The researchers point out that fat tissue, like bone marrow and umbilical cords, contains hundreds of thousands of adult stem cells that are naturally programmed to heal and repair the human body. Called fat-derived adult stem cells, laboratory researchers have prompted them to convert to fat, bone, cartilage and muscle. Researchers believe these cells could help treat heart conditions, heal broken bones, and even be used in reconstructive surgery. According to Dr. Jeffrey Gimble of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge and current president of IFATS, “We now know fat is much more than just those extra pounds we carry around. It’s a dynamic tissue that holds secrets to treating disease. Unlocking the potential of stem cells found in fat tissue is just the beginning.”
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Adult Stem Cells
Monday, October 23, 2006
More on "Chipped" Physicians
53 Physicians Implanted -"Chipped"
VeriChip Corporation, a subsidiary of Applied Digital Solutions (NASDAQ:ADSX), announced today that it added 370 physicians to the VeriMed Physician Network at the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Convention held from October 17-20th n Las Vegas. Including the 300 physicians that agreed to participate in the Network at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians earlier this month, the total number of physicians participating in the network now exceeds 1,000. In addition, 53 physicians at the convention were implanted with a VeriMed microchip.
Can someone please explain why they would do this!? Really!? Btw...I was out bra shopping (it's NOT my favorite thing to do. Is it any woman's?) this past weekend. I was stunned and puzzled as to why a "RFID tag" was placed on the inside of the bra cup. How did I miss that before I tried it on?! Truly embarrassing! Imagine how it felt close to the skin. Ugh! I immediately removed the bra. Just one more reason not to purchase "tagged" items!
More on TLC's "The Monastery"
My favorite moment: Brother Rodrigo's conversation about the Virgin Mother--the question-"was the Virgin-really a virgin?" (I paraphrase here) He so lovingly spoke of his mother-stating she was "his mother" and you don't speak or blaspheme her at all. You could see the love on his face and hear the tone of love in his voice. He got the point across to the men. You could hear a pin drop when he was speaking with them. And there were other moments. I recommend viewing this program and ask that prayers be offered for the success of the Holy Spirit. Prayers for all to be open to hearing and seeing this life-the Benedictine life. YEA GOD!
You can hear Gregorian chants here.
Meet the Monks.
Meet the Men.
Monastery Info.
They (TLC & the Monastery) continue to evangelize- Resource Info here.
Physicians For Life
Physiciansforlife.org exists to draw attention to abortion, human embryonic and non-embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, out-of-wedlock sexual activity, and euthanasia by presenting the medical realities of these. Physiciansforlife.org strongly encourages sexual abstinence outside marriage in order to curb and eliminate the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases/infections, reduce the high rates of teen pregnancies, and prepare our youth to develop strong and healthy life-long relationships in the parameters of marriage. The overriding goal of every physician should be to Do No Harm , to help every person live the longest and healthiest life possible.
More On Life & Death-Who Decides Resuscitation?
The debate over who makes the decision raises fundamental challenges to medical integrity as well as patients’ rights and can rub feelings raw for all concerned. Hospitals around the country and some state legislatures have wrestled with how to balance these competing values, reaching different conclusions.
Make sure you get your "Will to Live" information here. Find your state to download doc.
Christian Care Ministry
This is the “medical bill sharing ministry” known as Christian Care Ministry, based in Melbourne, Fla., the largest of a handful of similar ministries around the country.
Hmmm....?
Every month, in roughly 19,000 households across the country, ministry members — who must be observant Christians with recommendations from their pastors — write a check to Christian Care Ministry. The amount depends on their family’s size and how much of their medical bills they are willing to pay out of their own pocket.
And each month, the ministry writes checks to health care providers — totaling more than $240 million since it was founded — to cover the medical bills submitted by its members. Roughly $57 million moved through the ministry in its latest fiscal year.
Whoa...
