Movie Review: In Time - PG13

Set in the future, people stop aging at age 25.  To stay alive beyond that, you either earn, inherit or steal more time.  Time becomes currency.  There are time zones set up to separate people who have little time left (the poor) and those who have plenty of time left (the wealthy)

Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) receives a large amount of time from a stranger who is tired of living (he is 105 with a 25 year-old body  and allows his own time to run out).   Because of his windfall, Will is pursued  by a cop (referred to as a timekeeper).

Throughout the story,  time referred to as currency.  A quick example:

Will's mother gets on a bus, and the driver says "that will be two hours"

She says "last week it was one hour"

He says "price has gone up"

Also, someone asks Sylvia "What's your father worth"?  She responds: "eons"

Will tips a waitress and says "keep a week for yourself".

Will and Sylvia are on the run, and are trying to right the wrongs of the system.  They are sort of like Robin Hood, distributing time to those who can't afford it.  There is plenty of action and  some violence. Content warnings include one scene where Sylvia is in her underwear, and some language. 

In addition to being very entertaining, it was very thought-provoking.   I kept thinking if this were real, how many people would get bored after hundreds of years of living and just let their time run out?   As a pro-lifer, the prospect of so many suicides, and poor people running out of time,  would greatly concern me.

Justin Timberlake is excellent in his role.  The ending left it wide open for a sequel, and I definitely hope they make one!

A very cool movie... see it!

http://www.intimemovie.com/

Catholic News Roundup 10-31

Operation Rescue: Medicaid Would Pay $16K to Abort Down Syndrome Baby

 Just another reason to defund Planned Parenthood, and the entire abortion industry. 

The pro-life group Operation Rescue has released a second undercover call it recorded exposing how abortion businesses are using money from Medicaid to pay for late-term abortions.

The first call showed how the Southwestern Women’s Options abortion center in Albuquerque, New Mexico offered information on how Medicaid would cover the $9,000 cost of a late-term abortion. This second call has the same abortion business telling a caller Medicaid would cover the estimated cost of $10,000-$16,000 for an abortion at 30 weeks gestation on an unborn baby diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

The call was placed on October 12 to Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic in Albuquerque that has had issues with sending women to the hospital because of botched abortions.

“I’m pregnant with a Down Syndrome baby,” the caller says. “But I’m 30 weeks now but I have Pregnancy Medicaid. I was just wondering if that would cover the termination at your office?”

“And you live in New Mexico?” the abortion facility worker asks. “And it’s New Mexico Medicaid? That does cover the procedure for you.”

The abortion facility worker continues, “Approximately where are you in the pregnancy?”

“I’m right around 30 weeks,” the caller confirms — and the abortion worker tells her, “It does look like it’ll be a three, possibly four, days um process. That would be something we could start as early as next Tuesday.”

Troy Newman, the president of Operation Rescue, says he is disturbed that taxpayer funds via Medicaid would go towards paying for taking the life of an unborn child with Down Syndrome.

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Movie Review: The Christmas Lodge - G

On a trip to the mountains, Mary  finds herself at the Christmas Lodge, which she had visited as a child.  As Mary and her family help to restore the Lodge to its former beauty, she begins to believe in, and find, true love again.

Family is the center of the story, how family inspires each other and helps each other.  One part that struck me was that Mary went away with her boyfriend, and they got separate rooms!  Unfortunately,  in today's culture, it is often taken for granted that dating = sleeping together, and it was refreshing to see that some people still have values.   I felt that Mary's character was played a bit stiff, but I like the values she personifies.

A very family-oriented Christmas story that is appropriate for all ages.

http://www.christmaslodgethemovie.com/

St. Narcissus

The Saint of the Day for October 29 is St. Narcissus.

St. Narcissus was born towards the end of the first century, and he was almost 80 years old when he made the 30th bishop of Jerusalem.

In 195, he and Theophilus, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, presided over a council of bishops of Palestine held at Caesarea, around Easter; where it was decreed that the feast be kept always on a Sunday, and not continually with the Jewish Passover.

The bishop and historian Eusebius says the following miracle can be attributed to him: One year on Easter-eve the deacons did not have any oil for the lamps in the church, necessary at the solemn divine office that day. Narcissus ordered those who had care of the lamps to bring him some water from the neighboring wells. This being done, he pronounced a devout prayer over the water. Then he bade them pour it into the lamps; which they did. The water was immediately converted into oil, to the great surprise of the faithful. Some of this miraculous oil was kept there as a memorial at the time when Eusebius wrote his history.

The veneration of all good men for this holy bishop, however, could not shelter him from the malice of the wicked. Three incorrigible sinners, fearing his severity in the observance of ecclesiastical discipline, accused him of something terrible. The sinners swore that they were right, adding the following to their testimony: One wished that he might perish by fire, another, that he might be struck with a leprosy, and the third, that he might lose his sight, if what they alleged was not the truth. Their accusations were false, however, and soon, Divine Retribution called upon them. The first was burnt in his house, with his whole family, by an accidental fire in the night; the second was struck with a universal leprosy; and the third, terrified by these examples, confessed the conspiracy and slander, and by the abundance of tears which he continually shed for his sins, lost his sight before his death.

