Political sermons

[Fitz]

I am really just venting. Last year when I found these forums I will never forget my first thread that I started. I wanted to know if your church included prayers for our military. I was hurt because my parish never did, and my daughter was deployed for 7 months. I felt insulted that they did not feel the need to pray for our soldiers.

I got all kinds of feedback and I came to terms with it. Now I am facing her second deployment to the Middle East and it will happen soon. I find myself getting sensitive again about the same issue.

I went to a parish today that is particulary liberal (college town). The priest talked about a young woman that visited their parish recently that lives in Iraq to help people and to live through the war. She talked to him about how she wanted to be brave and embrace peace in contrast to the military that sacrifice to embrace war. I was really disgusted to be honest. I don’t think of our military as sacrificing to embrace war.

It will be a long 6 months. I need to find better parishes to attend mass or I will not be surviving this deployment very charitably.

 

[otm]

Fitz:

I am really just venting. Last year when I found these forums I will never forget my first thread that I started. I wanted to know if your church included prayers for our military. I was hurt because my parish never did, and my daughter was deployed for 7 months. I felt insulted that they did not feel the need to pray for our soldiers.

I got all kinds of feedback and I came to terms with it. Now I am facing her second deployment to the Middle East and it will happen soon. I find myself getting sensitive again about the same issue.

I went to a parish today that is particulary liberal (college town). The priest talked about a young woman that visited their parish recently that lives in Iraq to help people and to live through the war. She talked to him about how she wanted to be brave and embrace peace in contrast to the military that sacrifice to embrace war. I was really disgusted to be honest. I don’t think of our military as sacrificing to embrace war.

It will be a long 6 months. I need to find better parishes to attend mass or I will not be surviving this deployment very charitably.

Were you in 'Nam?

 

[Fitz]

otm:

Were you in 'Nam?

Nope, my husband served during that era, but not in Nam. He was in Germany and then he spent about 20 years in the army Reserves.
Would that make a difference if one of us had been in Nam?

 

[ElizabethJoy]

Fitz, I’d say yes to finding another parish - if only to save your peace of mind. Sometimes I think that if I hear one more ignorant comment about what our military is doing, I just don’t know what I will do.

But, you are not alone. There are a lot of us praying every day for our military people and our leadership and for a victory in the war on terror. The Saturday vigil mass at the parish I go to was full of prayer for our military people and members who are serving are listed in the bulletin prayer list.

My husband is a career vet, I’m a peacetime vet - one son is serving in the Navy and another is preparing himself to go into the service. I wish this had been dealt with during “our time,” but unfortunately, it wasn’t recognized for the threat that it was and the fight was postponed to our childrens’ generation.

Sending our children into harm’s way is certainly never something I ever wanted to do and I’ll bet it wasn’t in your plan, either. I can’t even imagine what you must go through - my son will be relatively safe compared to those who are on the ground.

God bless your daughter and keep her safe. God bless you with strength - and patience.
Elizabeth

 

[SnorterLuster]

I posted the following in another thread:

I am just home from my TLM parish where we also had a special Independence Day mass; however, ours was not like mgy 100’s. It was a requiem mass honoring all the military who have given their lives to preserve freedom–including today’s war in Iraq. As Father said, we can disagree on today’s war but we cannot disagree to pray for our military that have lost their lives in the conflict.

The sermon was short and to the point. We owe our freedom to the servicemen who gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our Republic.

So take heart, in at least parts of the Catholic Church our military is appreciated and prayed for.

 

[otm]

Fitz:

Nope, my husband served during that era, but not in Nam. He was in Germany and then he spent about 20 years in the army Reserves.
Would that make a difference if one of us had been in Nam?

If you were serving at the same time - whether in Nam or in Germany or another deployment, you would know how we were treated. Being called “baby killer” was a minor subset of it.

Be thankful that the outright hate that we received is not what most of the troops are experiencing now.

I feel for you, having a child caught in that conflict. My prayers are with you all.

 

[Pug]

Fitz:

She talked to him about how she wanted to be brave and embrace peace in contrast to the military that sacrifice to embrace war. I was really disgusted to be honest. I don’t think of our military as sacrificing to embrace war.

It will be a long 6 months.

