Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Urges Canada to Promote Abortion at G8 Mtg

I find it both ironic and hypocritical that radical pro-aborts like Obama and Clinton call themselves "pro-choice", but attack those who Choose" to be pro-life or "choose" to not promote abortion.  Isn't that what "choice" is?

After signing bills over the last two weeks that promote taxpayer funded abortions in a national health care program, the Obama administration is taking its promotion of abortion abroad. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attacked Canada's Prime Minster for not promoting abortion at an upcoming conference.

At issue is the decision by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is promoting better maternal mortality as its signature initiative at the upcoming G8 summit Canada is hosting in June.

Harper was initially reluctant to include contraception in the centerpiece plan Canada is advocating, but he has ruled out including abortion.

That met with opposition from Clinton, a longtime abortion advocate and the top international official in the administration of pro-abortion President Barack Obama.

story

Gonzaga University upholds ban on controversial play

WOW...A Catholic university actually upholding Catholic teachings.  KUDO's to them!

The Cardinal Newman Society reported on March 30 that Gonzaga University is upholding its ban on the controversial play “The Vagina Monologues” being performed at the Washington school.

Gonzaga University's interim president, Dr. Thayne McCulloh, decided on March 19 to uphold the 2002 ban of the Monologues when students led by a faculty sponsor from the school's Women's and Gender Studies proposed bringing the play to the Spokane campus this year.

“As many Catholic colleges and universities work to renew and strengthen their Catholic identity, your decision not to reverse Gonzaga’s policy reassures Catholic families that Gonzaga continues on that path,” wrote Cardinal Newman Society president Patrick J. Reilly to Dr. McCulloh. “Thank you!”

In 2002, then-president of Gonzaga Fr. Robert Spritzer banned the Monologues along with the school's Board of Trustees who supported the priest's decision after taking a vote on the issue. In a press release on Tuesday, the Cardinal Newman Society called the play “vulgar” and said that it positively describes lesbian activity, and ultimately reduces “sexuality to selfish pleasure.”

story

Remembering Terri Schiavo

From Terrisfight.org

Five Years Ago Today, Terri Schiavo Dies After Almost Two Weeks Without Food or Water

Five years ago today Terri Schiavo died. By the order of Judge George W. Greer, Terri died a slow barbaric death by starvation and dehydration over a period of almost two weeks. We have been posting stories of the events that occurred on each of those days not only in respect for Terri's memory, but a reminder that in this moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world.

http://www.theschiavostory.com/

video: What A Difference A Year Makes!

Bishops Defend the Pope against Bogus Allegations

UPDATE: On Tuesday, March 30, Catholic League President Bill Donohue will appear on CNN’s “Larry King Live” to discuss the pope and his handling of recent allegations.

The show airs at 9 pm ET.

Canadian bishop defends Pope, criticizes Archbishop Weakland, New York Times

Denouncing “attempts to personally embroil Benedict XVI in the sex abuse scandals,” Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary has written a pastoral letter in which he criticizes the inaccurate reporting of The New York Times and notes that retired Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milwaukee “did nothing” about the notorious Father Lawrence Murphy between 1977 and 1996.

Pope Benedict being 'scourged at the pillar,' says New York archbishop

In remarks following Palm Sunday Mass, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York urged Catholics “to express our love and solidarity” for Pope Benedict, who, given the recent media onslaught over sex abuse allegations, is “now suffering some of the same unjust accusations, shouts of the mob, and scourging at the pillar, as did Jesus.”

Following the March 28 Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral, the prelate began his brief statement by stating that the “somberness of Holy Week is intensified for Catholics this year” as the “recent tidal wave of headlines about abuse of minors by some few priests, this time in Ireland, Germany, and a re-run of an old story from Wisconsin, has knocked us to our knees once again.”

Canonical judge in Milwaukee case corrects the record, rips Times reporting

The priest who presided over the canonical trial of the late Father Lawrence Murphy-- the priest whose case has prompted heavy media criticism of Pope Benedict XVI-- has written a devastating critique of the New York Times account of that case.

Father Thomas Brundage, judicial vicar for the Milwaukee archdiocese at the time of the Murphy trial, reveals that, contrary to the Times report, that canonical trial was never halted-- by the Vatican or by the archdiocese-- and Father Murphy was a defendant at the time of his death.

U.S. bishops profoundly grateful for Pope's work in combating sexual abuse

Italian bishops back Pope, deplore media attacks

St. John Climacus

The Saint of the Day for March 30 is St. John Climacus.

St. John Climacus was born around the year 525 in Palestine. As a youth, he excelled in his studies and was highly regarded by his peers for his knowledge. At the age of sixteen, John decided to leave the world and retired to a hermitage near the base of Mount Sinai. For the next four years, John spent his time in prayer, fasting, meditation and discernment in preparing to take solemn vows to the religious life. Through the direction of Martyrius John curbed his vices and worked to perfect his virtues.

