It's an entire weekend of pro-life activities in Washington

March for Life 2008 Conference and Activities Schedule
*There are numerous interesting and informative activities taking place before, during and after the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. LifeSiteNews.com has compiled information about as many of those events as possible, to enable those interested in attending the March to choose which events to attend.*
SATURDAY, JAN. 19th 4:00Rock for Life's Training & Activism Weekend 2008 begins.See http://www.rockforlife.org/article.php?id=10253 for more details.
SUNDAY, JAN. 207:30am-9:45pmStudents for Life of America ConferenceTo be held at the Pryzbyla Center, Catholic University of America. See http://www.studentsforlife.org/index.php/conferences for more details.10:30am - 8:00pmRock for Life Training & Activism Weekend
See http://www.rockforlife.org/article.php?id=10253 for more details.
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.March for Life Convention Session I*The Hyatt Regency, D.C.
See http://www.marchforlife.org for more details.
MONDAY, JAN. 218 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Cardinal O'Connor Conference
See https://www12.georgetown.edu/students/organizations/life/conference/ for more details. Speakers include Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of Knights of Columbus, Helen Alvare esq., of Catholic University of America, and others.
The Conference officially begins on Sunday Jan 20, with Mass at 7:00pm and a Luau for Life to follow.9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Rock for Life Training & Activism Weekend
See http://www.rockforlife.org/article.php?id=10253 for more details.7 p.m.
Huge National Prayer Vigil for Life at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Starts with Mass attended by thousands of pro-lifers and several hundred clergy and religious.Following the Mass there will be prayers throughout the night until morning for those able to participate. http://www.catholiccommunications.org/prolife/anniversary/2008vigil.shtml10a.m. - 4 p.m.March for Life Convention Sessions II + III*The Hyatt Regency, D.C.See http://www.marchforlife.org for more details.
TUESDAY, JAN. 228:45 - 11a.m.Rally for Life and Youth Mass 2008
The Archdiocese of Washington is hosting a Rally for Life and Youth Mass on Tuesday, January 22, 8:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Verizon Center (former MCI Center), 601 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.See http://www.adw.org/news/default.asp?id=507&EventType=0&TimeFrame= <http://www.adw.org/news/default.asp?id=507&EventType=0&TimeFrame=> for more details.8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Rock for Life Training & Activism WeekendSee http://www.rockforlife.org/article.php?id=10253 for more details.
9:00 amLutherans for LifeWorship service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.See http://www.lutheransforlife.org/march_for_life.htm for more details.
12 p.m.March for Life on Capitol Hill
4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.Silent No MoreSharing of testimonies on the steps of the Supreme Court.See http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/events/ for more details.
5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.International Culture of Life - Champions for Family Award Reception honouring Congressman Todd TiahrtPhoenix Park Hotel (above the Dubliner), 520 North Capitol Street, N.W.Other Special Guests: White House Commissioner Vellie Dietrich-Hall, President's Council for Asian Americans, His Excellency, Willy Gaa, Embassy of the Philippines, Congressman Trent Franks, Co-Chair Human Rights Caucus, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Member Foreign Affairs Committee, Mrs. Maureen Flynn, International Prayer & Fasting Coalition, Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life, Al Santoli, Asian American Initiative, Bobby Schindler, Terri Schindler Schaivo Foundation, Mr. Michael Schwartz, Chief-of-Staff for Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D., Dr. Jack Willke, Life Issues Institute, Wendy Wright, Concerned Women for Americahttp://www.filipinofamilyfund.org/eventjan22reception.html
5:00pmLutherans for LifeCasual dinner and fellowship at Immanuel Lutheran Church.See http://www.lutheransforlife.org/march_for_life.htm for more details.6:00 pm
Rose DinnerHyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill400 New Jersey Aveue, NW,Washington D.C.6:00 p.m. Foyer, Social Hour - Pick up Tickets (order forms for tickets available on website at http://www.marchforlife.org)7:00 p.m. Opening prayer - Dinner Served* The March for Life convention costs $50 for all three sessions, or $25 for each session. Students are admitted for free if accompanied by an adult sponsor.------------------------------------------------------------------------PFLI PharmAid Centerpfli@pfli.org <mailto:pfli@pfli.org>PO Box 1281Powell, OH 43065-1281 USA800-227-8359www.pfli.orgPFLI supports pharmacist rights of conscience NOT to be forced to dispense or counsel for chemicals which violate their sincerely held religious, moral or ethical beliefs. For more info see:http://www.pfli.org/main.php?pfli=conscienceclausefaq

Is your state pro-life?

Americans United for Life has ranked the 50 states by how well life is defended here.
today released its fifth annual ranking of the most and least pro-life states based on laws in the states. For the third year in a row, Michigan topped the list, followed by Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Kansas. 2008 State Rankings
"These states have made great strides in protecting women and their children from the negative consequences of abortion," said Denise M. Burke, AUL's Vice President & Legal Director.While AUL's criteria covers each state's treatment of all life issues, the final ranking depends largely on each state's enactment of prudent and well-supported laws that fence in the abortion license granted by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1973 decision, /Roe v. Wade/.
Among the laws that AUL looks for are informed consent, parental involvement for minors, abortion clinic regulations, and funding limitations on the use of public monies for abortion."Until all the pieces are in place to make the overruling of /Roe/ a realistic possibility and until the truth has replaced misinformation about abortion, " said Clarke D. Forsythe, AUL's President, "laws that put fences around the abortion license and highlight the negative impact of abortion on women are imperative. And those laws are being passed in the 50 states.
"The ranking also seeks to answer the question: Thirty-five years after /Roe/, are we making progress to restore a culture of life in America?"We are making progress, state by state and law by law. In states that have passed these types of laws, the abortion rates have declined by up to 20% over the past 10 years, " responds Burke. "Further, these laws highlight the significant dangers--physical, psychological, and relational--posed by abortion."
"Once the scope of the negative impact of abortion on women is fully understood, support for most or all abortions will erode and a renewed culture of life will be within our grasp," continued Burke.
Added Forsythe, "Women need to be much better informed about the medical risks of abortion, and these common-sense laws seek to do that. "
The least protective states according to AUL were Oregon, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Vermont.
I live inNew York state #34. I'm surprised it's ranked so high, beating our neighbors in NJ and CT. Our state senators must be doing a better job than our infamous Senators (Clinton and Schumer) .

US Baby Boom

I knew all those baby movies; "Bella", "Waitress", "Juno" had to be for a reason. It seems that the birth rate in the USA is the highest it's been in years.

In 2006, the U.S. welcomed 4.3 million babies — the most in 45 years. Births were more common in almost every age, racial and ethnic group. Global data show the U.S. has a higher fertility rate — 2.1 — than every country in continental Europe, as well as Australia, Canada and Japan.
“This is very positive,” said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics at Focus on the Family Action. “To me, it says Americans are pro-child. And the fact that they continue to have children speaks to the resilience of the pro-life message.”
A larger population is the primary reason for the “baby boomlet,” but there also are more opportunities for mothers to work from home. It also is more common for American husbands to help with chores and child care than in other countries
HT Citizen link

40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life

Fr Frank Pavone gives his endorsement for Forty Days for Life which will take place this Lent at 59 cities around the nation. We can end abortion in our communities before it ends legally.

