Senator Marco Rubio introduced legislation today to repeal the Obama administration’s mandate requiring healthcare plans to cover abortifacients, contraception and sterilization.
The Catholic community will be delighted to learn of the courage shown by Sen. Marco Rubio in seeking to combat the Obama administration’s unprecedented assault on religious liberty. If the administration were to get its way, Catholic non-profit institutions would be forced to carry healthcare services that the Church deems immoral. What’s at stake is the First Amendment right to religious liberty, and nothing goes to the heart of this civil liberty more than conscience rights.
The Catholic League appreciates the incredible support we are receiving from people of all faiths, as well as from some agnostics and atheists. We pledge to them that we will support our bishops in pursuing every legitimate remedy to this outrageous threat to religious liberty. Sen. Rubio has properly titled his bill the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012.”
No surprise here...we know how much Barry likes abortion
President Barack Obama is adding to his massive pro-abortion record by placing yet another abortion activist on a top federal appeals court — this time a lawyer credited with helping craft the Roe v. Wade decision.
Obama has appointed Andrew Hurwitz to the 9th Circuit Court, the most liberal appeals court in the country based in San Francisco and covering laws approved in western states. Yet, according to the Daily Caller, Hurwitz was instrumental to providing some of the legal framework for Roe, which resulted in 54 million abortions.
In a law review paper published in 2002, Hurwitz takes partial credit for drafting opinions as a law clerk that the Supreme Court would later use to frame its landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.
In 1972 Hurwitz clerked for Connecticut District Court Judge Jon Newman, who authored two abortion case opinions (Abele I and Abele II) that Hurwitz later cited as highly influential for the majority when deciding Roe v. Wade.
Mallory Kane is an operative working for a government security contractor.
After freeing a hostage in a successful operation, she is double-crossed and left for dead by someone in the company. Mallory must figure out a way to stay alive and how to catch whoever betrayed her.
There is plenty of action, but there is a really implausibility created by her beating up people twice her size.
Content warnings are some language and violence. I found it particularly disturbing to watch several scenes where a man is punching a woman half his size.
It was an 'okay' film which did not live up to the expectations set by its previews.
John Bosco was born near Castelnuovo in the archdiocese of Turin, Italy, in 1815. His father died when John was only two years old and it was his mother Margaret who provided him with a good humanistic and Christian education. His early years were financially difficult but at the age of twenty he entered the major seminary, thanks to the financial help received from Louis Guala, founder and rector of the ecclesiastical residence St. Francis of Assisi in Turin. John Bosco was ordained a priest on June 5, 1846, and with the help of John Borel he founded the oratory of St. Francis de Sales.
At this time the city of Turin was on the threshold of the industrial revolution and as a result there were many challenges and problems, especially for young men. Gifted as he was as an educator and a leader, Don Bosco formulated a system of education based on "reason, religion and kindness." In spite of the criticism and violent attacks of the anti-clericals, he conducted workshops for the tradesmen and manual laborers, schools of arts and sciences for young workers, and schools of the liberal arts for those preparing for the priesthood. In 1868 there were 800 students involved in this educational system. To ensure the continuation of his work, Don Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians), which was approved in 1869. Also, with the help of Sister Mary Dominic Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix.
In 1875 a wave of emigration to Latin America began, and this prompted the inauguration of the Salesian missionary apostolate. Don Bosco became a traveller throughout Europe, seeking funds for the missions. Some of the reports referred to him as "the new St. Vincent de Paul." He also found time to write popular catechetical pamphlets, which were distributed throughout Italy, as was his Salesian Bulletin. This great apostle of youth died on January 31, 1888, and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934. Pope John Paul II named him "teacher and father to the young."
— Excerpted from Saints of the Roman Calendar by Enzo Lodi
Indianapolis’ St. John the Evangelist Church is located in the heart of the Super Bowl Village, and the historic Catholic church intends to open its doors to everyone.
“I think it’s a gift that our city is hosting the Super Bowl and that we can be in the heart of it with our Catholic presence,” parish administrator Fr. Rick Nagel told CNA on Jan. 27.
The church is three blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium, the site of the Feb. 5 NFL championship game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.
The Super Bowl Village features four 800-foot zip-lines, the longest temporary lines yet built.
Those zip-lines end right outside St. John the Evangelist, where the church has posted a sign that reads: “If you think the zip-line was a thrill, come on in to meet Jesus.”