Ugh. “sacrifice to embrace war?” If it is any small consolation, my parish prays every weekend for our soldiers who are serving. Often they get listed in the bulletin as well. Maybe you could have a mass offered for the intention of your daughter? I’ve never done that, but maybe it would help. If you have a prayer group at your parish, you could ask them to pray each week for your daughter also.

 

[Fitz]

Pug:

Ugh. “sacrifice to embrace war?” If it is any small consolation, my parish prays every weekend for our soldiers who are serving. Often they get listed in the bulletin as well. Maybe you could have a mass offered for the intention of your daughter? I’ve never done that, but maybe it would help. If you have a prayer group at your parish, you could ask them to pray each week for your daughter also.

Yes, I appreciate all the suggestions that you have taken the time to write. I will have some masses said for her and all the military. I will also ask the prayer group to pray and I will join the prayer group too. I am in bible study and they pray every time we meet for the military.

I was more shy and new at this military mom thing during her last deployment, but now I am going to be vocal or drive to a different parish. I am in the Chgo. area so I could do a search for a military friendly parish. It would be worth the drive. I have many choices. All of you that have had loved ones deployed in time of war know how important it is to have support and prayers.

 

[Petertherock]

This is a tad off topic but not really. This is something I got in my e-mail about how the liberal media would cover the Normandy Invasion if it happened today…It’s funny but sad because it’s the truth…

NORMANDY, FRANCE (June 6, 1944)

Three hundred French civilians were killed and thousands more were wounded today in the first hours of America’s invasion of continental Europe. Casualties were heaviest among women and children. Most of the French casualties were the result of artillery fire from American ships attempting to knock out German fortifications prior to the landing of hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops. Reports from a makeshift hospital in the French town of St. Mere Eglise said the carnage was far worse than the French had anticipated, and that reaction against the American invasion was running high. "We are dying for no reason, "said a Frenchman speaking on condition of anonymity. “Americans can’t even shoot straight. I never thought I’d say this, but life was better under Adolph Hitler.”

The invasion also caused severe environmental damage. American troops, tanks, trucks and machinery destroyed miles of pristine shoreline and thousands of acres of ecologically-sensitive wetlands. It was believed that the habitat of the spineless French crab was completely wiped out, thus threatening the species with extinction.

A representative of Greenpeace said his organization, which had tried to stall the invasion for over a year, was appalled at the destruction, but not surprised. “This is just another example of how the military destroys the environment without a second thought,” said Christine Moanmore. “And it’s all about corporate greed.” Contacted at his Manhattan condo, a member of the French government-in-exile who abandoned Paris when Hitler invaded, said the invasion was based solely on American financial interests. “Everyone knows that President Roosevelt has ties to ‘big beer’,” said Pierre LeWimp. “Once the German beer industry is conquered, Roosevelt’s beer cronies will control the world market and make a fortune.”

Administration supporters said America’s aggressive actions were based in part on the assertions of controversial scientist Albert Einstein, who sent a letter to Roosevelt speculating that the Germans were developing a secret weapon – a so-called “atomic bomb.” Such a weapon could produce casualties on a scale never seen before, and cause environmental damage that could last for thousands of years. Hitler has denied having such a weapon and international inspectors were unable to locate such weapons even after spending two long weekends in Germany.

Shortly after the invasion began, reports surfaced that German prisoners had been abused by American soldiers. Mistreatment of Jews by Germans at their so-called “concentration camps” has been rumored, but so far this remains unproven. Several thousand Americans died during the first hours of the invasion, and French officials are concerned that the uncollected corpses will pose a public-health risk. “The Americans should have planned for this in advance,” they said. “It’s their mess, and we don’t intend to help clean it up.”

 

[Pug]

Fitz:

I am going to be vocal or drive to a different parish. I am in the Chgo. area so I could do a search for a military friendly parish.

Fitz, Goodluck! Let your daughter know about all the prayers!

 

[MrS]

Petertherock:

This is a tad off topic but not really. This is something I got in my e-mail about how the liberal media would cover the Normandy Invasion if it happened today…It’s funny but sad because it’s the truth…

NORMANDY, FRANCE (June 6, 1944)

Three hundred French civilians were killed and thousands more were wounded today in the first hours of America’s invasion of continental Europe. Casualties were heaviest among women and children. Most of the French casualties were the result of artillery fire from American ships attempting to knock out German fortifications prior to the landing of hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops. Reports from a makeshift hospital in the French town of St. Mere Eglise said the carnage was far worse than the French had anticipated, and that reaction against the American invasion was running high. "We are dying for no reason, "said a Frenchman speaking on condition of anonymity. “Americans can’t even shoot straight. I never thought I’d say this, but life was better under Adolph Hitler.”

