WILL SAN FRANCISCO ARCHBISHOP ELECT CORDILEONE LEAD THE OPPOSITION TO SAME SEX MARRIAGE WITH ENFORCEMENT OR DIPLOMACY ?............

Within twelve hours of the announcement of his appointment as the next Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco last Friday, a story about his appointment to the Metropolitan Archbishopric of this Province, appeared online at NBCNews.com, which zeroed in on Archbishop-elect Salvatore Cordileone's strong opposition to same sex marriage as a large part of the reason he has been appointed to the San Francisco See.  The story stated he is the California Bishops' point man on opposition to Proposition 8, a 2008 California defining Marriage as only between one man, one woman, and outlawing the legal right to same sex marriages in the Golden State.  Today, a religious news blog I follow, "Clerical Whispers", published a blog column, quoting +Cordileone as did the NBC.News.com, as saying in the past, that same sex marriage is a plot by, "the evil one", and stating as Archbishop of San Francisco he will be surrounded by people in the Bay Area of Northern California, who strongly disagree with his position on the issue.  They quote what they call an expose' in the, "East Bay Express" in which it describes +Cordileone in these words, "As much as anyone, he led the drive for Prop. 8, the ballot initiative that banned same sex marriage", continuing that he, "thought up the proposition, raised money, and put a compassionate face, on the campaign".  And the blog column quotes Archbishop-elect Cordileone, in an interview with Stephanie Marti, of KQED in San Francisco as affirming his unwillingness to back down on the issue quoting him as saying, "It's going to be a big challenge of course, but this is what the Lord is calling me to do.  I hope I can respond honestly, generously, and effectively.  He calls every generation to serve Him in some particular way in terms of what's going on in the world.  That's what it is for me".  As the Metropolitan Bishop of the San Francisco Province, which stretches from Northern California, to Utah and Hawaii, +Cordileone will now play an even more pivotal role in representing and defending Church Teaching, while at the same time showing Pastoral Leadership as Chief Shepherd that will require the best of the diplomatic skills he can muster as an Ambassador for Jesus Christ; in one of the most difficult locations in this country and the world, to convince a substantial sum of the local populace to adhere to the position of the Catholic Church on the issues of homosexuality and same sex marriage.  What the new Archbishop will do about San Francisco Church ministries such as that of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in the Castro area of the City by the Bay, which welcomes all who come to them, irregardless of their orientation or background, is as yet unknown.  If he follows what he did in Oakland it may include requiring all participants involved in ministry to homosexuals to swear an oath of accepting Church doctrine on the matter, as today's Clerical Whispers blog column says he, "pressured", the directors of the Catholic Association of Lesbian and Gay Ministries. to do.  Discussion and dialogue with the Catholic-Christians and wider Community he will now lead and serve, with full fidelity to the moral teaching he must carry out; rather than force or pressure, will be the most productive path, especially at this period in time, when subjective circumstances not objective truths, are increasingly dominant in the choices and practices all people, Catholic-Christians included, choose to follow.  Maintaining the fidelity of those practicing the Faith, while regaining the the fallen away, former members,, and the alienated, living in opposition to Church teaching is essential, as Archbishop-elect Cordileone and all Bishops contend with erosion in their authority and credibility - inflicted by the sex abuse scandals the Church has had to deal with during the past decade.  As Stanford University Religious Studies Professor Thomas Sheehan, who is skeptical about what the new Archbishop will do, says, "I doubt it will affect how people practice", "people look less and less to the hierarchy".  That is a perception that does not need to become a concrete reality, if with sensitivity and compassionate interaction Archbishop-elect Salvatore Cordileone is a steadfast bridgebuilder and moral leader committed to dialogue and discernment on the part of all peoples, in witnessing to Living Faith in Jesus The Christ............Fr.  Troy

THE PROPRIETY OF ELIZABETH II OF GREAT BRITAIN VERSUS THE VIEW OF BARBARA WALTERS ON AMERICAN TELEVISION............

With all the current fanfare and focus on the 30th Olympiad London Summer Games. kicked off with Opening Ceremonies broadcast to a billion people plus and setting a ratings record for Olympics hosted outside the United States, including the 2008  Summer Games in Beiing, China.   It was both especially entertaining and refreshing to see the Queen of England Elizabeth II, play more than just her ceremonial role and enter into the production making her theatrical premiere opposite actor Daniel Craig in a send up of a James Bond 007 movie scene.  It culminated in a  simulated skydiving moment for both of them, out of a helicopter over the Olympics Stadium in the East End of London, and was a genuine departure from the staid, traditional, monarchical, head of state role, she is accustomed to carrying out and has been for seventy five years on the United Kingdom and World stage.  At age 86, she welcomed the invitation to play this characteristically unexpected part in the Opening Ceremonies Extravaganza and so willingly embraced it they completed the videotaping in one take.  Therefore it was untoward yesterday to see and hear Barbara Walters roundly criticize Queen Elizabeth for a deficiency of smiling and dressing as though she is living a century ago.  As a television news and entertainment figure for the past fifty years, where smiling and cutting edge fashion are the expected, if not at times artificial, requirement; it is roundly unfair for Walters, less than two months away from turning 83, to  critique a woman whose allegiance to duty, majesty, and decorum, is fifty percent longer in duration than her only three year junior's public profile has been.  The fall out Walters Queen bashng  stirred even led comedian D.L. Hughley, a guest on Walters, "The View", to question and critique why anyone would be critical of Elizabeth II, over matters like this and he said it with Walyers sitting a short distance away from him.  Civility and Courtesy, are values even someone as intelligent and astute as Barbara Walters needs to re-learn and maintain.  It is very highly certain, were their positions reversed in this or any other public discourse, Her Majesty The Queen, would respond adroitly and with tact in the comments she would make.  What an awkward and out of place way to end a week when prominent Americans like Barbara Walters and Mitt Romney have questioned the readiness of the London Olympics Committee and now the United Kingdom's Sovereign, to do what they are ably charged with carrying out and completing............Fr.  Troy

ROMNEY VEEPSTAKES THOUGHT TO BE DOWN TO THREE CHOICES......MAYBE FIVE............

With former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney set to be nominated as the Republican candidate for President in Tampa, Florida four weeks from now, is expected to announce the choice of his running mate for Vice President before then, with the likely choice now reportedly down to three : two sitting Governors, and one currently serving U.S. Senator.  Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, the first 2012 Republican presidential aspirant to drop out of this year's campaign, and now a chief Romney surrogate, is thought to be the current frontrunner for the vice presidential nod.  United States Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, a former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and U.S. Trade Representative in the George Walker Bush Administration, from a must win, swing state, has been touted all year as the likely choice for running mate with Romney.  Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, highly popular with conservatives and Tea Party members, is also thought to have a strong possibility of being the pick for the second spot on the Republican ticket.  Jindal is a Roman Catholic, with a strong appeal to Evangelical Christians; Portman is a First United Methodist; anmd Pawlenty is a Baptist Evangelical.  Evangelicals are thought to be critical to Romney getting elected President, and as a Mormon member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is believed to need a running mate who will solidify his religious Evangelical and social conservative support.  Two other potentially bolder choices, former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who is devoutly Christian and the daughter and granddaughter of Ministers, is pro Choice in Abortion, when Romney has said his running mate will be Pro-Life on the issue of Abortion; and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, a Cuban American, who was born Catholic, became a Mormon, and left the LDS Church and returned to the Catholic Faith and is the recommended nominee of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush; are also considered outside possibilities for Romney's choice of a vice presidential candidates.  We will know in less than a month who the choice is and what religious affiliation he or she brings to this Presidential Election in which Religion and Faith, may play the greatest role it has since the 1960 campaign between Richard Milhous Nixon, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy............Fr.  Troy

'TROY POWERS DAY' IN SACRAMENTO + 30............

In 1982, on this day my life began a vocational transition as the parishioners of St. Rose's in South Sacramento, my family members and personal friends, gathered in the then only four months dedicated St. Rose/St. Patrick Social Center (now Monsignor Kavanagh Community Center) for a Barbecued Chicken Dinner as a send-off event a month before my departure for Kilkenny, Ireland and entry into St. Kieran's Seminary, forty five days later to begin my formation for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Sacramento.  The 350 persons who attended the appreciation farewell dinner at Msgr. Ed Kavanagh's invitation, was superbly organized by Patricia Hornback and prepared and served by an excellent team of the parishioners headed up by Art and Ann Gomes, made for a most enjoyable evening for all the celebrants.  Two special guests rounded out the evening's festivities.  Coming as a complete surprise to me and to the delight of those assembled, was the presence of Bishop Francis Anthony Quinn, who graced us with his attendance just weeks after agreeing to let me begin my priestly studies in Kilkenny with the understanding I would return to California to complete my formation at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, one to two years later.  Also present was my Sacramento State Government professor and internship supervisor, then City Councilman and future Mayor, the late Joe Serna.  Joe attended to not only join in the celebration himself, but representing Mayor Phil Isenberg, from whom he bore a Proclamation declaring Friday July 30th 1982, "Troy Powers Day", in the City of Sacramento.  Thirty years later I still savor that night and remember it fondly.  Almost five years later an equal number of persons joined together in that same setting to celebrate my First Mass Ordination Dinner with me.  Given my current placement the opportunity to celebrate this plus 30 years later day is very limited, but my historical commemoration of what that day and night represented and the bonds of affection it celebrated, lives on in my heart and mind, as many of those present on July 30, 1982, and others I have befriended during the past three decades, continue to be vital participants in my life, helping make this down time a much better experience than it would be without their presence and support.  Thank You to trhose who have shared these 30 Years of Friendship, Faith, Fellowship, Fraternity, and Family, with me............Troy David Powers

DOES MICHAEL PHELPS FAILURE TO MEDAL TRULY USHER IN RYAN LOCHTE'S TIME TO SHINE AT THE 2012 OLYMPICS ?............

One of the first significant showdowns at the 30th Olympiad, Summer Games in London, came last night when Americans sixteen time Olympic swimming medalist, Michael Phelps, and his surging team mate and rival, Ryan Lochte, faced off in the 400 meter individual medley competition.  Phelps struggled to gain a place in the 400 meter contest, winning the preliminary qualifying swim by just seven tenths of a second.  That was a foreshadowing of the difficulty he had in the official Olympic medal awarding competition, placing fourth for the first time since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, out of medal contention.  Ryan Lochte won the Gold Medal, with a time of 4 minutes 5.8 seconds; delivering on his words in pre Olympic Games interviews that, "This is my time".  The next two weeks will show how competitive the Lochte-Phelps rivalry remains, and if indeed the era of Ryan Lochte has begun in Gold Medal Olympic Swimming.  Americans should rightfully be proud of both of these two fine swimmers and the enjoyment their mastery of the pool past and present continues to bring............Fr.  Troy

THE 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AND THE PRE-FIGURING OF THE EUCHARIST IN THE MULTIPLYING OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES............

