Won't the U.S. Bishops Love This!

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Announces End to Funding for NGOs Aiding Illegal Immigration

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been enabling grievous sins for years. They support distribution of contraceptives in the third world and assist organizations that fund abortion. The CCHD (Catholic Campaign for Human Development) and Catholic Charities are pigmies next to the evil giant of CRS. I rejoice over defunding these groups that enable so much evil. We can expect howling from the bishops, but the taxpayers will benefit. Charity is a Catholic obligation and the bishops should be preaching that, but their charities distribute poison along with their rice bowls. The bishops no longer have the confidence of Catholic in the pew. Catholics once were a powerhouse to be feared in the voting booth. The bishops squandered our power long ago by embracing liberalism, preaching seamless garment garbage, and going for the money. Love of money is the root of all evils and the USCCB often seems to love the almighty dollar more than Almighty God.  Cut the funding and close the massive Catholic bureaucracy in D.C. We will all benefit!

Can We Label Peope Like Cans of Soup?

Can we label people as if
they are cans of soup?

I was browsing one of the aggregate Catholic sites this morning and came across an article on narcissism. It made the blanket assertion that boomers (I'm one of them) are narcissists. Goodness, I thought. By belonging to the boomer generation, I must be a narcissist. Then I wondered if the person who wrote that article was a millennial. That led me to search the two terms millennials and narcissism and realize that, by virtue of their birth year, my two youngest belong to the group. And, of course, their narcissism is a scientific reality proven by a Case Western Reserve Study reported in Scientific Daily:

Millennials admit to being narcissists, but don't you dare call them that

 The summary for the article reads:

RFK Confirmation hearing to be the Next Secretary of Health and Human Services

🚨BOOM🚨

RFK Jr. just completely dismantled Senator Ron Wyden's DISHONEST opening line of questioning:

"I‘ve corrected it MANY TIMES, including on national TV. You know about this, Senator Wyden, so bringing this up right now is dishonest." pic.twitter.com/L3MAxp3MTb

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 29, 2025

What do you think about Trump's pardon of the J6ers?

Timothy P. Carney writing at the Washington Examiner, decried Trump's blanket pardon of the January 6ers. You can read his original article here. He followed up with another article presenting the other side of the story from Matt Braynard, an activist defending the January 6ers. I thought Braynard's arguments in favor of the blanket pardons were sensible, although Carney disagrees. But he fairly presented Braynard's position:

I reached out to Matt Braynard, who has been an activist for years on behalf of the Jan. 6 arrestees. I granted that some of these folks were overcharged, and I asked him for two things: Examples of the most overcharged individuals, in his opinion, and a broader defense of the blanket pardon, as opposed to individual clemencies for specific folks who were grossly mistreated.

Our Lady of Good Success and her Warning to the World

What if someone predicted accurately what would happen next week or next month. If it was something common, "The sun will rise next Thursday at 5:30 a.m." of course you would not be impressed. We all know that, short of the end of the world, the sun will rise. [For those literally minded, we are well aware that the sun doesn't "rise" but the earth rotates giving the illusion of the sun rising as different parts of the earth are exposed to her rays.] But suppose the person told you something unusual, that seemed unlikely, and it came to pass. Perhaps they predicted a tragedy was about to take place, a train would be derailed or you would be diagnosed next week with a terminal disease despite the fact that you had no symptoms and seemed to be in the pink of health. 

A Challenge to the U.S. Bishops on Their Support for the Illegal Invasion

J.D. Vance recently called out the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) over their hypocritical policy on immigration and deportation. The fact is that everyone who enters our country illegally commits a criminal act. The pope recently established a policy tightening the Vatican borders and increasing penalties for violaters. Most parishes have signs in their parking lots saying trespassers will be towed. Do the bishops have an open door policy at their chanceries or the USCCB building in D.C. or their personal homes? Short answer: NO! Long answer: HELL NO!

C-FAM Explains Trump's Pro-Life Policies

BREAKING NEWS: Trump Announces Vast Pro-Life Policies

By Lisa Correnti | January 24, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24 (C-Fam) President Donald Trump made several important pro-life announcements today.

By video conference at the March for Life, the President thanked attendees for their “extraordinary love and compassion for the unborn.” “This annual march,” he said, “started 52 years ago, on the first anniversary of the disastrous ruling known as Roe v. Wade.”