Narcissus either could not stand the shock of the bold calumny, or perhaps he made it an excuse for leaving Jerusalem to spend some time in solitude, which had long been his wish. He spent several years undiscovered in his retreat, where he enjoyed all the happiness and advantage which a close conversation with God can bestow.

The neighboring bishops appointed a new pastor for his church until Narcissus returned. Upon his return, the faithful rejoiced and convinced him to once again undertake the administration of the diocese, which he did. As he reached extreme old age, he made St. Alexander his coadjutor. St. Narcissus continued to serve his flock, and even other churches, by his assiduous prayers and his earnest exhortations to unity and concord, as St. Alexander testifies in his letter to the Arsinoites in Egypt, where he says that Narcisus was at that time about one hundred and sixteen years old. The Roman Martyrology honors his memory on the 29th of October.

Catholic News Roundup 10-28

frivolous Lawsuit Against CUA...for not Accomodating Muslim Faith?

What Nonsense..Get real.

Catholic University of America is being sued by George Washington University professor John Banzhaf because it does not accommodate Muslim religious practices.  Well Duh!  It is a Catholic University!

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments as follows:

John Banzhaf needs to be sued for bringing a frivolous lawsuit. He has no complainants—not a single Muslim at Catholic University has come to him complaining about seeing pictures of the pope or the display of crucifixes in campus buildings. Nor has a single Muslim registered a complaint with the administration of the university. This lawsuit, which follows a recent one filed by Banzhaf against Catholic University for moving towards single-sex dorms, stands not one iota of a chance of ultimately winning. Its purpose is to harass.

When Catholics enroll at Yeshiva University in New York City, they expect to see the Star of David and portraits of Moses. When Protestants enroll at the American Islamic College in Chicago, they expect to see the Crescent and Star. And when Muslims enroll at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., they expect to see crucifixes and portraits of Jesus. Those who attend these private schools and object to such displays need to leave and apply to a community college or a state university.

The impression is being left in the media that Muslim students are behind this assault on the First Amendment. It thus behooves Muslim leaders to denounce this lawsuit immediately. The bigot is Banzhaf, not Muslims.

Sts. Simon and Jude

The Saints of the Day for October 28 are Sts. Simon and Jude

However meagre in details is the history of these glorious apostles, we learn from their brief legend how amply they contributed to this great work of generating sons of God. Without any repose, and even to the shedding of their blood, they "edified the body of Christ"; and the grateful Church thus prays to our Lord today: "O God, through the work of the apostles you have spoken your Word of love, your Son, into our world's deafness. Open our ears to hear; open our hearts to heed; open our will to obey, that we may proclaim the good news with our lives."

St. Simon is represented in art with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom. St. Jude's square points him out as an architect of the house of God. St. Paul called himself by this name; and St. Jude, by his Catholic Epistle, has also a special right to be reckoned among our Lord's principal workmen. But our apostle had another nobility, far surpassing all earthly titles: being nephew, by his father Cleophas or Alpheus, to St. Joseph, and legal cousin to the Man-God, 

Jude was one of those called by their compatriots the brethren of the carpenter's Son. We may gather from St. John's Gospel another precious detail concerning him. In the admirable discourse at the close of the last Supper, our Lord said: "He that loveth Me, shall be loved of My Father: and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him." Then Jude asked Him: "Lord, how is it, that Thou wilt manifest Thyself to us, and not to the world?" And he received from Jesus this reply: "If any one love Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and will make Our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My word. And the word which you have heard is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me."

The churches of St. Peter in Rome and Saint-Sernin at Toulouse dispute the honor of possessing the greater part of their holy remains.

Excerpted from The Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.

Catholic News Roundup 10-27

Planned Parenthood Names Obama Official as Vice-President

No surprise here, for the nation's largest abortionist to strengthen its ties with Barry, the most pro-abort president in history.

The Obama administration is filled with former pro-abortion activists and leaders of groups like NOW and NARAL, but the revolving door between the White House and the abortion industry is now swinging the other way.

A Politico report today indicates the Planned Parenthood abortion business has hired a key White House aide, Dana Singiser, as its new Vice President for Public Policy — a position that will undoubtedly have her representing the abortion giant in relations with members of Congress and the White House.

“Planned Parenthood Federation of America announced that it has named Dana Singiser its Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations. She will join PPFA in early December,” Politico reports. “Singiser currently works in the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs.”

The report indicates Planned Parenthood’s new Vice President was instrumental in pushing Obamacare, which contains no protections preventing taxpayer financing of abortions, through Congress.

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Music Review: "Love All the Way" by Brittany Hargest

"Love All the Way" is Brittany's first solo album after having been with Jump 5.  I'd say she's off to a good start  :)

Some thoughts on specific songs:

Brittany starts the album off with "Critical", which is a stark reminder of the problems our world faces and the need for faith and action to address them.

My favorite is "Miracle", which contrasts how we see ourselves with how God sees us.   We tend to focus on our shortcomings and what's wrong in our lives,  but God sees His perfect creation in us.

 "I believe in You"  has a great beat and professes her faith in, and worship of , God.  This is followed by how when she was looking for a spark, God lit it "Like a Fire" within her

"He Can" is a blend of encouragement and faith that when we can't, He can!

