Benedict XVI: "It is always necessary to purify the hearts from the of pride"

The following comes from H20 News via Gloria TV:
'It is always necessary to purify one's own heart of the poison of pride, present in every one of us." Benedict XVI repeated the words of Saint Paul Thursday evening, in St. Peter's Basilica, meeting students, faculty and staff of ecclesiastical universities, pontifical colleges and seminaries of Rome, at the end of Mass marking the beginning of the new academic year.

Saint Paul, the Holy Father said, contrasted the "wisdom of this world", which is to see things apart from God, with "Divine Wisdom", which consists in following the mind of Christ and the path of truth and love, and denounces the poison of false wisdom, which is the pride of man.

A Prayer for Life!

As we grow closer to the election it is so important that we continue to pray! Let's pray in a particular way for a culture of life to flourish in our Nation! Let's pray that God continues to bless us and our families with a nation that is just and good. Here is a prayer from Pope John Paul II:

How precious is Your love, O God!…
For with You is the fountain of life,
and in Your light we see light.

Psalm 36:8, 10

Jesus proclaims that life finds it center, its meaning and its fulfillment when it is given up … We too are called to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters, and thus to realize in the fullness of truth the meaning and destiny of our existence.

We shall be able to do this because You, O Lord, have given us the example and have bestowed on us the power of Your Spirit. We shall be able to do this if every day, with You and like You, we are obedient to the Father and do His will.

Grant, therefore, that we may listen with open and generous hearts to every word which proceeds from the mouth of God. Thus shall we learn not only to obey the commandment not to kill human life, but also to revere life, to love it, and to foster it.

[Evangelium Vitae, n. 51]

Eleventh Hour Election Alert From Fr. Corapi

Click here for an eleventh hour election alert from Fr. John Corapi. He is clear, direct and convincing! Let's get the word out for life!

Praise God and bind ourselves to Him!

In these difficult and troubling times we all need to bind ourselves to Christ! The video below is a fantastic expression of God's goodness! The prayer below that is from St. Patrick. Let's bind ourselves, and our nation, to Christ!

Cathedral from todd mathews on Vimeo.
St. Patrick's Breastplate:

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort, [i.e., at home]
Christ in the chariot seat, [i.e., travelling by land]
Christ in the poop. [i.e., travelling by water]

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Washington Monument and Laus Deo: Praise be to God!

These days have been anxious ones for our Nation and it is good for us to return to our roots: Our faith in God! The following comes from an email I received from my Uncle Johnny. It is really amazing and well worth reading! God bless America!

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history , you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia , capital of the United States of America .

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say 'Praise be to God!'

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo 'Praise be to God!'

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant .a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.


A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God.'

I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo ', its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.' (Psalm 127: 1)

Life: A Gift From God

I found this on The Deacon's Bench blog and was so impressed by it... Very sad, but very beautiful! God bless Elliot! I thought it was important to post it again as we consider the importance of LIFE in the coming days!

Comic Relief from Louis CK

Check this out from the Deacon's Bench. This made me laugh out loud! I needed the comic relief!

Fred Thomson Speaks on Election 2008!

This is must see tv!

Take a Video Tour: Inside the Vatican!

The Basilica of Saint Peter, officially known in Italian as the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano and commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica, is located within the Vatican City. It occupies a "unique position" as one of the holiest sites and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, was the first Bishop of Antioch, and later first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. While St. Peter's is the most famous of Rome's many churches, it is not the first in rank, an honour held by the Pope's cathedral church, the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Catholic tradition holds that Saint Peter's tomb is below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes, starting with the first ones, have been buried there. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction on the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed in 1626.

St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. Contrary to popular misconception, Saint Peter's is not a cathedral, as it is not the seat of a bishop. It is properly termed a basilica. Like all the earliest churches in Rome, it has the entrance to the east and the apse at the west end of the building.

