40 Days for Life - Harrisburg, PA Kick-Off Rally

The Harrisburg, PA area 40 Days for Life opened at the Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda.







A local dance troupe performed interpretive dances before the speakers came to the podium.
Karen Bodle, Pennsylvania team leader of Operation Outcry, said that the shoes the children placed on the steps are part of the international pro-life "A cry without a Voice" campaign. Each pair of children's shoes is tagged with the name of a child lost to abortion. All present were encouraged to complete a tag for an untagged pair if they knew of a such a child not yet so memorialized.


Sandy Paveglio, co-chair of Harrisburg's 40 Days for Life, was the MC for the Capitol Kick-off Rally. Unfortunately, Nancy Faller , the other local driving forcing, was not able to participate due to a pro-life conference elsewhere.
Rev. Peter Hahn, Pastor of St. Leo the Great parish in Lancaster, PA is serving as the spiritual director for this effort in the Harrisburg area. Fr. Hahn is not only a diocesan priest, but he is associated with Priest for Life. In that I felt his speech at the Capitol captured the tenor of the day, I offer it here to you:

What a joy it is to see so many of you as we have gathered here to celebrate God's most precious gift to us of life, to look out and to see that life and that love and joy of God in your hearts.

In our Catholic faith, we have received a keen insight and a clear understanding of the truth of God and of the human person. While reason alone will lead us to a level of understanding of God, faith will illuminate that understanding further. For all of us here that illumination is a special gift of our Baptism where each of us received what the Church calls the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. It is in the power and light of these virtues that we are assembled here today.

We are a people of faith given that special gift of truth knowing that God has a plan and a mission for all of us and that it is illegitimate for individuals or societies to seek to refute and oppose that plan. We believe in what has been revealed by God about the sanctity and dignity of every human person, who is, in fact, created by God in His image and likeness, destined for eternal life with Him. These are not propositions of one faith perspective against another that we wish to oppose on society. They are eternal truths - part of what is termed as "the natural law" known to the human person both in faith and in reason, which are the best for the common good of any society. And, sadly, we know that any society that seeks to oppose these truths - truths which our founding fathers knew and embodied in our Declaration of Independence and in our Constitution - goes down a path that will only and inevitably lead to destruction.

We are a people of hope that trust in the infinitely wise vision of God who sees all things as part of His divine plan of salvation. We do not despair despite the facts and the history of the national disgrace that is legalized abortion. We know that even something so obscene as this is mysteriously permitted in the Providence of God and that He is working constantly to bring good from and through it. We know the battle is His, not ours, and that despite the facts which we see that show the pervasive influence of the forces of sin and death, we know there is nothing in this world that is stronger than the power and the love of God.

We are a people of love. We have not gathered here motivated by some selfish or financial concern. We are not part of that billion dollar industry that is Planned Parenthood and all of the other abortion providers. We are simply here, some at significant cost, to try to reach out and love the unborn child and his mother whom, we must always remember, is often another victim in this tragedy, deceived and pressured at such a vulnerable time by the purveyors of death.

We pray earnestly for all who feel so helpless and afraid that they think it the only alternative. We pray for those physicians and support personnel whose eternal souls are at such great risk as they have mistakenly chosen the path of death instead of life. We continue in all of the many ways available to help all who face unplanned pregnancies and those who in the past have made this wrong decision, and now grieve and suffer because of it, praying that all who have been harmed by this horror might know God's healing and peace.

Our Lord said that He came so that we might have life and have it to the fullest. And so we long for a reawakening in the faith and in the conscience of our nation so that all might experience this gift of life and know its fullness in the light of Christ, our Lord and Savior.

The battle is fierce. Satan's work is extensive and, sadly, successful in so many instances. We know the evil that is abortion and we know Our Lord's exhortation that certain demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. And so we gather this day to begin 40 days of that activity.

Let us pray each day ardently and intently that this scourge of abortion may end. Let us fast, denying ourselves of material comforts to offer up to God some sacrifice to ask that His healing come to us. And let us persevere, always in the joy of the life that He gives us, knowing with absolute certainty that 2,000 years ago, on that hill outside of Jerusalem, His infinite love for us, expressed in his passion. death and resurrection, has assured final victory.

