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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Middletown's St. John Church Launches Online Christmas Shop


St. John Church has launched an online Christmas shop featuring gifts, Christmas ornaments and Christmas cards with images from it's antique Tyrolean stained glass windows and some of it's artworks. Our windows were made by the Tyrol Art Glass Company in Innsbruck, Austria and installed around 1903. The only other church in the USA with these windows is St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Savanaah, Georgia. We also feature a Haskel and Allen lithograph image of our church from the late 1800's. St. John Catholic Church is the oldest church in the Norwich Diocese blessed with many sacred art images. This online store is a first step in sharing these sacred images outside our church and as a way to make the Advent season a bit more special and personal.

The link to this online store can be found on our homepage at www.SaintJohnChurchMiddletown.com
, or you can follow a direct link at: www.cafepress.com/angelsglory. All proceeds go directly to our church.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving America!


Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
October 3, 1863
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
-President Abraham Lincoln

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And for me and my house, it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the Peanuts gang gathered around the ping pong table. :o)


2009 Calendar of Indulgences Review


I've got another Catholic book review for The Catholic Company. I have been enjoying the "Beauty of Grace: 2009 Calendar of Indulgences" for over a week now. There is so much information and beautiful photography included in this calendar that I can't help but think it will make a GREAT Christmas gift for fellow Catholics on my shopping list this year, and it's only $12.95- can't beat that, especially in this economy.
I have to mention one of my favorite photo's in the calendar. There is photo for December 2009 of the inside of Sacred Heart Church in Peoria, Illinois that is breathtaking. Along side that current photo is an inset with a "before" photo of the church prior to its being renovated. Now the church was nice before the renovation, but after...stunning. That is the best word to describe this beautiful church. I'd love to visit it one day. What a stunning church, it truly is breathtaking and I couldn't take my eyes off it. All the artwork and photography in the calendar comes from Murals by Jericho - great job!
Besides the information and photography the calendar is color coded for quick easy viewing. Holy Days of Obligation are blue and Indulgence Days are red. Each month lists the saint days, Holy Days, Indulgence Days along with secular holidays. At the bottom of each month there are fact areas- that give historical facts, quotes by the Church Fathers and saints, prayers and scripture quotes and more. This honestly, is probably the best Catholic calendar I've ever had and one I recommend.
This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Beauty of Grace Calendar of Indulgences 2009 Wall Calendar.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Catholic Awareness Day in Hartford


The Connecticut Catholic Conference is holding a Catholic Awareness Day in Hartford at the State Capitol on February 9, 2009 . This is a day to learn the Catholic viewpoint on important public issues facing our State, learn how the legislative process works, and how to communicate with your State legislators. You are urged to make appointments with your State legislators on this day to discuss issues of concern to you. The Bishops of Connecticut will also be making statements on important public policy issues.


Each parish is being encouraged to send a group of parishioners. Please see your pastor if you are interested in attending and try to get a group from your parish to attend.


CATHOLIC AWARENESS DAY


Monday February 9, 2009

9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sponsored by
The Connecticut Catholic Conference


Monday, November 24, 2008

A Day of Thanksgiving

This is a short film on Thanksgiving and what it really means. Is it all about the turkey or what we as Americans have to be truly thankful for?



