The Pope Speaks sense and truth!!

What the Pope is saying here is, walk away from evil, don't cover it up, walk away from it. The ONLY 100% way to prevent Aids is ABSTAINING FROM HAVING SEX!!! DUH!! What part of this statement from our Holy Father below doesn't make sense...WHAT PART!!!!

A journalist from French state TV asked Pope Benedict:

“Holy Father among the many evils that affect Africa there is also the particular problem of the the spread of AIDS. The position of the Catholic Church for fighting this evil is frequently considered unrealistic and ineffective.

“Will you address this issue during your trip? Holy Father, could you please respond in French to this question?” he asked.

Although the Pope responded to a previous question from the French newspaper La Croix in French, he gave this in-depth answer in Italian.

“I would say the opposite.”

"It is my belief that the most effective presence on the front in the battle against HIV/AIDS is precisely the Catholic Church and her institutions. I think of the Community of Sant’ Egidio, which does so much, visibly and invisibly to fight AIDS, of the Camillians, of all the nuns that are at the service of the sick.

“I would say that this problem of AIDS cannot be overcome with advertising slogans. If the soul is lacking, if Africans do not help one another, the scourge cannot be resolved by distributing condoms; quite the contrary, we risk worsening the problem. The solution can only come through a twofold commitment: firstly, the humanization of sexuality, in other words a spiritual and human renewal bringing a new way of behaving towards one another; and secondly, true friendship, above all with those who are suffering, a readiness - even through personal sacrifice - to be present with those who suffer. And these are the factors that help and bring visible progress.

“Therefore, I would say that our double effort is to renew the human person internally, to give spiritual and human strength to a way of behaving that is just towards our own body and the other person’s body; and this capacity of suffering with those who suffer, to remain present in trying situations.

“I believe that this is the first response [to AIDS] and that this is what the Church does, and thus, she offers a great and important contribution. And we are grateful to those that do this.”

Why oh why isn't this sensible!??? My question to my knight this evening is this: "Honey, when will things start making sense? When will sensible, truthful ways be popular again?" All he could do was laugh.

Catholic Carnival #216: Dia daoibh!

Greetings from Ireland! Well, at least in my dreams and looking at the above NASA picture I can just imagine the beautiful landscapes and the smell of the ocean filling my lungs! I still have ties to family there in the Dublin area that an uncle on my mother's side writes to. The Deweys and Haughton's all dropped their O's as they journeyed to America fleeing the potato famine in the mid eighteen hundreds. So, as I sip my Irish coffee with a whipped cream mustache, listening to Enya, Cherish the Ladies, Loreena McKennitt today while crocking a cornbeef roast with cabbage, I offer my blog to you with all the Irish flare I can. Top of the day all you friends of faith, love, and all that is good.

I want to start off with Denise, her submission is very important and I want everyone to spend 5 minutes on her blog post, then I want you to read it again, this time take in what she says at the end. If you are a Catholic, you must heed her words and take up her battle. Don't be ashamed to be Catholic, and don't be ashamed of the truth, with is life. Thanks for your submission and your amazing strength, Denise! God bless you!


Stars
Behold, upon the field of night,Far-scattered seeds of golden light;Nor one to wither, but anonTo bear the heaven-full harvest, dawn.
1894 (p. 334, Quatrains: Day and Night)

James M. Hahn presents Wilderness Expedition Uncovers Inner Strength posted at A Wild Catholic Heart.

Next, Kevin shares his post Why do Catholics reject the doctrine of Sola Scriptura posted at Journey to Rome. A friend from our parish lent Mark Shea's book to my knight, who read it and told me it was pretty good. Well, my knight isn't Catholic and probably will never convert, so this coming him is good.

The Dawn Star
Feed me, O morning, till the ray That love hath
kindled in the shade, Lost in the satisfying day
Of light’s perfection, fade.
1910 (p. 335, Quatrains: Day and Night)

Another share from Kevin from his blog, "Bouyer on Grace alone and the Catholic Faith" comes from a book he's reading, "The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism" by Louis Bouyer, who was a French protestant (Lutheran) turned Roman Catholic. Bouyer worked to find common ground between Roman Catholics and Protestants. Louis Bouyer was not just another former Protestant saying simply that “Rome is right”. Bouyer actually believed that the Reformers were right… and wrong, and that Roman Catholics should learn from the Reformers where they were right. Bouyer was working for ecumenism well before Vatican II officially took the Catholic Church down that road. His message to Christians on both sides is as timely today as it was 50 years ago.


