thirteen ball is the personal web site of Joe Polk...a technology consultant, web developer, husband, father and volunteer firefighter/EMT from Pittsburgh, PA.
// November 24th, 2005 // No Comments » // Personal, Religion
I want to wish all of my family and friends a safe, happy and blessed Thanksgiving. I have much to be thankful for — a wonderful wife, two beautiful children, loving parents and siblings, a great job and a roof over my head. I especially give thanks to God for blessing me with the life I have.
// July 17th, 2005 // No Comments » // Give Me A Break!, Religion
Bethany Christian Services Adoption Agency has decided that they will not allow Catholic families to apply for an adoption through their agency because it conflicts with their Statement Of Faith.
I’ve read their Statement of Faith and I can’t find anything in there that conflicts with Catholic beliefs and teaching. Why the heck would they not allow Catholic families to adopt children and give them a better life? For pete’s sake, we’re all Chrisitians when you think of it because we all believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ! Why are they treating my fellow Catholics any different?
// June 14th, 2005 // No Comments » // Religion
I cannot believe that there are people wasting time on how they think Jesus truly died. Was it a blood clot? An aneurysm? Who cares!?!?
The most important thing is that he was crucified and died for our sins. That’s the only thing that matters. Period.
// May 15th, 2005 // No Comments » // Religion
I read this article and it bothered me. Anyone that knows me knows that I am very open minded and accepting of the differences between us. I do, however, think it is very wrong to try to prove a point or fight your battle within the confines of the church especially during Mass.
These folks could just have easily stood outside with their sashes in protest and/or tried to talk to parishoners on their way out regarding their beliefs. I think it is terrible that they went into church to protest in this fashion.
Honestly, I don’t have a problem with the priest denying communion to these people. They were in the wrong and they knew it.
// May 14th, 2005 // No Comments » // Religion
I, for one, am sick of hearing about how Pope Benedict XVI is bad for the Church. One of the things that has been said is that he will not listen to the voices of the American Catholics since they “didn’t understand us”.
The appointment of Archbishop William Levada from San Francisco — the first American to hold the post of prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith — is a clear signal from Pope Benedict that he understands what is going on in the United States and he wants us to know that he’s not going to change anything since Archbishop Levada is known as a conservative just as Pope Benedict was known in this role while Cardinal.
// April 19th, 2005 // No Comments » // Religion
I am overjoyed at the news of the election of our new Pope — Pope Benedict XVI. This is a wonderful day for the Roman Catholic Church because it represents a new beginning and a new era for our papacy.
I have read a lot about the former Cardinal Ratzinger and I think he is an excellent choice. I know that there are people that think he is too conservative to lead us, but I agree with what Ray Flynn said, who is the former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. The Catholic Church needs someone right now to maintain the path that Pope John Paul II had charted for over 20 years. May God Bless Pope Benedict XVI as he begins his journey today to lead us.
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