Saint Peter's Point

Last Chance to Stop Pro-Abortion Health Care Reform

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:29:00 +0000

President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are pulling out all the stops to pass a massive pro-abortion health care bill -- the days immediately ahead will decide the issue.

Changes that have been proposed by President Obama would fix NONE of the abortion problems in the Senate-passed bill (H.R. 3590) which will likely be voted on soon by the House. In fact, they would make them worse.

This is no time to relax! Read about the many problems with the current Senate bill at www.nrlc.org.

Please immediately TELEPHONE the Washington, D.C. office of your U.S. House member. Any U.S. House office can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121. Simply give them your zip code and ask for the phone number of your U.S. Representative. Many are undecided how they will vote, allegedly including Congressman Ron Kind from Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District (according to the Capitol publication “The Hill”). Your Representative needs to hear from you right away, even if you’ve called before!

Ask him or her to vote “no” on the Senate healthcare bill unless the language of the Stupak Amendment is added. If they try to say there is no abortion funding in the current bill, tell them that is NOT true and ask them to go to the website of the National Right to Life Committee (www.nrlc.org) and read the commentary by Legislative Director Douglas Johnson.

This alert was sent to the parishes by:
Christopher J. Ruff, S.T.L.
Director of the Office of Ministries and Social Concerns
PO Box 4004
La Crosse, WI 54602-4004

Christopher West coming to Stevens Point 4/22/10 at 7 PM

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:14:00 +0000

Recordings from Holy Week 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Jason and Darcy) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Get in the spirit of the season... relive the sacred music from last year's Holy Week:

http://www.saintpetercatholic.com/schola-recordings.html

The Areopagus 2-3-10

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Lawson) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:52:00 +0000

2-3-10
I have written about the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist out of Ann Arbor, MI before. (Not least because my sister-in-law is a part of the Order  ). Website here: http://www.sistersofmary.org/

This beautiful, young, and rapidly growing order is going to be featured on Oprah of all places next week Tuesday, Feb. 9th.

Here’s the email I received:
Please keep this in your prayers -- but on Feb. 9th, our 13th
anniversary as a community, we will be on the "Oprah Winfrey Show"!!
They were out here yesterday filming and 4 Sisters will be flown to
Chicago for the filming to be completed Thursday. So...if you
wish....you might decide to tune in on Feb. 9th -- and to PRAY that GOD
will be able to use these efforts, too, for His Greater Honor and Glory.

God bless us all....counting on your prayers, please!
in Jesus, Mary, and all our saints,
Sister!!

I’ll certainly be praying that this remarkable opportunity bears much fruit!

Phil’s Tidbits:
Here’s an inspiring story of Grant Desme—a top baseball prospect for the Oakland Athletics who is giving it up to enter the seminary. The Oakland Athletics, to their credit, are being completely supportive.
TOP BASEBALL PROSPECT RETIRES TO ENTER PRIESTHOOD
NEW YORK — As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.
Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
"I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things," the 23-year-old Desme said. "I wasn't at peace with where I was at."
A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.
General manager Billy Beane "was understanding and supportive," Desme said, but the decision "sort of knocked him off his horse." After the talk, Desme felt "a great amount of peace."
"I love the game, but I aspire to higher things," he said. "I know I have no regrets."
In a statement, Beane said: "We respect Grant's decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."
Athletes and the priesthood have overlapped, albeit rarely.
Al Travers, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift Detroit Tigers team in 1912, became a Catholic priest. More recently, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer in 2008 to enter a seminary.
Desme spoke on a conference call for about 10 minutes in a quiet, even tone, hardly sounding like many gung-ho, on-the-rise ballplayers. As for his success in the minors, he said "all of it is very undeserving."
The Athletics picked Desme in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft and he was starting to blossom. He was the only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season.
Desme batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 steals in 131 games at Class-A Kane County and high Class-A Stockton last year. He hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games this fall in Arizona, a league filled with young talent.
Desme went into the AFL championship game well aware it might be the last time he ever played. "There was no sad feeling," he said. He homered and struck out twice, which "defines my career a bit."
The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Desme was ranked as Oakland's No. 8 prospect by Baseball America. There was speculation the Athletics might invite Desme to big league spring training next month.
Rather, Desme intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, California, in August. He said abbey members didn't seem surprised someone who would "define myself as a baseball player" was changing his life so dramatically.
Desme said he didn't consider pursuing his spiritual studies while also trying to play ball. His family backed his decision and he said the positive reaction to his future goal — the surprising news spread quickly over the Internet — was "inspiring."
"It's about a 10-year process," he said. "I desire and hope I become a priest." In a way, he added, it's like "re-entering the minor leagues."
Desme's first two years in the minors were beset by shoulder and wrist problems. He said his days off the field gave him time to think about what was most important to him, to read and study the Bible and to talk to teammates about his faith.
In retrospect, he said, those injuries were "the biggest blessings God ever gave me."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The idea and use of “excommunication” continues to be widely misunderstood. Bishop Vasa recently gave a helpful explanation :

Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker Oregon via Lifesitenews.ccom
Using medical imagery, Vasa explains that just as it is not good for a doctor to allow a patient with diabetes to continue eating sugar, so also a bishop cannot let a Catholic who is in error remain so. It is the duty of the doctor to prescribe the proper medication and “accusing the doctor of being a tyrannical power monger would never cross anyone’s mind,” says Vasa.
“In fact, a doctor who told his diabetic patient that he could keep ingesting all the sugar he wanted without fear would be found grossly negligent and guilty of malpractice.
In the same way, bishops who recognize a serious spiritual malady and seek a prescription to remedy the error, after discussion and warning, may be required to simply state, ‘What you do and say is gravely wrong and puts you out of communion with the faith you claim to hold.’ ”
Further, Vasa also explains that excommunication guards the rest of the faithful from falling into the same error as the excommunicated. If a person is allowed to publicly dissent from the Catholic faith, Vasa says that other Catholics may become confused as to what the Church actually teaches.
-Bishop Vasa’s full column can be found here: http://www.sentinel.org/node/10596

Finally, this is so far out there as to be humorous:
John Paul II Attacker Wants to Team With Dan Brown
Agca to Be Released Monday; Interview and Book in Future
ROME, JAN. 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981 is set to be released Monday from a Turkish prison after serving almost 29 years. He said he has contacted the author of "The Da Vinci Code" for help in writing a book.

