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Showing posts from February, 2011

Pedophilia a ‘sexual orientation’ experts tell Parliament | LifeSiteNews.com

...and on and on it goes. The distance we've traveled since my youth on what was considered moral or acceptable is immense, and we're picking up speed. You can choose to see this as a race to the top or to the bottom, but no one can doubt the direction we're headed. Pedophilia a ‘sexual orientation’ experts tell Parliament | LifeSiteNews.com

Nothing sounds as pure as the innocent laughter of a child! Treat yourself to a 2minute smile.

Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan predicts uprising coming to America - chicagotribune.com

Louis Farrakan has been smoking something... that's for sure. It sounds like he has converted from Islam to the Church of Scientology. It would seem that he overlooked the Koranic punishments he previously supported regarding apostates. Either that or he figures he's is safe behind the lawyers of the Church. Who knows? Given the ferocity of Scientology's defense of its members, perhaps he has put himself beyond the reach of any Islamist who might see 'taking him out' as a ticket to paradise.  Murderous jihadist or Scientologist lawyers? Pretty much a toss-up in my books. No matter who loses... western civilization wins! Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan predicts uprising coming to America - chicagotribune.com

Surgeon's act of compassion | Adelaide Now

' Compassion' ?? A Doctors puts a bullet into someone's head can (IMO) be called many things... but I don't think 'compassion' is an appropriate word. I sincerely hope that this does not become standard medical practice! It may be 'cost efficient' but it's hardly compatible with the Hippocratic Oath!!! Surgeon's act of compassion | Adelaide Now

Unpleasant Truths « The Gospel in the Digital Age

Here is the 'offensive' billboard ad that NYC officials ordered removed The pro-life/pro-choice debate and the issue of freedom of expression. It seems that speech is 'free' so long as it doesn't argue for the rights of the unborn. Unpleasant Truths « The Gospel in the Digital Age

American political ad opposing abortion - Thank God we live in Canada

Why We Write About Grief - NYTimes.com

An interesting article about a universal human experience... grief. Why We Write About Grief - NYTimes.com

Must Presidents Defend Laws They Don’t Like? - NYTimes.com

No matter what one's position is on same-sex marriage, the fact that the executive branch of the US government has decided to ignore a law passed by the legislative branch is worthy of discussion. The Canadian equivalent would be for the Prime Minister's Office instructing the civil service to ignore a law passed by Parliament. This is a dangerous step to take as it moves a society away from a democratic process and closer to governance by executive fiat. As I said, it's something to ponder irrespective of the particulars of the gay marriage issue. Must Presidents Defend Laws They Don’t Like? - NYTimes.com

Scientists Are Cleared of Misuse of Data - NYTimes.com

It's hard to deny that our climate is changing, yet many still hold to the view that it is. The recent brouhaha about scientists manipulating data to justify their conclusions is often raised by those who do not believe that the situation is as dire as many scientists profess. We may not be headed for 'global warming' (a disappointment to we frozen Canucks!) but there can be little doubt that our eco-system is definitely in a state of flux due to the many chemicals and gases we are pumping out into the atmosphere. Scientists Are Cleared of Misuse of Data - NYTimes.com

NHLer helps man's best friend

A little something 'nice' to balance the abortion ad! NHLer helps man's best friend

A bit of humor that's on the edge... but the writer in me couldn't resist!

For all my grammatically correct friends. On his 74th birthday, a man got a gift certificate from his wife. The certificate paid for a visit to a medicine man living on a nearby reservation who was rumored to have a wonderful cure for erectile dysfunction. After being persuaded, he drove to the reservation, handed his ticket to the medicine man and wondered what he was in for. The old man handed a potion to him, and with a grip on his shoulder, warned,"This is a powerful medicine. You take only a  teaspoonful and then say '1-2-3.' " When you do, you will become more manly than you have ever been in your life and you can perform as long as you want." The  man was encouraged.  As he walked away, he turned and asked, "How do I stop the medicine from working?"   "Your partner must say '1-2-3-4,'" he responded, "but when she does, the medicine will not work again until the next full moon." He was very eager t

There’s no such thing as the Bible and never has been – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