Healthcare Costs and Prices
The websites are listed through the article, tho the links/URL's are not embedded so you will have to highlight, copy and paste into your browser/address.When it came to the cost of a routine doctor's office visit, respondents guessed an average of $95, according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive for employee benefits provider Great-West Healthcare.
The actual average cost for a doctor's visit? It was $200. For emergency room visits, respondents estimated $680. The cost was actually lower - $400.
According to the survey, more than half of those who responded did not know the cost of treatment until it was received (68 percent), and 11 percent revealed that they never found out the cost.
Life & Death-Organ Donation
The United Network for Organ Sharing has even failed to act when patients were dying at abnormal rates, and often has kept its findings secret when it does investigate problems, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Are these patients on the waiting list to receive an organ or prepped for donation?
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Another Pleasant Surprise!
God BLESS HER!
"The money didn't belong to me, and I wasn't supposed to take it," the 50-year-old Haiti native said. "That's the normal thing to do."
Surprise!
An Italian journalist and self-described atheist who died last month has left most of her books and notes to a pontifical university in Rome because of her admiration for Pope Benedict XVI, a school official said Saturday.
Prayer Need
A lovesick 16-year-old girl crashed her car into an oncoming vehicle in a suicide attempt, counting down the moments before impact in text messages sent to the female classmate who spurned her, authorities say. The girl survived; a woman in the other car was killed.More...
Authorities said Brunstad rammed her family's Mercedes-Benz head-on into a smaller car driven by 30-year-old Nancy Salado-Mayo, a mother of three. Salado-Mayo was killed, and her 6-year-old daughter Lesly, who was in a child safety seat, suffered broken ribs and other injuries.
More Info About Rev. Anthony Mercieca
Maltese Islanders Back Accused Priest
On the island of Gozo, many residents refused to speak about the case, and those who did had only kind words for Mercieca, who they said grew up in a respected and pious family. Mercieca's brother, who is also a priest, told reporters outside the home they share that the allegations were a "political invention." Asked why he thought so, the Rev. George Mercieca said "because he is one of (President) Bush's men." He was apparently referring to Foley being a Republican.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Finding More Reasons to Vote-GOP
The Connection to God and the Anticipated Muslim Victory Over the Infidels
"On the nuclear issue, I have said to my friends on many occasions, 'Don't worry. They [i.e. the Westerners] are only making noise.' But my friends don't believe [me], and say, 'You are connected to some place!' I always say: 'Now the West is disarmed vis-Ã -vis Iran [on the nuclear issue], and does not know how to end this matter [with us].' But my friends say: 'You are uttering divine words! Then they will laugh at us!'
"Believe [me], legally speaking, and in the eyes of public opinion, we have absolutely succeeded. I say this out of knowledge. Someone asked me: 'So and so said that you have a connection.' I said: 'Yes, I have.' He asked me: 'Really, you have a connection? With whom?' I answered: 'I have a connection with God,' since God said that the infidels will have no way to harm the believers. Well, [but] only if we are believers, because God said: You [will be] the victors. But the same friends say that Ahmadinejad says strange things.Attitude Towards the U.S. and Bush
"... The president of America is like us. That is, he too is inspired... but [his] inspiration is of the satanic kind. Satan gives inspiration to the president of America... "[With regard to the news that U.S. aircraft carriers have been sent to the Persian Gulf,] I say to you now to let your minds be at ease. If two warships come, let them come... Why did you say nothing two months ago, when 140 of their warships left? Actually, I think that the fact that they are coming means that there is no possibility that anything will happen. "What is dangerous is if they leave the region; then, it will be clear that they have a plan. That is exactly what I said at the Supreme National Security Council meeting some time ago. [I said,] be certain that the departure of those American warships from the Persian Gulf is the beginning of a bad event. Then [indeed] we saw that they caused the Lebanon war."
We have to stay the course!
One More Reason to Get Out the Vote!
Please! Please--let's not listen to the media from now until Nov. 7th! Let's keep our eyes focused on the goal and the issues!
