Catholic Fire

Tonight, I will be signing off for awhile. I hope to return to blogging within a couple of weeks. The big move is happening. I will be moving from Illinois to Kansas. A native Illinoisan, I have lived in this state all my life -- for somewhere around half a century (Just call me Yoda.) This is a big change for me and I am looking forward to it. I would love to hear from anyone out there who is from Kansas. I have recently met a few wonderful people from there and am feeling very good about this move. I do believe in my heart that it is the answer to prayer. Goodbye for now. I shall return.

Terri Schiavo's parents and siblings are writing a book about the "end-of-life" case that divided the nation. The not-yet titled memoir by parents Bob and Mary Schindler, brother Bobby Schindler and sister Suzanne Vitadamo will be published in March to coincide with the first anniversary of the death of the brain-damaged woman, whose feeding tube was removed after her husband, Michael Schiavo, won a court order to do so. The Schindlers will donate profits from the book to a foundation they established when they were fighting to save Terri's life, Warner Books said. The foundation now is dedicated to protecting severely disabled people. via Blogs for Terri

Romans Chapter 12 -- The New Life in Christ "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship." ~ Romans 12: 1 As Christian pro-lifers, we live not according to the flesh or to carnal desires, but we keep our bodies pure and holy, as they are temples of the Holy Spirit. We dress modestly and respect our bodies. In doing so, we show the world that we value the virtue of chastity. We offer up any physical or emotional pain we have for the redemption of mankind and the salvation of souls, knowing that in doing so, we are uniting our sufferings with those of our Divine Savior and are carrying out God's holy will. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will ." ~ Romans 12: 2 The world...

LONDON, Ont. - Renowned Toronto physical fitness expert David Carmichael thought his 11-year-old son would be "better off in heaven" when he strangled him to end the "hell" of his brain seizures, a court heard on the opening day of his first-degree murder trial. In a taped interview with police played in court yesterday, Carmichael admitted to killing Ian, who suffered from seizures that caused him to be developmentally delayed. "I feel like I took him out of his misery," Carmichael told Det. Andy Whitford, adding neither his wife Elizabeth nor daughter Gillian ever suspected his intentions. "I thought he'd be better off in heaven." In his opening remarks, defence lawyer Philip Campbell argued Carmichael isn't criminally responsible for the murder of his son "on the basis of mental disorder," and is not guilty of first-degree murder. As the Crown called police witnesses to the stand, court heard that Carmichael, 47, was sufferin...

A Dominican, a Franciscan, and a Jesuit die at the same time. They are standing in line at the pearly gates. St. Peter takes the Franciscan in and shows him where he will live--a little brown hut. "Perfect!" the Franciscan exclaims. St. Peter gives the Dominican a little black and white house. "Wonderful," the Dominican says. Then St. Peter takes the Jesuit and a chorus of angels start to sing Alleluia and trumpets blare and heavenly hosts proclaim the entrance of the Jesuit to his abode--a mansion. The Dominican and the Franciscan look at each other and very humbly ask St. Peter why the Jesuit lives in a mansion. St Peter responded, "Well, you see, we've never had a Jesuit before."

Your Blogging Type is Logical and Principled You like to voice your well thought out opinions on your blog.And if someone doesn't like what you write, you really don't care! Serious and blunt, sometimes people take your blog the wrong way.But you're a true and loyal friend to those who truly get you. What's" Your Blogging Personality? Via Happy Catholic .

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2005 - In a message to the first Meeting of Civilizations, being held in Turkey, Benedict XVI emphasized that the dignity of the person must be at the heart of every civilization. In his message, the Holy Father invited the participants to promote "from the spiritual and cultural heritage of each one, the values that recognize the central character of the person and that promote understanding, respect and peace."

In an apparent major breakthrough, scientists in Korea report using umbilical cord blood stem cells to restore feeling and mobility to a spinal-cord injury patient. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cythotherapy, centered on a woman had been a paraplegic 19 years due to an accident. [ Read the entire story]

A few years ago, I began to ask myself this question. I had never had an abortion nor had I ever witnessed one and I was curious, so I checked out a video from the Family Resources Center which showed in graphic detail exactly what happened when someone had an abortion. The images touched me so deeply they became deeply embedded in my memory like a horrible nightmare. I expected them to be horrific, but I underestimated the impact they would have on me. Prior to viewing the video, I was solidly pro-life; after watching the video, I became pro-life to the core of my very being. For there is no way a normal human being can see such horrific images and not be deeply repelled and outraged by them. There are no words that can describe the shocking reality of abortion. What does an abortion look like? Take a look for yourself. Share this with others. Only seeing such images can bring us to the kind of indignation needed to sustain the sacrifices that will be necessary to finally bri...