May God bless each and every one of you here for your sacrifice and your faithful witness. May He extend His mercy and forgiveness to all who have sinned so grievously against Him. and may, by His grace, our nation once again regain its moral compass and recognize the truth that faith and reason confirm of the dignity of every human person so that we might once again embrace life and provide that basic legal protection to those who are defenseless so that they too might enjoy what all of us know -- the blessings of this life now and one day, we pray, that never ending life with God in the glory of His Kingdom of heaven.

State House of Representative Mauree Gingrich most importantly noted that as a society we are responsible for the lives and dignity of all.

Representative Will Gabig, who because of committee duties had to hurry to a meeting after speaking to the 40 Days for Life Rally, spoke next. His main thrust was that architects of the Declaration of Independence listed the right to life as the first inalienable right - we must stand for the protection of all. He also made note of George Washington assertion that the "pursuit of happiness" was analogous to the "pursuit of virtue."

Diane Wells, South Central Regional leader of Silent No More, was joined at the podium by Karen Boswell, a member of her team. Ms. Wells told of the price her two abortions had upon her life - panic attacks, sleeplessness that alternated with horrific nightmares and two suicide attempts.

Michael Ciccocioppo, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, told of a couple whose child was saved by the presence of pro-life people outside of Hillcrest Clinic. The woman, twice in the last five years, has contacted the Pennsylvania Pro-life Federation to give thanks and tell of the impact the pro-life presence at the abortion mill made in her family's life. I hope to post the story later this week.

At its conclusion, Rally participants were encouraged to go to the site of Harrisburg's 40 Days presence - Hillcrest Abortion Clinic on Front Street.
Once there, participants were lead in prayer and song by Fr. Hahn.
Most of the people who acknowledged the presence of the prayerful did so in a positive manner: thumbs-up motioning, light taps of horns, waving. Two times menacing voices were heard from traffic - one an indistinguishable growl of sorts - the second said a sentence but the only discernible word was an angry sounding "family."

Seeing this father using Hillcrest's driveway to take what seemed to be a short-cut home brought to mind that there are fathers who had likewise once casually walked their daughters at such a young age never imagining that their innocent girls might one day abort their grandchild. I certainly hope that is never an option for this little girl.

No one knew who this person was who drove this pro-lifemobile by Hillcrest multiple times. Their website, http://www.whos4life.com/, says of their organization: "Whos4life is a fun & creative, grassroots, non-profit ministry that is attempting to bring to the forefront of our state and national dialogue the issue of abortion and the future lives of millions of unborn Americans."

Look at the back of the girl's shirt - note the name. I loved that grace was with us because it is only through God's graces that our country will turn from abortion. I know, that may sound hokey, but the thought warmed my heart.



This isn't everyone present - some people were camera shy.

I apologize to those in the picture - I did shoot another one that is framed okay, but in that one not everyone is facing the camera. I think I was focusing more on not trepassing on Hillcrest's front lawn than taking the picture.

For information on the national/international 40 Days for Life, please click HERE.

Links to organizations mentioned in this posting - click on the name to be redirected to the site:

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/

40 Days for Life Campaign

Pro-Life Advocates Nationwide Excited About Next 40 Days for Life Campaign

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life advocates across the country are excited about the upcoming 40 Days for Life prayer campaign. The event, which takes place in communities and at abortion centers nationwide, doesn't officially start until this Wednesday yet thousands of people have already begun to get involved.

David Bereit, the head of the campaign, tells LifeNews.com that he went to Indiana to meet with hundreds of people getting started at a kick-off rally. "Yesterday afternoon, I was blessed to join more than 200 people at the 40 Days for Life kick-off in Indianapolis -- which concluded with a two-mile procession to the Planned Parenthood abortion center where the campaign will be focused," he said. "I then drove up to Fort Wayne where 300 people packed a Lutheran school gymnasium for an electrifying kick-off event," he added. "At the end of the rally, the attendees collectively committed to hundreds of hours of participation in their local 40 Days for Life vigil."

Bereit says he is getting similar reports from other cities across North America and many locations are still gearing up for their kick-off events which will be held over the next three days. Full story at LifeNews.com

Please visit the 40 Days for Life site.

