The Holy Trinity

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, three persons in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This mystery of religion is revealed to man by God Himself in the Holy Scriptures, in His Word.

Public concern for abandoned animals vs. public acceptance for partial birth abortion of children

     Harris County in Texas which includes the city of Houston supports, at tax payer expense, an office of  The Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There is a popular t.v. program based on the work of this worthy cause.  There are special officers who investigate complaints; squad cars and large trucks that transport dogs, cats, goats and horses from the places where they have been abused or abandoned by their owners to veteranarian clinics where evaluation and surgery can take place. There is no question that the animals need help in order to save their lives. The thing that stands out in these real life situations is the compassion and concern that is exhibited by all concerned. When the animals are fit once again they are put up for adoption where the focus is, "on finding them a loving home".

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

Today the church celebrates the solemnity of Pentecost. Fifty days after Easter. In the Jewish calendar it was known as the feast of weeks. Fifty days after Passover. The Passover was the seminal event in the story of salvation history when the Jewish people were led out of four hundred years of slavery under Egyptian rule by Moses under the direction of Yahweh, God.

Ascension, Jesus is the Kingdom

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. The first reading is from the very beginning of the Acts of the Apostles which was written by St. Luke and the Gospel is from the very end of the 3rd Testament written also by St. Luke, the last words of the 24th Chapter.

Humanae Vitae reference the clergy sexual scandals

     If we want to address the problem  of sexual abuse by clergy, we need to go back to the teachings of  "Humanae Vitae", says a Dutch Catholic psychotherapist. This is the opening sentence of the interview of Genevieve Pollock with Gerard van den Aardweg in Haarlem, Netherlands on April 28, 2010.  Mr. Gerard van den Aardweg has worked as a therapist for fifty years specializing in cases of homosexuality and marital problems. He has taught worldwide and written extensively on homosexuality and pedophilia, as well as the relation of these issues to other topics: same sex attraction in the priesthood, "Humanae Vitae", and the effects of gay parenting. The interview continues as follows.

3rd, 5th, 6th Commandments

This is the vigil mass for the fifth Sunday of Easter and it is also the world day of prayer for vocation.
This past week in 2007 saw the church in Dallas welcome and install her seventh bishop, the most Reverend Kevin Joseph Farrell. He was most recently an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. In his homily at the mass in the cathedral on Tuesday he welcomed everyone and thanked all those who had planned and taken part in the ceremony. He said that many had asked him what plans and new programs did he have in mind. His answer was none. His only plan was the mandate given by Christ to his apostles to preach the Gospel to love God and our neighbor and to know the will of God which is our sanctification and our salvation if we will abide in it.