Bristol Palin's chastity spot

 Powerfully done. Its over at Candie's Foundation.
At least she has the guts to admit she messed up and didn't pay the full price because of her status.

Fr Tom Euteneuer on Celibacy

In the light of the Fr Alberto Cutie saying he's not certain if he can give up his girlfriend, and Bishop Rembert Weakland's interview in the NY Times where he is blaming the Church, who paid $450,000 hush money to his male lover at the height of the clergy sex scandal, a bit of sanity is desperately needed.

The Dynamics of Celibacy
Some recent high-profile priest scandals have put celibacy back in the limelight as a topic for the pagan world to rage about, but rarely will you hear what the Catholic Church actually teaches about it. I hope that the following insights will be a short-course in the dynamics of a marvelous life of grace: namely, celibate chastity. The world needs to hear “the other side” of the story.
Number One: Celibacy is a gift to the world, not a rule imposed by the Church on a few seemingly-abnormal men. Celibacy initiates men into a life of spiritual fatherhood in a strikingly positive way for others. We are called “father” for a reason: we bring spiritual life to our people through the sacred mysteries which we handle, and they are drawn into a spiritual family thereby. A truly dedicated priest has thousands of spiritual children who sometimes make immense demands on him—I often wish I had only seven children like my father! In an age where men have massively renounced their sacred duty to generate, protect and nurture families, there are myriads of selfless, celibate men sacrificing themselves in a truly manly way for the sake of God’s family and, indeed, even for the sake of many individual families. The fact that some priests fail at it does not make the gift of celibacy anything less than a true blessing; in fact, its failures force us to reflect more deeply on its quiet successes. It’s hypocritical to think that we should throw away the gift of celibacy (i.e., make it “optional”) based upon a miniscule percentage of failures of its practitioners. We don’t say the same thing about the much higher percentage of failures in marriage. Should we allow polygamy just because some married men can’t stick to one woman? This is the time to reaffirm the genuine beauty and value of celibacy, not change this immense gift to us.
Number two: Celibacy is the personal renunciation of the legitimate goods of marriage and family as a fruitful sacrifice for the kingdom of God. The astonishment of this generation that a perfectly normal, red-blooded male could make that particular sacrifice is exactly the point of celibacy. The world needs to know that there are some men walking around who are not bound either by the expectations of society or by the terms of our fleshly human nature. They are bound by only one concern; that of a kingdom that is not of this world, and they are willing to sacrifice everything for it. The presence in society of men who make this sacrifice is profoundly challenging to a culture that wants to reduce everything in life to the pleasure principle. Such a total renunciation is truly counter cultural: it’s like choosing to live with a permanent wound in the heart that never heals but out of which flow “rivers of living water” (Jn 7:38) that heal countless others. Celibacy is not easy for anyone to live, in fact, it is a constant death to self; but it is enormously life-giving to others, and the Church has not lost sight of that for two thousand years.
Number three: vows are vows. Married men make vows and so do priests. A vow is a promise before God of fidelity to a particular person or state in life. From a spiritual point of view a vow in marriage has the same significance as a vow of celibate chastity: it is permanently binding on the individual and requires total fidelity. We all know that vows are broken by weak and fallible men, but we also know and have seen that vows can be repaired, sins repented of, amends made and forgiveness granted to those who have offended others. Who of us does not depend in some way on the Mercy of God and those we have hurt when we have fallen? The return to fidelity breaks our pride and chastens our passions. What we must never do is make excuses or justify our compromises with pop cultural moral relativism. For example, the fact of “falling in love” with someone is no more an excuse to abandon the celibate priesthood than it is to abandon a wife and family for another woman. I have known many married men who have had that experience and then, in a more rational moment, picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and returned to fidelity—sometimes at a great cost. Thankfully God gave us a rational will, in addition to our lower passions, so that we have something other than whimsical feelings to govern our actions. Fidelity is always possible for those who desire to return to their deepest commitments.Well, although a short article on celibacy is not enough to explain such a beautiful mystery, it is just enough to witness to a very dynamic way of life whose adherents have given life to millions throughout the centuries. In this time of great secular challenge to our faith, let us pray for the celibate men and women who have served us so well in this life and especially for those who are still trying to return to fidelity.

New study on Virginity invalid says Healthy Respect

Virginity' Study Provides Misleading Analysis

Bronx, New York Jan 6, 2009

A recent study that claimed to show the ineffectiveness of virginity pledges actually underlines the need for more classroom-based programs that stress abstinence until marriage, says Healthy Respect's Executive Director, Dr. Nanci Coppola.

Healthy Respect's holistic approach to abstinence education develops character and the ability to make good choices over a range of life issues, and a virginity pledge or decision can play a vital role, she said.

"Abstinence programs such as Healthy Respect focus on the whole student in his or her environment and seek to build the character and outlook that will help a teenager set realistic goals for life," Dr. Coppola said. "Abstinence until marriage is part of a wider skill set that requires more than signing a one-time virginity pledge or wearing a chastity ring, though these can be important parts of the decision to remain abstinent. We provide personal attention and ongoing guidance to each young man and woman."

