from the First Sunday of Advent. This was just what I needed to lift me out of my own limited view of time! How remarkable that we never feel that we have enough, even though, as Pope Benedict points out, "God gives us His time."Angelus address
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Something to Contemplate
My thanks to Nancy Carpentier Brown over at Flying Stars for bringing to my attention the Holy Father's
Sunday, November 2, 2008
An Obama Presidency...
,,,would increase the number of abortions. The bishops see this is the case, and so they issued a joint statement a couple of weeks ago. I got the following email tonight from a friend of mine, and I think he captures many of our thoughts and feelings, as well as noting how very costly to life an Obama win would be. Feel free to send this onto your friends and family.
Friends,
As the election rapidly approaches, I’m very tired of the ads, the emails, the debates, and the discord. I’m sure you are too. With that said, I apologize in advance for yet another email. However, from a Catholic Christian perspective, I felt compelled to share the letter promulgated by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops a little over a week ago. It is only a two page document, but full of wisdom. It is attached for those who would like to review it. If, at this point, you are ready to delete this email, PLEASE don’t. Regardless of your political persuasion, the Bishops’ letter is of UTMOST importance.
In the letter, the Bishops make a very poignant observation. They stated “even the limited pro-life laws allowed by the Court since Roe have been shown to reduce abortions substantially, leading to a steady decline in the abortion rate since 1980”. Their point is that although Roe vs. Wade has not been overturned, many of the court decisions since 1973 have lead to a significant reduction in the number of abortions. According to the bishops, “other modest and widely supported laws have saved millions of lives”. This really resonated with me because, at times, I feel that all our prayers and efforts in this area have born such little fruit.
The Bishops’ encouraging statements are echoed and confirmed by those in favor of abortion (see this link to ProChoice America). Bullet 4 on the link is especially encouraging.
The Bishops then proceed to point out that these gains stand threatened by the “Freedom of Choice Act”. This act, which is supported by one of the candidates (see video at the end of this paragraph), would automatically overturn existing state laws in the following areas:
- State abortion reporting requirements in all 50 states
- Forty-four states’ laws concerning parental involvement
- Forty states’ laws on restricting later-term abortions
- Forty-six states’ conscience protection laws for individual health care providers
- Twenty-seven states’ conscience protection laws for institutions
- Thirty-eight states’ bans on partial-birth abortions
- Thirty-three states’ laws on requiring counseling before an abortion
- Sixteen states’ laws concerning ultrasounds before an abortion
I am personally VERY TIRED of our current two party system as I don’t think either party is really looking out for our best interests. I too am frustrated by the state of the economy, the poverty that plagues our disenfranchised, the war, and the greed that has invaded our 401K retirements. However, as Christians, we are called to be SELFLESS.
My heart aches for the millions of lives that are cut short by abortion and the pain that their mothers will endure the rest of their lives. Social justice demands that a mother facing an unwanted pregnancy is made fully aware of the emotional pain that threatens the rest of her life as a result of a decision made at a very vulnerable time in her life. The Freedom of Choice Act will remove/prevent those safeguards for these vulnerable women – a true social justice issue.
As you discern how God is calling you to cast your vote, please prayerfully consider the Bishops’ comments – the stakes are TRULY high this time around.
Peace…Tim
Friends,
As the election rapidly approaches, I’m very tired of the ads, the emails, the debates, and the discord. I’m sure you are too. With that said, I apologize in advance for yet another email. However, from a Catholic Christian perspective, I felt compelled to share the letter promulgated by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops a little over a week ago. It is only a two page document, but full of wisdom. It is attached for those who would like to review it. If, at this point, you are ready to delete this email, PLEASE don’t. Regardless of your political persuasion, the Bishops’ letter is of UTMOST importance.
