The following pictures are taken of St. Francis de Sales Church in Muskegon, Michigan.
Darth Vader is probably missing one of the empire’s cruisers. It could also pass for something off of Stargate SG1. But no, this craft is real and it is filled with bizarre and frightening wonders. Actually, I would like to see it. I am sure it is “out of this world”! I must say, the alien invaders sure are not trying too hard these days to disguise their spacecraft. I mean, who in his right mind would take this for a Catholic Church?
This is supposed to be a statue depicting St. Francis de Sales, himself. But just look at it. If this thing was human it would be in the hospital, or most probably the morgue! No, this is another deception. This is actually one of the alien invaders, in person! Notice how poorly it fares in earth atmosphere. The skin is broken and has burst in spots. But do not feel sorry for this creature, it has come here to make our world “their” world! Already they are terraforming the planet to suit their own needs. Have you noticed the unusual weather lately? All the ecology warnings about car exhaust and stuff are simply efforts at misdirection. I guess Al Gore is in their employ, or maybe, just maybe, he has been replaced with one of their own? Remember, many years ago he was pro-life, but then he strangely and quickly changed sides. Could it be? The alien invaders will do anything to reduce the human population. Notice that we are still talking about the population explosion while many European nations have zero or negative birthrates. What is going on?
This is supposed to be a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Notice that she has a hole in her middle through which you can see the altar. Yes, very creative and smart, and also quite ridiculous. No, this is one of the alien overlord robots. I saw something similar to them in an old Tom Baker episode of Doctor Who.
These robots are very smart and know nothing of the compassion and mercy of the Blessed Mother. They are cold and calculating machines bent on the sublimation of humanity. It scares me to death just to think about it. If this Blog should disappear, remember I warned you while I could.
The aliens oppose any type of conservatism in faith or traditional liturgy and architecture. They need the modernists and their extremes to hide themselves and their diabolical plans.
If you would like a tour of this church, please just follow the link below:
http://www.sfnortonshores.com/guided_tour/index.htm
And, oh yes, watch out for their mind control ray, it can…
ERRRRRRRRRRRR ZAP ZAP KABLOOM A POOF!
“What was that? It must have been the phone or door bell, yes, that is it. Actually, this post is just in good clean fun, I mean, it would be silly to believe in aliens…there are no such things. I think the two statues above are quite beautiful and devotional. I have never seen anything better. As for the church itself, it says “home” to me, a special place for peace and rest. New is good, old is bad. Picnic tables are good, altars are bad. Don’t vote for this Blog as BEST RELIGION BLOG, that would be silly. The aliens, I mean serious people would not like it.
http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/13131
Listen to what I say, there is nothing of which you need to be afraid. Come to church when and if you feel like it. Everything will be fine.”
INSPIRED BY A POST FROM:
http://paramedicgoldengirl.blogspot.com/
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Before you go, take a look at the rest of the Blog:
Fr. Joe,
I’ve been to this church for a cursillo closing and I was prepared to thoroughly hate it, being the traditionalist in architecture that I am.
Actually, I found the interior of the church to be quite intriguing. A sort of mystical atmosphere pervades the place.
Despite that, I’m quite sure that I wouldn’t want my own parish church to be like this, but it was interesting for a little while.
By the way, I believe some of the locals irreverently refer to this church as Our Lady of the Hysterectomy.
I’m sure there is a mystical atmosphere in this church, but I doubt it is from God. Strange.
“… just give me that old time religion!” That mummified St. Francis has to go. Hopefully they didn’t use the creative license of Vatican II to blow a hole in the liturgy as well.
It seems to me that that statue is blasphemous.
It reduces the Blessed virgen, in concept, to a mere object.
That is anti-catholic, anti-christ.
dina
Ah…the alien mind control has worn off, thanks for posting, how about a vote for the BEST RELIGION BLOG? Okay, maybe there are better ones, but has anyone else asked you guys personally?
http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/13131
In any case, thanks for posting. If you take the online tour, you can see a shot of the cavernous sanctuary. It reminds me a little of the Smithsonian museums in DC, intriguing from a secular perspective, but not something that moves me religiously or spiritually.
In any case, may our Lord’s presence and sacrifice continue to permeate this church and bring holiness to its people…even if the architecture and art is not my cup of tea.
Blessings,
Father Joe
I have worshipped in gymnasiums, barns and Cathedrals and our Lord Jesus was present. Let us remember that.
