1. Devotion to Mary Profoundly Biblical, Argentinean Bishop Says
Buenos Aires, Argentina, Aug 15, 2012 / 04:09 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Jose Maria Arancedo of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Argentina said devotion to the Virgin Mary has solid biblical and ecclesial roots that culminate in an encounter with Christ. [Read More]
2. Church Boosts NFP Campaign Amid Battle Over RH Bill
MANILA, August 16, 2012— Amid a battle with President Benigno Aquino III over a proposed contraception measure, the Catholic Church is promoting natural family planning. [Read More]
3. “Blogger” Who Launched Smear Attack vs. Sotto Is on Abortion Campaigner’s Payroll
Alfredo R. Melgar, the “blogger” credited for exposing Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s supposed plagiarism1 on the smear website of the neo-atheist Filipino Freethinkers, is no ordinary blogger after all. [Read More]
4. Moscow City Court Upholds Ban on Gay Pride Parades In Moscow For The Next 100 Years
Moscow, August 17, Interfax - The Moscow City Court has again upheld a ban on gay pride parades in Moscow for the next 100 years. Gay pride parade organizers intend to contest the decision. [Read More]
5. Abortion - the Center of Planned Parenthood’s Business Model
It is impossible to ensure that taxpayer dollars directed to Planned Parenthood for so-called family-planning services don’t also pay for abortions, and it is for that reason alone that it was appropriate for the New Hampshire Executive Council to reject the abortion business’s state contract for family-planning services last year. [Read More]
6. Birth Control and Disinformation: The Risks of Philanthropy
In a CNN interview, Melinda Gates has stated that for her, a Catholic, giving to women improved access to contraception is a full-time job. And, to the Guardian, she has confided her anguish as a believer, conscious that the 450 million Euros represent a challenge to the Church hierarchy. [Read More]
7. Choose Face Time Over Screen Time
In a restaurant recently, my wife and I couldn’t help but notice a family with four young children at the table across from us. As soon as everyone settled into their chairs, each child, including the youngest, who stayed in his stroller, quickly pulled out a technological device. [Read More]
8. The Moral Downside of Climate Change
Now that parishes and Catholic schools are being urged to show a documentary on climate change, perhaps it is time to comment on the wisdom of attempting to turn climate change into a moral issue. [Read More]
9. Fast and Furious
Growing up in a Media Saturated World
ROME, AUG. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Violence, video games, and sex: what effect does it have on children and adolescents? The latest contribution to this debate comes in a book recently published in Australia. [Read More]
10. Sotto Bares Foreign Agenda Behind RH Bill
MANILA, Aug. 15, 2012–Foreign organizations are out to circumvent the country’s strict abortion laws and control the population by way of the “reproductive health” (RH) bill, Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III bared Wednesday. [Read More]
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Our Lady of Glory
The preceding article is taken from an informal lecture on the Assumption that Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira gave on August 13, 1965. It has been translated and adapted for publication without his revision.
In ancient times, people referred to the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady as the feast of Our Lady of Glory. They understood that the Assumption of Our Lady was not merely the physical event of her leaving this earth after resurrecting by virtue of her Divine Son and being taken to Heaven: it was also her glorification.
After her humble and unknown life on this earth, Our Lady had a greater role after the death of Our Lord as Queen and Mother of the Catholic Church. Our Lady went through all kinds of suffering, anguish and humiliations on earth. It is fitting that Our Lord glorified her in the eyes of men through her assumption.
She was glorified with this unique privilege whereby a merely human creature is taken to material heaven by the angels. From there, she certainly was taken in a mysterious way to the physical and immaterial heights of the heavenly Paradise, where she finds herself at this moment enjoying the beatific vision of God, Our Lord in an ineffable way.
Many traditions and revelations about the assumption naturally affirm that this glorification by the angels was accompanied by indescribable manifestations of glory. Our Lady was a mere human creature with a nature far inferior to that of the angels. To show the great difference between natures, we need only recall how one saint saw her own guardian angel and was so dazzled by what she saw that she thought that she was seeing God. And yet guardian angels are among the lowest ranks of angels in heaven.
We can only imagine the glory of Our Lady who was taken to heaven by the highest Cherubim and Seraphim. She was served by God’s highest creatures with such a high respect and veneration that it was as if they considered themselves unworthy of presenting to her their prayers and veneration.
Thus, after bidding farewell to those on earth, Our Lady started rising off the ground in a most hallowed ecstasy; and at a certain point the manifestations of the angels began. If it is true that on Easter day all nature rejoiced, and that on Ascension day all nature was jubilant, then, of course, we can imagine the great and splendid joy of all nature on the Assumption of Our Lady.
We can imagine the splendid colors of the sky. How the stars of that night must have shone! If the sun danced and changed colors at Fatima, we can imagine the wonderful way it must have appeared on that day! The angels must have sung in magnificent harmony and all must have felt great and ineffable interior consolations!
The concrete and positive fact is that Our Lady allowed her inner glory to be manifested to all during the Assumption. We can imagine how she, who possessed a most holy soul and an inexpressible dignity and majesty, at that moment allowed her grandeur to be manifested in an extraordinary way. As Our Lord’s grandeur shone in His glorified body on Mount Tabor, so also her sanctity naturally and entirely shined forth in her eyes, countenance and body.
