Catholic Fire

 Brief Biography Johnette Benkovic is the founder and president of Living His Life Abundantly International, Inc., a Catholic evangelization apostolate with outreach ministries in television, radio, print, and the Internet. She is the founder of Women of Grace, a Catholic apostolate for Christian women that features a number of programs including conferences, curricula, study groups, and more. After years of being a non-practicing Catholic, Johnette experienced a deep conversion back to her Catholic faith in 1981 and discerned a call to share the gospel message through the media. She has been a consistent presence in Catholic radio since 1987 and in Catholic television since 1988. Johnette is executive producer for The Abundant Life on EWTN, a television program that discusses contemporary issues from a Catholic perspective. She is also the host of Women of Grace, a one hour talk show on AM/FM stations and short wave and satellite radios. My Personal Reflections on John...

Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar, but the celebration has deep ties to the Liturgical Year. These three consecutive days — Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day — illustrate the Communion of Saints. The Church Militant (those on earth, striving to get to heaven) pray for the Church Suffering (those souls in Purgatory) especially on All Souls Day and the month of November. We also rejoice and honor the Church Triumphant (the saints, canonized and uncanonized) in heaven. We also ask the Saints to intercede for us, and for the souls in Purgatory. More here. The History of All Hallow's Eve In 834, the evening of October 31 became All Hallow's Eve when Pope Gregory IV established November 1 as the feast of All Saints, followed by a day in honor of her soon-to-be saints, the feast of All Souls. This time of year was chosen because it was the time of barrenness on the earth. The harvest was in, the summer done, and the ...

You can either make or renew your consecration by attending in person or going online. This November, the Brothers of St. John are pleased to offer a series of talks to help anyone interested in making a total consecration of themselves to Jesus through Mary according to the teaching and spirituality of St. Louis DeMontfort.  These talks are perfect for anyone who would like to make the consecration or those who have made it in the past, and are looking to make it for the first time or renew it on December 8th. The talks will be held at the Spalding Pastoral Center 419 NE Madison Ave. Peoria, IL 61603 .  There will be one talk given per week, with a special talk on Dec. 6th, just two days before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  The talks will last from 7pm until approximately 8:30 pm. on November 3, 10, 17, 24, and Dec. 1.  On Sunday, December 6th, a final talk will be given at the Brothers' Priory (11223 W. Legion Hall Road; Princevi...

St Alphonsus, or Alonzo as he was called in Spain, was born at Segovia in Spain, on July 12, 1531. From childhood he was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He loved her as his mother. This childlike devotion to her was the main reason for his sanctity. When he was a teenager, Alphonsus and his older brother were sent to study in a Jesuit college. On the death of his father in 1545, he was called home from his studies, by his mother, who was burdened with the care of eleven young children. Though only a boy of fourteen, he was placed in charge of the family business, which involved the buying and selling of wool. At the request of his mother, Alphonsus married the virtuous Maria Suarez. His married life of four years was marked with much suffering. His business suffered, and two of  the couple’s three children died in infancy. He was widowed at the age of 32 and his mother died soon aftewards. He sold the business and moved in with his sisters; they helped Alphonsus raise his...

"Through the grace and mercy of God -- and the faithful prayers of more than 200,000 volunteers standing vigil outside abortion facilities -- an incredible miracle has taken place," said David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life. "Starting with the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in Bryan/College Station, Texas in 2004, and continuing through the international 40 Days for Life effort that is under way this fall, we now have confirmed reports of at least 2,000 babies whose lives have been saved from the tragedy of abortion," Bereit said. "Who knows what wonders each of these children will bring to the world!" Two thousand children would be enough to fill at least 80 classrooms. Two thousand children would be enough to make up 180 teams of little soccer players -- "and just as importantly," said Bereit, "this could represent 180 teams of soccer moms -- women who will enjoy watching their children run and jump and shout -- b...

