Changes at ASU Newman Center

The Arizona Republic is reporting that the Diocese of Phoenix has decided to take over the Newman Center at ASU beginning in July, 2010. This removes the Dominicans and puts in Diocesan Priests who Bishop Olmstead has more control over.

"The bishop has decided that he wants his own clergy to minister at and administer the Newman Center," said the Rev. Fred Lucci, pastor of the center for four years and an ASU graduate.

Lucci, upon getting the news, resigned. His associate, the Rev. James Thompson, will direct the center until next year.

... Parishioners say they suspect something else is happening.

The center has been seen by some Catholics as a liberal outpost in the diocese. It previously has come under the bishop's scrutiny because its outreach to gay and lesbian Catholics has not met the bishop's approval.

It is no secret that our Bishop is one of the most conservative bishops in the country. You do have to consider the source of the reporting as well. The Republic has its own agenda as well. I have no issue reaching out to gay and lesbian Catholics. They need to have God in their lives too. It's not like the Church is condoning gay marriage, it is just saying that they are welcome to come to Church.

I don't think it is a gay thing. I think it is a power and control issue. Olmstead previously reigned in "The Casa" which has been known by that name for years and is run by the Franciscans. It was officially called the Franciscan Renewal Center from 1951 until 2006 when the Bishop wanted control and forced them to become Our Lady of the Angels Conventual Church. They still call themselves The Casa, and have their new official name in small print. They now have to contribute part of their collection to the Diocese and follow other rules that they were previously exempt from. Although not officially a part of the Diocese, the Conventual designation was the only way that they were going to stay operating.

Olmstead also changed out all of the chaplains in the high schools last year, even at the Jesuit run school of Brophy Prep. Yes, he has the right and the power to do so. We are hoping that he moves on to another Diocese soon. The rumor in Phoenix is that he is going to replace Mahoney in LA. Only time will tell.

Coming to PHX this weekend?

Weekend Forecast -- HOT & Humid

Is it over yet?

Yesterday I could not help but listen to parts of the Michael Jackson "service" as I was in my car driving to an from an appointment and lunch with a landscape vendor. I was expecting a less dignified service, but was surprised (granted, I missed Al Sharpton and others because I was working) at how it came off in a fairly good light. But, seeing the spectacle surrounding it and the people involved you can come to the conclusion that money and power are not all what they are cracked up to be.

As much as people wanted to say how "normal" MJ was and he just wanted to have fun, there was still a real problem. He was not normal. Far from it. He was an accused pedophile. Granted, just ask the Clergy, accused does not mean convicted. But still, he did things that were inappropriate for any adult. He had children sleeping in his bedroom. Even if nothing happened, that is still inappropriate. We all know the list of things that made him not normal. This really goes more toward the money and power that the celebrities seem to need. It is sad to see that our society puts status and celebrity above everything else. Just look at the news media. The MJ story led the news for a week and a half. Programming was cancelled on many stations to devote coverage to Jackson. For what? Breaking News: He's still dead!

Society needs to look at the values that we are supposed to cherish, whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or a Druid. That is family, God and living a good life shaped by God to serve in his image. But instead we have people like Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Alex Rodriguez, Madonna, Cher, and the list goes on. What do these people really contribute to society? What example do they set? Is it OK to abuse drugs, cheat on your spouse, change your body so much that people do not recognize you? I think not.

Hopefully we will get a brief respite from the hype of the last week. I know that society is not going to change. But I can hope...

Independence

Happy 233rd Birthday to the United States. Let's remember everyone who made this great country possible, from our founding fathers to the present day men and women keeping us free all around the world.

Movie Review: Public Enemies

We just got back from seeing Public Enemies. I'm not going to ruin any storylines for you, as we all know that John Dillinger dies in the end. This movie showcases Johnny Depp's great acting ability, and he does not disappoint.

The movie was too long, at 2 hours and 20 minutes, it could have been much shorter. It seemed as if the writer and director just wanted to make something about Dillinger, without really needing to make it suspenseful or even interesting. The love story is the thread that goes throughout the movie, but, it is hardly a reason to go see it. It was hard to keep track of the good guys and bad guys in the gunfights, of which there were quite a few.

If you are going to see the movie, go to a matinee, that way you don't have to pay the full amount. Better yet, wait for it to come out on cable.

Palin Resigns

Wow, I see that Sarah Palin will be resigning as Governor of Alaska at the end of July. I'm sure that she is positioning herself for a Presidential run in 2012, and being Governor of a far flung state would be condusive for a campaign and running the state to the best of her ability?

Do you think she will run? Vote in the poll.

Best Record

Let it be known that despite the loss of Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers still have the BEST record in baseball. By the way, the Yankees still suck!

No Budget in Arizona

July 1 is here, and just like California, the State of Arizona is without an approved budget for the 2009 - 2010 fiscal year. Unlike California, we are not issuing IOU's. An outside observer would ask "what's the problem?" Arizona has a Republican controlled House and Senate and a Republican Governor; shouldn't be a problem, right? WRONG!

Governor Brewer, filling out the rest of Janet Napolitano's term, used her line item veto on several parts of the budget, causing it to be in a deficit situation and called the lawmakers back for a special session beginning on Monday. The legislators had wrapped up the year's work (we have a part time legislature in Arizona) and gave the Governor a budget on the last day of the session.

The Governor wants a one cent raise in the sales tax for a temporary fix to the budget situation, and had even gone to the Arizona Supreme Court to force lawmakers to send her a budget. They had already passed one on June 4, but did not transmit it to the Governor. Over the past few days, tweaks were made to that budget, and the final version was sent to Brewer. That version did not include the sales tax increase, which Brewer had conceded to let the voters decide on in an election.

Critics say that the Republican budget guts public education and health care. We will have to see what happens in the halls of the Capitol after the July 4 holiday. State services so far have not been impacted, as the doomsayers were predicting. Although not a great situation, I believe that a budget will be passed and that life will go on in Arizona.

Karl Malden, Rest in Peace

One of the better actors of the past century, Karl Malden, passed away today from natural causes. He was 97. I will remember him from the movie Patton where he played General Omar Bradley. He will also be remembered for The Streets of San Francisco and for being the pitchman for American Express, "Don't Leave Home Without It."

Born Mladen George Sekulovich, he changed his name when he was 22. He was married to his wife Mona since December, 1938.

A little warmer

If you happen to check out the blog at this particular moment you will see that it's a few degrees
warmer than yesterday. More humidity today. Summertime in the desert.