Agca has said once he is free he wants to do two things: visit John Paul II's tomb and write two books, including one about his life. For help with this second task, Agca reported that he has contacted Dan Brown, author of the bestselling science fiction work "The Da Vinci Code."
"I will proclaim the perfect Christianity that Vatican [sic] has never understood," Agca announced in a handwritten letter sent to The Sunday Times newspaper.
Agca's 29 years in prison resulted not only from his attempted assassination of the Pope, but also from having killed Abdi Ipekci, director of the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, in 1979.

God Bless you!
Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

Experiences from the March for Life 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:24:00 +0000

THE SERVANTS OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

PRESENT:

REFLECTIONS FROM THE MARCH FOR LIFE 2010

COME AND HEAR THE HIGHLIGHTS OF
SEVERAL ATTENDEES' EXPERIENCES OF
THE MARCH FOR LIFE!!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010

7PM AT ST PETER'S CHURCH
KOLBE HALL

ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT:

email: vitapretiosa(AT)gmail.com

Pro-life Speaker Patrick O'Donnell coming January 16

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:25:00 +0000

THE SERVANTS OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

PRESENT…..

PATRICK O’DONNELL
(PRO-LIFE SPEAKER)

The Pro-Life Challenge:
“Re-Warming Love Grown Cold”

• The Global Challenge

• The Post-Abortive Healing-Christ Rises Again

• The Preborn Christ-Making It Personal

Time: 9AM
Date: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 (AFTER 8 AM MASS)
Location: KOLBE HALL (St. Peter Church basement)

FREE SNACKS!

(PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR PRO-LIFE FRIENDS)

The Areopagus 12-21-09

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Lawson) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:16:00 +0000

12-21-09

Over the weekend, the Vatican announced that our late and beloved Pope John Paul II had been declared “venerable.” In layman’s terms this means that those charged with investigating his life—as a part of a process likely leading to his being declared a saint—have determined that he lived a life of “heroic virtue.” The next step is investigating the various miraculous claims associated with his intervention---which may or may not have already occurred. If a miracle is substantiated, then he will be declared “Blessed” and beatified. The final step after that is the process of canonization—or sainthood. Got all that? 

Either way, it’s an exciting process, especially for those, myself included, who are called the “JPII Generation”-having grown up with his as our Holy Father.

I remember years ago being at the Golda Meir Library at UW-Milwaukee one day and stumbling upon a traveling exhibit to the life of John Paul II. This was probably around 1998. I remember being very impressed with this man’s life—growing up during WWII, living under Communism, working with the Solidarity Movement in Poland, the assassination attempt on him, his background as a poet, playwright, and actor…the list goes on and on. Seeing that exhibit, was another step on my journey back to Catholicism. The influence he had while tied to this earthly world continues from Heaven.

Phil’s Tidbits:

Sports Illustrated recently published a photo of a man, Kevin Fast, pulling a 208-ton CC-177 Globemaster III transport plane. He pulled the plane 28’ 10 ½ “ to set a Guinness World Record. Even more impressive? He’s an ordained Lutheran Minister in Ontario. I suspect he has some “powerful” sermons…maybe? 

I admit to not being overly familiar with actor Jeff Bridges—but I came across an interview with him in the Wall Street Journal with this delightful quote:
Interviewer: You’ve been married to the same woman for 32 years. Rule No. 1 for staying together in Hollywood?
Bridges: Don’t get a divorce. That will keep you together, you know.

What more needs to be said? 

http://www.inforumblog.com/?p=2684
This website chronicles an increasing number of attacks on Christian Churches around the world—and not just in Africa and the Middle East—but including one in New York.

A Christmas message from the Pope to a gathering of children (and a glimpse into his own tender heart):

Pontiff to Children: Approach Christ Without Fear
Tells Them That Jesus Is Glad to Hear From Them
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 20, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged the youth of Italian Catholic Action to not be shy about approaching Christ, as he is very interested in hearing from them.
The Pope affirmed this today in a traditional Christmas meeting with a delegation of the youth organization, urging them to take as a role model the biblical figure of Zacchaeus, "the man who meets the Lord and welcomes him with joy."

"You too are a little like Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree because he wanted to see Jesus," the Holy Father said. "But the Lord, looking up, noticed him immediately, in the midst of the crowd.

"Jesus sees you and hears you even though you are little, even if the grown-ups do not take account of you as you would like."

"Always imitate the example of Zacchaeus," Benedict XVI continued, "who immediately came down from the tree, full of joy he welcomed him into his house and did not cease to celebrate him!"

The Pope spoke to the children of Jesus as a friend who "comes to meet you and calls you!"

"He is the Son of God, he is the Lord whom you see every day in the images in churches, along the street, in houses. He speaks to you always of the love that is 'greater,' able to give itself without limit, to bring peace and forgiveness," the Pontiff added.

"Only Jesus' presence in your lives gives complete joy, because he is able to make everything always new and beautiful," the Holy Father said. "He never forgets you."

This seems like a fitting way to conclude the last Areopagus prior to Christmas. Peg Hammill is the director of Pro Life Wisconsin—I have been blessed to know and be inspired by her for quite a few years now. She recently penned this beautiful tribute to her Mom.
Reflection on motherhood

Jane O’Brien of Oconomowoc, mother of Pro-Life Wisconsin state director Peggy Hamill, passed away Dec. 11 at the age of 91. Jane was one of Pro-Life Wisconsin’s most loyal supporters. In 1999, Peggy had the following reflection published in a number of newspapers. In memory of her mother and in honor of all mothers, especially the mother of the Christ Child, Peggy would like to share it with you. Memorials to Pro-Life Wisconsin, Gifts for Life, are gratefully appreciated. To make an online Gift for Life donation, click here.

