Prayer for Memorial Day

Eternal rest grant unto all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their God and country, O Lord.  Eternal rest grant unto all those veterans who have passed away.  Peace and long life grant to those still living, both of past and present wars.  Grant those who are serving their country peace, protection and strength.  Ensure quick and safe passage home for those who have finished their service. 

Lord, soften the hearts of those who would lambast and condemn our veterans and serviceman and bring them to an appreciation for those who risked their and lives and sacrificed for their freedom that they enjoy today.  Bless the families of veterans and servicemen and give them strength of heart and hope.  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, pour out your tender mercy upon them.  Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for them.
Saint Joan of Arc, pray for them.

Life News: Practitioner in Michigan Forced Abortion Case Admits Again He Lies to Women

Flint, MI (LifeNews.com) -- The Michigan-based abortion practitioner who is the subject of a civil lawsuit from a woman who says he forced her to have an abortion even after she said on the operating table she didn't want one is in the news again. Alberto Hodari is defending comments he made at a college lecture saying he lies to patients.

 

Caitlin Bruce, a 20-year-old woman, says Hodari and a staffer held her down and completed an abortion on her even though she changed her mind while on the table and voiced her objections.

 

Tom Pabst, the attorney for Bruce, has filed both a civil lawsuit and papers with the County Prosecutor David Leyton hoping for criminal charges.

Hodai was caught on videotape in November 2007 speaking to Medical Students for Choice at Wayne State University in Michigan even though he had killed two patients in failed abortions.

 

Hodari bragged about lying to patients and families and not washing hands between abortions.

"My wife says we doctors have a license to lie, and it is true. It’s absolutely true. Sometimes you need to lie to patients about things they want to do or not… much less now than in the past, because they're more educated between CNN and the Internet. The patients are more educated about what we do," he said then.

In a new interview with NBC 25 Hodari said he was referring to life-threatening situations and admitted again he would lie to patients.

“Never tell a patient, especially a woman, you're going to die,” he told NBC25. “And in that respect, yes, we lie.”

Caitlin Bruce told the Michigan television station she is not surprised by Hodari's confirmation he lies to patients.

“You're not God. You don't make other people’s decisions,” she said she wants to tell him. “What you do to women, it’s not right.”

Pabst, Bruce's attorney, also talked with NBC 25 and said patients have a right to change their mind about a medical procedure, including an abortion.

"Whether it's a sexual advance or a medical procedure, if she says, ‘No, stop,’ that's the end of it," he said.

The case is File #114925 and it concerns both the Bruce abortion and a 20-year old case involving a then 16-year old girl who came forward last year to tell of her abortion by Hodari that he forced upon her under false pretenses.

Jennifer McCoy filed her own complaint against Hodari saying she went to his abortion center for what she believed was a routine pre-natal check up for a wanted pregnancy when she was subjected to an abortion against her will.

 

That McCoy was pregnant by a 40-year old high school teacher was also never reported to authorities as required by law for potential sexual abuse cases.

Hodari has already been disciplined for abuses at his abortion centers.

He was placed on probation last February for illegally dumping medical records and, last March, was fined $10,000 for his part in the death of Regina Johnson.

Hodari has been involved in at least three additional abortion deaths. Tamia Russell was only 15 years old in January of 2004 when her 26 year old boyfriend paid Hodari $2,000 in cash to abort her baby at over 26 weeks gestation. She died less than 24 hours after obtaining an abortion at Womancare of Southfield/Lathrup Village.

Her guardian was unaware she was pregnant, and had no knowledge of the abortion - until it was too late.

 

Chivon Williams received a suction abortion by Hodari at an unknown clinic. An hour and forty minutes later, she was discharged even though she was complaining of pain in her stomach and chest. Soon after she arrived at her home, she "became unresponsive." At 5:17, on the same day as the abortion, she was pronounced dead.

 

In November, Hodari put his abortion facilities up for sale along with his collection of expensive classic cars and hastily filed for divorce from his wife of 29 years. Local pro-life advocates are concerned he is attempting to flee the country to return to his native Argentina.

Abortion providers and supporters like to pitch their "craft" as safe and of no harm to women, and yet we see cases like this on a regular basis almost.  I often ask myself;  When will we see that abortion is not safe in the slightest?  It's not safe for the mother, and it's certainly not safe for the unborn child who is killed.