Population controllers have long insisted that abortion is healthier for women than childbirth. A host of studies examining the effects of abortion, however, have proved otherwise. Women who have abortions often face increased physical and emotional problems, including substance abuse, mental disorders, impaired fertility, pregnancy loss, and breast cancer. This article will examine the various studies and what they say about the risks of abortion. FATAL COMPLICATIONS Even though most abortion-related deaths are not officially reported as such, legal abortion is reported to be the fifth leading cause of maternal death in the U.S. A 1997 government-funded study from Finland showed that women who abort are four times more likely to die within a year than women who give birth.* By extending their scope beyond the very narrow time frame that is examined by most post-abortion studies, the researchers were able to get a better look at how abortion truly affects women's lives. The results...

Julie Woodley as told to Matt Woodley In July 1985, my husband and I paraded through the front doors of Methodist Hospital of St. Louis Park. We came to give birth to a beautiful baby girl, Bonnie Joy. Six years prior to that, I had quietly slipped into Methodist Hospital through the back door, which is also known as Meadowbrook Women's Clinic. I was single, lonely, and frightened at that time in 1979 when I went to the clinic. THE STORY OF TWO DOORS When I entered through the front door of Methodist Hospital, they insisted that I ride in a wheelchair. The nurse called me "Mrs. Woodley," and wheeled me past a nursery brimming with living, breathing, crying babies. Babies carefully tended and wrapped in pink and blue blankets. In stark contrast, I entered by the back door at Meadowbrook Women's Clinic. There was no wheelchair. I was given a number for identification and directed to a waiting room after I paid the bill. Anything baby-like was strictly forbidden. Shortly...

Carol Everett's descent into the abortion industry began after she aborted her third child in 1973, under pressure from her husband and doctor. After the abortion her life began to fall apart; she had an affair, started to drink and eventually left her husband. With a psychiatrist's help she got her life together enough to go to work for a medical supply company, which led her into the abortion industry. Working for an abortionist showed her how much money can be made in the abortion business, so she decided to open her own clinics. "I had made $150,000; was on target in 1983 to make $260,000; and when we opened our five clinics, I would have been taking home about a million dollars a year. I expected to make more than that after we were functioning. " [ The Entire Story]

A Bible study group was discussing the unforeseen possibility of their sudden death. The leader of the discussion said, "We will all die some day, and none of us really know when, but if we did we would all do a better job of preparing ourselves for that inevitable event." Everybody nodded their heads in agreement with this comment. Then the leader said to the group, "What would you do if you knew you only had four weeks of life remaining before your death, and then the Great Judgment Day?" A gentleman said, "I would go out into my community and minister the Gospel to those that have not yet accepted the Lord into their lives. ""Very good!" said the group leader, and all the group members agreed, that would be a very good thing to do.One lady spoke up and said enthusiastically, "I would dedicate all of my remaining time to serving God, my family, my church, and my fellow man with a greater conviction." "That's wonderful!" ...

St. Vincent was born in Aquitaine and became a priest. He devoted his whole life to the service of the poor. He founded a congregation of priests for missionary work, groups of laymen to help paupers and galley-slaves, and, with St Louise de Marillac, the Sisters of Charity. He is the patron saint of hospital workers, charities, and volunteers. A Meditation on the Poor Even though the poor are often rough and unrefined, we must not judge them from external appearances nor from the mental gifts they seem to have received. On the contrary, if you consider the poor in the light of faith, then you will observe that they are taking the place of the Son of God who chose to be poor. Although in his passion he almost lost the appearance of a man and was considered a fool by the Gentiles and a stumbling block by the Jews, he showed them that his mission was to preach to the poor: "He sent me to preach the good news to the poor." We also ought to have this same spirit and imitate Chris...

