The Devil in the Common Core Details

"For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them;
But he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil."  Proverbs 1:32-33 (RSV-2CE)

As I prepare this post, the war over the so-called Common Core Curriculum is raging in the various states and school districts (public and parochial) throughout the country.

The protagonists tout the curriculum as being "more vigorous," (which seems code for "more controlled"), less "general," (also code for "more controlled"), and as an instrument to "prepare students for college and careers" (supposedly a novel idea; no curriculum has done this previously?).

The antagonists, unfortunately, are all over the map with their reasons for opposing the curriculum.  They typically point out an objectionable included book here, a politically left-leaning lesson plan and/or assignment there, and other such pieces of the pie which they find -- for one reason or another -- unpalatable.  However, what most do not do is to point out the proverbial devil in the details of the Common Core Curriculum.

The Common Core Curriculum is firmly based in the educational philosophy of John Dewey; empiricism.  In this educational philosophy, the thing of most importance is one's personal experience -- even at the expense of classical and long-tested lessons.

To illustrate, if Hamlet were to be read in a Common Core lesson, the things to be learned would not center on the long accepted moral lessons of this great work of Shakespeare.  
The emphasis would be on the individual student's experience of reading Hamlet.  An assignment might be to imagine you are Fortinbras -- and write a brief essay describing your experience of death in Hamlet.

Obviously, with several or more students, there would be several or more essays describing several or more experiences.  Under Common Core each experience will be affirmed as valid (or true) for that student.  An inescapable conclusion is "my experience is true for me."

The devil in the details of Common Core is that empiricism is the identical twin of moral relativism; "your truth is true for you, and my truth is true for me."  My personal experience, and your personal experience become the dictators of our personal morality, personal ethics, personal values, and personal norms.  There cannot really be any societal norms, nor any cultural mores.  Indeed, there can be no objective truth; personal experience trumps all.

The classics are not studied for their own merits in the Common Core.  The long held moral lessons enshrined in the classics are either ignored or severely downplayed.  After all, it would be wrong to force these preconceived ideas on children -- they must be taught to think critically -- or at least to do so according the definition of the Common Core Curriculum.

Complacence in the face of empiricism will destroy us.

The Hidden Dangers of the "Pieta Prayerbook" ~ It's not as "Innocent" as it looks....

I know that some of my Facebook Friends and some of my In Real Life Friends will find this difficult to read.  Please know that I am a former devotee of the "Pieta Prayerbook" as well.  Since my return to the Catholic Church in 2007, I have been extremely vigilant against anything that may sew the seeds of disobedience or rebellion.  Most such things are subtle; that is how Satan often works.  He leads us astray with things that seem good, innocent, even holy.  Sometimes, these things look so good and so holy that we "cut them some slack" if they're just a "little bit disloyal" to the Church.

The Pieta Prayerbook exists in direct violation of a decision rendered in 1954 with the approval of His Holiness Pope Pius Xll, that the so-called 15 promises made to St. Bridget are not of supernatural origin, and are not to be published nor disseminated.  

As if this were not reason enough for faithful Catholics to avoid this book, it also contains unapproved private revelations presented as facts.

So "What's the big deal?"  The acceptance and use of this book breeds disloyalty, disobedience, and rebellion.  It introduces confusion among the faithful.  It is the responsibility of the Teaching Authority of the Church to rule on matters of faith and morals; and this is for an important reason: Satan is out to destroy the Church - cf: Revelation 12: 17.  He will do this by trying to separate the sheep from the shepherd.  To separate us, he will teach us to trust our own judgment over that of our shepherd.  He will teach us first to disregard, then to disobey, then to rebel.

Please read the following carefully.  I offer this out of serious concern for the souls of many of my Catholic friends who are innocently being led astray by the use of this so-called prayerbook.  Feel free to contact me directly with any questions.

