A Revolution-Lay Parish Ministers

Speaker calls growth in number of lay parish ministers a revolution

"Veil tip" to Dom on the Archdiocese of Boston's newspaper- "The Pilot"

Two-thirds of parishes across the spectrum of Catholic life in the United States, from cities to suburbs to small towns, now employ lay parish ministers, he said."It is hard to fathom just how much parish ministry changed in the span of one generation," DeLambo said. "Lay parish ministers are (now) a common and accepted presence in parishes across the country. This, indeed, is a development of revolutionary proportions."

What happened to the priest's role in the parish? Why isn't he considered to be in charge? Because he doesn't have great management or finance skills? Or is it because he can abdicate his authority to lay people who (more than likely) have been poorly catechized thereby relieving him of the responsibility to fully shepherd his flock.
I wish as a mother -in my vocation, that I could say to my husband--"here honey, you get to do all the shopping, the laundry, car-pooling, etc. now." So, if he responds negatively, I'll inform him that I'm going to hire a driver, a laundress, and a shopper to do this work. Seems to me that this would not be a true acceptance of my vocation.

To make matters worse these lay people have not been "fed" the true teachings of the Catholic Church. Often they have received degrees or instruction from schools or colleges that have blatantly NOT followed the Magisterium.

"The challenge for church leaders will be to facilitate the education and formation of lay parish ministers," he added. More and more dioceses are offering continuing education and formation programs, he said.Today about 80 percent of lay parish ministers are women, DeLambo said, noting that the percentage of men has increased slowly since 1990. He added that women in parish ministry are a "gift to the church," and those married with children "bring sensitivity to lay concerns, and to families, as well as to issues related to gender and inclusion."

And I know for fact there is a concerted effort to remove the patriarchy of the church only to replace it with a matriarchy. (This could be an interesting read --cuddle up to when the weather finally changes)

I'm afraid it appears to be business as usual...and as a local Sister of Mercy once stated (btw-vehemently "in my face") "the train has already left the station"! Thank you Sister!

GOD HELP US!

Archbishop Milingo-the Saga Continues

Milingo says he rejects excommunication notice

Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, who was excommunicated Tuesday, said he does not accept his excommunication and will continue his campaign to persuade the Vatican to allow married priests.

UNESCO-World Heritage

At the risk of sounding a bit over the edge...
Something doesn't seem right here...why? For obvious reasons this one caught my eye-- St. Catherine's Monastery.

What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

Who are all the peoples of the world? and where do they live?

This is just one item of their mission list:

• provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger;

Are we going to have armed guards protecting these properties against physical harm too?

List of World Heritage-a few Catholic Sites (of what I can translate):

1. Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)
2. Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba
3. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai
4. Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos
5. Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas
6. Boyana Church
7. Churches of Chiloé
8. Bourges Cathedral
9. St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim
10. Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
11. Vatican City

There are more listed...

What is the true purpose? Their FAQ's. Global Strategy

Again--why?

U.S. Bishops to Vote on Strategic Plan With Restructured Committees, Smaller USCCB Staff

USCCB smaller?! Yeah, right!

The restructuring has been recommended by the Committee on Priorities and Plans, chaired by Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe, NM. The committee, which is responsible for strategic planning, aims to create a more focused, smaller and less costly conference. The process follows a report from the USCCB Task Force on Activities and Resources that called for "a mechanism for Conference-wide strategic planning, implementation and assessment." Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington chaired the task force that produced the report adopted by the bishops in November 2004.
The restructuring involves reducing the current 68 committees, subcommittees and task forces of bishops to 34. Staff offices corresponding to the committees will be restructured, contributing to a 16 percent or $1.9 million reduction in the annual diocesan assessment toward the USCCB yearly budget. The conference budget for 2007 is $139 million, with $11.9 million, or nine percent, coming from the ssessment. The rest of the budget comes from national collections, government contracts, foundation grants and sales/royalties.

Wisconsin to Offer Free Stem Cell Licenses

Doyle hopes to attract jobs by giving permits to firms sponsoring research at Wisconsin institutions

Gov. Jim Doyle announced that Wisconsin would try to compete with richer, bigger states by using a tool that none of them have: embryonic stem cell patents. The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, or WARF, will offer free, non-exclusive licenses to conduct embryonic stem cell research to companies that are sponsoring such research at Wisconsin non-profit and academic institutions, said Elizabeth Donley, special counsel to the foundation and executive director of WiCellResearch Institute. The institute is a WARF subsidiary set up to conduct stem cell research and train scientists and others in the field.

Who will go? What companies? That's right...we kill embryos so others may have jobs?

The hope is that the incentives will help Wisconsin attract companies engaged in embryonic stem cell research, so the state can create jobs and stay competitive,
she said.

Feast of the Holy Archangels- St. Michael, St.Gabriel, & St.Raphael

The Three Flames of Divine Love-President of HLI- Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer's Spirit & Life e-Newsletter

The blessed archangels are three flames of divine love and grace because of their burning desire for our eternal salvation. They exist to lead us to heaven, and their Hebrew names reveal their respective roles.

St. Michael, St. Gabriel, & St. Raphael and....

Truly we don't pay enough attention to the archangels whose radiant love is burning incandescently around us at every moment of our waking and sleeping. Of course we can't see those divine flames with our eyes. It takes faith to see them. With faith we know that these strong, ravishing spiritual beings drive away evil by their very presence and exist only to serve us.

They exist to serve Father-God FIRST and then us. And do they ever!

Remember, to call on them to expedite and assist you in proclaiming God's Truth to others-all those you come in contact, i.e. before an important meeting, dealing with your children, speaking with your spouse. Include them in your morning offering and thank them in your evening prayers and reflection. They can and will go ahead of you to open hearts, just as St. Gabriel opened the Blessed Virgin Mary's heart as she was fearful and did not understand what the Archangel Gabriel was telling her. Of course ask Our Virgin Mother to intervene as well. Again, don't forget to thank them---by giving all honor, glory and praise to our Triune God!

The Archangels-prayers and information.

Our Father who art in heaven, thank you for the blessings of your heavenly archangels: St.Michael our protector and defender, St. Gabriel your messenger of Your Word, and St. Raphael your healer-"medicine of God". May we ask that they continue to defend us, assist us in proclaiming Your Word, and heal us in all our sufferings and illnesses. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit and by the Will of God the Father. Amen.