Looking for a good Catholic college?

The entire student body of Christendom College will be Marching for Life next Tuesday January 22, as Roe v Wade has a tragic 35th anniversary. What a wonderful example they are!

I have participated in the March for Life for approximately half of it's 34 years. One thing that has struck me in recent years is the number of enthusiastic, articulate pro-lifers under 30. For years, in the 1970's the sweet middle aged ladies on the bus to DC said, "how nice it is to see a young person on the bus!"

I stopped going during my self-centered phase in the 1980's and by the time I brought my daughters in the mid nineties, a tremendous change had taken place. I, in my thirties, was one of the older marchers. Thousands of college and high school kids were marching, and spending the entire night before the March in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer.

The pro-life movement isn't going away, it's growning. Most young people are more pro-life than their parents, because, as Fr. Pavone reminds us, it could have been them. They realize that Roe v Wade is personal, that they are survivors.

Here is there slogan on a t-shirt.

Hillary: "I'M a bigger abortion supporter, Obama!"

OK, you Catholics who see no problem voting Democrat this election. Your last excuse has just been taken away.
Hillary and Obama are in a schoolyard brawl over who is more enthusiastic about killing 1. 5 million Americans, (disproportionately minority)ever year.
Not that this is a surprise, but what happened to Bubba's line, "I want to make abortion safe. legal and rare"?
Sorry Hillary, according to pro-life nurse and activist Jill Stanek, in her column, Obama is the biggest pro-abort who ever ran for the Presidency. He'll get the Planned Parenthood award money.

cause of our joy: The ACOG has heard us: some progress made on pre-natal screening

cause of our joy: The ACOG has heard us: some progress made on pre-natal screening

Why Catholics are attracted to Huckabee

This is my reaction to an outstanding article from Deacon Keith Fournier, which explains my reasons for supporting Huckabee. Read the entire article here.

Deacon Fournier explains how a Catholic left the Democratic Party.
"I was brought into the Republican Party by the positions and the appeal of Ronald Reagan. Most importantly, it was because Reagan heard the cry of the ones whom Mother Teresa called the “poorest of the poor”, children in the womb.
When my own Party decided to stop their ears to the cry of these children, as a concession to the new “liberals” who tout license as liberty, I began to question whether I could remain. Then, when they censored the last champion of both the poor and the working men and women in the Democratic Party, Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey, by not allowing him to even speak at their convention, I knew what I had to do."
My dear Irish Grandma, Democrat to the core, recognized this as well, as the Democratic Party became the Party of Death. She liked Reagan, whom she called, "Reegan" and almost voted for him in 1984, but a fall broke her hip, and she was in the hospital for the election, "I guess I wasn't supposed to vote for Reagan", she mused.
Deacon Fournier continues,
"Whether he takes the Republican nomination or not, Mike Huckabee may be the emerging leader of a new issue focused alliance of voters. These folks are not capable of being pigeon holed. They are quite capable of exercising their prudential judgment, placing the multitude of political, economic, social and policy issues which form the backdrop for this campaign, within a hierarchy of importance. These voters cannot be lumped under the assorted vacuous verbal political labels used by the media such as “religious right”, “conservative”, “right wing” or “neo-conservative”.
Oh, do not get me wrong, these folks also do not fit the contemporary American use of the word “liberal” either.
Huckabee uses a phrase,” Vertical politics” to explain his message and his direction. He speaks of calling Americans beyond the old horizontal labels to a higher ground and a better future."

I have enjoyed the discomfiture of pundits like Rush and Sean as they bemoan the lack of true conservatism in the Republican candidates. I have news for both of you, and for Laura Ingraham and Peggy Noonan; I am a Catholic first and a Conservative second. I mostly want to conserve the Ten Commandments as expressed in Catholic teaching. That includes Catholic social teaching. This often leaves me without a comfortable political home, and I love watching liberals think I'm pro-abortion when I work with the poor, and conservatives assume I'm pro-Iraq war because I'm pro-life. I try and ask where Jesus would stand on an issue, using the writings of the Holy Father as a guide. Both Benedict and John Paul have spoken out for us to help poor immigrants, and against the Iraq war. I'm in good company.

So, what party has my registration? I collected signatures before I could vote in high school for the Right to Life Party in New York State. That's where I felt at home for 25 years, till it lost the votes to keep it on the ballot. Now, my vote is up for grabs. I am a registered Conservative, as the Long Island Coalition for Life felt that the Conservative Party here was forgetting it's pro life roots, and asked me to register as a Conservative.
If abortion is outlawed someday, and traditional marriage protected, I could even vote for the party of my Irish Gran, and Italian Grandparents, all of whom where Democrats. committeemen. Don't think because legalized abortion got me to vote Republican so far, that you own me. I was ready to walk with Dr. James Dobson if Rudy Guiliani were nominated. I didn't see enough difference between him and Hillary or Obama as far as the Right to Life was concerned. As Fr Frank Pavone says, "If Osama Bin Laden were running, would you worry about his economic policy?" Anyone who justifies the terror of 1.5 million helpless babes torn limb from limb or burned by chemicals in their mother's womb, does not have the moral compass we need to lead us in this dangerous world.
Deacon Fournier puts it so beautifully,
"These voters place the dignity of every human person and the right to life from conception to natural death at the head of every concern."

"It is not a “single issue” for them but a framework through which the entire race must be seen. They argue that without the right to life there are no other rights and that persons must always take precedence. They will never accept the idea that a society should allow the killing of it’s young in the womb and, worse yet, celebrate it as a “right” when it is wrong. "

Exactly, Deacon Fournier, perhaps Catholics have to find a better political home, and Mike Huckabee is leading the way.

HT Catholic Online

Long Islanders for Huckabee

Here I am with some of my homeschooling friends, and some new friends organizing our meetup group to cover Long Island for Mike Huckabee.

I admit it's a long shot, with this being allegedly Guiliani territory, but he was once considered unbeatable, and hasn't mangaged to break the top three in any of the primaries so far.

It's an open race, may God's favorite win!

I just happen to think that He might just prefer a man with a heart for traditional moral values of marriage and life.

Like Mike Huckabee.

Mitt Romney and Life Issues

THIS IS A GUEST POST by John Francis Borra, pro-life cartoonist
I found Mitt Romney's December 5th interview with Katie Couric particularly disappointing. I was aware of his pro-abortion past, of course, but understood he was a changed man. While I'm as skeptical as anyone when it comes to election-time conversions, I really wanted to give Romney the benefit of the doubt. After all, my favorite-- Sam Brownback-- had dropped out.

When pressed by Couric about his position on embryonic research, Romney's logic fell apart. He started out fine, maintaining that abortion is wrong and that life should not be created just to destroy it. But he continued by stating that parents in possession of "surplus" embryos-- those left over from in vitro reproductive efforts-- should be allowed to "donate" them for research.

