"The Church Will Not Be Hannitized"

From Fr. Euteneuer...

Forty years of vigorous internal dissent against clearly-defined teachings on contraception have ceded the battlefield to the default cultural mindset that says contraception is not only morally justified, it is actually “a good thing,” as Mr. Hannity has stated. We know that all chemical contraception actually causes abortions at the embryonic stage, but dissenters are rarely swayed by medical facts.

[snip]

This whole incredible episode has exposed, in a graphic way, the profound internal crisis of Catholicism in a post-Vatican II world. The battle is not at all between so-called liberals and conservatives. The poster boy for conservative values has just gone on record admitting that he is—obstinately—in denial of a truth of the Faith that must be believed, as the Catechism says, “with divine and catholic faith” (n. 2089). “Liberal” and “conservative” values must all be held up to scrutiny by the Church because no political ideology has the charism of infallibility. Only Christ’s Vicar has that. Rather, the internecine battle within our own Church is between those who believe in objective right and wrong and those who believe that they, individually, are the arbiters of right and wrong.

This issue is not over, friends, because the battle lines are being drawn between the two worldviews and the stakes are high. Those stakes are the hannitized souls of this and the next generation of youth, and they are worth fighting for. For my part I have been deeply gratified to see evidence of the soldiers of the Church Militant who accept objective right and wrong about contraception and are quite fed up with the nonsense of the high profile dissenters who have done so much spiritual damage to souls. We stand together to defend our first love—Christ’s Church! After all, it’s not just Hannity’s soul we are worried about. How many millions are potentially led astray by a man with that kind of platform? Keep in mind, though, that our project is much more than just objecting to dissenters in the media. We are to lead souls to the Truth through the media, or despite it. That is our common mission.

[snip]

And so in light of my last posting...I will join Fr. and ask you to do the same:

Now I need to ask you for a quick favor. Starting today there are nine days before our Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation—that day in history when Our Lord took on embryonic form in the womb of His most holy Mother. Pray with me a novena for the conversion of all those who have bought into the lies of the contraceptive culture—including Mr. Hannity. Then pray that he responds to my second request to meet with him privately. Who knows, we may de-hannitize our whole Church through his conversion!

Let's take back HER FEAST DAY and pray the Annunciation Novena for the conversion of all souls!

A Letter to the Vatican from List of Dissenters

*** Sorry I had to readjust/repost this post as the links-URL 'bled' into each other canceling out the directed link/URL.***

(Please pray before reading ...disturbing info...Forum -Catholic lesbians-Sponsored by New Ways Ministry where I found the letter/information)
According to a list (huge-whew!) of dissenters-the feast of the Annunciation March 25th is the 14th Annual World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination...and their letter to Rome:

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
00120 Via del Pellegrino
Apostolic Palace
VATICAN CITY

Your Holiness,
Every year on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholics around the world organize events to bring attention to the fact that Catholic women are excluded from ordination. This year will be the 14th annual World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination, and we expect that there will be over 25 events around the world.

In honor of this day, we invite you to lead the way in presenting a fair and equitable model of how women should be treated in our world by taking the necessary steps to open all doors to women within the Roman Catholic Church, including admission to all ordained ministries. We also ask that you work to renew church structures in order to involve all members in governance. By acting justly within our own ranks, we, the body of Christ, can affect society.

On the same day that we celebrate Mary saying ‘yes’ to God, we are saying ‘yes’ to women’s leadership in the Church. Mary’s decision was conscious and deliberate, and it made her an active partner in bringing about the reign of God. By praying for women to be priests on this day, we embrace Mary’s spiritual power and her prophetic role in God’s plan of justice for the world.

Because Mary is a spiritual leader and some even call her a priest, on 25 March we will pray for women’s ordination to a renewed priestly ministry. We will also pray for the difference that women in church governance would make by addressing the issues of social justice that disproportionately affect women, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, HIV/AIDS, genocide and more.

The exclusion of women and lay men from the full decision making and sacramental life of the Church is linked to these issues in that — while the impact has extremely different levels of intensity — the root cause is the same: male domination and sexism.

As this day of prayer approaches, we urge you to open the discussion on women’s ordination and the need for change in Church structures. To bring our beloved Church closer to the gospel values that Jesus modeled for us, we need all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, in women as well as in men, to be fully integrated into every aspect and ministry of the Church.

Thanking you for your time and consideration,

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Ireland

Call to Action, USA

Catholics for a Free Choice, USA

Catholics for a Free Choice, Canada

Catholic Network for Women’s Equality, Canada

Catholic Women’s Ordination,United Kingdom

CORPUS,USA - (on this from this letter/list)

Dignity,USA

Interreligious Conference of European Women Theologians,Germany

Femmes at Hommes en Eglise, France

Housetop, United Kingdom

National Coalition of American Nuns, USA

New Wine,Great Britain

New Ways Ministry, USA

Phoebe, Japan

Purple Stole Movement of We Are Church, Germany

Quixote Center, USA

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Europe-West, Germany, France, and Switzerland

Roman Catholic Womenpriests North America, USA and Canada

Save Our Sacraments, USA

Sisters Against Sexism, USA (Looked high-n-low...just articles & other links)

Southeastern Pennsylvania Women's Ordination Conference, USA

Women’s Ordination Conference, USA

Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual, USA

CC:
Most Reverend Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States

Most Reverend William S. Skylstad, President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Most Reverend David J. Malloy, General Secretariat, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Maybe since New Ways got a 'No Way' from Archbishop Flynn...maybe we could alert each Bishop where each event is planned...? and send/forward the background info on to the Vatican? What if we divided the list and everyone took a part of the country/diocese they have planned an event? WE could do this! Come on...Look at this one:

West Coast:
SAN JOSE, CA: Contact: Victoria Rue, mailto:%20victoriarue@cruzio.com When: Wednesday, March 21, at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m, woman priest presiding! Where: San Jose State University in the Spartan Memorial Chapel What: Dr. Victoria Rue, Roman Catholic woman priest, will celebrate a feminist & inclusive Mass for the World Day of Prayer for Women's Ordination. ALL ARE WELCOME AT THE TABLE!

THEY CAN'T AND SHOULD NOT CALL IT A MASS!

This whole thing makes me sick. Does it bother you that they bring scandal and harm against the BODY OF CHRIST, to do something about it in this season of Lent?

These groups will not take my joy nor will they take my charity! And they will NOT HARM HIS BODY! Pray that they will be stopped...all these groups. Please make a concerted effort to study the groups listed above. Look at their sponsors/links etc...they all prop each other up and are at times connected to 'big business'! Be a good steward with your gifts! Pray for discernment in all things!

Sacramentum Caritatis & CFFC-Catholic for Free Choice

CFFC Statement on Pope Benedict XVI's Post-Synodal Exhortation on the Eucharist: Sacramentum Caritatis—The Sacrament of Love

I don't care what you guys have to say!

Btw...I'm just reporting...don't shoot the messenger!

Another Sean Hannity & Fr. Euteneuer Response

Lisa Fabrizio at the American Spectator weighs in on the Hannity & Fr. Euteneuer 'debate'...
Resent or Repent?

Another awesome and to the point piece!