Reflection on Motherhood
How often have I heard my mother say, “Don’t worry. The Lord will provide.” Her life has been a living out of this belief. The Gospel of Life has been a way of life for her. This gospel proclaims that life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. If we humbly subject ourselves to the will of our Heavenly Father, we will be provided for. Mom never refused this gift of life; always trusting in God. According to God’s plan, she and my dad were blessed with 11 children.

What a contrast this is to today’s prevailing feminist mindset. These people aggressively promote contraception, sterilization and abortion as liberating and empowering to women. They mock and pity women who are “burdened” with one or more children. Tragically, their false enlightenment has led many women into darkness.

I praise God for the empowering faith example of my mother. I thank the Lord for mercifully protecting me from falling into the bondage of contraception.

What a privilege it has been for my husband and me to welcome 10 miracles into the world. We look forward to a heavenly meeting with the 11th child we lost through miscarriage. All of our children have enriched our lives so much. We are so proud of each and every one of them. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to experience the awesome providence of God. The word of the Lord says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33.

To all mothers and mothers-to-be: Don’t worry. The Lord will provide if you follow His will and fully trust in Him. I know; my Mom told me so.
God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

Merry Christmas & God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

The Areopagus 12-7-09

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Lawson) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:10:00 +0000

12-7-09

Here’s a good opportunity to celebrate the Year of the Priest with a focus on Fr. Botros from Egypt.

This priest is amazing. His name is Fr. Zakaria Botros—originally from Egypt. He has been a missionary to Muslims regarding the Catholic faith—literally helping thousands come to Christ. In fact, he has been so successful that there is a $60 million bounty on his head from no less a group then Al Quaeda. He continues his work from undisclosed locations through his television show and the internet. (He was imprisoned for a time and later exiled from Egypt. Fr. Zakaria is no spring chicken either---he’s 75 years old. Patrick Madrid writes about him here:
http://patrickmadrid.blogspot.com/2009/11/and-now-meet-other-father-z.html

Phil’s Tidbits:

Continuing our Year of the Priest focus—it’s not often you hear the Vatican refer to “Rambo” and “Priest” in the same sentence! (Maybe now I can convince my wife to watch this Hollywood feat of high culture, drama and artistic craftsmanship  ).

Vatican: Priests Need Rambo-esque Spiritual Muscle
Archbishop Piacenza Presents Year for Priests Activities
By Carmen Villa

ROME, NOV. 29, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A priest's soul should have "interior muscle" comparable to the physical strength of Rambo, which is nourished with "prayer, the interior life and true motivation," says the secretary for the Congregation for Clergy.

Archbishop Mauro Piacenza said this Friday upon meeting with a small group of journalists to present some reflections and activities that will take place in Rome in the context of the Year for Priests.

I regularly place clips from Dick Van Dyke’s Faith, Hope and Hilarity: The Child’s Eye View of Religion in our parish bulletin. This one I had to pass along to you as well. From the eyes of children!
“When her mother said the local church they attended was ‘God’s house,’ a girl commented, ‘Aren’t we lucky to live in the same neighborhood with God?’”

Unity is what the Church is called too---which of course leads to the various ecumenical dialogs that are ongoing. Most of the time the correspondence is very gentle, careful not to give offense. Hence, I was pretty surprised to see the Pope call out the Orthodox here. He’s certainly not trying to give offense, but is simply pointing out that all agree the Holy Spirit is moving us toward unity---let’s not get in the way. A loving and firm exhortation from a true shepherd:

Pope to Orthodox: History Impeding the Holy Spirit
Sends Message to Patriarch for Feast of St. Andrew
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2009 (Zenit.org).-

From Pope Benedict XVI on the Feast of St. Andrew
The Pontiff said the memory of the martyrs compels Christians to bear witness to their faith, which he observed is "an urgency [...] especially in our own day, in which Christianity is faced with increasingly complex challenges."

This witness, he added, "will surely be all the more credible if all believers in Christ are 'of one heart and soul.'"

The Bishop of Rome noted how the Catholic and Orthodox Churches have been committed to "the path towards the re-establishment of full communion."

"[A]lthough we have not yet reached our goal," he said, "many steps have been taken that have enabled us to deepen the bonds between us."

He stated that this "growing friendship and mutual respect, and our willingness to encounter one another and to recognize one another as brothers in Christ, should not be hindered by those who remain bound to the remembrance of historical differences, which impedes their openness to the Holy Spirit who guides the Church and is able to transform all human failings into opportunities for good."

Finally, this Saturday, Dec. 12th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and to the unborn. Since it was her appearance in Mexico (1531) that precipitated the ending of child sacrifice in that country—Catholics have invoked her intercession for the Gospel of Life today, with many parishes holding prayer vigils for that intention. Bishop Morlino of Madison has taken that a step further. In a recent letter, he encouraged all Catholics in the Madison Diocese to fast and pray from Dec. 9th-11th. I include his letter below. We’re all going to have to answer for our action or inaction toward the evils of our own times. This is a great opportunity to join the battle (see especially his reference to Lepanto!):

December 4, 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In recent years we have been blessed in the Diocese of Madison with a renewed growth and commitment by many to proclaim, witness to, and strive to restore recognition for the inherent dignity of the human person—from conception to natural death. As I have said so many times before, it is the work of the laity, and not the bishops or priests, to transform our culture and the laws which govern our land, and many have taken up their responsibility with renewed vigor. Insofar as
we strive to protect the preborn child and all of the vulnerable, “the least among us,” so too we serve Jesus Christ who specifically bestowed even his own identity upon such as these (Mt 25:40).

So many of you continue to do a great deal, and for that I am so very grateful. Whether your efforts include peacefully praying outside abortion facilities, teaching chastity to the young, offering assistance to mothers in crisis situations, or respectfully petitioning our legislators, your efforts do much to actualize Vatican II’s specific call to the laity to build and restore a just society.
The very heart of efforts such as these, however, should always be prayer and the deepening intimacy each of us shares with Jesus Christ - in and through His Church.

