Spring Cleaning

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
— Psalm 51:10

During Lent, clean your temple. Less in, more out. Fast, give alms, pray to the owner of the temple.

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Read today for the first time in St. Mary’s Chapel, 111 Washington Ave.

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Birthday party for Rezsin this evening at this month’s Save the Pine Bush dinner.
 

“To Whom It May Concern”

Lithuania's President Valdas Adamkus' letter to New York's Cardinal Edward Egan:

Vilnius, 26 January2007

His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York

Your Eminence,

Please allow me to address you on an issue of great importance to me, the people of Lithuania and those of Lithuanian heritage living in the Unites States of America. Last week we learned that the Archdiocese of New York intends to dose Our Lady of Vilnius Roman Catholic Church in Manhattan. Recalling the history of Our Lady of Vinius since its founding on 10 December 1909 and knowing the religious and cultural significance it bears for the Lithuanian American Catholic community of New York and its vicinities, such an intention concerns me greatly.

Tolerance and respect for the heritage and religious traditions of ethnic minorities with whom we have lived together throughout the history of our countries are among the values that are followed and cherished by both of our societies.

Almost a century ago Lithuanian immigrants in America built, using their own funds,the Church of Our Lady of Vilnius to have a place for worship and witness their love and faith in God. With time the church acquired yet another mission: it became a center fostering not only religious belief but also Lithuanian culture and national identity. People rallied around their church to maintain community bonds and remain close to their homeland.

Extraordinary Lithuanian American cultural treasures have been assembled in the church. Because of its architectural and artistic value, the church building has been included in the, "List of U.S. Heritage Objects Important for Lithuania" compiled in accordance with the Agreement beween the Government Of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on the Protection and Preservation of Certain cultural Properties, which came into force on 3 August of 2006.

Today, when many young people from Lithuania arrive to live, work and study in the United States of America. Our Lady of Vilnius in Manhattan is gaining an ever more important role. It has become a growing house of spiritual guidance and ethnic culture. giving generous spiritual and moral support. Its activities could strongly contribute to the process of evangelization of the young generation.

Being greatly concerned about the preservation of the Lithuanian national identity and the devotion of the Lithuanian people to Christian values, I appeal to you. Your Eminence, to give special attention to the role played by the Parish of Our Lady of Vinius in fostering national identity and spirituality and to preserve the Church for the society of today and the generations of tomorrow.

Please accept, Eminence, the assurances of my highest esteem,

Valdas Adamkus
President of the Republic of Lithuania

See also Archdiocese of New York, Statement of Joseph Zwilling, Director of Communications, On The Closing of Our Lady of Vilnius Church, the website Save Our Lady of Vilnius, a blog, and a petition.
 

“Repair My House”

Most Blessed Sacrament Friary, Newark, NJ

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR, From the Friars, February 25, 2007.
 

For, With, To

If you want to hunger for God, fast; if you want to suffer with God, suffer; if you want to give to God, give.
 

Albany in Baltimore

Photograph by Clark Miller

Paul Grondahl, Religious Conversion, Albany Times Union, February 18, 2007.

See also John G. Waite Associates, Basilica of the Assumption.
 

Entering Canaan

A report by Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
 

Jacques Barzun Centennial Celebration

Website
 

“I am sorry that I made them.”

So the LORD said: “I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created, and not only the men, but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.”
— Genesis 6:7

How has man improved since then?
 

Right and Wrong

It is always right to say that something is wrong. But being right about the wrong doesn’t ensure that one’s solution will make things better.
 

Streaming Barzun

A Java applet
 

Free Republic

Comments on the Albany Times Union article about the Cathedral Pastoral Advisory Council Letter to the Diocese of Albany.
 

Sewing

O attended her first sewing class at JoAnn Fabrics in Northway Mall.
 

“Hiatus worries parish leaders”

Article in the Albany Times Union, February 5, 2007

See also Church Makeover.
 

An Offense to God (Was: Catholic Education)

Catholic Education?

We’ve just been told by the news media that St. Louis University, an old and venerable Jesuit institution, is no longer a Catholic school. The only thing I can say about this notice is that at least they are honest. Many that call themselves Catholic colleges are phonies to begin with. However, St. Louis University, with its property, buildings, library and facilities, is the property ultimately of the Catholic Church. It has been funded by the benefactors for over a century to forward the cause of Catholic education. The people who made the sacrifices initially to build the college, and the Jesuit fathers and brothers who worked to keep it going, all made these donations of money and service to fulfill the command of Christ “going therefore to teach all nations.”

The scandalous alienation of Catholic educational property in the United States in the last forty years is really a serious offense against God. On judgment day, the benefactors are going to be there to find out what happened to their dollar. Some of those dollars were earned by cobblers, sanitation men, firemen and policemen. Long ago the members of the Catholic immigration did not intend their money to be used in this way. This is an unjust alienation of the patrimony of the Catholic Church, and in this case, of the Jesuit order.

Does anyone stop to think that these things, which are offenses to God, will go unpunished? We seldom speak of the Last Judgment, but such blatant violations of justice require a person to seriously think about what’s going on in the Catholic Church in the United States today. Be careful where you send your dollars if you want it to be used for the cause of the Gospel.

—Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, From the Friars, February 4, 2007

Father Groeschel may be referring to Saint Louis University, Respondent v. The Masonic Temple Association of St. Louis, et al., Appellants. St. Louis University still calls itself Jesuit and Catholic. But see also Notes 14.
 

The Perfect Child

And when Mary saw Gabriel, she was troubled at his saying.
— Luke 1:29

When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
— Matthew 1:18–19

Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.
— Luke 2:35

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
— Matthew 2:13–14

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
— Luke 2: 48–50

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
— John 2:3–4

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
— Matthew 12:46–50 (See also Mark 3:31–35)

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
— John 19:25

It cannot be said that Jesus was not a cause of suffering to his mother.