Abbey-Roads2

Not Ellen though. 

I actually thought it was a joke, or an exaggeration by conservatives when I first heard about it - lesbian gangs going round beating up girls and forcing them into having sex or becoming lesbians.  I guess there is a gay male equivalent, but I’m pretty sure that gang is more like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”  - they must just make the straight guys shop and decorate their rooms, while teaching them to dance or something.

Gay gangs.

Today I noted the news story again, this time on Catholic News Agency, so could it be more than simply Bill O’Reilly hype? - here is a snippet;

The incidence of lesbian gang violence in American neighborhoods and schools is on the rise.

Last week, Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor reported that gangs, known as Dykes Taking Over (DTO) and Gays Taking Over (GTO), are forcing children into homosexuality. In addition to carrying weapons and violently attacking people, gang members sometimes rape female victims.

FOX News crime analyst Rod Wheeler said there are about 150 such gangs in the DC area, including Washington, Maryland, and Virginia.

Wheeler described a “national underground network” of lesbian and gay gangs that recruit children as young as 10 in schools across the country. He said some of these children reported being forced into performing sex acts with the gang members. - Catholic News Agency 

In my neighborhood - when I was a kid - there were some pretty tough girls - I don’t know if they were lesbians, but they were certainly butch and tough - even the guys were afraid of them.  I wonder what ever happened to Roberta Case? 

More queer stuff.

Also at CNA, is a story on “big gay money” supporting pro-gay or, don’t-care-so-much-about-same-sex-unions-politicians with their funding, in order to unseat pro-family politicians.  (And what sentimental Catholic patriots told me this country isn’t just about money on my post at Abbey1 for July 4th?)  From CNA:

“Many Americans are unaware that pro-family lawmakers who support state marriage amendments are being targeted by wealthy homosexual donors. National Public Radio (NPR) reports that last year, wealthy homosexual activists “funneled millions of dollars into dozens of carefully selected campaigns.” One of those donors was Denver software magnate Tim Gill, who according to NPR, targeted 70 state-level races in more than a dozen states.

That report says Gill’s staff confirmed his launching of an “under-the-radar political giving campaign.” It also names another major contributor — philanthropist and Michigan billionaire Jon Stryker — who was “inspired” by Gill’s efforts. Their goal, according to NPR, was “to elect gay-friendly governors and state lawmakers.” - Catholic News Agency

Most people know that the lots-of-expendable-income Gay Community is a target market for advertisers and retailers, and that lesbians earn on an average more than their hetero sisters.  It is also known a large percentage of gays and lesbians hold graduate and undergraduate degrees, which accounts for more earned income.  The stats are available online if you care to look.  The point is, money talks - and they have it, as well as a driving motivation to change society. 

Queer nation all right. 

Well, Dr. von Hildebrand might have been talking about her.

A friend, who chose not to comment on my post regarding Dawn Eden sent me an email, with this excerpt from an article written by Dr. von Hildebrand in New Oxford Review earlier this year. (My apologies for the length of the article.)

The Moral Weight of Words.

“ …This leads me to a question which I shall raise, leaving the reader to decide what the better answer is. …. some are convinced that in order to reach young people, one must meet them where they are — that is, use their vocabulary, assume their tastes in music, ape their way of dressing and their mannerisms. They are convinced that this is the way to win over the youth, that this approach does not “scare” them, but makes them “feel at home” and builds bridges. Young people will feel “understood” and will trust the person who does not come to them to preach, to teach, to criticize. This approach is viewed as psychologically wise, and is supposed to open doors that will guarantee the success  …

But there is another approach strongly recommended by Dom Chautard in his priceless book The Soul of the Apostolate, which, although written long ago, has, like all great things, kept its freshness and value. In this work, he relates how a priest — far from handsome — operated “miracles of grace” among the youth in Marseilles. He did not hesitate to appeal to what was best and deepest in them: their longing for God. With very mediocre means, working in very poor conditions, he had none of the modern “tools” that many people believe to be crucial to reach the youth. But he made them aware of their dignity as children of God — a dignity, alas, covered up by sin and a faulty religious education. He awakened in them the sense of the supernatural implanted in them at Baptism. What he disposed of was simple and little, but his love for the souls of the young was so ardent that he touched their hearts and addressed himself to their true self, to the image of God in their souls. He led them back to God and the Sacraments, and several of his young subjects became disciples themselves.

