Two Miracle Babies

 Good thing these mothers didn't decide to abort

Doctors save life of 3-month old by 3-D ‘printing’ splint for collapsed trachea

Six weeks earlier April and Bryan Gionfriddo had proudly brought their newborn son, Kaiba, home from the hospital. To all appearances he was a perfectly healthy baby boy.

But then one night, while at dinner at a restaurant, Kaida suddenly stopped breathing and turned blue. Bryan placed his son on the table and began frantically performing CPR.

Kaiba survived this episode. Doctors sent him home from the hospital 10 days later. But two days after that, he again stopped breathing.

That was when doctors diagnosed him with tracheobronchomalacia, a condition in which the trachea is too weak and periodically collapses, making it impossible for the patient to breathe.

Kaiba's case was grave. While in the hospital his breathing and heart would stop almost daily. Doctor’s weren’t hopeful.

“Quite a few of them said he had a good chance of not leaving the hospital alive. It was pretty scary,” said his mother, April. “We pretty much prayed every night, hoping that he would pull through.”
A 3D model of Kaiba's windpipe with the "printed" splint in place.

Fortunately the parents were put in touch with researchers at the University of Michigan who were working on cutting edge medical treatments involving the burgeoning field of 3-D printing.

The researchers were able to “print” a splint specifically fitted to Kaiba’s windpipe using a 3-D printer, a machine that creates a 3D object by spraying succssive thin layers of material, usually some form of plastic.


The researchers had already tested the technology on animals, but this was the first time it had ever been tried on a human being.

Baby born with half a heart turns one, after mother refused abortion


Rebecca Turner was catching a cherished glimpse of her little girl on the ultrasound screen when the technician spotted something alarming. Scarlett, who had been safely hidden away in Rebecca’s belly for 20 weeks, had a dangerous and life-threatening heart defect.
 
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome had left Scarlett with only half a heart, reports The Sun.

Most pregnant women whose children are diagnosed with a fetal abnormality are presented with the “option to abort.” Physicians often present abortion as the compassionate option over caring for a sick child who, the doctors assure them, will endure too much suffering or die anyway.

Many scared and vulnerable mothers in this situation are convinced to abort. But Rebecca refused.

She was only 20 years old, but she chose instead to provide care for Scarlett.

In June 2012, Scarlett was born and, only days later, survived a seven-and-a-half hour surgery wherein doctors inserted an artificial tube to assist in blood flow to the heart.

In another surgery eight months later, Scarlett’s doctors attached a vein from her neck to her heart. That surgery lasted even longer, clocking in at eight-and-a-half hours. And it was a success.

Boy Scouts vote to allow openly gay members

A very unfortunate decision.  It's unbelievable how this 'lifestyle' has been forced on society.

The Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) National Council has voted in favor of a resolution to allow openly gay boys to join the organization.

Sixty percent of the 1400 delegates present at the Scouts annual meeting in Dallas, Texas voted in favor of the policy change.

The resolution states that “no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”

A ban on openly homosexual Scout leaders remains in place.

The change comes despite a survey by the BSA, which found that of 200,000 respondents, 61 percent supported the previous policy.

In a statement announcing the vote, the scouting organization said that while “people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting.”

Debate over the change has been contentious, with some predicting that the issue could fragment the scouting organization.

Earlier this week a petition signed by nearly 19,000 scouts, former scouts, and members of scouting families was presented to the BSA, urging the group to “uphold the values that have defined the organization for over 100 years.”

Additionally, a group of fifty U.S. religious leaders also signed a joint statement encouraging the BSA to maintain its current standards, pointing out that many troops are hosted by troops and religious institutions.

Family Research Council (FRC), one of the leading organizations that opposed the change, expressed “deep disappointment” with the vote.

"Sadly, the Boy Scouts' legacy of producing great leaders has become yet another casualty of moral compromise,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.

“Unfortunately, Boy Scout delegates capitulated to strong-arm tactics and abandoned the timeless values that have served the organization well for more than 100 years.”

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Sts. Donatian and Rogatian

The Saints of the Day for May 24 are Sts. Donatian and Rogatian.

Donatian and Rogatian were brothers who were martyred for their faith in the third century.

Donatian was the first to convert to Christianity, becoming an ardent witness to the faith after receiving baptism. His witness was said to be so inspiring that his brother, Rogatian, who had been indifferent at first, was moved by his example to convert.

However, the persecution of Diocletian was heavily underway at this time.

Both of the brothers were arrested before the bishop was able to baptize Rogatian. The brothers spent the night in jail together in prayer. The next day, after refusing to deny their faith, they were tortured on the rack, and then beheaded. Thus the baptism of Rogatian was a baptism of desire, that is, by the blood of martyrdom.

