Thursday august 26, 2010 At Marian Apparition Locations, Great Trials & Tribulations Often Occur Before & After ....all too often we become enamored with the ways of the Dictatorship of Relativism (Pope Benedict XVI’s revealing term,) by obtaining ever greater numbers of personal possessions and engaging in a hedonistic lifestyle that encourages that every sexual whim and feeling be obeyed. Sadly all of this is occurring, while too many of the clergy have become enamored with being accepted and liked by the new cultural elite. These elites often go hand in hand with today’s new social activists who claim to be in alliance with the Church’s mission. However, in reality they have always hated the Church and always will, because in their heart of hearts they are rebellious to the ways of God. The elite media’s treatment of Pope Benedict XVI is one such example. Before he became pontiff, he was hailed for his role in stopping the evil Abuse Scandal. However, once he used term the “Dictatorship of Relativism,” and was given the “keys” he immediately became a target for their vitriol and hate. One of the common ploys of these elites is to appeal to their inflated sense of ego and intelligence, as if their intellect could save themselves and the world. This is a common ploy used to attack the likes of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. However this is nothing new, Adam and Eve were duped into thinking they would be as smart as God if they would simply eat the apple. In the New Testament, Judas seemed to have no problem letting everyone know that he fancied himself quite a scholar and leader. We see where that got him. All too often this path of hubris leads to disaster which is why William F Buckley wryly noted that he would rather be governed by the first 2,000 names in the Boston phone book than by the Harvard faculty. Thankfully, there is good news as many dioceses are heeding the message of the Blessed Mother and once again obeying the teachings of her Son, Jesus the Christ who with His Apostles, Saints, Early Church Fathers and Popes have given us sound teaching and the authority to go with it. While mainline liberal Protestant churches are in a statistical free fall due to a desire for their theology to coincide with the secular world, Evangelical Churches and the Catholic Church continues to grow.  For Catholics, all of this is made manifest in ordination numbers.  64 to 6 and 14 to 4 stand out. What does this mean? In 2006 when writing my book, The Tide is Turning Toward Catholicism, I noted that even though the Diocese of Rochester had more Catholics than the dioceses of Lincoln and Omaha combined, Rochester had 6 men studying for the priesthood while Lincoln and Omaha had 64. That same year of 2006 Denver had 14 young men ordained to the priesthood (eleven in May and three earlier in the academic year) while Los Angeles had four; a staggering statistic when one considers that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has 4,300,000 Catholic residents compared to 385,000 Catholics for the Archdiocese of Denver. In 2006 Los Angeles and Rochester were led by two of the most liberal prelates in the Church, while Omaha, Lincoln and Denver were led by three of the more conservative bishops in the US, a revelatory statistic to say the least. For more on this read my columns, If You Want the Political Left to Run Governments, Look at What the Religious Left Has Done to Religion, (Left It In Tatters,) along with my article, The Coming Open Rebellion Against God. While liberal convents are strapped for cash because they haven’t had a postulant in years, more conservative orders like the Sister of Mary in Ann Arbor, Michigan are running out of room due to the large number of young professional women coming their way. They are not the only conservative order growing; the Nashville Dominicans among others are also experiencing growing pains. 5:31:34 AM

Monday august 23, 2010 Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Your love in my heart. - Saint Rose of Lima Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven. - Rose of Lima Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and said with incomparable majesty: “Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven.” When I heard these words, a strong force came upon me and seemd to place me in the middle of a street, so that I might say in a loud voice to people of every age, sex and status: “Hear, O people; hear, O nations. I am warning you about the commandment of Christ by using words that came from his own lips: We cannot obtain grace unless we suffer afflictions. We must heap trouble upon trouble to attain a deep participation in the divine nature, the glory of the sons of God and perfect happiness of soul.” “If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, how precious. How many riches it hides within itself, how many joys and delights! No one would complain about his cross or about troubles that may happen to him, if he would come to know the scales on which they are weighed when they are distributed to men.” - from the writings of Saint Rose of Lima 11:18:12 AM

