Washington DC, September 20 (CNA).-The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama has responded to an ad which features abortion survivor Gianna Jessen asking Obama to support protecting those infants who survive abortions. In its own ad, the Obama campaign calls the Jessen ad "a despicable lie" and claims it takes out of context Obama's repeated votes against the Illinois Born Alive Infants Protection Act.
The new advertisement also implies that the original advertisement, which was produced by the 527 organization BornAliveTruth.org, is connected to the McCain campaign.
In the Obama advertisement, the narrator says:
"John McCain's Attacks: 'the sleaziest ads ever,' 'truly vile'
"Now, votes taken out of context accusing Obama of letting infants die?
"It's a despicable lie.
"Even the bill's Republican sponsor said it's untrue.
"Obama's always supported medical care to protect infants.
"McCain? He's running on a platform to ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.
"Sleazy ads.
"Anti-choice.
"That's John McCain."
The advertisement begins with a brief appearance of Obama, who says "I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message."
The BornAliveTruth.org advertisement features Gianna Jessen, was the victim of an attempted saline solution abortion which was performed on her then-17-year-old mother in the third trimester of Jessen's gestation. The saline solution burned Jessen's body for eighteen hours until she was delivered at a Los Angeles County abortion clinic at a weight of 2 lbs.
Jessen suffers cerebral palsy as a result of the abortion attempt.
In the original advertisement, she cited Barack Obama's opposition to the Born Alive Infants Protection Act in the Illinois state senate.
She charged: "if Barack Obama had his way, I wouldn't be here. Four times, Barack Obama voted to oppose a law to protect babies left to die after a failed abortion. Senator Obama, please support born alive infant protections. I'm living proof these babies have a right to live."
In a response to the new Obama campaign ad, Jessen wrote on BornAliveTruth.org:
"Mr. Obama is clearly blinded by political ambition given his attack on me this week. All I asked of him was to do the right thing: support medical care and protection for babies who survive abortion – as I did 31 years ago.
"He voted against such protection and care four times even though the U.S. Senate voted 98-0 in favor of a bill identical to the one Obama opposed. In the words of his own false and misleading ad, his position is downright vile.
"Mr. Obama said at the recent Saddleback Forum that the question of when babies should get human rights was above his pay grade. Such vacillation and cowardice in public policy almost left me to die and no one should have to go through what I went through."
Jill Stanek, a nurse who pushed for BAIPA after discovering infants who survived abortions at an Illinois hospital were being left to die in a soiled utility room, also replied to the Obama campaign's attack ad.
"It is despicable, repulsive and beneath contempt that Barack Obama would attack Gianna Jessen," Stanek said in a statement on BornAliveTruth.org. "She is a courageous abortion survivor and living miracle who would not be with us today if Obama's policies had been in place when she was born."
She charged that Obama "continues to mislead the American people on this issue" and said he voted four times in the Illinois state senate against "medical care and protection for babies who survive abortions."
"Mr. Obama needs to come forward and tell the American people that he understands people like Gianna Jessen, and that he will support and enforce Born Alive Infant protections -- that these are living, breathing human beings who have come into our world and deserve protection in the law and should receive medical care at health care facilities," Stanek continued.
"These babies have the same rights as the rest of us."
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
From the Complaint Department: Gum Chewing at Mass and Other Signs of Disrespect
At Mass yesterday, I was blessed to sit behind a family in which the Mom AND the Dad chewed gum all the way through Mass! It was very noticeable because they kept turning their heads sideways to monitor their children. Each one was chewing away. I wonder what they do with the gum at Communion time. Move it to the side of their mouths?! Our priest has written about this in the bulletin. He basically let everyone know that he can see EVERYTHING from the Altar!!
What kind of a message is this gum chewing by the parents, no less, speaking to the children? I might expect to see a few teens chomping away, but ADULTS? I was also blessed to be in front of a family whose mother constantly chatted with the children. I am not talking about explaining the Mass to them, or correcting their behavior. I am talking about all kinds of crazy subjects that have nothing to do with Mass. Basically, they were having a little visit with one another during Mass, talking about all kinds of random things. I tried to tune it all out and continued to pray. Of course, when we witness this sort of behavior, we can offer prayers for the people as well as prayers of reparation to Our Lord because He is treated so poorly.
I haven't even touched upon another situation that hurts my heart, and that is people running into Church and just sitting down in the pew with no form of reverence to Jesus in the tabernacle. No genuflection or even a bow to the Altar. These same people usually hightail it out of the Church after Communion time before the final blessing. Yes, at least they have come to Mass, but what does Our Lord think? Remember what He said about being lukewarm and spewing the lukewarm out of His mouth?