The Basilica of St. Peter is one of four major basilicas of Rome, the others being the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore and St. Paul outside the Walls. It is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City. Its dome is a dominant feature of the skyline of Rome. Probably the largest church in Christianity, it covers an area of 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) and has a capacity of over 60,000 people. One of the holiest sites of Christendom in the Catholic tradition, it is traditionally the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to Roman Catholic tradition, also the first Bishop of Antioch, and later first Bishop of Rome, the first Pope. Although the New Testament does not mention Peter's presence or martyrdom in Rome, Catholic tradition holds that his tomb is below the baldachin and altar; for this reason, many Popes, starting with the first ones, have been buried there. Construction on the current basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed in 1626.

Although the Vatican basilica is neither the Pope's official seat or first in rank among the great basilicas, (St. John Lateran) it is most certainly his principal church, as most Papal ceremonies take place at St. Peter's due to its size, proximity to the Papal residence, and location within the Vatican City walls. In the apse of the basilica is Bernini's monument enclosing the "Chair of St. Peter" or cathedra, sometimes presumed to have been used by Saint Peter himself, but which was a gift from Charles the Bald and used by various popes.


For more information on this amazing Church please click here.

What's at stake: Human Life

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What is at stake this election year is nothing short of human life. We really need to pray these days for all those seeking elected office. Click here for a prayer from Bishop Malooly for all of our political leaders. Let's not give up hope! The lives of innocent unborn babies depends on our nations choice on November 4. The above video puts the issue plainly. Pray, fast and vote for life!

Chase Hilgenbrinck: Seminary Follow up!

ESPN did a follow up on Major League Soccer Star turned Seminarian Chase Hilgenbrinck! Check out the story and video!

John McCain, The Miraculous Medal, and Mother Teresa!

I found this story on Spiritdaily.com and thought it was excellent! Here is just part of the story:

Eduardo Verastegui said, ‘Senator, thank you for your commitment to life. I’d like to give you something.’ I gave him a Miraculous Medal blessed by Pope Benedict XVI and he was amazing. He said, ‘Thank you so much! Look what I have here in my pocket.’

Then Sen. McCain took a medal out of his pocket that he carries everywhere and it was a Blessed Mother Teresa medal. He said, ‘Eduardo, now I am going to keep both.’

Verastegui also gave McCain’s wife, Cindy, a Miraculous Medal. He said, “I was touched when I found out that the McCains adopted one of their daughters from Mother Teresa’s orphanage in India. There is nothing more beautiful than to give children homes with families who will love them. I hope that one day that I can do the same.”

For the whole story please click here.

Newt Gingrich tells it like it is!

I hope a lot of people get a chance to hear Newt give it to the mainstream media!

The Synod of Bishops: The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church

The following comes from H20 News via Gloria TV:

Only a few days left until the end of the second Synod of the papacy of Benedict XVI, "The word of God in the life and mission of the Church", and its General Secretary, Msgr. Nicola Eterovic confides that it is expected to launch an ecclesial renewal.

"We hope that from this Synod, with the grace of the Holy Spirit- and truly, the presence of the Holy Spirit has been perceived in our work-will arise a renewal of the Church from hearing the Word of God. God speaks a word of life to us today, a word of hope and of charity."

This word of hope has to reach around the world, not only to Catholics, comments Monsignor Eterovic, pointing to the ecumenical dimension of this Synod.
"The mission, the Word of God is addressed to us in order to be diffused throughout the whole world, and so, announcing the Word of God we meet with our Christian brothers; ecumenical dialogue is very important, but also with those belonging to other non-Christian religions. Christians by their very identity have to announce to others, also to the people of the cultural world, the joy of being disciples of Jesus Christ."

The Synod of the Word will be closed by Benedict XVI in Rome on October 25.

OBAMA, NO MERCI BEAUCOUP

This is a Cajun Special from Poor James and the Swamp Crows!

Here are the lyrics:

He never met a tax he didnt like.
Hes got crazy friends like Rev. Wright.
Hed rather give away the farm than fight.
No merci beaucoup.

Obama, no merci beaucoup,
Obama, no merci beaucoup,
Obama, no merci beaucoup,
No merci beaucoup.