LA RE Congress 2007 Photos

'Veil Tip' to Gerald at The Cafeteria is Closed-for the LA RE Congress 2007 photo alert. Not much new to report. The same abuses continue...glass vessels used at liturgies for the event and the usual other practices i.e. liturgical dance, etc.
Here are the pic. categories:
Liturgies

General

Youth Day Liturgy, here & here-You can get on a laptop during Mass now? Gosh, a cell phone ringing during Mass now is passe?

Hawaiian

African American

Native American -Huh? - And what's this about?...never mind I don't think I really wanna know!

Spanish -What if those glasses all fell and broke on the cement arena floor?! What about the Precious Blood on that cement floor?!!!

'All that Jazz' & More Jazz- Lit. dancing and incense?

Vietnamese Thank goodness---There's reverence here...but still those glass vessels...scratch that....where's the Ciborium? They used a 'basket' for His Precious Body?

Indonesian & here-basket, basket everywhere!

2007 RE Congress Highlights

Closing Liturgy & here

And to even know this information makes me so very sad...The Stats

'Twister' in the dark - Sacred Space Labyrinth

I think they chose the wrong theme -"Stand in the Light", because they sure ARE IN THE DARK! -(note 'dream weaver' hanging on the left from ceiling and the light show)

Only JESUS can open their eyes! light has the victory!
The darkness tries to extinguish the LIGHT! John the Baptist came as a witness to the Light-to bear witness. Each of us is also called to bear witness to the Light.

John 1:1-14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be
4 through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race;
5 the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 A man named John was sent from God.
7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.
11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name,
13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.

FATHER forgive them for they know not what they do! Luke 23:34

*Round 3- The 'dialog' continues - Fr. Jonathan

UPDATE: Sean Hannity and Fr. Euteneuer

The avalanche of messages I received from all of you in response to yesterday’s column reflects the widespread interest in confronting difficult issues about faith and morality in a clear, respectful, and effective way.

While Fr. Thomas Euteneuer and I may disagree on how best to attain this lofty goal in certain venues, like on a secular television network, we are of one heart and mind on substance.

Interesting....waiting for the next round...

VeriChip in 500 Hospitals & 18 Implanted Diabetics

VeriChip Passes Significant Milestone:
Over 500 Hospitals Have Now Agreed to Adopt VeriMed Patient Identification System

VeriChip Corporation (NASDAQ: CHIP), a provider of RFID systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, announced today that 65 new hospitals have agreed to participate in the VeriMed Patient Identification System network at the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) 13th Annual Scientific Assembly conference in Las Vegas, bringing the Company’s total number of enrolled hospitals to more than 500.

Keep an eye out on your local hospital...

And we gotta watch our health....18 Diabetic Patients implanted with VeriMed RFID Microchip at Atlanta Diabetes EXPO and watch out for the 'voluntary procedure'.

VeriChip Corporation (NASDAQ: CHIP), a provider of RFID systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, announced today it added 18 diabetic patients to its VeriMed Patient Identification System at an Atlanta Diabetes EXPO sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

At the EXPO, physicians implanted VeriMed RFID microchips in conference attendees who signed up for the voluntary procedure. The VeriMed Patient Identification System, which utilizes an implantable RFID microchip in combination with a handheld RFID scanner and a secure patient database, provides immediate access to important health information for patients who arrive at an emergency department unable to communicate.

Intercessory Prayer

Does God answer prayer? ASU research says 'yes'

I definitely didn't need a study to determine this fact. I know it first hand.
YEA GOD!

Happy Pi Day!

The Overlooked Schism

I have to study this one...but wanted to post so that you too could view...and as always I consider the sourse....Sojourners Magazine.

UPDATE on 'New Ways Ministry' Event in MN

Twin Cities / No Mass at event about gay Catholics
Archbishop objects to speakers at weekend symposium in metro

Flynn prohibited symposium participants from celebrating Holy Eucharist, saying to do so might mislead Archdiocese members into believing the speakers' views had the church's sanction.

"Hopefully, that will at least minimize potential confusion and scandal," Flynn's letter concluded.

[snip]

I think there was a Vatican intervention," DeBernardo said late Tuesday, saying he had yet to reach Bishop Leroy Matthiesen, of Amarillo, Texas, to get an explanation for his dropping out.

Hopefully? Please-the scandal continues! and I can only hope and pray that the Vatican DID intervene on this one!
New Ways Ministry - The Sixth National Symposium on Catholicism and Homosexuality

Jon Sobrino, SJ, put on notice-*update

NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE WORKS OF FR. JON SOBRINO

*Another one...from AP-Vatican Condemns Writings of Theologian

Ford pledges to continue support for homosexual activism

AFA chairman Don Wildmon says his organization gave Ford the benefit of the doubt, based on the company's actions, that it had apparently decided to stop supporting homosexual causes and publications.

"We we're wrong," Wildmon admitted. "Ford simply, publicly reinforced the fact that they are still giving their support to the homosexual groups, which, incidentally, have as their top agenda item the legalization of marriage of two people of the same sex."

[snip]

But last week Ford was listed as a sponsor for the Detroit Motor City Pride Festival. And Wildmon says AFA's conclusion to its supporters that Ford was silently trying to withdraw, was denied by a company spokesperson in a Detroit newspaper.

"They went public to the Detroit News and said, 'No,' they're still supporting the homosexual festivals, 'gay' pride festivals, and they're still supporting the homosexual publications," Wildmon said.

Wildmon says Ford had not advertised in key homosexual publications for three months. But spokesperson Kristen Kinley said the dropping of the GLAAD awards, and all the automaker's advertising and sponsorship decisions, are "strictly driven by business considerations," and not pressure from AFA -- according to the Detroit News.

AFA's chairman now says the group's supporters will continue their boycott against Ford, in light of its media statements last weekend.

Scholar says 'Jesus Tomb' makers mistaken

Jesus not an alien, Venezuelan bishop insists

Noting that every generation poses questions on Christ's identity, Venezuelan Bishop Mario Moronta insists that Jesus was neither a revolutionary, nor a socialist, nor a hippie, nor an alien.

Folger urges conservatives not to settle for GOP frontrunners

Apostolic Exhortation "Sacramentum Caritatis" on the Eucharist

SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS-"Sacrament of Charity" /or love

Pope expresses hope new document on Eucharist would revitalize piety

And over at The New Liturgical Movement...review of the document has generated mixed comments this a.m.

Fr. Euteneuer's 'Open Letter to Fr. Morris'

An Open Letter To Fox Analyst Father Jonathan Morris

[Fr. Morris’ letter to Sean Hannity is reprinted below this “Open Letter.”]

Dear Father Jonathan,
Your letter to Sean Hannity indicates that you did not know that I asked to speak to him in private about this matter in 2004 otherwise you may have tempered your remarks about my supposed lack of charity in dealing with a high profile Catholic who dissents from clearly-defined and reiterated Church teachings. [See “Fr. Euteneuer asks to meet with Hannity about birth control” on sidebar.] You also seemed to be unaware of the fact that Sean was the one who invited me on his program and who then promptly “[threw] civility to the wind,” refused to display “cultivated intelligence” on the issues and jeopardized another person’s “reputation and dignity.” May I also point out that you did not employ with me the same standard of “fraternal correction” that you expected me to employ with Mr. Hannity. I at least made the attempt to speak to him about this issue in private without success; you, in contrast, went immediately to the internet to take me to task. I do not intend to understand your motives; I can only evaluate what I see in your actions.