The choice of words in such work is crucial. When referring to her previous life — before she was converted to the beauty of chastity — a young woman appearing on television and addressing millions of viewers, kept saying, “when I was sexually active….” The question that I raise is: Will not her choice of very graphic words inevitably bring to the minds of the viewers images that the phrase “sexually active” triggers? Some words and phrases are unpleasantly suggestive — “sexually active” is definitely among them. How inappropriate to use the same words for animal activities, for sinful behavior, and for the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony. “Sexually active” carries no moral connotation whatsoever. We can suppose that she wished to communicate that she was “off track,” but she failed to do so for the plain reason that the words she chose are morally neutral. How much more powerful her message would have been had she said to millions of her listeners, “I was living in sin”; “I was offending God”; “I was threatening my eternal welfare”; or “I was desecrating a sphere that clearly belongs to God.” All of these clearly indicate a condemnation of an impure act and the understanding that the intimate sphere has a special relationship to God. …

…She meant well, and in spite of what I consider to be a serious flaw, I am sure that she helped many of her listeners. But the fact that someone who is now living in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony can be so insensitive to these distinctions sheds light on the confusion that is darkening our moral perception.

Let me repeat: The phrase “sexually active” can be applied to the whole gamut of sexual experiences. It can refer to the coupling of animals, to legitimate marriage, and to sinful deeds. I personally would avoid using this phrase to refer to a Catholic marriage. The phrase “marital embrace” is so much more adequate, and has a note of tenderness and reverence noticeably absent in the other.

The words we use when referring to the intimate sphere are particularly revealing: They can express vulgar coarseness or tender respect. There is a four-letter word that is used only by those whose coarseness must make the angels weep; there are “scientific” words which, by the very nature of science, are neutral. (This is why we can go to a physician and speak about very intimate things in a fashion which is in no way offensive to purity.) For Christians — blessed by their belief in the Dogma of the Incarnation — the body has acquired a nobility that calls for an adequate expression. When the Angel Gabriel sent by God asked the sweet holy Virgin to become the mother of His Son, she did not reply, “How is this to be, I have never been sexually active.” Rather, she said, “I know not man.” One could give a whole university course on purity by meditating on these words. …” -NOR

(To my knowledge, Dr. von Hildebraand was NOT referring to Dawn Eden in this piece, but her essay is relevant nevertheless.)

My local parish. 

For a few months now I have been attending daily Mass at my local parish.  There is a new pastor there and he celebrates Mass according to the the prescribed ritual, wears vestments, genuflects before the Blessed Sacrament, etc..  The previous pastor left much to be desired as far as the celebration of Mass and theology.

I still prefer to attend Sunday Mass elsewhere, since the Sunday Mass at my local parish tends to be a bit more raucous - although I will attend, as I did yesterday.

The church has an organ, but they use the piano in the “piano bar” up front.  I arrived about 45 minutes early to pray, but the singers were practicing, so I prayed my rosary - out loud.  No one else was there so no one could hear me and I went unnoticed.  Praying out loud helped me to recollect myself amidst the noise.  The singers were laughing and talking really loud - but I could tune them out, and I wasn’t angry about their having fun in Church.

The office of Greeter and Usher.

I was finishing the last decade of the rosary about 5 minutes before Mass - silently now, as people were coming in.  An elderly usher grabbed my hand and said good morning, which I thought was nice, and we exchanged a few words about the weather.  He slapped my shoulder and thanked me for coming.  Huh?  Everyone else was talking and greeting one another, but I simply took it in stride.

After the entrance procession and venerating the altar, Father has the habit of asking everyone to sit down while he walks the “audience” to ask where people are from, at the end we all clap to welcome them.  Then we all stand and say good morning and introduce ourselves, etc.  Finally, Mass begins.  At the sign of peace - the entire thing is repeated.  After his homily, one guy from Richfield stood up and applauded Father and said “Bravo!” - which seemed kind of nuts to me.

To make a long story short, it felt as if I had just been to a tapeing of Letterman or something.  Far too much stimulation for worship.  In fact, the entire Mass was not at all conducive to worship or prayer.  I’ve been so patient about this for months, but I don’t think I can take it much longer.  Daily Mass is fine - but these week-end “gatherings” are getting to me.

Decorum - what’s that?

No wonder everyone comes to Mass in shorts and t-shirts.  I honestly don’t really care how people are dressed, or if they come late and leave early, and if there is chatter, I can even endure that - to a point - but don’t conduct Mass like a talk show.  And if the “community” has to talk before and after Mass, keep your voices and the bar-room laughter down - people exhibit more discretion at a wake than they do in Church.

The altar girls were totally untrained, without reverence - they do not even fold their hands in an attitude of prayer.  During the Eucharistic prayer, one girl was looking out into the congregation, another fixing her hair, while another appeared to be scrapping nail polish off her nails.  The cantor was a big busted woman, wearing a tight, nearly flesh colored top, and when she parted and raised her arms to conduct the congregation - well you get the picture.  It was like “Animal House”. 

I left Church realizing I had not been recollected throughout the entire Mass.  I can’t go there on Sundays any longer.  Everything militates against authentic prayer and worship.  The family behind me talked through the consecration - they obviously did not even realize what was going on at the altar.

I had to wonder if that is what fulfilling the Sunday obligation is all about - you know, just being there? 

(My apologies - I hate “whiner” posts like these.  Oh, and the photo is not my Church - it is some Church that had a bike up for auction during Mass.  Yeah - you tell me.)