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Showing posts from September, 2012

Pope B16: There may be something Catholic, even outside the Catholic Church - Asia News

YES!!! If been saying this for many years. THANK YOU B16 for stating that I've been correct all along! Now, if only we can convince those within the Church who believe differently!! VATICAN Pope: There may be something Catholic, even outside the Catholic Church - Asia News

'Why I am a Possibilian' written by Dr. David Eagleman

I listened to a lecture from Dr. David Eagleman on CBC Radio One the other evening ('Ideas' program) delivered at the 'IdeasCity' conference organized and presented by Moses Znaimer of City TV fame. I was enthralled. What he argues for from the perspective of science is what I've been working away at from the perspective of faith. You will no doubt enjoy his work too if you are interested in the types of issues I address here on this blog. Why I am a Possibilian

Working for the Wrong Kingdom as Seen in a Car Commercial | Archdiocese of Washington

Working for the Wrong Kingdom as Seen in a Car Commercial | Archdiocese of Washington

Upcoming Pro-Life Chain in the Ottawa Valley this coming Sunday. Hope to see you there!

PRO-LIFE WITNESS: Renfrew County Right to Life invites everyone to participate in the annual North America wide ‘Life Chain’, to take place on Sunday, September 30, 2012, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Pembroke St. W and Christie Street (downtown Pembroke). At the present time, there is no law in Canada against abortion at any time throughout the nine months of pregnancy and can be obtained for any reason! Over three million abortions have taken place in Canada in the past forty years. Abortion has harmed the lives of many Canadian women. The purpose of this event is to bring silent, prayerful, and peaceful witness to the untold damage created by abortion in our society. All ages are needed and welcome (no graphic signs are used). For more information, please call Mark Reilander at (613) 735-3894. Please note that Life Chain is also taking place at the same time and date in Barry's Bay and Round Lake Centre. Renfrew has yet to be confirmed. This is an opportunity to show

Community says 'thanks' to Sisters | Local | News | Pembroke Daily Observer

My Pembroke Diocese pays tribute to the two local religious communities of Sisters for the generations of work that they have done in the fields of education, health care, as well as aiding local parishes and parishioners. I wish I could have been there but a funeral kept me from attending. THANK YOU SISTERS for all your GREAT WORK!!! Community says 'thanks' to Sisters | Local | News | Pembroke Daily Observer

Texas high school bans religious banners at football games | Holy Post | National Post

Humm.. does this mean that Jesus isn't a fan of the New Orleans Saints after all?  Next someone will claim that he doesn't pull for Notre Dame!  (grin) Texas high school bans religious banners at football games | Holy Post | National Post

Are Catholic Bishops Moving Toward The GOP?

Actually, the question would be better framed as: Has the Republican Party moved towards the Catholic Bishops? If Church leaders are sounding like Republicans, it's because the Party has adopted the Church's pro-life stance. It could be just as valid to posit that the Bishops are moving closer to the Democrats given the affinity between the social justice teachings and their political inspiration to meet the needs of the 'widows, strangers, (immigrants) and orphans'. The fact is that there's a fair degree of overlap between the positions of both parties with the teachings of the Church, but neither perfectly reflect Catholic convictions, beliefs, and propositions. Why? Because a politic template does not fit well over an ecclesiastical creed and beliefs.  Are Catholic Bishops Moving Toward The GOP?

Here's a BBC interview, done by a Rabbi in which he interviews three prominent atheists about the relationship of faith and science

California man confirms role in anti-Islam film

This man is a fraud. He dubbed over the lines of the original film with profoundly hateful dialogue designed to do to Islam what The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion did to Judaism. I hope that somehow, someway, he is prosecuted for deliberately attempting to stir up violence against Muslims... but I fear it won't happen. The Associated Press: California man confirms role in anti-Islam film

GEORGE WEIGEL COLUMN: The future of the pro-life cause

September 12, 2012 - “It’s the economy, stupid!”—James Carville’s memorable note-to-self during the 1992 presidential race—will be the determining factor in the 2012 campaign, according to the common wisdom. That may be true. But as Catholics consider their responsibilities between now and Nov. 6, it would be good to remember that the future of the pro-life cause in America is also at stake. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 79. Justices Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy are 76. Justice Stephen Breyer is 74. The president elected in November will likely appoint two Supreme Court justices, and may appoint as many as four, over the next quadrennium. If that next president replaces Justices Ginsburg, Breyer and Kennedy with nominees who think that Roe v. Wade (1973) and Casey v. Planned Parenthood (1992) were wrongly decided, there could conceivably be a 7-2 Court majority to overturn (or, in effect, gut) those dreadful decisions and return the abortion debate

Sadly believable even if it's not true. At least it brought a smile to my face at the end of a great day.

