In this age in which celebrities and athletes are put on a pedestal it is easy to get jaded, however, there is at least one I can think of who deserves every kind word being said about him lately and plenty more, though he is probably too humble to care to hear much more of it!

It is already a few days too late and there really is not much left to say about Brett Favre the athlete, the down-to-earth, tough-as-nails, quarterback from the deep south who embodied a lot of the best of what is all to often missing in our world today.

Throughout its storied history, the Green Bay Packers have always had a strong Catholic contingent (the city of Green Bay itself is something like 90% Catholic I've heard.) Lombardi for instance was a daily-Mass goer. Former Coach Mike Sherman, as well as the current coach are also very devout. As for Brett, here is what Fr. James Baraniak of the Norbertine Order, the Packer's Chaplin, wrote about him on his blog (which you really should visit!) a year ago...

"...it was the scene of Brett with Deanna, Deanna's Mom, and their daughter, Breleigh, at dinner with a few other friends at Saint Agnes Rectory in Green Bay. Breleigh became a little bored with the length of the dinner, so it seemed, so she began to recruit participants for a quick and spontaneous game of hide and seek to be played throughout the first floor of the house. Forever the competitor, Brett was the first to volunteer.

The evening was simply wonderful; Father Getchel pulled out all of the stops: the dinner, an easy $400 worth of food; the window treatments in the rectory living room, $3000; the price of Brett Favre "on all 4's" hiding behind those drapes: PRICELESS! That night I couldn't help but think that he naturally embodies all that the Church hopes for in family life.

Over these past 17 years, we've all watched Brett grow before our very eyes -- on the field and off. We've seen his family grow and we've seen his love for family, friends and fans grow in exponential measures. Brett and Deanna have won the hearts of all of us -- especially in the midst of adversity, illness and loss. But his simple, down-to-earth goodness and love for others is what distinguishes Brett as a true MVP.

Welcome home, Brett! May 2007 be all that you hope for it to be -- both on the field and off. Your passion for football, family life and your Catholic faith reminds me that, "God's flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd's care!"

Brett is still a (relatively) young man and we wish him and his family all the best!

Click here for or a good article on Fr. Baraniak from the St. Anthony Messenger.

Obama's grandma said she's Muslim exactly one year ago according to the New York Times. Now in the USA Today (Associated Press) she says she's a devoted Christian. Did the Obama camp give her a phone call and tell her what to say? Did the New York Times deceive? Did the Associated Press deceive? USA Today (Associated Press), March 5, 2008 AD:

Obama’s grandfather had converted to Islam from Roman Catholicism and taken the name Hussein, Sarah Obama said, but his children had inherited only the name, not the religion. Each person should be able to choose how they worshipped, she said.

“In the world of today, children have different religions from their parents,” she said. She, too, is a Christian.

New York Times, April 30, 2007 AD:

Sarah Hussein Obama, who is his stepgrandmother but whom Mr. Obama calls his grandmother, still rises at 5 a.m. to pray before tending to her crops and the three orphans she has taken in. “I am a strong believer of the Islamic faith,” Ms. Obama, 85, said in a recent interview in Kenya.

I wonder how the mainstream media is going to spin this now? For that matter the Barack campaign? It probably is a whopper of a mistake by the reporter for that matter. You would think the reporter would have checked and double-checked because of the rumors surrounding Barack Obama of being a closet Muslim and the use of his middle name as a pejorative during the campaign. (Biretta Tips: Greg & Little Green Footballs)

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION

I came across this article in the Atlantic website illustrating statistical evidence of Catholic voting patterns in the recent Iowa caucuses for Mitt Romney instead of Mike Huckabee. I've put my emphasis in bold italics.