He thinks oil should be against the law.
He runs down America.
Hes ashamed of his own Grandma.
No merci beaucoup.

Hey you good people that work all day,
hes got plans to dock your pay,
and let his unemployed voters go and ___ it away,
No merci beaucoup.

Cardinal Egan: Challenge to "Just Look"

Just Look

The picture on this page is an untouched photograph of a being that has been within its mother for 20 weeks. Please do me the favor of looking at it carefully.

Read the rest of Cardinal Egan's challenge here.

A New Superior General for the Salesian Sisters!

The following comes from the Salesian News Agency ANS in Rome:

Sister Yvonne Reungoat, formerly Vicar General is the new Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

Elected this morning during the XXII General Chapter which the Institute is holding in these days Sister Yvonne was called to be the “Mother”, – as art. 116 of the FMA Constitutions indicates – “bond of communion and the centre of unity,” ensuring fidelity to the Salesian spiritual heritage, attentive to the needs of the Church, an animator according to the spirit of Mornese.

On Wednesday 22 October the Sisters in the Chapter had begun more directly the process for the election of the new Mother and her Council. Guiding the process was Fr José Maria Arnaiz, a Marianist religious who had also recently guided the process of the Salesian Chapter members.

This morning, a day in Salesian tradition dedicated to Mary Help of Christians, Fr Pascual Chávez presided at a Mass of the Holy Spirit. With him were Fr Adriano Bregolin, Vicar of the Rector Major and in the Congregation responsible for the Salesian Family, and Fr Fabio Attard, Councillor for Youth Ministry.

In his homily Fr Chávez invited the Sisters, through the intercession of the Holy Spirit to adopt three attitudes: that of illumination, “to know how to discover who is the chosen one of the Lord to lead the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians”; that of freedom of spirit, to know how to act in seeking the will of God; and that of openness of heart, “to know how to accept with faith and love the one who will be given to the Institute.” He then continued commenting on article 116 of the FMA Constitutions, listing the various features that characterise the service of authority in the perspective of religious life.

This evening at the Generalate of the FMA there is to be a celebration in honour of the new Mother Superior. Starting from tomorrow 25, until 28 October, the Sisters of the Chapter will continue the process of discernment and the election of the Vicar General, of the six Councillors for special areas and the seven Visiting Councillors. On the FMA site there will be constant updates.

Mother Yvonne Reungoat, who will guide the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for the six –year period 2008-2014, succeeds Mother Antonia Colombo to whom the Rector Major addressed special words of thanks during his homily “for her careful and caring guidance and for her clear ‘leadership’ during this past six-year period and during this General Chapter.”

Americans: Not Learning to Love Big Government!

The following is an article that I read by Ramesh Ponnuru at National Review Online. It is a great article and one that I think rings true. Let's pray we don't have to endure more and more big government in the coming years!

In the new issue of National Review, I take a skeptical look at the claim that we are now reaching the end of a long conservative era in American politics: that Barack Obama, if elected president, will be “the liberal Reagan” or anti-Reagan.

In the course of that article I go through some polling data that suggest that Americans have not moved left on a wide range of issues. On guns and abortion, for example, they seem to have moved right over the last fifteen years. Even on same-sex marriage, there has been no movement leftward since it became a national issue in late 2003.

In the new issue of National Review, I take a skeptical look at the claim that we are now reaching the end of a long conservative era in American politics: that Barack Obama, if elected president, will be “the liberal Reagan” or anti-Reagan.

In the course of that article I go through some polling data that suggest that Americans have not moved left on a wide range of issues. On guns and abortion, for example, they seem to have moved right over the last fifteen years. Even on same-sex marriage, there has been no movement leftward since it became a national issue in late 2003.

Karlyn Bowman provided me with a great deal of trend data on the public’s view on abstract size-of-government questions — more data, in fact, than I could use in the article itself. So here I would like to go into a little bit more detail. Do the polls show that public suspicion of big government has been declining? In a word: No.

