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Showing posts from March, 2011

The slaughter unseen

The slaughter unseen

An interview (in French) from a friend of this blog, Cristina Alarcon on changes to Pharmaceutical legislation in B.C.

Why Going to Church Can Make You Fat - TIME Healthland

Pizza Pizza... I want to order an extra large! Silly me! Here I thought it was because I ate too much!! Why Going to Church Can Make You Fat - TIME Healthland

It s "Buy Your Priest a Beer" Week! | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Given the fact that it's the end of March and the temperature outside is -17C (with windchill -27C), maybe a hot rum toddy would be a better alternative. Just so long as it won't result in a rush to the bathroom as my municipal water line is frozen AGAIN (2nd time in 3 weeks - last time cost $784 to repair). SIGH! It s "Buy Your Priest a Beer" Week! | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Victor Frankl addresses Toronto student conference - Thank you Dianne Wood for finding this clip

May God have mercy on my soul... for I step out with trepidation, however today...

I 'TWEETED' FOR THE 1ST TIME! Dear God... what have I done???

I appreciate St. Paddy's Day has past, but it's never a bad day to share a bit of wisdom from the Irish

Murphy showed up at Mass one Sunday and the priest almost fell down when he saw him. He'd never been to church in his life. After Mass, the priest caught up with him and said, "Murphy, I am so glad ya decided to come to Mass. What made ya come?" Murphy said, "I got to be honest with you Father, a while back, I misplaced me hat and I really, really love that hat. I know that McGlynn had a hat just like mine and I knew he came to church every Sunday.. I also knew that he had to take off his hat during Mass and figured he would leave it in the back of church. So, I was going to leave after Communion and steal McGlynn's hat." The priest said, "Well, Murphy, I notice that ya didn't steal McGlynn's hat. What changed your mind?" Murphy replied, "Well, after I heard your sermon on the 10 Commandments, I decided that I didn't need to steal McGlynn's hat after all." With a tear in his eye the priest gave Murphy a big smile

A parents worst nightmare befalls local families

Michael Pineau, missing in Ottawa Luc Joly, missing in North Bay Please pray for this lad, Michael Pineau from our little town of Mattawa. He has been missing since Tuesday and his family is deeply distressed and worried. Also, please pray for another lad from my neighboring parish, Luc Joly. He has been missing since last Saturday when he was seen leaving a bar in North Bay, Ontario. The news in this case is not looking good as the police have now transferred it to their criminal investigations unit. Holy Mary, Mother of God, please bring these boys home to their mothers. Teen missing since Tuesday

The Lutheran Landslide | Blogs | NCRegister.com

I always knew that my old friend Fr. RJN was a trend setter. Too bad he didn't live to see these changes in the ecumenical movement he supported bear fruit. The Lutheran Landslide | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Harry Reid: We’ll shut down government before we shut down Planned Parenthood funding | LifeSiteNews.com

Talk about having your priorities screwed up! Harry Reid provides an almost perfect example. When pro-life politicians ask to have their concerns addressed in legislation such as Obamacare (which I support BTW even though I'm not an American - a country as rich as the USA should provide health care to its citizens) they are denounced as extremists who would destroy the country. Now with this statement from Reid it will be interesting to see if the same media which denounced Stupak and his fellow legislators offers the same type of denunciation for his threat to shit down the entire US government over his pro-choice stance. Probably not. Harry Reid: We’ll shut down government before we shut down Planned Parenthood funding | LifeSiteNews.com

Proposed Italian law bans starvation and dehydration of terminal patients | LifeSiteNews.com

Now, if only we could have such a policy in Canada! I find myself complaining often to hospitals when I see patients being denied the basics of food and hydration in the terminal phase of their illness. Food and water should NEVER be considered extraordinary means of care no matter how close (or far) death appears to be. Even Catholic hospitals (such as our hospital here in Mattawa) use this horrid practice, despite the fact that the Church forbids it. Pro-lifers should recognize that this is happening and work to eliminate its use in Canada. Proposed Italian law bans starvation and dehydration of terminal patients | LifeSiteNews.com

Another bit of St. Paddy's Day wisdom from Maxine!

