A Heartwarming Story about Love and Fidelity

I have a banner in my bedroom that says, "Love Stands Tallest When It Suffers." The story below reflects the truth of that saying. What a tribute to true love, love that endures "in sickness and in health, in good times and bad times...until death do us part."

Of years of love, and a long goodbye

Pray for the Pope and for Holy Mother Church

I've only read snippets of "the interview," but I'm going to read it myself after watching this discussion. Think I'll also read Janet Smith's article about it. As a pro-life activist who's spent most of my adult life fighting abortion, teaching NFP, and in general working to promote Humanae Vitae, I also feel unsettled by his description of being "obsessed" with these issues. Has my life of pro-life work been misdirected? Should I have put my efforts elsewhere?

While the pope may not be saying anything new (Fr. Z has an interesting column on the interview bit on homosexuality.), he's speaking a language most people don't understand so misinterpretation is guaranteed! Phil Lawler at Catholic Culture whom I admire, doesn't think that's a bad thing and his take on all this appeals to me.

In the meantime, we continue to get to know our new pope who certainly has a different style than all the popes in my lifetime. Let's pray for him. The crowds followed Jesus so maybe the world love-fest is not a bad thing. We'll see what happens when the persecution intensifies. After all, the mob called Jesus king and killed him a week later. Pray for Pope Francis.

St. Jerome, Pray for Us on your Feast Day

St. Jerome is often remembered for his bad temper and sarcasm. Having been reared in an environment where sarcasm ruled, I can appreciate the challenges he must have had to get adjust his attitude. But I confess I love St. Jerome for his absolute commitment to defending the faith. He was totally intolerant when it came to those who preached error. So I'm invoking him today for my own diocese where heretics are allowed to speak and spread their errors. One of them, Anthony Tambasco, is on the diocesan paper's calendar for several talks and apparently the bishop has no problem. I faxed letters two weeks ago to the head of catechetics, the chancellor, and the pastor before leaving on a two-week trip and came home to more notices in the diocesan paper. And this in a diocese that supposedly screens speakers for orthodoxy.

Aside from his temper, St. Jerome is remembered most for translating the Bible (The Vulgate). His translation was corrected by the Council of Trent and then declared the authentic version for use in the Church. He also wrote many commentaries.

One of St. Jerome's most famous quotes is, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." In honor of his feast today why not read the Bible and share it, especially with your children and grandchildren. There are so many wonderful stories like Joseph and his many-colored coat. What a lesson that is about the terrible impact of sibling rivalry and jealousy! Know your Bible, know Jesus!

Life is Hard; Handle With Prayer

I was talking to a square dancing friend today who is in treatment for cancer. She mentioned that an acquaintance asked if it was okay to put her name on a prayer list at church. She also asked her prayer shawl ministry to pray and they presented my friend with a prayer shawl. She said she loves to wrap herself up in it and feel the love that went into it. Right now she's doing chemo and I can just imagine the comfort it must be to wrap that prayer shawl around her shoulders.

My friend is not a Catholic, but the group that gave her the shawl is. Now wouldn't that be a lovely ministry -- say the rosary and knit/crochet prayer shawls. I love the idea and think I'll toss it around with a few friends. So many people love to do needlework. I've knit in the past. Maybe I can start up again.

Thank God for a Happy Ending!

When something like this happens in your own back yard, you feel like it's your story too. Praise God that this little boy was found safe and sound and for that faithful dog Chance!

After an intense search

Somebody's Got to Pay for It!

Watch Out 20-Somethings, Obamacare Targets You

Venerable Pope Pius XII, pray for us!

Pope Pius XII knew he would be misunderstood.

I pray for this wonderful pope's canonization. He is a man for our time. As persecution against Christians grows in our own country and around the world, we need to seek his assistance. Watch the movie Pius XII, Under the Roman Sun.  James Cromwell gives a moving performance of the pope who knew if he spoke out the Nazis would increase their persecution.

Hmmm....Does that remind you of somebody else who uses the power of government to persecute those with whom he disagrees?

DEFUND OBAMACARE NOW!

Go here to find your senators' contact information and see where they stand on the cloture vote which may be taken as early as tomorrow. Those who support cloture support the funding of Obamacare because if cloture passes Harry Reid can simply remove defunding from the bill. The only Republicans worth their salt are those who vote AGAINST cloture. A vote AGAINST CLOTURE is a vote to defund Obamacare.

Obamacare is a giant step toward a single payer system which is what the Democrats have wanted all along -- i.e., SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. Do whatever you can to stop it. Socialized medicine will destroy the best health care system in the world. Don't let it happen.

Is Your Senator or Congressman "Show-Voting?"

Do your Republican senators engage in "show" voting? Do they submit to the Democrats totalitarian agenda and then go for a "show" vote to hoodwink voters back home that they are doing something? You need to understand how the system works. Read what Ted Cruz has to say and then vote out your REPUBLICAN do-nothing Congressmen.

Cruz Slams GOP

New Tone in Rome?

Cardinal Burke Says Nancy Must be Denied Communion!