The 40 Days for Life site, http://www.40daysforlife.com/, has links to local initiatives, videos and lots of information about 40 Days for Life.

40 Days for life is something that everyone can participate in. It is a matter of:

• Persistent Prayer - Prayer and Fasting
• Peaceful Presence - Public witness outside of abortion centers
• Prudent Presentation - Share the Pro-life message

Whatever your abilities or comfort level, you can be part of 40 Days for Life!

Set the Spirit Free Conference

Saturday, September 20, 2008, the Harrisburg Diocese hosted its 2008 Day of Charismatic Renewal at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg. The theme was "Set the Spirit Free."The day began with faith filled music provided by the Upper Room Prayer Group Music Ministry.


They played, led songs and gave praise for about an hour before Mass began.
The five altar servers were from multiple parishes in the diocese.

Harriburg's Bishop Rhoades was the principal celebrant of the concelebrated Mass.
The religious pictured below are, left to right, Msgr. Robert Lawrence, Fr. Francis Karwacki, Fr. William Weary, Master of Ceremony Fr. Neill Sullivan, Deacon James Rush, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades and Bishop Sam Jacobs (Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana).
In Bishop Rhoades homily he told the congregation that we must take up the cross daily -- it is not an optional element of the Catholic Christian. We are called to embrace the cross everyday. We must love as Christ loved. Give of ourselves in imitation of the self-giving love of Calvary. The Eucharist strengthens us to do that.
In that Saturday was the feast day of the 103 Korean martyrs, Bishop Rhoades spoke of their willingness to take up the cross. They, individuals ranging in ages from 13 - 72, were true to Christ - they denied themselves and bore their crosses. The Bishop told us that we should pray to the martyrs - all martyrs - asking them to help us by their intercession to take up our cross.

Beyond the 103 Korean martyrs who are recognized as members of the communion of saints, the Church in Korea, young as it is, has had more than 10,000 martyrs. They knew ridicule, unpopularity and faced opposition - things that have kept lesser people from stepping up to embrace their cross. Bishop Rhoades implored everyone to hear again the words of Christ in the Gospel when He said that if we denied Him before men that He would deny us before the Father. Shame should not be a part of our relationship to/with Christ. We need courageous disciples of Christ in the Church. When the apostle Paul wrote, The love of Christ urges me on, he was witnessing to the fact that he didn't lose faith or courage, no matter the circumstances, because he KNEW Christ was with him. In the eighth chapter of his letter to the Romans, with conviction, Paul tells us to take up our cross and follow the Lord everyday for if God is for us, who can be against us? (31). Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (39). Bishop Rhoades concluded his homily by asserting that the love of Christ urges us.

Just before the the concluding blessing of the Mass, Bishop Rhoades came forward to address those present. He thanked the individuals who shared their inspiration, spoke of his experience at World Youth Day 2008 and encouraged everyone to evangelize.

After a break following Mass, because of concerns expressed by conference attendees, Bishop Sam Jacobs first spoke of the the state of his Diocese (Houma-Thibodaux) which was the hardest hit by Hurricane Gustav. He also spoke encouragingly of the outpouring of goodwill by some people, including a priest who was industrious enough to get a hold of a horse so as to visit areas in which people were stranded to ascertain conditions and needs.

There was a couple who went to shelters with the Bishop. The husband and wife were grateful for having not being adversely impacted by the hurricane and felt compelled to find and address the needs of those not so fortunate. Bishop Sam said the Red Cross was very good at addressing the very basic needs of those in shelters, but this couple took it a step further in that, after talking to shelter directors, they went to Wal-Mart and spent $1,000 on items such as fans, towels and food (emergency food ration packages were provided by the Red Cross, but some directors asked for things such as spaghetti and tomato sauce for meals).

Another person who understood that people were in need and wanted give immediate aid decided to raise funds by selling bracelets akin to Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG bracelets - having WINDSTRONG on the hurricane recovery bracelets. In the first day, Bishop Sam said, $10,000 was raised. The man and his friends procured a 16 ft truck with which they are directly taking down the bayous to the people in need. The Windstrong Foundation is directly asking people what their needs are and returning with the truck filled with those items which range from water to clothing.