Saturday august 21, 2010 A Surprise at the Confessional This is a powerful story about the power of the sacraments!  The following comes from In God's Company 2: In the beginning of May 2010, an Italian family from Naples arrived at Medjugorje in a state of profound distress: on a spiritual level they had no peace, on a physical level they were carrying a heavy cross: not only was their 5 year old almost completely deaf since birth, but their 8 year old son, Antonio, suffered from epilepsy. His seizures multiplied day by day and occurred more and more frequently. His parents couldn’t bear to see him suffer like this anymore! One evening, they were able to go with the other pilgrims to pray on Apparition Hill with Ivan, and they recited the Rosary under the stars as they awaited the coming of Our Lady. There, they placed everything into Her motherly hands. They hoped for a powerful, heavenly assistance during this pilgrimage. The next day, the father went to share with the responsible of their group the painful situation of his family, hoping for a comforting word from her part. But she simply said to him, "Go to confession!" Surprised by this seemingly harsh word, the man made a solid examination of conscience. Actually, he was living in sin and had not been to confession in years! Seeing within that word an invitation to make his peace with God, he decided to make a good confession and he sincerely renounced his sins. To everyone's amazement, his son Antonio (ignorant of this confession) had no longer any seizures since then! As for the little 5 year old girl, upon returning from the pilgrimage, she began to speak, pronouncing intelligible words for the first time... The father concludes his beautiful testimony in this way: "I am changed! My wife and I see life with different eyes. It is a great comfort for me to have found peace again, and to rediscover the optimism of my wife. Since that confession at Medjugorje, I can touch with my own hands the benefits of a life lived in the light of God." Yes, the Blessed Mother knows why she asks for monthly Confession. "When there is sin”, she says, “there is no peace". "Monthly Confession shall be a remedy for the Church of the West". (1982) “I desire to lead all of you to my Son, your Savior. You are not aware that without Him you do not have joy and peace, nor a future or eternal life. Therefore, little children, make good use of this time of joyful prayer and surrender.” (07/25/2010) “I ask of you to sincerely look into your hearts and to see how much you love Him (the Father). Is He the last to be loved? Surrounded by material goods, how many times have you betrayed, denied and forgotten Him? My children, do not deceive yourselves with worldly goods. Think of your soul because it is more important than the body: cleanse it. Invoke the Father, He is waiting for you.” (11/2/2009) 7:04:59 AM

Saturday august 14, 2010 The Legion of Mary's Role in Strengthening the Church During the Communist Takeover of China. By Rev. Father Francis J. Peffley pdf 10:32:57 AM

Friday august 13, 2010 11 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is Bad 9:41:45 AM Bishop Olmsted: 'Love Authentically' by Acknowledging Disorder of Homosexuality 9:38:12 AM

Wednesday august 11, 2010 Man cannot permanently observe all the precepts of the natural law without the help of grace. In other words, only by entering into redeeming contact with Jesus Christ is complete fulfillment of human existence possible. 1:43:25 PM

Tuesday august 10, 2010 Thinking About God Calms Believers, Stresses Atheists 1:27:57 PM

Thursday june 17, 2010 Digital Copy Machines - Security Risk? 10:36:33 AM

Wednesday june 16, 2010 Young Florida woman chooses baby's life over her own 3:13:05 PM

Saturday june 5, 2010 "It [Carthusian life] is an extremely happy life. Peace is the tranquillity of order, an absolute order in the sense that you try to make yourself completely free and live in the order of God, which is the order of things, an immensely simple life, an immensely harmonious life with the tremendous satisfaction of just living in the presence of God. God is not a dark cloud hanging over you. He's the light and the sun and simple joy, the fulfilment of the heart. There are tough sides, of course, but from the inside it is a very wise life, a life of great satisfaction, of great meaning." Fr. Cyril, Parkminster Past Prior & present novice master author of Conference series. 5:18:55 AM

Tuesday april 20, 2010 The Gregorian Institute of Canada in collaboration with the Saint-Viateur-d'Outremont Parish presents The Third Journées grégoriennes of Montreal Pentecost weekend: May 21st to 23rd , 2010 Saint-Viateur-d'Outremont Church (Montreal QC) (corner of Laurier West and Côte-Ste-Catherine - Bus 51 or 129) Gregorian Chant Workshops for all levels led by Rebecca Bain, Jean-Pierre Noiseux, and Alain Vadeboncoeur « Postérité du chant grégorien au moyen âge », lecture by Pascale Duhamel « Et ils se mirent à parler plusieurs langues », Chant from the Office of Pentecost Opening Concert by the Scholastiques Neumatiques, Dir.: Pascale Duhamel « Le Souffle du Paraclet », Gregorian Chant for Pentecost Public Concert by the Schola Saint Grégoire, Dir.: Jean-Pierre Noiseux Saturday May 22nd, 8pm, at Saint-Viateur-d'Outremont Church (Pay what you can - Suggestion: $10 or $20) Participants will be invited to sing Friday Compline and Pentecost Mass (music available on www.gregorian.ca) Registration at St-Viateur Church on Friday, May 21st, from 7:00pm to 7:45pm Regular : $30* Students (proof of status) : $15* * Members of the Gregorian Institute of Canada will benefit a $10 discount. Pre-registration: As spaces are limited, and in order to print the exact quantity of material needed, please fill the attached pre-registration form, save it (Word format), and e-mail to journeesgregoriennes@gmail.com Complete details on http://www.gregorian.ca 2:28:45 PM

Friday march 19, 2010 Modern photocopiers save potentially confidential information on a hard disk. 12:00:41 PM