The question that comes to mind is an obvious one: if you are a Fox analyst on Catholic matters, wouldn’t you have been the one to have had those “private conversations” on birth control with Mr. Hannity? How about discussions on his abortion exceptions? When you told Sean “in person” that you “disagreed with him,” was it on the issue of birth control? If you had done that, I applaud you, but your powers of persuasion may need a little honing—Sean has only gotten more vocal on this issue over time. If you did not speak to him about his public dissent, then I ask you, “Why?” While we are on the subject, have you also analyzed and disagreed with Bill O’Reilly’s perfectly horrible disdain for the Holy Father and the Church that you represent?

The church sex abuse scandal was not just about homosexual and predatory priests. It was about clerical negligence and silence on issues that not only affect people’s souls but also ruin people’s lives. It is highly unusual that you or anyone else would want a priest to be silent on issues that affect the salvation of souls. We used to recognize “admonishing the sinner” as one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy, and I consider my admonishment of Mr. Hannity to have been done in that spirit. I might also add that in doing so I have fulfilled my duty as a priest which is a requirement for my salvation.

As a seminary rector, I would sincerely hope that you are not teaching by word or example the young men in your charge to be politically correct sissies who are afraid to roll up their sleeves and defend the Church in private and in public. We have tons of those types in the clergy already. I would advise you to drink deeply of the wisdom of the Number Two man at our Headquarters who has in no uncertain terms told all of us that high profile dissenters are a scourge and a danger to souls. [See item: “Bertone: Dissident Catholics More Worrying Than Atheists.” http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jan/07011003.html.]
I wish you fraternal blessings for your priestly work.

Sincerely,

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer

President Human Life International

Hannity the Liberal

Fr. Euteneuer weighs in again...after the 'debate'! Again TEACHING THE TRUTH!

I do love his quote from Cardinal Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, who has said that “dissident Catholics are more worrying than atheists.”

Whew is RIGHT!

Human Life International e-Newsletter

Volume 01, Special Edition Monday, March 12, 2007

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth.” (2 Tim 4:3-4)

Many Spirit and Life readers may know that after last Friday’s column (“Sean Hannity’s Gospel”) I was invited to defend my position on the Hannity and Colmes show that very night. It’s nice to know that my emails are being read in the hallowed halls of Fox News! I suspected, however, that Hannity wanted to defend his “devout Catholic” credentials, and I was not disabused of this notion when I went on the show. What the show did, above all, was to show not that the Church was wrong or incoherent, but that Hannity, like so many other cultural Catholics, is really a liberal when it comes to certain aspects of sexual morality.

The first point I have to straighten out is for those who were concerned that this was not handled first in private. Well, in fact, I did attempt to handle this matter in private with Mr. Hannity in 2004, but I never received a response to my letter asking him for a meeting. [See side bar item,“Fr. Euteneuer asks to meet with Hannity about birth control.”] As far as I am concerned, I did my due diligence before I went public with my complaint about his hypocrisy; but even if I had not, it was Mr. Hannity’s schedulers who called me to make an issue of it, not I who demanded to appear on his show! In this age of culpable clerical silence on many serious issues affecting people’s souls, do we now want a priest to keep silent about something so important? We can’t have it both ways.

Second, concerning the actual debate, what some are calling Sean’s “disrespect” for me as a member of the clergy was not of concern to me. In that sense, Sean is typical of his generation that has been taught that nobody has any special consecration (even if they technically do) and that everyone has to prove his mettle in the realm of public debate. No problem. I am a holder of this office, and I did not feel that his callous disregard for the priesthood did anything to diminish the sanctity of it, but I can see how it was an extra element of scandal for those who value the priestly office highly. Nor did I really care that he cut me off time and time again in the debate; he’s a known quantity—did you expect anything else from Hannity?

Just for the record, Sean Hannity really is a dissenting Catholic and a public scandal to the Faith. He should be rebuked by his pastor or bishop, not by me, but since that has not been forthcoming in his decade or so of public dissent on radio and TV, somebody in authority had to say something. Hannity, as we know, is shameless on birth control, and judging from the interview, he hasn’t even the vocabulary to rationally defend his position in the face of his Church’s clear teaching. Hannity is also clearly pro-choice on abortion in cases of rape, incest and life of the mother, and he is really cozy with the likes of Rudy Giuliani whose love for abortion and everything gay is hardly a secret. It has even been revealed that Hannity’s website, Hannity.com has a gay dating service that Sean knows about and apparently “has no problem with;” no different from his attitude in regard to birth control. So much for the “devout Catholic” Hannity. If that is devout, then Hugh Heffner is reverent.

The interview on Friday night was enlightening in many senses but mostly because it showed Hannity’s true liberal side. The “Judge not lest ye be judged” comment I have heard only and exclusively in debates with liberals and others with guilty consciences. It is the whine of the person who is doing something that he knows in his heart is wrong but can’t stand anyone pointing out. Hannity’s “judge not” rant can be summarized in one phrase which, if it were put this way, would have been much more identifiable as liberal claptrap: “How dare you question my choice!” Face it: Hannity is a liberal when it comes to sex. In his position next to Colmes, Hannity wears the conservative mantle, but when he comes face to face with the truth of his Church, which I as a priest am obliged to uphold faithfully, he is no more than a liberal relativist.

And in that matter, how different is his position on birth control from that of Planned Parenthood? They have “no problem” with birth control either. In fact it’s much more than a personal matter for them. It fuels their business. Yes, about 60% of women going into abortion clinics are doing it because of failed birth control and no amount of feigned pragmatism about stopping abortions with birth control is going to change the fact that birth control teaches people to be selfish and leads them down the garden path to the killing centers of this nation—or any nation for that matter. And by the way, for those who wanted me to object to both abortion and birth control as a solution to any problem, please go back and listen carefully to the clip—I did object to both! The Catholic Church’s teaching on sexual morality is the only coherent dissenting viewpoint from PP’s gospel of free sex and baby killing, and sadly, Hannity, the “devout Catholic,” just aids and abets those criminals.

Most surprising of all, however, was Hannity’s use of what I call the “argument from pedophilia;” namely, the tendency to fall back on the Church sex abuse scandal when you’re losing an argument with a priest and have to grab for something. I have had people do this to me in front of abortion clinics, at Da Vinci Code protests and in private conversations about Catholicism for the past several years. Let’s just say I didn’t expect it from Hannity! Was it me or did Sean just disconnect from reality at that moment? Where in the world did that come from? Well, it’s because Hannity’s really a closet liberal when pushed to the wall. True colors come out in the wash, and the birth control issue just has a greater tendency to touch the sensitive areas of people’s philosophies of life.

Hannity’s worldview is full of holes. He may have gone to seminary but, if that is the case, his seminary background and knowledge of Latin (!) gives him a greater responsibility to get it right when he wants to spout off about Church teaching in the public forum.

For your reading interest you can click on the side bar items to see some of the incredible feedback that we got on both sides of the debate. Of particular interest is the recent statement of Cardinal Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, who has said that “dissident Catholics are more worrying than atheists.” Whew—words of warning for Hannity and O’Reilly and company. In the end, we all have to undergo our own “Judgment Day,” and it is the Church’s job to let people know ahead of time that God is not a moral relativist on the issue of birth control.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer

President, Human Life International

The Hannity vs. Fr. Euteneuer Lesson Continues

According to Sean on his radio program this afternoon, he said that there are many priests that have offered great support in his favor and are embarrassed by Fr. Euteneuer's actions. And to make matters worse Fox News' 'news contributor/commentator' -Fr. Jonathan Morris, LC writes and 'Open Letter to Sean Hannity' shaming Fr. Euteneuer....

As I watched a fellow Catholic priest spar with you on the March 9 edition of
Hannity and Colmes, I hung my head in shame and sadness. My colleague in religion (whom I've never met) used the public airways and Internet to call you a heretic and hypocrite.

Come on now....this is what LENT is really about! Where the chaff is being separated from the wheat! Right before our very eyes and ears! Wow!

Post a comment here at Fr. Euteneuer has a blog too! YEA!

Fr. Euteneuer's Contact Info:
Human Life International
4 Family Life Lane – Front Royal, VA 22630
U.S.A.Phone: 800/549-LIFE
Fax: 540-622-6247E-Mail: hli@hli.org

Intimate friend of Margaret Sanger, dies at 85

LORD have Mercy!

Gay man of New York City continues....
Anonymous Generosity, In Life and In Death

The donor, whose fortune was made as a Manhattan art dealer, was also an expert on sexually transmitted infections, for years running a foundation that disseminated prevention pamphlets he authored. An intimate of Margaret Sanger, he was also active in the defense of reproductive rights.

[snip]

Perhaps the most famous story about the anonymous donor is how he provided the seed money for the Institute for the Protection of Lesbian and Gay Youth - now the Hetrick-Martin Institute- to offer social services beginning in 1983. Founded in 1979 by the late Drs. Emery Hetrick and Damien Martin, it had been a volunteer advocacy and research group.

From the Archdiocese of New York....

Egan Still Mum on Gay Adoptions

It is hard to tell what Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York is doing. When the Boston story broke last year, a spokesperson told this newspaper the Church in New York is "reviewing" its policy. Calls and e-mails to uncover the result of that review have gone unanswered. Cardinal Edward Egan is neither taking advantage of the opportunity to proclaim that he will protect children from "gravely immoral" gay adoptions nor asserting that the archdiocese is in compliance with city and state law that forbids such discrimination.

And this one from the Boston Globe...

A Dangerous Closet

A psychologist argues that the Catholic Church's message to gay priests - that homosexuality should be a shameful secret - contributed to the sexual abuse scandal.

Interesting read on Archbishop George H. Niederauer

Between Portugal and Italy this weekend...

It's not been a good weekend for LIFE in Europe....Portugal approves abortion legislation &
Italians seek changes on gay rights, abortion

Italians rally for gay and unwed couples' rights

Catholic church tells gay couple communion won’t be available

After receiving a letter from Rev. Cliff Jacobson, the pastor of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church:

Neither have been back to St. Matthew’s since receiving the letter. To Vader, communion is the holiest of sacraments, and to be denied it has devastated her.

“This is the one food we all need,” she said. “Of all the sacraments, it’s the one that should be taken frequently.”

You have to be in a state of grace without grave/mortal sin!
From the USCCB:

As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

Amy Welborn & The New Liturgical Movement report that a news conference is set for Tues. 3/13/07 at the Vatican when Pope Benedict XVI will release his new document (papal doc. on the Eucharist): Apostolic Exhortation (Sacramentum Caritatis) (Italian).
The document will be immediately available in English, Italian, Spanish,French, German, and Portugese.

When it comes out I'll post it!

Casting Out into the Deep

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is doing just that. They have embraced the media outlet "You Tube" by evangelizing in this season of Lent. Kudos to the Archdiocese and to Cardinal Justin Rigali!

Dr. Hannity and Mr. Hyde

My sentiments exactly.

More on Fr. Euteneuer & Sean Hannity

The Cafeteria is Closed mentions that Deacon John has posted the transcript from the 'fraternal correction' given by Fr. Euteneuer to Sean Hannity. Go there to read.

Unfortunately, reading it, is just as revealing and disturbing as watching it.

Again our prayers for Mr. Hannity and prayers of protection for Fr. Euteneuer.

Good News on JPII

YEA GOD!!!!

Sainthood Exam for John Paul II Ends

Rome Cardinal Camillo Ruini said Saturday he had been informed that completion of work by the diocese on the cause for beatification and sainthood will be marked with a ceremony in St. John's Lateran Basilica on April 2 in the capital. The date is the second anniversary of John Paul's death.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...

From the desire of being extolled...

From the desire of being honored...

From the desire of being praised...

From the desire of being preferred to others...

From the desire of being consulted...

From the desire of being approved...

From the fear of being humiliated...

From the fear of being despised...

From the fear of suffering rebukes...

From the fear of being calumniated...

From the fear of being forgotten...

From the fear of being ridiculed...

From the fear of being wronged...

From the fear of being suspected...

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I...

That, in the opinion of the world,others may increase and I may decrease...

That others may be chosen and I set aside...

That others may be praised and I unnoticed...

That others may be preferred to me in everything...

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X

Hannity and Catholicism

Sean's opinion is documented:
Hannity goes for Brokeback
Exploring Fox News anchor Sean Hannity's online dating service, which includes an option for gay men.

And this one...which I actually heard on the radio made me nuts. Mary Jo Anderson's piece-Hannity, you're making me crazy! provided me a little relief in my frustration with Sean. She too had heard Sean and got rid of her frustration by writing this piece. Even that made me feel better-the fact that she was sharing the truths of the Catholic Church. It could have been a lost opportunity for witnessing to GOD'S TRUTH and witnessing to HOLY MOTHER CHURCH'S teachings. Thank you Mary Jo Anderson.

An Open Letter to Sean Hannity

Fr. Euteneuer when asked this question of Sean -Should Sean Hannity Be Denied Communion?
Fr. answered-YES.

Again our baptismal vows require us all to teach the truth in and out of season!

Contact information:
Sean Hannity:
hannity@foxnews.com

FOX News Channel
1-888-369-4762
Comments@foxnews.com
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

Hannity & Colmes
When contacting the media, please be polite and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary.

"LET THE TRUTH BE YOUR DELIGHT.... PROCLAIM IT..., BUT WITH A CERTAIN CONGENIALITY." St. Catherine of Siena

Fr. Euteneuer & Sean Hannity

Prayers for Sean Hannity as he went 'toe-toe' with Fr. Euteneuer last night on his tv program Fox News-Hannity/Colmes "Judgement Day" (Video) to refute Fr.'s latest newsletter-"Sean Hannity's Gospel".

It was extremely difficult to watch.

Again, prayers not only for Sean but for all Catholics that have been poorly catechized and of course for those that continue to teach the faith- in season and out--most especially for Fr. Euteneuer as he courageously fights for ALL SOULS!

Prayer of Saint Catherine of Siena to the Precious Blood of Jesus

Precious Blood,Ocean of Divine Mercy:Flow upon us!

Precious Blood,Most pure Offering:Procure us every Grace!

Precious Blood,Hope and Refuge of sinners:Atone for us!

Precious Blood,Delight of holy souls:Draw us! Amen.

Saint Catherine of Siena

Bloggers touched by cancer need our prayers!

Two cancer cases need prayer in the blogosphere: Dom Bettinelli shares that his wife Melanie has recently been diagnosed with uterine cancer here and over at Carrie Tomko's-Still Running Off at the Keyboard Carrie tells of her experiences with breast cancer and chemo therapy.(Scroll down to Thurs. 3-08-07 entry-BREAST CANCER GETS COMPLICATED)

Please offer prayers for both as they struggle with their symptoms, treatment, doctors, nurses, decisions, family, and friends.