Soli Deo Gloria: A Catholic Perspective, is an indepth study by Tim Troutman from the new blog called, Called to Communion. Here, as he explains, is a new website/group blog by authors who have converted to the Catholic Church from Reformed Protestantism. This article focuses on the Protestant principle of "Soli Deo Gloria" and examines it from a Catholic perspective. Thanks, Tim...don't let me forget to blogroll you!

Kate, a real sweetie, is taking care of their #3 baby (still in the oven), while her
husband takes good care of her and the kids, working a full-time job, and smiles all the way through it. In her post, "Bed Rest, roses, and true love," she shares what real married love is. God bless you and your true love!!



The Postulant
In ashes from the wasted fires of noon,

Aweary of the light,Comes Evening,

a tearful novice, soon To take the

veil of night.
December 1893 (p. 332, Quatrains: Day and Night)

The snoring scholar's wife shares a moment in married/parental life in her post, Jeweles in struggles. Sarah and I have had a few phone conversations, she is a true delight with her dedication to getting it done and helping others (like me!) get it done too. Here she shares how an evening with her husband revives her, reflecting on the gift of the sacrament of marriage.

David's funny, he asks me to consider his latest attempt of stringing together a few coherent sentences together! Here, from his post, Citizens of Heaven, he provides a clear cut look at reality in the present state of rise of suicides in the middle-aged class. He explains: God so loved the world that he planted a new tree of life upon the fallen Earth, and He adorned it with His only son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, arms stretched out to welcome all who want to partake of its fruit. Thank you, David, you are right on this one.

Light
We know thee not, save that
when thou art gone, Thy sister,
beauty, follows in thy train,
Leaving the soul in exile till the dawn

Come with the gift of franchisement again.
1897 (p. 332, Quatrains: Day and Night)

We can't be human and ignore the ugly side forever. Jason, keeps me in check with his blog, Executed Today, ugh! but a reality to be true. He wants us to remember this reality as not all is beauty and charity. As he says most truthfully, ..."nobody fills the cemeteries like Holy Mother Church." Thanks...gulp, Jason, for the reality check.

Jean, the pro-life hero of the Catholic blogsphere shares with us another scary reality of our world which fits in with Jason's mission. The aborted, like marytrs, are innocent, strong, and full of spirit. In Catholic Fire's post, Tiller Trial begins tomorrow, Please pray, the video is chilling. Oh, and while your on your knees for this terrible situation, please pray for Jean and her husband, they could use some divine help right about now, too. Thanks.

Facts remain that the government is in the hands of the Culture of death supporters, Christine shares the post concerning the stem cell issue and the new administration's president at her blog, "A Catholic View." Prayers for our nation is more than ever needed.

Julie has a beautiful reflection today from her blog, Adorotedevote, called, "In shadow of His Wings." Please be sure to stop by and be blessed by her.

David Gross presents Faith and Disarmament posted at The Picket Line. Again, I haven't had time to read this post, but from my initial scan, he has some serious points. Thanks David.



David Gross presents Peter Maurin & Ammon Hennacy posted at The Picket Line. Some excerpts from a 1959 Catholic Worker pamphlet called "Two Agitators: Peter Maurin — Ammon Hennacy." I couldn't read the entire post, but scanned, at the end the exerpts of Ammon's essay, Tax refusal and Life on the Land" he states:

In 1959 five of us who had been demonstrating annually were accompanied by 14 others at City Hall Park during the drill and we got 10 days in jail, after waiting 5 days in jail for our trial. The newcomers got a suspended sentence. This time when the judge asked me about “rendering unto Caesar” I answered that
Caesar was getting too much and God was getting very little so I would render unto God by disobeying Caesar as St. Peter did.

