Eduardo Verastegui's video on Abortion and Obama

"I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion is already born." - Ronald Reagan

Pope Names Coadjutor Archbishop For Cincinnati

The Holy See announced today that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, currently bishop of Duluth, Minn., and treasurer of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to be coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati.
As coadjutor, he will assist Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk and then succeed him upon Archbishop Pilarczyk’s retirement. Roman Catholic bishops are required to submit their resignation to the pope upon the age of 75, which Archbishop Pilarczyk reaches in August 2009. The pope may accept the resignation immediately or after some time.
“I hope that all the members of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are as happy as I am about the appointment of Archbishop Dennis Schnurr as coadjutor archbishop of our local church,” said Archbishop Pilarczyk. “I wish Archbishop Schnurr many years of fruitful and joyous service in our midst. I know that the days of all of us will be bright because of his ministry here.”
Archbishop Schnurr, 60, organized the highly successful 1993 World Youth Day which brought the late Pope John Paul II to the United States in 1993. A canon lawyer, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, in 1974 after studies in Rome. He spent three years in parish ministry, three years in graduate studies and five years in diocesan administration before working on the staff of the papal nuncio to the United States from 1985 to 1989.

In 1989, he was hired by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to oversee the Conference’s peace and social justice projects. As general secretary of the USCCB from 1995 until 2001, he oversaw a staff of 350 and a budget of $50 million. He became bishop of Duluth in 2001. Today he remains highly active in the USCCB as its treasurer.
“It is humbling to be called by the Holy Father to serve as the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,” he said today. “Relying upon the help of God and the prayers of the People of God, I have accepted the nomination. I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, for the confidence he places in me.”
“I am particularly thankful to the Holy Father for asking me to serve with Archbishop Pilarczyk, whom I have known for nearly twenty years and for whom I have the highest esteem,” Archbishop Schnurr added. “He served as President of the NCCB/USCC when I was Associate General Secretary, and I had the opportunity to work closely with him on a number of Conference projects. He appointed me National Executive Director of World Youth Day 1993, which brought the Holy Father and 500,000 young people for a week-long celebration of the faith in Denver, Colorado. I look forward to once again being able to collaborate closely with and work under the leadership of Archbishop Pilarczyk.”
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 26th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with almost 500,000 Catholics, and has the eighth largest network of Catholic schools in terms of enrollment. The 19-county territory includes 220 parishes and 113 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

A nation without women

I came across this from a friend.

Indian filmgoers have a weakness for feel-good song-and-dance spectaculars. So it's not surprising that Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women won a handful of international prizes, but flopped at home. It is a tale of unrelieved horror. An innocent young girl is sold to a rural family of five sons and married to all five, plus the father. In the end, the whole woman-less village gets into the act and murderous fights break out for her favours. The film ends with the lass giving birth to a daughter.
Is this a nightmarish fantasy dreamed up by man-hating feminists?
To Western audiences, perhaps, but in India, the notion of “a nation without women” is no fantasy. It could be the future. So many unborn and newly-born girls are being killed as a result of a deep-seated preference for male heirs that millions of young men will find it hard to marry.
At the moment, according to figures from the 2001 census, the national ratio of girls aged 0-to-6 to boys is 927 to 1,000. The normal figure should be 950 to 1,000. However, this conceals enormous regional and social differences. According to the British NGO ActionAid, the situation is worst in the northern state of Punjab. "The most extreme case that we found in our research was among wealthy Punjabi families where in some communities there's only 300 girls to every 1,000 boys,” says Laura Turquet, ActionAid's women's rights policy official.
"The real horror of the situation is that, for women, avoiding having daughters is a rational choice. But for wider society it's creating an appalling and desperate state of affairs," said Ms Turquet. Despite India's growing prosperity – or perhaps because of it -- there is growing pressure on women to produce sons, because girls are seen as an expense, rather than an asset. To marry them off, parents have to pay a huge dowry. “Spend 500 rupees now and save 50,000 rupees later,” is a slogan which every parent has heard.
Check out the rest at: http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/a_nation_without_women/
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What are You Going to do With Your Vote?

Osteen Said What?

Father Barron on "The Dark Knight" (Spoilers)

Palladio

I love this song.

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.

Talk at ya Later

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."

