Preparing for Advent

Want To Prepare For Advent? Help The Endangered Among Us Live Through It!

by Contributor Doug

So there I was, listening to my pastor giving his Homily in mass this morning, and at the same time, God was also giving the same Homily.

I’ll let you digest that one for a minute.

No, really, it’s OK. As those who well know me would zealously attest, I may be crazy, but I’m not nuts. And trust me, if my opening statement made sense to you, your not nuts, either.

Our pastor, hardly the shrinking violet type, who is much more concerned with saving souls than feelings (Picture a slightly older but similarly zesty Father Corapi of EWTN!), gave yet another unabashed but quite necessary sermon on protecting the sanctity of life, and once again, didn’t even try to mince words on the topics of abortion and euthanasia, sadly rare topics in many other parishes for reasons of sheer cowardice and political correctness, but not mine. (I love this guy!)

Father mentioned how Pope Benedict, in his opening Advent Mass in the Vatican, spoke of preparing for the celebration of Christ’s coming by praying for the unborn, many of whom worldwide will be savagely slaughtered by Christmas, and most ironically, as Father Corapi has often said, in what should be the safest place on earth, the womb.

As the priest spoke about protecting the sanctity of human life, he also mentioned how far we have regressed, as women now, upon being confirmed that they are pregnant, are typically and callously next asked by their doctors if they wish to keep or terminate their growing, nurturing baby inside them. At about this time, I noticed a woman sitting about a half dozen or so pews ahead of me, holding a rambunctious toddler, a handsome young tyke, with a perfectly round face, blond hair and big, sparkling blue eyes. This little guy, as if he thought himself to be a visual aid, suddenly sprang completely straight upright, standing on Mom’s legs, and looking backward over her shoulder to all those behind him and broke out a huge smile from ear to ear! The timing could not have been any more perfect!

Now does anyone really believe that precious event, and at that precise time, was just coincidence?
Mother Teresa blamed the increase in evil in the world on abortion. I don’t think she was too far off the mark there. As we try to cleanse our own lives in this joyous season of celebration, how can we condone the slaughter of the most innocent and defenseless among us when the crux of this entire festive season is the birth of a baby, the baby who would become our savior? And yet we condone the killing of other babies in His likeness?

To clarify my usage of the word “condone,” Edmund Burke sagely noted that all that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. And in our own faith, a great number of Catholics agree with abortion and euthanasia, and some even actively support these ghastly endeavors. And still others, who do oppose these atrocities, say or do nothing about it. Same evil, different tactic.

And thus, the flames of this insidious evil threat to life continues to flourish, perpetually fed and fanned by the energizing fuel of apathy, if not collaboration.

Who is then left to annoy others “convenience” when we are finally rid of all our “inconvenient” young and old? (As someone of middle age, that very thought gives a chill up my spine!) To paraphrase Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran Minister imprisoned under Hitler’s regime, he failed to speak when they came for the Jews, the Austrians, the Poles, etc.., and finally when they came for him, no one was left to speak.

Too many times I hear the excuse (not reason) of compassion tossed about. God gave us our lives and only He can take them back. We belong to Him. Would any of us so tolerate the theft and abuse of any cherished possession that belonged to us by someone else?

There are also, difficult as it may seem to fathom, sound theological principles that uphold suffering, but that topic is an article unto itself. Suffice to say for now that our superior and loving God’s will is better informed and ultimately far more benevolent in the end than ours. We, the created, created, contrary to our arrogance, do not know more than our Creator. God also allows evil (as Father mentioned in His Homily today, such as the horrific torture and death of God’s Son), so that a greater good can come of it. Abortion and euthanasia are evil, period, and that is just absolute truth, as taught by the Church. To paraphrase the late and great Archbishop Fulton Sheen, absolute truth is still absolute truth, despite how many or how few people believe it. God, having allowed these evils to exist, also demonstrates His love by giving us free choice. We can work to stop those evils, and thus achieve a greater good, or sit back (and maybe even join in) and allow those evils to continue and even thrive.

I am nauseated by pro-abortion politicians and candidates continually trying to slither off the hook by saying that while they favor abortion (Wink, wink, NARAL, keep those political contributions flowing!), they wish to keep abortion “safe and rare.” yet they do little if anything to ever keep it safe or rare. Likewise, I have so often had this same ridiculous argument with others who claim that they favor abortion and euthanasia because of the horrific conditions that they so often see foisted among children and the elderly in our society today. True enough, but if they are so concerned, what if anything, do they typically do to help stop those atrocities from occurring to children and the elderly that in their minds so necessitates abortion and euthanasia to continue? NOTHING! Isn’t this mindset somewhat akin to using a sledge hammer to kill a mosquito on your friend’s forehead?