After professing his solemn vows, John began to spend more of his time studying scriptures and the early fathers of the Church. He became very knowledgeable in these subjects but his humility caused him to hide his talents and not presume to share them with others. Near the end of his life, he was encouraged to share his knowledge with others and wrote the "Climax" also known as "The Ladder of Paradise." This work was a collection of sayings and examples to illustrate how to live the monastic life. From this work, he received the name Climacus, a derivative from the Latin root for climax or ladder.

As John progressed in years and wisdom, many of the religious living on Mount Sinai began to seek his advice in spiritual matters. He freely offered his advice and was highly regarded for his wisdom and holiness. Around the year 600 the abbot of all the religious in the region of Mount Sinai died and John was chosen to replace him. John ruled until his death in 605 and always tried to lead through his own example.

Iowa Town Renames Good Friday to 'Spring Holiday'

A very sad reminder of how secular society has become

One week before the most solemn day in the Christian year, the city of Davenport, Iowa decided to officially axe Good Friday from its municipal calendar, setting off a storm of complaints from Christians and union members whose contracts give them that day off.

One week before the most solemn day in the Christian year, the city of Davenport, Iowa decided to officially axe Good Friday from its municipal calendar, setting off a storm of complaints from religious people and union members whose contracts give them that day off. 

Taking a recommendation by the Davenport Civil Rights Commission to change the holiday's name to something more ecumenical, City Administrator Craig Malin sent a memo to municipal employees announcing Good Friday would officially be known as "Spring Holiday."

"My phone has been ringing off the hook since Saturday," said city council alderman Bill Edmond. "People are genuinely upset because this is nothing but political correctness run amok."

Edmond said the city administrator made the change unilaterally and did not bring it to the council for a vote, a requirement for a change in policy.

story

Judas Today!

Vatican Radio, John Allen defend Pope’s handling of abuse crisis while CDF prefect

 UPDATE: On Monday, March 29, Catholic League President Bill Donohue will appear on CNN Headline News’ “Joy Behar Show” to discuss the pope and his handling of recent allegations. The show airs at 9 pm ET. The show also replays at 12 am ET.

Vatican Radio has taken the extraordinary step of posting a March 26 John Allen column in defense of Pope Benedict’s handling of the clerical abuse crisis while prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Vatican Radio’s action is the latest in a series of responses on the part of the Holy See to recent news reports that seek to link the Pope to the abuse scandal.

Vatican Radio, whose director published his own editorial on the issue, also conducted a ten-minute interview in which Allen criticized journalistic inaccuracy and “sloppiness” and praised Pope Benedict as a “real reformer” in addressing the abuse crisis. Allen said that after 2001, when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was given purview for addressing the clerical abuse scandal, the congregation’s staff became an “Eliot Ness” team in handlings cases.

story

From the Catholic League:
Today's edition of the Times has a news story which says that Ratzinger "did not defrock a priest who molested scores of deaf boys in the United States, despite warnings by American bishops about the danger of failure to act, according to church files." Wrong. Besides the fact that there is no evidence he even knew of the case, his office actually lifted the statute of limitations—the abuse took place in the 50s and 60s—and began an investigation. Murphy died while the inquiry was proceeding.

Vatican intensifies defense of pope on sex abuse decisions

St. Joseph Of Arimathea

The Saint of the Day for March 29 is St. Joseph Of Arimathea.

St. Joseph of Arimathea is a disciple of Jesus Christ who is mentioned several times in the Gospels. He is mentioned in each account of the Passion narrative. After the Passion of the Lord, Joseph, a member of the Jewish council went to Pilate and asked for possession of the body of Jesus. After receiving this permission, Joseph had Jesus laid out in a new nearby tomb, some gospels say that this tomb was cut for Joseph.

The Gospels tell us that Joseph was a just and devout man waiting for the kingdom of God. He followed Jesus' public ministry but feared the repercussions from the other members of the Jewish council and did not openly support Jesus.

Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday

So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass's colt (Jn 12:13-15)!"

Today we commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem for the completion of the Paschal Mystery. In the old calendar before Vatican II, the Church celebrated Passion Sunday two Sundays before Easter, and then Palm Sunday was the beginning of Holy Week. The Church has combined the two to reinforce the solemnity of Holy Week.