The church has incorporated the hugely popular sports event into its “Open Wide the Doors” outreach program, which was set up to minister to visitors to the area.
“We’re opening our doors to evangelize, particularly in a city that’s hosting a major world event,” Fr. Nagel explained.
Representative Smith is correct. Obama lied when he said Obamacare would include a conscience clause. I never believed that Barry meant it. He is making it nearly impossible to provide Catholic healthcare.
Two U.S. Congressmen, one Democrat and one Republican, have urged conservatives in strong terms to immediately fight the Obama mandate forcing religious institutions to provide free abortifacient birth control, calling it a “very, very real” threat to religious freedom. One of the congressmen call the mandate an attempt to push the church out of healthcare.
U.S. Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) told pro-life leaders this week not to underestimate the magnitude of the announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week that religious organizations like hospitals and universities have one year until they must comply with the order to provide the drugs free of copay.
Congressman Chris Smith
Smith said that the order is in line with the Obama administration’s attack on conscience rights to pave way for a future where “abortion will be construed as preventive health care,” and “religious hospitals will be squeezed out.”
Born of a noble family near Viterbo (Italy,) Hyacintha entered a local convent of sisters who followed the Third Order Rule. However, she supplied herself with enough food, clothing and other goods to live a very comfortable life amid these sisters who had pledged to mortification.
At one point in her time there, a serious illness required that Hyacintha’s confessor bring Holy Communion to her room. Upon entering, he was scandalized to see how soft of a life she had provided for herself, so he advised her to live more humbly. After hearing this, Hyacintha then disposed of her fine clothes and special foods. She eventually became very penitential in food and clothing, and was ready to do the most humble work in the convent. She developed a special devotion to the sufferings of Christ and by her penances became an inspiration to the sisters in her convent. She was canonized in 1807.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan's mother Shirley Dolan talks about how proud she is of her son who is scheduled to be elevated to a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on February 18, 2012.
Rick Santorum has canceled some of his Florida campaign events to be with his sick daughter, Bella, who has Edwards Syndrome or Trisomy 18, a chromosomal condition which results in stillbirth 50 percent of the time.
Bella Santorum was admitted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Saturday night because she has pneumonia in both of her lungs, according to campaign aides. The little girl is not on a ventilator. The family has medical equipment they use for their daughter and normally try to keep her out of the hospital if possible due to potential infections.
Although Bella was frequently hospitalized during the first year of her life, her family has been able to care for her at home apart from needed surgeries and she has not spent any significant time in the hospital until late last night.
Today we were praying as usual in front of the abortion clinic when we witnessed a tragic event. A young man tried to stop his girlfriend from killing their baby and when she went into the clinic anyway, he went completely nuts and tried to kill himself. First, he banged his head very hard against a couple of cars, then he swallowed some pills and washed them down with liquor (looked like vodka), then he tried to run into traffic. The clinic is on a busy street, but fortunately one of the pro-life volunteers tacked him before he could do it. The cops and an ambulance were called. First, the cops restrained him.
Then he was placed in an ambulance while the cops looked for whatever pills he dropped when he was tackled.
Not only does abortion kill babies, but it destroys the lives of those touched by it. The only possible positive out of this horror is that 4 police cars and an ambulance completely blocked the entrance to the clinic for a couple of hours on their busiest day :)
St. Thomas ranks among the greatest writers and theologians of all time. His most important work, the Summa Theologiae, an explanation and summary of the entire body of Catholic teaching, has been standard for centuries, even to our own day. At the Council of Trent it was consulted after the Bible.
To a deeply speculative mind, he joined a remarkable life of prayer, a precious memento of which has been left to us in the Office of Corpus Christi. Reputed as great already in life, he nevertheless remained modest, a perfect model of childlike simplicity and goodness. He was mild in word and kind in deed. He believed everyone was as innocent as he himself was. When someone sinned through weakness, Thomas bemoaned the sin as if it were his own. The goodness of his heart shone in his face, no one could look upon him and remain disconsolate. How he suffered with the poor and the needy was most inspiring. Whatever clothing or other items he could give away, he gladly did. He kept nothing superfluous in his efforts to alleviate the needs of others.
