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Friday, March 30, 2012

Talking to an Atheist

The following discussion began in the comments section of my post "MSNBC's 'United in Godlessness' Up w/Chris Hayes Show" from last Monday. If you are just joining this discussion, I suggest reading the origins first. Below is the last comment I recieved from Brian, a self professed Atheist and ex-Catholic. My comments are in BLUE.
Brian: Now we have a conversation going :-)

*Me: Yes we do!! And for that reason, I am giving our discussion its own article place on my blog. I understand that all your comments are coming from an Atheistic view point and you need to understand that all my responses will come from a Catholic Christian point of view. I understand that you often will not agree with me and you need to have the same understanding of me. If we can both do that, we can continue to have a civil and hopefully enlightening discussion. I have BOLDED some of Brian's text that I am specifically responding to.
To that end, I am going to respond to your comments from the original blog post:
http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2012/03/msnbcs-united-in-godlessness-up-wchris.html

Brian: Christians(in general) come from a standpoint that we are born wretched evil sinners and that only through the grace of god and the murder of Jesus are we given the hope to be made whole. I was Catholic and this is how I was taught. It is a fundamental reason that I left the Church and later dropping the belief in a deity has a lot to do with this line of thinking.
As for you last statement, rather question; "What have you got to lose?" I would think that you can do better than to throw out Pascal's Wager. The problem here is that it supposes that there is only the Christian deity and leaves out all other deities ever conceived of. Mathematically speaking, the probability that the Christian god is actually the correct god, let alone that your version of that god is the exact correct one is very slim. What if we both are wrong? Osiris is much worse on non-believers than the Christian god is. In this case I revert back to my favorite statement by Aurelius.
I believed for most of my life. I left for moral reasons. I found that I couldn't be both moral and a good Christian at the same time. The two do not mix."

*Me: I can’t speak for all Christians, but I was under the impression that “we are born evil wretched sinners” was more of a Protestant theology. The Catholic Church teaches that we all have Original Sin that we need to be baptized for, but I don’t know of any Catholic teaching that claims we are “evil”. Could you point me to where that was taught to you? And as to your comment about “the murder of Jesus”…Jesus was not murdered, He became God Incarnate to willingly give up His life for love of mankind. He was not murdered, he was a willing sacrifice (John 10:18). And to your last comment about moral teaching not “mixing” with Christianity, how so? What moral teaching do you find don’t mix with Christianity?

Brian: BTW, as a real Atheist I hold no belief in any deity simply for lack of evidence. That is not to say that I do not rule out the possibility of one actually existing.
I do have to point out the your statement, "and have no idea to whom you give your gratitude to." is flawed from an Atheist standpoint. Why must there be a who to qualify the gratitude?
I don't think that we are that different. In fact, I don't think that 99.9% of humanity is that different, no matter their faith or lack of faith. It is exactly that similarity, in spite of respective beliefs, that lends great credence to my lack of faith. And when I say lack of faith, understand that I do have faith in a great many things. Based on historical evidence, I have faith that the son will rise. Based on my children's actions, I have faith in their professed love for me. It is by that standard that I hold no belief in a god.

*Me: Oh I agree that “Based on historical evidence, [in my case the Bible & the Church] I have faith that the son [Son] will rise again”- I know that isn’t how you were intending to make your point, but I just can’t pass stuff like that up! *grin* I don’t understand your view that people being alike leads to your not having faith in God. To me, that is the reason I believe we ALL come from God.

Brian: I asked god once, many times, for grace, for salvation, for anything. There never was an answer. I would say that even if you do believe, spend a year as a professed Atheist. Heck, spend six months as one. I think it would open your eyes.

*Me: Here is where we part ways Brian because I simply on all counts disagree with you here. As an ex-Catholic you had grace abundantly (that is not to say grace isn’t given to non-Catholic Christians). There is grace given every time you went to mass…every time you went to Confession and most especially every time you had the Eucharist. You may not FEEL it with the warm-fuzzies, but it’s there none the less. And salvation is a process we go through from the moment of our baptism to the moment of our death. I know some protestant groups will disagree- they subscribe to the “once saved always saved” theology which I rejected years ago after a good study on John 15 (the Vine & the Branches). But in the bible, Jesus says we must pick up our crosses (Mark 8:34) and follow Him to the end. Some do, others fall away along their life’s journey. God never promised life would be easy or without suffering, what He did promise was that those who endured to the end would be rewarded with Salvation and eternity in Heaven. That’s His promise to us.

And as for your suggestion that I "try to be an Atheist", I couldn't even if I wanted to because my faith is as real to me as my arms and legs. I could no more cut them off myself than I could cut off my faith from God. That is not to say our faith isn't tested, our life is one long test on assorted fronts. As I've already mentioned, Jesus didn't tell us to "pick up our crosses" if He meant us all to live on Easy Street our whole lives. Our crosses are our struggles and sufferings that we endure here on earth. The reward comes at the end, with blessings and graces poured out along our way IF we do as He asked "follow" Him WHILE we carry those burdens. Life is a struggle and a gift at the same time with the sweetest most wonderful reward to be had at the end of our lives. Jesus carried his cross and we must carry ours. He had help along the way, and we have help along the way too.

My prayer for you Brian, is that one day you will see that and know how very, very much God loves you and does exist. He's got blessings and graces and a final reward waiting for you too, if you'd just pick up your cross (perhaps your cross is that of Saint Thomas-'doubt'. He doubted yet he endured to the end to become a Saint) and follow him, enduring lifes struggles along the way. I am praying for you Brian.

O God, the everlasting Creator of all things, remember that the souls of unbelievers were made by Thee and formed in Thine own image and likeness. Remember that Jesus, Thy Son, endured a most bitter death for their salvation. Permit not, I beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy Son should be any longer despised by unbelievers, but do Thou graciously accept the prayers of holy men and of the Church, the Spouse of Thy most holy Son, and be mindful of Thy mercy. Forget their idolatry and unbelief, and grant that they too may some day know Him whom Thou hast sent, even the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Salvation, our Life and Resurrection, by whom we have been saved and delivered, to whom be glory for endless ages. Amen.