Talk at ya Later

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?
Talk at ya Later

Confirmed: Vatican sees miracle in Newman's cause

"Birmingham, Apr. 25, 2008 (CWNews.com) - An official spokesman for the cause of beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman has confirmed that the Vatican has given preliminary approval to the authenticity of a miracle attributed to Cardinal Newman’s intercession.
Final approval of the miracle would clear the way for the beatification of the Cardinal Newman, a towering figure in English Catholicism in the 19th century.
Peter Jennings, press secretary to the Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory for the cause of Cardinal Newman, announced on April 24 that the postulator for the cause, Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, had authorized him to reveal that medical consultants in Rome had certified that the cure of Jack Sullivan, a Catholic deacon from Massachusetts, could not be attributed to natural causes.
The apparently miraculous healing of Sullivan from a debilitating spinal ailment--which took place on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, 2001-- will now be studied by theologians for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. If the theologians give their approval, the case will go to the full Congregation for approval. "

Talk at ya Later

Singing My Way Toward the Priesthood

I just recently came into contact with Neven Pesa. He just graduated from Franciscan U at Steubenville OH. Neven is following a call to the priesthood. But he has quite a bit of debt from attending Steubanville, around 70 G's. He was featured at CatholicExchange.com a few weeks ago. Check it out! http://sheen.catholicexchange.com/node/71387 Help a Man trying to become a priest! http://www.helpmebecomeapriest.com/
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"Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly." -- St. Ignatius Loyola

Pope Benedict XVI - Speech to Bishops

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part four

Fire Bill Maher!!!

I can't comment on this because I wont be able to keep my comments clean enough.


Check this site out!!

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Cardinal Arinze Mocks Pro-Choicers

Mass! The Musical! Limited off-Broadway engagement!

This is from one of the blogs I like Hallowed Ground. It's sooo funny with the pics he has for this post.

"The Papal Mass today. What can I say ? So nice to see blatant liturgical abuse done in the presence of the Pope. The “lovely” Indian drum music, with Pan piping in the background. How embarrassing for the Church. The whole country/world was watching, and this was the best American Catholicism can offer? When not playing Aztec pagan pipe/drum music, they were doing a Broadway musical performance. I was waiting for Rum Tum Tugger to come out, and dance in front of the Altar. All the music had bells in the background, yet at the consecration,..not one bell."

Read the Rest: http://hallowedground.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/mass-the-musical-limited-off-broadway-engagement/

Pope Speaks to U.S. Bishops

Here is a trandscript of what our holy father said to our bishops.

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=27611&page=1

Talk at ya Later

I'm Sorry I haven't posted in some time. I've been busy with family and doing my normal Catholic research. Between the podcast and a local protestant minister I get with once a week to hash out our differences. I think I might need a little vacation soon.

I came across this this past weekend, and it says in a much more elegant way how I feel about cafeteria Catholics.

"The Forum: Church teachings vs. matters of opinion
by Phil Lawler special to CWNews.com
Apr. 11, 2008 (CWNews.com) - On Easter Sunday, Bishop Robert Hennessey, a Boston auxiliary, celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish. That was significant-- indeed the bishop's presence prompted a prominent headline story in the Boston Globe-- because officially that parish has been closed since 2004.
Some parishioners at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel have actively resisted the decision of the Boston archdiocese to shut down their church. Every Sunday they gather there for a prayer service. But no priest is assigned to the parish; that weekly service is not a Mass. Unless they are attending Sunday Mass elsewhere, then, the defiant parishioners holding these prayer vigils are violating a solemn precept of the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2181) confirms the traditional teaching-- not changed by Vatican II, as many Catholics mistakenly believe-- that attendance at Sunday Mass is a serious obligation, and those "who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin."
During his visit to the East Boston parish, Bishop Hennessey explained that his presence was an indication of pastoral concern. He made that concern evident when he admonished them:
It is my firm belief that what happens here on most Sundays is not a good thing, that it could even put your souls in peril. I'm here as your bishop to remind you of that.
Perhaps the wording could have been better. The bishop's warning was based not merely on "my firm belief" but on the age-old and unchanging teaching of the universal Church. Still one can only admire Bishop Hennessey for voicing that message. He was fulfilling his role as a shepherd, bringing some corrective guidance to bear on a flock that had apparently gone astray.
And what sort of response did the bishop's warning elicit? The Globe report cited one parishioner who "shook his head. 'I don't agree with that,' he said." Another sniffed that the bishop was "trying to scare us away," while yet another dismissed his warning as a matter of "politics."
Maybe the Globe reporter selected quotes only from those parishioners who expressed skepticism about the bishop's message. But I suspect the newspaper's story is an accurate portrayal of the reaction from that unusual congregation. The people of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish heard the bishop's words, weighed those words, and found them wanting. In fact:
"What he said was just his personal opinion," said Rita Grillo, 42, who lives across the street and has attended the church for 38 years.
Now I wonder: In those 38 years, how often had Rita Grillo heard a priest defend the authority of Church teaching, and explain that some questions of faith and morals are not merely matters of personal opinion? For that matter, how many American Catholics recognize that the authority of Catholic doctrine is based on the teaching of Jesus Christ, and its accuracy is guaranteed by the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
Bishop Hennessey visited Our Lady of Mt. Carmel as a successor to the apostles. His message, in essence, was that the Lord Jesus expects them to attend Sunday Mass. The parishioners were delighted by his presence, the Globe relates; they recognized the bishop as a legitimate representative of the Boston archdiocese. But they did not recognize him as a teacher of divine truth.
There are, of course, many Christians who do not recognize the authority of Catholic bishops to convey Christ's teaching authoritatively. Ordinarily these people are called Protestants. Over the course of the past generation, unfortunately, Americans have come to accept, almost reflexively, the stand taken by "cafeteria Catholics," who honor only those Church teachings with which they happen to agree.
That attitude is not genuinely Catholic. It is not even logically tenable. If Church teaching is sometimes right and sometimes wrong, then the Church is a corruptible human enterprise. But the Church claims to be a divine institution. If you cannot accept that claim, you cannot profess the Catholic faith.
To embrace the authority of the Church requires an act of assent, a submission of the will, which can only be made when we are confident that the Church was founded, and her authority ensured, by the Incarnate God. Maybe the gift of faith is more precious and less common than we realize. "