Brittany has employed a consistent style and upbeat tempo  throughout the album which allows her to highlight her extensive vocal abilities.  It was a pleasure listening to, and I look forward to her next work!

http://www.brittanyhargest.com/

Bishop Lori Defends Religious Liberty

Bishop Lori is one of the best  :)

Yesterday, Bridgeport Bishop William C. Lori testified before the House Judiciary Committee on the subject of religious freedom. He is the Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) new “Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty.”

Catholic League president Bill Donohue issued the following remarks today:

USCCB president Archbishop Timothy Dolan made an excellent choice when he selected Bishop Lori for this post. The Bridgeport bishop did not disappoint us yesterday. Indeed, he laid out, in exacting detail, the threats to religious liberty that exist today.

What is most disturbing about the nature of today’s threats is that most stem from government, with the Obama administration leading the way. This is a condition that cannot be tolerated at any level of government, but it is particularly alarming when the federal government amasses its resources against the First Amendment. Because of its wide network of social agencies, the Catholic Church is feeling the pressure more than other religions, making this a critical issue for Catholics across the nation.

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Bishop Lori testifies on threats to religious liberty, urges action

Recommended New York sex ed site offers middleschoolers tips on bestiality, fetishes

WARNING: some readers may find the content of this article (and NYC's sex ed classes) offensive

Sometimes when I read outrageous nonsense like this I can't even fathom what these people are thinking,   or what they want to do to kids.  

And I bet they can't tell us why they are trying to circumvent the parents'  objections.

The recommended curriculum for a mandatory sex education course to be implemented in New York middle and high schools next year directs students to a website that details “safe sex” practices regarding bestiality, coprophagia, and other extreme sexual fetishes.  Why?  Why is NYC encouraging this?

The New York Post reported on Saturday that assignments in a workbook recommended by city education officials included giving middle schoolers “risk cards” to rate the safety of such activities as anal sex, oral sex, and “intercourse using a condom and an oil-based lubricant.”

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended the sex curriculum as necessary to combat the city's STD infections and out-of-wedlock births.

Teens are also told to learn the route from school to the nearest family planning clinic and research its confidentiality policy, or to report on condom brands and features such as lubrication.

But one of the most extreme aspects of the curriculum is its referral to “Go Ask Alice,” a website run by Columbia University that offers comprehensive analysis of sex fetishes and their hygienic pitfalls. 

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St. Frumentius of Ethiopia

The Saint of the Day for October 27 is St. Frumentius of Ethiopia.

St. Frumentius helped bring Christianity to Ethiopia. He was born in Lebanon and was shipwrecked in East Africa while voyaging on the Red Sea. Only he and his brother, Aedeius, survived.

They were taken to the king at Axum, Ethiopia, and became members of the court. When the king died, the two brothers stayed on as part of the queen's court. She permitted them to introduce Christianity to the country, as well as opening up trade between Ethiopia and the west.

Frumentius convinced St. Athanasius to send missionaries from Alexandria. He was later consecrated as the bishop of Ethiopia. He converted many people to Christianity before his death in 380. He is the patron of Ethiopia. His brother, Aedeius, was also canonized.

Catholic News Roundup 10-26

video: Know-it-All!

No one likes a know-it-all, especially someone who knows nothing at all.

Minnesota Catholics Push Marriage Amendment

This is what it's like when a diocese has a good Bishop.  One who not only follows Church teaching, but teaches his flock to do so too. 

Catholic League president Bill Donohue stands with Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt in his support for a state constitutional amendment on marriage:

The reason why Minnesotans will vote next year on the issue of a constitutional amendment affirming marriage, traditionally understood, is due to attempts to reconfigure this ancient social institution. For example, people excluded by nature from procreating are currently demanding the right to marry, winning sympathy in some courts. Catholics are being rallied by Archbishop John Nienstedt to support the marriage amendment partly because some of those on the other side, e.g., “Catholics for Marriage Equality MN,” are falsely promoting themselves as representing an authentic Catholic position.

Critics of the Church’s position on marriage are saying that Archbishop Nienstedt is being “divisive,” and does not represent what Catholics want; others are literally going off the rails.

From the catechism:

1660 The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament (cf. CIC, can. 1055 § 1; cf. GS 48 § 1).

X Factor star gives credit for success to Catholic mom

Great to see people living their Catholic faith, especially following the example of Mother Teresa.

The video is heartbreaking, especially the story of his disability.

Even though he is only 17 years old, Emmanuel Kelly has taken Australia by storm this fall with his X Factor performances. But he says all of his success could not have happened without his Catholic mom, Moira Kelly.

“My hero would have to be my mother. She worked extremely hard to change my life hugely,” Emmanuel told X Factor judges before his first performance in September.

Moira, 47, has given her adult life to helping disadvantaged children around the world, including working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta.

“Moira is very determined, very single-minded and, sometimes, challenging too,” chuckles Margaret Smith, a good friend of Moira’s for over 27 years, who also serves as chief executive of her charity, the Children First Foundation.

“Her Catholic faith has been her driving force to keep going and keep doing all this in New York’s Bronx, Calcutta, the Kalahari, Western Australia and all around the world.”

