Check it out at:
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
"A LIFE WITH KAROL" by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz
Do you recognize this man?
Whispers has a great story on Pope John Paul II's secret skiing trips as reported in the Cardinal's new book, "A Life With Karol".
Apparently, John Paul made over a 100 secret trips out of the Vatican to ski or hike in the Italian Mountains. Check it out at:
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2007/01/wojtyla-incognito.html
Catholic News Service also carries the story at:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0700418.htm
MARCH FOR LIFE 2007
This shot, from the choir loft of the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C., is of the vigil Mass for the March for Life which occurred January 22, 2007.
Whispers has a great story on this titled: "Words from a March". It's worth the read. Check it out at:
Sex assaults by teachers an 'EPIDEMIC'
World News Daily complains that sex assualts by teachers is on epidemic proportions. According to a congressional report over 5 million children have been assaulted nationally. Check it out at:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53824
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53860
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53824
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53860
IT'S A "BABY" NOT A "CHOICE"
Baby at three and half months gestation.
Another baby at three and half months gestation.
Baby at five months of gestation.
Baby at seven weeks gestation.
Baby at eight weeks gestation.These pictures of babies in the womb are from Priests for Life.
Images of Fetal Development.
The following images were presented to Fr. Frank Pavone, at the time he was working at the Vatican, by a team of experts from Poland. The experts presented them also to Pope John Paul II.
Priests for Life is grateful to Professor Andrzej Skawina (Collegium Medicum Jagiellonian University, Krakow) and Dr. Antoni Marsinek, MD
(Czerwiakowski Gynecological and Obstetrics Hospital, Krakow) for making these images available, and to the Zrodlo Foundation, Wychowawca Department, for the permission to use them.
We encourage pro-life groups and individuals to use these images, keeping in mind the words that pollster Harrison Hickman spoke to the 1989 conference of the National Abortion Rights Action League, "Nothing has been as damaging to our cause as the advances in technology which have allowed pictures of the developing fetus, because people now talk about that fetus in much different terms than they did fifteen years ago. They talk about it as a human being, which is not something that I have an easy answer how to cure."
To see what abortion does to these babies go to the following site, but be warned the images are graphic.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES!
For more pro-life info, check out the following sites:
Catholic Teaching and the Bible Concerning Conception and Abortion
http://www.scriptureforlife.org/
Catholics United for Life
http://cul.detmich.com/
Culture of Life Foundation
http://www.culture-of-life.org/
Culture of Life Web Sites
http://www.hli.org/culture_of_life_websites.html
National Right to Life
http://www.nrlc.org/
Human Life International
http://www.hli.org/
Physicians for Life
http://www.physiciansforlife.org/
Life Issues
http://lifeissues.net/
Priests for Life
http://www.priestsforlife.org/
Pro Life Action League
http://www.prolifeaction.org/links/
Americans United for Life
http://www.unitedforlife.org/
Feminists for Life
http://www.feministsforlife.org/
Life Education and Resource Network
http://www.learninc.org/page/about.php
Life Decisions International
http://www.fightpp.org/
Stop Planned Parenthood
http://www.all.org/stopp/index.htm
Abortion-Not.org
http://abortion.netfirms.com/
The Linacre Center for Healthcare Ethics
http://www.linacre.org/
The Gospel of Life (John Paul II)
http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/JP2EVANG.HTM
Stand Up Girl
http://standupgirl.com/site/index.php
Heritage House 76
http://www.hh76.com/Default.asp?site_id=2&
Population Research Institute
http://www.pop.org/
American Life League
http://www.all.org/
Defend Life
http://www.defendlife.org/
U.S. Pro-Life Directory
http://www.catholic.net/RCC/Prolife/prolife1.html
Monks of Adoration: index on euthanasia
http://www.monksofadoration.org/euthanasc.html
Monday, January 22, 2007
President Bush Calls March for Life Participants
THE PRESIDENT:
END 12:11 P.M. EST"Yes, Nellie, thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much, Nellie. And I want to thank everybody there for taking part in today's March for Life. I appreciate so very much the devotion to such an honorable cause, and the good work everyone is doing to defend life.
"And, Nellie, it's good to hear your voice again, and I thank you very much for giving me a chance to visit with you and the crowd that is assembled there on the Mall.(Applause.)
"It is important for all Americans to remember that our Declaration of Independence states that every person has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (Applause.) It also states that these rights come from our Creator, and that governments are formed to secure these rights for all their citizens. And we believe every human life has value, and we pray for the day when every child is welcome in life and protected into law.(Applause.)
"Nellie, I want to thank you very much, and the members of Congress there who have worked hard to make progress toward this goal over the last six years. I want the folks assembled there to know that we're making progress. We promoted adoption, support parental notification laws, ended
federal funding for abortions overseas, and are funding crisis pregnancy
programs.(Applause.)
"I had the privilege of signing legislation that extends legal protection to children who are born, despite abortion attempts, allows prosecutors to charge those who harm or kill a pregnant woman with harming or killing her unborn child, as well. (Applause.) I signed into law a ban on the cruel practice of partial-birth abortions, and we will vigorously defend that law in the courts.
"Nellie, what I'm saying is, is that we're building a culture of life here. And I want to thank you and everybody assembled for helping.
"We are a caring nation, and our values should also guide us on how we harness the gifts of science. New medical breakthroughs bring the hope of cures for terrible diseases and treatments that can improve the lives of millions. Our challenge is to make sure that science serves the cause of humanity instead of the other way around.(Applause.)
"Last summer I vetoed a bill that would support the taking of innocent life in the hope of finding medical benefits for others, and I have made it clear to the Congress we must pursue medical advances in the name of life, not at the expense of it.(Applause.)
"As we move forward, we've all got to remember that a true culture of life cannot be built by changing laws alone. We've all got to work hard to change hearts. We will find areas where we can agree and, at the same time, work to persuade more of our fellow citizens to join this great cause. The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. And so I say, go forth with confidence that a cause rooted in human dignity and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens cannot fail.
"Again, Nellie, thank you very much. I appreciate your dedication to this important cause. I send my thanks to all there on the Mall. I ask for God's blessings on your work, and that God continue to bless our country.(Applause.)
"Thank you. "
(Source: White House Press Office)
EVANGELIUM VITAE --- The Gospel of Life
The Gospel of Life is the Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
"to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Men and Women religious, lay Faithfuland all People of Good Will on the Value and Inviolabilityof Human Life."
For the full text of our Holy Father, John Paul II's message on life, go to the Vatican website at:
Today marks the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a most unfortunate and unjuust decision of the U.S. Supreme Court which legalized abortion on demand in this county. The bishops of the U.S. have declared today a day of "Prayer and Penance" in reparation for this national halocaust.
Please remember to pray for all the pro-life marchers in Washington, especially the 28 from Our Lady of the Rosary parish. I'm quite proud of them and of our youth minister, Kathy DeSanto, who makes this pilgrimage of life possible year after year.
FRANCE MOURNS ABBE PIERRE
"PARIS (Reuters) - Abbe Pierre, a Roman Catholic priest who renounced wealth to campaign for the homeless and became one of France's most revered men, died on Monday aged 94...................
For the rest of the story go to:
Saturday, January 20, 2007
ST SEBASTIAN, M.—A.D. 283
January 20 is the feast of St. Sebastian. He is frequently chosen as a patron saint by those receiving Confirmation. Check out his bio at:
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Can You Say "COOL BLUE"?
Yes, your beloved pastor has bought himself a new car, a 2007 Honda Accord. Color: "cool blue." Model: EX-L V6. Can you say ooh la-la?
For more info on the Accord, go to:
Please Note:
I brought my 1996 Camry wagon in for an oil change on Wednesday and my long time mechanic said, and I quote: "trade it in!"
