Catholic Fire

"Yes, abortion and contraception are linked. They are linked with each other because they are linked with many other evils: the disconnection of freedom from truth. a relativistic view of morality, a positivistic view of law, a culture of hedonism, and many other problems. What lies at the solution to these problems is to rediscover the dominion of God." ~ Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

A young boy had just gotten his driver's permit and asked his father if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said he'd make a deal with his son. "You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, get your hair cut and we'll talk about the car." The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the offer and they agreed on it. After about six weeks his father said, "Son, I've been real proud. You brought your grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I'm real disappointed you didn't get your hair cut." The young man paused a moment then said, "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair and there's even a strong argument that Jesus had long hair. "To this his father replied, "Did you also notice they al...

You Are a Pundit Blogger! Your blog is smart, insightful, and always a quality read. Truly appreciated by many, surpassed by only a few What Kind of Blogger Are You? Via Esther.

I'm terza rima , and I talk and smile. Where others lock their rhymes and thoughts away I let mine out, and chatter all the while. I'm rarely on my own - a wasted day Is any day that's spent without a friend, With nothing much to do or hear or say. I like to be with people, and depend On company for being entertained; Which seems a good solution, in the end. What Poetry Form Are You? Here is the definition of terza rima . Now why didn't I remember that from the Intro to Poetry class I took 20+ years ago? Via Julie D.

Thanks be to God for answered prayer: UkOk's Dad has converted to Christianity and will soon be baptised in the Catholic Church! We lift up the following prayer requests to the Lord: For Dr. John Billings who is dying, and peace for his wife Dr. Lyn and their family. All catecumens who will be entering the Church this Easter. Julie D.'s prayer intentions. The safety of our military. An end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills. For Bill's intentions. For healing and conversion for family members. For all previous prayer intentions mentioned here. Lord, hear our prayer.

“We are not against science or providing cures,” Naumann said at the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas headquarters March 22. “There is a long history of the church helping the sick. We can do these things with the science of medicine without crossing moral boundaries." Naumann made the announcement to support House bills 2255 and 2098. HB 2298 would define human cloning and HB 2255 would prohibit state funding for embryonic stem cell research. The bishops do not oppose adult stem cell research but say embryonic stem cell research crosses a moral line. “What does this do to our humanity?” Naumann asked. “We all came from human embryos and if someone had taken stem cells from us, we wouldn't be here. ”Some sources suggest a new embryo holds potential to become human life, but has not matured to that point.“ I am against embryonic research because it destroys a human life in the process,” Sister Sue Miller, community director of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, said. “Our l...

Nick Senger, Catholic teacher and Vice - Principal and blogger at Literary Compass shares some very practical and helpful lists. “101 Essential Websites for Readers of Literature” is conveniently subdivided into 18 categories: Genre Fiction, Children’s, Reading Group Resources, Fun, etc. Nick has also compiled a “Catholic Classic reading list” and “10 Best Books for New Catholics.”

Barbara Nicholosi has some great photos of The Holy Land here , here , here and even more here . Blog - By - the Sea has an intriguing post on Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre's Testimony of Her Miraculous Healing - the nun who was miraculously cured by Pope John Paul II. Check out the Summa Mamas' popularity dialer for some fun.

Lenten Reflection for Friday, the Fifth Week of Lent Today's Mass Readings and Homily Today in Catholic History Saint John Climacus (died 649) 1995 - Pope John Paul II issued an encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) promoting a "culture of life"in which human freedom will find its authentic meaning by joining forces with truth, life and love. It condemns the "culture of death"and cites abortion and euthanasia as crimes that no human laws could legitimize. The Vatican's Summary of Evangelium Vitae

Does Contraception Prevent Abortion? A video message from Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President, HLI Audio transcript: Does Contraception Prevent Abortion

Thanks be to God for answered prayer for Thomas . Please join me in praying for the following intentions: Julie D.'s special intentions. Employment for Bill. Strength, peace, and healing for Lois, as she battles non-Hodgkins lymphoma. For all previous prayer intentions mentioned here. Lord, hear our prayer.

