N.J. bishops encourage faithful to stand up for marriage

"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."
Pope John Paul II

The New Jersey bishops asked pastors to read a statement to their parishioners last weekend which explained the Catholic Church's teaching on marriage and encouraged the faithful to pray that New Jersey will not pass a same-sex “marriage” measure. Same-sex “marriage” advocates are working to put the bill before the current governor who has promised to sign it before he leaves office in January.

His successor has promised to veto the bill.

The bishops began their letter by acknowledging a shift toward “secular individualism” noted in the “recent authorization of 'marriage' between individuals of the same sex in a few states and the call for passage of a same sex 'marriage' law in New Jersey.”

“As Catholics, we must not stand by in silence in the face of the many challenges that threaten marriage and, in turn, children and the public good,” they asserted. “We must not shirk from our responsibility.”

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Flyover Tells Notre Dame President Jenkins: Free the ND 88

Fr. Jenkins had no problem inviting the most pro-abort president in history to speak at a "supposed to be" Catholic university and giving him an honorary degree, but he has really held a grudge against the protesters who dared to expect Notre Dame to be run according to Catholic teachings.

An anonymous advocate for the 88 Obama protesters who were arrested on the University of Notre Dame's campus in May sent an aerial message this month to remind University President Fr. John Jenkins of the arrestees' plight for witnessing to life.

While the case is technically out of Notre Dame's hands, Fr. Jenkins has ignored repeated requests from advocates to request leniency for the witnesses, who face up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine if they are convicted. In a recent interview with LifeSiteNews.com, Thomas More Society President and Chief Counsel Tom Brejcha, who is representing the Notre Dame 88, said that Notre Dame's decision on the case, "would have decisive influence over whether the prosecutions went forward." Brejcha said that were Fr. Jenkins to ask for leniency, his request would "have great weight with the prosecutor."

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Memorial of St. Andrew

The Saint of the Day for November 30 is St. Andrew.

Andrew, Peter's brother, and John were the first disciples to follow the Lord. With tender delicacy the Gospel (John 1:35-42) describes their first meeting with Jesus. Andrew did not belong to the inner circle of the apostles, Peter, James and John, and the evangelists narrate nothing extraordinary about him (John 6:8); but tradition (resting on apocrpyhal Acts) extols his great love of the Cross and of the Savior; and the Church distinguishes him both in the Mass (his name occurs in the Canon and in the Libera since the time of Pope St. Gregory I who had a special devotion to him) and in the Breviary.

The story of his martyrdom rests on the apocryphal Acts which lack historical foundation. The pagan judge exhorted him to sacrifice to the gods. Andrew replied: "I sacrifice daily to almighty God, the one and true God. Not the flesh of oxen and the blood of goats do I offer, but the unspotted Lamb upon the altar. All the faithful partake of His flesh, yet the Lamb remains unharmed and living." Angered by the reply, Aegeas commanded him to be thrown into prison. With little difficulty the people would have freed him, but Andrew personally calmed the mob and earnestly entreated them to desist, as he was hastening toward an ardently desired crown of martyrdom.

When Andrew was led to the place of martyrdom, on beholding the cross from a distance he cried out: "O good Cross, so long desired and now set up for my longing soul I confident and rejoicing come to you; exultingly receive me, a disciple of Him who hung on you." Forthwith he was nailed to the cross. For two days he hung there alive, unceasingly proclaiming the doctrine of Christ until he passed on to Him whose likeness in death he had so vehemently desired. --The legendary account of our saint's martyrdom has this value: it presents to us the mysticism of the Cross of later times.

Movie Review: 2012 - PG13

Warning: Potential Spoilers

It is interesting that I saw "2012" today considering today's gospel reading, which I posted below.

To sum it up, "2012" is not much more than a long trailer. There is a story, about different people facing the end of the world. President Thomas Wilson (Donny Glover) is the American President trying to lead the country, and the world, through this. Jackson Curtis (John Cusak) is trying to save his 2 kids and ex-wife. He finds out from Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson) that the world governments have been secretly building giant ships preparing for this. They spend most of the movie trying to find these ships. Yuri Karpov is a Russian billionaire who has used his wealth to buy tickets on the ship for himself and his wife, as well as a huge plane filled with his possessions (mainly cars) to get there. There is also a Chinese family trying to reach the ships which are in China. The thing that kept going through my mind was how implausible this all was. Looking at it from our Catholic faith, God is the only one who knows when or how the world will eventually end. And when he does, no one can change it.

One thing I can say for it is that the spectacular special effects made it watchable.

http://www.whowillsurvive2012.com/

From today's readings (11/29/09):

Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

For the Vatican it's Clear - Pro-Abortion Politicians 'Must' be Denied Communion

Bishop Tobin gets support from the Vatican.

With the Patrick Kennedy Communion flap and the recent action of the Bishops of Spain having opened up the issue of denying communion to pro-abortion politicians, it is worthwhile to review the position of the Vatican on the matter.