On a side note, where is Michael Moore on this?  If he wasn't so busy making left-wing propaganda films, he might have been able to make a searing indictment about this, provided he actually lives the Catholic faith he claims to uphold and is pro-life.  After all, Flint is his hometown, right?

God Bless These Holy Priests

From Pro-Life Corner (Warning:  Contains images of foul and vulgar language):

Rockford IL,  May 29, 2010  - In September of 2008 a group of Catholic Priests began praying every week at Rockford's abortion mill special prayers of the Church that the abortion mill be cleansed from evil.  Immediately, the pro-life women who sidewalk counsel at this abortion facility noticed a dramatic decline in the numbers of mothers coming for abortions and a tangible rise in the numbers of mothers who choose life at the abortion mill driveway. 

 

An unofficial count of mothers entering the mill within a month of these devout Priests praying showed the abortion totals to be cut at least in half. This is also when signs started appearing in the mill windows attacking Catholic Priests. 

 

On Friday May 29th, the abortion mill sank to a new low even for them.  As a Priest was quietly praying the prayers of the Church accompanied by a seminarian, someone inside the building that houses the Northern Illinois Women's Center put a sign that clearly stated, "F.... Your Perverted Priests."

 

 

 Catholic Priests have also had to endure personal insults from the abortion mill landlord and security guard.  The car of one Priest has been egged by an abortion supporter at this mill.  A Priest has also had a hand-written sign taped to his car while he was quietly praying on the sidewalk in front of the mill.  The sign read, "I Rape Children."

 

 

 

One thing is certain.  This abortion facility and its supporters know one of the major reasons their numbers of dead babies have gone down is because the committed, faith-filled, and courageous Catholic Priests are praying consistently that the evil that surrounds and drives the abortion industry is replaced with the grace of Jesus Christ.  In Rockford these Priests and their prayers have saved countless lives and souls.  That's why this mill hates and attacks them in this vicious manner.

 

As one Rockford area pro-lifer said, "This group of Priests has prayed at this mill no matter the weather, intimidation, and mocking threats they have faced.  In the spirit of Jesus Christ, they have responded to these attacks with prayer, humility, and love."

 

A Rockford man said of one of these Priests, "Last winter on a day with the wind chill well below zero, Father was in prayer on the sidewalk with his coat open.  Everyone told him he needed to cover up better, but Father knew that people entering the mill needed to know a Priest was there.

One young Hispanic woman looked at Father, saw his collar, and saw him praying for her.  She immediately left the mill and never returned."

 

It is the hope of the Rockford Christian community that Rockford city officials will look into the long and hate- filled history of the abortion mill and come to a decision that this kind of bigotry is not acceptable in our city.

 

As for these holy men who pray and work for life and for an end to the demonic inspired culture of death in Rockford,  we owe them our support, prayers, and grateful thanks for leading us in this battle against sin, Satan, and death.

 

 

In the person of Christ the Head . . .

1548 In the ecclesial service of the ordained minister, it is Christ Himself who is present to His Church as Head of His Body, Shepherd of His flock, High Priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth. This is what the Church means by saying that the priest, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, acts in persona Christi Capitis:

It is the same Priest, Christ Jesus, whose sacred person His minister truly represents. Now the minister, by reason of the sacerdotal consecration which he has received, is truly made like to the High Priest and possesses the authority to act in the power and place of the Person of Christ Himself (virtute ac persona ipsius Christi).

Christ is the Source of all priesthood: the priest of the old law was a figure of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the Person of Christ.

1549 Through the ordained ministry, especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as Head of the Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers. In the beautiful expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is typos tou Patros: he is like the living image of God the Father.

It's been stated that these priests have been given permission to say the prayers of exorcism at this abortion mill.  It's quite apparent that God has heard them, as the drop in the number of abortions indicates the spirit of evil that drives this industry of death is slowly being driven away, and most certainly is driven from the hearts of mothers who would otherwise abort their children.

And the Evil One most definitely does not like it, as can be evidence by the vicious, mean spirited and hateful attacks against these holy priests by whatever clinic worker posted such vile signs.  But as we know, he will never win.  Evil will never triumph.

Let us pray for these holy priests, for continued strength against these attacks, and to continue their vigil to save the lives of these innocent unborn children.

