Operation Rescue Urges Notre Dame Protesters to Join Pro-Life Action League
Events On May 17
May 15th, 2009
South Bend, IN - Pro-life supporters who are planning to protest President Barack Obama's graduation day speech at Notre Dame are encouraged to join the events sponsored by the Pro-Life Action League and the Center for Bioethical Reform on Sunday, May 17.
The protest day will include two components:
1. 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m: A Face the Truth Tour will be held off campus along Angela Boulevard and Michigan Street in the hours leading up to commencement.
2. 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Protesters will join the prayer vigil taking place on campus during the commencement ceremony.
Handheld graphic signs will be provided by CBR Midwest. (Click to view signs)
Operation Rescue has partnered with the Center for Bioethical Reform to maintain a Truth Truck and airplane banner presence at Notre Dame.
For more information on Sunday's events, please visit http://notredameprotest.com/protest/.
Friday, May 15, 2009
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.
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.
Half of Catholic Colleges promote gay lifestyle!
This is a disgrace, no wonder church attendance is waning! Parents; do you know what your hard earned tuition dollars are doing to your children?
Read the following from TFP student action.
Research finds pro-homosexual clubs at 96 Catholic colleges
Sign TFP petition: "Save Our Catholic Identity"
That's 45% of the Catholic universities. Here's the full report.
You see, many of these clubs sponsor events that promote the homosexual movement's radical agenda, while gagging 2,000 years of Catholic moral teaching.
Catholic students who thirst for the truth are confronted with visible, active and well-funded clubs that openly contradict natural law and unchangeable Church teaching.
For example:
According to reports, a "Trans-gender Awareness Week" was held at Jesuit-run Seattle University during Lent. The event promoted a "Trans-gender Bible" study and encouraged students to dress in "gender bending outfits."
What can we do about these grave scandals?
TFP Student Action is rushing to collect 100,000 petitions, urging the presidents and authorities of Catholic universities to reclaim true Catholic education by disbanding these clubs and activities.
But I am counting on your help to launch the petition.
Please...
Join the "Save Our Catholic Identity" petition. Sign it now.
Spread the word. Make this campaign snowball successfully by inviting your friends to participate.
Pray and offer sacrifices for the restoration of Catholic higher education.
Do petitions really work? The answer is: YES.
Thanks to prayerful petitions like this one, the annual "Queer Film Festival" at the University of Notre Dame did not take place this year.
Other Catholic campuses also banned performances of the lewd "V-Monologues."
Read the following from TFP student action.
Research finds pro-homosexual clubs at 96 Catholic colleges
Sign TFP petition: "Save Our Catholic Identity"
That's 45% of the Catholic universities. Here's the full report.
You see, many of these clubs sponsor events that promote the homosexual movement's radical agenda, while gagging 2,000 years of Catholic moral teaching.
Catholic students who thirst for the truth are confronted with visible, active and well-funded clubs that openly contradict natural law and unchangeable Church teaching.
For example:
According to reports, a "Trans-gender Awareness Week" was held at Jesuit-run Seattle University during Lent. The event promoted a "Trans-gender Bible" study and encouraged students to dress in "gender bending outfits."
What can we do about these grave scandals?
TFP Student Action is rushing to collect 100,000 petitions, urging the presidents and authorities of Catholic universities to reclaim true Catholic education by disbanding these clubs and activities.
But I am counting on your help to launch the petition.
Please...
Join the "Save Our Catholic Identity" petition. Sign it now.
Spread the word. Make this campaign snowball successfully by inviting your friends to participate.
Pray and offer sacrifices for the restoration of Catholic higher education.
Do petitions really work? The answer is: YES.
Thanks to prayerful petitions like this one, the annual "Queer Film Festival" at the University of Notre Dame did not take place this year.
Other Catholic campuses also banned performances of the lewd "V-Monologues."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Angels and Demons: Fiction posing as Fact
If you are considering going to see "Angels and Demons" this weekend, go ahead. Just remember it's FICTION. Here are the facts, in my piece on Catholic Online. I'll be seeing the film myself and give you my take this weekend.
Subway driver texting her girlfriend causes $10 million crash
from Mass Resistance.
This is where the homosexual agenda is leading; favoritism for Gay lesbian and transgendered overcomes logical safety concerns.
