Why a atheist is defending the Catholic Church?

Image via Wikipedia
As reported in the latest issue of Catholic News Vol 60, Bernard-Henri Levy has come to the defence of the Catholic Church and the Pope.


Levy said in an interview with ABC: "The Pope's voice is extremely important, and we are very unjust to this Pope. I am not Catholic, but I think there is prejudice and especially major anti-clericalism that is taking on enormous proportions in Europe."

Further, he also said that : "We have the right to criticise religions" but he said that he scale of the criticism was "out of proportion".

Read more aboyt the work of Bernard-Henri Levy at www.bernard-henri-levy.com

How Old is your Church?

Image by drivebybiscuits1 via Flickr

HOW OLD IS YOUR CHURCH?

THIS IS A MOST INTERESTING QUESTION!!!
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL ASTOUND MANY OF YOU!

If you are a LUTHERAN, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, IN THE YEAR 1517.

If you belong to the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII IN THE YEAR 1534, because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry.

If you are a PRESBYTERIAN, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland IN THE YEAR 1560.

If you are a member of the CONGREGATIONALIST, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland IN THE YEAR 1582.

If you are a BAPTIST,  you owe the tenets of your religion to your founder, John Smyth, who launched this denomination in the city of Amsterdam IN THE YEAR 1605.

If you are of the DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, you recognize Michaelis Jones as your founder, because he originated your religion in New York IN THE YEAR 1628.

If you are a PROTESTANT EPISCOPALIAN, your religion was an offshoot of the Church Of England, and your offshoot was founded by Samuel Seabury in the American Colonies in the 17th Century.

If you are a METHODIST, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England IN THE YEAR 1744.

If you are a UNITARIAN, then Theophilus Lindley is the founder of your church, in London IN THE YEAR 1774.

If you are a MORMON (LATTER DAY SAINTS) your modern religion was started by Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York,IN THE YEAR 1829.

If you worship with THE SALVATION ARMY, your sect began with Willian Booth in the city of London IN THE YEAR 1865.

If you are a CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST, you recognize that your religion was begun by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy IN THE YEAR 1879.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as
"CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE",
or "PENTECOSTAL GOSPEL",
Or "HOLINESS CHURCH",
or "PILGRIM HOLINESS CHURCH",
or "JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES",
Or any of the MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF STOREFRONT CHURCHES, then your religion is one of the thousands of new sects founded by men WITHIN THE PAST 150 YEARS!

If you are a ROMAN CATHOLIC,  Then you know that your Church was founded IN THE YEAR 33
BY JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD,AND IT IS STILL THE SAME CHURCH!!!

Amutha Valli ordered to pay S$372,000 in costs in exorcism case

Madam Amutha Valli Krishnan who lost her exorcism law suit against the Novena Church has been ordered to pay costs and disbursements amounting to some S$372,000.

Madam Amutha Valli Krishnan will have to pay the six churchgoers she tried to sue unsuccessfully, more than S$300,000 in lawyers fees and disbursements. She will also have to pay over S$72,000 in disbursements to the Church and the two defendant priests, Father Simon Tan and Father Jacob Ong.

She should thank God that the 2 defence lawyers did not asked for their legal fees. If they (Senior Counsel Jimmy Yim and Mr Tito Isaac) had done so, their fees alone will amount to between S$500,000 and S$1 million!

Beside she still has to wait for the Supreme Court registrar to decide if the disbursement and another sum of over S$92,000 - comprising largely of costs to get psychiatrists to testify for the defence being claimed are reasonable.

Good luck Madam Amutha Valli Krishnan.

Our Lady's Assumption Church - Bunbury WA

This is the Church where we spend our last Sunday of Ordinary time celebrating Mass. This is a beautiful Church as you can see from the pictures below. Is it a coincidence that the reading that week is about MT 25:31-46? Ha..Ha..Ha..

The front view of Our Lady's Assumption Catholic Church



Inside the Church looking at the alter from the Church entrance



One of the thing that makes a Catholic Church very beautiful is the stained glass art which you can see lining both sides of the wall of this Church.

St Mary's Catholic Church - Denmark WA

Also pass by St Mary's Catholic Church in Denmark WA.

Is mega churches related to size?

Image via WikipediaI am just wondering why some non-denominations charismatic church called themselves mega churches? They usually bragged about their 15,000 - 25,000 attendance as a sign that God is with them and given them so much success....

Is that so?

Then how about the Catholic Church in Singapore? We have about 340,000 parishioners and what will that make us - Super Mega Church?

I am sure many if the other main stream Churches have more parishioners than any mega church.

Can someone explain to me?

First is last and last is first.

Image by Loci Lenar via FlickrToday's Gospel reading (Mt 20 1:16) gives us the parable of the landowner who hired laborers to work in his vineyard. As the day went on, he continued to bring laborers to his fields even up to the last hour of the day, yet all were paid the same wage.

Those who had readily agreed to work all day for a certain wage-their reward-were not thrilled that those who had only worked an hour were given the same wage, the same reward.

If our reward for believing in God is eternal life, what is the point of bringing others into the light if they shouldn't expect the same reward?

Of all of the characteristics of the human soul, one stands above the rest - Hope. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that we as faithful followers of God are given the hope of glory in heaven if we love him and do as he directs through his word, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (CCC 1821).

In the parable of the landowner and the vineyard workers, we are given witness to hope; those laborers who were still waiting at the end of the day for a job were hopeful that they might work even for a short time in hopes that they could provide for their families. We stand at the altar with hope and faith that God will provide eternal life through him.

(extracted from the bulletin from The Church Of The Risen Christ – Colorado http://www.risenchristchurch.org).

The other 2 readings as follows:

Is 55:6-9 - Testingblog, Is 55:7 is especially for you.

and Phil 1:20-24 – Testingblog, you should read upto the end of the chapter paying extra attention to Phil 1:27.