Milingo-'Latae Sententiae'-Canon 1382

COMMUNIQUE CONCERNING ARCHBISHOP EMMANUEL MILINGO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 26, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released a communique concerning the present ecclesial position of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo. The text of the communique is given below:
"With great concern, the Holy See has followed the recent activities of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, emeritus of Lusaka, Zambia, with his new association of married priests, spreading division and confusion among the
faithful.
"Church representatives of various levels have tried in vain to contact Archbishop Milingo in order to dissuade him from persisting in actions that provoke scandal, especially among the faithful who followed his pastoral
ministry in favor of the poor and the sick.
"Bearing in mind the understanding shown, also recently, by Peter's Successor towards this aged pastor of the Church, the Holy See has awaited with vigilant patience the evolution of events which, unfortunately, have led
Archbishop Milingo to a position of irregularity and of progressively open rupture of communion with the Church, first with his attempted marriage and then with the ordination of four bishops on Sunday, September 24, in Washington D.C., U.S.A.
"For this public act both Archbishop Milingo and the four ordinands have incurred excommunication 'latae sententiae,' as laid down in Canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law. Moreover, the Church does not recognize, nor does she intend to recognize in the future, these ordinations and all ordinations deriving from them; and she considers the canonical status of the four supposed-bishops as being that they held prior to this ordination.The Apostolic See, attentive to the unity and peace of the flock of Christ, had hoped that the fraternal influence of people close to Archbishop Milingo would cause him to rethink and return to full communion with the Pope. Unfortunately the latest developments have made these hopes more unlikely.
"At times of ecclesial suffering such as these, may prayers intensify among all the community of the faithful."
OP/ARCHBISHOP MILINGO/... VIS 060926 (330)

Women and Islam

Gunmen Kill Afghan Women's Affairs Official

Where is the peace in this action?

Two gunmen on a motorbike killed the southern provincial head of Afghanistan's Ministry of Women's Affairs outside her home Monday in apparent retribution for her efforts to help educate women, officials said.

Low Birth Rate Prompts Eternal Youth Funding

South Korea struggles to discover secrets of eternal youth

The science ministry's technology project is part of an all-out government campaign to stop a falling birth rate. Despite incentives, many young people have been reluctant to give up careers to start a family. Some see children as an expensive burden on their lifestyles and careers. As a result, the country's fertility rate, the average number of children born to a fertile woman, fell to a record low of 1.08 in 2005, far lower than the world average of 2.6.

South Korea's population, which stands at 48 million this year, is forecast to fall to 40 million in 2050.

More Prayers for Archbishop Milingo

Washington, D.C., Archbishop Installs 4 Married Priests, but Archdiocese Refuses to Recognize Them

Thank goodness!

Prayers for the Archbishop continue. Picture-Married Priests Now: one big family

Emmanuel Milingo and his wife greeted the participants and told the story of their marriage. Milingo gave an enthusiastic call for the church to recognize its own married priests and for married priests to join together in unity.

Unfortunately, the Archbishop 'has left the building'....and the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict XVI's Meeting -His 'Exact' Words

NEED FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS

"I should like to reiterate today all the esteem and the profound respect that I have for Muslim believers," he continued in his French-language address.

"I have had occasion, since the very beginning of my pontificate, to express my wish to continue establishing bridges of friendship with the adherents of all religions, showing particular appreciation for the growth of
dialogue between Muslims and Christians."

"In a world marked by relativism and too often excluding the transcendence and universality of reason, we are in great need of an authentic dialogue between religions and between cultures, capable of assisting us, in a spirit of fruitful cooperation, to overcome all the tensions together.

"Continuing, then, the work undertaken by my predecessor Pope John Paul II," he added, "I sincerely pray that the relations of trust which have developed between Christians and Muslims over several years, will not only continue, but will develop further in a spirit of sincere and respectful dialogue, based on ever more authentic reciprocal knowledge which, with joy, recognizes the religious values that we have in common and, with loyalty, respects the differences.

"Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue," the Pope continued, "is a necessity for building together this world of peace and fraternity ardently desired by all people of good will. In this area, our contemporaries expect from us an eloquent witness to show all people the value of the religious dimension of life.

"Likewise, faithful to the teachings of their own religious traditions, Christians and Muslims must learn to work together, as indeed they already do in many common undertakings, in order to guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence. As for us, religious authorities and political leaders, we must guide and encourage them in this direction."

Benedict XVI then highlighted how "the lessons of the past" must "help us to seek paths of reconciliation, in order to live with respect for the identity and freedom of each individual, with a view to fruitful co-operation in the service of all humanity. As Pope John Paul II said in his memorable speech to young people at Casablanca in Morocco: 'Respect and dialogue require reciprocity in all spheres, especially in that which concerns basic freedoms, more particularly religious freedom. They favor peace and agreement between peoples'."

The Holy Father concluded his address by expressing his profound conviction "that in the current world situation it is imperative that Christians and Muslims engage with one another in order to address the numerous challenges that present themselves to humanity, especially those concerning the defense and promotion of the dignity of the human person and of the rights ensuing from that dignity. When threats mount up against people and against peace, by recognizing the central character of the human person and by working with perseverance to see that human life is always respected, Christians and Muslims manifest their obedience to the Creator, Who wishes all people to live in the dignity that He has bestowed upon them."

Stem cells made from 'dead' human embryo

Scientists say they have created a stem cell line from a human embryo that had stopped developing naturally, and so was considered dead. Using such embryos might ease ethical concerns about creating such cells, they suggested.
One expert said the technique makes harvesting stem cells no more ethically troublesome than organ donation. But others said it still carries scientific and ethical problems.

Priests- Next Generation II

Joining a Fraternity of Faith, Dwindling but Resolute

But several of the incoming students, including Mr. Hacker, have already experienced a measure of confirmation in their first weeks. Jason Espinal, 22, who attended community college before enrolling in the seminary, was overcome while genuflecting before the Eucharist in the seminary’s chapel on a recent Sunday. He went down on one knee, but then prostrated himself completely.

“I found myself in tears,” he said.

Like the other students, Mr. Espinal has endured plenty of questions about his decision to pursue the priesthood. Lawyers at a firm where he was working told him it would squelch his personality. A friend told him he thought it was disgusting that he would be living with other priests.

Prayers for Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo

Church May Disclipline Wedded Archbishop

Speaking Sunday night at a conference he organized for married priests, Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo said that the head of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops has demanded that Milingo send a letter of repentance by Oct. 15 to Pope Benedict XVI or face "canonical suspension."

Priests - Next Generation

In a study "Experiences of Priests Ordained Five to Nine Years," written by sociologist Dean R. Hoge of The Catholic University of America's Life Cycle Institute and published in September by the seminary department of the National Catholic Educational Association:

In 1990, 18 percent of those surveyed said Father Rahner's writings were among those that had the most influence on their priesthood. Pope John Paul came in seventh, cited by just over 3 percent of those surveyed.In 2005, 21 percent of those surveyed listed Pope John Paul as one of the most influential writers in their lives as priests and only 4 percent listed Father Rahner.

This is great news! GO JPII! YEA GOD!

In the 2005 study, the two Internet sites ranked most useful for ministry were the official Web sites of the Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops -- www.vatican.va and www.usccb.org. Ranked third was www.ewtn.com, the
Web site of the Eternal Word Television Network.

AND GO EWTN!
And darn it I missed their conference this week--why would someone from VOTF present?
Alot of interesting stats.

Muslims & Benedict XVI

Pope Rage on the Internet;church bombings in Gaza

The script in red calls for the Pope's beheading. The rest of the translation:
"Swine and servant of the cross, worships a monkey on a cross, hateful evil man, stoned Satan, may Allah curse him, blood-sucking vampire."

