Collection: Saturday 5:30PM $4794; Sunday 8:30AM $429; 10:00AM $183; 11:00AM $360; 12:30PM$645; 8:00PM $368; Week Masses $207; Total $6986 – Thank you.
–Where is this summer gone? Fr. John went to touch base with SH during the week clear sign that the summer is over is now time to go back to school. This Monday he has Mass for the returning teachers. I am sure parents are impatiently counting the seconds. This year Labor Day is a little late.
Jamestown, Virginia
–Jamestown was the first English colony in the new continent. Excavations are going on to uncover the birthplace of the nation. The documentary mentioned three important reasons why that place was pivotal. It introduced the English language, lest it might have been Spanish like the rest of the Americas. Secondly it brought English Law and Religion making US a Protestant country. Thirdly this was a money making venture. These settlers used their money to come here to start new businesses, to create wealth for themselves. So America was founded on Capitalism. Different approach from pillage and plunder used elsewhere. Somewhat dimmed by recession, this is still the prevailing spirit of America.
–I was somewhat surprised that the conservative press criticized President Obama for bringing his family to Martha Vineyard for his summer vacation, begrudging whatever few days they can have together. In a period when many Americans are out of work, they said, he should have gone somewhere cheaper. So instead of going to a place where they know how to treat a President and have done so for many years and with all his predecessors, Obama should instead have gone to cheap place where they never had a President and don’t know how to do things, so that maybe he can get shot with so many crazies around who hate him, who are fully convinced that the Presidency has been stolen from under their feet by this black foreigner who hasn’t even got a legitimate birth certificate. You see their anger and hatred on TV all the time. I am not sure that these sinister calculations are missing in the cherished hopes of some of his most entrenched enemies that think that Obama is the greatest threat to their status and to their wealth. Much like Kennedy was all those many years ago. We shall see whether this smart young man & his lovable family (and his health care dream for all) is already finished as a President. Like Carter.
–On the same vein I was happy to read that a majority of U.S. bishops disagree with the loud tactics of some of their peers in opposing President Barack Obama’s May appearance at the University of Notre Dame, but remain silent because they do not want to engage in a public battle over the issue, according to Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM.
In an Aug. 12 interview at archdiocesan headquarters, Archbishop Sheehan took the opportunity to decry the combative tactics of what he described as a minority of U.S. bishops who spoke out against the university’s invitation and issuance of an honorary degree. Many urged the university to rescind the invitation because of Obama’s opposition to criminalizing abortion.
Sheehan said he spoke out strongly against the strategy during the bishops’ meeting in June in San Antonio. According to reports from NCR’s John Allen at the time, some bishops said privately that they were appalled at the conduct of the most vocal opponents and others said the debate had become too narrow and partisan, but the issue was never brought up in public session. The bishops interviewed at the time commented anonymously.
Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep
–The Devil wears Prada is a movie with Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway made in 2006. Received with critical acclaim because of Meryl Streep’s performance as the ruthless head of this high fashion magazine that sets the tone for the rest of the industry. It made 300 millions worldwide. I watched it twice because I realize that in this highly complicated world of belts and shoes and bags and trinkets I am slow. (By the way Julia and Julie has a lot of similarities). To be Miranda Priestly personal assistant is a job that millions of girls dream about. The world of high couture, accessories, supermodels, fashion runways, glamor and beautiful people. But also cutthroat, inhuman, shallow and if you want to get to the top you have to sacrifice personal feelings, friends and family. Andrea (Hathaway) is not sure that she wants it that bad. Initially she resists this catty, bitchy, inane level. Not for long. Little by little she’s drawn into this maelstrom of wholesale surrender. She does reach the pinnacle. It is a moment of supreme choice. In the car together Miranda and Andrea are being driven to one of these prestigious events in Paris. The world is there for the taking. Andrea questions if the cut-throat fashion industry is truly where she wants to be and Miranda replies that “everybody wants to be us“. But when Miranda exits the limo to face the millions of photographers and Mass Media Andrea exits the opposite side and walks away from this world of glitter, proving to Miranda that her soul is not for sale. At the film’s conclusion, she is interviewing for a newspaper job. The interviewer reveals that he received a fax from Miranda saying she was by far her biggest disappointment, but that if he did not hire her, he was an idiot. In the last scene, Andrea, dressed casually but with a bit more style, sees Miranda getting into her car across the street. They exchange looks and Miranda gives a soft smile once inside the car. She then snaps back to her usual self and says “Go!”