After he died his lifelong companion and confessor testified, "I have always known him to be as innocent as a five-year-old child. Never did a carnal temptation soil his soul, never did he consent to a mortal sin." He cherished a most tender devotion to St. Agnes, constantly carrying relics of this virgin martyr on his person. He died in 1274, at the age of fifty, in the abbey of Fossa Nuova. He is the patron saint of schools and of sacred theology.
— Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
I hope the Vikings get their new stadium, but I'm glad the basilica is safe.
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton does not want the Vikings' new football stadium to be built near the Basilica of Saint Mary, where it was seen as a potentially serious threat to parish life.
“We are grateful that Governor Dayton considered our concerns and valued the work we do in making a decision to remove the Linden Avenue and Farmers Market sites from the list of potential sites for the Vikings Stadium,” officials at the basilica said in an online statement.
Church representatives said they “support the Vikings staying in Minnesota” but had “very serious concerns about the impacts of building a stadium and event center so close to the basilica.”
“I understood their concerns, and they were very valid,” Gov. Dayton told the Associated Press on Jan. 25, following his two recent meetings with the basilica's rector Father John Bauer.
The priest reportedly told the governor that the basilica would consider legal action against plans for a stadium in its vicinity, due to concerns over impacts on ministries, parking, and other effects on the historic church.
Dayton now says a new stadium at the location of the Vikings' existing Metrodome is “the only viable option,” if the team is to receive public funding for the project in the 2012 legislative session.
Tim doesn't cite any moral or spiritual reasons for his celibacy, but his frank discussion of the topic does show that it is possible to have a celibate and fulfilling life.
For nearly three decades, Tim Gunn has been celibate.
During an appearance on ABC's The Revolution Tuesday, the 58-year-old Project Runway mentor revealed that he hasn't "had sex in 29 years."
Gunn, an openly gay man, said he doesn't feel like "less of a person" because of his non-existent sex life. "I'm a perfectly fulfilled person," Gunn explained. "But it's very physiological."
The Lifetime star, who is also an expert on The Revolution, fought back tears as he explained that his former partner of six years "was impatient with my sexual performance," prompting him to become abstinent.
Gunn added that he doesn't believe sex is the most important factor in a relationship. "I'm happy to be healthy and alive, frankly," he said.
Planned Parenthood has been whining and complaining about what a tough year 2011 was for them...so how did they afford this? With help from New York's pro-abort Mayor Bloomberg.
The nation’s biggest abortion business has purchased a new building in New York City that will become its national headquarters. New city records reveal Planned Parenthood purchased a commercial condo unit at 424 West 33rd Street for $34.8 million.
According to The Real Deal, a New York City real estate news web site, Planned Parenthood originally signed a 20-year lease for 104,000 square feet of the 200,000-square-foot former industrial building that was converted into an office and condo building in 2002. The building had rented at about $35 per square foot until the abortion business purchased the commercial condo from Vectra Management Group, a real estate firm that had owned the building since 2000.
The web site indicates Planned Parenthood had been considering purchasing the building since it began leasing the space, because an option in its rental contract gave it the option to purchase, legal documents filed with the city show.
“The two parties had originally agreed to draft a sale contract shortly after the lease was signed, but their inability to come to an agreement on the terms of the deal led to seven years of negotiations, followed by legal proceedings, the legal documents said,” according to TRD. “Planned Parenthood left its longtime home at 810 Seventh Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd streets, to relocate to West 33rd Street about 10 years ago.”
Now that planned Parenthood owns the building, it becomes the landlord for other firms located in the complex, including Nestle Waters, technology firm F5 Networks and the John Robert Powers modeling school.
Meanwhile, the city of New York, currently run by aggressively pro-abortion Mayor Michael Bloomberg, provided $15,000,000 in bond funding for Planned Parenthood to renovate the building.
St. Paul was born at Tarsus, Cilicia, of Jewish parents who were descended from the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Roman citizen from birth. As he was "a young man" at the stoning of Stephen and "an old man" when writing to Philemon, about the year 63, he was probably born around the beginning of the Christian era.
To complete his schooling, St. Paul was sent to Jerusalem, where he sat at the feet of the learned Gamaliel and was educated in the strict observance of the ancestral Law. Here he also acquired a good knowledge of exegesis and was trained in the practice of disputation. As a convinced and zealous Pharisee, he returned to Tarsus before the public life of Christ opened in Palestine.
Some time after the death of Our Lord, St. Paul returned to Palestine. His profound conviction made his zeal develop to a religious fanaticism against the infant Church. He took part in the stoning of the first martyr, St. Stephen, and in the fierce persecution of the Christians that followed.