The invasion also caused severe environmental damage. American troops, tanks, trucks and machinery destroyed miles of pristine shoreline and thousands of acres of ecologically-sensitive wetlands. It was believed that the habitat of the spineless French crab was completely wiped out, thus threatening the species with extinction.

A representative of Greenpeace said his organization, which had tried to stall the invasion for over a year, was appalled at the destruction, but not surprised. “This is just another example of how the military destroys the environment without a second thought,” said Christine Moanmore. “And it’s all about corporate greed.” Contacted at his Manhattan condo, a member of the French government-in-exile who abandoned Paris when Hitler invaded, said the invasion was based solely on American financial interests. “Everyone knows that President Roosevelt has ties to ‘big beer’,” said Pierre LeWimp. “Once the German beer industry is conquered, Roosevelt’s beer cronies will control the world market and make a fortune.”

Administration supporters said America’s aggressive actions were based in part on the assertions of controversial scientist Albert Einstein, who sent a letter to Roosevelt speculating that the Germans were developing a secret weapon – a so-called “atomic bomb.” Such a weapon could produce casualties on a scale never seen before, and cause environmental damage that could last for thousands of years. Hitler has denied having such a weapon and international inspectors were unable to locate such weapons even after spending two long weekends in Germany.

Shortly after the invasion began, reports surfaced that German prisoners had been abused by American soldiers. Mistreatment of Jews by Germans at their so-called “concentration camps” has been rumored, but so far this remains unproven. Several thousand Americans died during the first hours of the invasion, and French officials are concerned that the uncollected corpses will pose a public-health risk. “The Americans should have planned for this in advance,” they said. “It’s their mess, and we don’t intend to help clean it up.”

all that is missing is John Kerry’s signature.

On a lighter note,
when Kerry was on his duck hunting trip last fall,
his weapon of choice was a vintage WWII French rifle…
brand new, never been fired, only dropped once.

smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/14/14_6_10.gif

 

[ElizabethJoy]

otm:

If you were serving at the same time - whether in Nam or in Germany or another deployment, you would know how we were treated. Being called “baby killer” was a minor subset of it.

I can’t even think about how we treated our Vietnam vets without tears. How did we ever let that happen to our own sons and brothers and fathers and uncles? Dear Lord, please let this heal and never happen again! :crying:

The more I learn about the era, the angrier I become, especially because I see the same attempts being made, today. “We support our troops when they shoot their officers!”

I am even prouder of this group of vets than any other. Statistically, Vietnam veterans are less likely than men of similar age and demographics to be drug addicts, alcoholics or homeless. They are also more likely to be married to one person, they are more highly educated and earn more per capita.

You’d certainly never know this to listen to the propagandists, who are still churning out their anti-war bile.

It was hard enough to be military when I was in - 79-82. I can’t even imagine how awful it was for some members during Vietnam.

My deepest thanks to you for serving. I was probably very young when you came home. If only I could go back in time and thank you and offer you a ride or a home-cooked meal and a place to clean up as you got off that first long plane ride back to the world, I would gratefully do so.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all veterans, but especially those who were reviled and ostracized.

Elizabeth

 

[trailblazer]

As a Vietnam vet, I am appalled by the way our media and the LEFT are repeating the type of propaganda and hate that caused me and many of my brothers and sisters to be snubbed and made to feel less than human. I am glad that there are good people fighting it better this time around. One of the best ways we can fight (not to exclude other) is through prayer. If the military is not being actively prayed for during you should ask your pastors to include them and an end to terrorism in the intentions of every mass.

Stay strong! Talk to your priest. If you get no response, find another church and write your bishop.

Bless you!

Bob

 

[Petertherock]

trailblazer:

As a Vietnam vet, I am appalled by the way our media and the LEFT are repeating the type of propaganda and hate that caused me and many of my brothers and sisters to be snubbed and made to feel less than human. I am glad that there are good people fighting it better this time around. One of the best ways we can fight (not to exclude other) is through prayer. If the military is not being actively prayed for during you should ask your pastors to include them and an end to terrorism in the intentions of every mass.

