What if we just said, "Why don't you just get over it?"

The jungle drums of frustration and consternation are beating in reaction to the impending revision of the Roman Missal. Granted, the syncopation is a bit uneven, and the decibel level less than robust, but it's there.

And it's . . . it's simply ineffable.

The Community of Disciples over at America Magazine and their fellow travelers at the National Catholic Reporter are scrambling for the panic button.

They are shocked (shocked!) that the Catholic Church would have the audacity to implement a (long overdue, sorely needed, and eagerly anticipated) new English translation of the Missal without their approval.

On the "What if we just said wait?" website, in the "Statement of Concern," they agonize ...

We are very concerned about the proposed new translations of the Roman Missal. We believe that simply imposing them on our people -- even after a program of preparation -- will have an adverse effect on their prayer and cause serious division in our communities.

We are convinced that adopting translations that are highly controversial, and which leaders among our bishops as well as many highly respected liturgists and linguists consider to be seriously flawed, will be a grave mistake.

For this reason we earnestly implore the bishops of the English-speaking world to undertake a pilot program by which the new translations -- after a careful program of catechesis -- can be introduced into some carefully selected parishes and communities throughout the English-speaking world for a period of one (liturgical) year, after which they can be objectively evaluated.

We are convinced that this approach will address the concerns of those many bishops who feel that they have lost their voice in this matter and that it will also give a voice to the People of God whose prayer is at stake and who accordingly have the most to gain or lose by the translations.

The irony here is rich indeed. These are the same people who cheered on (whether because they were alive at the time or, if they weren't, because they sympathize with those who were) the wholesale imposition in the mid- to late-1960s of radical liturgical changes, often accompanied by serious liturgical abuses, upon unprepared, unsuspecting Catholics who did experience an adverse affect on their prayer and piety as a result.

But now that the shoe is on the other foot and the Church is well on its way to finally correcting certain deficiencies and implementing the actual letter and spirit of Vatican II's document on the Eucharistic Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, now these same people are indignant (indignant!) that such a thing should be done. How dare the pope and the bishops impose changes in the Liturgy on the faithful?!

Oh, the humanity!

It's time for the fastest 2 hours in Catholic radio

Starting my "Open Line" radio show in a couple of minutes. You can listen online here: http://ewtn.com/radio/index.asp (3-5 pm ET).

Here's yesterday's "Catholic Answers Live" show (2nd hour)

Ronald Reagan's 1960 warning about socialized medicine

Here's a news report about this newly popular audio clip.

What goes around comes around, baby

These people's hypocrisy is staggering, boundless, sickening, but not at all surprising.

Dear Leader & Dems in 2005: complaining that the 51 vote "nuclear option" is "arrogant," a "power grab against the Founders' intent," etc.

I could listen to this priest preach for days on end

This Spanish priest is literally on fire with zeal for the Lord. His message about sin, hell, repentance, and forgiveness (todo dado en español) is powerful. As a spiritual work of mercy this Lent, I'd suggest you share this around with your Spanish-speaking friends and family. Post it to your FaceBook pages, blogs, etc. I don't know who the priest is (yet), but he's really nailed this subject.

How to Go to Confession

Maybe it's been a long time since you've received this sacrament, or perhaps you'd like to show this to your youngster who's preparing to receive First Holy Communion. Or maybe you're not Catholic and you're just curious what happens when a Catholic goes to confession. Whatever the reason, this video may prove helpful to you.

Tracy (CA) Residents to Pay Big Bucks For 911 Calls

I was born and raised in Southern California and lived most of my life there. I've known for a long time that the state has been run into the ground by the seemingly unending cavalcade of inept and venal politicians who have been running (and ruining) the show there for decades.

I know things in California are going from bad to worse, but I didn't realize it had come to this:

Tracy residents will now have to pay every time they call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency.

But there are a couple of options. Residents can pay a $48 voluntary fee for the year which allows them to call 9-1-1 as many times as necessary.

Or, there's the option of not signing up for the annual fee. Instead, they will be charged $300 if they make a call for help.

"A $300 fee and you don't even want to be thinking about that when somebody is in need of assistance," said Tracy resident Greg Bidlack.

Residents will soon receive the form in the mail where they'll be able to make their selection. No date has been set for when the charges will go into effect.

You're not seeing what you think you're seeing

Incredible, mind-blowing technology is being used in movies these days that convinces you you're seeing something that's not really there, as this series of back-lot scenes from TV-shows and movie sets reveals.

From an entertainment standpoint, I think all this is truly marvelous. I love how they can simulate anything, any location, any situation using green-screen shoots overlaid with computer graphic illustration (and other such technically devised illusions). But this is also a cause for concern if this grand technology were ever employed nefariously in an effort to deceive people on a wide scale — e.g., to make them think they are seeing, let's say, something menacing or enticing in the sky.