In the fifth century a church was built over the tomb where they were buried together. In 1145, the bishop transferred their relics to the Cathedral of Ostia.

CMTV News Roundup 05-23

Doctor Who Did 1,200 Abortions Tells Congress to Ban Them

Dr. Anthony Levatino is a pro-life physician from New Mexico but, before having a change of heart on the issue of abortion he was an OBGYN who also performed abortions.

Levatino did as many as 1,200 abortions — some of them after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Then, after his daughter died in a tragic automobile accident, he re-evaluated his position on abortion and stopped doing abortions.

Today, Dr. Levatino told members of a Congressional committee that they should support a bill sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks that would ban abortions nationwide aft 20 weeks of pregnancy.

story and full testimony here




Here is Dr Levatino's similar  testimony from last year:

US bishops ask government to reassess drone policy

Drones can be useful  in battle, but they are very dangerous when controlled by an " I'm not responsible for anything " like Barry.

In letters to top government officials, the U.S. bishops' conference urged a public discussion on the use of unmanned targeted killings, also known as drones, and their moral implications.

“Targeted killing should, by definition, be highly discriminatory,” wrote Bishop Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, in the May 17 letter.

“The Administration’s policy appears to extend the use of deadly force to alleged 'signature' attacks and reportedly classifies all males of a certain age as combatants,” he asked.

“Are these policies morally defensible? They seem to violate the law of war, international human rights law, and moral norms,” the bishop said.

Bishop Pates is the chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.

The letters were sent to National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon and to leaders of the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Relations, Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform and the Select and Permanent Select Committees on Intelligence in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The bishop requested that these organizations reassess the use of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, in carrying out targeted killings.

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St. Jane Antide Thouret

The Saint of the Day for May 23 is St. Jane Antide Thouret.

On May 23 the universal Church celebrates the feast day of St. Jane Antide Thouret, a Sister of Charity who worked tirelessly for the faith amidst persecution during the French Revolution in the 18th century.

Jane was born in Sancy, France, in 1765 to a poor family and her mother died when she was 16 years old. The saint took on many family responsibilities until she joined the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris at the age of 22, working among the sick in various hospitals.

During the French Revolution, when many religious and priests were killed, she was ordered to return home to a secular life. Jane refused, and when she tried to escape the authorities, she was badly beaten.

St. Jane Antide Thouret finally returned to Sancy, where she cared for the sick and opened a small school for girls until she was forced to flee to Switzerland. She fled to Germany before returning again to Switzerland to found a school and hospital in 1799 and a congregation called the Institute of the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul. The community eventually expanded into France and Italy.

She died 30 years after the founding of her community, in 1828 of natural causes.

In 1934, she was canonized by Pope Puis XI.

CMTV News Roundup 05-22

Cardinal O'Malley skips Boston College commencement with Irish prime minister Enda Kenny

KUDO's to Cardinal O'Malley for skipping the commencement, but unfortunate that he couldn't stop a pro-abort from speaking at a Jesuit-run college.  It's also unfortunate that a 'supposed to be' Catholic university would feature a pro-abort speaker.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the leader of the Boston archdiocese, skipped Boston College's commencement on Monday because of the involvement of the Irish prime minister, Enda Kenny, who supports a bill in his country that would allow abortion.

A few dozen protesters, some playing bagpipes, demonstrated at the college during the morning graduation ceremony. They held signs with messages that included "Boston College Keep Your Pro Life Values".

Kenny was addressing undergraduates and accepting an honorary degree from the Jesuit-run college. He has said that the proposed legislation simply clarifies when a doctor can perform an abortion to save a woman's life. But Catholic bishops have said it would greatly expand abortion, particularly by permitting it in certain cases when a woman threatens suicide.

The leader of the Boston archdiocese traditionally gives the benediction at the college's ceremony. O'Malley called abortion a "crime against humanity" and said he had decided not to attend the ceremony because Boston College didn't withdraw its invitation and Kenny didn't decline it. A Boston College spokesman, Jack Dunn, said that the school respected O'Malley and regretted that he had not attended graduation. Dunn said school officials had extended the invitation to Kenny before the bill's introduction and that the college "fully supports the church's commitment to the unborn".  If they did, they wouldn't have invited Kenny.

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Vatican's financial intelligence unit nets suspicious activity

The Vatican revealed that its enhanced procedures have enabled it to flag more suspicious transactions in 2012 than it did in 2011.

“I’m not saying that everything is great and perfect, but that a lot of progress has been made in the last two years,” said Rene Brülhart, director of the Financial Information Authority, at the Vatican’s press office.