I told him I was taking a week's vacation at the end of January. I asked if the Camry could make the trip.
He said, "probably.... but take the title with you, and if it brakes down, leave the title on the dash and get home the best you can. It isn't worth towing."
Enough said!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
'Multiple' Reasons to Uphold Life
The following comes from the Family Research Council athttp://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=HOME
"In the days leading up to the March for Life, a new National Geographic
documentary is a vivid reminder of what--and who--we are rallying for. The special, titled "In the Womb: Multiples," captures 4D footage of twins, triplets, and quads from the moment of conception to birth. With revolutionary imaging, viewers can watch these tiny children interacting with their siblings and developing traits like touching, fighting, and game-playing that continue even after the babies are born. While the anti-life industry decries them as "blobs of tissues" this film is full of compelling evidence to the contrary.
Meanwhile, the mounting proof of the personhood of the unborn seems lost on the new Attorney General of Kansas. In one of his first official acts, Paul Morrison, the successor to Phill Kline, fired the special prosecutor hired to investigate abortion doctor George Tiller. During his term, Kline estimated that Tiller had illegally performed as many as 15 late-term abortions. Those critical of Morrison claim that he has political ties to an abortion rights group in Kansas, which makes the move all the more questionable since he terminated the prosecutor for lacking "neutrality" on the issue. Of course, no one should be neutral on the issue of late-term abortions since they violate Kansas law and human decency. As prosecutor, Don McKinney was simply doing his job.Additional Resources
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jan/10/morrison_fires_tiller_prosecutor/
http://www.blogs4life.com/
Here in America, In God We Still Trust
In March, 2005, this song was performed at a Diamond Rio concert. They received an immediate standing ovation, and continue to do so every time they perform it! If this song speaks to your heart, share it with friends and loved ones. Then let us cease being the silent majority and join together -- not as a particular political party, but as Americans!
Click here -----------> Diamond Rio Song
FAMILY OF NAZARETH: MODEL OF THE MIGRANT FAMILY
VATICAN CITY, JAN 14, 2007 (VIS) - The World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and in particular "the migrant family," provided the theme for Benedict XVI's reflections this morning before praying the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.
As an example of the migrant family, the Pope mentioned the Holy Family of Nazareth in St. Matthew's account of their flight to escape the persecution of Herod. In their drama, he said, "we contemplate the painful condition of so many migrants, especially refugees, exiles, displaced people, and the persecuted. We particularly recognize the difficulties of migrant families: their discomforts, humiliations, privations and frailties."
The Holy Father went on to recall how the phenomenon of human mobility "is very extensive and varied," and that according to recent United Nations statistics, "economic migrants number almost 200 million, refugees nine million and international students two million."
To these must be added "internally displaced people and irregular migrants, taking into account the fact that each of them has, in one way or another, a family. It is, therefore, important to protect migrants and their families with specific legislative, juridical and administrative assistance, as well as through a network of services, welcome centers, and social and pastoral care structures."
The Pope expressed the hope that "a harmonious regulation of migratory flows and of human mobility in general" would soon be achieved, "so as to bring benefits to the entire human family, beginning with effective measures to favor legal migration and family reunion."
"Only respect for the human dignity of all migrants, on the one hand, and recognition by the migrants themselves of the values of their host societies, on the other, can make it possible to integrate families into the social, economic and political systems of their countries of destination."
"Migration," Pope Benedict concluded, "must never be seen only as a problem, but also and above all as a great resource for the progress of mankind. And the migrant family is a particularly special resource, so long as it is respected as such; it must not suffer irreparable divisions but remain united, or reunite, and complete its mission as the cradle of life and the primary place for welcoming and educating human beings."
(Source: Vatican Information Service VIS 070115 (380)
As an example of the migrant family, the Pope mentioned the Holy Family of Nazareth in St. Matthew's account of their flight to escape the persecution of Herod. In their drama, he said, "we contemplate the painful condition of so many migrants, especially refugees, exiles, displaced people, and the persecuted. We particularly recognize the difficulties of migrant families: their discomforts, humiliations, privations and frailties."
The Holy Father went on to recall how the phenomenon of human mobility "is very extensive and varied," and that according to recent United Nations statistics, "economic migrants number almost 200 million, refugees nine million and international students two million."
To these must be added "internally displaced people and irregular migrants, taking into account the fact that each of them has, in one way or another, a family. It is, therefore, important to protect migrants and their families with specific legislative, juridical and administrative assistance, as well as through a network of services, welcome centers, and social and pastoral care structures."
The Pope expressed the hope that "a harmonious regulation of migratory flows and of human mobility in general" would soon be achieved, "so as to bring benefits to the entire human family, beginning with effective measures to favor legal migration and family reunion."
"Only respect for the human dignity of all migrants, on the one hand, and recognition by the migrants themselves of the values of their host societies, on the other, can make it possible to integrate families into the social, economic and political systems of their countries of destination."
"Migration," Pope Benedict concluded, "must never be seen only as a problem, but also and above all as a great resource for the progress of mankind. And the migrant family is a particularly special resource, so long as it is respected as such; it must not suffer irreparable divisions but remain united, or reunite, and complete its mission as the cradle of life and the primary place for welcoming and educating human beings."
(Source: Vatican Information Service VIS 070115 (380)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
US Court: Vatican Liable For Abuse Claim
"A just-released decision from a Federal District judge in Louisville green-lights an abuse-related civil suit seeking damages from the Holy See...."
For the full story go to Whispers in the Loggia at:
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2007/01/us-court-vatican-liable-for-abuse.html
See also:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=48574
For the full story go to Whispers in the Loggia at:
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2007/01/us-court-vatican-liable-for-abuse.html
See also:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=48574
"She Has Arrived in Saudi Arabia"
Amy Pittman, member of Our Lady of the Rosary, has just arrived in Saudi Arabia for a one year assignment at the U.S. Embassy there. Amy is an FBI agent who specializes in anti-terrorism. Let's keep Amy and her family in our prayers.
I received this e-mail from Amy:
Hi all,I finally arrived and am settling into the office getting my clearances straight and id badges. Jetlag has certainly set in, but over time I think everything will adjust accordingly. The only glitch was that one of my bags didn't arrive (of course it had to be the biggest with ALL the good stuff), so hopefully it will arrive today. My new boss greeted me at the airport at 1:30 am and I thought that was a great way to start the tour.
He's a fantastic guy from what I hear and the fact he wanted to be there that early to meet me was nice, especially since he flew to Bahrain just a few hours later. He took me to my new house and when he left, after I was finally alone, it all hit me. So I got a few hours of sleep then called for someone to bring me to the Embassy. Might as well dive in quick, there's a lot to do here.
I spoke to the kids and Mike today as they were getting ready to leave for school. Once I assured Matthew there were no snake on the plane (he caught a glimpse of a movie Mike was watching!! Thanks Mikey!) everything was fine.
I am writing to you on the family e-mail. I wanted to try and streamline one e-mail acocunt for family and friends to e-mail but if Mike says that this bogs his system down with "my" e-mail, I may switch over to imshammer@hotmail.com.
Take care and I'll be in touch.
Peace,
Amy
Monday, January 8, 2007
The Next Catholic President
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., is looking into running for president — in part because of the state of the American family.
See the full article at:
Pope Baptizes 13 Babies
BAPTISM MEANS WE MUST LISTEN TO AND FOLLOW JESUS
VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 2007 (VIS) - After having presided at Mass in the Sistine Chapel, during which he administered the Sacrament of Baptism to 13 newborn infants, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square below.
"Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which closes the period of Christmas," he said, pointing out that the Baptism is mentioned, in different ways, in all the Gospels. "It was, in fact, part of the Apostles' preaching, because it constituted the starting point of the entire arc of deeds and words to which they were called to bear witness."
Jesus' Baptism was extremely important for the apostolic community, "not only because then, and for the first time in history, the mystery of the Trinity was made manifest clearly and completely, but also because with that event Jesus' public ministry began. ... The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan anticipates His Baptism of blood on the Cross and symbolizes the entire sacramental activity with which the Redeemer would achieve the salvation of humanity."
The Holy Father recalled that "this Feast is, after Easter, the oldest," and indicated how "there is a close correlation between the Baptism of Christ and our own Baptism. In the Jordan, heaven opened to show that the Savior has opened the way of salvation, and we can follow it thanks to the new birth 'of water and the Spirit' that comes about in Baptism. In Baptism we are inserted into mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church, we die and are born again in Him, we cloth ourselves in Him. ... The duty that arises from Baptism is, then, that of 'listening' to Jesus, believing in Him and following Him obediently, doing His will."
VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 2007 (VIS) - After having presided at Mass in the Sistine Chapel, during which he administered the Sacrament of Baptism to 13 newborn infants, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square below.
"Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which closes the period of Christmas," he said, pointing out that the Baptism is mentioned, in different ways, in all the Gospels. "It was, in fact, part of the Apostles' preaching, because it constituted the starting point of the entire arc of deeds and words to which they were called to bear witness."
Jesus' Baptism was extremely important for the apostolic community, "not only because then, and for the first time in history, the mystery of the Trinity was made manifest clearly and completely, but also because with that event Jesus' public ministry began. ... The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan anticipates His Baptism of blood on the Cross and symbolizes the entire sacramental activity with which the Redeemer would achieve the salvation of humanity."
The Holy Father recalled that "this Feast is, after Easter, the oldest," and indicated how "there is a close correlation between the Baptism of Christ and our own Baptism. In the Jordan, heaven opened to show that the Savior has opened the way of salvation, and we can follow it thanks to the new birth 'of water and the Spirit' that comes about in Baptism. In Baptism we are inserted into mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church, we die and are born again in Him, we cloth ourselves in Him. ... The duty that arises from Baptism is, then, that of 'listening' to Jesus, believing in Him and following Him obediently, doing His will."
(Source: Vatican Information Service)
Baptism of the Lord
BAPTISM MEANS WE MUST LISTEN TO AND FOLLOW JESUS
VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 2007 (VIS) - After having presided at Mass in the Sistine Chapel, during which he administered the Sacrament of Baptism to 13 newborn infants, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square below.
"Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which closes the period of Christmas," he said, pointing out that the Baptism is mentioned, in different ways, in all the Gospels. "It was, in fact, part of the Apostles' preaching, because it constituted the starting point of the entire arc of deeds and words to which they were called to bear witness."
Jesus' Baptism was extremely important for the apostolic community, "not only because then, and for the first time in history, the mystery of the Trinity was made manifest clearly and completely, but also because with that event Jesus' public ministry began. ... The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan anticipates His Baptism of blood on the Cross and symbolizes the entire sacramental activity with which the Redeemer would achieve the salvation of humanity."
The Holy Father recalled that "this Feast is, after Easter, the oldest," and indicated how "there is a close correlation between the Baptism of Christ and our own Baptism. In the Jordan, heaven opened to show that the Savior has opened the way of salvation, and we can follow it thanks to the new birth 'of water and the Spirit' that comes about in Baptism. In Baptism we are inserted into mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church, we die and are born again in Him, we cloth ourselves in Him. ... The duty that arises from Baptism is, then, that of 'listening' to Jesus, believing in Him and following Him obediently, doing His will."
VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 2007 (VIS) - After having presided at Mass in the Sistine Chapel, during which he administered the Sacrament of Baptism to 13 newborn infants, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square below.
"Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which closes the period of Christmas," he said, pointing out that the Baptism is mentioned, in different ways, in all the Gospels. "It was, in fact, part of the Apostles' preaching, because it constituted the starting point of the entire arc of deeds and words to which they were called to bear witness."
Jesus' Baptism was extremely important for the apostolic community, "not only because then, and for the first time in history, the mystery of the Trinity was made manifest clearly and completely, but also because with that event Jesus' public ministry began. ... The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan anticipates His Baptism of blood on the Cross and symbolizes the entire sacramental activity with which the Redeemer would achieve the salvation of humanity."
The Holy Father recalled that "this Feast is, after Easter, the oldest," and indicated how "there is a close correlation between the Baptism of Christ and our own Baptism. In the Jordan, heaven opened to show that the Savior has opened the way of salvation, and we can follow it thanks to the new birth 'of water and the Spirit' that comes about in Baptism. In Baptism we are inserted into mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church, we die and are born again in Him, we cloth ourselves in Him. ... The duty that arises from Baptism is, then, that of 'listening' to Jesus, believing in Him and following Him obediently, doing His will."
(Source: Vatican Information Service)
Epiphany of the Lord
VATICAN CITY, JAN 6, 2007 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 10 a.m. today, the Pope presided at Mass for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
In his homily, the Holy Father affirmed that the Epiphany is "the 'manifestation' of Christ to peoples," who "are represented by the Magi, the mysterious pilgrims from the East. We celebrate Christ, the goal of peoples' pilgrimage in search of salvation".
"Who," the Pope asked, "are the Magi today? How, our minds upon the modern world, can we interpret these mysterious gospel figures?" To answer this question, he considered Vatican Council II which, he said, was moved "by the desire to announce Christ, light of the world, to modern humanity," and which identified "the need to create a new political and economic world order, and at the same time and above all a spiritual and cultural order, in other words a renewed humanism."
At the beginning of the third millennium, characterized by the phenomenon of globalization, said the Holy Father, there is a risk of losing sight of this challenge, "a risk greatly reinforced by the immense growth of the mass media which, although on the one hand they immeasurably increase our sources of information, on the other they seem to weaken our capacity to achieve a critical overview."
Recalling the final messages of Vatican Council II, the Pope indicated that the first was addressed to rulers and the second to men of thought and science, "two categories of people," he said, "that in some way correspond to the gospel figures of the Magi." To them, he went on, "it is today more than ever necessary to add the representatives of the great non-Christian religious traditions, inviting them to contemplate the light of Christ, Who came not to abolish but to bring to fruition what the hand of God had written in the religious history of civilizations, especially in the 'great souls' who contributed to building humanity with their wisdom and their exemplary virtue. Christ is light, and light cannot obscure but only illuminate, clarify and reveal.
"Therefore," he concluded, "let no one be afraid of Christ and of His message! And if in the course of history Christians, being imperfect and sinful, have sometimes betrayed Him with their behavior, this highlights even more the fact that the light is Christ, and the Church reflects that light only by remaining united to Him."
In his homily, the Holy Father affirmed that the Epiphany is "the 'manifestation' of Christ to peoples," who "are represented by the Magi, the mysterious pilgrims from the East. We celebrate Christ, the goal of peoples' pilgrimage in search of salvation".
"Who," the Pope asked, "are the Magi today? How, our minds upon the modern world, can we interpret these mysterious gospel figures?" To answer this question, he considered Vatican Council II which, he said, was moved "by the desire to announce Christ, light of the world, to modern humanity," and which identified "the need to create a new political and economic world order, and at the same time and above all a spiritual and cultural order, in other words a renewed humanism."
At the beginning of the third millennium, characterized by the phenomenon of globalization, said the Holy Father, there is a risk of losing sight of this challenge, "a risk greatly reinforced by the immense growth of the mass media which, although on the one hand they immeasurably increase our sources of information, on the other they seem to weaken our capacity to achieve a critical overview."