The Palm Sunday procession is formed of Christians who, in the "fullness of faith," make their own the gesture of the Jews and endow it with its full significance. Following the Jews' example we proclaim Christ as a Victor... Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. But by our faith we know, as they did not, all that His triumph stands for. He is the Messiah, the Son of David and the Son of God. He is the sign of contradiction, acclaimed by some and reviled by others. Sent into this world to wrest us from sin and the power of Satan, He underwent His Passion, the punishment for our sins, but issues forth triumphant from the tomb, the victor over death, making our peace with God and taking us with Him into the kingdom of His Father in heaven.

St. Rupert

The Saint of the Day for March 27 is St. Rupert

Bishop and missionary, also listed as Robert of Hrodbert.

St Rupert was a member of a noble Frankish family. He was appointed bishop of Worms, Germany, and then dedicated himself to spreading the faith among the Germans. With the patronage of Duke Thedo of Bavaria, he took over the deserted town of luvavum about 697, which was renamed Salzburg, Austria. Rupert founded a church, a monastery, and a school; brought in groups of missionaries; and established a nunnery at Nonnberg with his sister, Eerentrudis, serving as the first abbess. He died at Salzburg and is venerated as the first archbishop of this major diocese in the West. Rupert is revered as the Apostle of Bavaria and Austria.

Restoration Not Reformation!

New York Times Tries To Keep Flame Alive

Bill Donohue addresses the effort by the NY Times to use a half-century old case to attack the Catholic church, and Pope Benedict in particular.  I blogged on this recently.   What the Times, and other anti-Catholics don't understand is that the action of a small percentage (2-4%) of priests  does NOT make all priests guilty.  It also does NOT negate the Truth of Church teaching.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue addresses today's New York Times news story on the pope:

"Pope Was Told Pedophile Priest Would Get Transfer." That's the headline in today's New York Times piece on the pope. Yet the Times offers absolutely no evidence to support this charge. All it says is that his office "was copied on a memo" about the transfer of Peter Hullermann. According to Church officials, the story says the memo was routine and was "unlikely to have landed on the archbishop's desk."

Let's say Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger, now the pope, did in fact learn of the transfer. So what? Wasn't that what he expected to happen? After all, we know from a March 16 Times story that when Ratzinger's subordinates recommended therapy for Hullermann, he approved it. That was the drill of the day: after being treated, the patient (I prefer the term offender) returns to work. It's still the drill of the day in many secular quarters today, particularly in the public schools. A more hard-line approach, obviously, makes more sense, but the therapeutic industry is very powerful.

In other words, there is no real news in today's news story. So why print it? To keep the flame alive. Look for the Times to run another story saying they have proof Ratzinger knew of the transfer. Did they think that after he approved the therapy that Hullermann would be sent to the Gulag?

Yesterday's Times story on the half-century old case concerning Father Lawrence Murphy will be the subject of an op-ed page ad in Tuesday's New York Times. Meanwhile, I am taking advantage of every TV opportunity to set the record straight. The pope is a great man, and the Catholic League is proud to stand by him.

L'Osservatore rips Pope's critics on sex-abuse claims

The Answer!

St. Margaret Of Clitherow

The Saint of the Day for March 26 is St. Margaret Of Clitherow

St. Margaret Clitherow was born at Middleton, England around the year 1555 of a Protestant family. Margaret was known throughout the town for her wit and good looks and in 1571 she married John Clitherow. The marriage bore two children.

Several years after her marriage to John Margaret was introduced to the Catholic Faith and converted. She was a zealous defender of the Faith and harbored fugitive priests in her home. Eventually, Margaret was turned in to the sheriffs and tried for the crime of harboring Catholic priests.

While Margaret was on trial, many efforts were made to encourage her to deny the Faith, but she held firmly. Finally, Margaret was condemned to be pressed to death upon sharp rocks. She was executed on March 25, 1586. Pope Paul VI

Movie Review: The Last Song - PG

warning: possible spoilers

Written by Nicholas Sparks, The Last Song is about a teenager, Ronnie (Miley Cyrus) and her younger brother  spending a summer with their father Steven, who is divorced from their mother.  Ronnie is angry with her father for leaving.  For the first half-hour or so, she is actually hard to watch. While there, Ronnie meets Will, and they start dating.  There are several factors such as her friend and his friends and family, which complicate things.  There are a couple of touching moments: Ronnie and Will spend the night on the beach to protect turtle eggs that haven't hatched, and  Steve and his son make a new stained-glass window for the church.  Steve also writes a song for Ronnie, who hasn't played the piano in years.

My problem with the movie is the characters: most of them are dysfunctional in some way.

It is a wholesome story;  there is no objectionable content or language.  It is also an engaging story, but unfortunately it is overwhelmed by the characters. 

The Last Song opens March 31.  

http://touchstone.movies.go.com/thelastsong/

Pilgrims to Shroud of Turin will see a 'mirror of the Gospel,' Cardinal Poletto says

Cardinal Severino Poletto, custodian of the Holy Shroud and Archbishop of Turin, was in Rome on Thursday morning to officially present plans and progress at a press conference for the Shroud's exposition this spring. He emphasized the "spiritual" benefits that will be provided to pilgrims through their contemplation of the image.

