Pop Culture Heros Help Recruit Priests

The Washington Times ^ | August 11, 2005 | Julia Duin

[BulldogCatholic]

Pop culture heroes help recruit priests By Julia Duin THE WASHINGTON TIMES August 11, 2005 An edgy poster showing a somber Catholic priest in full black cassock and sunglasses posed like "The Matrix" star Keanu Reeves is proving so popular that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has snapped up 5,000 of them. They'll be distributed starting Monday to the thousands of young people attending World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, not only as guests of Pope Benedict XVI, but as targets for some gentle recruiting. The poster's creator, the Rev. Jonathan Meyer, 28, associate director of youth ministries for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, says pop culture is the key to attracting young men to an occupation that has gotten bad press.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

It's true that the numbers aren't where they used to be ... but I recall that it was the "pre-Vatican II" Church which produced a flood of vocations during the 1950s ... most of which turned out to be the flimsy "I joined the Sisterhood because it was like the PeaceCorps" kind of "non-religious" vocation.

Vatican II was announced in 1959 and convened in 1962. The Peace Corps wasn't conceived until 1960, and not founded until 1961. The kind of "vocations" you ridicule would be conciliar, not Traditional. Not that you should let silly things like facts get in the way of celebrating the New Springtime...

[BulldogCatholic]

Outside of free republic one never runs into these Traditional kooks? Well I hate to tell you but they are all around you, and if these kooks "societies" had the unlimited resources as the Vatican, and were able to build church for church, there would be no one less at the NO mass or the church for that matter

As far as other discussion boards, you are correct as many of them ban any discussion on the horrors of the church and especially Vatican II and topics are limited to "womans clothing", "JPII (the new poster boy for the Vatican II church", some scripture (from the politically correct retranslated "New American Bible" (the V2 church even had to retranslate the Bible as the DR bible was just not PC enough for them and actually might be considered anti-semitic and not ecumenisitic enough) etc etc

How can you defend this anti catholic doctrine the church teaches now? It deviates from everything the church taught for 1962 years. It is the church which has stopped being Catholic, not Traditionalists.

If Traditionalists are in error today, then the church was in error pre Vatican II and we all know that is not the case

I would trust St Thomas of Aquinas over Annibelle Bungnini anyday!

[bornacatholic]

How can you defend this anti catholic doctrine the church teaches now?

*I don't participate in your heresy the Church established by Jesus teaches "anti Catholic doctrine."

Sorry you have lost the Faith. Blaming others won't help you get it back. Prayer will.

[Lilllabettt]

Vatican II was announced in 1959 and convened in 1962. The Peace Corps wasn't conceived until 1960, and not founded until 1961. The kind of "vocations" you ridicule would be conciliar, not Traditional.

The former Sister who said "I joined the Sisterhood because it was like the Peace Corps," entered during the 1950s. She was describing her motivations for entering the convent in retrospect: In other words: "I wanted to do the kind of thing people nowadays do in the Peace Corps, and at the time I entered, the Church was the organisation doing that."

I've also heard: "It was a great way to get an education" and "Because I didn't want to be a housewife."

In any case, the people who entered in 1959, 1960, 1961 were all FORMED by the pre-concilliar Church, right? The formation was obviously not up to snuff.

P.S. I'm not at all saying that everyone who entered religious life during that time period was insincere or had profane motivations. But it's a mistake to pretend that everything was a blissful bed of roses one decade and an absolute nightmare the next, and by that painful contortion, attempt to blame everything on Vatican II.

The unbiased truth is, huge mistakes were made during the 1950s, and then Vatican II popped the pimple.

[Diva]

Wow Bulldogcatholic, did I upset you? Believe me that was not my intention. I would like to respond to your post point by point.

First off even the Novus ordo Post Vatican II church cant even get the poster right as their "priests" have not worn cassocks in over 40 years!

I am assuming that when you say “Novus Ordo priest” you mean any priest who celebrates the Novus Ordo Mass whether in Latin or the Vernacular and whether he wants to do so or not; not having the Indult to say the Tridentine Mass in his parish. As for the cassocks, my Novus Ordo priest does indeed where a cassock and the other priests around my parish in Detroit also where their cassocks. Feel free to come and see for yourself.

They are a sad group of old 1960 and 1970 radicals who are dismayed at the turn of events their expirimentation of the "flower power" years took. Only this time they took a generation of catholics with them.