Have you seen any of this? What are your thoughts?
What kind of a message is this gum chewing by the parents, no less, speaking to the children? I might expect to see a few teens chomping away, but ADULTS? I was also blessed to be in front of a family whose mother constantly chatted with the children. I am not talking about explaining the Mass to them, or correcting their behavior. I am talking about all kinds of crazy subjects that have nothing to do with Mass. Basically, they were having a little visit with one another during Mass, talking about all kinds of random things. I tried to tune it all out and continued to pray. Of course, when we witness this sort of behavior, we can offer prayers for the people as well as prayers of reparation to Our Lord because He is treated so poorly.
I haven't even touched upon another situation that hurts my heart, and that is people running into Church and just sitting down in the pew with no form of reverence to Jesus in the tabernacle. No genuflection or even a bow to the Altar. These same people usually hightail it out of the Church after Communion time before the final blessing. Yes, at least they have come to Mass, but what does Our Lord think? Remember what He said about being lukewarm and spewing the lukewarm out of His mouth?
Have you seen any of this? What are your thoughts?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tomorrow's post from the complaint department
Watch tomorrow (hopefully) for a post from the "complaint department." I meant to write it today but ran out of time.
Until then, have a good night!
God bless and hugs,
Donna-Marie
Until then, have a good night!
God bless and hugs,
Donna-Marie
Fr. James's Sunday Homily
This Sunday, our attention is being directed toward an understanding of the reality of sin. Let us recall the words of this Sunday's responsorial psalm: "Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your love are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord".
What is sin? The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives us a concise definition. "Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law" (CCC #1849).
Scripture tells us that actual sin is divided into two classifications: mortal sin and venial sin.
"There is a sin that leads to death…"
(1John 5:16).
"Every kind of wickedness is sin, but not all sin leads to death" (1John 5:17).
Mortal sin is forgiven through the Sacrament of Confession. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance. All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession…" (CCC #1456).
Just like all the other sacraments of the Church, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession. The Church has always understood the Scriptural reference for the Sacrament of Confession to be John 20: 22-23: "Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained".
What an immense gift we have been given! The Sacrament of Confession is an enormous source of interior peace. The priest raises his hand, and then with a blessing pronounces those amazing words: I absolve you from your sins. At that moment, we know that God has heard our cry for forgiveness, and we have been pardoned of our sins. "God, who is rich in mercy…" (Ephesians 2: 4).
For me, the Sacrament of Reconciliation has been, along with the Eucharist, my greatest source of strength and peace during my journey with the Lord Jesus. As a parish priest, my greatest joys are celebrating the Eucharist for my people and hearing confessions. I am overjoyed when people go to confession on a regular basis, and one of my heaviest crosses as a priest has been the rejection of confession by many people. If they only knew what would give them such peace and happiness.
A few years ago a priest friend of mine from another diocese told me that his bishop recently made an ad limina visit to the Holy Father. Bishops meet with the Pope every five years in order to give him a report on their respective dioceses.
The bishop was very honest with the Holy Father. He told him that his biggest concern is the fact that his priests, religious and laity are not going to confession.
The greatest sin for many people is the denial of sin. How sad this is, and how dangerous this is for the acquisition of eternal life. Despite the constant and clear teaching of the Catholic Church, many people reject the truth.
Once again, let us return to this Sunday's responsorial psalm: "Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way".
Continual spiritual progress is essential. The habitual practice of the sacrament of confession must not be just a practice that takes place before Christmas and Easter. This is a huge mistake. Monthly confession, or whenever necessary, is a fundamental tool to maintain and persevere in the life of grace. Spiritual laziness is very dangerous for any soul.
What is sin? The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives us a concise definition. "Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law" (CCC #1849).
Scripture tells us that actual sin is divided into two classifications: mortal sin and venial sin.
"There is a sin that leads to death…"
(1John 5:16).
"Every kind of wickedness is sin, but not all sin leads to death" (1John 5:17).
Mortal sin is forgiven through the Sacrament of Confession. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance. All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession…" (CCC #1456).
Just like all the other sacraments of the Church, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession. The Church has always understood the Scriptural reference for the Sacrament of Confession to be John 20: 22-23: "Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained".
What an immense gift we have been given! The Sacrament of Confession is an enormous source of interior peace. The priest raises his hand, and then with a blessing pronounces those amazing words: I absolve you from your sins. At that moment, we know that God has heard our cry for forgiveness, and we have been pardoned of our sins. "God, who is rich in mercy…" (Ephesians 2: 4).