The Foundation describes its mission as transforming “the lives of children who need us most by giving hope, exceptional care and pathways to a brighter future.” Their “Miracle Smiles” program brings children in need of life-saving or life-changing surgery from the developing world to Australia to receive the care they need.

St. Evaristus

The Saint of the Day for October 26 is St. Evaristus,

The episcopate of Evaristus began in the third year of Emperor Trajan's reign. Sources refer to him as a Greek from Antioch, the son of a Jew named Juda from Bethlehem. The exact length of his reign has been disputed by historians, as have been the authenticity of his letters and decretals; however, early scholars credit Evaristus with dividing Rome into specific parishes and with ordaining fifteen bishops, seven priests, and two deacons. Lack of historical evidence for these acts, though, would make them questionable.

In his first epistle addressed to the bishops of Africa, Evaristus decreed that seven deacons were to monitor a bishop's preaching, to ensure that he did not lapse from the true teachings. Evaristus did not wish to see undue accusations aimed at his bishops, yet reserved solely to the See of Rome the power to terminate any bishop as a result of this indiscretion. His second epistle drew a comparison between the lasting bond of husband and wife and that of a bishop and his diocese. Fragments of certain documents bearing his name have been proved to be forgeries, and therefore the validity of his epistles is doubtful. Evaristus did, however, live long enough to see the beginning of the Antonine dynasty.

According to Church tradition, he died a martyr and was buried near St. Peter on the Vatican Hill, but again, there is no reliable evidence to support this.

Excerpted from The Popes: A Papal History, J.V. Bartlett

Vatican document calls for global authority to regulate markets

 UPDATED WITH VIDEO


There has been much mis-reporting on this document.
 First, this document is from a Vatican Council, NOT the Pope.
Second, this is NOT support for Occupy Wall Street

The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is calling for the creation of a new global authority which it hopes can make economic decisions based of the international common good rather than individual national interest.

The document on the economy, which was unveiled Oct. 24 at a Vatican press conference, was drafted with an eye to contributing to the upcoming G-20 summit, which will focus on the international monetary system and strengthening financial regulations. It aims to “propose a reflection on possible ways forward--in line with the most recent social Magesterium--that are effective and representative at a global level, and which seek the authentic human development of all individuals and peoples,” said Bishop Mario Toso S.D.B., Secretary of the Justice and Peace council, in comments to the media.
The 20-page document is entitled “Towards reforming the international financial and monetary systems in the context of a global public authority.”

The document notes how economic globalization has meant that “between 1900 and 2000 the world population increased almost fourfold and the wealth produced worldwide grew much more rapidly,” while at the same time “the distribution of wealth did not become fairer but in many cases worsened.”

It adds that “today the modern means of communication make these great economic, social and cultural inequalities obvious to everyone, rich and poor alike,” giving rise to international tension and mass migration.

The document then reflects upon the roots of the present global economic crisis, and sets ethical parameters for a sustainable recovery, before concluding with some practical policy considerations.

Historically, it blames three strains of thought for the current crisis: economic liberalism, utilitarianism and technocracy.

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Pepsi shareholders demand company stop using aborted fetal cell lines in flavor research

Why does Pepsi have to use aborted fetal cells?  There must be a better way to test their product.

The pro-life organization Children of God for Life announced today the filing of a shareholder resolution with the Securities and Exchange Commission and PepsiCo, protesting the use of aborted a fetal cell line for the research and development of flavor enhancers for their beverages.

In August 2010, PepsiCo entered into a 4-year agreement with Senomyx for the development of artificial high-potency sweeteners for PepsiCo beverages. Under the contract, PepsiCo is paying $30 million to Senomyx for the research and future royalties on PepsiCo products sold using Senomyx technology.

When the pro-life group wrote both companies requesting they use one of several non-objectionable, viable cell lines listed in their patents, Senomyx did not respond. PepsiCo did reply however, saying that this research, using cell lines derived from aborted babies, would produce “great tasting, lower-calorie beverages.”

Appalled by the response, Children of God for Life launched a boycott, and was joined by over two dozen other pro-life organizations . The boycott now includes supporters from Australia, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Poland and the UK.

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Ukraine gifts a Christmas tree to the Vatican

I can't believe Christmas is only two months away :)

United Way Sent $1.9 Million to Planned Parenthood in 2008

My company has a United Way campaign every year. This is exactly why I choose to not contribute to it.  I will not contribute to any cause (for example, Komen) which might benefit Planned Parenthood or other pro-abortion causes.

Each fall, United Way focuses on fundraising campaigns. Most people encounter these requests for giving through their workplace. The United Way encourages individuals to donate to a variety of local charitable organizations or to the United Way itself.

Each local United Way determines whom they will support through their grant programs and their lists of charitable organizations in the area. While most United Way organizations claim they do not fund programs for abortion services, in truth, some do support Planned Parenthood or other abortion-advocate agencies. The national United Way does fund Planned Parenthood; their website states:

No United Way funds are currently used, or have ever been used to support abortion services.

Several United Way partner agencies provide professional family and individual counseling services that include professional counseling on pregnancy-related problems.