Deanna, has an amazing point today, she shares from her blog, Not Lukewarm, about the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Are you thirsting for things which bring passing pleasure, but not lasting? Please stop by Not Lukewarm, there are lots and lots of good lasting thought-provoking posts. Thanks Deanna.

"Weakness, foolishnes, and shame," is the share from Joseph this week. His blog is always a good one to visit. As he describes this post, The reading from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians this past Sunday is short but poignant. The Jews didn't quite "get" Jesus all the time. The Greeks didn't either. We're more than half-way through Lent; have we taken time to "get it" ourselves?

Marcel, from Aggies Catholics, started a really neat movement in Aggieland, TX, called "I'm Catholic, Ask A Catholic A question." It's amazing and in light of what I continually hear about universities and institutions of higher learning becoming more and more atheistic in their influence on the next generation, this is definitely refreshing and needed! Thanks Marcel...you definitely need a "Gig 'em!" AND a "Whoop!!"

Then you just have to nod your head and then shake it to the stuff of the nation/world. Nod found something that looks faintly like an agreement from both sides of the coin....sort of. I have to say, I was at first shaking my head, then I began to meekly nod......cautiously. See for yourself. The Catholic worldview is still the best answer for me along with Nod.

So get prepared for Mass. This is a post full of videos that I haven't had a chance to view today. I'll get to it at some point surely. Here, Bob shares is post "Fourth Sunday of Lent" from his blog Prepare for Mass. Thanks, Bob.

Twilight
Like Ruth, she follows where the reaper Day Lets fall the slender shadows in her way; Then, winnowing the darkness, home again, She counts her golden grain.
January 1889 (p. 336, Quatrains: Day and Night)

Colleen is right on this, God is Love posted at Thoughts on Grace. Thanks, Colleen.

Always a pleasure to have Kevin's reflections on the Mass readings THE GRACE OF THE TRUE, REAL, AND SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED posted at HMS Blog. Enjoy!

Karianne shares her journey and faith with us from her very pretty blog, "Days Blessing". In her post, "Spiritual Motherhood, she is patient, faithful, and full of hope. Basically, from her thoughts, I have arrived to the conclusion that she has a special angel praying for her everyday.

The poems are from Fr. Tadd, a priest gone from our midst now, but I forgot who gave these to me, so please remind me!!


Dia beannaigh!!

Lenten Reflection #3: Cause/care

A cause, something to be passionate about, stirs us to action. An aspect of life that is vitally important whether it is a person, family, a child, a place, or an issue, it provides that energy, motivation, and passion to get up every morning and act. There is a saying, If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. Think about that for a moment.


What do you stand for?


If there is something in your world that needs protecting or a spokesperson, be that person. If there is a cause or an individual that is important to you, be important to them or it. By the grace of God, be passionate! Caring about something besides ourselves is virtuous, charitable, and right. Christ put himself up on the cross for others, totally putting his own concerns to death as He was concerned for us only. Caring is what fuels sharing ourselves, separating self from others.

In Matthew 7:13-14, the narrow path, as opposed to the wide path which is so easy to follow, though difficult and lonely at times is the path to freedom, charity, compassion, and God.

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

Thomas Kempis' book, The Imitation of Christ, is an amazing instruction manual on life. How many times have we thought, nobody comes with an instruction manual until now. Kempis is blunt, to the point, and adament about being like Christ in the world. There are 4 books in one and it seems like I have had this book for nearly 2 years, but I am still in book one. In chapter 19 of book 1, "On the exercises of a good religious" He talks about preparing oneself for the day.

"Every day renew your dedication to God, arousing fervent devotion in your heart as if it were the first day of your turning back to God. Pray to Him, saying: "Help me, Lord Jesus, to persevere in my good resolutios and in Your holy service till death. Help me to begin this day well, for up to now I have done nothing."

As our intention is, so will our progress be, and we have need of great diligence if we want to advance. For if those whose purpose is to do good often fall short of it, what shall the person do who seldom, if ever, makes such a resolution?"

Let us then make up our minds to do the best we can;........