More...Expecting to gain seats in Congress, Democrats are drafting an ambitious health care agenda to carry out their campaign promises with legislation to lower drug costs for older Americans, provide more money for children’s health insurance and expand research using embryonic stem cells.
With additional seats in the House and the Senate, Democrats say, they would overturn restrictions that Mr. Bush imposed on research involving embryonic stem cells. Congress passed such legislation this year, but Mr. Bush vetoed it.
Let's Not Forget the Supreme Court- Nov. 7th
However, if Democrats take control of the already closely divided upper chamber (currently composed of 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and one independent), a
Supreme Court appointment of the same caliber as Roberts or Alito would prove all but impossible. Alito’s confirmation passed only by a vote of only 58-42, with only four Democrats crossing the aisle to support the nomination. If Democrats gain an edge in the Senate, or even just manage to bring it closer to a 50-50 split, all future nominations, including those to lesser federal courts, will doubtless face the bitter and hopeless fate experienced by nominees of Republican presidents beholden to a Democrat Senate.More...
With the exception of their commitment to President Bush’s national-security and tax-relief efforts, congressional Republicans have done little to commend themselves for re-election. Yet when we think of the issues destined to appear before the courts now and in years to come—counter-terrorism laws, abortion, school choice, affirmative action, personal property, business regulation, environment regulation and on the list goes—it may be shortsighted to throw the bums out just yet.
And here.
Discussion on AIDS/HIV & Church Teaching
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Who's counting your church's collection plate cash?
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Church of the Virgin Mary-Iraq
The blackened shells of five cars still sit in front of the Church of the Virgin Mary here, stark reminders of a bomb blast that killed two people after a recent Sunday Mass.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Monks on The Learning Channel-TLC
The commercials look rather interesting. It will be interesting to see how this program will come across. Apparently, it is modeled off a previous program made in England at the Benedictine Abbey of Worth-established under the patronage of Our Lady, Help of Christians. History here. Read a review of England's-BBC version (blog)- here.
The Poor Clares of Arundel monastery were filmed too-"The Convent".
The Lay of the Land- Nov. '06
I wouldn't get too comfortable with this information.
Get out the vote!
Scalia vs. ACLU Head
Justice Antonin Scalia on Sunday defended some of his Supreme Court opinions, arguing that nothing in the Constitution supports abortion rights and the use of race in school admissions.
Scalia, a leading conservative voice on the high court, sparred in a one-hour televised debate with American Civil Liberties Union president Nadine Strossen. He said unelected judges have no place deciding politically charged questions when the Constitution is silent on those issues.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Cup of a Java?
Suffering Twice in NYC
Read about another "strike"- "2nd bolt from blue"
Horror hit home of '97 parade victim
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Inspiring Young Family
Prayers for "Cindy" and for her entire new family.Cindy never expected at age 33 she'd be alone caring for and loving seven children, two of her own and five of whom she's gained custody in the last five months through a tragic series of family deaths. Overwhelmed, and with her small apartment bursting at the seams, Cindy — whose last name is being withheld to protect the identities of the adopted children — turned to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Rita Catholic Church for help.
This story appears on the newly designed Florida Catholic Online-diocesan newspaper.
Friday, October 13, 2006
How to Pray the Rosary - Month of the Rosary
Reminder: Please Register to Vote
This was written by Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted -Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, AZ.
Many questions are answered here in what is expected in our role in honoring our Baptismal vows and in our responsibility to our faith and our country.
Benedict XVI- "Serve the Lord with Detachment from the World"
"I encourage you," the Holy Father continued, "to urge your people to dedicate themselves to prayer and holiness, discovering the treasure of a life built on faith in Christ. ... The light of holiness that shines forth in those who have discovered this treasure is enkindled at the moment of Baptism. In Baptism Christ liberates the believer from the dominion of sin, freeing him from an existence filled with fear and superstition and calling him to a new life."
