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 ...
Sometimes I get too sentimental!
— True Friendship
1. When you are sad — I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bestid who made you that way.
2. When you are blue — I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile — I will know you finally got laid.
4. When you are scared — I will rag on you about it every chance I get.
5. When you are worried — I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused — I will use little words.
7. When you are sick — Stay the heck away from me until you are well again. I don’t want to catch whatever you have.
8. When you fall — I will point and laugh at your clumsy self.
9. This is my oath..... I pledge it to the end. “Why?” you may ask....”because you are my friend”
Friendship is like wetting your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.
Send this to “all 10” of your friends, then get depressed because you can only think of four!!! (don’t send it back to me....I don’t want to hear it!!!)
And remember....when life hands you Lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over !!!!!
I was on Tagamet, too, and I think I took it for about a year. Maybe two.
I got to see my stomach, and it was “pink” instead of the “healthy gray” of a normal stomach. I was punched out on Valium IV, but I’ll never forget the image! LOL!
Oh this is great, love #3. LOL
It's funny, because since that time I've been in much more stressful situations (several years working for a boss who was trying to get me to quit, for example), but no reoccurrence.
I used to do the festival thing, no more, too hot, too much walking, and too costly.
I just like to putter around the house.
OMG, ROTFLOL!
Mernin’ Lay.
Memorial Day in Seattle is rarely hot. The festival is free, but the food is pricey and parking isn’t cheap either. Still, for the music it’s been worth it — we first went in ‘83 and have been attending (and often enough performing) ever since.
It’s a big event: 50-60,000 people.
Now that is true friendship.
:sniff:
I love you guys!
It’s the least we can do.
Like when you’re HUGH with child...we’ll tell you all the horror stories of long, painful deliveries fraught with nurses and physicians who are heck bent of inflicting the most amount of torture in the least amount of time. *wink*
Center of the frame, dark long sleeves.
Kewl! Thanks!
So how do you keep from crying?
ROFLOL!
I thought that was pretty funny!
Don’t.
I can imagine.
Afternoon! We went to our local Historic Site today and did some Historic Stuff. Churned butter, watched chickens, discussed Victorian mourning customs and the Civil War ...
James had an encounter with a sheep: “The sheep chased me and called me a Name!”
There’s a picnic at church tonight, but we’ve decided we’re too tired.
Me too. But grief is good. It’s healing. And it’s OK to shed tears for heroes.
LOL!
When my sister goes to things like that, she spins wool. I envy her that...
How does James know the sheep called him a name?
I can’t spin, either.
I guess James could tell the sheep was being rude by the look on its face.
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