Veil tip to Michele Malkin. Michele shares a wealth of info on the current situation with our Pope! Wow. Informative. See the new book circulating in Turkey.

Our Lady of Fatima protect Our Holy Father Benedict XVI!

"Jesus Camp"

Fire, brimstone around "Jesus" film
Prayers for director Heidi Ewing and her co-hort.

The directors of "Jesus Camp," a buzz-generating documentary about evangelical Christian children training to be soldiers for God, proclaim no agenda other than to start a conversation about belief, politics and the culture wars.

But the most prominent evangelical to appear in the film, the Rev. Ted Haggard of Colorado Springs, has isowned it on the eve of its limited release, saying the filmmakers cast their subjects in a sinister light and misrepresented evangelicalism.

It's a blow to New York-based directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, a lapsed Catholic and a Jew who hope big- city secular liberals and heartland evangelicals will find something to like.

The Next Generation-Pro-Life

Wash for Life
What a great idea from the kids!

We are organizing thousands of groups across the nation to hold car washes to benefit their local pregnancy care centers - all on the same day!

A veil tip to Kathryn Jean Lopez at National Review Online- "Pro-life Generation? Washing abortion away?"

This Sept. 16, young Americans will be getting their hands dirty. No aborted-fetus placards, no empty rhetoric; just good old-fashioned neighborly support for a member of the community. And when you ask them why they’re raising their rags to your windows, you might be as impressed and encouraged as I am. Almost 34 years after Roe, we might be getting somewhere — at least if these kids have anything to say about it.

Open our Hearts

Pope Warns of Tuning Out Christianity

Addressing 250,000 pilgrims at an open air Mass, Benedict said modern people suffer from "hardness of hearing" when it comes to God and complained that "mockery of the sacred" is viewed as an exercise in freedom.

6.0 Earthquake in Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico Quake Rattles U.S. Coast

Scientists said it was the largest and most widely felt of more than a dozen earthquakes recorded in the eastern Gulf of Mexico in the last 30 years.

Common Ground

Author Finds Common Ground between Anglicans and Roman Catholics

Blessed Be the Name of Jesus

U.S. judge allows Jesus at meetings

The Divine Praises

Blessed be God.

Blessed be His Holy Name.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.

Blessed be the name of Jesus.

Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.

Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.

Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.

Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.

Blessed be her glorious Assumption.

Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.

Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.

Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.

When in Rome...

Why would anyone need this information? When in Rome, you might be tracked

I wonder if BXVI was tracked too. Or anyone else from the Vatican.

That is, when Romans had their cell phones turned on. Telecom Italia, Italy's main telephone operator, has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a real-time mapping system that tracks how people move in urban spaces.

Halloween History

Halloween October 31st-Background

In the United States, the first official citywide Halloween celebration occurred in Anoka, Minn., in 1921.

Interesting. I didn't know this.

Place Jean-Paul II - Notre Dame

In Paris, a plaza for a dead pope - and some furor in the streets

Now, add to the Parisian capital's list of honorary designations the new one that has just been assigned to the plaza in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the city's most famous sites. As of Sunday, that high-traffic patch of pavement will be known as the Place Jean-Paul II (John-Paul II Plaza) in honor of the pontiff who died last year.

It Figures!

HALO Systems -Mercy Hospitals use this. Also a local hospital uses them too! St. Vincent's! Ahhh!

"Chips" Accepted by Doctors and Hospitals

VeriMed System Now Has 140 Hospitals and Approximately 300 Physicians as Part of Its Network

VeriMed, the first and only FDA-approved microchip for patient identification and access to medical information has advanced adoption in key areas of hospital and physician acceptance.

I am extremely concerned! This is very serious! Please inquire with your doctor and with the hospital (before admittance for any procedure) as to their participation or "acceptance". If they are participating find another physician and hospital. Then, make sure you formally voice your opinion of the situation with all parties--write, call, protest, alert family and friends.

More background or information:
RFID Journal--Questions & Answers on RFID
RFID Gazette
RFID-Weblog

News Items:
Company requires RFID injection
High-tech cloning
Proposal to Implant Tracking Chips in Immigrants

Huh?

No "God spot" for nuns, researchers show

Pope Benedict XVI in Assisi

Pope Notes Conditions for Interreligious Prayer Meetings
A Testimony of Fraternity, Which Must Avoid Syncretism, He Says

However, so as not to betray the spirit of John Paul II's prayer convocation in Assisi for peace, it is necessary to recall the importance he gave to avoiding "syncretistic interpretations, founded on a relativist conception," contended Benedict XVI. According to these conceptions, in which there is no absolute truth, all religions are valid, so that no essential differences exist among one another.

The Bishop of Rome clarified that interreligious prayer meetings do not seek "a religious consensus among ourselves or negotiation of our convictions of faith." Rather, they manifest that "religions can be reconciled at the level of a common commitment in an earthly project that exceeds them all." Thus they are not "a concession to relativism in religious beliefs," contended Benedict XVI.

I Can Only Imagine - HIS Music Video

Women Ministers

In the video below, a potential woman minister was asked by church administrators in her job interview - "Was she into using 'god-she language'?" She was surprised by that questioning, felt that it didn't feel right and decided that she should not go to that church. Now, compare this to my previous posting-Awesome Nuns in Hollywood.

See video-The Stained Glass Ceiling

Article:Clergywomen Find Hard Path to Bigger Pulpit.

Awesome Nuns in Hollywood

For 56 Years, Battling Evils of Hollywood With Prayer
21 Cloistered Dominions

Sister Mary Pia, as pale and innocent as an uncooked loaf, prays for all of them, while knowing virtually nothing about them. There is nothing ironic about this, she believes: “One doesn’t need to be of it to know of it.”

See the video. You can say that again, Sister!

The sisterhood is a dying way of life in America. Forty years ago,the United States had about 180,000 nuns. Today there are perhaps 70,000. Fewer than 6,000 are younger than 50. There are estimated to be about 5,000 cloistered, contemplative nuns, a piece of women’s history that may be on the way out.

Reasons for the collapse can be traced to the mid-1960’s: the flowering of the women’s movement, which broadened opportunities beyond secretary, housewife, nurse, teacher and nun. But the Roman Catholic Church unintentionally inflicted damage on itself when it ratified the Second Vatican Council.
“Basically it said that religious women were no more holy than lay women,” said Sister Patricia Wittberg, an associate professor of sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. “It was devastating.”

More End Life Issues

Choosing a ‘God Squad,’ When the Mind Has Faded

Would you want your tax dollars to pay for dialysis for a patient with irreversible brain damage? In 1972, when Congress agreed to use Medicare money to finance dialysis for patients with end-stage kidney failure, this question had never come up.

Pharmacogenetics at St. Jude's Hospital

Saving Lives With Tailor-Made Medication

Genomic testing & the Catholic Church-from the USCCB-Critical Decisions:
Genetic Testing and its Implications and the Vatican.

