Has Church discipline and rubrical observance gone to far?

'Church Says Girl's Communion Not Valid' BRIELLE, N.J. - An 8-year-old girl who suffers from a rare digestive disorder and cannot eat wheat has had her first Holy Communion declared invalid because the wafer contained no wheat, violating Roman Catholic doctrine.

In Australia, this coeliac problem is creating some havoc for the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia. The Society had been manufacturing gluten free hosts for years but now has changed to conform with the latest Vatican directives. Online Catholics article 'valid hosts could make you sick' and read more here, which links to this recent article in the THE AGE - "Assurance on communion wafers from Liturgical Commission head Fr Peter Williams of the National Liturgical Commission has given an assurance that the Church is determined to avoid causing alarm to communicant Catholics whose health is threatened by communion wafers containing gluten.'

Info-on-wheels
This mobile Internet PC is a welcome addition to the remote village of Bithoor in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It provides high-speed wireless internet access to Bithoor and five other villages as part of Project Info-cart, which aims to use technology to improve education, healthcare and access to agricultural information in India's villages. -- AP

T H O R P E - homage to the most succesful Aussie Olympian!

FREESTYLE THRILLER Ian Thorpe took his second gold of the Games in the 200m freestyle final - setting a new Olympic record on his way to victory.

The Australian phenomenon put Phelps in his place, as the 19-year-old could finish only third behind Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband, the defending champion.

This was supposed to be the clash of the titans, the king of the Sydney Olympics Thorpe taking on young pretender Phelps who came to Athens bidding to win eight gold medals.

In fact it was van den Hoogenband who made the early running, leading at the turn for the final 50 metres.

However, Thorpe stepped up a gear and powered ahead to touch home first, punching the air in triumph and brandishing a massive grin which was in contrast to the tears he shed two nights ago in relief at retaining his 400m freestyle crown.

Thorpe's winning time was 1:44.71, which was 0.65 of a second outside his own world record but 0.64 of a second inside the previous Olympic record which had been held by van den Hoogenband.

My bed and sleep were more important than getting up at 2.00am to watch the race, but still great to wake at 7.00am and hear the exciting news