March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone

Men will outnumber women in India by 20% in 2030

China... India... South Korea... the evidence is mounting that gender selection as a reason for abortions is HIGHLY DETRIMENTAL to woman's interests, at least when it comes to their demographic status. Please note that these studies are not coming from Catholic or Christian organizations. This one comes from a Canadian study. Catholic Culture : Latest Headlines : Men will outnumber women in India by 20% in 2030

A reflection of the role of private revelation in our times

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us. This article should be of special interest to Roman Catholics. It is one of the best reflections on the role of private revelation (ie: Fatima or Lourdes) I've read in a long time. Despise Not Prophesying | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Deep Magic: The “Physics” of Sacrifice

Deep Magic: The “Physics” of Sacrifice "An atheist blogger surprised me recently by quoting Hebrews: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” He was quoting it because for him it epitomized everything that’s wrong with Christianity: barbarism, illogic, insanity. On the one hand, I think he misunderstood the meaning of the phrase. He seemed to think that Christians might go around forgiving people by killing sheep, or cutting themselves like the priests of Baal. On the other hand, I think his horror was a reaction to something real, and was therefore a credit to him, since he intuitively saw something that we Christians sometimes miss: that love always costs . For the thoroughgoing atheist, the problem of suffering might eventually be solved by means of technology and an ingenious rearrangement of political systems. But the Christian knows that it takes blood." Click link to read more:   Catholic Phoenix

Avenging Altar Boy - NYTimes.com

This is an article about R. Seth Williams, the District Attorney in Philadelphia who has laid charges not only against some predator priests, but also against the diocesan official who did not remove them from ministry but simply moved them to other parishes (where they sadly found more victims to abuse). I note that he is a practicing Catholic and sees his actions as aiding the Church in ridding itself of these abusers and their enablers. Avenging Altar Boy - NYTimes.com

The Global War Against Baby Girls | First Things

Boy? You live. Girl? You die? This is just one side effect of the attempts of either governments to limit population growth (eg:China's 'one child only' policy) or when parents are allowed to use gender as a selection criterion for abortion. Whether or not you believe in the morality of abortion, the prejudice against females by families who want only one child is becoming an issue that must be addressed. It does however create a specific conundrum from those who support abortion as being solely a woman's right to choose. How could they support the prohibition of gender selection as a criterion for abortion when they do not hold that the unborn female child is actually a person?  It's a question worthy of some thought. The Global War Against Baby Girls | First Things

'Baby Joseph' likely to have surgery within days, hospital says - CNN.com

This case has roiled within the pro-life community in Canada for months now. With Joseph's transfer to an American hospital, the drama shifts south of the border. Click on the link below to read the CNN take on this story. I also recommend this column from 'SoCon or Bust' to understand why it is that this story has been so prominent among the Canadian pro-life advocates. I may not agree with the tone and tenor of SoCon's argument, but the issues he raises are certainly worthy of consideration. 'Baby Joseph' likely to have surgery within days, hospital says - CNN.com

Dion returns to recession-hit Vegas with new show - CTV News

Céline saves Vegas?? "If anyone can speed up Las Vegas' recovery, however, it is Dion, Selesner said." WOW! Little Céline is a powerful person if she can single handedly bring economic prosperity back to 'Sin City'. If we're lucky, maybe they'll decide to keep her full time. Dion returns to recession-hit Vegas with new show - CTV News

Vegetarians barred from adopting

Two weeks ago it was a Christian couple whose life values rendered them ineligible to act as foster or adoptive parents. Now a vegetarian couple is similarly prohibited. Can there be any doubt that the European courts have gone off the rails when such issues are the determinate factors in assessing the parenting abilities of prospective adoptive couples? Vegetarians barred from adopting

Anti-Catholic students protest at university chapel in Madrid :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

First it was the Catholic chapel at the university in Barcelona; now it's happening in Madrid. The only 'good news' in this latest incident is that the event was captured on video so that people will not be able to claim that Catholics are distorting or exaggerating these events.  Anti-Catholic students protest at university chapel in Madrid Anti-Catholic students protest at university chapel in Madrid :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami relief

Here's a series of links to Canadian and Catholic Charities if you want to make a donation to assist with the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief projects: Caritas: Catholic relief agency: https://secure.caritas.org/donation.aspx Red Cross (Canada): http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=38380&tid=001 Global Giving: (American): http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/ Oxfam Canada: https://www.helpforcharities.com/oxfam/index.php Here is a link to the Canadian Revenue Agency site that lists other charities that are accepting donations to assist with this disaster: http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/canadians_help-aide_canadien.aspx