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Britain's Become A Catholic Country - J. Wynne-Jones, Tlgrph Tony Blair Converts - John Burns, New York Times Reactions To Blairs Conversion - Jeff Miller, Curt Jester The Changing Face Of British Christianity - Telegraph Baghdad's Doura District, The "Vatican In Iraq" - Telegraph When Prelates Cultivate Politicians - Damian Thompson, Hly Smk The Power Of Prayer - California Catholic Daily Huckabee Angers Catholics - Jim Forsyth, Reuters Canada's Religious Freedom Under Attack - Tim Graham, NB Christmas Under Hamas Rule - Katya Adler, BBC News The Real Presence Of Christmas - Fr. Neuhaus, 1st Things Why Not Ask Candidates What They Believe? - Frank Miele, DIL Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Friday, December 21, click here. For Monday, December 17, click here. For Tuesday, December 11, click here. (Biretta Tips: Catholic Report & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Cardinal Martini Won't Celebrate Latin Mass - AFP Iraq's Christian Exodus - Keith Roderick, Natl Rev Online Cardinal Zen Interview - Raphaela Schmid, First Things Bishop: No Gay Adoption, Agency Will Close - E. O'Brien, LS Post-Modern Mindset - California Catholic Daily Archbishop DiNardo On The Summorum Pontificum ..PJP Comments.. Nun's Without Habits In Houston - Tito, Custos Fidei Blog Entries: Arrest In Bible, I Mean, Koran Desecration - Tito Summer Of Our Discontent - Fidei Defensor Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 29 click here. For July 28 click here. For July 27 click here. (Hat Tip: Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Guitar Mass Mess - Jeffrey Tucker, New Liturgical Movement Communist China Arrests Priests - J. Keenan, Christian Today Pope Calls For Release Of Koreans By Taliban - AP Nun's Without Habits In Houston - Tito, Custos Fidei Europe's Receding Christianity - I. de Pommerreau, CSM IVF Children Have Greater Health Problems - CNA Blog Entry: Police Make Arrest In Bible, I Mean, Koran Desecration By Tito, Custos Fidei Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 28 click here. For July 27 click here. For July 26 click here. (Hat Tips: Catholic Report & The Brussels Journal)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Nun's Without Habits In Houston - Tito, Custos Fidei Michael Voris' Sword Of Faith - D. Crumm, Detroit Free-Press Jeff Millers 5 Years Of Blogging & Counting - Jeff Miller, CJ Rebecca Glover Sues Planned Parenthood - Cal Catholic Daily Amnesty, Vatican Debate Abortion - L. Hurst, Toronto Star Summer Of Our Discontent - Fidei Defensor, Custos Fidei "Bella" Movie Opens Nationwide In October - J. Jalsevac, LS NAB Bible Reviewed - Jimmy Akin CF Blog Entry: Police Make Arrest In Bible, I Mean, Koran Desecration By Tito, Custos Fidei Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 27 click here. For July 26 click here. For July 25 click here. (Hat Tips: The Curt Jester & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION All Against All - Sandro Magister, Chiesa NAB = Not A Bible - Fr. R.J. Neuhaus, First Things Parishioners Want Voice In Cases - Sauer/Dolbee, Union-Trib Pope Ends His Mountain Vacation - D. Petroff, AP Pharmacists Sue; Forced To Sell Abortificant - E. O'Brien, LS Summer Of Our Discontent - Fidei Defensor, Custos Fidei America's Moral Paralysis - T. Sowell, NY Post "Rescue Me" Program's Anti-Catholicism - B. Donohue, CL Comparing Mohammad To Jesus - Kathy Shaidle, RC Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 26 click here. For July 25 click here. For July 23 click here. (Hat Tip: Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION China Rejects Vatican Requests - Reuters Mayor Apologizes To Families, Gays Enraged - P. Smith, LS Amnesty Internat'ls Moral Malaise - R. Anderson, 1st Things Can "Non-Persons" Be Molested? - W. Smith, 2hand Smoke Pope's Secretary Warns Of Islamization - Associated Press Ordination Of Priestess - Martha Sadler, Independent (CA) On Impact Of Christianity - Baron Bodissey, Gates Of Vienna Muslims Ransack Church In Egypt - Compass Direct News Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 25 click here. For July 23 click here. For July 22 click here. (Hat Tip: The WebElf Report)

