Sound Off!

Here's a sampling of recent comments from Sound Off! Also located at the foot of every news Feature Story and Off the Record, Sound Off! gives every donor the chance to post a small "editorial" regarding any news item.

  • Jan. 04, 2009 8:37 AM EST Posted by: Andy K | Story: now where do I go to get my reputation back?

    Dear Diogenes,

    You are right. It is only money. We can only serve God or Mammon, not both. Best to lose all our temporal treasures to store up in Heaven than to store up here and be cast to elsewhere.

    Yet, that is not your point, eh? Boston paid mega-bucks ($35,000: see correction in article) because of this priest's alleged actions. So, by whom has the archdiocese been duped: the priest or the alleged victim?

  • Jan. 04, 2009 7:59 AM EST Posted by: aberlour36 | Story: the Kennedy connection

    Read A Question of Character: A Life of John F. Kennedy, and you'll understand all you want to know about the Kennedy family.

  • Jan. 03, 2009 5:45 PM EST Posted by: centurion | Story: lest we forget

    Kennedy was a horible example of a Catholic when he served as president. His many sexual affairs with women can not be explained away as remedies for his back pain. His part in walking away from the president of Viet Nam and the overthrow of that nation came back to him in a very ironic way. That Clinton and other politicos seem to try to emulate Kennedy's sexual exploits is unfortunate. Would that JFK had been a better representative of his professed religion. His supposed accomplishments=?

  • Jan. 03, 2009 10:19 AM EST Posted by: bernie4871 | Story: Restoring a Catholic Culture: Where do we start?

    Bruceone Somehow you are not looking in the right place. Sincere Catholics are awed by converts and love them dearly, but personal errors of many in recent years have tended to dull the apostolic life of in their hearts. Find a good priest for Confession. Seek out Faithful friends. Go to daily Mass as often as possible. Pray the Rosary. Learn to make personal prayer. Live apostolic friendship, particularly at work - it is the hallmark of a sincere Catholic. Know that you are in our prayers.

  • Jan. 02, 2009 2:17 PM EST Posted by: Sed contra | Story: smoke signals from London

    I don't know anything about the good abbot, but the fact that he's a Benedictine and "someone from outside the comfortably clubby atmosphere of the current English hierarchy" could've been said with equal truth about Basil Hume -- not much encouragement there!

  • Jan. 01, 2009 5:39 PM EST Posted by: bruceone2338 | Story: Restoring a Catholic Culture: Where do we start?

    Please don't forget the converts. I converted in 2000 and still feel as if I'm struggling with just trying to fit in. The biggest obstacle I face, then and now, is the suspicion and sometimes hostility of lifelong catholics to converts. I wish there were some kind of group that could have helped me learn how live a catholic lifestyle and nurtured my faith. Most of the people I converted with have moved to other churches that do this.

  • Jan. 01, 2009 12:50 AM EST Posted by: Gregory108 | Story: Restoring a Catholic Culture: Where do we start?

    Of the things "we need to do" #1 and #5 are the most vital! Prayer is essential but so is living in communities where Catholic life and response to life is taught, modeled, valued, supported, encouraged, corrected, and where we are called on to be what God calls us to be by the people around us, where we can see ourselves as God sees us reflected in those around us. Sadly,our churches are social clubs or places to fulfill Sunday obligation, not "greenhouses" where Christians can grow and flower!

  • Dec. 31, 2008 5:24 PM EST Posted by: juon36 | Story: Short-sighted speculation harms economy, endangers peace, Pope writes in World Peace Day message

    How very wise is our Holy Father, the world would do well to heed his words.

  • Dec. 31, 2008 9:42 AM EST Posted by: raghanger | Story: Restoring a Catholic Culture: Where do we start?

    One point which was not mentioned in this discussion is the need for education of the catholic layity. There are several "kinds" of catolics. Those that do not go to mass, those that cannot go, those that go once in a while, those that attempt to go every sunday and holy day, those that go but do nothing else for the church or the community and those that try to do it all. Sadly most of all these groups, especially the children, get very little structured instruction in the faith. BIG PROBLEM.