Topeka, KS – The former “Roe” of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision that decriminalized abortion in America has announced her support for the Kansas House Resolution that would require Attorney General Paul Morrison to reinstate 30 criminal charges related to illegal late-term abortions against George R. Tiller of Wichita. Norma McCorvey, who was represented as Jane Roe in the landmark abortion case is now a pro-life activist and works to overturn the decision that led to abortion on demand .[More]

"Society is not obsessed with sex, It is afraid of it ... afraid of the total reality and power of what it represents, where it comes from and where it leads. Sex properly understood requires that we acknowledge God who made it. More than that, sex can never be separated from its purpose: to insert us into an immense powerful movement of life and love that started when God said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3) and culminates when the Spirit and the Bride say "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:17). ~ Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

"Amen, amen I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." John 8:58 Once a group of teachers from the United States came through Calcutta. One of them asked me if I would say something that they could keep as a remembrance of the visit and that could also be useful to them. "Smile at one another. Smile at your wives." (I have the feeling that we are in such a hurry that we do not even have time to look at one another and smile.) One of them said, "Mother it is obvious that you are not married!" "Yes, I am," I answered. "Sometimes it is very difficult for me to smile at Jesus because He asks too much of me." ~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Today I went to Eucharistic Adoration for my Holy Hour and It seemed strange to see all the statues in the Perpetual Adoration chapel covered with purple cloths - to not be able to glance at the statues of the Holy Family and the Infant of Prague, but it also kept my gaze and my thoughts focused on Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist and the real reason I was there - to spend time with Him. I was there to adore Him, to share my innermost thoughts and feelings with Him, to reflect on His love for me, to learn His will for me, and to submit my will to His. The time we spend together is so precious - I don't want to waste it. The covered statues reminded me to keep my focus on the One who loves me enough to nourish me with His own flesh, given up for love of me. Today, I invite you to join me in prayer for the following intentions: For the special intentions of the Holy Father. For Penni. For the repose of the souls of these two nuns and for conversion for their murderers. For streng...

I love this reflection on Lent by Our Holy Father that I found over at Eagle and Elephant - it's just beautiful! The desert is the place of silence, of solitude; it is the absence of the exchanges of daily life, its noise and its superficiality. The desert is the place of the absolute, the place of freedom, which sets us before the ultimate demands. Not by chance is the desert the place where monotheism began. In that sense it is a place of grace. In putting aside all preoccupations we encounter our Creator. Great things have their beginnings in the desert, in silence, in poverty. It is not possible to share in the mission of Jesus, in the mission of the Gospel, without sharing in the desert experience, its poverty, its hunger. [Go here to read the rest .]

OR to Morrison: “Enforce the law or resign.” Topeka, KS – A group of about 120 pro-life supporters, most wearing red t-shirts that read “Charge Tiller – It’s the Law!” supplied by Kansans for Life, rallied at the Kansas State House yesterday to persuade legislators to support a resolution that would compel Attorney General Paul Morrison to reinstate the 30 criminal charges against abortionist George Tiller that has been filed in December by Morrison’s predecessor. The charges, all related to the commission and improper reporting of illegal late-term abortions, had been dismissed, not on the merits of the case, but on shaky jurisdictional grounds. [More] Please express opinions to:Speaker of the House Melvin Neufeld mneufeld@ink.org View photos of Rally and Press Conference

This week's Catholic Carnival #112 is up at Profound Gratitude. My thanks go out to Shellie for posting this. There are some excellent reads there, so go and check it out.

Many people think that sinners get more, not less. One imagines that the thief, for example, receives more when he steals. But the thief in fact loses the the good of a determined social order without which human life falls apart. Another supposes that the more sexual pleasure a person procures, the more he will experience personal happiness. But the truth is that the unchaste person gets less of the good that sexual pleasure is meant to promote, that is, wedded friendship, the only sanctifiable context within which sexual pleasure unites man and woman. Still another argues that the destruction of inconvenient human life results in acquiring more liberty for individuals and society. But the reality is that the killing of the innocent forfeits a respect for the Creator that no creature can afford to live without. So Jesus admonishes us: "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin" (John 8:34). The only remedy for sin is developing a strong filial rela...