Cardinal Raymond Burke is the senior prelate from the United States. He is the head of the highest Vatican court and a Canon lawyer. When he speaks, his words come from the center of the Church:

This is a person who obstinately, after repeated admonitions, persists in a grave sin — cooperating with the crime of procured abortion — and still professes to be a devout Catholic....I fear for Congresswoman Pelosi if she does not come to understand how gravely in error she is. I invite her to reflect upon the example of St. Thomas More who acted rightly in a similar situation even at the cost of his life. (Read more...)

Wow! There's a man who's not afraid to speak truth to power. Nancy doesn't seem to realize that she will face a higher power one day than the president she seems to worship. In her arrogance, she apparently thinks there is no reckoning. Does she really believe she is a "devout Catholic?" If so, Cardinal Burke's admonition is a wake-up call. There is a higher power to whom Nancy will one day answer. Pray for her that she "wakes up."

I fear, however, that Nancy is unreachable at present. As a friend of mine once said, "You can wake up a sleeping person; you can't wake up a person pretending to be asleep."

Character and Kindness: Pray for these two young men!

Take a Hike

Oh the things that you'll see and the people you'll meet,
If you just take a stroll on a U.S. Main St.
(Or off the beaten track.)

Check it out here....

Brit Blogger: Pope is not the Liberal the Media Wants

Can the media spin this one?

Pope defrocks and excommunicates priest who shilled for same sex marriage

Go, Ted Cruz!

The Conservative and the Party Animal Go At It...

...tooth and claw! I invite all my readers to pray the rosary for Ken. The thought of Terry McAuliffe in the governor's mansion is like a horror movie!

Cuccinelli’s Big Mo

My favorite quote from the article:

A stunning development was the endorsement of Cuccinelli by Tech PAC, the political arm of the very powerful, very influential Northern Virginia Technology Council, despite a furious last-minute lobbying campaign by the McAuliffe forces. Evidently, the PAC was not quite impressed with the Party Animal’s claim that, since he was Irish, his drinking habits would help with economic development efforts. I am not kidding. Check out the Washington Post story here. Nice job, Terry. Keep perpetuating those ethnic stereotypes.

What Better Way to Start the Week than to Pray the Rosary?

St. Dominic is my Confirmation patron, but can anyone tell me who the nun is that Baby Jesus is reaching out to? I want to adopt her as another Dominican friend.

Twisting the Pope's Words

The media loves to take the pope's words, twist them, spin them and fling them out backwards. His statement a few days ago about the Catholic faith not being only about abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraception has been turned into the pope dismissing these evils. Planned Parenthood even had the audacity to thank the pope in the name of "pro-choice women everywhere!"

But addressing Catholic doctors on Friday, the pope made it clear he stands with the Church on respect for the unborn. "Every unborn child, though unjustly condemned to be aborted, has the face of the Lord, who even before his birth, and then as soon as he was born, experienced the rejection of the world." The pope certainly wasn't sending a message of approval for sexual immorality. What he did was emphasize that Christ's message is about more than sexual immorality. And I agree.

How Do We Keep Our Children Catholic? Give them Heroes!

I think there are many approaches to this question. Think of how Jesus taught in a way to capture the hearts and minds of those who followed Him. He told stories.

• "Once there was a man traveling along the road to Jericho...."
• "Once there was a young man who went to his father and asked, 'Father, give me my inheritance...'"
• "Once there were ten virgins with lighted lamps waiting for the bridegroom to come...."

Stories capture the mind and heart. And not just fictional stories. Some of the most compelling stories are true. When I taught fourth grade, my students loved to hear stories of the saints. The boys especially loved the most gruesome stories of the martyrs. Was it because they were a bloodthirsty lot? I don't think so. I think boys want to hear about those who are bold, heroic, and defend others. Horatius at the bridge is a compelling secular story that presents a hero. Saints are heroes and heroines. And so we should tell our children stories about them.

St. Isaac Jogues lived among the Indians, facing death at almost every moment. The least thing could change the superstitious Indians from friends to enemies and their jealous medicine men used the "blackrobes" as scapegoats when tragedy struck. One of most exciting things about these Jesuit martyrs is that we have their own words describing what they experienced. Fr. Jogues described the death of his lay associate Rene Goupil who was murdered because he made the sign of the cross on the head of a child. Two braves attacked him with tomahawks as he and Fr. Jogues walked in a ravine praying the rosary. For some reason they did not kill Fr. Jogues, but he held Rene in his arms as he died with the name of Jesus on his lips. I believe Kateri Tekawitha, born a decade later, was the fruit of the Jesuit martyrs' sacrifice. The lily of the Mohawks also suffered for the faith, a kind of white martyrdom. 

Read stories of the saints and tell them to your children: in the car, on walks, at bedtime. Give them real superheroes! And with Halloween coming, why not dress them up as little saints.  

Wow! How Many Babies Will Be Saved By This Music Video?

Two thumbs up to John Elefante for this incredible testimony to life.



Read more here. 

How Do You Prepare for Mass?

The world could continue to exist more easily without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!

Another Brave Mother Chooses Life

Mom Defies Doctor’s Suggestion to Have an Abortion, Baby Defies the Odds

So many parents today kill their babies in utero because they find out they have a physical or mental challenge. That always boggles my mind. I wonder if anybody asks them, "What if you found out your baby was sick when he was three months old. Would you ask the doctor to treat him by killing him?" 

Life is filled with challenges. How many people have been injured in a car, bike, skateboard, sledding, diving, trampoline, sports, etc. accidents? Your perfectly healthy five-year-old could face a tragedy tomorrow that left her permanently brain damaged. Your teenager could fall and hit his head and be in a coma. There are no guarantees in life. 

I'm so glad to be a Catholic and know that God loves me and my family more than I can even imagine. No matter what happens, He is in control and will be there right with me as I struggle through it. And he loves my children and grandchildren more than I do. Trust in God. It's not easy, but it's the only way to peace.

Can the President Essentially Veto Laws Passed by Congress?

Obama Waives Ban on Arming Terrorists

The answer is: If Congress lets him and when has Congress stood up to Obama...EVER! I have a few questions about this.

• Will there be background checks to make sure no criminals or mentally ill terrorists get weapons?
• Will they be given assault weapons?
• How come it's okay to give terrorists guns, but American citizens can't be trusted with them?
• What ever happened to the peace president?

More Special Privileges for Congress...

Congress’s Exemption from Obamacare:

Senator David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, has demanded a floor vote on his bill to end an exemption that members of Congress and their staffs are slated to get that will make them the only participants in the new Obamacare exchanges to receive generous subsidies from their employer to pay for their health insurance. Angry Senate Democrats have drafted legislation that dredges up a 2007 prostitution scandal involving Vitter. The confrontation is a perfect illustration of just how wide the gulf in attitudes is between the Beltway and the rest of the country — and how viciously Capitol Hill denizens will fight for their privileges.

Democrats REALLY care about the little people in this country....but not quite as much as they care about their special privileges and perks. Why should the rest of the country have to pay through the nose while Congress (they almost all end up rich after serving a few terms) gets subsidies paid by "employers" (That's you, the taxpayer!)? Isn't it time to make Congress live by every damnable law they pass to inflict their will on the American people? 

Heretic Alert!

Anthony Tambasco is speaking tonight and September 30th at St. Ann's in Arlington, VA which has a long-time reputation for dissent. Tambasco's list of shocking heresies includes:

• The apostles and early church fabricated the miracles and prophecies of Jesus.
• The resurrection wasn’t necessary.
• Mary’s perpetual virginity may have been a “theological symbol.”
• Peter never acknowledged Jesus as God.
• Jesus Himself didn't know He was God until after the resurrection.
• Thomas never put his hand in Jesus' side.
• Dr. Tambasco has also written that “It would not destroy my faith, if a theologian proved that [Jesus’] body rotted in the grave.” He snaps his fingers at St. Paul's admonition, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is void of content and your faith is empty too.” (1 Cor. 15: 14) [Read more....]

The Face of Jesus

Matthew Shephard and the Big Lie

After Matthew Shephard was brutally murdered in 1998, the homosexual community raised him up as an icon illustrating the horrible impact of homophobia. National media and the gay community relentlessly beat the hate crime drum using the murder as a crisis not to be wasted. Shephard was lionized in The Laramie Project, a play named for the locale where the murder occurred. The play's message? Tolerance and acceptance of homosexuals (and the homosexual lifestyle)  is the only approach that can turn our hopelessly evil, intolerant, hateful, homophobic culture around.

There's only one problem with the entire Matthew Shepard story. It's a fairy tale, mostly fiction! And now an award winning reporter has exposed the truth in The Book of Matt. Shepard wasn't killed by evil homophobic heterosexuals. In fact one of the killers was a sometimes sex partner and fellow meth user. Here's what a gay journalist wrote recently about the book:

As gay journalist Aaron Hicklin, writing in The Advocate asks, “How do people sold on one version of history react to being told that the facts are slippery --- that thinking of Shepard’s murder as a hate crime does not mean it was a hate crime? And how does it color our understanding of such a crime if the perpetrator and victim not only knew each other but also had sex together, bought drugs from one another, and partied together?"

Indeed, will the truth make a difference? The Matthew Shepard foundation is already attacking the messenger. I haven't read the book yet, but I expect it's true because the story fits the profile of the self-destructive lifestyle of homosexual men, especially young men. Even gays admit that homosexuality is a "sewer" of casual, degrading sex and drug use including crystal meth.

Today's Gospel reading was the parable of the prodigal son. Matthew Shepard's murder cut short his life and the opportunity to reform and turn back to God. Let's pray that in the final hours before he died, he saw the face of Christ and reached out for Him. Our God is so merciful and wants no one to parish. St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, pray for Matthew and for his murderers.

