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Showing posts from November, 2010

From the Web Site: Voice of the Copts: http://voiceofthecopts.org/en

From the Web Site:  Voice of the Copts:  http://voiceofthecopts.org/en Update on Muslims celebrate Al- Adah fest by attacking Copts 16 November, 2010 06:39:00 PM AKI A group of Islamic set fire to 10 houses belonging to Christians in a village approximately 500 kilometres south of Cairo, less than a month after Al-Qaeda said it would target the northern African country's religious minority. Local security forces said the assailants would have caused far more damage had they not been arrested. Following an October attack on a Baghdad church that killed at least 58 people, Al-Qaeda said it would target Christians in the Middle East and northern Africa and singled out those in Egypt. Attacks on Christians have increased despite announcements of support by Muslim leaders. Coptic Christians make up around 10 percent of Egypt's population of 80 million. Exposing the true face of Islam, Egyptian Muslims Celebrate Eid- ul-Adha (feast of the sacrifice) by burning and torc...

The blog is intended to be a place where all voices are heard with respect. Below is the text of an email sent to me which I received with her signature. I post her heartwrenching question here in the hope that you might have something to offer her as well.

Dear Barbara, My apologies for taking so long to post your message to me. I've been ill and away from my computer. As you can see, I have now posted it below. You'll also no doubt will note that I have removed any personal or geographic identifiers so as to preserve and present the essence of your argument without calumniating other institutions or persons.  The tenor of your message and that of the Youtube video prove that you are a mother whose heart has been broken - and to a very significant degree found life itself rendered heavy and burdensome by the cross that has been laid upon your shoulders - and you need, desire, want and demand that someone hear and acknowledge the truth and pain of your experience. I have heard your song sung by mothers of all ages, faiths (or not) and stations in life before and you offer a powerful counterpoint to those who do not want to believe that pain and grief is a reality in everyone's life. I thank you for sharing your message a...

An except from 1972 CBC series 'Man Alive' that deals with the question of when a 'fetus' becomes a 'person'

At what point is a baby considered to be a living human, and not a fetus? What is the "viability" age, meaning the point when an infant can survive outside the womb? And what are the philosophical and moral implications of the answers to these questions? In this excerpt from a 1972 episode of Man Alive , Canadian pediatric specialist Robert Usher ponders these issues, illustrating his points by showing a fragile premature two-pound baby who was born at 26 weeks gestation.  I wish to add that my brothers Michael and James were each just over 1.2 lbs each when they were born as identical twins at 23 weeks of gestation. Even though Mike is 18 months older than I am, we arrived home from hospital a few scant months apart as he faced many major health crises, crises that his twin did not survive and which kept Mike in hospital for the first year of his life.  I also point out that at the time, there were dire predictions about his long term capacities. My parents were to...

I need prayers!

Folks, I've been discharged from the hospital after a sudden illness that befell me on Sunday evening. I feel like death warmed over and have been ordered to keep myself isolated for the next 7-10 days (with 4 X daily trips back to the hospital for Ventolin treatments).  PLEASE remember me in your prayers as I struggle to get back on my feet. Thank you. Fr. Tim

A request for your prayers

To all the friends of this blog: A dear friend of mine, Mr. Gilbert Vaillancourt of Kipawa, Quebec has died suddenly of a heart attack. He leaves behind his three children, seven grandchildren and a partner, Gisele Sauvé. I ask you please to keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. I will be away for a few days as he left the responsibility for his estate to me to handle, but I will check in here as often as possible in the coming few days. It would be an honor to pass along any prayers and well wishes to his family. Thank you for any kindness in thought or action on behalf of a very good man and his family. Sincerely, Fr. Tim

AWESOME VIDEO!! The miracle of conception

This is a video posted on Facebook by Tiery Maderia which depicts the process of conception and implantation in a way different than you have ever seen before. It takes more than a few minutes but the imagery and music is incredible. No matter what your take on the pro-life/pro-choice debate, you will appreciate the artistry of this video. Click here to see the video

Co-Workers in the Truth

Taken from an American Bishop's blog. It is a reminder that all Catholics share in the work of building the Kingdom of God. It is NOT a job left to just the clergy alone! So, what have you done to help the cause lately? Co-Workers in the Truth

Wonderful ad on Vancouver bus

What a neat message! I can't make out who the ad has been purchased by, but it makes a profound pro-life statement. Thanks to Cristina Alarcon (a Vancouver pharmacist) for sending it along.

CBC News - Technology & Science - Dark matter hunt deepens at Ont. mine

More scientific work coming out of my birthplace! Go Sudbury!!! CBC News - Technology & Science - Dark matter hunt deepens at Ont. mine

How high will gold go? There are some scary visions out there

Don't you wish you had a gold brick tucked away for a 'rainy day'? If the premise of this article is correct, we might be headed for a financial monsoon season! CTV News | How high will gold go? There are some scary visions out there

Why the Roman Collar?

The Anchoress | A First Things Blog

MacIntyre on Money « The American Catholic

Alasdair MacIntyre was someone that I studied in the seminary. I have always enjoyed his writings and musings. These thoughts on 'money' are well worth reading. MacIntyre on Money « The American Catholic

Muslim demonstration inside cathedral was not offensive to Catholics, Spanish court rules

I pray that Canada and the USA will heed these lesson being offered in Europe and will be more demanding of Muslims to respect the rules of our cultures. If we follow the path of pure appeasement as Europe has done (although France is trying if not yet succeeding in this struggle) we will face these same crises here. Religious tolerance is key in our countries... tolerance tied to respect for the law (including property laws).  Catholic Culture : Latest Headlines : Muslim demonstration inside cathedral was not offensive to Catholics, Spanish court rules

A question for your consideration

There are a few questions that my recent scientific readings have brought to the surface that I'd appreciate your comments on. One of the fundamental laws of Physics is called the Law of Conservation of Energy. Wikapedia describes it as follows: The law of conservation of energy is an empirical law of physics. It states that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant over time (is said to be conserved over time). A consequence of this law is that energy can neither be created nor destroyed: it can only be transformed from one state to another. The only thing that can happen to energy in a closed system is that it can change form: for instance chemical energy can become kinetic energy. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity shows that energy and mass are the same thing, and that neither one appears without the other. Thus in closed systems, both mass and energy are conserved separately, just as was understood in pre-relativistic physics. The new...

In culture of confusion, Church the only reliable guide :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

In culture of confusion, Church the only reliable guide :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Radical Amazement: Dancing with God & Einstein

“Science does not seek to “prove” that there is or is not a God - that falls into the realm of theology. But those who do believe are not looking for proof, only for images that more accurately reflect reality so that we can live in greater fidelity to what we already know to be true. At the same time, science does not contradict what our faith teaches. While the discoveries may be new, the truths that we will reflect upon are timeless, found in the depths of Christian tradition and its spiritual practice.” These words by Judy Cannato from her recent book “ Radical Amazement: Contemplative Lessons from Black Holes, Supernovas, and Other Wonders of the Universe ”, are reflective of opinions offered in a variety of current books by experts as diverse as the Dalai Lama, Michael Novak and John Polkinghorne.  Each of these authors points to a remarkable convergence emerging from the many threads of modern science in which mirrors the truths taught in Judeo-Christian scriptures. Thi...

Pope summons cardinals over abuse: Vatican

Pope summons cardinals over abuse: Vatican

“The New Evangelization”? « The American Catholic

Reminds me a song... "Drinking a Beer with Jesus" by Roy Payne “The New Evangelization”? « The American Catholic

A real shot in the arm -- a holistic and holy approach to health

A real shot in the arm -- a holistic and holy approach to health For The Calgary Herald Published: Saturday, November 06, 2010   Re: HPV decision show Catholic school trustees should be appointed by the bishop, by Juliet Guichon, Nov. 2. One of the few things that Juliet Guichon and I agree upon is that society ought to embrace the means available to prevent diseases like the human papillomavirus (HPV). The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada in its recommendations regarding HPV prevention states as its first recommendation: "1. Counselling and other educational activities should stress (a) that abstinence is the most efficient way to prevent HPV infection but must include avoidance of not only penetration of the vagina or the anus but also any anogenital contact and the sharing of sex toys." In Catholic education, we take that very seriously and we seek to teach students about the beauty and nature of human sexuality, marriage and conjugal love, abstinence a...

34 warships to accompany president at Mumbai visit - Politics & Policy - Catholic Online

What's the use of having a 'big stick' if you don't 'air it out' every now and then? 34 warships definitely scores pretty high on the 'testosterone scale'. Unless of course he's brought them as collateral on some loan the US government is about to sign with India! They've got the jobs America (and Canada) outsourced. Maybe they got the cash to keep the Americans out of hock! 34 warships to accompany president at Mumbai visit - Politics & Policy - Catholic Online

God and Evolution: A New Proposal - ABC Religion & Ethics - Opinion

"I want to examine what I see as the three most profound problems for Christian theism since the advent of Darwinism, so profound as to cause many to see Darwinism as a "defeater" of Christian belief. These problems were certainly not absent before the discovery of evolution - indeed, they are classic inheritances from Christian philosophical theology which have exercised Christian thinkers at least since the third century. But evolutionary theory has certainly sharpened them in particular ways that, I would insist, responsible contemporary Christians cannot now avoid confronting. What then are the three problems that confront us when we try to see a coherent relation between a good, providential deity and the unfolding created process?" Click on the link below to read entire article. God and Evolution: A New Proposal - ABC Religion & Ethics - Opinion

NASA spacecraft to get rare up-close view of comet - CTV News

Watch the video. The expert describes comets as being "fossils of the creation of the solar system" - great line! NASA spacecraft to get rare up-close view of comet - CTV News

Catholics to learn new wording for Mass – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

The more things change, the more they stay the same! These changes in the English liturgy will bring the text closer to the original Latin, as is evidenced by the fact that it will finally match the French text. As a priest who celebrates in both of Canada's official languages I've often wondered by the two texts were so variant. As of Advent next year, the differences will be gone. Catholics to learn new wording for Mass – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

The costs to victims of suing for compensation in clergy sex abuse cases

Taken from the Justice For the Victims of Bernard Prince website. I post it here to make clear that the victims in these abuse scandals are not getting rich through the legal process as their lawyers will receive approximately 30% of the settlements.  As in many of these sad tales, the only ones getting rich are the lawyers! No wonder Mr. Talach (who represents the majority of victims in Ontario) is trolling for more victims. The more he finds... the richer he gets!!!   And the victims get screwed again. Civil suit reality check. Independent investigations and outside legal advise makes us believe that at the end of the day the Diocese of Pembroke will pay out approximately  13.5% - 15.5% of  the civil suit amount to the actual victims. That amount could be significantly higher if they end up having to pay some victims court costs and certainly if more victims come forward. If  more evidence of their negligence surface that to could increase t...

Cannon condemns planned execution in Iran - CTV News

Cannon condemns planned execution in Iran - CTV News