Recalling the final messages of Vatican Council II, the Pope indicated that the first was addressed to rulers and the second to men of thought and science, "two categories of people," he said, "that in some way correspond to the gospel figures of the Magi." To them, he went on, "it is today more than ever necessary to add the representatives of the great non-Christian religious traditions, inviting them to contemplate the light of Christ, Who came not to abolish but to bring to fruition what the hand of God had written in the religious history of civilizations, especially in the 'great souls' who contributed to building humanity with their wisdom and their exemplary virtue. Christ is light, and light cannot obscure but only illuminate, clarify and reveal.
"Therefore," he concluded, "let no one be afraid of Christ and of His message! And if in the course of history Christians, being imperfect and sinful, have sometimes betrayed Him with their behavior, this highlights even more the fact that the light is Christ, and the Church reflects that light only by remaining united to Him."
(Source: Vatican Information Service)
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Nine Underground Catholic Priests Arrested in China
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This story comes from AsiaNews.it It reminds us how blessed we are to live in a country with "freedom of religion." Catholics in many parts of the world struggle against intolerance and outright persecution.
"Nine underground priests arrested in HebeiThe priests had gathered together to study. The reason for their arrest is unknown. For some time now, the Patriotic Association has been conducting a harsh campaign to clamp down on unofficial communities. Rome (AsiaNews) – Police of the northern province of Hebei arrested nine unofficial priests of the diocese of Baoding on 27 December.
"The nine priests are: Fr Wen Daoxiu; Fr Li Shujun; Fr Li Yongshun; Fr.Wang Quanjun; Fr Wang Qiongwei; Fr Pang Yongxing; Fr Pang Haixing; Fr Dong Guoyin and Fr Liu Honggeng.
"The group had met to study in a place around 30km south of Baoding. The reason for their arrest is unknown. It is likely that they were arrested just because they were meeting for a time of prayer during the Christmas season in a place unknown to the government.
"Hebei is the region with the highest number of Catholics (1.5 million), most of them belonging to the underground Church that refuses to be subject to the control of the Patriotic Association (PA), an organization set
up by the Communist Party that aims to build a church detached from me. The PA has launched a campaign of arrests of bishops, priests and believers of Hebei in a bid to subdue them. According to information of AsiaNews, at least six underground bishops of Hebei disappeared after arrest. Among them is the Ordinary of the diocese of Baoding, James Su Zhimin, 73 years, who was arrested in 1996.
"The auxiliary bishop of Baoding, Mgr Francis Shuxin, was released on 24 August by the Chinese authorities after 10 years imprisonment."
"If you just have heart it can take you places beyond belief"
I received the following message from Sargeant Ryan (a.k.a. "Rudy") Kass who is stationed in Iraq. I've known Ryan since 1995. I've watched him grow up. He's a great kid. Please keep him and all our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is your daily prayers.
Hey everybody,
First off let me wish everyone a Happy belated
Christmas! I hope everyone of you had a great Christmas. I apologize on the being late with the seasons greetings but unfortunately we have had a few soldiers pass and when that happens they cut the internet and phones. I would also like to wish everyone a happy new years too.
Not a whole lot is really going on as of right now to put your minds at ease. They keep me busy doing the normal work we do. Such as paperwork and inventories and basic daily operations. It keeps me really busy because I'm what they call the section sergeant it's kind of like a managers position, so I'm responsible for all the different equipment that we are running over here but hey it makes the time go by faster so I can't complain.
For those of you who do not know I went to the promotion board in December and did pretty well. Now all I have to do is to wait and see if I made the points on Jan 15 if I do then I will be promoted to E-6 on the 1st of Feb. Other than that nothing is really new over this way.
They feed us really good they have a little stir fry bar that you can go to or they have hamburgers and hotdogs and lots of other stuff too. This go around is much better than last cause this time I have my own little room to live in with A/C and heat (believe it or not it actually gets quite cold here) and we actually have showers and toilets that flush, so that is much better than last time.
Well thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and support. It makes a world of difference knowing that we are fighting for people like you guys. Well I wish you all the best and hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Talk to everyone later bye.
Love,
Ryan
PS: If you just have heart it can take you places beyond belief.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
"Islam and Western Democracies" by Cardinal George Pell
Cardinal Pell is Archbishop of Sydney is Australia. For the full text of his talk on Islam to Legatus go to his diocesan web site at:
For reaction to the Cardinal's talk check out the following sites:
Swiss Guard Not Happy
Check out: "You Know All's Not Well...." at Whispers in the Loggia. Make sure you put Whispers in your favorites. It's worth viewing on a daily basis.
According to Catholic World News the Vatican denies story of Swiss Guard "Mutiny". Check it out at:
DAY 2 (December 30,2006) of Nicaraguan Mission Trip by Julliet Martinez
On the second day of our mission trip experience, all missionaries at Hogar Belen were awakened by a herd of animals serenading us outside the crusty windows. First came the roosters next door with their classic good morning song…then the dogs…then...the cow?!!...and then the men heard (or claim to have heard- not that we can trust them fully on this) an animal that would cry out “GAZEBO!” in the early dawn. Needless to say, this was not the only strange occurrence of the day. After breakfast- which we were told was to be at seven every morning- one group was selected to clean up while the rest of us meandered outside while waiting for our daily chores.
Hogar Belen has such a carefree system, which could be very much influenced by the tropical breezes wafting the scent of ripe papaya and coconuts to us. Or the fact that the ladies in charge are of Jamaican descent and stick with the motto “No worries!”. So when we finally did get our jobs assigned to us, it was close to noon and most of us had already been exhausted by the over-enthused children. There were basically only two jobs that needed to be started on right away. One was the repainting of the play area, which was in desperate need of a colorful touch up and some friendly designs. So a handful of talented young artists volunteered to begin that. We started off with a nice new coat of baby blue- rolled on to freshen up the crumbling stone. A trim of yellow was then added to the border and some sketches were created for the mural. Most of these sketches were based on characters from the children’s coloring books and then copied onto the wall with chalk.
While that project was well underway, the second group was collecting supplies for their chore. This group had offered to pave the room of an autistic sixteen year old boy by the name of Omar. Omar had been living by himself in a room set apart from the rest of the children, spending most of his time half naked on the dirt floor. Materials were bought for the cement mixture and the group began. Halfway through their job however, the teens were told that the method they were using was not the one that was going to get the job done. So the men started again, this time guided by a native Nicaraguan. When Omar was brought out of his room he fiercely seized the nearest teen, before moving on to the next. This left a lot of us frightened and uncomfortable but some teens have really come out of their comfort zone in order to get to know him.
The task of helping these Nicaraguan kids with the things they needed the most was such an awesome experience. By the end of the day, all of us were way beyond exhausted but nobody complained- we were all so glad to have been a part of it.
-Julliet M.
DAY 3 (December 31, 2006) of Nicaraguan Mission Trip by Kathy DeSanto
My love for the youth of Our Lady of the Rosary increases daily. They have taught me so much about Jesus in their actions, smiles and perseverance. I had come to Hogar Belen with a pre printed schedule and a semi retreat format. By the second day I had to offer up the fact that I was not in control (and that´s hard to do as a youth minister). Jesus was alive and working on the hearts of our teens without me having to feel the adults had to constantly guide them or help them out. Last night was amazing. We shared as brothers and sisters in Christ and not as adults and teens. They were open and honest.
The challenge for the day was for us adults to trust the teenagers to be responsible by taking 11 disabled children to Mass in the local town, and if that wasn’t enough, we also took them to the local mall. Every single teen rose to the occasion and once again made us believe in the future of the Catholic faith. Not only where they responsible with these precious children, but they fed them with their own money (some even had ice cream for lunch) without being asked to and took them on some rides.