Therefore, when approached and petitioned by a group of active pro-life individuals to call for and encourage three days of prayer and fasting in preparation for the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I embraced this
sentiment with joyful and hopeful enthusiasm that we may most effectively serve and support this most critical cause of our time.
With these thoughts in mind, I am inviting, encouraging and requesting the faithful of the Diocese of Madison, and any other interested party, to intensified prayer and fasting from December 9th through the 11th, asking our Lord for a restored respect and protection of the vulnerable among us, particularly, but not limited to, each and every preborn child. Fasting from TV or the internet, for
example, is appropriate, as is fasting from food or drink.

In obedience to the teaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Mk 9:29), the Church has witnessed within her history how through prayer and fasting the Father has bestowed generous victories to rectify and dissolve what had seemed to be insurmountable and oppressive dangers to the vulnerable. I recall primarily the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989. Please join me in these three days of prayer and fasting, with supplication particularly to the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in anticipation of her feast day on December 12th. May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Rosary, intercede for us in our critical needs of this time, as we strive to build a Culture of Life.

Faithfully Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino
Bishop of Madison

God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

God Bless you!
Phil Lawson
For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

The Areopagus 11-25-09

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Lawson) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:09:00 +0000

11-25-09
Recently, I mentioned a European Court’s ruling forbidding crucifixes in Italian classrooms. This drew strong reactions from Italy along with Poland and Greece.

It was noted that Crucifixes were forbidden in Poland under Communist rule—and now another outside organization is trying to do the same thing. “During Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday in Warsaw, Poland's (President) Kaczynski said that "nobody in Poland will accept the message that you can't hang crosses in schools.’
‘One shouldn't count on that. Perhaps elsewhere, but never in Poland,’Kaczynski said.”

Meanwhile, in Italy, a number of the provinces have responded by having Crucifixes put up in classrooms and refurbishing the ones that are already there.

Long term, the odds don’t seem in favor of these Christian expressions—given the track record of transnational organizations/agreements—but you have to admire their spirit—and indeed not going down without a fight!

Here’s the rest of the story:
Italian Mayors Order Crufixes Put in Classrooms in Revolt against European Court Ruling
Polish president and Greek Orthodox Church also hit out at decision against crucifixes in classrooms

By Hilary White
ROME, November 17, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Poland's president, Lech Kaczynski and the leadership of the Greek Orthodox Church have both hit out at a decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) attempting to ban the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools. At the same time, a general revolt against the ruling in municipalities all over Italy has been started by public officials, who are now ordering the display of crucifixes in schools, and levelling fines for non-compliance.
The November 3rd ECHR ruling, made in response to a complaint by an Italian secularist campaigner, said that the display of crucifixes violated the religious rights of pupils.
During Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday in Warsaw, Poland's Kaczynski said that "nobody in Poland will accept the message that you can't hang crosses in schools."
"One shouldn't count on that. Perhaps elsewhere, but never in Poland," Kaczynski said.
The reaction from Poland has touched a national nerve in a country where crucifixes and other religious symbols were banned under the atheistic communist rule and are now a prominent symbol of national sovereignty.
Lech Walesa, the former president and leader of the Solidarity movement that eventually freed Poland from its Soviet-controlled communist dictatorship, challenged the court ruling in a TV interview Thursday, saying, "We must respect minorities but also protect the rights of the majority."
At the same time, Archbishop Ieronymos, the Archbishop of Athens and primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece has also spoken out, urging all Europeans to oppose the ruling, saying the court is ignoring the role of Christianity in forming Europe's identity. The Greek Church has intervened in the case in response to a Greek citizen whose son is studying in Italy, the BBC reports.
The reactions from Greece and Poland reflect the warning made recently by UK legal expert Neil Addison, who told LifeSiteNews.com that, because of the intricacies of European Union law, the Italian crucifix ruling is likely ultimately to affect all 27 member states.
Addison, an author and expert on anti-discrimination law, said that if the Italian government loses their appeal, the ruling could result in the enforced exclusion of all public displays of Christian symbols all over Europe. Addison specifically warned that in countries like Greece and Cyprus, the common display of icons in public places would be under threat.
In fact, since the November 3rd ruling was announced, a secularist activist group in Greece, the Greek Helsinki Monitor, has called for a similar ruling to be applied to that country. The group is urging trade unions to challenge the presence of religious symbols in Greek schools.
The BBC reports that the Orthodox Church plans to hold an emergency Holy Synod to hash out a plan to oppose the ruling.
Meanwhile, Italian papers are reporting a general revolt across the country against the Strasburg ruling. All schools in the League Monza in the Lombardy region, have been given seven days to ensure that crucifixes are displayed in every classroom. The mayor of Besana in Brianza, Vittorio Gatti, signed an order levelling a €150 fine for non-compliance.
Mayor Gatti said, "We will give principals time to adjust, but then the order will be respected."
In a statement published on the municipality's website, the mayor referred to the ECHR decision, saying, "We believe that the crucifix is a symbolic expression in Italy of the religious origin of such important civic values as tolerance, mutual respect, enhancement of the person, freedom, solidarity and rejection of any discrimination."
"I believe I have decided the right thing. I have always seen crucifixes in schools and I believe we should have respect for our traditions and defend them against those who do not even know what they're talking about," Gatti said.

The mayor of Priverno in the province of Latina, Lazio, central Italy, signed an order which provides for the maintenance of crucifixes in classrooms of primary schools throughout the municipality. Mayor Umberto Macci, instructed the municipal police to check that crucifixes are in place, with non-compliance to be fined €500. Citing 1924 and 1927 regulations on school furniture, which provided for the display of crucifixes in schools, the mayor said they are "an expression of fundamental civic values and Italian cultural values."
The mayor of Ascoli Piceno in the in the Marche region near the central east coast, said the crucifix expresses "in a symbolic way, the origin of religious values of the republican constitution. I am referring to freedom, mutual respect, appreciation of the person, solidarity and the rejection of any discrimination."
Mayor Guido Castelli cited state laws that agreed the display of crucifixes in classrooms "does not seem open to criticism over the principle of secularism" of the Italian State.

