The Amish Meet Silicon Valley

Well, for new buggy headlights. Read this article.

My father's family lives in central Indiana, very close to Amish country, and I always see them when I visit. They sell some of the best grown fruit ever. We've also been to a couple wonderful restaurants owned and operated by Mennonites nearby. Delicious. I found the article somewhat illuminating because there is much about the Amish that I do not know.

Being Roman Catholic is one thing, but with a degree in Computer Science, I'm not sure I would be much use to the Amish! I can't raise a barn to save my life... I suppose I could always learn.

Building Zion

Welcome back, Crystal. Only if you decide to take a break again, give us some notice so we don't think you vanished into oblivion!

Popes' Roles in History

Commenting on some discussions over at Disputations, Fr. Jim Tucker of Dappled Things has some interesting comments concerning ecclesiology and the historical role of the pope:

If you were a Catholic of a thousand years ago, the Pope probably wouldn't enter into your mind much at all. You would know that he existed. But unless you lived in Rome or had made pilgrimage there, you wouldn't know what he looked like. Unless you were a king or high-ranking bishop or subject of the Papal States, the Holy Father's actions would probably never affect you personally. Probably most people wouldn't even have known his name, except for the priests who had to whisper it in the Canon of the Mass.

But who would tell you how to worship and make the rules for liturgy? You just would do what your ancestors did. If some abuse or other had crept in, the local bishop or a local synod would make the necessary adjustment. Who would tell you what to believe? On the broad public scale, the local pastors of the Church would repeat the teachings of the Church to each generation. On the more closed-in, subtle points, the theologians and monks would make the arguments among themselves.

I'm not saying that this is the best way to run the Church. But I am saying that the Church got along this way just fine for centuries.

We are certainly living in a much different time. In the past, the Pope did not always appoint bishops or have a large say in the goings on in particular dioceses. Times today require some greater measures. But I have encountered many people who believe the Pope is some sort of super-bishop and our bishops are merely branch managers of Rome, Inc. The bishops are not vicars of the pope.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi,
Quia per Sanctam Crucem Tuam, redemisti mundum.
Amen.

Fr. Stan Fortuna

Fr. Stan Fortuna, one of the original friars of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in the Bronx and founder of Francesco Productions, will be giving a weekend series of conferences at my parish out here in Santa Barbara next weekend (Sept. 19-21) and will be celebrating masses throughout the weekend. I've heard about him through EWTN but don't know much more about him. He is dubbed the hip, rapper priest from the south bronx and our youth ministry is going absolutely crazy over his upcoming visit.

You can hear some of his music here. Very interesting. Do any of you know much about him? I am familiar with the Friars, especially with their founder, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, who came out to my hometown parish several years ago for a talk.

I'll most certainly blog about it after the weekend!