Friday, October 31, 2008
Message of Boldness
THIS RADIO AD -- FROM A CATHOLIC BISHOP --COULD STOP OBAMA IN HIS TRACKS.
Catholics are Lining Up to vote for ObamaBut in spite of Obama's horrifying support of killing the unborn, much more than half of America's Catholics (and almost as many Evangelicals) are prepared to vote for him. This is madness!But we now have a way to expose him, wake up the consciences of Catholics, and STOP OBAMA!
Bishop Gracida to the Rescue -- of Babies and Catholic MoralityRoman Catholic Bishop, Rene Henry Gracida, has given us 2 great radio spots -- one in English, one in Spanish.The exact words of the radio spot could not be clearer - and they could wake up and shake up Catholics who are planning to vote for Obama.
"This is Bishop Rene H. Gracida, reminding all Catholics that they must vote in this election with an informed conscience. A Catholic cannot be said to have voted in this election with a good conscience if they have voted for a pro-abortion candidate. Barack Hussein Obama is a pro-abortion candidate." BOOM! DEAD ON! Could it be any clearer?!
NEXT: Help stop Obama from your Computer; Reach out to your PriestYOU can be in this fight, right from your computer!We have created four hard-hitting videos dealing with Barack Obama for you to watch and forward via email to your Priest and your Bishop.
WARNING: These videos are NOT suitable for small children! When you see the videos, you will see why they are so critical. One is for Catholic Bishops, and one for Catholic Priests. I'm asking you to watch them, and then send a personal letter from you, along with the video link to your Priest - BEGGING him to watch it. Then follow up with him, and ask if he watched it. Send him another email, call him, or talk to him in person -- WHATEVER IT TAKES. (By the way, we have one for evangelical ministers as well. If you know any evangelicals, send them the link for their pastor!)In these videos, I speak directly to clergy, urging them to tell their flocks plainly: No Christian can in good conscience vote for Obama. Watch these videos -- they are very short -- and you will see how they could reach your Priest -- no matter how fearful or "apolitical" he has been.
FINALLY... We have ONE MORE CHANCE to speak to millions of Americans through the MEDIA... on Monday, November 3!What we're doing is organizing Anti-Obama Demonstrations and Press Conferences.
We're calling it: Main Street -- Defeat Obama! As you may know, Obama keeps talking about "Main Street." But in reality, he does not represent Main Street values (unless we are talking about Main Street Sodom and Gomorrah.) On Monday, November 3, at 12:00 noon, Christians will gather on Main Street (or a main thoroughfare) in their own town, all across the country, holding signs along the road:"Main Street Unite: Defeat Obama!" And..."Main Street Unite: Obama is a dead end!" And..."Main Street Unite: Obama is a dead end for Children!" And..."Main Street: A Vote for Obama is a vote for dead babies!"
The Media are looking for last minute stories!
Let's give them one! You could lead an event like this in your town. We provide the exact details of what to do, as well as the press release for your community, and how to get the media out. Your simple to follow instructions, including a press release template are at:http://www.ahumbleplea.com/
View Videos:http://www.randallterry.com/Give for ads:https://secure.conservativedonations...hpac/?a=USERID As you will see, we have MANY tools for you to use in your home town in the final days.
For example: You could download and print,Faithful Catholic Citizenship: Based on the Gospel of Life from http://www.ahumbleplea.com/, and hand it out at your parish on Sunday.
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Yes, this is long but if you view the videos it is URGENT! This blog is just one little avenue I have to get the word out - and many of you are "the choir", so to speak. But if you can pass this on as well - to your priests, bishops, and maybe even Evangelical friends.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Reflections on One Life Within
Shepherds?
by Deal W. Hudson
10/27/08
If Obama wins on November 4 with the help of Catholic voters, the biggest factor in his favor will be the bishops' own document and Web site, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship."
I never thought it likely that Catholic voters could be persuaded to support a candidate with both the most extreme record on abortion and who favors gay marriage. Yet, barring a miracle, that paradox is only a week away: The New York Times is reporting Obama 22 points ahead among Catholic voters.