Fr. Richard J. Neuhaus on Islam and Reform | The American Catholic

Fr. Richard J. Neuhaus on Islam and Reform | The American Catholic

Mexican priest to appeal charge from Federal Electoral Institute :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

The Mexican priest has been convicted of the crime of "proselytism". I looked it up in the dictionary and here is the definition of proselytism: Noun: a person newly converted to a religious faith or sect; a convert, esp a gentile converted to Judaism Verb: a less common word for proselytize So the priest has been convicted of promoting the faith of the Church with the aim of converting people to the Catholic faith. And this is a crime in Mexico???     Every priest should be so lucky as to all be convicted of this 'crime'. Mexican priest to appeal charge from Federal Electoral Institute :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

I know Lent is a time of penance but this is ridiculous!

"Hey Buddy. Can you spare a cup of water?" OK, so we don't often hear that in our daily lives but it's a request I put before you today. Evidently the water line from the main on the street (600+ ft away from church) has frozen somewhere across the school yard behind the Church. The town and the plumber say there's nothing that can be done other than to await the spring thaw. So, I'm willing to give up somethings for Lent but I hadn't considered that it was going to be flush toilets, showers and drinking water. Please say a prayer for warm weather or some other divine intervention as the thaw is still five or six weeks away from beginning in this part of the north. Either that or perhaps a prayer that I can find a plumber to do SOMETHING to get us water!! Fr. Tim

When I Read Things Like This | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Mark Shea has opined on who will win the Battle of Church and State (Believers and Non-believers)... "neither" is the apparent answer. What do you think of his prediction? When I Read Things Like This | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Opinion: Abortion statistics show reality of a land without restrictions | Holy Post | National Post

As predicted: abortion has become a preferred method of contraception. Why take a pill and play with your hormone levels? An abortion is the answer for far too many. These statistics are telling us that a time when we are beginning to experience a the negative effects of the emerging demographic failures of the past (too many pensioners - not enough younger workers), over 1/3 of all pregnancies in Ontario are ending in the termination of the unborn. I appreciate than many believe that a woman's right to choose should be completely unrestricted and absolute. I disagree. From my perspective, it is an issue of human rights - the right to life of the unborn. Demographic information such as this only adds to the weight of evidence that there have been unintended and negative consequences for society through the maintenance of the holding of 'choice' over 'life', consequences that must be addressed by both sides in these great debates. Someway, somehow we all need t

St. Paul Lawyer Sues Catholic Church, Will Air Ads in Wis.

A sign of the times. Kind of gives new meaning to ambulance chasers, eh? When world wide, the Roman Catholic churches have paid almost 1 billion dollars in settlements, it's staggering to consider how much has flowed into the hands of lawyers. I know that most of these cases are not taken on 'pro-bono' or 'expense only' basis. Victims who have spoken with me say that in Canada, most lawyers charge 20% or more as their fees. UNDERSTAND THIS PLEASE: I fully support victims in seeking whatever remedy they would want. They have been harmed and are owed appropriate compensation. As confessors, we are taught to require that appropriate compensation be performed by penitents who confess a sin. Why would the Church not be obliged to do the same when they are found to have facilitated (even if unintentionally) the exploitation of innocents and materially cooperated with the crime? No Bishop I know denies this moral obligation. They desire nothing more than to bring peace t

Smoking marijuana won't give you lung cancer - The Globe and Mail

Old friends are the best friends! Perhaps this could be an incentive to quit smoking tobacco for Lent & switch to something else? Nah... probably a bad idea. I'm too old to take a run at being 'rebellious adolescent'. But I know a lot of friends from my early university days that are probably breathing easier in the wake of this report. Smoking marijuana won't give you lung cancer - The Globe and Mail

B.C. inmates attempt to form first prison labour union in Canada - The Globe and Mail

EXCUSE ME??? This too could be another sign of the approaching abyss. Folks, there's being progressive. There's being enlightened. And then there's being STUPID!!! If this is allowed, it will rank as one Canada's greatest 'D'Oh' (Homer Simpson) moment in recent memory. Anyone interested in laying down a bet as to whether or not our equally progressive and enlightened courts is going to rule on this one (because you know that eventually the SCC will probably have to rule on the case). B.C. inmates attempt to form first prison labour union in Canada - The Globe and Mail