United Way funded programs through Planned Parenthood include community health maintenance, e.g. communicable disease prevention; medical care service; family planning; health education; public awareness services; and family preservation and strengthening services, e.g. counseling and family life education.

Nationally in 2008, local United Ways distributed an estimated $1.9 million to Planned Parenthood agencies.

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Forty Martyrs of England & Wales

The Saints of the Day for October 25 are the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales

These forty were canonised by Pope Paul VI on October 25th, 1970. They are representative of the English and Welsh martyrs of the Reformation who died at various dates between 1535 and 1679. Some 200 of these martyrs had already been declared ‘Blessed’ (i.e. ‘beatified’) by previous Popes. They include:

SS. John Houghton, Robert Lawrence and Augustine Webster, the first martyrs (1535), all priors of different Charterhouses (houses of the Carthusian Order, including the one in London) who, by virtue of the Carthusian vow of silence, refused to speak in their own defense;

St. Cuthbert Mayne, a Devonian, who was the first martyr not to be a member of a religious order. He was ordained priest at the then newly established English College at Douai in Northern France and was put to death at Launceston in 1577;

St. Edmund Campion, the famous Jesuit missionary and theologian who published secretly from Stonor Park, the ancient Catholic country house near Henley-on-Thames, who died in 1581 on the same day as St. Ralph Sherwin, the first martyr to have been trained at the English College in Rome;

St. Richard Gwyn, the first of the Welsh martyrs, a schoolteacher from Llanidloes in Mid-Wales who died at Wrexham in 1584;

St. Margaret Clitherow, the wife of a butcher with a shop in the famous Shambles in York, who allowed her house to be used as a Mass centre, who was sentenced to be crushed to death under a large stone at the Ouse Bridge Tollbooth in the city;

St. Swithun Wells, a teacher from Brambridge in the county of Hampshire who owned a London house at Grays Inn Fields which was also a secret Mass centre (1591);

St. Philip Howard, eldest son of the fourth Duke of Norfolk (himself executed for treason in 1572) who led a dissolute existence and left behind an unhappy wife in Arundel Castle until he was converted by the preaching of St. Edmund Campion, and died in the Tower in 1595;

St. Nicholas Owen, Jesuit lay brother and master carpenter, who constructed many priests’ hiding-holes in houses throughout the country, some of them so cunningly concealed they were not discovered until centuries later (1606).

Under James I and Charles I the purge died down, but did not entirely cease. St. John Southworth, missionary in London, was put to death under Cromwell and is venerated in Westminster Cathedral, and the final martyrs died in the aftermath of the Titus Oates plot in 1679. [SS. John Fisher & Thomas More are not included in this list for they had been canonized in 1935].

Taken from Sacred Heart Parish, Waterloo

Catholic News Roundup 10-24

video: How Is This Gonna Work?

There is a lot of talk about the New Evangelization, but how is it going to work in the day to day life of faithful in the Church?

Media Promotes Left-Wing Panic Over 7 Billion People

As if the Occupy nuts weren't enough, we also have these lunatics...

Halloween is traditionally a night of witches, ghosts, and monsters. But for environmentalists and their media allies, an even bigger scare is coming this Halloween: the birth of Earth’s 7 billionth resident.

On Oct. 31, 2011, world population will reach 7 billion, according to the United Nations. For many people, this milestone is a cause for celebration and a human triumph. But for environmentalists on the radical left, the ever-growing legion of consuming humans is a harbinger of impending doom. The Washington Post cautioned that “ecological distortions are becoming more pronounced and widespread.” Already the media are warning that population could more than double by 2100, according to a new UN report.

The media have long promoted overpopulation panic rampant among prominent voices in the environmentalist movement. James Lovelock, the founder of Gaia theory, fretted over too much economic success: “there are too many [people], doing too well economically and burning too much oil.” American biologist Paul Ehrlich made a series of fantastic predictions, including the claim: “I would take even money that England will not exist in the year 2000.”

(As of 2011, England still exists.) But as recently as 2010, the New York Times quoted Ehrlich as a “population expert.” And the Los Angeles Times favorably interviewed Ehrlich in February 2011.

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Sharia to be basis of Libyan law; men to be permitted 4 wives

 Is Libya going from 'bad' to 'just as 'bad'?

Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, the leader of Libya’s transitional government, has announced that sharia will be the “basic source” of law in post-Qadaffi Libya.

““We are an Islamic country,” Abdul-Jalil said. “We take the Islamic religion as the core of our new government. The constitution will be based on our Islamic religion.”

Wire services reported that Abdul-Jalil announced that the new government would lift “restrictions on the number of wives Libyan men can take.” The Qur’an permits men to have four wives.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Libyan law currently permits a man to take up to four wives, but only with the consent of the first wife and only with proof that he can support more than one wife.

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Herman Cain Backs Human Life Amendment Banning Abortions

In an new interview, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain says he would support a Human Life Amendment to the U.S, Constitution that would ban abortion by protecting unborn children under law.

Cain has advanced the pro-life cause throughout his political career but came under fire this past week when he gave an interview to CNN on Wednesday in which he used typical “pro-choice” language about government not making abortion decisions for women that applied, depending on the listener, to either abortions in the case of rape and incest or abortion policy in general. Either way, pro-life advocates have been disappointed following the comments and they have called on Cain to clarify the comments — which he did in a short message on twitter later in the day saying he is “100% pro-life.”