Phil’s Tidbits:
In a true spirit of ecumenical collaboration, a group of 148 leading Evangelicals, Catholics and other Christians has drafted and issued what they are calling the “Manhattan Declaration.”
http://demossnews.com/manhattandeclaration/press_kit/manhattan_declaration_signers

This is a Christian expression on the sanctity of human life, marriage, and the need for religious liberty / conscience protections.
The signees include leaders from across the Christian spectrum including: Archbishops Dolan and Chaput, Charles Colson, Dr. James Dobson, Peter Kreeft, and George Weigel.

It is the type of collaboration that can and must happen if Christians are to work together to positively affect the culture. The fact that such a collaboration took place is a great sign of hope among Christians—and the potential for future unity which Christ calls us toward.

And lest you think there is no work to be done on the moral issues of the day—including marriage, take a look at this:

My wife came across this in the newspaper—relationship advice column:
“I’m deciding whether to use a private investigator to keep an eye on my fiance’s bachelor party. Family members say that if I feel I need to, I shouldn’t marry him. Friends say it’s good to see what he’d do if tempted. Your thoughts?” Thankfully the columnist, in less forceful terms then I would’ve used, advises this dear young lady to listen to her family and have a good conversation with her fiance’.

Children invariably suffer the worst from evil in the world and the many sins of adults. Pope Benedict recently requested prayers for these innocent victims.
Benedict XVI Asks Prayers for Children
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 18, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is asking prayers for all the children of the world, especially those who suffer, and he is urging the international community to be committed in responding to the problems that affect childhood.
The Pope made this appeal today during the general audience in Paul VI Hall. His exhortation marked the 20th anniversary of the U.N. convention on the rights of the child, approved Nov. 20, 1989.
"My thoughts go out to all the children of the world, especially those who live in difficult conditions and suffer because of violence, abuses, illness, war and hunger," the Holy Father said.
"I invite you to join yourselves to my prayer and, at the same time, I appeal to the international community so that efforts will be multiplied to offer an adequate answer to the tragic problems of childhood," he continued. "Let not the generous commitment of all be lacking, so that the rights of children will be recognized and their dignity be increasingly respected."

Finally, the US bishops get to have some fun too at their recent meeting.
From Zenit.org:
Baseball
In a test run of the electronic voting system, a question was put to the prelates: Was your favorite baseball team in the World Series this year?
Laughter arose from the crowd as the results were tallied: Some 75% of the bishops indicated that neither the New York Yankees nor the Philadelphia Phillies had their allegiance.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

The Areopagus 11-17-09

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Lawson) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:34:00 +0000

11-17-09
As many of you no doubt already know, our dear Bishop Listecki has been called by Benedict XVI to shepherd the Church in Milwaukee. He has posted an 8 minute video goodbye to the people of LaCrosse on the diocesan website:
http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/
In his press release he offered the following words of love:
“When I was installed as Bishop of La Crosse, I ended my homily by stating 'Now you belong to me, I belong to you, but we belong to Christ.' That will never change.’"
Amen!

Archbishop Dolan (former bishop of Milwaukee—now in New York) gave Listecki his wholehearted endorsement—in his typical fashion:
For the last nine months, since my appointment as Archbishop of New York, I have daily asked our Lord to send a happy, holy, humble new archbishop to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Today my prayer is simply: “thank you, Lord!” Pope Benedict XVI has chosen wisely. Bishop Jerome Listecki is a good friend, and a most effective, generous, faithful, joyful shepherd. I feel bad for the Diocese of La Crosse, but rejoice with my beloved people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee! Sorry, Gerry, that I did not leave the archdiocese in better shape, but I was counting on being there a lot longer! You’ve got some of the greatest clergy, sisters, and people in the Church … and now they’ve got one of the best archbishops anywhere! (P.S. In the confidential file in the safe is the list of my favorite fish fries).

Gotta love that last line. Godspeed Bishop Listecki!

Phil’s Tidbits:

I had previously mentioned the rapidly growing community of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. New update—they received 17 more women this year, bringing their total to 99. Not bad for a still young order! http://www.sistersofmary.org/

While I’m on the topic of religious sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George (FSGM) operate a house of formation for young women in the Diocese of LaCrosse. This is directed toward any religious community, and they frequently take trips to visit different ones. I just saw that this diocese has sent 26 women in to religious communities in the last 6 years---aided in no small part by these sisters. They have a regular newsletter which can be found here: www.materredemptoris.org
If you want to get a feel for the energy, joy and youth of religious life—take a look!

I came across this over at The American Papist Blog---pretty amazing indeed!

Amazing: Newborn babies cry with their mother's accent
I love picking up stories that reveal the humanity of unborn babies.

I've blogged before about the scientific studies which reveal that babies begin forming memories in the womb.

Now a new study shows that babies, even before they are born, are learning how to talk just like their mothers sound.
Look at the extract of the scientific findings:

"In the first days of their lives, French infants already cry in a different way to German babies...
In this study, the scientists compared recordings of 30 French and 30 German infants aged between two and five days old. While the French newborns more frequently produced rising crying tones, German babies cried with falling intonation.

The reason for this is presumably the differing intonation patterns in the two languages, which are already perceived in the uterus and are later reproduced."
Or to put it in simple English: before they are even born, babies start learning from their mommies.

Amazing.

Lastly, as we continue to celebrate “the Year of the Priest”—here’s another reminder of the heroes so many of them are…along with their need for our prayers.