In addition, unlike most abstinence programs, Healthy Respect trains its own instructors who teach in regular public classroom settings in male-female teams, who serve as models of effective communication and respect between the sexes.

The virginity pledge study, released just before the new year, drew upon statistics compiled on teens by the federal government more than a decade ago. The author of the study, Janet Rosenbaum of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, purported to show that there is no difference between teens who took a virginity pledge and those of similar family background and personal values who did not.

Lost in the media hype over the study, however, is the simple fact that both the pledgers and non-pledgers had their first sexual experience at age 21, four years later than the national average.

Valerie Huber, Executive Director of the National Abstinence Education Association, said in a statement, "This study looked only at individuals who have specific skills that are taught or reinforced in an abstinence program, so we are not at all surprised that they abstained about 4 years longer than their peers. This study simply reinforces the need to continue the skill building practices found in a typical abstinence-centered class."

Ms. Huber added: "The numerous and serious inaccuracies and deliberate mischaracterizations made by the author regarding abstinence education call into question her objectivity as a researcher and throws suspicion on the entire research she has conducted."

Citing Healthy Respect's success in inner-city public schools, Dr. Coppola concluded, "Independent researchers have shown that Healthy Respect has a significant impact on the attitudes of our students, and we will continue to teach the positive message of abstinence until marriage for the life and health of our teens."

Chastity speaker Dawn Eden attacked in Ontario

That so called Catholic school students should act so rudely unfortunately doesn't shock me. I'm still surprised that those in charge of this school would have Dawn come to speak(Ontario Right to Life had help bring it about, God bless them, it must have been an uphill battle!). They've obviously been so lax in upholding any type of moral standards, perhaps they thought her talk would make up for that. Too little too late, unfortunatley for Ms. Eden, who has seen tough crowds, but was still shocked by the attitude of the students in these schools.
She rose to the occasion, however. You go girl!
Read the article here.
"Eden noted the general absence of a Catholic religious nature at some of the Ontario Catholic high schools she visited. She learned that in the Catholic schools, being state funded, as many as 25 per cent of the student body are non-Catholics. She was also told that of the Catholic students, "only a minority" attend Mass. "As a vice principal told me, they have a (well deserved) reputation for wearing the shortest skirts."
She also said, however, that despite the well-documented movement in Ontario's public Catholic schools away from the traditional Catholic devotional practices once normal in Catholic schools, some of the students themselves "had a strong devotional sense that was deeply touching," and that "surprised" even the school's staff. Eden's small supply of wooden cross necklaces and prayer cards were snapped up by the students.
She wrote, "The kids hear about sex all day from their peers who are putting forth the idea that everybody's doing it-a message that their schools' staff do not always attempt to dispel." She described as "exhilarating" that the work of "getting the students to see that not everybody was in fact doing it".
HT Lifesite News

A Modest Proposal at Ethics and Public Policy Center

Dawn Eden was one of the speakers at the EPPC's conference on chastity. Citizen Link Reports. How fortunate I am as a mother to three daughters in this pernicious culture of denigrated sexuality, to have women like Dawn who are fighting for the return of respect for women. It's going to be a long battle, but in the 1980's when I was single college student, we were on our own.

Thanks, Dawn, for your efforts to help society return to God's wonderful plan for our sexuality.

May He bless your efforts abundantly.

Modesty Conference at EPPC

I have posted on the trend in modest fashion shows, but this is the first ever conference on modesty at a Washington DC think tank; the Ethics and Public Policy Center is hosting, among others, Dawn Eden to discuss a return to modesty on college campuses. The only time I have seen this subject broached on college campuses themselves, is when I was a freshman at St. Anselm, and the counseling center had a discussion on "losing your reputation". I had spent the entire first month of college fending off suggestive remarks from seniors who apparently saw me as, 'fresh meat'. I accepted a date with a the gorgeous captain of the baseball team, Dave, only to discover that I was to have been part of a competition to score as many Freshman as possible. He struck out with me, folks!
I did have my revenge, however, for his repeating some things I had told him during our chaste date to fellow frat guys. I collected a number of the girls he left behind in the lounge of my all-girl's dormitory, and as Dave came for the next conquest and waited while she was paged (we asked her to take her time) he had to face all the girls he had lied to. It was priceless!

Tales from the The Pro-life Table at the Fair

If you ever want some time to yourself, volunteer to man the pro-life table at your local street fair. You'll get lots of time alone, as most fairgoers give you a wide berth. This has happened to me many times before. But not this time.

I was late in registering the table for the 40 days for life in Northport's Cow Harbor Day Fair, so I was fortunate to score a table in the most crowded section of my hometown's lovely waterfront park. I set up the table between a science geek with a fascinating show of bubbles, and a shy lady selling jewelry. I had experience, however, that told me to use the secret weapon.