Another favorite Father Corapi gem of mine (which I heard again just last night) was that he encourages people to pray the Rosary daily, and often hears people reply that they pray in their own way, yet in his experience, these same people pray seldom, if ever at all. Once again, more excuses, no action. If our eroding culture is our so-called excuse for allowing abortions and euthanasia to continue, then by that “logic,” why don’t we all just starve ourselves to death to eliminate the tragedy and potential of obesity? As a baseball announcer might say, “Swing and a miss!”

Some of you can take an active part in saving the innocent and defenseless around us, but you have more excuses than pharmaceutical companies have pills. Stop making excuses and do something about it! Some of you, for any number of truly legitimate reasons cannot. OK, fine. Pray. Better yet, pray the Rosary. Who better to pray to for life than our Blessed Mother, who gave birth to our Savior so that all could live eternally? And if you think you are too busy, you are not. As Father Corapi has said, the Pope recites the Rosary four or five times a day. Do you have any idea what his daily schedule is like? Are you really busier than the Pope? Furthermore, the Blessed Mother at Fatima told us to pray the Rosary daily, for others, and for that matter, ourselves, too. As we know from John: 19, 26, 27, Jesus, while dying on the cross, gave us to Mary as her children, and Mary to us as our mother, also. So listen to your Mother!

Like St. Paul, in 2 Corinthians, 12, 10, when we are weak, we are strong. St. Therese of Lisieux (“The Little Flower”) is known for her prayers for, and kindness to others, despite her suffering and infirmity.
Does prayer seem ineffective to you? How’s your faith?

“…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
(Matthew: 17, 20.)

As we know from Jesus in Matthew : 19, 26, all things are possible with God. We only need to pray, and with faith. And pray lovingly, not just for the rescue of those endangered, but for the repentance of, and mercy upon all those who intentionally and unintentionally, actively and passively, endanger them. And while thus praying, keep this scenario in your mind:

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The suckling child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
(Isaiah: 11, 6-10.)

As Sam Cooke sang, “What a wonderful world this would be.”

As the saying goes, “The more, the merrier.” Let us then have a fruitful Advent by saving the endangered among us, and thus, a very merry Christmas. God bless.

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
(Luke: 2, 9-13.)

Doug

Youth and Sex by Bishop Fulton Sheen

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EWTN Press Release 9/29/10

October 1, 2010

EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica’s Hometown to Name a Street in Her Honor



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Mother Angelica, the cloistered nun who founded EWTN Global Catholic Network, will be honored by her hometown of Canton, Ohio when a section of Market Ave. is declared the “Mother Angelica Memorial Corridor.” The section, between 30th St. N.W. and 44th St. N.W., includes the portion of the avenue that runs in front of Sancta Clara Monastery, where Mother made her first vows and lived out her first years as a nun.

“Mother Angelica and all of us at EWTN are truly touched and thrilled by the recognition bestowed upon our foundress by the Mayor and the Canton City Council,” said EWTN CEO & President Michael P. Warsaw. “It is a testament to the work that Mother accomplished in her life – work from which the whole world is benefiting. We want to thank the Mayor and the Canton City Council for recognizing Mother Angelica in this way.”

The honor comes as EWTN prepares to descend upon the Canton Civic Center Oct. 9 and 10 for its annual “Family Celebration,” an event that attracts viewers from all over the country thanks to its roster of well-loved speakers, children’s entertainment, and more. This year, the Network will pay homage to the life and legacy of its famous foundress with a live program featuring many of this year’s speakers as well as select members of the audience. This made Canton the perfect location for the 2010 Family Celebration.

This year’s speakers are all well-known to Mother. They include EWTN’s “World Over” Anchor (and Mother Angelica’s best-selling biographer) Raymond Arroyo; “Journey Home” Host Marcus Grodi; Dr. Ray Guarendi, host of EWTN Radio Network’s “The Doctor Is In,” and Mother Assumpta Long of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, whose order hosts the EWTN children’s catechetical series, “Truth in the Heart.” “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck will emcee the event.