In the letter, the Bishops make a very poignant observation. They stated “even the limited pro-life laws allowed by the Court since Roe have been shown to reduce abortions substantially, leading to a steady decline in the abortion rate since 1980”. Their point is that although Roe vs. Wade has not been overturned, many of the court decisions since 1973 have lead to a significant reduction in the number of abortions. According to the bishops, “other modest and widely supported laws have saved millions of lives”. This really resonated with me because, at times, I feel that all our prayers and efforts in this area have born such little fruit.
The Bishops’ encouraging statements are echoed and confirmed by those in favor of abortion (see this link to ProChoice America). Bullet 4 on the link is especially encouraging.
The Bishops then proceed to point out that these gains stand threatened by the “Freedom of Choice Act”. This act, which is supported by one of the candidates (see video at the end of this paragraph), would automatically overturn existing state laws in the following areas:
- State abortion reporting requirements in all 50 states
- Forty-four states’ laws concerning parental involvement
- Forty states’ laws on restricting later-term abortions
- Forty-six states’ conscience protection laws for individual health care providers
- Twenty-seven states’ conscience protection laws for institutions
- Thirty-eight states’ bans on partial-birth abortions
- Thirty-three states’ laws on requiring counseling before an abortion
- Sixteen states’ laws concerning ultrasounds before an abortion
I am personally VERY TIRED of our current two party system as I don’t think either party is really looking out for our best interests. I too am frustrated by the state of the economy, the poverty that plagues our disenfranchised, the war, and the greed that has invaded our 401K retirements. However, as Christians, we are called to be SELFLESS.
My heart aches for the millions of lives that are cut short by abortion and the pain that their mothers will endure the rest of their lives. Social justice demands that a mother facing an unwanted pregnancy is made fully aware of the emotional pain that threatens the rest of her life as a result of a decision made at a very vulnerable time in her life. The Freedom of Choice Act will remove/prevent those safeguards for these vulnerable women – a true social justice issue.
As you discern how God is calling you to cast your vote, please prayerfully consider the Bishops’ comments – the stakes are TRULY high this time around.
Peace…Tim
Overturning Roe v. Wade
How often have you heard, "overturning Roe v. Wade won't really achieve anything for the pro-life cause"? Well, it turns out that 46 states had their laws over-ridden by that 1973 Supreme Court decision. If Roe is overturned, those state laws could/would be active again. The immediate effect would be to lower the number of abortions because abortion was already restricted in many states before Roe.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Catholics and Obama
George Weigel writes in Newsweek a rebuttal to the Catholic professors who have publicly endorsed Obama for president.
Among other excellent points, Weigel states:
Among other excellent points, Weigel states:
Is John McCain...a perfect pro-life candidate? Of course not. But Barack Obama is a perfect pro-life nightmare.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What You Won't Read in the Average Newspaper
I was perusing Elizabeth Foss's blog, In the Heart of My Home, and came across two links here, and here, to information that needs wider dissemination. The first deals with the predicted effects of Obama's economic proposals, and the second is a pro-life speech given by Governor Palin in Johnstown, PA.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Our Lady of the Rosary
Today's her feast day! And today's Mass readings included the story of Mary and Martha, the one in which Martha is complaining to the Lord about her sister's lack of help, and Jesus tells her that Mary has chosen the better part. The story that gave me the title for this blog!
So what does that tell me, that on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary the Church in her wisdom chooses to remind us that we mustn't worry and get overly concerned with tasks such that we miss listening to Jesus? It tells me that praying the Rosary is a wonderful way to become recollected and to prepare my soul to hear the Son of God made Man. It tells me that through the Rosary I will find the balance between the Martha and Mary within me. It tells me that my heavenly Mother wants to come to my aid! I feel so blessed to have Mother Church and Mother Mary!
So what does that tell me, that on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary the Church in her wisdom chooses to remind us that we mustn't worry and get overly concerned with tasks such that we miss listening to Jesus? It tells me that praying the Rosary is a wonderful way to become recollected and to prepare my soul to hear the Son of God made Man. It tells me that through the Rosary I will find the balance between the Martha and Mary within me. It tells me that my heavenly Mother wants to come to my aid! I feel so blessed to have Mother Church and Mother Mary!
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