  • Dec. 30, 2008 3:39 PM EST Posted by: peggyann | Story: Restoring a Catholic Culture: Where do we start?

    I, personally, was very happy to come across this item. It truly is past time for action on the part of every-day Catholics to join together to do what we can to bring about a culture which reflects our beliefs and our priorities. Those of us old enough to have been schooled in the faith prior to Vatican II are well aware of the upheaval that occurred over the next years. We need to come up with a faith that sustains and guides us into the future.

  • Dec. 29, 2008 4:44 PM EST Posted by: Lee Podles | Story: change of pace

    The church is the manifestation of the new humanity of which Christ is the new Adam. One can no more leave the Church than one can resign from the human race – although a study of the history of both might well lead to the desire to do that. Lee Podles

  • Dec. 29, 2008 1:56 PM EST Posted by: sparch | Story: change of pace

    Mcbrien stays with the church because he has been a catholic al his life. Seems to me to be an affirmation of tradition, which the church in it's wisdom, holds dear. Tradition is the root of the seed that carries the truth. How can the plant live when the vermin gnaw the root? How do you affirm tradition while denying it at the same time.

  • Dec. 27, 2008 3:43 PM EST Posted by: Thomas429 | Story: Doctrine of Original Sin is the alternative to a 'vision of despair,' Pope tells Wednesday audience

    Atheists have a problem recognizing any sin. They do not see the value of realigning themselves with God, their fellow man, and their own souls. They often find themselves in miserable condition. I was there. I remember how it felt. I never want to go back. . . .

  • Dec. 25, 2008 10:57 AM EST Posted by: bernie4871 | Story: Camelot on reruns

    Re: Paxvobiscum Problem is, the Bishops will not do that, even the most orthodox, regardless of what the Pope or anyone else says. "Latae Sententiae" excommunicated persons will fall into the category of the divorced and re-married, or those living in sin, or a visiting Protestant. What we need is a National statement that pro abortion persons are no longer Catholics. Same is true of pro contraception, but then that includes many priests.

  • Dec. 24, 2008 3:09 PM EST Posted by: paxvobiscum | Story: Camelot on reruns

    Re: bernie4871, 2:01 PM - Perhaps one might add a reminder to the (clearly confused) pro aborts that, as a result of their choice to become excommunicated, they may not receive Holy Communion.

  • Dec. 24, 2008 2:01 PM EST Posted by: bernie4871 | Story: Camelot on reruns

    One way for Green Beer and ND crowd to get it : Bish to Pro abort, copy press : You are free as a US Citizen to hold your pro abortion belief, but you have excommunicated yourself from the Catholic Church, as have all who hold the same or equivalent belief. As with all other persons who do not share the Catholic belief in the sanctity of life, you are, of course, welcome to attend Catholic Mass. Confession is heard at the Cathedral from 3 to 5 on Sat. or by apt.

  • Dec. 24, 2008 10:30 AM EST Posted by: patriot6908 | Story: fixated

    Is it surprising in a culture that celebrates sexual depravity in its various forms, most of the media is obsessed with protecting cheap dull sins as universal treasures? Besides, as the print media is in economic turmoil, what sells better than fictional headlines and feigned shock by the usual witless bunch?

  • Dec. 24, 2008 9:24 AM EST Posted by: ben.fischer2340 | Story: fixated

    The press is little more than a rumor mill. The story isn't what happened, but how people react to what happened. It's easy. If you're going to report on something, you have to know about it so you can put the story in it's proper context. But if you report "These people say Pope is wrong" you just have to show up to the press conference. And if they're wrong, it's no problem for you, you just reported on what they said, not whether they were correct. It's lazy and tabloid-ish.

  • Dec. 23, 2008 11:45 PM EST Posted by: The Venerable Steve | Story: rorschach exegesis: the bible as gay manifesto

    Somebody called it! 2 Tim 4:3-4

    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

  • Dec. 23, 2008 7:52 PM EST Posted by: fredsfo2@gmail.com | Story: fixated

    There are those who are gay and lesbian. That is something they have to live with, and to a degree all of us have to share this earth with you. I am not against you, and neither is the Roman Catholic Church. What the Church condemns is that what she considers sin in a homosexual relationship, namely sex. As a Roman Catholic I fully agree with the Church. If you persist in calling me homophobic ... then so be it. Christ loves everyone. You are my brothers and sisters, too!

