Just a Question

Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison?

Marriage's Meaning "Given, Not Constructed"

L.A. Prelates Clarify That Redefinition Isn't Possible
LOS ANGELES, JUNE 16, 2008 (Zenit.org).- As California's approval of same-sex marriage was set to go into effect this evening, the bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reiterated that marriage cannot simply be redefined, since it comes from God.In a statement today, the prelates noted that "persons with a homosexual orientation 'must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity,'" referring to statements from the national episcopal conference."Accordingly," they continued, "the bishops condemn all forms of violence, scorn, and hatred -- whether subtle or overt -- against men and women who are homosexual. All people, regardless of sexual inclination, are called to holiness; and 'should be encouraged to take an active role in the faith community' and to live according to its teachings.'"But respect, compassion and sensitivity for homosexuals does not mean that marriage can be redefined, the bishops affirmed, since marriage "has a unique place in God's creation, joining a man and a woman in a committed relationship in order to nurture and support the new life for which marriage is intended.""The meaning of marriage is deeply rooted in history and culture, and has been shaped considerably by Christian tradition," they wrote. "Its meaning is given, not constructed."The Los Angeles prelates suggested that benefits are already given to same-sex couples, without a need for marital status."For example, individuals can agree to own property jointly with another, and they can generally designate anyone they choose to be a beneficiary of their will or to make health care decisions in case they become incompetent," they explained. "Other desired benefits such as sharing in a partner's health insurance could be made available without the drastic step of a cultural or legal redefinition of marriage.""Let us strengthen our resolve to respect the dignity of each human being and to protect the sanctity of marriage, asking God's guidance in our efforts to promote the common good central to a free and democratic society," the bishops concluded.Marriage licenses for same-sex couples were set to be issued today at 5 p.m. Unlike Massachusetts, the first state to approve same-sex marriage, California does not have a residency requirement for marriages performed in the state. Thus, it is expected that same-sex couples from across the nation will now seek to marry in California.However, a proposed constitutional amendment on the California ballot in November would undo the ruling and again ban same-sex marriage.

The Eucharist From The Outside Looking In

I'm coming to realize I am a closed minded fool! I don't give two thoughts to what the Catholic faith must look like from the outside looking in. Lets take the Eucharist!

The Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is truly and completely the Body, Blood, soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread. I say AMEN!!! But I've never thought what that statement looks like to someone looking in. Without faith in who the Eucharist is, us Catholics look like we're off our rocker!

The most honest question to ask is "How can a person be a piece of bread?". Well... I could point out scripture that help explain the Eucharist. Then quote Church fathers. But I won't right now. I'll just give the answer. It's a very simple answer. The answer is "I don't know".

So looking from the outside my response to that answer is shocking. Catholics don't know how Jesus can be a piece of bread, yet still believe in the Eucharist?

Looking at things from this perspective I'm starting to understand why non-Catholics think we're out in left field.

I think the problem is with the question. Or a word in the question. "How?" There are many, many, many, many things the Catholic Church cannot explain, in detail "how" God does things. For example, creation of time, space and matter. We know God did create these things, but not how. We know when God speaks, things happen. literally! But how exactly that happens, we can only speculate.

A bigger problem with the question is a lack of understanding of the Eucharist. What I mean is, the question itself miss-represents what the Catholic Church teaches. The question doesn't take into account a very important part of the understanding of the Eucharist. "under the appearance of bread"!!!

It's not "Catholics believe the Eucharist is a piece of bread that is Jesus Christ." That is stated the wrong way and confuses the true understanding in the Eucharist. It should say "Catholics believe the Eucharist is Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread."

Sometimes the question itself assumes things that aren't there.

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A constitutional amendment making marriage legal only between a man and a woman introduced in U.S. House

A constitutional amendment making marriage legal only between a man and a woman introduced in U.S. House
The Marriage Protection Amendment of 2008 needs your support!
June 4, 2008
Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia has introduced the Marriage Protection Amendment of 2008 (H.J. RES. 89). This amendment to the U.S. Constitution would make marriage legal only between a man and a woman.
If you haven't heard about this, it is because the liberal media opposes it. So if they simply refuse to report it, citizens will know nothing about it and will not act on it.
As you know, Massachusetts has already legalized marriage of homosexuals, while the California Supreme Court has ruled all laws restricting homosexual marriage illegal. In both places, the courts ruled by a one vote margin. The goal of homosexual activists is to see homosexual marriage legal in all 50 states.
Rep. Broun needs co-sponsors for H.J. RES. 89. Please contact you Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor H.J. RES. 89. Homosexual activists are determined to force homosexual marriage on America by using activist liberal judges, like those in Massachusetts and California. A Federal Marriage Amendment will finally put an end to activist judges tampering with the will of the people.