Pope Benedict then called on the bishops to instruct the faithful "in the value and the practice of prayer, especially liturgical prayer, where in a sublime way the Church is united with Christ the High Priest in His eternal intercession for the salvation of the world. Moreover, the Catholic Church encourages the faithful to practise popular forms of piety. Therefore, always teach your people the value of the intercession of the saints, who are the great friends of Jesus, and particularly the special intercession of Mary, His Mother, who is always attentive to our
needs."
He then went on to consider the prelates' duty to guide the faithful "on the way that leads to sanctity ... with wise advice, unwavering resolve and paternal affection," and highlighted the importance of guidance "in your dealings with your brother priests, who at times can be led astray by the many temptations of contemporary society. As pastors and fathers to your co-workers in the vineyard, you must always communicate to them the joy of serving the Lord with a proper detachment from the things of this world."
"We believe that the Church is holy. When you urge your priests to live holy lives in accordance with their calling, when you preach generous love and fidelity in marriage and when you exhort everybody to practise the works of mercy, remind them of the Lord's own words: 'You are the light of the world.' ... Show Christ's compassion especially for the poor, for refugees, for the sick and for all who suffer.
"At the same time," he concluded, "in your teaching continue to proclaim the need for honesty, family affection, discipline and fidelity, all of which have a decisive impact on the health and stability of society." AL/.../ZAMBIA VIS 061013 (450)
Fatima
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Coptic Orthodox Christian Church, Sydney Australia
Up to 10,000 Christians attempt to take to the streets of Cairo for the second day
Thousands of Coptic Christians have attempted to take to the streets of Cairo, but were stopped by the Clergy in fear of sectarian violence. This was in frustration over the sudden disappearance of teenage Christian girls by Islamists, the girls are later reported to be married to Muslim men who in most cases are twice their age.
Martyrs
More Catholic church attacks across Asia
Fr Paulos Eskandar-Decapitated Syrian-Orthodox priest laid to rest in Mosul
Prayers for the repose of his soul and all souls that have died proclaiming Christ's Truth: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.He was abducted last Monday by an unknown Islamic group which posted a
hefty ransom of 0-350,000, the Assyrian International News Agency(AINA) reported. The group also demanded that signs be posted on his church apologising for the Pope's Regensburg remarks as a pre-condition for negotiations.
More on Archbishop Milingo
But the 76-year-old prelate from Zambia finds himself more shunned than celebrated, even by his ideological allies.
Many of the established movements pushing for optional celibacy are keeping a cautious distance. Milingo's flamboyant style and unusual associations - including the Rev. Sun Myung Moon - are simply too edgy for those trying to work within the system to alter centuries-old church views on marriage and the priesthood.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Honey Heals
Eddy is one of many doctors to recently rediscover honey as medicine. Abandoned with the advent of antibiotics in the 1940s and subsequently disregarded as folk quackery, a growing set of clinical literature and dozens of glowing anecdotes now recommend it.
More on Falling Gas Prices
One More Reason Prices Are Falling
Floating oil factories allow tankers to load at sea, avoiding political instability and saving billions
Martyr - Fr. Andrea Santoro
During the trial she always defended her son without showing any remorse. Instead, she said her son’s deed “was a gift to the state and the nation,” that her condemned son “is a victim for Allah.”
Yesterday, she went as far as comparing him to Ali Agca, the would-be murderer of Pope John Paul II and told her son to shout “Allah khbar”, Allah is great.
O.A.’s brother also defended him and said that the fault lies with Western provocations, their “attack against the nation”. He accused the West and the "American dogs” of causing all evils.“It is clear,” said Mgr Padovese, “that the background that made Santoro’s murder possible is nationalist-Islamist. That milieu is scary because it embodies the soul of some segments of Turkish society, increasingly inflexible, justifying violence. It is terrible that throughout the trial mother and son showed no remorse for the murder. In fact they almost said they would do it again.”
Our prayers should continue in preparation for our Holy Father as he prepares for his trip to Turkey. Prayers of protection for all in Turkey, most especially for those that are working diligently on safety measures before and during Benedict XVI's visit.