The Vatican beyond its worst days, and Rome beyond the Vatican | National Catholic Reporter

The seven different stories that Allen writes on in this article gives substance to the teachings of the church, and gives lie to those scoundrels who like to foist their maladroit parodies in place of what the church actually teaches and says. The part about the reform of the clerical penalties that the canon law offers to Bishops to discipline and punish obstinate or criminal priests proves that the church IS NOT using these punishments to 'hide' predator priests from civil authorities. The interview with Cardinal Kasper which demonstrates that ecumenism is alive and well; the efforts of the communications and social justice wings of the church to renew and institute 'best practices' procedures to improve the ability of the church to speak and teach. Taken together Mr, Allen paints a picture of, if not perfection, at least of vitality, renewal and holiness. Well worth the read. The Vatican beyond its worst days, and Rome beyond the Vatican | Nationa

Building the Culture of Life: An address by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver

Archbishop Chaput of Denver Addresses by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver

The Chutzpa of the German Theologians | Feature | Articles

Hummunna...hummunna! Gotta love that George! As a life time Baltimore Orioles fan, he knows how to throw the hard, up and inside fastball. He also knows how to hit one out of the park as he does with this critique of a recent manifesto issued by German theologians, demanding the church change many (most) of its moral teachings. Read it and witness to the regard the way he marshals his argument. It's like watching Earl Weaver (RIP) manage a game. Note as well the beauty of the thumping he lays upon these dissident theologians. Just It's fastball, Roman Catholic - American style. What Jim Palmer was to the Orioles, George Weigel is for the Catholic proposition. Batter up! InsideCatholic.com | The Chutzpa of the German Theologians | Feature | Articles

A longer version of a song that carries the same message as previous video!

A little tidbit that we should all keep on our computers! It will eventually come in very handy

Couple Rejected: Will Christians Be Allowed to Provide Foster Care in England? - International - Catholic Online

Eunice and Owen Johns ... and we inch a little closer to the edge of the abyss? Couple Rejected: Will Christians Be Allowed to Provide Foster Care in England? - International - Catholic Online

Brace yourself: Colder-than-normal spring on the way - CTV News

Environment Canada is calling for colder than normal weather with lots more snow. Hummm... Guess that means it's time to take out the golf clubs for surely warm dry weather is just around the corner! Brace yourself: Colder-than-normal spring on the way - CTV News

George Weigel: “The Catholic Church in the United States is the safest environment for children in the country. Period.” - Caught your attention, eh?

“ The Catholic Church in the United States is the safest environment for children in the country. Period.” So says George Weigel, theologian, historian, biographer of Pope John Paul II and media commentator representing what is perceived as being the 'orthodox' voice of today's Roman Catholic Church. Weigel has never been accused of dodging the difficult question facing the Roman Catholic in these challenging times and he didn't disappoint when he recently agreed to share his thoughts on some of the challenges facing contemporary Catholic values and practice. Joan & George Weigel (Note from Fr. Tim: In the interest of transparency, let me state up front that I've been privileged to share a friendship that stretches back over 20 years with George. We've spent many a summers evening together on the Quebec side of the Ottawa Valley, usually in the company of our mutual friend, Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, (R.I.P). While those conversations maintain th

Report finds poverty myths rampant

poor & homeless in Ottawa Report finds poverty myths rampant

Acts of Contrition - NYTimes.com

Archbishop D. Martin “When I say ‘sorry,’ ” the archbishop said, “I am in charge. When I ask forgiveness, however, I am no longer in charge. I am in the hands of the others. Only you can forgive me; only God can forgive me.” It appears as if Archbishop D. Martin of Dublin 'gets it'. Let's pray that all his brother Bishops throughout the entire Church follow his example! Acts of Contrition - NYTimes.com

Opus Dei founder’s story to be portrayed by Oscar winning director | Holy Post | National Post

"Who can fail to love a movie that compellingly argues holiness is like chocolate?" What a fantastic description of the appeal a holy life, seen from the 'inside' perspective of a believer! I hope this film eventually makes it into our small town theatre. Opus Dei founder’s story to be portrayed by Oscar winning director | Holy Post | National Post