Cheerleaders suspended for one game for singing song

Three cheerleaders from Trinity Christian Academy have been suspended from cheering for one game as a result of appearing on First Coast News Sideline 2002. Elena Mattison and two other girls were singing the song "Heaven," as part of the Sideline 2002 American Idol Night and were videotaped having fun. However, when the head pastor at Trinity saw the tape he told the girls that it was inappropriate and as Christians they should not have been singing a "worldly song....according to Head Pastor Tom Messer, "I just don't think it is appropriate for teenage girls to be thinking of relationships in that way."

Blind Adventurer meets Pope

Archbishop Dolan interviewed in Sunday's Milwaukee paper.

Seaweed harvesters on Scottish island horrified to learn the destination of their crop:

Abortion clinics. (Kelp is used to dilate the cervix):

At first, Macphee, a former scallop fisherman, said he was willing to discuss to what uses the seaweed was put as long as "specifics" were avoided. "The kelp dilators we offer are painless and make the patient feel more comfortable because they open the cervix slowly, minimising stress to the patient," he said. But he was evasive when asked if the Laminaria (seaweed) dilators were used in abortions. Later he confirmed they were. "Yes. It would be difficult to find any other way their use could be interpreted." He said he was not willing to discuss it because of the potential repercussions. "That whole area (abortions) has become so radicalised and it could cause quite considerable problems," he said. Asked if his staff knew, he replied: "Put it this way, most people you ask to go and do a job of work, they do it. Two or three have asked what they are used for but the lack of knowledge to the end use is such that even my own wife is unaware of what they are used for. "

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has several stories in Sunday's paper bringing together four decades of bad news about St. John's Abbey.

I have to say, I think this is pretty funny. A gimmick, but funny nonetheless:

Eastminster Presbyterian Church is doing its best to eliminate all excuses for people to stay home from tomorrow's 10:45 a.m. service as part of its second annual “Fill-a-Pew Sunday.”Cots are being provided for those who complain that Sunday is their only day to sleep in and special lounge chairs will be set up for those who think the pews are too hard. There also will be scorecards for those who want to tally the number of hypocrites in attendance and a potluck after the service for members who say they can't go to church and fix dinner, too.Other special accommodations will include hearing aids for those who say they can't hear the sermon, blankets for those who think the church is too cold, and fans for those who think it's too hot. The sanctuary also will be decorated with poinsettias and lilies to make those who only come to church on Christmas and Easter feel at home.

San Antonio physician is also an Orthodox priest

SIster teaches unusual online course on spirituality that involves role-playing

Before you laugh, let me tell you that this is actually a useful teaching method,even for adults. When I was at Vanderbilt, I took a course on American religion in the 18th and 19th centuries. Part of the course involved picking an important figure from the period and doing certain assignments in that persona, and reaction to each other in seminar from the persona. We had WIlliam Henry Channing, Mother Ann Lee, Isaac Hecker (me) and others. It was actually a helpful way to really get inside the head of the figure in question and work through his or her thought. It was fun, too./

Artist defends mosaic

A Catholic artist who pieced together 1,500 classical images of Jesus Christ to form a mosaic portrait of President Bush is defending the artwork against charges that it is "blasphemous." Frank Bear, owner of JesusMosaics.com, used a computer program to take "hundreds and hundreds" of sacred images from Renaissance artists to form the colorful mosaic of Bush. The $15 image, he says, "honors both President Bush and Jesus Christ."

Lexington Diocese defends actions

Bush administration rule to have unborn children covered under insurance

Starting in November, "unborn children" will qualify for government health benefits under a new rule that the Bush administration announced Friday. The change, designed to promote prenatal care, represents the first time any federal policy has defined childhood as beginning at conception. Although states will not be compelled to cover developing fetuses, any state that chooses to may pay for such care through a health insurance program for low-income children that is a shared responsibility of the federal government and states.