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St. John Bosco
Don Bosco
Giovanni Melchior Bosco(1815 – 1888)
Born in 1815, Giovanni (John) Melchior Bosco was the youngest son of a poor farmer in hamlet of Becchi in northern Italy. John lost his father at age two and was raised by his mother, Margaret Bosco, a hard working woman who struggled to raise three sons on her own.
At age nine, John had a dream that predicted his vocation. In the dream, he was surrounded by a crowd of swearing and fighting children he attempted to pacify, first by reasoning with them verbally, then by hitting them. Then, suddenly a mysterious woman appeared who instructed him, “Softly, softly…if you wish to win them! Take your shepherds staff if you wish to lead them to pasture.” As she spoke the children transformed first into wild beasts, then into lambs.
From this time on, John believed that it was his duty to lead and to help other boys.He began teaching the children of his village catechism, first amusing them with acrobatics and magic tric
What Can We Do To Help Terri?
(National Right to Life, January 28, 2005)
IF YOU'RE FROM FLORIDA, HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP TO SAVE TERRI!Contact your Florida state senator and representative to sponsor and support legislation to protect Terri Shindler-Sciavo and those with disabilities like hers from starvation and dehydration.
The Florida Supreme Court threw out Terri's Law 1 because it said it dealt only with her case and therefore violated the separation of powers. But a law that covers not only Terri, but also others in similar situations, COULD be upheld.
A massive outpouring from their constituents is necessary to get Florida legislators to sponsor and support a protective law to save the lives of Terri and others like her. You can get contact information for your state senator and representative on http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ or www.myflorida.com
ACT NOW!
More things that each of us can do to help save Terri Schindler-Schiavo:
1) Pray for Terr
Another St. Gianna?
Italian Woman who Refused an Abortion Dies of Cancer
ROME, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, wrote on Tuesday that a woman who refused cancer treatment to save the life of her unborn child is a ‘hero.’“She was aware that if she gave birth she wouldn't have had any hope of surviving,” the Vatican paper wrote. “Despite that she went through with her choice, the choice of welcoming new life even at the cost of her own death.”
Rita Fedrizzi 41, who refused the abortion and cancer treatment, joins the ranks of a number of other women praised by the Holy See for their lifegiving sacrifice. Last year, Pope John Paul II canonized Italian pediatrician, Gianna Molla, who died in 1962. Molla also refused to be treated for cancer and died days after giving birth to a daughter.
Fedrizzi died this week, three months after giving birth to a baby boy. “Rita’s choice, which I always shared, was a choice o
Happy Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul!
As a Catholic revert, I can definitely relate to St. Paul's conversion. In fact, I had to get knocked off my horse quite a few times before my reversion.
http://www.cin.org/saints/convpaul.html
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/CONVPAUL.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm
St. Francis de Sales
Bishop, Doctor of the Church
(1567 – 1622)
Francis was born on August 21, 1567, at the Chateau de Sales in Geneva, Switzerland to a noble family. He was a frail and delicate child, but very intelligent, humble, kind, loving, patient and gentle. He was educated in some of the best schools of that time period.
At the age of thirteen, he attended the University of Paris where he studied theology. He then attended the University of Padua, where he earned his doctorate in law. His father desired that he become a lawyer and politician, but Francis desired to become a priest. In 1593, he was ordained.
The Catholic Church at this time was losing many of its parishioners to the new churches of the Protestant Reformation. Francis set out to restore Catholicism to the area around Lake Geneva known as Chablais. For three years, he trudged through the countryside, his feet frozen and bleeding, as he trampled through the snow. No one would listen to him, so he wrote
Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians Targeted by Canonical Lawsuit
WASHINGTON, January 21, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A canon lawyer who filed a heresy charge with the Vatican against then presidential nominee Senator John F. Kerry last summer has expanded his suit to include a number of other pro-abortion Catholic politicians.
Marc Balestrieri, in an unprecedented class-action ecclesiastical lawsuit, filed a “Dual-Denunciation for Heresy and Complaint for Reparation of Harm” against Senator John F. Kerry for his support of a civil right to choose abortion. Balestrieri announced Thursday that he has added Senators Edward Kennedy, Tom Harkin, Susan Collins, and former New York Governor Mario Cuomo to the suit.
Balestrieri argues that Kerry and other Catholic pro-abortion politicians, because they support abortion rights, are guilty of the "Right-to-Murder" Heresy condemned by Pope John Paul II in the Encyclical Evangelium Vitae of 1995. Automatic Excommunication is the p
Sanctity of Human Life Walk & Rally 2005
I have just returned from Central IL Right to Life's March and Sanctity of Human Life Rally held in downtown Peoria. Neither freezing temperatures nor falling snow could stop this "family" of approximately 150 dedicated Christian prolifers from protesting the 32nd anniversary of the passage of Roe V. Wade.