So, according to Romney, it's not OK to kill a child conceived in vitro for destructive research. But it is OK to kill a child conceived in vitro for implantation; that's up to the parents. But killing a child in vivo (in the womb) is wrong; that's abortion and not up to the parents. But wait. What about those children conceived in vitro who were implanted, but are now considered "surplus" and marked for destruction in the crowded womb? Is their fate up to mom? Or do they finally rate consideration as something more than mere property? Perhaps we'll never find out; I imagine Romney is prepared to outrun the unlikely journalist inclined to pursue an answer.

Needless to say, Romney's position-- if you can call it that-- is not just poorly reasoned, but absurd. A confusion of relativism and utilitarianism, it depends on the circumstances of conception and the whim of parents. This is completely counter to authentic Christian teaching-- so clearly and often reiterated by Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI-- that human life is inherently sacred and that its creation must never be removed from the marital act, let alone industrialized.

The notion that human beings can be "surplus" and "donated" is right out of the antebellum South, Nazi Germany and, of course, our current culture of death. To accept such ideas is to reject the Judeo-Christian understanding of life, the world... everything.
*****
(veritatis@eaglecom.net)"used with permission."

Semper veritas!

John Francis Borra, SFO

What Mike Huckabee's Victory in Iowa Means for Pro-Lifers

Steven W. Mosher
President of the Population Research Institute

Now that the Iowa caucuses are over, pro-lifers can breathe a sigh of relief. For their worst case scenario--that the nominees of both major parties would be pro-abortion--has probably been averted.
There was a time when it seemed that Rudy Giuliani, who is emphatically not pro-life, might be the Republican nominee. But his dismal showing in Iowa--he placed sixth--has probably taken him out of contention. His refusal to contest New Hampshire as well, where the latest polls show him in single digits, is another nail in his political coffin. His strategy now, if it can be called that, is to retreat to the sidelines in the hope that the other candidates fight each other to a standstill, and then to win big in Florida. But the Sunshine State's primary is still a month away, and Iowa winner Mike Huckabee has already pulled even with him in the polls there. The odds against Giuliani’s long-shot strategy succeeding are lengthening by the hour.
All of this is good news for pro-lifers. Simply put, it will be a disaster for the pro-life cause if Giuliani, or any Republican who is less than thoroughly pro-life, is nominated, and an even greater disaster if they are actually elected.
Here's why.
The bully pulpit of the presidency would fall into the hands of someone who is indifferent to the tragedy of abortion. Not only would a President Giuliani not speak out against the practice, as Bush currently does at the annual March for Life, he would actively promote the idea that it is not the proper role of government to protect the lives of innocent unborn children. As far as enforcement is concerned, the Born-Alive Infants' Protection Act would become a dead letter. And the likelihood of new legislation--banning sex-selective abortion, for example--would shrink to the vanishing point.
As bad as ceding the White House to someone of such sentiments would be, Giuliani's nomination would bring an even worse prospect into view, namely, that of losing the Republican party as the party of life. In this case, the pro-life movement would become a political orphan.
The Republican party, it should be recalled, was not always pro-life. It became so only with the nomination of Ronald Reagan, who pushed for a pro-life plank to be added to the party platform drafted and approved at the Republican convention of 1980. The nomination of Rudi Giuliani could very well see this same process unfold in reverse, if not immediately then at the next presidential election cycle in 2012.
Against these grim prospects, Giuliani offered the hope and the promise that he would nominate justices in the mold of John Roberts and Samuel Alito. Don't count on it. Previous presidents with far stronger convictions than Giuliani have found it difficult to keep such pledges. Witness the Harriet Myers debacle. Giuliani, whose moral compass points in the wrong direction in any case, and who will be surrounded by staffers who reflect and reinforce his indifference towards life will, in my view, find it impossible.
If Giuliani's defeat bodes well for pro-lifers, then so does Mike Huckabee's victory. For of the top four finishers, Huckabee is by far the most eloquent defender of human life. He speaks with heartfelt conviction, even passion, on the issue of the unborn. Moreover, he is the only one of the candidates to support the passage of a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would once and for all ban all abortions throughout all fifty states. This is not mere rhetoric. As governor of Arkansas, he fought for--and won--the passage of just such an amendment.
This is not to say that I am endorsing Mike Huckabee. Nor is it to say that I doubt the pro-life convictions of John McCain and Fred Thompson--or even of Mitt Romney, a late convert to the pro-life cause--but only to point out that the other first-tier candidates have all had trouble actually explaining the grounds for their pro-life positions. Some have, truth be told, hardly tried.
Romney, of course, has the most to explain, since his record is littered with quotes like this one: "On a personal basis, I don't favor abortion. However, as governor of the commonwealth, I will protect a woman's right to choose under the laws of the country and the commonwealth. That's the same position I've had for many years." (Erik Arvidson, Lowell Sun, March 20, 2002)
Romney now says that America is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade and return to the states the authority to permit or prohibit abortions, as the case may be. But when pressed on his earlier views on abortion, he says simply that he was "wrong." This brief and curiously bloodless explanation begs the question for many pro-lifers, who wonder whether his change of heart was a matter of deep soul-searching, or mere political convenience.
McCain, on the other hand, has a perfect pro-life voting record in the Senate. He calls Roe v. Wade a bad decision, and says that he supports the rights of the unborn. But he is dogged by a statement he made in 1999 to the effect that "In the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade, which would then force X number of women in American to undergo illegal and dangerous operations."
The Senator now says that this statement was made in the context of the prior need to change the culture of America with regard to the abortion issue. Yet what are pro-lifers to conclude from even his defense than that he is unwilling to fight the abortion status quo. But what they want is a president who, like Ronald Reagan, is willing to use his moral authority to actively promote a culture of Life, not one who passively waits for a change in tide of public opinion.
Then there is Fred Thompson, whose early endorsement by the National Right to Life Committee surprised many pro-lifers. He, like Romney and McCain, has not always been pro-life, and even now would not ban all abortions. Consider this revealing exchange on Meet the Press:
Q: You said in 1994 as a Senate candidate, "I'm not willing to support laws that prohibit early-term abortions. I'm not suddenly upon election as a senator going to know when life begins. It comes down to whether you believe life begins at conception. I don't know in my own mind if that is the case so I don't feel the law ought to impose that standard on other people." So you yourself don't know when life begins?
A: No. I didn't know then.
Q: You know now?
A: My public position has always been the same. I've been 100% pro-life in every vote that I've ever cast.
Q: Do you believe that life begins at conception, so abortion is the taking of a human life?
A: Yes, I do.
Q: But you would allow abortion to be performed in states if chosen by states for people who think otherwise?
A: I do not think that you can have a law that cuts off an age group or something like that. It cannot change the way I feel about it morally, but legally and practically, I've got to recognize that fact. (Source: Meet the Press: 2007 "Meet the Candidates" series, Nov 4, 2007)
I often find Thompson's answers unintelligible. Here he confused me when he first admitted to having been publicly pro-choice, then a few seconds later claimed that his "public position has always been the same [100% pro-life]." What does come through clearly is that Thompson is not in favor of either a Human Life Amendment, or a law banning all abortions.
Many pro-lifers worry that, if these candidates are unable or unwilling to effectively defend the cause of Life now, when they are hotly contesting the pro-life vote, then they will be even less likely to do so as president, when they can pick and choose the topics they will address in speeches and at press conferences. The bully pulpit would be lost.
It is for this reason that I believe that--whoever the nominee ultimately is--Huckabee's Iowa victory is good for the pro-life cause. The governor's eloquence on the pro-life issue, as well as his willingness to lead on the question of a Human Life Amendment (instead of merely follow "public opinion"), will put pressure on the other candidates to be more openly pro-life as well. Babies can only benefit.
Steven Mosher is the President of PRI.
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Media Contact: Colin Mason
Email: colin@pop.org(540) 622-5240, ext. 209
(c) 2007 Population Research Institute.
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"Barak Obama most pro-abortion candidate"

