Eduardo Verastegui's McCain Endorsement

Bev e-mailed letting me know that Anita Crane of LifeSiteNews.com recently spoke with Eduardo Verastegui, star/producer of the movie "Bella" about his support of John McCain's campaign. Below is a portion of Crane's article:

"I said more than 45 million babies have been killed by abortion in America and more than 200,000 Latino babies are killed by abortion each year. I told everyone that we need to put an end to this and, when I finished, I went to John McCain and I said, ‘Senator, thank you for your commitment to life. I’d like to give you something.’ I gave him a Miraculous Medal blessed by Pope Benedict XVI and he was amazing. He said, ‘Thank you so much! Look what I have here in my pocket.’ Then Senator McCain took a medal out of his pocket that he carries everywhere and it was a Blessed Mother Teresa medal. He said, ‘Eduardo, now I am going to keep both.’

Verastegui also gave McCain’s wife, Cindy, a Miraculous Medal. He said, “I was touched when I found out that the McCains adopted one of their daughters from Mother Teresa’s orphanage in India. There is nothing more beautiful than to give children homes with families who will love them. I hope that one day that I can do the same.”

Verastegui gives out Miraculous Medals because, as a practicing Catholic, he believes the Blessed Mother promised Saint Catherine Labouré that “all who wear it will receive great graces.”

As Americans prepare to vote, many think their country is in crisis and Verastegui agrees. Therefore, he said, “It would be a disaster if Senator Barack Obama is elected president.”
Verastegui believes that unless Americans elect a president who will defend fundamental human rights, no one can expect a sound economy, health care or national security, including immigration reform.

“Obama speaks about ‘change,’ but what change are we talking about?” he asked. “Fidel Castro spoke about change in Cuba. Hugo Chavez talks about change in Venezuela. A lot of other charismatic dictators promised change, but look what happened to their countries.”

Verastegui explained, “Obama’s change agenda is very, very dangerous. This is a historic moment. Whoever wins the presidential election will affect this country and the world for decades.

Click HERE for complete article.

"Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"

Election Novena

The Bishops' election novena should be started tomorrow. The ninth day, and final day, of praying the prayer is the eve of the election - November 3th.

If your parish didn't distribute the prayer along with the daily reading and reflection, please visit the novena prayer page of the USCCB's Faithful Citizen site by clicking HERE.

The piece below is from almost two weeks ago. I had wanted to post it then, but time, obviously, got away from me. Just the same, it is unfortunately going to be relevant for awhile. We need to share it and pray for the obsolescence of its message.



Bishop Holley Calls on Black Community to Overcome Abortion

WASHINGTON—Bishop Martin D. Holley, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, issued a statement responding to a report by the Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood's research branch, showing that black women have abortions at five times the rate of white women.

"As an African American, I am saddened by evidence that Black women continue to be targeted by the abortion industry. The loss of any child from abortion is a tragedy, but we must ask: Why are minority children being aborted at such disproportionate rates?" Bishop Holley said.

"Our legitimate commitment to other social concerns must not push the primary moral issue of abortion onto the back burner. It clearly must be at the heart and center of our discussion of the survival of African American people," Bishop Holley said.

Bishop Holley serves as Chair of the Sub-Committee on African American Affairs and is a member of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).Bishop Holley called for the federal defunding of the abortion industry. "Every year the federal government gives over $300 million to Planned Parenthood. Last year for the first time, Planned Parenthood took in over one billion dollars and reported a profit of $51 million," he said of the non-profit organization.

The Bishop called upon African Americans to "defend our community by rededicating ourselves to family life and marriage, promoting the gift of chastity and marital fidelity, committing ourselves to prayer and service to others and defending the life and dignity of each human person. We can welcome every child as a gift and we can overcome abortion."

The full text of Bishop Holley's statement follows:

As an African American, I am saddened by evidence that Black women continue to be targeted by the abortion industry. The loss of any child from abortion is a tragedy, but we must ask: Why are minority children being aborted at such disproportionate rates?

Many African Americans are not aware that since the Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion throughout all 9 months of pregnancy, the number one cause of death in the African American community has been abortion. We have lost over 13 million lives. To put that in perspective, it is one third of our present Black population. Since 1973, twice as many Black Americans have died from abortion than from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer, and heart disease combined.

As I noted in my recent Respect Life Program article, "A Reflection on the African American Family and the Culture of Life" (www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/holley.pdf), our legitimate commitment to other social concerns must not push the primary moral issue of abortion onto the back burner. It clearly must be at the heart and center of our discussion of the survival of African American people.

The Guttmacher Institute called on policy makers to "redouble their efforts to improve access to subsidized contraceptive services for these women." Yet studies have shown that increased access to contraceptives, especially among teens, does not reduce unintended pregnancy and abortion. On the contrary, several studies link increased access to contraceptives to an increase in STDs, with no decrease in abortion rates.

As the research arm of Planned Parenthood, the Guttmacher Institute is shamelessly trying to build a case for receiving more of our taxpayer dollars. Every year the federal government gives over $300 million to Planned Parenthood. Last year for the first time, Planned Parenthood took in over one billion dollars and reported a profit of $51 million. I join my voice with others in the Black community who have called for the defunding of the abortion industry.

We must demand an end to the victimizing of African American children, women, families and communities by Planned Parenthood and others in the abortion industry. Over 80 percent of Planned Parenthood clinics are located in minority neighborhoods. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, began the "Negro Project" to reduce the Black population. We should be shocked and heartbroken by the findings of a recent phone investigation, that recorded a fundraiser at an Iowa Planned Parenthood clinic saying she was "very excited" about a donation specifically for aborting Black babies.

My brothers and sisters, we can overcome abortion in our nation. Let us defend our community by rededicating ourselves to family life and marriage, promoting the gift of chastity and marital fidelity, committing ourselves to prayer and service to others and defending the life and dignity of each human person. We can welcome every child as a gift and we can overcome abortion.

If anyone doubts what Bishop Holley has said in the above piece, please do your own research. Genocide is happening right here in our country.

Duluth Bishop Reassigned as Cincinnati's Archbishop

USCCB press release:

Pope Names Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth
Coadjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati

WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth, Minnesota, 60, coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati.

The appointment as coadjutor bishop confers on Archbishop-elect Schnurr the right to succession to Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati. Archbishop Pilarczyk is 74.

The appointment of Archbishop-elect Schnurr, who is treasurer of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, was announced in Washington, October 17, by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Archbishop-elect Schnurr, a native of Sheldon, Iowa, was named Bishop of Duluth January 18, 2001, when he was General Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, July 21, 1974.

Dennis Marion Schnurr was born June 21, 1948, and raised in Hospers, Iowa. He was educated in local Catholic schools and Loras College, Dubuque, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied for the priesthood at North American College and the Gregorian University, Rome, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology in 1974. He was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America in 1980.

After ordination to the priesthood, he worked in parish assignments and as vice-chancellor and chancellor of the Sioux City Diocese. In 1985, he was assigned to the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, where he gave advice on canon law, monitored financial affairs and researched issues of interest to the church. In 1989, he was appointed Associate General Secretary of the United States Catholic Conference/National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB/USCC), where he supervised pubic policy departments and was principal staff person for an assessment and overhaul of the Conferences' budget and staffing procedures. In 1995, the bishops elected him General Secretary of the NCCB/USCC.

After being named a bishop, Archbishop-elect Schnurr served on the USCCB Administrative Committee and Executive Committee and was vice-president of the Priorities and Plans Committee, a member of the board of trustees of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., and on the Task Force on Promotions of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.

Archbishop Pilarczyk, a native of Dayton, Ohio, was ordained December 20, 1959, for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati where he was chancellor and on the faculty of St. Gregory Seminary. He was named Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati in 1974, and named Archbishop of Cincinnati, November 2, 1982. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Urban University, Rome, and a Doctorate in Classics from the University of Cincinnati. He served as vice-president of the NCCB/USCC from 1986-1989, and president from 1989-1992. He also served as a consultant to the U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs.

The Cincinnati Archdiocese includes 19 counties in Ohio. The total population of the archdiocese is estimated at 2,988,285 people, with 485,112 of them Catholic.

The Miracle of the Sun Video

Just today I was thinking of the fact that I have never seen pictures from the final apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima. It isn't that I think there are photos of her from that day;rather, I have always thought there should be books featuring pictures of the crowd (in excess of 100,000 present - if I'm remembering correctly) and of the sun dancing. The secular press was said to be there, yet I've not seen pictures.

Well, ask and you shall receive.

I was just made aware that there is a video on YouTube of pictures from that day. If you'd like to see it, please go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBIs8cuIwTo
It is entitled "The Miracle of the Sun."

Catholic Culture in Mainstream America

The following story is from yesterday's Washington Times:


Va. pharmacy caters to pro-life customers
Will stock no birth control

When Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy opens Tuesday in a Chantilly shopping center, it will have on display a picture of St. John Leonardi, the 16th-century patron saint of pharmacists.