The secret weapon is a series of fetal models, in the womb, that are so lifelike that Christina kept taking the babies out to cuddle them. She's not the only one who wanted to cuddle them. Dozens of little children, pulled their often reluctant parents over to the display, to, "see the babies". This I had seen before. Many of the mothers used the teachable moment to tell the children, "that's how you looked in Mommy's tummy". What's the value in that? Someday, these innocent children will be in a health class where the teacher will lie and say that these are just "blobs of tissue". These youngsters will know better. They've seen the truth.

What did surprise me were the teenagers, who were just as attracted to the babies. Some were there to tell me what they learned in health class, like the boy who said, "this is what happens when you don't need protection". I reminded him that married couples see children as a great blessing, as his parents likely saw him. He seemed pleased that there was a more positive way of looking at babies, than something to be avoided at all costs.

Most touching was the petite young lady, with the beautiful hairstyle, and unusual tiny earring in her upper lip who quietly told her friends, "this won't be happening to me, because I'm abstinent".

I resisted the urge to hug her and embarrass her in front of her stunned companions. I merely asked, "why are you abstinent?", to which she replied proudly, "because it's the right thing to do". Her friends' mouths were still slack with amazement, so I jumped in, adding, "you're just like American Idol Jordin Sparks, who showed off her purity ring on 'Fox and Friends'". Her male friend had recovered enough to attempt a crude comment on chastity belts, and I cut in with, "did you ever hear the story about the young woman who wrote a letter to her future husband when she was 14? On her wedding night, ten years later, she gave it as a gift to her husband". That did it, my eyes filled with tears, as I added, "can you guys think of a better wedding gift to give your future spouse?" No more smart comments, just a new found respect for their attractive, chaste friend. She held her head a little higher, leaving the table, and I was so proud of her!

Of all the people who approached the table that afternoon, only three were negative. One woman in her fifties, holding her husband's hand, intoned the mantra, "if you take choice away from one woman, you take it away from all women". I tried to engage her in a discussion, but the mantra was repeated again and again, almost as a protection from being affected by the truth. Two unseen women hissed, "pro-choisssssssse" as they quickly passed the table, while I was engaged in conversation with someone else. I always assume that these women are post-abortive and this brings up their suffering, so I pray silently for them.

Pro-lifers came up to greet me and exchange stories. I have prayed in front of abortion mills, but I missed the rescue movement, so my hat is off to those pro-life veterans. It was great to know they are out there, but unfortunately, they are a graying bunch. New leaders must come forward to take leadership positions in parish Respect Life Programs.

If you have ever considered leadership in the pro-life movement, there is most certainly a place for you. Participate in 20 days for life, and get in touch with your local Crisis Pregnancy Center. From folding baby clothes to manning pro-life tables, there is job for you. The babies are counting on you!

The Future Depends on Love Tour

From August 3-11, 2007, seven to twelve CFR Friars of The Community of the Franciscans Friars of the Renewal will walk from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C . The friars will walk between six and thirteen miles per day. Our routes would include highly visible areas through cities, suburbs, poor neighborhoods, and rural settings, with stops at some religious and historic sites along the way. On days when the brothers are walking fewer miles, they will stop to pray at abortion clinics, to evangelize, to serve the poor in some capacity, and to help raise awareness or funds for various family-marriage-life organizations with the local associations on the route. Our hope is to arrange a different speaker to speak about a particular family-marriage-life issue each night.

In addition, we plan to work with several youth groups, Pro-Life groups, college students, and young adults. As the pilgrimage proceeds from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., these groups and individuals, we will evangelize people and engage their peers in the surrounding cities and towns by holding events about family-marriage-life matters, with particular focus upon purity, chastity, Theology of the Body, and community service. These groups and individuals will also inform people about the various speakers and locations of the walking preaching Tour.

Our purpose is to evangelize Americans about the Catholic mission to build a "Civilization of Love" through "The Culture of Life," at the heart of which are the following issues: the sanctity of the family, marriage, human life, corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We believe that spreading the Catholic principles of purity, chastity and Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, through corporal and spiritual works of mercy are a critical part of restoring the dignity of the human person in the consciousness of our culture. This task is vital to our ultimate goal which is to lead others to participate in the Church's mission to save as many lives and souls as possible.

Click on these linkd to learn more, and certainly lift up this pilgrimage in prayer and fasting.
General Description
Novena Prayer for Solidarity August 3-11, 2007
Some Ways Young People Can Participate
Talks That Will Be Given On The Tour
Walk Route and Daily Itinerary
Pope John Paul II Quotes from WYD Denver 1993
Evangelium Vitae
Possible Ways to Financially Assist the Tour
Links To Our Friends Websites
Contact Us

Prayer for Renewal of Consecration of The United States to the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as Your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as Your Mother; in union with Mary, we adore your majesty and acknowledge Your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.

Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give our country and ourselves to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. O’ Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced by the sword of sorrow prophesized by Simeon save us from degeneration, disaster and war. Protect us from all harm. O’ Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, you who bore the sufferings of your Son in the depths of your heart be our Advocate. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the Will of your Divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God.

Amen