I know Dom & Melanie are asking the intercession of Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta since she needs another miracle for the cause of her canonization.

I humbly ask the intercession of Bishop Fulton Sheen for Carrie. May you both be healed in accordance with the will of the FATHER.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

LA Religious Ed. Congress 2007

(on the above link...scroll back upward to see latest files)

LA Religious Ed. Congress & Program Guide (pdf.)

'Chat' with Cardional Mahony...

ess: What are your thoughts on when there is no priest for celebrating the mass? Can a lay person conduct a communion/paraliturgical service?
Cardinal Mahony: It is really hard to substitute any Rite or Service for the full celebration of the Eucharist. Sadly, in some places people don't have a choice.

James: I've read that Pope Benedict is concerned about the liturgy and is about to issue a decree that encourages a more generous use of Latin in the liturgy including the use of the Tridentine rite. Do you support this and will you encourage the use of more traditional forms of worship in the archdiocese if he issues the decree?
Cardinal Mahony: James: of our 5 million Catholics, only a handful are interested in the Latin Mass. I must focus upon the 99% who need a vibrant Mass that includes them in its celebration.

Leonel Martinez: Cardinal Mahony, thank you for providing this forum for discussion. Some have suggested that the American bishops have not followed the wishes of Pope Benedict XVI because they have opted not to uniformly deny communion to Catholic elected officials who support abortion rights. How would you answer them?
Cardinal Mahony: That is not what our Holy Father is asking. Rather, he is asking that everyone who approaches Holy Communion should make sure he/she is living a life worthy of Jesus in this Sacrament. The burden is on the recipient, not on the minister.

Moderator: From Denny: Why can only men become priests, and not women?CardinalMahony: We need to attend Eucharist because we are all members of the Body of Christ, and that Body is incomplete unless we are all there.
Cardinal Mahony: The moderator has better answers than I do to that question!!!

Mary Kennedy: As a lifelong Catholic, whenever I see the media look for commentary on Church issues, they seem to call on Mr. Donohue of the Catholic League. Invariably, Mr. Donohue does far more to engender contempt for the Church than anything that the League purports to protect the Church from. Why doesn't the USCCB publicly disavow this and make sure that the news outlets, when looking for the Church's position, actually call upon those who have authority to speak for the Church, such as the public affairs office of the USCCB?
Cardinal Mahony: Denny: we are following the tradition of the early Church and Jesus' actions. That has become our Tradition for a long time. Cardinal Mahony: Actually, our best spokespersons are knowledgeable Catholics at the local levels of the Church, not national figures. We have excellent such folks here in LA.

Moderator: From Fran at Congress: I've been asked this and I don't know -- Can
Catholics' burial ashes be scattered?
Cardinal Mahony: Fran: normally, we encourage that all of the ashes be in one place for the sake of the family and future generations, but if someone wants to spread their ashes over the sea or forest, well, they do return to their origins. Just don't spread them over Disneyland.

Interview from California Catholic Daily News

Curt Jester's interview (I think the title of it should be the 'wolf interview')

More 'chatting' with Cardinal Mahony ('cat heaven'? oh well....prayers continue!! reparation too!)

NCR-John Allen's take on the event:Musings on 'Brokeback Mountain,' catechesis, secularism and celibacy from Anaheim

VeriChip Posts 4th Quarter & Yearly Results

VeriChip Corporation Announces Financial Results for 2006 Fourth Quarter and Full Year

2006 Record Revenue of $27.3 million, an 11.2% Increase from 2005 Pro Forma Results; 2006 Fourth Quarter Revenue Increased to $7.0 Million

Discussion of Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

VeriChip had a total of 392 medical facilities, approximately 80 of which were protocol adopted, enrolled in the VeriMed Patient Identification System as of December 31, 2006. During the
six-month period from July to December 2006, the Company recorded a 266% increase in the number of medical facilities that enrolled in the VeriMed network.

The Company reached record sales of its infant protection products. These sales were across all of its product platforms and multiple geographies, focused in North America.

Does anyone get this yet? Come on people!

Our Lady of Fatima pray for us!

Never mind the radio- 'marketing blitz'!

Catholic Church Confronts Declining Confessions (Listen-NPR news item)
The Diocese of Washington runs radio ads-'marketing blitz'.

Again, never mind the radio why not teach it from the pulpit FIRST!

Billboard

A 'chip' off the old block...

VeriChip Corporation Supports Introduction of Personal Health Information Act

VeriChip Corporation (NASDAQ: CHIP), a provider of RFID systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, announced today its support of the Personal Health Information Act (H.R.6289), introduced by Congressman Patrick Kennedy. The bill proposes to set up a fund to provide financial incentives for physicians who establish interactive electronic personal health records for their patients.

VeriChip believes that the introduction of this bill represents a major milestone in the proliferation of more consistent, accurate personal health records for patients in the United States.

VeriChip further believes that its VeriMed Patient Identification System, consisting of the VeriMed implantable microchip and corresponding patient database, is the appropriate solution for establishing electronic medical records for at-risk patients.

REMINDER ON CONGRESSMAN PATRICK KENNEDY! [yes, son of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.)]

Ensure Privacy to Maximize Benefits of Health Care ITKennedy to introduce personal health records bill

Under the Personalized Health Information Act, physicians would receive $2 for each patient for whom they build a personal health record listing the diagnoses they make and the medicines they prescribe, said Michael Zamore, a policy adviser in Kennedy's office, at
the Health IT Summit sponsored by the eHealth Initiative.

Better building blocks (see box below-A personal health records push)

Rep. Kennedy To Take Another Stab at PHR Bill (required - free registration)

Do you get this?! They get $2.00 for my information? And then I came in early so that they could get this information only to sit waiting longer to see the doctor. Unbelievable!
Oh, while I was 'mining' for information on this bill and it's ramifications, I 'fell' on this one concerning Congressman Patrick Kennedy's state of Rhode Island:

Data breach at Westerly Hospital (RI) (required - free registration)

Authorities are investigating a security breach of Westerly Hospital records after learning that patients’ confidential information was posted on a public Web site, raising concerns of possible identity theft.

No cases of identity theft have been reported so far. The security breach affects 2,242 Westerly Hospital patients whose accounts had some activity — medical, financial, or otherwise — “over a period of a couple of days in January,” said Charles S. Kinney, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer.

“It appears to be a snapshot in time,” he said.

Details of how or when the breach happened were not available yesterday.

“We have our suspicions,” Kinney said.

“But until we know, we are not going to release anything.”It is not known how many of the affected patients are from Rhode Island. Westerly Hospital admits an estimated 5,000 patients per year, and has between 25,000 and 30,000 visits to its emergency room.

The hospital has hired a computer forensics expert, Global Digital Forensics of Dunedin, Fla., to investigate the breach.“I can’t tell you how that information was accessed, whether it was accessed through a subcontractor that we have, because everything we send is encrypted,” Kinney said yesterday afternoon.

As a precaution, Kinney said, the hospital has “cut off access” temporarily to its contractors, such as collection agencies and reference laboratories.

This is the tip of the iceberg! Your medical information will be treated just like a credit report and will determine if you can or will receive medical care.

