Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day 2011 Honor 5-30-11 Commentary
Today is Memorial Day. Please honor those who paid the ultimate price and bless their families.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Priests wrongly stereotyped
It happened again recently. I had just arrived at the Denver airport, there to speak at the popular annual “Living Our Catholic Faith” conference. As I was waiting with the others for the train to take me to the terminal, a man, maybe in his mid-40s, came closer to me.
“Are you a Catholic priest?” he kindly asked.
“Sure am. Nice to meet you,” I said as I offered my hand.
He ignored it. “I was raised a Catholic,” he replied, almost always a hint of a cut to come, but I was not prepared for the razor sharpness of the stiletto, “and now, as a father of two boys, I can’t look at you or any other priest without thinking of a sexual abuser.”
How to respond? Yell at him? Cuss him out? Apologize? Deck him? Express understanding? I must admit, all such reactions came to mind as I staggered with shame and anger from the damage of the wound he had inflicted with those stinging words.
For one,” I continued, “we priests deserve the more intense scrutiny, because people trust us more as we dare claim to represent God, so, when one of us do it — even if only a tiny minority of us ever have — it is more disgusting.
“Two, I’m afraid there are many out there who have no love for the church and are itching to ruin us. This is the issue they love to endlessly scourge us with.
“And, three, I hate to say it, there’s a lot of money to be made in suing the Catholic Church, while it’s hardly worth suing any of the other groups I mentioned before.”
We both by then had our luggage and headed for the door. He then put his hand out, the hand he had not extended five minutes earlier when I had put mine out to him. We shook.
(Billy's Thoughts>>> The above is part of a column written by the archbishop of New York. This column originally ran at the website for the Archdiocese of New York on March 18. I agree with those who think the Catholic Church at times didn't handle the abuse charges correctly. At the same time we must never forget there are good men who are priests and helping to make this world a better place. I would encourage you to read the whole column Timothy Michael Dolan: Priests wrongly stereotyped.)
Rev. David Wilkerson Is Home
Rev. David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City and author of the well-known book The Cross and the Switchblade, was killed Wednesday in a head-on collision in Texas. He was 79.
"It is with deepest of sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden passing of Reverend David Wilkerson, our founding pastor," Times Square Church Senior Pastor Carter Conlon said in a statement on the church website.
Conlon added that details of the family's wishes and a memorial service would be provided as information became available.
(Billy's Thoughts>>> I didn't always agree with David but he was a Godly man who made a difference for Jesus. He is the man who God used to put together the Teen Challenge a ministry that reaches out to drug abusers. Please pray for his wife who was hurt badly in the car crash that killed David. Also lets rejoice that David is now with the Lord who he followed.)
1 million throng London for royal wedding...
- Only 53 arrests so far amid vast crowds
London was a blanket of red, white and blue as a million well-wishers came together to catch a glimpse of Prince William and Kate Middleton's fairy-tale wedding.
Waving Union Jacks, the crowds roared with excitement as the newlyweds said their vows at Westminster Abbey before travelling in an open-top carriage to Buckingham Palace.
Thousands then waited at the palace gates to see the couple's first public kiss - and were treated to two. Thousands more were watching on giant screens across London in Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and at many more gardens, squares and street parties. (1 million throng London for royal wedding)
Incredibly, there were only 53 arrests and police were tonight celebrating a success.
(Billy's Thoughts>>> I for one am glad that we don't have a royal family here in the states. If we did our taxes would even be higher than they are now. I also think the news media and too many went crazy over this wedding. What would have happened if the money spent on this wedding had been give to places like churches and soup kitchens. )
Pope John Paul II's body exhumed for beatification...
The Vatican said the coffin was removed from the crypts below St. Peter's Basilica while top Vatican officials and some of the late pope's closest aides looked on and prayed.
Those present at the ceremony included Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, his personal secretary and right-hand man for decades, and the Polish nuns who ran the papal household for 27 years.
The wooden coffin will be placed in front of the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica. After Sunday's beatification mass, it will remain in that spot and the basilica will remain open until all visitors who want to view it have done so. (Pope John Paul II's body exhumed for beatification... )
(Billy's Thoughts>>>> This Pope did a lot of things to make this world a better place. We all should bless the Lord for the good work he did. At the same time all of us should be careful so we don't worship our leaders that is something which only belongs to the Lord. Also one becomes a saint just by putting one's faith in Jesus.)
Ron Paul Might Not be on the Right All the Way
A conservative military advocate wants to educate voters about potential GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul who was one of a handful of Republican members of Congress who voted last year to repeal the law that banned homosexuals from military service.
Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) officially announced the formation of a 2012 presidential exploratory committee during a recent event in Des Moines, Iowa. An exploratory committee allows Paul to raise and spend money toward a 2012 candidacy. Paul finished fifth in the 2008 caucuses and has visited Iowa seven times since. (Tea Party fave in spotlight for 'gay' stance )
(Billy's Thoughts>>> This man might be on the right when it comes to taxes and spending but when it comes to the social issues he might not be part of the right. )