Priests Slain in Guatemala, Brazil
4th Priest Killed in Brazil in 5 Months
ESQUIPULAS, Guatemala, NOV. 12, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A Franciscan priest was found murdered in a hotel room in Guatemala this week; he had been missing for several days.
Police reported that the Guatemalan priest, Father Miguel Ángel Hernández, 45, was kidnapped while traveling a few days ago from Ocotepeque, Honduras, where he had been assigned to work in a parish, to Chiquimula, Guatemala.
He was found dead with several stab wounds on Tuesday.
Also this week, another priest, Father Hidalberto Henrique Guimarães, 48, was found stabbed and beaten to death in Brazil.
He is the fourth priest killed in that country in five months.
The priest's body was found in his residence on Saturday night, with 18 knife wounds and several blows to the head, reported the Brazilian bishops' conference.
Father Guimarães was a parish priest of Our Lady of Grace Church, in the municipality of Murici, on the outskirts of Maceio, Vatican Radio reported.
He had been missing since Nov. 5, when he took part in a clergy meeting. In connection with this crime, on Sunday the police arrested two adolescents, aged 16 and 19.
Archbishop Antônio Muniz Fernandes of the Maceio Archdiocese said that not only the clergy, but the whole community is shocked by the incident.
In the past few months, three other Catholic priests have also been homicide victims in Brazil. The first, Father Gisley Azevedo Gomes, 31, worked in the national youth ministry office of the bishops' conference, and was murdered June 15 by a group of young men near Brasilia.
On Sept. 19, an Italian fidei donum missionary, Father Ruggero Ruvoletto, 52, was killed in Manaus by a blow to the head.
A week later, on Sept. 26, Father Evaldo Martiolo, 33, who belonged to the Diocese of Cacador, was murdered in a robbery by a 21-year-old youth and a 15-year-old adolescent.

God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

Listecki to lead Milwaukee Archdiocese

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:45:00 +0000

We offer prayers and congratulations as our bishop leaves to lead the flock in Milwaukee. Pray with us that the Holy Father will send a new bishop soon!

The Areopagus 11-9-09

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Lawson) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:45:00 +0000

11-9-09
You may have heard that the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italy must remove all Crucifixes from public school classrooms. One can argue this from different angles, i.e. separation of church and state, the Cross as a national symbol connected with Italian heritage, etc.

What strikes me above all is that you have a transnational organization (the European Union) imposing it’s decisions on a supposedly sovereign nation (Italy). Why should a type of European super-supreme court be able to tell a nation (some approx. 97% Catholic) that it can’t have Crucifixes on the walls of its schools??

From a strictly Catholic perspective, what ever happened to subsidiarity? (making decisions on the lowest possible level, as close to the affected parties as possible)?

Here’s Cardinal Bertone’s pointed response to the ruling:

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 5, 2009 (Zenit.org).- In European schools, crucifixes are prohibited but Halloween pumpkins are promoted, observed Benedict XVI's Secretary of State.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone stated this in response to the Tuesday decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which called for the removal of Christian symbols from public school classrooms.

"This Europe of the third millennium only leaves us the pumpkins of the feasts repeatedly celebrated and takes away from us our most cherished symbols," said the cardinal in an article published in L'Osservatore Romano.

Phil’s Tidbits:
On a lighter and more inspiring level, this is really impressive, even more so given the little that priests actually are paid.
French Priests Give a Month's Salary to Needy
Charity Initiative Spreads Internationally
LYON, France, NOV. 5, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The priests of the Lyon Diocese are donating a month of their salary to aid the poor, joining in an initiative of their brothers in Spain.
The diocesan Council of the Presbyterium invited all the priests to donate one month's salary, which amounts to some $1,340, to a charitable organization that supports victims of the economic crisis.
Even though "individually and discreetly, numerous priests contribute to the financing of charitable organizations," a statement on the diocesan Web site acknowledged, "we wish to express our closeness by a particular financial commitment."
It expressed the desire that this initiative would be seen "not only as true pastoral concern for the most destitute," but also as "our will to donate a part of our goods to those who do not have what is necessary to live."
The priests of Lyon "who wish to and can" are therefore invited to make this donation, the Web site stated.
It added, "The sum suggested is 900 euros [$1,340] but each one should give what he wishes and what he can."
The priestly council, representing all of the ordained ministers of the diocese, stated that they are "aware that this gesture is not sufficient." However, they expressed the desire "to address a sign to our contemporaries for whom the image of the Church is often that of preaching, and more rarely that of a concrete solidarity."
The proposal was voted on by the council members while they gathered with the bishops in June. This idea, introduced by a young priest of the diocese, actually started in Spain, where other presbyters began a similar project of economic solidarity last April.
During Holy Week, bishops of several Spanish dioceses asked their priests to give 10% of their salaries to help the needy.

There is a new film out “Blood Money” that spotlights the abortion for profit industry, especially Planned Parenthood. The trailer is only 2+ min. and worth watching:
http://www.bloodmoneyfilm.com/

There are a few universities that seem to have “solved” the vocation crisis. The University of Illinois is one. And the University of Texas A & M is another. Here is a recent summary priestly and religious vocations from Texas A & M –school logo - the “Aggies”:

As of today, August 18, 2009, here are the numbers:

*Current Aggie priests/permanent religious = 128

*Current Aggies in seminary / religious formation = 42

*# of Aggies who entered seminary or religious formation:
• 2009 = 8
• 2008 = 7
• 2007 = 8
• 2006 = 14 (record number)
*For the last 12 years - average number of Aggies per year entering seminary/formation = 8.17
*2009 ordinations = 3 priests + 1 transitional deacon
*2009 religious = 2 final vows + 1 first vows + 1 entering novitiate

These numbers have translated into helping many orders and dioceses around the country. For instance:
• The Austin diocese, one of the biggest pipelines from Aggieland, has a record number of seminarians for this fall = 46 (a record number for the third year in a row)!
• The New Orleans province of Jesuits who has about a dozen Aggies.
• 5 Aggie in the Nashville Dominican sisters.

God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

Mass from Sunday Nov. 8 - good to be back in the church

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:31:00 +0000

It's good to be back in the church. Here are a couple of pictures from 10 AM Mass today.

The adult schola cantorum:

Becky and Nick Scherer's twins were baptized today:

The Schola Cantorum sang Michael Lawrence's O Sacrum Convivium at Communion:

Father Louis's homily focused on the Year for Priests on the day after the ordination of Father Letona:

The Areopagus 11-5-09

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Lawson) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:23:00 +0000

11-5-09

Pope Benedict XVI has continued JPII’s spirited efforts at Christian unity. (Remember Jesus never intended there to be thousands of different denominations—read John 17:20-23). Recently, this has been in the news with his Apostolic Constitution making it easier for Anglicans to come back into the fold.