We can imagine this manifestation like a great flash of light that completely blotted out the sky. At that moment of this grandeur, she probably manifested a great maternal tenderness since she was a mother bidding farewell to her children. She also must have shown a great outpouring of mercy and supreme goodness as she made it clear to everyone that she would no longer be present on earth and that, at the moment she was leaving mankind, her great mission in the pinnacle of heaven was beginning.
Saint Therese of the Child Jesus said she wanted to spend her heaven doing good on earth. If this is true of the Little Flower, how much more we can say this of the glory of Our Lady! From the time of the Assumption onward, Our Lady’s glory has been increasingly manifested. We see this in the construction of a huge number of churches dedicated to her. As Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort aptly observes, no church on earth–except perhaps churches that are almost no longer churches–does not have at least one altar dedicated to Our Lady. Not one soul has been saved without having been one of her devotees. Men have received no grace except through the intercession of Our Lady.
In other words, her glory will increasingly grow until the end of the ages when the moment of the Last Judgment comes. On that day, everyone, including her, will be judged. However, since she is faultless and without guilt, Judgment Day will be the day of her supreme glorification. If all virtues and defects of all creatures will become known at the Judgment, what canticles of praise will Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost and the Eternal Father sing of her on that day? It is beyond words. The joy of the Last Judgment will be this glorification of Our Lady at the end of history. When history is no more; when the life of humanity has come to an end and the final historic event is over, then she will receive a truly unfathomable glorification.
Thus, after bidding farewell to those on earth, Our Lady started rising off the ground in a most hallowed ecstasy; and at a certain point the manifestations of the angels began. If it is true that on Easter day all nature rejoiced, and that on Ascension day all nature was jubilant, then, of course, we can imagine the great and splendid joy of all nature on the Assumption of Our Lady.
We can imagine the splendid colors of the sky. How the stars of that night must have shone! If the sun danced and changed colors at Fatima, we can imagine the wonderful way it must have appeared on that day! The angels must have sung in magnificent harmony and all must have felt great and ineffable interior consolations!
The concrete and positive fact is that Our Lady allowed her inner glory to be manifested to all during the Assumption. We can imagine how she, who possessed a most holy soul and an inexpressible dignity and majesty, at that moment allowed her grandeur to be manifested in an extraordinary way. As Our Lord’s grandeur shone in His glorified body on Mount Tabor, so also her sanctity naturally and entirely shined forth in her eyes, countenance and body.
We can imagine this manifestation like a great flash of light that completely blotted out the sky. At that moment of this grandeur, she probably manifested a great maternal tenderness since she was a mother bidding farewell to her children. She also must have shown a great outpouring of mercy and supreme goodness as she made it clear to everyone that she would no longer be present on earth and that, at the moment she was leaving mankind, her great mission in the pinnacle of heaven was beginning.
Saint Therese of the Child Jesus said she wanted to spend her heaven doing good on earth. If this is true of the Little Flower, how much more we can say this of the glory of Our Lady! From the time of the Assumption onward, Our Lady’s glory has been increasingly manifested. We see this in the construction of a huge number of churches dedicated to her. As Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort aptly observes, no church on earth–except perhaps churches that are almost no longer churches–does not have at least one altar dedicated to Our Lady. Not one soul has been saved without having been one of her devotees. Men have received no grace except through the intercession of Our Lady.
In other words, her glory will increasingly grow until the end of the ages when the moment of the Last Judgment comes. On that day, everyone, including her, will be judged. However, since she is faultless and without guilt, Judgment Day will be the day of her supreme glorification. If all virtues and defects of all creatures will become known at the Judgment, what canticles of praise will Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost and the Eternal Father sing of her on that day? It is beyond words. The joy of the Last Judgment will be this glorification of Our Lady at the end of history. When history is no more; when the life of humanity has come to an end and the final historic event is over, then she will receive a truly unfathomable glorification.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
On Sexual Thoughts
A question was posted on the Catholic Spiritual Direction website on how should we understand/deal with sexual thoughts in the light of our Christian faith - which is a fairly common problem for most people and even those who do not have intense struggle with sexual addiction in all its forms. Check this out.Q: I am struggling with sexual thoughts and am wondering about the teachings of the Church. Are all sexual sins mortal and does thinking of sex without arousal a mortal sin? When does the thought become mortal; is it when we don’t control it or is it always mortal? What exactly is lust and what are the church’s teaching on it? Is it always mortal as well?
A: A: Dear Friend, your questions are very direct, which is good, but I am lacking a bit of context. This leaves me with the task of guessing a bit. To try to cover the spectrum of situations, I will first assume the worst, and then in the second post I will answer your questions from a more positive perspective. Also, because these discussions can easily get a bit murky, the need for clarity will override my instinct toward being sensitive to the reader.
Are All Sexual Sins Mortal?
This question is not problematic in and of itself, but it is commonly prompted by a problematic state of heart. When people ask this kind of question they are often asking it in order to determine how to approach a sin they desire to participate in while at the same time attempting to avoid the penalties associated with that sin. Here’s how this question might be restated in this light:
Dear Dan, I want to do XYZ with my girlfriend, however, I don’t want to go to hell. How far can I go before I am in mortal sin?