Today's Gospel: The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Pompeo Batoni's painting, Return of the Prodigal Son (1773), is one of my favorites. I love the Father enfolding the boy in his cloak. What a tender gesture. And Betoni makes the father himself and his son take on the shape of the cross. The trim of his cloak makes the cross beam and his head and the son's body make the verticle beam. The band on his hat reminds me of the crown of thorns and his face resembles our Savior's This portrait encapsulates the message of the cross: sorrow, love and forgiveness? The son, like us, kneels at the foot of the cross weeping in repentance for sin. The father, with the face of Jesus looks down in love and forgiveness. Art can touch our hearts with a depth of meaning that takes many words to describe. Pray for poor sinners today. Father, forgive us; we know not what we do. Blessed Jacinta, little victim soul for sinners, pray for us.

Quote of the Day: From Tom Fleming in Chronicles

"Americans today are the dumbest human beings since our ancestors crawled down from the trees to have a look around to see what they could steal."

Fleming's article in the September issue of Chronicles (which is not online) outlined the disastrous result of our current education system where feelings are more important than facts and cooperative learning is more important than getting the correct answer. Rachel Jeantel illustrates his point with her statement that, "Well, the jury, they see their facts. My thought of the jury, they old, that's old-school people. We in a new school, our generation, my generation."

And that, friends, is the problem. The "new school" is more focused on raising sheep for the elite government bosses to herd than in educating critical thinkers who may actually stand up to them and kick them across the field into the ditch.

The Best Reason to Love Duck Dynasty!

The family is pro-life and believe in evangelizing. Preach it, Brother! And he asks a good question: "What in the world happened to us?"

Wonders of Creation: Camouflage

When I taught fourth grade science I loved talking about camouflage and showing pictures of animals with special ways of hiding. I wish I'd had this video. Wow!

The Law of Unintended Consequences: Pill Caused "Demographic Catastrophe"

One of the inventors of the birth control pill, Carl Djerassi, an Austrian chemist and one of the three originators of the original synthetic progesterone, Norethisterone, calls the impact of the pill on society as a "demographic catastrophe." The pills environmental impact is also a disaster. with tons of hormones polluting the environment and impairing male fertility. In the UK the Daily Mail headlined an article warning of a Fertility Timebomb Found in Drinking Water. Men may be glad to have women take the pill so they can always be available as free sex toys. How many would be happy to know that they may be paying the price of chemical castration for their fun?

Check out these articles:

Catholic Church renews its attack on contraceptive pill

Water Pollution Caused by Birth Control Poses Dilemma

Hey Boulder, How Do You Like that "Naturally Occurring" Rain?

Boulder, CO has been inundated with nature lately in the form of rain, rain, and more rain leading to some pretty extreme outcomes. Nature up close and personal can be a threat to the community. But, hey, Boulder thinks ecosystems have the same rights as people. So if "trees are people too," how about raindrops? They're part of nature just exercising their right to choose where and when to fall. We hope none of Boulder's tree huggers are complaining!

From Denver Westward News:

Natural wonder: Boulder County has a reputation for leading the state in matters of open space, animal rights, environmental protections and all-around tree-hugging. But next week may present the acid test for local officials' greeniness. On Wednesday, September 18, the county planning commission will listen to a presentation from staff and ponder whether to include a statement in the comprehensive plan declaring that "Boulder County acknowledges the rights of all naturally occurring ecosystems and their native species populations to exist and flourish."
Whether or not it's approved, the proposed language signals that the Rights of Nature movement has landed in Colorado, complete with website and Facebook page. It's essentially a push by a wide array of environmental activists and thinkers to grant a kind of legal standing to native species; if corporations that promote fracking and other forms of environmental degradation can be granted personhood in the political arena, why can't entire ecosystems have rights, too? 

Since 2008, laws that specifically acknowledge such rights have been passed in countries such as Bolivia and Ecuador and more than three dozen U.S. towns and cities. The locals pushing for a similar measure in Boulder include the president of the county's Audubon Society; an attorney whose bio lists "life-long experience in the study of consciousness, nature and the law"; an "ecopsychologist and poet"; and Priscilla Stuckey, author of Kissed by a Fox: And Other Studies of Friendship in Nature. 

Slipping a line about how "trees are people, too" into the county planning documents isn't exactly awarding a constitutional right. Advocates of the Rights of Nature say it's a significant step, though, toward acknowledging that current protections for native species haven't saved a number of struggling populations in Boulder County — from the lark bunting to the burrowing owl to the bristlecone pine forest — from being imperiled. But critics fear that embracing the concept of legal rights for flora and fauna sets a dangerous precedent that can lead to further restrictions on property and energy development, as well as genetically modified crops.
A recent communique from the Rights of Nature supporters suggests that the county planning commission legal staff is prepared to recommend against incorporating the language in the comprehensive plan. That has the advocates rallying the troops to submit comments to the commission urging deeper consideration of the issue. 

Will Boulder eventually join places like Santa Monica, California, in declaring that citizens have a right to "a sustainable climate that supports thriving human life and a flourishing bio-diverse environment"? Will it follow the lead of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, in viewing ecosystems as "persons" for purposes of environmental enforcement? Or will it treat Boulder's abundant natives as second-class citizens? 