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San Jose cathedral to host Mass for California Democrats

San Jose, CA., Mar 24, 2008 / 11:46 pm (CNA).- California Democrats gathering for their state convention this weekend will have a special Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph just a half-mile from the convention site, the California Catholic Daily reports.The Mass is sponsored by the Catholic Democrats of California, the state affiliate of a national, Boston-based group called Catholic Democrats. The California group, describing itself on its web site, said, “We have brought together people across the country who share an aversion to the current abuses of US military power, the exploitation of social issues to advance the economic interests of a few, and the misuse of our Catholic faith for political gain.”“Because conservatives have increasingly used Catholic language and Catholic congregations to advance their economic agenda and political interests,” the group continued, “we have felt a special obligation as Catholics to enunciate the reasons why we think many of the current conservatives stances are so antithetical to the Catholic ethos -- on poverty, on war, on racial strife, and perhaps especially on abortion and other social issues.”The proposed platform of the California Democratic Party addresses abortion under the euphemism of “reproductive rights,” saying the state party “proudly and vigorously supports a woman’s right to choose how to use her mind, her body and her time.” The draft pledges support for “confidential, unrestricted” access to “health and reproductive services,” such as contraception and emergency contraception, without parental consent or notification.The platform also says California Democrats “support the LGBT community in its quest for the right to legal marriage.”The Mass for Catholic Democrats is scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at 7:15 a.m. It will be celebrated by Father Jon Pedigo, pastor of a San Jose parish. According to the California Catholic Daily, an announcement of the Mass on the California group’s web site said, “Join us as we come together to share the social justice teachings of Catholic Democrats”.

http://stjosephcathedral.org/Home/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Mr. Seeker-Sensitive Megachuch Pastor

"Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first Apostles who preached Christ and the Good News of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel (cf. Rom 1:16). It is the time to preach it from the rooftops (cf. Mt 10:27). Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern ``metropolis''. It is you who must ``go out into the byroads'' (Mt 22:9) and invite everyone you meet to the banquet which God has prepared for his people. The Gospel must not be kept hidden because of fear or indifference. It was never meant to be hidden away in private. It has to be put on a stand so that people may see its light and give praise to our heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:15-16). " -John Paul II

What?!! More Sins???