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION Former LA Priest Arrested - John Spano, LA Times BODIES Exhibit Lack Of Dignity - California Catholic Daily Asia's Christian Apostles - Suki Kim, Washington Post Rethinking The Summer Of Love - C. Stillwell, SF Chronicle Sharing Chores? - Wilfred McClay, First Things 'Mercy' Doctor Cleared - Associated Press New Catholic Radio Goes Online - Catholic PRWire Flight 93 Memorial Still Islamic - Judi McLeod, CFP Pope's Book A French Best Seller - Zenit Christian Filmmakers Gather In San Antonio - CNA India: 30 Bags Found Stuffed w/Female Babies - W. Smith, 2S Cardinal Mahony Should Resign - Jason Berry, Boston Globe Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 23 click here. For July 22 click here. For July 21 click here. (Hat Tips: Catholic Report, PewSitter, & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Cafe Catholica Tonight! (in Houston) Something Greater Than... - Fr. P. Powell, Domine Roman Canon - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons Pope Writes, China Doesn't Respond - S. Magister, Chiesa Did Vatican II Change The Church? - PJP, RCP Don't Mess With Fr. Corapi - G. Augustinas, Closed Cafeteria Ave Maria Town Not Just For Catholics - B. Skoloff, AP Sex Pays. Love Costs. - California Catholic Daily Social Justice & The Laity - K. Ivanovna, Vox Nova Atheists Vs. Believers - Fr. John Flynn, Zenit Little Rome In Washington DC - Andrea Slivka, CNS The Pope's Got A Point - Rabbi Y. Seplowitz, Jewish Press Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 22 click here. For July 21 click here. For July 20 click here. (Hat Tip: National Catholic Register)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Pope Pleas For Troy Davis' Life - V. Eckenrode, Savannah News Church Promotes Marriage Moments - S. Simon, LA Times Pizza Mogul Opens Ave Maria Town - J. Goddard, London Times Questions Linger About Cardinal Mahony - R. Zoll, AP A Mormon Whopper Of A Mistake - C. Weber, Non Nobis Domine Papal Mystery? WaPo Investigates - F. Rocca, WaPo Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 20 click here. For July 19 click here. For July 17 click here. (Hat Tip: The Curt Jester)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION World Youth Day Lead-Up - ABC News (Australia) Secularist Attack British Catholic Church - J. Loughlin, 1st Things ADL Praises Vatican On Mass - Jerusalem Post TIME Mag Laments 'eHarmony' Is Anti-Gay - K. Shepherd, MRC CNN TV Hit Job On Christian Conservatives - M. Balan, MRC Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 19 click here. For July 17 click here. For July 15 click here.

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Vatican Welcomes New China Bishop - BBC News Dissenting Wolves & Their Dissenting Sheep - Fr. Powell, Domine Curfews Used Against Homeschoolers - Cal Catholic Daily Putting Predators & Profits Before Patients - Christina, Confessions First Openly Muslim Priest - D. Gartenstein-Ross, First Things Planned Parenthood Doesn't Report Rape - D. Eden, Dawn Patrol Intolerance of Ex-Gays In Maryland - P. Smith, LifeSite Gay Activists Try To Stop Lesbian Gang Attack TV Report - CL Christian Groups Growing In Europe - Catholic News Agency From Jew To Catholic - Lawn Griffiths, East Valley Tribune The Pope & "Bad" Bishops - Fr. R. Johansen, Catholic Answers Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 17 click here. For July 15 click here. For July 14 click here. (Hat Tips: National Catholic Register, Catholic Report, The Curt Jester, & LifeSite)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION LA Archdiocese Settles On $660m Sex Scandal - P. Bompardi, FT Ave Maria University Opens Next Month - D. Scott, USA Today On Religion, Hitchen's Is Not So Great - J. Lewis, Am Thinker More Hawaii Kids Homeschooled - Associated Press Virtue Rediscovered - Mercatornet ...CF Blog Entry: Faith & Politics at Cafe Catholica - Tito, Custos Fidei Pics from Cafe Catholica - Tito, Custos Fidei Movie Review: Into Great Silence (Die Große Stille) by Tito, Custos Fidei. This movie is still playing in Houston, click here for showtimes. Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 14 click here. For July 13 click here. For July 12 click here. (Hat Tips: A Catholic Mom In Hawaii, Pewsitter & Lucianne)

To view last Monday nights pics from Cafe Catholic click here. To learn more about Mayor Dave Wallace click here. To learn more about Barbara J. Elliott click here. To read my previous posting of Cafe Catholic click here. For more information about Cafe Catholica click here For last years Cafe Catholica postings click here and here.