Outside of Jesus’ exhortation toward unity, Inside the Vatican’s Robert Moynihan offers an interesting theory on the present ramped up speed at which these things seem to be happening:

“He is clearly reaching out to reunite with many Christian groups: the Lefebvrists, as these meetings show, but also Anglicans, the Orthodox, and others as well. He seems to be trying to make Catholic Rome a center of communion for all Christians. This activity, occurring at an accelerating speed over recent months, looks almost like a "rallying of the troops" before some final, decisive battle…..

In short, many eyes are now on Benedict, wondering what he really intends here.
The answer seems simple enough: Benedict is trying energetically to "get his house in order."

But which house?
On one level, it is the Christian Church -- a Christian Church under considerable pressure in the highly secualrized modern world.
In this "house," this "ecclesia Dei" ("church of God" or "community of God"), dogmas and doctrines, formulated into very precise verbal statements, are held as true. These verbal formulas are professed in creeds. Benedict is seeking to overcome divisions over the content of these creeds, these doctrinal formulas, in order to bring about formal, public unity among separated Christians.

He is trying to find unity not only with the Lefebvrists (and all Traditionalists within the Church) but also, as we have seen in recent days, with the Anglicans and the Orthodox Churches.

But … considering world events and the evolution of the world's economy and culture, something else is also at stake.

Benedict is rallying his troops. He is trying to reunite all those factions and denominations and groups in the West that share common beliefs in the eternal destiny of human beings, in the sacredness of human life (since human beings are "in the image and likeness of God"), in the existence of a moral standard which is true at all times and in all places (against the relativism of the modern secular culture), in the need for justice in human affairs, for the rule of right, not might.

And so he is doing his best, in what seems perhaps to be the "twilight of the West," to build an ark, centered in Rome, to which all those who share these beliefs about human dignity may repair.

And this means that what Benedict is doing in this dialogue which got underway today is also of importance to Jews, to Muslims, and to all men and women of goodwill. Mankind seems to be entering a new period, a period in which companies and governments may produce, even for profit, "designer humans," a period of resource wars, a period of the complete rejection of the traditional family unit.
Benedict, from his high room in the Apostolic Palace, seems to be trying to rally the West in the twilight of an age, so that what was best in the West may be preserved, and shine forth again after the struggles of our time are past.”
Given the pace of secularism and the enhanced criticism/dismissal of Christianity on the world stage—Moynihan’s thesis certainly seems plausible. Brings to mind the old adage, “divided with fall, united we stand.”

Phil’s Tidbits:
This is very interesting: The director of a Planned Parenthood facility in Texas quit after watching an ultrasound of an abortion. She indicated a “change of heart” after seeing the reality of the unborn baby. Planned Parenthood responded by requesting a restraining order against their former office director.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,571215,00.html?test=latestnews

Eucharistic Miracle: 2009?
Posted by Tim Drake
Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:28 PM

The Eucharistic Miracle from Lanciano, Italy (A.D. 750)
If reports from Poland are true, an alleged Eucharistic miracle that took place a year ago may have merit.
According to a Polish blog, the Metropolitan Curia of Bialystok has announced the results of the investigation of an Ecclesial Commission appointed by Archbishop Edward Ozorowski on March 30, 2009. The original post (in Polish) can be found here.
Father Andrzej Kakareko, Chancellor, writes that on Oct. 12, 2008, a consecrated host fell out of the hands of the priest distributing holy Communion. The priest picked it up and placed it in the vasculum in the tabernacle. After Mass, the vasculum and its contents were transferred to the safe in the sacristy.
Seven days later, after opening the safe, a red stain was seen on the host. Ten days afer that, the vessel with the host was transferred to the tabernacle in the chapel of the rectory. The next day, the host was removed from the water and placed on the corporal in the tabernacle.
On Jan. 7, 2009, a sample from the host was sent to the University in Bialystok for analysis. According to two medical professionals, professor Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska and professor Stanislaw Sulkowski, the sample, in their opinion, most resembled the myocardial (heart) tissue of a living organism.
As part of its investigation, the commission interviewed witnesses and pathomorphology experts. The commission determined that there was no third-party intervention. The case has been forwarded to the Apostolic Nunciature in Warsaw.
While unusual in this day and age, the Church has a long history of Eucharistic miracles. The Vatican International Exhibition’s “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” documents more than 130 worldwide miracles of the Eucharist, demonstrating that Jesus Christ in the Eucharist — body, blood, soul and divinity — continues to make his presence manifest at unique times and places in history.
Perhaps the most famous and well-known, is the Miracle of Lanciano, which occurred about A.D. 750. It bears repeating, as it closely resembles the alleged Polish miracle. During Mass, the celebrant doubted the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. During the consecration, the host transformed into flesh and blood. Subsequent investigations confirmed the authenticity of the human tissue. An investigation, as late as 1970, found the flesh to be cardiac tissue and the blood to be type AB.

I recently received the newsletter for the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, based in Ann Arbor, MI. They are celebrating their 12th year as a religious community. Talk about “new life”—this community (of which my sister-in-law is a part) now has 83 members with an average age of 26. Unlike what you often hear, there are religious orders that are growing! www.sistersofmary.org

God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.

Church Floor Project - Day 34

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:05:00 +0000

The volunteer cleaning crew came to the rescue once again to get the church ready for Masses this weekend, even though construction is not quite finished. Scrubbing of tiles and wiping down of pews and cleaning every possible surface started Friday evening in the sacristy and continued Saturday morning into the afternoon in the church.

The Loaves and Fishes medallion on the sanctuary floor was clean enough to snap a photo.

The new floor and refinished pews (well most of them anyway) had their debut at the 4 PM Mass.

Here's a closer look at the sanctuary set up for Mass tomorrow AM:

In the meantime Saturday night finds the crew busily installing the pews that just arrived this evening, as well as the book racks. Modesty panels will be coming next week to go in front of the first row of pews. The first row will be shorter, allowing a wheelchair area on the inside ends of the first row.

This week the crew will finish installing floors in the choir loft and on the stairways, put a carpet runner on the main choir loft stairway, install shoe molding around the baseboards in the church, and fix up some uneven tiles and other odds and ends.