On this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year B, we turn from the Gospel of Mark, the usual canon of New Testament Christian Scripture of Good News we hear proclaimed at Mass, to John's Gospel and the passage and proclamation of the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes.  the meaning of this Gospel is multi-layered in purpose and meaning.  It begins with the reality of the physical hunger of the 5,000 who need to be fed.  It brings forth the generosity of the boy who is willing to offer all he has for the benefit of others.  Out of the boy's generosity and trust in Jesus, and his sharing of the five barley loaves and two fish, Jesus is able to miraculously provide enough to feed the masses; mirroring the way the Prophet Elisha miraculously multiplied the loves to feed one hundred people in today's First Reading.  The physical feeding accomplished by the generosity and trust shown, and the power of God exacted, also bore another even more lasting fruit, in feeding the spiritual hingers of the people who were fed.  Thus the deeper meaning and purpose of our Sunday Scriptures today is in their prefiguring of the Eucharist, the Body of Christ, that is the Bread of Life, which spiritually renders the food of Everlasting Life for Believers who follow Jesus The Christ.  As we feed on God's Word, and the Blessed Sacrament of our Salvation in Jesus the Lord of Creation, may this Sunday feed you physically and spiritually to give Glory, Honor, and Praise, to God in Christ............Fr.  Troy

BAD NEWS FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA WITH BUSINESS OWNERS............

President Barack Obama has a 60% disapproval rating with business owners according to a Gallup Poll released Thursday.  The President's approval rating with business persons stands at 35% in the second quarter of 2012, down six points from a 41% positive rating in the first quarter.  The words, "you didn't build that", which he spoke in a campaign speech on July 13th, and has been extensively attacked by Mitt Romney and other Republicans, in campaign appearances and advertisements, although isolated from their full content, has taken a toll on The President's standing with business owners.  It has caused the Obama campaign to attempt to counter the adverse affect by putting its own ad in response on the air.  The only other group surveyed by Gallup currently giving the a lower approval rating are farming/fishing/forestry workers, of whom 34% approve; 57% disapprove.  This quarterly Gallup Poll includes adult American workers in eleven categories and totaled 25,464 persons.  The most approving group of President Obama according to the findings of this survey are professional workers, who by nine percentage points 52% - 43%, approve of his job performance.  Extrapolating the impact the present presidential approval/disapproval ratings of these eleven occupational groups according to the pollster is that, "Further deteriorization in his approval rating among business owners could certainly add to the perception that Obama is not doing enough to bolster small businesses in the country...They are of course a critical component of the economy and overall economic optimism in the country...If business owners become more positive about Obama and his plans for the economy, that could potentially increase his approval ratings and broader U.S. economic confidence closer to the levels necessary for him to be well positioned for re-election".  With one ad already airing to attempt to counter and put back into context the, "you didn't build that", comments being effectively used against him by the Romney / Republican campaigns for President and Congress, and with a Wall Street Journal editorial on Thursday disparaging The President's economic abilities, more substantial focus back and forth about this is guaranteed.  A potential backfire on the Republican efforts to damage support for President Obama looms in the disclosure that one of the small businessman appearing in one of their ads criticizing Obama for denying he and his father did not singly build their small business, in truth received hundreds in thousands in dollars of financial support from the Small Business Administration, an agency of the Federal Government to start and develop his business............Fr.  Troy

CONCELEBRATING AT ST. MEL'S; JOINED TOGETHER IN COMMEMORATION @ CALVARY CEMETERY; SHARING IN THE FAMILY MEAL AT DENNY'S WITH THE FRIEDRICHS............

William Friedrich, the late father of Permanent Deacon candidate and Presentation parishioner Paul Friedrich, died a year ago.  Commemorating his first anniversary the Friedrich Family, all four generations gathered together this morning for the 8:30 a.m. Mass offered in Bill Friedrich's memory, which I concelebrated with Parochial Vicar Father Joshy Mathew, in St. Mel's Church in Fair Oaks.  Following the Mass, I joined with the family members gathered around the niche at Calvary Cemetery where I GAVE A Prayer of Blessing, while Bill's grandson Nick, led a reading from Scripture reading chosen from the Office for the Dead, and  Bill's daughter Diane, recited a poem she prepared for the commemoration.  Then we recessed to Denny's at Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard, for meal.  I am grateful for the Friedrich Family's invitation to join with them in celebrating the first anniversary of the passing of their Patriarch, and to minister to and with them, in being the People of God we are as Catholic-Christian Disciples............Fr.  Troy

OAKLAND BISHOP APPOINTED ARCHBISHOP OF SAN FRANCISCO............

The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, currently ministering as the Bishop of the Diocese of Oakland, California; was appointed today by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, as the ninth and next Archbishop of San Francisco.  Archbishop-elect Cordileone, a native of San Diego, California was born June 5, 1956.  A 1978 graduate of the University of San Diego, as a seminarian he studied at the North American College and Gregorian University, in Rome; and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Diego, thirty years ago this month by Bishop Leo T. Maher.  After serving three years as an Associate Pastor in a La Mesa, California parish; he returned to Rome and completed a Doctorate in Canon Law.  Returning to the San Diego Diocese in 1991, he served in the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal, while also ministering as Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, in Calexico; on the California / Mexico border.  Being fluent in Spanish, as Pastor he worked very closely with his parish's Hispanic community and helped immigrants and labor union workers with the issues facing them.  For seven years beginning in 1995, the Archbishop-elect returned to Rome, to serve as an assistant in the Vatican's highest judicial court, the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.  In the summer of 2002, Pope John Paul II, appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, and he was ordained to the Episcopacy, by San Diego Bishop Robert Brom, on August 21, 2002.  On May 6, 2009, Auxiliary Bishop Cordileone was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Oakland, from where today he has been appointed as the 9th Archbishop of San Francisco, to be installed in the Metropolitan See of the Archdiocese and its three counties (San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin) on the Feast of St. Francis Assisi, October 4, 2012, in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, in San Francisco............Fr.  Troy

NEW YORK LITTLE LEAGUE DIVISION THINKS TWICE ABOUT BANNING BOY IN A WHEELCHAIR FROM THE DUGOUT............

Having been a child with a physical disability that prevented me from participating in athletic games other than kickball/dodgeball, with my fellow students, but included by an inclusively minded teacher, as the scorekeeper of the other games the students played, I was particularly taken yesterday with the story of 12 year old New Yorker, Evan Sussman, who because of cerebal palsy is in a wheelchair, yet a member of his Nyack Brewers Little League team.  As a team member for the past three years, Evan has been allowed to sit in the dugout with the team during its games and serves as pitch counter, while also cheering on his team mates and occasionally throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.  That was until recently, when a local Little League administrator told the team's Coach, that Evan would no longer be able to sit in the dugout during Little League games played by the team, stating only team members and coaches are allowed in the dugout and saying, "It's a liability issue"..."We have to go by Little League rules".  Little League International concurred with the local administrator and banned Evan Sussman from the dugout. But Evan's Coach and Team, showing full support and appreciation for his presence with them in the dugout and sought a waiver to the rule.  Happily, the waiver has been granted and Evan has returned to being in the dugout with his teammates, as of their semifinal game Wednesday night.  Evan came out with his team members as they were announced, and was loudly cheered by the spectators, tipping his cap twice to the crowds.  As his mother said in response to his reinstatement, "he only wants to be with his teammates".  As a priest in a wheelchair being left out of parish life and decades prematurely caused to reside and sit on the sidelines in a retirement community, I acutely identify with what it means to the Evans in the world who want to be included, not excluded - from presence in the activities and interactions they have an opportunity to participate in and contribute to.  And if that is undeniably rightfully true of Evan Sussman, a Little League team member, all the more it is true of a Priest of Jesus Christ, committed to serving the People of God in the Sacramento Diocese, despite and beyond my physical limitations, I was ordained to minister to twenty five years ago, as the fortieth native born, local grown, priestly vocation of the Church of Sacramento............Fr.  Troy

3 PRESIDENTIAL, 1 VICE PRESIDENTIAL, CAMPAIGN DEBATES SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER............

The non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced Thursday the scheduling of three face to face debates between President Obama and Mitt Romney, and one between their running mates.  The first Presidential Debate will be held at the University of Denver, in Denver Colorado, on Wednesday October 3rd, on the topic of Domestic Issues.  The second is scheduled on Tuesday October 16th, at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, New York, and will be a town hall meeting format.  Foreign Policy will be the focus of the third debate on Monday October 22nd, at Lynn University, in Boca Raton, Florida.  The one Vice Presidential Debate is scheduled on Thursday October 11th, at Centre University, in Danville, Kentucky.  All four of the debates will be ninety minutes in length with moderators who will be announced next month.  In what continues to be shaping up as a closely contested outcome to Election Day, this year's Presidential Debates may indeed be, a critical determiner as to whether President  Obama is re-elected, or Governor Romney is found to be the more favorable choice of the viewers and voters for President............Fr.  Troy

MITT ROMNEY STEPS ON HIS CAMPAIGN ENTRANCE ONTO THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE IN LONDON............