PTL! This is wonderful news:   WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - An E-mail directive has been sent from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Activities Secretariat mobilizing every parish in the United States of America. It contains an urgent message which is to be distributed in every parish this weekend and announced at every single Mass. This massive and urgent appeal may be unprecedented in our history as Catholics in America. It is an effort to mobilize the Catholic faithful on an urgent matter of public policy concerning the fundamental and foundational human right to life. The E-Mail specifically asks that no parish opt out of this initiative.  Click here to read the entire story.  USCCB Nationwide Bulletin Insert       Catholic Culture: US bishops conference mounts late drive against 'unacceptable' health-care reform

Listen as volunteers in the Charlotte, North Carolina 40 Days for Life share the blessings they have experienced as part of this worldwide pro-life initiative:

    Double your fun? I think not! The Pill still has the potential to kill (babies as well as moms): Oral contraceptives can nearly double the risk of stroke in women, a U.S. review of studies finds. Dr. Jose Biller, Dr. Michael J. Schneck and Dr. Sarkis Morales-Vidal, all Loyola University Health System neurologists, say oral contraceptives used today contain much lower concentrations of estrogens than older preparations. The review, published in MedLink Neurology, found there were about 4.4 ischemic strokes for every 100,000 women of childbearing age, but birth control pills increase the risk of stroke 1.9 times, to 8.5 strokes per 100,000 women. However, for women who take birth control pills and also smoke, have high blood pressure or have a history of migraine headaches, the stroke risk was significantly higher. Read the entire story here.

Fr. Antoine Thomas, CSJ , and Jordan Allott , who collaborated on Father's last three DVD's, will be interviewed live on Life on the Rock tonight, Thursday, October 29th at 7 p.m. CST (8 p.m. eastern time). The title of tonight's Show is The Eucharist Expedition: To the Summit! Ask Fr. Antoine a question. Fr. Antoine is a member of the Community of St. John and I am an Oblate with this community. I have known Fr. Antoine for several years now and I can say from first hand experience that Fr. Antoine is one of the most interesting and informative spiritual instructors I have ever known. He is wonderful with children as well as with adults. This is a program you won't want to miss. For more information about the Community of St. John please visit their websites: * Children of Hope * The Community of St. John * The Community of St. John in the U.S. * Biography of Father Marie - Dominique Philippe, OP, Founder of the Community of St. John

Today we celebrate the feast of Helen Kafka, better known as Blessed Maria Restituta. Helen Kafka was born in 1894 to a shoemaker and grew up in Vienna, Austria. She initially worked as a salesgirl and then as an assistant  caregiver at the Lainz public hospital, which brought her into contact with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.  At the age of 20, she decided to join the Order and took the name Restituta, after a 4th century Christian martyr. In 1919, she began working as a surgical nurse at the Moulding hospital in Austria.  When the Germans took over the country, she became a local opponent of the Nazi regime.  Her conflict with them escalated after they ordered her to remove all the crucifixes she had hung up in each room of a new hospital wing. Sister Maria Restitua refused and she was arrested by the Gestapo in 1942.  She was sentenced to death for "aiding and abetting the enemy in the betrayal of the fatherland and for plotting high tr...

  The International Planned Parenthood Federation released a declaration of Sexual Rights, seeking to impose its twisted views on human sexuality on all nations. The declaration , if ever fully realized, would remove all legal, social, and religious barriers from all forms of sexual perversions in virtually any situation including public areas.

CNA reported this today: All of the Catholic bishops in Texas released a statement on health care reform on Tuesday , warning that the legislation currently under consideration does not adequately ensure the protection of all human life. The statement issued by the Texas Catholic Conference , which represents all 15 dioceses in Texas , said that the bishops “ hope that our national leaders will work together to bring about genuine life-affirming reform to our nation’s health care system.”  “Our Catholic moral tradition teaches that every human being, from the moment of conception to natural death, has an innate dignity that entitles him or her to certain rights and protections, including the fundamental right to life and the right to affordable health care, which flows from the right to life, ” they stated. However, the bishops of Texas also said that they are concerned that t he current proposed reforms do not respect these human rights. They singled out the Capps Ame...