Entrusted with a formal mission from the high priest, he departed for Damascus to arrest the Christians there and bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was nearing Damascus, about noon, a light from heaven suddenly blazed round him. Jesus with His glorified body appeared to him and addressed him, turning him away from his apparently successful career.
An immediate transformation was wrought in the soul of St. Paul. He was suddenly converted to the Christian Faith. He was baptized, changed his name from Saul to Paul, and began travelling and preaching the Faith. He was martyred as an Apostle in Rome around 65 AD.
Yesterday, a half million people marched in the March for Life in Washington D.C., but you'd never know that by the "mainstream" media.
The secular media goes out of its way to make the hundreds of thousands of people attending the March for Life seem like a small group of overzealous demonstrators.
Arthur Murphy, "Murph" (Dean Cain) is the coach of the River Rats, a minor league baseball team. He discovers a great pitcher in Mickey Tussler. Mickey has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey's parents to let him join the team and he really takes Mickey under his wing.
Most of the team is very supportive of Mickey. He also contributes to the team, both in terms of winning and by raising the team spirit and motivation.
A very entertaining, heartwarming and inspirational story. The whole family will enjoy this.
Amazing...In a country where we are supposed to have freedom of religion, we are now in a position where we have to challenge Barry's administration to defend those rights. I am encouraged to see our Bishops leading the battle.
Many church-affiliated institutions will have to cover free birth control for employees, the Obama administration announced Friday in an election-year move that outraged religious groups, fueling a national debate about the reach of government.
In a concession, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said nonprofit institutions such as church-affiliated hospitals, colleges and social service agencies will have one additional year to comply with the requirement, issued in regulations under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
"I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services," Sebelius said in a statement.
Yet the concession was unlikely to stop a determined effort by opponents to block or overturn the rule. If they fail, some predicted that religious employers would simply drop coverage for their workers, opting instead to pay fines to the federal government under the health care law.
"Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience," said New York Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "This shouldn't happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights."
These 'occupy' nuts are pathetic. The sign that one of them is holding says "abortion is a human right". What the....? How can someone defending the killing of babies have the nerve to define human rights? The primary human right is the right to life!
They obviously had NO impact on the March for Life, as I heard this morning that estimates are there were half a million people participating in the March!
The first-ever official March for Life Youth Rally launched with 1,200 attendees last night, featuring many of the most familiar names and faces in the pro-life movement, including March for Life founder Nellie Gray.
Early in the program around 15-20 pro-abortion protestors situated in threes throughout the auditorium stood and began shouting pro-abortion chants, drowning out the speaker at the mic.
Amidst chants of “occupy anti-choice” and “pro-life, that’s a lie, you don’t care if women die,” organizers instructed the youth not to react but to pray as security was called. A couple of angry young men shouted repeatedly “as long as you harass women you will be harassed.”
Click “like” if you want to end abortion!
As the shouting continued and security was delayed, organizers chose to begin the first set of music. The cheers of the massive crowd at the suggestion drowned out the protestors, who were unheard from that point until they were escorted out by security.
Several of the pro-life teens in the room were visibly upset by the disruption.
Speaker after speaker referenced the disruption, calling the pro-life youth to love and pray for the protestors and their conversion. Organizer Jim Nolan told LifeSiteNews that the incident was “a good start to go forward.” He observed that there were well over 1,000 pro-life young people in attendance and only 20 protestors. “That’s what it is in the culture and the movements, they are positive signs,” he said. “Get used to it, this country is pro-life.”
Francis was born on August 21, 1567, and ordained to the priesthood in 1593. From 1594 to 1598 he labored at the difficult and dangerous task of preaching to the Protestants of Chablais and effected the return of some 70,000 souls to the Catholic faith. In 1602 he became bishop of Genf. His zeal for souls is attested in 21,000 extant letters and 4,000 sermons which exemplify how he applied St. Paul's words: "I have become all things to all men." You may epitomize his character in two words, kindliness and lovableness — virtues that were the secret of his success. His writings reflect his kindheartedness and sweet disposition.
