Mass at chapels of the Society of St. Pius X does not of itself constitute "formal adherence to the schism" (cf. Ecclesia Dei 5, c), such adherence can come about over a period of time as one slowly imbibes a schismatic mentality which separates itself from the teaching of the Supreme Pontiff and the entire Catholic Church.``

Further, their head, Fellay, who isn't a true bishop of the Church, came at the end of December to administer the "sacrament" of Confirmation. Even though the sacraments were performed according to the EF rites of 1962, and everything materially and literally was likely done correctly, NO SACRAMENT took place as the bishop is an invalid minister not under +Collins or even the Church in Rome under B16, the "Bishop of all bishops". See the clarification letter from 2009 above.

In addition, Fellay even administered one or more "conditional Confirmations" to those who have already received their sacraments in the "Novus Ordo church" and worse, the confirmandi believe their prior Confirmations are defective and therefore they receive a "Conditional confirmation" as if it was to fix the broken sacrament or give what was not there, which is diabolical and theologically wrong!!!! It is a misinterpretation of this Canon Law:

Can. 845 ß1 Because they imprint a character, the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and order cannot be repeated. ß2 If after diligent enquiry a prudent doubt remains as to whether the sacraments mentioned in ß1 have been conferred at all, or conferred validly, they are to be conferred conditionally. "

Furthermore:
"Can. 841 Since the sacraments are the same throughout the universal Church, and belong to the divine deposit of faith, only the supreme authority in the Church can approve or define what is needed for their validity. It belongs to the same authority, or to another competent authority in accordance with can. 838 ß3 and 4, to determine what is required for their lawful celebration, administration and reception and for
the order to be observed in their celebration."

So the SSPX and Fellay lie to their adherents who join them from the main body of the TRUE Catholic Church, when they make them believe that the Novus Ordo Mass and sacraments done under its liturgies are defective and/or invalid. Once a Catholic gets the sacrament at a Confirmation,
- Where the proper form of the rite according to the liturgical books promulgated by the Catholic Church, without abborhent and intentional deviation
- Proper Matter was used in carrying out all aspects of the sacrament according to liturgical law,
- The intent by the Bishop is proper
- The sacrament was performed, by a VALID AND LICITLY ordained bishop by the Holy Father himself, then that Novus Ordo Sacrament is un-doable and unrepeatable.

And I dare you to show me evidence of a Novus Ordo Consecration with grave liturgical violation that made it invalid, like ad-libbing by the bishop, improper words used, etc. Gather hymnal music and a lack of questions from the bishop, or a lukewarm sermon doesn't cut it!

So those Catholics who flocked over to receive confirmation from him got a raw deal, having already had the sacrament. The indelible mark of your ``N.O Comfirmation is signed, sealed, and delivered.`` No take backs.

In addition, while Fellay was here, he went to the provincial SSPX school located in New Hamburg, where he gave a 1.5 hour long diatribe that is now on the Internet on YouTube. With everything above as  background prior to this, I now turn to the main focus of my article, the statement in response to the speech he did in December and the necessary response to the diatribe from the CCCB.

CCCB IN REPLY TO FELLAY`S ``NEW HAMBURG`` SPEECH

Recently, the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops had to make a statement on the matter contained in his 1.5 hour long speech. The speech was for the most part, a diatribe whereby Fellay recounted and commented on the maneuvers between his society and Rome, in the efforts of the Church to reconcile with the SSPX and bring them back to full canonization. I will link to the speech here. Make sure you have a beverage of choice and some popcorn, cause this is a long one and you definitely need spare time to soak it all in. Here.

Unfortunately, in his speech, he made a lot of negative commentary on the negotiations against Rome and in favour of the SSPX being the good side of the conflict, and in particular, some remarks stand out, as highlighted by the Catholic Register in this article:

http://www.catholicregister.org/news/international/item/15637-sspx-head-says-vatican-sent-mixed-messages-during-reconciliation-talks

However, the worst statement made in the speech, which has been pinpointed by Catholic media was this:
``Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the society, said those most opposed to the church granting canonical recognition to the traditionalist society have been "the enemies of the church: the Jews, the Masons, the modernists."`The remarks were made during a nearly two-hour talk Dec. 28 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in New Hamburg, Ontario.``

While the SSPX has offerered their clarification on the matter, anti-Semitism has always been around the SSPX, particularly in the form of the now kicked out ``bishop`` Williamson. Anybody with a working mind will know they did it to ``save face`` with the society.