The famous Shroud, which is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus, will be on display in the Cathedral of Turin from April 10 - May 20 of this year. Msgr. Giuseppe Ghiberti, president of the archdiocesan commission on the Shroud, said at the press conference that no research would be done on it during the days of the exposition.

Speaking about how the exposition will be the first in the new millenium and the first since its restoration in 2002, Cardinal Poletto said it must be remembered that the event should not be seen as "religious tourism," but instead, as "a spiritual and pastoral initiative."

story

Book Review: The Shroud Codex by Dr. Jerome Corsi

I received an advance copy of "The Shroud Codex" to review, and  it is one of the best books of the year.

The central character is Fr. Paul Bartholomew, a former physicist who became a priest and  recently died in a car accident and was resuscitated.  Since his accident, Paul has begun to exhibit both the stigmata and other signs of Christ's passion.  He has also begun to resemble Christ, as he appears in the Shroud of Turin.   Paul states that it is all part of God's mission for him.  The Vatican hires Dr. Stephen Castle, a surgeon turned psychiatrist, to determine both the cause and authenticity of Paul's experience.  Castle is an atheist, but the Pope trusts Castle because he helped the Pope while he was still a Cardinal.   Other characters include Archbishop Duncan of New York, Fr. Morelli,who was sent by the Vatican to work with Castle on investigating Fr. Bartholomew, Fr. Bartholomew's sister Anne Cassidy, and Fernando Ferrar, a news reporter covering the story (he wants to be the next Geraldo :)

I very much like the way Dr. Corsi defines his characters; they all have distinct personalities, and a specific role in the story.

Much of the story focuses on the authenticity of the shroud itself, both its history and the specifics of the image on the shroud.   The investigation begins in New York City, and continues at the Vatican in Rome, the CERN in Geneva, and the Chapel of the Shroud itself in Turin.

As the story progressed,  I tried to anticipate the various ways it might end. None turned out to be correct.

There were several  reasons I enjoyed"The Shroud Codex": I have long been very interested in the Shroud of Turin, and I like  mystery, action and drama stories involving the Catholic church. (I also recently reviewed "The Death of a Pope").  I especially appreciate Dr. Corsi's somewhat fast-paced writing style.  I liked the pace at which the story progresses.

An excellent book...I highly recommend!

Pre-order "The Shroud Codex" on Amazon.com.

video: It's Time for the Laity!

Seattle Mom: School Sent My Daughter for Secret Abortion without Telling Me

This is how underhanded the abortion "business" needs to be to operate.

A Seattle mother is furious after learning that her 15-year-old daughter was sent by her school's health center for a secret abortion, reports ABC-affiliate KOMO.

The mother, identified only as “Jill,” says her daughter was given a pregnancy test at Ballard High School's Teen Health Center, which came back positive. Rather than informing the parents, she said, the center gave the girl a pass and put her in a taxi for the abortuary, all during school hours.

"They just told her that if she concealed it from her family, that it would be free of charge and no financial responsibility," Jill said.

She added that she had signed a consent form allowing her daughter to be treated at the health center, thinking it covered issues like earaches, sports physicals, or even contraception, but wasn't aware they would be arranging abortions.

"Nowhere in this paperwork does it mention abortion or facilitating abortion." she said. "Signing this paper makes me feel like my rights were completely stripped away."

story

Stupak Slams Pro-Lifers, Defends Planned Parenthood

I wonder if Stupak's decision was  impacted by the funding he got  for airports in his home state?

Once the beacon of hope for pro-lifers in their fight against the abortion expansion embedded in the Senate health care bill, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) on Tuesday turned around and blasted his pro-life critics, dismissed the Catholic hierarchy as having no control over Catholic legislators, and expressed support for Planned Parenthood and its provision of “health care” in his district.

Stupak and a crucial handful of other House Democrats holding out for an abortion funding ban took the whole country by surprise Sunday by switching sides mere hours before the final health care vote. The switch was made in exchange for an executive order from President Obama purporting to uphold the Hyde amendment abortion funding ban for the legislation – an executive order that pro-lifers have said is essentially meaningless.

In a recent interview with the Washington Times about his health care vote, Stupak defended Planned Parenthood, saying that the clinics in his district do not perform abortions. Interviewer Kerry Picket pressed Stupak on his reasons for not voting for the Pence amendment in 2009, which would have stripped Planned Parenthood of its taxpayer funding under Health and Human Services "family planning" (or Title X) funds.

story

A Billionaire's Pact With God

Warren Buffett did it. Bill Gates did it. Now a little-known billionaire from Britain is doing it too.

