rockpile

Thanks, Rich. I forgot I had an original point. I think that announcements should be made during that part of the service called "announcements", but that's just my opinion. If the homily is the priest's time to "speak openly, out of The Book", it is certainly not the time to ask people to open their wallets. Jesus had a real problem with doing that in his Father's house if I recall. Thanks for your input.

Your God is a lot smaller than mine. Those are vain human traits.

The same is true of all religons, not just Catholics, not just Christianity. I understand that churches are comprised of people and led by people. My original question, and I admit I may not have expressed myself very well, was how others felt about Catholic churches substituting the greeting of parishioners with a note about money collection, or turning 25% of the service into an infommercial. With the exception of some TV preachers, it has been my experience that Catholic churches are most apt to do this, of the dozens of Christian denominations whose services I have attended personally. Gee, should we change the name of the forum to "Politics, Polls, and Pissing Contests"?

Who is the guy with you, wearing the Bills shirt?

on the other hand... link

Are you sure it was not Mortimer Snerd who said that?

I guess I was somewhat successful in starting it then. I admit I was shooting for "pensive" more than "disturbed".

In my case, today I went to provide a shoulder if my wife needed it. My own personal cathedral is somethng resembling a mountain stream in Vermont on a sunny day, or the choir-like voices that can be heard in the wind as it passes over a forest. My wife finds solace in the meditative ritual she grew up with in the Catholic church. It is a quiet focus that helps her prepare for her week. It is not really that different than the choirs in the trees that I described. I have experienced a lot of different religions, from the gamut of protestant faiths, to buddhism, to shamanism, to born again Baptist. I have concluded that church is wherever I want it to be. To answer your original question, I go occasionally to be with the ones I love, and it makes them happy if I am willing to give up an hour of my day to share with them something that matters to them.

I went to church this morning. My wife is Catholic and finds the most peace with that church, and I was there mainly to support her, since this was the first Father's Day without her Dad. I was reminded today why I do not generally participate in organized religion. Today is Father's Day, right? Don't you think that maybe the homily (sermon) might be thematic? I mean, MY thoughts were with my father, father-in-law, and grandfather who have all died. I also thought of my children and grandchildren and was meditating on how I could be a better man for them! No, they had a guest speaker whose entire message concerned fund raising for a Catholic AM radio station they were starting up. So today's message was a 15 minute Infommercial. Another time I was there on Easter Sunday (a different parish, by the way) and on EASTER SUNDAY the first words out of the priest's mouth were an announcement that there would only be one offering collection that day, so if you had two envelopes, don't wait for a second basket. Funny, but I thought "Happy Easter" would have been more appropriate as the opening greeting. I would be interested in knowing how others feel about this kind of thing. Is it just me?

Sorry to hear about your father, but how wonderful to have memories like these to carry with you. Keep your family close; I hope you can find peace with this soon. God Bless Rockpile

Early morning my wife and I are going to church, just to start the day with some peace of mind; quiet prayers for our fathers and grandfathers who have died. With luck the roof won't collapse when this neo pagan enters. Brunch at my oldest daughter's home, SIL, and five grandchildren. Afternoon around the pool with some brews and relaxation. We are going to bring Grandpa over from the nursing home for the day. Two more of my kids should be there; I expect babyrock will check in from Brooklyn by phone. Any gifts on top of that are just icing on the cake.

Why don't you post your picture?

Rule #1 is to ignore the parents. Good luck and have fun!

Jay Leno said last night that there was a Tsunami Alert and people were going to the beach to watch for it. Now, where did I put that Darwin Award?

My haircut is the same as the one in your avatar. I remember when we used to sneak into the Silver Lake Drive In. Bubble Puppy is my favorite one hit wonder band. I see a red door and I want it painted black. So, who was better, Elbert Dubenion or Andre Reed? TD = Son of Satan Did you hear the Bills are going to have throwback jersies this year? When do tailgate tickets go on sale? I heard they were doing a remake of the Woodstock movie. Who is Guffalo? My haircut is the same as the one in your avatar.

I was talking to Annie, DOH!

I don't know, looking good to me!

Yes, Box #6 - Form 1040

Just updated mine to a picture of me and Mrs. Rockpile.

Go to the dollar store, select something, and offer them 75 cents for it.

Ask anyone who knows me, I do not Pee off easily.

I have met Michelle, and you can list me as a reference on her resume. She is a BILLS fan.

Have a great day, Brandon!!

I wasn't accusing anyone, and the hunters I know eat what they kill. I have no problem with that at all, in fact I support it! When I lived in Wyoming County, there would occasionally be a "hunter" who would take down a deer that was too small and leave it to rot, or a doe, "just for fun". It was the farmers in various parts of WNY finding the carcasses on their land and BSing about it over a cup of coffee in a rural restaurant, not some urban legend thing. I used to drive delivery truck from Perry to Geneva, Wayland, Salamanca, Jamestown, Dunkirk, Lewiston and all points in between, and this was rare but it happens. It was just a reply to someone who wanted an example of Killing for a trophy and discarding the meat is greed, IMO.