You may wonder why I continue to post these items, I do so because I have spent a large amount of time in the system, unfortunately hospitalized. I was blessed.
I had insurance and a good support network of Prayer Warriors, family and friends.

Oh what a tangled web we weave,When first we practise to deceive!
Sir Walter Scott

Webcast - Lunar Eclipse

Blood Red Moon

Pope is warned of a green Antichrist

Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, 78, who retired as Archbishop of Bologna three years ago, quoted Vladimir Solovyov (1853-1900), the Russian philosopher and mystic, as predicting that the Antichrist “will convoke an ecumenical council and seek the consensus of all the Christian confessions”.

Unfortunately, I believe it's happened! Just look around...even in your own community and parish. Have you sat in on a 'parish council' meeting lately?

World Council of Churches WCC Home

The WCC and the ecumenical movement

Member churches

And unfortunately the Roman Catholic Church is a member too!

'The disclaimer'-"Ecumenical links is maintained by the World Council of Churches as a service to the ecumenical community. These links are to sites outside of the WCC site. The contents of the sites listed here do not necessarily reflect the position or interests of the Council. Rather, we hope they are useful tools in making global connections and accessing information."

So, Cardinal Biffi did you just do something?

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

WCC Site Map

The World Council of Churches Preaches a New "Earth Gospel"

(Billy Graham association w/WCC)

And familarize yourself with 'businesses' such as this one Natural Step--as this company was used by the Sisters of Mercy(see hospitals-another big business)... they're getting big bucks from all over the place. (They're working so hard to get US ALL on 'their page')

You'd better read the entire article!!! FIRST-PLEASE PRAY!

Come Holy Spirit...Come...Come by the means of the Immaculate Heart of Mary your well beloved Spouse.

That began to change in 1989, with the emergence of new initiatives such as The Natural Step — an easily understood, scientifically-based framework for sustainability developed by Swedish medical doctor and cancer researcher Dr. Karl Henrik Robert and other scientists through an extensive consensus process.

[snip]

Scary...

The Dream

Robert’s work began with a dream, literally. In 1989, Robert was struggling to address the surging cancer rates he observed among young children in Sweden and read about in reports from around the world. His research and that of others led him to believe that the one percent a year increases in rates of certain childhood cancers were tied to environmental factors, not lifestyle. He had to explain to parents that their children were dying from what we are doing to the planet.

Robert was frustrated by the scientific community’s endless debate about the causes of the problem. As he says, "The scientists were like monkeys chattering about the leaves of a tree, while the tree was dying. We had to get at the trunk and roots to discover the core principles for addressing the problem."

As Robert struggled with the problem, it began to invade his sleep. Night after night, he had dreams of a beautiful woman, a temptress. And then one night she turned into a witch that clawed and attacked him.

Robert tried to understand its significance. He turned to his wife Rigmor, a professional therapist, who interpreted the dream to mean that he was not acting on his desires to build consensus and start an environmental organization. With this clarity, Robert was inspired to begin a bold quest for science’s seeming Holy Grail — a set of principles for planetary sustainability upon which leading scientists could agree. He distributed a paper for comment from fellow researchers. Comments came back ripping up the ideas presented. Robert thanked them for their comments and simply asked what suggestions they had for improving the paper. He initiated a process by which he incorporated suggestions and continually sent the document back out.

[snip]

The Natural Step (TNS, or in Swedish, Det Naturaliga Steget) was officially launched in 1989 with a nationally broadcast television show featuring Robert with Sweden’s leading musicians, artists, and cultural leaders. This was soon followed by an eco-train, which stopped in cities and towns from one end of Sweden to the other and carried educational exhibits on sustainability sponsored by corporations.

As my former 1st grade teacher (Sister of Mercy)...so eloquently stated "The train has already left the station..." ! LORD HAVE MERCY!

Consensus

Diaprax is a truth-silencing technique that covertly promotes humanist ideals and a reciprocating brotherly love known in the Greek as 'phileo' through imagery (arts/media) and conversation (opinion/dialog) at the expense of the more Godly, obedient, self-sacrificing, truthful and unworldly 'love-your-enemy' kind of love called 'agape' – the kind of love that drove the Apostle Paul to speak the bitter truth about sinful man from the chains of a dark and lonely prison; the kind of love that caused Stephen to cry out: "lay not this sin to their charge" as the angry crowd stoned him to death for his cutting words of conviction; and what moved the Lord Jesus Himself to say as He hung on a cross for the sins of the world: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

More Consensus/Delphi Technique

In Educating for the New World Order by Bev Eakman, the reader finds reference upon reference for the need to preserve the illusion that there is "Lay, or community, participation in the decision­making process), while in fact lay citizens are being squeezed out."

What's Wrong With Consensus

Organ Donation

Report tells of errors in organ case

U.S. regulators detail how a potential donor was given huge doses of sedatives and painkillers as six people watched.

Scary...

Police and the state medical board are now investigating whether the transplant surgeon brought in to retrieve Navarro's organs attempted to hasten the patient's death by ordering him pumped full of massive amounts of narcotic painkillers and sedatives. If true, the allegation would constitute a grave breach of the nation's transplant rules.

In a stark recounting, federal regulators detailed how at least six people in the room, including Navarro's treating doctor, stood by without intervening, even though some later said they were disturbed by the actions of the surgeon and a nurse administering the drugs. The regulators from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have been looking into the hospital's role in the case.

The amounts of the painkiller morphine and the sedative Ativan that the report says were given to Navarro were "between 10 and 20 times a usual dose of these drugs," said Dr. Philip S. Barie, president-elect of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, who was not involved in the preparation of the document."I don't think I've ever given doses of either drug in that amount," said Barie, professor of surgery and public health at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York.

Another possible 'hat in the ring' - GOP Candidate

Former TN Sen. Fred Thompson....this might get pretty interesting...hmmm.
The Next Reagan?

Fred Thompson has been consistently conservative on social policy and provided critical help in getting John Roberts confirmed as Chief Justice.

(I didn't know this one about - John Roberts)

More...Run, Fred, Run, & Law and Order: White House?

The Lighter Side of Lent

The Curt Jester is at it again...you've gotta see this one!
L-Mart

A little giggle in Lent won't hurt. = )

Fighting Evil in Season of Lent

Following my last posting...food for spiritual growth from our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI:
Pope Cites 3 Weapons to Combat Evil
Promotes Lenten Charity, Prayer and Fasting

Works of charity, prayer and fasting are spiritual weapons to combat evil, Benedict XVI said during Mass on Ash Wednesday.

'Show will go on' at University of Minnesota Despite Protest

Another moment/opportunity to receive grace in Lent....pray! Pray for all involved!

The Pope † The Witch

The Catholic Spirit: ‘Pope and Witch’ draws Catholic protests
Catholic reaction

University of Minnesota theater director Robert Rosen said he chose to stage “The Pope and the Witch” for its political message and physical style. Rosen, who is not Catholic, said he is not surprised by the strong reaction; however, he does not see the play as an attack on the Catholic faith.

“Some people will disagree with the message and still others with the means with which the message is conveyed,” Rosen wrote in a statement on the university’s Web site. “Students of theater must learn to use their art form to express their views of the world in which they live.”

Rosen, a visiting assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, said he has received about 2,000 letters, including some threats that have raised security concerns, from people who object to the play.