Monday march 15, 2010 The scientific method applied to the rigorous analysis of the probable cause of the destruction of the World Trade Center complex. Video (2H). 5:04:16 AM

Tuesday march 9, 2010 Like him or not, Denver's Chaput is a very 21st century bishop 8:58:37 AM

Thursday march 4, 2010 The last Anchorite: Video: Youtube part 1 | Youtubepart 2  - Livre: "Desert Father: A Journey in the Wilderness with Saint Anthony"  6:52:15 AM

Tuesday february 16, 2010 While many are familiar with Anthony’s efforts to earn women the right to vote, few realize she vehemently opposed abortion. Anthony recognized that authentic women’s rights could never be built upon the broken rights of innocent unborn children 8:13:05 PM

Thursday february 11, 2010 Sisters of Mary on Oprah  Famous TV host Oprah sits down with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist from Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is a commune of just under 100 nuns, average age is 26. Two of the Sisters of Mary, Sr. Teresa Benedicta and Sr. Joseph Maria, teach at the school. All our life is a journey for God... 5:19:11 AM

Wednesday february 3, 2010 Children Full of Life 8:01:49 PM

Monday february 1, 2010 Modern Pharisees pervade Church 5:09:15 AM One of the greatest fruits is the joy that millions of people discover when they experience true reconciliation in this place...the spirituality of Medjugorge, a way of life that offers renewal every day when we focus on our own poverty and acknowledge in the midst of all our limitations our God is available as a source of nourishment and sustenance. Personal conversion is our life journey. That is, an inner movement that connects us deeper to our God. There are many fruits associated with Medjugorge, the late Pope John Paul II called it the “confessional of the world” when he considered the importance of reconciliation in all our lives. Many young addicts now are living lives of contentment and fulfillment because of a real encounter with God’s love. Medjugorje is the home of the Cenacalo communities that accompany, through prayer and fellowship, young people whose lives were once destroyed by addiction to harmful substances. The testimonies of healing and recovery by these good people are truly inspirational and life giving. In a time when so many are struggling and are burdened I think of this great gift given to inspire and heal. 5:05:54 AM Tucson designer encourages Catholics to get 'mantled' 4:59:57 AM

Sunday january 24, 2010 Pope to priests: Go forth and blog 7:58:01 PM

Friday january 22, 2010 Majority of Americans, and Nearly 6 in 10 Young Adults, View Abortion as Morally Wrong 3:36:58 PM

Wednesday january 20, 2010 Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte will preside at a special Eucharistic celebration for Haiti MONTREAL, Jan. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Everyone is invited to join the Archbishop of Montreal, Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte, next Saturday, January 23, at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph's Oratory, for a special Eucharistic celebration for Haiti. Organized in collaboration with the representatives of St. Joseph's Oratory, the celebration will bring together many dignitaries, priests and numerous members of the Montreal Haitian Community. During the celebration a special collection will take place for Development and Peace, represented in Haiti via the Caritas International Aid Organization. 3:53:58 AM