Since the controversy came to a head in 2004, the stance from the Vatican on the matter has been clear and consistent. For the Pope and top Curial Cardinals in charge of the matter there is no question about the responsibility to deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians who obstinately support abortion. In fact, the issue was closed as early as 2004 with a letter from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.

The then-head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith intervened into a debate among the US Bishops on the issue. Simply put, Cardinal Ratzinger said in his letter titled "Worthiness to receive Holy Communion," that a Catholic politician who would vote for "permissive abortion and euthanasia laws" after being duly instructed and warned, "must" be denied Communion.

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From the Catechism:

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

Saint Catherine Laboure

The Saint of the Day for November 28 is Saint Catherine Laboure.

Saint Catherine Laboure was born in Fain-les-Moûtiers, Côte d'Or, France on May 2, 1806. She was the ninth of eleven children in a poor farm family. Upon her mother’s death, when Catherine was eight years old, the young girl assumed the responsibilities of the household.

When she was older, she began working in a hospital run by the Sisters of Charity which was founded by Saint Vincent de Paul. She received a vision in which her vocation was revealed to her and she became a Sister of Charity and worked with the sick.

Almost immediately upon entering religious life, Catherine began receiving visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Blessed Mother told Catherine that she wished a medal to be struck, which she described it in detail. The Miraculous Medal, as it is now known, is a popular devotion and is worn today by millions of faithful around the world.

After a year of these visions, Catherine was sent to a convent outside Paris where she served as the portress and worked with the sick for the rest of her life in humble and obedient service. She never spoke about the visions she received from Mary except to her confessor.

She died in Paris on December 31, 1876 and was canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII. Her body lies in the crypt of the convent and is incorrupt.

Circus!

Posting has been sparse over the past couple of days because I've been spending the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. Tonight we went to the circus, and I wanted to share some pictures with you.



My niece and nephews with an 'elephant'


and they also got to ride a real one :)


and of course the elephants performed.


There were also bears.


The human performers included tightrope walkers and acrobats.


It was an excellent show, and I will soon be back to regular posting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Optional Memorial of St. Catherine of Alexandria

The Saint of the Day for November 25 is St. Catherine of Alexandria.

Please stop by The Recovering Dissident Catholic and wish my friend Cathy of Alex a happy feast day.

kernel. Old Oriental sources make no mention of her. In the West her cult does not appear before the eleventh century, when the crusaders made it popular. She became the patroness of philosophical faculties; she is one of the "Fourteen Holy Helpers." The breviary offers the following:

Catherine, virgin of Alexandria, devoted herself to the pursuit of knowledge; at the age of eighteen, she surpassed all her contemporaries in science. Upon seeing how the Christians were being tortured, she went before Emperor Maximin (311-313), upbraided him for his cruelty, and with convincing reasons demonstrated the need of Christian faith in order to be saved. Astounded by her wisdom, the Emperor ordered her to be kept confined, and having summoned the most learned philosophers, promised them magnificent rewards if they could confound the virgin and turn her from belief in Christ. Far from being successful, a considerable number of the philosophers were inflamed by the sound reasons and persuasiveness of Catherine's speech with such a love for Jesus Christ that they declared themselves willing to offer their lives for the Gospel.

Then the Emperor attempted to win her by flattery and by promises, but his efforts proved equally fruitless. He ordered her whipped with rods, scourged with leaden nodules, and then left to languish eleven days without food in prison. The Emperor's wife and Porphyrius, general of the army, visited Catherine in prison; her words brought both to Christ and later they too proved their love in blood. Catherine's next torture consisted of being placed upon a wheel with sharp and pointed knives; from her lacerated body prayers ascended to heaven and the infernal machine fell to pieces. Many who witnessed the miracle embraced the faith. Finally, on November 25 Christ's servant was beheaded (307 or 312). By the hands of angels her body was carried to Mt. Sinai, where it was interred in the convent which bears her name.

Chris Matthews insults Bishop Tobin

How ironic. CINO Chris Matthews is preaching to Bishop Tobin.

On Monday Bishop Thomas Tobin tangled with television pundit Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s “Hardball” about the relation between religion and politics as well as the legal status of abortion. Matthews’ comments, which charged that the bishop has overstepped his authority, were criticized as a “rant” and an “extended lecture.”

Bishop Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence has been critical of Rhode Island U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s attacks on the Church for opposing abortion. Rep. Kennedy recently revealed that the bishop had asked him to refrain from receiving Holy Communion in 2007 because of his public contradiction of Catholic teaching.

Chris Matthews began the Monday evening “Hardball” segment with a clip of remarks by Rep. Kennedy’s uncle President John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic U.S. president. In his political campaign President Kennedy had said that a politician should not accept “instruction on public policy” from the Pope or any other ecclesiastical source.


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Four US Bishops Did Not Take up Collection for CCHD

Four Good Bishops, making sure that funds don't go to groups opposed to Catholic teaching.

While many U.S. bishops have publicly acknowledged problems with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) has confirmed that at least four bishops opted to not take up this year's national collection.