Don't get me wrong. I am happy to see these amazing advances in technology which allow us to expand our ability to imagine. I'm just a little leery about the potential for its misuse. In any case, sit back and enjoy a few minutes of cinematographic magic.

All your football are belong to them

Remember how, when you were a kid, and you were gonna play football with a bunch of other kids and the two captains would pick teams and everyone would stand around waiting to get picked and you were never picked first, or second, or third, or even fourth, and possibly not even fifth? Remember that? Well, these are the guys who always got picked first.

Remember, man, that thou art mud, and to mud thou shalt return

Here's a humorous visual for your Ash-Wednesday start of Lent. Yes, today is a day of serious introspection and prayerful contemplation. So, think of this video as a reminder of how often we fail.

Pat's Top 10 Least Popular Medieval Penances

Just in time for Lent! Take your pick:

Patrick Madrid's Top 10 Least Popular Medieval Penances —

10. Standing barefoot in the snow for hours

9. Skunk hair shirts

8. Scrubbing castle walls with toothbrush

7. Memorizing the Summa Theologiae

6. Chewing tinfoil

5. Delivering papal condemnations to Martin Luther

4. Hand copying the entire Bible

3. Wasp licking

2. Anything involving anthills

1. The "thorn paddle"

Lenten Jackpot! Look at all these free books

Catholic blogger Teófilo de Jesús has posted a mother lode of classic spirituality books — all free as PDF docs — by some of the Church's top practitioners. The list of books is simply too long to post here, so let's just say that for those of you who like to read classic works on Catholic spirituality, you've just hit the jackpot.

Renegade Phoenix Priest Laicized

The Diocese of Phoenix announced today that the long-running saga of a former priest who, after being dismissed from ministry some years ago, and who has been running a charismatic para-church operation drawing hundreds to Sunday services, has been reduced to the lay state.

Below, is the official diocesan statement which should be read in conjunction with the diocesan paper's coverage of the story and a helpful Q&A statement which explains the specifics of what has happened here, theologically, canonically, and practically.

Needless to say, this man and the many who follow him need our prayers.

The Diocese of Phoenix announces that the former Monsignor Dale J. Fushek has been returned to the lay state by the Roman Catholic Church through a process that is commonly referred to as “laicization.”

In January of 2010, Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, received a “Decree of Dismissal” from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (“CDF”) in Rome, in which the Bishop was notified that the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state has been imposed on the former Monsignor Dale J. Fushek. The CDF, which addresses offenses against the Sixth Commandment that are committed by priests and deacons with minors, issued its decision ex officio. This means that the penalty was imposed by order of Pope Benedict XVI and further, that the decision is not open to appeal. By the same Decree, Mr. Fushek has also been dispensed from the obligations of the clerical state.

Under the Church’s legal system, a cleric can be dismissed from the clerical state for serious violations of canon law, by committing certain delicts or ecclesiastical crimes. In Fushek’s case, the Diocese of Phoenix received several accusations regarding Fushek’s alleged sexual abuse of minors, and referred those accusations to the Holy See. The Holy See then directed the Diocese of Phoenix to conduct an investigation into the allegations. The results of that investigation were forwarded to the CDF. Based on the CDF’s review of the findings of that investigation and on Fushek’s abandonment of his ministry and his subsequent schismatic acts, the CDF issued the “Decree of Dismissal” and forwarded it to the Diocese of Phoenix. Fushek has been notified of the laicization, which took effect the moment the Decree was signed, and he has been informed of its consequences.

It should be noted that the Decree was issued in connection with an ecclesiastical administrative proceeding that was conducted by the Holy See pursuant to Church law. It has no bearing on any criminal or civil case that may involve or affect Mr. Fushek. The intent of the Decree is to prohibit Fushek from continuing to function as a cleric or priest in the Roman Catholic Church and it eliminates any rights, obligations or benefits that might have previously followed his status as a cleric.

The penalty of excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church that was previously imposed on Mr. Fushek remains in place. Thus, Mr. Fushek is not permitted to participate in the celebration of the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist or in any other sacramental or liturgical ceremonies of Catholic worship. Now, having been laicized, Fushek no longer has the rights of a cleric, which includes referring to himself as “Father,” “Reverend,” or “Monsignor.” Nor should he be addressed as such.

Bishop Olmsted again expresses his grave concern for Catholics who may be misled or confused by the continuing actions of Dale Fushek, particularly as they relate to the Praise and Worship Center. Catholics are reminded that any ceremonies, such as baptisms, weddings, confessions, and the anointing of the sick, if performed by Mr. Fushek or others at the Praise and Worship Center, are not legitimate sacraments for Catholics and would not be recognized by the Catholic Church. Bishop Olmsted asks that we continue to pray for reconciliation and healing in this difficult situation. . . . (continue reading)

Don't let another Lent pass your family by