St. John of Avila - A Key Figure in Catholic Church

Affective Sphere, Heart at its Center, Inferior to Intellect?

I just started reading The Role of the Heart by Dietrich Von Hildebrand and so far it is interesting in how he points out that philosophically the affective sphere, the heart at its center, is considered to be inferior to that of one's intellect.   Von Hildebrand claims that there is a misunderstanding of affective sphere due to the varying wide range of experiences that we experience from our heart - from bodily feelings to holy joy to deep contrition - but why is the intellect considered superior to our heart among philosophers?  We have examples in scripture of the affective sphere, such as the holy joy of St. Simeon when holding the infant Jesus, or the contrition of St. Peter after his denial of Jesus so why is the heart considered inferior to the intellect?

Dinesh D'Souza Answers Question on Reconciling Creation Account in Genesis With Evolution

The Contraception Deception

Catholic Answers On Mass Revision: Why do we need a new translation? Plus on the changing words and holding hands

Mercy by Casting Crown

Priests Force Rockford Abortion Mill To "Cry Uncle!" and Close For The Day

God Bless these priests in their mission to save innocent unborn babies.  

From Pro-Life Corner:

Rockford, IL – (ProLifeCorner.com) – On 7-15-2011 – by James - Last year seven Catholic Priests gathered around the Rockford abortion mill and prayed prayers of exorcism.  On that day two mothers choose life; the number of abortions fell by two thirds, and the abortion mill landlord was so unsettled that he stayed outside his abortion mill while the Priests were praying.  This year the powers that be inside the mill were taking no chances.  Instead of trying to remain open in the face of such spiritual power, they found it easier to close their doors for the day.  

The abortion mill landlord Wayne Webster, who seems to have a pathological hatred for Catholic Priests and has a history of skulking away from the abortion mill grounds when Priests are praying prayers of exorcism outside his killing center, was nowhere to be seen.  In his absence he did leave some quite vulgar signs in his abortion mill windows attacking Priests.

 

On this day in Rockford, the presence of Christ through His Priests and His people could be tangibly felt and experienced outside the building where over 60,000 human beings have been murdered.

 

On this day in Rockford, Satan fled; Christians stood united in faith and love, and no children had to face a brutal, vicious death inside the Rockford abortion mill. 

 

 Those inside the Rockford abortion mill, who have used demonic symbols such as devils masks in its windows, rubber chickens on crucifixes, and signs mocking God and celebrating the deaths of children by abortion, folded under the spiritual power of these men of God.

 

 

Let us pray for these priests as well as other pro-lifers as they battle against the evils of Satan. 

Awesome Art: Our Lady of the Butterflies

H/T The Narthex

More about the image here 

Thoughts on the Trials and Tribulations When Dealing With a Loved One's Death

"Today I buried a 36 year old victim of cancer. He left behind a son, brothers and sisters and his father. Today is also the 14th anniversary of the death of my younger brother, Joe, who was killed by an underage drunk driver. Inept prosecution (district attorney) and a criminal friendly judge (who threw out impeccable blood alcohol tests on a miniscule clerical technicality) plus an expensive Pittsburgh defense lawyer resulted in the 'accused' getting off free and clear. Not only was involuntary manslaughter dismissed but even DUI so the perp never even lost driving privileges. Drive away from a gas station without paying and you lose your driver's license. Drive recklessly and at more than three times the legal limit of intoxication and end up taking an innocent life; you lose nothing. No fine. No time in jail. Nice judicial system we have.  Nevertheless, I would never replace it for inferior systems of adjudication.  