EWTN President & CEO Michael P. Warsaw, Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Father Anthony and Father Joseph Mary Wolfe will also be on hand for the popular “Family Talk,” which is a chance for viewers who are part of the EWTN Family, to ask questions

In addition, children will be entertained by “Roamin Catholic” Host Rob Wahl and his sidekick, Pete the Penguin, as well as Brother Leo, author of “Hey Brother Leo” fame. “Older kids” can browse the EWTN Religious Catalogue shop, line up to “Meet the Author,’ and maybe even get a signed copy of Arroyo’s new book, “The Prayers & Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica.”

Doors will open at 8 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities for confession as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a day no fan of EWTN and Mother Angelica will want to miss – and, best of all, it’s free!

For more information, please visit: http://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration/

Note: We invite you to tell you friends about this event – and the great honor being bestowed on Mother Angelica – on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social networks – and to tweet about it using the hashtag #EWTN.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press Release issued by EWTN to Connecticut Catholic Corner**

Why be Catholic?

Why be Catholic?? by Tim Staples

For more information visit: http://www.catholic.com/new/why_be_catholic.asp

Mother Angelica Live Episode

What a treasure Mother Angelica is to our Catholic faith!

Full episode of Mother Angelica Live:

Mother Angelica Live Classics - Regret, Remorse and Sorrow - June 07, 1991




Thank you Mother Angelica and God bless you!

Should We Take Our Faith to the Voting Booth?

Written by Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor Tim Siggia


"The Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof." -- Constitution of the United States, Amendment 1

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution, quoted above, is probably one of the most deliberately misunderstood parts of that document. Over the years, it has been construed to mean separation of church and state, a concept which, though having originated with founding father Thomas Jefferson, is in fact nowhere to be found in the Constitution itself. Jefferson first used the phrase not in any official document, but rather, in a private letter to a group of Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut. Since then, liberal politicians, jurists, and pundits have erroneously linked the concept to the Establishment Clause, using it as justification to ban all religious expression and reference in public schools, government buildings, and public grounds -- conveniently ignoring the second portion of that clause: "nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

So is it right, constitutionally or otherwise, for Catholics to take their faith to the voting booth?

Jesus Himself gave us the answer: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." -- Matt. 22:21

But this then raises another question: What is Caesar's and what is God's on Election Day? Election Day is coming up in just a little more than two months now, and it should be giving us, as Catholics, pause for reflection. On this day, when those of us lucky enough to be American citizens of majority age are taught to consider it a civic duty to make our preferences known at the polls, might a possible answer be that in some cases -- like this one, for example -- that which is Caesar's and that which is God's might be one and the same?

Voting, in a very real way, is much like the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is not something done lightly. If done responsibly, it requires reflection, examination of conscience, and many questions. Who am I voting for? What have been his positions in the past? Are those positions reflective of Catholic teachings and Catholic values? Does this candidate support or oppose such things as abortion and euthanasia? Is he one who would preserve the Sacrament of Matrimony, or would he redefine it? Is it better or worse to vote for a non-Catholic whose positions are in line with Catholic teachings, or a nominal Catholic whose positions run contrary to those teachings?

Finally, the big question: Do we check our faith at the door when we enter the polling place? By now, hopefully, the answer is obvious. In Matthew 22, Jesus gives us the prescription on which to base not only our votes, but everything else in life we do: His first and greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Then the second: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If we follow His prescription, and take our faith with us when we cast our votes, we cannot help voting responsibly.

-Contributor Tim-

EWTN Press Release 8/21/10

Do You Know ‘The Biblical Story of the Mass?’
Find Out In EWTN’s Exclusive Fall Series



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – As a Catholic, do you ever wonder why Jesus is referred to as “the lamb of God” or why the “body and blood” of our Lord distributed at communion still look and taste like ordinary bread and wine? If the biblical story of the Mass did not begin at the Last Supper, where did it begin? Answers to these and many more questions will be provided in EWTN’s exclusive new 13-part series, “The Biblical Story of the Mass,” which will air 5 p.m. ET Sundays (with a re-air at 2:30 a.m. ET Fridays), beginning Sept. 5.

If you really want to understand what’s happening at Mass, why the priest and people have distinct liturgical roles, why the Eucharist is the best path to a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Trinity – and a whole lot more -- tune into this challenging new series.