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Bastille Day: Should French Catholics Celebrate? - PJP, RCP Pope Benedict XVI States The Obvious - M. Coren, Toronto Sun MSMs Moral Standards For Ads But Not Pgms - T. Graham, MRC Germany: Dalai Lama More Popular Than Pope - DW Abandonment Of Faith In Europe - A. Williams, Crisis Abp Chaput Defends Right To Rebuke Politicians - P. Gray, CNS What Atheists Can't Answer - M. Gerson, Washington Post Brownback Seeks To Upend Indecency Ruling - J. Brown, ONN I'm Not Offended - R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Baptist Press Why It's Not Good To Cohabitate - P. Webb, ArchDen ...CF Blog Entry: Pics from Cafe Catholica - Tito, Custos Fidei Movie Review: Into Great Silence (Die Große Stille) by Tito, Custos Fidei. This movie is still playing in Houston, click here for showtimes. Shameless Blog Plug Of The Day: What Does The Prayer Really Say by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf Secular News Item Of The Day: Muslim US Congressman States Bush Like Hitler by Toby Harnden, London Telegraph Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 13 click here. For July 12 click here. For July 11 click here. (Hat Tips: National Catholic Register, LifeSite, Pewsitter, & RealClearPolitics)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION The Language Of Tradition - Raymond Arroyo, Opinion Journal The Vatican One-Two Punch - Fr. T. Euteneur, Spirit & Life Catholic Love Online - James Little, Arkansas Catholic Mommy Wars: Attitude Gap Widens - S. Jayson, USA Today Striving For Catholic Identity - John Allen, NC Reporter Anti-Catholicism Chic - Ben Johnson, FrontPageMag Iraqi Minorities Face Extinction - Patrick Jackson, BBC News Abortion Ban Bill Lacks Support By Pro-Lifers - H. White, LS New Age Nuns Calling It Quits - California Catholic Daily 90th Anniversary For 108 Year Old Nun - CNA ...CF Blog Entry: Pics from Cafe Catholica - Tito, Custos Fidei Movie Review: Into Great Silence (Die Große Stille) by Tito, Custos Fidei. This movie is still playing in Houston, click here for showtimes. Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 12 click here. For July 11 click here. For July 10 click here. (Hat Tip: National Catholic Register, The Cafeteria Is Closed, & Pewsitter)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Pics from Cafe Catholica - Tito, Custos Fidei Is The Post-Vatican II Era Finally Over? - PJP, Recapturing (RCP) Latin Mass Doc: Fact & Fiction - M. Lawrence, New Liturgical M. Lessons for "Two Sides" - Shawn Tribe, New Liturgical Movement Latin Mass Rising - Joe Cullen, National Catholic Register Umbilical Cord Blood Saves Leukemia Patient - W. Smith, SS Latin American Bishops Meet In Cuba - Michael Voss, BBC News Sr. Chittister Unhappy With Latin Mass - J. Anderson, Pro Ecclesia Bobby Schindler Makes A Point - Wesley Smith, 2ndhand Smoke Anti-Catholic Bigotry - California Catholic Daily Pat Buchanan Feuds With ADL's Abe Foxman - JTA San Diego Minuteman Draw Bigoted Support - Bill Donohue, CL Pope In Drag Costume Removed - Associated Press (AP) Liberals Fear Of Traditional Ways - P. Popham, Belfast Telegram Liberal Think Tank Demand Brits Stop Breeding - Australian AP Gay Library With Porno Opens On Public Property - E. O'Brien, LS A.P.A. Pressured To Ban Reparative Therapy - H. White, LifeSite Enviros Mum On Poisoned Streams - W. Laugesen, N.C.Register Bishop Thomas Williams Honored - Zenit San Diego Minuteman Continue Catholic Bashing - B. Donohue, CL WaPo On Summoram Pontificum - Kathleen Flake, WaPo ..CDF Subsist News Roundup: Cardinal Kasper: 'Protestants Overreacted' - B92 (Serbia) Fr. Jonathan Morris Explains - Fr. J. Morris, Fox News Protestants Fret, Orthodox Welcome - CWNews Copts Reaction - Lamia Radi, Middle East Times Vatican Decree Upsets Some - Nicole Winfield, AP Australian Reaction - Barney Zwarta, Australian Age Holy See Clarifies Meaning of Subsist - Zenit ...CF Blog Entries: Cafe Catholica 2007 - Tito, Custos Fidei Summorum Pontificum Summary - Matt & Tito, Custos Fidei Prayer Request - Tito, Custos Fidei ..Follow Up Here. Movie Review: Into Great Silence (Die Große Stille) by Tito, Custos Fidei. This movie is still playing in Houston, click here for showtimes. Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 10 click here. For July 9 click here. For July 7 click here. (Hat Tips: National Catholic Register & Lucianne)