It has been a rough several weeks (my mom has been in and out of the hospital getting blood transfusions and many tests) and then the reality of today. I often think about that poignant scene in John's Gospel where Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.  All too often when you are a priest, deacon or religious, people expect you to be very Stoic or like a Vulcan and show no emotions when someone very close to you dies or when you encounter very disappointing if not devastating news. Discouragement is not a denial of faith. Depression can lead to an erosion of hope, however. But discouragement at intense levels robs you of energy, zeal and enthusiasm. Mourning the death of a friend or family member is a normal part of life. Belief in the resurrection and in the immortality of the human soul does not prevent tears, however, nor should they. If Jesus wept, so can we. "  CONTINUED 

John Corapi Speaks to the Future

My Thoughts on the Father Corapi Situation; Father Corapi Denies Allegations

Yesterday the head of SOLT made some startling accusations against Father Corapi. Father Corapi - The Black Sheepdog - has released a statement denying the allegations. I will say that I don't know whether Father Corapi is guilty or innocent but the way that both the SOLT leadership and the bishop of Corpus Christi have handled the investigation of these allegations is extremely troubling in my opinion.  They still refuse to show Father Corapi's lawyer the so called evidence against him.  It just seems highly suspect to me that not long after Father Corapi decides to go public to defend himself and condemn the way the investigation is being handled that SOLT makes these allegations public.  Just because the superior of SOLT released a statement of allegations doesn't mean that they're true.  He didn't provide any evidence to prove that his allegations are true.  People have stated that the leader of SOLT wouldn't release this statement if he didn't have proof to back his claims up but these are the same type of people who hold the same type of mentality as those bishops who moved priest pedophiles from one parish to another and thought the pedophile priests could be healed. The higher ups play the CYA game. These bishops or priests aren't necessarily that bright. This is an extremely sad situation folks :(  Everyone who is involved in this debacle needs our prayers.

Here Father Corapi denies the allegations:

I am going to answer in a simple, straight forward way what seem to me the main elements of the action taken against me by the Diocese of Corpus Christi and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

Regarding my personal financial situation—From the earliest days (more than twenty years ago) the Founder of the Society of Our Lady, Fr. James Flanagan, encouraged me to support myself and the Church as well. He said they could not afford to support my ministry and me personally because of the unique nature of the mission. At every step of the way, through the entire past twenty years, the Society of Our Lady’s leadership knew of my financial independence.  As Fr. Flanagan encouraged, I have supported SOLT and myself from ‘day-one.‘  I have never relied on the Society for shelter, clothing, transportation, medical care, or legal counsel and instead, using my history of success in business, set up my mission as any savvy business man would, meanwhile continuing to support the Society and many other Catholic Charities.

Regarding the charge of sexual impropriety—This song of greed has been sung many times before.  I have never had any promiscuous or even inappropriate relations with her.  Never.

Regarding the investigation—As standard practice, my legal counsel advised me not to cooperate with the investigation until I was able to determine that the Commission’s process was fair and I had adequate rights to defend myself.  Questions that certainly qualify the validity of any legal case have never been answered by the so called “fact finding team.”  They refuse to reveal, and therefore utilize, any of the so-called evidence perhaps because if ‘the bad guy’ were truly revealed it may be revealed that he is really not that bad.  Clearly, as my legal counsel has portrayed, the evidence supplied by the accused (of which my counsel is not permitted access to) must not have any substance.

Regarding ‘hush money’—I never paid anybody off to remain silent. On two occasions there were standard severance agreements executed with former employees and independent contractors. These agreements contained very common non-disclosure provisions. Any attorney who would not include such provisions in such agreements would rightly be guilty of negligent and actionable conduct.

Regarding my resignation—I resigned because the process used by the Church is grossly unjust, and, hence, immoral. I resigned because I had no chance from the beginning of a fair and just hearing.  As I have indicated from the beginning of all this, I am not extinguished!  If I were to commit to the suggestion of the Society, then I would essentially crawl under a rock and wait to die.  However, I can not deny this desire to share aspects of Truth and Hope with all those willing to hear.  This is what I shall continue to fight for!  Many are not going to appreciate this decision, and I respect that.  For those who can accept it, onward!

Burundi Drummers Perform in Honor of Our Lady Of All Nations

Happy Independence Day!

Charles Carroll was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.