RE: "Do Not Dialog"....more
This is the first time this article has been translated into English. Originally published Sunday, September 22, 2002, by ACIPRENSA in Spanish by Jose Manuel Vidal, titled, "Witness to Exorcism in Madrid".
Benedict XVI and Latin Mass
The pope's intent is to "help overcome the schism and help bring (the ultraconservatives) back to the Church," said the official, who asked that his name not be used because the papal document has not yet been released.
It was not immediately clear when the pope will make his decision public, but the Vatican official said it was expected soon. The Times of London, in a report Wednesday, said the pope had already signed the order and it could be published in the next few weeks.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The West Fails in Proper Management of the World...
Really?"They Have Failed in the Proper Management of the World...Today, the Iranian People is Recognized as a Model for All the Peoples of the World"
"They should accept the fact that they have failed in the proper management of the world. They should accept that they are unable to manage the world in a just and progressive manner. My dears, we face a very heavy duty today. Today, the Iranian people is recognized as a model for all the peoples of the world. From the Far East to the West, and including the southernmost regions of the globe, the peoples' attention, eyes, and hearts are drawn towards the Iranian people - so that the Iranian people will be able to overcome the difficulties, and present the peoples of the world with a perfect model of splendid, humane, and divine life."
Papal Sainthood Investigator May Be Communist Spy
More...Jagosz has denied the allegation, saying in an interview with the newspaper that the claim was "completely at variance with the truth".The newspaper reported that the priest had been exposed by a Polish fellow-cleric, Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski, whose detailed study of the Polish church's communist-era infiltration is due to be released this month.
Krakow's archbishop, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was John Paul II's private secretary, said he had received news about Jagosz's alleged activities "with true sorrow" and hoped the allegations would be proved untrue.
Monday, October 09, 2006
The Status of Jerusalem
"The human right of freedom of worship and of conscience for all, both as individuals and as religious communities [. . .].
- “Equality of all her inhabitants before the law, in coordination with the international resolutions.
- “Free access to Jerusalem for all, citizens, residents or pilgrims, at all times, whether in peace or in war.
Therefore Jerusalem should be an open city.
- “The rights of property ownership, custody and worship which the different Churches have acquired throughout history should continue to be retained by the same communities. These
rights, which are already protected in the Status Quo of the Holy Places according to historical "firmans" and other documents, should continue to be recognized and respected [. . .].
- “The various Christian Holy Places in the city, wherever they are, must remain united
in geography, whatever the solution envisaged.”
Sunday, October 08, 2006
From Father John Flynn
What will happen in the U.S.?In many countries speaking out publicly against homosexuality leads to serious legal problems. And in the battle under way to protect freedom of speech for Christians to express their beliefs, the future is far from clear.
They want to push the issue in Ireland too--"Lesbian couple wed in Canada launch landmark lawsuit seeking marriage rights in Ireland"
600 Physicians & Veri-Chip
Chip Demo for Patients--soothing music to accompany the images and information....
FAQ's-I love this question-"How does Verimed compare to other forms of medical identification?" The answers just aren't strong enough...
Testimonials
Now, there's a VeriMed Physician Network and apparently 600 physicians and 180 hospitals signed up to their network. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) met last week and Veri-Chip participated with their booth.
Kevin McLaughlin, CEO of VeriChip Corporation, stated, "VeriChip Corporation is extremely pleased by the number of physicians that visited the VeriMed exhibit at the AAFP annual meeting and learned about how the VeriMed system can help save the lives of patients by speaking for them in an emergency situation. We believe that many of the physicians who registered in the VeriMed Physician Network were influenced, in part, by the information we provided as to the growing number of emergency departments that now incorporate the VeriMed system as standard protocol." -Protocol Adopted Medical Facilities In Your Area
So according to the photo in the upper right hand space under "Just for Kids"--the alerts emergency care-givers --" Diabetes"-and a phone number. I wonder who belongs to that number? A national database or registry? Aren't they taken care of then? Why is there a redundancy of information storage here?