Take Action!
Send an e-mail your representative asking him or her to co-sponsor H.J. RES. 89.
Our system will automatically detect if your representative is one of the 18 co-sponsors and present you with a suggested "thank you" e-mail. If he or she is not a co-sponsor, our system will present you with an e-mail message urging your Member of Congress to support H.J. RES. 89 - the Marriage Protection Amendment (2008).
This is urgent -- please act today! This is very important: Please forward this to all your family and friends. They are probably unaware of H.J. RES. 89 because the media hasn't reported on it.

Mom says teacher let classmates vote autistic son out of class

By Colleen Wixon Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers sun-sentinel.com

PORT ST. LUCIE - Melissa Barton said she is considering legal action after her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about Barton's 5-year-old son, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted Alex -- who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism -- out of the class.Melissa Barton filed a complaint with Morningside's school resource officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department spokeswoman Michelle Steele said. But the state attorney's office concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said.
Port St. Lucie Police no longer are investigating, but police officials are documenting the complaint, she said.Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident took place.Portillo could not be reached for comment Friday.Steele said the boy had been sent to the principal's office because of disciplinary issues. When he returned, Portillo made him go to the front of the room as a form of punishment, she said.Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. Alex began the testing process in February at the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marcia Cully.Children diagnosed with Asperger's often exhibit social isolation and eccentric behavior..Alex has had disciplinary issues because of his disability, Barton said. After the family moved into the area and Alex and his sibling arrived at the school in January, Alex spent much of the time in the principal's office, she said.He also had problems at his last school, but he did not have issues during his two years of preschool, Barton said.School and district officials have met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan to address his difficulties, she said. Portillo attended these meetings, Barton said.Barton said after the vote, Portillo asked Alex how he felt."He said, 'I feel sad,' " Barton said.Alex left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's office, she said.Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office."He was shaken up," she said.Barton said the nurse told her to talk with Portillo, who told her what happened.Alex hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to drop off his sibling at school.Thursday night, his mother heard him saying "I'm not special" over and over.Barton said Alex is reliving the incident.The other students said he was "disgusting" and "annoying," Barton said."He was incredibly upset," Barton said. "The only friend he has ever made in his life was forced to do this."St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of abuse at Morningside but said he could not elaborate.

Assisted Suicide Bill Passes in California

This will be the next step. First it's our doctors and nurses killing people. Soon it will be cute furry cats!

"SACRAMENTO, (LifeSiteNews.com) - An assisted-suicide bill that allows doctors and nurses to suggest death by unconscious dehydration has barely passed the California State Assembly. AB 2747 would authorize total sedation without nutrition and hydration for depressed and confused patients, whether or not their natural death was imminent. The bill would also allow family members to order the death of a mentally disabled person when a nurse opines they have less than a year to live, similar to Terry Schindler Schiavo's death at the hands of her husband. AB 2747 passed the Democrat-controlled Assembly Wednesday afternoon on a 40-32 vote, a one-vote margin of victory in the 80-member lower house. The vote was virtually party line, Democrats for, Republicans against. AB 2747 is authored by the same Democrats who unsuccessfully carried physician-assisted suicide bills for the last three years. "This deceptive bill will cause death and shorten life, despite its claims," said Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families, a leading California-based pro-life, pro-family organization. "Drying up and shriveling to death through dehydration is a fate worse than lethal injection. By transforming palliative sedation into a vehicle for assisted suicide, AB 2747 would transform doctors and nurses from healers and comforters into killers like Dr. Jack Kevorkian." AB 2747 would allow a doctor or a nurse to opine that a patient has "less than one year to live," and then ask depressed patients if they would like to be totally sedated into unconsciousness. Total sedation is usually an irreversible procedure that does not include nutrition and hydration. If patients or decision-making family members fall prey to suggestions of total sedation, death from dehydration will usually occur within five days. This is the fourth time that the assisted suicide bill has been pushed by Assembly Democrats Patty Berg and Lloyd Levine. But this year, instead of proposing to have doctors administer lethal injections, AB 2747 aims to produce death by sedation abuse, a clear violation of life-affirming medical ethics. Until now, total sedation has been used only when death was imminent - within hours or days - and when strong pain medication was not enough. Medical ethics require that food and water (nutrition and hydration) not be removed when sleep-inducing drugs are used, since doing so would cause unnatural, as opposed to natural, death. Yet AB 2747 pushes total sedation even if patients have not rejected food and water."