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ~ John 8: 31 - 32 "Jesus Christ is the personified Truth who attracts the world to Himself ... every other truth is a fragment of the The Truth that He is and refers to Him. Thus, He fills our hearts, overwhelming them with joy, extending our minds toward unexplored horizon, uplifting it from the narrowness of selfishness and making it capable of authentic love." ~ Pope Benedict XVI " Today ... even after two thousand years, we see Christ as the one who brings man freedom based on truth, frees man from what curtails, diminishes and as it were breaks off this freedom at its root, in man's soul, his heart and his conscience." ~ Pope John Paul II " Whoever seeks the truth seeks God, whether he is conscious of it or not." ~ St. Teresa Benedicta

"Holiness does not consist in never falling, but in reaching up from the pit to let the waiting hand of God bring us back to our feet." ~ Rhonda de Sola Chervin, Prayers of the Women Mystics , p. 94

"Jesus Christ has warned clearly within the Gospel that hell is a reality and that we are free to choose it. Catholics who separate their faith life from their professional and social activities are putting the salvation of their souls in jeopardy. They risk the possibility of hell." ~Fargo Bishop Samuel J. Aquila in North Dakota, in his address to all Catholics and especially pro-death Catholics, 2004

"The first right of children is that of being born and educated in a welcoming and secure family environment where their physical, psychological and spiritual growth is guaranteed, their potential is developed and where the awareness of personal dignity becomes the base for relating to others and for confronting the future." ~ Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi C.S., Holy See (Vatican) permanent observer to the United Nations at Geneva, March 23, 2007, addressing the U.N, during the 4th session of the Human Rights Council..

For the special intentions of the Holy Father. For Penni. For an appropiate and desirable internship for L. in her graduate social work program. For American Papist's thesis defense and his health. Healing for Christine from a recent accident. Strength, peace, and healing for Lois, as she battles non-Hodgkins lymphoma. For Larry who is in danger of losing his job. For a man who was wrongly accused of a crime and is now in jail - that the truth will be revealed. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills - especially Tiller's. For the fruitfulness of Karen's work as the Director of the Helpers of God's Precious Infants. For a correct diagnosis of Nigel's medical problems. For Ukok's prayer intentions . For Frankie , who is going through a difficult time. For employment for Bill. For Julie D.'s intentions. For Carolina's special intentions. For all previous prayer intentions mentioned here. Lord, hear our prayer.

Lenten Reflection for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Today's Mass Readings and Homily Today in Catholic History 1378 Gregory XI , the last French (Avignonese) pope, died (b. ca. 1336).

Topeka, KS - A resolution that would compel Attorney General Paul Morrison to file charges against late-term abortionist George R. Tiller was introduced today in the Kansas House, and has already passed the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. "We are gratified that the House leaders are taking action to restore the rule of law in Kansas. We pray that the full House will act quickly to pass the resolution," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Innocent babies that should have the protection of law continue to illegally die at Tiller's Wichita abortion mill. It is our hope that a vigorous prosecution will put an end to this needless and tragic bloodshed once and for all." Via Operation Rescue . Let's keep this intention in our prayers.

Yesterday's issue of The New York Times has a profile of priest and author Father Benedict Groeschel (ht: Insight Scoop ). It is surprisingly an exceptional piece. Here are a few excerpts: “I wanted to live in the South Bronx with the poor,” said Father Groeschel, who teaches pastoral psychology at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, “but I couldn’t say no when Cardinal Cooke asked me to head the Office of Spiritual Development here.” Father Groeschel lives in a converted garage next to the retreat house, in a cell-like bedroom that looks out on the Long Island Sound. Beneath his long white beard and kind demeanor is a wise-cracking, street-smart Jersey boy who is unafraid of ruffling feathers. He preaches orthodox Catholicism in the retreats he leads around the world, on his popular show on the Catholic cable network, and in the three dozen religious books he has written — forums in which he is well known for outspoken attacks on hypocrisy, bureaucratic complacency and the news med...

This is an amazing post from Hyscience which expresses my sentiments so exactly and succintly. It appears that Barack Obama may have to answer some questions regarding his views from law school about the elasticity of the Constitution. If he does in fact believe that Constitutional law can be approached in the same manner as Einsteinian physics - that the Constitution is relative , as this article suggests, then in application he'd appoint judges who have no problem twisting the Constitution for any purpose they see fit instead of forcing legislative matters back to Congress and the states where they belong, as our founders intended. Although I'm not a lawyer , this sounds an awful lot like constitutional relativism run amuck, and yet another reason I'd never vote for Obama or any other liberal. It's clear to me from his "spacey" article that like other liberals, Obama believes that activist Supreme Court judges should be encouraged to ignore the original...