Terry Jeffrey says that "Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion presidential candidate ever." He recently held a press conference to re-affirm his pro-death committment. You can read the entire story here.
The African American community has already been decimated by abortion, losing their status as largest minority to Hispanics in the 2000 Census. This is in part, due to the high abortion rate among black women.
This is from the website Black Genocide.org:
Although black women constitute only 6% of the population, they comprise 36% of the abortion industry’s clientele. The leading abortion providers have chosen to exploit blacks by locating 94% of their abortuaries in urban neighborhoods with high black populations.
This high rate of abortion has decimated the black family and destroyed black neighborhoods to the detriment of society at large.
(see graph)
It plays right into the hands of Planned Parenthood's founder, eugenics enthusiast, Margaret Sanger.
Read more in this post about Obama's extreme pro-abortion views, and how this plays into the hands of those who want to decimate the black population. Day Gardner has spoken out against Obama in this World Net Daily article. Day Gardner is president of the National Black Pro-Life Union, which helps to coordinate the efforts of black pro-life groups.
"Senator Obama doesn't care that abortion has obliterated the rights of more than 15 million black children since 1973," Gardner said in a statement. "He doesn't care that abortion is the No. 1 killer of African-Americans surpassing deaths caused by accidents, heart disease, stroke, crimes, HIV-AIDS and all other deaths – combined!"
This is a photo of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, with Ku Klux Klan members. Both groups wanted to eliminate minority and immigrant populations,they just differed in the means they used.
WHY would the first viable African-American presidential candidate align himself with pro-aborts who are out to decimate his fellow African Americans?

HT Life News

New Yorkers need tickets to Papal masses in April

Hurry for tickets to see the Pope
By Kathleen Lucadamo DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Sunday, January 13th 2008, 4:00 AM
If you want to see the Pope, don't procrastinate.
The last day to request tickets to see Pope Benedict during his New York visit is Tuesday, according to the Archdiocese of New York.
The Pope will appear at a youth rally at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers on April 19 and at a Mass at Yankee Stadium the following day. Tickets are free.
Those who live in the archdiocese, which includes Manhattan, Staten Island and Westchester, can get tickets through their local parishes.
Those who live elsewhere must send their request, including name, address and date of birth, to their local bishop.
The archdiocese warned that any tickets for sale through Web sites or ticket brokers are fakes.

My column on Amazing Catechists to offer resources for catechists

I am a columnist on a new website called Amazing Cathechists which is a free resource for all you out there you teach CCD or RCIA classes or homeschool your children in the faith. It's so new, that a few parts are still under construction, but pay us a visit and meet some talented catechists who offer their insights on a wide variety of topics.New columns will be added monthly, and we hope to offer a wealth of free resources for you to use with your students.There is no greater joy than passing on the faith, and I am priveleged to be a part of this exciting apostolate. Lisa Mlandinich, whose story, "Acting Up" is featured in this month's "Faith and Family"magazine is the webmistress and originator of Amazing Catechists. Her puppet scripts can be found at Catholic Puppet Show Ministry at Catholic Mom.com

Review of the book, "Noise" by Teresa Tomeo

Parents: would you allow your child to learn a foreign language you don’t understand, make friends with strangers who speak that language, and invite them into your home to fraternize with your children unsupervised? “No way”, you say, but let’s be honest. Isn’t that what so many teens are doing when they listed to Ipods, download videos onto their cell phones, chat on MySpace, or play video games? Children are generally more techno-literate than their parents and as technology gets more and more complex and personalized, it becomes harder to protect our children from the noise of popular culture as it seeps into our lives. We need a handbook to help us fend off this thief of our children’s innocence. Teresa Tomeo, veteran TV and radio broadcaster, and host of the popular Catholic Connection radio show on Ave Maria Radio, has done just that in her book “Noise”.
“Noise” answers the question so often voiced by the Baby Boomers, “What happened to TV?” When I was growing up, “Andy Griffith” and “I Love Lucy” were shows watched by the entire family, and now sexually charged shows like, “Desperate Housewives” is the most popular with young girls aged 9-12. Kids spend as much time hooked up to some form of media as they do in school these days, so we’d better educate ourselves about what’s going on, before they’re lost to us, and the Faith.
This book, which is as engrossing as it is terrifying, begins with a thorough explanation of the origins of the problem of immorality in media, and how Teresa, who worked for over 20 years in secular media, came to see the problem for what it is. The latter part of the book is divided into sections by type of media, with chapters dedicated to TV, radio, computer games, internet, music, and advertising, and explains the immoral influence in each. She ends her book with a challenge to each of us to get involved in changing the media culture for Christ, full of concrete suggestions from how to overcome our children’s addiction to media, to how to get family-friendly coverage on their local news station.
Did you know that “The DaVinci Code” movie far outsold “The Passion of the Christ”? The situation is dire, but take heart, says Teresa. If you have felt that it was too late to stem the tide of the media’s pernicious influence, take heart, says Teresa, new forms of media (talk radio, alternative cable news, and the internet) offer some hope to the prevailing humanist agenda out there. You are seeing the result of my taking her suggestions to heart; I began this blog as an attempt to help Catholic parents navigate the treacherous waters of modern media.

Even those of us who work in the media, however, and think we know a thing or two will be able to learn from Teresa Tomeo’s exhaustive research, includes references to current statistics on media influence, and valuable resource section at the back of the book. I have read it twice, and learned new things each time to help my children use media wisely, to educate and inform our faith, not destroy it.
Make “Noise” a part of your armory against the ravages of pop culture on your children, and you might find yourself, like me, installing a second computer in the family den, next to the kids’ computer, for yourself.