Hosted by EWTN Theologian Tom Nash and Fr. Wade Menezes, this lively, conversational program is partially based on Nash’s book, “Worthy is the Lamb: The Biblical Roots of the Mass,” http://bit.ly/dAqnPu. Nash is also co-author of “Catholic for a Reason III: Scripture and the Mystery of the Mass,” http://bit.ly/bJQXPx. Fr. Wade Menezes is the well-known host of numerous EWTN series, including “The Ten Commandments of Catholic Family Life,” http://bit.ly/aqJzi3, and “Gospel of Life vs. Culture of Death,” http://bit.ly/bPo5wh,

“When St. Paul mentions the Lord’s Supper, most Protestant Christians view the ritual as simply a symbolic meal, which recalls Christ’s redemptive work that they believe began and ended on the Cross,” says Nash. “Wouldn’t you like to be able to defend the Catholic belief with biblical and historical evidence?”

Tune in this fall and learn what really happens on the altar each Sunday!

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website, www.ewtn.com, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.



***Press Release from EWTN***

EWTN Press Release 8/17/10

EWTN To Air Pope’s Historic U.K. Visit Live
Exclusive Interviews, Expert Commentary Available



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of every public event during Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to England and Scotland Sept. 16-19, numerous original productions on the life and works of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be beatified by the Pope during his visit, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.

Coverage will be seen and heard on all nine EWTN Television Networks worldwide, and can be heard in English, Spanish, French and German; on EWTN Radio Network, and at www.ewtn.com through live streaming video. (Find EWTN Television at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder and EWTN Radio at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm or on Sirius Satellite Channel 160.)

Special live coverage will be provided by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, who has covered more papal events than anyone in the industry and who obtained the only English language interview in existence today with the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. (Contact EWTN to arrange an interview.)

“To my mind, this visit to the U.K. is to Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy what Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland was to his,” said “World Over” Host Raymond Arroyo, who will anchor EWTN’s coverage. “Not enough attention is being paid to the historicity of this seismic moment.”

EWTN’s coverage of these events will include exclusive interviews with Deacon John “Jack” Sullivan, who prayed to Newman for healing after watching a series on the saint on EWTN and whose resulting miracle is responsible for Newman’s beatification; Cormack Murphy O’Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster, who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make this papal trip possible; Lord David Alton, a member of Parliament, who will discuss the government’s view of the trip and what Catholics can expect; Westminster’s current Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, and many others!

You’ll also travel to the Birmingham Oratory and the rooms in which Newman lived and worked; Westminster Hall, where St. Thomas More was condemned to death; the Guild Chapel and much more.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in 160 million television households in 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.


**EWTN Press Release from EWTN**

Yes, Faithful People Can Still Be (And Often Are) Intelligent, Too!

From Contributor Doug:

“Jesus said to him {Thomas}, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’” (John: 20, 29.)

A female co-member of a group to which I belong to inevitably winds up sitting at or near me at our annual dinner, ironically around Christmas time. I say ironically because it is during this season of the birth of our Savior that I typically again hear this woman touting how she left the Catholic faith because it insulted her intelligence. I also once remember reading somewhere a nasty quip by another Catholic dissident who claimed she left the faith because the thought Jesus had more answers to her questions than the Pope. I guess the rest of us are just simple minded idiots. Or are we?

My dictionary partially defines "faith" as an “unquestioning” belief in God. I beg to differ with the good Mr. Webster on that summary.

Having accomplished all that she did, Mother Teresa was far from stupid, yet she was certainly faithful. But at the same time, she also experienced and survived a period of grave doubt. Mother Teresa I’m not, but I am faithful, and while hardly a rocket scientist, I don’t consider myself a stupid person either, yet I have had questions, too. Asking questions is natural and even prudent. It’s how we handle those questions that really matters, as per # 26 of the Catechism: "Faith is man's response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life." Thus, the quest is OK, but our path needs to be illuminated to see where we are going. Such is faith.

In his talks telecast on EWTN, Father Corapi addressed this issue at least a couple different times. On one occasion, he cited once being chastised for his traditional beliefs by a moral relavist nun, who sarcastically dismissed him as not being too bright, so he then acquired his numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees and later spoke to that same nun again. The second time, she accused him of being too conservative. In another talk, Father Corapi used the Holy Trinity as an example, admitting that he also cannot fathom how God can be three beings in one, and most if not all of us would also be hard pressed to explain that one. Such is one of God’s many mysteries. Father Corapi simplified the question by simply suggesting that we acknowledge that it is above our ability to explain it, and to thus simply accept it instead.

But isn’t that really the true test of faith? The dictionary also offers the definition of “loyalty.” When we are of average or even higher intelligence, and believe contrary to that which we cannot explain, isn’t that true faith to God, and indeed, “loyalty”? Faith infers belief without seeing proof. And it does not have to be rocket science, nor is it an insult to anyone’s intelligence.