Either way, you can be sure of one thing. It's business, not personal.

Richard Dawkins is so Pathetic

Richard Dawkins: There’s nothing wrong with a little ‘mild pedophilia’

And there's nothing wrong with a little:

• mild spouse abuse
• mild elder abuse
• mild rape
• mild sadism
• mild assault

Blessed, Jacinta, please pray for this mindless atheist whose intellect is so darkened by hatred of the God he claims doesn't exist. No one who attacks God and people of faith so relentlessly (to the point of lying about the impact of religion on history)

Imagine the History of the U.S. Told from a Catholic Point of View

It would include many primary sources including the first hand accounts of eight North American martyrs (six Jesuit priests and two laymen) who lost their lives serving the native Americans of the northeast. George Bancroft, a leading 19th century historian who wrote a 10-volume history of the United States, described the influence of the French missionaries:

The history of the Jesuit mission is connected with the origin of every celebrated town in the annals of French America. Not a cape was turned, not a river entered, but a Jesuit led the way. 

And, thanks to the internet, the biggest library in the world, the first hand accounts  of the martyrs' exploits are readily available to anyone interested in reading them.  They begin in 1610 and conclude in 1791. And what a story! For virtue, courage, and the love of neighbor you cannot find better examples. It was these men who first valued the Indians enough to record their language. It's interesting to consider that those parts of the world where Catholic missionaries settled, intermarriage with the native populations was common in contrast to English settlements where native populations were considered inferior and were treated as servants of the English at best.

Read about the North American martyrs and marvel at their courage and perseverance. They are what being a Catholic should be. They weren't community organizers seeking power, but servants of those they saw as neighbors. St. Isaac Jogues and company, pray for us.

Rush Decries Obama's Chemical Weapon: RU 486

Rush never ceases to amaze me with his willingness to speak the truth even when he may take a hit for it. Read his transcript on Obama's chemical weapons of mass destruction:

RUSH: I have a piece on Obama's speech last night. The magic word was "children." We've got to do this for the children! "Children" was the magic word in Obama's speech, and about 9:30 last night I was made aware of a post at LifeNews.com. This is going to offend some of you. President Obama was talking about chemical weapons being used on the children, how that just is unacceptable.

It's okay if conventional weapons, apparently, are used on children, 'cause they are being used on the children now. Bashar's back to using conventional bombs and bullets and everything else, but it's okay because he's not using the evil chemical weapons.  [Read the rest....]

The Weapon of Mass Destruction Nobody is Talking About

ARE TERRORISTS SETTING U.S. WILDFIRES?

“For any terrorists that are determined to inflict significant damage with very little investment or risk, fire is an extremely high-leverage weapon of mass effect.”

Have You Seen "Because Obama?"

It would be funnier if it weren't so true.



The moment I laughed out loud was when the gal talked about posting a picture of cats reacting to the obliteration of the family home.

MRC likes it too.

Domestic Terrorist Aided by Southern Poverty Law Center

Talk about a hate organization! The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has long targeted Christians as "hate groups" because of their pro-life, pro-traditional marriage positions. When domestic terrorist Floyd Lee Corkins went looking to commit mass murder of "conservative right wing Christian " he picked his target off the SPLC website. Check out these two articles and then ask yourself whether the SPLC should be charged with aiding and abetting?

Man Who Shot Up Pro-Life Office “Wanted to Kill Conservative, Right-Wing Christians”

Video: Southern Poverty Law Center Linked to Shooting at Pro-Life Group

Gilbert Magazine with Lunch

I love Gilbert Magazine. Today I was reading as I ate my stew and was thrilled to see that Chesterton's cause for canonization is being investigated by Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton, England. Well, what a gift that would be the Church: the "apostle of common sense" raised to the honors of the altar! Certainly our age needs common sense more than almost anything else. Nonsense and madness have taken over most of our institutions as a few illustrations demonstrate:

Catholic Bishops: Are They Just One More NGO Liberal Lobby?

Chris Manion has a great article on the bishops and their call for immigration "reform," their buzzward for amnesty. Some bishops (Mahony comes to mind) paint anyone who disagrees with them or calls for securing our borders as a racist troglodyte fit for hell because of his (or her) lack of "social justice." They never consider the justice due to citizens losing health care access and decent education (Illegals in the schools cost taxpayers $52 BILLION a year!) because the system is overrun by the illegal invasion. When 84 hospital in southern California go bankrupt and close the community suffers. Is that justice? Well...don't get me started. Here's a bit of Chris' excellent commentary:

The Pope Speaks of Peace; Is Anyone Listening?

Pope Francis Calls for Peace at Prayer Vigil on September 8th. 

“And God saw that it was good” (Gen 1:12, 18, 21, 25). The biblical account of the beginning of the history of the world and of humanity speaks to us of a God who looks at creation, in a sense contemplating it, and declares: “It is good”. This allows us to enter into God’s heart and, precisely from within him, to receive his message. We can ask ourselves: what does this message mean? What does it say to me, to you, to all of us?