Albert Gubay has fulfilled a divine pact he made at the start of his entrepreneurial career and put his business empire, worth around 460 million pounds ($690 million) into a charitable trust.

The 82-year-old British retail entrepreneur made a "deal" with God several decades ago, when he barely had enough capital to get his business ideas off the ground, to share half his fortune with the almighty in return for some divine help with his finances.

Five decades later nearly all of his fortune is going into a trust from which half of all the funds will be spent on projects connected to the Roman Catholic Church. The other half will be given away to whomever the trustees deem appropriate. Gubay, a lifelong Catholic, will keep 10 million pounds ($15 million) to tide him over during his old age.

story 

Clerical abuse reports being exploited to discredit Catholics, Elizabeth Lev charges

A prominent Catholic writer says “selective” and “salacious” reporting of Catholic clergy in the aftermath of clerical sexual abuse scandals is being used to discredit a “powerful moral voice” in public debate. Acknowledging genuine abuse, she says present day anti-clericalism echoes the slanders of pre-Revolutionary France.

That view comes from Elizabeth Lev, an art historian who has written for Inside the Vatican, Sacerdos and First Things magazine. A regular columnist for Zenit, she is also the daughter of former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon.

“While no one denies the wrongdoing and the harm caused by a small minority of priests, their misconduct has been used to undermine the reputations of the overwhelming majority of clergy who live holy quiet lives in their parishes,” Lev writes at Politics Daily.

Lev sees parallels between the “sustained hostile attacks” on Catholic clergy in pre-Revolutionary France and present-day media depictions of the Catholic Church.

After the National Assembly in 1789 diminished the authority of the French King, fierce accusations against the Catholic clergy increased.

story

Terri Schiavo Mocked on FOX's Family Guy

What a sick and cruel thing to do.  

There is NOTHING humorous about a woman being starved to death.

Fox aired a prime time episode of The Family Guy, which featured a satire about Terri Schiavo, the disabled Florida woman who was starved to death by court order in 2005 after a lengthy court battle.

The sketch was titled "Terri Schiavo: The Musical."

In the sketch, Schiavo was mocked and portrayed as being on a number of mechanical life support systems. She is also referred to as a vegetable. The sketch ends with characters calling for pulling the plug.

But, as the Schindler-Shivo Foundation has pointed out, not only is it demeaning to label Schiavo a "vegetable," but she was not even on life support at the time of her death - instead, she simply received her food and water through a tube, since she could not eat normally.

Schiavo died after a court ordered that her feeding tube be removed, in accord with the wishes of her husband, who was living with another woman by the time she died, but against the desires of her family.

Terri's brother, Bobby Schindler stated, in response to the Family Guy episode: "My family was astonished at the cruelty and bigotry towards our beloved sister, and all disabled people that we witnessed in this show. My first thought was how this attempt at satire must have been enormously difficult and painful for my mother.

story

13 States Sue Over Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill, Poll Shows Americans Supportive

- The attorneys general of 13 states immediately filed lawsuits against the pro-abortion health care bill President Barack Obama signed Tuesday morning. They include 12 Republicans and one Democrat, of Louisiana, and a Rasmussen poll finds Americans supportive of their actions.

Just seven minutes after Obama signed the measure into law, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum took the lead and filed the suit for his colleagues in court in Florida.

"The Constitution nowhere authorizes the United States to mandate, either directly or under threat of penalty, that all citizens and legal residents have qualifying health care coverage," the lawsuit says, according to an AP report.

McCollum, who is pro-life, is joined by attorneys general from South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, Utah, Pennsylvania, Alabama, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana.

Some states are looking at other ways of getting out of participating in the pro-abortion health care bill as Virginia and Idaho have passed legislation to do that.

Portions of the bill begin in six months while other provisions don't kick in until 2014, so courts have time to consider the constitutional challenge before the legislation takes effect.

The lawsuits enjoy the support of the American people according to a Rasmussen poll.

story

NOTE: In the video, Cavuto reports that 15 states are suing.

CNA and EWTN launch joint news service

I am very excited about this partnership, because both CNA and EWTN are good sources of news and information, both faithful to Catholic Teaching.

Catholic News Agency is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). The new cooperation involves the sharing of news and resources to bring readers more Catholic news from around the world.

The new venture will be evident on both CNA's website and in the launch of a news website for EWTN, which can be found at www.ewtnnews.com.

President and CEO of EWTN, Michael Warsaw remarked that the “new arrangement” will “greatly expand the news content available on our website ” and “will provide a tremendous service to our global audience.”