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Friday, November 21, 2008

"Twilight" Movie Review


I just got back from seeing the movie "Twilight" and like I promised in the comments under my book review on "Twilight" ( Connecticut Catholic Corner: Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" Series Book Review ) that I would do a review of this long awaited for movie here it is. If you don't want to know what happens, then don't read my review. First to reiterate, I did not dislike the books, I only felt the books were not appropriate for children under 17 and I strongly suggested parents read the book series first before giving it to their children. Aside from that, I believe the books were well written and entertaining if you like fantasy romance. I certainly wanted to know what happened next and how it was all going to work out, so it was a page turner for me. On more than one occasion while reading the entire series, I would look at the clock and say to myself "Just ten more minutes, then I'll go to sleep" only to find that I had read for two more hours instead. (There. That's for all of you who wrote to me saying I didn't say anything good about the books in my review.) :o)
Now, back to the movie...sigh. I don't know when I have been more disappointed in a movie after reading a book than in "Twilight". Some words that popped into my mind while watching the movie: lame...let down...disappointing...crying shame...moronic. Now it's probably not what you are expecting me to gripe about- butchering the story. Usually, we all hate when "a good thing" is messed with. And the basic story of Bella and Edward falling in love and finding a way to beat the odds against them is a good fantasy romance story full of twists and turns to keep you interested. You won't find any of that in the movie. None. Zilch. Nada. We have to expect the book to be butchered to fit a year long story into less than two hours- that's a given. I was OK with that because I was expecting it. What I can't get over...what I am shocked by...is the horrible and I mean HORRIBLE dialog and acting. I was laughing when I shouldn't have been, and so were many others in the theater at the dialog and camera shots. What they did to the character of Edward was...shameful. The director totally missed the mark on this and so did the writers. I am surprised Stephanie Meyer, the book series author, gave her approval to this movie. What was she thinking? I can't tell you how many times I cringed watching this movie.
I have no doubt that many will go see "Twilight", because they love the book, but I also believe they will be hugely disappointed. The biggest and most profound impression that I could NOT shake while watching this entire movie was that these two actors (Kristen Stewart who plays "Bella" and Robert Pattinson who plays "Edward") just could not stand each other. They had no on scene chemistry and I don't mean sexual, I mean working chemistry. They didn't...'fit' with each other at all. They didn't play off each other. I never saw "Bella or Edward" in the film, I saw Kristen and Robert. They never brought out Bella or Edward. The tension and inevitable love found in the book between the characters is devoid in the movie completely. I have liked Pattinson since his role as Cedric in "Harry Potter" and I think he's a good actor. I don't know what happened on this film, he was awful. I have to blame the writers and director because I know the guy can act. His best shot in the movie was standing near Bella's truck pulling out a dent with his super vampire strength and asking her if she'd go meet his vampire family. That was his most believable performance in the movie. It seemed natural and right compared to the rest.
This was supposed to be the beginning of some great true love story and watching the movie I could not even get the impression that Bella and Edward liked each other on any level. There was nothing there. It wasn't just flat performances, it was cold and boring and sometimes almost painful to watch. I've seen better acting on "Sesame Street" than in "Twilight".
The best (if anyone could be called 'best') actor in the entire film was Cam Gigandet who plays "James" the 'bad' vampire who tracks down Bella to kill her. He was believable and gave off the only emotion you could feel in the entire film. The Cullen family, whom Twilight fans have fallen in love with, were portrayed more like zombies than vampires. Their charm and struggle to live among humans was not portrayed on any level. The Cullen family scenes were like a rotten version of "Stepford Wives" or "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". I was wondering where the pods were.
There were only two scenes that I found any enjoyment in at all. The first was Edward driving the Volvo (reverse tail spin was flawless-good stunt driver and nice scene) as he has just rescued Bella from a scary situation with some thugs- it lasted all of ten seconds but it was a good shot. The other was the baseball scene. I have no complaints about that scene at all, good scenery, good music and the characters actually carried it off for the first and only time in the movie. That's the best I can say about "Twilight" the movie.
Should they continue with more "Twilight" movies for each of the books, then I strongly suggest Catherine Hardwicke the director and all the writers should be fired. They destroyed a story that has become well loved among our teens. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best I'd be hard pressed to give "Twilight" any more than a 2 rating.
It's really sad when the highlight of going to a movie is seeing previews for other up and coming movies.
As for the PG-13 rating...other than vampires growling and tossing each other around I don't know why it got a "13" tacked on it. I don't recall a single swear in the entire movie. There was one kiss scene but nothing you wouldn't see in regular TV commercials at home. Bella does get a leg wound after being tossed by James the bad vampire and a bite mark on her wrist (he is a vampire after all), but nothing gruesome, she holds up a hand with some blood on it, though her yelling in pain-I suppose someone thought was upsetting, I thought the acting was so bad it was nearly laughable if it wasn't so painful to watch.
This is the biggest movie disappointment I have had in over a decade at least and it wasn't from changing a book story, it was everything else. Now I think I will reread the books just to wipe the movie from my mind and leave it with the story and characters as Meyer created them.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

How To Discern The Absolute Truth In Judging Right Vs. Wrong

Contributor Doug writes: The sage old adage succinctly reminds us, “Actions speak louder than words.” How true. I watched an interesting documentary on TV last night about reading body language, specifically, facial expressions. In the 3,000 known types of facial expressions, trained analysts can detect “hot spots” which do not necessarily indicate lying, but do tell the analyst to keep studying the subject of observation to see a possible pattern that would indicate lying. To paraphrase one analyst who simply but wisely noted, “When trying to find the truth from a facial expression or the spoken word, always go with the facial expression.”