A Great History Resource for Your Kids - and it's FREE!

Learn more here.

I haven't watched this yet and, obviously, it's from a Protestant perspective so it probably stresses the English settlement and may ignore the importance of the Catholic Spanish, but that can always be supplemented. I'm going to order it to have on hand for visiting grandkids. You only pay shipping and handling and there are lots of extras. Check it out! They have numerous videos on our American heritage and the political process. Let's face it, kids are being shortchanged in the public schools. Make sure they learn the truth about our Godly American past. We were founded as a Christian nation. Whether we still are is questionable, but the first step in building the future is remembering the past. Our children should be proud of their roots. Many of our families immigrated here for freedom of faith and freedom of opportunity. Let's help our children remember where they came from.

Remember What's Really Important

Make a memory with your family today and don't forget to say, "I love you."

A Priest Who Leads...Literally

I subscribe to bulletins online to see what's going on around the diocese at some of the best (and worst) parishes. This week, my first stop was at St. Raymond of Penafort which is always a joy. But this week it was a particular thrill when I read in the Pastor's Corner an announcement explaining that the Sunday 8:45 a.m. Mass will be celebrated ad orientam beginning September 15th. Fr. De Celles gave a  description of the history and meaning of this beautiful practice. You can read the entire article here, but here's just a bit:

The symbolic turning together in the same direction harkens back to the Early Christians who often prayed facing East, waiting for the second coming of the Son of God, like the rising of the Sun....In offering Mass facing toward the people I have often thought how strange it is that I would be praying to God while I was facing you. Think of that: you all face in the same direction together (toward the altar, the cross and the Eucharist), as you pray to God. So then why would I face you while I'm praying to God, and leading you in prayer and presenting your sacrifice to God. Facing with you always seems more natural, more prayerful, more uniting. 

Read the article; it's worth the few minutes and may enrich your understanding of the Church's wisdom. Incidentally, Vatican II did NOT mandate that the priest face the people, and, in fact, that posture is a clear temptation to say Mass a performance of the priest rather than as a sacrifice to God.

Here's a video of the Novus Ordo as it could be:

Hillarious! Obama Supporters Sign Petition to get Karl Marx on Presidential Ballot

My big question: how does he keep a straight face while he talks to most of these folks? He does finally lose it temporarily, but he is gooooooood!

Questions for Obama from Fr. Tom

I thought these questions from my friend, Fr. Tom were right on the money. So I'll be his echo and post them here. Think the media will ever ask them?

How is it that a year after the terrorist attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Obama still cannot explain how and why it happened, yet he is able to pinpoint blame on Assad for the release of poison gas on Syrians?

How is it that Obama can hold Assad responsible for the gassing of civilians "under his watch", but will not accept his own responsibility for the abuses of power under his own watch by the NSA, the IRS, the BATF and the EPA?

I Love This Young Priest!

If I ever get to Indianapolis I'll look him up!

(Unscientific) Statistics Concerning Male Altar Servers

Meditation from the Post Office

Life is hard, there's no two ways around it. And we all make life harder for ourselves by our sins. That came home to me this morning at the post office of all places. I wanted to buy the sweet flower stamps, but they were all out. So I asked for the car stamps...all out too. But they did have the Johnny Cash stamps so I bought them. On the way home I was thinking about Cash's sad and troubled life. So many artistically talented men and women seem to struggle with demons. Many like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley end up addicted to drugs and alcohol. But they also seem to have a particular longing for the spiritual. According to the Wiki entry on Cash:

Cash, a troubled but devout Christian, has been characterized as a "lens through which to view American contradictions and challenges." A biblical scholar, he penned a Christian novel titled Man in White; in its introduction Cash writes about a reporter who, interested in Cash's religious beliefs,

The Community Organizer's Ridicule Rule

Don't you love it when community organizers engage in internecine warfare. Bill Ayers is going after Obama using Alinsky's ridicule rule. This should be fun to watch.

Bill Ayers turns against Obama on Syria:

NEW YORK – Leftist political activist and University of Chicago professor Bill Ayers has turned on Barack Obama, characterizing the president’s determination to launch a military attack on the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria as a “dumb war.” 

In a series of posts on his Internet website over the past few days, Ayers has come out swinging, attacking the presidential candidate he backed in 2004 for trying to justify a U.S. strike on Syria. 

In what appears to be satire aimed at mocking President Obama, Ayers posted Sunday, Sept. 8, a diatribe suggesting Assad has already authorized launch missile strikes against the United States....

A Love Story in a Picture

Read about it here.

Happy Birthday, Mother Mary!

Light a candle for Mary today. In fact, if you have children, why not celebrate with a birthday cake?

SMU Halifax Sets New Low for Sexist Behavior!

Have you heard about the infamous chant during frosh week at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia? Here are the lyrics:

“SMU boys we like them Y-O-U-N-G: Y is for your sister, O is for oh so tight, U is for underage, N is for no consent, G is for grab that ass.” [Bold words and syllables are stressed in the chant.] 