Holy Batman!! "Send me Robin" says cop


Way to go Lenny!! The wonderful things people do in the name of charity.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

EWTN Press Release 3/29/12


EWTN Helps You Put the ‘Holy’ in Holy Week


Irondale, AL – Did you miss your parish’s Lenten mission? Feel like you could have tried a little harder to be a better person this Lent?

Then, tune into EWTN this week as we enter into the holiest week of the year. Below are just a few of the great programs EWTN will air. (Note: Times are subject to change so please check our website for updates and the complete schedule at http://bit.ly/GXO74x. For a complete schedule of programs on the EWTN Radio Network, click here: http://bit.ly/Hn4sQ8.)

Palm Sunday Specials:
I Thirst:This gripping musical drama of the Crucifixion, performed by sisters Tatiana Cameron and Sanja Mateyas, translates the life experiences of these two talented artists into a unique interpretation of Jesus’ words from the Cross, “I Thirst.” Airs 1 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1 and 10 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.
The Passion According to Luke: Leonardo Defilippis' dramatic performance of these events, taken directly from Scripture, draws the audience into a deep understanding of the immensity of God's love for His children. Airs 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1; 10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 7.
Meditations with Fr. Groescehl:Father Groeschel shows us how Palm Sunday should prepare us for the holiest week of the year. Airs 10 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1.
Passion of Christ According to St. Francis: Scriptural meditations on Christ’s sufferings are presented alongside a striking 14th century fresco cycle of Assisi’s traditional Good Friday Procession. Airs 6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 1 with an encore at 3:30 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6.
Palm Sunday Masses:
(Live) Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1 with an encore at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 1.
(Live) Palm Sunday with the Franciscan Friars from Irondale, Ala. Airs 8 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1, with an encore at 12 a.m. ET, Monday, April 2.
(Live) Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (BNSIC) with Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. Airs 12 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 1.
Holy Week Specials: Suffering and Death in Our Own Lives
Among the dozens of Holy Week specials, here are three that are especially relevant to those who are suffering and need support:
Women of Grace Specials: “Suffering, Sorrow and God’s Plan.” Airs 11 a.m. ET, Monday, April 2. “Help God! My Child is Dying! The Cry of a Father’s Heart.” Airs 11 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3. “A Plan for a Future Full of Hope.” Airs 11 a.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.
John Paul II and the Sick: The Value of Suffering: Journey with Pope John Paul II around the world as he reaches out with the love of Christ to the sick and suffering and calls us, as Jesus did, to do the same. Airs 11:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.
The Best of Mother Angelica Live:Theology Professor Father Edward Krause joins Mother to discuss the spiritual and moral dimensions involved in taking care of the sick and disabled. Airs 2 a.m. ET and 9 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.
Holy Week Retreats
Holy Week Retreat with Fr. Bede McGregor, O.P., Prior of St. Malachy's Friary in Dundalk, Ireland, Postulator of the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff, and Spiritual Director to the Legion of Mary. Airs 3 a.m. ET, and 11 p.m. ET, Monday, April 2 through Thursday, April 5; and 3 a.m. ET and 10:30 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6.
Holy Week Retreat with Fr. Pablo Straub: Airs 9 a.m. ET, Monday through Friday, April 2 to April 6.
Children
My Little Angels: The people of the town of St. Paul make use of the season of Lent to prepare for the Passion of Christ. Animated. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3. Animated
Animated Stories from the New Testament: Children learn how Jesus fulfills his ministry through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Airs 5 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.
We Are Catholic: Redemptive Suffering: The children learn that the suffering has a value and meaning for our lives if we offer it to God with love. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.
Rosary for Kids: In this animated program, the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are presented in an understandable way that will inspire children. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet for Kids: St. Faustina teaches her young friends Kristin, Enrique and others about the Divine Mercy Devotion and how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Animated. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.
Holy Thursday Masses:
(Live) Chrism Mass from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Thursday, April 5.
(Live) Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 12:00 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6.
(Live) Choral Meditations and Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper from the BNSIC with Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 5.
Good Friday
(Live) Celebration of the Lord’s Passion from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 11 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6, with an encore at 2 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 7.
(Live) Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion from Irondale, Ala. With the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal World. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Friday, April 6.
Choral Meditations on the Passion of Christ from the BNSIC. Airs 6 p.m. ET, Friday, April 6. Immediate followed by the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Holy Saturday
(Live) Easter Vigil Mass from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 3 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 7, with an encore at 12 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8.
(Live) Easter Vigil Mass from BNSIC. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 7.
Easter Sunday
(Live) Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 4 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, with an encore at 7 p.m. ET.
(Live) Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday from Irondale, Ala. Airs 8 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, with an encore at 12 a.m. ET, Monday, April 9.
Pope’s Easter Message to the World
(Live) Urbi Et Orbi: Message and Blessing. Airs 6 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, with encores at 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, 2 a.m. ET, Monday, April 9, and 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 14.
Programs may be seen or heard on EWTN television by cable or satellite (www.ewtn.com/channelfinder), streaming audio or video on the Intranet (http://origin.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp), shortwave (http://www.ewtn.com/radio/freq.htm), and EWTN mobile (http://www.ewtn.com/mobi/). You can also listen to many great Holy Week programs on the EWTN Radio Network via our affiliates (http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm), or on satellite radio (http://www.sirius.com/ewtn).

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 200 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, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

Monday, March 26, 2012

EWTN Press Release 3/26/12


New Book on Cardinal Dolan By His Brother,
'Women of Grace' Tackles Extreme Suffering,
Teaching Children About Divine Mercy,
St. Pio's Way of the Cross - and More!