But there will be no birth-control pills, condoms, cigarettes or pornographic magazines. There will, however, be booklets on natural family planning.

DMC Pharmacy is one of the country's few "pro-life pharmacies" that refuse to dispense contraceptives on moral and health grounds, arguing that they cause abortions, lead to promiscuity or endanger a woman's health.

"Birth control is not health care," said Robert Laird, executive director of DMC, the Fairfax nonprofit that will own and operate the 1,500-square-foot store at 13945 Metrotech Drive. "We are catering to a special niche of people who like the pro-life message in their business."

The store is within a mile of two large parishes serving about 20,000 Catholics. Within five miles are four other booming parishes, bringing the total population of Catholic residents to about 50,000. The Catholic Shop, a bookstore next door to the pharmacy, already attracts plenty of customers.

"In the pharmacy business," Mr. Laird said, "you don't normally go more than two miles from your drugstore, but people are going to be coming from miles to come here."

If people want contraceptives, he said, there are two other stores in Sully Plaza that stock them. Robert Semler, the pharmacist in charge, will not direct people on where to find such stores.

"People can look it up," Mr. Laird said.

DMC Pharmacy opens for business at 10 a.m. Tuesday with a blessing by Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde. Benefactors of the $350,000 project also will attend. A more elaborate grand opening is planned for December.

Catholic doctrine forbids the use of any kind of artificial birth control, and all DMC's board members are Catholic. Click HERE for the full article.

If you'd like to visit Divine Mercy Care's web site, please click HERE.

HT: Gina of Catholic Treasures

Election Teleseminar/Webcast

Below is a letter sent out by Priests for Life:

If there were ever a time to take decisive action in regard to the elections, it's now! No matter what you may or may not have done up to now, there is still time to make a difference!
One way you can do this is to join me for an election-related teleseminar-webcast on Monday, October 27 from 9 to 10pm Eastern Time. Clergy, laity, and pro-life leaders from coast to coast will be joining me and an expert panel to receive practical information and inspiration to become involved and make a difference in our national elections. This is our fifth such teleseminar and being only days from the elections, will be the most important.

I would like you, as well as the membership of your organization or church, to be part of it. Sign up at www.priestsforlife.org/conferencecall/index.aspx.

The discussion will include what each of you can do to generate votes and impact the outcome of the elections for the better. Please see www.prolifevoter.org for some of the ideas that we will be discussing. One of our expert panelists will be David Barton, President and Founder of Wallbuilders. In the past we have had such guests as Congressman Chris Smith, Senator Sam Brownback and Dr. David O'Steen of National Right to Life.

You may listen to the teleseminar either by phone or through your computer, where you will also be led to key documents you can download. The instructions are simple. To sign up for the teleseminar, go to www.priestsforlife.org/conferencecall/index.aspx. From that page you can also listen to our prior teleseminars or read transcripts of them. After you sign up you will receive an email with the teleseminar web link (if you intend to listen on the web) and the phone number and passcode (if you intend to listen by phone).

Please do me a favor and extend this invitation to your personal email lists, organization lists, friends and family. Tell them to go to www.priestsforlife.org/conferencecall/index.aspx and sign up today.

Sincerely,

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

28th of 40 Days for Life - Fr. Frank Pavone Comes to Town

As part of 40 Days for Life, Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priest for Life, visited Harrisburg, PA today to concelebrate Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and visit the local vigil site.

In his homily, Fr. Pavone spoke of vigilance. To paraphrase what he said:

We must watch out for one another - to actively live as Christ instructed us. We are called to be brothers and sisters in Christ looking out for each other. Part of that is intervening for the helpless.

We need to be vigilantly Christian in our awareness in the political forum, vigilant in our choice of public officials. Democracy rests on our being able to judge/discern what is right and what is wrong. Jesus charged us, His disciples, to go forth and change the world. We must respond.

Pope John Paul II, in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae, “The Gospel of Life,” noted that if the state permits abortion then it cannot be thought to be a democracy for it is a tyrannical state. The state becomes a tyrant when vetoes human rights, when it allows abortion.

We must vigilantly work for justice and equality for every human being.

We must be vigilant for the Lord is coming.

Deacon Charles Clark (Cathedral Pastoral Associate), Fr. Thomas J. Rozman (Cathedral Pastor) and Fr. Frank Pavone just before consecration.