Of course, there are always two sides to every argument. But like with facial expressions, follow the actions over the words. Don’t trust what politicians tell you, and don’t even look at their record a year or two before the election, but look at their record farther back to see their true beliefs and stances. I wish such was not the case, but sadly, it usually is nowadays.

Violence vs. peace is a no-brainer. In the 60’s blacks and the whites who supported them peacefully protested to attain their duly deserved civil rights and equality, such as in public accommodations, transportation, education, and last but not least, at the polls on Election Day. For their peaceful efforts, they were savagely beaten, knocked down with fire hoses and had dogs set on them. Churches were burned and some blacks terrorized and even murdered. Who do you suppose was right and wrong in that argument?

The Minutemen is a civilian based organization that simply observes illegal border crossings into the US and notifies the US Border Patrol. It is really just a large block watch organization. Minutemen are allowed to be armed, but only for their own personal self defense. They have no arrest powers, any more than the right to citizen’s arrest that we all have, and they are sternly instructed to not even approach or interact with invading illegal immigrants. Their only duty and authority is to observe and report. The Minutemen have received countless death threats and vile hate mail for their efforts. And yet these Minutemen have also been credited with saving countless lives by rendering and summoning emergency medical assistance to illegal immigrants found in the desert severely ill, injured, unconscious, or suffering from severe dehydration, starvation, and heat exhaustion. In many cases, Minutemen saved the lives of these law-breaking individuals. There are countless reasons, both for the sake of our own nation, as well as the sake of other, law-abiding immigrants who are trying to enter our country the proper way, that our borders and immigration laws should be enforced. But that would take a whole other essay to even begin to delve into all that subject matter. For now, suffice to say that Romans, Chapter 13 admonishes us that God put our government in place, and as such, the government’s laws must be obeyed. But I ask you, your own personal views on this controversial subject aside, who are the real bad guys, the ones (presumably illegal immigrants and/or those who support them) making death threats and sending vile hate mail, or the ones who only call law enforcement officials when they see a federal crime being committed, and only physically intervene when the violator is in dire need of lifesaving food, water, shelter, and medical aid?

Connecticut’s preeminent pro-life/pro-family organization, the Family Institute of Connecticut (FIC), has also received vulgar, vitriolic hate mail and threats because of its strong and ardent stance against those who endanger the sanctity of life, traditional marriage (defined as between one man and one woman), and the family in general. A quick perusal of FIC’s blog during controversial discussions will often display the anger and vitriol from some members of gay advocacy. FIC’s response: numerous peaceful and even prayerful protests in various public areas, usually at or near the State Capitol in Hartford. Having now been placated by unconstitutional judicial activism in this state, Connecticut gays are not only peaceful; they’re down right joyous. And why shouldn’t they? They won, even if unconstitutionally so by a biased court that usurped the rights of the electorate in a matter that should have been decided by legislation, or better yet, referendum if we can ever some day get to have one. And why we can’t now is another long story. Look, however, 3,000 miles to our west and see the violence, rioting, chaos and anarchy now going on in California by gays and gay activists. Churches are being raided during services, one elderly peaceful protester was viciously and physically attacked and had a crucifix knocked out of her hand. By the way, this tactic for gays is nothing new. In the early 70’s they also raided the convention of the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco, and eventually literally bullied the cowering and politically correct APA into capitulating and removing homosexuality as a mental disorder from its clinical texts in rushed, hushed hearings, and despite protest of many of its own professional members in 1973, ironically, the same pivotal and abhorrent year that gave us Roe vs. Wade. Again, your own personal views on this controversial subject aside also, who do you suppose are the good guys and bad guys in this argument?

A witty friend of mine at work once quipped, “Have you ever noticed that in an argument in which two people are both yelling and screaming at each other, you can’t tell which one is the (expletive deleted)?” True enough, but when we observe lions mixing it up with lambs, the real picture is much clearer.

I saw one particularly disgusting, although not at all uncommon photo in my morning newspaper today. It was a (presumably) a gay male protester in California, dressed in “drag” (as a woman), and displaying a of sign blathering on about civil rights for gays, saying “Civil rights for all.” They just don’t get it. And most of them won’t.

Again, just peruse FIC’s blog and see the defiant, belligerent, hateful and enraged posts that come from gays and their proponents whenever the issue of religion is ever even inferred. Much like when Dracula sees a crucifix, it simply makes them go “batty”! (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that one!) The fact is that many, if not most gays are either non-religious, or worse yet, despise religion, especially if it interferes with their gay agenda. Thus, those who so bristle at faith can never truly understand the genuine definition of “civil rights.” What blacks protested and bled for in the 60’s were legitimate civil rights. Gays have no civil right to marry each other or to engage in gay sexual conduct. And by the way, the flawed law of Roe vs. Wade aside, mothers, contrary to popular but erroneous secular belief, have no so-called “reproductive rights” or “right to choose” when it involves killing their baby in the womb, and for that matter, now in the era of Obama, outside of the womb, an atrocity I thought I would never see in my lifetime, and in my beloved country.

Government does not give anyone civil rights. Free and just governments only articulate and hopefully defend civil rights. Civil rights are given to each person by God. When I was a kid and protested about this or that, my father, the benevolent dictator that he was, didn’t want to hear it, and always gave the same reply, “My house, my rules.” True enough. He or she who pays the bills, including the rent or mortgage, gets to dictate the rules. Likewise, He (God) who creates the people gets to decide what rights they shall and shall not have. For all the hot air about separation of Church and State (another often misused concept that I currently don’t have time or space to expound upon), our country and our government were also formed by God, as recognized by our founding (human) fathers in our Declaration of Independence. So like it or not, our country is steeped in God, as are our civil rights and those who cannot or will not first accept God as He is cannot and will not be able or willing to grasp the next concept in that logical sequence.

Once we recognize that God is the root of our civil rights, only then can we grasp that He wishes us to be treated equal in most aspects of our lives, such as in restaurants, on buses, in schools and in the voting booth. But He does not want us to abuse and profane His wonderful, loving and sacred gift of sexual pleasure, intended only as a means of procreation and as an act of expressing love, by engaging in it outside of the bounds of the sacrament of marriage. He also does not wish us to engage in homosexual behavior, or defile marriage by entering in what only secularists accept as same sex marriage. He also angrily detests infanticide, and I offer no apology for my intentional and unabashed absence of a soft, deceptive, flowery, trendy euphemism. It is what it is, and I refuse to sugarcoat what it truly is like some others do. Enough of that double-talking, politically correct nonsense. We need more truth, and as a culture and society, we are literally dying because of our abandonment of truth.

Speaking of absolute truth, Archbishop Fulton Sheen once keenly observed that truth is still the truth, regardless if everyone believes it, only some people believe it, or nobody believes it. God’s word is absolute truth, a concept difficult to fathom for many people in our secularist world, which increasingly embraces a moral relativist viewpoint, conveniently molded to the whims and desires of each person who engages in such shallow and fallacious introspection. We even have certain churches that also encourage such baseless and feel-good moral relativism. On the crowded highway to Perdition, these stray clergy members will be rightly positioned in the very front of the traffic jam, and the very first ones to feel the heat and smell the sulfur for the countless souls they are leading to unnecessary destruction. Gays have no civil rights to act gay or to engage in so-called same sex marriage. Some, if not all gays never chose to be gay, and they very legitimately need our sympathy, understanding and most of all, our prayers for their unsolicited suffering. We must also always bear in mind that we are called to hate the sin, but love the sinner. Gays are called to be celibate, and as each of us has our own individual crosses to bear and to offer up to God as His Son suffered and languished on the cross for us, so must gays also bear and offer this cross to God. That is an absolute truth. There simply is no getting around that. The commonly used analogy that compares the civil rights struggle of blacks in the 60’s to the so-called civil rights struggle of gays today is abjectly false and utterly absurd. The two causes have nothing at all in common, and in fact, are as worlds apart as are Heaven and Hell. One struggle was of a true moral virtue, and the other is a grave and intrinsic evil.

In another photo in my morning newspaper today, I saw a five year-old little girl napping on the ground during a California gay protest. Next to this adorable and purely innocent little child, someone placed a sign in front of her saying, “Mommy & Mama, Please make the scary bigots go away!” Such an opportunistic manipulation of a child is a serous sin that enrages God (“…but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” Matthew 18: 6), and just one minor example of how gays corrupt children, as gay propaganda and subtle indoctrination in some public schools has already been foisted upon vulnerable and impressionable children as young as the one depicted in the news photo. Also, notice the commonly used tactic of gay protesters, the manipulation of innocuous emotions, words and phrases, twisted around to falsely focus guilt on the innocent and away from the truly guilty. Thus, dissenters of the gay agenda are “homophobes,” “bigots,” and in some cases even worse. This is an evil but cunning strategy. For someone weak in faith and/or fact, he or she could be easily duped to believe the intentionally deceptive and false illusion that the dissenters of the gay agenda are the bad guys, after all, what decent person would ever agree with someone with such an ugly label as a “homophobe” or a “bigot”? Father John Corapi of EWTN, an Army veteran himself, often says that Satan is a masterful tactician. Indeed, and so are his followers, who are clever and dangerous wolves in sheep’s clothing. As Jesus taught us, only good trees will bear good fruit, and the rest of the trees will be burned in the fire. Our Blessed Mother at Fatima strongly urged us to pray and do penance to avoid the needless wrath of God and subsequent destruction that we now seem to be inevitably and cavalierly bringing upon ourselves, and in the belief of many, including yours truly, much sooner rather than much later.

There is absolute truth, and popularity and agreement don’t even enter the equation. Another sage, succinct and common phrase tells us “Talk is cheap.” Often, it is. In the old western movies, good guys and bad guys were readily detectable by the unwritten but generally understood rule of who wore the white hats and who wore the black hats, even before the shoot-out scenes commenced. But in our real and modern day life, where hats are now, in most regions, an obsolete fashion, their color-coded messages are also no longer necessary. Don’t necessarily ignore the talk (except for maybe of most of our modern day politicians), but don’t solely rely on it either, kind of like what President Reagan recommended in our foreign policy with the then Soviet Union, “Trust, but verify.” Trust the words, but only when you can verify them with actions. Such analysis will be helpful in separating the chaff from the wheat, fact from fiction, wolves from sheep, and in the end, the discernment of absolute truth, which is the only true measure by which we can define and detect good and evil, and thus accordingly know for which causes to support and to oppose.

And as another absolute truth bluntly teaches us, in the end, there is either Heaven or Hell for all of us.

(Recommended reading: Matthew 5: 13-17, 7: 15-21, and 12: 33-38.)

-Doug-

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

CT vs CA: Gay marriage & ban on gay marriage reactions


Today gay "marriage" becomes officially legal in Connecticut, making Connecticut the second state to make gay marriage legal (since CA voters tossed it out of their state). We, the people, weren't asked our opinion. In Connecticut the courts have decided this (by a very slim 4/3 decision) issue for the people, in California the people decided and said loud and clear "No way!" to gay marriage for the second time (this came up several years ago and the voters said "no way" then too). The biggest difference we see from both sides of this issue is the reaction from the outcome of these events in Connecticut and California. Here in Connecticut those upset with the court ruling have peacefully vowed to not give up the pursuit of their cause in banning gay marriage in this state. There are no riots, no pro-traditional marriage groups spitting on people or assaulting them here in Connecticut. Now lets look at California and see how the hostile mob, upset with the outcome of the election and vote on Proposition 8 are reacting.



There have been riots, spitting, shouting, swerving cars at crowds of people including children standing on curbs (see the link below to more on that story) and threats coming from gay marriage supporters. The little old lady, Phyllis Burgess, in the video had her cross ripped out of her hands and stomped into the ground, while gay marriage supporters spit on her and screamed in her face "GO HOME!". The news reporter Kimberly Chang (who if you listen closely tells one protester she feels she is being attacked by the angry mob), with Phyllis Burgess tried desperately repeated times to talk to her and do a news report but the gay marriage mob became so threatening and nasty she couldn't even talk to the elderly lady. Reporter Kimberly Chang asks Phyllis Burgess if she is ok or not, but the crowd is screaming so much you can't hear the elderly woman's response. What I find astounding in the news clip, is that at the very end, the news host says there is "a lot of hate on both sides". What?? What "hate" was the little old lady demonstrating by walking with a cross on a public sidewalk? There was nothing hateful about "both sides", only ONE side demonstrated their hatred and intolerance and bully tactics. One side was so hateful they assaulted and bullied a little old lady walking with a cross to voice her opinion. They also bullied the news reporter and refused to allow her to do her job and interview Phyllis Burgess. Apparently only gay marriage supporters are allowed to voice their opinion on public streets in California without the risk of assault and harassment.
So where's all the "tolerance" this crowd was preaching about prior to the election? They (gay marriage supporters) said before the election to "let the people decide" and now that the people have decided they want to yank that away from them and void out the voters voice in the election. They only want "tolerance" when it's for them and their views. The moment you voice an opposing view you are attacked verbally and in some cases physically assaulted. I heard this morning on FOX News that Phyllis Burgess is seeking to press assault charges on those in the video to shoved her, spit on her and destroyed her cross. Good for you Ms. Burgess!

Here's a few quotes from Catholic News Agency reporting on other acts of violence and harassment from gay marriage supporters (link to article below).

"While both supporters and opponents of the measure honked their horns, he [Paul Bishop]wrote, “the way to tell the difference is the No On 8 supporters usually accompanied their horn honking with an obscene gesture or a string of obscenities. They also liked to swerve their cars toward the children on the curb.”

“The late local news showed scenes of several Hispanic females in tears outside the temple trying to remove the signs desecrating the walls and fences surrounding the temple. As these individuals – who according to a temple spokesperson were not church members – removed the hate-filled signs, the mob exploded and began beating the individuals to the ground,” Bishop wrote in Meridian. “Police intervened and arrests were made, but the fact this was allowed to happen at all was appalling.”

Link to source & full report: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14295

Sunday, November 9, 2008

A Word Of Post-Election Cheer And Comfort For My Discouraged Fellow Pro-Life Catholics

Contributor Doug writes: For pro-life Catholics, presumably and hopefully, the ones who did not vote for Barack Obama and the many pro-abortion state and federal legislators who won on Election Day, these coming days are understandably blue, but take heart.

In a homily of a different subject, my pastor summed it up best a few weeks ago when he admonished us that whether wheat or weeds grow, is not our concern. Our calling is simply to sow the seed.

President John Quincy Adams put it another way, “Duty is ours; results are God’s.”

Remember too, that God’s plan is not always revealed to us, but it is always for the greater good, despite how it may appear to us otherwise. As the sage quip goes, “If you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans.”

We are nevertheless not relieved from our duties of perseverance and faith. Even from evil, good flourishes to give glory to God.

Whatever we did to promote the greater good and God’s will, whether by prayer, fasting, sacrifice, penance, voting with an informed conscience, etc.., we did our duty. Rest assured that God is pleased with what we did. We are off the hook for the results. Take comfort in our Lord’s words in Matthew; Chapter 11, verses 28, 29, 30: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” In our modern day vernacular: Don’t sweat the small stuff; God will do all the heavy lifting.

Also, take “serenity” in the Serenity Prayer: “Lord, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

In one of his final speeches as President, Richard Nixon poignantly noted that we cannot truly appreciate the mountaintops until we have been in some of the valleys.

Also remember that despair is one of the favorite tools of the devil by which he strikes at us when we are most vulnerable and tries to separate us from God. As EWTN’s Father Corapi, himself an Army veteran once said, (paraphrasing) “The Devil is a masterful tactician.” Don’t let him win you over! Be strong! Fight back! Pray! There is no shame in getting knocked down; only in not getting back up again.

The purpose of life is to be holy by serving and loving God and each other. It’s all one big, test. There is no second place in this contest. It’s win or lose, Heaven or Hell. God put us here to do His work, so if we won’t, who will? Who saves the next baby slated for abortion? Who speaks for the innocent 48 + million who have already been slain? When my wife and I lost our infant son, a priest counseled us to grieve, but not to mourn. He elaborated that sorrow is healthy and even necessary, but it should also be temporary. Life must go on. It is far too important, and fleeting to do otherwise. Let us grieve our loss, but not mourn over it. Far too much is at stake. God knows how we feel. And He’s also watching what we do, or don’t do. Let us all faithfully seek comfort in the Lord, and then confidently move forward to do His will.

(Suggested reading: Psalms, Chapter 34.)

-Doug-

The Election Is Over But The Pro-Life Fight Has Only Just Begun

Contributor Doug writes: In a recent speech, President-Elect Obama was blathering on about how he believes “we” can change America under his leadership, but it might take more than four years. Oh, no? Gee, what a shock!

I once worked on the campaign of a successful Congressman. One of the reasons he was so successful for several terms is because he never closed his campaign office. It literally remained open and functioning during the entire time he served in the Congress. He knew that elections don’t end fights; they only begin them. Mr. Obama also seems to grasp that sage concept.

Pro-lifers took it on the chin on Election Day. The already pro-death culture, Democrat controlled-Congress only gained strength in both chambers, and the poster child of infanticide himself, and yes, I do mean literally, “infanticide,” won the Oval Office. For those of you who don’t already know, while an Illinois State Senator, Obama consistently and successfully fought legislation that would have mandated medical care for fully born infants who survived botched abortions.