We met in front of the Peoria Courthouse by the statue of Abraham Lincoln, where CIRL Director Dan Smith gave a motivating speech, a prayer was said, and hundreds of multi-colored balloons were released into the air. We walked to the Rally at Riverside Community Church carrying pro-life signs. Mine read "Abortion is murder." (Believe or not, some people don't know that or don't want to be reminded of it! It's freeing to proclaim the truth.)
Tonight's speakers were spectacular! Myfawny Saunders, the Director of the Women's pregnancy Center as well as the Director of Peoria Rescue Ministrie
Another Bizarre Case of Discrimination Against Christians in the U.S.
Just when you thought things couldn't get any more outrageous as far as discrimination in the U.S. goes, something really ridiculous occurs. The following article appeared today in World Net Daily.
TESTING THE FAITH
DMV rejects 'JOHN316' license plate
Bureaucrats claim biblical tag inappropriately refers to 'deity'
Posted: January 19, 20055:00 p.m. Eastern
A resident of Vermont who had his request for a custom "JOHN316" license plate rejected filed a federal lawsuit against Department of Motor Vehicles officials yesterday.
Alliance Defense Fund, a legal group representing Shawn W. Byrne, says the state agency's action violates the Constitution.
"The Constitution does not permit DMV officials to discriminate based upon the applicant's point of view," said ADF attorney Joshua Carden in a statement. "Religious speech is not inferior to secular
St. Louis Archbishop Burke Calls Abortion Fight "a battle against Satan"
( LifeSiteNews.com ) Archbishop Raymond Burke, after spending a busy 2004 setting the pace for episcopal pro-life leadership, appears set to continue his strong efforts on behalf of the sacredness of life in this new year. This past Saturday, Burke personally led a congregation of 400 Catholics to the sidewalks in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion mill in downtown St. Louis.
In his homily at the cathedral Mass, Archbishop Burke described the pro-life fight as "a battle against Satan and his cohorts." He said, "We pray for the parents who are contemplating the betrayal of their parenthood through abortion."
The group left the St. Louis cathedral and walked the five blocks to the Planned Parenthood facility while being led in the Rosary by the Archbishop whose voice could be heard over the walkie-talkies carried by organizers. The group stayed for about 10-15 minutes an
St. Anthony of the Desert
St. Anthony of the Desert (c. 251–356), a religious hermit and monk, is known as the founder of monasticism. His rule of order was one of the first to create guidelines for monastic living. He became a monk at age 20 and withdrew into total solitude on a desert mountain near the Nile River. Here he overcame extreme temptations of the devil, and in 305 emerged from total seclusion to instruct nearby hermits in the ways of monasticism. His face showed lasting peace. He demonstrated the power of Christ to touch lives by healing the sick, providing spiritual guidance, casting out demons, and preaching. Many were attracted to monasticism by his example. Athanasius's Life of Antony perpetuated his story and inspired waves of monks who civilized and evangelized Europe and the Near East.
With the end of Christian persecution in 313, Anthony established a monastery between the Nile and the Red Sea. This same monastery exists today.
EXCELLENT VIEWS
Be sure to tune into EWTN today and tomorrow. There are some excellent pro-life programs scheduled.
WE ARE ALL GOD’S CHILDREN (60:00)
This true story of a young woman's struggle with an unplanned pregnancy and her search for truth, highlights society's false ideas about happiness. In the face of this young woman's dawning realization that actions have lifetime consequences, she learns there is abundant life, love, and hope when the teachings of the Church come first in making a moral choice.
Thursday
January 13, 2005
4:30 AM EST
Thursday
January 13, 2005
6:30 PM EST
EWTN GALLERYMAKING ABORTION RARE: EP. 1 (30:00)
Understanding the Keys to Ending Abortion Built on an understanding of the ways in which abortion hurts women physically, psychologically, and spiritually Making Abortion Rare offers a three pronged strategy for ending abortion through a compassionate and comprehensive program of pastoral, political and educational reform.
F
St. Hilary of Poitiers -- Bishop, Doctor of the Church
Hillary was a student of rhetoric and philosophy who became a convert to Christianity. He was later elected bishop of Poitiers and wrote commentaries on the Trinity, The Gospel of Mathew, and the Psalms. He stood up against the persecution of Saint Athanasius by the politically powerful Arians. He devoted his tongue and pen to fighting the Arian heresy and was exiled for his zeal. Hillary died in 368 A.D.
"Impart to us the meaning of the words of Scripture and the light to understand it."
~St. Hilary
HAPPY FEAST DAY, ST MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS!
I nearly forgot that it is one of my favorite saint's feast days, so I had better get this posted before the clock strikes 12.
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys
(1620 – 1698)
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys has been described as a woman of dreams and action, despite her frail health. She was known for her obedience to God and for her perseverance in carrying out His desires despite the many obstacles and hardships she faced.