Not "new sins" but an old media blind spot

Found this on Catholic DAD's. Some times I just want to beat my self dumb with the keyboard when I see this kind of stuff.

by Phil Lawler special to CWNews.com

Mar. 11, 2008 (CWNews.com) - When he finished his interview with L'Osservatore Romano, Archishop Gianfranco Girotti probably thought that his main message had been an appeal to Catholics to use the sacrament of Confession. Little did he know that the English-language news media would play the interview as a newly revised list of sins.
Archbishop Girotti, the regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, spoke to the Vatican newspaper about "new forms of social sin" in our era. He mentioned such transgressions as destructive research on human embryos, degradation of the environment, and drug trafficking. Within hours, dozens of media sources were suggesting that the Vatican had radically revised the Ten Commandments, issuing a list of "new sins."
As usual, a British newspaper leapt to the forefront with the most sensational and misleading coverage. The Daily Telegraph made the preposterous claim that Archbishop Girotti's list replaced the traditional Catholic understanding of the seven deadly sins:
It replaces the list originally drawn up by Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th Century, which included envy, gluttony, greed, lust, wrath and pride.
Could we have a reality check, please?
When a second-tier Vatican official gives a newspaper interview, he is not proclaiming new Church doctrines. Archbishop Girotti was obviously trying to offer a new, provocative perspective on some enduring truths. The effort backfired-- but in a very revealing way.

Read the rest: http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=57130

Talk at ya Later

What I Call Real Double Effect

"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you. But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. But Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God." (Lk 1:26-35)
St. John was at the foot of the cross. He saw his Lord and his God murdered. Jesus Christ and St. John were also very close friends. I doubt even in deep prayer on the Sorrowful Mysteries my pain and sorrow comes close to that of St. John's.
I have a five year old son who is the greatest teacher I've ever met. I also doubt it would, but as a father in a way wish it would kill me if something happened to my son. I can not fathom in my most horrific nightmares the pain of burring my child. My heart and prayers go out to all parents that have had to bury their child. I mean all parents, when my boy is fifty he'll still be my son.
The Blessed Virgin Mary stood at the foot of the cross, with such weight on her heart it would have destroyed the average man or woman. Jesus was completely from Blessed Mary's flesh. The Word of God, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings at one point learned to walk. The Blessed Virgin Mary was there to catch him when he was learning. Mary saw her son brutally tortured then murdered!! But on top of that, Jesus Christ was Mary's God too. She too had to witness her Savior beaten into hamburger, then crucified.
Could you have been able to handle being at the foot of the cross? Watching Your Lord and Savior tacked up on a cross like a criminal. Now add to that thought the one up on the cross is your child.
It's said being a mother is a thankless vocation. How much more for the Theotokos, the Mother of God? Jesus has said thanks. Have you?
Talk at ya Later

What Do You Say?

A home made music video with a song by Catholic seminarian Robert Galea. Visit www.ThatsWorship.com for more from Robert

It is Good to Give Thanks to the Lord

I still miss you papa JPII.

Hay Stupid, He Didn't Quit Because of How Much He Paid

"Eliot Spitzer announced his resignation from his post as New York state governor on Wednesday amid allegations he was a client of a high-priced prostitution ring."-CBS News
I've been thinking about this, if there is anything I want to say. What do I want to say?
Well.... This man cheated on his wife with a woman that at first appears drop dead gorgeous. Look at Eliot Spitzer's face here. Does it look like he thinks its a good idea now? Is that woman getting less attractive to him?
But this is not what I want to focus on. At lunch I run over to Church to pray before the Holy Eucharist. On my way over to Church I was channel flipping between talk radio stations. The couple of people that were talking about Spitzer, were slamming him for how much he paid for the call girl. WHAT THE!!!!! Eliot Spitzer is not resigning because he paid too much for a hooker!!!! Those guys, and yes they were guys are missing the whole point he is resigning. He's resigning because he got caught doing something he should have never been doing! Not because he paid to much for something he should not of been doing.
Talk at ya Later

Mormon missionaries desecrate statue at Catholic shrine

Before reading this, ask your self "Have I ever sinned?". That being said, did you receive forgiveness? I'm not saying, lets let the boys off scott free. But people do do stupid things some times, Lord knows I have my fair share of them in my closet.

DENVER (CNA) - Photos of three Mormon missionaries mocking the Catholic Church, which recently surfaced on the Internet, have upset Catholics and shocked Mormon leaders, reports the Denver Post.

The men have also been accused of breaking the head off of a statue of saint at the Shrine of the Mexican Martyrs in San Luis, Colorado.

In 2006, three missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) visited a Catholic shrine in the San Luis Valley in Colorado. While at the shrine, the Mormon missionaries photographed themselves in poses that demeaned the Catholic Church.

The pictures, which were posted last week on the photo-sharing site Photobucket, show the men preaching from the Book of Mormon behind the altar; holding the head from a statue of St. Manuel Morales, a young Mexican who died opposing anti-religious laws; and one of the missionaries pretending to sacrifice a fellow missionary on the altar.
Read the Rest: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=27141&wf=rsscol

The Expelled Trailler!! Yup I found it!

Diabolical possession should be handled by exorcists, Vatican official says

Vatican City, Mar 6, 2008 / 03:33 pm (CNA).- The head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, said this week that when a person believes he is dealing with a case of diabolical possession, it should be handled by an exorcist instead of a confessor.
Read the Rest: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=11997

I found this interesting. You don't hear about this every day. Thankfully.
Talk at ya Later

Ben Stein is geting Expelled

http://www.expelledthemovie.com/playground.php
It's about time some one has taken on the neo-Darwinist head on. The trailer is a little long around 7 min or so. I'm pumped to see this movie. Get your poppcorn ready y'all. The science world is getting outted.
Talk at ya Later

The School of the Eucharist

The Catholic Blog Awards!!!

http://www.catholicblogawards.com/

I'm up for best new Blog!! Please, go vote for me!

Necessary reading for understanding the contradictions inherent in the liturgical theology of the "Spirit of Vatican II."

God in the Streets of New York City

God in the Streets of New York City

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"To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it" -G.K. Chesterton

Giving Birth in Netherlands is a Roll of the Dice

I would like to comment on this one but there would be waaayy too many 4 letter words. But check this out. This is bad!!!!

'Bioethics' Journal calls for killing disabled newborns
By John Jalsevac 2/23/2008

GARRISON, NY (LifeSiteNews) - In 2005 the world was horrified when it was revealed that in the Netherlands doctors were not only openly admitting that they had killed disabled newborn infants, but that the medical institution was actively promoting child euthanasia through the so-called Groningen Protocol. The protocol - the full name of which is The Groningen Protocol for Euthanasia in Newborns - lays out a set of guidelines that must be followed in making and executing the decision to kill a newborn infant. The revelation that newborn euthanasia was both common and acceptable in the Netherlands was greeted with harsh criticisms from around the world, with one Italian Minister going to far as to accuse the Netherlands of Nazism. Others expressed their disgust that many of the children who were being euthanized by Dutch doctors were children with Spina Bifida, a condition with which many people have lived well into adulthood and had fulfilling lives. A lengthy report that appears in the most recent issue of The Hastings Center Report - called by conservative bioethicist Wesley Smith the "world's most prestigious" journal of bioethics - however, strongly defends The Groningen Protocol as humane and perfectly ethical. It especially defends the ethical nature of the protocol's provisions for killing newborns with conditions that would allow them to live for many years.

Read the rest:

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26947&wf=rsscol

Catholics For Free Choice. Thats Latin for BS

http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/default.asp

Catholics for fee choice...... A so called "Catholic" ministry promoting rite to life!!...... Oops!! Sorry, that was a typo. Promoting rite to kill unborn children. Wow!!! Printing up there web page and whipping my butt with it is a much needed improvement to their content. I'd then have to burn it of coarse. I wouldn't want to contaminate our sewage system with such filth from Catholics for free choice.

How stupid do you have to be to think you can knowingly go against Catholic teaching and still claim to be Catholic. This is not the same as "fallen away Catholics". Fallen away Catholics don't promote their non catholic lifestyle, while at the same time demanding to be looked at as a Catholic in good standing.

This!!! This right here!!! This is what &*$%#@ me off!!! Some disillusioned idiot that see it as their obligation to change the Catholic Church!!! Help the Catholic Church see and understand the teachings of God better. What does it take for people to get it!!! It is not our job to evangelise the Church!!! To get the Catholic Church to change to the world. YOU HAVE IT BACKWARDS YOU MORON!!!

We are to be evangelised by the Catholic Church. See that? Evangelised "BY" not "TO" the Catholic Church. When it comes to faith and morals we are to be taught by the Catholic Church. Not teach the Catholic Church about faith and morals. What is truth??!!! Is it subjective or objective? I guess it has to do if you're teaching the Catholic Church, or being taught by it.

This angry rant is the sole production of Adam N. Andrejcio. ADAM THE CATHOLIC. If anything in this angry rant you find offensive and has made you angry due to it calling a spade a spade. GOOD!!!! That probably means you're one of the spades I'm calling a spade!!!!

Talk at ya Later

"The main problem with criticism of Catholic devotion to Mary is the basic Protestant mindset. Because Catholics venerate Mary, non-Catholics assume that this devotion must take the place of proper devotion to the Lord Jesus. They see the whole question in terms of either/or when it is really both/and." -Dwight Longenecker

It's so very odd! At the same time I feel drawn to pray, I make excuses not to. We can't serve the Lord with out prayer. There have been somany times I come to the Lord in prayer saying "Lord I'm sorry I don't feel like taking time out of my day for you. Even now I'm forcing myself to pray. Please help me to have a better prayer life."
Talk at ya Later

Colbert Teaches Sunday School!!!

Theotokos Podcast!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I've been working on starting a new podcast. After all the hard work I have it up and running! THEOTOKOS! The podcast about Mary the Mother of God.

If you have i-tunes in the search bar type in theotokos. Or you can go to the web sight for the podcast. http://motherofgodpodcast.com/

Talk at ya Later

Students Design Altar Pope Will Use in US

Students Design Altar Pope Will Use in US
Catholic University Hosts Contest
WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 29, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Two architecture students at Catholic University designed the altar, ambo and chair Benedict XVI will use to celebrate Mass in the U.S. capitolJohn-Paul Mikolajczyk and Ryan Mullen, both candidates in the master's program at Catholic University's School of Architecture and Planning, were the winners of the contest to design the structures to be used at the April 17 Mass at Nationals Park.The 10-by-4 foot papal altar has a substantial top with a repeating pattern of decorative parabolic arches beneath it and a smaller base.The front of the pulpit where the Gospel will be read is adorned with images of the Bible and the Holy Trinity. The tall chair back is decorated with Benedict XVI's papal coat of arms.At Monday's unveiling of the design, Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington said that the design is "a tribute to this school of architecture, Catholic University and the quality of students here. […] All those people are going to be looking at this and you'll be able to say, 'He's standing at my altar.'"Mikolajczyk and Mullen will work with architecture faculty and the Archdiocese of Washington to fine-tune the design and actually construct the altar and the other furnishings.The designers explained that for inspiration, they spent an afternoon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception studying the altar furnishings."We wanted to incorporate elements that would remind us of Christ's active presence and work in the liturgy," said Mikolajczyk.Students, working individually or in teams of up to four people, prepared their models and drawings over a few days of work between Jan. 18 and Jan. 23. The entries were judged Jan. 24.

Did Anti-Christian Flames Come from an ESPN Anchor?

By Randy Sly1/24/2008
Catholic Online (http://www.catholic.org/)

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) – After a night of good-hearted roasting, Mike Golic and Mike Greenburg of “Mike and Mike in the Morning” on ESPN, hung their heads in embarrassment when one of their network co-workers lashed out with a series of expletives. She was booed by the crowd and eventually was pulled off stage. Dana Jacobson, Anchorwoman for ESPN, is the focus of concern by Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League. According to a report from Don Wildmon, of the American Family Association, Jacobson shouted, “F*** Notre Dame… F*** Touchdown Jesus… F*** Jesus.”.
Read the rest at http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26565&wf=rsscol

This is what I found on ESPN's web sight

ESPN's Jacobson disciplined for roast remarks
Dana Jacobson, co-host of ESPN2's "First Take," is currently being disciplined for remarks made at a Jan. 11 celebrity roast for ESPN Radio personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic.
Her characterizations of the Notre Dame football program, which have been criticized by a Catholic organization, were deemed "inappropriate" by the network, which issued the following statement from Jacobson:
"I am sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I've caused ESPN and Mike and Mike.
"My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won't make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."

I think there will be plenty of people asking for Dana Jacobson's head. Not me. If Dana did say those horrible things about Jesus Christ. She has just as much a right as anyone to apologise and ask for forgiveness. I think she got carried away in the moment to make a joke. In doing so, didn't realize how far she was going.
I think as Catholics we need to pick our battles. This is worth taking note of, and giving a reprimand. But not worth a full attack of blogers and news outlets slamming Dana Jacobson. She happened to be in the public forum while using poor judgment, on top of her inability to be creative and funny.
Talk at ya Later

The Primacy of Peter Part 7

Picking back up in Chapter 21 "So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn." (Jn 21:11) When reading the Gospel or letters by John, take note any time you come across a number. They always have a significant meaning. Jerome's explanation for the exact count of the fish is that at this time there were 153 known species of fish. The fish symbolize that at some time all men of all nations will be gathered together to Jesus. "After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands." (Rev 7:9)
We have Peter and only Peter hauling the net ashore. Even more important is that the net Peter is bringing ashore is not tearing. The Greek word for tear is "schizo". This is where we get the English word "schism". The net symbolises the Church. This is why there is an amazement that the net full of every known species of fish, being brought to Jesus by Peter, is not in schism "torn".