For me, the Sacrament of Reconciliation has been, along with the Eucharist, my greatest source of strength and peace during my journey with the Lord Jesus. As a parish priest, my greatest joys are celebrating the Eucharist for my people and hearing confessions. I am overjoyed when people go to confession on a regular basis, and one of my heaviest crosses as a priest has been the rejection of confession by many people. If they only knew what would give them such peace and happiness.
A few years ago a priest friend of mine from another diocese told me that his bishop recently made an ad limina visit to the Holy Father. Bishops meet with the Pope every five years in order to give him a report on their respective dioceses.
The bishop was very honest with the Holy Father. He told him that his biggest concern is the fact that his priests, religious and laity are not going to confession.
The greatest sin for many people is the denial of sin. How sad this is, and how dangerous this is for the acquisition of eternal life. Despite the constant and clear teaching of the Catholic Church, many people reject the truth.
Once again, let us return to this Sunday's responsorial psalm: "Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way".
Continual spiritual progress is essential. The habitual practice of the sacrament of confession must not be just a practice that takes place before Christmas and Easter. This is a huge mistake. Monthly confession, or whenever necessary, is a fundamental tool to maintain and persevere in the life of grace. Spiritual laziness is very dangerous for any soul.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Dropping off "unruly" teens - getting rid of your kids!?
Here is an article about the subject I brought up the other day regarding permission given to parents to just drop off their unruly teen because they feel they can't deal with them. The information I provided regarding the state of Kansas allowing this was incorrect, apparently it is Nebraska. Here is an article about it:
By Nathaniel Weixel - "Nebraska this year became the last state in the nation to pass a so-called "safe haven" law designed to protect unwanted infants by allowing parents to legally surrender them at a hospital.
But the law, which took effect July 18, is unlike any other. It allows parents to give up a minor of any age - possibly an unruly teenager - instead of just infants.
Passed in February by the state's nonpartisan Legislature, the law specifies that no person can be prosecuted for leaving any child in the custody of any on-duty hospital employee. While other states set a much lower age limit for children to be left under safe haven laws - the oldest is a year in North Dakota - Nebraska law defines a "child" as anyone up to 19 years old.
State Sen. Pete Pirsch, whose compromise amendment eventually became the law, said using the broad language was intentional, because several senators felt strongly that the safe haven protection needed to be extended to all children.
"In my opinion, the need to pass a safe haven bill outweighed the need for perfect language," Pirsch told Stateline.org. "The risk to babies' lives far outweighed the possibility of a few inconvenient circumstances with older children."
Texas passed the first safe haven law in 1999 to protect babies from unsafe abandonment and the possibility of death at the hands of an unfit parent. Since then, safe haven advocates have successfully brought the law to the rest of the nation, with Nebraska and Alaska being the lone holdouts. Both states had safe haven bills signed into law last February, with Nebraska's the last to take effect.
Pirsch said the passage of safe haven bills across the country shows a consensus not often seen in politics.
"It's a clear indication that there are some things that we all agree are critically important," he said. "We love and value the lives of our babies ...we will do what it takes to keep them safe and healthy."
Opponents of safe haven laws - mainly adoption rights advocates and child welfare experts - say they are bothered by how easy the laws make it to abandon children. Adam Pertman, head of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute in New York, said the laws can give "impressionable young women" the idea that dumping a child on someone else is a solution.
"Safe havens are where good intentions have gone awry," Pertman said. "The evidence is they have not, and are not, solving the problem they went out to solve." (Continued here)
By Nathaniel Weixel - "Nebraska this year became the last state in the nation to pass a so-called "safe haven" law designed to protect unwanted infants by allowing parents to legally surrender them at a hospital.
But the law, which took effect July 18, is unlike any other. It allows parents to give up a minor of any age - possibly an unruly teenager - instead of just infants.
Passed in February by the state's nonpartisan Legislature, the law specifies that no person can be prosecuted for leaving any child in the custody of any on-duty hospital employee. While other states set a much lower age limit for children to be left under safe haven laws - the oldest is a year in North Dakota - Nebraska law defines a "child" as anyone up to 19 years old.
State Sen. Pete Pirsch, whose compromise amendment eventually became the law, said using the broad language was intentional, because several senators felt strongly that the safe haven protection needed to be extended to all children.
"In my opinion, the need to pass a safe haven bill outweighed the need for perfect language," Pirsch told Stateline.org. "The risk to babies' lives far outweighed the possibility of a few inconvenient circumstances with older children."
Texas passed the first safe haven law in 1999 to protect babies from unsafe abandonment and the possibility of death at the hands of an unfit parent. Since then, safe haven advocates have successfully brought the law to the rest of the nation, with Nebraska and Alaska being the lone holdouts. Both states had safe haven bills signed into law last February, with Nebraska's the last to take effect.
