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1. Is the Church a Cruise Ship or a Battleship?

Many it would seem want the Church just to be a friendly place where people can gather. Many of these same people get angry when the Church shines the light of truth on something. They declare that the Church should just be open and inviting. They object when She is challenging and points to the demands of the Gospel.

But the Church has to be more than a clubhouse otherwise she is no different than a bowling league or the Moose Lodge. She is most certainly meant to be a lighthouse, warning of danger, giving light to those in darkness but also risking that some who are accustomed to the darkness, will complain of the Light of Christ she reflects.

2. Adam's Ale on the new Mass translation:

I am not a person that rides heavily on my emotions. I am just not built that way. But when I heard some of the texts read I felt a stirring inside. They are absolutely beautiful. Knowing that it will still require great care in the introduction of this new translation and realizing full well there will be people who will resent it (probably exacerbated by my not presenting well to and for all parties) I have moved from having my first concern being the difficulties of introduction to anxiously awaiting the day we may pray these words.

The presenter spoke about why the English language translation is receiving such scrutiny. To begin with, English has become the new lingua Franca. It has become the new international language of common use. Should not then this most important of languages be treated with extra care? And not only that, there are many languages for which there are not scholars readily available schooled not only in their own language but in the depths and knowledge of Latin required to translate prayers going back to before 9th century. Therefore they use the English translation to translate into their tongue. The English translation then is extremely important and it is imperative that it be not only true (as far as translations go) but also beautiful. What is wrong with the English translation will affect the world.

3. EncouragePriests.org

How quick the world is to criticize priests, but Jesus calls us to pray for them to be great shepherds of their flocks. They are constantly on the front line of spiritual attacks from the secular media and un-churched people. Sometimes they are condemned by non-Catholics, who simply don't understand the vocation of the Priesthood, that Jesus himself instituted on Holy Thursday.

Countless Catholic priests and bishops lead rewarding spirit-filled lives. Since they are human, they too can feel tired and lonely. Few of these servants receive our true gratitude and love. So many of these noble men of God could be uplifted by a simple prayer and a gentle word of appreciation from us!

Saint John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Parish Priests said: "If we were to fully realize what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love." He goes on to say: "What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of Heaven: it is he who opens the door."