In an interview with NBC Nightly News Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams, before his departure for London, England and the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics Games, Governor Mitt Romney, about to become the 2012 Republican Presidential standardbearer, stepped on his presidential campaign's international spotlight, by questioning the readiness and responsiveness of the United Kingdom for the Olympics.  Romney responded to a Williams question about the Summer Olympics, saying there were, "disconcerting", signs leading up to the 2012 Olympics.  "The stories about the private security firms not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging...Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment ?...And that's something we only find out once the games actually begin".  Even before meeting with current British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister responded to Romney's statement, upbraiding the criticism of the people of the United Kingdom and contrasting organizing the Olympic Games in one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities and what Cameron described as, "the middle of nowhere", (Salt Lake City, Utah).  Prime Minister Cameron went on to say, "I think we will show the whole world that we not only come together as a United Kingdom, but also we're extremely good at welcoming people from around the world.  I will obviously make those points to Mitt Romney.  I look forward to meeting him".
Such a gaffe by presidential candidate Romney seeking to be seen as an effective player on the international stage and increase his visibility as a viable leader in world affairs, overshadows the positive contribution his visit makes to his foreign relations bonafides.  Upon exiting 10 Downing Street and a meeting with Prime Minister Cameron, Governor Romney stepped before the members of the press and attempted to pull back the tenor of his comments regarding the preparations for the London Olympics, saying mistakes always occur in the first few days of the Games and are resolved, as the Immigration and Customs concerns he criticized in the NBC News interview, have been resolved.   To insult any nation in the course of this or any electoral campaign is an but certain mistake, thus even more so is insulting our chief, number one ally, Great Britain.  Romney's attendance at the Olympics Opening Ceremonies tomorrow night may also now be affected by less a warm reception if the response of Londoners at an Olympics rally today at which the Mayor of London questioned the rightness of Romney's criticism primed them with assertions of Britain's readiness with the Olympics.  It would be wise of the Romney staff to see that his presence is not played up, as it could well result in a derisive response from the Britons who are proud of the 2012 Summer Olympics they are hosting, as much as Romney himself relishes burnishing his own credentials with the 2002 Winter Olympics he is widely said to have rescued............Fr.  Troy

BATMAN ACTOR CHRISTIAN BALE VISITS AURORA COLORADO MOVIE THEATER VICTIMS AND MEMORIAL SITE............

On Tuesday, four days after the movie theater mass shooting at a midnight showing of, The "Dark Knight Rises", actor Christian Bale, wh stars in the title role as Batman, visited survivors, and medical staffers, in Aurora, Colorado expressing his personal concern for the twelve persons who were killed as well as the fifty eight wounded victims of the shooting.  An online outpouring of support calling for Bale's appearance in Colorado to visit those who were injured surfaced last Friday and came to fruition with Bale's appearance in Aurora, at medical centers and a makeshift memorial near the movie theater came without advance fanfare.  Dressed in a black tee shirt and jeans, he visited the wounded in hospital, which one of the shooting victims Carey Rothman, chronicled, posting two photographs with Bale on his Facebook page.  'The Dark Knight Rises" actor also made a surprise appearance at a medical staff luncheon shaking hands with the staff, expressing his thanks for their care of the shooting victims, and agreeing to be photographed with them.  The Swedish Medical Center's Assistant Vice President for Surgical Services, Janie Bowman Hayes remarked Christian Bale said, "He just wanted to come to thank all of us because he had been thinking of us.  He knows the whole world has been thinking about this.  He took it upon himself to come and thank us".  Bale also strolled among the 12 memorial crosses, for representing the dozen persons who died as a result of the shooting and was left alone by those gathered at the site as he paid his respects.  The actor's visit follows that of members of the Denver Broncos Football Team and President Obama, in the days following the attack.  Warner Brothers informed the Denver Post newspaper that Bale was there on his own behalf, not that of the movie studio.  In a written statement prior to his personal visit, Christian Bale said of the tragedy, "Words cannot express the horror that I feel.  I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them".  Hospital administrator Bowman-Hayes expressing the appreciation of the medical staffers for Bale's visit to Aurora said, "He did this out of his heart and you could really tell.  It was so sincere.  It was just thank you".  In the world of celebrity where ego and self promotion too often supersedes sincerity, it is reassuring to witness  a sincere act of one who chooses not to remain above the fray, but to join himself to those who were afflicted while enjoying the pleasure of his acting performance.  Christian Bale was transformed on Tuesday from the Dark Knight the actor,  into the Bright Light Knight, the humanitarian............Fr.  Troy

THE LATEST NBC NEWS - WALL STREET JOURNAL POLL SHOW GROWTH IN OBAMA'S LEAD............

Whereas last week's CBS News - New York Times Poll showed Mitt Romney leading President Obama for the first time, 47% - 46%; the NBC News - Wall Street Journal released yesterday shows a two percentage point increase in Obama's lead over Romney from last month, now at 49% - 43%.  In all catergories surveyed by the NBC-WSJ July Poll, except for the Economy, Romney trails the President in respondents views as to who would best handle the issues.  43% of the registeredvoters surveyed said Romney would best provide ideas to improve the Economy, versus 36% who said Obama will do so.  In response to Who Would Best Look Out for the Middle Class, the poll finds it President Obama 49%;  Governor Romney 33%;  on being Knowledgeable and Experienced Enough to Handle the Presidency, Obama 48%;  Romney 32%; and in Foreign Policy the preference is for Obama over Romney by ten percentage points, with approval of President Obama's oversight of Foreign Policy rated 53% Positive; 41% Negative.  Foreign Policy is normally a Republican candidate's strength, yet it is one of President Obama's real strengths opposed to Governor Romney in these findings.  According to Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who with Republican pollster Peter McInturff conducts the NBC - WSJ Poll, notes that President Obama's standing in regards to his handling of Foreign Policy is the strongest of any Democratic Presidential candidate in his lifetime.  This poll underscores Governor Romney's continuing need to convince voters he can change the the political atmosphere in Washington; while President Obama is still struggling to make progress  in gaining the support of the working class.  Independents lean in the President's favor as the best watchman for the middle class, as do most income groups, white working class partisans give the edge to the Governor.  With fifteen weeks to go in the General Election campaign both candidates still need to shore up support in order to win the White House on November 6th. The July NBC News - Wall Street Journal Poll, is a barometer that the race remains competitive with President Obama still slightly favored to win............Fr.  Troy

PHILADELPHIA PRIEST SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ROLE IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASE IN ARCHDIOCESE............

Monsignor William F. Lynn, a priest and former official of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to a prison term of 3 - 6 years, after his conviction last month on one charge of child endangerment, while overseeing priests' sexual abuse cases in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.  The trial determination that Monsignor Lynn was culpable of responsibility in the handling of the sexual abuse of children by priests, led to a landmark decision that for the first time charged and convicted a church official for failing to stop abuse by predator priests, transferring them to unknowing parishes, and covering up their crimes.  Msgr. Lynn is the highest ranking American Catholic cleric yet to be legally accused and prosecuted for covering up priests child abuse.  Common Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina in sentencing Msgr. Lynn today said, "You knew full well what is right and chose to do wrong", and went on to say, that the as a responsible archdiocesan official he did not take, "appropraiate steps", to prevent the continuation of predator priests in ministry, stating, "He has been sentenced for his actions done knowingly".  Following the sentencing Msgr. Lynn's comment in response was, "I was helping priests and helping victims as best I could".  This conviction and sentencing was based on Lynn's handling of the case of a defrocked priest who plead guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and conspiracy to threaten the welfare of a child, involving him and a 10 year old boy.  The 69 year old defrocked priest was sentenced to 2.5 - 5 years in prison.  Defense Attorneys argued for leniency and house arrest, calling seven character witnesses for Msgr. Lynn, while the Prosecuting Attorney asked for the maximum sentence of seven years for what he described as fourteen years  that were horrible and despicable in overseeing these matters.  A statement by the Philadelphia Arcdiocese today responded, "There is legitimate anger in the broad community toward an incident or enabling of sexual abuse"; going on to say the trial, "has been difficult for victims, and we profoundly regret their pain".  The statement also said, "Fair minded people will question the severity of the heavy, three to six year sentence imposed on Msgr. Lynn today.  We hope that when this punishment is objectively reviewed it will be adjusted".  Msgr. Lynn's defense attorney indicated the conviction will be appealed.  The sentencing of Msgr. Lynn coming the day after the NCAA'S fining of Penn State University over the Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, has at least one blogger saying the Catholic Church could learn from Penn State, by welcoming a Louie Freeh type investigation of pedophilia in American dioceses.  What the Lynn verdict and imprisonment does portend is that priests, and even directly acting on behalf of bishops, - will now be held accountable, prosecuted, and imprisoned, by juries and judges, as not only victims, but the general populace seek justice and hold the Church responsible for maintaining adherence to the law and for us as Disciples of Jesus Christ, the morality and ethics the Gospel teaches us............Fr.  Troy

FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN IN SPACE - DR. SALLY RIDE DIES............

Dr. Sally Ride, who broke the gender barrier in the American Space program, making history as a member of the crew of the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1983, has succumbed to pancreatic cancer, after a seventeen month struggle with the disease.  She was 61 years old.  Her passing was confirmed by, "Sally Ride Science", the educational company founded by the former astronaut following her retirement from NASA, the National Aeronautics Space Agency.  Sally Ride was not the first woman in space, but the first American female, twenty years after the first Russian woman cosmonaut went in space in 1963.  Dr. Ride made two spaceflights on the Challenger Shuttle, the second in 1984, before subsequently retiring from NASA in 1987.  For several years following her affiliation with NASA, she was a Director at the California Space Institute, where she also taught as a Physics Professor, before founding, "Sally Ride Science", her company dedicated to furthering the education of girls by expanding teaching them Math and Science.  Among her other contributions to the exploration of Space were her membership on the Independent Investigative Commission that led the review of the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia, explosion; and on the panel that prepared policy options on further Space exploration in 2009, for the Obama Administration.  When the Obama White House cancelled the Constellation program, which planned to return Americans to the Moon, and instead set its sights on a future landing on Mars, Sally Ride was critical of the decision saying, "This vudget is simply nor friendly to exploration.  It is very difficult to find am exploration scenario that actually fits within this very restrictive budget guidance that we have been given".  The current leadership of NASA, Administrator Charles Bolden said today, "Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism - and literally changed the face of America's Space Program.  The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers, and explorers...She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly".  NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver noted that Sally Ride was, "a personal and professional rolev model to me and thousands of women around the World".  The President and First Lady also issued a statement paying tribute to Dr. Ride, saying, "As the first American woman to travel inton Space, Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model.  She inspired generations of girls to reach for the stars, and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for greater focus on Science and Math in our schools.  Sally's life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve, and I have no doubt her legacy will endure for years to come".  Dr. Sally Ride will surely be remembered as a pioneer in Space and an outstanding promoter of inclusive and evermore effective expansion of learning in Mathematics and Science.  May her contribution continue to inspire this and succeeding generations to boldly reach new horizons, just as she did at age 32 in 1983, when she became the youngest person to travel in Space............Fr.  Troy

ON THIS 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME THE "DAWN" ENLIGHTENS THE "DARKNESS"............