  • Dec. 23, 2008 4:29 PM EST Posted by: James2:20 | Story: fixated

    Heterophobia?

  • Dec. 23, 2008 2:23 PM EST Posted by: sparch | Story: lest we forget

    To: hUMPTY Dumpty'

    I was not refering to any one politician in my response, although the article was about our Clintons. Character is what we are ultimately judged by in our private and public life. Funny how you jumped to the conclusion I was refering to Obama (you must know something about his character I don't)

    I choose not to defend McCain. I will let him do that himself

  • Dec. 23, 2008 12:06 AM EST Posted by: Bernadone | Story: Message to the Roman Curia: Pope's 'game plan' for 2009

    Many Christians, both Catholic and of other groups, have, for the past several years, backed away from openly acknowledging their faith for fear of offending someone [or anyone]. Proclaiming the Gospel energetically and unapologetically throughout the world should produce a breath of fresh air to be felt by both Christian and non-Christian alike.

  • Dec. 22, 2008 8:48 PM EST Posted by: St.John Neumann | Story: Message to the Roman Curia: Pope's 'game plan' for 2009

    In reading the papal encyclicals from Pope St. Pius IX to the present Holy Father, we see how wonderfully each pope has addressed the issues of the age in precisely the terms needed to protect the faithful and to defend the faith in a Western culture bent on self-destruction in the name of science, material progress, and a false concept of human freedom. These teachings and those of the present Holy Father are designed to help us remain strong in the faith. The world cannot understand them.

  • Dec. 22, 2008 8:29 PM EST Posted by: Moreman | Story: Camelot on reruns

    As I recall, JFK wasn't too good about being Catholic on Sunday, either. I remember feeling bad for him when I heard that his concern for the security of others kept him from attending Mass on Sundays.

  • Dec. 22, 2008 6:16 PM EST Posted by: Theotokos328 | Story: Message to the Roman Curia: Pope's 'game plan' for 2009

    It is true indeed that the «secular media cannot understand the celebration (World Youth Day)» or any other Church event for that matter. Case and point: a few weeks ago the secular media reported that the Church «forgave» John Lennon and the Beatles for having the audacity to proclaim themselves «more popular than Jesus»; the truth of the matter is that this story albeit exagerated was taken from the Osservatore Romano which isn't the voice of the Magisterium but the media thought it did !

  • Dec. 22, 2008 2:38 PM EST Posted by: ILM | Story: Camelot on reruns

    John Kennedy may have done more harm to the Catholic Faith in America that any other man. He established the principal that Catholics could be Catholic on Sunday in Church and secular the rest of the week. A whole generation of "Catholic" politicians adopted his mantra and went on to be the deciding force in bringing about Roe versus Wade.

  • Dec. 21, 2008 2:36 PM EST Posted by: centurion | Story: Professor Humbug

    As a Gemini myself, I find it interesting that Jesus might have been born in June. Certainly the nights would be warmer for the Holy Family. But really what difference does it make as long as he was born. That step in the redemption process was critical to the salvation of mankind. The joy of this gift of life of a God consenting to assume the nature of man leads directly to His ultimate sacrifice by which we are redeemed. God keeps His promises. Let us strive to keep ourBaptismal promises,too.

  • Dec. 20, 2008 5:30 PM EST Posted by: thrice.try@hotmail.com | Story: Viet Redemptorist provincial rejects government demand for transfer of priests

    Yes....this is how they start their cleansing and persecutions....They just START! We don't think often of the priests in these lands...but we must put on Christ and remember them in all our prayers at Mass and make special sacrifices for these blessed men who strive for Goodness.

  • Dec. 20, 2008 4:19 AM EST Posted by: hUMPTY dUMPTY | Story: lest we forget

    To sparch: The other Candidate returned from the Honoi Hilton and proceeded to bed every woman he found, abandoning a crippled wife and the children she had raised as a single mother. Yet he was supported by every pro-Family group around. Sic tempora, sic mores!