This is purported to be an actual letter: State of Pennsylvania's letter to Mr. DeVries:  SUBJECT: DEQ ... File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec 20; Lycoming County Dear Mr. DeVries: It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

About face: FBI rolls out facial identification system - U.s. - Catholic Online

Humm... I wonder what George Orwell would say about this latest 'advancement' in police surveillance technologies? Bad enough that we now have unmanned drones flying overhead spying on us without our knowing, but marry that with this facial recognition software and compilation of a huge database and we may have a great deal to be concerned about. All these issues of privacy and threat of persecution among the daily digital clippings that come to my computer. It's enough to make one wonder if I'm becoming paranoid! But as the old saying goes, 'just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not watching you'. (grin) I figure though, that so long as I can still see the humor in that question whenever it comes to mind, I'm still standing on solid ground. About face: FBI rolls out facial identification system - U.s. - Catholic Online

Enforcing the Banishment Proclamation against the Catholic Church: A Practical Guide to Cleansing your local Temple - Salem-News.Com

Such a campaign would be difficult to sustain in Canada where the Criminal Code includes punishment for the deliberate disruption of religious services. But it is indisputable evidence that the Church is indeed facing a rising tide of hostility bordering on violence. We're not there yet... but we're getting closer and closer. If trends hold, outright persecution might become a reality before this generation of Catholic children passes away.  It is a concern that Catholics of good heart and mind should oppose as forcefully (but civilly and peacefully) as possible when the real danger is still far off, even if it just coming into view on the horizon. Are you willing to join in the effort and take up the task of presenting the truth of our faith and communion in defense of what we believe to be God's will as taught by the Church? The aid, help, and participation in this important battle would be greatly appreciated... at least by this priest. Fr. Tim Enforcing the Bani

An unexpected humorous grace you might appreciate

Here's a little joke of the priest/rabbi variety that I had not heard before... and believe me, I thought I'd heard them all... that might bring a smile to your face. Consider it a gift that reflects my appreciation of the graces of sitting alongside the tranquil Ottawa River on a beautiful late summer's evening. It was a gift for me. A    Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town's annual 4th of July    picnic. Old friends, they began their usual banter. "This baked ham is  really delicious," the priest teased the rabbi. "You really ought to try it. I know it's against your religion, but I can't understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden! You don't know what you're missing. You just haven't lived until you've tried Mrs. Hall's prized Virginia Baked Ham. Tell me,    Rabbi, when are you going to break down and try it?" The rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said,

Key 'moderate' Catholic, hailed by choir on left

This article is unique in that I think it evokes a response within Catholics all over the political spectrum. But as a lad who enjoyed watching 'Yes Minister', I've learned to appreciate the power that exists within the professional bureaucracy that accompanies any institution. I have no doubt that David Carr (someone I've never heard of before I read this column) was most likely a very influential individual. His retirement after a long career as a functionary of the American Bishops will no doubt herald some change in the Bishop's agenda. Time will tell whether the predictions of the left or the right will be vindicated and which will be found to be wanting. With Cardinal +Tim Dolan at the helm, I'm certain the Conference will safely find its way no matter who is in charge of the Bishop's Conference day to day operations. Key ‘moderate’ Catholic, hailed by choir on left

Return to civility: An interesting editorial from the Catholic Register (Canada) calling for a return to civility in public discourse.

"Benjamin Franklin once wrote: “Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none.” But 250 years later Franklin’s wise words have been turned upside down. Public discourse today is often about being enemies to many and civil to few. That is increasingly evident in our media, homes, schools and even churches, but is particularly true in our political dialogue. Intelligent, civil debate has been bludgeoned to death by crass, dishonest personal attacks that demean the political process and alienate voters.... Spirited debate and disagreement are signs of a healthy society. But dialogue must be conducted with civility. Otherwise conversation becomes confrontation and society is demeaned. We all have a stake in making courtesy common again." Oh so very true! Return to civility

A Trappist monastery near Jerusalem is desecrated by anti-Christian extremists, whilst Bishop Mark Davies warns us of a gathering storm against the Church in England & Wales

A Reluctant Sinner: A Trappist monastery near Jerusalem is desecrated by anti-Christian extremists, whilst Bishop Mark Davies warns us of a gathering storm against the Church in England & Wales

ESPN ranks Leafs as worst team in sports - sportsnet.ca

 The Leafs are finally on top of a list... alas it's a list of shame, not fame. Sorry if this story doesn't meet the usual standard of what we discuss here, but as an Ottawa Senators fan, I couldn't resist posting it! ESPN ranks Leafs as worst team in sports - sportsnet.ca

Beards | Religion and Other Curiosities

Beards | Religion and Other Curiosities

An interesting American ad calling on Catholics to be involved in the 2012 elections.

Should +Dolan have accepted the invitation to speak at the Democrat's convention?

Over at SoCon or Bust , you can find an article questioning whether or not it's appropriate for Cardinal +Dolan (NY) to address the upcoming DNC convention in Charlotte, NC. He agrees with Dr. Jeff Mirus who says that +Dolan should not ... unless he uses the opportunity to give them hell. I disagree. IMHO +Dolan is IMHO doing exactly the right thing. First, he has been invited to lead the convention in prayer… not speak to them. Prayer must NEVER be done with a political intention other than to fulfill the great commission. It transcends the left/right framework of the American political system and super-imposes the imprint of the heavenly kingdom. It should be something that recognizes that we are all sinners and are all in need repentance and forgiveness. This is the role of prayer. If he were invited to give a speech, he would be obliged to do as his critics suggest. This however is not the case. Secondly, +Dolan espouses a brand of Catholicism which describes as affirmative o

This week in religion history: The differing paths of Madonna and Mother Teresa | Holy Post | National Post

What an awesome headline! Without a doubt, Madonna and Mother Teresa are stellar exemplars of the two different paths of the world and the Church. The former is all about self-aggrandizement while Mother Teresa was all about service and sacrifice. This week in religion history: The differing paths of Madonna and Mother Teresa | Holy Post | National Post