Cain, later Thursday, released a statement saying he is fully pro-life, saying he will appoint the kind of judges who would be inclined to consider reversing Roe v. Wade, and adding that he opposes taxpayer funding of abortions or the Planned Parenthood abortion business.

He followed that up with a Fox News interview on Friday where he said he repeatedly that he wants abortions to be made illegal.

National Right to Life: Herman Cain is Fully Pro-Life

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St. Anthony Claret

The Saint of the Day for October 24 is St. Anthony Claret.

Anthony was born at Salent in the Diocese of Vich in Catalonia, Spain, in the year in which Napoleon invaded Spain. He was trained for manual labor, since his father was a weaver, but in 1829 he entered the seminary at Vich. Ordained to the priesthood in 1835, he was assigned as pastor in his home parish. Later he went to Rome to work for the Propagation of the Faith. He also entered the novitiate of the Jesuits but had to leave because of ill health, so he returned to Spain and was assigned as pastor of a parish. His apostolate consisted of rural preaching, conferences for the clergy and publications (he wrote more than 150 books). Because of his successful apostolate he aroused the animosity of some of the clergy and as a result he left Catalonia for the Canary Islands (1848). After a year he returned to Catalonia and resumed his preaching apostolate.

In 1849 Anthony gathered together five priests who formed the basis of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (popularly known as Claretians). At the suggestion of the Queen of Spain, Isabella II, Anthony was named archbishop of Santiago, Cuba (1850). For the next seven years he made pastoral visitations, preached against the slavery of the Negroes, and regularized numerous marriages. As a result of his activity he was frequently threatened with death and on one occasion an attempt was actually made on his life. In 1857 he was recalled to Spain as confessor to the queen. In this way he was able to exert some influence in the naming of bishops, set up a center of ecclesiastical studies at the Escorial, and work towards the recognition of religious orders in Spain. In 1869 he was in Rome, preparing for the First Vatican Council. He followed Isabella II into exile and at the insistence of the Spanish ambassador, was placed under house arrest in the Cistercian monastery at Fontfroide, where he died at the age of 63. His remains were ultimately returned to Vich.

Excerpted from Saints of the Roman Calendar by Enzo Lodi

St. Mary Salome

The Saint of the Day for October 22 is St. Mary Salome.

Wife of Zebedee. Mother of Saint John the Apostle, and Saint James the Greater. May have been a cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the "three Marys," the holy women who ministered to Jesus during his earthly ministry, and may have accompanied him on his travels. Witnessed Christ's death on the cross, his entombment, and his resurrection. Mark mentions Salome as one of the women who came to anoint the body of Jesus on the morning of the Resurrection.

Legend says that after the Resurrection she went to Veroli, Italy and spent the rest of her life there spreading the Good News.

Like the Jewish greeting "Shalom" and the Arab "Salaam," Salome is based on an Aramaic word meaning health and peace. It would be hard to think of a more fitting name for a mother.

It is quite probable that Salome was the sister of the Blessed Virgin, and it is certain that she was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James the Greater and John the Evangelist (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). In the Gospel of St. Matthew (20:20ff) it is written: "Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Him with her sons and did Him homage, wishing to ask Him for something. He said to her, 'What do you wish?' She answered Him, 'Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at Your right and the other at Your left, in Your kingdom.'"

Salome was one of the women who followed Jesus and served him (Mark 15:41), witnessed His Crucifixion and death at Calvary (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40), and who brought spices to embalm him on Easter morning (Mark 16:1ff) (Delaney, Encyclopedia).

In art, Mary Salome is shown with her two sainted children (James and John) in her arms. Occasionally Mary Salome is present at the Nativity because there is a legend that the doubting Salome was a midwife, who came, unbelieving, to the stable at Bethlehem and was converted (cf. Jameson, Legends of the Madonna). Sometimes Mary Salome together with Mary Cleophas support the Virgin at the Crucifixion or they are present with Mary Magdalene at the Resurrection.

Catholic News Roundup 10-21

Movie Review: The Mighty Macs - G

In theatres now!  

In Theaters October 21.  Based on a true story.

Cathy Rush becomes the head women's basketball coach at Immaculata College, a small all-girls college run by nuns.  Actually,  the team has no place to practice, hardly any equipment to speak of, and minimal support from the administration.  She gets plenty of support from the nuns....Sister Sunday becomes her assistant coach, and the rest of the nuns become a sort of booster club for the team.  

Cathy eventually pulls it all together and leads the girls' team to three straight national championships.  Since this time, Immaculata has gone coed and become Immaculata University.  (check out the real team's site below  :) 

A real family movie that is both entertaining and inspirational!

Immaculata Women's Basketball

http://www.themightymacs.com/

Under scrutiny, Herman Cain clarifies pro-life position

In recent interviews with the media, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has defined where he stands on abortion, including in cases of rape and medical emergencies.

In an Oct. 20 CNN interview with Piers Morgan, Cain was asked if what he would do if a family member was raped and if he would want that family member to raise the child, Cain said it is "not the government's role or anybody else's role to make that decision."