A number are radicals, most are the go along type and a few; and growing number, are very true to the teachings of the Church from all the documents of the all councils and all the encyclicals. To one degree or another the vast majority of Novus Ordo priests serve the Church and their congregations; some much better than others, and sadly; a few not at all.

I would never let my children be catechised by this group of femi-nazi slack wearing "hip" nuns and Priests not to mention the laity who have taken over most of the teaching themselves as there are no priests left at the NO church and they themselves have no idea what the faith is.

Even in the rather liberal archdiocese of Detroit there are priests who do indeed teach catechism and teach it properly. My pastor insists on the use of the Baltimore catechism. A number of the younger diocesen priests I know, while wanting to use the Baltimore catechism and other worthy materials, have to wait until they get their own parishes.

My children are learning their cathechism from the 1917 Baltimore catechism taught by nuns who look like nuns.

We have nuns that look like nuns, meaning full habit and they also teach catechism from (gasp), the Baltimore catechism.

I once asked these wonderful group of woman if they get hot and if they ever are jealous of the Novus ordo nuns who dress in "regular" clothes and do you know what their reply was? They all said that wearing the full habit and traditional garb as all past nuns have, and the black which gets very hot is only a small sacrifice to pay for the suffering our Lord went through on calvary and his mother at the foot of the cross, and getting a bit hot in the summer is nothing as compared!

I once asked one of our full-habited, (black, dark grey and wool), Novus Ordo nuns if they got hot, (even here in Detroit it can get pretty hot in the summer-especially this summer), and how they managed. She didn't liken her suffering to the Blessed Mother or to our dear Savior, she simply and humbly stated that you get used to it.

When you talk to a Novus Ordo supporter or pastor, all they ever can rely on, cause they despise anything that is pre-councilar is JPII "Theology of the Body" or some other vague document that has a nice mix of conservatism and liberalism all packaged up nicely. So sad

Yes, it is indeed sad when a person paints with so broad a brush as you like to use. I do agree with you on this one point. The Novus Ordo Mass is what I think of as Mass-lite. I do believe it is valid, because the Church teaches that it is, and there are some things about it that I appreciate. Having said that, I admit most Catholics and their pastors who want the Novus Ordo in the vernacular only, do indeed seem to fear the Tridentine Mass. As to the documents of the Church, I doubt many of these lay Catholics understand what a pre-conciliar document is, much less if they agree with the document or not. And, those who do understand have not read the documents of Vatican II, certainly where the use of Latin and Gregorian Chant are concerned.

Most Catholics are used to the Novus Ordo Mass said in a language they can understand, and unfortunately, would feel like a fish out of water if they went to a Tridentine Mass. I wonder, though, what Christ wants of us most. Does he want us to leave the Church, to deride Her clergy because they do not live up to our standards; or, does He want us to stay by Her, with Her, in Her through all Her trials and tribulations?

[BulldogCatholic]

Diva

I was not upset. And please note that Latin is really not the issue with most conservatives/traditionalists (well maybe some). A Traditional priest said recently at a retreat that the traditional societies would take the "Old Tridentine rite" in the vernacular (as long as the ICEL had nothing to do with it!) than the New Mass in Latin, which the Pope is trying to do and really is not the issue. The issue is the words of consecration were changed, 70% of the prayers thrown out, etc etc

God bless you

[Dominick]

How can you defend this anti catholic doctrine the church teaches now? It deviates from everything the church taught for 1962 years. It is the church which has stopped being Catholic, not Traditionalists.

Once again, a Traditionalist is a Catholic in Union with Rome, who thinks that the implementation of those doctrines are lacking among local Ordinaries, and Pastors. A Traditionalist could never hold that the Novus Ordo is invalid, or the Church teaches error. Therefore you can't count yourself among them. (period)

Do we really want to start this again? Catholic is Catholic and means something specific; if you want to be in the SSPX(ish) camp you are welcome to do that. Please don't pretend to be Catholic, nor pretend that Catholics in union with Pope Benedict are not Catholic.

[BulldogCatholic]

Dominick

The question I always pose to those who throw the "schism" thing around is as follows, and I note you have placed much emphasis on the Bishops from another thread, is as follows:

If the Pope or for that matter tomorrow told you that he (she? soon to be?) told you to that Buddah had much to offer and as at Fatima where JPII allowed the Hindus to worship, your diocese as well as most other dioceses except for maybe 10% of the church's (which will still allow your Novus Ordo Mass but with "modifications") and you were to start incorporating some of the ways hindus, etc worship into your liturgy (and the Bishop can do what they want as we all know)...what would you do?