               ACTA APOSTOLICAE SEDISSUPREMA SACRA CONGREGATIO S. OFFICIIMONITUM

In aliquibus locis divulgatum est opusculum quoddam, cui titulus "SECRETUM FELICITATIS - Quindecim orationes a Domino S. Birgittae in ecclesia S. Pauli, Romae, revelatae", Niceae ad Varum (et alibi), variis linguis editum.

Cum vero in eodem libello asseratur S. Birgittae quasdam promissiones a Deo fuisse factas, de quarum origine supernaturali nullo modo constat, caveant Ordinarii locorum ne licentiam concedant edendi vel denuo impremendi opuscula vel scripta quae praedictas promissiones continent.

Datum Romae, ex Aedibus S. Officii, die 28 Ianuarii 1954.Marius Crovini, Supremae S. Congr. S. Officii Notarius

(Translation into English)

                                     Acts of the Holy See  Congregation of the Holy Office  Warning

In some places, a certain little work has been disseminated called the "Secret of Happiness: 15 Prayers Revealed by the Lord to St. Bridget in the Church of St. Paul at Rome", published at Nice and various other places in several languages. Since it is asserted in this pamphlet that God made to St. Bridget certain promises, whose supernatural origin in no way stands up, let local ordinaries take care not to grant permission for publishing or reprinting pamphlets or other writings which contain these aforementioned promises.

Given at Rome, from the offices of the Holy Office, 28 , January 1954 Marius Crovini, Notary of the Supreme Holy, Congregation of the Holy Office 

Some recent publications of the promises (cf: the “Pieta Prayerbook”) have made various claims about past popes approving their publication, however, such claims are quite false. No authentic records of such approvals of the promises themselves exist. It should be noteworthy that it is for this very reason that the “Pieta Prayerbook” does not now, and cannot, carry either the Imprimatur nor the Nihil Obstat.

THERE IS A GOOD, PROPER AND APPROVED BOOK! The book titled “The Magnificent Prayers” is published by TAN publishers. The inside front pages provide an explanation as to why TAN published THIS book, and why they do NOT carry the “Pieta Prayerbook.” Click the link below to learn about and/or order the Magnificent Prayers:

https://tanbooks.benedictpress.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/210/keywords/magnificent+prayers/

Good to be Home Again....

On one of John Denver's early albums (yes, albums existed in that near-stone-age era prior to CDs, 8-Tracks, and Cassettes), he sings "...it's good to be back home again...".  And, of course, there's the famous line which Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz repeats after Glenda the Good Witch, "There's no place like home..."

I have been away from what most would call normal life since April 25th, 2012.  I have posted and deleted some entries here of which I have thought the better; even though they explained away some of the mystery regarding my absence from the blogoshpere.  In reality, very few likely noted my absence, and less likely cared one way or another.

Suffice it to say that I found myself in a place very much unlike what I had previously imagined it to be.  With the help of God and some dear comrades, I and they extracted ourselves and returned to the "outside world."

Those who know me very well likely already have custody of sufficient facts of the matter to which I allude.

This said, I shall simply return to my occasional Chestertonian ramblings here in the Small Shoppe.

God is good; and His Angels do a wonderful job!

To Your Health!

"...And they all ate and were satisfied." (Matt 14:20a)

I have never previously herein participated in the activity known as Recipe-Sharing, and I suspect that I will not be doing so with anything approaching regularity. Just the same, I feel I owe it to my fellow man, for the advancement of the common good, to present this one formula which, having concocted and tested, I now propose and recommend:

Michael’s Anti-Cholesterol “Knock-Out-Punch” Cereal
*Chestertonian Certified*
Suitable for Hermits, Recluses, and other Human & Canine Life-Forms

¼ cup Bob’s Red Mill® Oat Bran Cereal
2 TBLSP Ground Flax
2 TBLSP Ground Walnuts
Cinnamon to taste (I use a bunch!)

1 TBLSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ cup Kellogg’s® All-Bran Buds®
1 Cup Water

Put all of the above in a big cereal bowl, and microwave for 3 ½ minutes (depending..)