On October 27, 2009, CNN profiled late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart vs. Operation Rescue's Troy Newman - 'his number one foe". Along with that, CNN featured 6 videos of audio clips against a backdrop of graphic stills for 3 pro-lifers (Troy Newman, Larry Donlan, and Mike Whitaker) and 3 pro-aborts (LeRoy Carhart, Katherine Spillar, and Nikki Krempasky). This is Troy Newman's video vignette: Here's late-term abortionist's Leroy Cathcart's vignette: Click here to read the entire story CNN profile: Late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart vs. "his No. 1 foe" at Jill Stanek's blog.

El GRECO Apostle Saint Simon 1606 - Oil on canvas Museo del Greco, Toledo The name of St. Simon usually appears eleventh in the list of the apostles. The first cousin of Jesus, he was born at Cana and is surnamed "The Zealot." He preached in Egypt, Spain, and Lybia, leaving behind him the fertile hills of Galilee, where he had been engaged in the healthful cultivation of the vineyards and olive gardens. He later rejoined his brother, Saint Jude, in Persia, where they preached and died as martyrs together.    EL GRECO Apostle Saint Thaddeus (Jude) 1606 - Oil on Canvas Museo del Greco, Toledo Sts. Simon and Jude left the comfort and safety of their secure environment to go out into the world and to preach the gospel, converting many hearts. As simple farmers, they appear to be the least likely candidates to be called to perform such a great task for the Lord. However, the Lord chooses the simple and and the weak and empowers them with grace to do the "impossib...

  Children of God for Life announced today that Neocutis, a bio-pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology and skin care is using aborted fetal cell lines to produce several of their anti-aging skin creams. "It is absolutely deplorable that Neocutis would resort to exploiting the remains of a deliberately slaughtered baby for nothing other than pure vanity and financial gain," stated Executive Director Debi Vinnedge. "There is simply no moral justification for this." For years Children of God for Life has been a watchdog on pharmaceutical companies using aborted fetal cell lines in medical products and they have received thousands of inquiries from the public on the use of aborted fetal material in cosmetics. Until now, this was the first time they have encountered any company bold enough to put the information right on their own website and product literature.  A quick investigation into the science behind the products revealed the shameless data. Ne...

  Michigan Democrat tells Terence Jeffrey of CNS News that president may be playing word games on ObamaCare and abortion coverage.

"The final end of abortion in America will come when every human being begins to appreciate his own life as a gift from God and the lives of those entrusted to his care as the true blessings they are. A culture that affirms life will not practice contraception nor will it murder its progeny." ~ Judie Brown, from her article THE FINAL END OF ABORTION IN AMERICA WILL COME WHEN…

The Holy Shroud will be on display from April 10 through May 23 or 2010 at the Cathedral of Turin in northern Italy. The pope is also expected to visit the shroud as are thousands of pilgrims who for the first time will see the shroud after treatments for its conservation were made to it in 2002. The official website of the Holy Shroud is here. For More Information, please see the following:    NCReg: Benedict to Visit Shroud in May   CNS: Pope will travel to northern Italy in May to see Shroud of Turin

Via Operation Rescue: Operation Rescue is asking women who have had abortions in Ohio in the past year to contact them. "We are conducting a research project and are encouraging women who are ready to share their stories about their abortion experiences in Ohio to contact us as soon as possible," said Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger. "Of course, all communications with us will be held in strictest confidence." We are especially looking for women who had abortions at Women's Med Center on Stroop Rd. in Kettering (near Dayton), or at Cincinnati Women's Services on Jefferson Ave. in Cincinnati over the past 12 months. If you had an abortion in Ohio in the past year, we would love to speak with you. Your communications will remain confidential and your identity will be protected. Contact Operation Rescue at 316-683-6790, ext. 112, or e-mail us at cheryl[at]operationrescue.org.