Pirsch said the passage of safe haven bills across the country shows a consensus not often seen in politics.
"It's a clear indication that there are some things that we all agree are critically important," he said. "We love and value the lives of our babies ...we will do what it takes to keep them safe and healthy."
Opponents of safe haven laws - mainly adoption rights advocates and child welfare experts - say they are bothered by how easy the laws make it to abandon children. Adam Pertman, head of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute in New York, said the laws can give "impressionable young women" the idea that dumping a child on someone else is a solution.
"Safe havens are where good intentions have gone awry," Pertman said. "The evidence is they have not, and are not, solving the problem they went out to solve." (Continued here)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Can you believe this?
My friend, Marie drove me to a doctor's appointment the other day because I was a bit weak. I had an episode over the week end in which I ended up in the ER. You can read about it soon over at my "Embracing Motherhood" blog. On our way, my friend brought me up to date on a few current events in the news. I has been out of the loop with the news, just concentrating on regaining my health.
So, Marie proceeded to tell me that it is now legal in the state of Kansas for parents to drop off their teenager at a hospital if they can't deal with them!! Imagine that! I was shocked. I shouldn't be shocked because of everything else that is permissible in our culture - but my mother's heart was appalled...and sad. What does this say to that child? Your parents can just get rid of you when they can't deal with your antics? What is coming of this nation? I am speechless. The poor teens who need some sort of help and extra love are instead being thrown into the foster care system because their parents wash their hands of them! I am in a state of shock! It's one thing to say that a baby can be dropped off at a hospital to preserve its life rather than throw that poor child in a dumpster in the case of young mothers who have babies in secret and then dispose of them. But, it is another thing to give parents permission to "dispose" of their children when they are older because they don't want to deal with them and care for them properly.
What are your thoughts? Had you heard about this?
So, Marie proceeded to tell me that it is now legal in the state of Kansas for parents to drop off their teenager at a hospital if they can't deal with them!! Imagine that! I was shocked. I shouldn't be shocked because of everything else that is permissible in our culture - but my mother's heart was appalled...and sad. What does this say to that child? Your parents can just get rid of you when they can't deal with your antics? What is coming of this nation? I am speechless. The poor teens who need some sort of help and extra love are instead being thrown into the foster care system because their parents wash their hands of them! I am in a state of shock! It's one thing to say that a baby can be dropped off at a hospital to preserve its life rather than throw that poor child in a dumpster in the case of young mothers who have babies in secret and then dispose of them. But, it is another thing to give parents permission to "dispose" of their children when they are older because they don't want to deal with them and care for them properly.
What are your thoughts? Had you heard about this?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
We celebrated St. Padre Pio's feast day yesterday
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much, and always be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I wish it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it, but, the gift of Your Presence, oh yes, I ask this of You!
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for. Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity.
Amen
Monday, September 22, 2008
On the Radio with Brian Patrick This Morning!
September 22, 2008, 8:40 AM (EST)
Sacred Heart Radio
"Son Rise Morning Show"
with Brian Patrick
http://sonrisemorningshow.blogspot.com/
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sacred Heart Radio
"Son Rise Morning Show"
with Brian Patrick
http://sonrisemorningshow.blogspot.com/
Cincinnati, Ohio
Friday, September 19, 2008
Pope Benedict, Pope Pius XII, the Nazis, and the Jews
Vatican City, Sep 18, 2008 / 10:40 am (CNA).- Pope Pius XII, has drawn the interest and scrutiny of many people over the last few decades, but as Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the Pave the Way Foundation at Castel Gandolfo today, he highlighted that previous investigation into the late Pope’s efforts to save Jews from the Nazis and fascists have been biased.
Around noon today at the Pope’s summer residence, he received Mr. Gary Krupp, the president of the Pave the Way Foundation and other members of the organization.
Mr. Krupp and his wife, who are Jewish, founded Pave the Way to fight against religious intolerance and prejudice through educational, cultural and technological means. As part of those efforts, Pave the Way organized a symposium to conduct an in-depth investigation into Pius XII’s life and his pastoral and humanitarian work.
Noting that 50 years have passed since the October 9, 1958 death of the Servant of God Pius XII, the Holy Father pointed out that although "so much has been written and said of him during these last five decades, ... not all of the genuine facets of his diverse pastoral activity have been examined in a just light.”
The symposium aimed to address some of these deficiencies by “conducting a careful and documented examination of many of his interventions, especially those in favor of the Jews who in those years were being targeted all over Europe, in accordance with the criminal plan of those who wanted to eliminate them from the face of the earth,” the Pope said.
"When one draws close to this noble Pope,” observed Benedict XVI, “one can come to appreciate the human wisdom and pastoral intensity which guided him in his long years of ministry, especially in providing organized assistance to the Jewish people.”
Pope Benedict then went on to thank the foundation for “the vast quantity of documented material which you have gathered, supported by many authoritative testimonies,” because, as he explained “your symposium offers to the public forum the possibility of knowing more fully what Pius XII achieved for the Jews persecuted by the Nazi and fascist regimes.”
One of the many aspects of the symposium that Pope Benedict praised was how the... (Continued here)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Coming Soon! "Grace Cafe" for Catholic Moms and Grandmoms!
Available for Pre-Order!
From The National Catholic Register:
Grace Café
Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering
By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
"Ever wish you had a cookbook for life as a Catholic wife and mother … a step-by-step guide for various “domestic church” situations? Consider your prayers answered. The recipe theme may be lighthearted, fun even, but there’s real nourishment to be had in this wonderful dish too. Inspiriting entrees — practical ways Catholic women can live out their familial vocation — are seasoned with simple suggestions for answering Christ’s universal call to holiness. Lovely poems conclude each chapter on a note of warmth that will lift hearts beyond the kitchen and point mothers straight toward heaven.
Widely published and deeply experienced in both family life and religious life, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle counted Blessed Teresa of Calcutta among her personal friends. She maintains numerous websites and has founded several Catholic apostolates and ministries."
*******************************************************************************
To pre-order and receive a 10% discount, email Donna-Marie at DMCOBoyle(at)aol(dot)com with your address and name to be inscribed on the book. The cost of the book is $14.95 plus shipping and handling. If your order is placed on or before September 30, 2008, you will receive a 10% discount. The Pay Pal button will be installed soon. In the mean time, you may send a check or money order to Donna-Marie at PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776, USA. The cost of the book with the discount is $13.45 plus $6.00 for shipping and handling.
Grace Café
Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering
By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
"Ever wish you had a cookbook for life as a Catholic wife and mother … a step-by-step guide for various “domestic church” situations? Consider your prayers answered. The recipe theme may be lighthearted, fun even, but there’s real nourishment to be had in this wonderful dish too. Inspiriting entrees — practical ways Catholic women can live out their familial vocation — are seasoned with simple suggestions for answering Christ’s universal call to holiness. Lovely poems conclude each chapter on a note of warmth that will lift hearts beyond the kitchen and point mothers straight toward heaven.
Widely published and deeply experienced in both family life and religious life, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle counted Blessed Teresa of Calcutta among her personal friends. She maintains numerous websites and has founded several Catholic apostolates and ministries."
*******************************************************************************
To pre-order and receive a 10% discount, email Donna-Marie at DMCOBoyle(at)aol(dot)com with your address and name to be inscribed on the book. The cost of the book is $14.95 plus shipping and handling. If your order is placed on or before September 30, 2008, you will receive a 10% discount. The Pay Pal button will be installed soon. In the mean time, you may send a check or money order to Donna-Marie at PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776, USA. The cost of the book with the discount is $13.45 plus $6.00 for shipping and handling.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Pope Benedict speaks of Mary and the Cross of Jesus
Lourdes, Sep 14, 2008 / 02:18 pm (CNA).- More than 100,000 pilgrims gathered in Lourdes on Sunday morning for the final Mass of the celebrations surrounding the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes. “There is a love in this world that is stronger than death,” than our sins and our imperfections, the Pope proclaimed as he led the celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
The final Mass, which was held on the meadow adjacent to the Shrine of Lourdes, commenced shortly after Pope Benedict made his way through the crowd in his popemobile.
"On this day when the Church's liturgy celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross", he said in his homily, "the Gospel you have just heard reminds us of the meaning of this great mystery: ... The Son of God became vulnerable, assuming the condition of a slave, obedient even to death, death on a cross. By His Cross we are saved.
"The instrument of torture, which on Good Friday manifested God's judgment on the world, has become a source of life, pardon, mercy, a sign of reconciliation and peace,” the Pope stated. ... The Church invites us ... to give thanks to God because from a tree which brought death, life has burst out anew."
"It is significant," he observed, "that during the first apparition to Bernadette Mary begins the encounter with the sign of the Cross," this is "an initiation into the mysteries of the faith that Bernadette receives from Mary. The sign of the Cross is a kind of synthesis of our faith, ... it tells us that there is a love in this world that is stronger than death. ... The power of love is stronger than the evil which threatens us. It is this mystery of the universality of God's love for men that Mary came to reveal here, in Lourdes." (Continued here.)