All powerful Father, God of mercy, look kindly on those who suffer due to hurricanes. Ease their burden and make their faith strong, that they may always have confidence and trust in your fatherly care. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Father of mercy, You always answer your people in their suffering. We thank You for your kindness and ask You to free us from evil, that we may serve You in happiness all our days. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The International Life Chain is October 2, 2005, from 2:30 – 3:30 PM in each time zone across the U.S. and Canada. Prolifers in each city, town, and hamlet are urged to participate in what is also called “a national prayer chain,” held on city sidewalks. Over 900 cities and towns will participate this year. See http://www.lifechain.net/ or http://www.nationallifechain.org/ for information about your city. According to Life Chain organizers, the national pro-life witness saves preborn lives and changes receptive hearts. While standing for one hour in meditation and prayer, participants hold signs that include Abortion Kills Children, Jesus Forgives and Heals, Adoption the Loving Option, and I Regret My Abortion. Supplemental (plastic) yard signs are available through www.10-Commandments.com . Individuals desiring to include their city or town in National Life Chain Sunday 2004 should contact the national Life Chain office (530-671-5500 or email NationalLifeChain@otnusa.com) and visit ...

A priest runs an advertisement in a local newspaper for a church bell ringer. The bell did not have a rope and was usually rung by swinging a mallet against it. The next day a man with no arms stops the priest outside the church and asks him for the job. The priest says, "My son, I'm sure you are a man who is up to many tasks from which others with your condition would shy away. But, I don't think a job as the church bell ringer is meant for you." The man replies, "But father, at least give me a chance to show you that I can handle the job." The father relents and he and the no-armed man climb the narrow steps way up to the top of the belfry. When they arrive, the no-armed man asks the father to stand aside. The no-armed man then backs up as far as he can. His heels off the edge of the belfry, and with tremendous force, he runs face first into the bell. The bell rings gloriously, people from all over the city come out of their houses to hear the wondrous sou...

Kristen Gilbert, a sweet, innocent young teenager with Down Synrome was first the victim of sexual assault and later the victim of a botched abortion . The complications of her "therapeutic abortion" resulted in her death . This is the kind of story that will break your heart and this is the reality of our sick world today and the money-hungry abortionists who will stop at nothing to kill innocent women and children. If you don't feel anything when you read of this woman's fate and if you aren't moved to become a pro-life activist after reading this, than you need an emergency injection of conscience and most likely a heart transplant as well. Profile of the Killer George R. Tiller of Wichita, Kansas is the abortionist's name and he needs our prayers for conversion today. George Tiller is America's most notorious abortionist. By his own count, he has performed over sixty-thousand abortions. (Listen to Tiller say this by clicking here .) George Richard Til...

Nothing is known of the lives of Saints Cosmas and Damien except that they suffered martyrdom in Syria during the persecution of Diocletian. A church erected on the site of their burial place was enlarged by the emperor Justinian. Devotion to the two saints spread rapidly in both East and West. A famous basilica was erected in their honor in Constantinople. Their names were placed in the canon of the Mass, probably in the sixth century. Legend says that they were twin brothers born in Arabia, who became skilled doctors. Known as the "moneyless" and the "silverless", they never accepted money for their services, but offered them in the spirit of charity. When the persecution under Diocletian broke out, their very prominence rendered them marked objects of persecution. Being apprehended by order of Lysias, governor of Cilicia, they were arrested, tortured, and beheaded in the year 283. St. Cosmas and St. Damian are patron saints of medicine, doctors and pharmacists. I...

Yesterday the novena to St. Francis of Assisi started. Of course his feast day is October 4th. Several days ago I started my novena to St. Therese , the Little Flower, whose feast day is October 1st. I am still praying my novena to St. Joseph for the sale of our home. With the month of October appraoching, I will soon be starting a rosary novena. I usually do the 54 day rosary novena, but EWTN has a special rosary novena for the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which I would like to start as well. Oh, how I love novenas! Small and large miracles seem to accompany each one. I may not see my prayers answered immediately -- but they are always answered in God's most perfect time and in His most perfect way.

This is a prayer that The Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, has asked Catholics in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to recite for local, state and federal politicians during October, a month traditionally designated as Respect Life Month. I am going to begin praying it now for our pro-death politicians here in IL: Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Barack Obama, and Governor Rod Blagojevich. It is also a good prayer to recite for our Supreme Court Justices and other Judges. Litany of St. Thomas More, Martyr and Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord have mercy V. Christ, have mercy R. Christ have mercy V. Lord, have mercy R. Lord have mercy V. Christ hear us R. Christ, graciously hear us V. St. Thomas More, Saint and Martyr, R. Pray for us (Repeat after each invocation) St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers St. Thomas More, Patron of Justices, Judges and Magistrates St. Thoma...