A controversy has erupted in the U.S. Church in recent weeks after evidence came to light showing that numerous CCHD grantees have promoted issues and practices in violation of Catholic teaching, including abortion, contraception, and same-sex "marriage." In response to the revelations a coalition of Catholic organizations, the Reform CCHD Now Coalition, formed, calling for a boycott of the November 21-22 national CCHD collection.

And one Bishop in denial. Morin won't even admit that there is a problem.

Shortly thereafter Bishop Roger Morin, chairman of the USCCB's subcommittee on the CCHD, delivered a passionate plea to the bishops' plenary meeting last week, pledging the CCHD's commitment to ensure grantees' respect for Catholic teaching.

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Bishop Bruskewitz on CCHD: Bishop Morin Was a "Bit Too Dismissive" of Concerns

Fifth Bishop Didn't Take Up National CCHD Collection

Sixth Bishop Didn't Take Up CCHD Collection

Kill the Bill!

Fathers Pacwa, Reese debate abortion and pro-abortion politicians

What a disgrace. And an embarrassment. To have two priests debating one of the fundamental teachings of the Church? Leave it to CNN to arrange something like this. Of course Fr. Pacwa is 100% correct for defending Church teachings.

Two Jesuits have appeared on a prime-time news program to debate the appropriateness of the reception of Holy Communion by pro-abortion politicians. Commenting on the recent controversy between Bishop Thomas Tobin and Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Father Thomas Reese, supported the reception of Holy Communion by pro-abortion politicians, citing the example of “most of the bishops in the United States” and the fact that “Pope John Paul II gave Communion to pro-choice politicians in Italy.”

Father Mitch Pacwa responded, “During his reign he had legislation that was put out by the office for the defense of the faith [the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith] that said politicians who are pro-abortion may not receive Holy Communion. That is Church policy … In terms of what the pope knew about this person coming to Communion and so on, I don't know.”

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From the Catechism:

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. Note to Fr. Reese: 'excommunication' means that he can't receive the sacraments. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

Memorial of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and companions

The Saints of the Day for November 24 are St. Andrew Dung-Lac and companions

St. Andrew Dung-Lac's name was originally Dung An Trân, and he was born about 1795 in a poor and pagan family in Bac-Ninh in North Vietnam. When he was twelve the family had to move to Hà-Nôi (Hanoi) where his parents could find work. There he met a catechist and got food and shelter from him. He also got education in the Christian faith for three years, and was baptized in Vinh-Tri with the Christian name Andrew (Andrew Dung). After learning Chinese and Latin he became a catechist, and thereafter taught catechism in the country. He was chosen to study theology, and on March 15, 1823 he was ordained a priest. As parish priest in Ke-Dâm he was tireless in his preaching. He often fasted and lived a simple and moral life, he was a good example for the people, and many were baptized. In 1835 he was imprisoned under emperor Minh-Mang's persecutions (he was called Vietnam's emperor Nero), but his freedom was purchased by donations from members of the congregation he served. To avoid persecutions he changed his name to Lac (Andrew Lac) and moved to another prefecture to continue his work. But on November 10, 1839 he was again arrested, this time with Peter Thi, another Vietnamese priest whom he was visiting so that he might go to confession.

Once again Andrew was liberated, along with Peter Thi, in exchange for money. Their freedom was brief. They were soon re-arrested and taken to Hanoi, where both suffered dreadful torture. Finally they both were beheaded December 21, 1839.

"The View" Weighs in on Kennedy Receiving Communion

Once again, the ladies of "The View" show their complete ignorance of all things Catholic.


Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on what happened on the ABC-TV show, “The View,” today:

The panelists discussed the controversy between Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Bishop Thomas Tobin on the propriety of an abortion-rights Catholic politician receiving Holy Communion. Why anyone would go on television and discuss something she knows absolutely nothing about is a mystery, but I’ll tell you this much—it makes for a great laugh.

So here’s the transcript. Which one of them was the most brilliant is debatable, but what’s for certain is that all the gals really sparkled.

Let producer Bill Geddie know your choice for first prize.
Contact: bill.geddie@abc.com


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Health Care Support Drops to Below 40 Percent After Senate OKs Pro-Abortion Bill

The level of support for a health care bill has plummeted to below 40 percent for the first time in a new Rasmussen poll. The numbers showing health care support at its lowest levels all year come after the Senate on Saturday approved a bill that contains massive abortion funding and other pro-life concerns.

Just 38% of voters now favor the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats, the Rasmussen survey indicates.

With 56 percent now opposing the pro-abortion plan, that is the lowest level of support measured for the plan in nearly two dozen tracking polls Rasmussen has conducted since June.

Half the survey was conducted before the Senate voted late Saturday to begin debate on its version of the legislation. Support for the plan was slightly lower in the half of the survey conducted after the Senate vote, the polling firm indicates.

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Science proves adult stem cells more promising than embryonic, says Vatican official

Someone call Michael J. Fox. There is overwhelming evidence that embryonic stem-cell research, which destroys living embryos, has shown NO results, while adult stem cells have shown much promise, and no one has to die.

The president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, said this week that the work by two scientists has shown adult stem cells to be much more promising for medical treatment than embryonic stem cells. The use of adult stem cells poses no ethical difficulties and has already contributed to advancing treatments for degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s.