The final Mass, which was held on the meadow adjacent to the Shrine of Lourdes, commenced shortly after Pope Benedict made his way through the crowd in his popemobile.
"On this day when the Church's liturgy celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross", he said in his homily, "the Gospel you have just heard reminds us of the meaning of this great mystery: ... The Son of God became vulnerable, assuming the condition of a slave, obedient even to death, death on a cross. By His Cross we are saved.
"The instrument of torture, which on Good Friday manifested God's judgment on the world, has become a source of life, pardon, mercy, a sign of reconciliation and peace,” the Pope stated. ... The Church invites us ... to give thanks to God because from a tree which brought death, life has burst out anew."
"It is significant," he observed, "that during the first apparition to Bernadette Mary begins the encounter with the sign of the Cross," this is "an initiation into the mysteries of the faith that Bernadette receives from Mary. The sign of the Cross is a kind of synthesis of our faith, ... it tells us that there is a love in this world that is stronger than death. ... The power of love is stronger than the evil which threatens us. It is this mystery of the universality of God's love for men that Mary came to reveal here, in Lourdes." (Continued here.)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pope Benedict's Prayer at Ground Zero
Prayer offered by Pope Benedict during his visit to Ground
Zero this year:
O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here --
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
Zero this year:
O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here --
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Shrine for Victims of Abortion: Place of Prayer
Mexico City, Sep 8, 2008 / 10:21 pm (CNA).- Some fifty organizations came together Monday in Mexico City for the inauguration of a shrine for the victims of the abortion, which is intended to also be “a place of prayer” for women who suffer regret over having undergone an abortion and losing an “unborn child.”
The Archdiocese of Mexico City is supporting the initiative.
The rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Msgr. Pedro Agustin Rivera Diaz, told reporters no new building is being constructed but rather a special “place of prayer” is being created which will have a crucifix and two statues of the Virgin Mary.
He said future plans include the building of a special crypt where the remains of “unborn babies” can be interred. Mothers will be able to have their aborted children buried there.
Msgr. Rivera Diaz said mothers will find there “a place of consolation” where their children can receive a Christian burial.
The initiative comes on the heels of the Mexico’s Supreme Court ruling that the Mexico City law allowing abortion in the nation’s capital does not violate the country's constitution.
The Archdiocese of Mexico City is supporting the initiative.
The rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Msgr. Pedro Agustin Rivera Diaz, told reporters no new building is being constructed but rather a special “place of prayer” is being created which will have a crucifix and two statues of the Virgin Mary.
He said future plans include the building of a special crypt where the remains of “unborn babies” can be interred. Mothers will be able to have their aborted children buried there.
Msgr. Rivera Diaz said mothers will find there “a place of consolation” where their children can receive a Christian burial.
The initiative comes on the heels of the Mexico’s Supreme Court ruling that the Mexico City law allowing abortion in the nation’s capital does not violate the country's constitution.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The espisodes of EWTN's Faith & Culture can be viewed here
You can view the episodes of EWTN's Faith & Culture Show with Colleen Carroll Campbell that aired throughout August. Colleen conducted a round table discussion with some of the American delegates who participated in the international Vatican congress over in Rome earlier this year. I was honored to be part of the discussion in the 3rd and 4th episode. If you'd like to check them out you may click here for the first, here for the second and click here for the third episode and here for the fourth.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Fr. James's Homily: Charity
The Incarnation of the Son of God is the most singular and unique event in human history. In fact, the birth of Jesus divides history into two parts: the period before his coming and the period that followed his coming. Every Sunday we profess our belief in this fundamental aspect of our Catholic Faith when we proclaim: “For us men and our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man” (Nicene Creed).
The Incarnation distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4: 2). It is because of the Incarnation, that Jesus associates himself with every human being. “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me” (Matthew 25: 40).
This Sunday’s liturgy speaks to us about the most essential virtue of Christianity. “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13: 8). Charity is the one virtue that defines us as true Christians.
As we consider the virtue of Christianity, we immediately remember St. Paul’s definition of charity in another part of the Scriptures: “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7). It is here, in this celebrated text that we find the components of the virtue of charity... (Continued here)
The Incarnation distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4: 2). It is because of the Incarnation, that Jesus associates himself with every human being. “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me” (Matthew 25: 40).
This Sunday’s liturgy speaks to us about the most essential virtue of Christianity. “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13: 8). Charity is the one virtue that defines us as true Christians.
As we consider the virtue of Christianity, we immediately remember St. Paul’s definition of charity in another part of the Scriptures: “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7). It is here, in this celebrated text that we find the components of the virtue of charity... (Continued here)
Friday, September 5, 2008
The role that faith plays in the election...