Chicago, Sep. 22, 2005 - Catholic News Service- Pro-life leaders in Illinois are outraged that Gov. Rod Blagojevich "thwarted the democratic process" and authorized the creation of a medical institute that would conduct embryonic stem-cell research. This action makes Illinois the fourth state in the nation-after California, Connecticut and New Jersey-to establish a stem-cell research facility, but it’s the first to do so without input from the public, reported the Catholic Explorer. Gov. Rod Blagojevich superseded the General Assembly July 12 by initiating an executive order to create the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute, which would conduct research involving all forms of stem cells, including from adults, umbilical cord blood and embryos. The institute is expected to open by December. Taxpayers were told at a Chicago press conference that $10 million of public funds would be invested as a start-up cost for the institute. Details about ongoing funding, fiscal account...

St. Pio is one of my favorite saints. Miracles occured everyday of his life. He appeared in two places at one time. He was able to communicate with others through mental telepathy. When he thought of them, they began to smell the scent of violets, which they associated with him. In the Confessional, he was able to tell people their sins in detail. Through the simple means of touch, he was able to heal others. He had an abundance of gifts that he used wisely to build up the body of Christ and to convert sinners. He was born in the small village of Pietrelcina in southern Italy, and joined the Capuchin friars at the age of 16. He became a priest seven years later, and spent fifty years at the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he was very much sought after as a spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor. Padre Pio suffered many mysterious health problems, suffering from high fevers and, at one time, was thought to have tuberculosis. While praying before a crucifix, Padre Pio rec...

Praise the Lord! The Senate Judiciary Committee approved John Roberts' bid to head the Supreme Court on a 13-5 vote, with all Republicans and three Democrats supporting his nomination. The full Senate will take up President Bush's first Supreme Court pick next week and Roberts is expected to be approved easily. Read full artcile at Lifenews.com

By Jill Stanek Darth Vader was not always evil. He started out as one of the good guys, a Jedi knight who stood for right. Darth's defection to the dark side wasn't abrupt – it was a process conceived by ambition, germinated by impatience, and fed by power. The paradoxical problem with power is the appetite it attempts to sate is never sated. Those feeding on it want more, more, more. They eventually puff up into arrogant ogres. Like U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Many will be shocked to learn Durbin was ever pro-life, since he is so well known as a ruthless pro-abort, a key go-to guy to obstruct any pro-life measure brought forth, even the partial-birth abortion ban. But National Right to Life has compiled the Durbin Abortion Papers , written evidence dating back to 1982 showing that this deadly man once had pro-life blood running through his veins, or so he said. Only God knows, although Durbin doesn't face God in his hometown of Springfield, Ill., anymore, where as a still-profe...

Here's a review of The Exorcism of Emily Rose -- the film everyone is talking about -- from Jeffery Overstreet at Looking Closer Journal. Curt at Northwestern Winds also presents some interesting insights. Hopefully, I will get a chance to see it this weekend if this pre- moving agenda doesn't take precedence.

You speak eloquently and have seemingly read every book ever published. You are a fountain of endless (sometimes useless) knowledge, and never fail to impress at a party.What people love: You can answer almost any question people ask, and have thus been nicknamed Jeeves.What people hate: You constantly correct their grammar and insult their paperbacks. What Kind of Elitist Are You? brought to you by Quizilla " I was hoping I might surprise myself. Maybe next time. Via Happy Catholic

"Every human being, even the infant in the mother's womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parent or any human society or authority. Therefore, there is no man, no human authority, no science, no medical, eugenic, social, economic or moral "indication" that can show or give valid juridical title for direct deliberate disposition concerning an innocent human life-which is to say, a disposition that aims at its destruction either as an end in itself or as the means of attaining another end that is perhaps in no way illicit itself. Thus, for example, to save the life of the mother is a most noble end, but the direct killing of the child as a means to this end is not licit. " ~ Allocution to Italian midwives Pope Pius XII October 29, 1951

World-renowned performer with Arkansas ties John Michael Talbot will be inducted into the Arkanasas Entertainers Hall of Fame in Pine Bluff, AR, September 30th. He will be joined by Collin Raye, Lawrence Hamilton, Ed Bruce, Lefty Frizzell, Albert E. Brumley, John Weston and Jim Porter. During the 2005 ceremony, the new inductees will join forty-five previous inductees including Glen Capbell, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty, Billy Bob Thorton, Alan Ladd and John Grism to name just a few. John Michael Talbot recently released his 48th album "Monk Rock". To learn more visit http://www.johnmichaeltalbot.com/ .

