Posted on 08/03/2004 2:53:03 PM PDT by topcat54
By FRANCES D'EMILIO
Associated Press Writer
August 3, 2004, 1:52 PM EDT
VATICAN CITY --
He made saves as a soccer goalkeeper in his high school years in Poland, skied and kayaked in Europe and swam laps in the papal pool. Now Pope John Paul II has set up a sports department to give the Vatican a kind of new playing field in its drive to spread Christian values around the world.
The Vatican announced the initiative Tuesday, pointing to the millions of people who will follow the Olympics in Athens this month as proof of the important role sports plays in today's world.
"The Holy Father has always been interested in sports, and as a means of evangelization and a great way to form youth," said the Rev. Kevin Lixey, an American priest involved in establishing the department in the Pontifical Council for Lay People.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
You need to remember what you've written if you want me to lighten up. You said I was "devoid of humanity", I was strident and hysterical and out of touch.
Doesn't sound too light-hearted to me. Sounds more like one of your customary slams.
Anyhow, I thought I was being pretty funny when I suggested the Vatican should try opening up some amusement parks while they were at it. And maybe a few restaurants.
I will admit right off the bat that I'm not as smart as the Vatican people, but my confidence in them just keeps slipping and slipping and slipping, to the point where I'm staring to think perhaps Catholicism isn't my home anymore.
The only thing that keeps me Catholic is The Liturgy. It's true, I know it's true, and I don't want to abandon it, but I can't close my eyes to the things that seem so awry to me, so many of the Shepherds seem unwise and inattentive. It's a big struggle for me.
Hang in there. Things are changing. People are wising up. The Pope is old--things will either get better or worse when he's gone. If they get better--which I would doubt--then we'll all breathe a sigh of relief. But if they get worse, then the opposition will only grow stronger.
Dang! Your one attempt at humor, and I missed it!
What would a Vatican amusement park look like?
A carousel, with cherubs and saints for the kiddies to ride on.
The Ascension roller coaster--it takes you straight up into the heavens.
The Loaves and Fishes Restaurant--the only thing on the menu is fish and unleavened bread.
And, of course, the Cana Bar, where the wine never runs out!
I like the Cana Bar.
I assume you pay a set price, and you drink as much as you want?
Works for me.
Of course, the best wine is saved until last.
"Of course, the best wine is saved until last."
I can accept this.
The other thing I like about the Cana Bar is this woman, behind the bar, who's constantly telling the bartender, when I put an empty glass down, "Do whatever he tells you."
The cherubs and saints, the loaves and the fishes, the Ascension rollercoaster--all too preconciliar. The new Vatican wouldn't go for that at all. It leans more towards something a little more generic and less Catholic--a few gods and goddesses, perhaps, with a couple of demons thrown in for good measure--the Vatican wouldn't want to exclude devout witchdoctors. Instead of a rollercoaster taking people up to Heaven, it would feature a Tunnel of Love for priests and their boyfriends--going straight in the opposite direction. It would also feature a snack bar where you can chase down the Blessed Sacrament with a cold Budweiser, just like at a papal Youth rally.
Funny, I've never seen anything but water at a Papal Youth Rally.
Even your attempts at humor are biting, humorless stabs at the Pope.
It's no wonder you raddie-traddies have the reputation you do.
Dour, scowling, grumpy, pissed-off frumps in lace and buckle shoes, wagging fingers at anybody who's having the least little bit of fun.
“You said I was "devoid of humanity", I was strident and hysterical and out of touch…Dour, scowling, grumpy, pissed-off frumps in lace and buckle shoes”
Ultima ratio, be comforted in the knowledge that these are not personal attacks, because personal attacks are not allowed here. Q.E.D.
Is a "Budweiser chaser after the Blessed Sacrament" a personal attack?
Or is that just good fun, dsc?
This was reported in The Remnant by Gerry Matatic who described bikers swilling the Blessed Sacrament down with beer at a youth rally. He also described the Sacred Hosts dropping in the mud and being stepped on as well as a pickup soccer game going on while the Pope was saying Mass.
If my humor was biting--it was intentional.
The Gospel of the Traddyland Movement.
Michael Matt would never, never, exaggerate or fabricate.
Yeah. Right.
If I mention a sacrilege, then it's that which should offend you--not the fact that it happened at a papal Mass. Odd how you ignore the one, but take umbrage at the other.
Ha. Talk about being humorous! Yours was the funniest post of all.
As I said, if I trusted the Remnant, I'd buy stock in it.
Don't buy stock--take stock.
That everlasting beacon of Catholicity, where the man at the helm has pledged to "Resist You (JPII) to Your Face".
Is Matt hoarding all that pent-up equity for his own gain?
I am cut to the quick!!!
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