Irondale, AL – The Holy Father’s visit to Cuba is bringing new attention to this island nation. What’s it really like to be a Christian in Cuba? Find out in the EWTN documentary, “Cuba: Winds of Change.” Set your DVR to record this EWTN exclusive at 4:30 a.m. ET, Wednesday, March 28. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder. Watch the show; then buy it to share with family and friends: http://bit.ly/H3k0u3.

Divine Mercy Sunday is almost upon us. Don’t miss the EWTN documentary “Sister Faustina: The Promise of Mercy,” the story of how Our Lord gave this devotion to Blessed Sister Faustina and asked her to promulgate it throughout the world. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 28 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Did you know you can get a Bachelor’s Degree or a Master’s Degree in Theology from an accredited Catholic university online? Find out more when Marianne Mount, President of Catholic Distance University, visits Father Mitch on the set of “EWTN Live.” Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 28 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Get to the know the family of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan when his younger brother, Bob, visits Doug Keck on the set of “Bookmark.” Bob will talk about his new book, “Life Lessons from My Life with My Brother.” You’ll find many of the memories he shares about his Midwestern family in the 50s and 60s will evoke fond memories from your own life! Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 28 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

If you want to learn to better discern the will of God, you can’t do better than EWTN’s fabulous 10-part series: “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” The clear teaching of Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. makes this one of EWTN’s most requested series. Get it here: http://bit.ly/GOfhg1.

If you can’t live without a daily “fix” of news from the Vatican, then you absolutely must follow EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Joan Lewis’ blog, where you will find everything you need to know about Rome, the Holy Father, Vatican City, and more. Find “Joan’s Rome” at http://bit.ly/bFl5ze. Want some practical advice from Joan about visiting the Vatican? Click here: http://bit.ly/GOgtjo.

We bet “Padre Pio’s Way of the Cross” will become one of your favorite meditations on the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Tune in as Fr. Alessio reads Padre Pio's meditations at San Giovanni, the place where the saint spent over 50 years as a priest. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 29 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Make a Holy Week Retreat from the comfort of your home! Tune into “Holy Week Retreat” with Fr. Bede McGregor, O.P., Prior of St. Malachy's Friary in Dundalk, Ireland, Postulator of the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff, and Spiritual Director to the Legion of Mary. Airs 3 a.m. ET, and 11 p.m. ET, Monday, April 2 through Thursday, April 5; and 3 a.m. ET and 10:30 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Want a charming way to teach your children or grandchildren about the Divine Mercy devotion? Watch and record EWTN’s animated special, “The Divine Mercy Chaplet for Kids.” Children will be enthralled as they watch St. Faustina teach her young friends Kristin, Enrique and others about the Divine Mercy devotion and how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in this engaging children's program. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.

Is your spouse, child, parent or someone close to you suffering or dying? Then, you don’t want to miss Johnnette Benkovic’s “Women of Grace Specials” during Holy Week 2012. Tune in 11 am. ET, Monday, April 2 for “Suffering, Sorrow and God’s Plan;” at 11 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3, tune in for “Help God! My Child is Dying! The Cry of a Father’s Heart;” finally, at 11 a.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4, don’t miss “A Plan for a Future Full of Hope.” Each of these programs airs exclusively on the EWTN Global Catholic Network. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

In his suffering and sickness, the late Pope John Paul II was a model of courage. If you’re having a hard time understanding why you are suffering, tune in to “John Paul II and the Sick: The Value of Suffering.” Airs 11:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Are you a caregiver? Don’t miss “The Best of Mother Angelica Live” at 2 a.m. ET or 9 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3. In this episode, Theology Professor Father Edward Krause joins Mother to discuss the spiritual and moral dimensions involved in taking care of the sick and disabled. It’s a timeless treasure from EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Review: Catholic Update guide to The Mass

Book: Catholic Update Guide to the Mass
By: St. Anthony Messenger Press, Series Editor: Mary Carol Kendzia
Reviewed for:
The Catholic Company

I received this 48 page paperback book for review from The Catholic Company. This was a delightful quick read that prompted some deep thought about the mass.

It asks questions like "How has the mass changed?" and "What has happened to my Eucharistic devotion?". At the end of each chapter there are questions for "Reflection" which I found wonderful. As an RCIA instructor I found myself excited by these reflections as something to share with catechumens on their journey into the Church. As such, I'd recommend it to not just Catholics, but those who will one day become Catholic and for Confirmation students as well.

I particularly liked Chapter Two's "Five Reasons for Going to Mass", with the fifth reason being my favorite. The fifth reason "The Mass helps me finds the sacred in the ordinary". Don't we all need to find the sacred in the ordinary times of our lives? We of course see the sacred during Holy Days, but what about your normal ordinary Monday morning or Wednesday evening? God's plan for us is not just made up of special days, but what we do with our ordinary days. Daily mass makes each day more than ordinary and if we allow ourselves a few moments to reflect on that, we can find the sacred in each day.

Wonderful little book with thought provoking reflections!


The Catholic Company

MSNBC's "United in Godlessness" Up w/Chris Hayes show

Catholic Catechism #2124 The name "atheism" covers many very different phenomena. One common form is the practical materialism which restricts its needs and aspirations to space and time. Atheistic humanism falsely considers man to be "an end to himself, and the sole maker, with supreme control, of his own history." 59 Another form of contemporary atheism looks for the liberation of man through economic and social liberation. "It holds that religion, of its very nature, thwarts such emancipation by raising man's hopes in a future life, thus both deceiving him and discouraging him from working for a better form of life on earth."

I don’t often sit home on Sunday mornings watching Sunday news programs on television- most of it is just rehashing news from the previous week which was depressing enough the first time I heard it. But this Sunday morning, my family and I were attending the 10:30 am mass so I had time to kill and happened upon a title that caught my eye. The show was MSNBC’s “Up with Chris Hayes” and the Sunday feature show was entitled “United in Godlessness” – a show about Atheism in America, in politics, in science, in social society and even in church.

The guests were all atheists including the show’s host Chris Hayes (an exCatholic), Susan Jacoby (author), Jamila Bey (Washington Post blogger), Jamie Kilstein (comedian), Richard Dawkins (author), Steven Pinker (scientist), Robert Wright (author) and Nondenominational Christian church Pastor Mike Aus who “came out” Sunday morning on national television as an atheist leading a Christian nondenominational church. [I’d be interested in hearing how his congregation took this ‘coming out’ news.]

















Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy



My initial response to hearing what these people were saying was to be offended by them, most especially the mockery of belief in the Eucharist being the actual Body of Christ and the Cup being the Blood. So as I start this, I am going with my initial reactions… being offended and my knee jerk reaction (yelling at the TV and calling them ‘hypocrites’ and ‘liars’.) Yet after the show, all I really felt was extreme pity for them. And I am not saying that to be condescending, I truly feel pity for any human being that has no belief in anything other than themselves and/or their science. The hopelessness of being an atheist (in my opinion) is incredibly sad. But back to my initial rant… (for now).

Richard Dawkins…, I am used to hearing his tirades on Christians, so I wasn’t surprised by what he was saying, but rather the laughter, giggling and entertainment the other guests found in Dawkins remarks calling Christian beliefs “ridiculous beliefs” and referring to Christians as “nutcases”. Apparently I was giving them more credit for having a respectful discussion on belief vs. no belief than they deserved. I won’t make that mistake twice.

Then Richard Dawkins made one comment that actually got me thinking. He was talking about religious people in politics and the discussion was about giving your vote to a “nutcase” that believes in Christ’s Second Coming or in the Eucharist. He stated that he thinks people of faith in politics should be put to the test- force them to defend their beliefs publicly. He wants politicians to answer for their faith before people vote them into any political office. He was presumably referring to Rick Santorum or perhaps Newt Gingrich when he hypothetically gave an example saying: “Do you truly believe the wafer turns into the Body of Christ?” –his idea of putting a politician in a place of defending the belief they claim to hold. I wonder if Mr. Dawkins would like progressive (a word they all oozed with love over) liberal Nancy Pelosi to answer that same question? Or perhaps President Obama? How would he answer Dawkins’ question about his personal faith and beliefs? Do "progressive" atheists refer to Nancy Pelosi or President Obama as "nutcases" or is that just reserved for nonliberals? Dawkins then went on to attack the Mormon faith without naming Romney as the politician whose faith he was taking pot shots at.

Susan Jacoby showed herself to be a snobbish hypocrite, in my honest opinion. She clearly stated at the start of the show that her atheism is “central” to whom she is and stated that it “shapes her views” in other areas of her life. She then went on (along with the others) to attack Christians for allowing their faith to “shape their views” and for Christianity being “central” to a Christian. I call that hypocrisy. She further offended me by saying (in so many words) that believers of religious beliefs were uneducated and that because of this “lack of education” 80% of conservatives were part of the “religious right” having little education passed the 8th grade. Personally, I found nothing of worth in anything Susan Jacoby had to contribute to the show so I won’t waste anymore time on her here.
Comedian Jamie Kilstein, a proud atheist, had the biggest ego of the bunch. He was on Jacoby’s bandwagon about how smart atheists/progressives were and how dimwitted people of faith are. Besides declaring “the religious right has over stepped it’s bounds” (what bounds and where/when did said over stepping happen, he never said) he went on to say...





“If you’re having a conversation with a religious person, I would start with something like gay rights or something like women’s rights that they could maybe relate to as opposed to saying ‘Everything you’ve been taught as a child is incorrect because I think you’re dumb’.”

Really Jamie? That’s how you approach people of faith? And liberals dare to call Christians “narrow minded” and “intolerant”!

A whopper of a lie came from Jamila Bey a blogger for the Washington Post when she declared that if she were pregnant and the pregnancy was going to kill her that a Catholic hospital would say “fine, let me [Jamila] die” because (according to Jamila) the Catholic Church has legislated that all Catholic hospitals let pregnant women die rather than providing life saving care. The fact is the Catholic Church forbids DIRECT abortion, not indirect abortion to save a life. That is to say, an abortion for the sole purpose of not having a baby is a sin- its murder. The Church does NOT forbid INDIRECT abortion to save a mother’s life.

Directive #47: "Operations, treatments and medications that have as their direct purpose the cure of a proportionately serious pathological condition of a pregnant woman are permitted when they cannot be safely postponed until the unborn child is viable, even if they will result in the death of the unborn child."
Source: http://usccb.org/about/doctrine/ethical-and-religious-directives/


After listening to these atheists and watching Pastor Mike Aus “come out” on television as an atheist leading a Christian nondenominational church a profound sadness hit me. These people were missing so much and they didn’t even know it. Some of them weren’t just missing out; they had rejected what they once had. What a horrid blasphemy to reject God! They were so wrapped up in college degrees, science and their own superior attitudes that they could not see that it was them lacking, not religious people. They are void of faith.

What a terrible thing to have no faith. Believers have a duty to share what they know with unbelievers and to pray for them. We must pray and ask God to have mercy on unbelievers, to gift them with the grace they need to have faith. What a terrible thing for believers not to share their faith with unbelievers! Souls are precious to God, every single one of them. A Christian’s soul is no more important than an Atheist's soul. A lost soul is a horrible crime…made worse if there was something a believer could do and he/she failed to act. If believers don’t share their knowledge and faith with unbelievers are we not guilty of concealing the Truth and keeping them from the joys and fulfillment we’ve found in God? We do not need to beat people over the heads with our bibles, we need to be willing to share our faith when we can and when we can’t, we must pray for unbelievers. Pray that they will have the grace needed for faith to grow.