Most widely known is the saint's Introduction to the Devout Life, which, with the Imitation of Christ, is rightly considered the finest outline of Christian perfection. Francis' Introduction proves to the world that true piety makes persons amiable, lovable and happy. A renowned and holy friendship existed between him and St. Frances de Chantal. In cooperation with her he founded the Visitation Nuns in 1610. Out of love for his own poor diocese, he refused opportunities for advancement, including the cardinalate. In recognition of the Introduction and his other writings, Francis has been declared a doctor of the Church.
How Francis developed a gentle and amiable disposition is a story in itself; he was not born a saint. By nature his temperament was choleric, fiery; little was needed to throw him into a state of violent anger. It took years before he mastered his impatience, his unruly temper. Even after he became bishop, there were slips, as for instance, when someone rang a bell before he had finished preaching. The important point, of course, is that by constant perseverance he did in time attain perfect self-mastery. Wherein lies a lesson.
KUDO's to John Boehner for not only attending the March for Life, but addressing the March.
House Speaker John Boehner, a pro-life Republican from Ohio, today delivered opening remarks at the 39th March for Life. Boehner is frequently praised for pro-life groups for pushing several pieces of key pro-life legislation and paving the way for the first major votes late year to attempt to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business.
Although Boehner got the Republican-led House to approve various bills and revoke taxpayer funding for the nation’s biggest abortion business, President Barack Obama threatened vetoes and Democrats in the Senate defeated the effort.
If Catholics vote according to Catholic teachings in 2012, hopefully we can avoid a repeat of 2008 and get a more pro-life president.
Dissenting and indifferent Catholics in the voting booth have significantly contributed to putting the most anti-life president ever to occupy the Oval Office into power.
Thousands of people are expected to march on our nation's capital today to protest the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion.
But...you won't see much coverage of this in the mainstream media, because the last thing the liberal media wants you to see is how pro-life Americans really are. There will be young, old, white, black, men and women...all demographic groups will be represented.
If you'd like to listen to or watch all-day coverage of the March, you can do so on EWTN. If you don't have EWTN on your cable or satellite, you can watch or listen online at http://www.ewtn.com/
St. Ildephonsus was the Archbishop of Toledo, and died 23 January, 667. He was born of a distinguished family and was the nephew of St. Eugenius, his predecessor in the See of Toledo. At an early age, despite the determined opposition of his father, he embraced the monastic life in the monastery of Agli, near Toledo. He was ordained a deacon, around the year 630. He was called by King Reccesvinth, near the end of 657 to fill the archiepiscopal throne of Toledo, where he governed the Church of Toledo for just over nine years and was buried in the Basilica of Saint Leocadia.
Ildephonsus had a strong devotion to the Blessd Mother, and it is said that one day he was praying before the relics of Saint Leocadia, when the martyr arose from her tomb and thanked the saint for the devotion he showed towards the Mother of God. It was also related that on another occasion the Blessed Virgin appeared to him in person and presented him with a priestly vestment, to reward him for his zeal in honoring her.
The literary work of Ildephonsus is more widely known than the details of his life, and merits for him a distinguished place in the role of Spanish writers.
The Republican primary election now sees three different winners in three different states as pro-life former Speaker Newt Gingrich captured an overwhelming victory Saturday night in South Carolina.
Returns from 95 percent of the state’s precincts showed Gingrich with 41 percent of the vote to 27 percent for Romney. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum came in third with 17 percent, Texas Rep. Ron Paul came in fourth with 13 percent.
Obama is “the most effective food stamp president in history,” Gingrich said in his victory speech. “I would like to be the best paycheck president in American history.”
Agnes is one of the most glorious saints in the calendar of the Roman Church. The greatest Church Fathers vie with one another in sounding her praise and glory. St. Jerome writes: "All nations, especially their Christian communities, praise in word and writing the life of St. Agnes. She triumphed over her tender age as well as over the merciless tyrant. To the crown of spotless innocence she added the glory of martyrdom."
Our saint's name should be traced to the Greek hagne - the pure, rather than to the Latin agna - lamb. But the Latin derivation prevailed in the early Church. The reason may have been that eight days after her death Agnes appeared to her parents with a train of virgins, and a lamb at her side. St. Augustine knew both derivations. "Agnes", he writes, "means 'lamb' in Latin, but in Greek it denotes 'the pure one'". The Latin interpretation occasioned the yearly blessing of the St. Agnes lambs; it takes place on this day in the Church of which she is patron, and the wool is used in weaving the palliums worn by archbishops and, through privilege, by some bishops. In the church built by the Emperor Constantine over the saint's grave, Pope Gregory the Great preached a number of homilies. Reliable details concerning the life of St. Agnes are very few. The oldest material occurs in St. Ambrose's De Virginibus, parts of which are read today at Matins. The value of the later (definitely unauthentic) "Passion" of the saint is enhanced by the fact that various antiphons and responsories in the Office are derived from it.