As I have watched the campaign unfold, especially Obama's outreach to Catholic voters, the USCCB document has played a decisive role. "Faithful Citizenship" provided Obama's Catholic supporters the escape clauses needed to convince Catholics they could vote for a pro-abortion candidate in "good conscience."
There are two major loopholes in the document. First, it states that Catholics are allowed to vote for a supporter of abortion rights so long as 1) they do not intend to support that position (34) or 2) there are offsetting "morally grave reasons" (35).
Many bishops have spoken out forcefully that the document is being abused. Bishop Robert Vasa, for example, points out that voting for a pro-abortion candidate is never justified when the opponent is pro-life. Similarly, Bishops Kevin Vann and Kevin Farrell insist there are no "'truly grave moral' or 'proportionate' reasons, singularly or combined, that could outweigh the millions of innocent human lives that are directly killed by legal abortion each year."
Obama's Catholic surrogates made little note of the corrections. The cat, as they say, was out of the bag when the bishops approved "Faithful Citizenship" at their meeting in November 2007.
The presentation of "Faithful Citizenship" on the Web site of "Roman Catholics for Obama" is typical:
We hope you'll spend time reviewing all of the material housed or linked from here. But if you read just two documents, please make them the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship -- which explains why "[t]here may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate for other grave reasons" -- and Barack Obama's Blueprint for Change, which outlines all of Senator Obama's positions and is, we think, reflective of why he is the candidate whose views are most compatible with the Catholic outlook [emphasis added].
Visit any of the pro-Obama Catholic Web sites and you will find this message taken from "Faithful Citizenship": Catholic voters can ignore Obama's pro-abortion record because of mitigating factors.
At least some staff at the USCCB were aware that this was the import of "Faithful Citizenship." At a conference at Creighton University in June, John Carr, executive director of social development and world peace for the USCCB, "stressed that the bishops' document does not shut the door on any candidate, not even one who supports abortion rights."
By June 2008, of course, Obama and McCain were the nominees.
What sentence did Carr then quote from "Faithful Citizenship" to back up his statement?
[Carr] pointed to a caveat in the document: "There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons. Voting in this way would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, not to advance narrow interests or partisan preferences or to ignore a fundamental moral evil" [emphasis added].
When the bishops approved this document, did they realize how it could be used politically in upcoming elections? Further, when they approved the language quoted above -- "There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons" -- why didn't they provide more specific guidelines? The document is so abstract that it invites just the kind of abuse it is receiving at the hands of the Obama campaign.
Is this election one of the "times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons"? Many bishops have said "no," but "Faithful Citizenship" has been being taught throughout the nation's dioceses and parishes for many months. Stories abound of parish seminars where the pro-life concern was dismissed as "single-issue" or "divisive" and "partisan." It got so bad in the Diocese of Scranton that Bishop Joseph Martino crashed a panel discussion in a local parish and announced, "The USCCB doesn't speak for me."
The abuse will not end with the election, regardless of the outcome. The Catholic News Service reports that "group discussions, adult education programs, diocesan conferences, DVD presentations and Sunday Mass homilies" will not stop on November 4th.
If this is true, then the bishops need to take another look at "Faithful Citizenship" at next month's meeting. The mere fact that so many bishops have felt the need to correct misinterpretations is proof enough that it needs an overhaul.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
On Fire ~
Okay, I'm off to pray day 3 of the novena for the election. Good night!
Father Corapi is urging everyone to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. It's not too late to join in. Again, I have it posted on my left sidebar.
Come What May
Award Time
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The Catholic Vote
I have been asked by many people to help clarify Catholic teaching on exercising one's voting rights, especially with respect to the abortion issue. There are many candidates across the nation running on many issues, and Catholics are trying to sort through them all, so I will state the Church's position as unequivocally as possible for the education of the faithful and not as an endorsement of any particular candidate or candidates: true Catholics are not "single-issue" voters - we are principled voters. That determines which candidates we give our vote to and it determines the state of our souls after we vote.