Catholic Catechism #2125 “Since it rejects or denies the existence of God, atheism is a sin against the virtue of religion. The imputability of this offense can be significantly diminished in virtue of the intentions and the circumstances. "Believers can have more than a little to do with the rise of atheism. To the extent that they are careless about their instruction in the faith, or present its teaching falsely, or even fail in their religious, moral, or social life, they must be said to conceal rather than to reveal the true nature of God and of religion.”

Prior to this show, I honestly hadn’t put much thought into Atheism. It was just there…a silent, sad state of being. After listening to this show my eyes have been opened to just how hopeless these people are. I was horrified to imagine an atheist at the moment of their death coming face to face with the Truth of God’s existence and the horror they must feel in that instant of knowing they were wrong in their willful rejection of God.

I truly don’t want a single human being to die an Atheist, to that end, I will pray more than ever for the conversion of souls. What a joy it would be, to witness unbelievers becoming believers!

Friday, March 23, 2012

EWTN: Actor Andy Garcia's hopes for Pope's visit to Cuba


Cuban-American Actor/Director Andy Garcia
Shares His Hopes for Pope Benedict's
Visit To Cuba on EWTN's 'The World Over'

Irondale, AL – View a short clip of Cuban-American Actor/Director Andy Garcia discussing the Communist regime in Cuba and his hopes for the upcoming visit by Pope Benedict XVI: http://www.ewtn.com/media/Garcia.htm. To view the longer interview, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1pqN8KZc1k.


The Academy Award nominee, who stars in the upcoming film, “For Greater Glory,” about the Cristero War in Mexico during the 1920s, shared his thoughts March 22 on EWTN’s “The World Over” with Host Raymond Arroyo.

If I were the devil...

From Paul Harvey in 1965...

I got a link to this in email this morning, but first heard it on Hannity (Fox News Channel).

Thursday, March 22, 2012

State of Alabama Joins Lawsuit against HHS Mandate


State of Alabama Joins EWTN Lawsuit
Against HHS Mandate
Cites Citizens’ Conscience Protections Under State Constitution


Irondale, AL – The Attorney General of the State of Alabama filed documents today in US District Court in Birmingham, Alabama to join EWTN Global Catholic Network as a plaintiff in its lawsuit against the Obama Administration’s contraception mandate. EWTN filed its lawsuit on February 9, asking the federal courts to overturn the new rules which require most U.S. employers to provide contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs in their health plans even if it violates their conscience.

“We are grateful to Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange for taking such a strong stand on this issue,” said EWTN President and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw. “This suit demonstrates that the Alabama motto, ‘We dare to defend our rights,’ is no mere slogan. The state could simply have chosen to file a brief advising the court of the impact of the case on its citizens. Instead, it is intervening in the suit as a co-plaintiff with EWTN. The Attorney General of Alabama is saying, in effect, that this unjust, unconstitutional mandate hurts not only EWTN, but the entire community.”

According to the state’s motion to intervene, filed March 22, Alabama law does not mandate that insurers must provide contraception or sterilization coverage or that any employer or person in the state is required to purchase such coverage. The documents note that Alabama citizens enjoy the freedom to contract for an insurance plan or with a religious-affiliated insurer that does not cover these services. In contrast, the federal regulation would mandate the type of health insurance Alabama could offer on its state-run health insurance exchange, and, if allowed to stand, would preempt Alabama law guaranteeing its citizens’ right of conscience.

In addition, the state asserts the regulation would force conscientious objectors to opt-out of their private health plans having the unfortunate result of increasing the number of people requiring healthcare from Medicaid and other state-supported programs.

The Attorney General also notes that he has statutory responsibilities to ensure that Alabama charitable institutions adhere to their purposes and bylaws. The federal regulation would take such control away from the state by interfering with the mission of religious not-for-profits like EWTN.

Warsaw says this last point is particularly important. “When the federal government uses its power to coerce a faith-based organization to act contrary to its deeply held values, it destroys that organization’s capacity to fulfill its mission. Ultimately, as is the case with the HHS mandate, if that organization is unwilling to compromise its beliefs, it is destroyed by fines and crushing government penalties; it ceases to exist. In joining EWTN’s lawsuit, Attorney General Strange shows that he understands this is unacceptable. I am very grateful that he has chosen to use the state’s power to intervene for the common good.”

In commenting on the state’s action, Attorney General Luther Strange stated, “The freedom of religion, and to believe as one sees fit, is our ‘first freedom’ under the United States Constitution. The people of Alabama have recognized the importance of this freedom and have enshrined it in their Constitution as well. Alabama law does not allow anyone to be forced to offer a product that is against his or her religious beliefs or conscience.

“The issue is simple: Either Alabamians and Americans around the country will be allowed to exercise their religious freedom to say ‘no’ to something they disagree with, or they won’t. We hope the Obama Administration will listen, and adopt a position that supports our first freedom rather than undermines it.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 200 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, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

Editors: To view the complaint, please go to http://www.ago.alabama.gov/Update-193.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

EWTN Updates: Pope to visit Mexico & Cuba


Pope To Visit to Mexico & Cuba March 23-28
Only EWTN Will Be On Location
Live Commentary, Authoritative Coverage

Irondale, AL – Fourteen years ago, Pope John Paul II, not only traveled to Mexico but made the first papal trip to Cuba in its history. Now, all eyes are on Pope Benedict as he visits these two highly politicized countries – and only EWTN will have crews on the ground to provide you with the most complete and authoritative coverage available. Because EWTN was there with Pope John Paul II and continues to broadcast into Cuba and Mexico daily, only EWTN can compare and contrast the two visits with the authority you have come to expect.

On the English side, EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo, who has anchored more papal events than anyone in the industry and who covered John Paul II’s visit in 1998, will direct our coverage. Father Roberto Cid, Director of Radio Paz in the Archdiocese of Miami, and Msgr. Heberto Diaz, vicar general of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas will join Arroyo to provide color commentary. In Cuba, a political highlight will be the meeting with President Castro, but for the people, one of the highlights of the trip will be the Pope’s visit to the Shrine of the Virgin of Charity at 10:30 a.m. ET, Tuesday, March 27, to commemorate the 400thanniversary of the discovery of her statue in the Bay of Nipe.