The Bishop said that in spite of devastation there is faith, hope and love to be found. He asked that all pray for those hurt and the workers - both being groups that are very stressed and stretched thin. They were still try to recover from Katrina when Gustav and Ike hit. The USCCB has authorized a special collection at Masses this coming weekend (Sept. 27 & 28) to help the recovery efforts from the latest hurricanes.

Before moving to the "Set the Spirit Free" theme of the Conference, Bishop Sam concluded talk of the hurricane recovery by saying, "We are going to survive, but need the help of others."

Bishop Sam then moved to the topic of the day - Set the Spirit Free

Before we can set the Spirit free, the Spirit must set us free.

God's plan is that we be filled with the Holy Spirit.

In the first two chapters of Luke's Gospel it is noted that seven people are filled with the Holy Spirit. This is not coincidence that at the beginning of this book that such mention is made - it is documentation of God's plan. The seven people listed are:

• John the Baptist
• Mary
• Jesus
• Elizabeth
• Zachariah
• Simeon
• Anna

The Acts of the Apostles also has being filled with the Holy Spirit as a theme.

The Holy Spirit gives sanctification. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord - are personal sanctifers. They are tools for the use of those who have been filled by the Holy Spirit.

We need to get out of our comfort zone - to let God have control. We need to freely be a fool for Christ. In that the life Christ calls us to is in opposition to the ways of the world, to be for Christ is to be foolish in the eyes of the world.

The word "yes" can be seen as an acronym answer to the question of "How will you lead your life?"

• Y - Yield, E - Everything to, S - Self
• Y - Yield, E - Everything to, S - Satan
• Y - Yield, E - Everything to, S - Savior

God has given us freewill. He wants us to be reunited with Him -- freely chosen reunification. We must each decide how we will live our lives. Once we decide to yield everything to our Savior, we can then move toward setting the Spirit free in our lives and the world.

Having received sanctifying grace in the sacraments, we must now set the Spirit free to move in our lives. We need to act on the leadership of the Lord in the use of our freewill. We are filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can be holy -- holy so that we can enter into a relationship with God. This then lets us be witnesses to Christ.

Lacking in today's Church is evangelization, yet God wants it to be done.

God can do anything through you if you are open to Him working through you. What is the use of zeal for the Holy Spirit if you aren't a zealot? We have our marching orders but aren't marching.

Conversion is missing from the Church. That is why so few Catholics regularly attend Mass. We have all been baptized, but we aren't all on fire.

There once were two Baptist ministers - one having the charge of a predominantly African-American congregation which would have loud, nearly riotous, services of praise, the other having a congregation which was predominantly Anglo-American with very sedate services. One day the pastor of the reserved congregation asked the other how it could be that their services were so vastly different. The pastor of the lively followers paused in thought, then said, "Well, we both have filet mignon." He paused, again, then went on, "It's just that yours is still in the freezer. Ours is in the fire."

There is a need to reach out to people, to bring them to conversion. We must witness the Gospel to them.

As persons of God we are good beings; however, we may do bad thing. We should act out of the core of our being - out of the good of God. We should not be doing simply out of a desire to be doing.

We should be looking for opportunities to share what God has done for us. We are to stir the Holy Spirit within the people with whom we are sharing God's impact in our life. One of Bishop Sam's priests held a town hall sort of meeting with the people in the area of his parish -- Catholics and non-Catholics. He did this to find out the needs of the people. The next weekend he had people at Mass whom he had never seen in the church. They told him that the meeting was the first time they had experienced the Church as a church that cared about them.

People need to know of the love of Christ, the love of His Church. We catechize before God is real to individuals. We should be evengelizing them first. They need to be given a taste, then catechize/feed them. Right after Pentecost, Peter gave first gave the 3,000 the experience of Christ -- then brought them into the fold of the faithful.

Of course, the conversion moment is important, but conversion is and ongoing concern.

Solemnly I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these (John 14:12).

It is up to us to step out and do. Too often though, people get stuck in the preparation for doing stage and never get to the actual doing.