“When EWTN first launched our online service in 1996,” he recalled, “the Network was a pioneer in the use of the world wide web to deliver Catholic news and information. This new project with CNA continues that history of using every means of technology to share the faith with people around the globe. “

story

Who's REALLY to blame?

St. Catherine Of Sweden

The Saint of the Day for March 24 is St. Catherine Of Sweden.

St. Catherine was the daughter of St. Bridget of Sweden and Ulfo and was born near the beginning of the fourteenth century. At the age of seven, Catherine was sent to the Abbey at Risburgh by her parents and placed under the care of the abbess to receive an education and to build a foundation for her spiritual life.

At the age of thirteen, Catherine taken from the abbey and given in marriage to Egard, a German nobleman. Upon meeting Egard, Catherine persuaded him to make a mutual vow of perpetual chastity with her. Catherine and Egard dedicated themselves to the service of God and encouraged each other in works of mortification, prayer and charity.

Around the year 1349, after the death of her father, Catherine accompanied her mother on a pilgrimage to Rome to visit the relics of the Roman Martyrs. The two spent several years living in Rome. In 1373 St. Bridget died and Catherine returned to Sweden with her mother's body. Two years later, Catherine returned to Rome to promote the cause for her mother's canonization and to gain approval for a Rule she had written for a group of religious women.

After gaining approval for her rule, Catherine returned to Sweden and became abbess of Vadzstena. Catherine served as abbess of Vadzstena until her death in 1381. During the final twenty-five years of her life, Catherine was known for her austere lifestyle and her practice of making daily use of the Sacrament of Confession. St. Catherine was canonized in 1484

Judas got 30 pieces of Silver....She Gets a Pen

President Obama used 20 pens to sign the health care bill into law. Guess who gets #20? Well, nothing says "dissent" quite like a pro-abort "supposed to be" nun who misleads others into supporting abortion. 

Sr. Keehan receives Presidential pen for supporting health care against Bishops' decision

Sister Carol Kehaan, President of the Catholic Health Association, has been awarded with one of the 20 pens used by President Barak Obama on Tuesday to sign the health care bill.

It is a presidential tradition to give out the pen used to sign the bill to lawmakers and proponents who have played a key role in any piece of major legislation.

“I have got to use every pen, so it’s going to take a long time,” said President Obama during the ceremony held at the White House's East Room.

Sister Kehaan, who strongly supported the controversial health care bill despite the opposition of the US Bishops, was joined in receiving presidential pens by some of the most strongly pro-abortion members of the Congress and the Senate: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; Senator Dick Durbin, majority whip; Max Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee; Senators Tom Harkin and Christopher Dodd; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; James Clyburn, majority whip; George Miller, chairman of the Education committee; Henry Waxman, chairman of Energy and Commerce; Sander Levin, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee; John Dingell; and Charles Rangel, former chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

story

94 Percent!

Planned Parenthood: Pro-Abortion Bill a Victory, Executive Order Meaningless

Even Planned Parenthood admits it...

Planned Parenthood called the pro-abortion health care bill the House approved late Sunday night a victory and applauded the financial windfall it expected to reap as a result. The abortion business also dismissed the executive order President Barack Obama promised Congressman Bart Stupak as harmless.

“For more than a year, Planned Parenthood has worked tirelessly for a health care" bill, its president Cecile Richards said in a statement today. "It's a huge victory for women's health, but our work isn't over yet."

With passage of the legislation, "monumental progress was made toward achieving these goals."

Richard dismissed the executive order, which has been slammed by pro-life groups, as a "a symbolic gesture ... to anti-choice Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), which has diverted attention from the central goal."

story

Optional Memorial of St. Turibio de Mogrovejo

The Saint of the Day for March 23 is St. Turibio de Mogrovejo.

Together with Rose of Lima, Turibio is the first known saint of the New World, serving the Lord in Peru, South America, for twenty-six years.

Born in Spain and educated for the law, he became so brilliant a scholar that he was made professor of law at the University of Salamanca and eventually became chief judge of the Inquisition at Granada. He succeeded too well. But he was not sharp enough a lawyer to prevent a surprising sequence of events.

When the archbishopric of Lima in Spain's Peruvian colony became vacant, it was decided that Turibio was the man needed to fill the post: He was the one person with the strength of character and holiness of spirit to heal the scandals that had infected that area.

He cited all the canons that forbade giving laymen ecclesiastical dignities, but he was overruled. He was ordained priest and bishop and sent to Peru, where he found colonialism at its worst. The Spanish conquerors were guilty of every sort of oppression of the native population. Abuses among the clergy were flagrant, and he devoted his energies (and suffering) to this area first.

