Posted on 04/13/2007 6:54:57 AM PDT by Frank Sheed
Two years into his reign, Pope Benedict XVI is finally poised to make a major mark on American Catholicism with a string of key bishop appointments and important decisions about the future of U.S. seminaries and bishops' involvement in politics.
Benedict's election on April 19, 2005, shook liberals and comforted conservatives who expected a doctrinal hard-liner. So far, they have found an easier hand - and someone who has not made the United States much of a priority.
When Benedict has gained attention, it has mostly been on the world stage, focusing on the re-Christianization of Europe, Islam and mending relations with Orthodox Christians. He also has stressed universal themes of faith and reason.
``The last two years have been much quieter years as far as the papacy is concerned because you have a very different personality'' than John Paul II, said Monsignor Robert Wister, chairman of the church history department at Seton Hall University's School of Theology.
``Many Americans were surprised - some happily, some disappointed - that he did not turn into the pit bull of dogma. He is taking a very pastoral approach, and I think people resonate very positively with that.''
Yet America's turn may be coming. At the top of the list is a looming generational shift among the nation's bishops, whose decisions at the local level greatly affect Catholics in the pews and can carry national weight. For instance, church leaders recently closed parishes in Boston and New York, while the St. Louis archbishop has clashed with a heavily Polish parish over control of its assets.
Key appointments are expected in New York, Baltimore and Detroit, where cardinals have reached retirement age - 75. And retirements or appointments are likely in at least seven other archdioceses...
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
I always pray when I wake up.
“Oh God, please just let me get 5 more minutes of sleep...”
Basically.
“Oh, God, please strike those dogs with a ZOT of unconsciousness, before they wake the baby up AGAIN!”
Sort of... ;-)
In fact, you could put in a word with Thor for us ... any kind of Zot will do, as long as the dogs shut up at 3:00 a.m.
LOL! That’s very pretty. Our neighbor the Texas Highway Patrolman, many moves ago, used to shoot possums out of the trees with a very quiet Ppphhht.
LOL... He didn’t help much with the Pit Bulls our former back fence neighbors had. I think it may have been more of a “find some testosterone and take care of it yourself” kind of thing.
Setting up a good Ruger .22lr pistol with a can can be extraordinarily quiet. Literally just a "tick" sound and a slight hiss from the can. I've heard semi-auto .22lr rifles so quiet that the action chambering the next round was louder than the shot itself.
I just wish people would keep their dogs in at night, or train them properly. We have tiny houselots here; dog people should live somewhere else.
It also borders on animal neglect IMO.
The rottweilers bark at intervals, but it seems like there’s always some dog barking within a couple of blocks.
It’s not quite hot enough to have to close everything up and run the air conditioner, but it might be worth it to have Vlad sleep all night.
How’s your baby?
Peter is doing great. Had his two week check up. Supposed to have gained 6-8 ounces over his birth weight. Turns out, he's put on more than a pound! Kids gonna be a horse. ;-)
A chicken in every pot....a ceiling fan in every room...
Not all Rotts are such misbehavers....I get compliments about how quiet mine are. Of course the quiet ones are the smartest...
We have a ceiling fan, but it’s not as loud as the Rottweilers. They’re really not bad dogs (as large dogs go), but the neighbors work bizarre hours, so the dogs are out frisking in the middle of the night.
I was fine until I clicked the link.
Thanks for all you do, rottie. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Morning, kiddies.
It’s only 74, right now. I wonder if I should go...shopping...?
Morning! I’ve got low 80’s, and plan to run as soon as I get Vlad to bed.
Good job!
I’ve been running a fan for years...it helps to hide the outside noise, and also keeps the A/C from cycling too often.
Of course, here, the dogs have to be kept indoors. If they’re outside, they have to be on a leash. Except for some people.
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