An old Irish saying: “Kwityerbellyakin”
The statue of the Virgin harkens back to a Carlos Castanada book, in which a mystical woman said that every child a woman births leaves a “hole” in her, and in her soul. According to the mystical character in the book, it then becomes the woman’s task in life to “fill the hole” created by the child. Very weird stuff, but that is what I am reminded of when I look at the statue with the hole.
There’s plenty of room in the Church for differences in artistic taste, however this takes the cake.
-a seminarian
Is there a Crucifix in that joint? and where are they hiding the Tabernacle?
Where are the thrusters?
Modern achitecture can be used to make a beautiful church, but that did not happen in this case. From the outside, it looks like a weapons storage bunker. Inside it is cavernous and cold, and uses the church design favored by modern liturgists, intended to get the congregation to focus on itself. Compare to my parish in San Antonio, TX.
http://www.atonementonline.com/
I can definitely say that no film maker will choose this church for his next movie. When someone thinks of a church their mind isn’t going to wander to a pyramid/box shape, they are going to think of the spectacular, beautiful, and magnificent churches of the “old kind.”
I think people have lost the reason why we go to church.
I am very sorry to see that there is such a “church” in my home state.
Being titanically overweight is somewhat profane, too, Padre.
And a question….from doing the online tour….are there kneelers?
Don’t knock if if you have not seen it in person. Been there – it is beautiful. So is St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN (another Marcel Breuer design) – Been there too, lots of times. Then again, I have never been in a church I did not like. New Yorker, the tabernacle is quite prominent (see page 9 of the tour – look for the staircase).
Like I said in my post on alien life taking over Earth, “Hello earthlings, we are taking over because you are stupid and we are not.” This church is weird all right.
Father Joe, I’m quite surprised by how hateful you sound. I can understand making a small comment to friends about architecture you don’t like, but writing an entire article on a one-note, judgmental opinion? Maybe you need therapy. They say extra pounds are bricks of anger. (You probably hate that metaphor, too…) I’m curious why spiritdaily.com created a link to this. What a colossal un-Catholic experience.
[...] ALIEN CHURCH INVASION CONTINUES The following pictures are taken of St. Francis de Sales Church in Muskegon, Michigan. [image] Darth Vader is […] [...]
I have to agree on the colassal “un-Catholic” experience here. I consider myself a traditionalist, but find we most often stray from God when we debase ourselves by attacking others. I’m sure this church is filled with God loving people looking to serve Christ. This blog is not a religious one…and by the way Fr. Joe, asking for votes tells me what the focus of this blog is really about! Shame on Spirit Daily for linking to this.
Excuse me, but I don’t think this is a hateful blog at all. Father was clearly having fun with this one. He’s obviously got a great sense of humor, too, to be able to make me laugh so hard!
Modernism may have its merits, and we have to believe the architect had good intentions for his creation, but if its beauty can only be appreciated by a select few, where does that leave the ninety percent of us who just don’t get it?
Father Joe,
I found your humorous article about the alien church on http://www.spiritdaily.com and loved it. Some of the comments I read thought you went too far and criticiized Spirit Daily for carrying it. The reality is that the modernists have gone too far. I don’t doubt there are God loving people in the “alien” parish, but this misses the whole point, which is that the objective of such architecture is to change Church teaching on doctrine and morals by changing how we pray and practice the Faith. I don’t question the faith of the parishioners as much as I question the motivation of the local ordinary of allowing this monstrosity. Maybe you should reprint the great encyclicals on Modernism in your blog.
Today, Catholic Action involves re-evangelizing the baptized. Forty years of liberal nonsense has created a need for a surge in authentic catechesis. People have lost the faith because many bishops have permitted liturgical experimentation and abuse and a watering down or outright distorting of how the Faith is transmitted.
Keep up the good work, Father.
Ken
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am really enjoying this entry. As someone who likes a good Dr. Who episode (or five), I have to confess to being amused.
One Catholic church nearby was designed to look like a dove from an aerial view. Unfortunately, it is not an obvious feature from the ground level. It was designed to be without statues, I vaguely recall, but Mary and Joseph were added. The pieces were the same color as the walls, to remain subtle.
I think there may be continuing problems with the sound system/acoustics.
While I remain confused by the Virgin in this church, I almost like the statue of St. Francis. Modern art is not all bad, just different. Take it as you will.