Seeing this anti-Semitic statement, the CCCB took charge and released a media statement on it. Here is the full statement, taken from the CCCB site at this location:

CCCB comment on reported remarks by Bishop Fellay, Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X 

Friday, January 18 2013 

Questions and concerns have been raised following recent media reports about a statement that had been made in Canada by the Superior of the Society of Saint Pius X that “the Jews” are the "enemies of the Church". The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops notes that such remarks are not in accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church. As the spokesperson for the Holy See, Father Federico Lombardi, S.J., has said when commenting on the statement, “It is absolutely unacceptable, impossible, to define the Jews as enemies of the Church.”

The Second Vatican Council taught in Nostra Aetate, its Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (no. 4): “God holds the Jews most dear for the sake of their Fathers; he does not repent of the gifts he makes or of the calls he issues – such is the witness of the Apostle [Paul].... [T]he Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel's spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone." This teaching has been reiterated time and time again by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops denounces all forms of anti-Semitism, and rejects assertions such as those reported to have been made by the Superior of the Society of Saint Pius X, which is a schismatic group not in communion with the Catholic Church.

January 17, 2013
 Last Updated on Friday, January 18 2013 


Now, here is where I will divert from the other Catholic bloggers on the internet with involvement in the Extraordinary Form. As a new generation EF Catholic, a revert, an ``evangelical Catholic`` under the governance of + Cardinal Collins, as he encouraged us to be in 2011 at the Ontario Catholic Youth Weekend, and most importantly an EF partaking young man who attempts in many ways to REJECT the Pharicism and liturgical-over-rigidity sadly expressed by SOME people in the EF and charged by other Catholics in the Church, and demonstrates the positive and true side of it to his contemporaries and young peers, and all those interested and seeking out the EF in the  Church, I MUST SPEAK ABOUT THIS IN A WAY THAT WILL BE DIFFERENT ON THIS MATTER.

I will say the following on this:
1) It is indeed true, that the Bishops` Conferences cannot make definitive statements of Magisterial and competent authority, especially usurping that which is in the Catechism, in our Canon Law, and especially what has been said in matters of faith and morals by our Holy Father(s) (via the doctrine of infallibility of the Popes). This has been outlined in a Vatican II apostolic letter from John Paul II called Apostolos Suos here, especially in the addenums in the end of the document.

2) However, I applaud and say it was rightly just for the CCCB to condemn the statements made by Fellay when he was here, continuing to defy our Church and the Holy Father, with his illicit ``sacramental`` actions and his speech. They deserve credit for the following reasons, regardless of their status of authority:

• The SSPX give an overall negative and hateful expression of what traditional Catholicism is in the Church, and give our liberal enemies credence to fling further insults at the EF and trads, and for priests to continue lambasting anything with regard to the Latin Mass. 

• As stated before, confused Catholics with valid and licit sacramental marks upon their souls, may in their ignorance wander over to their church and eventually become schismatic, as was warned by the PCED in the personal communication above to Brian Mershon, and partake in the ``fake sacraments`` offered by the SSPX.

• Because Anti-Semitism flies in the face of Nostra Aetate, and in addition, is NOT in line with Catholic teaching of us to treat all those with human dignity and respect. Further, even Christ did not hate the Jews as a race. Even He said upon the cross about everyone in his crucifixion for his Father to forgive everyone as they don`t know what they are doing. When he got angry or challenged any Jews, it was the Jewish authorities who were hypocrites in their faith and paid too much attention to laws and rules, while not practically adhering to their faith with their fellow man. I will say that one of the bloggers has rightfully criticized the SSPX for such imprudence and promotion of hatred, regardless of their explanation.

• Because the SSPX, already was associated with anti-Semitism, before it kicked Williamson out of the group

• Because MOST IMPORTANTLY, it is the bishops` jobs, collectively and individually (especially individually), to safeguard and guide the flock of the faithful in the church as its sheperds and guardians of the Faith, as the active ``officers`` of the Magisterium. The Bishops MUST protect the flock spiritually, both from offensive liberal offences, as well as those of the ultra-Pharisical sides of the faith that threaten the livelihood and eternal salvation of the Church. 