Concealing and Lying

Is there a difference? What happened to doctors and surgeons with morals?
Medical Errors? Patients May Be the Last to Know

Archbishop Dolan's Response to 3 Issues

Don’t miss the bigger picture

Archbishop Dolan responded to 3 serious issues that affect his diocese. This link may drop out after this week so check Archbishop Dolan's archive of past columns here:

Regarding Call to Action and their meeting in Milwaukee he states:

The third issue has to do with the “Call to Action” conference scheduled for Milwaukee this November. As you may recall, this group, based in Chicago, has been meeting in Milwaukee for decades. This group was actually initiated by the bishops 30 years ago, and started off asking some legitimate questions.

But they have gotten way off track. In this case as well, I inquired some years ago what impact this annual meeting has on the archdiocese, and was told, almost none. Our Catholic people, I was advised, recognize that this is a group that has taken stands totally outside the bounds of church teaching.

Unfortunately, as stated in the official program of this year’s conference, the leadership of that group has decided to include in the program an invitation to invalidly ordained “priests and bishops” to “celebrate a liturgy.”

Here again it becomes my teaching responsibility to state clearly that such an action would make any claim of Catholic identity by the group to be misleading. Faithful Catholics attending these sessions would only promote division and disunity rather than genuine renewal in the church.

People ask why I “allow” Call to Action to meet in Milwaukee. This group, of course, hardly asks my permission, and pays little attention to what any bishop, including the Bishop of Rome, has to say.

Enough of this. Why do I write about it anyway? Because, too often, we are tempted to become myopic, with our only focus on juicy issues that disrupt and distract us from the mission of the Gospel. Don’t get me wrong, I am always open to dialog, and, as I have learned especially during these past four years as your archbishop, one’s temperament for patience grows as one’s leadership role expands.

"Veil tip" to Dom.

Catholic Charities San Francisco

Catholic agency finds way out of adoption ban
Alliance with other groups gets around same-sex parent issue

The ensuing solution commits $250,000 of the agency's resources annually -- a more than fourfold increase of its previous $60,000 annual commitment to adoption placements.

"There will be critics who say that kids will still be placed with same-sex couples,'' said Cahill, who is planning "an aggressive recruitment'' of potential adoptive parents among the archdiocese's parishes. "That is true -- the largest potential number of adoptive parents in the foster care system are gay and lesbian couples. But this is what we are supposed to be doing. This is the work of the church.

Really? Planning "an aggressive recruitment"? Do you discriminate against heterosexual couples that are following the 10 Commandments and Church teaching? This is deplorable and the new archbishop, George Niederauer, should check into this "aggressive recruitment"!

On this day of the memorial of St. John the Baptist's death-I say repent!

So they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.' John answered and said, 'No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease'

John 3:26-30

Papal Letters Returned to Polish National Archives

13th-Century Papal Letters Returned

Genoa has a New Archbishop

Pope Names New Archbishop of Genoa

'Do Over' in Jerusalem-World Pride Gay Parade

Russian Jews Urge Jerusalem to Ban Gay Parade, Warn of Possible Attacks

St. Augustine & Culture Wars

Today on St. Augustine's feast day...listen to Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College speaking at Calvin College-"How to Win the Culture War"
I am sure most have either read his book or heard him speak.

His writings. His talks.

You too, can become a saint! NOW SAY IT-"I can become a saint"!

Now-go out to know, love, and serve GOD Our Father!

Proclaim 'your fiat' BOLDLY AND STRONG!

Another Group in the Battle Against Culture of Death

Americans For Truth

Are Wal-Mart Values Family Values?

Please see their site and pray for them and their work.

Wal-Mart and National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

This information came in an alert from the Family Research Council. Unfortunately, it's not enough to determine the next game plan against the culture of death (Plan B morning after pill), when another attack on life occurs closer to every one's way of life.

Wal-Mart has now 'partnered' with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) announced today a partnership with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing diversity among all of its associate, supplier and customer bases. This partnership will include executive representation on the NGLCC’s Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) and sponsorship of the organization’s 2006 events and initiatives.
As part of Wal-Mart’s involvement with NGLCC, Dee Breazeale, vice president of divisional merchandise, SAM’S CLUB Jewelry, will serve on the organization’s Corporate Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC is composed of NGLCC corporate partners whose mission is to discuss issues upon which members of the NGLCC and CAC work together to educate Corporate America and the public on the economic benefits of providing a diverse workplace and creating mutually beneficial relationships with the LGBT and LGBT-friendly business community.

A list of other partners that Wal-Mart follows:

Wal-Mart joins a highly respected group of companies with representatives on the CAC, including IBM, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, American Airlines, Intel Corporation, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Lehman Brothers, Motorola, Travelport, Merrill Lynch, American Express, Cisco Systems, Avis, Orbitz, Intuit, Kodak, Fannie Mae, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, and Kimpton
Membership
Certification

Why Wal-Mart? Why Now? Background Statement from the NGLCC Leadership

We would like to take this opportunity to share some background on our partnership announcement with Wal-Mart and what it means for LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs – our members. One of the major initiatives at the NGLCC is our LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative™ (SDI). The purpose of the SDI is to connect certified LGBT businesses with major corporations for the purposes of gaining procurement opportunities -- product and services contracts.

Pray for strength in this major battle! Remember IT IS a spiritual battle, stay close to the Sacraments and stay in a state of grace!

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places," St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 -12.

"Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry"-St. Pio

More on the FDA and 'Plan B'

Family Group Plans Legal Challenge To 'Plan B' Decision

I feel better, for the moment, knowing that someone (Family Research Council) is trying to fight this. Maybe this will put a bump in their plans.

Slo-Mo Home Depot

Summer heat in the south will do it to you too. Ya' don't need to 'stage' it here! Slo-Mo Home Depot. You need to read the 'mission' and scroll down to watch in couple of spots/sections.

Crop Circles

They are pretty, whoever is doing them.

Da Vinci Code Fanaticism Over Holy Grail

It seems the fanaticism of the Da Vinci Code has not worn off:

And some, it seems, will go to any lengths to discover the beautiful church's secrets - even if it means taking a hammer and chisel to the walls. The Reverend Charmian Beech blamed a pair of 'Da Vinci Code-style' treasure hunters for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage as they searched for clues to help them find the Grail. Stonework was chipped off in four areas inside her church as the offenders tried to remove blocks from the walls to see what is behind them, she said.

Fr. Euteneuer's Letter

Open Letter To Mrs. Melinda Gates

Thank you Fr. Euteneuer, for saying all the things I've wanted to say to Mrs. Gates!

I also recommend subscribing to Fr.'s email- "Spirit & Life".

Done - FDA and Morning After Pill

FDA Eases Limits on Plan B Sales

Women may buy the morning-after pill without a prescription - but only with proof they're 18 or older, federal health officials ruled Thursday, capping a contentious 3-year effort to ease access to the emergency contraceptive.