Proud is not powerful enough to express my feelings for not only the teens but the adult leaders as well…Speaking of the adults, oh boy! They are going to need a chiropractor awaiting at TIA!!
Blessings
Kathy
The challenge for the day was for us adults to trust the teenagers to be responsible by taking 11 disabled children to Mass in the local town, and if that wasn’t enough, we also took them to the local mall. Every single teen rose to the occasion and once again made us believe in the future of the Catholic faith. Not only where they responsible with these precious children, but they fed them with their own money (some even had ice cream for lunch) without being asked to and took them on some rides.
Proud is not powerful enough to express my feelings for not only the teens but the adult leaders as well…Speaking of the adults, oh boy! They are going to need a chiropractor awaiting at TIA!!
Blessings
Kathy
MAY FAMILIES BE THE LIVING IMAGE OF GOD'S LOVE
VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 2006 (VIS) - Today, the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, before praying the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope sent his greetings to all the families of the world, expressing the hope that they may enjoy "the peace and love that Christ gave us, coming among us at Christmas."
"God," he said, "wished to be born and to grow in a human family. Thus he consecrated [the family] as the basic and ordinary way of His meeting with humanity. In the life spent in Nazareth, Jesus honored the Virgin Mary and the good Joseph, remaining under their authority for the entire period of His infancy and adolescence. In this way, He highlighted the fundamental value of the family in the education of the person."
The Pope emphasized how Mary and Joseph introduced Jesus into the religious community. "With them he learned to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When He was twelve years old, He stayed behind in the Temple and his parents took three days to find Him." Through that gesture, Jesus "brought them to understand that He had to concern Himself with the things of His Father's House."
"This evangelical episode reveals the most authentic and profound vocation of the family: that of accompanying all its members on the journey to the discovery of God and of the design He has laid down for them. Mary and Joseph educated Jesus ... through their own example. From them He learned that in the first place it is necessary to do God's will, and that the spiritual bond is greater than the tie of blood.
"The Holy Family of Nazareth," Benedict XVI added, "is truly the 'prototype' for all Christian families who, united in the Sacrament of Marriage and nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, are called to put into practice that stupendous vocation and mission of being a living cell, not only of society but also of the Church, sign and instrument of unity for the entire human race."
The Pope concluded his remarks by invoking the protection of Mary and St. Joseph "for all families, especially those in difficulties. Support them so they may resist the divisive forces of a certain kind of modern culture that undermines the very foundations of the family institution. Help Christian families all over the world to be the living image of God's love."
Following the Angelus, the Holy Father addressed the faithful in various languages. To Polish pilgrims he said: "Let us give thanks to God for the past year, for all the good received, and particularly for my pilgrimage to Poland. I recall my journey in the footsteps of Servant of God John Paul II and your witness of faith. Today, on the Sunday of the Holy Family, I pray that your families be worthy places for the education of children and young people."
(Source: Vatican Information Service)
"God," he said, "wished to be born and to grow in a human family. Thus he consecrated [the family] as the basic and ordinary way of His meeting with humanity. In the life spent in Nazareth, Jesus honored the Virgin Mary and the good Joseph, remaining under their authority for the entire period of His infancy and adolescence. In this way, He highlighted the fundamental value of the family in the education of the person."
The Pope emphasized how Mary and Joseph introduced Jesus into the religious community. "With them he learned to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When He was twelve years old, He stayed behind in the Temple and his parents took three days to find Him." Through that gesture, Jesus "brought them to understand that He had to concern Himself with the things of His Father's House."
"This evangelical episode reveals the most authentic and profound vocation of the family: that of accompanying all its members on the journey to the discovery of God and of the design He has laid down for them. Mary and Joseph educated Jesus ... through their own example. From them He learned that in the first place it is necessary to do God's will, and that the spiritual bond is greater than the tie of blood.
"The Holy Family of Nazareth," Benedict XVI added, "is truly the 'prototype' for all Christian families who, united in the Sacrament of Marriage and nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, are called to put into practice that stupendous vocation and mission of being a living cell, not only of society but also of the Church, sign and instrument of unity for the entire human race."
The Pope concluded his remarks by invoking the protection of Mary and St. Joseph "for all families, especially those in difficulties. Support them so they may resist the divisive forces of a certain kind of modern culture that undermines the very foundations of the family institution. Help Christian families all over the world to be the living image of God's love."
Following the Angelus, the Holy Father addressed the faithful in various languages. To Polish pilgrims he said: "Let us give thanks to God for the past year, for all the good received, and particularly for my pilgrimage to Poland. I recall my journey in the footsteps of Servant of God John Paul II and your witness of faith. Today, on the Sunday of the Holy Family, I pray that your families be worthy places for the education of children and young people."
(Source: Vatican Information Service)
Monday, January 1, 2007
"Bloom Where You're Planted (I)
Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2006
Today’s Gospel of Luke ends with the words: “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” (Luke 2:52) In short, Jesus grew and matured within the context of a human family. He bloomed in the soil of the family that Mary and Joseph provided. This is the will of God for us as well. We are all called to reach our full human potential. God wants us to become what he has called us to be. He wants us to bloom, “to advance in wisdom, and age and favor before God and man.”
“Bloom where you’re planted!”
Granted our respective families probably don’t come close to the holiness and healthiness of the family that Mary and Joseph provided for Jesus, but as we approach a new year and are thinking perhaps about resolutions, we might consider enriching the soil of our families with the ultimate nutrient.... “LOVE.”.
Perhaps one of the following reflections might hit home with you as you resolve to enrich your family for the new year.
FIRST REFLECTION: “Family Comes Before Things!”
Your spouse and your children come before your job, before your career.
In 1993, David Williams, an offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers was fined a game’s pay of over $80,000 (not bad work if you can get it), because he opted to stay home with his wife who was having a baby instead of flying to New England with the Oilers to play against the Patriots. Smart man! He understood that family is more important than money, more important than football.
In December 1996, an elderly man playing with his grandchild outside of Church told me he had discovered the joy of being with his grandchildren and had only one regret in life, that he had missed the same opportunity to enjoy his own children growing up because he was a workaholic.
Moms and Dads, you’re going to die some day, but then you knew that! Your kids and grandkids are going to talk about you at the funeral parlor. They’re going to waltz down memory lane. They’re going to tell funny stories about the water fight you had while washing the family car, the time you played tag and fell and landed on your backside, the time you flew the kite at the beach and it got away from you, the time you attended their first grade play and congratulated them even though they got their one line wrong. They’re going to remember the times you laughed together, cried together and all the fun adventures you took together.
However, what they’re not going to remember is whether you dressed them in Kalvin Kline or K-mart blue light specials. They’re not going to remember whether you fed them steak or hamburger, or any other of the materials things you worked so hard to provide. They’re only going to remember the times you spent with them.
“Family comes before things.”
For you young people, this means your family comes before school or sports or other extracurricular activities.
On Christmas day 1980 I was temporarily helping out at Sacred Heart Parish in Homestead Florida. I was just a deacon at the time. One of the altar servers at Christmas Mass, a senior in high school, casually mentioned that he had baseball practice that afternoon. I was taken aback. Surely he must be mistaken. What kind of a coach would require high school kids to practice baseball on one of the most important family days of the year.
The young man explained that last year his team had been second in the state and that this year they were determined to be number one. So they practiced every day without exception, including Christmas Day.
I’m ashamed to say that this young man attended a Catholic high school. How is it possible that a Catholic school, a coach, a family could not understand that family comes before things, that family comes even before first place trophies.