He began the long and arduous visitation of an immense archdiocese, studying the language, staying two or three days in each place, often with neither bed nor food. He confessed every morning to his chaplain, and celebrated Mass with intense fervor. Among those to whom he gave the Sacrament of Confirmation was Saint Rose of Lima, and possibly Saint Martin de Porres. After 1590 he had the help of another great missionary, Saint Francis Solanus.

His people, though very poor, were sensitive, dreading to accept public charity from others. Turibio solved the problem by helping them anonymously.

When Turibio undertook the reform of the clergy as well as unjust officials, he naturally suffered opposition. Some tried, in human fashion, to "explain" God's law in such a way as to sanction their accustomed way of life. He answered them in the words of Tertullian, "Christ said, 'I am the truth'; he did not say, 'I am the custom."'

The Vatican on Twitter

The Vatican this weekend opened six Twitter accounts, including one in English.

It’s exciting news for those who have pushed for better use of new media at the Vatican. Interestingly, the Twitter presence was launched the day Pope Benedict published his letter to Irish Catholics on priestly sex abuse. As a result the first nine Vatican tweets were on the sex abuse issue, mainly citing past papal statements.

In the future, we’re promised, Twitter will be used by Vatican Radio and other Vatican media outlets when there’s particularly important news.

The Web addresses for the real Vatican Twitter feeds: http://twitter.com/news_va_en for English, http://twitter.com/news_va_es for Spanish, http://twitter.com/news_va_it for Italian, http://twitter.com/news_va_de for German, http://twitter.com/news_va_fr for French and http://twitter.com/news_va_pt for Portuguese.

story

Who's the Fool?

Is Stupak a fool for thinking Obama's "Executive Order" actually means anything?  Or are we the fools for actually supporting Stupak and hoping we might find a genuine pro-life Democrat?  The answer to both is "yes".  It is clear that Stupak was just posturing all along.

This bill will bankrupt this country, expand abortion and ration health care.

Health Care Bill Passes Congress after Last-Minute Stupak Flip-Flop

On Sunday evening the U.S. Congress voted to approve the Democrats’ pro-abortion health care reform bill in a 219-212 vote.

The bill edged through the House after Rep. Bart Stupak announced earlier this afternoon that he and his fellow group of Democrats who had been holding out for language banning abortion funding, had struck a deal with the White House. That deal involved the promise of an executive order from Obama that Stupak said would uphold the Hyde amendment in health care reform, and prevent abortion funding.

The group of Democrats led by Stupak then promised to throw their weight behind the bill, pushing it past the 216 vote threshold that it needed to become law.

The executive order deal, however, has been unanimously condemned by pro-life advocates, including the National Right to Life Committee and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as woefully inadequate.

Stupak Stripped of 'Defender of Life' Award

Shock: Stupak Shot Down Last-Ditch Attempt to Include Own Abortion Funding Ban

St. Lea

The Saint of the Day for March 22 is St. Lea.

St. Lea was a widow who lived in fourth century Rome and died around the year 384. After the death of her husband, she retired from the world to a monastery and eventually became superior of the community there. Much of the information available concerning the life of St. Lea, who has long been honored in the Roman Martyrology, comes from a letter from St. Jerome to Marcella which compares Lea's life to that of the Counsul Praetextaus. An excerpt of this letter, the twentieth epistle of St. Jerome is found below.

"Who will praise the blessed Lea as she deserves? She renounced painting her face and adorning her head with shining pearls. She exchanged her rich attire for sackcloth, and ceased to command others in order to obey all. She dwelt in a corner with a few bits of furniture; she spent her nights in prayer, and instructed her companions through her example rather than through protests and speeches. And she looked forward to her arrival in heaven in order to receive her recompense for the virtues which she practiced on earth."

"So it is that thence forth she enjoyed perfect happiness. From Abraham's bosom, where she resides with Lazarus, she sees our consul who was once decked out in purple, now vested in a shameful robe, vainly begging for a drop of water to quench his thirst. Although he went up to the capital to the plaudits of the people, and his death occasioned widespread grief, it is futile for the wife to assert that he has gone to heaven and possesses a great mansion there. The fact is that he is plunged into the darkness outside, whereas Lea who was willing to be considered a fool on earth, has been received into the house of the Father, at the wedding feast of the Lamb."

"Hence, I tearfully beg you to refrain from seeking the favors of the world and to renounce all that is carnal. It is impossible to follow both the world and Jesus. Let us live a life of renunciation, for our bodies will soon be dust and nothing else will last any longer."

St Lea´s feast is March 22.

Rep. Stupak Announces He Will Vote Yes on HCR Bill after Executive Order Agreed Upon

Stupak Announces Abortion-Executive Order Deal, Pro-Life Democrats Back Bill

Congressman Bart Stupak, who has been leading a coalition of pro-life Democrats against the pro-abortion Senate health care bill over its abortion funding, announced today he has reached an agreement with the White House for President Barack Obama to issue an executive order nullifying it.