As Catholics, we believe in apostolic succession, Jesus, our High Priest, ordained his apostles, and one of them, Peter, became our first Pope, as so appointed by Jesus. (“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.“ Matthew:16, 18). It is through this same apostolic succession, as well as history, tradition and scripture, that Jesus, and not just the Pope, answers our questions through the (Catholic) Church, the original Christian Church, instituted by Jesus Himself, and then onward through Peter.

As Catholics, we believe that our Church’s teaching our absolute truth. To deny them is heresy. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once noted, “absolute truth” is still “absolute truth,” despite how many, or how few people believe it.

As beings created by God, our intelligence is truly blessing, but it is also finite. What our intelligence cannot explain, faith must.

Perhaps it is these allegedly far more “intelligent” people who are in true need of education, specifically via evangelization. One of the admission requirements to Heaven is humility, but not an I.Q. test, as Jesus said in Luke, 18, 17:” Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Is it little wonder that Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”? (Matthew 5:5.)

Thus if we intend to enter Heaven, our chances are far greater by doing so with the trusting humility of a child, and not by haughtily tossing around 95 cent words, erroneously thinking we are actually impressing someone. And remember, who is often referred to as the gatekeeper to the Pearly Gates? Peter!

I’ve used these quotes before and I continue to do so because they are so beautifully sage, simplistic and applicable: “Humility is the mother of all salvation” (St. Bernard), and “Pray, hope and don’t worry” (St. Padre Pio, my adopted Patron Saint).

Thus my parting advice: Keep the faith! It’s the smart thing to do!

Peace,
Doug

EWTN Press Release 8/11/10

EWTN Global Catholic Network Exclusive:
Vatican Newsmaker, Archbishop Raymond Burke
To Appear Aug. 18 on “EWTN Live”



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Archbishop Raymond L. Burke will make an exclusive television appearance on “EWTN Live” with Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa at 8 p.m. ET, Wed., Aug. 18 to discuss his role as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, which has been called the Vatican’s Supreme Court, and much more.

Before being appointed to the Apostolic Signatura on June 27, 2008, Archbishop Burke served as the Archbishop of St. Louis, Mo., and as Bishop of La Crosse, Wisc. An outspoken champion for the culture of life, Archbishop Burke’s appearance is sure to be a newsmaker.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press Release from EWTN**

The Devil

"The Devil" - Bishop Fulton Sheen

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Part 3



Part 4




What a fantastic teaching on the devil in our world and the salvation brought by Jesus Christ on the Cross.

EWTN Press Release 7/30/10

EWTN’s New Series, ‘The Suffering Church,’ Reveals the Truth About
Catholic/Christian Persecution Around the World – And What You Can Do About It



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Imagine being thrown into a hole in the ground or a metal trailer for months on end – being baked in 120 degree heat -- and later becoming blind after being pulled from this darkness into bright light. Your crime? Reading the Bible. This is just one of many stories of Christian persecution relayed in “The Suffering Church,” a 13-part original series, which will begin airing in September exclusively on EWTN Global Catholic Network.

Most Catholics think religious persecution reached its zenith during the Roman Empire, when Nero set Christians ablaze and used them as torches or fed them to the lions. However, the truth is that more Christians have died for their faith in the 20th Century than in ALL the preceding centuries put together.

Watch “The Suffering Church” to learn the truth about Christian persecution in China, Burma, North Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam/Laos, Iraq, Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt, Eritrea/Ethiopia, India, and Sri Lanka – and, most importantly, what you can do to help. This series is part of EWTN’s continuing commitment to shining the light on Catholic social justice concerns around the world.

The series is hosted by Lord David Alton, a member of the British Parliament, who launched “Jubilee Campaign UK” in 1987. That campaign has resulted in more than 150 members of Parliament “adopting” cases of religious discrimination around the world.

Lord Alton’s guests, who have dedicated their lives to intervening in such cases, include Ann Buwalda, an immigration attorney in Northern Virginia who founded the U.S. branch of the Jubilee Campaign in the early 90s, and top figures from Aid to the Church in Need, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights, American Center for Law & Justice, and many, many more.

Lord Alton also talks with natives such as Rev. John Chol Daau, a former “lost boy” and founder of the first Christian newspaper in Sudan, Professor Habtu Ghebre-Ab, President and Founder of “In Chains for Christ,” Bob Fu, President of the China Aid Association, and many others.