Life isn’t about things. Life isn’t about trophies....or scholarships, or making lots of money. Life is about relationships. People make us happy...not things.
So remember: “Family comes before things!”
“Bloom where you’re planted!”
Granted our respective families probably don’t come close to the holiness and healthiness of the family that Mary and Joseph provided for Jesus, but as we approach a new year and are thinking perhaps about resolutions, we might consider enriching the soil of our families with the ultimate nutrient.... “LOVE.”.
Perhaps one of the following reflections might hit home with you as you resolve to enrich your family for the new year.
FIRST REFLECTION: “Family Comes Before Things!”
Your spouse and your children come before your job, before your career.
In 1993, David Williams, an offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers was fined a game’s pay of over $80,000 (not bad work if you can get it), because he opted to stay home with his wife who was having a baby instead of flying to New England with the Oilers to play against the Patriots. Smart man! He understood that family is more important than money, more important than football.
In December 1996, an elderly man playing with his grandchild outside of Church told me he had discovered the joy of being with his grandchildren and had only one regret in life, that he had missed the same opportunity to enjoy his own children growing up because he was a workaholic.
Moms and Dads, you’re going to die some day, but then you knew that! Your kids and grandkids are going to talk about you at the funeral parlor. They’re going to waltz down memory lane. They’re going to tell funny stories about the water fight you had while washing the family car, the time you played tag and fell and landed on your backside, the time you flew the kite at the beach and it got away from you, the time you attended their first grade play and congratulated them even though they got their one line wrong. They’re going to remember the times you laughed together, cried together and all the fun adventures you took together.
However, what they’re not going to remember is whether you dressed them in Kalvin Kline or K-mart blue light specials. They’re not going to remember whether you fed them steak or hamburger, or any other of the materials things you worked so hard to provide. They’re only going to remember the times you spent with them.
“Family comes before things.”
For you young people, this means your family comes before school or sports or other extracurricular activities.
On Christmas day 1980 I was temporarily helping out at Sacred Heart Parish in Homestead Florida. I was just a deacon at the time. One of the altar servers at Christmas Mass, a senior in high school, casually mentioned that he had baseball practice that afternoon. I was taken aback. Surely he must be mistaken. What kind of a coach would require high school kids to practice baseball on one of the most important family days of the year.
The young man explained that last year his team had been second in the state and that this year they were determined to be number one. So they practiced every day without exception, including Christmas Day.
I’m ashamed to say that this young man attended a Catholic high school. How is it possible that a Catholic school, a coach, a family could not understand that family comes before things, that family comes even before first place trophies.
Life isn’t about things. Life isn’t about trophies....or scholarships, or making lots of money. Life is about relationships. People make us happy...not things.
So remember: “Family comes before things!”
"Bloom Where You're Planted (II)
Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2006
SECOND REFLECTION: “Love means sharing yourself and your time”
On December 30, 1980, Irwin Westheimer died at the age of 101. He’s claim to fame was that he was the founder of the “Big Brother Program”. Irwin Westheimer challenged men to mentor young boys who needed a male role model in their lives. The purpose of Big Brothers is not for adults to give expensive gifts to kids, but to give themselves, to share their time.
Christmas is a time we give gifts to others as a sign of our love for them. Unfortunately, many adults give gifts, really expensive gifts, not as a sign of love, but as a way of making up for their failure love, or more precisely for their failure to share themselves and their time with their family members. Real love isn’t measured by the expense of the gift, but by our willingness to give of ourselves and of our time to another.
Nursing homes in our area provide their elderly residents with the best care that money can buy, but they can’t provide the one thing the elderly really want, which is for their children and grandchildren to spend some time with them.
When young couples comes in for their marriage prep, I tell them that during the course of the next six months we’re going to discuss many important things with them about marriage and family. However, the most important thing we’re going to tell you is this.... it’s a formula for a successful marriage, so pay close attention; write it down:
“Time + Positive Interaction = Relationship”
Every relationship is in flux. Either you are drifting apart or coming closer together. What causes this ebb and flow in a relationship? Time and Positive Interaction. You spend time with someone interacting in a positive one you get closer. You stop spending time with a person you drift apart. Do you feel a strain in your marriage? Take your spouse out for date, spend some time together and do something fun. Are you feeling distant from your teens? Invite him or her out for a lunch date. Spend some time together and do something fun!
Remember: “Time + positive interaction = relationship. This formula is a law of nature. You break the law at your own peril.
“Love means sharing yourself and your time!”
On December 30, 1980, Irwin Westheimer died at the age of 101. He’s claim to fame was that he was the founder of the “Big Brother Program”. Irwin Westheimer challenged men to mentor young boys who needed a male role model in their lives. The purpose of Big Brothers is not for adults to give expensive gifts to kids, but to give themselves, to share their time.
Christmas is a time we give gifts to others as a sign of our love for them. Unfortunately, many adults give gifts, really expensive gifts, not as a sign of love, but as a way of making up for their failure love, or more precisely for their failure to share themselves and their time with their family members. Real love isn’t measured by the expense of the gift, but by our willingness to give of ourselves and of our time to another.
Nursing homes in our area provide their elderly residents with the best care that money can buy, but they can’t provide the one thing the elderly really want, which is for their children and grandchildren to spend some time with them.
When young couples comes in for their marriage prep, I tell them that during the course of the next six months we’re going to discuss many important things with them about marriage and family. However, the most important thing we’re going to tell you is this.... it’s a formula for a successful marriage, so pay close attention; write it down:
“Time + Positive Interaction = Relationship”
Every relationship is in flux. Either you are drifting apart or coming closer together. What causes this ebb and flow in a relationship? Time and Positive Interaction. You spend time with someone interacting in a positive one you get closer. You stop spending time with a person you drift apart. Do you feel a strain in your marriage? Take your spouse out for date, spend some time together and do something fun. Are you feeling distant from your teens? Invite him or her out for a lunch date. Spend some time together and do something fun!
Remember: “Time + positive interaction = relationship. This formula is a law of nature. You break the law at your own peril.
“Love means sharing yourself and your time!”
"Bloom Where You're Planted (III)
Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2006
THIRD REFLECTION: “Touch is the bond of love.”
The ability to love is not innate, but must be learned. Just as we learn to ride a bike we have to learn to love. And we learn to love through the experience of being loved! We learn to love through the experience of being touched in positive ways.
If you want your children to grow up to be loving people, then lavish them with love, lavish them with positive touch.
I remember visiting my Aunt Carol many years ago. I forget the occasion but the whole family was home. Aunt Carol had six kids: five teenagers and a two year old whose name was Nicole. Little Nicole was going from sibling to sibling being tickled by this one, cuddled by that one, etc. She was having a great time and I thing Aunt Carol enjoyed little Nicole annoying and exhausting all her siblings.
I casually remarked that little Nicole was going to be a spoiled child. Big mistake! Aunt Carol gave me one of those looks, you know the kind I’m talking about and then said: “You can spoil a child with things, but YOU CAN’T SPOIL A CHILD WITH LOVE!” And of course Aunt Carol was right. You can’t spoil a child with love.
We call ourselves “rational animals.” We pride ourselves in being superior to the other creatures because we have the capacity to reason, to think. We sometimes forget, however, that despite all our brain power, we’re still animals. And in the animal kingdom “touch is the bond of love.” Touch is one of our basic animal needs.
I remember watching a calf being born while I was out in South Dakota. The mother cow licked that calf up and down, back to front over and over again. Only then did she allow the calf to nurse. Every dog and cat does the same thing. It’s in the licking, in the touching that the parental bond is established.
No doubt you parents remember holding your baby for the first time. You unwrapped him or her and counted all the fingers and toes and made sure everything was as it should be. You gently touched your baby back to front, up one side and down the other. Why? Because instinctively you knew that “touch is the bond of love.”