Cain reacted to the interview in an Oct. 21 statement.

"My answer was focused on the role of the President.  The President has no constitutional authority to order any such action by anyone.  That was the point I was trying to convey.

"I am 100% pro-life, period."

Cain indicated in both the CNN interview and an Oct. 16 appearance on Meet the Press that he opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest. In situations where the mother’s life is at risk, he said he would leave the decision up to the family.

“I do not agree with abortion under any circumstances,” Cain told Meet the Press host David Gregory.

video: El Paso

There is a much bigger struggle developing over the case of the priest from El Paso who was exiled by his bishop for preaching about homosexuality. The struggle is being waged by the faithful who aren't remaining silent.

Saint Ursula and companions

The Saints of the Day for October 21 are Saint Ursula and  companions.

When the pagan Saxons started to invade England in the fourth century, with the intention of destroying the Catholic Faith and the purity of all young English virgins, a great group of English girls, numbering ten friends of Saint Ursula, and each having a thousand companions, - which made their number in all, 11,011 - fled from England to the Continent.  In the year 383, Saint Ursula and her 11,010 companions were all slaughtered for their purity and their Faith.

This great martyrdom occurred in Cologne, at Germany.  A shrine has been erected to them there, containing as may of their bones as could be rescued.  A Religious Order of nuns in the Catholic Church in honor of Saint Ursula was established by Saint Angela Merici in the year 1535. They are known as the Ursulines.

The Order of Ursulines, founded in 1535 by St. Angela de Merici, and especially devoted to the education of young girls, has also helped to spread throughout the world the name and the cult of St. Ursula.

Vatican: Gadhafi's death marks end of 'harsh and oppressive regime'

The Vatican said the death of Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi marked the end of a "harsh and oppressive regime" that was based on power instead of human dignity.

It expressed hope that the bloodshed would end in the North African country, and that the new Libyan government would open a rebuilding phase based on "a spirit of inclusion" and social justice.

The statement was issued by the Vatican press office late Oct. 20, several hours after Gadhafi was reported killed in his coastal hometown of Sirte, where he had been barricaded with loyalist troops. His death came after months of bloody civil strife and NATO airstrikes in support of Libyan rebels.

The Vatican said the Libyan conflict had been "too long and tragic" and should prompt reflection on the "cost of immense human suffering" that accompanies the collapse of systems not founded on respect for human rights.

It encouraged the new Libyan government to try to prevent further violence caused by a spirit of revenge and to begin a program of pacification. The international community, it said, should provide generous aid toward the reconstruction of the country.

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Catholic News Roundup 10-20

Bishop Finn indicted for failure to report priest

Bishop Finn has been good in terms of defending Church teachings, but if he heard of  Fr. Ratigan in December, there is NO excuse for his waiting until May to report him.

Bishop Robert W. Finn and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, which he heads, entered pleas of not guilty to misdemeanor charges of failure to report child abuse.

The charges, brought by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker in relation to the diocese's handling of the case of Father Shawn Ratigan, were acknowledged in an Oct. 14 statement on the diocesan website.

"Bishop Finn denies any criminal wrongdoing and has cooperated at all stages with law enforcement, the grand jury, the prosecutor's office" and the independent commission appointed by the diocese to study the matter, said Gerald Handley, the bishop's attorney. "We will continue our efforts to resolve this matter."

Bishop Finn said in a statement after diocesan attorneys entered the pleas in court that he "will meet these announcements with a steady resolve and a vigorous defense."

The charge against Bishop Finn carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and one year in jail. The diocese faces a fine of up to $5,000.

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Illinois bishop runs Kansas City Marathon for Life

Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois ran the Kansas City Marathon on Saturday to help raise money and awareness for pro-life work.

He finished the 26.2-mile marathon with a time of 4:08:39, placing 531st out of 1,330 finishers.

The race went “very well,” he told CNA Oct. 19. “It’s a little bit hilly out in Kansas City. It was a nice sunny day, and the weather was good.”

The bishop took part in the event with the LIFE Runners team, a national effort which brought together 170 runners from 20 states to run either the half-marathon or the full marathon.

“This is the first time that I’ve run with the LIFE Runners, that was definitely significant,” Bishop Paprocki said. “It was really very inspiring.”

The bishop has run 17 other marathons. He began running in high school because of concern over his family’s history of heart disease.

His Saturday run helped raise $12,500 for a Chicago legal clinic and $3,700 for respect life ministries. His donations will support youth scholarships to the January March for Life in Washington, D.C., multimedia educational resources for diocesan youth in schools and parishes, and internet publicity about post-abortion assistance and healing.

Kansas City Marathon Promo from Diocese of Springfield in IL on Vimeo.

Archbishop Nienstedt calls for marriage-amendment committee in every parish

KUDO's to the good Bishop for supporting Catholic teachings.  I wish we had even more Bishops faithfully leading their flock.

Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis has asked every pastor in the archdiocese to form a committee to garner support for the state marriage amendment that will appear on the ballot in November 2012.

“It is imperative that we marshal our resources to educate the faithful about the Church’s teachings on these matters, and to vigorously organize and support a grass roots effort to get out the vote to support the passage of the amendment,” he said as he asked priests to appoint a committee captain. “This person needs to be committed, energetic, and dedicated.” 