Minneapolis, Sep 4, 2008 / 06:35 pm (CNA).- The political spotlight will be focused on Sen. John McCain later this evening as he delivers his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination, but Gov. Mike Huckabee took time this afternoon to talk with reporters about the role of faith in the McCain-Palin ticket.
The former presidential contender first turned his attention to the buzz surrounding McCain’s pick of the Governor of Alaska, saying, “I think Senator McCain has made a magnificent selection with Sarah Palin.”
With impact of Hurricane Gustav, and Democrats energized by their convention in Denver, the Republican Party opened its convention without the momentum being in its favor. But with the addition of Palin, Huckabee said, “value voters” have become “energized” and the level of excitement has completely shifted over the last week.
According to the former governor of Arkansas, the press unintentionally helped create the buzz about Palin by attacking her for only being the mayor of a small town and by focusing on her daughter Bristol’s pregnancy.
“The press did not intend it,” he quipped, “but what they have done, they have thrown Joseph in the well. What was intended for harm has turned out for good. And I’m sure it was never their goal to make her the absolute hero, not just of value voters, but of women, and frankly, fair-minded Americans.” (Continued here)
The former presidential contender first turned his attention to the buzz surrounding McCain’s pick of the Governor of Alaska, saying, “I think Senator McCain has made a magnificent selection with Sarah Palin.”
With impact of Hurricane Gustav, and Democrats energized by their convention in Denver, the Republican Party opened its convention without the momentum being in its favor. But with the addition of Palin, Huckabee said, “value voters” have become “energized” and the level of excitement has completely shifted over the last week.
According to the former governor of Arkansas, the press unintentionally helped create the buzz about Palin by attacking her for only being the mayor of a small town and by focusing on her daughter Bristol’s pregnancy.
“The press did not intend it,” he quipped, “but what they have done, they have thrown Joseph in the well. What was intended for harm has turned out for good. And I’m sure it was never their goal to make her the absolute hero, not just of value voters, but of women, and frankly, fair-minded Americans.” (Continued here)
Blessed Teresa's feast day!
"The Church of God needs saints today. This imposes a great responsibility on us. We must become holy, not because we want to feel holy, but because Christ must be able to live his life fully in us"--Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Here are two previous radio segments where I speak about Mother Teresa My book, Prayerfully Expecting and how I met Mother Teresa,
And Addressing the comments in the media about Mother Teresa's supposed "crisis of faith,"
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Censored YouTube videos about Planned Parenthood
Los Angeles, Sep 4, 2008 / 04:21 am (CNA).- The internet video sharing site YouTube has removed four well-viewed videos which criticize Planned Parenthood, including some featuring Planned Parenthood fundraisers agreeing to process a donation from a donor pretending to have racist motives. The move has prompted Live Action, the pro-life student organization which produced the videos, to charge YouTube with censorship.
The Live Action videos, some of which were the focus of national media attention in the past year, were removed over the past two weeks on the grounds they contain unspecified “inappropriate content.”
“These four videos have received over 160,000 YouTube views in total with the oldest video having been public on YouTube for over seven months,” said Live Action Media Director David Schmidt. “Why are these videos being removed now?" he asked.
"It is discriminatory for YouTube to selectively censor material that clearly does not contain inappropriate content," stated Live Action President Lila Rose in a press release. "We will continue to apply pressure on YouTube until it restores the videos."
In the past, YouTube has censored other pro-life videos. In February 2008 an American Life League video which criticized a Planned Parenthood advertisement was removed on the grounds it had “inappropriate content,” though the original Planned Parenthood advertisement remained posted to YouTube.
On July 2, a CNA video investigating pro-abortion activist Eve Reinhardt was censored by YouTube. After pressure from the Population Research Institute and other supporters, the video was restored on July 4.
Lila Rose told CNA in a Wednesday phone interview that YouTube still had not responded to their inquiries as of Wednesday morning.
“We need to keep those videos up to expose the truth about Planned Parenthood,” she said.
The censored videos are viewable at http://www.liveactionfilms.org/youtube/
The Live Action videos, some of which were the focus of national media attention in the past year, were removed over the past two weeks on the grounds they contain unspecified “inappropriate content.”
“These four videos have received over 160,000 YouTube views in total with the oldest video having been public on YouTube for over seven months,” said Live Action Media Director David Schmidt. “Why are these videos being removed now?" he asked.
"It is discriminatory for YouTube to selectively censor material that clearly does not contain inappropriate content," stated Live Action President Lila Rose in a press release. "We will continue to apply pressure on YouTube until it restores the videos."
In the past, YouTube has censored other pro-life videos. In February 2008 an American Life League video which criticized a Planned Parenthood advertisement was removed on the grounds it had “inappropriate content,” though the original Planned Parenthood advertisement remained posted to YouTube.
On July 2, a CNA video investigating pro-abortion activist Eve Reinhardt was censored by YouTube. After pressure from the Population Research Institute and other supporters, the video was restored on July 4.
Lila Rose told CNA in a Wednesday phone interview that YouTube still had not responded to their inquiries as of Wednesday morning.
“We need to keep those videos up to expose the truth about Planned Parenthood,” she said.
The censored videos are viewable at http://www.liveactionfilms.org/youtube/
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Pope Benedict's words were "like a light" to Ingrid Betancourt
Rome, Sep 2, 2008 / 10:38 am (CNA).- During a press conference after her audience with Pope Benedict XVI on Monday at Castel Gandolfo, former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt revealed that during her captivity deep in the Amazon jungle, “amidst my desperation and sadness I heard the Pope’s voice on the radio pronouncing my name.” His voice, she said, “was like a light.”
Before some 200 journalists, diplomats and Italian officials, Betancourt said that after telling her story of captivity, the Holy Father told her, “You learned to pray to God because you asked that his will be done.”
“After a very long and harsh march over difficult terrain, and under the weight of all the equipment, at six in the afternoon I was able to rest, and amidst my desperation and sadness I heard the Pope’s voice on the radio pronouncing my name. It’s difficult to describe the psychological effect of that on a prisoner,” Betancourt said according to AFP.
“When we were in the jungle and we thought we no longer existed, the voice of the Pope was like a light. Therefore when I was freed I wanted to come to see him and embrace him. Today, that dream was fulfilled,” she said.
Betancourt explained that she slowly began drawing close to God again through the Bible. “On June 1, while I was listening to Radio Catolica Mundial”—EWTN’s Spanish language radio broadcast—“someone was talking about a saint to whom Jesus had made some promises on the condition that she surrendered herself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” Betancourt said overwhelmed by tears and drawing the applause of those gathered.
“The three conditions he asked [of the saint] were the same for me. I said to myself, Jesus I ask you for the miracle not of my release, but of knowing when I will be released because that gives the strength to go on. If the miracle happens, I will be yours,” she said.
“I told the Pope I didn’t know what it meant to be Christ’s, and he answered that He will show me the way,” Betancourt continued. “If you all understand how to talk to him, that will help you as well,” she said to the crowd.
“The Bible has all the answers and all the solutions,” she said after promising that she would not stop fighting to get all the hostages in Colombia and throughout the world released.
Call for peace in Colombia
Ingrid Betancourt also took the opportunity to “send a... (Continued here)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
It's that time again...
Well, it certainly is that time of year. Kids are going back to school and college. There's a chill in the air that prods me to put on a sweater in the morning when I bustle around the kitchen at 6:00 AM getting breakfast ready in a rush and later I pull it around me tighter when I leave at 6:25 AM to bring my daughter to the bus stop. Later on in the day the temperature may get up to 80 degrees!
It's sad to see the flowers dying, a few plants at a time. However, it's life...and death. The plants need to die to come back again next spring. The yard needs to be cleaned up and "put away" soon. Winter will be coming before we know it. I hate to say.
There's a lot going on with the elections coming up and with kids embarking out to school once again. The weather is making herself noticed as hurricanes threaten the home lives of many. Prayers are in order for many reasons.
Dear Lord, please protect and guide us all! Blessed Mother Mary keep us all safe under your mantle. Amen.
New website!
Due to a data base error, my main website is missing in action! I have to rebuild my site and years of work is missing at the moment. I'd like to give you an address to a temporary site. I will soon have this new site connected to my old website's address. This is a start. The header will be different as will lots of other things. At least it is a new beginning! Go and take a look by clicking here!
God bless!
Donna-Marie
God bless!
Donna-Marie
Monday, September 1, 2008
Pope Benedict's Prayer intentions for September
Vatican City, Sep 1, 2008 / 12:58 pm (CNA).- The press office of the Holy See released the prayer intentions of Pope Benedict for the month of September this morning. The Pope’s intentions include those displaced by war or by oppressive regimes and that families will be open to the call to evangelize.
Pope Benedict XVI's general prayer intention is: "That those who, because of wars or oppressive regimes, are forced to leave their homes and country may be supported by Christians in the defence and protection of their rights."
His mission intention is: "That, faithful to the sacrament of matrimony, every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelising community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of its brothers."
Video of Barack Obama and late term abortions
Take a look at this video to see in Barack Obama and late term abortions. Just click here.
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