Stem Cells & Jerry Falwell

Rev. Falwell decries stem cell research

Stem Cells

Catholic groups reject claims of stem cells breakthrough

The US bishops and pro-life groups have been quick to pour cold water on claims published yesterday in Nature magazine that stem cells can be grown successfully from a single cell plucked without harm from a three-day old embryo.

"Head of Christ"-Picture Stolen from High School

Maybe thieves wanted no one to fight over the portrait of Christ? Hmmm?
From Fredricksburg-The Free Lance-Star:

These thieves apparently didn't listen to "Thou shalt not steal."
A portrait of Jesus Christ was taken from Bridgeport (W. Va.) High School on Thursday, two days after the Harrison County School Board agreed to fight court efforts to remove it.
An intruder snatched the painting just before 4 a.m., but left behind the gilded frame and backing, Schools Superintendent Carl Friebel said.
"The picture was the only thing stolen, so the deliberate intent was to steal the picture and only the picture," Friebel said.
The painting, which depicts Jesus in sepia tones on a large canvas, had been at the school for 37 years.
The Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the West Virginia American Civil Liberties Union sued the school board, saying the painting, "Head of Christ," sends the message that the school endorses Christianity as its official religion.

Changing Church Policy from Within-Women Priests

A quote from "newly ordained"Eileen McCafferty DiFranco:
'"An excommunication is a decision made by fallible men who have made mistakes in the past, egregious mistakes in the present and who will make mistakes in the future," said DiFranco, who is three courses shy of her master’s of divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary."

Patti Mengers, Of the Delaware County Times Staff writes in Woman fulfills her 'priestly' vows:
"She will still consider herself a Roman Catholic priest and carry on her crusade to change church policy from within."

How, if Eileen is getting a divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary? Does this mean she gets to 'float' in and out of the Roman Catholic Church while she is trying to change church policy?

And so it goes in the blue states the 'hype' continues...

Bush APPROVES Morning After Pill

Disgusted. No words can convey my anger, disappointment, and my shame.

From Life Site News:
"At a White House press conference this morning, the President was asked by Bill Sammon a reporter from the Washington Examiner about Plan B and his new FDA commissioner who supports its over the counter status. "Mr. President, some pro-life groups are worried that your choice of FDA Commissioner will approve over the counter sales of Plan B, a pill that, they say, essentially can cause early-term abortions," said the reporter. "Do you stand by this choice, and how do you feel about Plan B in general?"
The President replied, "I believe that Plan B ought to be -- ought to require a prescription for minors, is what I believe. And I support Andy's decision."'

"Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International commented, "President Bush's implied support for the abortion-causing drug Plan B is completely inconsistent with his recent veto of the embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) funding bill. What the president apparently fails to realize is that Plan B kills the same innocent unborn children that the ESCR process does."'

Unfortunately, for some reason, I keep hearing in my head, that stupid song "The Morning After"--from the Poseidon Adventure. (and I mean NO PUN either!)

This is now serious on the eve of August 22, 2006-possible threats-Concern for Tomorrow--you know it's not good if Drudge is reporting this-Is Tomorrow Doomsday?

PRAY, HOPE, & DON'T WORRY--St. Pio

Tomorrow maybe an important day but guess what?! Tomorrow is also the feast of the "Queenship of Our Blessed Mother"! Go Momma!

"2. Following upon the frightful calamities which before Our very eyes have reduced flourishing cities, towns, and villages to ruins, We see to Our sorrow that many great moral evils are being spread abroad in what may be described as a violent flood. Occasionally We behold justice giving way; and, on the one hand and the other, the victory of the powers of corruption. The threat of this fearful crisis fills Us with a great anguish, and so with confidence We have recourse to Mary Our Queen, making known to her those sentiments of filial reverence which are not Ours alone, but which belong to all those who glory in the name of Christian."

O Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the Angels, O Mary, conceived without sin, O "Momma", pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

So he's misunderstood?

Nah! I don't believe this for one minute -"What the Devil? Prince of Darkness Is Misunderstood, Says UCLA Professor", I consider the source.

"Kelly started his academic career at a Jesuit seminary and was ordained in four of the seven holy orders on the way to the priesthood, including the order of exorcist."

I don't think that I want to even touch this! Our Lady of Fatima pray for us and most especially for Dr. Kelly!

Will someone step-up to refute his findings? Stay tuned.

Asteroids & Sprayed Viruses on Meat & Poultry

What's worse killer asteroids? or our food? Yuck! How can this be good for you?

Protecting Children & the Internet

Cyber Bullying?
Do you know where your child is?

Deception in Pictures

Look at this -"Digital doctoring: Pictures that lie" and view all the pictures displayed.

Which one or ones are your favorites? (too many to pick a favorite one)
Mine are 1, 2,& 3. Maybe there is one. My maiden name is similar to the spelling of this "creature" and I have endured much teasing throughout my life because of it.


Summer time funnies...
Can it really be found or not? Looks like it to me. Cute-see pic. #26

GOD in the Streets of New York City

HE is always with us.
Be not afraid!

International Prayer for Peace 2006-Wash. D.C.

National Catholic Reporter's John Allen participated and reports on his participation at the International Prayer for Peace: "Religions and Cultures: the Courage of Dialogue". He was a panel member present to discuss "Mass Media: Religions, Peace and War". The list of other attendees to the celebration "of the 20th anniversary of the historical Prayer for Peace held Assisi, Italy, in 1986, the Community of Sant'Egidio" is here.

My favorite attendee is Dr. Robert Edgar - National Council of Churches, USA. What I found most exciting is that John reports on the dialog that took place between he, Peggy Noonan, and Dr. Edgar.

How busy the NCC-USA has been. Look at this disagreement and the starting point here.

Why do certain members of the Catholic Church continue to believe that "dialogue" works? Or is there a hidden other agenda? And it's ALWAYS the same people dialoguing. For another example-Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, R.S.M. When are they going to figure out that they are NOT IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD?! GOD IS! They waste so much of HIS time and theirs dialoguing, instead they could be praying, praising, thanking, and doing!
Also, the highest blessings received from this action would remedy the situation that Mr. Allen details here (scroll down below the Edgar's dialogue) while attending Mass on Thursday at Georgetown's Dalhgren Chapel-filled pews!

"Those of us in the pews were originally three, though our ranks swelled to five by the end. McCarrick began by noting the situation was a bit like the early church -- more priests than people, but, he pointed out, that was the basis for big things later on."

Yes, it surely is...Prayers continue...

Happy Feast Day-St. Catherine of Siena

On this feast day St. Catherine for HE teaches through St. Catherine here- How God grieves over the Christian

“What I say of the universal body and the mystical body of the Holy Church (that is to say the Christian religion) I also say of My ministers, who stand and feed at the breasts of Holy Church; and, not only should they feed themselves, but it is also their duty to feed and hold to those breasts the universal body of Christian people, and also any other people who should wish to leave the darkness of their infidelity, and bind themselves as members to My Church. See then with what ignorance and darkness, and ingratitude, are administered, and with what filthy hands are handled this glorious milk and blood of My spouse, and with what presumption and irreverence they are received."