State sponsored madness: Subway driver who caused huge crash is "transgender". Was "affirmative action" hire because of transgender is now considered a minority by MBTA!
Last Friday afternoon nearly 50 people were injured and $10 million in damages when a subway train beneath downtown Boston crashed into another train that was stopped. The driver later admitted texting "his" girlfriend at the time of the crash and not paying attention.
Used Mass. DMV to change sex on IDs
Now we know that "he" is a "transgender" female who recently used the Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles' (RMV) new transgender policy to have her official driver's license changed from female to male. The subway driver, identified as Aiden Carter Quinn, was known as Georgia Anne Quinn until recently. And ABC News has reported that despite Quinn's bad driving record, including several tickets, she was an affirmative-action hire because of being a transgender!
As ABC.com wrote:
Quinn was originally hired as a part-time driver by the MBTA under the name Georgia Anne Quinn. In 2007 he was hired for a full-time position from a lottery of minority candidates. He was granted minority status as a self-described "female-to-male transgender," two sources told ABC News. Quinn lists his sexual orientation as "FTM." "[Quinn] was initially hired as a minority and used her transgender status,'' an MBTA source said.
Read entire article here
This is where the homosexual agenda is leading; favoritism for Gay lesbian and transgendered overcomes logical safety concerns.
State sponsored madness: Subway driver who caused huge crash is "transgender". Was "affirmative action" hire because of transgender is now considered a minority by MBTA!
Last Friday afternoon nearly 50 people were injured and $10 million in damages when a subway train beneath downtown Boston crashed into another train that was stopped. The driver later admitted texting "his" girlfriend at the time of the crash and not paying attention.
Used Mass. DMV to change sex on IDs
Now we know that "he" is a "transgender" female who recently used the Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles' (RMV) new transgender policy to have her official driver's license changed from female to male. The subway driver, identified as Aiden Carter Quinn, was known as Georgia Anne Quinn until recently. And ABC News has reported that despite Quinn's bad driving record, including several tickets, she was an affirmative-action hire because of being a transgender!
As ABC.com wrote:
Quinn was originally hired as a part-time driver by the MBTA under the name Georgia Anne Quinn. In 2007 he was hired for a full-time position from a lottery of minority candidates. He was granted minority status as a self-described "female-to-male transgender," two sources told ABC News. Quinn lists his sexual orientation as "FTM." "[Quinn] was initially hired as a minority and used her transgender status,'' an MBTA source said.
Read entire article here
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Notre Dame to rescind Obama invitation?
It's only a rumor, but one I'm rooting for. Archbishop Raymond Burke had some withering comments about Notre Dame graduation speaker Barack Obama at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. Now he may be enforcing his speech with decisive action.
According to this report, he is in a position of power to enforce Canon Law. Time to pray, rescinding this invitation would show that the Church takes the right to life very seriously.
Amy Proctor has a reference to this rumor as well.
If so, Our Lady of Fatima may have triumphed today protecting the University of Notre Dame, today, on her feast day.
St Robert Bellarmine, corrector of heresies, pray for us!
According to this report, he is in a position of power to enforce Canon Law. Time to pray, rescinding this invitation would show that the Church takes the right to life very seriously.
Amy Proctor has a reference to this rumor as well.
If so, Our Lady of Fatima may have triumphed today protecting the University of Notre Dame, today, on her feast day.
St Robert Bellarmine, corrector of heresies, pray for us!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Notre Dame Trustees and Obama
According to an expose in Pewsitter.com, there are connections, financial connections between members of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees and Obama.
Now everything is crystal clear. It's about money. Money over morality.
"Many of the influential alumni on the Notre Dame board are from the nearby Chicago area, and are part of the same Chicago power structure that President Obama ascended. Richard and Peggy Notebaert are leading members of the ND community, and Notebaert is chair of the Notre Dame trustees. While Obama served in the senate, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, received federal funding earmarked by Obama.. Key Obama campaign fundraiser, Frank Clark served on the board of the Notebaert Museum at the time. The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, where ND trustee Arthur Velasquez (no relation!)is on the board, also received millions in earmarks. Velasquez contributed to Obama’s campaigns in 04 and 08."
Read the entire story at Pewsitter.com.
HT New Advent
Now everything is crystal clear. It's about money. Money over morality.