The Catholic Bishops of the Archdiocese of Denver in Colorado, where the town of Aurora is located, are Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, and Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley.  On Friday, they released a statement addressing the mass shooting in Aurora two days ago, which is being shared with congregations throughout the Denver Archdiocese today.  After stating, "Our hearts and prayers go out to  those impacted by this evil act", the two Bishops go on to define and describe the meaning and hope they have for Aurora, Colorado saying, "In the choas of the of the moment, people poured into the darkness of the night - the darkness of confusion, ambiguity, of despair.  We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters cast into that darkness.  They do not stand alone.  As Catholic Bishops we, "weep with those who mourn".  But in Aurora whose name means the, "dawn", the sun rose this morning.  In a city whose name evokes the light, people of hope know that the darkness may be overcome".  That hope for the people of Aurora, Colorado, our nation, and the world, especially believers in Faith of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Shepherd, is discovered in God's Word from St. Paul, where he writes, "Neither life nor death, can separate us from the love of God".  That is the hope all of us can have on this Sunday, as we cope with the stark acuteness of shock, pain, and grief, felt; and the peace, healing, and empathy, needed;  by so very many people in the Aurora community and around the globe, as a result of this tragic happening.  Just as Jesus in today's Gospel Proclamation  from Mark the Evangelist, with compassion for his Apostles sends them on retreat to rest and relax; only to discover the people have followed them, Jesus did not dismiss the crowds, but took pity on them and ministered to them.  So too, is Jesus available to us now in these dark hours, to provide the light, consolation, and assurances of faith, needed.  In Aurora, the Archdiocese of Denver's Counseling Services of their Catholic Charities ministries, is and will be, providing assistance to the victims and members of the community.  They will alaso continue praying for and supporting the community, which will include the Invocation prayer led by Auxiliary Bishop Conley, at the Memorial Vigil being held in the Aurora Municipal Center this evening.  May all of us continue to pray and sympathize with those directly affected by this grave sadness in their lives and learn each day to become more like Jesus in the love and peace we impart and share for one another............Fr.  Troy  

A DAY OF INTERPERSONAL AND NATIONAL SHOCK AND PAIN IN IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH TO COLORADO CATASTROPHE............

As this day after the senselessness and sadness of the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado USA, unfolds the focus of our interpersonal and national consciousness is steeped in the shock and pain caused by the act of violence inflicted on the twelve dead, fifty nine wounded, and hundreds, of others in the Century 16 movie theater yesterday morning.  As warranted by any emergent situation of this magnitude, news coverage for the past day and a half has been saturated with focus on the tragedy and the stories of many of those in attendance at the Batman film premiere in Aurora, who survived being caught in the crossfire of a deranged gunman.  Their bravery, courage, selflessness, and coherence, in initially coping with, and in their ability to relaying the experience in media interviews,  in the midst of the attack and the panic; and after having endured it, is touching and impressive; given the vast number of the attendees present were between ages 13 - 30.  Pausing, Pondering, Praying, for the victims and their loved ones, should be an inclusive part of all our lives now and in the days to come, as we unite in solidarity and sympathy that a night of anticipated entertainment and enjoyment, that is a ritual of summer, date nights, and holidays, for most Americans and other people throughout the World, was so radically and tragically devastated by what to this point is thought to be the evil genius of one man.  Just as poignant is that the suspected shooter is described by academic officials at the University of California Riverside, where he graduated in 2010, with highest honors - as, "brilliant".  It is reported today that even with the Aurora tragedy occurring in the first run time slot of the movie, "The Dark Knight Rises", it is thought according to a report by MSNBC online, to be on track with the movie's premiere weekend projections.  However, all major Hollywood movie studios have decided to delay their weekend box office totals until Monday, instead of Sunday.  I find it commendable that Warner Brothers decided to postpone the Paris, France premiere of the film last night; putting sensitivity to empathy first and profits second.  Please God the impact of this unspeakable tragedy, will find no other weak minds and evil hearts to copycat such a grave and maladjusted attack on others.  May God's Grace and Human Charity provide the citizens of Aurora, Colorado and our American Family, with consolation and compassion in confronting and surviving the shock and pain we are presently experiencing...........Peace + Prayers,  Fr.  Troy

LARGEST MASS SHOOTING IN AMERICA EVER OCCURS OVERNIGHT IN COLORADO............

The Midnight showing of the premiere of the summer blockbuster movie, "The Dark Knight Rises", the new Batman film of a trilogy, in the Century 16 multiplex in Aurora, Colorado; less than a half hour into the film  turned into a fiery bloodbath - as a gas masked man, wearing body armo r and a bullet proof vest, entered through a back down of the theater to the right of the movie screen, threw a tear gas canister up, fired shots into the ceiling,  and began  shooting scores of ammunition from guns and rifles into the audience members, going on a four to eight minute rampage that killed 12 persons and wounded 59 others, many of them critically.  The suspected shooter, is identified as James Egan Holmes, age 24, a highest honors graduate of the University of California Riverside, who completed a Bachelor of Science degree in NeuroScience in 2010; and has been enrolled in graduate work supposedly in pursuit of a Ph.D, at the University of Colorado Denver, during the past year.  Taken into custody after exiting the building without resistance, while pandemonium ensued; Holmes is said to have indicated to police that his car and apartment were booby trapped.  His apartment was indeed found to possess much more ammunition, chemicals, and trip wires, in what is apparently a sophisticated, coordinated, planned carrying out of henious catastrophy.  His mother spoken to by ABC News, on the telephone in San Diego, California where his parents live, and the son moved from a year or so ago; said, the authorities had the right man.  This exceedingly shocking and senselessly violent crime, is at least the eighth occurrence of such a mass shooting of innocent victims in the United States in the past two decades, and today's tragedy the worst of them in its magnitude.  Ironically, it occurred just twelve miles from where the Columbine High School mass shooting of twelve students and a teacher in 1999.  As our hearts and prayers go out to and for the victims, family members, and citizens of Colorado, I believe it should cause us to question and address how and why our undeniable right to freedom and liberty as Americans, and our constitutional right to bear arms in a well ordered militia for the legitimate defense of our country, can justify the legal right of any individual to buy assault weapons or high powered handguns that can be modified and used to perpetrate even such more powerful death and destruction on victims like it did once again today.  President Obama and Governor Romney struck the right notes in their statements about our Unity as One American Family, and the necessity each of us bears to Love and to uproot hate, violence, and ignominious acts, such as this one; inflicted so senselessly on the seventy plus persons seated in that Aurora Colorado movie theater overnight.  God Bless them by bringing healing to their woundedness and consolation in their grief and personal loss .............Fr.  Troy

JULY CBS NEWS - NEW YORK TIMES POLL HAS ROMNEY WITH A 1 POINT LEAD FOR PRESIDENT............

The latest CBS News - New York Times Poll released yesterday finds Governor Mitt Romney leading President Obama by one percentage point, Romney 47% - Obama 46%, with 4% Undecided, and 1% Will Not Vote;  in what is being described by the polling unit itself as, "President Obama and (Governor) Mitt Romney effectively tied in the race for the Presidency".  The poll's margin of error is three percent.  A gender gap favoring Romney among men by eight percent and for Obama by five percent with women, is currently found in this presidential preference poll.  Other findings include a significant difference in the level of strength among each of the candidates' supporters, with 52% of Obama supporters compared to 29% of Romney supporters, expressing strong favorablity for their preference.  More than thirty percent of the respondents supporting Romney say their current choice is based on their dislike for President Obama; while just eight percent of those who prefer Obama at present, say it is based on their dislike of Governor Romney.  Both candidates are upside down in Favorability ratings, with  Obama viewed unfavorable by 48% of registered voters, and favorably by 36%; and Romney seen as unfavorable by 36% and favorably by 32%; the Republican challenger having twice as many Undecided about whether they are favorable or unfavorable toward him than does the Democratic incumbent.  President Obama has a thirteen point edge over Governor Romney for caring a lot about people's needs and problems, 38% - 25%; while by seven percent, 45% - 37% respondents said Obama, versus Romney, says what he believes.  Only 28% feel President Obama has achieved positive change in the country, with 58% stating he has not delivered on the change he promised in 2008, and 7% declaring the change he has attained is bad for the USA.  Twenty percent of those polled say they could still change the choice of candidate they will vote for, with approximately an even number of both Romney and Obama adherents stating their willingness to change their vote to the other candidate.  President Obama's approval rating is at 44%; and disapproval at 46%;  only 39% approval of the President's handling of the economy, with 55% disapproving; down from 44% who stated approval in June.  Fifty four percent of registered voters  rank the state of the Economy as Extremely important to their vote for President,  with 49% stating Romney will be better on economic policies and jobs creation, compared to 41% who believe Obama will be; with two out of five persons believing a member of their families may lose their job.  While the 1,089 poll respondents are split between the candidates on the issues of Health Care and Terrorism, Romney has the advantage on Taxes, 47% - 42%; the Federal Budget Deficit, 50% - 36%; and Illegal Immigration, 46% - 38%; while Obama seen more positively on Foreign Policy, 47% -40%; and on Social Issues 48% - 37%.  Seventy percent say the Economy is getting Worse; the highest negative response since last December, versus 24% who think the Economy is getting Better; down nine percent since April.  With other current presidential preference polls showing higher support for the President and his policies, coming days and updated surveys, will tell us more as to whether it is an outlier or comparable assessment of this highly contentious contest between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama for President of the United States 2012, with three and a half months until General Election Day............Fr.  Troy  

THE ANOMALIES OF THIS SUMMER'S HEATWAVE ACROSS AMERICA...........