Monday january 11, 2010 conversion is the business of most of the world 3:05:20 PM John Paul II´s Vision of the Church and Islam 8.9.2003 by Renzo Guolo Despite the conflicts and persecutions that see Christians as the victims of Muslims, John Paul II seems to harbor no fear of Islam. For Karol Wojtyla, religious dialogue is necessary in order to foster the common good of humanity. This dialogue is sustained by the awareness that there are common values across cultures, because these values are rooted in human nature. These include the defense of the family, opposition to abortion, and peace. The pope has frequently said that he appeals to "authentic religious Islam, the praying Islam, the Islam that knows how to join in solidarity with the needy." The pope is moved by his deep convictions, but also by the need to care for the Christian communities in the countries of the Crescent Moon, and by the urgency of preventing Islam from cementing itself into fundamentalist positions. This perspective would lead to the clash of civilizations that Wotyla considers ominous for the fate of humanity. By apologizing for the Crusades, or praying in the Omayyadi mosque in Damascus, originally a Christian basilica, John Paul II has sought to keep open dialogue with the Muslim world. He did this by promoting the meetings between religions in Assisi in 1986 and 2002. He did this also by aligning the Church decisively against the American military intervention in Iraq. But the pope´s approach, which some in the Catholic world define as "dialogue to the point of extremism," generates widespread criticism among the bishops and even in the Roman curia. According to this point of view, John Paul II speaks, illusively, to interlocutors who cannot in any way guarantee a line of conduct for the Muslim Umma. Being a "religion without a center," Islam is not able to control the behavior of its faithful. According to those who oppose dialogue, trusting in such prayer partners is a vain hope on the pope´s part, from the fact that they represent only themselves. By purifying the historical memory of the Church, asking forgiveness for the Crusades, and fawning upon the "persecutors" of Christians, the pope, according to his critics, is exposing the Church to deep humiliation. Moreover, it transforms ecumenism into a sort of syncretism in which every religion seems as good as the next. This is tough criticism, which out of respect for papal authority and the state of John Paul II´s health does not manifest itself as open dissent, but it nevertheless deeply marks the ecclesial body. The pope´s approach was rejected by the majority of cardinals during the 1994 consistory at which John Paul II expressed his intention of asking forgiveness for the "wrongs" of his predecessors. But despite the contrary opinion of many ecclesial sectors, and not only the openly traditionalist ones, the pope decided to proceed with his plan. Many responded with hostile silence: some of them recalled how Wotyla, who ordinarily speaks about all topics, had spread a veil of silence over the persecution of Christians in Muslim countries. According to the critics, despite the fact that John Paul II has also asked the Muslim world to respect human rights, religious liberty being among them, the aspect of "dialogue at all costs" is the salient feature of the pope´s approach - and the one they don´t share. But in the conviction that it is impossible to make progress in dialogue between religions by using strategies from the past, Wojtyla has ignored these criticisms. He seems to believe that only the prophetic gesture, the utopian perspective, the mystical leap powered by an intense spirituality, can achieve this objective. But this comes at the cost of humiliating the Church by burdening it with past wrongs, in the hope that others will admit their own sooner or later. The pope´s approach to Islam changes tone in regard to multiethnic society. Here Wojtyla affirms that it is necessary to distinguish basic ethical principles capable of regulating shared existence within this type of society. For the pope, the cultural characteristics of immigrants must be respected and welcomed, but only if they do not place themselves "in contrast to universal ethical values founded upon the natural law, and to fundamental human rights." John Paul II recalls that the right of immigrants to the juridical recognition of specific cultural expressions is linked to the "assessment of the common good" in a given moment in history and a given territorial and social situation. This reminder permits the pope to underline the importance of the link between culture and territory. For Wojtyla, it is necessary to guarantee to a territory a certain "cultural equilibrium" in relation to the prevailing culture. This equilibrium, while respecting the fundamental rights of minorities, allows the continuity of a determined "cultural physionomy," that heritage of language, traditions, and values that is generally connected to the experience of the nation and to the sense of homeland. One may deduce, for example, that the cultural equilibrium of "Catholic Italy" should not be altered by the presence of Muslims. But the demands of "cultural equilibrium" in a territory, Wotyla recalls - in this he is almost directly refuting Giacomo Cardinal Biffi - cannot be satisfied through legislative means. These are not effective if they have no foundation in the national ethos, and they are destined to be changed when a culture loses its vigor. For the pope, instead, what is necessary is to keep the Christian culture and identity of the nation alive and vital. Only in this way will this identity not be overwhelmed, while no law can keep it alive artificially. John Paul II´s approach to multiethnic society is that of the challenge between strong religious identities, rather than that of Europe as a fortress. He does not invoke the law, but an encounter of values, charisma rather than rules. It is an approach linked more to his personal charisma than to the convictions of the leadership of the Italian Church. 12:23:11 PM Merry Christmas from the World of Islam 11:22:55 AM God's Love 9:19:51 AM

Friday january 8, 2010 Global Restrictions on Religion - Pew Forum 5:23:53 PM

Wednesday january 6, 2010 The Carthusian mission is a hidden apostolate. A Carthusian Prior once said to me "We never see the good we do, but I am perfectly sure that it is done." There is no satisfaction of accomplishment, no congratulations from friends. Like the widow's two brass coins (Luke 21:2), the Carthusian contribution is unmarked and lost in the treasury of the Temple of God. The Carthusian lives in the darkness of faith; and the patient hope in the darkness lends added value to his life of prayer and penance. His life is the very opposite of selfishness. It is a holocaust of self-sacrifice, a complete immolation of all that the world holds dear in order that through the darkness of faith, he may approach the Throne of Him Who lives in inapproachable light and also help to lead through the darkness an unknown and unnumbered multitude of the children of God. 7:11:17 AM

Saturday january 2, 2010 How Goldman Sachs Made Tens Of Billions Of Dollars From The Economic Collapse Of America In Four Easy Steps 6:41:52 AM

Thursday december 31, 2009 Cybercrooks stalk small businesses that bank online 11:06:41 AM

Saturday december 26, 2009 Where's the Line to See Jesus? 10:26:05 AM

Wednesday december 23, 2009 28 Colombian Christians detained for refusing to denounce their faith 10:28:09 AM

Sunday december 20, 2009 Abraham Lincoln once posed a question: Suppose we agree to call a horse's tail a leg; then how many legs does a horse have? His hearers answered five. No, said Lincoln, our agreeing to call a tail a leg does not make it a leg. Similarly, the District Council's action in calling something marriage cannot make it marriage. 5:50:35 AM