That is the same question that many Traditional Catholics were faced with after Vatican II and in the past 40 years. We have been told that we must worship like Protestants, only we are still going to call ourselves Catholics. No-you may have been able to sell that "obedience" line to the cafeteria catholics and the Kerry supporters who are Catholics (some 50% of catholics voted for the Pro abortion Kerry as well as Clinton). But it does not work on those that are real "Catholics" as handed down from the Apostles.

[Dominick]

If the Pope or for that matter tomorrow told you that he (she? soon to be?)

Not possible to ordain women. This is a non issue. Don't distract from the issue.

told you to that Buddah had much to offer

Once again we have a dearth of infallible documents that state Buddhism in not a salvific faith. We also have a statement from John Paul that Jesus is the only way to Salvation. Again, this is a non-issue.

and as at Fatima where JPII allowed the Hindus to worship,

Actually nobody allowed them to worship. The local Ordinary invited some Hindi people to come to a Church, and explained Fatima and our lady to them. He invited them to lay flowers to an Image of our Lady, as most Catholic Children do from time immemorial. John Paul II made an inquiry into this event, but in no way was contacted before hand. I think someone has been feeding you misinformation.

your diocese as well as most other dioceses except for maybe 10% of the church's (which will still allow your Novus Ordo Mass but with "modifications")

If you purpost to be Catholic, then it is our Novus Ordo. The GIRM provides instructions in order to better follow the Roman Rite Mass.

and you were to start incorporating some of the ways hindus, etc worship into your liturgy (and the Bishop can do what they want as we all know)...what would you do?

Since none of this is possible, as the objections and straw man argument's you put forth state, then I guess I can't answer you. It would be like asking you if gravity reversed and the Earth pushed everything away, then what would I do?

With the authority of the CHurch, the Holy See has made it clear what a schismatic act is. Clearly, if you decide the Mass is invalid unless you follow a narrowly concocted version of the Mass, as stated by schismatic Bishops, then you fall into schism. It isn't my job to tell you that you are in schism. I know what a schismatic act is, and by telling people that the Holy See has fallen away from the Faith, you declare to everyone that, according to then Cardinal Ratzinger's formula, you side with schismatics.

That is the same question that many Traditional Catholics were faced with after Vatican II and in the past 40 years. We have been told that we must worship like Protestants, only we are still going to call ourselves Catholics

You shouldn't include yourself in the Catholic camp, if you hold that the Holy See is no longer following God. I am a Catholic, and I have the privilege because I follow what Christ's Vicar teaches me about God, and the way I should worship Him.

You miss a big point here, the members of the SSPX are a Protestant movement as they attack the Pope, and Christ himself who put the Pope in the position. The Pope has the ability to singularly change the implementation of the Catholic faith, in accordance with the original deposit of Faith. Nothing in that deposit said anything about the Tridentine Mass or Novus Ordo. If it did, we would be using the Divine Liturgy which is much much older than Trent. Nothing in it said anyhting about what HDO we should have, those details are left to the Pope to decide for the benefit of the Faithful.

To say the Pope can't change what is in his power to change for the good of the Church, is to attack Christ's Authority itself.

No-you may have been able to sell that "obedience" line to the cafeteria catholics and the Kerry supporters who are Catholics (...) But it does not work on those that are real "Catholics" as handed down from the Apostles.

Thats is correct, the man who sits in Peter's Chair. I follow him, and the CINO people like Kerry and neo-Protestants like the SSPX, do not.

[gbcdoj]

the V2 church even had to retranslate the Bible as the DR bible was just not PC enough for them

This is so absurd. You obviously know nothing about the reasons for the production of the NAB.

Early in 1944, in conformity with the spirit of the encyclical, and with the encouragement of Archbishop Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate to the United States, the Bishops' Committee of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine requested members of The Catholic Biblical Association of America to translate the sacred scriptures from the original languages or from the oldest extant form of the text, and to present the sense of the biblical text in as correct a form as possible. ...

The Books of Genesis to Ruth were first published in 1952; the Wisdom Books, Job to Sirach, in 1955; the Prophetic Books, Isaiah to Malachi, in 1961; and the books of Samuel to Maccabees in 1969. (Preface to the NAB Old Testament)

Note the dates; I'd be interested in your explanation of how the "V2 church" could be issuing translations in 1952.