Pax Christi.

Courtesy of American Papist

An excellent response to Mr. Kristof's hit piece against the Church.

LINK

Cross Controversy: Replica Replacing Stolen Mojave Cross Removed by Officials

Life Site News is reporting that a replica of the Mojave cross to replace the one stolen by an anonymous thief (allegedly in protest over efforts to preserve the NON-RELIGIOUS memorial to war veterans) has been removed by officials at the Mojave National Park.

The reason:  It's "technically illegal" a park official said, according to the AP.

Yet she didn't cite exactly which statute, if any, bans the posting of memorials at Mojave.

If anyone can track down said statute, please let me know.

Mass Readings for the Feast of Pentecost

First Reading:  Acts 2:1-11
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.  And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?   And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?  Par'thians and Medes and E'lamites and residents of Mesopota'mia, Judea and Cappado'cia, Pontus and Asia, Phryg'ia and Pamphyl'ia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyre'ne, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 

Psalm:  Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, thou art very great! Thou art clothed with honor and majesty, 
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy creatures.
When thou hidest thy face, they are dismayed; when thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
When thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the face of the ground.     
May the glory of the LORD endure for ever, may the LORD rejoice in his works, 
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. 

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 

Gospel:  John 20:19-23
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."   And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.   If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 

 Veni Creator Spiritus!

Let me Posit a Question

If you're friend was deathly ill, what would you do; call 911 so he can be taken to the hospital, or would you steal a car and take him there yourself?

You would call 911?  Good, I hope that was your answer, hypothetical reader of this blog.

Which brings me to the meat of this post; recently a nun at a Catholic hospital in Phoenix encurred automatic excommunication because she allowed an abortion to take place to save the life of the mother.  Catholic teaching plainly states that ANY abortion is wrong no matter what the circumstance, because the end result is the murder of an innocent human being.  NOTHING EVER JUSTIFIES THAT!  THE ENDS DO NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS!

Which is why I'm disgusted to see that so many believe it was OK for the nun to do what she did and the bishop was wrong in standing up for Church teaching.  Even so-called "Christians" are OK with an innocent baby being murdered brutally in the womb so that the mother may live.  I'm shocked and hurt that such people would be so willing to see unborn children immolated to Molech, so to speak.

Disgusting.  I will pray for these misguided souls

MSNBC: Power Play Over Immigration Law

By Jonathan Lloyd and Robert Kovacik

NBCLosAngeles.com

updated 21 minutes ago

An Arizona utility commissioner said he's willing to pull the plug on Los Angeles if the city goes through with a boycott of his state.

In a letter to the city of LA, a member of Arizona's power commission said he would ask Arizona utility companies to cut off the power supply to Los Angeles. LA gets about 25 percent of its power from Arizona.

Is it me, or is this going a bit tooooo far.

I hope it's not just me.

TLC Singer Chilli Describes Abortion Grief: 'I Cried Almost Every Day for 9 Years': LifeSiteNews

NEW YORK, May 14, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas, better known as a member of the successful 1990s hip-hop trio TLC, has joined a growing number of women and men who have come forward with horrendous stories of post-abortion grief. In a recent interview, the singer revealed that an abortion that she got when she was 20 years old “broke my spirit,” and robbed her of her "strong self."
The singer discussed her abortion on the May 9 episode of the VH1 reality TV series "What Chilli Wants," which follows the singer as she seeks help to establish a long-lasting relationship. Prompted to discuss her first relationship, with producer Dallas Austin, Thomas recounted her emotions upon realizing that she was pregnant for the first time at 20 years old.

You can read the rest of the article, along with a video of the interview, right here. 

Ms. Thomas is only one of a legion of women (and men) who have come out and described the horrible effect of abortion on their emotions.  It's abundantly clear that abortion is not "empowering" in the slightest sense; rather, it is a cause of soul-rending emotional grief.  Yet, the abortion lobby refuses to acknowledge this and continues to push this senseless slaughter on our country; they simply refuse to see the suffering of these women and men, who are just as much victims of abortion as the babies who are murdered.

Please pray for Ms. Thomas, and all those affected by post-abortion grief, and pray for an end to this abomination of abortion. 

Pax Christi

Grackles X_X

Grackles are raiding my new bird feeder.