Lets back up a little in John 21. "That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off." (Jn 21:7-8) Peter is not the first to recognise Jesus, but Peter is the first to act. But the million dollar question is why the heck is Peter fishing naked? Take note that no one else is fishing in the nude! This has a Jeff Foxworthy "You might be a Redneck" joke all over it. But since I couldn't find Jeff Foxworthy's commentary on the Gospel of John. I went with Steven K. Ray. Stephen K. Ray in his book St. John's Gospel comments "Why did Peter dress and jump into the water? Some see Peter's nakedness as his spiritual state after denying Jesus; putting on cloths as his conversion, plunging into the water as his purification, and his swimming as a return to Jesus."


"When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there," (Jn 21:9) What do we have here! Peter and a charcoal fire. There is only one other place in the NT that we will find a charcoal fire. "Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire... Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself." (Jn 18:18) Peter then will proceed to deny Jesus 3 times.
Talk at ya Later

The Primacy of Peter Part 6

In the last chapter of John's gospel we see a number of things come together in regards to Peter's Primacy.

The disciples had been fishing all night and have caught nothing.

"Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you any fish?' They answered him, 'No.' He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.' So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn." (Jn 21:5-11)

Jesus tells the disciples to cast there nets. "He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish." (Jn 21:6) This is very similar to Luke chapter 5 when Jesus tells Simon to cast his net after a night of fishing with no success. But there is a important difference between these two instances of fishing. In Luke "When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing" (Lk 5:6 NAB) , but here in John "although there were so many, the net was not torn" (Jn 21:11) John's mentioning of the net not tearing gives the impression that it should have.
Talk at ya Later

Fishers of Men Part 2

Fishers of Men Part 1

Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Oh Lord help us!

Well, here we are once again. Time to add another candle to the cake celebrating Roe v. Wade. I wonder when blowing out the candles what they will wish for? I pray they will wish for an end to abortion. I pray those arguing that it's a woman's body... Will realise that the child inside their body is not part of their body. It's not the same as having a kidney removed. I pray those that have had an abortion, or have been involved with an abortion ask for Gods forgiveness.

I love food. I have a spare tire to prove it too. But on this anniversary of Roe v. Wade I'm going to fast. I'm not bragging. I want to encourage others to fast too, or to do something to offer up to Christ. If you don't normally go to daily mass, go. If you don't normally pray, do it. Just please don't sit around ho humming around. Do something!

Talk at ya Later

Picking My Brain

I often wonder why I chose to follow God. I have come to know a number of people who went through situations very close to mine. But yet they have not started to live a life for Christ.

We all receive God's Grace, but only some of us respond to it. Why did I respond to God's Grace, but others do not? I know our free will is a big part of this question. But I'm past that in my thoughts. Why, in full use of my free will choose God, but others don't?

Talk at ya Later

Whats Love Got To Do With It, Got To Do With It.

I like this picture. This picture along with the poem I had posted the other day, (The Hound of Heaven -- by Francis Thompson) explain in a way, how God has set things up. As long as we are breathing, our Lord will not stop in his pursuit for us. And the Church Jesus founded with the guidance of the Holy Spirit will do everything she can to keep us from going astray. When we do wonder off, our good Shepard is right there hunting us down.

I have a very thick scull, so if it wasn't for our Lords endless desire for every one of us to come home to him. My life would still be a wreck, I'd be lost in the dark.

I wish I could say I understand love, but if I did I'd be lying. The only thing I do understand about the love of our Lord is that it makes no sense to me. Think about it. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy" Luke 15:4-5 No one in their right mind would leave ninety-nine sheep for one. That Shepard would be collecting an unemployment check the next week. But in the eyes of God, no one in their right mind would not leave the ninety-nine.

It's out of perfect love God comes after us. The kind of love that one would be willing to sacrifice his first born son. All for a bunch of sinners. I wish I could say I understand love, but if I did I'd be lying.

Talk at ya Later

National Public Radio skit blasphemes Eucharist, apology made

SALT LAKE CITY (CNA) - A January 7 public radio skit that made disparaging remarks about the Eucharist while attacking Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee provoked outrage from Catholics and a speedy apology from its distributor. The offensive segment was part of a show called “Fair Game with Faith Salie,” broadcast on Utah National Public radio station KCPW. In the skit, a woman’s voice announces a “Huckabee family recipe” supposedly leaked by his opponents. A man’s voice then says: “Tired of bland unsatisfying Eucharists? Try this Huckabee family favorite. Deep-Fried Body of Christ--boring holy wafers no more. Take one Eucharist. Preferably post transubstantiation. Deep-fry in fat, not vegetable oil, ladies, until crispy. Serve piping hot. Mike likes to top his Christ with whipped cream and sprinkles. But his wife Janet and the boys like theirs with heavy gravy and cream puffs. It goes great with red wine.”