With respect to the abortion issue, the principle in question is the moral impossibility for a Catholic to cooperate in an act or an institution that is "intrinsically evil." Now, something that is "intrinsically evil" is not just a bad thing - it is a heinous thing, trumping all other moral considerations, and we can never legitimately commit the act ourselves or approve of it in anyone else. Casting a vote for a candidate who forcefully advocates the killing of innocent unborn babies shows approval or unacceptable toleration of that heinous crime against humanity, and Catholics can never do it in good conscience. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls such an attitude and action "formal cooperation" in evil (#2272). This does not mean that I commit the evil myself. It means that I agree with it and have made it possible for a person in public office to continue and/or advance that evil in my society.
Formal cooperation in the evil act of another is a sin, and depending on the gravity of the person's evil act, formal cooperation in it can be a mortal sin. Since procured abortion is an intrinsically evil act, and all promotion of it fits into the same moral category, voting for a person who forcefully advocates it must be a mortal sin. Add to the sin of formal cooperation in evil the sin of disobedience to legitimate Church authority. To date the USCCB and more than a dozen US bishops and state bishops' conferences have clarified these principles for Catholics, and their teachings couldn't be clearer.
Further, add the sin of scandal that a regrettable number of priests and religious are giving by their appalling disingenuousness about Church teachings both in and out of the pulpit. Catholic parents and teachers equally give scandal when they do not teach their children the principles that undergird moral behavior or properly form their consciences according to the Truth that is in Christ.
Some ask if a Catholic may vote for someone whose policies would advance an agenda that is mostly in line with the Catholic Church's teaching? Also, what if the Catholic disagrees with the candidate's position on abortion but still wants to vote for this candidate for other reasons consistent with our values? Here the Church uses the term "proportionate reason" to indicate that there must be some kind of balance in the candidate's position that indicates it is likely that a greater good would be accomplished for society despite the evil he or she advocates. Proportionate reasoning usually has to do with positions that are not intrinsically evil in themselves or that, if they are, would constitute such a minimal part of the platform that they would be "outweighed" somehow in the grand scheme of the candidate's public service. According to the above principle, however, the degree to which the candidate would promote something as heinous as abortion can literally nullify all the other "good" that he or she would do for humanity! When the fundamental right to life is denied in society, all other rights and goods are therefore threatened. The very moral foundation of a people is eroded. So the answer has to be no, it is not legitimate to disagree on abortion and still vote for a radical abortion candidate.
May a Catholic vote for an "imperfect" candidate if the radical abortion candidate is worse? The Church says yes, but only if the vote is not expressed as an agreement with the "imperfect" elements of the candidate's policies and only if the vote is intended to limit the evil that other candidate would inevitably do.
It is truly regretful that we have gotten to the point where we might have to surrender some of our basic values in the voting booth because we have not successfully insisted on the very best candidates for public office to serve the common good. That is a discussion for another day, but I anticipate that if Catholics do not assert Catholic values forcefully in elections and public policy from here on out, we may be faced in future elections with no choice whatsoever that can morally satisfy the Catholic conscience. Heaven help and guide us all on November 4th.
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Bishop Robert W. Finn: Freedom of Choice Act Would Remove All Limitations on Abortions
Bishop Vasa: Pro-Abortion Candidates are "Disqualified" - Clarifies "Faithful Citizenship"
Bishops' Statement: Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer,President, Human Life International
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Yesterday I posted the novena to Our Lady of Victory in my sidebar. Today is day 2 of this most important prayer during this most important time. If you'd like, I can email the Word doc. to you so you can print it out. I printed mine out as "landscape" and it fit beautifully.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
How 'Bout Them....Apples?
23-October-2008 -- Catholic News Agency
Bishop Shows-up at Election Forum, Defends Church’s Abortion Stance
Scranton, PA, Oct 22, 2008 (CNA).- An election forum at a Pennsylvania parish that took place last Sunday was organized to allow Catholics the opportunity to defend their support for McCain and Obama. However, the forum took a surprising turn when an unexpected guest showed up to guide his flock, the Bishop of Scranton, Joseph F. Martino.
The forum, which took place at St. John’s Catholic Church in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was underway when the bishop arrived. Four panel members were sharing their perspectives on the presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, some pledging to vote for the Republican, others for the Democrat.
One of the panelists, Sister Margaret Gannon of Marywood University cited statements from “Faithful Citizenship” a document on voting released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She noted that “a Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as abortion or racism, if the voter’s intent is to support that position. At the same time, a voter should not use a candidate’s opposition to an intrinsic evil to justify indifference or inattentiveness to other important moral issues involving human life and dignity. ”
After Sr. Gannon spoke, the bishop took the floor. Bill Genello, a spokesman for the Diocese of Scranton told the Wayne Independent that when Bishop Martino arrived, his intention was to listen “to the presenters and how they might discuss Catholic teaching.”
However, he continued, “Certain groups and individuals have used their own erroneous interpretations of Church documents, particularly the U.S. Bishops’ statement on Faithful Citizenship, to justify their political positions and to contradict the Church’s actual teaching on the centrality of abortion, euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research.”
When the bishop heard the speakers using the bishops’ statement to justify their choice for president, he reminded the audience that those “groups and individuals who make statements about Catholic teaching do not speak with the same authority or authenticity as their bishop.”
The prelate then clarified his authority as bishop and the Church’s teachings on abortion as an election issue.
“No USCCB document is relevant in this diocese,” said Martino according to the Wayne Independent. “The USCCB doesn’t speak for me.”
“The only relevant document ... is my letter,” he continued, “There is one teacher in this diocese, and these points are not debatable.” [link added - the bishop's letter]
The letter he referred to was a pastoral letter to his entire diocese that was published in the first week of October. In his message, Bishop Martino states that a candidate’s abortion stance is a major voting issue that supersedes all others due to its grave moral consequences.
He wrote: “To begin, laws that protect abortion constitute injustice of the worst kind. They rest on several false claims including that there is no certainty regarding when life begins, that there is no certainty about when a fetus becomes a person, and that some human beings may be killed to advance the interests or convenience of others.”
“Another argument goes like this: ‘As wrong as abortion is, I don't think it is the only relevant ‘life’ issue that should be considered when deciding for whom to vote.’ This reasoning is sound only if other issues carry the same moral weight as abortion does, such as in the case of euthanasia and destruction of embryos for research purposes. ... National Right to Life reports that 48.5 million abortions have been performed since 1973. One would be too many. No war, no natural disaster, no illness or disability has claimed so great a price.”
He also touched on just war. “Even the Church’s just war theory has moral force because it is grounded in the principle that innocent human life must be protected and defended. Now, a person may, in good faith, misapply just war criteria leading him to mistakenly believe that an unjust war is just, but he or she still knows that innocent human life may not be harmed on purpose. A person who supports permissive abortion laws, however, rejects the truth that innocent human life may never be destroyed. This profound moral failure runs deeper and is more corrupting of the individual, and of the society, than any error in applying just war criteria to particular cases.”
“No social issue has caused the death of 50 million people,” he said, noting that he no longer supports the Democratic Party. “This is madness people.”
When the prelate concluded his speech, most audience members gave him a standing ovation, while others were upset that the leader of the diocese made an appearance. Bishop Martino left the event shortly after making his remarks.
Organizers of the event had mixed emotions regarding the bishop’s appearance.
Father Martin Boylan, pastor of St. John’s said that they “were very careful not to endorse anyone,” and that the forum was meant to be “a political slash editorial forum about the presidential election.”
He also explained that the state church guidelines were “carefully followed” for the event.
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My jaw was on the floor and Paul was beaming and saying how fantastic Bishop Martino acted. I couldn't even find words.
Praise God and bless His holy shepherds! And may He bless and protect our country!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Truly Brilliant!
President Herod?
h/t: Crocus
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Answers
Planes, Trains and Automobiles - after the car caught on fire and they were driving to the motel. This is my favorite movie. [and this picture will make Karen laugh ;)]
Multiplicity - this is an obscure one, I know. This was one of Michael Keaton's clones - the dumb one. All he'd say were dorky things - and this was one of them.
Mr. Mom - I know I messed up the numbers on this quote, but it still has the same effect. This is a great flick.