In an article published by L’Osservatore Romano, the archbishop cited the work of two scientists, James Thomson of the United States and Shinya Yamanaka of Japan. Yamanaka was able to create adult stem cells in rats and later using human skin, which he called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, constituting a significant scientific development.

Archbishop Fisichella underscored that “the technique for producing iPS cells has allowed something to happen that was unthinkable in the field of cellular biology: to convert differentiated adult stem cells into immature, undifferentiated cells of an embryonic type.” Currently, he underscored, “nearly 300 labs throughout the world are studying these cells and what is significant is that numerous research teams have moved from the study of embryonic cells to the study of iPS cells.”

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Movie Review: The Blind Side - PG13

Warning: Potential spoilers.


Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) first meets Michael Oher at her son's school, which Michael also attends. She finds out that he has no place to stay and she and her husband Sean (Tim McGraw) bring him home to live with their family (they are pretty well-off because Sean owns several fast-food franchises.) Michael becomes part of their family. It is especially heartwarming when Leigh Anne refers to Michael as her son, and her children SJ and Collins call him their brother. Leigh Anne does meet with Michael's birth mother, but we never see Michael meet her, although he does go to meet her in one scene.

Michael excels at football, and several well-know coaches, including Lou Holtz, make cameos trying to attract him. But before he can play college football, he must raise his GPA, so The Tuohys hire Miss Sue (Kathy Bates) to tutor him. It is interesting that the only thing Michael scored high on is protective instincts. The college Michael wants to attend is Ole Miss, where both Sean and Leigh Anne went. The only part of the movie I did not care for is when the NCAA tries to make the Tuohy's look wrong for encouraging Michael to attend Ole Miss, but it really is where he wanted to go. As many of you know, Michael was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens right after college.

There was no objectionable content. It is a real family movie, and very heart warming.

This is definitely my favorite movie of the year, and I predict it will be an Oscar winner.

Don't Miss It!

http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Active/Michael_Oher.aspx

Blessed Miguel Pro

The Saint of the Day for November 23 is Blessed Miguel Pro.

Miguel Pro was born January 13, 1891, at Guadalupe Zacatecas, Mexico. From his childhood, high spirits and happiness were the most outstanding characteristics of his personality. The loving and devoted son of a mining engineer and a pious and charitable mother, Miguel had a special affinity for the working classes which he retained all his life.
At 20, he became a Jesuit novice and shortly thereafter was exiled because of the Mexican revolution. He traveled to the United States, Spain, Nicaragua and Belgium, where he was ordained in 1925. Father Pro suffered greatly from a severe stomach problem and when, after several operations his health did not improve, in 1926 his superiors allowed him to return to Mexico in spite of the religious persecution in the country.

The churches were closed and priests were in hiding. Father Pro spent the rest of his life in a secret ministry to the sturdy Mexican Catholics. In addition to fulfilling their spiritual needs, he also carried out the works of mercy by assisting the poor of Mexico City with their temporal needs. He adopted many disguises to carry out his secret ministry. In all that he did, he remained filled with the joy of serving Christ, his King, and obedient to his superiors.

Falsely accused in a bombing attempt on the President-elect, Pro became a wanted man. He was betrayed to the police and sentenced to death without the benefit of any legal process.

On the day of his death, Father Pro forgave his executioners, prayed, bravely refused the blindfold, and died proclaiming "Long Live Christ the King!"

Kennedy: Barred from Communion

Bishop Tobin is 100% correct. It is great to see a Bishop defending Catholic teachings.

Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has forbidden Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy to receive the Roman Catholic sacrament of Holy Communion because of his advocacy of abortion rights, the Rhode Island Democrat said Friday.

“The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion,” Kennedy said in a telephone interview.

Kennedy said the bishop had explained the penalty by telling him “that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I’ve taken as a public official,” particularly on abortion. He declined to say when or how Bishop Tobin told him not to take the sacrament. And he declined to say whether he has obeyed the bishop’s injunction.

story here


From the Catechism:

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

Solemnity of Christ the King

This Sunday, November 22, is the Feast of Christ the King.

The way to "enter" into God's Kingdom "does not permit shortcuts"; rather, "every person must freely welcome the truth of the love of God. He is Love and Truth and both love and truth never impose themselves: they knock at the door of the heart and mind and, wherever they may enter, they bring peace and joy. This is God's way of reigning; this is his project of salvation, a 'mystery' in the biblical sense of the word, which is a plan that is revealed little by little throughout history." — Pope Benedict XVI

The Feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 as an antidote to secularism, a way of life which leaves God out of man's thinking and living and organizes his life as if God did not exist. The feast is intended to proclaim in a striking and effective manner Christ's royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations.

Today's Mass establishes the titles for Christ's royalty over men: 1) Christ is God, the Creator of the universe and hence wields a supreme power over all things; "All things were created by Him"; 2) Christ is our Redeemer, He purchased us by His precious Blood, and made us His property and possession; 3) Christ is Head of the Church, "holding in all things the primacy"; 4) God bestowed upon Christ the nations of the world as his special possession and dominion.

Today's Mass also describes the qualities of Christ's kingdom. This kingdom is: 1) supreme, extending not only to all peoples but also to their princes and kings; 2) universal, extending to all nations and to all places; 3) eternal, for "The Lord shall sit a King forever"; 4) spiritual, Christ's "kingdom is not of this world".

Benedictine sisters in Missouri record new Christmas CD

I have their first CD “Echoes of Ephesus” and it is excellent. I've already ordered “Christmas at Ephesus.”. You can can order either and hear samples at the site below.

A community of Benedictine sisters living in the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph have released a Christmas CD titled “Christmas at Ephesus.” Proceeds from their new CD, comprised of traditional carols as well as the sisters' compositions, will go toward the building of a new monastery. The Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles are still new to the Kansas City Catholic community, invited by Bishop Robert W. Finn in 2006. A traditional monastic community of women who desire to emulate the Blessed Virgin Mary by living in quiet seclusion at the Priory of Our Lady of Ephesus, they are a joyful group who sing while at work, at prayer or at play.

Last year the sisters recorded their first CD, “Echoes of Ephesus,” described by the prioress, Mother Therese McNamara, as a window into the life of the community. “People didn’t know about us,” she said. “But since that CD, they’ve been bringing us their prayer requests, for priests and for vocations, and priests have been coming to us for retreats.”

The sisters recently broke ground for a new monastery near Gower, Missouri. The proceeds from the Christmas CD will go toward that building plan.

http://www.benedictinesofmary.org/page-musicalrecordings.html

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Memorial of the Presentation of Mary

November 21 is the Feast of the Presentation of Mary.

"Sacred Scripture contains no text concerning the event commemorated in today's liturgy. For something of a historical background one may consult the apocryphal works, particularly the Protoevangel of St. James (ch. 4:1ff). After an angel had revealed her pregnancy, Anna is said to have vowed her future child Mary to the Lord. Soon after birth the infant was brought to the sacred precincts at which only the best of Israel's daughters were admitted. At the age of three she was transferred to the temple proper (7:2). According to legend, here she was reared like a dove and received her nourishment from the hand of an angel (8:1).

"In the East, where the feast, celebrated since the eighth century, is kept as a public holiday, it bears the name, 'The Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple'. It was introduced at Rome by a Cypriotic legate to the papal court of Avignon in 1371. In 1472, Sixtus IV extended its observance to the whole Church. Abolished by Pius V, it was reintroduced some years later (1585)."

Group calls for reform of CCHD to address scandal as annual collection nears

This coming weekend, Nov. 21-22, Parishes in the U.S. will be taking a 2nd collection for the CCHD. Recently, it has been reported that CCHD has been providing funds to several groups that oppose the Catholic Church and/or its teachings. Before you contribute, please consider the following:


The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is highlighting its projects as the annual CCHD collection approaches. One Catholic coalition, citing several controversial grants to groups which opposed Church teaching, has called for reform of the campaign.

CCHD funding in 2008 involved 776 Catholic parishes, 18 Catholic Charities agencies and 51 religious communities, a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) press release reports.

The CCHD said its programs empower “poor and marginalized people” to seek solutions to local problems and to improve their lives and neighborhoods. Its economic development initiatives include help for poor and low-income people to develop new business, to create new jobs and to develop family and community-owned assets.

The Campaign also educates Catholics about poverty and the faithful response to it. The CCHD also says it helps them interact with those affected by poverty.

http://www.reformcchdnow.com/
Print a coupon for this 2nd collection here


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Senate health vote set for Saturday night

ACTION NEEDED: Contact Your Senators!

This is insanity. None of them have even read, or plan to read, this 2,074 page bill that will put us trillions in debt. And they're ramming it through as quickly as possible.

Senate Democrats have cleared the way for a Saturday night vote to begin the healthcare debate, a Democratic aide said.


Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) has agreed to relent on his demand for Senate clerks to read aloud the 2,074-page bill and allow the chamber to take a critical test vote, said the aide. Reading the bill on the Senate floor was estimated to take as many as 30 hours or longer, raising the possibility of the Senate staying in session into next week.

The agreement to dispense with time-consuming procedural hurdles means that lawmakers will be able to catch flights back to their home states later in the evening on Saturday or early the next morning. This comes as welcome news for aides and other congressional workers who wrestled with the prospect of the Senate extending its session until Tuesday or Wednesday.



The Senate will vote at 8 pm Saturday to cut off debate on a motion to proceed to the healthcare reform bill. If 60 senators support the motion, the chamber would automatically adopt the motion to proceed to the bill and then depart. The Senate would begin amending the bill after the Thanksgiving recess.


You can contact your Senators easily through one of these websites, or through the capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/

http://www.usccb.org/action

http://www.senate.gov/

Vatican sinks teeth into vampire film Twilight

The Vatican has condemned The Twilight Saga: New Moon, a Hollywood teen film about vampires and werewolves, as “dangerous” and morally empty.




New Moon is the long-awaited sequel to the highly successful Twilight film of last year, and opens in Britain today.

It tells the story of a vampire who breaks the heart of a high school student, Bella (Kristen Stewart). She finds solace with her werewolf friend, before travelling to Italy to pursue the vampire (Robert Pattinson).

The film, above, contained “an explosive mix” of good-looking protagonists dabbling in the supernatural, said Monsignor Franco Perazzolo of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture. The film’s occult imagery represented a “moral void more dangerous than any deviant message”, he said.

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Unprecedented coalition of religious leaders call Americans to stand for sanctity of life, marriage, and religious freedom

An unprecedented coalition of prominent Christian clergy, ministry leaders, and scholars has crafted a 4,700-word declaration addressing the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty. The declaration issues “a clarion call” to Christians to adhere to their convictions and informs civil authorities that the signers will not “under any circumstance” abandon their Christian consciences.

The statement, called “the Manhattan Declaration,” has been signed by more than 125 Catholic, Evangelical Christian, and Orthodox leaders, and will be made fully public at a noon press conference in the National Press Club in Washington DC on Friday.

“We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right—and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation—to speak and act in defense of these truths. We pledge to each other, and to our fellow believers, that no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence,” the statement says.


http://www.manhattandeclaration.org/

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Michigan 'doctor' charged with forcing abortion on teenager

I don't even consider Hodari a doctor. Dctors are supposed to heal people, not kill babies and injure women.

A lawsuit has been filed against Michigan abortionist Abraham Alberto Hodari, alleging that he forced an abortion on an 18-year old woman.

Judy Climer, President of Flint Right for Life explained to CNA that she recently noticed a “for sale” sign at Hodari's clinic in Flint, Michigan. Suspicious as to why the abortion clinic was for sale, Climer went to the Court House for further research and there found the 18-year old's complaint.

Climer passed the complaint on to pro-life organization Operation Rescue who has since posted it online.

The woman, Caitlin Bruce, filed a lawsuit against Hodari over the incident that took place in April 2008, claiming that Hodari and his assistant performed an abortion on her against her will. Bruce allegedly sought an abortion at Hodari's clinic but changed her mind before the procedure began.

When she notified Hodari that she no longer wanted the abortion, Bruce claims that Hodari and his assistant forcibly restrained her, covered her mouth to muffle her and continued with the procedure.

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St. Felix of Valois

The Saint of the Day for November 20 is St. Felix of Valois

Felix, born in 1127, and John of Matha founded the Order of Trinitarians for liberating captured Christians from Saracen slavery. He belonged to the royal family of Valois. The breviary recounts several marvelous events from his life. As a boy he frequently gave away his clothes to clothe the naked. He pleaded for the life of a murderer condemned to death and foretold that he would reform and lead a highly edifying life-which prophecy proved true. With St. John of Matha he journeyed to Rome at the bidding of an angel and requested permission from Pope Innocent III to found a religious Order (1198). During holy Mass the Pope was granted a revelation regarding the proposed foundation; an angel appeared to him clothed in white with a red and blue cross. At Innocent's bidding the Order took the name of the Blessed Trinity.

In the newly-founded monastery at Cerfroi, Felix was favored with a visit by the Blessed Virgin. During the night preceding the feast of Mary's Nativity all the brethren slept through Matins by a special divine dispensation. Felix alone appeared at choir, where he found the Blessed Virgin clothed in the habit of the Trinitarians, accompanied by a great throng of angels similarly dressed. United with them, with Mary as choir leader, Felix recited the Office as usual. When he was about to leave the earthly choirs to join those of heaven, an angel foretold to him the day of his departure; he admonished his brethren to persevere in love toward captives and the poor, and died on November 4, 1212, mature in age and merit.

The Bow

h/t Laura

Disturbing Picture of the Day

I can understand why some parishes are not distributing the precious blood during the h1n1 outbreak, but this communion dispenser is completely ridiculous and unnecessary, not to mention offensive.

h/t Crescat found this at the Stained Glass Buffalo.

A Foreshadowing of Healthcare Rationing

I was appalled when I heard this panel suggest that women wait until 50 to have a mammogram. It is well-known that mammograms are the best way for early detection of breast cancer. The good news is that Sebelius is quickly backtracking on this ridiculous advice. The bad news is that Obamacare would implement it as policy.

You've heard about those changing guidelines on breast cancer screening issued by a government advisory panel? Never mind, said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday.

Amid an outcry from confused, angry women and physicians -- even the American Cancer Society objected to the changes -- Sebelius issued a statement Wednesday basically telling women to ignore what the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force had said. The USPSTF advises HHS, and its members are appointed by HHS.

“There is no question that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations have caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country," Sebelius said on Wednesday. She said she wanted to address that confusion "head-on."

"The U.S. Preventive Task Force is an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations. They do not set federal policy and they don’t determine what services are covered by the federal government.

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Two Bishops we should Question

Effort to stop new liturgical translations at USCCB meeting fails

On Tuesday, a motion from Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, Penn. to reject liturgical translations proposed by the Vatican (Who is Trautman to reject a Vatican proposal? Didn't he take a vow of obedience when he was ordained?) failed to garner sufficient votes from the U.S. bishops. The prelates went on to approve the new liturgical texts which will be implemented in the U.S. beginning in 2010.

Bishop Trautman, who has headed the bishops' liturgy committee in the past and is a strong supporter of gender-neutral translations, tried to stop the vote on the new liturgical texts by arguing that handing the translation of antiphons for the Psalms to the Congregation for Divine Worship at the Vatican was in violation of Church laws


CCHD Head Calls Critics "Outrageous," but Makes Vague Admission of Need for Reform

A US Catholic bishop who has oversight of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), on Tuesday blasted what he said were "outrageous" allegations that the bishops' charitable-arm funds pro-abortion and anti-family organizations. He charged that some such claims were motivated by "ideological or political agendas." He must mean the 'agenda' to NOT fund groups who oppose Catholic teachings. Nevertheless, Bishop Roger Morin of Biloxi, Mississippi admitted that the CCHD needs reform and that developments are underway for the charity's overall renewal.

CCHD is the subject of an independent and ongoing investigation by several Catholic groups that have exposed it for having contracted projects with some groups that are involved with or who have signed onto efforts, activities, or mission statements that conflict with the Catholic Church's defense of the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family. CCHD has already defunded two of those groups, but further investigations are continuing to reveal numerous other problematic groups.

St. Raphael Kalinowski

The Saint of the Day for November 19 is St. Raphael Kalinowski.

Saint Rapahel was born in 1835 as Joseph, son of Andrew and Josepha Kalinowski in present day Lithuania. Saint Raphael felt a call to the priesthood early in his life, but decided to complete his education. He studied zoology, chemistry, agriculture, and apiculture at the Institute of Agronomy in Hory Horki, Russia, and at the Academy of Military Engineering in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Saint Raphael became a Lieutenant in the Russian Military Engineering Corps in 1857. During his post he was responsible for the planning and supervised the construction of the railway between Kursk and Odessa. He was promoted to captain in 1862 and stationed in Brest-Litovsk. In Bret-Litovsk he started, taught, and covered all the costs of a Sunday school, accepting anyone interested.

In 1863 he supported the Polish insurrection. He resigned from the Russian army and became the rebellion's minister of war for the Vilna region. He only took the commission with the understanding that he would never hand out a death sentence nor execute a prisoner. He was soon arrested by Russian authorities and in June of 1864 he was condemned to death for his part in the revolt. Fearing they would be creating a political martyr, they commuted his sentence to ten years of forced labour in the Siberian salt mines. Part of his sentence was spent in Irkutsk where his relics have been moved to sanctify the new cathedral.

Upon his release in 1873, he was exiled from his home region in Lithuania. He moved to Paris, France, and worked as a tutor for three years. In 1877 he finally answered the long-heard call to the religious life, and joined the Carmelite Order at Graz, Austria, taking the name Raphael. He studied theology in Hungary and then joined the Carmelite house in Czama, Poland. He was ordained on January 15, 1882.

Saint Raphael worked to restore the Discalced Carmelites to Poland, and for church unity. He founded a convent at Wadowice, Poland in 1889 and worked with Blessed Alphonsus Mary Marurek. He was a noted spiritural director for both Catholics and Orthodox. He was considered an enthusiastic parish priest and spent countless hours with his parishioners in the confessional. Saint Raphael died in 1907 and was cannonized by Pope John Paul II in 1991.

CNN Poll: 61% Oppose Tax-Funded Abortions, 63% Oppose All or Most Abortions

The libs and the pro-aborts try to convince you that everyone is pro-abort. Just another lie to defend killing babies. The problem is that they are also convincing some people that abortion isn't in Obamacare, when it is.

As Congress remains embroiled in a massive debate over whether to force Americans to pay for abortions through the new government-run health care programs, a new CNN poll finds 61 percent oppose government funding abortions with public dollars.

The poll found six in ten Americans favor a ban on using federal funds for abortions, such as the Stupak amendment recently added to the health care bill in the House.

The new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released today shows 61 percent oppose taxpayer funding of abortions while just 37 percent are supportive.

The CNN poll goes further and finds that a majority of Americans, by a 51 to 45 percent margin, believe women should be required to use their own money to pay for abortions even if they have private health insurance and no government money is involved. They did not think health insurance should pay for abortions.

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USCCB Update

Here's an update on some of the documents coming out of the USCCB meeting this week in Baltimore.



US bishops issue pastoral letter on marriage, condemn contraception, homosexual unions

The bishops of the United States have issued a 60-page pastoral letter on marriage that offers an overview of Catholic teaching on the sacrament while addressing the challenges posed by contraception, same-sex unions, divorce, and cohabitation.

The draft of the document, which earned praise from pro-life and pro-family leaders, underwent nearly 100 changes before it was approved by a 180-45 margin. For example, in the section on contraception-- which cites Humanae Vitae seven times-- the sentence “this is an intrinsically evil action” was changed and expanded to:

This is objectively wrong in and of itself and is essentially opposed to God’s plan for marriage and proper human development. It makes the act of intercourse signify, or speak, something less than the unreserved self-gift intended in the marriage promises.