For the special intentions of the Holy Father. For those preparing to be received into the Church this Easter, especially for Becky and Al. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills. For the conversion of those ensnared in the culture of death and the darkness of sin. That the graces of this Lenten season will sanctify and renew all of us. That the Crucified Christ will bring strength and healing to all those who are weak and powerless. That Moneybags will do well on his 6 hour examination today - the final step for acceptance to the seminary by his diocese . For Julie D.'s special intentions. For employment for my husband, Bill. For a friend's daughter who continues to struggle with unhealthy ways of coping with emotional pain. This is after she has been in residential treatment for almost 1½ years. She is need of divine help. For Gloria whose cancer is in her liver and continues with chemotherapy. For all previous intentions mentioned here. Lord, hear our p...

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Lenten Reflection Today's Scripture Readings & Homily Today in Catholic History 752 Stephen II (d. 27 April 757) became bishop of Rome after a priest named Stephen had died three days after his election and before he was ordained a bishop. 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor .

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." ~ Luke 1 A "yes" in imitation of Mary, such a yes creates joy, a new life, a breath, a blessing. A yes like Mary's: what a blessing! What fullness of good in the world! A yes from Mary: how much blessing! What joy, what felicity! What salvation! What hope... ~ Pope John Paul II

Here she is - my Jasmine. As you can see she is a long-haired calico, 3 years old. She will be four in August. Since we don't know exactly when she was born, we celebrate our birthdays together. She's being quietly obedient in the first photo and is singing to me in the second one. She's very funny and very affectionate. Anyone care to submit a funny caption for the second photo?

Please pardon the mess - I'm making some changes to my blog. This look is very similar to the one I had starting out in December, 2003. I like the "fiery" orange look which matches the blog title as well as having more space to post. I also think this is a more cheerful look. What do you think? I would love to have some sunflowers or daffodils here and may look into that in the future.

St. Catherine of Sweden is the patron saint against abortion and miscarriages. She was born in 1331, the fourth of eight children, to Saint Bridget of Sweden and Ulf Gudmarsson. At the age of seven, Catherine was sent to Risberg Convent to be educated. She desired to remain in the convent to pursue a religious vocation, but she was promised in marriage to the virtuous and pious German noble Eggard Lydersson von Kürnen, a lifelong invalid. At age 13, the two were united in the sacrament of matrimony. Although Catherine was very beautiful, she and Eggard took a mutual vow of perpetual chastity. They devoted themselves to a life of Christian perfection and active charity. In 1348, Catherine's father died. With Eggard’s permission, Catherine joined her mother on various pilgrimages. During these pilgrimages, they visited the tombs of the martyrs the churches, and together practiced works of piety, caring for the poor and the sick. In 1349, Catherine traveled with her mother to Rome for...

Lenten Reflection for the 4th Saturday in Lent Scripture Readings for Today Homily of the Day Catholic History 1267 King Louis IX of France (St. Louis IX) (1215–1270) called his knights to Paris in preparation for the Eighth Crusade (his second) directed against Tunis in North Africa.

I had amnesia once -- or twice. They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them. The shampoo promised me extra body, and I gained three pounds. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again? I'm so old my birth certificate is in Roman Numerals! I bought a million lottery tickets. I won a dollar. I took a course in speed waiting. Now I can wait an hour in only ten minutes. Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before. I put tape on the mirrors in my house so I don't accidentally walk through into another dimension. I've been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it. I like to reminisce with people I don't know. A friend of mine once sent me a post card with a picture of the entire planet Earth taken from space. On the back it said,"Wish you were here." Every so often, I like to stick...

Did you hear that Xerox and Wurlitzer are merging? They're going to make reproductive organs. ************************************************* Prayer Positions Three priests sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely best," claimed one. "No," another contended. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven." "You're both wrong," the third insisted. "The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor." The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Fellas," he interrupted, "the best prayin' I ever did was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole."' **************************************************** An old Irish Priest's Dying Wish The old Irish priest lay dying in the hospital. For years he had faithfully served the people of the nation's capital. He motioned for his ...