Viewers will also meet U.S. Congressmen concerned about the problem, who will talk about the places they have visited and what they’ve been able to do to put pressure on various governments.

The pain and suffering revealed in this series are almost unimaginable to Westerners. In Burma, a democratically-elected leader is imprisoned simply because she was freely elected by the people; in China, the bishop of Shanghai spent 30 years in Chinese prisons just for being Catholic; in Pakistan, “blasphemy laws” are often used by Muslims to justify violent and murderous acts of intolerance; in Sudan, non-Muslims are beaten, jailed, kidnapped and killed for meeting with people interested in coming to Christ; in Iraq, Christians are persecuted in the hopes of getting them to emigrate, but in Eritrea in Africa, Christians who are brutally treated are not allowed to leave.

These are just a few of the facts you will learn in this must-see series.

If you care about your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, and want to help them, you will not want to miss, “The Suffering Church,” airing in September, exclusively on EWTN. Dates and times will be posted at www.ewtn.com by the end of August. For channel information, please go to www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Media: Please go to www.ewtn.com/media/SufferingChurch for dramatic, high-resolution photos.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 150 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website, www.ewtn.com, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

EWTN Press Release 7/28/10

EWTN to Air Episcopal Ordination of
The Very Rev. David O’Connell
As Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton, N.J.



Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will air the Episcopal ordination of the Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., as Coadjutor bishop of Trenton, N.J. The two-and-a-half-hour event will air live from St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton, N.J., beginning at 2 p.m. ET, Fri., July 30.

EWTN will carry the event in English in the U.S. and Canada and EWTN Español will carry the event in Spanish in the U.S. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder or watch the event streaming live on our website at www.ewtn.com.

The event can also be heard at 9 p.m. ET, Fri., July 30 on the EWTN Radio Network’s AM & FM radio affiliates as well as on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 160. Find our radio affiliates at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.

**Press Release from EWTN**

"Other People Are Worse Sinners Than Me!"

Post by Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor: Doug


Have you ever heard, or perhaps even argued this dusty and worn out proclamation, “Other people are worse sinners than me!”? Ironically, whoever says it is right. We are all sinners, yet some are worse or better in resisting sin than others. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle to varying degrees. What is (possibly) wrong, however, is the inference drawn from that statement, that “Others are worse so I’m going to Heaven some day and they aren’t!“ Such “logic” is beyond naiveté; it’s a trap, and with potentially serious and eternal consequences, above and beyond the fact that we are supposed to judge acts, and not people.

Consider Jesus’s words in Luke: 13, 1-5:”There were some present at that very time who told Him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered them, ‘Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo’am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” ( Emphasis added.)

Most of us aren’t serial killers, or even necessarily bad people, but we are all sinners, and sin is an equal opportunity killer. It does not discriminate. It welcomes all. Grave or mortal sin in particular, even if committed only once, can cause our eternal doom, right along with the gruesome and repugnant serial killer you saw on the 6pm news.

A mortal sin is basically a violation of the 10 Commandments. On it’s web site, the National Catholic Register (www.ncregister.com) has a “Resources” link to a confession guide, for children and adults. When you see this guide, you realize that the range of each of the 10 Commandments by definition is broader than we typically assume. For example, abusing alcohol or drugs falls under the 5th Commandment of “thou shalt not kill,” because of the harm they cause to our bodies. Masturbation, the use of contraception, or even lustful thoughts violate the 6th Commandment of “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and regardless if the sinner is single or married because such practices abuse the intent of our bodies (actually, “temples”) or denigrates the dignity of someone else’s body.

Last but not least, 1857 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that three conditions must first be present for a sin to be considered “mortal,” or “grave”: 1.) The object of the sin itself must be grave matter. 2.) The sin must be committed with full knowledge. 3.) The sin must be committed with deliberate consent.

It is noteworthy, however, that 1735 of the Catechism lists the exceptions for imputability and responsibility of actions which can be “diminished or “even nullified“: “ignorance, inadvertence, duress, fear, habit, inordinate attachments, and other psychological or social factors.”

I learned long ago to ideally never offer a dissenting opinion without an alternative or helpful suggestion, and Jesus has already supplied such an escape from eternal damnation for us: the Sacrament of Reconciliation, A.K.A.: “Confession.”