My Take: There’s no such thing as the Bible and never has been – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

A Romp Through Theories on Origins of Life - NYTimes.com

A Romp Through Theories on Origins of Life - NYTimes.com

Oscars 2011

Here's an interesting summary page with lots of Oscar links. Oscars 2011

Australian priests rebel against new Mass | Holy Post | National Post

Some rebellion! A dozen priests out of 1600 don't like the new translation. Too bad boys. It's time to get with the program. This is not some sort of attempt to stifle the 'aggornamento' (renewal) of Vatican II. It is an expression of the sister imperative, 'resourcement' (connecting to our traditions). In other words, it simply brings the english text into closer harmony with the other languages the church uses as it better reflects the text of the original latin. Fr. Tim Australian priests rebel against new Mass | Holy Post | National Post

Newman’s Assent of Faith | First Things

Cardinal John Henry Newman "Newman countered the Enlightenment’s understanding of reason, a reduced notion of reason, which sets itself as the judge of all truth and demands scientific evidence, arguing that faith in God is possible without formal evidence. In fact, as Newman points out, many truths are received implicitly. Often people cannot explain what they know to be true and yet this does not diminish the truth of their claims. " Read more by clicking on the link below. Newman’s Assent of Faith | First Things

Love your enemies: B16 reflects upon this Christian imperative

VATICAN CITY, 20 FEB 2011 (VIS) - In his remarks before praying the Angelus today with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope turned his attention to this Sunday's Bible readings which speak to us, he said, "of God's desire to bring mankind to share in His life: 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy' as it says in the Book of Leviticus.   "With these words and the precepts that follow", the Holy Father added, "the Lord invites the people He chose to remain faithful to their covenant with Him by following His path, and He founds social legislation on the commandment: 'you shall love your neighbour as yourself'. If, then, we listen to Jesus, in Whom God took a mortal body in order to come close to all men and to reveal His infinite love for us, we rediscover this same call, this same bold objective".   The Pope continued: "Jesus Himself says: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute yo

Guilty Until Proven Innocent? | Daily News | NCRegister.com

I absolutely agree that this is a major concern for priests. It is another example of our not being properly dealt with or respected by our Bishops! If they would actually have followed their own procedures instead of trying to cover up for actual predators, this would most likely not be an issue today. Alas they have historically been more concerned with protecting their own reputations and that of their diocese that they were about either the victims or their good priests. It has effected how we minister. I will never allow myself to be in a situation when I am alone with any children, even for an instant. I insist on the children being brought to the church for confessions so that I can use the confessional rather than using a room at the school as a means of protecting myself from false allegations. Parishes everywhere have dropped their youth and child ministries because we cannot take the chance. I used to raise funds every year from friends so that I could take a busload of k

China's magic goldfish trick under fire - The Globe and Mail

Excuse me? They don't complain when people demanding freedom get tossed into jail or run down by tanks... but make a goldfish do a trick and it's a crime? What the hell is going on in this world? Things are upside down! China's magic goldfish trick under fire - The Globe and Mail

In Grand Jury's Wake, "We Have Fallen Short"

SIGH... When will the Bishop's finally get it through their heads that they can no longer rely on 'in-house' investigations of sexual abuse allegations. The protocol in Canada and the USA is supposed to include an automatic referral to civil authorities to investigate. Yes, some priests will fall victim to false allegations, but we should have enough faith in the justice system that the names of anyone falsely accused will be cleared. Besides this, the Church has no one but itself to blame for putting priests in this dangerous position. If the Bishops would have dealt with these issues properly in the first place, innocent priests would not be in such a tenuous position. It is not the priests who are letting the Church down. It's the Bishops! Whispers in the Loggia: In Grand Jury's Wake, "We Have Fallen Short"

South Dakota Shelves Bill on Killings in Defense of the Unborn - NYTimes.com

A ham-handed attempt that produced a VERY BAD bill. Everyone, pro-life or pro-choice should be offended by this legislation. Thankfully it will probably never become law, but it does point to some of the stupidity around the abortion issue. Read the article for yourself for the NYT and see what you think. South Dakota Shelves Bill on Killings in Defense of the Unborn - NYTimes.com