US bishops approve new directive on nutrition, hydration and ‘vegetative state’

By a 219-4 margin, the bishops of the United States have voted to revise their “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” to reflect the language of a 2004 address by Pope John Paul II and a 2007 document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “As a general rule, there is an obligation to provide patients with food and water, including medically assisted nutrition and hydration for those who cannot take food orally,” according to the revised directive. “This obligation extends to patients in chronic conditions (e.g., the 'persistent vegetative state') who can reasonably be expected to live indefinitely if given such care.”


US bishops approve document on reproductive technologies, embryo adoption

The bishops of the United States have approved a 16-page document on moral issues associated with reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization, cloning, and embryo adoption. The document faithfully reflects the content of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s 2008 instruction Dignitas Personae but uses simpler language.


US Approval of New Missal Translation Completed

The U.S. bishops' conference completed its approval of the final portions of the new translation of the Roman Missal for use in its country. It now awaits the Vatican's confirmation.

The vote took place today at the conference's fall general assembly, which is under way in Baltimore through Thursday.

Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, New Jersey, chairman of the Committee on Divine Worship, explained today before the vote that this was the conference's last chance to send its recommendations to the Holy See. The Vatican has asked for the submission of all input by the end of this month.

New Jobs?

UN: Fight climate change with free condoms

The UN is pretty impotent in matters of world affairs and global conflicts, but they sure know how to promote abortion and contraception. They are also going waaay overboard with this global warming and overpopulation nonsense. Combined with their support of countries using forced abortions, they have evolved into a real anti-life organization.

The battle against global warming could be helped if the world slowed population growth by making free condoms and family planning advice more widely available, the U.N. Population Fund said Wednesday.

The agency did not recommend countries set limits on how many children people should have, but said: "Women with access to reproductive health services ... have lower fertility rates that contribute to slower growth in greenhouse gas emissions."

"As the growth of population, economies and consumption outpaces the Earth's capacity to adjust, climate change could become much more extreme and conceivably catastrophic," the report said.

The world's population will likely rise from the current 6.7 billion to 9.2 billion in 2050, with most of the growth in less developed regions, according to a 2006 report by the United Nations.

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Experts doubt U.N. Population Fund’s claim that population control will help fight climate change

Optional Memorials of the Dedication of the Churches of Peter and Paul, and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

The Saint of the Day for November 18 is St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.

The whole Church celebrates today the dedication of the two great Roman basilicas of St. Peter at the Vatican and of St. Paul-outside-the-Walls. The basilica of St. Peter stands on the site of the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, where stood Nero's circus. It was here that St. Peter was executed. Recent excavations have shown that the present basilica which, in the seventeenth century replaced the ancient Constantinian basilica, was built over the tomb of St. Peter, just as the previous basilica. It was consecrated by Urban VIII on November 18, 1626. St. Paul-outside-the-Walls, situated at the other end of the city on the Ostian Way, is built near the place St. Paul was martyred. It was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1823 and was rebuilt in sumptuous fashion by Gregory XVI and Pius IX and consecrated by the latter on December 10, 1854. The celebration of the anniversary of these two dedications has been kept, nevertheless, on November 18.

St. Rose was born in Grenoble, France in 1769, and became a Visitation nun during the French Revolution. After her convent was closed during the reign of terror, she joined the Society of the Sacred Heart. She was sent to the Louisiana territory as a missionary and founded a boarding school for daughters of pioneers near St. Louis and opened the first free school west of Missouri. She also began a school for Indians. She died in 1882 in St. Charles, Missouri, and was canonized in 1988.

Stupak: If Obama Removes Abortion Funding Ban, Health Care Dies

It looks like Stupak is not ready to concede to the pro-aborts. He may or may not win, but he's putting up a good fight.

Congressman Bart Stupak, whose amendment to ban abortion funding from the House health care bill, has seen President Barack Obama's call and raised him. He says if Obama makes good on his threat to remove the ban in conference committee that he will effectively kill the health care bill.

Stupak is commenting on a claim by White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod that Obama would intervene to remove the abortion funding ban.

"They're not going to take it out. If they do, health care will not move forward," Stupak told Fox News today.

"We won fair and square. ... That's why Mr. Axelrod's not a legislator. He doesn't really know what he's talking about," Stupak added.

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First step taken toward beatification of John Paul II, says Vatican analyst

Vatican analyst Andrea Tornielli reported this week that the first step toward the beatification of John Paul II has already been completed. He explained that officials at the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints have given the green light for the proclamation of the late Pope's heroic virtue.

Tornielli added that only the signature of Pope Benedict XVI is needed for the proclamation to become official, noting that it “could come during Christmas, when the prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, Archbishop Angelo Amato, will include it in cardinals’ agenda.” Once the decree is signed, he said, Pope Wojtyla will be given the title of “venerable.”

“Once the decree is officially promulgated,” Tornielli continued, a miracle will then need to be attributed to the intercession of John Paul II.

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