Saint Frumentius was still a child when his uncle, a Christian philosopher of Tyre in Phoenicia, took him and his brother Edesius on a voyage to Ethiopia. In the course of their voyage the vessel anchored at a certain port, and the barbarians of that country slew with the sword all the crew and passengers, except the two children. Because of their youth and beauty they were taken to the king at Axuma, who, charmed with the wit and sprightliness of the two boys, took special care of their education, and later made Edesius his cup-bearer and Frumentius, who was a little older, his treasurer and secretary of state. The king, on his deathbed, thanked them for their services and in reward gave them their liberty. After his death the queen begged them to remain at court and assist her in the government of the state until the young prince came of age; this they did, using their influence to spread Christianity. When the young king reached his majority, Edesius desired to return to Tyre,...

"According to a number of studies, vaccine contamination is widespread, with vaccines containing pestivirus, mycoplasma, viral fragments, DNA fragments and bacterial components, all of which can produce chronic systemic...... disorders, cancer, neurologic diseases and even slow brain degeneration." ~Dr. Blaylock / board certified neurosurgeon/ awarded the Integrity in Science award by the Weston Price Foundation. Swine Flu Data Related Posts on Catholic Fire : Barack Obama, the First Family, and the H1N1 Vaccine Seasonal flu shot may increase H1N1 risk 18 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT VACCINATE YOUR CHILDREN AGAINST THE FLU Doctor Admits Vaccine Is More Deadly Than Swine Flu Itself & Will Not Give It To His Kids Pregnant Women and Swine Flu Testing   Makers Of Vaccination Refuse To Take Swine Flu Vaccine    Don't Inject Me!   Swine Flu Vaccine containing mercury to be given to children, pregnant women   Autism rates skyrocket in Ame...

  A Vortex commentary from http://www.RealCatholicTV.com:

 Fr. Frank Pavone National Director, Priests for Life One of the most encouraging facts about the pro-life effort in our country is that there are far more pregnancy resource centers (over 2300) than there are abortion mills (about 740). The centers used to be called “crisis pregnancy centers” and were often advertised with the promise of “free pregnancy tests.” Now, the more common term is “pregnancy resource centers” (PRCs), and the range of services provided goes far beyond pregnancy testing, and includes the services of fully licensed medical clinics. Moreover, these centers do not just operate on their own with the support of their local communities. Rather, there are large well-organized networks of pregnancy centers, united by a commitment to professional standards of care, expert training programs, and joint efforts to make sure everyone knows exactly where to turn for alternatives to abortion. All this is good news for the pro-life movement, and to help...

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Ca.) is planning to try to ram the massive health care bill (H.R. 3200) through the House on short notice, without allowing consideration of a critical pro-life amendment.  National Right to Life is urging every pro-life citizen to immediately TELEPHONE the office of his or her representative in the U.S. House of Representatives with a clear and firm message urging a NO vote on the so-called "rule," which is the procedural vote that would allow passage of H.R. 3200 with no amendments allowed, and also to vote against the pro-abortion bill itself. Even if you have already called and written your representatives in Congress about the health care bills, it is critical that you call again now.  This will just take a few minutes.  For guidance on how to make your call, click here . Once there, you will see a box labeled "CALL NOW."  Once you enter your zip code in that box, you will be shown the name and phone number of your re...

Via LifeSiteNews: The words a sidewalk counselor spoke to a woman entering the abortion center in Dallas, Texas summed things up so accurately. "I know the baby is not the problem," the counselor said, "but it's the situation you are in." The woman took information from the counselor but continued into the clinic -- while 40 Days for Life vigil participants prayed for her and her child. An hour later, the woman came out of the clinic in tears. She was married, she said, but thinking about abortion -- though she doesn't know why it got to that point. But when she saw people praying, she knew abortion was not the answer, and that indeed, it was her situation that was the problem, not the baby. Read the rest here.

This week's National Catholic Register has an excellent article by the editors on the The 40 Days for Life Fall 2009 campaign about a lady I know from Wichita, KS. It also has some great news about this year's campaign.

