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 ...
Keep low! Good thing you weren’t at the post office.
Actually, the stand-off is a mile south of here, and the post office is a mile east. I don’t even have to go to that intersection to get to the PO. Usually the only time I go there is when I go to one of the grocery stores.
(Everything is “a mile” from where I live, just in different directions!! LOL!)
Broken Arrow was like that. Everything neatly square ... and we could even walk places.
Off to the P.O. to mail my Dad’s birthday present! I got him a John Deere salt and pepper shaker set.
I like John Deere stuff, but don’t like the prices. Of course, JD stuff has to come third behind frogs and monkeys!
I think I paid $16. Not too bad, and I supported a local business. They gave us some farm-safety coloring books, too!
I haven’t seen a store give coloring books since I was a kid, and my dad installed a furnace in someone’s home...Lennox coloring books! LOL!
They were really nice at “Southern Equipment.” We were over there to hit the sale at the homeschooling supply store, but the parking lot of the shopping center it’s in isn’t big enough for the 747, so we parked at the tractor place.
When I saw it, it occurred to me that I might find a Tractor Item for Dad’s birthday, and the employees gave all the girls the coloring books (with stickers, too!). Anoreth didn’t want one, of course, but Pat and James were thrilled, and keep asking for more safety stickers.
LOL!
I buy stickers whenever I see them for my grandkids out of state, but I only send them at Christmas. From one Christmas to the next, I accumulate piles of them. And can’t help but wonder what my daughter-in-law is saying when the stickers turn up in odd places.... }:o]
Something unprintable, no doubt. I’ve got several farm-safety stickers in my line of sight at the moment.
Something unprintable, no doubt. I’ve got several farm-safety stickers in my line of sight at the moment.
Yah, well, see...that’s the fun of being the Gramma...I’m not close enough to bawl out! LOL!
At least the stickers nowadays aren’t as “permanent” as they used to be. The “lick ‘em and stick ‘em” stickers were a maniacal invention.
I had a vision yesterday that might mean something to you, since you had that peculiar health-insurance dream about us. I was lying down while Vlad was napping, and praying, and then I guess I dozed off, but some kid showed up with a nag (”Can I go out now? Will you tell Pat to get out of the bathroom?”).
Anyway, once I realized I was awake, I heard a dove outside. I listened for quite a while, thinking that a dove isn’t really me ... but it was the wrong time of day for owls. Then I heard the words of a song:
“Come dance with the west wind
and touch on the mountaintops.
Sail o’er the canyons, and up to the stars.
And reach for the heavens,
and hope for the future,
and all that we can be, not what we are.”
I’m not sure what the point is, because I’m not really a “dove” person, and the song is actually about eagles, but I thought, “Monkey Face would dig this!” and just haven’t had time to get it all down today.
LOL!
A dove and singing are good things in dreams, especially if you recall the words and/or music.
Otherwise, your dreams are as peculiar as mine! LOL!
My girls send a slurpy kiss.
Freshly bathed this week.
They are sweet as ever.
How have you been?
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Afternoon TC.
You are doing visions, and all I have is a lousy teeshirt.
Howdy, Mello Gal! How be ya??
Give the girls a hugh hug from Auntie ‘Face!
I have good days and bad. Last week, I had some problems that were reminiscent of ulcers, so this week, I’m keeping a low profile.
The worst of it seems to be over with, so I’ll be good to go tomorrow!
How’s the weather there? We have a toasty 97 right now with about 7%...ahhhhhhh! NICE!
Jeez, sion...you just got here! You didn’t even stop in to say “hello” at breakfast!
Are you that stressed over the move?
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