They won't go away.  I fear that nothing will use my feeder except for them.

I hope that safflower I ordered comes soon.  I can't stand these things.

WHOA! OH YES, HE WENT THERE!!! 8)

Courtesy of WDTPRS

Our Holy Father has taken a strong stance against homosexual "marriage" and denounced it in no uncertain terms.  Heck, he described it as "insidious and dangerous".

Thank you, Your Holiness.  You will be in my prayers for speaking the truth so forcefully.

Anti-Catholicism on Cracked.com

Cracked.com, a "comedy" website known for its vulgar toilet humor, rampant profanity and overall lack of anything that tickles the funnybone (unless disgusting humor is your forte, in which case I advise you to re-evaluate your tastes), recently published this article (WARNING:  Read at your own risk; article contains rampant profanity and foul humor) about supposed "half-a****" apologies for "historic crimes".  The #1 entry on the list is what caught my eye.

The portion accuses the Catholic Church of giving a poor apology for its "historic crimes", including the anti-Catholic's favorite grievances; the Inquisition, the Crusades, Galileo, "oppression" of science, oppression of gays, etc.

I post this not because it's anything new, but just because it's another example of the anti-Catholics refusal to look deeper into these issues, and instead rely on classic anti-Catholic canards.  For example, if they dug deeper into recent scholarship, they might see that the Crusades were actually a good thing (paving the way for the Rennaisance anyone?), the Inquisition was never as bad as they say it is, and that far from oppressing science, the Church actively promoted it (the first astronomical observations were made by Jesuit priests, and one of those Jesuits, Nicolaus Copernicus, created the Heliocentric theory and was NEVER censured for it), and even the CDC has recently admitted that homosexuals are more likely to contract AIDS and STDs than hetereosexuals.

Something to chew on.

Pax Christi.  Let us pray for those who hate Holy Mother Church.

Mojave Desert Cross Stolen (LifeSiteNews)

LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a cross display in the Mojave Desert, the 75-year-old landmark has been stolen, reported the National Park Service Monday.
Mojave National Preserve officials discovered Monday that the 7-foot cross had been stolen, and the metal bolts anchoring the cross cut off, National Park Service spokeswoman Linda Slater said.

I hate to start speculating, but I don't think this is just a random theft.

The hardcore atheists and their allies in the left-wing civil liberties groups have been trying to get the Mojave cross torn down through legal means for a while now.  And now, all of a sudden, it disappears shortly after a higher court rules that it can stay up.  I'm not saying for certain, but it seems like a strange coincidence to me.

Lately, I've been getting e-mails telling me about a website, atheistactivist.org, which encourages atheists to desecrate and destroy the crosses left on roadsides to honor those killed in auto accidents, even going so far as to recommend a particular brand of tools for the .  Forgive my suspicions, but it wouldn't surprise me if someone took them very seriously and decided to do the same thing to the Mojave cross

According to the website, a "major announcement" is forthcoming.  Hmmm.

If I'm right, and I hope I'm not, I can't say I'm surprised.  I've been expecting this kind of brazen anti-Christian activity for a while now.

Let us pray for the misguided souls behind this.

Prayercast starting soon

I will be posting a regular prayercast of the Divine Office and other assorted prayers, as soon as I can get a podcast up and running.  Please stay tuned.

ACVAB Kudos to Tom Emmer

For those of you who don't know, Tom Emmer is a Catholic man running for the Minnesota gubernatorial seat.  He is pro-life and pro-family, unlike so many "Catholic" politicians nowadays, so kudos right off the bat for that.

What I really like, though, is this.  According to the Star-Tribune in Minneapolis, his Democratic (or as they call themselves, "Democratic-Farmer-Laborer") opponents ripped him for not attending a "green" summit.  The reason?  He was in church for his son's First Communion.

A lot of politicians like to talk about family and family values, but few really ever walk the walk.  Tom Emmer decided that God and family trumped politics, as they always do, and put them first by not going to the summit and attending his son's First Communion.  This, IMO, makes him a true defender of family values by putting them first and foremost. 

God bless you, Mr. Emmer.  I pray that your fine example here will serve as a model for others to follow with regards to faith and family.  Best of luck to you with your campaign, and may the Lord be with you.

Pax Christi.