Posted on 12/29/2005 8:58:30 AM PST by NYer
NBC considers new show featuring a completely dysfunctional family a positive portrayal of Christ and Christians
Dear Kathleen,
On January 6, NBC will begin a new series entitled The Book of Daniel.
While the public has not seen the program, NBC is promoting "The Book of Daniel" as a serious drama about Christian people and the Christian faith. The main character is Daniel Webster, a drug-addicted Episcopal priest whose wife depends heavily on her mid-day martinis.
Webster regularly sees and talks with a very unconventional white-robed, bearded Jesus. The Webster family is rounded out by a 23-year-old homosexual Republican son, a 16-year-old daughter who is a drug dealer, and a 16-year-old adopted son who is having sex with the bishop's daughter. At the office, his lesbian secretary is sleeping with his sister-in-law.
NBC and the mainstream media call it "edgy," "challenging" and "courageous." The series is written by Jack Kenny, a practicing homosexual who describes himself as being "in Catholic recovery," and is interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation and isn't sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus. "I don't necessarily know that all the myth surrounding him (Jesus) is true," he said.
NBC considers The Book of Daniel a positive portrayal of Christ and Christians.
Please take action now! Here is what you can do:
1. Call your local NBC affiliate and ask them not to air the program. You can find their contact information in your local phone book or by Clicking Here (http://www.nbc.com/nbc/header/Local_Stations/).
2. Print out a copy of AFA's pass along sheet, fill in the affiliate call letters and phone number, make copies and pass out at your church. Ask your pastor to announcement it and put information in the bulletin and newsletter. [doc version and pdf. version available at http://www.afa.net]
3. If you haven't already done so, send an email to NBC by Clicking Here (https://secure.afa.net/afa/afapetition/takeaction.asp?id=175).
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! Please help get the word out by forwarding this to your family and friends. They probably aren't aware of it!
ROFLMAO. I've heard this at my church (Children's Mass). It's as awful as he states. BTW, what is Life Teen? They've started this at my parish, but my kids are still too young.
My son is a member of that parish, and a lector. I've attended Mass there several times. I regularly attend a (legitimate) Tridentine Mass at home, but the Novus Ordo at St. Mary's is one of the most beautiful I've seen.
Our youth minister is really sold on it. So far, no one else seems too excited. Among other things, they have a bad rep because people have engaged in liturgical abuse under the cover of a 'Life Teen' Mass.
"in my parish - St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, MD."
I went to school across the street at Pallotti. My Graduation Mass was at St. Mary's. It is a very understated and lovely church.
My daughter is now in her junior year at Pallotti. They now hold their graduations at the National Shrine. St. Mary's was renovated this summer and our Sunday masses were held at the new Pallotti Gym during the renovation. Pallotti in the last couple of years had a major addition with a new sports center and a beautiful chapel. The renovations at St. Mary's went very well and it remains an understated and lovely church. We have a new marble altar table and canopies over the altars of Mary and Joseph.
Our Pastor Emeritus, Msgr. Keesler, used to give a Latin Mass every Sunday at 7:30 a.m. He is now 96 years old and no longer feels secure celebrating Mass in public. We now have a young curate, Fr. Lawrence Young who celebrates Mass in Latin on the first Sunday of each month at 7:30. He does a nice job. I had the privilege of cantoring for Msgr. Keesler for ten or so yeaars before he stopped celebrating Mass in public. I am well familiar with Joe O'Laughlin who trains the lectors at St. Mary's. They are, beyond a doubt, the best lectors I have encountered in my life. You must be very proud of your son.
Wow, I guess the old place has grown! There were only 400-some-odd students when I was there (late '70's)...
Thanks for posting this story. I had a similar experience this year. I really don't like being away from my home parish during the holidays, or any Sunday, for that matter.
We were in Springfield, MO this year for Christmas. After our Easter experience of "liturgical dancers" during the Gloria at the parish we were married in, I decided we'd never go there again. I chose a different one for Christmas Eve Mass.
We showed up 5 minutes before Mass thinking we were 35 minutes early. Only moments before I had been so proud of myself and the hubster for being able to get our 3 kids ready and away from the in-laws! It faded quickly as we were ushered to the side chapel because there was no room to stand in the church.
We couldn't hear the priest at first but had no trouble hearing all 6 guitars gayfully playing music that didn't resemble anything recognizable. They finally hooked up a mike to the chapel so we could hear, unfortunately, it was the mike by the guitars. So every time the music kicked in, it was blaring so loudly we had to cover our ears. My son was yelling, "I can't stand this!"
I tried to help my son follow along in his MagnifiKid but they used different readings. We got the reading(can't remember which one and I don't want to look it up) of So-and-so, son of such-and-such. I cringed when they called all the children up on the alter to help the priest with his homily. It was horrible!
I missed my priest and think I'll give him a great big hug on Sunday. I know we'll get to sing the beautiful Christmas songs this weekend and I look forward to it! I wish this wasn't even an issue!
When even the kids recognize a bad liturgy, it had to be awful. How frustrating!
Two years ago, my daughter and I managed to find a seat in our (then) parish. Seeing the pastor vested in red was signal enough that this Mass would be 'cutting edge'. Indeed, it was!
The choir had been relegated to the 11am Christmas Day Mass while the Contemporary Music Group was given pride of place at this Vigil Mass. When a young child jumped up and began dancing on one of the pews, the pastor smiled his approval. (He had planned on liturgical dancers but my complaint to the diocese squelched that, so this was the next best thing).
You have a year to begin planning where you will attend Mass next year in Springfield MO. Until then, give your pastor a big hug and offer up a Rosary to our Blessed Mother, on his behalf.
I didn't make it to Midnight Mass again this year, but when the Archbishop says it....
It's difficult to imagine why people would even find all the noise and chaos appealing. Quiet and solitude is so much better.
If you are lucky enough to have a good priest, make sure you tell him how much he's appreciated! Priests hear many complaints, but they don't always know how much they are liked. These out-of-town Christmas experiences sure make us aware of how fortunate we are to live in some of the good parishes.
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