From such liturgical sources we may construct the following "life of St. Agnes". One day when Agnes, then thirteen years old, was returning home from school, she happened to meet Symphronius, a son of the city prefect. At once he became passionately attracted to her and tried to win her by precious gifts. Agnes repelled him, saying: "Away from me, food of death, for I have already found another lover" (r. Ant.). "With His ring my Lord Jesus Christ has betrothed me, and He has adorned me with the bridal crown" (3. Ant., Lauds). "My right hand and my neck He has encircled with precious stones, and has given me earrings with priceless pearls; He has decked me with lovely, glittering gems" (2. Ant.). "The Lord has clothed me with a robe of gold, He has adorned me with priceless jewels" (4. Ant.). "Honey and milk have I received from His mouth, and His blood has reddened my cheeks" (5. Ant.). "I love Christ, into whose chamber I shall enter, whose Mother is a virgin, whose Father knows not woman, whose music and melody are sweet to my ears. When I love Him, I remain chaste; when I touch Him, I remain pure; when I possess Him, I remain a virgin" (2. Resp.). "I am betrothed to Him whom the angels serve, whose beauty the sun and moon admire" (9. Ant.). "For Him alone I keep my troth, to Him I surrender with all my heart" (6. Ant.).
Incensed by her rebuff, Symphronius denounced Agnes to his father, the city prefect. When he threatened her with commitment to a house of ill fame, Agnes replied: "At my side I have a protector of my body, an angel of the Lord" (2. Ant., Lauds). "When Agnes entered the house of shame, she found an angel of the Lord ready to protect her" (1. Ant., Lauds). A light enveloped her and blinded all who tried to approach. Then another judge condemned her to the stake because the pagan priests accused her of sorcery.
Surrounded by flames she prayed with outstretched arms: "I beseech You, Father almighty, most worthy of awe and adoration. Through Your most holy Son I escaped the threats of the impious tyrant and passed through Satan's filth with feet unsullied. Behold, I now come to You, whom I have loved, whom I have sought, whom I have always desired." She gave thanks as follows: "O You, the almighty One, who must be adored, worshipped, feared - I praise You because through Your only begotten Son I have escaped the threats of wicked men and have walked through the filth of sin with feet unsullied. I extol You with my lips, and I desire You with all my heart and strength."
After the flames died out, she continued: "I praise You, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, because by Your Son the fire around me was extinguished" (4. Ant., Lauds). And now she longed for union with Christ: "Behold, what I yearned for, I already see; what I hoped for, I already hold in embrace; with Him I am united in heaven whom on earth I loved with all my heart" (Ben. Ant.). Her wish was granted; the judge ordered her beheaded. —The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
This is only one reason we need to make sure Barry is a one termer.
The Obama administration announced Jan. 20 that it will not expand an exemption for religious groups that object to its requirement that health insurance plans cover sterilization and contraception -- including abortion-causing drugs -- free of charge.
Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in a Jan. 20 statement that religious employers who object to providing the coverage will be required to comply with the new law by Aug. 1, 2013, one year later than the initial deadline.
Sebelius noted that “important concerns” had been “raised about religious liberty.”
Those speaking out against the mandate included many Catholic organizations, such as schools, hospitals and social agencies, which serve all people in need, regardless of their religious affiliation.
During the comment period that followed the announcement of the rule, the administration received an outpouring of criticism from believers of various religious backgrounds.
Who would have thought a "blob of tissue" could learn?
Because human life starts well before birth, it is no surprise that human learning starts well before birth. Science is showing us that the 9 months spent inside our mother’s womb is a time we take cues from our mother and her environment. Some of these cues will stay with us for our entire lives.
So if food is abundant in the womb then we fine tune our metabolism for a life of abundance. If food is scarce, we prepare for a life of famine. If life for mom is stressful, then we develop a sensitivity to stress preparing for a stress filled life. Culture is not something that we learn only outside the womb, but inside as well. From the melodies of language to the spices in our mother’s food, the place we are gestated matters.