Read the rest : Assisted Suicide Bill Passes in California

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Father Barron on Pope Benedict's Visit To America

Ave Maria

Catholic Church Approves Marian Apparition

LAUS, France (Zenit) - As pilgrims celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Marian shrine at Lourdes, the Church has officially recognized a new pilgrimage site in France.

On May 4th, Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco of the Diocese of Gap, officially recognized the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Benoite Rencurel at the sanctuary of Laus in the area of Hautes-Alpes, France.

The pronouncement was made during a Mass in the Basilica of Notre Dame in Laus. Among those present were the apostolic nuncio to France, Bishop Fortunato Baldelli, and 30 cardinals and bishops from around the world.

Rencurel, a poor shepherdess, was born in 1647. The Virgin Mary started appearing to her in 1664 and continued visiting her throughout the rest of her life. Rencurel died in 1718.

During the apparitions, the Blessed Mother asked for a church and a house for priests to be built, with the intention of drawing people to greater conversion, especially through the sacrament of penance.

The holy site now draws 120,000 pilgrims annually. Numerous physical healings have also been associated with the site, especially when oil from a lamp is applied on the wounds according to the directives the Virgin Mary gave to Rencural.

Bishop di Falco, in his homily at the Mass broadcast throughout the country by France-2 Television, said, "344 year ago, Our Lady chose to address a simple shepherdess to open the way of penitence and conversion, to invite pilgrims to reconcile themselves with the world and with God."

Bishop di Falco explained that after researching the apparitions, he "became profoundly convinced that Benoite Rencurel spoke the truth. That the message she delivered to us merits all of our attention. That it merits that we open our hearts to welcome and to continue to carry the numerous fruits as has been the case for many centuries.

"Benoite, an uncultured country girl, received her mission from Our Lady: For 54 years, she guided pilgrims, and called for conversion and mercy. To the poor and the small, God reveals himself. And Benoite, a laywoman, was the messenger of God. How can we not see in her the very example of the responsible layman?"

The humble shepherdess, the French prelate continued, "was a modern example of the engaged laity in the life of one's community, as called for by the Second Vatican Council. She speaks to men of our time, she guides those who search, those who dig into this interior source for true life."

The very modern message of Benoite, Bishop di Falco concluded, is "to live heart to heart with God in prayer, enter deeper into conversion where we are reconciled with ourselves, with others and with God, and live your mission where your life is, in everyday community and joy."

A process

Father Salvatore Perrella, from the Pontifical Marianum Theological Faculty, explained in L'Osservatore Romano how the Church determines the legitimacy of apparition claims.

He noted that the local bishop, the episcopal conference and the Pope are all involved in the process.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has established that to proceed with verifying a supposed apparition, a report must compile, among other things, information on the observed facts of the case; an examination of the message, which cannot be against Christian faith; a medical-psychological diagnosis to guarantee the health and normalcy of the visionary and also to eliminate the possibility of hallucinations; the visionary's communion with the Church; spiritual fruits such as a return to the faith of those who have left, the morality and ecclesial nature of the message and its cooperation in the evangelization of the world; and possible miraculous cures.

The priest said that after meticulous examination of the facts surrounding alleged apparitions, the Church has "approved during the course of history 11 apparitions out of 295 proposals for review, among them, the 12th is that referring to Our Lady of Laus."

Once verified and authenticated by ecclesiastical authority, these extraordinary manifestations are considered worthy of belief, but the faithful are free to choose if they adhere to them or not, "because faith is given only to the public revelation of God that concluded with the death of the last Apostle," Father Perrella explained.

Noting that apparitions are a grace "given freely from heaven," the priest added that though they may help increase people's faith, they "add nothing to Revelation given with sacred Scripture to the Church, but rather help to make it current in a determined time."

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Why Do We Believe in God?

Father Robert Barron is in my opinion the best preacher I've ever heard. Period.

Check him out at http://wordonfire.org/

Catholic New Media Celebration - June 22, 2008

Thats My Boy!!!!

First off! Yes he's chewing on a stick! Nicholas wants to be a dog when he grows up.
As a Father, nothing pleases me more than to just spend time with my boy. No exactly doing any thing, just spending time together. Watching a kids movie, working on the yard while he goes back and forth from helping to playing every two minuets. (Really, it's every two min.)
It makes me wonder if Our Father in Heaven feels the same way with his children. But do we even try to hang out with our old man in the sky? I know I don't as much as I need to. What about you?
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