The twenty to thirty degree drop in temperatures Sacramento, California experienced yesterday and Monday, at only 75 degrees Fahrenheit as the high temperature, are not only very unseasonably lows for the Sacramento Valley, but are going against the weeks long tide of increasingly hot and rising temperatures and drought, sweeping across most of the United States.  The hundred degrees plus temperatures persisting in the Rocky Mountains, through the Midwest, to the Northeast and Southern States, continue unabated, making the record setting temperatures of the past month the hottest summer ever recorded since weather statistics were first kept in 1895, say authorities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Drought is now the condition in 56% of the country, up nearly twenty percent from May, as a result of the June and July weather conditions.  This year's corn crops in the Midwest States, Iowa and Nebraska, are drying out and dying, which will severely negate the projected record setting 106 ears per bushel crop predictions that had been announced by the U.S. Agriculture Department.  Wildfires such as those in Colorado that are burning severely and persistently, are also being furthered by the heatwave and drought, and have charred 1.3 million acres nationwide.  National Climatic Data Center official Jake Crouch, indicates it may be a result of long term weather climate change and asserts climate change is playing a role in the unusual intensity of hot temperatures Americans are experiencing this summer, in what he describes as a, "new normal".  But even with 170 record setting warmer temperatures across the contiguous 48 United States since the start of June, in three States, Maine, Oregon, and Washington, top ten wettest ever months have occurred.  While in Florida, Tropical Storm Debby caused rainfall for the month of June to nearly double at 13.17 inches, up over 6 inches from the average monthly precipitation.  Sacramento area temperatures are expected to return to 85 degrees Fahrenheit today and to 106 degrees Fahrenheit by Sunday, as what may be this new normal introduces itself............Fr.  Troy  

JOHN SUNUNU'S CONFERENCE CALL COMMENT......A MISTAKE OR A DIVERSION ?............

John Sununu Sr., is the former 1980's Governor of New Hampshire, and White House Chief of Staff to President George Herbert Walker Bush, who went on in the 1990's to co-host CNN's "Crossfire" program, is now a senior advisor and surrogate of the Romney For President campaign.  This morning in a telephone conference call of the Romney campaign with the media, in a full voiced offensive against President Obama's economic policies and record of jobs creation, he spoke the words, "The men and women all over America have worked hard to build these businesses, their businesses from the ground up,  is how our economy has become the envy of the world.  It is the American way, and I wish this President would learn how to become an American".  Later in the conference call making his first effort to clarify that statement, Sununu said he meant President Obama needs to learn the quote, "American formula for creating business".  Following ten days of fall out for Mitt Romney over theObama re-electioncampaign's  questioning of Romney's outsourcing of jobs, off shore bank accounts, and unwillingness to release more than two years of his income tax returns, bogging down Romney's ability to keep  his campaigning effectively focused on the Economy and President Obama's record;  the bluntly brash and egregious comment of Governor Sununu, seeming to question The President's American citizenry, came today while Governor Romney in a  campaign speech in Irwin, Pennsylvania  attempted to recalibrate the focus of the presidential campaign on economic issues, while deflecting continuing calls for him to release multiple years of his income tax returns.  In the course of his speech, he referred to President Obama's policies as being, "extraordinarily foreign".  So whether John Sununu was imprecise, or misspoke, in saying today that President Obama should learn how to become an American, or it was an intentional statement, appealing to the Birther movement and Tea Party conservatives in Romney's Republican base of support; either is equally likely in the current polarized, partisan, poisoned, atmosphere of American politics.   Both President Obama and Governor Romney are spending the summer attempting to define each other for the voters.  To shape the perception of each other's individual records in a negative light, so as to gin up not only their base and all but certain supporters, but gain the votes of those Democrats and Republicans, less likely to cast ballots in the Presidential Election.   Also, to attract the Independents and Decline to State a Political Party preference voters, who will almost assuredly determine the victor of this closely contested 2012 Race for the White House.  What should be clear to all but the conspiracy or personal/political haters on the fringes of our Democracy, is that President Obama is an American citizen, for if their was evidence to verify otherwise, he would never had been deemed eligible to be elected to the Illinois State Senate, the United States Senate, or as President of the United States. As this Presidential General Election campaign ensues through the next sixteen weeks may the candidates, surrogates, campaign strategists, staffs, their supporters, and donors, speak and act honestly, clearly, and with integrity, in truth - that the winner of the Presidency on November 6th, Barack Obama, or Mitt Romney, is able and worthy of effectively governing and presiding over these United States............Fr.  Troy

'CHRISTMAS' IN JULY............

One of my childhood memories of summer, in addition to family barbeques, picnics at William Land Park, or going swimming at the Clunie, Mangan, or Luther Burbank pools, in South and East Sacramento, was taking in the part in the Southgate Shopping Center's summer promotion called, "Christmas In July".  It was a summer sale in the collection of stores located at Florin Road and Franklin Boulevard, which was founded in 1960, the same year as St. Charles Borromeo Parish in the Parkway Estates area of South Sacramento. As I remember is was in the summers of circa 1964-1966, that Christmas In July, was featured at 'Southgate'.  My family didn't buy much during the sale, although my mother did perhaps put a few items for Christmas on, "Layaway", at W.T. Grant's, a very good sized, variety, five and dime style, stores along with S.H. Kress', that was located in the Southgate mall, along with the two larger department stores, JC Penney and Rhodes, that were featured there.  The intrigue and experience of having the Southgate Shopping Center all decked out with Christmas decorations and with Christmas carols playing in the heart of summer, was a fun diversion for a few hours.  I share that memory because of the Hallmark Channel's weekend offering of Christmas Classics, movies they have produced in recent years airing during December, which I have previously blogged about.  Unfortunately, their 2007 production, "A Grandpa For Christmas", starring Ernest Borgnine, who died last week was not included; however other favorites of mine were making for enjoyable weekend entertainment.  Both of these examples underscore a truth about the meaning of Christmas we speak, but do not always practice.  That being the the Spirit of Christmas - Faith, Peace, Family, Goodwill, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Love, Redemption, should not be limited to a day, a season, or one time of year, but lived everyday in our hearts, minds, works, and responses.  So take a few minutes to discern how your life in mid July reflects the light and joy of the Spirit of Christmas, so that "Christmas In July" can be far more than a shopping slogan, and more of an inspiration to be the best persons we can be in our daily interaction and outreach to others............Fr.  Troy

THE PROPHET AMOS PROCLAIMS OUR NEED TO BE AVAILABLE TO GOD............

The First Reading from Sacred Scripture we hear proclaimed on this 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, is from the Book of Amos in the Old Testament, Amos 7:12-15.  In this brief passage Amos carries out the prophetic mission entrusted to him, despite any unreadiness or inabilities he personally possessed.  Amos  lived during the 8th Century Before Christ, and before becoming a minor prophet, was a sheepherder and sycamore tree farmer.  Thrusting our focus forward nearly three thousand years later, we come to a person of the 20th Century After Christ, who had a ferocious stammer that affected his ability to communicate effectively; even though he was a prince thrust on to the world stage by his brother's abdication into becoming George VI, King of England, during the pivotal international crisis World War II.  If sheepherder-farmer Amos was challenged to effectively rise to fulfilling the mission of one of God's Prophets, then it can be argued that the unintended sovereign George VI, who rose above his stammer and found the self confidence to carry out his kingly duties and lift the spirits of the British people and the allied nations of Europe during an intense period of bombardment, also carried out a prophetic mission.  The key to how and why the Prophet Amos and King George VI, succeeded in prevailing over their personal shortcomings or less than ideal attributes, was their willingness to be "Available" to God's Call, and the circumstances of human history.  Their availability to affirmatively respond to accepting and meeting what was required of them in responding to the needs of the Israelites in the pre Christian era; and on behalf of the British people and free world during World War II; despite and beyond any limitations - is what enabled them to succeed.  Our own 'availability' to God and others, which we encounter and interact with daily; will also enable us to fulfill the mission of service intended for us in carrying out the common good.  Baptized in Christ Jesus we bear the responsibility in Living Faith, to evangelize and bring the Good News to others in our spheres of influence, despite our own anxieties or misgivings, because we choose to be available when the opportunity arises.  May this 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time provide you the time to pray and ponder on just how God's Call is summoning you to be available now............Fr.  Troy

C.AR.A. SURVEY CONTRASTS MASS ATTENDANCE WITH BELIEF IN HEAVEN AND HELL............

C.AR.A., the Cemter for Applied Research of the Apostolate, based at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., USA, has released a survey of American Catholics, contrasting the percentage of Church members who attend Mass frequently or irregularly, with the percentage of Catholics who believe, or do not believe in the reality of Heaven and Hell.  C,A.R.A. findings are that 25% of Catholics in the United States who attend Mass weekly or more often, say they believe in the existence of Heaven and Hell; while 28% of Catholics who respond as rarely or never attending Mass, say they belive in Heaven and Hell.  As for those who state their belief in Heaven, but doubt the existence of Hell, 15% are at least weekly worshippers; while 44% describe themselves as nearly never attending Mass.  And among those who doubt believing in both Heaven and Hell, 8% are daily and weekly Mass attending Catholics; while 77% are rarely or never Mass attending Catholics.  The C.A.R.A. study also finds that only 15% of Catholics who do believe in the reality of Heaven and Hell, celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and go to Confession at least twice a year; while a plurality of 42% do not receive the Sacrament.  As for Catholics who believe in Heaven, but doubt the existence of Hell, 10% go to Confession more than once a year; while two thirds, 66%, do not celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.  Finally, only 4% of Catholics who doubt the reality of Heaven and Hell, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation more than one time annually; while 65% indicate they never go to Confession.  What first strikes me about this C.A.R.A. survey of American Catholics and their beliefs in these Church Teachings versus their Sacramental practice of the Faith, is that a quarter of a century later, it confirms anew what Bishop Francis Anthony Quinn said in his Ordination to the Priesthood day homily to me and my seminary classmates, about the increasing number of Catholics he described as the, 'Popular Church'. They proudly call themselves Catholic, but seldom attend Mass, or receive the Sacraments.  What is even more revealing by reading these statistics, is that the so called Popular Church Catholics who irregularly, if ever practice going to Mass or Confession, have responded with a higher ratio of belief  in both Heaven and Hell, by three percentage points, 28% - 25%.  By a scant three percent the non-practicing outscore the practicing in affirming this faith belief.  This leaves a further 47%; who are undecided or unresponsive.  All totaled, 24% - 47% of American  Catholics views are not accounted for in these findings, which causes me to wonder if we now have three categories of Catholics :  the Practicing; the Popular; the Pondering; ?............Fr.  Troy

NEW GALLUP POLL FINDS AMERICANS CONFIDENCE IN CHURCH AND RELIGION LOWERING...........