Alysia Finley at WSJ writes about Obama's doctor shortage and what he's doing to make it worse: In his campaign for health-care reform, President Obama has repeatedly harped about a primary care doctor shortage. " The status quo is we don't have enough primary care physicians ," President Obama said in an ABC interview in July. The president promises that his health-care reform proposal will address the problem of a primary care physician shortage---and he's right. He will make it worse. Mr. Obama wants to provide insurance for an additional 30 million Americans, but recent experience in Massachusetts shows that universal coverage will result in an even greater physician shortage and longer waiting times for patients. Read the full story here.  H/T:  Kate Wicker.

I think it's interesting to note that while Barack Obama has declared the swine flu as a national emergency , his own daughters will not be vaccinated for H1N1.   This article raises a good point -- how can the country be expected to trust the safety of the vaccine if the first family doesn't receive it themselves?    Yes, they need to do it on camera with a reputable doctor who won't accept bribes for shooting them up with sugar water. Although, I'm not sure I would even trust it then, knowing the outrageous deception of this current administration. Neither Barack Obama nor his HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius have any respect for human life -- both are promoters of the culture of death and long-time abortion advocates. A question I have for my readers to ponder is: Why is Barack Obama so eager to have everyone in this country vaccinated for H1N1, when he and the rest of his family won't get vaccinated themselves? Why is he encouraging Americans to get this va...

This year, the annual White Ribbon Against Pornography (WRAP) Week runs Sunday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 1. W RAP Week is intended to inform the public and public officials about the harms of pornography and the need to enforce obscenity and related laws. Resources for individuals and groups are available at www.moralityinmedia.org ("WRAP Campaign"). These include information about ordering white ribbons and a sheet describing what citizens can do during WRAP Week and throughout the year, sample letter to U.S. Attorney General Holder, sample letter to state prosecutors, sample Proclamation, and sample prayers and sermons. MIM President Robert Peters had the following comments: "Our nation is facing a moral crisis which is giving rise to, among other things, teen promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS), abortions, children born to single mothers, divorces, sexual abuse of children, rape, trafficking in women and children, on-the-job sexual...

St. Evaristus lived in the second century. He was from a Jewish family in Bethlehem. They were living in Greece at the time of their son's birth. Evaristus was brought up in the Jewish religion. His father was so pleased with the boy's virtue and knowledge that he sent him to the best teachers. Evaristus became a Christian when he grew older.  So great was his love for his new faith that he decided to become a priest. At Rome, where he performed his ministry, everyone grew to admire and love him. So it was that when the pope was martyred, Evaristus was chosen to take his place. He felt he was completely unworthy of being pope, but God knew better. These were times of persecution for the Church. Such bad lies were spread about the Catholic faith that the Romans thought nothing of putting Christians to death. Every man who became pope was almost certain of being arrested.  For about eight years, Pope St. Evaristus ruled the Church. His zeal was so great that the number of bel...

Happy Priesthood Sunday to all our beloved priests!   Prayer for Priests We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry. Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love. Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Lead them to new depths of union with your Son. Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us. Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will. O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son. Intercede for our priests that, offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. St. John Vi...

On October 14, Lord Christopher Monckton gave a presentation in St. Paul, MN on the subject of global warming. In this 4-minute excerpt from his speech, he issues a dire warning to all Americans regarding the United Nations Climate Change Treaty that is scheduled to be signed in Copenhagen in December 2009. A draft of the treaty can be read here.

Read Mary Ann Kreitzer's blog post We Have a Short Window to Expose the CCHD; Let's Do It! at LES FEMME - THE TRUTH to learn more about this. H/T: Esther

Today is the memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret -- a favorite saint that my husband introduced me to several years ago when he gave a talk on this amazing man of God. I don't think I have heard of any saint who was filled with so much zeal for his apostolate. He was a monk and a mystic who exerted an unusual amount of influence over the laity by obeying the call of God. Born on Christmas eve , 1807, in the village of Sallent, in Catalonia, Spain, Anthony was a very pious child. When he was eleven years old, the bishop visited his school and asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Without the least bit of hesitation, he replied: "A priest." As a young adult, Anthony Claret excelled as a maker of cloth as a weaver in his father's textile factory. He then studied for the priesthood, desiring to be a Jesuit. Ill health prevented him from entering the Order, so he served as a diocesan priest. He was ordained at age 27 and busied himself preaching in rural ...