"Many of the influential alumni on the Notre Dame board are from the nearby Chicago area, and are part of the same Chicago power structure that President Obama ascended. Richard and Peggy Notebaert are leading members of the ND community, and Notebaert is chair of the Notre Dame trustees. While Obama served in the senate, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, received federal funding earmarked by Obama.. Key Obama campaign fundraiser, Frank Clark served on the board of the Notebaert Museum at the time. The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, where ND trustee Arthur Velasquez (no relation!)is on the board, also received millions in earmarks. Velasquez contributed to Obama’s campaigns in 04 and 08."
Read the entire story at Pewsitter.com.
HT New Advent
Monday, May 11, 2009
Father Cutie: an unecessary scandal.
My Spanish speaking mother in law loved to listen to Padre Alberto. I couldn't blame her, a tall good looking, well spoken priest, whose preaching attracted millions "Padre Oprah" had all the qualities he needed to be successful and thus he was attacked by the enemy, falling into temptation. Faithful Catholics are getting used to the sight of a shamed priest, voicing relief that he wasn't involved in something illegal.
The same thing happened to Fr Francis Mary Stone, and Fr John Bertolucci. Popularity puts a priest in a precarious position for temptation by women who should know better. They both need our prayers, better priestly formation, and a wise superior who can see trouble coming a mile away.I maintain that if Mother Angelica were herself when that young widow came looking for Fr Stone to counsel her, she would have sensed danger and given her a good nun to speak with; result a good priest saved from temptation to leave his vocation and be stuck pushing the health drink zrii.
Or when the good looking parish priest who officiated at my wedding had a long line of young women waiting to speak to him after Mass every Sunday. Could trouble be far behind? Fr Tom didn't make it, he left the priesthood, married, and now works as a professor at a Catholic College. Such a loss to the Church. The last time I heard him talk at a community college, we was praising the wonders of Islam.
We must remember to pray for our priests, the higher they are in the public eye, the more the enemy wants to scandalize us with their downfall. The most tragic is that many times, they go down slowly, taking the purity of their message down with them.
Celibacy is a high calling, but it must be protected in this lascivious anti-Catholic culture. Otherwise, the media fall into a feeding frenzy thinking it's time to tell the Holy Father to permit a married priesthood. We already have a married clergy; Catholic permanent deacons who are married do everything that Protestant Ministers do: baptize, marry, bless, preach, visit the sick, and teach.
Fr Farfalia has a post on the origins of the problem with Fr Alberto.
The same thing happened to Fr Francis Mary Stone, and Fr John Bertolucci. Popularity puts a priest in a precarious position for temptation by women who should know better. They both need our prayers, better priestly formation, and a wise superior who can see trouble coming a mile away.I maintain that if Mother Angelica were herself when that young widow came looking for Fr Stone to counsel her, she would have sensed danger and given her a good nun to speak with; result a good priest saved from temptation to leave his vocation and be stuck pushing the health drink zrii.
Or when the good looking parish priest who officiated at my wedding had a long line of young women waiting to speak to him after Mass every Sunday. Could trouble be far behind? Fr Tom didn't make it, he left the priesthood, married, and now works as a professor at a Catholic College. Such a loss to the Church. The last time I heard him talk at a community college, we was praising the wonders of Islam.
We must remember to pray for our priests, the higher they are in the public eye, the more the enemy wants to scandalize us with their downfall. The most tragic is that many times, they go down slowly, taking the purity of their message down with them.
Celibacy is a high calling, but it must be protected in this lascivious anti-Catholic culture. Otherwise, the media fall into a feeding frenzy thinking it's time to tell the Holy Father to permit a married priesthood. We already have a married clergy; Catholic permanent deacons who are married do everything that Protestant Ministers do: baptize, marry, bless, preach, visit the sick, and teach.
Fr Farfalia has a post on the origins of the problem with Fr Alberto.
Planned Parenthood sex abuse cover up exposed
A great way to strip millions from our state budgets.
from Operation Rescue
Undercover Tape Helps Deny Money To Planned Parenthood In Kansas
Operation Rescue caught Planned Parenthood enabling statutory rape
An undercover audio file provided by Operation Rescue was used by legislators to support their efforts to halt tax money to Planned Parenthood in Kansas.