Stay strong! Talk to your priest. If you get no response, find another church and write your bishop.

Bless you!

Bob

Bob, I want to thank you for your heroic service to our Great Nation. Thank you and all service members from the bottom of my heart.

 

[MikeWM]

The trouble a lot of people have - and it is understandable but unfair - is differentiating between (a) the individuals who bravely and courageously risk their life and limb in far-flung places, and (b) the mission they are sent to do, which is often rather controversial.

Whether you agree with the mission or not, it is of course entirely right to hope and pray that the brave men and women can return home safely.

Mike

 

[trailblazer]

MikeWM:

The trouble a lot of people have - and it is understandable but unfair - is differentiating between (a) the individuals who bravely and courageously risk their life and limb in far-flung places, and (b) the mission they are sent to do, which is often rather controversial.

Whether you agree with the mission or not, it is of course entirely right to hope and pray that the brave men and women can return home safely.

Mike

Our military wants and needs the publics support. When they hear of their commander-and-chief, and their purpose for fighting torn apart and belittled, it negatively affects them, and is taken as a personal atteck on them. Its like if someone insulted our parents and/or our jobs.

 

[MikeWM]

trailblazer:

Our military wants and needs the publics support. When they hear of their commander-and-chief, and their purpose for fighting torn apart and belittled, it negatively affects them, and is taken as a personal atteck on them. Its like if someone insulted our parents and/or our jobs.

Well, I think it is vitally important to distinguish between the institution and the people doing it.

I absolutely detest call-centres, for example, but I’m always perfectly courteous to the people when I phone them up, because they are just doing a job. I’ll still say I hate call-centres and I think there should be a better way of doing things, but that’s not a slight on the people who work in them.

Similarly the military. Saying that you agree or disagree with a military action should have nothing to do with the people on the front-line, who we want home safely. Perhaps if we’d got that worked out beforehand, the Vietnam Vets wouldn’t have been treated so unjustly when they returned.

Mike

 

[Fitz]

MikeWM:

Similarly the military. Saying that you agree or disagree with a military action should have nothing to do with the people on the front-line, who we want home safely. Perhaps if we’d got that worked out beforehand, the Vietnam Vets wouldn’t have been treated so unjustly when they returned.

Mike

Mike, if you hate the mission then it is very hard to respect the people on the front line. The anger on the left (Dick Durbin) definitely affects the military. His rhetoric was over the top and his letter to me explainging why he said what he said, and his non apology babble is disgusting. Giving Al Jazeera sound bites is repulsive. You may feel like you can support the troops and not the war, but it comes off very poorly.

 

[Fitz]

The sermon that I heard on the day before the 4th of July disturbed me so much that I went to the website of the church. I found out the priest is sort of an activist. He has done missionary work in the Honduras but here is one paragraph that describes his pacifism:

“I was once an organizer for “Clergy and Laity Concerned,” a peace group during the Vietnam era, and just last September I was one of four Dominicans (priests, sister, laity) who took part in a 30 day, water-only “Fast And Prayer for Peace and Non-Violence” at the United Nations and Union Square, close to ground zero in New York.”

I don’t want to belabor my experience but I will not be returning to that particular church. The next time I am in that college town I will try another church. Meanwhile I will try to speak to my pastor at my own parish so that I can understand how he feels about praying for the soldiers.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words.

 

[Lucania]

trailblazer:

As a Vietnam vet, I am appalled by the way our media and the LEFT are repeating the type of propaganda and hate that caused me and many of my brothers and sisters to be snubbed and made to feel less than human. I am glad that there are good people fighting it better this time around. One of the best ways we can fight (not to exclude other) is through prayer. If the military is not being actively prayed for during you should ask your pastors to include them and an end to terrorism in the intentions of every mass.

Stay strong! Talk to your priest. If you get no response, find another church and write your bishop.

Bless you!

Bob

I agree with you, Trailblazer. I would ask my Priest to include prayers for our Military and to end terrorism. If I got no response, then I’d leave and write that letter to my Bishop!
Trailblazer, thank you for your service and I’m sorry for the way you and your fellow soldiers were treated and the pain that you endured. I am grateful for all Veterans and their sacrifice. My dad was a veteran of WWII.