Where the Rubber Hits the Road

The Danger of Atheist Pride | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Could the Discovered Codices Mention Christ's Final Days? - International - Catholic Online

Only 15 nations contributing to military action in Libya - International - Catholic Online

The slaughter unseen

Archbishop Wenski’s words made true by gay writer who viciously attacks him for defending reality of marriage | CatholicVote.org

Catholic Culture : Latest Headlines : Weigel analyzes tensions between Vatican, Caritas International leadership

Study suggests religion heading for extinction in Canada and 8 other countries | LifeSiteNews.com

What Is Sacred Tradition? | Blogs | NCRegister.com

Crack in the Wall of Orthodoxy? | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Maryknoll gives Bourgeois notice of removal from order | National Catholic Reporter

Why and how General Electric pays no taxes - U.s. - Catholic Online

RNS Blog: "Monday’s Religion News Roundup"

Editorial: Crisis 'needs to haunt us'

What does Catholic just war teaching say about Libya? - Guest Voices - The Washington Post

The Sacraments: Reconciliation | Seasonal Feature | American Catholic

When will sci-fi tech become real? Sooner than you think - CNN.com

Nine Types of Catholic Commenters

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

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

Pray-as-you-go . . . daily prayer for your MP3 player

Are we in denial about the growing issue of elder care? - The Globe and Mail

Catholic Culture : Latest Headlines : 'Courtyard of Gentiles' aims to address ultimate questions, not prompt conversion

Father Raymond J. deSouza: Obama goes to war against Muslims in Africa | Full Comment | National Post

What’s Behind the Surge of Abortion Bills? - Swampland - TIME.com

+Chaput of Denver offers insights into the relationship between the Church and State ... one of his favorite subjects! Always a good read. InsideCatholic.com | A Light to the Nations: The Meaning and Future of the Catholic Church | Feature | Articles

A House Discovered From the Time of Christ

My cemetery misdemeanour - The Globe and Mail

Father Who? Why Corapi Matters

Hilarious and Unique Signs Outside of Church

Believe it, an online funeral service - The Globe and Mail

George Weigel explains the Catholic position on 'trade unions', successor to the Catholic trade guilds of the middle ages. The Church and the Unions | First Things

Libya and Just War | The American Catholic

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

Why Does God Allow Tsunamis and Massacres? | Speaking of Scripture: Conversation about the word of God in the life and mission of the Church

European court overturns 2009 ruling on school crucifixes | AHN

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...

The Passion of Dorothy Day - NYTimes.com

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

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

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

'Courtyard of the Gentiles' promises boost to Catholic pride | National Catholic Reporter

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

EU court rules crucifixes can stay in Italian schools | Holy Post | National Post

Italy at 150 - George Weigel - National Review Online

I'm half blind today and it's almost impossible to use the computer so today I'm just cross posting to my latest column in the National Post. Where is God in the wake of all the world’s misery? | Holy Post | National Post

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone

Scientists seek approval for new ‘three-parent’ IVF technology | LifeSiteNews.com

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

World's largest believed online pedophile ring busted - U.s. - Catholic Online

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 "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

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

Egypt’s Growing Persecution | Daily News | NCRegister.com

CTV News | China Syndrome hits Japan

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

Hating the Near and Loving the Far | The American Catholic

Planned Parenthood Lobbies Against Child Sex Abuse Reporting Bill

Canadian priest dies in Japanese tsunami, quake - International - Catholic Online

What Does the Church Say about Collective Bargaining? | The American Catholic

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

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

Mythical sunken city of Atlantis may have been discovered - U.s. - Catholic Online

Embryo ethics: Finding a home for Canada’s frozen ‘orphans’

Tapu Misa: Religious nuts the hardest enemies to love - Opinion - NZ Herald News

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

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)

Quake moved Japan coast 8 feet; shifted Earth's axis - CNN.com

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

The Sexual Revolution Reconsidered in a New York Times Article? | Archdiocese of Washington

InsideCatholic.com | The Dachshunds of Lent | Feature | Articles

Outside the Asylum: Support your local priests!

New book confirms: Benedict XVI is his own best spokesperson | National Catholic Reporter

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

Pope: violence in God’s name is inspired by the Antichrist | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Secularists want to give up for Lent, too - The Globe and Mail

Another billboard exposing eugenicist Planned Parenthood founder banned | LifeSiteNews.com

Catholic Culture : In Depth Analysis : Human Judgment and the Neutral Public Square

Philadelphia Cardinal Praised for Acting in Sex-Abuse Scandal - NYTimes.com

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)

Egan: Chaplain has change of heart

"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

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

David Lose: The Trouble (And Blessing) of Lent

Movie on Opus Dei founder sure to set Catholic tongues wagging | National Catholic Reporter

75% of Those Killed for Religious Hatred Are Christian - International - Catholic Online

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...

I have published many posts opposing Same-Sex marriage on this blog. It's time to post something that speaks in favor from a Catholic perspective. Comments? Same-sex marriage Maryland: A Catholic's case for gay marriage - baltimoresun.com

Quebec intellectuals promote wave of 'interculturalism' - CTV News

Hang the rich: Great war inevitable, pundit predicts - CTV News

Theology of the Body | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Two Solitudes: Lawsuit pits rebel Quebec priest against hardline pro-life news service | Holy Post | National Post

Two fetuses make appearance at Ohio abortion bill debate | Holy Post | National Post

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...

The shot heard ’round the Globe — still: Boston’s Catholic Church scandal turns 10 | Poynter.

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

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 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...

Vatican tries to flesh out 'New Evangelization' | National Catholic Reporter

Archbishop Chaput of Denver Addresses by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver

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

Aliens? Be not afraid

Catholic critic of blasphemy law is shot dead in Pakistan | CatholicHerald.co.uk

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

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

“ 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...

poor & homeless in Ottawa Report finds poverty myths rampant

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

"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