State Sen. Tim Huelskamp and Rep. Lance Kinzer released the recording of a phone call made by an Operation Rescue volunteer posing as a 14-year old girl. The call was placed to Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood, (CHPP), in Overland Park, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. During the call, the supposed 14-year old was heard asking about abortion, pregnancy testing, and birth control options.
CHPP: How old are you?
Caller: Um, I'm 14.
CHPP: So, how are you going to get in here?
Caller: Well, I have a boyfriend, and like, he's 23 and he could take me there.
CHPP: Do you want to make an appointment today?
Later the girl asked if her boyfriend could pick up her birth control pills for her.
Caller: Yeah. About the birth control, um, I'd have to ask my boyfriend to get that for me. Um, would he be able to pick it up?
CHPP: Yes, uh-huh.
After the recording was made public, the Huelskamp Amendment to the state budget, which would redirect Title X money to hospitals and other legitimate medical facilities, passed easily in both houses.
This would have the effect of defunding Planned Parenthood in Kansas.
The budget now awaits the signature of the new governor, Mark Parkinson, who holds line-item veto power.
"Planned Parenthood was not only willing to look the other way, but was going to hand birth control pills over to an adult so he could conceal his continued sexual abuse of a little girl. Most taxpayers would be very upset to know their tax money was funding that," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "This is the same Planned Parenthood office that is facing 107 criminal charges. This recording illustrates why those criminal charges should proceed and why public money should be used elsewhere."
A hearing in the pending criminal case is scheduled before the Kansas Supreme Court on Wednesday.
In the past two fiscal years, Kansas has paid out $550,000 in tax money to Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, according to Rep. Kinzer.
"Planned Parenthood was caught red-handed yet again ignoring child sex abuse, as it has been by other pro-life investigators around the nation," said Newman. "This will be Gov. Parkinson's first test on moral issues. Will he continue to endanger our daughters, or will he do the right thing and sign the budget with the Huelskamp Amendment intact? We'll know in a few days."
from Operation Rescue
Undercover Tape Helps Deny Money To Planned Parenthood In Kansas
Operation Rescue caught Planned Parenthood enabling statutory rape
An undercover audio file provided by Operation Rescue was used by legislators to support their efforts to halt tax money to Planned Parenthood in Kansas.
State Sen. Tim Huelskamp and Rep. Lance Kinzer released the recording of a phone call made by an Operation Rescue volunteer posing as a 14-year old girl. The call was placed to Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood, (CHPP), in Overland Park, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. During the call, the supposed 14-year old was heard asking about abortion, pregnancy testing, and birth control options.
CHPP: How old are you?
Caller: Um, I'm 14.
CHPP: So, how are you going to get in here?
Caller: Well, I have a boyfriend, and like, he's 23 and he could take me there.
CHPP: Do you want to make an appointment today?
Later the girl asked if her boyfriend could pick up her birth control pills for her.
Caller: Yeah. About the birth control, um, I'd have to ask my boyfriend to get that for me. Um, would he be able to pick it up?
CHPP: Yes, uh-huh.
After the recording was made public, the Huelskamp Amendment to the state budget, which would redirect Title X money to hospitals and other legitimate medical facilities, passed easily in both houses.
This would have the effect of defunding Planned Parenthood in Kansas.
The budget now awaits the signature of the new governor, Mark Parkinson, who holds line-item veto power.
"Planned Parenthood was not only willing to look the other way, but was going to hand birth control pills over to an adult so he could conceal his continued sexual abuse of a little girl. Most taxpayers would be very upset to know their tax money was funding that," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "This is the same Planned Parenthood office that is facing 107 criminal charges. This recording illustrates why those criminal charges should proceed and why public money should be used elsewhere."
A hearing in the pending criminal case is scheduled before the Kansas Supreme Court on Wednesday.
In the past two fiscal years, Kansas has paid out $550,000 in tax money to Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, according to Rep. Kinzer.
"Planned Parenthood was caught red-handed yet again ignoring child sex abuse, as it has been by other pro-life investigators around the nation," said Newman. "This will be Gov. Parkinson's first test on moral issues. Will he continue to endanger our daughters, or will he do the right thing and sign the budget with the Huelskamp Amendment intact? We'll know in a few days."