The resolution of devout persons depends more on the grace of God than on their own wisdom. For human beings propose, but God disposes, nor is the course of their life as they would have it (Jer 10:23)"

Have a cause, be passionate about something, think outside the box and your security zone, care about something. Above all, don't forget to lean on God without whom we can do nothing.

Deus Caritas est!

There's holy water in the house!

We have holy water! They are in 2 small cups at each side of the baptimal font. Thanks, Father.

High Profile 'Catholics' Need to study

For some time, high profile people in our country have been claiming their faith as Catholic. From Maria Shriver, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi to Joe Biden and Micky Rourk (who claims he didn't commit suicide during his dark days because he's Catholic, is if it was the politically correct thing to say). Even so-called priests practicing alternative ways but professing to be Catholic are wagging their tongues at every opportunity. What do they all have in common? A complete lack of respect and/or knowledge of the core beliefs of the Catholic Church. The Dogma, what has and will never change, as the centrality of being Catholic.

These fundamental beliefs are:

God as triune God, the Father, son and Holy Spirit

Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture

SIN: Original and personal

Sacraments: baptism, Eucharist, reconciliation, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, annointing of the sick

Mother Mary

Human destiny: Heaven or Hell and the final judgement

Of these dogmatic beliefs, some are more easily understood at face value while others need more study and prayer by the believer. It is all up to the individual and their ability to grasp each belief.

But from these beliefs come the way of life, living the faith, being who we are through the Catholic Church. One can not be a Catholic and not know that we make a conscience decision to either sin or not by our thoughts, words, and deeds. A Catholic cannot attend Mass receiving the Holy Eucharist without a firm belief that it is Christ's own flesh and blood transformed from the host and wine that we are receiving. Hence, a Catholic who receives the Holy Eucharist in correct preparation cannot go through the daily routines without feeling that Christ is within them giving them graces to carry on righteously.

Cardinal Chaput stated recently that these people are the product of poor catechesis from the Catholic Church in the past decade. He's right, the Baltimore Catechism hasn't been used in mainstream Catholic culture for years! The Catholic Homeschoolers are using it and have been. Our children get it along with their parents who are teaching them through the Baltimore catechism. It's basic, boring, to-the-point, easy to understand, rote, whatever! It's what is needed. It's what is missing.

These Cafeteria Catholics are hurting our Church, they are the examples for the world to see. They are NOT the true Church, they are NOT what we believe.

Lenten Reflection #2: Boldly believe

Do you remember Star Trek? Remember the beginning when Capt. Kirk's voice is saying, "To boldly go where no man has gone before." Those words always struck me so. I would imagine how scary, daring, bravely these (I know, I know fictitious characters) people would sign up to ride a spacecraft for 5 years to places no one has ever gone before and know so little.

Believing in God, our triune Creator, in front of others can be the as bold an endeavor. Having complete faith and belief in the love and care of one we don't see is hard enough and then being called to sharing this faith and belief? We must and we shall, starting today ask yourself, where would I be without my faith in God? Where would I be if I didn't know Jesus? Where would I be in my heart if I didn't have faith that God, His son, and the Holy Spirit? We can only imagine.

Today we continue the journey to a stronger faith life in this crazy world of materialism, doubt, political correctness, peer approval-itis. Ask God to help you each and every day. As you wake up in the morning, turn to Him and say:

Dear Father, I commit myself to you and desire to be closer to you, to stand for you, and be like you. I need your help to do this, I need the Holy Spirit to be with me, close to my side guiding my every thought, word, and deed. Take me in your arms and show me the Way. I ask this through your son's name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Then close you eyes, breath deep feeling our Lord coming into your heart, desire this, do this every morning before you put your feet on the floor. For it is a battle that we walk into daily, the Devil is waiting for you and I to make a mistake or provide an opening for his evil tasks. These evil tasks are small, "innocent" and benign at first, but they desensitize and degrade the soul!! Don't let this happen to you.

Be bold, believe in God and believe in yourself! Now is the appropriate time to begin

TODAY

phat catholic apologetics: Spitting in the Face of Jesus During Lent

phat catholic apologetics: Spitting in the Face of Jesus During Lent