These are prettier then a chip. These are more expensive because they are 'real' jewelry.
"Veri-med strengthens the bond with your patients"
Friday, October 06, 2006
'Christianophobia'
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on Wednesday: A liberal government watchdog group has asked the Secret Service to release its records of prominent conservative Christian leaders' visits to the White House, but one of those leaders called the request "an act of Christianophobia."
More....
The Secret Service has 20 business days to respond to the request for records pertaining to James Dobson of Focus on the Family, Gary Bauer of American Values, Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America, Louis Sheldon and Andrea Lafferty of the Traditional Values Coalition, Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Don Wildmon of American Family Association, and Jerry Falwell of Liberty University.
Prayers For Cardinal McCarrick
Inside or outside church structures, Catholics engage change --at “The Catholic Church in America: 2006” Conference -Cardinal McCarrick, keynote speaker at The Catholic University conference actually "called it like it is". This was awesome!
“We became a contraceptive society,” fearful of commitment, said McCarrick. Sex became just another commodity, Sunday Mass an option, Catholic education no longer worth the sacrifice, religious education a place where children “learned how to sing songs” rather than the meaning of the sacraments. The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) was misinterpreted by those who said that “we must open up to everything.” One result of the tumult: The church was ill-prepared to deal with sex abuse issues when they arose publicly in the late 1980s, said McCarrick.
“The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church,” to be held at the Vatican, October 5th – 26th, 2008.
ABC-Offensive Again-"Ugly Betty"
On this First Friday-Feast of the Sacred Heart I offer prayer for the offense against His Sacred Heart and His sons-His priests and the continue attack on the priesthood.
The ABC's new fall show-"Ugly Betty" -provided me the opportunity to change the channel and offer prayer for the Body of Christ. Salma Hayek -executive producer, went to far in last night's episode. She and another actor were a part of the embedded storyline. While "Betty" is busy on the phone, Betty's recently widowed father can be seen in his 'easy chair', watching television-a Spanish speaking program where the characters of the program are in dialog. The characters- a pregnant (unmarried) woman and priest (in collar) holding a bible and rosary. Their exchange begins with conversational confusion and accusation towards the priest-where she proclaims he is the father of her child. Of course the dialog was portrayed like Abbott and Costello dialog. When he finally understands that HE is the father of her child, they dash towards each other in a large embracewith his bible and rosary flopping around in the embrace. End of that scene and back to Betty.
So disgusting! It never really stops. This gratuitous scene was not needed AT ALL! I am truly disappointed in Salma Hayek for this scene and that she was the actual actress portraying the unmarried woman hugging and kissing a priest.
Examination of Conscience-Using the Beatitudes
An examination of conscience is a way to hold ourselves accountable before God and each other for the evil we do and the good we do not do. Some refer to it as an examination of consciousness: scanning our motives, thoughts, and actions to detect our loyalty to or betrayal of the priorities of the reign of God. The delicate and difficult part in this process involves what we hold as our guide for accountability. For centuries the blueprint for good conduct was the list of Ten Commandments, until Jesus proposed a very different set of guidelines with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1- 13).Key word---the use of "was the list"....really? Whoa.
The question begs...what happened to the Ten Commandments? So, if we don't know that they exist then we can continue to sin? Oh, I forgot the author explains that the Beatitudes are to be used as a measure to accountability-not the Ten Commandments! Duh! NOT!
The Beatitudes would be fine for "the good we do not do", but let's not throw out the Ten Commandments too!
TEN COMMANDMENTS
Thursday, October 05, 2006
China Jamming Test Sparks U.S. Satellite Concerns
China has beamed a ground-based laser at U.S. spy satellites over its territory, a U.S. agency said, in an action that exposed the potential vulnerability of space systems that provide crucial data to American troops and consumers around the world.
Sisters of Mother Teresa Under State Control
And...The local Justice Ministry is inquiring into the legality of the Missionaries of Charity’s presence in the country. The authorities plan to crackdown on foreign NGOs, considered bearers of "Western ideas”.