In a newly released poll surveying Americans attitudes toward Church and Religion, published yesterday, the George Gallup firm finds that Confidence in the Christian Church continues to decline, as does confidence in public schools, banks, and television news.  The survey for 2012 finds Catholics confidence in the institutional Church and organized Religion, is 46% favorable, with that percentage of American Catholics saying they have a, "Great Deal, or "Quite A Lot", of Confidence in the Church and Religion; compared to 56% of American Protestants expressing the same degree of Confidence in the institution of the Church and organized Religion.  In totality, 44% of Americans express Confidence in Organized Religion, down from 45% approval  ten years ago and 46% with a positive attitude five years ago.  The percentage of all other Religious denominations expressing a favorable outlook on Church and Religion is an even lower 29%.  Gallup points out this has been a consistent, long term decline in Americans view dating back to 1973, when 66% of Americans said they has high confidence in Religion. Gallup also explained the ten point differential between Catholic and Protestant Confidence in the Church and Religion, follows a ten year pattern averaging a 12% gap between Protestants and Catholics response, noting since 2002, "Protestants consistently expressing higher confidence".  2002 was the year, the priests pedophilia scandals unfolded in the United States, and  in what has been a difficult decade of fall out for Bishops and Dioceses, by the Laity, in terms of a decline in their moral authority, as well as the costs of financial settlements with alledged victims of abuse, and widespread publicity in the media regarding sexual abuse by the Clergy, - it is perhaps unsurprising Catholics are found to be less confident presently.  Still, parishioners in Catholic parochial communities continue to express high confidence, support, and affection, for their very own parish priests, as well as the recently evidenced overwhelming support much of the Catholic laity is showing for Women Religious and the "Nuns On The Bus", in the United States.  In my view a sign of hope  exists in the high level of support and confidence that exists for the ministerial Church, which may help renew and reform in time, the credibility and positive view of the leadership and moral authority of the institutional Church and Catholic-Christian Religion............Fr.  Troy

RELIGION SCHOLAR BLOGGER ASKS HOW WILL CATHOLICS VOTE IN 2012 ?............

Stephen Prothero, a Religion Scholar at Boston University in Massachusetts, USA, who is a recurring writer on the CNN "Belief Blog", recently authored a blog column on the voting patterns of American Catholics over the past thirty to forty years, and asks, How will Catholics vote in 2012 based on past presidential elections and current demographics.  Citing an official from the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, (ASARB) he shares that although 6 out of 9 U.S. Supreme Court Justices are now Catholic = 66.7%; that the State with largest number of Catholics is Massachusetts, with 44.9%; followed by Rhode Island, with 44.3%; New Jersey, with 36.8%; Connecticut, with 35.1%; and New York, 32.4% Catholic.  The seven lowest Catholic States percentage wise are Southern States, with Tennessee, with a Catholic population of only 3.5%; having the fewest.  The ASARB denographic map currently also finds the number of Counties in the United States where a particular Christian religious denomination is predominate is all but equally split bwtween Catholics, and Southern Baptists, with 1,231 Catholic Counties; and 1,217 Southern Baptist Counties; with the distant third most predominate denomination being the 244 First United Methodist Counties.  However, the predominance in presence is far more expansive for Catholics beyond the lonstanding strongholds of New England, New York / New Jersey, and the Southwest, they also are prominently numbered in the Pacific Northwest and in the Midwest, whereas Southern Baptists are primarily concentrated in the South.  Until forty years ago the Catholic Vote for President in the United States was overwhelming Democratic.  Since then it has been diversified breaking for Nixon in 1972; Carter in 1976; Reagan in 1980 & 1984; George H W Bush in 1988; Clinton in 1992 & 1996; George W. Bush in 2000 & 2004; ( Kerry being Catholic) and for Obama in 2008; (by 54%-45%).  Catholic voters in crucial swing states may well determine whether President Obama is relected, or if Governor Romney prevails.  Ohio and New Mexico are two of those swing States.  Both narrowly voted for Obama four years ago.  Whether they will vote for the Protestant Obama again over the Mormon Romney is uncertain.  On Primary Day 2012 in Ohio, even as Romney was winning it, 22% of Ohio voters polled said they will not vote for a Mormon presidential candidate versus 7% who say they will not vote for a Catholic.  In New Mexico with an increasing Latino population that would traditionally favor Obama, what affect his gay marriage, immigration exception, and health care mandate, positions in 2012, will take on their votes may indeed be a determining factor in deciding how Catholics there vote for President and help decide who occupies the White House for the next four years, in November............Fr.  Troy

REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SCHEDULE SYMBOLIC VOTE TO ABOLISH NATIONAL HEALTH CARE LAW............

Thirteen days after the United States Supreme Court upheld the Constitutionality of President Obama's Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, National Health Care Law by a 5-4 vote, the Republican controlled House of Representatives held their 33rd vote in opposition to the law, symbolizing their intention to continue trying to abolish what they call Obamacare.  The vote tally today was 244-185, with five Democrats joining with all the House Republicans in voting to end the National Health Care Law.  If another vote to repeal the Law is taken in the U.S. Senate before the end of the year, it is sure to fail, with Democrats in the majority.   Meanwhile the presumptive GOP Presidential standardbearer Governor Mitt Romney, speaking before the annual National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP) Convention in Houston, Texas; told those assembled he will eliminate Obamacare if he is elected President, and was rounded booed for a sustained fifteen seconds by the attendees.  The political fight over the Affordable Care Act proceeds into the General Election campaign, and is sure to be a focal point of the National Conventions, and Presidential Debates, as well as in the Congressional races for the House and Senate.  A new Gallup Poll released this week, shows an eight percent increase in support for Obamacare from 39% in April, to 47% now; as the politics in support and opposition to the new Health Care Law moves forward.  As partisanship and polarization shapes the electoral landscape in our politically divided 50-50 country, where only six to nine percent of American voters are either Independents or Undecided, a close, contentious, outcome to the future of the National Health Care Law, that is politically charged and intensive, is all but definite............Fr.  Troy

A "GIANTS" NIGHT IN KANSAS CITY AT THE BASEBALL ALL STAR GAME............

Hats off and flying high to three of the San Francisco Giants major league baseball players who were instrumental contributors to the National League's  8-0 triumph over the American League in tonight's annual, "All Star Game", played in Kansas City, Missouri and Kauffman Stadium.  The Giants' Matt Cain,   pitching for the National League, opposite Justin Verlander, of the Detroit Tigers pitching for the American League, hot the win; while Verlander struggled to control gis 100 mile an hour pitches and gave up five runs in the 1st inning.  The Giants Melky Cabrera scored first, hitting a home run, and then Giant Pablo Sandoval, hit the first ever all bases loaded triple in an All Star Game, making the score 5-0 in the 1st inning,  Then in the 4th inning Cabrera hit a two run homer against relief pitcher Matt Harrison,  and as a result of his play tonight was named the All Star Game Most Valuable Player.  The skillful playing skills of Sandoval and Cabrera tonight, validated the late surge in the All Star voting conducted by the San Francisco Giants fans to get them starting positions in tonight's Classic.  With Cain's Perfect Game on June 13th, and the seven of eight runs scored by the play of Cabrera and Sandoval in this All Star Game, and with the Giants only one half game out of first place in the National League West, the 2012 Major League Basebaqll Season, may yet portend even greater things for the City By the Bay's "Giants", in the form of another Fall Classic appearance and just perhaps a second World Series championship.  Pardon my perhaps over exuberant pride in the San Francisco Giants in this blog column, but may they continue to shine as these three Giants did tonight............Fr.  Troy

90...62...30...6...1922......2012............

Last Thursday July 5th, was the 90th Anniversary of my Mother's Birthday.  My Father would have been 90 on February 25, 2012.  Today, would have been my Parent's, Troy Doil, and Josephine Virginia's 62nd Wedding Anniversary.  It was thirty years ago tonight we celebrated my parents 32nd and last wedding anniversary before my mother's passing. At her request the venue was the, 'Zombie Hut',  Hawaiian / Polynesian inspired nightclub and restaurant (1945-1990) on Freeport Boulevard, just off of Fruitridge Road, in South Sacramento.  Nearly thirty years after my mother's death. and only months following the sixth year after my father's passing; on this 30th anniversary night of their one and only visit to the Zombie Hut, for the last earthly wedding anniversary they celebrated - I lift to salute and commemorate them in my mind's eye, a Zombie cocktail, as we did that night; and in my heart remember with love, the "Anniversary Waltz", they danced to that night after I primed my father with enough of the house's speciality drink to get him to agree to join my mother on the dance floor as the Polynesian Band and Dancers, serenaded and saluted them !!!!!!!!!!!!............Your Loving and Remembering Son,  Troy David  

ERNEST BORGNINE : FROM "MARTY" TO "MCHALE" TO "MR. MERMAID", HE WAS A SIX DECADE PRESENCE IN MOTION PICTURES AND ON TELEVISION............

Ninety five years old and still active and working, questioning the wisdom of retiring saying, "retire to what ?" actor Ernest Borgnine died yesterday in California after a sixty one year acting career in motion pictures and television.  Born January 24, 1917, in Hamden, Connecticut, and named Ermes Effron Borgnino, to Italian immigrant parents, his parents separated when he was 2, and his mother took him to Italy for a few years.  A few months after he graduated from Hamden High School in 1935, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for ten years through the end of World War II.  Unsure what kind of work he wanted to pursue after his discharge from the Navy, he soon followed the suggestion of his mother to give acting a try. She told him after all, "You're always making a fool of yourself in front of people".  He attended the Hartford, Connecticut Randall School pof Dramatic Arts on the G.I. Bill for six months, then got a job with the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia where he soon secured a position as a road company actor for $30.00 a week.  During the next four years he made his Broadway playing a hospital attendant in, "Harvey"; and appeared in television roles, notably as a villian in, "Captain Video and his Video Rangers".  In 1951, he broke into acting parts in the movies, in three films that year, and then in 1953, came to prominence in a tough guy role in the popular motion picture, "From To Eternity".  Then two years later, he captured the leading role in a Paddy Chevesky film of a teleplay Rod Steiger had played on television, portraying an pudgy and romantically undesirable Bronx butcher named 'Marty'.  His performance in the motion picture, "Marty", was so endearing it garnered Ernest Borgnine a Best Actor Oscar nomination in 1955, in contention with fellow actor nominees, James Cagney, James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and Spencer Tracy.  And the winner was Ernest Borgnine, which established him as a A List Hollywood Actor. Borgnine continued making through the rest of the 1950's and for the rest of his life, his lasr film, "The Man Who Shook The Hand Of Vicente Fernandez", is still making the rounds of various film festivals.  In it, he plays a retired DJ, whose unfilled desire for stardom frustrates him and he finds himself living in a nursing home with a group of Latin American immigrants.  Five years ago he starred in a Hallmark Channel movie, "A Grandpa For Christmas", portraying an old song and dance man, striving to reconnect with his estranged daughter, as he comes to know his young pre-teen granddaughter.  He gained a 2008 Golden Globe nomination for the role.  Last year he was honored by the Screen Actors Guild with their Life Achievement Award, for his 60 years in the Entertainment community as an Actor.  On television from 1962 until now he starred in several television series from the ratings smash situation comedy, "McHale's Navy", as Commander of a World War II PT Boat #73, Quinton McHale, from 1962-1966, with co[stars, Joe Flynn and Tim Conway; to co-starring with Jan Michael Vincent in, "Airwolf"; and Jonathan Silverman in, "The Single Guy", in the 1980's.  For the past several years he has been the voice of the animated character, "Mr. Mermaid", tv cartoon series, "Sponge Bob Square Pants", up until the time of his death yesterday.  Off screen the Los Angeles Times quotes sources as describing Borgnine to be, "soft spoken and affable, - a simple, unassuming, average man".  Married five times, including to Broadway musical Legend, Ethel Merman for a mere 38 days in 1964, he is survived by his wife of 39 years, Tova, a native Norwegian; daughters, Nancee and Sharon; son, David; a sister, Evelyn; and 6 grandchildren.  Ernest Borgnine's nine and a half decade life and venerable sixty one year acting career, came to an end as a result of renal failure on Sunday.  Until yesterday he was the oldest living Oscar winner, fifty seven years after he won the Academy Award.  Thanks to his beloved performances in "Marty", "McHale's Navy", "SpongeBob SquarePants", and for me and many more, "A Grandpa For Christmas", among his myriad of acting roles, his memory and entertainment will continue to find audiences and fans old and new.  McHale's Navy presently has a two episode daily slot on cable's Antenna TV.  For his dedication and allegiance to motion pictures, television, and theatre, entertaining the masses may he be remembered and lifted up.  God Be Good To You Forever Ernest Borgnine !!!............Fr.  Troy