Consider the following passages from the book “The Life Of Faustina Kowalska,” the authorized biography of the now canonized Patroness of Divine Mercy, written by Sister Sophia Michalenko, in which Jesus told the following instructions to then Sister Faustina:

“Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of Mercy are burning Me-clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out on these souls. Distrust on the part of souls is tearing at My insides,. The distrust of a chosen soul causes Me even greater pain; despite my inexhaustible love for them they do not trust Me. Even My death is not enough for them. Woe to the soul that abuses these [gifts].” (Page 45)

“I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in my fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all will be drowned in the immeasurable depths of My mercy.” (Page 172)

-“The flames of mercy are burning Me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!”
-“At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it.”
-“Write this: Everything that exists is enclosed in the depths of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother’s womb. How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound me most painfully.”
(Page 175)

"{Let} the greatest sinners {place} their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in My bottomless mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy toward tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: Before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice…” (Emphasis added) (Page 180)

Notice how Jesus discerns the terms “justice” and “mercy.” As I once heard a priest wryly explain in a Homily, “Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is getting what we don’t deserve!”
And where do we attain that mercy?

“Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [The Sacrament Of Reconciliation].” (Page 214)

Jesus also admonished that we should recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet (done on Rosary Beads) daily and that great graces will be granted to even the most hardened sinner, if he recites the Chaplet even once, and likewise if it is read in the presence of, and on behalf of a dying person. Both Jesus and The Blessed Mother in their appearances to Saint Faustina also emphasized three Christian virtues: humility, love and purity. Without the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which grants as much healing and Grace as it does forgiveness, we cannot realistically hope to attain such Mercy.

That is where the humility comes in, as Saint Bernard once sagely noted, “Humility is the mother of all salvation.” Purity is important, because as our Blessed Mother has said, sexual sin is so common that many souls drop like “snowflakes” into Hell. As for love, for God and for each other, it is the most vital virtue because by definition, any sin violates love, as so noted in 1 Corinthians, 13, 13: “So faith, hope, love abide these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

So while some may be worse sinners than us, the wages of sin are indeed potentially death for any sinner who does not seek mercy through repentance and reconciliation. Even venial, or lesser sin, weakens us and makes us more prone to commit more serious sin. And to that aim, we must always be on guard, as Jesus warned us in Luke: 12, 35-41: “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You must also be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

Given our human frailty, actually caused by original sin, this all can seem overwhelming, which is why we need to be mindful that each of us is a work in progress, and that is why Scripture is so plentiful with words of encouragement, advising us not to be afraid, because God is merciful, patient and loving, so long as we are faithful and diligent, in spite of our seemingly endless failures, and trusting in His Son, Jesus as our Savior. Saint Padre Pio, a man of reputed good cheer, put it thus succinctly, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Saint Augustine gave us yet even more perspective, and hope: “God does not impose impossible things, but by giving His command, He admonishes you to do what you can and pray for what you cannot do (yet).”

From this fellow sinner, I wish you God’s loving peace, and above all, His mercy.

Doug
　

EWTN Press Release: Celebrate Mother Angelica's Life & Legacy

Celebrate Mother Angelica’s Life & Legacy at

EWTN’s 2010 Family Celebration in Canton, Ohio



Meet Raymond Arroyo, Marcus Grodi,

Dr. Ray Guarendi, Mother Assumpta Long, & More!

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will host its 2010 Family Celebration Oct. 9-10 at the Canton Civic and Cultural Center in Canton, Ohio – Mother Angelica’s hometown.

Come enjoy a roster of well-loved speakers, including EWTN’s “World Over” Anchor (and Mother Angelica’s best-selling biographer) Raymond Arroyo; “Journey Home” Host Marcus Grodi; Dr. Ray Guarendi, host of EWTN Radio Network’s “The Doctor Is In,” and Mother Assumpta Long of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, whose order hosts the EWTN children’s catechetical series, “Truth in the Heart.” “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck will emcee the event.

As a special bonus, those attending on Saturday night will have the opportunity to participate in a special live show celebrating Mother Angelica’s life and legacy, which will feature all our speakers as well as select members of the audience!

EWTN President &CEO Michael P. Warsaw, Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Father Anthony and Father Joseph Mary Wolfe will also be on hand for the always popular “Family Talk.”

In addition, children will be entertained by “Roamin Catholic” Host Rob Wahl and his sidekick, Pete the Penguin, as well as Brother Leo of “Hey Brother Leo” fame. All will appear at the “EWTN Faith Factory” booth throughout the weekend.

“Older kids” can browse the EWTN Religious Catalogue shop, line up to “Meet the Author,’ and maybe even get a signed copy of Arroyo’s new book, “The Prayers & Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica.” Can’t wait? Order the book now from EWTN Religious Catalogue at http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com and bring it to the signing.