I’ll start with some of the best evidence we have that the public has moved left. CBS pollsters have often asked, “Would you say you favor smaller government with fewer services, or larger government with many services?” On this question there seems to be a pro-government trend over the last dozen years — but we certainly don’t seem to be more pro-government than we were during the Reagan ’80s. In April 1976 the larger-government side had a four-point lead and in May 1988 a one-point lead. Polls from 1996 through Jan. 2001 showed an average lead of 20 points for the smaller-government side. By November 2003, however, the smaller-government side led by only 3 points, and in the latest poll (March-April) the sides are tied.

The same pattern shows up in the results of a similar Washington Post/ABC poll question. People swung to a smaller-government view in the 1990s and then swung back, but the results from June 2008 (50-45 percent for smaller government) are roughly the same as those from July 1988 (49-45).

But other indicators do not even find a clear pro-government trend for the last decade. Gallup, as well as ABC and the Washington Post, has asked for many years whether Americans think that government “is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses” or “should do more to solve our country’s problems.” Almost always most people fall on the conservative side of that question: in September 1992 by an eight-point margin; in October 1998 by 12 points; in September 2002 by 7 points; and in September 2008 by 12 points. The gap does not seem to be shrinking.
NBC and the Wall Street Journal ask whether “government should do more to solve problems and help people” or “is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals.” In December 1995, a 62-32 percent majority picked the first option. In October of this year, only a 47-45 plurality did.

In laying out these numbers I am making no attempt to settle some important related questions. It may be that the public’s ideological conservatism on some of these poll questions co-exists with an operational liberalism with respect to specific spending proposals. Perhaps the percentage of people who are sufficiently worked up about big government to vote for the smaller-government candidate on the basis of that issue has shrunk. It may also be that in the aftermath of the financial crisis the public may move left on some of these questions.

But I think we are justified in rejecting the theory that the public has moved Left in its general attitude toward government. If Obama is elected with a strong Senate majority, public sentiment may be the chief constraint on him.

One Vote: Putting our faith into action!

I found this video on the Gateway Pundit site and I knew I wanted to share it here. We live in very critical times! Some things are more important than high gas prices or a faltering economy. They are life, family, marriage and faith. This November, Christians will have one vote to change the world.

Meet the Salesian Lay Missioners!

Salesian Lay Missioners from Salesian Missioners on Vimeo.
An introduction to the international volunteer service program of the Salesians of Don Bosco, USA. This short video features footage of our sites in Bolivia, India, and Sierra Leone, and interviews with former SLMs, site directors, and priests, brothers, and sisters in the Salesian family. For more information on this program please click here!

Polls: How to get the result you want!

This is too true... and pretty funny! The latest "polls" were no doubt made up this way! They must know about this program!

Sarah Palin: Champion of Special Needs Families

On a Chant and a Prayer!

Prayer of Encouragement:

No burden is too heavy, because God is with us.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew 11: 28-30

Pope Benedict XVI: The Rosary is a school of silent contemplation

The following comes from H20 News:
The Rosary is a school of silent contemplation and has an intimate connection to the Word of God. Benedict XVI made this remark in Pompei while speaking to the faithful after an intense recitation of the Rosary. The falling repetition of the Hail Mary does not disturb interior silence, in fact, it requires it and encourages it. Silence flourishes amid the words and the phrases, like a sixth sense that transcends those words and also that speaks to the heart. This is the connection between the Rosary and Word of God: prayer is interwoven with elements of Scripture and, in order to be a contemplative prayer, it must emerge as a response to the Word, along the lines of the prayer of Mary. In the evening, Benedict XVI concluded his visit and returned to the Vatican.

America's Choice 2008: Vote Life!

Millions of young lives depend on our election-day decisions. Over 35 years of hard won pro-life battles could be reversed if voters remain uninformed — especially Christian voters who alone could reclaim the rights of the unborn on November 4th.

Defender of life: Archbishop Charles Chaput

Archbishop Chaput of Denver continues to speak in defense of life! God bless him and more of our Catholic leaders follow his lead!