HEARING AND LISTENING TO THE TRUE PROPHETIC VOICE OF GOD IN FAITH AND HOPE............

On this 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time as we hear and ponder the Gospel Proclamation from Mark 6:1-6; where the prophetic mission of Jesus encounters resistance and cynicism that He is, or can be, a Prophet from the people of his native place of Nazareth, even though they were familiar with Him; because as a neighbor, as Mary's son, he is too ordinary and seemingly unable to possess prophetic wisdom precisely because he comes from Nazareth, in their minds.  Where Jesus comes from, not Who Jesus is, was the focus of how they viewed Him and their unwillingness to be open to accepting Him as a Prophet of God.  Yet, verification that Jesus is truly the prophetic voice in their presence they need to hear and to heed, and is even more, the consummate Prophet - The Christ Who is the Son of God is apparent in the characteristics that all of God's Prophets possess.  Had the Nazarenes to whom Jesus appeared and spoke to, been open to accepting the message He was trying to preach to them they would have discovered and experienced the hallmarks  of prophecythat assure and underscore the authenticity of Jesus Christ and every Prophet in history.  Jesus possesses the five marks of every true God centered and sent Prophet.  First, a true Prophet is as we witness in the First Reading from Ezekiel and Mark's Gospel Proclamation today at Sunday Mass, wields perseverance and  insistence in remaining anchored in the message they are sent to deliver.  Despite opposition, indifference, or obstacles, a  Prophet is always honest in standing by the prophecy they are meant to proclaim.  Second, a true Prophet does not deny or cover-up limitations or weaknesses that exist within them, but acknowledge and accept the reality of what St. Paul describes in today's Second Reading as a, "thorn in the flesh", that is indeed a part of the Prophet.  The thorn of weakness or limitation does not prevent the prophetic voice to effectively preach the care, compassion, and love of God.  Third, a true Prophet bears the mark of fervently seeking to convince the persons being proclaimed to, to accept God's gift of Faith.  An authentic, divinely, commissioned Prophet is steeped in preaching the message of Believing in God and accepting the Truth, just as Jesus does in the passage from Mark's Gospel on this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  True Prophets are ordinary human beings who bring a supernatural message of goodness, love, and everlasting life from God, if we choose to believe and embrace the message being prophetically imparted.  The Fourth sign marking the genuineness of a true Prophet is the content of the prophetic message being proclaimed.  Prophets are sent when people have broken communion with God, and thwarted the togetherness and the unity that are the necessary aspects of the Human-Divine relationship and our Redemption.  Prophets challenge us to reform our lives and return to the intention and commitment of the communion that forms and sustains nor as isolated, or self concerned individuals, but as engaged, self giving citizens of the global village, who honor and carry out our Discipleship in Christ Jesus,  The Fifth certainty that marks a True Prophet is the sign of Hope that he or she proclaims by Faithful Witness to delivering a message of optimism and the opportunity, to accomplish our purposes for being alive that are anchored in our Hope in Jesus, as our Brother and Friend, as well as our Ultimate Prophet and Universal Redeemer.  God's Plan for Creation and the Salvation of Humankind will be fulfilled in and for us by keeping the prophetic voice of Jesus in our sight.  Our openness to discovering and discerning the Prophecy of Jesus Christ is the lesson we are to take forward as we extend to one another the consolation, encouragement, empowerment, forgiveness, healing, and rejoicing, that are indispensable components of our Prophetic Communion with God in Christ............Fr.  Troy

WITH ONGOING FIDELITY TO PRIESTLY FRATERNITY....SEEING FATHER JERRY RYLE THIS AFTERNOON............

Following on Dr. Randy Martin's visit yesterday, I am very pleased to have received a delightful fraternal visit today from Father Jerry Ryle, Pastor Emeritus of St. Philomene's Parish, with whom I served from 2006-2009.  Home in Sacramento for three weeks of July, from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he is the Priest On Campus, the past three years; I enjoyed seeing him and catching up with each other on the experiences of the past several month here and there.  The effectiveness and impact of his personal empathy for others, pastoral presence, and spirituality, as always - through the forty four years of his priestly ministry, is so very apparent and invigorating to me, for which I am even more grateful, presently.  The hour we conversed here in my MMT quarters completed; had an unexpected extension.  Shortly after Fr. Jerry departed, Joe Gibson called and invited me to go down the street to Peet's Coffee with him as he facilitates my doing regularly and behold, who did we meet their today, but Jerry !  For me those moments were a full circle sharing, as it was Jerry Ryle who introduced me to Peet's Coffee, six years ago.  The pleasure of the time I spent with Fr. Jerry and Joe today, helped break the cycle of the same'ol, same 'ol, reality of being widely, indefinitely, confined to a daily environment where I am at least a generation younger than most of the other residents.  Friendship, Fraternity, Fellowship, and Faith, are beacons of hope for me in this holding pattern; just as is the Fidelity to Priestly Fraternity, Fathers Jerry Ryle, Steve Avella, Ben DeLeon, Oliver Maher, Monsignors Ed Kavanagh, Bob Walton, and Bishop Francis Quinn, among a very faithful vanguard of brother priests, who continue to be an affirming and supportive presence in my life............Fr.  Troy  

ANOTHER WONDERFUL VISIT FROM AND WITH DR. MARTIN............

Dr. Randy Martin came by this afternoon to visit with me for the second time since I was involuntarily exiled here to Mercy McMahon in March.  We had, as we always do, a well rounded and collegial conversation about all pertinent topics of our professional and personal relationship.  He was affirming and supportive that I push ahead, as he has been since we first met eight years ago; and during these recent months of vanquishing secondary infections, yet being diverted from returning to the priestly parish ministry I could and should be doing.  I look forward to further opportunities in the near future to continue the discussions we mutually welcome, and that I gain so much from............Fr.  Troy

THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY............

July 5, 2012, the day after our National Birthday / 236th Independence Day, would have today been my Mother Josephine Virginia Corey Feusi Powers', 90th Birthday.  As I think of, pray for, celebrate and commemorate her life in heart and mind today, nearly thirty years ago this December 2, after her passing from earthly life to eternity; I glorify and praise the Lord God for blessing me, my family, and all who knew her, for the Faith and Love she shared so generously with us.  May her fidelity to God, Family, Faith, and Others, live on not only in thoughts, prayers, affection, and remembrance, but in the way we too, honor and affirm our commitments to the Divine and Human relationships we share every year of our lives.............Happy 90th Birthday Anniversary Mother !!!!!!!!!!!!   Troy

AUTHORING AND ADOPTING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WE CELEBRATE AND COMMEMORATE TODAY............

Thomas Jefferson, who along with George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and a plethora of patriots, were instrumental leaders in the founding and freedom that uniquely formed the United States of America more than two and one third centuries ago.  Colonists of Great Britain who had grown increasingly disappointed, disillusioned, disenfranchised, and disturbed with the deterioration in their relationship with the King of England and the Government, and the growing infringement on their liberty in the New World, they chose to revolt.  During June 1776, Thomas Jefferson authored the draft of a document of declaration, that the assembly of colonists, called the Continental Congress, then took up for consideration at the beginning of July.  During the month of June, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia had proposed a resolution calling for independence to the Second Continental Congress, which they voted to accept forming in turn a Committee of Five led by Jefferson as the principal member to author a Declaration Of Independence.  The Continental Congress adopted the draft in principle on July 2nd, and voted for it final approval and signed the document on the 4th of July, 1776.  Abigail Adams diary states that she wrote at the time he told her, "the second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations of Americans as the great American festival.It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parades, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more".  Adams was mistaken by two days, as the date on the Declaration a year later and forward to today became the day of national celebration and since 1870, a federal holiday.  On the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1777, the citizens of Philadelphia celebrated the occasion in almost exactly the way John Adams said it should be.  Subsequently New York City, and other towns, cities, and municipalities and metropolitan areas throughout  the USA have continuously commemorated the 4th of July, as the Day of our National Birthday.  Parades, Picnics, Barbeques, Band Concerts, Fireworks, and Fun, are marking today around America, on this the 236th anniversary of the Declaration Of Independence, the founding document establishing the United States of America.  The 4th of July celebrating our Freedom and Liberty as independent Citizens of this sovereign Nation, has also always been inextricably linked to American Presidents.  Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, our first 5 Presidents, Founding Patriots, directly associated with its adoption.  Coincidentally, fifty and fifty five years later to the date of the Declaration, on July 4, 1826, the 50th Anniversary of our Independence, Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died, as did President James Monroe on July 4, 1831.  July 4, 1872, also became the birthday of another President - Calvin Coolidge.  Presidents and candidates for Presidents are always participants in traditional 4th of July commemorations, just as President Obama and Governor Romney, are being today. President Obama hosting an Immigration Induction Ceremony for twenty five new citizens who have served in the military in the White House; and Governor Romney marching with thirty members of his family, in a 4th of July Parade in New Hampshire, near one of their family homes.  After dinner here at Mercy McMahon Terrace I will be observing this Independence Day by viewing portions of the PBS, CBS, NBC, holiday specials, in lieu of an invitation to a barbeque and fireworks anywhere else  tonight with my involuntary exile from parish life and pastoral ministry.  God Bless America on this Independence Day 2012 in acknowledgement, appreciation, and anticipation, past, present, future, for the Freedom and Liberty in Living Faith, Fellowship, and Fidelity, that are our National Heritage............Fr.  Troy

ANDY GRIFFITH - TELEVISION'S "SHERIFF TAYLOR" AND "MATLOCK" DIES @ 86............