[Diva]

The issue is the words of consecration were changed, 70% of the prayers thrown out, etc etc

You are speaking of the Roman Canon, what the Church now calls Eucharistic Prayer I. Yes, in English the translation is poor, in Latin, it is the same as it always has been. So, Latin really is the issue here. It is indeed unfortunate that the beautiful prayers at the beginning of the Mass were tossed out, I think it had more to do with laziness than anything else. Also, intellectuals often sell us regular folks short and assume we don't understand what's going on, they have to simplify things so we'll "get it."

One of the sadder things about the English Mass are the translations of the Collects. My understanding is that before the vernacular you could choose among several missals for the translation you preferred, from very erudite to the more pedestrian. Even the less learned translations I've read are vastly superior to the bland and tasteless ICEL translations that must be used for the vernacular Mass today. But, I do appreciate the fact that there is a clear Epiklesis in Eucahristic Prayers II and III. I also like being able to say the Lord's Prayer.

[Salvation]

Is there a picture of it anywhere?

[Salvation]

BTTT!

[Salvation]

Sorry, I didn't scroll down enough.

[Salvation]

There are many threads about seminarians, and yes, the numbers are growing.

Cardinal Arinze - "Youth will embrace religious life with right role models"

Today's seminarians reflect growing trend

Number of Seminarians Increases - Please Decipher This!!!!

In Seminaries, New Ways for a New Generation

Seminary Springtime: Father Darrin Connall s Big Success

EVIDENCE GROWS OF DIRECT DISOBEDIENCE TO VATICAN IN MAJOR AMERICAN SEMINARIES

Pope to Church: Risky Seminarians Must Go

Priests Down, Seminarians Up

U.S. Priests and seminarians survey: more vocations in orthodox dioceses

Vatican Announces Surge in Seminaries during JPII Pontificate

Seminary Reform Needed in Wake of Sex Abuse Study ["the crisis in the Church is ... homosexuality"]

Homosexuals in seminaries? The latest.....

Priests 'In Orgy' at Seminary

Bishop urges gay ban in clergy; presses for overhaul in screening priests

A New Breed of Priest

AUSTRIAN SEMINARY SHUT DOWN FOR PROBE

Seminarians Show Support For Celibacy

556 Reasons for Hope [Seminarians Support Celibacy]

No Shortage of Vocations From Conservative Parishes

Oakland seminary housing sex offender priests

Phoenix bishop to helm Priestly Formation Committee [of USCCB]

Vatican Firms up Plans for U.S. Seminary Visitation in 2005

SIBLING VOCATIONS - Early calls led two sisters to same religious order

On the admission of homosexuals to seminaries

Catholic priests demand the right to marry

New Start For Austrian Seminary

Disciples of Pope John Paul (Faculty of Gregorian University Gripe About Piety of New Seminarians)

New Priests in U.S.: Older, and More From Abroad (Survey Tracks Trends Since 1998)

U.S. seminarians welcome Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican review of seminaries to raise issue of gay priests

Some Decry Retirement Despite Priest Shortage

The Priesthood Ordination Class of 2005 “People would be surprised to know that I…”

(Catholic) Seminarians Double In 25 Years

Pope's death inspires would-be priests

Changes Add Up for Priesthood

Irish Bishops Apologize to Seminary Whistle-Blower

SIGNAL CALLING - UB quarterback foregoes family and career to train for priesthood in Rome

Pop Culture Heros Help Recruit Priests

[Salvation]

**I thought we Christians would be known for our living our lives in joy in Christ.**

Thank you!

[murphE]

Now this is my kind of inspiration.

[Salvation]

Your dates are correct. I have a New American Bible, and it is older than Vatican II!

[Salvation]

Dashing young priests turn heads at Youth Day

Cross-refrence link

[Terminus]

Shall we try to be polite? There is no reason to call people names, regardless of their choices. Show you are above that, and remember that Our Lord condemned the arrogant above all others.

I just read through this topic, and I realized that few people recognize the benefits of a 'cool' image for the Church. Is an image or technique such as this bad if it publicizes the positive aspects of the church? To the contrary, I say that reaching people is what our faith is about. If we need to do that by using tradition melded harmlessly with the society we live in, does that not simply serve to emphasize the command given us in Matthew 28? Does that not simply help us make disciples of all nations--including the one we live in?

I look forward to hearing your opinions, preferably without the addition of unconstructive condemnation.