Because it is just as imperative as it was so long ago-see here.
For the children shall not be kept from HIM their FATHER.

"Wherefore, that which really gives life, often gives, through the defects of those who receive it, death; that is to say, the precious Blood of My only-begotten Son, which destroyed death and darkness, and gave life and truth, and confounded falsehood. For I give this Blood and use It for salvation and perfection in the case of that man who disposes himself properly to receive it, for It gives life and adorns the soul with every grace, in proportion to the disposition and affection of him who receives It; similarly It gives death to him who receives It unworthily, living in iniquity and in the darkness of mortal sin; to him, I say, It gives death and not life; not through defect of the Blood, nor through defect of the minister, though there might be great evil in him, because his evil would not spoil nor defile the Blood nor diminish Its grace and virtue, nor does an evil minister do harm to him to whom he gives the Blood, but to himself he does the harm of guilt, which will be followed by punishment, unless he correct himself with contrition and repentance. I say then that the Blood does harm to him who receives it unworthily, not through defect of the Blood, nor of the minister, but through his own evil disposition and defect inasmuch as he has befouled his mind and body with such impurity and misery, and has been so cruel to himself and his neighbor. He has used cruelty to himself, depriving himself of grace, trampling under the feet of his affection the fruit of the Blood which he had received in Holy Baptism, when the stain of original sin was taken from him by virtue of the Blood, which stain he drew from his origin, when he was generated by his father and mother. "

Here, here, and here again.

"Oh, miserable man, who delights to remain in the mud like a brute, and does not learn this great benefit which he has received from Me! A benefit so great, that the poor wretched creature full of such ignorance could receive no greater.”

On my knees I will beg HIS MERCY for these people.

St. Catherine assist us all in humility, courage and boldness so that we may always proclaim HIS truth and mercy with love in all things. Amen.

Unfortunately a "veil tip" to Jeff Miller.

Fetal Pain Bills Advancing

Abortion foes gain on new front
State ‘fetal pain' bills advance

Pope Benedict XVI, Keeler, & Baltimore

Pope will not visit Baltimore for rededication of Basilica

"Spokesman Sean T. Caine said that Pope Benedict's schedule will not allow him to visit for the rededication of the nation's first Roman Catholic cathedral. But with the pope considering a visit to the United States in 2007, Cardinal William H. Keeler has asked him to consider a stop in Baltimore, Caine said."

Considering my many issues with the Sisters of Mercy-Baltimore (Mount St. Agnes Theological Center for Women)--I would so strongly desire to meet with them and discuss this situation before it's tentacles continue to spread across the country.

The Mercy women have already set up a "chapter" here in Birmingham under the guise of "Mercy Associates"-lay women's group with plans for another future local group to be entwinned together here in Birmingham ("A second group is preparing to join this inital group next year."). Since the diocese doesn't use the internet for our diocesan news (darnit) I'll have to quote from it as it is was reported in "The One Voice":
"Mercy Association Initiates First Group of Women"-
"Each new Mercy Associate made a promise of a ministerial work of Mercy (scroll down) to which she is committed and recieved a symbol of her committment, a Mercy Associate pin.
The key elements of Mercy association are as follows: A sense of calling by God, i.e. a Mercy dimension of the universal call to holiness; Orientation to Catherine McAuley (Foundress), Mercy, and Mercy history; Participation in local and regional Mercy life and mission; Formal, ritualized committment; Leadership of associates by associates in collaboration with Sisters of Mercy; Regular meetings, retreats and/or reflection days and opportunties for social and recreational gatherings; Networking of associates at Institute/interreligious/regional gatherings; Periodic evaluation of association; Committment to furthering multi-cultural and multi-lingual participation."

Won't Benedict XVI please come and clean all of this up?

More on Schiavo...

This article says it so well....scroll down to Schiavo, Centonze Wed In Catholic Church.

Did you hear today's readings too?
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Schiavo married in--- Espiritu Santo Catholic Church.

WHERE ARE YOU BISHOP LYNCH?

GOD HAVE MERCY!

.S.F. Pro-life Rally 2006

We all need to read this article and see the pictures of the San Francisco Pro-Life Rally this past weekend, just as we all need to see the horror of an aborted baby.

Please pray for these people. Remember OUR SAVIOR carried HIS CROSS and hung on IT FOR ALL OF THEM TOO. No wonder HE sweat HIS own PRECIOUS BLOOD in the Garden of Gethsemane.

WARNING-"Narrow Road Ahead"

More "The Book of Daniel" (TBoD) comments here. Scroll down and move upward. Interesting.

I liked this comment:

Sallie Says: January 8th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
"I find it interesting that Christianity is the only religion that gets held up to satire, mockery and travesty by prime time TV. It causes me to remember the warning we received in the Bible about dealing with principalities and powers. Forget the entertainment and look at the big picture!!!
How does this show glorify our Lord and Savior. How does getting our entertainment from watching the sins of others fit in with Christian living? And just what message does this show make to the unbelievers that we are trying to reach with the truth, when even the church officials were living hypocritical, sinful lives! ! !
Wake up. Narrow is the road."

"The Book of Daniel"-Diane Winston-LA Times

The risk of playing religion straight
"This misses the point. "The Book of Daniel" doesn't disparage Bible-believing Christians. Instead, it demonstrates the difficulty of turning serious religion into entertainment. Religion can be played as sentimental, spooky or satire, but doing it straight — think "ER" repotted in a synagogue — is hard to pull off." Diane Winston-LA Times

"Book of Daniel"-Sponsors List

Here's my sponsors list from the program of The Book of Daniel (Fri. 1-06-06):
I noticed that there were more NBC commercials than other paid sponsors. Hmmm? I wonder if they had a difficult time getting sponsors? It sure looked like it when all the Olympic ads were run.

NBC -promotion of their programs & the Winter Olympics
Disney (very hard to find -tho not their offical site-scroll down) a Blogger
Taco Bell
Burlington Coat Factory (here too)
Arby's (1-800-487-2729)
Cheerios-General Foods
Mercury (2 ads)
Mazda (2 ads)
Toyota
Movies- "Munich"&"King Kong",-Universal, "Memoirs of a Geisha" (btw-Da Vinci Code)& "Last Holiday"

Local network program promotions

Amy's "open book" discussion-"The Book of Daniel"

Over at "open book" the discussion on the highly offensive and controversial program on NBC, The Book of Daniel has been quite informative.

I have often wondered what keeps people from seizing their grace-filled moment from Father-God. He presents us all with a moment to actually defend HIS SON! And what do we do? We wait for the moment to pass and we decide either that it's not the right time or not enough time, we need to pray about it, we have other battles to fight, or we just don't care. I don't understand this kind of thinking. No, I do understand. We know who loves it when we sit and do nothing. Enough said there.