Archbishop Burke at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast
It was a day when I felt good to be Catholic, from the shining faces of Catholic luminaries seen in the crowd like Fr Euteneuer, Dr Alice Von Hildebrand, Raymond Arroyo introduced Archbishop Burke who looked and sounded majestic and militant in his no nonsense reiteration of what we all know is Holy Mother Church's unequivocal stand in defense of human life and the family.The Archbishop called Catholics who voted for Obama to task:
"The path of violation of the most fundamental human rights and of the integrity of marriage and the family, which our nation is traveling, is not accidental. It is part of the program set forth by those whom we have freely chosen to lead our nation. The part of the program in question was not unknown to us; it was announced to us beforehand and a majority of our fellow citizens, including a majority of our fellow Catholics, chose the leadership which is now implementing it with determination."
The Archbishop called us to prayer for our troubled nation, with particular emphasis on Eucharistic adoration and the rosary.
" At every Mass, we should offer special prayers for our nation and her leaders, in order that the culture of death may be overcome and a civilization of love may be steadfastly advanced. All Catholics throughout the nation should take part in Eucharistic adoration and in the praying of the Rosary for the restoration of the respect for human life and for the safeguarding of the integrity of the family. In our prayers, we should seek, above all, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception. Mary Immaculate is the patroness of our nation."
EWTN has been re-broadcasting this wonderful speech repeatedly this weekend. I am sure that it will be considered historic, coming as it does at such crucial crisis point for the Church in America. I hope Fr Jenkins was listening. The Archbishop's biggest ovation came after he addressed the scandal of Notre Dame,
"Clearly, the same is true of our Catholic charitable, missionary and healthcare institutions. There can be no place in them for teaching or activities which offend the moral law. Dialogue and respect for differences are not promoted by the compromise and even violation of the natural moral law. The profound granting of an honorary doctorate at Notre Dame University to our President who is as aggressively advancing an anti-life and anti-family agenda is a source of the gravest scandal. Catholic institutions cannot offer any platform to, let alone honor, those who teach and act publicly against the moral law. In a culture which embraces an agenda of death, Catholics and Catholic institutions are necessarily counter-cultural. If we as individuals or our Catholic institutions are not willing to accept the burdens and the suffering necessarily involved in calling our culture to reform, then we are not worthy of the name Catholic."
You can read Archbishop Burke's remarks here however, don't miss the opportunity to see a re-broadcast of his speech. The standing ovation he received bears witness to the respect he earned by such masterful oratory in defense of truths of our Faith.
Pope Benedict praised women in Jordan Mass
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the importance of a topic and my inablity to cover it sufficiently here, therefore, I just cover the bits of the news, like the Holy Father's visit to the Holy Land which inspire my comments.
Like his address to women. When a pope has traditonal values on morality (surprise!) he is trashed as a misanthrope, a patriarchal neanderthal. So, New York Times, listen to his homily at a Mass in Jordan.
"How much your society owes to all those women who in different and at times courageous ways have devoted their lives to building peace and fostering love! From the very first pages of the Bible, we see how man and woman, created in the image of God, are meant to complement one another as stewards of God's gifts and partners in communicating his gift of life, both physical and spiritual, to our world. Sadly, this God-given dignity and role of women has not always been sufficiently understood and esteemed. The Church, and society as a whole, has come to realize how urgently we need what the late Pope John Paul II called the "prophetic charism" of women (cf. Mulieris Dignitatem, 29) as bearers of love, teachers of mercy and artisans of peace, bringing warmth and humanity to a world that all too often judges the value of a person by the cold criteria of usefulness and profit. By its public witness of respect for women, and its defence of the innate dignity of every human person, the Church in the Holy Land can make an important contribution to the advancement of a culture of true humanity and the building of the civilization of love."
Read the entire homily at Zenit.
Like his address to women. When a pope has traditonal values on morality (surprise!) he is trashed as a misanthrope, a patriarchal neanderthal. So, New York Times, listen to his homily at a Mass in Jordan.
"How much your society owes to all those women who in different and at times courageous ways have devoted their lives to building peace and fostering love! From the very first pages of the Bible, we see how man and woman, created in the image of God, are meant to complement one another as stewards of God's gifts and partners in communicating his gift of life, both physical and spiritual, to our world. Sadly, this God-given dignity and role of women has not always been sufficiently understood and esteemed. The Church, and society as a whole, has come to realize how urgently we need what the late Pope John Paul II called the "prophetic charism" of women (cf. Mulieris Dignitatem, 29) as bearers of love, teachers of mercy and artisans of peace, bringing warmth and humanity to a world that all too often judges the value of a person by the cold criteria of usefulness and profit. By its public witness of respect for women, and its defence of the innate dignity of every human person, the Church in the Holy Land can make an important contribution to the advancement of a culture of true humanity and the building of the civilization of love."