Will We Be Ruled by Progressive Myths or by Common Sense?

I'm reading a very interesting book called Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism. It's ten years old, but myths generally go on and on for decades, so it's a very timely book. We need to bring back common sense and stifle the urge of the powerful to rule us all with their tyrannical ideologies!

Speaking of ideologies, we've just lived through a tsunami of so-called progressivism that's done nothing to advance the progress of the United States. In fact, we've regressed in more areas than I can think of. What did the Biden/Harris administration accomplish? We're less safe, we're poorer, we're weaker on the international scene, etc. Average Americans, unlike the invaders at the Southern border, got nothing from the former administration except misery. Meanwhile, Big Pharma, Big Media, some Big Business, etc. raked in multi-millions along with the Biden crime family, Anthony Fauci, and select  cronies like Zelensky and his political allies. Sad to say, our Church leaders also picked the taxpayers' pockets.

Trump Signs Pardons for 23 Pro-Life Activists: Glory be to God!

This just in from the Thomas More Society:

Breaking News: The Pro-Life Prisoners Have Been Pardoned!

Some Good Political News for a Change!

If the "never Trumpers" were victorious in November I shudder to think about what we'd be facing now. But they weren't and there's plenty of good news on the home front every day. Trump has put some great folks in the cabinet and has signed some terrific executive orders. Lets take a look at a little of the good new:

• Sean Duffy, Catholic father of nine whose youngest has Down Syndrome will run the Department of Transportation. What a witness this family will be to the country. Many little Down Syndrome angels are likely to be saved because of this beautiful family and their faith. Who can look at precious little Valentina and not smile!

Sean Duffy with some of his family including little Valentina StellaMaris 

Fr. Ripperger Urges Us to Pray Daily for President Trump and our Civic Leaders

Let's get serious about praying for our country and her leaders. Can any Christian fail to recognize that we are in serious trouble? Ten states put abortion on the ballot in 2024 and seven voted for child killing. Only in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota did the majority of the electorate refused to embrace the human sacrifice of abortion. 

Bob Marshall Calls for Action Against HJR1 and SJR 247 to Constitutionalize Child Killing and Abuse

Bob Marshall is warning about the dangers of this radical legislation which will constitutionally legitimize not only abortion but the abuse of minor children. It strips parental rights and makes it possible for minors to be manipulated and abused by activists. Read Bob's message and contact your Virginia legislators to fight this horrendous evil.

FROM BOB MARSHAL

Abortionists in Virginia’s General Assembly want to make it legally impossible to stop or even regulate abortion in Virginia.

They have proposed so-called “Reproductive Freedom Amendments” to Virginia’s Constitution, HJ R 1 and SJ R 247 now under consideration.

A Modest Proposal to the U.S. Bishops from Bai Macfarlane: Lift the Divorce Mandate!

I've been asked to pass this press release on. The Blessed Mother told Sr. Lucy of Fatima that the last battle would be over the family. Let us all commit to praying and doing penance that our bishops will step up to the plate. St. Joseph, Pillar of Families, pray for us.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Catholics are asking the U.S. bishops to drop the divorce mandate where dioceses require parties to be civilly divorced prior to the Church accepting a plea to investigate the validity of a marriage.  In the United States, there are two kinds of institutionally recognized marriage: State marriage and Church marriage. The Catholic Catechism says divorce is immoral and a grave offense against nature and in only tolerable in very limited circumstances.  However, dioceses instruct everyone who wonders if his/her Church marriage in invalid to first get a divorce of their State marriage.

The Locked Escape Room of Life!

One of the items on my bucket list has been to experience the popular puzzle adventure of an escape room. Last Saturday we were able to check it off the list. My husband and I had the pleasure of puzzling ourselves out with a group of expert helpers. 

We had an hour to figure out and unlock a multitude of letter and number combination locks in a Harry Potter inspired locked room - well, three rooms in fact. We started off in the smallest room and had to unlock the others by solving the puzzles that opened doors and drawers and cupboards. The reward was the Christmas gift from Hogwarts to the diligent students -- candy canes.

Actually, we were never really locked in and could leave at any time, but we entered the game and no one took an early exit before we solved the challenge. A fun time was had by all!