Vouge touts the advantages of Partial Birth Abortion

New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- Vogue magazine is striking a pose in its January issue with an article glorifying a woman who had a partial-birth abortion and including a picture of her and her daughter wearing the latest fashions. Pro-life advocates complain the story makes the gruesome three-day-long abortion procedure seem fashionable.
In its story, "Private Lives," the magazine claims Greenwich Village New York resident Lot Campbell faced a complicated pregnancy and her doctors advised her to have the abortion.
HT Life News
Lot, Lot, that name rings a bell. . . oh yes, that's it, that's the character whom Abraham brought out of Sodom and Gomorrah before it was incinerated! Billy Graham once stated, "if the Lord doesn't destroy the US with fire, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology!"
See post by Christine in Catholic Media Review

A Few Words on the Election from a True Shepherd

Archbishop Chaput concludes in his discussion of the media's treatment of religion,
Religious faith, religious believers and religious leaders have always played a major role in informing American public debate, to the betterment of the whole community.
Ultimately, every voter has the duty to follow his or her own properly formed conscience. And we all have an obligation to respect the dignity of others. But the best way to be "faithful citizens" is to put our beliefs about God, moral character and common sense before every other loyalty. We have nothing to offer our political party or our nation if we agree to downplay our religious and moral convictions when we come to society's toughest issues. Today and always, we pursue our vocation as American citizens best by living our Catholic faith authentically first.
HT Catholic Exchange

Domers for Huckabee

Great news!

Catholics are seeing the light and are coming out for Huckabee, not only do we have our friends at Catholics for Huckabee, but Notre Dame alumni have formed Domers for Huckabee, referring I suppose to the impressive dome on the campus church. I have seen it in person, and it's magnificent, just like these alumni who represent their Catholic institution proudly.

March for Life: a tragic anniversary

Hundreds of thousands of pro-life Americans are preparing to head to the nation's capitol to once again express their opposition to abortion in the national March for Life. This month, the nation will mark 35 years of unlimited abortion and tens of millions of unborn children and women killed and injured by them.
The march will be held on Tuesday, January 22, the anniversary date of the Supreme Court decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton.

BE THERE!

Blogs for Life

I'll be at Blogs for Life Conference at Family Research Council before the March for Life on January 22, 2008.

The list of speakers is impressive:
8:00--8:05 a.m. -- Welcome & Introduction
8:05 - 8:25 a.m. -- Star Parker
8:25 - 8:45 a.m.-- Peter Shinn
8:50 - 9:10 a.m. -- Eric Scheidler
9:10 - 9:20 a.m.-- Dawn Eden
9:20 - 9:40 a.m.-- Jill Stanek
9:40 - 9:50 a.m. -- Michaelene Fredenburg
9:50 - 10:10 a.m.-- Michael Illions
10:10 - 10:40 a.m.-- Americans United for Life
10:40 - 11:00 a.m.-- TBA
11:00 - 11:20 a.m. -- Hadley P. Arkes
11:20 - 11:30 a.m. -- Closing Remarks

See you there!

New Bill to de-fund Planned Parenthood

The infamous San Francisco branch of Planned Parenthood is at it again. In recent history they have used taxpayer dollars to produce television ads which mock Christianity and belittle families. These ads demonstrate which side is guilty of judging others and demonizing their opponents. The latest ads from Planned Parenthood Golden Gate are no different. This ad features an extremely effete and ostensibly homosexual man prancing up and down the aisles of an airplane making sure that the passengers have all the condoms and contraceptives they need, "cause we're all about choices."
See Dawn Eden's post about the offensive commercials.
Planned Parenthood receives millions of taxpayer dollars every year to advance an agenda that is anathema to social conservatives and this is how they decide to spend your money! We need to stop publicly subsidizing such partisan and ludicrous advertisements.



Thankfully, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN, 100% FRCA) is standing up for the American taxpaying family. Rep. Pence has introduced H.R. 4133 which will prohibit any organization that promotes or practices abortions from receiving federal funds, including Planned Parenthood.

HT Family Research Council

Bill which would de-fund Planned Parenthood

The infamous San Francisco branch of Planned Parenthood is at it again. In recent history they have used taxpayer dollars to produce television ads which mock Christianity and belittle families. These ads demonstrate which side is guilty of judging others and demonizing their opponents. The latest ads from Planned Parenthood Golden Gate are no different. This ad features an extremely effete and ostensibly homosexual man prancing up and down the aisles of an airplane making sure that the passengers have all the condoms and contraceptives they need, "cause we're all about choices."
Planned Parenthood receives millions of taxpayer dollars every year to advance an agenda that is anathema to social conservatives and this is how they decide to spend your money! We need to stop publicly subsidizing such partisan and ludicrous advertisements.

Thankfully, Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN, 100% FRCA) is standing up for the American taxpaying family. Rep. Pence has introduced H.R. 4133 which will prohibit any organization that promotes or practices abortions from receiving federal funds, including Planned Parenthood.
HT Family Research Council

Huckabee is ahead in Michigan

If John McCain is the frontrunner, and Romney grew up in Michigan, with his father as governor there, then why is Huckabee leading in Michigan?
Read more here.
HT LifeNews

"The most pro-life candidate"

According to Pat Buchanan's campaign manager, Terry Jeffrey on EWTN, Mike Huckabee is the most pro-life candidate. He is seeking our support.

SO, Catholics, what are you waiting for?

Hillary rally interuppted by 'cavemen'

Oh, the woes of Hillary! No kid glove treatment in New Hampshire, I see!
I once interrupted a New York rally in 2000 when she was running for Senate by bringing my two girls, and carrying a homemade banner which read, "Our Lady of Long Island, Pray for Us!" bearing an image of Our Lady, arms outstretched over the Island.
As I unrolled the banner, Hillary stumbled in her plastic covered speech # 55, glancing sideways at us, held back by the ropes wrapped around the invited guests, members of the press who didn't ask a single question, and adoring fans,who wanted her autograph.
Suddenly, three HUGE Secret Service people (one was a tall woman) surrounded me, and I joked about being dangerous with my girls. They smiled (this was pre 911). I started to get the locals agitated that they were being roped out of a public park, so the ropes were removed, and I was given 'access' to Hillary. I was allowed to stand along her path back to the van.
She walked past me all right, sideways to give me her back which was fortunate, because as she stepped away from the podium, 7 year old Gabbi, gasped, terrified, "Mom, she's coming to get us!" I looked up to see what she meant, and Hillary was indeed casting a menacing eye in our direction. So, as our dear Senator from New York entered the van, I was at the window reminding her of her speech where she claimed to be pro-child,
"Hillary you can't be pro-child and pro-abortion!!"
I knew her win in New York was a given, I just had to be a fly in the ointment. Things in the Presidential Election are far from certain however.
UPDATE: There is a growing supspicion that this whole snafu was staged, based upon the fact that those who yelled, "iron my shirt" were Hillary supporters, as observed on the bumper sticker on the car they used to leave the rally.

Pope to issue specific instructions to bishops on implementing Summorum Pontificum

Apparently, some bishops think they're dealing with a softie. Pope Benedict is not happy with the reaction of some bishops to Summorum Pontificum, so he's spelling out his intentions for the document. Isn't he a grand shepherd?
Implementation, however, has been uneven, with some bishops issuing rules that "practically annul or twist the intention of the Pope," Msgr. Albert Malcolm Ranjith, secretary of the Vatican's Congregation for the Divine Cult and Discipline of Sacraments, said recently, according to the Vatican's missionary news agency FIDES.
Such reactions amounted to a "crisis of obedience" toward the pontiff, he was quoted as saying, although he stressed that most bishops and other prelates had accepted the Pope's will "with the required sense of reverence and obedience."
Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state, said the forthcoming instruction would lay out criteria for the Pope's document to be correctly applied, according to an interview published Thursday in the Italian religious affairs weekly Famiglia Cristiana. He gave no date for its publication.
He complained that reactions to the pontiff's document had been uneven.
"Some have even gone so far as to accuse the Pope of having reneged on Council teaching," Bertone was quoted as saying. "On the other hand, there are those who have interpreted the (document) as authorization to return exclusively to the pre-Council rite. Both positions are wrong, and are exaggerated episodes that don't correspond to the pope's intention."
HT The Canadian Press
I agree with the quote from Fr. Z in the article, there is a renewal of interest in the Latin Mass on Long Island, with young priests learning to say it for the first time, altar boys and schola members in training, as the faithful flock to the Traditional Mass. I don't see any danger of going back to this form entirely where I live, however.

Life Decisions International endorse Huckabee: NARAL worried

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The heads of a pro-life organization that serves as a Planned Parenthood watchdog has endorsed Mike Huckabee for the Republican nomination for president. The endorsement of the two leaders of Life Decisions International comes one day before the second presidential battle in New Hampshire.
Doug Scott, the president of LDI told LifeNews.com on Monday that he thinks Huckabee is the only candidate pro-life voters "can support with confidence."
He urged pro-life advocates to "join [him] in doing all they can to advance Mike Huckabee's campaign."
HT Life News
NARAL is working against Huckabee, which, in my book is an endorsement."Mike Huckabee's first place win in the Iowa caucuses is alarming for women," the group said in a copy of the email LifeNews.com obtained.
"We must stop him before we face a presidential nominee who is arguably more anti-choice than even George W. Bush," the group adds. "NARAL ... needs your help ... to stop Huckabee’s momentum before the New Hampshire primary on January 8."
NARAL criticizes Huckabee for supporting a human life amendment to the constitution protecting unborn children from abortion. It worries such an amendment would also limit birth control, stem cell research and in-vitro fertilization.

My review of "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep"

Is up at MercatorNet. Go on over and enjoy a romp with the wee beastie. . . and bring the kids!

Blogs for life

Anyone out there going to the Blogs for Life Conference on Jan 22nd? I went last year and I'm trying to go again this year. It was amazing! SO many journalists wanted to see what pro-life bloggers were up to!

St. Anselm is in the news

St Anselm College, which Danielle Bean and I attended,( she many years after me) has been hosting all the Presidential debates, and has the Fox News broadcast from a glass booth in front of the Administration Building.

Here's a photo of Mike Huckabee with students before the debate, and an article from the Manchester Union-Leader which used to irritate myliberal roomie while we watched the Presidential debates in Baroody Hall girls' dorm. I don't want to age myself, but Ronald Reagan was one of the candidates. . .

Blessed Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord

You can celebrate with the Holy Father by watching his mass on EWTN today.

Faithmouse has a logo for the Beijing Olympics

Dan is offering these images free to anyone, you just have to share a link. He said,
"Perhaps we can get this image on page one whenever anyone in the world searches for info on the 2008 Beijing Olympic games in China
Thanks again for helping to communicate to China the fact that the entire world is well aware of their regime of repression.
Go, team!"

The team strategy; link your site with the below listed sites to shoelace our links, giving the logo a greater relevance, and stronger keyword density on search engines like Google. I saw this with my post on Fr. Francis at EWTN, it appears right under the EWTN website itself when you Google EWTN.
Here are sites which are posting the Faithmouse Beijing Olympics Logo:
SFO Mom
Faithmouse
Blogs4Brownback
Conservababes
50 Days After
kaj la hundo iris kun ili. . .
Irish blogs IE
Lina Lamont Fan Club
Olympics in den Ketten
Beijing 2008: Olimpikoj en Cejoj
Free Republic Thread

Reflections on Elizabeth Ann Seton's Memorial

by John Francis Borra, SFO

Friday night, during a particularly beautiful liturgy, Fr. Gilmary, one of my Capuchin pastors, reflected on Elizabeth Ann Seton and her conversion from protestantism to the universal Faith. Three things in particular drew Elizabeth into the Church: the Real Presence, reverence for Mary and the Church's foundation by Christ. The Real Presence was of such overriding importance that she felt any religion denying it could hardly be called Christian. Indeed, when the very "source and summit" of Christianity is cut out, what is left? As Elizabeth herself might have wondered, can the hole that remains be Christian?

Elizabeth was especially impressed by Catholics she met while nursing her ailing husband in Italy; it was their example, their silent witness that attracted her. How different things are today, approaching the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. If only all Catholics of our age lived the Faith as humbly, as devoutly as the Italian friends of Elizabeth, how different our world would be. At roughly a quarter of today's US population, much more than political influence would be felt: our morality and spirituality would have led many more from the pother of revisionism and relativism and into the fullness of the Truth. Alas, the Catholics most prominent in American society are among the worst examples imaginable: the Bidens, Kennedys, Kerrys and Pelosis of our political establishment. They outdo the most notorious atheists in sheer effrontery. An atheist simply denies God's existence, but these self-styled Catholics hold onto Him, trotting Him out as needed when campaigning, then kicking Him in the teeth during legislative sessions. Of course, few, if any, of these politicians would be in office if not for Catholic voters who've fallen away themselves.

While America's legacy of contraception, abortion and euthanasia testifies to the ripple effect of sin, another legacy testifies to the ripple effect of grace. Because a handful of Italians selflessly lived the Faith handed down to them over the centuries from the Apostles, an American who'd been denied that Faith embraced it. And so it was that Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, humbly enduring the hostility and ostracism of a thoroughly anti-Catholic society, spurred the catechesis of a young and needful nation. That Faith demands we continue her work.
John Francis Borra is a pro-life cartoonist whose cartoons I have posted here and here. He can be emailed at veritatis@eaglecom.net .

Excellent Caucus analysis on "The World Over"

Raymond Arroyo's coverage of the Iowa Caucuses with guest Terry Jeffrey, former campaign manager for Patrick Buchanan, and editor of Human Events, was excellent. They analyzed Huckabee's win in terms of values voters, Evangelical voters and possible Catholic voters. Terry Jeffrey said unequivocally, "Catholics in states like Pennysylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Michigan will decide this election".

He attributed Huck's success to his pro-life and pro-family stand, and his religious faith, which he is bold in proclaiming. Rev. Huckabee started his career as a televangelist in Arkansas, and perhaps this explains his ease with the media, and his fearlessness in proclaiming his Christian faith. This resonates with social conservative voters, whom the Democratic Party completely snubs, and who feel ignored by their alleged champion, the Republican Party. Jeffrey stated that moral values and the Culture Wars are what will decide this election, NOT economics, or terrorism, or immigration. He feels that Catholics will vote for a moral conservative with fairly liberal economics, which is the way he describes Huckabee, whom he considers eminently electable.

