Philly Archbishop 'Shocked, Deeply Saddened'

STATEMENT OF MOST REVEREND NELSON J. PÉREZ REGARDING THE DEATH OF MOST REVEREND DAVID O’CONNELL,

 AUXILIARY BISHOP OF LOS ANGELES

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the murder of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell of Los Angeles this weekend.

On behalf of the entire Church in Philadelphia, I extend prayerful condolences to Bishop O’Connell’s family and many friends as well as Archbishop José Gomez and the priests, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. 

Bishop O’Connell was beloved by those he served as a parish priest and bishop for many decades and was best known for his work to promote peace and transform lives in South Los Angeles. I pray that his example of selfless dedication to those in needs will inspire others to share the love of Christ generously in the world around them.  

May God grant Bishop O’Connell the gift of eternal life and console all those who loved, admired, and respected him.

Chatting With NJ's Paul Kanitra: A Man In The Vanguard!

Dan chats with Point Pleasant Beach (NJ) Mayor Paul Kanitra about those dead whales washing up on the mid Atlantic shore line, the danger of giant windmills off the Jersey coast, what it's like to be a small town mayor in a shore town that bulges with visitors each summer and the future of the Republican Party and rising young(er) Republicans in blue, blue New Jersey. 

Kanitra has made national and even international news for his initiatives and responsiveness to the problems municipal officials face today. Watch this fascinating interview with a rare breed of public servant -- heartfelt, passionate, independent-minded and irrepressibly authentic. 

Stumbling, Mumbling, Bungling -- As Usual!

BIDEN IN UKRAINE: "We built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific. NATO. To the, in the Atlantic. Japan in the Pacific. I mean, across the — across the world" pic.twitter.com/zBozgEHowt

— VINnews (@VINNews) February 20, 2023

And Now, On The Eve Of The Lenten Season . . .

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the 12:05 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

Blessed Ashes will be distributed to the faithful in over 200 parishes across the five-county Archdiocese throughout the day. This tangible symbol reminds them to repent and believe in the Gospel as the Lenten Season begins. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent for Christians throughout the world. Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving from Ash Wednesday through Holy Thursday in preparation for the celebration of the Sacred Paschal Triduum.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

12:05 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Additional Masses will be celebrated at 7:15 a.m. (Chapel) and 5:15 p.m. (Basilica). In addition to the celebration of Mass with the distribution of Blessed Ashes, there will be celebrations of the Word of God and the distribution of Blessed Ashes in the medical facilities within the parish boundaries on Ash Wednesday.

The Bishops of the United States prescribe, as a minimal obligation, that all persons who are fourteen years of age and older are bound to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, on all the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday. Further, all persons eighteen years of age and older, up to and including their fifty-ninth birthday, are bound to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, while the other two meals on those days are to be light. Keeping a voluntary fast throughout Lent is encouraged on the part of all.

The Cathedral Parish will offer the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation on weekdays at 11:30 a.m. (Basilica), Saturdays at 4:15 p.m. (Basilica) and Sundays at 9:00 a.m. (Basilica), 12:00 Noon in Spanish (Chapel) and 5:30 p.m. (Basilica). Likewise, individual parishes throughout the Archdiocese may have alternative dates and times for this Sacrament in addition to already scheduled times. 

Presidents Day? It's A Buncha Bulls - - t!

 And once again we are left to consider the absurdity of this day:
Quick: Why is today a holiday?

What do we observe on this day?
Why is the holiday February 20th this year when it was some other date last year?
Something to do with George Washington, you say? Or Abraham Lincoln? Or is it Presidents Day?
Do you know the traditionally accepted date of Washington’s birth? And what really is the relationship, if any, between Washington’s birthday and the birthday of Abraham Lincoln? It all seems rather murky.
But a bit of investigation reveals an interesting tale.
According to calendars used since the mid 18th century, Washington was born on February 22, 1732. This date consequently became the generally accepted date for observances of Washington’s birth.
Public celebrations for George Washington's birthday actually predate his term as president, and were originally intended to honor his service in the War for Independence. By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken hold in the American experience as a full-fledged national holiday.
Its traditions included Birthnight Balls in various parts of the country, speeches and receptions and revelry in taverns throughout the land.
The story of Washington’s life was widely taught and legends about Washington began to grow.
Then, Abraham’s Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, emerged as an important national event.
The birthday of our 16th President was first observed in 1865, one year after his assassination. But Lincoln’s birthday was never officially declared a federal holiday as Washington’s was even though Lincoln’s birthday was an official holiday in several states.
For decades, February was a grand month for celebrating Washington and Lincoln, our two greatest Presidents. Schools, stores, banks, libraries and other public locations were festooned with portraits of Washington and Lincoln. The profiles of both men were instantly recognizable and stories of Washington and the cherry tree and Lincoln the railsplitter abounded.
Then, in 1968 Congress passed something called the Uniform Holidays Bill which made Washington’s Birthday a Monday holiday. Starting in 1971, the third Monday in February became Washington’s Birthday. It’s been that way for 39 years now.
But a funny thing happened along the way.
Washington’s Birthday somehow became Presidents Day. Nobody declared it. Nobody proclaimed it. It just happened. And that’s what the third Monday in February has been called even though the federal government still officially lists it as Washington’s Birthday.
The result is that we now have a day that stands for nothing.
Some people actually think Presidents Day honors the current president. Some people think it honors all the presidents. Some people think it honors their own favorite president or presidents. Some people think it’s just a shopping holiday. All those people are wrong, wrong, wrong!
And the sad part is that school children seem to be as confused as anyone else. If you ask a kid today about something as basic as Washington crossing the Delaware or the legend of the cherry tree he or she would probably respond with total bewilderment.
And nobody seems to even understand how we got to this point. There has even been an urban legend that in 1971 President Nixon officially designated February 22 as Presidents Day. But it never happened.
So, here’s my solution. Let’s start celebrating February 22 as Washington’s Birthday again and give the father of our country his due. This means no disrespect to Lincoln or any other president. It simply recognizes the greatness of Washington and his paramount role in our history.
At a dinner honoring the centennial of Washington’s birth in 1832 Daniel Webster said that Washington’s legacy was nothing less than “the edifice of constitutional American liberty.”
It’s time to resurrect that legacy, acknowledge that edifice and restore George Washington’s rightful place in our national life.

WOW! Looks What's Happening In Atlantic City!

Why Bernie Sanders Is A National Disgrace . .

Socialist Bernie Sanders says he's "embarrassed" by what he calls Israel's "racist government" pic.twitter.com/1WDTKj6aPJ

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 19, 2023

"Tickets for your [book] tour apparently are selling for $95 on Ticketmaster, which is accused of anti-competitive behavior...aren’t you benefitting yourself from the system that you’re trying to dismantle?”

Bernie Sanders says "no." 🤔 pic.twitter.com/JIcpW0kaw5

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 19, 2023

Still, Geometry Was One Of My Favorite Subjects

 

Meanwhile, Phil Murphy Is In Europe . . .

Huge turnout at the Save the Whales rally in Point Pleasant Beach today https://t.co/9motXi6cG1

— Jim Murdoch (@ReporterJim) February 19, 2023

Major NJ Event Sunday To Save The Whales!