Then slice a banana on top, and stir the whole thing well.

Pour up to ¼ cup milk, or even half-n-half on top.

Enjoy! It works.
(I reduced my bad cholesterol 75 points in 5 months with this)

"Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself..."

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall ove your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37-40

I am not all together certain why this passage, and a particular insight that accompanies it have visited my consciousness so insistently over the past several days. Likely it is owing to the fact that I am not particularly loving of my neighbor; or at least quite selectively exclusive in my determination of exactly "who is my neighbor."

I will attempt to describe the insight that came rushing upon me like a Pentecost wind as I thought of this passage from Sacred Scripture. Throughout my life, I always have taken these verses to mean that I should love God, and then sort of "measure" how I love myself, and apply that measure of love to others around me. The disturbing insight of which I have become aware of late is, I think, more than simply a nuance. In the command to love my neighbor as myself, I now understand that I am to consider that my neighbor "is" myself. In so doing, I will of course love my neighbor. This command fights fiercely against my narcissism; for if I consider for even a moment that my neighbor is myself, then all of the great concern and interest which I normally reserve for my own needs and wants is now focused on someone else. I must love my neighbor exactly as though my neighbor were, in fact, me.

The very thought of such a thing frightens me and, I must say -- in the interest of full disclosure--makes me feel rather ill. First off, there are more than several people for whom I have no desire at all to have such consideration. Secondly, that fact that there are indeed people for whom I do not desire to have this sort of love makes me feel guilty and sinful; not a spiritual sensation of which I am at all fond.

Perhaps I have, at long last stumbled upon an Examination of Conscience in capsule form. I may not need to fumble for a pamphlet, or look for a marked page in the back of my missal again. These few verses from the Gospel shed much light upon the state of my soul; upon the state of my relationship with God and those with my fellow men. As I reflect, I cannot presently remember a sin which I have in the past committed that does not relate directly to these two commandments: Love God, and love thy neighbor as thyself.

"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee..."

Then again...

"Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us." Titus 2:7-8

Over this past weekend, as I've read, prayed, and most importantly listened with regard to the "Fr. Corapi / Black Sheepdog" matter, I have arrived at some points for reflection. One of the most interesting things I have read with regard to this present concern is a blog entry by Fr. Corapi's former Bishop and the Episcopal Founder of the S.O.L.T. to which he belongs. The Bishop's post may be found at: http://www.sanctepater.com/2011/06/thoughts-on-father-corapi-by-bishop.html.

Here are the reflection points to which I am drawn:

1. Much of my initial reaction to Fr. Corapi's "Black Sheepdog" announcement is expressive of my pain at "losing him." As I've mentioned, his preaching was instrumental in my "re-version" to the Catholic Church.

2. Much of my negative reaction to the "Black Sheepdog" moniker is an emotional response to what I continue to view as a dark and "creepy" image of some visually nondescript beast staring at sheep. My reaction to the name also fails to take into account the fact that Fr. Corapi has frequently used "special forces/military" language in his public expressions.

3. I have assumed that Fr. Corapi's statement meant that he was leaving the Catholic Church, and formally renouncing the priesthood. In fairness, his actual words do not explicitly state either of these things.

4. I was, until today, not aware that Fr. Corapi had initiated a civil suit against the woman who has become his principal accuser. It is at least possible that this civil action may result in his vindication. He would be unable to continue the civil suit while at the same time defending himself in an ecclesial proceeding, as the ecclesial process requires that no "pressures" such as civil litigation be applied against any "witnesses."

5. As some others have stated, there is so much here that we do not know, that it is inherently foolish and dangerous to engage in deep commentary and speculation.

6. There is much in Fr. Corapi's statement which can be, and no doubt is being used to attack the Church and her bishops. This is a direction in which no Faithful Catholic may follow. We must pray for Fr. Corapi; he is a priest forever -- and thus, as others have said, he is a target of Satan until the moment of his death.