I’m not writing this piece to prattle on about politics. Frankly, we currently have bigger fish to fry. I also don’t particularly care if you are a Republican, a Democrat, an unaffiliated voter, or a member of a third party. However, if you are one of those 54% Catholics, who as Julie keenly articulated, sold your soul for your 30 pieces of silver by voting for Obama, here is your chance to redeem your souls. (Right after you go to Confession!)

I believe it was Yogi Berra who once said in his quintessential Yogi-kind of way, “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.” Obama is already giving us a sneak peak of coming attractions in his agenda. It ain’t pretty.

He has said that one of his first priorities, which the Democrat leadership in both Congressional chambers have been salivating for, is the ironically dubbed, “Freedom of Choice Act,” which, by my interpretation, unconstitutionally stomps on the 10th Amendment (as well as a few other ones), and authorizes the federal government to usurp all existing state laws that in any way impede abortion. It stands to reason that other pro-life successes like the Mexico City Policy, the Hyde Amendment, and even the Infants Born Alive Protection Act (the federal and almost verbatim version of the Illinois state legislation that Obama thwarted) will be the next victims of infanticide on demand, and that any appointed judges and justices will also undoubtedly be of this same pro-abortion mindset.

Obama is not so subtly already campaigning for 2012. We must also campaign, not just for 2012, but also for tomorrow, and every day thereafter until abortion is finally ended, and even then, we must still fight. Ask any person who has successfully lost weight. Their success didn’t end with the diet. It continued with “maintenance,” and sometimes, that’s the hardest part. No matter how you slice it, we cannot and should not sit on our laurels and wait for the next Election Day. We need to focus our efforts on now, and forever. A daunting task it is, I admit, but folks, it is what it is. Another famous saying tells us, “It ain’t over ‘till the fat lady sings.” Never mind any singing fat ladies. It ain’t over until our Lord says so.

The Obama campaign and all the evil it represents and intends is not ending. Neither must the crucial campaign to protect the now even more endangered unborn. Reflect and pray upon the 5th Sorrowful Mystery, and envision our Lord suffering on the cross. Then also recall the fruit of that mystery, “Perseverance.” Meanwhile, fret not, and take the faithful advice of my beloved and adopted patron saint, St. Padre Pio, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”
(Suggested reading: Ephesians 6: 10-18.)
-Doug-

Thursday, November 6, 2008

You Can NOT serve both God and Money!

Reading news report after news report I can't help but recognize that many Catholics are actually followers of Judas Iscariot and not Jesus Christ. If the reports are to be believed, then the main reason for Catholics (among others) voting for Obama (the most pro-abortion death Senator ever) is "it's the economy stupid". According to the reports, 54% of Catholic voters gave their vote to Obama because he promised them more money with a better economy. He danged the carrot before the asses and braying all the way into the voting booths they went foaming at the mouth with dollar signs in their greedy eyes.
But what did Barak Obama promise would be the very first thing he would do in office? He promised he would signed FOCA.

So you can tell me "it's the economy stupid" and I'll tell you "Abortion stops a beating heart stupid". It is killing another human being in their earliest stages of life- NO ONE can deny that fact. Killing an innocent is murder, according to God.
These pre-born children are innocents and every single Catholic (and others) who voted for Obama for their wallets instead of for protecting innocent life, has the blood of these innocents on their hands. One day we will all be held accountable for our works (actions) during our lives.
Romans 14:12 "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."
Only God knows your heart and intents, if you voted based on your wallet instead of on the life of other human beings you will so be judged by God. Do you worship the idol of money or Almighty God?
Matthew 6:19-24 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
"Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." -Matthew 27

Scripture records Judas as saying "I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood." Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins and many Catholic voters betrayed innocent blood in a similar way on November 4th. They chose money over innocent life. They chose to serve money over serving God, you can't serve both. A choice must be made and sadly for American Catholics we all saw the choice many Catholic voters made on November 4th. We saw 54% of Catholics chose to serve money rather than God. They followed Judas Iscariot who sold out innocent blood to serve money instead of serving God.
Many wonderful Bishops and priests and religious faithful spoke out for innocent life and I applaud them and their efforts. I have no doubt the God will one day say to them "Well done, my good and faithful servants." To the others...I wouldn't want to be you on Judgement Day.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Obamanation: America's worse choice


Father Pavone to America after 2008 Election

Obama our President Elect


Congratulations to Barack Obama on winning the Presidential Election. Regardless of whether or not Obama was "your man" for the Presidency, he IS our President Elect, and he needs every one's prayers as he attempts to run this country during these difficult times. May God guide him and our nation.