Many of the play’s critics, Rosen believes, have not read the script, which, he stresses, is a “fantasy.”

Rosen said he changed parts of the play to make it more contemporary and to remove any inferences to the late Pope John Paul II. However, Rosen views the controversy as positive.

“It’s a great thing to question authority,” Rosen said. “It’s a great thing to question ourselves. If we ever stop doing that, I think we’ll be in trouble.”

Beware the 'Christianists'?

"Offer it up" and rejoice as we suffer with CHRIST in this season of Lent!

Saving Babies in Rome

I've never heard of this...
Updating an Old Way to Leave the Baby on the Doorstep

In the Middle Ages, new mothers in Rome could abandon their unwanted babies in a “foundling wheel” — a revolving wooden barrel lodged in a wall, often in a convent, that allowed women to deposit their offspring without being seen.

Now a Rome hospital, the Casilino Polyclinic, has introduced a technologically advanced version of the foundling wheel — not at all a wheel but very much like an A.T.M. booth. For the first time a new mother left her baby there on Saturday night, and on Monday the child, a boy about 3 months old, was doing well, said Dr. Piermichele Paolillo, who directs the neonatal unit at the hospital.

[snip]

As in bygone days, it is possible for a woman to leave a baby without being seen, but the moment the child is abandoned an alarm goes off in the hospital’s emergency room, ensuring that the baby receives immediate first aid from a team of specialists.

“This is the foundling wheel of the third millennium,” Dr. Paolillo said. “It’s still a simple idea, but now it’s part of a neonatal intensive care unit, not a convent.”

Rome is not alone in the initiative. Modern foundling wheels have made a comeback in various places in Europe in recent decades, particularly in Germany. Switzerland, the Czech Republic and other European countries also have drop-off points for unwanted newborns.

'Conflicting Signals'

Military Signal Blocks Garage Remotes

But neighbors of the Marine base here have been reduced to just that after a strong radio signal coming from the facility began neutralizing remote-control openers.

Residents have had to spend hundreds of dollars on new systems.

"I feel there should be some kind of compensation," said Queen Carroll, who is in her early 70s and was forced to buy a new receiver and remote. "I am a struggling widow, if you will, and I praise the Lord I'm still here, but I am on a budget. When things like this come up totally unexpected, it is very upsetting."

I'd hate to have to fix this problem all the time...calling a repair guy weekly.

Stamps 41 Cents - Why?

Postal Regulators Want 2-Cent Stamp Hike

I can't understand why the rate keeps going up. Every time I go to my local P.O. either in the a.m. or p.m. (after lunch usually to beat the lunch crowds) there aren't enough workers in the building to work the 'windows'! I then have to shuffle my packages or mail and stand around for 15-20 mins. waiting for an available window/clerk. Now add to the time of waiting in line, the fact that there are now particular P.O.s that offer the applying/filing of passport applications. So, now they'll be burdened with this task and they still won't have filled the need to man all the windows/slots at the counter to assist postal customers. I have first hand of this experience.

So, be prepared (be patient-say a rosary, pray for the souls in purgatory, say the Divine Mercy Chaplet, meditate on a Bible verse,meditate on the face of Christ in your minds-eye) when going to purchase your (new) stamps, as there are others in line trying to do the right thing by following the rules...applying for their passports so they may travel. Oh yeah...one more thing...make sure you have all your required docmentation, correct size of pics. (Rite-Aid, Kinkos, etc. take pics.), and $-check or credit card. You'll help the other customer in line too by being completely prepared!

Life. It's a pilgrimage!

Opinions on J. Cameron's- ' The Lost Tomb of Christ'

Scholars, Clergy Slam Jesus Documentary & this one -Filmmakers Speak About Jesus Documentary

Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the idea fails to
hold up by archaeological standards but makes for profitable television.

"They just want to get money for it," Kloner said.

[snip]

Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in the documentary, said the film's hypothesis holds little weight.

"I don't think that Christians are going to buy into this," Pfann said. "But skeptics, in general, would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so many people hold dear."

Advent & Lent Collide

From the Associated Baptist Press...

Supreme Court will not review policy banning nativity scenes in NY schools

A year after a New York City mother's appeal, the Supreme Court declined Feb. 20 to review a policy banning nativity scenes but allowing other holiday-season displays in the nation's largest public school district.

The justices declined, without comment or recorded dissent, to hear an appeal in Skoros v. City of New York (No. 06-271).

In the case, Catholic mother Andrea Skoros had asked the justices to overturn two rulings by lower federal courts that said the school district did not violate her two sons' religious freedom or her ability to raise her children without governmental religious interference when the district disallowed nativity scenes.

The schools' policy states: "The display of secular holiday symbol decorations is permitted. Such symbols include, but are not limited to, Christmas trees, menorahs, and the [Islamic] star and crescent."

Shortly after implementing the policy in 2001, a group of Catholic activists asked school officials to allow creches or nativity scenes to be included in the displays. However, the school board denied the request.

There's more...preposterous stuff...like this:

In response to Skoros' lawsuit, city attorneys argued that menorahs, dreidels, Christmas trees, Santa Claus and the star and crescent are sufficiently secular to represent the holidays celebrated by students in the diverse district. However, they contended, creches are purely Christian religious symbols.

Why couldn't the school policy include creches & nativity scenes? What's so hard about including the scenes? They wouldn't even have a Christmas tree if it weren't for CHRIST'S birth. Why does everything have to be so hard? Oops, I forgot it's about the battle - spiritually.

That's ok, because I know who WON! We keep on fighting onward and upward! The suffering we endure on this earth allows us to receive such awesome and magnificent grace!
YEA GOD!

We can use this grace for/in Lent: to remember to be charitable and loving in ALL circumstances; always mindful of the battle (I) we should continue to fight for CHRIST so that HE gets all the honor and glory in all circumstances; remain strong, faithful and steadfast and HE will RULE THE DAY!

Prayers for this mother - Mrs. Skoros, her family, her lawyers, her supporters, the Supreme Court Justices, the New York City school district & school board. And as always we offer prayers of reparation!

Angels Singing?

Angels singing caught on tape?

Feast of the Holy Face

"Whoever gazes upon me already consoles me."

Our Lord to Sister Pierina

HOLY FACE ASSOCIATION
Our Lady of the Holy Face-Newsletter 2007

VATICAN - REPLY TO "TIMES" ARTICLE ON CATHOLIC-ANGLICAN RELATIONS

Asbury hosts pope's preacher

This is the first time the two religious organizations have collaborated in such a way, and Cantalamessa said during a news conference yesterday that the cooperation was one of the primary reasons he accepted an invitation to come.

"I saw that there was a convergence," he said. "This particular occasion is very important to me."

He said Pope John Paul II, who appointed him to the post of papal preacher in 1980, stressed "exchanging gifts among the churches, not exchanging accusations." That's something Cantalamessa said he wants to encourage.

"What unites us is much more important," he said. "The Lord put love in my heart for the fellow Christians."

He said the issues that created the division between the Catholic Church and other denominations centuries ago "have lost most of their importance."

Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church

As reported yesterday...Churches back plan to unite under Pope

More info:

Church deadline to curb gay rights

The US Episcopal Church has been given seven months to change its ways or face being kicked out of the Anglican Communion.

In an unexpectedly hard-hitting set of recommendations, primates of the Anglican Communion demanded an “unequivocal common covenant” under which dioceses in the Episcopal Church agree not to authorise same-sex blessings.