I Am In Awe of Such Faith | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Dear Reader, Please... if you read and respond to only one article on this blog today, make it this one. You will not regret it. It will move the heart (and hopefully much more) in all of us. With many thanks, Fr. Tim I Am In Awe of Such Faith | Blogs | NCRegister.com

The 'Hard Road' of Catholics

Beautiful inside & out! Dianne Wood, a friend of this blog and a frequent letter writer within the virtual and real pages of the National Post remarked the other day that Catholics are called to walk a 'hard road' in these times. She offered this in defense of an argument that such a journey can be successfully accomplished with faith, discipline and the grace of God. As always, she is so RIGHT ON! I wanted to let her know of my appreciation for her witness that I posted the comment below in the relevant thread on the Holy Post . I post it again here to ensure that she (and others who do the same) might find it to be of encouragement in this difficult times for those who argue in defense of the Catholic faith and Church. --------------------------- Dianne: You are so right! It is a road made hard by the sinfulness of clergy who both enabled and committed these heinous crimes. Yet we continue to believe in the truth the Church contains, soiled but not stained

Preparing for the upcoming season of Lent

Lent, Ramadan, Tisha B'Av...virtually every religion has its own version of a time set  each year during which adherents deny themselves some of life’s ordinary pleasures as penance for their failings of the year past. For Christians and Muslims, it is common during Lent and Ramadan to refrain from eating foods and forego indulging in other favorite passions.  It's their participation in a collective mea culpa, mea maxima culpa; a shared act of atonement for sin. The weeks leading to the Jewish days of Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur include certain rites of purification when orthodox Jews ritually cleanse themselves. It is to make clear the change of state from sin to grace using the cleansing power of water as exteriorly revealing an inner change. During Lent, individual acts of abstinence and penance undertaken by Christians of various denominations seem to take on greater significance when joined by sharing the experience communally. Attendance at daily mass rises as practicing

More Shame on the Church - NYTimes.com

IF these events happened after the Diocese committed to transparency and cooperation (2002 at the latest with the creation of the Dallas Protocols) and accepted the requirement of immediate suspension of the priest involved and reporting of the allegation to the Police, then 'charge away'. If Catholic leaders today commit such an offense as not following the current laws and protocols they should and no doubt will be charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. IF HOWEVER these events took place prior to 2002, in a Diocese that still was guided by the ethos of putting the interests of preserving the taint of scandal rather than the legitimate questions of justice and protection for the victims of these predators, then it is little more than an example of 'piling on' by the NYT. We all know that the Church hierarchy acted abominably prior to getting caught with the pants down, figuratively, literally, legally and morally before finally being humiliated into a

PM lets Cheryl Gallant walk plank for ‘incomprehensible’ maritime musing - The Globe and Mail

Sad, but once again the local Member of Parliament that represents the majority of the diocese of Pembroke is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. I say it's sad because she is an avid (and usually more capable) defender of the pro-life agenda. Now the local pro-choice advocates are heaping opprobrium on their opponents in this debate by ridiculing them as being associated with other malapropisms. Such are the tides of life in these parts. I take comfort in knowing that the tides may ebb and flow but time marches on towards its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Such a perspective helps keep fresh one's hope and energy in these contests in the public square. It speaks to the need for all who argue for the enshrinement in legislation that which our faith teaches to remain personally connected to God, both in His church and individually. This is nourished and sustained best through an active personal prayer life and communal celebrations of faith. It is also sustained by d

...and on a lighter note after all these heavy issues

Each Friday night after work, sun, snow or rain, Jack , being a Newfie, would fire up his outdoor grill and cook a moose steak. But all of Jack's neighbours were Catholic. And since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating meat on Friday. The delicious aroma from the grilled moose steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest.  The priest came to visit Jack, and suggested that he become a Catholic. After several classes and much study, Jack attended Mass, and as the priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said: "You were born a Protestant and raised a Protestant, but now you are a Catholic." Jack's neighbours were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled moose filled the neighbourhood. The priest was called immediately by the neighbours, and, as he rushed into Jack's yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in amazement. There

Gay rights groups attack iPhone confession app for Roman Catholics | World news | The Observer

Give me a break. What did they expect from something that the Church approved of as a preparation for confession? I have not purchased this app but I hardly find this surprising. It is the teaching of the Catholic Church that homosexual acts are intrinsically sinful because they are unchaste. In other words, they are sexual acts that take place outside of the sacrament of marriage and are therefore a major sin against chastity. One should not expect a church instrument to say anything else. In fact, it WOULD be a story within the Catholic world if the app answered in any other way but as it stands, it doesn't really budge the 'surprise meter'. Fr. Tim Gay rights groups attack iPhone confession app for Roman Catholics | World news | The Observer

Morality without Religion?

Fr. Dwight Longenecker Morality without Religion?  Fr. Dwight Longenecker Can you be a moral person without religion? Yes and no. It all depends on what you mean by 'moral' and what you mean by 'religion'. What most people mean by 'moral' in our society is "Try to be a nice person. Be normal. Have relatively good manners. Don't do any of the big bad ones like killing someone or stealing or being a pervert. Be involved in a good cause of some sort--like the soup kitchen or saving the Amazonian rain forest." Morality for the post Christian masses doesn't really have anything to do with a set moral code or particular rules to follow. It is more a sense of 'feeling that you are a moral person'. Part of this feeling 'moral' is tolerance of everyone else and outrage at hypocritical Christian type people who try to force their version of 'morality' on others. So can you be 'moral' in this way without be

A kiss that lasts forever, literally - The Globe and Mail

What a magnificent response to the idiotic state in Malaysia which warned Muslims not to engage in such 'immoral acts' on Valentine's Day . It is little more than a variation on the dancing marathon contests of years gone by, although I do think they took the 'potty issue' a little too far. Chacun a son gôut! It's campy but hardly a crime. Click on the link below to see what I mean. A kiss that lasts forever, literally - The Globe and Mail

A joke coming from Egypt: H/T to Fr. Michael Smith in Temiscaming Qc!

  A joke coming from Egypt: "The Tunisian regime fell on a Friday. Hosni Mubarak resigned on a Friday. Muammar Khadafi has banned Fridays."

Salvation - a User's Manual and FAQ's

I like the way that Michael uses everyday imagery and events to help explain the Christian message. Well done Michael! P.S.  What's up with your photo? I thought you were supposed to wait for the flamé to extinguish before eating! Freedom Through Truth: Salvation - a User's Manual and FAQ's

An app for the penitent: Bless me, Apple, for I have sinned - The Globe and Mail

Here's a wonderful example of how the MSM has no idea how to report religious stories. The headline and first paragraph state that the church has approved the use of an iphone app to be forgiven of personal sin... in lieu evidently of going to confession. You have to read all the way to the last line to discover that absolution still requires a trip to the confessional... "for now, anyway." An app for the penitent: Bless me, Apple, for I have sinned - The Globe and Mail

Every Tom Dick and Satan Knows Scripture

Every Tom Dick and Satan Knows Scripture And Satan Knows It Best Christianity is split largely between the Catholics and the Protestants, though there are so many splits among the Protestants that it is hard to tell denomination from denomination without some kind of score card. But, the Catholics don't get off so easily either. Catholics have abandoned their faith in droves, some surfacing with our Protestant brothers and sisters, but many just lapsing into nowhere land.... Click on link below to read entire post. Freedom Through Truth: Every Tom Dick and Satan Knows Scripture

A little Catholic humor

A guy goes into a restaurant and is greeted by the hostess, who asks: “Smoking or non-smoking?” “Non-smoking,” he replies. He is seated and the waiter comes over to his table to take his drink order. “I’ll have a Coke,” he states. The waite......r says: “Diet or Regular?” “Um, regular.” “Caffeine or caffeine-free?” “Uh, with caffeine.” The drink is brought to his table and the guy orders his food. The waiter asks what kind of dressing on the salad, “Italian, French, Thousand Island, raspberry vinaigrette?” He says: “Italian,” and the waiter immediately comes back with “regular Italian or fat-free?” “Regular,” says the man, with a hint of impatience in his voice. And it goes on, with the steak order: “how do you want that prepared, rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, or well done?” and “how do you want your vegetables: raw, steamed, baked, boiled, blanched or fried?” and “how would you like your potatoes: baked, French fried, or mashed?” Finally, the poor man has ha

Why do religious leaders fall to temptations? Who is responsible?