From the catechism:

1660 The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament (cf. CIC, can. 1055 § 1; cf. GS 48 § 1).

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St. Louis, Ft. Worth Bishops make World Series Bet

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson from the Archdiocese of St. Louis has prompted a World Series wager with former Cardinals fan, Bishop Kevin W. Vann from the Diocese of Fort Worth, TX, official home diocese of the Texas Rangers.

Bishop Vann has strong ties to the St. Louis area. He is a Springfield, Illinois native where he grew up watching the Springfield Cardinals, then farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later studied in St. Louis at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary and graduated in 1981. As a former Cardinals fan, Bishop Vann has agreed to a friendly wager on the series with Archbishop Carlson.

If the Cardinals win, Bishop Vann will send a taste of authentic Texas BBQ along with a Stetson cowboy hat. If the Rangers take the pennant, Archbishop Carlson will send a taste of local St. Louis favorites that include toasted ravioli from The Hill, Gus’s pretzels, locally-brewed Schlafly Beer and Fitz’s Root Beer, along with a Cardinals baseball cap to replace the caps Bishop Vann discarded when he moved to Texas.

Adding to the bet and further supporting the charitable mission of the Catholic Church, the winner will also receive a donation for the local Catholic Charities in the amount of $10 for every run scored throughout the series.

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Pope names Archbishop Vigano new nuncio to the US

Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, 70, to be the new nuncio to the United States.

In his most recent position, the Italian archbishop had served for two years as secretary-general of the commission governing Vatican City. He succeeds the late Archbishop Pietro Sambi in Washington.

Just minutes after his assignment was announced Oct. 19, Archbishop Vigano told Catholic News Service he hoped to get to the United States in time for the U.S. bishops' general assembly Nov. 14-16.

The archbishop said being nuncio in the United States is an "important, vast and delicate" task; he said he was grateful to Pope Benedict for entrusting him with the mission and he felt called to renew his "trust in the Lord, who asks me to set out again" to a new country.

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St. Paul of the Cross

The Saint of the Day for October 20 is St. Paul of the Cross.

St. Paul of the Cross was born at Ovada in the Republic of Genoa on January 3, 1694. His infancy and youth were spent in great innocence and piety. He was inspired to found a congregation, having while in ecstasy beheld the habit which he and his companions were to wear. After consulting his director, Bishop Gastinara of Alexandria in Piedmont, he reached the conclusion that God wished him to establish a congregation in honor of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

On November 22, 1720, the Bishop vested him with the habit that had been shown to him in a vision, the same that the Passionists wear at the present time. From that moment the saint applied himself to prepare the Rules of his institute, and in 1721 he went to Rome to obtain the approbation of the Holy See. At first he failed, but finally succeeded when Benedict XIV approved the Rules in 1741 and 1746. Meanwhile St. Paul built his first monastery near Obitello. Some time later he established a larger community at the Church of Sts. John and Paul in Rome.

For 50 years St. Paul remained the indefatigable missionary of Italy. God lavished upon him the greatest gifts in the supernatural order, but he treated himself with the greatest rigor, and believed that he was a useless servant and a great sinner. His saintly death occurred at Rome in the year 1775, at the age of 81. He was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.

Catholic News Roundup 10-19

Book Review: Cooper and Me by Monique and Alexa Peters

This is the Story of a little girl who is nervous about her first day of school.  She can't bring her beloved dog Cooper with her, but she doesn't like going without him.  Fortunately, her mother comes up with a solution that lets her bring a "little Cooper" with her.  Then, she is looking forward to school and making new friends.

Written by Monique Peters and her daughter Alexa, kids will be able to relate to this story:  Many kids are nervous about the first day of school, for various reasons.  This book helps it seem less scary for them.

Children with find it entertaining and encouraging.

http://cooperandme.com/

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Right to Life President: Komen Tied to Abortion Industry

The president of the National Right to Life Committee has penned a new column in which she says the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation is tied to the abortion industry by virtue of its support for Planned Parenthood.

Carol Tobias writes in Legatus, the magazine for Catholic business professionals, that it is natural for Americans to want to help Komen because of the connection most people have to breast cancer, which affects hundreds of thousands of women on an annual basis.

“Almost everyone in America knows a woman who has had breast cancer. Some of those beloved friends and family members may have died from it. So when an organization like Susan G. Komen for the Cure conducts fundraising projects for research, it’s difficult to say no,” Tobias writes. “We’re encouraged to help by buying a certain brand of yogurt or a certain soft drink. Pink ribbons pop up on products everywhere. We can buy items we would normally buy and feel good about helping find a cure.”

But Tobias questions the connection between Komen and Planned Parenthood.

“So if Komen’s mission is to find a cure for breast cancer, why are they giving huge sums of money to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider?” she asks. “According to its Form 990, Komen affiliates gave more than $550,000 to affiliates of Planned Parenthood in 2010. A year earlier, they donated over $731,000. Komen says the grants are used to fund breast exams and mammograms. However, numerous reports confirm that Planned Parenthood doesn’t do mammograms. What Planned Parenthood does do is abortion.”

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