You can argue that the architect of this church got people thinking and observing, maybe more aware?
Dear Fr.Joe,
you said nothing “hateful”. That is liberal speak to attack the messenger.Too criticize the architect of a church is not criticize those who have the misfortune to have to go into the church for worship.
The only thing hateful was that monstrosity of a church. The statue of the Mary was blasphemous – Our Lady missing the first tabernacle of Jesus! Stations of the Cross on the floor so people can step all over them.
The inside is sterile. Devoid of beauty. The priest’s chair was massive,heavy and horrid.
It does look like aliens came and built it.
You are entitled to point out the absurdity of modernist “Catholic” architects and artists. Their works will be relugated to the dustbin of history.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
Wow…Jesus must be rolling over in his grave. That’s a joke to keep you Catholics on your toes!
What ever happened to kneelers in church? Or nice statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph? Are there confessionals in this “place”? What about a perpetual adoration chapel? Don’t suppose they have one of those.
I’ve noticed that the odder a church building is, it usually follows that the leadership & parishoners are sorely lacking in a real Catholic faith – they’re more into the “protestant” stuff. Being different and feeling good is more important for these folks.
All we can do is pray for them I guess.
God Bless Father Joe!
How sad that they don’t think our Blessed Mother is holy and important enough as she is that they have to depict her in a statue like this. And poor St. Francis de Sales who is too humble to be disturbed. But I worry about the parishioners and whether they are getting the orthodoxy of our wonderful faith.
Dear Father – I first wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article here, on the ‘church’ which resembles a beheaded origami pterodactyl, along with the perverse statue of the mummified St. Francis de Sales and the blasphemous travesty of ‘hole-y’ Mary. All you have done is state the truth, you have not attacked the parishioners or clergy. Our Lord never drew back from stating the truth, and He had His share of self-righteous accusers too.
Secondly – I wish to apologize on behalf of the poor and undoubtedly well-meaning but improperly raised people who feel that rather than debating on issues of relevance, it is easier to attack people based on their physical appearance… and if you can attack a priest, too, then wow, that must be a bonus! Perhaps the same people would enjoy mocking you more if you were in a wheelchair or had some terminal disease.
And yet your response is so typically Christlike – you pray for your persecutors. Please pray for myself and my wife, too, in your great charity. Know that you will be in my own poor prayers as well. May God bless you and yours, and pour His graces and blessings upon you all.
Dear Father,
Bless your hands that change bread and wine into our Divine Lord. Thank you for choosing to lead us sheep.
Ok. bacana seu blog! Sou cientista da religião e gostei do que lí ..evidentemente através de um tradutor (rs).
Je n1 aprles pas inglis. Mas parabens!
JB
http://www.joaobosco.wordpress.com
Dear Father Joe,
I’m so glad Spirit Daily posted a link to your blog. I totally enjoyed the writing (didn’t enjoy looking at the pictures of the structure though – beautiful museum or weapons storage bunker, but doesn’t inspire me to prayer) and didn’t see anything hateful in your remarks.
I’m glad too, because now I know about your blog and can add it to my “daily read” book marks.
God bless you!
Spook
I can’t believe that money (any) was spent on this monstrosity. I am astonished that this is a called a ‘church’
at all, called by a saint’s name and catholics actually go there
to pray (probably gawk rather than pray). It gives me the creeps just looking at the depiction of our Blessed Mother. While many of our beautiful churches are closing and becoming mosques (they probably appreciate the gracious architectures) someone comes up with this crazy nightmare
and calls it a house of God. I would wear my exorcised cross,and put blessed salt in my pockets and shoes if I ever
entered this tomb.
Veronica wrote:
“Dear Father, Bless your hands that change bread and wine into our Divine Lord. Thank you for choosing to lead us sheep.”
I’ll second that brilliant nod to St. Francis of Assisi. Bless you Veronica.
Pax vobiscum.
Well, to be fair, it does appear that they do have pews.
And, it appears to be awe-inspiring huge on the inside. That is also a plus.
But, overall this looks more like a giant pagan tomb than a Catholic church. (It does look like something out of a Dr Who episode – like a Cyberman tomb, doesn’t it?)
Quality is all in the details and I don’t see any details that evoke the Divine.
The faceless statue of Mary gives me the impression that “just any woman would do” – a very Protestant view. Not clear on how the cannon hole in her gut symbolizes anything.