–The Mets and their brand new stadium Citi Field have been such a disappointment to her fans. Mostly due to injuries. The Yankees on the other hand have been providing me and millions of others with so much cheer and joy. I have been watching more baseball of late. I hope that my enthusiasm isn’t premature. I hope we can look forward to great playoffs.
–The Bishop of Palm Beach, FL., most reverend Gerald Barbarito, was guest in our parish last Sunday to say Mass and baptize the daughter of his nephew who lives here on 96th St. We congratulate Thomas and Katrina and their baby Marissa, for the minute, our youngest parishioner. Bishop Barbarito (a Brooklyn person as he defined himself) told me that his family came originally from Potenza, Italy. I do not know whether he speaks Italian. I found him very nice and easy to deal with. He told me that his nephew has been in our parish for three years and likes it very much and after trying other churches SFDS is where he feels more comfortable and at home. I thought that it was very nice of the Bishop to say those nice things about us.
–The war in Afghanistan with its escalating casualties among our soldiers is an increasing source of preoccupation. President Karzai is becoming an embarrassment because of his corruption. Following the election which took place last Sunday, I was appalled to read that when they counted the ballots of the part of the country under his control they had million more votes than people. I hope the US has learned its lesson in nation building from Iraq, an improbable task under the best of conditions. Clearly the majority of Americans is against this war, does not see any point of sending more of their sons and daughters to die there. The generals are saying that we cannot win that war with less than 100,000 soldiers. But is it a war worth fighting? The people think not according to opinion polls. Another huge issue confronting the President. I pray and hope that he will call it a day in Afghanistan. I cannot see a huge downside if America should pull out of it? Sooner rather than later.
– A Vatican spokesman downplayed a report that major liturgical reforms are being considered by Pope Benedict XVI. He was responding to a report that a document with proposed liturgical modifications, including a curb on the practice of receiving Communion in the hand, had been sent to the pope last April by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. The article in Il Giornale said one idea being studied by the worship congregation was a return to celebrating Mass with the priest facing the same direction as the people, known as “ad orientem.” Vatican sources told Catholic News Service that the worship congregation did not, in fact, suggest a program of liturgical change, but simply forwarded to the Pope some considerations from its discussions on the Eucharist.
–Check out the new Web site by the U.S. Bishops to educate Catholics about the forthcoming English translation of the new Roman Missal. The site, www.usccb.org/romanmissal, has background material on the process of development of liturgical texts, sample texts from the missal, a glossary of terms and answers to frequently asked questions. Content will be added regularly over the next several months.
– Though the cast protecting Benedict XVI’s right wrist has been removed, the Pope jokingly noted that his right hand is still “lazy.” The Holy Father broke his wrist last month when he tripped over a leg of his bed searching for the light switch in his bedroom at the chalet where he vacationed. Today, before praying the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, the Pontiff remarked: “Dear brothers and sisters, you see that the hand has been freed from the cast, but it is still a little lazy! I must remain for a bit in the school of penitence, but we are moving forward!” The crowd responded with warm applause. The Holy Father had lamented that he broke his wrist during his days of vacation, since he had wanted to use the leisure time for writing.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
–Sen. Edward Moore Kennedy, the youngest of the political Kennedy brothers, has died at age 77 shortly after receiving the anointing of the sick. The death was announced Wednesday morning in a statement by the Kennedy family. “Edward Moore Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port,” the statement said, Winston-Salem Journal reports. “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.
“We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all.” I know people who hate the Kennedys for their politics. I am not one of them. Although imperfect, he did many good things. May he rest in peace!