The other candidates, from Guiliani who has lost the race, to MeCain, who wanted to yank the pro-life platform from the Republican Party in 2000, to Thompson, who after receiving the National Right to Life Party endorsement said he wouldn't vote to 'criminalize abortion for a girl, or her doctor', to Romney whose new-found pro-life position is not credible are not pro-life. The only pro-life candidate other than Huckabee is Ron Paul, whose stats didn't even make the radar screen in Iowa.

Terry Jeffrey stated twice that Barack Obama is THE most pro-abortion candidate ever to run for the presidency of the United States. He bases his claim on the following:

Jill Stanek, the nurse who witnessed late term abortions helped introduce a born alive infants protection act(babies accidentally born alive during abortions must be helped to live, and not neglected or deliberately killed) into the Illinois Legislature while Obama was there. He voted against the act, and then boxed it in committee where it died. The Born Alive Infant Protection Act passed unanimously in the US Senate, and overwhelmingly in the House,where not even NARAL had the guts to oppose it. President Bush signed it into laws.

Barack Obama's position on protecting newborn infants was more extreme than that of National Abortion Rights Action League(oops, they now like to be called,"Pro-choice America")

This election may just be a match between the most pro-life candidate and the most pro-abortion candidate. (hard as it is to believe that Hillary is relatively soft on abortion!)

If you missed this stimulating and informative discussion, it will be re-aired on Monday, January 7 at 11PM and Jan 8 at 1AM ET.

Huckabee has a clear victory in Iowa Caucus

The Iowa people have spoken, and the soft voiced, smiling Governor from Arkansas has been chosen. Mike Huckabee is unasuming, yet confident, what you see is what you get, decent, honest God-fearing man. Unlike Sam Brownback who is all of these things as well, Mike Huckabee seems to connect easily with crowds; an essential quality for a winning presidential candidate.
SO what's the problem with Sean Hannity, Rush, and Peggy Noonan? These three are used to being consulted on who should run for office. They are the kingmakers, to whom economics (having money like they do)trumps moral values. Huckabee is too humble in this area to garner their respect. Also, they may feel the egg on their faces from their past treatment of Huckabee.
Hannity told Brownback and Huckabee to drop out nearly a year ago, and let Rudy Guiliani win. He tried to convince his listeners that Rudy had an epiphany on abortion, and when we didn't believe them, Hannity switched tactics to say that we didn't need a pro-life candidate, just one who would appoint strict constructionist justices to the Supreme Court. Laura Ingraham and Peggy Noonan spent an hour trying to say how pro-life Mitt Romney had become. PUHLEEZE!!
Just how much of your kool-aid are conservatives suupposed to drink, ladies!
I didn't see Rudy anywhere in Iowa, oh, I know, it's not important, he was in Florida, where all the retired New Yorkers are. Such arrogance! What else would you expect from a New Yorker?(I can say that, I am one) I almost choked when Shepherd Smith said that there may be 3 New Yorkers in the presidential race; Guilani, Bloomberg, and Hillary. Bad enough we have to claim the first two, but Hillary never was a New Yorker, she was clearly using us as a stepping stone to what she's doing now, no matter how often she brandishes her Yankee hat!
And as to experience, I don't see Romney with any foreign experience. He's just a pampered rich boy who coasted to success on his daddy's money and power, saying the right things to the right people. Mike Huckabee is our Abe Lincoln, honest, hardworking and folksy. We trust him as a leader because of his personal integrity, his open pro-family, pro-life views, his unabashed Christianity, and his understanding of the plight of the middle class. Here's a quote form the Governor's victory speech last night, which strikes at the hear of this divide between the people and the pundits, "I think we've learned three very important things through this victory tonight. The first thing we've learned is that people really are more important than the purse, and what a great lesson for America to learn. Most of the pundits believe that when you're outspent at least 15 to 1, it's simply impossible to overcome that mountain of money and somehow garner the level of support that's necessary to win an election.Well, tonight we proved that American politics still is in the hands of ordinary folks like you and across this country who believe that it wasn't about who raised the most money but who raised the greatest hopes, dreams and aspirations for our children and their future.And tonight I hope we will forever change the way Americans look at their political system and how we elect presidents and elected officials.
PASCENDI of Fatima Now sums it up:
But actually, the grass roots is shifting from “soccer moms” to “home schooling moms”, and I like that. Homeschoolers were a major force in Huckabee's Iowa sucess. Yeah for homeschooling moms who get involved!
Many pundits think that President George H WBush lost the second term to Clinton because, when asked a simple question about supermarket scanners, his answer revealed that he hadn't been to a supermarket and seen one. Does Mitt Romney kn0w what a self-serve gas pump is? Perhaps the windows of his limousine are too darkly tinted to allow him to see out as his chauffeur pumps gas. Whatever it is, he may be able to win his neighboring state of New Hampshire, but I don't think the good people of South Carolina will vote for Romney.
That'll be another Huck victory. Sorry, Rush.

One third of US counties depopulating

Although our national population continues to grow, largely due to immigration, there are places in the USA where the population is in serious decline.North Dakota, and East Texas, for example. In fact it's one third of the nation, which the coast types refer to as "fly-over country".

"We have near-record numbers of births right now, immigrants are flooding in. … So we have endless arguments about immigrants and smart growth while hundreds of counties are essentially being depopulated with no one noticing."
Read the rest of the article in USA Today .

HT Spirit Daily

Hat tip to The Anchoress who has reviewed CMR

My new blog, Catholic Media Review, affectionately dubbed, CMR, received a plug today from The Anchoress. She appreciated my review of Juno.
"After reading this informative review of the film Juno I’d say this site’s off to a splendid start, and it will become a “first-stop” reference when looking for information on what’s out there in the world of media, particularly if you’re trying to get a Christian perspective on things".
I enjoyed her post on young people joining traditional religious orders. I posted on this phenomenon myself, and I see this as a great sign of hope for the Church.
1/4 Update: Thanks to the Curt Jester, who mentioned us by name, and Danielle Bean who called us a 'handful of talented bloggers'. We appreciate your support in this effort. Also thanks to Mary Kochran who will be posting my reveiw of "Juno" on Catholic Exchange.
Our stat counter is smoking!

Interview with the co-stars of "Juno"

Ellen Page and Michael Cera are obviously delighted with the film's runaway success, and three Spirit Award nominations they have just received. Watch the Reelz channel interview here.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

I heard an excellent homily on today's Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and have posted on it at Mount Carmel Catholic Bloggers. Go over there and see the stunning photos of Christmas in Rome with the Holy Father. I can't believe I'll be seeing him this spring in New York City. It certainly will be a Happy New Year!