“ Another one bite's the dust .” The rock super-group Queen probably never intended to provide a theme song for Christian leaders – but in the wake of the continuing sex abuse scandals among priests, ministers and religious leaders, the lyric seems to be an appropriate mantra for believers. The latest leader to fall is Fr. Tom Eutreneuer, former executive director of HLI (Human Life International) and a Catholic priest of the Palm Beach Diocese in Florida. He has had to step down from his position and has had his religious faculties suspended after he admitted to inappropriate sexual activities with a woman who came to him for an exorcism. HLI is one of the largest pro-life Catholic organizations in North America and has been considered to be among the most fervent and outspoken voices promulgating the call to chastity and obedience to Roman Catholic sexual ethics. This phenomena is not unique to the Catholic faith. Church leaders from Ted Haggart to Jim Baker and Jimmy Swag

Volkswagen trolls the dark side of the 'Force' for inspiration - great for a smile on a snowy Friday

Moral scepticism versus Sam Harris's moral realism - ABC Religion & Ethics - Opinion

"In recent years, Sam Harris has become a leading figure in the rational scrutiny of religions and religious cultures, earning himself a place as a prominent "New Atheist," along with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. In The Moral Landscape , he pushes his agenda a step further, examining the nature of morality from a secular viewpoint and offering prescriptions for change. In particular, he contests the moral credentials of religion, argues against popular understandings of free will, and savages moral relativism. Though The Moral Landscape contains much technical material from philosophy and neuroscience, Harris makes it accessible. He has an enviable gift for vivid phrasing and clear exposition of difficult concepts, and he undoubtedly has much to teach us. Many passages are timely and convincing. That said, however, morality is a tricky phenomenon, and I am left with reservations." To read the rest of the article, click

WOW!! UFO buzzes Jerusalem? AMAZING VIDEO!!!!

Personalities Of The Catholic Combox | Blogs | NCRegister.com

"The comment box in the blogosphere, or combox, is the wild wild west of the internet.  In the combox you can and will meet all kinds of strange and wondrous characters. The combox in the Catholic interwebs has its own cast of characters.  I suspect that your average Catholic blog reader probably has never, or very rarely, left a comment on a post.  They read what you have to say and if you are really, really lucky, they might think about it for a moment. Those are the readers.  Commenters are a different ball of wax.  Commenters, and you know who you are, have opinions and they…well they have opinions. Having been around the Catholic blogging game for a few years now, certain easily identifiable personality types emerge in the combox.  I hear tale that there are those who have actually read your entire post and write to make a cogent and civil point to add to the discussion.  I hear tales of these commenters—and unicorns.  Unicorns mostly.  Although I am quite sure

Who declared 'Science' the winner?

Who declared that science was the single discipline that gets to determine what is to be considered the path to discover 'truth' in western society? I mean, we have always accepted different means of discerning truth. Now the scientific method is presented by atheists as the means by which societal and moral decisions are to be made. Do the lessons of history not contain truth? Is philosophy no longer a font from which we can find meaning to the events of our life? Will I need a biologist to prove that I love my vocation as a priest? Do you need one to prove that you love those close to you? For that matter, could science even pronounce on such subjects that it have nothing to do with? Science cannot explain love, faith, joy. Science cannot tell me why a magnificent sunrise is capable of moving my mind and soul in ways that are hard to explain. Science cannot explain the genius of a Mozart or the artist's eye of Picasso. Science cannot even tell me why I a

The Real Presence

Michael Brandon (Freedom Through Truth) shares some wonderful insights and reflections on the Catholic belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Freedom Through Truth: The Real Presence

An excellent compendium of recent news stories coming out of Eygpt

Morning Must Reads: Mess - Swampland - TIME.com