Catholic Fire

In Pope Francis first ‘State of the World’ address, given annually to the ambassadors to the Vatican, the pope said “it is frightful even to think there are children, victims of abortion, who will never see the light of day.” Speaking Sunday to some 180 foreign diplomats, Pope Francis began by saying that peace is “threatened by every denial of human dignity, firstly the lack of access to adequate nutrition.”  In the midst of great hunger, food is often wasted in “the throwaway culture,” he said. “Unfortunately, what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as ‘unnecessary’,” said the Holy Father. “Unfortunately, what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as ‘unnecessary’,” added the Holy Father. “For example, it is frightful even to think there are children, victims of abortion, who will never see the light of day; children being us...

"I predict that the outcome of the presidential election will depend not on the economy, not on the Iraq war, not on the price of gasoline or the issue of national health insurance, but on the issue of the right to abortion." ~ Ed Koch, Former mayor of New York City

"I believe in the strength and the power of women, and the potential of every human life."

By Jean M. Heimann Today is the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe, one of my favorite saints. As a Conventual Franciscan, he graciously assisted me during one of the most difficult times in my life and in my marriage - a dark night of the senses - approximately seven and a half years ago. The Lord led me to seek spiritual direction from a Conventual Franciscan (much like St. Maximilian Kolbe) who guided me on the path to a closer relationship with Our Lord and recovery home to a world of hope. At the time, family members, who lived thousands of miles away were seriously ill, my husband was unexpectedly laid off (for a six month period) and we were facing serious financial difficulties. I was chronically ill and unable to work outside our home, although I made attempts at doing so. The Lord was showing me the meaning of true humility and total dependence on Him. This is when St. Maximilian Kolbe entered into my life. St. Maximilian Kolbe was born in Russian - occupied Poland on January...