Two leading women's magazines are misleading readers about the connection between abortion and breast cancer. Last month it was Glamour and this month it is Redbook . Redbook's October issue includes an interview with Marissa Weiss, M.D., founder of the cancer fundraising business, breastcancer.org. who states that "two recent research reviews have found that abortion doesn't alter hormone levels in a way that could increase breast cancer risk, as some activists have claimed." Prof. Joel Brind of Baruch College calls Weiss' statement "sheer nonsense" adding that scientists agree that a woman who has had an abortion is at greater risk for breast cancer. It is both shocking and disgusting to see these popular women's magazines continue to publish lies from so-called "experts". By providing misinformation to the public, these "experts" continue to be directly responsible for contibuting to the cancer deaths of unsuspecting victi...

Today has been another busy day for me as we prepare for the big move. My friend and fellow Oblate Elias from St. Joseph Painting came to do some painting before the Open House this Sunday. He did an excellent job. Tommorow, Kevin will come to clean the carpets and, on Friday, Debbie will give the house a thorough cleaning. Next week will be spent packing and tying up loose ends here. Please continue to join me in praying to St. Joseph for the sale of our home. Thank you.

Saint Matthew was born at Capernaum. He was working as a tax collector when Jesus called him to be one of the twelve apostles. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew. His gospel, with its familiar references to the messianic prophecies, throws light on the continuity between the covenants. Today's gospel reading (Matthew 9:9-13)-- the story of the tax collector, Matthew, being called to follow Jesus, is one of the most popular episodes in the life of Jesus. Tax collectors were basically considered the scum of the earth and Jesus, who is viewed as a holy and devout Jew, approaches this outcast and beckons him, "Follow me." He then does something outrageous -- He sits down to a meal and eats with this lowly sinner, which shocks the Pharisees. When the Pharisees ask Jesus why He is doing such a ridiculous thing, He responds, "Those who are sick do not need a physician, but the sick do." This is the clincher here. Jesus tells us that His role on this earth is to heal the sic...

I have been tagged by Holy Fool. Getting to know me... Five things I plan to do before I die: Who knows when I might die? It could be within the next five minutes, although I hope I have a little more time than that to prepare. Ok, here are some things I would like to do before the Lord takes me Home. 1. Enjoy each day and live it to the fullest, surrendering my heart to the Lord and his Holy Mother, giving them my best. 2. Learn the true meaning of love -- love those who are lovable and those who are not lovable, but do it for His sake and in union with Him. 3. Draw others closer to the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary -- to help them realize their authentic potential and to be all that they can be in the army of God. 4. To use all the gifts God has given me to the best of my ability to build up His Kingdom. 5. To be the best wife I can be to my husband Bill and to love him and support him in every way I can. Five things I can do: 1. Write -- short stories, poems, essays, letters...

A federal magistrate judge on Monday authorized a crack dealer, Heather Natasha Marie Whitt, to be furloughed from jail to have an abortion. The approval of a medical furlough for an abortion may be the first of its kind in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. No one familiar with the federal court system here could recall such a motion. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Bruce Guyton approved the medical furlough at the request of defense attorney Kevin C. Angel. Guyton has authorized Whitt to be freed at noon Thursday. She is to return to jail at 10 a.m. next Tuesday. "(Whitt) has scheduled a procedure to terminate the pregnancy."

WASHINGTON (CNS) At least 15 percent of U.S. women experience fertility-related problems sometime during their reproductive years. And Catholic women are no exception. Although the growing field of assisted reproductive technology offers many options for those who have no moral qualms about in vitro fertilization or other methods that bring about reproduction outside the marital act, there may seem to be limited options for those who want to follow Catholic teaching. Not so, say staff members at the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Neb., and its Center for NaPro Ethics. The institute's founder and director, Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, has developed the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, a natural method of family planning and monitoring gynecological health, and a comprehensive system of women's health called natural procreative technology, or NaPro technology for short. Through its Omaha headquarters and more than 150 satellite offices in the ...