Read the rest at http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26435&wf=rsscol

You Ant Nothing But a Hound Dog

The Hound of Heaven -- by Francis Thompson
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat - and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet -
"All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

I pleaded, outlaw-wise,
By many a hearted casement, curtained red,
Trellised with intertwining charities;
(For, though I knew His love Who followèd,
Yet I was sore adread
Lest, having Him, I must have naught beside.)
But, if one little casement parted wide,
The gust of His approach would clash it to.
Fear wist not to evade as Love wist to pursue.
Across the margent of the world I fled,
And troubled the gold gateways of the stars,
Smiting for shelter on their clangèd bars;
Fretted to dulcet jars
And silvern chatter the pale ports o' the moon.
I said to Dawn: Be sudden - to Eve: Be soon;
With thy young skiey blossoms heap me over
From this tremendous Lover -
Float thy vague veil about me, lest He see!
I tempted all His servitors, but to find
My own betrayal in their constancy,
In faith to Him their fickleness to me,
Their traitorous trueness, and their loyal deceit.
To all swift things for swiftness did I sue;
Clung to the whistling mane of every wind.
But whether they swept, smoothly fleet,
The long savannahs of the blue;
Or whether, Thunder-driven,
They clanged His chariot 'thwart a heaven,
Plashy with flying lightnings round the spurn o' their feet: -
Fear wist not to evade as Love wist to pursue.
Still with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
Came on the following Feet,
And a Voice above their beat -
"Naught shelters thee, who wilt not shelter Me."
Now of that long pursuit
Comes on at had the bruit;
That Voice is round me like a bursting sea:
"And is thy earth so marred,
Shattered in shard on shard?
Lo, all things fly thee, for thou fliest Me!
Strange, piteous, futile thing!
Wherfore should any set thee love apart?
Seeing none but I make much of naught" (He said),
"And human love needs human meriting:
How hast thou merited -
Of all man's clotted clay, the dingiest clot?
Alack, thou knowest not
How little worthy of any love thou art!
Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee,
Save Me, save only Me?
All which I took from thee I did but take,
Not for thy harms,
But just that thou might'st seek it in My arms.
All which thy child's mistake
Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home:
Rise, clasp My hand, and come."

Halts by me that footfall:
Is my gloom, after all,
Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?
"Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me."

Priest Slain in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela, JAN. 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A diocesan priest was murdered Sunday in what investigators believe was a case of robbery turned homicide.
The body of 50-year-old Father Pedro Orellana Hidalgo showed that he had been strangled. Several objects were stolen from the priest's residence, including a television and money.
Pedro Orellana was born in Caracas and carried out his pastoral work for years in the Archdiocese of Cumana.
His most recent ministry was in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Caracas.
In a communiqué, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, archbishop of Caracas, and his auxiliary bishops sent "their condolences to his family and other relatives, reaffirming their faith in the resurrection of the dead and praying for the eternal repose of his soul."
The note added, "This unfortunate loss confirms the need for effective policies of civic security for all Venezuelans."

May Fr. Hidalgo be at peace in heaven with our Lord. And those responsible repent, and come home to God.

Britney Spears Hospitalized

LOS ANGELES (Catholic Online) - The Associated Press reported Friday morning that Police were called to the home of Britney Spears at 8 p.m. Thursday, January 3. The incident arose out of the declining pop star’s ongoing battle with her former spouse, Kevin Federline, over the custody of their children, 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James. This latest tragic event is fodder for a culture obsessed with celebrity and seized with an insatiable interest for all things pertaining to their struggles. The events which unfolded throughout the evening were dramatic, involving six police cars, two ambulances and a fire truck. It is reported that they involved an initial stand off with authorities who had come to enforce a Court order.
Read the reast at: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26353&wf=rsscol

Ok, I'm not one to pay much attention to the Hollywood stars. But if there has been a young woman that needed prayers, here she is. I'm not knocking Britney. I've had my life completely fall apart. I have no room to judge this woman. But what this woman does need is prayers. Not just Britney, but so many of the people out there that are lost. Jesus died for sinners. You, me, and everyone else. So we too must pray for those who don't have anyone to pray for them.
Talk at ya Later