Doors will open at 8 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities for confession as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a day no fan of EWTN will want to miss – and, best of all, it’s free!

For more information, please visit: http://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration/

We also invite you to tell you friends about this event on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more – and to tweet about this event using the hashtag #EWTN.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

*Press Release issued from EWTN to Connecticut Catholic Corner*

EWTN Press Releases

Exclusive: EWTN Airs Divine Mercy Mass Live

From Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Mass.

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – More than 15,000 pilgrims will descend on the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass. April 11 for the Feast of Divine Mercy – and only EWTN Global Catholic Network will be there to broadcast the Solemn Liturgy as well as an educational and inspiring Divine Mercy Preview Show.

The Divine Mercy Mass airs live at 1 p.m. ET, Sun., April 11, with an encore at 9 p.m. ET. The Mass will be celebrated by Springfield, Mass. Bishop Timothy McDonnell, with a homily by Father Dan Cambra, MIC, provincial superior of the Marians in the U.S.

The Marians are the authentic promoters of the Divine Mercy devotion, which was given to mankind through the Apostle of Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, and which was championed by the late Pope John Paul II.

The liturgy will be preceded at noon ET by a one-hour “Divine Mercy Preview Show,” where you can learn all about the Divine Mercy devotion. As Our Lord told St. Faustina: “The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy” (Diary 699).

The festivities will air on both EWTN Television and Radio Networks. To find EWTN Television in your area, please go to www.ewtn.com/channelfinder. To find an EWTN Radio affiliate in your area, go to http://bit.ly/5zLbJk. To find out how to get EWTN on satellite radio, click on http://bit.ly/8YhGKK.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.




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Mother Angelica and Biographer Raymond Arroyo

Make Bestseller List for Fourth Time


Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN Global Catholic Network, and Raymond Arroyo, her biographer and editor, have just landed on the New York Times bestseller list for the fourth time.

“We are extremely pleased that Mother’s life and work has been preserved and, in some cases, found a new audience through the creation of these bestselling books,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw.

In their latest collaboration, “The Prayers and Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica,” readers will find a prayer journal composed during Mother’s personal “dark night of the soul,” handwritten meditations offered to her sisters, devotions and petitions from her early religious life, and – just in time for Holy Week -- two moving versions of the Stations of the Cross composed for her community. (The book is available at http://bit.ly/decslG.)

In writing Mother’s biography, Arroyo discovered the wealth of material available in the archives at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. He described his motivation for gathering the material in his most recent bestseller to Father Mitch Pacwa on a recent episode of “EWTN Live.”

”Though I had seen other bits and pieces of Mother’s written works, the little mini-books and other things, there was nothing that I thought communicated her essence in that voice that is so Mother’s,” he said. “In listening to these audio lessons, it, to me, really preserved and captured her voice.”

The duo’s other bestselling books are “Mother Angelica’s Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures, “Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality” and “Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles.” All are available at http://bit.ly/bKX2z6.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 150 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.


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EWTN Launches News Service

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network has entered into an agreement with Catholic News Agency to share news and resources from around the world to Catholics and those interested in the Catholic faith, Catholic news and Catholic perspectives.

To showcase this expanded news service, EWTN has launched a new website, www.ewtnnews.com.

“EWTN is proud of the many ways it continues to provide news to Catholics around the world,” said EWTN Executive Vice President Doug Keck. “Our news outreach already includes exclusive television programs such as ‘The World Over’ with EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo and radio’s ‘Vatican Insider’ with Rome Bureau Chief Joan Lewis, plus daily television and radio “news links,” and now we’ve added a full –blown Internet news service.”

Alejandro Bermúdez, who serves as CNA’s editor-in-chief, said that this new agreement is a major expansion of a partnership that began years ago.

“The agreement gives each organization an avenue to use its strengths to provide high quality, accurate reporting on matters of interest to the Catholic community and beyond,” he said.

EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw noted that EWTN launched its online service in 1996, making it a pioneer in the use of the worldwide web to deliver Catholic News and information. He encouraged viewers to log onto the new website and enjoy its greatly expanded content.

“This new project with CNA continues our history of using every means of technology to share the faith with people around the globe,” he said. “I believe this is an important step forward for EWTN, CNA and for the delivery of Catholic news around the globe.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 29th year, is available in over 150 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website, www.ewtn.com, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

***Press releases from EWTN***

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