They also demanded late last night that no more gay men or women in active relationships with a person of the same sex be consecrated bishop.

Archbishop of Canterbury -Archbishop’s comments at the final press conference in Tanzania
His press releases.

Other sites:
Commentary...Pray lift your eyes above the belt
Daily Episcopalian-Blog with other listings of commentary
Titus one nine

Catholic, Anglican officials say talk of plans to reunite churches ‘much exaggerated’
Holy reunion!-Catholic, Anglican churches studying reunification, report says

Protect Your Fertility

Sponsored by ASRM...see under 'For Patient'

Female Risk Factors-gosh, no where does it mention the effects of contraception!

I will tho...here- you decide.

College Women & Egg Donation

Increase in Egg Donors Raises Concerns

Jennifer Dziura, a 28-year-old New Yorker, is one of them.

She received $8,000 to donate her eggs in the fall of 2005 and hopes she'll be chosen again before the private egg broker she's registered with considers her too old. She realizes prospective parents who view her profile might think it a minus that her father is adopted, allowing for little medical history from his side. She also figures some are looking for a blonde, instead of a brunette.

[snip]

As more older moms look for help getting pregnant, younger women have become increasingly willing to part with their eggs. Some do it to help relatives and friends, or from a sense of altruism, but others openly acknowledge money is a big factor in their decision, prompting critics to worry that they're helping drive an unregulated market for human tissue.

And why are there older moms? The answer: (most) have delayed having families for their career or selfish needs and have killed their own eggs - contracepting! So again, we take from our young!

Mother of Jesus pray for us!

[snip]

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine, or ASRM, has set a compensation guideline of $5,000, with a limit of $10,000 for special cases - if, for instance, a recipient wants eggs of rare ancestry.

I am not ready to be a donor, despite being egged on

Classified ads are running in college newspapers across the country...(hmmm trying to woo young girls away from their eggs)

Found in local campus newspaper this past weekend:

$5000.00 EGG DONORS NEEDED ASAP $5000.00 min. comp.healthy fit females height/weight proportionate non smoking 21 -29 info confidential 941-741-4994 web openarmsconsultants.com 941.741.4994

So, you'd better keep an eye on your children (and possibly grandchildren!); keep all lines of communication open so that this will not happen to your child. They could be very vulnerable and susceptible to this kind of tactic. Need I say more...spring break is quickly approaching (they need spending $), peer pressure and of course their age (sometimes) prevents good judgement and choices.

While we were sleeping...

Iran Launches Large-Scale War Games

Iran began its largest war games in almost a year Monday, just two days ahead of a U.N. Security Council deadline for Iran to halt uranium enrichment or face further economic sanctions.

The elite Revolutionary Guards began three days of ground maneuvers, state-run media reported Monday.

Culture

Benefits for Gay Couples Start in N.J.

Hundreds of gay couples received the same legal protections as married couples early Monday when a law making New Jersey the third state in the nation to offer civil unions took effect.

The civil unions - which offer the legal benefits but not the title of marriage - were granted automatically to the hundreds of gay New Jersey couples who have been joined in civil unions or married in other states or nations.

Possible RFID - 'PAD cards' for passports & 'Chip' news items

Raytheon Unveils ID Card, Fortifying RFID With Biometrics

The company believes its PAD card, which incorporates a fingerprint scanner for authentication, is well suited for use for the RFID-enabled passport card proposed by the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and State.

Another news item on chipping humans...VeriChip IPO Focuses Attention on Human Implants

VeriChip Launches IPO

VeriChip Corporation Announces the Pricing of Its Initial Public Offering (notice "the Company"...what's that about I wonder?)

("VeriChip" or "the Company") announced today the pricing of its initial public offering. The Company is offering 3,100,000 shares of its common stock at $6.50 per share, before underwriting discounts and commissions. VeriChip’s common stock will be traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CHIP”.

Spychips RFID Blog...interesting stuff here.

A reminder of our battles...from the Cardinal Newman Society

Updated List of Schools Planning V-Monologues Performances (as of 2/15/07)

Lord have mercy!

Death for dollars? Ukrainian infants likely killed to harvest stem cell

Evidence from a video obtained by the BBC points to the stomach-churning possibility that healthy babies born in a Ukrainian maternity hospital were taken their mothers and then murdered so that large amounts of stem cells could be harvested from their brains and bone marrow. A spokesman for the hospital denies it is connected in any way with the use of stem cells -- but one Ukrainian couple never saw their newborn daughter again after being told all was well and then told later she had died.

[snip]

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) claims to have a video showing the autopsy examination of 30 infants and fetuses that were exhumed from a cemetery used by the Ukrainian maternity hospital. The video was also turned over to the Council of Europe who is now carrying out its own investigation as a response to about 300 families who are coming forward with charges against the hospital for allegedly taking and killing their newborns.

Pictures from the autopsies reveal tiny dismembered bodies with missing organs and brains. Since dismemberment of bodies is not a standard post-mortem practice, it is likely the babies were harvested for the high amounts of stem cells in their brains and bone marrow.

Our Lady of Guadalupe pray for us!

Interesting News Item...

Co-Inventor of the TV Remote Dies

Hit the mute button for a moment of silence: The co-inventor of the TV remote, Robert Adler, has died. Adler, who won an Emmy Award along with fellow engineer Eugene Polley for the device that made the couch potato possible, died Thursday of heart failure at a Boise nursing home at 93, Zenith Electronics Corp. said Friday.

Medicine & Immigration

Border Troubles
The reality...

The main issue hospital administrators say they face in treating undocumented immigrants is collecting payment for services rendered. In an effort to address this burgeoning problem, the federal government agreed to pay $250 million per year for fiscal years 2005 through 2008 directly to providers who submit “qualified claims”—but meeting that standard has proven to be a sticking point for many providers looking to get paid. To qualify for Section 1011 reimbursement, each hospital must fulfill certain eligibility requirements, such as asking patients whether they are eligible for Medicaid, have a border-crossing card and are foreign-born.

[snip]

“In September we billed $2.94 million and we got $664,000. At the end of the second quarter of our last billing, we billed $2.547 million, and we got $523,389,” says Anderson. So far, providers in Texas have submitted claims totaling $65.4 million to the federal government, according to figures from the Texas Hospital Association, and have received payments of approximately $14.3 million.

Blood oozes from Indian Jesus statue, bishop confirms

Jabalpur, India Bishop Gerald Almeida has called on Catholics to engage in "soul searching" after the eyes of a life-size statue of the Sacred Heart in a church yard began to ooze a blood-like substance.

Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes sheds tears of blood in Jaffna

This area is among the hardest hit by the ethnic conflict between the Tamil rebels and the national army. The image was in a private home and has now been transferred to a neighbouring church.

Genetically-Modified Foods & the Church

Stop US GM food, says Cardinal Rosales

Manila archbishop calls for a moratorium on the importation of genetically-modified GM food. He says scientists have already warned that GM crops and food products could harm the environment and human beings.

I'm back and quite thankful for my retreat

While I was away I read this one on a church sign...

"We just catch the fish...HE cleans them"!

I love it!

No Global Warming HERE!

And the "proof is in the pudding"...oops I mean ice, snow, and below freezing temps.
You decide...the Upper Penisula of Michigan-Lake Superior-Eagle Harbor, MI.