After leaving St. Patrick's Cathedral, everyone came together in the crisp autumn winds that knocked down tree limbs and signs along Front Street.

The vigil group prayed the rosary while waiting for Fr. Pavone to arrive.
Once he arrived, Fr. Pavone spoke of the value of a Pro-Life presence outside of abortion centers such as Harrisburg's Hillcrest Clinic.

He told of people whose hearts were changed by the presence of Pro-Lifers outside of clinics.

He encouraged all in their witness to the Gospel of Life.
Father led a particularly pertinent prayer - a litany asking for God's mercy for the souls of women who died as a result of an abortion.

Once that prayer was done, a few of the people present spoke up to let Fr. Pavone know that they had recognized the name of one of the women's names in the litany - she was a local girl who had as the result of her procedure done at Hillcrest.
That prayer was very down-heartening in that it just seemed to go on and on. That so many women died from something that "choice" advocates rally to keep legal because they say it is the safe prudent answer to unplanned pregnancies rests in the pit of one's stomach like a lead balloon. Chilling is the fact that it was only a partial list of women known to have died because of a legal abortion.

Local doctor and Pro-Life advocate, also spoke to the group. After the heaviness of the litany, it was good to hear that abortion protesters had impacted a woman he knew. She had once aborted a child and worked in the industry, yet she has turned away from all of that and joined the Church this past Easter.

Before leaving for a prayer vigil at the York Planned Parenthood facility, Fr. Pavone gave us all his priestly blessing.

Groups participating in the Harrisburg

40 Days for Life initiative:
A Cry Without a Voice
Harrisburg 40 Days for Life
Operation Outcry Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
Priests for Life
Silent No More

Additional Resources:
Post-abortion healing -www.rachelsvineyard.org/
Pregnancy help -www.birthright.org/

Sleep Cheap - With Abortion Receipt

New Jersey Quality Inn, Clarion Hotels Give Women Discounts for Abortions

Cherry Hill, NJ(LifeNews.com) -- Women heading to New Jersey for abortions are getting discounts at two brand name hotels and pro-life advocates are working to expose the practice. An abortion business in Cherry Hill that does abortions up to six months into pregnancy worked out the discounts with two local hotels.

New Jersey Right to Life indicates that participants in the local 40 Days for Life prayer campaign have learned that the Cherry Hill Women's Center made the arrangements.

The Clarion Hotel in Cherry Hill offers a reduced rate of $59 for a room originally priced at $109 to women staying there from out of town to get an abortion. Women need only show a receipt from the abortion business saying an overnight stay is necessary. In addition, the Quality Inn in Maple Shade offers a discounted rate of $74.95 for a room originally priced at $99.99 and a free breakfast of eggs and pancakes for women who present a stamped pamphlet from the abortion center.

Marie Tasy, the director of New Jersey Right to Life, told LifeNews.com the hotel arrangements make it appear to her that teenagers from other states are taken to New Jersey to avoid parental involvement laws in their home states.

"The Cherry Hill Women's Center has a track record of aggressive advertisement in the Pennsylvania market to intentionally lure pregnant minor girls to the NJ abortion clinic in order to evade Pennsylvania's parental consent laws," Tasy added.

Send your complaints to the following:
a) Clarion Hotel, Route 70 & I-295, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, (856) 428-2300, fax (856) 354-7662, or contact via web site;
b) Quality Inn Maple Shade, 531 Route 38 West, Maple Shade, NJ 08052, (856) 235-6400, fax (856) 727-1027.


Full story at LifeNews.com

Gettysburg Life Chain 2008

Yesterday afternoon, from 2:30 - 3:30, people gathered in the center of Gettysburg, PA, to pray and give silent witness for the Pro-Life cause. The sentences in blue were given to participants as suggestions for prayer and meditation during the hour of the Life Chain.

Pray a personal prayer of repentance for past failure to actively oppose abortion and to aid its victims.

Pray God's grace and healing on mothers who have had abortions.

Pray for local crisis pregnancy centers and other pro-life healing-support ministeries.Pray God's sovereignty against abortionists.

Pray for the eyes of abortionists to be opened to their killing of children.

Pray for Godly wisdom in our government and courts, and pray that God will strengthen and aid pro-life officials.Pray for the convicting impact of hundreds of Life Chains across America.

Pray for love and unity among us, God's people. Pray that we and our fellow believers will submit to God's will for our lives, families and our nation.

Pray that God will direct a profound spiritual awakening in our local community and throughout our land. Ask God how you can best help end abortion in the days, weeks, and months ahead.