Posted on 05/14/2005 6:18:48 AM PDT by NYer
Only by 'injection' (sorry), as my ex-husband would often say. Actually, I am predominantly German (as is our Chruch organist who walked into this Maronite Catholic Church 16 years ago and never left. Five years later, he applied for a canonical switch of rites and is now 'officially' Maronite).
My veins also flow with Italian, French and Irish blood. Guess that makes me a veritable 'American'. Thanks to GipperGal, I can now proclaim some Lebanese heritage, albeit via the Maronite Church. It's an honor that I will proudly uphold.
Oh how I wish it were possible to attend this year's NAM convention in San Diego, CA. I would love nothing more than to meet you. Fortunately, St. Ephrem's is Sandyeggo's occasional parish. Actually, she is quite involved in their Bible Study program.
Since our small parish can't even compete for future conventions, I did suggest to the Abouna that we host the NAM convention, offshore! It would be better and cheaper than to do so on land. He's loving the idea! A nice cruise ship, sponsored by St. Ann's in Troy, NY .. sounds heavenly.
I've read the article and the comments, and I think y'all are not looking at this from the point of view of, well, from the point of view of the (presumably) leftist writers and editors who wrote it and published it.
I think we should be asking "cui bono"? Why did the newspaper in question print this article, why now, to what end, and to who benefits?
Some things that struck me about this story; (1) where were the quotes from orthodox Irish Catholics who think the church is doing just great? (2) Where were the quotes about the very traditional parishes that are filling up on the weekends? (3) And why the quotes from vacuous apostate teenagers, but not regular worshippers?
Even if the theme of this story is correct, there would be exceptions. People aren't that easily categorized and classified. For ever trend, you find exceptions. If this were a balanced article, that is to say if it were reporting as opposed to editorializing masquerading as reporting, exceptions to the trends would also be documented in the article.
Looks like "push-reporting" to me.
You're spot on. The last ten to fifteen years have seen a sea change in Ireland, especially in the big cities, especially among the young. A burgeoning Irish economy (the 'Celtic Tiger') and American-style consumerism have had profound effects. As have scandals within the Irish Church. While we may have once saved Western civilization, it may be that we may have to look elsewhere for someone to save us. All that having been said, I must add this: Just last week I was dining at a restaurant in Ennis (Co Clare). It was about 9:00pm, and I had a clear view of the narrow street in front of the restaurant. A young (14-16) girl was obviously coming home from a late school activity. She was wearing her school uniform, and her backpack was filled with books. Eyes downcast, she was walking slowly. What completely arrested my attention was that, while walking, SHE MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. This girl was saying her prayers! You really do still see these things, especially in the rural West. I'm hopeful that, despite the onslaught of so many distractions, the Faith is kept alive by loving parents, grandparents, and fervent priests and nuns. Nonetheless, my dear Ireland is in grave danger.
hmmm....wonder where I picked up the "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph" thing...I've been doing that a long time, even before I converted...I certainly didn't pick it up from my very low-church anti-Catholic Mom! Must have been something in the air in New Orleans....or maybe the water!
It's just another one of those little ticks we forgot to warn you about when you dove in the Tiber. Apparently it does has something to do with the water. Also, Catholics like to refer to Jesus' Mother as "Our Lady" or more commonly "the Blessed Mother". I'm sure you've long since picked up that habit!
I just love converts. You folks are a blessing to the Church. You are so often the strongest, humblest, and most devout among us. Bless you!
I do tend to call her Blessed Mother myself...the sweet mother who keeps me always under her wing and lets me cry myself to sleep on her lap....and comes looking for me if I get too far away!
Teenagers need to watch out here. Protestants could get ornery and may even sue for copyright infringement.
Ping.
Alas... Islam, the fastest growing religion in Ireland...
It was an Irish problem too. A number of priests from my own county (Donegal) were implicated. Nationally, there were several horrific cases such as Fr Brendan Smyth (who was moved from parish to parish for decades and eventually caused a government to fall) and Fr Sean Fortune (whose exposure led to the resignation of Bishop Brendan Comiskey). Those two were merely the worst though.
So a two millennia old institution founded by Christ's closest apostle should change it's arrangements because a 15 year old girl says "I'm sooo booored!!" Yes that's a great idea. She has a very simple solution to her problem if she disagrees with the teachings of the Catholic church; Martin Luther came up with it 600 years ago, leave the church and become a Protestant, easy? Simple.
Who had the decency to commit one final "mortal sin" ... he killed himself.
I had the grave misfortune of being personally acquainted with Sean Fortune. Makes my skin crawl every time I think of him.
Good grief!
Hope he wasn't related to this rather famous Irish American
Ryan, Thomas Fortune
Encyclopædia Britannica Article
Page 1 of 1
Thomas Fortune Ryan
born , Oct. 17, 1851, Lovingston, Va., U.S.
died Nov. 23, 1928, New York, N.Y.
American financier who played a key role in numerous mergers and business reorganizations that took place about the turn of the 20th century, including those resulting in the creation of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company and the American Tobacco Company.
Born in poverty and orphaned at the age of 14, Ryan came to New York at 21, joining…
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