In Uzbekistan, 90 per cent of the population is Muslim and violations of religious freedom are commonplace. The government’s aim is to control every aspect of society.
"Tomorrow Is Today"
Why can't Hollywood produce films that tell a story? This one looks pretty interesting-a movie about LIFE! And what's wrong with promoting a movie about life? Instead of the garbage that continually propagates death and violence?
"Tomorrow Is Today"-Trailer
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
More on the Election...Rock the Vote & Facebook
And over here at MSNBC-NewsweekThe Rock the Vote registration program on Facebook is part of a nationwide, nonpartisan effort by fourteen partner organizations to register 350,000 young voters in 2006, coordinated by Young Voter Strategies, a nonpartisan project at The George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Hmmmm...check out the sponors of Rock the Vote...there are more then 14. To sign up other partners go here.
That's right folks...GET OUT THE VOTE...TALK TO YOUR TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS! This election isn't just about the war issue...it's also about LIFE... PERIOD!
Drum Beat Grows Stronger....
So its already begun...want to set "it" up just in case the election in November can be stolen!
The outcome of November's elections may hinge on who is able to cast a vote on Election Day. Both parties are gearing up for massive ballot security operations -- booking hotel rooms and recruiting squads of lawyers in battleground states. But the real challenges to voting are happening already. Sweeping changes in the way many battleground states regulate voter registration and conduct elections may lead to a quiet electoral crisis that could disenfranchise thousands in November.
"We had Abortions" Campaign
Pitiful:
In its 1972 debut issue,Ms. magazine ran a bold petition in which 53 well-known U.S. women declared that they had undergone abortions—despite state laws rendering the procedure illegal. These women were following the example of a 1971 manifesto signed by343 prominent French women, who also declared they had abortions.
And....-33 years after Roe—even though abortion is a very common, necessary and important procedure for millions of women in the U.S.
Why not make the killing of an innocent child sound like a routine procedure---i.e. teeth cleaning. That way its much easier to justify your actions-MURDER!
"Compassion"-Statue Unveiled
Commissioned by Stephen G. Peroutka, chairman of the National Pro-Life Action Center
(NPLAC), and created by artist Ron Berry, this beautiful sculpture represents the compassion Terri Schiavo received during her last moments. An angel comforts and shields Terri with one wing and motions heavenward with the other in anticipation of the final outcome. The four cherubs perched around the base face away from Terri toward the four corners of the earth, charged with the judgment on humanity for allowing such a travesty to happen.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
October - Month of the Rosary
China: my vocation came from rosary prayed in my family
My faith was influenced by my grandparents and by education within the family. Apart from the Chinese New Year, my family gave a lot of importance to Christmas. We Chinese Catholics live in a Communist, atheistic environment that denies, oppresses and derides religion. Although I received a Communist and atheistic education, my faith grew thanks to the witness of my grandparents and my family. Even during the Cultural Revolution, I remember that all my family would say the Rosary and Vespers together in secret, with the windows and doors closed: for more than 10 years, we spent Christmas night thus, without Mass and without priests.
~Fr. Pietro Song Zhichun
Monday, October 02, 2006
A Call for Prayers
When the court does convene, one case it will face this year is of importance to many religious Americans. The court will decide whether the law known as the Partial Birth Abortion Ban of 2003 is constitutional.
The court is being asked to determine if the law is acceptable even though it does not contain a health exception for the would-be mother. The decision will most likely be divided, and a key justice affecting the outcome will be Justice Anthony Kennedy, in his 19th year on the court, who has taken over the role of swing voter since Sandra Day O'Connor retired last year.
While the court already looked at the health exception in 2000 when it struck down a Nebraska law, the federal law, which was written differently than the state bill, may be treated differently by the court. Kennedy supported the Nebraska law in 2000, writing the minority dissent.
"There are certainly enough votes to flip the issue if Justice Kennedy continues to take the same position," said Georgetown University law professor Randy Barnett.