Because of the ongoing work, Wednesday Eucharistic adoration will be held in Kolbe Hall from 8:30 - 5 PM. Hopefully the regular 24 hour schedule will resume the following week.

Church Floor Project - Day 32

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:21:00 +0000

Today the crew reassembled the newly refinished pews.

In the evening floor committee members Mark Krutza and Gary Glodoski assist Church Interiors foreman Patrick Blank in marking the locations for the pews to be reinstalled.

Reassembly was still in progress, with installation about to begin. The next (and final) shipment of pews is due in any time now. The crew hopes to have everything completed by the end of the day Friday.

Church Floor Project - Day 31

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:28:00 +0000

The first shipment of our refinished pews arrived yesterday afternoon.

You can now really see the detail in the carvings on the ends of the pews. You can also see that these used to be painted.

The waterjet medallions in the aisles got a once-over with the scrubber, so you can see their clean faces for the first time since they were installed.

From the choir loft:

One last look at the tile floor before the pews are installed:

Church Floor Project - Day 29

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:58:00 +0000

The medallions are all installed and grouted, and Monday the tile installers were cutting the interesting pieces of tile that were needed to fill in the aisle around the medallions. The grout color for the medallions is gold toned, which picks up the color of the lettering and the tile used for the borders in the medallions. It almost looks as though the pieces of tile were outlined with brass. The photos don't quite capture this effect... you'll have to see it in real life.

Pews will start arriving today (Tuesday) along with more workers to install them, and Thursday the second load of pews will arrive. Baseboards are stained (as seen above on the left) and ready to be nailed in. Once the main church's tile and pews are finished, the carpet in the confessional is next. Last on the list is the hardwood floor for the choir loft and stairways. The end is in sight!

Pew Refinishing Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:41:00 +0000

The pews are being refinished in Ohio at Ridgeton Restoration (which is also a division of Church Interiors).

Below you see the process of stripping off the old finish. The stripper comes through a hose that has a brush on the end.

Pew ends after the stripping process:

New stain is applied to the pews:

Pew ends stained and waiting to be sprayed with clear coat:

DAY 27 Church Floor Project

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:59:00 +0000

Saturday began with an army of volunteers giving it their all to clean the church. The layers of dirt were thick, some of it dating back to before this project began. The summer of road construction could not have helped either.

Some repairs were done on the sanctuary tile to even it out with the gold tile, the borders were almost finished in the vestibules, but most of all it was all about medallions for the PM part of the day.

Sunday work continues, including the last three medallions. There is still a good deal of work to be done, but the plan is still to be back in the church by next weekend.

DAY 25 Church Floor Project - Medallions Arrive, Polished Tiles

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:09:00 +0000

The church is quite a mess right now, with the grout-smeared tiles adding to the already impressive coat of dust that covers everything, and which is still suspended in the air. The cleaning volunteers are scheduled to come Saturday though!

The polished tiles have now been set on the tabernacle steps. These are not grouted yet.

The medallions also were delivered today. They are in a stack of boards on a pallet. Below you can see some parts of the Duc in Altum (aka boat) waterjet medallion. Though the pieces are grouped together in sections, they are not attached to each other or anything. Each individual tile is loose, and will be installed one piece at a time.

The lettering was sandblasted into the tiles, and painted with an industrial paint to match the gold tiles used in the borders. Here you see a little of the Polish and English wording.

Day 21 - Church Floor Project

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:03:00 +0000

Here are some pics taken today of work done Friday-Saturday. Here you will see the sanctuary now has many of the polished tiles in place on the top level.

A few from the choir loft. The overall look of the sanctuary is starting to come clear.

More of the gold tiles were laid in the central parts of the vestibule. The border is not completed, waiting on more beige tiles.

DAY 19 Church Floor Project

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:18:00 +0000

Photos from today...

The border in the vestibule:

Tiles being installed on the steps leading to the sanctuary:

A view from the choir loft:

Hardwood installation in the choir loft continues:

DAY 18 - Church Floor Project - Medallions

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:54:00 +0000

Far, far away from St. Peter's, in Green Isle MN, the medallions are being cut from porcelain tile at JIT Waterjet. Yesterday this work began, starting with the Mary Medallion.

Those big rectangular machines on the right are three water jet cutters. They use high-pressure filtered water (soft water) directed in a narrow stream to cut through anything you want to cut. Steel several inches thick is not a problem for them, and you could even carve a pumpkin with them! In our case, they work great for cutting porcelain tile.

However some designs are too small or fine detailed to be cut with the waterjet, because the pieces created would be too fragile for the floor. In these cases, the tiles are etched using sandblasting, and the impression is painted with super-durable industrial paint. This is an example of how that will look, for instance on the crosses and lettering for the St. Peter's Keys medallion:

Starting with the original design, the images are fine-tuned using Auto Cad, dividing the drawing into the individual pieces of tile that need to be cut to form the medallion. Here are some of the pieces after they are cut out from pieces of tile by the water jet:

Then it's time to set the jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces have to be put together in the right position to create the medallion.

It looks something like this when assembled. The white background tiles for the triangles had to be put in the kiln overnight because they were cracking when the intricate Immaculate Heart and crown designs were cut out of them. Hopefully re-firing them will do the trick. The gold border pieces of the quatrefoil were also giving the puzzle-setters some trouble, so those were not in when this picture was taken.

Below is a look at the medallion with one of the Carriage Gold tiles next to it. Carriage Gold is the color of the tiles in the center aisle, so this gives a little sneak peek of how it will look when set in place.

It took most of the day to get the Mary medallion to this point. Once all the medallions are cut, they will be placed in sections on a board, shrink-wrapped, and brought to St. Peter's where they will be installed piece by piece.

Day 17 Church Floor Project

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:44:00 +0000

Not to be daunted by trifling problems like a broken saw blade, a lumpy spot in the floor or re-doing some tiles in the vestibule, our workers pressed on and still got a lot accomplished.

Today's progress included finishing the aisles left and right, getting started on the risers of the stairs leading to the sanctuary, and putting in border tiles around the vestibules.

Even more wood was placed on the platform, and beyond progress was made on the structure for the opposite side of the organ and the piano area.