To my friends and family: What I have seen since Katrina: The poor and the wealthy hurt by the storm Black, White, Hispanic, Oriental and Indian all hurt by the storm. Christian people giving, giving, giving. Churches going all out to minister in Jesus' name. Neighbors going door to door helping one another. Thugs and hoodlums going door to door looking for someone vunerable. Ice and water being fought over as police tried to keep the peace. People coming up from New Orleans taking over empty houses because shelters are full. Out of town volunteers coming with food and staying for now a week still serving it. The Churches all over this part of the country doing what Christians do in a crisis. FEMA doing a wonderful job in getting help to us. The red Cross doing a great job in the shelters. The Salvation Army doing a great job in the community. Four Hundred crewman from everywhere bring back the power to our homes, churches and businesses. Lines at service stations a block to a mile...

Much of the earlier history of Christianity in Korea is marked with persecution. A group of lay people brought Christianity to Korea in the 17th century. Those persecuted to death for their faith were mostly lay persons, though among these men and women we have also bishops and priests. Fr. Andrew Kim of Taegon, the first Korean priest and pastor, and Paul Chong of Hasang, a lay apostle, -- today's saints -- were among them. St. Andrew Kim Taegon traveled to China to become a priest. When he returned to Korea to minister to the Christian community there, he was arrested, tortured, and eventually beheaded. Paul Chong Hasang was a seminarian, aged 45. As a layman, he was one of the great founders of the Catholic Church in Korea. He was persecuted before he could be ordained. Prayer Almighty Father, You have created all nations and You are their salvation. In the land of Korea, Your call to the Catholic faith formed a people of adoption whose growth You nurtured by the blood of Saints...

Pope Benedict XVI has given his approval to a new Vatican policy document indicating that men with homosexual tendencies should not be ordained as Catholic priests. The new document-- which was prepared by the Congregation for Catholic Education, in response to a request made by the late Pope John Paul II in 1994-- will be published soon. It will take the form of an "Instruction," signed by the prefect and secretary of the Congregation: Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski and Archbishop Michael Miller.

On September 19, 1846, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, appeared to two young shepherds, Melanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, on the heights of the mountain of La Salette in France. There she dictated to them a public message which she asked to make known to all Her people. To each of them, she privately confided a secret, concerning which she gave special directive. Blessed Melanie Calvat was invested with the mission of founding a new religious Order, the Order of the Mother of God, which would associate under one single common rule more than one community, and would include the Apostles of the Latter Times announced by Saint Louis Mary de Montfort in his Prophetic Prayer. Blessed Melanie was told by the Mother of God to make known her secret after the year 1858, and she published it herself in the face of great difficulties. It was important, and remains important, for the Church to be aware of its contents. The Blessed Virgin announced that it was primarily the defections of t...

Not so very long ago, an old German man was feeling guilty about something he had done, so he decided to go to Confession. He said, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I feel terrible because during World War II I hid a refugee in my attic." The priest said, "But that's not a sin! I wouldn't feel bad about that if I were you!" "But I made him agree to pay me 50 Marks for every week he stayed." The priest said, "Well, I admit that certainly wasn't the most noble thing to do, charging the man to save his life -- but you did save his life, after all, and that is a good thing. Don't worry about it too much; God forgives." The man said, "Oh thank you, Father, that eases my mind. I have only one more question to ask you -- Do I have to tell him the war is over?"

Please join me in praying the following novena to St. Joseph for the sale of our home and the finding of a new home. O good father Joseph! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to obtain for me what I ask. (Here name your petition). Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers, everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Be near to me in my last moments, that I may eternally sing the praises of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) St. Joseph, the head of the Holy Family and the guardian and provider for both Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the patron saint of home buyers and sellers. St. Teresa of Avila in the 16th century proved to be Joseph’s greatest champion, zealously promoting devotion to the great Saint Joseph. As a young woman, Teresa fell into a coma so profound that she was thought to be dead. She revived and credited her recovery to the intercession of St. Joseph. Anything that St. Joseph asks of Jesus through our ...

From the First Reading for Today: 1 Tm 6:3-5 Beloved: Teach and urge these things. Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain. Meditation Those who seek the pleasures of this world and teach that happiness can only be found in hedonistic pleasures will only find heartbreak and misery. Those who tell these lies will suffer greatly -- both in this life and the next. The abortionist who kills the child for profit and says he is doing so out of compassion for the mother, the person who sodomizes for his own perverse pleasure and tells others it is "love", and the spouse who kills the one he promised to protect, to lov...