7. As long as Fr. Corapi makes it abundantly clear that he is not speaking or ministering as a priest (which point he is certainly making), he is canonically free to speak in accord with the Truth; no Catholic is forbidden from doing such.

8. There is much about Fr. Corapi's present methodology that causes me to wince. I must resist the temptation to allow those things to cause me to reject or condemn.

9. Our Church, our Holy Father, our Bishops, our Priests, our Deacons, and our Religious are all under constant Satanic attack. On any day in which we fail to earnestly pray for them, we fail in our responsibilities as Faithful Catholics.

10. "I have often regretted speaking too much, but have never regretted holding my tongue." -St. Arsenius, The Great

The Shepherd, rather than the sheepdog

"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him." John 12:25-26

I heard it said, although I no longer remember who I heard utter the words, "So far as you are from Peter, so far are you from Christ." In my old, schismatic days, I heard Fr. John Corapi say "If you believe what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, you are morally obliged to unite yourself to her." He also said many things, on many occasions regarding authority, obedience, submission, and faithfulness. He was direct, non-glossy, hard-hitting, and clear: The Catholic Church is the Bride of Christ, and for any of her human blemishes, she is the bride chosen by the Lamb -- and woe to those who stand against her.

The many such things said by Fr. Corapi caused me no small amount of discomfort as I sat in the midst of my personal rebellion against the Church. I had managed, for the most part, to dupe myself into believing that my exodus was not only justifiable; it was even a call from God to serve Him in another "part" of His Church. This line of rationalization afforded me what I came to believe was the freedom to accept ordination with an independent Anglican community.

Like many good "Anglo-Catholics," I sought out Catholic input for my preaching and teaching. My input of choice was various programs aired on EWTN. Often, I would sit watching Fr. Corapi while squirming uncomfortably. His words carried a Truth that burned like fire, and cut like a two-edged sword. His chapter-and-verse knowledge of both Scripture and of the Teachings of the Church left me at a loss to dispute his assertions. Here was a man, a priest grounded in Truth, standing firmly upon The Rock; that which he said was not simply his own words. It was the Truth.

So, what do I make of the "important announcement" Fr. Corapi made yesterday via YouTube? How does his statement square with what I have known of this man, this priest over the years?

To be fair, I required of myself that I should review Fr. Corapi's statement several times. Each time, my initial reactions were confirmed and deepened. His statement seems dark and frightening.

He appears to hide behind an image that, to me, conveys fear and evil; the very dark, piercing eyes of some animal -- supposedly a "black sheepdog" -- bearing stationary reflections of sheep. The image does not seem to convey the idea of this animal as a brave protector; rather it is possible, based on the image, that the sheep might have a good deal to fear from the one whose eyes are so intently trained upon them.

Imagery aside, Fr. Corapi's actions are disturbing. Has he rejected the authority of those to whom he has vowed and promised obedience? Has he stripped himself of his office and title as priest, and has set himself up as the speaker of Truth? If so, he has committed nearly all of the essential steps of apostasy, and may be well on the road to formal heresy should he at some point expand his "truth" beyond that which has been revealed.

The Fr. Corapi who has made this recent statement, and taken these actions seems to run far afoul of the Fr. Corapi who has, in the past, taught faithfully the unvarnished Truth of the Catholic Faith. His present course does not seem to correspond to his many previously made admonitions with regard to authority, obedience, and Godly submission.

Has he fallen victim to the most dastardly temptation of all? Has he set himself up as the sole authority over John Corapi's life? If so, he sets himself at odds with the Church; and thus at odds with the Shepherd. Is he indeed a guardian sheepdog, or he has become a lone wolf; answerable only to his own thinking.

If Fr. Corapi has divorced himself from that which made his previous words true and powerful, we must certainly pray for him. We must even more certainly be vigilant so as not to follow where he presently seems to have gone.

If given the choice between the black sheepdog and the Shepherd; I will stay close to the Shepherd.

"Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." John 12:35-36