And now, more than ever our pre-born need our prayers. Their very lives depend on them.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

This Election Day I am Grateful and Happy


Five things I am grateful for this election day (in no particular order).

1) I am grateful all the campaign commercials will stop.

2) I am grateful to see the first African American on the presidential ticket in the United States. It has been too long in coming and its truly a sign of hope for our country regardless of what party he belongs to.

3) I am grateful to see so many people fired up about voting and registering to vote in record numbers. This country belongs to all of us and we need to hear from everyone.

4) I am grateful that I was able to attend Mass this morning with my children before I went to vote with them by my side. I hope to instill in them the honor, right and privilege it is for ALL Americans to be able to vote and have a voice in our elections.

5) I am grateful the weather was good and the lines not too long! Nothing worse then standing hours in a pouring rain or frigid snow storm.

I am happy my children can see the hope and potential for African Americans and women to be anything they want to be in our great nation.


My thanks to God for seeing this day. May God bless us all and may God bless America.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Obama's Grandmother's Death

Regardless of Obama's political views, I feel incredibly sad that his beloved grandmother died before Election Day. Whether he wins or loses, seeing her grandson as the Democratic nominee on Election Day would have been a great joy to her I am sure and I am sorry that she didn't live to see her grandson on Election Day. And should Obama win, his happiness at victory will be overshadowed by the tragic lose of his beloved grandmother.

I don't attempt to understand the timing God has in these things, but I honestly can't help wondering "Why not one more day God?".

My sincerest prayers for the entire Obama family as they deal with the loss of their loved one. May God comfort them and guide them in the days to come. May she rest in peace.

Question #1- what does it mean?

Some people still don't understand what question #1 is all about, as "anonymous" demonstrates for us today:

Anonymous writes: "what are you on? "the people" do not decide anything in a Constitutional Convention. citizens have no say in what is proposed and and they do not get to vote on amendments to the constitution - everything is done by special interest groups. you should learn a little bit about these things before copy-and-pasting from lobbyist-approved websites."

My response: First of all, the only thing I am on, is my swivel desk chair. Secondly, the people DO get a voice in these issues, it's called REFERENDUM, ever hear of that? Seems it is you "anonymous" who needs to...how did you put it?..."learn a little bit about these things" before you leave comments such as yours. So let me help you out with that!
Here is how the University of Connecticut Law Professor Justin Long puts it to WFSB news:
"But Long said all a "yes" vote actually does is allow lawmakers to pick delegates and tell them when to start a convention. It's the delegates who decide what issues to change -- if any at all -- he said, and then a statewide vote determines if the changes become the law of the land."
Our Connecticut Constitution demands that question #1 be put on our ballot every 20 years. No lobbyist group came up with this idea, it's part of our constitution and has been.
And last but not least I have never been to a lobbyist website in my life, nor do I copy and paste from them, I write my own words and thoughts on this blog.
Now that you've learned a few things about question #1 and myself, I hope you will put this new found knowledge to good work and vote YES! to question #1!

May God bless you greatly and thank you for sharing your thoughts.




Source of quote: http://www.wfsb.com/news/17825075/detail.html

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Come on Connecticut, VOTE YES to Question #1 for THE PEOPLE!

Some people have questioned the Connecticut Catholic Conference for asking Catholics to "Vote Yes" on question #1 here in Connecticut. This does NOT violate ANY laws as it does not oppose or endorse ANY person for anything. Voting "YES" on question #1 merely takes the issues TO THE PEOPLE of Connecticut to vote on instead of letting a few politicians decide these issues for us. If you vote "yes" and our state has a constitutional convention then all these issues will be given to us, THE PEOPLE to decide what we support or oppose. THAT is democracy folks. Let the people decide. Let the people have a voice here in Connecticut. THAT is what voting "YES" for question #1 means, it means WE THE PEOPLE get to decide the issues, not a few politicians.
According to the IRS regulations, the Catholic Church (nor any church), can not endorse or oppose a political candidate, but the Catholic Church is free to support or oppose ANY issue oriented ballot question. That is perfectly legal.
If you vote "yes" to question #1 you give THE PEOPLE the right to decide these issues in Connecticut. If you vote "no" to question one, you give a few politicians the right to decide the issues for all of Connecticut and you silence The People. That is a shame and should not happen. Please vote "YES" on question #1 and let's hear THE PEOPLE of Connecticut decide these issues. It's our state, it doesn't belong solely to a few politicians.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

For the 67 Million Catholics in America



John 9:31 "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His will."
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