"Red Mass" 2006
Four U.S. Supreme Court justices attended Mass celebrated by Archbishop Wuerl asking for God's blessings and guidance as they begin today their work on the highest court in the U.S.
Yes, we need to pray hard for each of them. We ask that the Holy Spirit come upon all justices this day and that all the angels protect and guide them in fulfilling GOD'S PLAN for this blessed country. May their Guardian Angels this day--love, guide, and rule their hearts, mind, and soul-so that they remain faithful to GOD the giver of life.
A snipet of Archbishop Wuerl's homily:
"The assertion by some that the secular voice should alone speak to the ordering of society and its public policy, that it alone can speak to the needs of the human condition, is being increasingly challenged," Wuerl said.
"Looking around, I see many young men and women who, in such increasing numbers, are looking for spiritual values, a sense of rootedness and hope for the future," he said. "In spite of all the options and challenges from the secular world competing for the allegiance of human hearts, the quiet, soft and gentle voice of the spirit has not been stilled."
Religious faith, the archbishop said, has long played an important role in U.S. society, from the Mayflower Compact, which established law, to the Declaration of Independence. George Washington, he said, told Americans in his farewell address that "we cannot expect national prosperity without morality, and morality cannot be sustained without religious principles."
"What is religion's place in public life?" Wuerl asked. "Politics and faith are mingled because believers are also citizens. Both church and state are home to the very same people."
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Will they ever quit?
So they have to add this to their site? Where's the peace & love in posting this on their site?"Quotable & Notable"
“It smells of sulfur, still, today.”
-- Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez at the U.N. General Assembly Sept. 20 while making the sign of the cross. He called President Bush, who spoke the day before, the devil.”
Lawsuit Filed Against All 194 U.S. Bishops
The lawsuit, which seeks no monetary damages, was filed in August in St. Croix County Circuit Court, Wisconsin (Court File No.06CV581). It asks a state judge to force America's 194 Catholic bishops to disclose the names of roughly 5,000 proven, admitted and credibly accused abusive priests in the US. The suit is being brought by the family of Dan O'Connell of Wisconsin,who, along with a co-worker, was shot and killed in February 2002 by a suspected pedophile priest who also owned guns and pornography.
Friday, September 29, 2006
A Revolution-Lay Parish Ministers
"Veil tip" to Dom on the Archdiocese of Boston's newspaper- "The Pilot"
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.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."
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.
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)"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."
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
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
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):
- 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)
- Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba
- Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai
- Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos
- Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas
- Boyana Church
- Churches of Chiloé
- Bourges Cathedral
- St Mary's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim
- Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
- 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
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
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 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.
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!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Milingo-'Latae Sententiae'-Canon 1382
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)
Monday, September 25, 2006
Women and Islam
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
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
Thank goodness!
Prayers for the Archbishop continue. Picture-Married Priests Now: one big family
Unfortunately, the Archbishop 'has left the building'....and the Roman Catholic Church.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.
Pope Benedict XVI's Meeting -His 'Exact' Words
"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."
Sunday, September 24, 2006
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
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.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Prayers for Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo
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."
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Priests - Next Generation
This is great news! GO JPII! YEA GOD!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.
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.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Muslims & Benedict XVI
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.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."
Our Lady of Fatima protect Our Holy Father Benedict XVI!
"Jesus Camp"
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.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Next Generation-Pro-Life
What a great idea from the kids!
A veil tip to Kathryn Jean Lopez at National Review Online- "Pro-life Generation? Washing abortion away?"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!
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.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Open our Hearts
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.
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.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Blessed Be the Name of Jesus
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...
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.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Halloween History
In the United States, the first official citywide Halloween celebration occurred in Anoka, Minn., in 1921.
Interesting. I didn't know this.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Place Jean-Paul II - Notre Dame
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!
"Chips" Accepted by Doctors and Hospitals
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
Monday, September 04, 2006
Pope Benedict XVI in Assisi
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.