You’ve seen the bumper sticker: “Have you hugged your child today?”
A few years ago the following appeared in an Ann Landers column:
“A few weeks ago I kissed my son for the first time and told him I loved him. Unfortunately, he didn’t know it because he was dead. He had shot himself... The greatest regret of my life is that I kept my son at arm’s length. I believed it was unmanly for males to show affection for one another... I will never recover from my ignorance and stupidity.”
What is true of fathers and sons, is also true of fathers and daughters, mothers and daughters and mothers and sons, brothers and sisters, etc.
Can you imagine Jesus, who wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, never embracing his mother Mary and saying: “Mom, I love you”? Or can you imagine Jesus, who told how the father and son embraced in the parable of the Prodigal Son, never hugging Joseph and saying: “Dad, I love you”?
Have you hugged you child today? Have you hugged you mom today? Or called her? Have you hugged your dad today?
Love is a learned behavior. We learn to love through the tangible experience of being loved, of being touched in a positive way.
“Touch is the bond of love!”
The ability to love is not innate, but must be learned. Just as we learn to ride a bike we have to learn to love. And we learn to love through the experience of being loved! We learn to love through the experience of being touched in positive ways.
If you want your children to grow up to be loving people, then lavish them with love, lavish them with positive touch.
I remember visiting my Aunt Carol many years ago. I forget the occasion but the whole family was home. Aunt Carol had six kids: five teenagers and a two year old whose name was Nicole. Little Nicole was going from sibling to sibling being tickled by this one, cuddled by that one, etc. She was having a great time and I thing Aunt Carol enjoyed little Nicole annoying and exhausting all her siblings.
I casually remarked that little Nicole was going to be a spoiled child. Big mistake! Aunt Carol gave me one of those looks, you know the kind I’m talking about and then said: “You can spoil a child with things, but YOU CAN’T SPOIL A CHILD WITH LOVE!” And of course Aunt Carol was right. You can’t spoil a child with love.
We call ourselves “rational animals.” We pride ourselves in being superior to the other creatures because we have the capacity to reason, to think. We sometimes forget, however, that despite all our brain power, we’re still animals. And in the animal kingdom “touch is the bond of love.” Touch is one of our basic animal needs.
I remember watching a calf being born while I was out in South Dakota. The mother cow licked that calf up and down, back to front over and over again. Only then did she allow the calf to nurse. Every dog and cat does the same thing. It’s in the licking, in the touching that the parental bond is established.
No doubt you parents remember holding your baby for the first time. You unwrapped him or her and counted all the fingers and toes and made sure everything was as it should be. You gently touched your baby back to front, up one side and down the other. Why? Because instinctively you knew that “touch is the bond of love.”
You’ve seen the bumper sticker: “Have you hugged your child today?”
A few years ago the following appeared in an Ann Landers column:
“A few weeks ago I kissed my son for the first time and told him I loved him. Unfortunately, he didn’t know it because he was dead. He had shot himself... The greatest regret of my life is that I kept my son at arm’s length. I believed it was unmanly for males to show affection for one another... I will never recover from my ignorance and stupidity.”
What is true of fathers and sons, is also true of fathers and daughters, mothers and daughters and mothers and sons, brothers and sisters, etc.
Can you imagine Jesus, who wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, never embracing his mother Mary and saying: “Mom, I love you”? Or can you imagine Jesus, who told how the father and son embraced in the parable of the Prodigal Son, never hugging Joseph and saying: “Dad, I love you”?
Have you hugged you child today? Have you hugged you mom today? Or called her? Have you hugged your dad today?
Love is a learned behavior. We learn to love through the tangible experience of being loved, of being touched in a positive way.
“Touch is the bond of love!”
"Bloom Where You're Planted (IV)
Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2006
FOURTH REFLECTION: “Love is the choice to forgive.”
From the cross the crucified Christ cries out: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” These words represent a conscious deliberate choice that Jesus made to forgive his murderers, to forgive sinners! What an awesome love God has for us. Jesus himself tells his disciples that “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And if dying for another is the greatest act of love, then certainly “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” is a close second.
Over my twenty five years as a priest I have witnessed many times over the healing power of forgiveness. I have seen husbands and wives forgive adulterous spouses. It wasn’t easy and was always preceded by weeks and even months of bitter arguing and weeping on both sides. But when the abused spouse could see clear to forgive, then healing and renewal and love came back into their lives and into the lives of their children.
I’ve seen the alienation of parents and children, and sibling from sibling healed by forgiveness. What an awesome we wield when we choose to forgive.
I’ve also seen the opposite. I’ve seen long term marriages end abruptly because the abused spouse just couldn’t or wouldn’t forgive the other. I’ve seen how the anger, bitterness and meanness eat at them and poison all their relationships.
It is in forgiving us that Jesus proves his love.
“Love is the choice to forgive.”
From the cross the crucified Christ cries out: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” These words represent a conscious deliberate choice that Jesus made to forgive his murderers, to forgive sinners! What an awesome love God has for us. Jesus himself tells his disciples that “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And if dying for another is the greatest act of love, then certainly “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” is a close second.
Over my twenty five years as a priest I have witnessed many times over the healing power of forgiveness. I have seen husbands and wives forgive adulterous spouses. It wasn’t easy and was always preceded by weeks and even months of bitter arguing and weeping on both sides. But when the abused spouse could see clear to forgive, then healing and renewal and love came back into their lives and into the lives of their children.
I’ve seen the alienation of parents and children, and sibling from sibling healed by forgiveness. What an awesome we wield when we choose to forgive.
I’ve also seen the opposite. I’ve seen long term marriages end abruptly because the abused spouse just couldn’t or wouldn’t forgive the other. I’ve seen how the anger, bitterness and meanness eat at them and poison all their relationships.
It is in forgiving us that Jesus proves his love.
“Love is the choice to forgive.”
"Bloom Where You're Planted" (Part V)
Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2006
FIFTH REFLECTION: “Love is the choice to accept people as they are.”
To accept people as they are is to love like God, who loves us in spite of our sins and weaknesses. God’s love for us has no conditions. God doesn’t say I’ll love you if you do such and such. Or I’ll die for you if you do this or that. God simply loves us. He invites us to change, to become like him, but he still loves us even when we fall or fail to live up to our full potential. God’s love for us is simply unconditional.
Does your spouse, your children, your parents have to earn your love? What subtle and perhaps not so subtle messages are you giving them? Perhaps, I’ll love you if you stop smoking, or if you stop drinking, or if you lose weight. I’ll love you if you get good grades, excel at sports or make more money.
In the late seventies a movie titled “Tribute”, starring Jack Lemmon and Bobby Benson, taught a very important lesson about acceptance. The movie was about a father (Jack Lemmon) dieing of cancer. He hasn’t been in contact with his son (Bobby Benson) for years because of a divorce. Before he dies the father wants to reconnect with his son, so he invites the young man, now in his early twenties, to his California beach house.
The son doesn’t know about his father’s cancer. The father doesn’t want sympathy but a genuine relationship. Things don’t seem to be going well between father and son. They are constantly arguing and finding fault.
Growing up without his father, the son had an idealized image of what his father was like, and Jack Lemmon doesn’t quite measure up. Likewise, having been separated from his son since the boy’s early childhood, the father has an idealized notion of his son, which the son can’t live up to.
In a particularly stirring moment in the movie, Jack Lemmon grabs Benson by his shirt collar and exclaims: “I may not be the father you always wanted, but did it ever occur to you that you’re not the son I always wanted?” [Translation: Son you don’t love me and I don’t love you because we haven’t yet accepted each other as we are.] Now that’s powerful drama!