The following story comes from Myway.com:
DENVER (AP) - Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput labeled Barack Obama the "most committed" abortion-rights candidate from a major party in 35 years while accusing a Catholic Obama ally and other Democratic-friendly Catholic groups of doing a "disservice to the church."

Chaput, one of the nation's most politically outspoken Catholic prelates, delivered the remarks Friday night at a dinner of a Catholic women's group.

His comments were among the sharpest in a debate over abortion and Catholic political responsibility in a campaign in which Catholics represent a key swing vote.

While Chaput has won praise from traditionalist Catholics for stressing opposition to abortion as a foundational voting issue, voices on the Catholic left have sought to apply church teachings to war, poverty, the environment and other issues.

Although the Catholic left is not new, several advocacy groups have either formed or ramped up activities since 2004. Partly, their efforts are a response to attention given to the pro-abortion rights stance of Democrat John Kerry, a Catholic who was criticized by a few bishops who suggested he should be denied or refrain from Communion.

Chaput, without getting into much detail, called Obama the "most committed" abortion-rights major-party presidential candidate since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on abortion in 1973.

"To suggest - as some Catholics do - that Senator Obama is this year's 'real' pro-life candidate requires a peculiar kind of self-hypnosis, or moral confusion, or worse," Chaput said according to his prepared remarks, titled "Little Murders."

Mark Linton, the Obama campaign's Catholic outreach coordinator, said in a statement Saturday that Obama is "proud to have the support of so many committed Catholics who are hungry for real change after eight years of failed policies. He has offered Americans real solutions even on tough issues like abortion, where we can come together to teach our kids responsibility and self-respect, to prevent unintended pregnancies, and offer strong support to women."

The Obama campaign has been promoting an unusual-suspect sort of endorsement from Douglas Kmiec, a Catholic law professor and former legal counsel in the Reagan administration.

Kmiec wrote a book making a Catholic case for Obama. He argues the Obama campaign is premised on Catholic social teaching like care for working families and the poor and foreign policy premised on peace over war. Democratic efforts to tackle social and economic factors that contribute to abortion hold more promise, Kmiec said, than Republican efforts to criminalize it.

While applauding Kmiec's past record, Chaput said: "I think his activism for Senator Barack Obama, and the work of Democratic-friendly groups like Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, have done a disservice to the church, confused the natural priorities of Catholic social teaching, undermined the progress pro-lifers have made, and provided an excuse for some Catholics to abandon the abortion issue instead of fighting within their parties and at the ballot box to protect the unborn."

Pro-Obama Catholics "seek to contextualize, demote and then counterbalance the evil of abortion with other important but less foundational social issues," said Chaput, who wrote a book this year, "Render Unto Caesar," about Catholics and politics.

Chaput emphasized he was speaking as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Denver archdiocese. The IRS prohibits clergy, in their role as clergy, from supporting or opposing candidates. Chaput already has said that Obama running mate Joe Biden, a Catholic, should not present himself for Communion because of his abortion rights position.

Celebrating too early?

I saw this on the Anchoress blog and felt the same way! Has Obama started to celebrate too early? Fast and pray!

Pope John Paul II: Humble Servant of the Gospel

The following comes from H20 News:

Thoughts of Benedict XVI after the preview of the film "Testimonianza" yesterday afternoon.

We must give our testimony to Christ with courage, Benedict XVI reiterated yesterday evening, after the screening of the film on the life of Karol Wojtyla, "Testimonianza". The pontificate of John Paul is captured within the phrases "Open the doors to Christ" which sent shock-waves through public opinion and the other spoken on his deathbed, "Let me go to the Lord". According to Benedict XVI, the film, based on memoirs of Cardinal Dziwisz, reveals new episodes and unveils the human simplicity, courage and finally, the suffering of Pope Wojtyła, which he carried to the end with the patience of a humble servant of the Gospel.

Battle Hymn of the Republic: Guaranteed Goose Bumps!

You have to check this out! It will give you goose bumps for sure! Thanks Uncle Johnny for sending this to me!















Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Judge Bork and the Modern Attack on the Family

Fr. Benedict Groeschel talks about how hedonism corrupts the cultural view of marriage and the family on the Road to Cana DVD series. To order the complete series visit www.RoadToCana.com

Sometimes Fr. Benedict reminds me of Judge Bork! You will recall Judge Bork was the nominee for Supreme Court Justice back in 1987. He was unfortunately voted down by the liberal Senate. Judge Bork wrote a book in 1996 entitled: Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline.

The Judge writes that America and Western culture are in a state of decline and that the cause of this decline is modern liberalism. He attacks modern liberalism for what he describes as its emphases on radical egalitarianism and extreme individualism. Much of this finds its roots in the 1960's and is expressed in America's acceptance of abortion, the immorality of modern medai and the decline of faith.

The Judge and Fr. Benedict are sure on the same page here. Let's pray that our nation can find her way out of this and move back to its founding principles!

Al Smith Dinner: McCain on Fire!

This was too funny! Enjoy and keep hope alive!
Below is part 2:

30 Years Ago: Pope John Paul II Elected!

I found this on Whispers today! I can't believe it has been 30 years since this happened!

Praised be Jesus Christ.

Dear brothers and sisters,

We all remain heartbroken after the death of our beloved Pope John Paul I. Yet here, the Eminent Cardinals have called forth a new bishop of Rome. They've called him from a far country... far, but always close in the communion of the faith and in the Christian tradition. I was fearful at receiving this nomination, but I do so in the spirit of obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and in total trust of his Mother, our Most Blessed Lady.

I don't know that I can explain myself well in your... in our Italian tongue. If I err, correct me! And so I present myself to you, to confess our common faith, our hope, our trust in the Mother of Christ and of the Church, so to begin again along this road of history and of the Church with the help of God and the help of men.

Comic Relief: Redneck Medical Definitions!

Thanks Uncle Johnny for the laugh!

Synod News: Salesian Cardinals Speak Our For The Poor

Our Salesian Cardinals are speaking out for the needs of the poor of the world at the Synod of Bishops. The following comes from Gloria TV (via H20 News).
At the ongoing Synod of Bishops, participants are bringing the concerns of the powerless and persecuted from their respective countries to the whole world.
At the ongoing Synod of Bishops, participants are bringing the concerns of the powerless and persecuted from their respective countries to the whole world. In his report on the continent for North and South America, Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga considered whether better Scriptural formation could have prevented political corruption among public servants who attended Catholic institutions.

"All of us our concerned on this problem. Poverty is not only ther property of Latin America, but the whole world, unfortunately. And it's necessary to take this because in the word of God you find clearly that God has a preferential option for the poor."

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun has long advocated on behalf of the underground Church in China, where clergy have faced restrictions on ministry and sometimes prosecution. Beijing and the Vatican did not reach an agreement to allow mainland Chinese Bishops to attend the Synod.

“We are having a Synod with a topic, which is the Bible. So I think everybody knows what are our desires for religious freedom, but I think that the absence of Bishops from mainland China speaks by itself. So everyone must be praying for freedom, religious freedom in China. But I'm going to talkabout something which is even more fundamental, about listening to the voice of conscience. I think that that may also be an important topic for for China, for the people of China.”

'I have Chosen you' - Gregorian Chant from Pluscarden Abbey

All of the services at Pluscarden Abbey are sung in Latin using Gregorian Chant. The monks have been recorded and broadcast by the BBC on several occasions and three recordings are available on CD or tape.You can support the Abbey by purchasing any of the items below
http://www.pluscardenabbey.org/online

Praying with Scripture: Lectio Divina

"Educational choice? You want to let parents decide!?"

This is too funny! I found this at the Flopping Aces site! Go school choice!

Gregorian Chant: A reflective moment

Veni, Creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita
Imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora.

Laura Ingraham Interviews Sarah Palin!

This is very good radio interview of Laura Ingraham and Gov. Sarah Palin! I came across it at the American Papist.

Comic Fun: Canada, the Elite Playground!