The statue of St Francis de Sales looks like it got burned in a fire and nobody bothered to refurb it.
I would have to assume that the intention was 100% honest, but that does not excuse the result. Beautiful transcends time – so we should always aim for beautiful.
Walt Disney ran his theme parks on the idea that when you entered one of them, you should feel that you just entered into a whole different world. Attention to detail under Walt was #1.
Every Catholic church should be based upon the same concept. When we enter, we should get the feeling all around, from all senses, that we just entered something more important than where we just were.
This looks like a mixture of the “Tomb of the Cybermen” with the concrete buildings from “1984″ or Communist Russia.
Sorry to all Modernists, but the Father is right on this one. This is alien.
Father Joe –
I have to say that I, too, am appalled at your comments about a holy place of worship. How could anyone, especially a priest, call a house of worship one of Darth Vader’s cruisers? And to call a statue of the Blessed Mother “ridiculous” borders of blasphemy! Not only that, but – what the…
ERRRRRRRRRRRR ZAP ZAP KABLOOM A POOF!
Sorry, the, uh, phone rang. What was I saying? Oh, yes. Thank you for writing this wonderful article. I appreciate your views, and I am thankful that you posted a picture of our leader, oops, St. Francis. We will overcome come those who compare the work of our people to a “beheaded origami pterodactyl”. Everything will indeed be fine.
NaNa-NaNa-NaNa-NaNa-Leader!
When we pray “Blessed is the Fruit of your Womb, Jesus”, we would be praying to bless an empty hole and nothing.
Gropius, an atheist, taught his disciple well.
I see they were able to get Captain Kirk’s chair when the Starship Enterprise was decommissioned. :)
fr. joe i believe all are missing the point and purpose. The church architeture should personify in the real sense heaven and the truths/teachings of the church: a remembrance. sadly in these times, you see these barren walls of pride that are self-centered in their personal abstract statements and void of godly proclaimations. They draw their archytype from sources outside of christainity, in the true sense, a grafitti of nonsense and denial of god. the well truly runs dry at the jacob’s well in these churches. the bldg itself is no longer a jacob’s ladder to lift the soul and remind the soul you are in the presence of god, the bldg itself is no longer a source of grace. usually in these settings one genuflects to a wall/or nothingness for the tabernacle is equally abstracted into a “finding waldo”location leading to a practice of irreverance. it attacks the unique character of the church: one, holy, apostolic, catholic because the symbols /signs of its characters are removed and are made to appear no different than any other congregation: christ or anti-christ. there is no story to recall or event reminded of, no title or true image of the virgin to know or patron/saint with eyes on a plate to wonder about or symmbols of the gospel nor instruments of the passion or even the presence of the crucifixon cross. so the ignorant remains ignorant and those outside visiting the church sees no difference and a child has no questions to ask to wonder about. these desolations lead to barren souls and a barren generation. the bride alone at its own altar stripped of her glory and beauty for her spouse christ has been pushed aside. it breeds lukewarmness, buffet faith void of sacrifice and suffering. stained-glass windows are replaced with colored obscurities and opened to new age feel-good homilies and spiritualities whose branches aren’t connected to the true vine. not to mention the blinding of locations of the confessionals. as stated by our lady the smoke of satan has entered the temple.
Father,
you are entitled to your opinion, and i agree with your initial statements…don’t back down to the people judging you and attacking you personally…the statues look like a freemason designed them…thanx for the information…peace be with you
Stefan
I took the virtual tour and it stated that the Tabernacle was “removed” from the main church and placed in the Madonna Chapel.
Now I ask you, if this is God’s House, then why is God being push aside and “put away” in an out of the way place?
I own a house. It is mine and my husband’s. If someone told me I had to remain in a back room, I think I would be right in my opinion that I was loosing possession of my own house. How could it be my house if I wasn’t allowed in all of it?
And this Church, if you want to call it a church, is one of many that puts Jesus in His place in a back room, a small dimly lit chapel or closet. I think it is an outrage. I am certainly not divine and I am offended at the mere thought of being relegated to a minor place in my own home. What must our Lord think?
The person who said that taking the tabernacle out of the main body of the church leads to lack of respect and takes away reverence is right on target. It becomes a meeting room where people talk, wave and greet one another acoss the building.
How very sad…and cruel … God help us!!!
He ( or She ) didn told you in the first place to build churches..