Read the entire homily at Zenit.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Fr Corapi on Motherhood
This Sunday we once again have the joy of celebrating Mothers Day.
It is certainly fitting enough that this falls in the month of May, the month the Church dedicates to the Mother of Jesus and our Spiritual Mother. It's a beautiful month dedicated to what is perhaps the most beautiful reality I can imagine mothers. In the often misguided and morally confused society we live in, the vocation and blessing of being a mother isn't esteemed highly enough by many individuals that are so preoccupied with making a living and accumulating material things. Sometimes motherhood isn't respected enough by men. Even more baffling sometimes women don't themselves value this calling and honor as they ought. As far as I'm concerned, it would be hard to imagine a more noble, more necessary, and more beautiful calling in life. Moms, only in Heaven will you realize just how pleasing you are to God. You have collaborated with God our Father in bringing new life into the world. You have given our heavenly Father children, and these children He treasures more than you could ever imagine."Mother" Perhaps the most beautiful word in all of language. It expresses life. It expresses love. It expresses cooperation with God. It speaks of something that will never end.One day, moms, you'll be honored by God himself for your many sacrifices. For now, accept our thanks, our love, and our tribute. We salute you, Moms, this day and for all eternity. God bless you for all you've done for us.
In Jesus
Love through Mary our Mother,
Fr. John Corapi
It is certainly fitting enough that this falls in the month of May, the month the Church dedicates to the Mother of Jesus and our Spiritual Mother. It's a beautiful month dedicated to what is perhaps the most beautiful reality I can imagine mothers. In the often misguided and morally confused society we live in, the vocation and blessing of being a mother isn't esteemed highly enough by many individuals that are so preoccupied with making a living and accumulating material things. Sometimes motherhood isn't respected enough by men. Even more baffling sometimes women don't themselves value this calling and honor as they ought. As far as I'm concerned, it would be hard to imagine a more noble, more necessary, and more beautiful calling in life. Moms, only in Heaven will you realize just how pleasing you are to God. You have collaborated with God our Father in bringing new life into the world. You have given our heavenly Father children, and these children He treasures more than you could ever imagine."Mother" Perhaps the most beautiful word in all of language. It expresses life. It expresses love. It expresses cooperation with God. It speaks of something that will never end.One day, moms, you'll be honored by God himself for your many sacrifices. For now, accept our thanks, our love, and our tribute. We salute you, Moms, this day and for all eternity. God bless you for all you've done for us.
In Jesus
Love through Mary our Mother,
Fr. John Corapi
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Ambassador Alan Keyes was arrested for protesting at Notre Dame
Be a hero, save a whale, save a baby, go to jail.
This was the chant ot Operation Rescue Movement in the 1980's when some of my dearest friends were jailed for protesting the murder of the innocent. Now Randall Terry and Dr Alan Keyes (these are his hands carrying the rosary and a fetal model) are the civil rights leaders of our times. Someday they will be lauded as heroes by all, not just a few.
Read this story with emotional photos on the arrests of the protesters at Notre Dame, while pro-abortion demonstrators watched.
May God have mercy on Fr Jenkins for causing this scandal.
Happy Mother's Day from Rep Cathy McMorris-Rogers
I'm posting this video because pro-life married Rep Cathy McMorris Rogers is a champion for those of us who love someone with Down syndrome. Last January she encourages those of us who organized KIDS to run for Congress, saying that we need more prolife Congresswomen.
The ABC interview, however, after discussing mothers who gave birth while in Congress, goes on to praise Nancy Pelosi and Rep Linda Sanchez, a deliberately single mother. This I do not endorse.
The ABC interview, however, after discussing mothers who gave birth while in Congress, goes on to praise Nancy Pelosi and Rep Linda Sanchez, a deliberately single mother. This I do not endorse.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Breakfast on EWTN Sunday.
Don’t miss EWTN’s exclusive broadcast of the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 10;
5 a.m., Monday, May 11;
and 9 a.m., Saturday, May 16.