He's at again - violating Kansas law - with no consequences for his illegal act. Operation Rescue reports that a woman in her eighth month of pregnancy entered Tiller’s Wichita late-term abortion mill this afternoon, and began the process to abort her baby even though the woman admitted to pro-life supporters outside the clinic that she is perfectly healthy, physically and mentally, and that her baby is also healthy. Kansas law prohibits such abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy. It is entirely illegal in the State of Kansas for a healthy woman to obtain an abortion in her eighth month of a healthy pregnancy for convenience reasons,” said Operation Rescue spokesperson Cheryl Sullenger. “Women simply don’t have a legal right to do that.” Read details of Tuesday’s Capitol Rally and Press Conference Sign a national petition to reinstate Tiller charges of illegal late-term abortions.

Thanks be to God for answered prayer! From Moneybags: I want to thank you for my prayers. My great grandmother is slightly improving, and my midterms were a huge success. Thank you! Today's Petitions: Continued healing for Lucille. For C. who is dealing with many issues right now - may the seeds that the Holy Spirit implanted in her move her return her to the Lord, encourage her to follow through on making a Rachel's Vineyard weekend, and bring forth life to the baby growing within her. Lord, I surrender her to you for healing in all the ways she needs your healing. For M. who is raising her 4 children alone and is now pregnant with her fifth child while her husband resides outside the country. For her many needs and for the life of the baby growing within her. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills, especially Tiller's late-term abortion mill in Wichita, KS. For the conversion of those living in the culture of death. For speedy employment for my husba...

Together with Rose of Lima, Turibius is the first known saint of the New World, serving the Lord in Peru, South America, for 26 years. Born in Spain and educated for the law, he became so brilliant a scholar that he was made professor of law at the University of Salamanca and eventually became chief judge of the Inquisition at Granada. He succeeded too well. But he was not sharp enough a lawyer to prevent a surprising sequence of events. In 1580 the archbishopric of Lima, capital of Spain's colony in Peru, became vacant. He was the one person with the strength of character and holiness of spirit to heal those who had infected that area. He protested the assignment, but was overruled. He was ordained priest and bishop and sent to Peru, where he found colonialism at its worst. The Spanish conquerors were guilty of every sort of oppression of the native population. Abuses among the clergy were flagrant, and he devoted his energies (and suffering) to this area first. He began the long ...

Lenten Reflection for the 4th Friday in Lent Scripture Readings for today Homily of the Day Catholic History on this day 752 - Stephen is elected Pope. He died three days later, before being ordained bishop, and is not considered a legitimate pope. 1966 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Arthur Michael Ramsey visited Rome and met with Pope Paul VI . This was the first such meeting between the heads of these two churches since Henry VIII broke from Rome to form the Church of England over four hundred years before.

"A human law can legalize abortion, but it will always remain an absolute immoral act. Neither the Catholic Church, nor the society in which women and men of good will actively participate, has been defeated by those who promote an unjust, irresponsible and criminal law that tries to terminate the life of innocent and defenseless beings in the maternal womb, beings who have the right to be born and to live their own life." "The Church and civil society have not experienced a loss in the battle for human life that, in fact, has only just begun. The Church will not keep quiet. The Church has a prophetic duty to denounce sin, evil and injustice. … The Church has to warn of the fatal consequences of a perverse proceeding ruled by egotism and subjectivism that tries to disguise as a right what is in fact licentiousness. The law of God is clear when it categorically states: Do not kill!" ~Father Hugo Valdemar Romero, communications director for the Archdiocese of Mexico i...