Which makes me wonder about the confusion of a baby who was carried not by its own mother, but by a surrogate. The baby will certainly prefer the surrogate’s voice no matter how much her genetic mother spoke to her from the outside. And that voice will suddenly disappear.
And what about children who are frozen as embryos and shipped overseas to be carried by a woman half a world away with a strange language and a totally different diet? How much stress and confusion do they feel after birth when suddenly the culture they knew is no longer there.
For babies who are adopted this is the norm of course. But adoption is making the best of a situation that is not ideal. With surrogacy, parents choose to put their child in what must be a very confusing situation.
St. Fabian, a Roman, was as energetic as he was admired and respected. He was able to accomplish a great deal during his long pontificate. Escaping the persecution of Emperor Maximus Thrax, who had been assassinated, Fabian enjoyed peace in the Church under the reigns of succeeding emperors.
One of St. Fabian's first acts was to reorganize the clergy of Rome to better serve the increasing flock. He is also credited with beautifying and enlarging the cemeteries. He ordered paintings to adorn the vaults, and he erected a church above the cemetery of Calixtus.
The Church flourished under St. Fabian as a succession of emperors left the Christians to themselves. This peaceful time came to an abrupt end with the ascension of Emperor Decius. He was a cruel enemy and he decreed that all Christians were to deny Christ by openly worshipping pagan idols. The Church was to lose many followers, but more stood firm to suffer torture and even death. Certainly, one of the first was Pope Fabian. Arrested, he was thrown in prison and died at the hands of his brutal captors. He is buried in the cemetery of Calixtus.
St. Sebastian
The name of Sebastian is enveloped in a wreath of legends. The oldest historical account of the saint is found in a commentary on the psalms by St. Ambrose; the passage reads: "Allow me to propose to you the example of the holy martyr Sebastian. By birth he was a Milanese. Perhaps the persecutor of Christians had left Milan, or had not yet arrived, or had become momentarily more tolerant. Sebastian believed that here there was no opportunity for combat, or that it had already passed. So he went to Rome, the scene of bitter opposition arising from the Christians' zeal for the faith. There he suffered, there he gained the crown."
St. Sebastian was widely venerated during the Middle Ages, particularly as a protector against the plague. Paul the Deacon relates that in 670 a great pestilence at Rome ceased when an altar was dedicated in his honor. The Breviary account of the saint is highly legendary; in part it reads: "Diocletian tried by every means to turn Sebastian from the faith of Christ. After all efforts had proven fruitless, he ordered him tied to a post and pierced with arrows. When everyone thought him dead, a devout woman named Irene arranged for his burial during the night; finding him still alive, she cared for him in her own house. After his recovery he appeared again before Diocletian and boldly rebuked him for his wickedness. Enraged by the saint's sharp words, the emperor ordered him scourged until he expired. His body was thrown into a sewer."
It's surprising to realize, but the Pope is correct.
Pope Benedict XVI warned today of a “grave threat” to religious liberty in the United States that requires American Catholics to respond with intelligence and courage.
“It is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church’s public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres,” he said Jan. 19 in an address to a group of American bishops visiting the Vatican.
The Pope said he was particularly concerned with “certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion.”
Texas governor Rick Perry is suspending his campaign for the Republican nomination for president today after a disappointing campaign that saw him move from early frontrunner to second-tier status.
Perry brought a lengthy pro-life record to the race to replace pro-abortion President Barack Obama but poor debate performances took their toll and made it so Perry dropped from leading the GOP race to a fifth place finish in Iowa and a dead last finish in New Hampshire. Perry appeared to consider getting out of the race after the new Hampshire primary but suddenly jumped back in and said he would fight to regroup in South Carolina, which votes Saturday as the third state in the primary election process.
“I ran for president because I love America, I love our people, and our freedom,” Perry said at a press conference today. “”Our objective is to defeat Obama and replace him with a conservative who will bring about real change.”
Perry indicated he would support Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign as the former House speaker attempts to become the primary alternative to leading candidate Mitt Romney, who revised vote counts show came in a narrow second place finish to Rick Santorum in Iowa and who won the New Hampshire primary handily.
The Saint of the Day for January 19 is Saint Canutus.