This is so funny that I had to add it! Let me know what you think!

Fr. Benedict Groeschel Speaks About Media and Culture

Father Benedict Groeschel talks about the influence of the media in todays culture, and how it effects both single people and married couples on the "Road To Cana" DVD series. To order the complete series visit www.RoadToCana.com

Venerable Pope Pius XII

Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of Venerable Pope Pius XII. Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli was born on 2 March 1876. He reigned as the 260th pope, the human head of the Roman Catholic Church, from March 2, 1939 until his death in 1958. He was well known throughout his life for his theological writings and for his personal holiness. He was greatly devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was Pope Pius XII who declared the dogma of the Assumption of Mary. The doctrine was dogmatically and infallibly defined by His Holiness on 1 November 1950 in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus. Also, It was Pope Pius XII who canonized both St. Maria Goretti and St. Dominic Savio. His ongoing canonization process progressed to the venerable stage on September 2, 2000, under Pope John Paul II.

'Poor little bunny', Brit comics take on the 'Man Cold'

This is too funny! I found this on Dawn Eden's site and it cracked me up! Men have no tolerance for pain... too cool!

Fishers of Men: Vocations on the rise!

I found this image on the Holy Cards Blog. There are lots of other great holy card images there!

Also, there seems to more good vocations news out there! I found the following at the Deacon's Bench Blog:

More heartening news on the vocation front: this comes to us from the innovative website VocationMatch.com, which reports a record number of hits, as more people seek information about religious life:

Vision Vocation Guide and the popular VocationMatch.com website saw a record-breaking 6,930 people interested in Catholic religious vocations complete online profiles and request information from religious communities in the past year.

VocationMatch.com gathers information from inquirers and then matches their profiles against the profiles of religious communities in its database. Inquirers are put in touch with the communities that best match their personal preferences and interests-in much the same way successful dating websites bring potentially compatible couples together.

Prior to the launch of VocationMatch.com those who felt called to religious life were faced with the daunting task of sifting through hundreds of community listings. Keyword searches helped but still didn't offer insight to discerners on whether they would be more suited for the Benedictines or the Ursulines, the Jesuits or the Marists, for example.

Now with VocationMatch.com discerners are getting a better sense of where they might be called and a narrower list of communities to contact. Vocation directors benefit by receiving inquiries from more qualified discerners who have considered some of the more practical questions of choosing a religious vocation, such as: Do I want to live in a monastery or a house; minister overseas or in a local community; be part of a large or small community; wear a habit or religious symbol; and pray with others once a day or several times a day?

In Vocation Match's first year, reader profiles jumped from 1,503 to 5,591. This past year, Vocation Match drew in another 6,690 new (unique) visitors. "Vision Vocation Match has become an indispensable tool for Catholic religious vocation discernment," says Patrice Tuohy, executive editor of VISION Vocation Guide, published by TrueQuest Communications of Chicago on behalf of the National Religious Vocation Conference.

"With fewer Catholics being taught by religious sisters, brothers, and priests, exposure to those living in religious communities has declined but interest in religious life has actually increased in recent years," says Tuohy. "The internet has played a significant role in getting the word out about religious life. Now Vocation Match has taken things one step further by assisting discerners in sorting through large amounts of information in a more efficient and accessible way."
You can also read more on the changing vocations picture in this Time magazine piece.
Finally please check out the updated Salesian Vocation Website!

Prayer Chain 2008: a vigil of hope for life!

Highlights of a pro-life prayer vigil set to music. Medford, Oregon - October 5, 2008.

SNL hits a chord: Funny but true!

This is really funny... sadly very close to true... but funny!

Political Shakes with Chris Matthews

I thought this was too good to miss! The media have really gone off the deep end at this point. Hat tip to the Gateway Pundit!

Yes, we can: Ronald Reagan Style!

This is a fantastic video of a Ronald Reagan speech! Yes, we can! In the style of Ronaldus Magnus!

Who I am: Video Art!

My cousin sent me the link to this video. It really is pretty amazing. I love the song but the video has a very artistic expression... very cool!