Groups request discipline for Judge who dismissed Tiller abortion charges because he failed to reveal campaign finance links. Topeka, KS – Kansas State Senator Tim Huelskamp has filed a formal complaint with the Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications (KCJQ) against Judge Paul W. Clark for failing to disclose on the record his financial ties to abortionist George R. Tiller’s attorney Dan Monnat, and Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Foulston while ruling in their favor. The financial links were first reported by Operation Rescue. [ More ]

The first stage of a strategic healthcare initiative to encourage New Jersey's Catholic hospitals to donate umbilical cord and placenta blood to further adult stem-cell research has been accomplished. During a March 9 press conference at The Elie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program facility, Archbishop John J. Myers , from the Archdiocese of Newark, and Father Joseph Kukura , president of the Princeton-based Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey (CHCPNJ) , reported that that 10 Catholic hospitals have signed contracts with Community Blood Services or the Coriell Institute for Medical Research to donate umbilical cord and placenta blood for adult stem-cell research. Archbishop Myers considers the initiative "a model in the state and throughout the country" for adult stem-cell research. Father Kukura has been invited to Rome by the Holy Father to address the calling to "provide innovative ways to preserve human life." STATEMENT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NE...

The whole thing seems rather bizarre to me, but Fr. Fessio who was asked to resign from his position at Ave Maria University immediately yesterday due to "irreconcilable difference over administrative policies and practices" has now been rehired . Officials say Fessio will now be a designated theologian in residence and will maintain a room on campus, he will join in for the commencement exercises, and he will explore a semester abroad program in Rome and also how the study abroad program might continue in the future. It is expected that he will spend a significant amount of time in Europe. They also anticipate that Fessio will resume teaching at Ave Maria in the spring. What happened? It's a mystery. Thanks be to God for answered prayer. Related Post: Shocker *** Ave Maria resurrects fired Father Fessio with new job - This post provides more detailed information.

For an end to abortion - that children on their way to birth will be loved and protected rather than feared and rejected. For the closing of all abortion mills - especially Tiller's late-term abortion mill in Wichita, Kansas. For all our leaders that they will protect the sanctity of life, support marriage between one man and one woman, and protect the traditional family. For healing for Gloria as she continues chemotherapy and for the cancer in her liver. For Moneybag's great grandmother. For Moneybag's mid-term exams. For Ukok's special intentions. For Julie D.'s special intentions. For employment for Bill. For all previous intentions mentioned here. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

"In medicine, when a patient is suffering from anemia, blood will be transferred from a healthy person to cure the sick of that condition. Skin is grafted from the back to the face to repair a burn. If blood can be transfused and skin grafted, then prayers and sacrifices can be transmitted to the sick members of the Mystical Body of Christ. The Motivation for a Holy Hour is reparation. We pray for those who do not pray, we make acts of faith in the Real Presence for those who have lost faith. In a word, we are the victims, like Christ, innocent but one with their guilt in the progressive redemption of mankind." ~ Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, from Those Mysterious Priests

Lenten Reflection for Thursday, the 4th Week in Lent Today's Scripture Readings Homily of the Day Catholic History 1544 - Johannes Magnus , last Catholic Archbishop of Sweden died. (b. 1488)

Read my VisualDNA ™ Get your own VisualDNA™ Via Julie D.

Via Open Book : Fr. Fessio asked to resign The provost at Ave Maria University, once a student of the current pope, has been asked to resign his position immediately. Provost Joseph Fessio sent an e-mail shortly after 2 p.m. today to members of the Ave Maria community, saying he’s been asked to resign and leave the campus immediately. His brief e-mail reads: "To the Ave Maria University community: I have been asked to resign my position as provost and leave the campus immediately. I will miss Ave Maria and the many of you whom I hold dear. Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J." In a statement, university officials said Fessio was asked to step down as a result of "irreconcilable difference over administrative policies and practices." "There has never been any difference in our commitment to our mission or to the Magisterium of the Church. Nor is there any diminishment in our commitment to maintaining the highest quality of scholarship," according to the statement. Unive...

A writer dies and arrives at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, “We offer a special deal to writers here. You can choose whether you go to Heaven or Hell. Let’s look at Hell first.” He leads the author downstairs, and opens the door to a large room, where a number of writers toil away at word processors. They are scowling and sweating. Whenever they pause, a devil comes along and whacks them with a whip. “This isn’t very pleasant,” says the writer. “Let’s see what Heaven looks like.” St. Peter leads him up to Heaven, and opens a door to a large room precisely like the first one. Here also a large number of writers sit hunched over word processors, scowling and sweating. Whenever they pause, an angel comes along and whacks them with a whip. “I don’t get it,” says the writer. “What’s the difference between Heaven and Hell?” “The difference,” says St. Peter, “is that here you get published.”

Diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggie" until you can find a rock. ~G.K. Chesterton

There is no deeper relationship than that of mother and child. They belong together. When one suffers, the other suffers. To love and defend one means to love and defend the other. To be pro-life means to serve both the child and the mother. It means to ask our society, "Why can't we love them both?"

Far too many Catholics think of the Church in terms of laxity or strictness, when in fact to do so is to miss the whole point. Morality is the fruit of love. Love of Christ, who said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” (Cf. John 14:15). This was not a threat or some divine arm-twisting, but a statement of fact. Religious obedience is an act of great spiritual maturity and love. It is not that we love Him but that He first loved us (Cf. 1 John 4:19). He is our Bridegroom. I would be worried about any engaged couple that was caught up in worry about fidelity instead of being so dizzy—or sanely—in love that infidelity was unthinkable. In theological terms we speak of fear of the Lord as a virtue—which of course it is—but it is not a craven timorousness, nor is it simply “awe,” as some proposed in the 60s and 70s to soften the blow of the word “fear.” Proper fear of the Lord is the horror one feels at the thought of hurting, harming or even simply displeasing our beloved, be it...

Hosted by Edward at To Jesus Through Mary . Check it out - lots of interesting reading there!

Topeka, KS – Kansas’ top lobbying group, Kansans for Life , is organizing an urgent rally and press conference at the Capitol in Topeka on Tuesday, March 27, to urge legislators to pass a resolution that would force Attorney General Paul Morrison to prosecute Wichita abortionist George R. Tiller for committing illegal late-term abortions and other crimes. “Operation Rescue will certainly be attending and supporting this effort 100%. We encourage everyone who can, even if you have to take a vacation day off work, to get to the Capitol on Tuesday in support of the Tiller Resolution,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “As a citizen, I look forward to the opportunity to meet with my representative and have a frank discussion about why Tiller is able to violate Kansas law at the cost of the innocent lives of viable babies.” What: Urgent Rally To Urge KS Legislators To Charge Tiller Where: Kansas State Capitol Building, Topeka, Kansas When: Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 10 AM to 2 PM ...

Thanks be to God for these answered prayers: A reprieve has been granted for Baby Emilio . Thanks be to God for Jerri Ward! We pray that the Lord will continue to guide his actions in this case. Yesterday's surgery showed that Amanda's tumors were not cancerous, but rather caused by something else. Prayer Petitions: For Lucille, Moneybag's great grandmother. For the fruitfulness of the upcoming prayer vigil at Tiller's late-term abortion mill. For employment for my husband Bill, who was recently laid off. For employment for others who were laid off from the same company. For the safety of our military, an end to terrorrism and war. For the conversion of those who are trapped in the culture of death. For an end to embryonic stem cell research, cloning, same sex relationships, IVF, and abortion. For the closing of all abortion mills. For the Holy Father's special intentions. For holy priests, Bushops, and Cardinals faithful to the Magesterium of the Church. For al...

Lenten Reflection for Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent Today's Scripture readings Homily of the Day Today in Catholic History 543 The Italian monk Benedict of Nursia (b. ca. 480), author of the Benedictine rule (which established the pattern for European monastic life through the Middle Ages), died at Monte Cassino. 1098 The monastery in Citeaux, France, was founded by Saint Robert, abbot of Molesme and a Benedictine monk. This was the origin of the Roman Catholic religious order known as the Cistercians . 1146 Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), one of the most famous theologians and monks of his day, had been preaching for a second crusade, and King Louis VII of France took up the cause and led the ill-fated mission to regain the crusader capital of Edessa. 1800 Pius VII (1742–1823) was crowned Pope in Venice with a temporary papal tiara made of papier-mâché.

" So the divine love is sacrificial love. Love does not mean to have and to own and to possess. It means to be had and to be owned and to be possessed. It is not a circle circumscribed by self, it is arms outstretched to embrace all humanity within its grasp." ~ Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen "Intense love does not measure . . . it just gives." ~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta "Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This is why Christ the Redeemer 'fully reveals man to himself.'" ~ Pope John Paul II "Love... becomes concern and care for the other. No longer is it self-seeking, a sinking in the intoxication of happiness; instead it seeks the good of the beloved: it becomes renunciation and it is ready, and even willing, ...