Only EWTN will broadcast the event, as it happened, in its entirety. This year’s program, which took place on Friday, May 8, was hosted by EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo, and featured His Excellency Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis , and The Honorable Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
5 a.m., Monday, May 11;
and 9 a.m., Saturday, May 16.
Only EWTN will broadcast the event, as it happened, in its entirety. This year’s program, which took place on Friday, May 8, was hosted by EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo, and featured His Excellency Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis , and The Honorable Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Notre Dame; laymen and bishops oppose you
The Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that, by a 60% to 25% margin, U.S. Catholics say Notre Dame should obey guidelines issued by the U.S. bishops and refrain from awarding an honorary degree to the president. Among all Americans, 52% oppose the honor and 25% support it.
"Faithful Catholics are sick to the heart over this scandal, which reflects decades of such scandals in our Catholic institutions," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "The Rasmussen poll confirms that this is not about politics … It's about Catholics who are fed up with Catholic institutions betraying their bishops and putting secular prestige ahead of principle, thereby undermining their own Church on the most serious moral issues of the day."
What does a university do when honoring a pro-abortion president has been opposed by 68 bishops, and over 60% of American Catholics?
Is digging your heels in the prudent thing to do Fr Jenkins? Or are you as Archbishop Chaput suggests, just another casualty to vanity and compromise?
Chaput said that while Obama is "a sincere and able man," his deeply pro-abortion principles "run directly against Catholic belief."
"And a Catholic institution should not honor that kind of behavior," he said.
While sinfulness is always present in society, said Chaput, "What's new about our current moment is that too many Christians have made peace with that sinfulness, baptized it with the language of personal conscience, and stopped trying to convert anybody - including themselves."
Read the entire story on Life Site News.
"Faithful Catholics are sick to the heart over this scandal, which reflects decades of such scandals in our Catholic institutions," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "The Rasmussen poll confirms that this is not about politics … It's about Catholics who are fed up with Catholic institutions betraying their bishops and putting secular prestige ahead of principle, thereby undermining their own Church on the most serious moral issues of the day."
What does a university do when honoring a pro-abortion president has been opposed by 68 bishops, and over 60% of American Catholics?
Is digging your heels in the prudent thing to do Fr Jenkins? Or are you as Archbishop Chaput suggests, just another casualty to vanity and compromise?
Chaput said that while Obama is "a sincere and able man," his deeply pro-abortion principles "run directly against Catholic belief."
"And a Catholic institution should not honor that kind of behavior," he said.
While sinfulness is always present in society, said Chaput, "What's new about our current moment is that too many Christians have made peace with that sinfulness, baptized it with the language of personal conscience, and stopped trying to convert anybody - including themselves."
Read the entire story on Life Site News.
Homosexual Marriage in Maine, NH next target
In case you think these approvals of gay marriage are the will of the people, you need to do two things; remember Propostion 8 in California which overturned the state Supreme Court approval of gay marriage, and the following statement from Focus on the Family Citizen Link.Tim Gill's money is buying gay marriage votes nationwide. What he can't buy is our approval, and that of our children IF we are careful to keep their thinking straight. It's going to be an uphill battle with the gay activists controlling the schools. And their best friend in the White House.
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch has yet to touch the same-sex "marriage" bill that is sitting on his desk. But if he does sign it, some of the "credit" will go to gay-activist Tim Gill, who has poured massive amounts of money into the state.
Gill’s money also has helped pro-gay candidates win seats in California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, New York and elsewhere.
Brad Miller, director of the Family Policy Council Department at Focus on the Family Action, said Gill knows how to make an impact. More than three-quarters of the candidates he has backed have won.
“He networks with like-minded folks across the country, and then he directs those individuals to give," Miller said. "So, it’s not just his money, but it’s the money of other wealthy individuals on the Left.”
Kevin Smith, executive director of New Hampshire’s Cornerstone Policy Research, said that while he may be behind on the financial side of the equation, he still has the public's support.
“Between (Gill's) group and the Human Rights Campaign," he said, "they’ve dumped significant amounts of money — at least tens of thousands.”
Smith said he's counting on the fierce independent streak in New Englanders to resist pressure from Gill and eventually put his lawmakers out of office.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONRead more about Tim Gill.
HumanEvents.com recently wrote about Gill.
— Steve Jordahl
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