I'm contributing to a new blog: Catholic Media Review

In response to the recent outrage about the reviews of Harry Forbes of the USCCB Office of Film and Broadcasting, three Catholic bloggers(Happy Catholic,Catholic Fire and The World IMHO) and I have formed a group blog called Catholic Media Review on which we will post film reviews, and possibly, in the near future, TV show reviews as time permits.
We will do our best to examine each film in the light of Catholic teaching, and provide adequate warning for parents who are making a judgement about whether to allow their children to see a certain film. This used to be the function of the USCCB film reviews, but that office is no longer to be trusted by Catholic parents since Harry Forbes has approved of such immoral films as "Rent", "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Golden Compass". I can't include a link to the latter films, as the Office of Film retracted the original reviews after they scandalized the Catholic community.
Fr. Euteneuer and others have called for Harry Forbes to be fired for his consistent refusal to represent Church teaching in his film reviews. I suggest the Catholic parent 'vote with their mouse' and find alternative sources of film reviews. We have listed such sources on Catholic Media Review's sidebar.

Review of "Juno"

Juno” the film which has wowed the critics and is at number five in the nation (despite only being shown in a quarter the number of the top four’s screens) joins “Bella”, “Waitress”, and even the raunchy “Knocked Up”, as part of a refreshing new genre of ‘she’s going to have the baby anyway’ films, reminiscent of the baby comedies of the nineties (without the talking babies). A slice of life, Juno provides an unvarnished, yet forgiving look at the failures and triumphs of ordinary people thrust into a crisis pregnancy.

Juno, the film’s hip, wise-cracking namesake, masterfully played by Ellen Page, struts her way across town as the credits roll, to take her third pregnancy test of the day. The toe-curling awkwardness of the ‘love scene’ which proceeded this moment is shown without romance, making the audience cringe at the utter recklessness of the teens. The pathetic irony of the sixteen year old’s predicament is heightened by the store clerks comment, “That’s a doodle that can’t be undone” and the non-reaction of Juno’s best friend, Leah the cheerleader, who can’t seem to get her mind around the situation. Juno seems headed for heartbreak, as she mechanically attempts to deal with her pregnancy by calling the local abortion clinic, as her friends have done. Her boyfriend Bleeker (Michael Cera) though sensitive, avoids involvement with the “whatever you want to do is fine with me” line, despite Juno’s dramatic efforts to tell him that their fling has had lasting consequences. He is able to continue his typical high school life, running with the track team and even lining up a prom date in view of Juno’s unsuitability. This harsh realism stands in stark contrast with the classic teen love scene with soft lighting, spinning cameras, and music. This is the hard reality which sexually active teens experience, and “Juno” takes it head-on, with a surprising sense of humor which makes you admire the little sparkplug Juno who won’t be undone by her one immature act.

Before her ex-military dad (JK Simmons) and distant step mom Bren (Allison Janney) are apprised of her crisis, Juno finds herself approaching alone the retro “Women Now” abortion clinic, where she encounters a timid teenager chanting, “Babies want to be borned”. The two girls, who are classmates, recognize each other and a start to chat about school, however, as Juno continues on to the entrance of the clinic, the girl suddenly remembers why she is there, and frantically reminds her, “Your baby has a heartbeat and fingernails now.” Somehow, the fact that her unborn child has fingernails nearly stops Juno in her tracks. She warily enters the clinic, and her reluctance is increased by the nonchalant attitude of the receptionist who demands all her “hairy details” on a form, and the anxiety of the other women in the dismal waiting room which “smells like a dentist’s office”. Juno flees the scene, to the delight of the protester, as her odyssey begins.

Juno scans the Pennysaver for adoptive couples. She wants a couple who are cool, with her taste in punk music, and horror flicks, and, finding an attractive couple she makes an appointment with them to discuss adoption. Armed with this plan, she breaks the news to Bren, her stepmother, and Dad, who offers to accompany her to her first meeting with Mark(Jason Bateman) and Vanessa Loring.(Jennifer Garner) in their McMansion in the wealthy side of town. Vanessa is ecstatic at the prospect of becoming a mother, a role, she assures Juno, she was born for. Her husband, Mark is less than enthusiastic, trying to appear fatherly to appease his wife. It shows that things in the yuppie palace may not be as ideal as they look.

Little of what follows goes according to Juno’s hastily made plans, but she manages to endure a growing belly, the mockery of her peers, and Bleeker’s lack of involvement with admirable spunk. Ellen Page is outstanding in this demanding role, never dipping into melodrama or cynicism, always believable as a teen whose self-possession in a crisis makes her the more mature character of the drama. Bren, who plays a loving but firm stepmother, holds Juno’s hand throughout the pregnancy and even her macho dad (Rowling) shows masculine tenderness towards his daughter as he accompanies her to the hospital. It’s always an inspiration when inadequate parents suddenly find their role in a crisis, and Diablo Cody, the screenwriter, gives them their due. She deserves praise for a witty screenplay with insightful characters, which rise above stereotypes about teenage mothers.
“Juno” resembles “Napoleon Dynamite” in its’ irritating banality, and its coffee-shop singer soundtrack composed by Mateo Messina and sung by Kimya Dawson (though it occasionally hits a poignant note). Director Jason Reitman focuses on the tacky, cluttered working class world of the teen parents Juno and Bleeker, contrasted to the plush serenity of the adoptive couple’s world.

“Juno” would be an interesting film for high school health classes, as it shows without apology, the process of modern adoption. Crude, sometimes profane language, partial nudity and adult themes, I recommend this film for older teens, as Juno’s taste in horror films as well as an inappropriate, partially nude, sexual act may be too much reality for innocent younger teens (you have the option of arriving during the credits and missing most of this scene). “Juno” would be perfect discussion catalyst for parent-teen night out, or a crisis pregnancy center.

Pope Benedict to increase number of exorcists

London, December 29 (ANI): The Vaticans chief exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, has revealed that Pope Benedict XVI is setting up exorcism squads to deal with the rampant growth of Satanism.
He says that the decision in this regard has been taken in the wake of rising concerns among Church chiefs over growing worldwide interest in Satanism and the occult.
According to him, each Bishop will be provided with a group of priests who are experts in fighting demonic possession. Hundreds of priests will be trained as exorcists for the purpose, he says.
You have to hunt high and low for a proper trained exorcist. Thanks be to God that we have a Pope who has decided to fight the Devil head on, the Sun quoted him as telling Catholic website Petrus.
Thanks be to God for a worthy shepherd, who sees such and urgent need and is willing to risk criticism to protect his flock from themselves.
HT Spirit Daily
UPDATE:
As Matthew said in comments, below, the Vatican is denying this here. I have hopes that it is true, and as often happens, the bad press causes certain bureacrats to try and do 'damage control', as when Pope John Paul said of "The Passion", "It is as it was". We certainly need an exorcist here on Long Island, we have for decades. Anyone see "The Amityville Horror"? It happened here.

What can a few moms do to clean up our children's environment?

I was outraged at the near-pornographic front covers of the magazines in the local Stop and Shop Store, so I called the manager over and asked him to remove the offending magazines from the store or I promised not to return. Do you want to guess his reaction? Feigned surprise and concern. Nothing was done.
Here's a woman who has gone farther than I did. Michelle has a petition to clean up the dirty magazines in CVS drugstores. Please take a minute to sign the petition.
Our protests last year have restored the word "Christmas" to the vocabulary of many large retailers. Perhaps, this is the beginning of another positive trend in the culture. The power of a loving mom with a keyboard must not be underestimated!
Brava, Michelle!