As you can see, this reveals a person who is clearly aware that the situation they are imagining is in the territory of sin, and that there are grades of sin associated with this activity. This approach falls into the category of grave sin because of the willful nature of the situation, the gravity of the sin, and the fact that it is also a sin that often involves the soul of another. Let me say that again to be sure it sinks in. Taking this approach to this question is inherently grave.
Even if we set aside the grave nature of the sin itself, in this scenario we are not falling accidentally into sin here, but we are entertaining it, judging it, weighing how much we might damage our relationship with God and how we might achieve what we desire with all the perceived benefits but with minimized consequences. This approach is akin to asking “How much arsenic can I add to this soft drink before I am likely to die if I drink it?”
As a setup for the next post, here are a few excerpts from the Catechism on mortal sin:
1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.”
1858 Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: “Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.” The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.
1859 Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. It also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin.
1858 Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: “Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.” The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.
1859 Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. It also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin.
Are All Sexual Sins Mortal? Are There Grades Of Sexual Sin?
The bottom line answer is no, all sexual sins are not mortal. There are grades of sexual sin. To help illustrate how this might work, we have provided four scenarios that reflect various grades of sexual sin with an emphasis on how they might play out in our minds. In all these cases, we will assume full knowledge of the gravity of the sinful thought:
Scenario 1: The thought crosses my mind. I reject it and direct my attention elsewhere. This is not sin.
Scenario 2: The thought crosses my mind. I entertain it or dwell on it for a moment, and then reject it. Now I have embraced a sinful thought and engaged it with my will. This embrace, even if only slight, can place us within venial sin territory.
Scenario 3: The thought crosses my mind. I entertain or dwell on it and continue to do so deliberately. I relish and enjoy the thought and embrace it whenever it pops up. Now we are in mortal sin territory.
Scenario 4: The thought crosses my mind. I entertain and dwell on it. I then act or attempt to act on it. Now we are unquestionably in the realm of mortal sin.
Of course, no hypothetical scenario perfectly reflects a specific experience and more importantly, the state of the soul. Even so, this should be more than adequate as a guide to dealing with the most common circumstances related to sexual thoughts.
What is Lust?
Our last stop on the sexual thought train is at the station of lust. I believe that by now we have probably already your questions but just in case…
Lust is known as a capital sin. In the Summa Theologica (II-II:153:4), St. Thomas notes that “a capital vice is that which has an exceedingly desirable end so that in his desire for it a man goes on to the commission of many sins all of which are said to originate in that vice as their chief source”. So, a capital sin is one that commonly and forcefully leads to other sins. To gain an accurate understanding of lust, it might be helpful to briefly contrast lust and desire.
Lust is a disordered craving of another for the purpose of self-satisfaction without regard for or love of another within the bonds of marriage. Lust is a distortion of man’s natural procreative drive and desire for love and companionship. This procreative drive and desire seeks to bring about union of man and woman to cooperate with God in self-giving to one another for the purpose of union and procreation. Lust seeks merely to satisfy the distorted desires of the individual without concern for the other, or with little concern for the other; without a true concern for unitive love, or procreative cooperation. So, lust is sin if and when it is embraced at first impulse and beyond as illustrated in the four scenarios regarding grades of sexual sin.
I hope this covers the bases you were looking to cover. Please keep all the bases within the sacred bonds of marriage.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Weekly News (Second Week of August 2012)
1. Pope Benedict Challenges Believers to Put God Before Worldly Cares
(CNA/EWTN News).- God’s promise of a new and eternal life deserves priority over earthly desires for things that can never satisfy the heart, Pope Benedict XVI taught in his Aug. 5 Sunday Angelus address at Castel Gandolfo. [Read More]
2. ‘Youth, Most Threatened By Rise in HIV-AIDS Cases’
MANILA, August 9, 2012―With 27% of HIV-AIDS cases involving young people, alarm bells are sounding off that young Filipinos are the most-at-risk segment of the population at present. [Read More]
3. Church Leader Urges Congress: Prioritize Flood Victims’ Needs Over RH Bill Discussions
MANILA, August 8, 2012—After Congress “prematurely” terminated the debates over the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, both pro- and anti-RH bill legislators are being called to give their full attention to the needs of their displaced constituents rather than prioritize the amendment of the bill. [Read More]
4. Homosexual Lobby Group Human Rights Campaign Strongly Opposes Rep. Paul Ryan
The nation’s most powerful “gay” lobby group, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), put out the graphic below about Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), after he was picked Sunday as VP running mate by Mitt Romney. [Read More]
5. Polling Data: Young Adults More Pro-Life Than Other Age Groups [Read More]
6. Lee Kuan Yew: “Enormous” Problems if Singaporeans Don’t Procreate
Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has expressed concerns over Singapore’s low fertility rate. He was speaking at the Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru National Day celebration dinner on Saturday. [Read More]
7. Priest Says iPads, Tablets No Substitute For Missalettes
Rome, Italy, Aug 10, 2012 / 04:05 pm (CNA).- In a recent blog post, Father Antonio Spadaro, known as the Vatican’s “cyber theologian,” said that devices such as iPads, smart phones and tablets should not be used instead of missalettes at Mass. [Read More]
8. Oxford Study: Loving Fathers’ Involvement Vital to Good Behavioral Development of Infant
A study carried from Oxford University has found that fathers who have a close, loving relationship with their infant children have a profound impact on the behavioral development of their kids as they grow older. [Read More]
9. Cure for Culture Shock
The deadly shooting rampage during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises that left 12 dead and dozens wounded revived our fitful national debate about the impact films that feature human brutality have on the consciences of their audiences. [Read More]
10. Marketing Natural Family Planning
WASHINGTON, D.C., AUG. 8, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the last full week of July as national Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, with a focus on introducing people to the concept of NFP in general, debunking the common misconceptions that have been attached to it, and attempting to convince couples to use NFP in place of artificial means of contraception. [Read More]
(CNA/EWTN News).- God’s promise of a new and eternal life deserves priority over earthly desires for things that can never satisfy the heart, Pope Benedict XVI taught in his Aug. 5 Sunday Angelus address at Castel Gandolfo. [Read More]
2. ‘Youth, Most Threatened By Rise in HIV-AIDS Cases’
MANILA, August 9, 2012―With 27% of HIV-AIDS cases involving young people, alarm bells are sounding off that young Filipinos are the most-at-risk segment of the population at present. [Read More]
3. Church Leader Urges Congress: Prioritize Flood Victims’ Needs Over RH Bill Discussions
MANILA, August 8, 2012—After Congress “prematurely” terminated the debates over the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, both pro- and anti-RH bill legislators are being called to give their full attention to the needs of their displaced constituents rather than prioritize the amendment of the bill. [Read More]
4. Homosexual Lobby Group Human Rights Campaign Strongly Opposes Rep. Paul Ryan
The nation’s most powerful “gay” lobby group, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), put out the graphic below about Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), after he was picked Sunday as VP running mate by Mitt Romney. [Read More]
5. Polling Data: Young Adults More Pro-Life Than Other Age Groups [Read More]
6. Lee Kuan Yew: “Enormous” Problems if Singaporeans Don’t Procreate
Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has expressed concerns over Singapore’s low fertility rate. He was speaking at the Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru National Day celebration dinner on Saturday. [Read More]
7. Priest Says iPads, Tablets No Substitute For Missalettes
Rome, Italy, Aug 10, 2012 / 04:05 pm (CNA).- In a recent blog post, Father Antonio Spadaro, known as the Vatican’s “cyber theologian,” said that devices such as iPads, smart phones and tablets should not be used instead of missalettes at Mass. [Read More]
8. Oxford Study: Loving Fathers’ Involvement Vital to Good Behavioral Development of Infant
A study carried from Oxford University has found that fathers who have a close, loving relationship with their infant children have a profound impact on the behavioral development of their kids as they grow older. [Read More]
9. Cure for Culture Shock
The deadly shooting rampage during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises that left 12 dead and dozens wounded revived our fitful national debate about the impact films that feature human brutality have on the consciences of their audiences. [Read More]
10. Marketing Natural Family Planning
WASHINGTON, D.C., AUG. 8, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the last full week of July as national Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, with a focus on introducing people to the concept of NFP in general, debunking the common misconceptions that have been attached to it, and attempting to convince couples to use NFP in place of artificial means of contraception. [Read More]
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Weekly News (First Week of August 2012)
1. Pope Urges Trust-filled Prayer
Notes St. Alphonsus' Teaching That Prayer Is Necessary for Salvation
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 1, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging the faithful to turn to God in prayer with trust, seeing God as a Father who takes care of us. [Read More]
2. Church Brings Anti-RH Campaign to The Streets
MANILA, August 4, 2012—Thousands of Catholic faithful from across the Philippines will troop to various public places, cathedrals and streets to manifest their strong opposition to the controversial Reproductive Health bill now pending at both houses of Congress. [Read More]
3. Spanish Olympic Athlete to Enter Seminary After London Games
Madrid, Spain, Aug 3, 2012 / 04:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Carlos Ballve – known as “Litus” to his friends – plays defense on the Spanish field hockey team that is competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games. But as soon as the competition ends, he will head to a Belgium seminary to begin the process of becoming priest. [Read More]
4. Poll: Churchgoers Still Oppose Same-Sex 'Marriage'
According to the research, churchgoing America is still against homosexual "marriage," while non-churchgoers are more in favor of it. White evangelicals and black Christians are the strongest opponents. [Read More]
5. How to Contact Chick-fil-A to Support their Defense of Traditional Marriage and Biblical Values [Read More]
6. Do Pro-Lifers Make Faulty Arguments? How to Recognize and Avoid Them
Trent Horn is back in studio for one more episode, to discuss logical fallacies that both pro-life and pro-choice advocates make. [Read More]
7. ‘Campaign for Humanae Vitae’ Seeks One Million Signatures
August 1, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York made the stunning admission in March that he believes America’s bishops had failed in their duty to teach the faithful the prophetic message of Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical that reiterated the Church’s condemnation of contraception. [Read More]
8. ‘Same-Sex Behavior Is Hazardous, Is Harmful, and Is Dangerous’: Scottish Catholic Media Director
GLASGOW, Scotland, August 2, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office has defended statements made by Archbishop-elect of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia. In which he argued that society has been silent when it comes to the health risks and dangers of the homosexual lifestyle. [Read More]
9. In the Absence of Fathers: A Story of Elephants and Men
Wade Horn, Ph.D., President of the National Fatherhood Initiative, had an intriguing article entitled “Of Elephants and Men” in a recent issue of Fatherhood Today magazine. I found Dr. Horn’s story about young elephants to be simply fascinating, and you will too. [Read More]
10. Sexual Content in the Movies
Risky Behavior, Pregnancy and Diseases
ROME, AUG. 2, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The media really does influence adolescents' behavior and early exposure to sexual content in the movies leads them to commence sexual activity at an earlier age and to take more risks. [Read More]
Notes St. Alphonsus' Teaching That Prayer Is Necessary for Salvation
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 1, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging the faithful to turn to God in prayer with trust, seeing God as a Father who takes care of us. [Read More]
2. Church Brings Anti-RH Campaign to The Streets
MANILA, August 4, 2012—Thousands of Catholic faithful from across the Philippines will troop to various public places, cathedrals and streets to manifest their strong opposition to the controversial Reproductive Health bill now pending at both houses of Congress. [Read More]
3. Spanish Olympic Athlete to Enter Seminary After London Games
Madrid, Spain, Aug 3, 2012 / 04:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Carlos Ballve – known as “Litus” to his friends – plays defense on the Spanish field hockey team that is competing in the London 2012 Olympic Games. But as soon as the competition ends, he will head to a Belgium seminary to begin the process of becoming priest. [Read More]
4. Poll: Churchgoers Still Oppose Same-Sex 'Marriage'
According to the research, churchgoing America is still against homosexual "marriage," while non-churchgoers are more in favor of it. White evangelicals and black Christians are the strongest opponents. [Read More]
5. How to Contact Chick-fil-A to Support their Defense of Traditional Marriage and Biblical Values [Read More]
6. Do Pro-Lifers Make Faulty Arguments? How to Recognize and Avoid Them
Trent Horn is back in studio for one more episode, to discuss logical fallacies that both pro-life and pro-choice advocates make. [Read More]
7. ‘Campaign for Humanae Vitae’ Seeks One Million Signatures
August 1, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York made the stunning admission in March that he believes America’s bishops had failed in their duty to teach the faithful the prophetic message of Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical that reiterated the Church’s condemnation of contraception. [Read More]
8. ‘Same-Sex Behavior Is Hazardous, Is Harmful, and Is Dangerous’: Scottish Catholic Media Director
GLASGOW, Scotland, August 2, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office has defended statements made by Archbishop-elect of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia. In which he argued that society has been silent when it comes to the health risks and dangers of the homosexual lifestyle. [Read More]
9. In the Absence of Fathers: A Story of Elephants and Men
Wade Horn, Ph.D., President of the National Fatherhood Initiative, had an intriguing article entitled “Of Elephants and Men” in a recent issue of Fatherhood Today magazine. I found Dr. Horn’s story about young elephants to be simply fascinating, and you will too. [Read More]
10. Sexual Content in the Movies
Risky Behavior, Pregnancy and Diseases
ROME, AUG. 2, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The media really does influence adolescents' behavior and early exposure to sexual content in the movies leads them to commence sexual activity at an earlier age and to take more risks. [Read More]
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Prayer Power Against RH Bill
Calling all people who love and cherish the dignity of human life, please join this pro-life prayer vigil to be held on August 4, 2012, Saturday, at the EDSA Shrine.
Say NO to RH Bill and YES to Life.
Church Calls Faithful to August 4 Prayer Rally vs. RH Bill
MANILA, July 30, 2012–The Catholic Church is calling on all the faithful to stand up and express their opposition to the reproductive health (RH) bill by gathering at the EDSA Shrine on Saturday, August 4, for the “Prayer Power Rally against the RH Bill.”
Organized by the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) together with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, the gathering – which takes place from 1:00-7:00pm – is expected to draw thousands, as strong opposition to the contentious measure has continued to grow among faith-based groups, youth organizations, family and life advocates, and concerned citizens.
The event takes place three days before the expected August 7 “judgment day” of the RH bill at the House of Representatives, when solons vote whether or not to terminate interpellations on the measure.
According to ECFL Chairman Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, “this is a moral issue and therefore this event will not be a political rally but a prayer rally focused on praying for the non-passage of the [RH bill].”
Participants are enjoined to wear red — the Church’s symbol of martyrdom – and to bring religious images, rosaries and candles to the event, which will include dynamic presentations and music besides rousing speeches that will shed more light on — and show the beauty and vitality of – an authentic culture of life.
A Holy Mass will be offered at 5:00.
The prelate has also requested for the daily recitation of the Angelus at 6:00 pm in every home and parish during these days leading up to next week’s crucial vote.
In a radio interview today, CBCP President Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma referred to the prayer rally as “a demonstration of our sentiments and our advocacy for life.”
“Let us show that what we believe in is for the common good,” he added. (CBCP for Life)
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Many Substitue Fathers I Had
A personal sharing from Bro. A.
I have a new neighbor whose hand I wish to shake in congratulations. He’s a man of about 35 years, married, and with two young sons, about two and five years old. They have moved in a rented room in the house fronting my place – apparently a growing family. I wish to congratulate him because, each time he gets home from work, I can hear his young sons greeting him excitedly, “Daddy! Daddy!”
For that alone, I think he did his job well. I offer a prayer for him, that he’ll find a better life for his two beautiful sons (and beautiful wife).
He instantly earned a place in my thoughts because I don’t remember having the same fond relationship with my own father growing up. No matter how hard I searched my memory, I couldn’t find a single episode or even a single moment that I greeted him, “Daddy! Daddy!” All I can recall is how harsh a man he has been. That’s why I became ‘gay’ or had a homosexual problem, which I struggled to resolve these past few years (thankfully with much success after arduous self-reflective work).
I wish I had a father like my new neighbor. But since I didn’t have one, I just choose to be happy to see fathers here and there doing a great job. Whether they be young or old, I wish to shake these fathers’ hand each time, to give them heartfelt thanks. I also wish to throw a high five for each of their lucky little ones. I wish I could tell my story and the stories of about a hundred other people I know (and have read about) who have had troublesome fathers growing up and who have ended up with the same long-time struggle as mine.
I will be lying if I say I’m not envious each time. I no longer cry – for myself, that is – each time I witness such a father-and-son scene, but I still feel a twinge of envy or jealousy or else have a back-of-the-mind wish that I had a loving dad. Otherwise, I rejoice at such a blessed sight, keenly aware that not everyone is so ‘lucky.’
I routinely see this in church during mass – fathers cuddling their young sons, kissing them gently on the head, embracing them, gazing at them lovingly as if to say, “Behold, my son!,” wasting time with them making some enviable skin contact. How lucky these boys are, I thought.
I feel all is well with the world each time I see this. The kids will grow up loving right and loving life, which will mean a lot less delinquency, a lot less crime and terror in the world.
I worry each time it’s Father’s Day, for it exposes two things I lack. In church, I am always being mistaken for a father, and as a result, I sometimes long to be one and have a son of my own. Elsewhere, I pine to have a father I could greet Happy Father’s Day without being insincere, hurting, or feeling forced to.
This state of fatherlessness seems to be a condition I will have to live with the rest of my life. But if I review my life a bit more carefully, God, in His mysterious providence, turns out to have led me to several substitute fathers in ways I haven’t been aware of.
As a member of a Catholic community, I have been constantly under male mentors who have modeled for me what an upright Christian man should be. These relationships had some notable distance and boundaries, but these are better than zero. All these men, in their own flawed way, helped sustain me.
I also have had a lot of male friends through the years, who served as additional models of masculinity, but their example was limited to peer modeling, not fathering. But since I also have had peer rejection issues, this is certainly helpful.
Older male role models elsewhere in society – sportsmen, actors, politicians, etc. that I got attracted to along the way -- may also be replacement fathers should I choose to ‘idolize’ them in a personal way.
Since I go to Mass and confess regularly, the priests also serve as unwitting father figures to me. Of course, it helps that I also call them “Father.”
Lastly, I consider daily contact with God the Father through my prayer time to be the ultimate replacement for the lack. I tend to project and dump my father issues, however, on God the Father, especially when I’m down, but I know He’ll understand. After all, He’s the perfect dad to have. He’ll also know when I’m being abusive and in need of some major spanking.
This way, I am not much different from everybody else in the sense that we are all fatherless in our need to commune with God the Father no matter if we have had a kind earthly father growing up or not.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Weekly News (Fourth Week of July 2012)
1. Denver Bishops Mourn With Community Over Theater Tragedy
DENVER — Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Auxiliary Bishop James Conley mourned with the Denver community after a gunman opened fire in a local movie theater on July 20, killing 12 and wounding more than 50. [Read More]
2. Catholic Chaplain Helps Families and Survivors After Aurora Shootings
Englewood, Colo., Jul 21, 2012 / 07:24 am (CNA).- At Swedish Medical Center, where 23 victims of a deadly movie theater attack were brought in the early hours of June 20, lay Catholic chaplain Marcus Ebenhoe is helping family, friends, and survivors. [Read More]
3. Train Online Missionaries, Parishes and Dioceses Urged
MANILA, July 19, 2012—Organizers of the first Catholic Social Media Summit (CSMS) held last weekend urged youth coordinators in the dioceses to replicate the highly successful event in their respective regions to train young Catholics to be online missionaries. [Read More]
4. Google Faces Criticism Over Global Push for Gay Advocacy
Krakow, Poland, Jul 19, 2012 / 02:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Google's push for the legal recognition of same-sex relationships in countries like Poland has drawn the ire of critics, who suggest the company should address basic human rights violations elsewhere. [Read More]
5. Pro-Life Opposition to Melinda Gates Population Summit Not Fading
New York, NY (CFAM/LifeNews) — Pro-life protesters at the Family Planning Summit in London last week signaled that opposition to the multi-billion dollar campaign is not going away. [Read More]
6. Contest Draws Attention to Natural Family Planning
Voting for Favorite Video Now Open to the Public
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, July 19, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Goodness Reigns, a Catholic media site, is inviting the public to vote in its mini contest titled "Natural Family Planning: The Better Way." Judges for the event have already chosen as their favorite Leah Chen's video "Natural Family Planning Explained." [Read More]
7. Misperception Clouds the Truth
Americans are massively overestimating the percentage of the population that is homosexual -- a phenomenon that a pro-family activist says plays right into an "information war against the truth." [Read More]
8. The New York Times Reports Marriage leads to Economic Prosperity
NEW YORK, July 19, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – The definition of marriage has long been considered a religious or legal argument. However, a growing number of economists, journalists, and social researchers are concluding that getting and staying married is a key to economic prosperity and domestic tranquility. [Read More]
9. Author of Controversial ‘Gold Standard’ Study on Gay Parenting Being Investigated by University
July 16, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The University of Texas has launched a “scientific misconduct” investigation of UT sociologist Mark Regnerus, after he was accused by homosexual activists of “scientific misconduct” in his recent study. [Read More]
10. Facebooking for God: Nun Recruits Online
CNN has a nice feature video on the Good Shepherd Sisters in Quebec, highlighting their innovative methods to attract new vocations. [Read More]
DENVER — Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Auxiliary Bishop James Conley mourned with the Denver community after a gunman opened fire in a local movie theater on July 20, killing 12 and wounding more than 50. [Read More]
2. Catholic Chaplain Helps Families and Survivors After Aurora Shootings
Englewood, Colo., Jul 21, 2012 / 07:24 am (CNA).- At Swedish Medical Center, where 23 victims of a deadly movie theater attack were brought in the early hours of June 20, lay Catholic chaplain Marcus Ebenhoe is helping family, friends, and survivors. [Read More]
3. Train Online Missionaries, Parishes and Dioceses Urged
MANILA, July 19, 2012—Organizers of the first Catholic Social Media Summit (CSMS) held last weekend urged youth coordinators in the dioceses to replicate the highly successful event in their respective regions to train young Catholics to be online missionaries. [Read More]
4. Google Faces Criticism Over Global Push for Gay Advocacy
Krakow, Poland, Jul 19, 2012 / 02:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Google's push for the legal recognition of same-sex relationships in countries like Poland has drawn the ire of critics, who suggest the company should address basic human rights violations elsewhere. [Read More]
5. Pro-Life Opposition to Melinda Gates Population Summit Not Fading
New York, NY (CFAM/LifeNews) — Pro-life protesters at the Family Planning Summit in London last week signaled that opposition to the multi-billion dollar campaign is not going away. [Read More]
6. Contest Draws Attention to Natural Family Planning
Voting for Favorite Video Now Open to the Public
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, July 19, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Goodness Reigns, a Catholic media site, is inviting the public to vote in its mini contest titled "Natural Family Planning: The Better Way." Judges for the event have already chosen as their favorite Leah Chen's video "Natural Family Planning Explained." [Read More]
7. Misperception Clouds the Truth
Americans are massively overestimating the percentage of the population that is homosexual -- a phenomenon that a pro-family activist says plays right into an "information war against the truth." [Read More]
8. The New York Times Reports Marriage leads to Economic Prosperity
NEW YORK, July 19, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – The definition of marriage has long been considered a religious or legal argument. However, a growing number of economists, journalists, and social researchers are concluding that getting and staying married is a key to economic prosperity and domestic tranquility. [Read More]
9. Author of Controversial ‘Gold Standard’ Study on Gay Parenting Being Investigated by University
July 16, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The University of Texas has launched a “scientific misconduct” investigation of UT sociologist Mark Regnerus, after he was accused by homosexual activists of “scientific misconduct” in his recent study. [Read More]
10. Facebooking for God: Nun Recruits Online
CNN has a nice feature video on the Good Shepherd Sisters in Quebec, highlighting their innovative methods to attract new vocations. [Read More]
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Courage Philippines' First Newsletter Out!
Kudos to Bro. A's initiative and the officers of Courage Philippines! Our ministry finally has its own newsletter which will be issued twice a year. It will be a great tool to update our benefactors and supporters of what is happening in the organization and also for those who might be interested to journey with us. You can now download our e-newsletter in PDF format which is located on the sidebar under the About Us section. Meanwhile, here is a message from our spiritual director, Fr. Dan Healy.Congratulations to COURAGE Philippines for launching this newsletter!
It has always struck me that "courage" is a most appropriate name for this movement. I have the privilege of journeying with the men and women who join Courage and who persevere in their pursuit of holiness. They are truly examples of the virtue of courage. It takes great courage to listen to the truth and strive to live by it. It takes courage to face the personal challenges of same-sex attraction. It takes courage to be chaste in a world that promotes sexual immorality.
However, those with SSA are not the only ones who need courage. More and more, I see that this is the virtue most needed by anyone who stands up for the teachings of the Church, especially the truth about sexual morality. In the past it was not controversial to hold and teach that homosexual behavior is gravely wrong. But now, anyone who dares to oppose any part of the agenda of the aggressive gay rights movement is subject to harsh public ridicule, even threats. And it looks like the social climate will get worse before it gets better. We all need courage now!
We do not weaken in the face of trials and opposition, because our confidence is built on the truth, and on the encouragement of Jesus Himself, who repeatedly urges us: Do not be afraid!
May the Lord bless all the members of Courage and Encourage, and all those who support their efforts.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Weekly News (Third Week of July 2012)
1. Philippine Bishops Release Pastoral Letter on New Evangelization
Highlight 9 Priorities Leading Up to 5th Centenary of Arrival of Catholicism
MANILA, Philippines, JULY 12, 2012, (Zenit.org).- Looking towards the celebration of the fifth centenary of the arrival of Christianity to the nation, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released a pastoral letter on Era of the New Evangelization. [Read More]
2. Use Social Media But Value Real Relationships — Tagle
MARIKINA City, July 15, 2012—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle urged the over 400 participants of the 1st Catholic Social Media Summit to consider the possibility that the desire to accumulate an enormous number of contacts on social networking sites indicates a yearning for authentic relationships that the virtual world cannot provide. [Read More]
3. Christianity Changing Lives of India's 'Untouchables'
Bangalore, India, Jul 12, 2012 / 04:07 am (CNA).- A human rights group in India says Christianity has brought slow but lasting change to the country's Dalits or “untouchables,” especially for the community's women who are often victims of prostitution and human trafficking. [Read More]
4. Statement by Andy Comiskey Expressing Concern About Exodus International and Alan Chambers [Read More]
5. World Population Day: What Is the UN Doing?
Billions of Dollars Directed to Reducing Births, While Countries Face Aging Populations
ROME, JULY 13, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Last Wednesday was the United Nation’s World Population Day. Predictably the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) marked it by calling for more funds for family planning. [Read More]
6. Int’l Campaign Counters Gates Foundation’s bid to Depopulate Asia, Africa
MANILA, July 13, 2012—The world’s largest international pro-life organization has launched a campaign to defend the rights of women, in response to yet another massive effort by the British government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to carry out its depopulation agenda in developing nations. [Read More]
7. Does the Church Hate Persons With Same-Sex Attraction?
Father Paul Check of Courage International puts the question of homosexuality in its proper context.
As the California Proposition 8 marriage case wends its way toward the U.S. Supreme Court, the Church is subjected to increasingly hostile attacks. The NewCivilRightsMovement.com, which reports on same-sex “marriage” issues, tells its readers, “The Catholic Church is the world’s single largest anti-gay hate group” and that Pope Benedict’s defense of the traditional family in January was “preposterous anti-gay hate speech.” [Read More]
8. Abortion Is ‘Directly Linked to Porn’: Anti-Porn Crusader
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A group of men campaigning against what they call the “pandemic” of pornography say that their fight is “directly linked” to the fight against abortion. [Read More]
9. Focusing on Wholeness: God’s Plan for Human Sexuality
July 13, 2012 (Breakpoint.org) - When it comes to sexuality, we Christians are mostly known for what we’re against, instead of what we’re for. [Read More]
10. Young Doctor Follows the Divine Physician
Meet a 28-year-old physician who is inspired by Mother Teresa. [Read More]
Highlight 9 Priorities Leading Up to 5th Centenary of Arrival of Catholicism
MANILA, Philippines, JULY 12, 2012, (Zenit.org).- Looking towards the celebration of the fifth centenary of the arrival of Christianity to the nation, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released a pastoral letter on Era of the New Evangelization. [Read More]
2. Use Social Media But Value Real Relationships — Tagle
MARIKINA City, July 15, 2012—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle urged the over 400 participants of the 1st Catholic Social Media Summit to consider the possibility that the desire to accumulate an enormous number of contacts on social networking sites indicates a yearning for authentic relationships that the virtual world cannot provide. [Read More]
3. Christianity Changing Lives of India's 'Untouchables'
Bangalore, India, Jul 12, 2012 / 04:07 am (CNA).- A human rights group in India says Christianity has brought slow but lasting change to the country's Dalits or “untouchables,” especially for the community's women who are often victims of prostitution and human trafficking. [Read More]
4. Statement by Andy Comiskey Expressing Concern About Exodus International and Alan Chambers [Read More]
5. World Population Day: What Is the UN Doing?
Billions of Dollars Directed to Reducing Births, While Countries Face Aging Populations
ROME, JULY 13, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Last Wednesday was the United Nation’s World Population Day. Predictably the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) marked it by calling for more funds for family planning. [Read More]
6. Int’l Campaign Counters Gates Foundation’s bid to Depopulate Asia, Africa
MANILA, July 13, 2012—The world’s largest international pro-life organization has launched a campaign to defend the rights of women, in response to yet another massive effort by the British government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to carry out its depopulation agenda in developing nations. [Read More]
7. Does the Church Hate Persons With Same-Sex Attraction?
Father Paul Check of Courage International puts the question of homosexuality in its proper context.
As the California Proposition 8 marriage case wends its way toward the U.S. Supreme Court, the Church is subjected to increasingly hostile attacks. The NewCivilRightsMovement.com, which reports on same-sex “marriage” issues, tells its readers, “The Catholic Church is the world’s single largest anti-gay hate group” and that Pope Benedict’s defense of the traditional family in January was “preposterous anti-gay hate speech.” [Read More]
8. Abortion Is ‘Directly Linked to Porn’: Anti-Porn Crusader
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A group of men campaigning against what they call the “pandemic” of pornography say that their fight is “directly linked” to the fight against abortion. [Read More]
9. Focusing on Wholeness: God’s Plan for Human Sexuality
July 13, 2012 (Breakpoint.org) - When it comes to sexuality, we Christians are mostly known for what we’re against, instead of what we’re for. [Read More]
10. Young Doctor Follows the Divine Physician
Meet a 28-year-old physician who is inspired by Mother Teresa. [Read More]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)