A large group of Mississippi homeschoolers and their parents who run for causes most weekends had signed up for their local upcoming Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The Komen Foundation educates on breast cancer and helps fund research, but also during a one-year period donated more than $700,000 to Planned Parenthood, the biggest abortion-provider and referral operation in the world. Steve Crampton of the homeschool cross-country running team "The Spartans"  learned of the report on OneNewsNow  and went into action. "We asked [the Komen Foundation] for our money back, [and] they agreed to refund us graciously," he shares. "[But] rather than have a weekend where we didn't run at all, we decided [to try to] put something together ourselves. So it was pretty much last minute, but what has been birthed here is the 'Race for the Unborn.'" Read the entire article here .

I was shocked to read this! A Dominican nun has been seen frequenting an abortion facility in Illinois recently - but not, as one might expect, to pray for an end to abortion or to counsel women seeking abortions, but to volunteer as a clinic escort. Local pro-life activists say that they recognized the escort at the ACU Health Center as Sr. Donna Quinn, a nun outspokenly in favor of legalized abortion, after seeing her photo in a Chicago Tribune article. I would certainly hope that this "nun" will be reprimanded by her superiors and that this sinful and scandalous behavior will cease immediately. It is beyond my comprehension how someone like this can even consider herself Catholic, much less claim to be a Dominican nun. None of the Dominicans I have known ever behaved like this. Not only is she defying Church teachings, but she is supporting the murder of innocent children and endangering the lives of women. In addition, she is an accomplice in this sin. She definit...

St. John was born at Capistrano, Italy i n 1385, the son of a former German knight of that city. He studied law at the University of Perugia and practiced as a lawyer in the courts of Naples. King Ladislas of Naples appointed him governor of Perugia. During a war with a neighboring town he was betrayed and imprisoned. Upon his release he entered the Franciscan community at Perugia in 1416. He and St. James of the March were fellow students under St. Bernadine of Siena, who inspired him to institute the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and His Mother. John began his brilliant preaching apostolate while a deacon in 1420. After his ordination, he traveled throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia, preaching penance and establishing numerous communities of Franciscan renewal. When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome, St. John, at the age of 70, was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to preach and lead a crusade against the invading Turks. Mar...

  As a candidate for President, Barack Obama promised us transparency and an open forum when it came to health care. President Obama has instead met behind closed doors, away from the public, and away from the press. Send a message to the President: Dont Shut us Out by visiting http://dontshutusout.org ~ Via letfreedomringusa.

On October 17, the National Abortion Federation held a "Remembering Dr. Tiller" event at the Westin Hotel in Denver , with 200 abortionists from around the world attending. I simply can't imagine being in a room full of abortionists. Their hands, yuck. What did they talk about? Although the thought of all this truly creeps me out, this is the sort of event where I'd like to be a fly on the wall. Jeanne Tiller accepted the award on behalf of her husband George , who was murdered May 31. Read the rest at Jill Stanek's blog.

Washington, DC (22 October 2009) – Nevada became the seventh state to launch a “personhood” initiative yesterday. The amendment reads simply: “In the great state of Nevada, the term ‘person’ shall apply to every human being.” “We are thrilled the people of Nevada are finally taking steps to fulfill the dream of the civil rights movement,” said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. “They are working for the fundamental right to human personhood, without which, no other rights exist. For the people of Nevada and the six other states pursuing personhood initiatives, this is about human rights and justice.” As a citizen-led initiative, approximately 97,000 signatures are needed for the proposed amendment to get on the 2010 statewide ballot. Nevada joins Montana, Michigan, Colorado, California, Florida and Missouri. Personhood Nevada, the group sponsoring the petition drive, is led by Richard Ziser, a human rights activist who recently led the successful campaign to de...