Champion of Child Killing Dies and Biden Pardons His Criminal Cronies

Cecile Richards, former head of Planned Parenthood, died this morning after battling an  aggressive brain cancer. During her 12-year tenure at PP, she oversaw nearly four million executions of babies in the womb. While the murder-for-hire organization operates in supposedly sterile rooms and their killers dress in white lab coats, they are as efficiently deadly as Mafia hit men. The media is celebrating her legacy of death. How did the court of heaven react today?

Church Bells for Life: Let Freedom Ring for the Vulnerable, Especially Babies Waiting to be Born

JANUARY 22, 2025 “CHURCH BELLS FOR LIFE”–

AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. COALITION FOR LIFE

URGENT: Church Bells for Life

“Setting off a wave for LIFE that will resonate from sea to shining sea…”

By: Randy Engel 

Sleight of Hand and Weather Amnesia in the "Climate Change" Debate

Facebook memes often trigger a research area for me. When I saw the above meme I looked up Judith Curry and ended up on her website reading some of her fascinating material. While she doesn't seem to call climate change "a hoax" exactly, she points out how complicated the issue is and how extreme events like hurricanes have little to do with human action.

Is the Real Insurrection Coming on Monday?

Who Funds the Rioters? Rand Paul was attacked during the 2020 campaign
and the fact that rioters are hired is no "myth." Paul was interviewed the next day.

We've known for years that the Left hires professional agitators to do their dirty work. And this isn't being reported only by alternative media. In 2018 the L.A. Times reported about it in an article:

Paid protesters? They’re real — and a Beverly Hills firm that hires them stands accused of extortion in a lawsuit

A Book Recommendation as We Welcome a New Administration

Into the breach against progressivism

Progressivism may not be dead, but it's been sorely wounded. (Thank God!) The previous fanatically progressive administration exits bruised, battered, and hostile. Hopefully the new administration will inflict a final sword thrust and progressivist politicians will disappear into the forgotten pages of history like the Whigs. 

That's probably a forlorn hope. Stupidity seems to be a staple of human existence and all the vices that lead people to envy, sloth, lust, etc. will continue to undermine society and the electorate no matter who the leaders are. There will be no Utopia on earth! And those who preach it, almost always are working for a utopia of greed for themselves created on the backs of those they consider deplorables. You know...the red state populations who are responsible for everything bad that happened in the last four years. (Thanks for the compliment, Joe!)

Somber Weather and Somber Thoughts

Another cold and gloomy day. I suppose one should fight the gloom with sunny thoughts. But my thoughts today center around the reality of hell. At least those are hot thoughts unlike the frigid temps we are facing in the coming week. Hell is usually depicted as the unquenchable file, but what if, instead, it's absolutely frigid. Which would be worse do you think?

But I digress.

Of Freezing Temperatures and Cold Spirits!

A cold snap has settled over Camp Kreitzer and the extended weather forecast looks bleak indeed. As I write this morning it's 23 degrees and I'm thanking God for central heating. The next few days promise a daytime rise into the low 40s, but Monday and Tuesday the weatherman predicts highs of 19 with overnight lows of 1 and -1. Goodness! I can't remember such a bitter blast in my oh-so-moderate state of Virginia.

With the snow last week, even the chickens seemed appalled. They usually flock to the door to escape the chicken yard and run wild over what to them must be the vast expanses of the field. After the winter storm last week, however, when I opened the door they gathered at the entrance, took one look at the snow and seemed to be thinking, "What is that awful white stuff?" Then they turned back (even Blackie who bullies the others to be first out) and clung to the safety of their little yard. Only as the snow melted did they once again look forward to escape. But there is more snow in the forecast to dash their hopes.

New Documentary on the Catholic Faith Features Faithful Catholic Prelates

All are called into full communion in the Catholic profession of faith. Join the prayer of Christ at the Last Supper for all to be joined in the unity of His Church. All those validly baptized are a member of the Church, but many are separated by material heresy or schism. They may not be responsible as the original heretics and schismatics, but they are not receiving the full benefits of the faith. Pray for the reunion of all Christians and never be afraid to witness to the truth. The Catholic Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. 

Democrats: The Real Enemies of Democracy!