It’s only when the son begins to accept his dad as he is and not as he would want him to be.... when he realizes that his father is just a guy; not superman or some other noble hero, that he can begin to love. Likewise, it’s only when the father accept his son as he is and not as he would want him to be, that he can begin to love.
The feelings of attraction that we have for idealized figures is called infatuation or romanticization. Real love is about accepting people warts and all as they are, and not how we think they should be.
Our guest speaker last October for Respect Life Sunday, whose name escapes right now, told us the story of a New Jersey dad of seven. The last child, a girl, was born with Down Syndrome. In the eyes of the world she was less than perfect, but none the less, her dad loved her and when that she was old enough to sit on his shoulders her dad walked up and down the street where he lived knocking on every door and introducing his daughter “Meagan” to all his neighbors. Now’s that’s a dad who understood that “love means accepting people as they are.”
Where’s the Kleenex when you need it?
To accept people as they are is to love like God, who loves us in spite of our sins and weaknesses. God’s love for us has no conditions. God doesn’t say I’ll love you if you do such and such. Or I’ll die for you if you do this or that. God simply loves us. He invites us to change, to become like him, but he still loves us even when we fall or fail to live up to our full potential. God’s love for us is simply unconditional.
Does your spouse, your children, your parents have to earn your love? What subtle and perhaps not so subtle messages are you giving them? Perhaps, I’ll love you if you stop smoking, or if you stop drinking, or if you lose weight. I’ll love you if you get good grades, excel at sports or make more money.
In the late seventies a movie titled “Tribute”, starring Jack Lemmon and Bobby Benson, taught a very important lesson about acceptance. The movie was about a father (Jack Lemmon) dieing of cancer. He hasn’t been in contact with his son (Bobby Benson) for years because of a divorce. Before he dies the father wants to reconnect with his son, so he invites the young man, now in his early twenties, to his California beach house.
The son doesn’t know about his father’s cancer. The father doesn’t want sympathy but a genuine relationship. Things don’t seem to be going well between father and son. They are constantly arguing and finding fault.
Growing up without his father, the son had an idealized image of what his father was like, and Jack Lemmon doesn’t quite measure up. Likewise, having been separated from his son since the boy’s early childhood, the father has an idealized notion of his son, which the son can’t live up to.
In a particularly stirring moment in the movie, Jack Lemmon grabs Benson by his shirt collar and exclaims: “I may not be the father you always wanted, but did it ever occur to you that you’re not the son I always wanted?” [Translation: Son you don’t love me and I don’t love you because we haven’t yet accepted each other as we are.] Now that’s powerful drama!
It’s only when the son begins to accept his dad as he is and not as he would want him to be.... when he realizes that his father is just a guy; not superman or some other noble hero, that he can begin to love. Likewise, it’s only when the father accept his son as he is and not as he would want him to be, that he can begin to love.
The feelings of attraction that we have for idealized figures is called infatuation or romanticization. Real love is about accepting people warts and all as they are, and not how we think they should be.
Our guest speaker last October for Respect Life Sunday, whose name escapes right now, told us the story of a New Jersey dad of seven. The last child, a girl, was born with Down Syndrome. In the eyes of the world she was less than perfect, but none the less, her dad loved her and when that she was old enough to sit on his shoulders her dad walked up and down the street where he lived knocking on every door and introducing his daughter “Meagan” to all his neighbors. Now’s that’s a dad who understood that “love means accepting people as they are.”
Where’s the Kleenex when you need it?
"Bloom Where You're Planted (VI)
Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2006
SIXTH REFLECTION: “Love is the choice to do good for another.”
Hollywood tells us that love is all about feelings, but real love is more an activity of the will than an emotion. Granted, feelings of affection can make the daily choices of doing good for another easier, but the feelings themselves are not love. Love is always the choice to do good for another.
To illustrate this point to younger couples getting married, I always tell them as part of my wedding homily that God willing in a year or two, they will awaken at two in the morning to the sound of a baby crying.” The first couple of nights they’re going to think this is cute, especially if its baby number one. But after a few nights of sleep deprivation they won’t think it so cute getting up in the wee hours to care for a crying baby. They won’t feel very affectionate at 2:00 a.m., but none the less, they’ll get up, change a dirty diaper, feed the baby and even rock that little guy for hours before he or she finally dozes off again. That choice to do good for their child is love.
When I was a young teenager, one of my best friend’s mom was a bit of a nut case. (Trust me, I’m being kind here.) She physically and verbally abused my friend repeatedly, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say constantly. Even after all these years I can still vividly recall the following....
My friend’s mom was once again trying to beat him, but this time he held her off with a kitchen knife. He was waving the knife back and forth, feigning a jab here and a jab there as he mom tried to get to him. The adrenaline was flowing and my friend was hyper to the max. Suddenly he gasped and fainted. His mom pounced on him and began to pound on his chest with her fist as she cried “I love you. I love you.” And all I could think was “Thank God she doesn’t love me.”
My friends, love doesn’t hurt the beloved. If you are physically, emotionally, sexually, or verbally abusing family members or others, stop it now! Do not delude yourself, abusive behavior is not love.
Love is the choice to do good!
So make those new year resolutions. Resolve to enrich the soil of your family this year with love. It is God’s will that every member of your family should bloom and reach his or her full human potential. Remember:
1. Family Comes Before Things
2. Love means sharing yourself and your time
3. Touch is the Bond of Love. Love is not innate. It is learned through the experience of being loved.
4. Love is the choice to forgive.
5. Love is the choice to accept others as they are.
6. Love is the choice to do good for another.
St. John: “Let us love in deeds....and not merely talk about it.”
Hollywood tells us that love is all about feelings, but real love is more an activity of the will than an emotion. Granted, feelings of affection can make the daily choices of doing good for another easier, but the feelings themselves are not love. Love is always the choice to do good for another.
To illustrate this point to younger couples getting married, I always tell them as part of my wedding homily that God willing in a year or two, they will awaken at two in the morning to the sound of a baby crying.” The first couple of nights they’re going to think this is cute, especially if its baby number one. But after a few nights of sleep deprivation they won’t think it so cute getting up in the wee hours to care for a crying baby. They won’t feel very affectionate at 2:00 a.m., but none the less, they’ll get up, change a dirty diaper, feed the baby and even rock that little guy for hours before he or she finally dozes off again. That choice to do good for their child is love.
When I was a young teenager, one of my best friend’s mom was a bit of a nut case. (Trust me, I’m being kind here.) She physically and verbally abused my friend repeatedly, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say constantly. Even after all these years I can still vividly recall the following....
My friend’s mom was once again trying to beat him, but this time he held her off with a kitchen knife. He was waving the knife back and forth, feigning a jab here and a jab there as he mom tried to get to him. The adrenaline was flowing and my friend was hyper to the max. Suddenly he gasped and fainted. His mom pounced on him and began to pound on his chest with her fist as she cried “I love you. I love you.” And all I could think was “Thank God she doesn’t love me.”
My friends, love doesn’t hurt the beloved. If you are physically, emotionally, sexually, or verbally abusing family members or others, stop it now! Do not delude yourself, abusive behavior is not love.
Love is the choice to do good!
So make those new year resolutions. Resolve to enrich the soil of your family this year with love. It is God’s will that every member of your family should bloom and reach his or her full human potential. Remember:
1. Family Comes Before Things
2. Love means sharing yourself and your time
3. Touch is the Bond of Love. Love is not innate. It is learned through the experience of being loved.
4. Love is the choice to forgive.
5. Love is the choice to accept others as they are.
6. Love is the choice to do good for another.
St. John: “Let us love in deeds....and not merely talk about it.”
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