The executive order would reportedly make it so the Stupak amendment, which stopped abortion funding and promotion in the House version, would apply to the final law.

"I'm pleased to announce that we have an agreement -- with the help of the president and the Speaker -- we were able to come up with an agreement to protect the sanctity of life in health care reform," Stupak said.

"Today the president announced he will be signing," the executive order to "keep the principle" against funding of abortion.

Congressional Leaders Spar Over Health Reform

Breakdown: Pelosi's 11th-Hour Pitch for Pro-Life Dem Votes Crumbles

A desperate compromise attempt by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to snatch up the votes of pro-life Democrats led by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) appears to have disintegrated under intense pressure from pro-abortion lobbyists, various sources report Saturday.

The dramatic bid reportedly fell apart one day before the House's final vote on the Senate health care bill scheduled for Sunday.

Capitol Hill sources reported Friday that Stupak was in dialogue with Pelosi over allowing a vote on the Stupak language, which would bar federal funding of abortion after the pattern of the Hyde amendment, in a vote "tie-barred" to the health bill vote.

Stupak seemed to be giving Speaker Pelosi an offer she couldn't refuse: her nail-biting search for 216 votes - the minimum needed for the bill's passage - has so far come up just short, according to various whip counts. Even should she sway all the "undecideds" to her side, she would reportedly have only 214 votes if she is unable to peel any more off the small band of pro-life Democrats held together by Stupak.

Yet, a furious cadre of pro-abortion women descended upon the Speaker's office Friday evening to inform her that as many as 40-55 "yes" votes would jump ship should she abandon the abortion funding embedded in the bill. When the House voted in the Stupak language last year, pro-aborts had reluctantly agreed - but vowed to ensure the language would be removed for a final vote.

story

Movie Review: Alice in Wonderland - PG

At age 19, Alice falls into a hole, ends up in Wonderland and encounters the Mad Hatter,  Cheshire Cat, Tweedledee and Tweedledum and others, most notably the red queen and the white queen.  They are sisters, and the white queen is good.  The red queen is mean, and likes to yell "off with their heads!"  Some are questioning if Alice is the "real Alice".  She is indeed, as she later recalls that she's been there before, when she was younger.  She has a mission, to find a special sword (I don't recall the name) and return  it to the white queen.  The bigger challenge is, Alice must slay the jabowocky, a large dragon-like creature.

To be honest, it has been way too many years since I heard or read the fairytale to judge how faithful this story was to the original,  but my nephews told me it is pretty close :)

Having seen the previews, I had expected Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter to be a wild and  crazy character.  He was indeed strange, but more tame than I expected.   At times, they made him almost a Jesus-like character in the way he sacrificed himself for Alice.

There was a bit more of a plot than I expected.  It clearly is oriented toward a younger audience.  It is very entertaining, and there is no objectionable content.   I would definitely recommend, especially for the kids.

http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/

Is There No Cure For Cancer?

St. Herbert

The Saint of the Day for March 20 is St. Herbert

Hermit of England and friend of St. Cuthbert. A priest, Herbert lived as a recluse on an island in Lake Derwentwater, England. His island became St. Herbert’s in his honor. Herbert had asked to die on the same day as St. Cuthbert, a desire that was granted by God.

Pelosi Prays To St. Joseph To Pass Health Care

I never thought the idea of prayer could make me sick, but Nancy reaches a new low.

Tug of War: 'Do not be Fooled' by Catholic Groups' Health Bill Support, Say Bishops

How ironic. Just when the Bishops are doing the right thing by opposing this abortion-expanding, healthcare-rationing bill, groups of dissenting nuns and "pretend to be" Catholic groups are supporting it.

The Catholic bishops of Denver have sent out an urgent message to members of their flock, warning that Catholic groups that have come out in favor of the abortion-expanding Senate health care legislation are "undermining the leadership of the nation's Catholic bishops" and "sowing confusion among faithful Catholics" in doing so. The statement came just before White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Thursday used the support of such groups as testimony to the bill's good standing with Catholics.

"In the past two days, congressional leaders and the White House have brought tremendous pressure on prolife Democratic members of Congress to support a fatally flawed Senate version of health care reform," states the brief alert signed by Archbishop Charles Chaput and Bishop James Conley.

"Regrettably, groups like Network and the Catholic Health Association have done a grave disservice to the American Catholic community by undermining the leadership of the nation's Catholic bishops, sowing confusion among faithful Catholics, and misleading legislators through their support of the Senate bill," they continue.

"Do not be fooled. Nothing has changed. 

story 

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES and SENATORS!!

WWW.HOUSE.GOV

WWW.SENATE.GOV

CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD: (202) 224-3121.