On the Spanish side, EWTN Español will feature four anchors: EWTN “Nuestra Fe En Vivo” Host Pepe Alonso; Father Jose Menendez, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, in Miami; Jaime Septiem, General Director of El Observador, a Catholic newspaper in Queretaro, Mexico, and host of EWTN’s weekly show “Ventana Abierta” on EWTN Español, on the ground in Mexico; and Alejandro Bermudez, director of EWTN Noticias and ACI Prensa, on the ground in Cuba. One of the highlights of the Mexico trip will occur at 7:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 25, when the Pope will meet not only with the Mexican bishops, but also with the heads of the Episcopal Conference of Latin America; in other words, the hierarchy of the entire Hispanic Catholic Church in North America.

According to Enrique Duprat, EWTN’s Director of Spanish Production, “Pope Benedict has made it clear that the ‘new evangelization’ includes efforts to reach out to countries that were already Christianized, but where Catholics and other Christians are still fighting for religious freedom.”

To view the complete schedule on EWTN (English), please click here: http://www.ewtn.com/papalvisitmxcu2012/coverage.asp. For coverage on the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network, please click here: http://www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp. (Find EWTN on cable or satellite at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder, streaming audio or video on the Intranet at http://origin.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp, via shortwave at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/freq.htm, via EWTN mobile at http://www.ewtn.com/mobi/, on the EWTN Radio Network via our affiliates at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm, or on satellite radio at http://www.sirius.com/ewtn.)

For the complete schedule on EWTN Español (Spanish), please click here: http://www.ewtn.com/PapaMexicoCuba2012/cobertura.asp. Find EWTN Español via streaming audio or video on the Internet at http://www.ewtn.com/espanol/index.asp. Find programming information for EWTN Radio Católica Mundial at http://www.ewtn.com/espanol/radio/index.asp and hear live radio coverage on the Internet at http://www.ewtn.com/Live/unicorn/jwplayer.asp?bottom=false&feed=radiospanish,

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 200 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, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

EWTN Updates: 3-12-12


EWTN: The Latest In The Battle Over Religious Freedom, Knowing What To Do At The End of Life and Much More

Irondale, AL – The battle over religious freedom and the future of the Catholic Church in the U.S. continues. In addition to EWTN and many other colleges and state attorney generals, Ave Maria University is suing the U.S. government and HHS. See Ave Maria President Jim Towey, former head of the Bush Administration’s Office for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, talk about the lawsuit on EWTN’s “The World Over,” here: http://bit.ly/AuMRqM

Planned Parenthood would like you to believe that most women care more about contraception than religious freedom. Watch George Mason University Associate Professor Helen Alvare, formerly with the USCCB’s Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, talk about the recent open letter she wrote opposing the HHS mandate, which was signed by over 2,000 professional women. See it here: http://bit.ly/AuMRqM

EVERY diocesan bishop in the U.S. has come out against the HHS mandate. Get the latest on what’s happening at www.ewtn.com/hhsmandate.

The HHS mandate is NOT about contraception; it’s about religious freedom. Watch this online video to find out more, http://bit.ly/AuMRqM, or check out this website, www.ewtn.com/hhsmandate.

Sooner or later, God will call all of us home. But for those who are facing the imminent death of a loved one or their own mortality, this can be a confusing time. If you need help sorting through the confusion, or just want to be able to help those who might come to you with questions, tune in to "EWTN Theology Roundtable: End of Life Issues." Airs 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, March 13; and 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, March 15 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Hear Oakland’s Bishop Salvatore Cordileone talk about attempts to legalize “same-sex” marriage and the impact of these efforts on religious freedom and civilization. Watch “Catholic Action Insight” at 6:30 p.m. ET, Monday, March 12 exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17! Celebrate by watching “Trial at Tara,” the story of the Saint’s trial before one of the many kings of the time and the Druid priests. In his defense, the Saint explained his belief in the teachings of the Church -- the Trinity, and Our Lady, among others. In the process, many, including the queen, came to believe in the true Faith and to discard the dark faith of the Druids. Airs 3 a.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 14 exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at wtn.com/channelfinder.

But my conscience tells me it’s okay! Find out what it means to have a properly formed conscience from the nun who always tells it like it is. Watch this week’s “Mother Angelica Live Classic” on conscience. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, March 13 exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at wtn.com/channelfinder.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan is the Archbishop of New York, the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – and a force of nature! Find out more about him when his brother Bob Dolan visits “EWTN Live” with Father Mitch Pacwa to talk about the life lessons he’s learned from his sibling. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 14 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Looking for an inspiring spiritual biography! Then tune into “Bookmark” as Host Doug Keck interviews Fr. Kevin Scallon about his new book, “I Will Come Myself.” Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 14 exclusively on EWTN. The book is a moving testimony of Father’s very personal encounters with Our Lord – in the tabernacle, in prayer, and in far-flung experiences as a missionary priest. With Sr. Bridget McKenna, Fr. Scallon carries out a profound ministry to priests. Don’t miss it!

Britain’s current government is also seeking to reinvent marriage. Find out more from “A Catholic Journalist in London,” a blog by EWTN’s own Joanna Bogle, http://bit.ly/h205bw.

EWTN goes on location to cover the "Love and Life in the Divine Plan Family Conference" at Aquinas College, Nashville, TN. This multi-part series on "Four Threats to Marriage" is packed with speakers whose lectures are eye-opening and relevant to audiences from older teens on up. Get it here: http://bit.ly/xv7S8d

EWTN is a finalist in About.com Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Catholic Website. Please vote for us at http://bit.ly/Am0ddc.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Middlefield CT parish hosts: Maureen Digan

Have you heard of Maureen Digan? She was miraculously cured of lymphedema after a visit to Poland and a prayer request to Sr. Faustina (Divine Mercy) for help. Maureen Digan's cure led to the beatification of Saint Faustina.