Back to a comment made on this discussion: Roger asks: "Does anyone know the name of an Episcopalian blog, on the level of "Open Book"?"
I too, wondered what the Episcopal Church or Episcopalian bloggers were writing/blogging. I am sad to say I found these: Father Jake Stops the World & The Blog of Daniel.

Will it just go away if we just leave it alone?

I'll post my sponsor list in the next posting.

Yea! He's Back!

Fr. Bryce Sibley is BACK!

He's podcasting-"The Word Made Flesh"!

I can't wait to download to my new MP3 player I got for Christmas.
Yippee! I am so glad he is back!

George Weigel on Benedict XVI

Hoping for a pontificate of reform
It was expected Joseph Ratzinger would bring intellect to the papacy, but now action is in demand

The Future of Jerusalem-Vatican Modeled

Sharon's expert-Sergio Della Pergola, the leading worldwide scholar of Jewish demographics expounds on the future of Jerusalem with the Vatican as the model and the identity of the Israeli people are at the origin of his plan.
Sandro Magister reports on this plan here.

"The Vatican was studied as a model because – although it is an independent state – it is administratively integrated into Italy in terms of its money, water supply, electricity, sewer system, telephone system, railroad, and security services."

On the surface, it sounds like it can work.

Our prayers continue for peace!

2006 & The Bible Code

What to make of this information for 2006? The Bible Code

"The warnings that are most clearly stated in the code are (a) the world will face global economic collapse starting in the Hebrew year 5762. 2002 in the modern calendar. We know that one came true. (b) this will lead to a period of unprecedented danger as nations with nuclear weapons become unstable and terrorists can buy or steal the power to destroy whole cities. After 9/11 no one doubts it. And then of course there's the most terrible of the three predictions, god help us if this one comes true. The danger will peak in the Hebrew year 5766, 2006 in the modern calendar. The year that is most clearly encoded with both world war and atomic holocaust."

I don't think that we had a global economic collapse in 2002. But the 2nd one -(b)- can apply to this moment right now.

Needless to say, our prayers continue for mercy and the salvation of our souls.

LORD have mercy!

St. Michael defend us in battle...

Our Lady of Fatima pray for us!

Mary, Mother of God-Solemnity & Happy New Year!

Mary, Mother of God-Solemnity

Today from our Holy Father-Pope Benedict XVI-
“A mother is she who gives life but also she who helps and teaches how to live,” said the Pope. “Mary is Mother, Mother of Jesus to who she gave her blood, her body. And it is she who presents the eternal Word of the Father, come to live among us. Let us ask Mary to intercede for us. Her maternal protection accompanies us today and always, so that Christ may welcome us one day in his glory, in the communion of Saints”.

'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

More from Mount St. Agnes (RSM) & Carol Lee Flinders

From the Dec. 2005-MSA -"The Scoop"- Spiritual Feminism Workshop. Carol Lee Flinders' association with this institute-Sophia Institute in Charleston, South Carolina.

"If women are to bring forth a new paradigm, built on inclusiveness, mutuality, and reverence for nature, their inner work must be as sustained and systematic as their analysis and their activism. To that end, this workshop will offer a meditative practice that can be carried out in any religious tradition (or none), and that is an ideal foundation for spiritually informed activism."

I have always noticed their systematic drive to change institutions. I consider that burning and razing institutions. Nothing like selfishness to run your emotions and behavior.
Get ready it's getting ready to be a bumpy and dangerous ride on that "train". Even though "the train has left the station" we can still derail and detour it. But let's not get "side-tracked"-defeated by their behavior or their plans. We keep pushing forward-onward and upward assisting in building up HIS KINGDOM on earth-NOT her kingdom!

A Call for "Outing" of Bishops & Priests?

Rainbow Sash Movement-responds.

Bishop Skylstad-Speech at American College of Immaculate Conception

Bishop Skylstad: The Church in the United States at a new frontier (American College at Louvain, PDF)

Op-ed on Boston Catholic Charities from NCR

Extremists drive church agenda

"We can become the absolutists, the literalists who keep cutting off limbs and poking out eyes to fend off that which we find disagreeable. Or we can rediscover the robustness of true Catholicism. We can recognize that politics is not religion. We can rejoin the fray, making our points by persuasion and example, not by ultimatums, sulking and walking away."

This from the National Cath. Reporter Editor--He talks as if his faith were a CAN OF BEER!
I am surprised Hitler and the terrorist comparison is not made in this piece. I have heard it so many times before now. It's just very sad.

Plenary Indulgence Attainable on Dec. 8

Plenary Indulgence Attainable on Dec. 8
Papal Decision for 40th Anniversary of Close of Vatican II

I pray that all are preparing for Advent!

Vatican II 40th Anniversary & the Vernacular

From The Commonweal this week on the 40th Anniversary of Vat. II-
Lost in Translation
The Bishops, the Vatican & the English Liturgy

"The use of vernacular languages in the liturgy did not begin with the Second Vatican Council. For decades previously an array of Catholic scholars and experts had been doing research in France, Germany, the Low Countries, Italy, England, and the United States; centers of liturgical renewal had become influential; and by the early 1950s, Rome had commissioned conferences of bishops-already it was they who had the responsibility-to prepare translations of part of the rites for baptisms, marriages, and funerals. Precisely because so much preparation had been done, the bishops assembled for the council felt able to push ahead immediately with liturgical reform."

Read on...very interesting...

Recognizing Consensus Building

Another article on consensus building :THE UNSEEN ENEMY THAT'S STEALING AMERICA

Just maybe there ARE more people waking up.
Something's happening if we we're talking or writing about it It can't go much longer unoticed.
They're not unseen or unheard about now!

PRAISE GOD!

This is interesting too:The Consensus Building Institute

NCR's John Allen, Jr. Weighs-in on Vatican doc.

Vatican document bans most gays from priesthood

I wonder what happened today?

"Bishops Preach Against Stem-Cell Research"

I would like to hear from those in this diocese. Did your parish address this issue in the homily?

Another State to Consider Gay Marriage

Washington court considers gay marriage

We see all the battles being "set-up" now.

Our Blessed Mother-of the Miraculous Medal on this 175th Anniversary of the Miraculous Medal please pray for us!

O Mary conceived without sin. Pray for us who have recourse to you!

More on Boston's Catholic Charities

Catholic charity? It is an editorial view...and I consider the source.

"BY SNUBBING the annual Christmas dinner for Catholic Charities, Archbishop Sean O'Malley seems to be saying that believers like himself must sometimes turn their backs on the common good if there is conflict with the church's strict religious tenets.
Such a narrow, polarizing view could hardly serve the city well and is especially disappointing during a season associated with tolerance and good will."

"Yet in the opinion of the archbishop, the Catholic mayor's good works would seem to be negated by his support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage."

"Menino may be out of sync with some church teachings, but he and other successful politicians know about productive compromise."

A wealth of dissenting information in these quotes! Since when did a shepherd of the Church site opinion instead of her teaching? It doesn't sound as though that has happened. He is following and teaching the tenets of our faith.

