Zuhlsdorf, McBrien, and some Bishops

There is a lot to say about the three topics of this post, but the best thing to do is read Father Z's post about the issues:

McBrien's Favorite Bishops

If you don't know who Fr. Richard McBrien is... read a review by the National Council of Catholic Bishop's, of his book Catholicism. It really paints a quick picture of who he really is not only as a person and thinker, but as a priest. If you don't feel like reading it... just look at the picture to the left... of FATHER McBrien. I don't know what is worse... him wearing a tie, or the fact that he is speaking at a Call to Action podium.

An interesting note about two of the Bishops on McBrien's List:
Francis Hurley, archbishop of Anchorage, Alaska, 1976-2001;
Michael Kenny, Juneau, Alaska, 1979-95

Double Consecration Questions from WDTPRS? (Father Z.)

I laughed out loud when I read this from a recent post on "WDTPRS?":

I don’t recommend that you kneel in the pews asking God to "disappear" the Host. The priest, on the other hand….

This comment was part of Father Z's answer to someone asking about a "Double Consecration." It really does add to the past two posts on the blog:
 Body v. Bread
"Bread" of Christ?!

Father Z. seems right on in this case, and of course is backed up by his research and the rubrics.

Read the Full Post here:
Is Double Consecration allowed at Mass? - WDTPRS? (Father Z)


-Posted by: Joe

Catholic Blog... Celebrities?

So there has been some murmuring of late on the blogs that I read about "Catholic Blog Celebrities." Now the word CELBRITY is not used per se but that is meaning behind the message. While I was on hiatus, I didn't check my RSS reader, so I had quite a bit of CATCHING UP TO DO and this was one of the "themes" that caught my eye.

The argument was that these personalities are so big that they have become something contrary to their purpose. One of the arguments raised was that someone like Father Z. shouldn't be asking for or listing his Amazon Wish List online; or that the list in and of itself is excessive, in that it lists big ticket items. I am not sure if the person was more upset that he was listing such items or actually getting them. [I have made a post about Amazon before... WISH LISTS] Obviously this "problem" is purely the law of numbers. More people read Father Z's website than Blogger X's. Therefore there is a greater chance that someone will donate to Father Z. than Blogger X. Also, Blogger X's contribution while GREAT and IMPORTANT, doesn't always attract those that are WILLING to donate or gift. On top of that, the COLLAR helps, period.

Now some have poked fun at the idea of Father Z. asking for money for Bird Seed. Now, I won't get into that argument, because I don't think it is fruitful on this blog, and I also think that it is a pretty cut and dry issue and people can make up their own mind. But what about someone like Mark Shea? He supports himself via blogging, book writing, and speaking? Should he not get such things via Blog "Tips"? I mean, let's say you work at Store X, and you sell widgets. You get paid hourly, and then go out and buy an iPod or a Porsche. Isn't that your choice? Should I the consumer tell you or get to dictate how you spend your money? Of course not.

Now, do I think there is some inequity in "Tipping"? Maybe... but again it comes down to NUMBERS. There are many Catholic bloggers that have "stories." As I talked about in my previous post I thought long and hard about putting a Pay Pal or Amazon link on the blog for "Tipping." At first I had Pay Pal but took it off. I did leave the Amazon list up, but list only items RELEVANT to the blog or my personal life that would then relate back to the blog. Not because I think that other items shouldn't be on a list like that, I just choose to operate in a certain fashion.

What do you all think? Should Catholic Bloggers, especially the celebrity types have such Wish Lists? Are there correct and incorrect things to have on such lists? Is a person WRONG in some ethical way for buying such things for a person which lists them?

Personally... someone can get me this:

Winchester: Extreme Weather Rifle

Whomever gets this for me, will receive a share of the meat I take with it for the duration of my use of this weapon :)

-Posted by: Joe

Support - Team Rubicon in Haiti - A MUST READ!

Team Rubicon is a self-financed and self-deployed group of former Marines, soldiers and health care professionals currently providing emergency relief in Haiti.


I know that there seem to be a hundred groups out there appealing for our support so that they can deliver relief and aid in Haiti. This group though seems like a worthy cause, that is deserved of a blog post. I originally saw it on Father Z's  blog and just HAD to post about it.

Check out there blog and think about donating to them. As they are self-financed anything we give helps, that means $1.00... you can spare at least that right? (They are also thanking every single person that gives)

-Posted by: Joe

Benedict XVI - "The Pope of Christian Unity"

Father Z. has suggested that we refer to the Holy Father as the "Pope of Christian unity" for that is what he truly is.

This article seems to be a shining example of that, an address of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

- Posted by: Joe