I thought I was beyond being shocked by the Democrats, but their antics since the election illustrate an appalling disrespect for the American people. Almost daily we see public announcements by liberal politicians about how they will work tirelessly to prevent Trump, a duly elected president, from accomplishing anything. Over half the country supports his agenda? Too Bad! They are all fools who just didn't know how good they had it with the Biden/Harris administration. On to the midterms!

Take Action NOW, Virginia, HJR 1 Attacks our Children!

From Bob Marshall, former member of the VA House of Delegates and often described as the "conscience" of the General Assembly. He continues to advocate for the true the good and the beautiful. Here's the email he sent to me yesterday which calls for immediate action to protect our children. If you love your children and grandchildren, don't wait one minute to contact your senators and delegates! 

Mary Ann, Please share widely.  This Abortion Amendment may come up tomorrow in the VA House of Delegates, or certainly Tuesday or Wednesday.  This will also have to go to the state Senate.  You have a short window to contact delegates senators.

For people who do not know their delegate or senator here is a link.  https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/   

Thanks,  Bob 

Sunday Meditation: Logic 101 from Fr. Tom Collins on the California Fires

I have a few comments before posting Fr. Collins' message.

Wildfires don't discriminate. Those living a Catholic life trying to obey God's commands can be caught up in devastating natural disasters along with their godless neighbors. Often the difference is in the reaction to tragedy. One L.A. family, the Halpins, came back to the ashes of their home where the only things standing were statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joseph. Their reaction? Pray and sing. As Andrew, one of the six adult children said, “We have to give everything to God. And if that means our home at this time, we choose to trust that we’re in the palm of his hand.” Amen!

The Disgraceful Appointment of a Clergy Abuse Enabler to the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Robert McElroy

No doubt self-described "devout Catholics," Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, are delighted with Pope Francis' shocking elevation of Cardinal Robert McElroy to the episcopate of the nation's capitol. They need not fear any criticism or call to conversion from a man who enabled clergy sex abuse and covered it up. That Francis would do this fits with his enabling of sexual immorality, but, in view of the public exposure of McElroy's unfitness, it simply adds to the lack of respect for the Vatican and the office of the pope. 

But perhaps that's the idea. Looking at it from the perspective of those who hate the Church, anything that reduces respect for the the man who sits in the chair of Peter and the successors of the apostles may be seen as a big plus. Reduce the papacy and the episcopate to a dirty joke! McElroy certainly fills the bill in that regard.

Are you a Bibliophile?

A small portion of my library of religious reading

I certainly am and fit the definition to a T. (Now where does that expression come from? I looked it up and the origin is murky. Now isn't life often like that?) At any rate here's the definition:

bibliophile /bĭb′lē-ə-fīl″/ noun
A lover of books.
A collector of books. 

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition 

In view of my pleasure in reading, I enjoy participating in the project of a fellow bibliophile (one of my granddaughters) who offers an annual "Book Bingo" which is great fun. Last year I read 18 of the books by category and left only six blanks. I hope to fill in all the squares this year, although I'll have to be creative to make sure I'm only reading things I really want to read.

Is Anyone Surprised that Nobody Trusts Journalists...

RINO Liz Cheney 

 ....or most of what comes from the Left? 

Fr. Gordon MacRae published another tour de force on January 6th updating an article from 2022 and briefly addressing Biden's recent disgraceful action of awarding Liz Cheney the medal of freedom. Biden also awarded the medal of freedom to George Soros, one of America's greatest enemies, who has used his money to subvert our justice system by buying prosecutors all over the country. Soros can be directly linked to the political persecution of Donald Trump and election interference. Here's a map showing how broad his influence in perverting our justice system extends. Consider how much damage to justice has been done through his bought and paid-for lackeys. 

Freemasonry has invaded the Church

Many Catholics no doubt wonder what has happened to our beloved Church. She is a battered and abused bride. Did you ever see a picture of a woman who's husband has infected her with syphilis? I won't post a picture because it's pretty gruesome. The Church has been infected by evil. Even though she can never be destroyed, she can be presented to the world in rags and tatters and made a mockery as the picture above illustrates. Holy Mother Church is being assaulted by a number of evil clerics intent on her destruction. They can never succeed, but they can do a lot of damage to the faith.