3) I disagree with other bloggers of the EF community on their stance with regard to the CCCB. While I personally feel more can be done to address liturgical abuses and other concerns in the institutional Church in Canada, the recent posts have an air of "bishop bashing," a crime that is often committed by those who are more extreme on the conservative Catholic spectrum, particularly who have an internet presence on whatever scale intended,  be it local, state/province wide, or international/the whole Body of the Church. 

Some of the writings allude to things such as `they made a statement as if they were the Magisterium` or `they usurp the authority of the Holy Father.` with their ``schismatic`` statement. While the pope has not made an official motu proprio banning the SSPX and their adherents from the church, and the CCCB should only be reiterating what the Magisterium via the Holy Father or Canon Law/Catechism dictates, it is quite obvious the SSPX through their actions, and what they teach as theology and doctrine, (e.g. refusal to accept Vatican II, condemnation of the Novus Ordo) are schismatic in action. This is even more certain with their refusal to sign and agree to those conditions in the doctrinal preamble, especially after the recent hard line transformation of Fellay, post 2012 General Chapter meeting, evidenced in the statement of the Novus Ordo as ``bad`` or ``evil`` in that same New Hamburg speech. 

I also disagree with these bloggers due to what can be seen as obvious bias in favour of the SSPX and against our bishops. It is not too much of a stretch to say that some of those who go to the EF DO have associations with those who attend or actively operate with the SSPX, or even share the SSPX views on one or more issues in the Church, and therefore exhibit such bias in their commentary. This is more than just saying that they hope for reconciliation. 

In addition, I have been around such people in the past and have had past friends on Facebook who have attended their chapels/illicit Masses more than once, or who espouse/believe in their teachings (e.g. reject the Novus Ordo Mass, contrary to Canon Law both the 1913 and the 1983 codes you are under pang of Mortal Sin to abstain from meat on Fridays ...). On a sadder note, some of them are around my age and are with the SSPX, having fallen for the aesthetics of traditionalism, regardless of what I have mentioned earlier. For those who remain in the diocesan parishes but highly support the SSPX and/or espouse their beliefs, were it not for the penalty of excommunication for schism, these people would likely be flocking over to their chapels, and are waiting hopefully for the reconciliation to do so. 

AS WELL, THOSE PEOPLE CAN EXHIBIT THE VERY THINGS THAT LIBERALS CRITICISE TRADITIONAL CATHOLICS/EF ATTENDEES FOR! Unfortunately, those people tend to be the ones, no different from liberals be it in government or in the Church, who take upon themselves to be the mouthpieces of their communities or the institutional church and engage in practices such as "bishop bashing." Sadly, this commentary only further negates the growth and the attitude of those interested in the EF, especially young people. It also shows the very same disrespect of authority that the SSPX demonstrates. Really? Do you think the bishops want to change their ways and listen to you when you do that with a spirit of un-charity? There are more prudent ways to vocalize valid, necessary concerns.  

We youth DO NOT want an atmosphere filled with negativity and disrespect. We come to Mass to partake in the rememberance of that Passion, Death, and Resurrection, and it is suppose to nourish us in numerous ways, not be a source of evil and sin that turns us away or leads us to darker paths that separate us from the Body of Christ and reject the EF.  Also, we aren't stupid. We young people, both of Gen X, and especially the ever growing and more faithful Millenial Generation (a.k.a. the Wired generation), are reading our documents and our solid/orthodox Catholic media. We easily know "if it smells like a duck, and waddles like a duck ... it is a duck." We see schismatic actions, and (most of us) are not going to fall for a pseudo-church. We know it, and so does the CCCB. 

There, I have said what I needed to say on this matter. And now back to your regularly scheduled S.U.D. programming. 

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin. 

P.S. WARNING !!!

I make this clear, I have blog rules in my first post, and if you decide you want to comment on here, you'd better adhere to them. Further, In addition I am highly monitoring the blog, and on this matter I am highly less likely to give you a warning, should your post be despicable and uncharitable, and I will permanently BAN you from posting on here again. Be VERY cautious if you want to reply here and pray before you post. Also, don't even try to harass me by e-mail or phone if you have any of my prior contact information outside of Servimus, as well as my friends or other associations. Else the next step will be to contact my lawyer/the cops. If you want to have a speckled-filled nutty, as Fr. Z puts it, you can always make your own blog and share your thoughts to the world or do it on your own Internet turf. No one's stopping you.