On Wednesday, March 14th Deacon Bob and Maureen Digan will be visiting St. Colman Catholic Church in Middlefield CT.

Hear the story of her miracle and be inspired by the Mercy of God!
Place: 145 Hubbard Street, Middlefield, CT
Date: March 14, 2012
Time: 7 pm - 8 pm


Call
St. Colman Catholic Church for details: 860-349-3868
website;
http://stcolmanchurch.com/default.aspx

Monday, March 5, 2012

EWTN Press Release: March 5, 2012


EWTN's New Shows: From a Well-Known Psychologist to the Women of "The Catholic View," We've Got Something For You!

Irondale, AL – THE DOCTOR IS DEFINITELY IN! Dr. Ray Guarendi used to be a frequent guest on top television and radio shows, from “CBS This Morning” to “Oprah.” But after coming back to the Church, this clinical psychologist and father of 10 adopted children, decided to give his life to God. Now, he’s hosting a fabulous new EWTN series, “Living Right With Dr. Ray.” Airs 1 p.m. ET, Mondays; 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays; and 10 p.m. ET, Saturdays – exclusively on EWTN. It’s a fast-paced program with six to seven segments, laced with Dr. Ray’s trademark humor, and filled with audience Q&As, role playing, fun vignettes, guest interviews, and segments with titles like: “Advice Worth Ignoring,” and “The Real Child Psychologist,” which he describes as Art Linkletter with a psychological twist. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

The epic series “Catholicism” returns to EWTN! Get the complete schedule at http://www.ewtn.com/series/shows/catholicism/episodes.asp.

Cat.Chat is a real kid-pleaser – and you can only find it on EWTN! Tune in 4:30 p.m. ET, Mondays for a quirky, fast-paced live action show that teaches kids the important lessons of our Faith with catchy songs, silly jokes, action-packed juggling and unicycling as well as the adventures of Moses, the family cat. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

This fabulous Bible study on the Book of Daniel that will provide you with a method of tackling the entire Bible! Watch and learn as Host Francis Hogan takes selected passages and explains them on three levels: as people would have understood them in the time in which they were written, as they can be understood in the light of Christ’s coming to earth, and as a prophetic fulfillment of what is to come. Excellent! Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Wednesdays and 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

It’s a celebration of faith and cooking! Cooking? Watch “Savouring Our Faith” to see Father Leo Patalinghug cook up 10 great recipes – and share how many foods relate to Church teaching. It’s food for the body, mind, and soul! Airs 8:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; 6 p.m. ET, Wednesdays; and 2:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

The ladies of “The Catholic View for Women” descend upon “EWTN Live” with Host Father Mitch Pacwa! Don’t miss a minute of their lively conversation – and find out what’s in store for you in the Catholic View’s upcoming season. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 7 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Do you enjoy praying along with Fr Joseph each day? Well The “EWTN Family Prayer Book” is now available on DVD. Find out all about the book and Father’s journey to EWTN and into the priesthood as he visits the set of “Bookmark” with Host Doug Keck. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 7 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Got kids? Teach CCD? Head up a youth group? Then you’ll want to order Season 5 of EWTN’s “Knights of St. Michael.” Packed with a variety of dramatic presentations, this video is sure to engage your group in a lively discussion. Episodes include: The War on God, The War on Marriage, The War on Man, The War on Motherhood, Behold Your Mother, The Inevitable End, and The Apostles Creed. Find it here, http://bit.ly/ACGBUb.

Make no mistake: there is a war on marriage. Will you have the weapons needed when you are engaged in combat? If not, order “EWTN On Location: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” Filmed on location at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tenn., this multi-part series contains eye-opening lectures on the four threats to marriage. Order here, http://bit.ly/xv7S8d.

Get the latest updates on the HHS contraception mandate at www.ewtn.com/hhsmandate -- and find out why the bishop of every diocese in the U.S. has denounced it as a threat to our religious liberty.

It’s free, it’s fabulous and it’s perfect for Lent! Download “The Shroud of Turin: Image of Mercy,” a 13-part series from EWTN, at http://bit.ly/9ck3Uu. Only available during the month of March, do download now!

Thank you Fr. Ed Nadolny!

Driving down Route 17 in Durham recently, my children and I were pleased to see a billboard declaring love for Jesus and Mary, rather than the usual advertisment type billboards.

Upon returning home I decided to attempt to find out just who Fr. Ed Nadolny was, so first I searched his name and found a "Father Edmund Nadolny" of Sacred Heart Church in East Berlin, Connecticut. But the phone number on the billboard did not match the parish numbers so I wasn't sure if I had the correct Fr. Nadolny.

Not deterred, I then searched the phone number given on the billboard and it led me to Fr. Ed Nadolny on Youtube- the same Fr. Nadolny from Sacred Heart Church in East Berlin!


Thank you Fr. Ed Nadolny for sharing your love for Jesus and Mary with all of us who drive through Durham, Ct.

Friday, March 2, 2012

EWTN's "Catholicism" is back!!


Watch ‘Catholicism’ on EWTN
Series Begins March 4th


Irondale, AL – You asked to see it again! Watch the original six episodes of “Catholicism” that previously aired on EWTN – now in a new 30-minute format. (For a complete schedule, please go to www.ewtn.com/series/shows/catholicism.)

“Viewers have also asked about the four episodes to which PBS has exclusive rights,” said EWTN Executive Vice President & COO Doug Keck. “Those rights will soon expire. EWTN is looking forward to airing those episodes when they become available in September.”

If you somehow missed it the first time, Fr. Robert Barron and his film crew visited more than 50 locations in 16 different countries during the four years it took to produce this multimillion-dollar documentary of faith and history. Catholic Commentator George Weigel calls it “the most important media project in the history of the Catholic Church in America.” (See the “Catholicism” trailer at www.CatholicismSeries.com.)