Growing up in the 1960's in a middle class working family of six children our major form of family entertainment was watching nightly television together.  Every night at 7:30 p.m., if homework was done, we were allowed to gather around the tv set and watch various programs until bedtime, which was rarely beyond 9:30-10 p.m., even in the high school years.  On Monday nights three of the shows we watched and that live on in my memory, were, "The Lucy Show", "Family Affair", and "The Andy Griffith Show".  My father being a native Arkansan particularly delighted and looked forward to seeing "The Andy Griffith Show", as Andy Griffith is a native of Mount Airey, North Carolina.  The comedy series ran for eight seasons  from 1960-1968, on the CBS Television Network.  A very funny and entertaining show it was, with in addition to the character of fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina Sheriff Andy Taylor, protrayed by Griffith; was populated by such zany and comedic characters as, Opie, the widowed Sheriff's son; Deputy Barney Fife; Aunt Bea, who lived with and looked after Andy and Opie; Gomer Pyle, the gas station Attendant; Floyd the Barber; Ellie, the woman Druggist; Helen Crump, the schoolteacher and Andy's woman friend romantic interest for most of the series; Thelma Lou, Barney's girlfriend; and Otis Campbell, the town's good hearted drunk; played by actors, Ron Howard, Don Knotts, Frances Bavier, Jim Nabors, Howard McNear, Elinor Donahue, Anita Corsault, Betty Lynn, and Hal Smith, - among a cast of several other recurring characters.  On a weekly basis in each 30 minute episode viewing audiences were consistently entertained and enlightened, as almost every story delivered laughs and lessons.  There was a warmly subtle, yet definitely moral underpinning, so present - that in subsequent years following the end of the series' run, Christian Sunday Schools in parts of America presented videotape showings of The Andy Griffith Show, as part of their curriculum.  In the years following the original Griffith starred in movies, and a number of other short lived tv series, until 1986, when NBC Television Network broadcast a two hour, "Andy Griffith Show 25th Anniversary Reunion", movie special.  The ratings for the reunion movie special were so outstanding, NBC immediately offered Andy Griffith then age 60, a new series not as Sheriff Taylor, but in the popular television  genre of the mid 1980's - 1990's,  a lighthearted drama, featuring stars of the past.  In this series Griffith was as an Atlanta, Georgia attorney Ben Matlock, in "Matlock", which became another mega hit show  running for nine seasons, 1986 - 1995, (seven seasons on NBC; on the ABC network).  Andy Griffith was also commercial spokesman through his decades on television for General Foods' his first show's major sponsor, and producer of Maxwell House and Samka Coffee, Jello, Post Cereals, and Ritz Crackers.  Andy Griffith first rose to fame as an actor and entertainer in the 1955, on Broadway in the play, "No Time For Sargeants", reprising his role in the 1958 Motion Picture.  He also appeared in the Broadway show, "Destry Rides Again".  He also distinguished himself in a 1957 dramatic lead role in a film by Elia Kazan, "A Face In The Crowd", co- starring  Patricia Neal, and Walter Matthau.  And prior to his Broadway, Motion Picture, and Television successes, he wrote and performed funny stories on popularly received comedy records.  A number of those routines he then worked into, "The Andy Griffith Show".   Ron Howard, now an acclaimed, nearly thirty year, Hollywood movie director and producer, wrote on Twitter, earlier today expressing his condolences and remembrances who was first television father, noted,..."pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations and shaped my life.  I am forever grateful. Rest in Peace Andy".  Andy Griffith passed away in his sleep this morning at about 7 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on his family farm on Roanoke Island, North Carolina.  He was buried today on the banks of the river at the farm, within four and a half hours of his death, as he had planned.  In his last years, Andy Griffith remained a conscientious citizen appearing in public service announcements aimed at seniors, for Social Security, Medicare, the Prescription Drug Plan, and the National Health Reform Law.  America, the world, and the entertainment industry, lost an outstanding contributor to the fine arts today.  Both as an actor and producer, for just as, "The Andy Griffith Show", was launched from an episode of the Danny Thomas Show, "Make Room For Daddy"; so too, did Griffith spin off character Gomer Pyle, in the fourth season of his own series, joining Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard, in producing the tv series, "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C, placing the somewhat naive Gomer character in the Marines, with an exasparated Sergeant Carter.  As of the time I write this blog column, both Turner Classic Movies, TCM; and TV Land;  cable networks have announced they will telecast tributes to Andy Griffith, in coming days.  I look heavenward tonight, in the hope that my Dad is meeting up with this man, who provided him and oh so many, millions, even billions more, many hours of memorable enjoyment.  Thank You and May God's Perpetual Light Shine Upon You, Andy Griffith !!!............Fr.  Troy

THE P.R.I. PARTY MAKES A PRESIDENTIAL COMEBACK IN SUNDAY'S ELECTION IN MEXICO............

Twelve years after being deposed as the controlling power, political party of Mexico for more than seven decades, P.R.I., the Institutional Revolutionary Party Candidate, Enrique Pena Nieto, was projected the winner of the Mexican Presidential Election Sunday night.  Mr.  Pena Nieto, has at least a seven point lead over his National Action Party opponent, Manuel Lopez Obrador, according to the Mexican Federal Election Institute, which released vote count totals of 38% for Pena Nieto; 31% for Lopez Obrador; and 25% for a third party candidate.  National Action Party candidate Manuel Lopez Obrador, who narrowly lost the Presidency to current President Felipe Calderon in 2006, and refused to accept defeat; is now again refusing to concede the 2012 Election to Enrique Pena Nieto.  The P.R.I.. Party, which held virtue one party control and a presidential dictatorship in Mexico from 1929-2000, a seven decade period during which they were oppressive of the citizenry, and particularly of the Church.  They have been entrusted anew by a plurality of the Mexican people with election of Mexico's next President, who is a 45 year old, charismatic, former Governor of Mexico State, the largest State in the country.  The highly embroiled drug violence in the past five years, that has led to over 47,000 killings, and Pena Nieto's promise, "to reduce the drug violence", is thought to be central to his electoral victory.  Having been defeated and removed from power a dozen years ago, the expectation of the citizens voting to elect the P.R.I. candidate is that as President he and his Party will govern differently than they did in decades past, democratically, rather than dictatorally.  When the vote tally is completed and confirmed, the transition from outgoing President Calderon, with the incoming President Elect Pena Nieto, will begin - leading to the Inauguration of the new President in December............Fr.  Troy

EVANGELIZATION, CANONIZATION, AND BLESSED JUNIPERO SERRA............

 Today Sunday July 1, 2012, is the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time, in the liturgical life of Catholic-Christians.  But in the years July 1st, falls on Monday through Saturday, it is commemorated as the Memorial of Blessed Junipero Serra, OFM, in the USA.  Reverend Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan friar, who became a missionary priest in the New World, and founder of the first nine Missions in Alta California, was born Miguel Jose Serra, in Petra, Majorca, Spain on November 24, 1784.  From 1768-1784, when he died; Father Serra led the missionary friars in evangelizing and converting the natives, as he journeyed in what is now the State of California USA, founding mission buildings from San Diego up to San Francisco, and across the bay in Sonoma and San Rafael; of which there are twenty one in total.  In the last three years of his life, Father Serra received the title, 'Founder of Spanish California'.  During the Revolutionary War, it is said he took up a special collection amounting to $137.00, which he forwarded to General George Washington.  Preaching, teaching, baptizing, and given a dispensation to administer Confirmation - more than 5,000 Native Americans atr thought to have received the Sacraments from him and the other missionaries, as they converted them to the Catholic-Christian Faith.  Beatified by Pope John Paul II, on September 25, 1988; Junipero Serra remains a Blessed of the Church, but is not yet a canonized Saint, with need for authentication of another miracle attributed to his intercession; and with criticism / protest over the treatment and conditions exacted upon the Native American Indians whom he was instrumental in converting to Catholic Christianity.  Academic studies have verified the harshness and forced nature with which the converts were captured and catechized, with Father Serra himself writing in 1780,......"that spiritual fathers should punish their sons, the Indians, with blows appears to be as old as the conquest of the Americas; so general in fact that the saints do not seem to be any exception to the rule". Academic research has subsequently underscored the hardship and even, corporal punishment that was used, but also acknowledges that, "Serra's intentions in evangelizing were honest and genuine".  Yet the controversy persists, in part given sensitivity to the Native American Community, in recognition of the reality of the historical record; but also fueled by political correctness, which is not necessarily objective, or lacking other agendas.  Therefore, I support the canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra, in a very timely manner as a Saint of the Catholic Church and the Christian Faith as soon as his candidacy fulfills canonical requirements.  Human lives are replete with successes, failures, rights, wrongs, virtues, and sins.  One of the basic tenets of Catholic Christianity is Forgiveness.  If the Church can be kept from forgiving and reconciling grievances two hundred and forty years ago and embrace the continuing presence and value of the California Missions  to the Faith in the Golden State, then we are being held hostage.  If the contributions of Junipero Serra to the History of California are great enough for him to have one of only two Statues allowed each State in the United States Capitol Statuary Hall from California, along with Ronald Reagan, (who was added in 2009, replacing Thomas Starr King, who was influential during the U.S. Civil War) then  should he be denied canonization ?  If he is found worthy of canonization by the verification of one more miracle required to be eligible, then his official declaration as a Saint should soon follow............Fr.  Troy