According to reports,

You Are What You Eat

Baby boy dies after ingesting mother's drug-laced breast milk

This mom's drug abuse caused her little one's death. But consider...we are all consuming the mega chemical company's genetically modified wheat, corn, rice, soy, sugar, etc. not to mention hormone/antibiotic laced milk, chicken, etc. And these chemicals are turning up in mother's breast milk and even in the blood of babies before they're born. Check out these articles:

High levels of GMO agrochemicals found in breast milk of Brazilian mothers

GM food toxins found in the blood of 93% of unborn babies

comparison of GM corn and nature's own

Toxic GMO Compounds Found In Nearly 100% of Pregnant Women and Their Fetuses

Already polluted? Environmental toxins found in newborns' cord blood: report

Big chemical companies like Monsanto are poisoning our food supply. The evidence is in, but that hasn't put the brakes on these polluters. Where's the EPA when you need them? Oh, I forgot. They're in somebody's back yard examining a puddle so they can declare the property a wetland. Meanwhile they're increasing the level of poison Monsanto can include in their crops.

Politicians on the Playground

Do you ever get the feeling that most politicians are like little kids on the playground and in the classroom? You have the bullies threatening that if you bring a knife to the fight, they'll bring a gun,passing poison pen notes or dead fish, and calling for "revenge." They'll use their gangs to go after anyone they don't like and their gangs usually go by acronyms (IRS, NSA, FEMA, BATF, EPA, etc.).

You have the cops and robbers bunch who want to solve everything by putting on a white hat and shooting, lynching, and bashing the "bad guys" even if they don't know who the bad guys are (or they themselves are). They want to force everybody to do what they want and, if you know what's good for you, you'll obey their orders or face the consequences.

You have the dodge ball players who want to use their "weapon" to inflict as much pain on the target as possible.

And then there's the mob mentality of stirring up the group to go after the weak kid or the one who's different.

Well, Obama, Boehner, Biden, McCain, Holder, Reid, Pelosi, etc..... the principal has his eye on you. Expulsion puts you on the hot seat bigtime so you'd better watch out!

Ken Cuccinelli is about Justice

I've seen plenty of stories about prosecutors who care about CONVICTIONS whether they get the right guy or not. That is NOT Ken Cuccinelli. As Attorney General he pursued justice for all.

We need him in the Governor's mansion. Terry McAuliffe demonstrated as head of the DNC that he is all about selling influence to the big money buyers. Is that what we want? A man who sees Richmond as the general store? Please share this video about Ken and let others know that he's a man of principle. We need more men like him in politics. And Tiero will be a beautiful first lady of Virginia.

Pray and Fast for Peace

Pope Francis has called for a world-wide day of prayer and fasting for peace on the vigil of Our Lady's birthday, Saturday September 7th. Will you join in this important work? Some demons, Jesus says, are only driven out by prayer and fasting. A fast can take many forms: fasting from food and/or drink, fasting from television and other forms of entertainment. You have a few days to think about how you will sacrifice on this day and promote peace. Certainly Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy could be spaced throughout the day to keep your mind on the Lord. Some time in prayerful meditation on Scripture would also be appropriate. And then add fasting: skipping lunch, fasting on bread and water, etc. Let us all join in this important day of prayer for peace in Syria.

Helping Children Make Better Confessions

If children are to grow up practicing the faith, they need to practice it when they are young. The best thing a parent can do for their young children is to give them a good example by receiving the Sacraments devoutly and frequently. Here's a great article on helping children make a good confession. Father emphasizes obedience to parents and isn't obedience a neglected virtue today? Look how many people dissent from the authority of Holy Mother Church! They consider their dissent bold and virtuous which illustrates that sin darkens the intellect, i.e., it makes you stupid.

Let's all examine our consciences and see where we are disobedient to the rightful authority in our lives. It takes humility to be obedient and Jesus showed us that humility by making himself subordinate to His own creation. O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

Mass or Rock Dance Aerobics?

Let's see. What was objectionable about the WYD liturgy? Here are a few:

•  profane music more appropriate to a rock concert and in violation of the rubrics on music, 
•  Dancing more appropriate to an aerobics class than the liturgy, 
•  Drums and other rock instruments specifically prohibited by sacred documents on music,
•  Solo singing reminiscent of a cabaret act,
•  Plastic cups for distributing the Body of Christ???

 I found viewing the video particularly sad because last night at adoration I was reading Romano Guardini's book, Preparing Yourself for Mass. The first meditation is on STILLNESS

Just Proves There's at Least One Sensible Man in Town

Jodi Miller Makes Me Laugh

She sure got Hillary and Joe right!

Gotta Love Bill Whittle!

Bill Whittle is brilliant! Join the Rebel Alliance, (but I can't talk about it; it's not for you).

Pop culture is making conservatives the villains and villains never win. We've gotta fight the myth that Democrats care more about people that's coming form the pop culture which is dominated by the liberal media.