Saint Canutus, King of Denmark, succeeded his elder brother Harold on the throne of Denmark in the year 1080. He began his reign by a successful war against the enemies of the state, and by planting the faith in the conquered provinces. Amid the glory of his victories he humbly prostrated himself at the foot of the crucifix, laying there his diadem, and offering himself and his kingdom to the King of kings. After having provided for the peace and safety of his country, he married Eltha, daughter of Robert, Earl of Flanders, who proved herself a spouse worthy of him.
The justice of Saint Canutus as sovereign was well known. He applied himself to the reform of all internal abuses. For this purpose he enacted severe but necessary laws for the strict administration of justice, the repression of violence and tyranny by the powerful, without respect to persons. He favored and honored holy men, and granted many privileges and immunities to the clergy. His charity and tenderness towards his subjects made him study all possible ways to make them a happy people.
During a rebellion in his kingdom, the king was surprised at church by the rebels. He confessed his sins and received Holy Communion. Stretching out his arms before the altar, he was struck down on his knees by the enemies of his Christian reign.
Washington's water supply has been contaminated, and the President's son and daughter have been kidnapped. Despite the fact that some pretty influential people want to exclude him, Alex Cross finds himself involved in both investigations.
The question is, are theses two events related? Regardless, time is running out for both. Alex must try to find the President's children, while preventing another attack in the nation's capital.
Two stories are told simultaneously, resulting in a "can't put it down" thriller. One of Patterson's better Alex Cross stories.
Cathy Ruse tells us why it's not a good idea to support the Girl Scouts.
When our sweet little neighbor in her brown camp uniform came knocking on our door this year, we had to say no. I told her mother that I didn’t want to hurt Katie’s feelings, but I couldn’t support the Girl Scout cookie sale anymore because I’d learned too much about the organizers’ agenda, primarily their support for abortion and partnership with Planned Parenthood.
I worried that my “political” stand would cause uneasiness between us, but her response put me at ease: “Well,” she said, “they do use unpaid child labor to make their sales, and the troop only gets 10 percent of the revenues anyway.”
True. According to the Girl Scouts’ website, the lion’s share of the money goes not to the troop but to bureaucrats up the chain of command in multicounty councils. The national office gets a piece of the pie, too, in the form of royalties based on gross annual sales volume - about 200 million boxes per year.
Saint Charles was born John Charles Marchioni in Sezze, Italy on October 19, 1613. His family was extremely pious. They lived in a rural area and as a child Saint Charles worked as a shepherd. Due to his lack of education, it is said he learned only the basics and could barely read and write. He joined the Franciscans as a lay brother in Naziano, where he served as a cook, porter, and gardener.
Saint Charles was known for his holiness, simplicity, and charity. He was generous to travellers and sought out spiritual advice. In 1656 he worked tirelessly with victims of the plague. He also wrote several mystical works including his autobiography entitled "The Grandeurs of the Mercies of God". Tradition states he was called to the bedside of the dying Pope Clement IX for a blessing.
Saint Charles died on January 6, 1670 in Rome of natural causes, and he is buried in Rome in the Church of Saint Francis. He was Canonized by Pope John XXIII on April 12, 1959.
Protesters trying to set up tents in St. Peter's Square clashed with police at the Vatican on January 14.
About 50 protesters were eventually removed by police as they tried to set up tents in St. Peter's Square, apparently envisioning a lasting protest similar to the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstrations. Vatican officials said that they had no hesitation about calling in police since the protesters--including Spanish, Italian, and French members of a group known as the indignados were planning an "inappropriate" display.
One demonstrator was arrested as he began to climb the Christmas tree that still remains in St. Peter's Square.
Sara McDonald is 7 ½ months pregnant, but says that her unborn child has already saved his father’s life.
In the early morning hours on Saturday, January 7, McDonald woke up after receiving a strong kick from her unborn baby. What followed was what she described to CBS Atlanta as “one of the scariest moments anyone could go through,” when she discovered that her husband wasn’t breathing and had no pulse.
Sara McDonald
Thanks to the timely wakeup call, she was able to begin giving her husband CPR, and to call 911. Though her own efforts at CPR were unsuccessful, two policemen who arrived were able to revive McDonald’s husband.
Sgt. Mike Hales said that at first, “He appeared deceased. We didn’t have a pulse. He wasn’t breathing.”
However, after several dozen compressions, he began to breathe again.
This story has a happy ending for this young family, but it probably wouldn’t have turned out so well if the family’s newest member hadn’t placed his fortuitous kick.