Why has it happened? There's a one-word answer.

Freemasonry. 

Reflections in the Snow

I've spent the past two days digging out from the big snow. Happily, the heavens dumped only about six inches unlike the massive snows of 2009 and 2010 when we were engulfed with about twenty inches of the white stuff. 

I remember well the 2010 storm and blogged about it at the time. My husband and I were out on the John Deere, snowplow in place, every 2-3 hours trying to keep our long driveway passable. At every round the driveway got narrower. Fortunately, the snow stopped before the width shrank to a path. Our long driveway made the clearing a Herculean task to free the car, but we succeeded. Definitely an accomplishment that we could not repeat today, fifteen years later!

Mind you, I'm not complaining. I enjoy snow (in moderation) and have many memories of rollicking with happy kids on unscheduled snow days when school was cancelled and all was right with the world.

Epiphany Message from Bishop Joseph Strickland

 

Random Thoughts on the Feast of the Epiphany

• I'm laughing a little this morning over God sending us a white "little Christmas" on the Feast of the Epiphany. Camp Kreitzer is a winter wonderland. And the snow makes everything very quiet and still. It brings my thoughts back to the "blessed hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold." Even our chicken coop reminds me of the rough stable. I shoveled a path to make it easier to get out there. Did God clear a path for the three wise men as they traveled so many miles to visit the newborn king?

• One of my favorite paintings of the Epiphany shows an elderly king kneeling before the manger kissing the foot of Baby Jesus. But I recently saw a painting by Scottish painter William Brassey Hole who died in 1917, the year my dad was born. He did many industrial paintings, but as the century changed, he travelled to Palestine to gather background for biblical paintings. He later published the life of Jesus with 80 watercolors. 

Sunday Meditation: Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

"What's in a name? That which we call rose by any other name would smell as sweet." 

That famous quote illustrates Juliet's refusal to let Romeo's name poison her love for him. How many feuds like that between the Montegues' and Capulets' derive from names even centuries after the original dispute? The Hatfield/McCoy feud went on for three decades, from 1863 to 1891! And, here's a piece of trivia for you, the dispute was resurrected in the 1970s on the game show, Family Feud, where both sides benefited financially from the outcome. The McCoys won but didn't amass as much money as the Hatfields so the game show filled the gap. I guess they didn't want to be the source of a new feud.

From the "Will They Wake Up?" File

Well...as the saying goes, "Where there's life there's hope." I've been intrigued to see people like Naomi Wolfe, J. K. Rowling, and other feminists modify their stands on certain things as they see the outcomes of the left's philosophy which were totally predictable. Men competing against women in sporting events? What's a woman? Who knows?

Are You Afraid? Run to Our Lady!

Our Lady crushes the head of the serpent by her obedience and humility!

I'm treating myself today by reading the last few post by Fr. Gordon MacRae at Beyond These Stone Walls. My heart "leaps up" as I reflect on Father's thoughts and glorify God for what He can do even when his servants serve locked behind "stone walls." So many saints show us that truth firsthand: St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Thomas More, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Edith Stein, St. Miguel Pro. And then there are the saints who voluntarily locked themselves behind the stone walls of monasteries and convents. We could fill a multi-story library with their biographies all of which illustrate the solution to overcome fear.

Will the Next Terror Tactic be the Bird Flu?

Bird flu has been in the news a lot lately. Do a search and come up with dozens of hand-wringing articles in the mainstream media about its dangers.  And, of course, the powers that be are working on a vaccine. Monkey Pox was a flop, so we need a new terror tactic to stir up the Chicken Littles. The truly alarming thing about bird flu as the possible next pandemic is that, once again, it was deliberately engineered from an earlier strain to be more dangerous and spread more easily to humans. Talk about mad scientists!

Not the Wuhan lab this time, nope, a government lab operated by the USDA Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia. At present there is no human to human spread and only one serious case in Louisiana, no deaths, but just give our home-grown Dr. Mengeles a little more time and, like their leader Dr. Science himself, we can have another pandemic. Hey, we need to move the globe a little closer to one-world government starting with the World Health Organization. WHO's not on first, but at bat hoping to hit a home run and get global control over pandemic responses.

Happy New Year's! Let's Spend Every Day of 2025 Praising Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring!