Feast of St. Monica

I didn't realize that today on the traditional Roman Catholic calendar it is the feast day of St. Monica.  There isn't a traditional latin mass near me. I need to get better about watching the calendar. I have an app on my IPOD that shows both calendars, the Norvus Ordo and the Traditional.

St. Monica was a Christian given in  marriage to a pagan, Patricius and the lived in North Africa. He had a violent temper. St. Monica's mother in law lived with them, also and would cause problems for Monica. Patricius criticized his wife because of her Christian faith but as time went on he was converted and baptized before his death because of what he saw in Monica.

Monica had  three children, two boys and a girl. Augustine, the most famous, was 17 when his father died. He began to follow a heresy that brought much distress to Monica. One night, though,  Monica had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. She stayed very close to her son, praying and fasting for him.

At 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he tricked his mother by telling her  he was going to the dock to speak to a friend. Instead, he set sail for Rome. Extremely hurt  after his trick she still followed him. She followed him to Rome but found out only that he had gone on to Milan.

In Milan, Augustine was influenced by the bishop, St. Ambrose.  He gave much instruction to Augustine. Monica would follow the bishop's advice, also.

She continued her prayers for Augustine and  Easter, 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine. There were others of his friends baptized at the same time. After that they would get together and they would study scripture and have many discussions about our beautiful faith.

 Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” Her prayers were answered.  She became ill shortly after and suffered much for nine days before her death.


I just love her. I love the fact that she never gave up on her son. She never stopped praying for him. She was just not willing to accept his being lost. She is such an example not to give up.

Pope Pius XII - Saved hundreds of thousands

Pope Piux XII                                    

I just watched this today. I  have heard people in discussing the Catholic church's role during the time of the holocaust put down the Catholic church, especially they put down Pope Pius XII.  I used to believe some of the lies, also. Little by little I am learning the truth.

This video definitely debunks the theory that the Catholic church did nothing. It isn't just a video of talks but it shows concrete evidence with documents and statements.  Worth watching.  I would love it if a wonderful Catholic would make a movie about his life. There is a documentary I have yet to watch called, A Hand of Peace.

Instructions from Rome regarding Liturgical Abuses

I love going to Mass on Sunday. I am a revert now for about four years. I was away for a long time. I had very little catechesis when I was younger. I don't blame any one person or the Church for that. I played a part in it, also. I was not a good student in school. I was more interested in socializing. So after returning I went through the Baltimore Catechism with my son, several times. We still go through it from time to time and I post things on the refrigerator frequently to help him, myself and my husband all to remember what Mass is, what the teachings of the Catholic church are and what we need to do to be faithful to Holy Mother Church. Little by little I am learning just what is the Catholic church, it's history and what truths are there but unfortunately I am learning that I am not the only one who doesn't know the teachings of the Church, what Mass is and what the teachings are. I do believe in my book reviews you will find the three books we used for catechism. I loved them.

Recently, I stumbled across this document which was helpful to me, so I thought I would post it. I am surprised at what things are actually liturgical abuses. It was comprised:  from the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Rome, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 25 March 2004  Francis Card. ArinzePrefect    Domenico Sorrentino Archbishop Secretary.


 I thought I would include the link here :  http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html


I am not one to interpret everything or understand everything, as I am learning. Just thought it would be good to read or skim through or just keep for reference.

Poorly-formed Catholics biggest obstacle to New Evangelization - EWTN, and News from the Vatican

I heard about a couple of  stories this morning on the Theresa Tomea show while driving in my car listening to the radio, so I thought when I got home I would look them up and post them. 

The first one I found interesting from EWTN regarding poorly catechized Catholics being one of the biggest obstacles to the New Evangelization. I couldn't agree more. I myself, as a revert, was a very poorly catechized Catholic. It would be way too embarrassing to even tell what I knew,or thought I knew about the Church prior to my return. I hope and pray that our world is learning from the mistake of the past and is changing this attitude of not teaching the catechism. I remember after I returned to the Church and my son needed to go through the RCIA, what one of the sisters there said when asked by someone else, "when are we going to learn the catechism?"  She told the class we no longer teach the catechism. My son turned to me as if we were going to stop and quietly told him we still do. I know there is more to passing your faith on to your children than just the catechism and I am always in prayer for my son and husband's salvation.

So anyhow, here is a link to that article.


http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=5057



Now the second article is a newsworthy event. One maybe you have heard before, I haven't.
It appears there have been some computer hackers attacking the Vatican.  I don't understand all there is about hacking computers and exactly what they did. It looks as if it happened twice. Once during World Youth Day and then again March 7th but like the article stresses, look at the reasons for their hacking and wanting to bring down the Vatican website.

According to an entry on the “Anonymous” Italy blog site, the attack was in response to the “doctrines, liturgies and the absurd and anachronistic precepts” that the Church spreads worldwide, citing the sexual abuse of children, and various historical and other alleged misdeeds. The hackers also objected to the Catholic stance against abortion and contraceptives.

I pray those people, and it looks like there were thousands, come to know and undestand the Catholic church is a place of love and forgiveness through Our Lord.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/tim-drake/vatican-attacked

Father Z - "Nancy Pelosi: ‘I am going to stick with fellow Catholics’ in Pres. Obama’s war on Catholics. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I really didn't intend for my  blog to get caught up in politics but I did want it to be a place to grow spiritually and it seems like there are times when the two need spoken of together, especially when a government has declared a war on religion. Mostly it seems like this battle is against the Catholic church of which I am a member.

I was looking for an  article I had read not too long ago on Father Z's page when I came across this one and thought I would repost it.


http://wdtprs.com/blog/2012/02/nancy-pelosi-%e2%80%98i-am-going-to-stick-with-fellow-catholics%e2%80%99-in-pres-obamas-war-on-catholics-wherein-fr-z-rants/


Please pray for our government to make the right decisions, for our Catholic church to stand strong and for Nancy Pelosi to change her heart and turn away from whatever is driving her in the direction she is going.

Constitution not Considered in HHS Mandate

I thought I would post a couple of links I caught this morning in regards to HHS Mandate. According to Kathy Hochul, who is a congresswoman who represents the 26th District of New York, the Constitution is not being looked at, or considered in the HHS Mandate. As you see in the two videos people are very upset and speaking out. My prayer is she will not be re-elected into office and I hope more people speak out about this injustice to religious freedoms.

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/157318/37/Congresswoman-Hochul-Booed


http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/157318/37/Congresswoman-Hochul-Booed

Sign the Petition to Stop the Government from Removing Our Religious Freedom!

What would you call a kid in a school yard who forces another to pick up something dangerous and give it to someone else. The one receiving has the choice not to take it but the first kid is being forced to pick up the item and give it to someone, even though he has asked not to have to do this.  I call the person doing the forcing a bully. This really has nothing to do with school yard bullies. 

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/%21/petition/rescind-hhs-dept-mandate-requiring-catholic-employers-provide-contraceptivesabortifacients-their/lBxr7SdP

We need to pray.

We need to pray for her and for so many people who don't know the faith. Even myself, I know I need to study the faith more. I have recently started a Bible reading/Catholic Catechism reading everyday. I hope it helps me know and be able to explain the faith better but I know she got the answer wrong.

One thing I did noticed in the video is Tom Brokaw knew the answer.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

2270 - Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.⁷²

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.⁷³My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.⁷⁴

Pray for the Freedom of the Catholic Church

St. Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle. Be out protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou O Prince of the heavenly by the power of God, cast in to hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.






“I am honestly horrified that the nation I have always loved has come to this hateful and radical step in religious intolerance,” said Bishop Jenky. 


It appears the Catholic Church has repeatedly asked the Obama administration to allow Catholics to maintain their objection to issues they find evil.  Contraceptives, sterilization and abortion are evil. We have always held that belief as a church and always will. So many people think if they do this or that they can get the Catholic Church to change it's stand on issues. It's not going to happen.  These are issues that are evil and evil doesn't change and become good just because time changes and people have more technology and dress different and drive cars and watch people on television that tell us their opinions of what is good.


President Obama and Kathy Sebelius have given us a year to get used to violating our consciences.  In other words, we will give you a year and then we expect you to sin against God, our way.  This reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Old Testament. They were instructed by King Nebuchadnezzar to bow down to his false god whenever they heard certain music playing. Of course, they would not do it. The punishment, the fiery furnace. The king was so angry they wouldn't obey, he ordered them to be thrown into the fiery furnace.  Personally, I think I would be horrified. 