It reminds me of those moments in the classroom when I was in Catholic elementary school. Remember when the student next to you was scolled for his bad behavior? And then he continued to disrupt the class to which the teacher decided that all would be punished because the teacher had enough? Well, that's whats happening now. We are all getting the lesson because others choose not to follow the teacher.

It is so very sad. Our prayers continue!

Catholic Charities-Issues

Hat tip to Dom Bettinelli for the info on Catholic Charities Boston (scroll down to Nov 11, 05 4:46 pm posting).
I too have deep issues with Catholic Charities U.S.A.

I have raised my concerns with others over the years and today I found these items to support my findings.
My issues stem from the fact that there are so many that have their "hand in the pot" (i.e. the religious nuns-Sisters of Mercy) while openly and arrogantly dissenting Holy Mother's teachings. For shame on all those that lead others away from the Holy Mother Church. Woe to them, those that have been given much.

I offer the following for your discernment:
Catholic Charities USA-Advocacy
Catholic Charities USA-Who We Are pdf. file
Catholic Charities-Parish Social Ministry Training Calendar
Catholic Charities-Parish Social Ministry Training
Catholic Charities Pres. Rev. Larry Snyder- "Father Snyder earns a salary of $180,000 in his new role."-??
Catholic Charities-program("tentacle")-JustFaith-Creator & Director-Jack Jezreel (scroll down)-"Google"-JustFaith + Dissent= Catholic Action Network. (scroll down)

More here too on J. Jezreel, with one of my buddies--from Mount St. Agnes (MSA/RSM'S)--Carol Lee Flinders at a CTA conference giving a homliy?!!
(I can't follow the pics.-I don't know if that is her giving a homily) Of course these people are all hanging together with those I know here in Birmingham.
I knew they were all sitting up in that tree---those birds-"Birds of a feather...."

So you see there are large issues here.

And then this came from Deal Hudson-"The Window"-titled article-"Boston's Catholic Charities Honors Public Dissenter"-
"Catholic Charities in Boston is continuing to steer a steady course away from Church authority. Invitations for the Catholic Charities annual Christmas dinner were recently sent out naming their honoree, Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Menino has distinguished himself with his public support of abortion and gay marriage. He is often quoted in the press bashing pro-life lay groups, politicians and theologians."

And another hat tip to Carrie Tomko for this article by James Fitzpatrick, since I believe it sums up the "words speak" by liberals.

We all have to use the discerning gifts that have been bestowed upon us by OUR LOVING FATHER.

"PWTN"

You gotta see this one! Go here and scroll down the page to Sept. 25th, 2005.

The "Red Mass" in Washington

Bush, Roberts,A.Kennedy,Thomas, Scalia ,Breyer, Moore, McCarrick, & Schenck in D.C. at "Red Mass"

"The Red Mass that took place at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington is in its 52nd year and is sponsored by the John Carroll Society, named for America's first Catholic Bishop. The service is held the Sunday before the opening of each new Supreme Court term; it stresses the unique responsibility of those involved in the justice system and the courts. Washington's Archbishop Theodore McCarrick gave today's sermon."

Of Mice & Man

See here pictures of a mouse's ear regenerated after a piercing.

Catholic College Guide

Please pass this along to family and friends. The first guide to list the Catholic Colleges "that conform to canon law requirements and Catholic moral norms."
It is a pdf file but you can go here first to read more about it.

Bishops Begin Discussing Major Issues

I haven't been in "my space" in such a long time. My time is so short now but I'm getting there.

Here's one.

I look forward to getting back in the groove!

B XVI

"The HOLY FATHER"

God Bless

CFFC-Francis Kissling, Pro Choice Politians, & Rome

FRANCIS KISSLING HAS SPOKEN! Click on "What's New"-"Prochoice Catholic Senators and Supreme Court Vacancies: Problems with the Vatican Working Document on the Eucharist"

She has thrown down the gauntlet on the U.S. Bishops! And the Vatican!

HERE WE GO FOLKS!

And if that wasn't enough...did you see this site -POPE-WATCH? DISGUSTING!! GET A GRIP OR LEAVE!

Prayer for John Paul II's Intercession

This is an awesome prayer.
"Prayer for John Paul II's Intercession"

"O Blessed Trinity, We thank you for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen."

Gov. Jeb Bush Call for Investigation-Terri's 911 Call

Gov. Jeb Bush today has called for an investigation into the time frame of Terri's 911 call.
This is good news and I will continue to pray for him as he continues to fight for Terri.

"Friends of Tibet"-VA License Plates?

Now,I've heard everything. Virginia license plates for Tibetans?
"After pointing out that extra revenues from these special plates -- the first in the world to honor the Tibetan people -- will go to help local refugees preserve their threatened heritage, the former Lt. Governor concluded, "This is something we Virginians can really be proud of."'

Chicago Priest-Army Chaplin in Iraq

Read Pastor Fr. John Barkemeyer Chicago's Morgan Park, of St. Cajetan Churc

Nevermind the Failure of the EU Constitution

Just when you think that you can have a sigh of relief---this comes along.

"For example: The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a group of affiliated NGOs, recently petitioned the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO asking for intervention in the plans of a private company to mine gold on private land near Yellowstone Park. The UNESCO Committee did intervene, and immediately listed Yellowstone as a "World Heritage Site in Danger." Under the terms of the World Heritage Convention, the United States is required to protect the park, even beyond the borders of the park, and onto private lands if necessary."

They'll get in the "back door" now.

"The ideas being discussed, if implemented, will bring all the people of the world into a global neighbourhood managed by a worldwide bureaucracy, under the direct authority of a minute handful of appointed individuals, and policed by thousands of individuals, paid by accredited NGOs, certified to support a belief system, which to many people is unbelievable and unacceptable."

I don't think people are aware of what's happening with these people. The author is right, the Masons can't hold a candle next to the The Bilderbergers.

American Dental Association: Banking Baby, Wisdom Teeth For Stem Cells

Let's do this instead of the embryonic stem cells!

Young Adults to Meet Gov. Schwarzenegger; Prime Concern is His Support For Abortion

A prayer for this group- as they meet tomorrow with CA. Gov. Schwarzenegger. They hope to show him that you can't be Catholic and Pro-abortion. We pray they are successful.

Again, Where's the Outcry?

"Popetown"-Popetown, C4, 9.30pm, Wednesday.

"C4 manager Andrew Szusterman, who bought the show before the BBC reversed its decision to screen it, says there’s nothing sacrilegious about Popetown - if there were, he wouldn’t have bought it. "It’s just satire. It’s about laughing at ourselves and the different religions that we are around the world and not treating it so seriously. Perhaps we’re just living in very PC times."
"Or perhaps not. Since C4 signed on the dotted line, Popetown has been picked up by networks in Europe and Australia and Ox is confident it will be sold to networks in the US."

Let's keep an eye out for this one folks! Maybe someone can alert Catholic League's-Bill Donohue.
We can make a difference if we can find out about it first before it even makes it here in the U.S.