A coalition of Catholic and Christian organizations worldwide is coordinating the 13th Annual International Week of Prayer and Fasting to promote a “Culture of Life,” in the words of the late Pope John Paul II. The organization began the campaign to promote life and family in the public sphere with a week of prayer and fasting and related events sponsored by churches and groups around the world. Sponsored by a coalition of lay Catholic organizations, the annual Week of Prayer and Fasting urges people around the globe to pray and fast for 9 days from October 2-10, in “a united effort to end abortion and bring people and nations back to God.” According to the group’s media release, more than 60 countries have participated in the past, including Australia, Great Britain, the Philippines, Singapore, France, Ireland and Canada. This year, in addition to prayer to counter abortion and euthanasia, the organization includes prayer intentions for the crucial confirmation hearings for two new US...

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady: 1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) 2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) 3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17) 5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30) 6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37) 7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47) Prayer O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, I beseech Thee, by the bitter agony thou didst endure at the foot of the Cross offer to the Eternal Father, in my name, thy Beloved Son, Jesus, all covered with Blood and Wounds, in satisfaction for my sins, for the needs of Holy Church, the conversion of sinners, the relief of the Souls in Purgatory and for the special grace I now implore. (Mention your request.) Amen.

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross sprang into existence at Rome at the end of the seventh century. On this feast day, we honor the Holy Cross by which Christ redeemed the world. The Cross -- because of what it represents -- is the most potent and universal symbol of the Christian faith. We revere the instrument by which Jesus Christ, Our Lord, saved us. Once an object of scorn, the cross has become our “glory”. We, too, embrace the cross which he gives to us, because, as Christians, we are given the honor to share in His sufferings. If we stand up for Him in our beliefs, we can expect to be mocked, ridiculed, and persecuted for our beliefs. But, we can also expect that Jesus Christ will be there with us, in the midst our sufferings, sharing in our pain, and conquering the anguish, despair, and sorrow, replacing it with His peace, hope, and joy. Father Frank Pavone, Director of Priests for Life, tells us “Jesus Christ was not crucifie...

An atheist was constantly resisting his Christian friends efforts to convert him and to get him believe in God, and be saved. One day the atheist was out in the woods when he was attacked and brought to the ground by a bear. As the bear towered over him, teeth bared, the atheist remembered his friends teachings. But he just could not call on God to save him. So he called out, “God, if you are there, change this bear in to a Christian”. For a moment the world went silent, all movement stopped, a bright light shone. Then the sounds of the forest start again. The atheist looks at the bear, the bear looks at the atheist, puts his paws together and says “Bless me, o Lord, for what I am about to receive ..."

I have become involved in a very special project -- which is the answer to prayer -- and will be doing light blogging for the next few weeks.

When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in church, be there in silence, fear, and veneration. ~ Saint John Chrysostom

National Right to Life radio ad raises question: How can Senator Durbin -- who as a congressman wanted Roe v. Wade overturned -- now "disqualify" John Roberts? WASHINGTON (Sept. 12, 2005) -- A new broadcast ad sponsored by National Right to Life, launched today in eight cities in Illinois (13 radio stations), suggests that Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, a Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is being unfair in suggesting that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts might be disqualified if Roberts does not accept the legal theory of Roe v. Wade -- even though Durbin himself strongly advocated overturning Roe v. Wade when he was a member of the House of Representatives. The script for the 60-second ad, titled "Disqualified -- by Durbin?," is reproduced at the bottom of this e-mail. An MP3 audio file of the ad can be played or downloaded at the NRLC website here . The ad presents a dialogue between two fictional constituents, one of whom notes th...

Senate Democrats and Republicans sparred over the appropriateness of questioning John Roberts about divisive issues as the Senate opened confirmation hearings Monday on President Bush's choice to be the nation's chief justice. Democrats said the 50-year-old Roberts could shape the Supreme Court for a generation if confirmed to replace the late William H. Rehnquist and therefore all questions were fair game. Republicans advised Roberts to follow the example set by recent nominees to the high court and avoid responding to probing questions on controversial topics. "Some have said that nominees who do not spill their guts about whatever a senator wants to know are hiding something from the American people," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "Some compare a nominee's refusal to violate his judicial oath or abandon judicial ethics to taking the Fifth Amendment. These might be catchy sound bites, but they are patently false." "Don't take the bait,"...