Born in Troyes, France in 1620, Marguerite assumed a "parental" role in her family at age 19 due to the death of her mother. The following year, through the inspiration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she consecrated her life to God and became a member of the Extern Congregation of Troy, a group of women who were dedicated to teaching the poor children of the town. It was during this apostolate that she first sensed a call to missionary work.
In 1652, Monsieur de Maisonneuve, founder and governor of Ville Marie
ST. THERSE FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME SUPPORT GROUP In case you have been wondering why I haven't been posting as regularly as in the past, the reason is that I have been preparing for my new fibromyalgia support group, St. Therese of Lisieux Fibromyalgia Syndrome Support Group. We were previously scheduled to meet in December, but the meeting was cancelled at that time. It is now rescheduled for February 2nd -- (Ground Hog Day!) the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. We could use some prayer that all goes well this time -- the weather cooperates and people show up. I am praying for St. Therese's intervention.
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The Elliot Insititute has done it again! Here is an excellent article from their newsletter excerpted from their publication Hope and Healing. I hope to put these useful ideas into practice.
HOW TO SOW THE SEEDS OF HEALING
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Do you realize that you c
Prayer to End Abortion
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters. I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion, Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son. I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself Never to be silent, Never to be passive, Never to be forgetful of the unborn. I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, And never to stop defending life Until all my brothers and sisters are protected, And our nation once again becomes A nation with liberty and justice Not just for some, but for all, Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
~ Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director Priests for Life, Newsletter Volume 15, Number 1 January-February 2005
Women Evaluate "The Cost of 'Choice'" on the Eve of 32nd Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade
To: National Desk
Contact: Daniel McConchie of Americans United for Life , 312-492-7234, dan@aul.org
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 / Christian Wire Service / -- Challenging the notion that the well-being of women is dependent upon the legal right to abortion, Americans United for Life, Feminists for Life, Encounter Books, and Advocates for Life will hold a symposium entitled "The Cost of 'Choice': Understanding the Toll of Abortion on Women's Lives" on Friday, Jan. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America.
The event will feature several authors of the book The Cost of "Choice": Women Evaluate the Impact of Abortion, a new collection of essays by women outlining the medical, psychological, social, and cultural impact of abortion-on-demand.
"The contributors, all doctors, lawyers and educators prominent i
Favorite Quotes from St. John Henry Neumann on His Feast Day
My God, how great Thou art, how wonderful in all Thy works! Teach me Thy will that I may begin and end all my actions for Thy greater glory.
Speak to me, 0 my God, let me know Thy will, for behold I am ready to fulfill Thy every command. The difficult, the irksome, I will patiently endure for love of Thee.
0 my God, I thank Thee for the love Thou hast planted in my heart. I will cultivate this precious flower. I will guard it night and day that nothing may injure it. Do Thou, 0 Lord, water it with the dew of Thy grace.
~ From the Diary of St. John Henry Newman
Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work. We are not sent into this world for nothing; we are not born at random; we are not here, that we may go to bed at night, and get up in the morning, toil for our bread, eat and drink, laugh and joke, sin when we have a mind, and reform when
The Holy Name of Jesus
Meditation for the Feast of the Holy Names of Jesus.
I.
The name of Jesus was given to the Incarnate Word not by men, but by God himself: And his name shall be called Jesus, (Luke1:31) that is, Savior. A name of gladness, a name of hope, a name of love.
A name of gladness, because if the remembrance of past transgressions afflicts us, this name comforts us, reminding us that the Son of God became man for this purpose, to make himself our Savior.
My beloved Savior, You came down from heaven to seek me, and I, a miserable sinner, have turned my back upon You and despised Your grace and Your love! But, notwithstanding this, You willed my salvation, O my Jesus! and I thank You for it and love You.
II.
A name of hope, because he that prays to the Eternal Father in the name of Jesus may hope for every grace he asks for: If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it you. (John 16:23)
O my God! trusting to this promise, in the name o
Happy Feast of Epiphany!
"If the Magi had come in search of an earthly King, they would have been disconcerted at finding that they had taken the trouble to come such a long way for nothing. Consequently they would have neither adored nor offered gifts. But since they sought a heavenly King, though they found in Him no signs of royal pre-eminence, yet, content with the testimony of the star alone, they adored: for they saw a man, and they acknowledged a God."
~St. John Chrysostom
Happy Feast Day! Happy New Year!
Today on this feast day of the Solemnity of Mary and the first day of the New Year, I pray that Our Lord will favor you with the graces and virtues you are in most need of and I entrust you to the heart our dear Mother, Mary.
A New Year's Prayer
Dear Lord, please give me ...
a few friends who understand me
and yet remain my friends.
Work to do which has real value,
without which the world would feel poorer.
A mind unafraid to travel,
even though the trail not be blazed.
An understanding heart,
A sense of humor.
Time for quiet, silent meditation,
A feeling of the presence of God.
And the patience to wait for the coming of these things,
with the wisdom to know when they come.
~ Author Unknown