"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. If it be'so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. " Daniel 3:16
I pray I can be that strong.


Well, they survived. Not a part of them was hurt. As a matter of fact, witnesses said they could see four men walking around in the fiery furnace.


I feel Obama and Sebelius and all in Washington who encourage this HHS mandate are asking the same of us. Bow down to our gods. Our gods of money and power. They are asking us to forsake our God and follow their ways. Well, just as God was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo, so He will be with us.  He promised he would never leave us not forsake us.

http://www.stophhs.com/

What's So Bad about Planned Parenthood

With all the controversy regarding Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood I thought I would add a couple of thoughts.  I was actually very thrilled when Susan G. Komen broke with Planned Parenthood the other day just to find today they were back together.  They say truth is stranger than fiction.

Of course, there is always the abortion issue around Planned Parenthood, that is the biggest, but there are just so many other issues. To me everything Planned Parenthood stands for goes against true womanhood, true femininity.  Young girls are encouraged to lie to their parents, they are encouraged to give up their precious possession that should be saved for their future husband not just given out to someone who will only be around for a short time. Someone who doesn't love them.

Planned Parenthood's encouragement of contraceptives is  horrible. They certainly do nothing to encourage young girls to care about themselves and protect themselves from hurt and pain.  Pain they will receive by giving in to sex at a young age without being married. Experiences that will leave huge gaps in their hearts.

Planned Parenthood hides the truth about contraceptives and contraceptives are drugs. I think we forget that. They are drugs and they have side effects and they are not good.

Side Effects of Oral Contraceptives: A Few Dry Facts
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/989944?access_key=key-11niz4yk6ygwl3iyjpe0

I fill in part time in a neurologists doctor's office. We deal mostly with stroke patients. I am amazed every single day at the young girls and young women who come in post stroke.  Young girls no longer able to walk or speak. Add cigarettes to birth control pills and you have dynamite but you don't hear about that. No, they would stop the money flow.

Another lie Planned Parenthood throws out is that it offers breast cancer screening. The only thing they do is a  breast exam, the same as women should be doing on themselves at home. One that any doctor could do. If you watch the video below you will see how many mammograms Planned Parenthood offers.  NONE.

Read the link below from Chastity.com. You will find Planned Parenthood is a multimillion dollar company. Making it's money off of young women. Not too mention all the money they make off of innocent little babies never given a chance to live.

What a horrible organization.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/planned-parenthood-got-3496-million-tax-dollars-performed-324008-abortions-paid-its

http://chastity.com/chastity-qa/birth-control/abortion/whats-so-bad-about-planne

Politics and the Catholic Voter's Guide

With elections and campaigning going on here in America, there is a lot to think about. Who is the true conservative?  What are the  issues?  Who can beat Obama?  Who will win?  Many things.  Decisions. It is almost like the old game show:   Will the Real ____Please Stand Up.  In this case it is:  Will the Real Conservative Please Stand Up.

I have in my mind who I think would be a good candidate as probably most everyone, though there are some who are probably still undecided. Part of me is afraid to support or wholeheartedly back one person because I know that person is human and I know that person will get into the White House and make mistakes. I have been disappointed in the past. I need to remember this person is applying for a job. The American people are the employers looking for an employee and just like any business once you hire someone they will not be perfect.  They may do a great job but they will make mistakes and fall short of your desires and their desires and even their goals. No one knows the future and no one knows what the next president will have to face. What is the next crisis or issue America is to face? We do not know.

Since most of the candidates are stating that they are prolife and the true conservative I know I am going to need to pray about it but I am also going to try to follow what the Catholic Church has put out for us to help us decide. The Catholic Voters Guide.

Granted there are a lot of issues out there that are not covered in the Catholic Voter's Guide. Ieleive we also need to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and see where the Church stands on issues such as: war, death penalty, illegal aliens and more and then chose the candidate who lines up with the Church's teachings. I don't feel there are any candidates who line up completely. The voter's guide addresses these issues also. It instructs us to first remember the non-negotiables :  abortion, euthenasia, stem-cell research, human cloning and homosexual marriage. Then after that line up the other issues with the church.


Our world needs prayer and we all need to pray to ensure we choose the right person to be in the White House at the right time.

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http://www.caaction.com/pdf/Voters-Guide-Catholic-English-1.pdf