The first installment will air at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 4, with encores at 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 7, and 4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 10.

The second installment will air 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 11, with encores at 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 14, and 4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 17.

This schedule will continue through August 2012.

Father Robert Barron fans also won’t want to miss his Good Friday program, “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” a live talk (tape-delayed by one hour) from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. This three-hour program airs 8:30 p.m. ET, Friday, April 6.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 200 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, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

Just LISTEN to this priest, can you believe what he's saying?!!

The following homily by Fr. Sammie Maletta of St. John the Evangelist Parish in St. John, Indiana comes from the Creative Minority Report (one of my favorite Internet hangouts).

This priest holds nothing back about what Obama's administration is actually doing to Catholics and our nation. While I think the entire homily is fantastic, the 8 minute mark to the end had me cheering him on! Don't miss it!


Listen (there is nothing to watch) and then pass it on to other Catholics.







Well done Fr. Maletta, well done.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Stupefied lesbian declares war on priest

I have known for a long time that patience is not one of my virtues. While I read books on the saints and fantasize of one day being like them, the reality of where I am is in sharp contrast to my dreams of saintly life on earth. Since becoming a Catholic several years ago, I have found that tolerance to those who have no tolerance for the Church isn’t one of my virtues either. Visions of living a saintly life of profound love oozing out of my pours are ripped from my mind by the bludgeoning of liberal pro-gay rights activists who DEMAND tolerance and acceptance of all their beliefs while offering no tolerance or acceptance to me and my Church. It’s their way or the highway. In the words of In Living Color’s Homey D. Clown, “Homey don’t play dat.”

This past month, with the HHS mandate being stuffed down Catholic throats and the media twisting the issue from religious liberty to ‘denying women birth control’ has put my already limited tolerance to an all time low. My poor priest has heard my confession of uncharitable and unkind thoughts (to put it mildly) too many times to count recently.


Then today…I think my head exploded into flames on my shoulders when I heard yet another liberal gay whining about the Catholic Church’s stand on gay marriage/unions. Recently, lesbian Barbara Johnson and her lesbian lover attended St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Washington D.C. for the funeral of her mother. Father Marcel Guarnizo had heard just before the mass that Johnson was a lesbian in a homosexual relationship with a woman, so he quietly denied her Communion at the funeral based on Canon Law 915. To put it simply…anyone in a state of grave sin is not to have Holy Communion (see below).

Johnson, stupefied that a Catholic priest would actually uphold Catholic teaching said nothing during the service, but has now decided to declare war on this priest for upholding Catholic teaching. She has promised not to stop going after him until he is removed from the priesthood. She seeks revenge on a priest for doing his job- practicing and upholding Catholic teachings.


When I say what I am going to say, I do not speak for the Catholic Church or for this priest or any particular parish. I speak solely for myself as a lay Catholic who is SICK TO DEATH of people demanding the Catholic Church bow to them and their beliefs. When I say… "IF YOU DON’T LIKE CATHOLIC TEACHING, DON’T BE A CATHOLIC!! Take your rainbow sashes down the street to Anything-Goes-Liberal church down the road and sing the praises of your gay activists till the cows come home."
Just SHUT UP with your demands that other beliefs and/or religious groups must cater to YOUR beliefs.

I’m willing to bet every religious institute, be they Muslim, Jewish or any form of Christianity have some sort of statement of faith. Check them out… find the one that matches your beliefs and STOP demanding all the others accept YOUR sins as non-sins. The Catholic Church (along with other Christian denominations and Islam etc) believes that homosexual relationships (not gay people) are a sin- an abomination to God. You are not going to change that belief with your demands or gay pride marches, nor your rainbow sashes so stop wasting everyone’s time. You just look foolish and immoral in our eyes and quite frankly we are getting tired of hearing the whining- I say ‘we’ because I know I am not alone in this. Other Catholics are fed up too. We pray for you to repent as we pray for ALL sinners to repent, including ourselves. We know it’s a struggle for you, but who doesn’t have struggles in this life? Who has said resisting sin is easy? It’s not, that is why we have Confession. We must confess our sins and turn from them- not to repeat them OR try to manipulate others into thinking sin isn’t sin. It is.

The homosexual engaged in gay sexual relationships are no better or worse than the heterosexual adulterer. It’s all forbidden sexual sin. God decided what sin is and what is not. He didn’t ask our opinion and the Catholic Church is not a democracy that we get to vote on it. We don’t get to rewrite what Moral Law is.
To be Catholic…a practicing Catholic, you MUST accept ALL the Church’s teachings. This is not a buffet table to pick what you want and leave the rest behind. Being Catholic is NOT easy, hence Christ’s words of “pick up your cross and carry it” (Matt.16:24).

If you simply cannot believe or accept Catholic teachings there are tens of thousands of protestant denominations out there for you to pick from or you can start your own denomination like so many others before you. Have at it, but STOP telling the Catholic Church what it can and can’t believe or practice. The Catholic Church has been around for more than two thousand years and it is not about to cave into today’s secular demands so stop wasting everyone’s time. Your insistent whining is like nails on a chalk board, irritating but pointless as it will change nothing.

Perhaps my attitude is wrong and I am once again letting frustration run amuck in my life, but I simply have NO TOLERANCE for those who have no tolerance for my Church. I am not asking you to believe what my Church teaches; I am asking you to stop whining about what my Church teaches. Don’t like it, go somewhere else.

My patience with people such as lesbian Barbara Johnson is void at this point, and that is something I have to constantly struggle with in today’s secular society. I do not hate gays, I am not a "homophobe", nor do I wish them harm…I just wish they’d stop screaming “TOLERANCE” when they clearly have none for those who hold different beliefs then they do.

Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Canon Law source: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P39.HTM

Lesbian story Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-archdiocese-denying-communion-to-lesbian-at-funeral-was-against-policy/2012/02/28/gIQAlIxVgR_story.html