“It’s important that we’re setting a system here to protect the Holy See,” he added.

The Vatican’s Financial Information Authority made the statistics public at a May 22 press conference, where it made its first-ever annual report available.

The report shows that in 2012 there were six reports of suspicious activity, versus one in 2011.

Brülhart said this proves that his department and its system, which became operational in April 2011, are working well.

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St. Rita of Cascia

The Saint of the Day for May 22 is St. Rita of Cascia.

Rita's childhood was one of happiness to her parents. To satisfy her desire of a life of union with God by prayer, her parents fitted up a little room in their home as an oratory, where she spent all her spare moments. At the age of twelve, however, she desired to consecrate herself to God in the religious state. Pious though her parents were, their tearful pleadings to postpone her noble purpose prevailed on Rita, and they gave her in marriage, at the age of eighteen, to an impulsive, irascible young man, who was well fitted to try the patience and virtue of the holy girl. Two sons were born to them, each inheriting their father's quarrelsome temperament. Rita continued her accustomed devotions, and her sanctity and prayers finally won her husband's heart so that he willingly consented that she continue her acts of devotion.

Eighteen years had elapsed since her marriage, when her husband was murdered by an old enemy; both of her sons died shortly after. Rita's former desire to consecrate herself to God again took possession of her. Three times she sought admittance among the Augustinian Nuns in Cascia, but her request was refused each time, and she returned to her home in Rocca Porrena. God Himself, however, supported her cause. One night as Rita was praying earnestly in her humble home she heard herself called by name, while someone knocked at the door. In a miraculous way she was conducted to the monastic enclosure, no entrance having been opened. Astonished at the miracle, the Nuns received Rita, and soon enrolled her among their number.

St. Rita's hidden, simple life in religion was distinguished by obedience and charity; she performed many extreme penances. After hearing a sermon on the Passion of Christ she returned to her cell; kneeling before her crucifix, she implored: "Let me, my Jesus share in Thy suffering, at least of one of Thy thorns". Her prayer was answered. Suddenly one of the thorns detached and fastened itself in her forehead so deeply that she could not remove it. The wound became worse, and gangrene set in. Because of the foul odor emanating from the wound, she was denied the companionship of the other Sisters, and this for fifteen years.

Miraculous power was soon recognized in Rita. When Pope Nicholas IV proclaimed a jubilee at Rome, Rita desired to attend. Permission was granted on condition that her wound would be healed. This came about only for the duration of the trip. Upon her return to the monastery the wound from the thorn reappeared, and remained until her death.

As St. Rita was dying, she requested a relative to bring her a rose from her old home at Rocca Porrena. Although it was not the season for roses, the relative went and found a rose in full bloom. For this reason roses are blessed in the Saint's honor.

After St. Rita's death, in 1457, her face became beautifully radiant, while the odor from her wound was as fragrant as that of the roses she loved so much. The sweet odor spread through the convent and into the church, where it has continued ever since. Her body has remained incorrupt to this day; the face is beautiful and well preserved.

When St. Rita died the lowly cell was aglow with heavenly light, while the great bell of the monastery rang of itself. A relative with a paralyzed arm, upon touching the sacred remains, was cured. A carpenter, who had known the Saint, offered to make the coffin. Immediately he recovered the use of his long stiffened hands.

As one of the solemn acts of his jubilee, Pope Leo XIII canonized St. Rita on the Feast of the Ascension, May 24, 1900.

CMTV News Roundup 05-21

Pope praying for children, others struck by Oklahoma tornado

Pope Francis sent special condolences to those parents who lost their children in a tornado that killed around 100 people in Oklahoma.

“I am close to the families of all who died in the Oklahoma tornado, especially those who lost young children,” the Pope said on his Twitter account on May 21.

“Join me in praying for them,” he added. Pope Francis also tweeted the same message in Spanish.

Earlier in the day during his morning Mass in the Vatican, the Pope personally added a prayer intention for the tornado victims and those who are missing, especially the children.

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St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions

The Saints of the Day for May 21 are St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions.

Like Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, S.J. (November 23), Cristobal and his twenty-four companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico, one determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Cristobal established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. Magallanes and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles (1924-1928).

All of these martyrs except three were diocesan priests. David, Manuel and Salvador were laymen who died with their parish priest, Luis Batis. All of these martyrs belonged to the Cristero movement, pledging their allegiance to Christ and to the church that he established to spread the Good News in society—even if Mexico's leaders had made it a crime to receive baptism or celebrate the Mass.

These martyrs did not die as a single group but in eight Mexican states, with Jalisco and Zacatecas having the largest number. They were beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later.

— Excerpted from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

CMTV News Roundup 05-20