Sixteen Candles - Grandpa, "Dong [clap clap]... Dong [clap clap]. Where is my au to mo bile?" The Donger, "Au to mo bile??? [laughing] Lake. Big Lake!"
Happy Gilmore - one of the best lines in this movie. It's Ben Stiller as the nurse at the nursing home who is 'caring' for Happy's grandma. I totally ruined this line. I meshed two scenes together.
Funny Farm - a Chevy Chase movie. He's trying to sell their money-pit-of-a-farm-house [which they had recently purchased] and they have potential buyers looking at the view in the yard - to which Chevy says into the walkie-talkie, "Cue the deer" !
Sixteen Candles - Anthony Michael Hall's line
The Jerk - of course, Steve Martin!
A HUGE HIGH-FIVE TO PAULA!! She got a 100%. I am a total loser though. Other's posts have truly stumped me!
Number 2 or 3?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Movie Line Meme
The rules. You have to figure out which movie each quote is from. List your answers 1-10 on your post and then come up with your own movie lines. Then simply tag 3 people. I know, a little brain power is involved. Not as simple as posting a picture, but hopefully it'll be fun ;)
I'm choosing comedic quotes for mine, since those are the ones we quiz each other on 'round here.
Movie Line Meme
- "Turn me over, I'm done on this side!"
- "I like pizza."
- "220. 230. Whatever it takes."
- "Lake. Big lake!"
- "Well now your back's gonna hurt. You just pulled landscaping duty. Read the name tag...you're in my world now, grandma!"
- "Cue the deer."
- "Nice...nice manners, babe!"
- "Her last baby came out sideways....she didn't scream or nuttin' "
- "I eat pieces of **** like you for breakfast." "You eat **** for breakfast?"
- "The new phone books are here, the new phone books are here. I'm somebody!"
Some of these are easy, some are obscure. Let's see how many you can get. You can leave your answers in my comments too. I'm going to tag these folks, though the rules state you only need to tag 3:
Therese
Sara
Kathleen
Paula
Laura
Jessica
Amy
Megan
There's a
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Apple Pickin'
Charlie looks just thrilled up above, huh? It's funny b/c I just cut his hair a few days after this trip and he looks so different now, looking back at this.
Apple pie, anyone?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Obama and 'Friends' - Part 1
I pray that those who are for Obama view this with an open mind. Please.
There are 6 parts to this program. You can go to YouTube to view the remaining 5 parts.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Our Nation's Death Wish
Father Corapi says it all and says it with such urgency. This country can be great again, but we really need to wake up!!
They say this about every election, but really: this is the most important election!
Hat tip: Totus Tuus
Friday, October 10, 2008
I Had No Idea!
Your result for The Commonly Confused Words Test...
English Genius
You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 87% Advanced, and 80% Expert!
You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!
Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!
For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.
Take The Commonly Confused Words Test at HelloQuizzy
So, see - I AM a genius!!
HT: the Awesome Aussie!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Stupid Martha
I read the reviews from the first few posters on the recipe site. Most of them loved it. A few said their ribs were bland. Oh, come on. They must be picky. I went with the majority. However, I did add some Liquid Smoke to give it a more barbeque-y taste. I couldn't see tomato soup doing a whole lot for ribs. Go figure.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Little Flowers Craft
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Anniversary Blessings
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
And read this letter that the Bishop of Scranton wrote for Respect Life Sunday. Our pastor wasted no time in making copies for our bulletin and reading it and expounding on the bishop's words this Sunday. I love our faithful and vigilant priests!
Our Lady of the Americas... Pray for us and our country!
Sixth, Sixth on the Seventh
...and yes, I remember taking this. It was a Sunday and my parents and sister were over. Paul was changing the spot lights above our fireplace which requires getting the huge ladder out. Joseph took no time in climbing all the way to the top! He was so little. I can't believe it. This was taken around November '06 - he was just about Charlie's age here.
Now I'm going to tag these 6 [ahem... I mean, 7]:
Have Fun!! Thanks again, Sara - this was a fun one! Oops! Guess I can't count - either that, or I just got carried away ;)