Pro-Abort Democrats Pray to the "god" of Abortion: Moloch? Ba'al? Astarte?

This blasphemy illustrates exactly why Joe Sobran called Democrats the "evil party." This is not only evil; it is diabolical. This woman is surely not praying to the God who created the babies being aborted, so she must be praying to a false god. Which is it? Ba'al, a fertility god; Moloch, the god of parental child sacrifice? Since the lady engaged in false worship uses the pronoun "she" perhaps she's praying to Astarte (Ashtareth) the mother goddess and goddess of both sexual love and war. Hmmm...she must be the god they were praying to asking for blessings on both lust and murder. Please join me in praying right now in reparation for this blasphemy against our Creator God. "Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.Amen."

The Weight of the Holy Mass

Have you ever taken the Mass for granted? Have you heard Mass casually and with little attention? Miracles related to the Mass do happen and this story tells of one. The story is also told in a longer version here. The graces from one Mass are inestimable!  Let's each resolve to never take the Mass for granted, never to undervalue the gift of the Holy Eucharist. Let us resolve to read materials that increase our devotion to the Mass. One wonderful book is by Romano Guardini, Preparing Yourself for Mass. It was written before Vatican II, but the 32 meditations are timeless. Let me offer just one paragraph from the meditation entitled "Encounter and Feast":

Military Vets Say "Vote No" on War in Syria

GOP CONGRESSMAN: Military Members Keep Telling Me To Vote No On Syria

And who should be most aware of the reality of "nation building chicanery" on the ground? These military vets deserve to be heard. Obama has made no rational case that our national interests require us to strike a country that has not attacked us. Warmonger John McCain's beating the drum for an assault that, of course, won't cost us a thing in terms of American lives. Does he really believe what he says? “I know Americans are war-weary… but I believe that we can prevail without American lives in danger.” Maybe it's time for a dementia check. Does he really believe there will be no retaliation? Is the increase in terrorism in this country a direct result of our intervention? Get real, McCain!

Use of chemical weapons is barbaric and perpetrators should receive broad international condemnation, but the evidence is still not in on who used the weapons in Syria. Was it Assad or the rebels? The rebels certainly had the most to gain. In any case, the U.S. is NOT a world policeman and both sides in Syria are affiliated with terrorists. Why should we spend more American financial and human resources on what is NOT our war.

Louisiana State Senator is "Free at Last"

Louisiana state senator Elbert Guillory explains why his switch to the Republican party isn't a "bold decision" but the "right decision." He urges the black community to join him. Thank God for black citizens whose eyes are open to the truth about a Democrat party that's about controlling people, not helping them.

Syria Scenario is Deja Vu All Over Again

Let me get this straight.

1. Somebody used chemical weapons (weapons of mass destruction) to kill Syrian citizens. The Obama administration claims it was Syria's leader President Assad.

2. The Obama administration has released intelligence reports they claim "prove" that Assad launched the chemical weapons. (Remember the intelligence that "proved" Saddam Hussein had WMDs?) However, as with Iraq there is no hard evidence, so we just have to take the word of the administration. We all know how trustworthy they've been on foreign affairs...like Benghazi.

3. Press reports that conflict with the Obama administration version of events say that rebels on the ground are taking responsibility for the attack and implicating Saudi Prince Bandar as the source of the chemical weapons.

3. Meanwhile, it looks like Obama is trying to figure out how to get out of the corner he's backed himself into with his chest thumping war speech. So, guess what, he decided (after a walk in the garden) to consult Congress after all although folks in his administration say he's still keeping his option to bomb the hell out of Syria on the table no matter what Congress does. This is a man who NEVER takes responsibility for anything. His double talk is one more attempt to avoid making a decision that he will have to own.

4. And the bottom line is that it is far more likely that the gas attacks were the works of the rebels who have everything to gain from pinning the blame on Assad and getting U.S. bombers to help them take him out.

5. Pat Buchanan makes a lot of sense especially when he says what's been reported in Syria "reeks of a false flag operation." Watch the video and read more here. "IT'S NOT OUR WAR!"

Proof that Compassionate Democrats Care...NOT!

Lawmakers Laugh at Woman Conceived in Rape, Want Resolution Supporting Her Abortion

Democrats are so committed to abortion that even a woman conceived in rape is worthless to them. Can you imagine listening to the story of a rape survivor and then, in front of her, introducing a resolution to promote abortion for rape and incest? It's inconceivable to me.

But another lawmaker, Gov. Rick Perry, was changed by Rebecca's story. He recognized that babies conceived in rape are every bit as valuable as others. No abortions; no exceptions!

And here's a trailer of the video that changed Rick Perry's mind by touching his heart. Most democrat legislators apparently have no hearts to touch.

Eleven Children and On Her Own

Read more here.

There are a lot of fathers who will be in boiling water on Judgment Day! And the father of this family is one of them. So please pray for the mom and kids, but also for the dad of these wonderful children who have pulled together to help their mom keep the family going. Could your family of  (how many) survive on $1200 a month? Why not try it and see. I think I'll order a saint doll.