At some point during the early to mid 1970's, the prolific period of feel good felt banners, an elderly nun was scuffing through the convent when she began to pass by a room where some of the younger sisters were making banners. In an effort of redirection, she detoured through that room to see what was going on. Bend over by the weight of many years, the frail woman again took up her slow methodical pace. As she began to pass a postulant intent upon her purpose, the elderly sister slowly turned her head a bit, yelled, "Do it!," and continued on her way.

The message on the banner? "Love one another."

Today is the day.

"The Church exists to evangelize" (Pope John VI). Evangelization is the nature of the Church. Our faith must be evident. We must bear witness so people may look at the Lord when they see us.

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? (Romans 10:13-14)

We must give the Spirit total freedom to lead us to what He has called us to do -- Evangelize -- to introduce others to Him.

At the end of his talk, before Exposition, the Bishop gave people who had never done so before the opportunity to come forward and publicly give their lives to Christ.

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This is a link to WINDSTRONG Bracelet web site

Just Sharing a Picture

Meeting of the Candidates to Help Poor and Sick

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama are slated to be co-guest speakers at a dinner hosted by New York Cardinal Edward M. Egan. The October 16th memorial dinner, named for New York Governor Alfred Smith who was the first Catholic presidential candidate, is a black-tie affair that has raised millions of dollars to help the poor and sick of the New York Archdiocese.

The presidential candidates will come together at this the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner for what should be a lighthearted evening. Although speakers at this dinner have traditionally been hard hitting politicos, as the foundation's site notes, the "luminous guest speakers have stepped from the world stage to honor and entertain Annual Dinner audiences with their light humor and political savvy."

"Indeed, the occasion has evolved into something of an opportunity for speakers - particularly ones whose mien is typically quite serious - to show, through quips and slightly irreverent humor, that they can poke fun at a political issue, an opponent, or themselves."

The first time presidential opponents came together for this event was in 1960 when John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon both spoke at the dinner. Click here to visit the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation's site where you may find more information, including a list of former speakers.

USCCB and Conscientious Voting

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop has developed a Faithful Citizenship site that has information to help individuals be politically responsible. Part and parcel of the site's offerings is free downloads. The site address is http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/

While you are there, be sure to sign-up for the Faithful Citizenship e-mail list to be entered to win an IPod from the USCCB. The drawing for the IPod will be on or after November 5, 2008.

Good Luck and Good Voting!


HT: Deacon Greg Kandra over at The Deacon's Bench

Heartwarming Article

I'm not posting this article from the September 19th edition of The Tidings, the Los Angeles Archdiocese newspaper, because of the pro-life aspect of the story. Instead, I'm sharing it just because I find it to be heartwarming. Hoping you like it too!


'The baby who was born too soon' thrives
By Betsy Potts

"Pray for the baby who was born too soon…" is the opening line to a poem that Katherine Meyer's mother dedicated to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Tarzana Regional Medical Center.

On Dec. 7, 1989, Katherine Meyer was born two months premature. Because of her undeveloped lungs, she was immediately put on a high pressure respirator. Unfortunately, the pressure was set too high and caused Katherine to have brain bleeds. She spent the first three months of her life in the hospital and was one of the sickest preemies the NICU had ever had.

Her prognosis was grim. The doctors said that there would be permanent damage to her hearing, and that her lungs would be weak. They also predicted she would not be able to walk or open her hands.

Last June 14, Katherine Meyer walked down the steps of La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks and graduated with her class. Her hands held a diploma and a dozen roses.

But the doctors were not entirely wrong about Katherine. She does have hearing loss: she is 50 percent hearing impaired, with 90 percent impairment at high frequencies. She also has asthma. And ADHD. But her disabilities have only made her determined to overcome them.

This determination came early. When Katherine was very young, she wanted to play the piano like her older siblings. Today, she is an accomplished pianist, who has created original medleys --- a ragtime medley of Scott Joplin songs, and a church medley of liturgical songs --- all extraordinary accomplishments for any 18-year-old. What makes Katherine even more extraordinary, though, is her generosity. For the last four years, she has played the piano at every school Mass and at every graduation.

According to Katherine, a turning point in her life was coming to La Reina in the eighth grade.

Determined to make the most of her experience, she immediately joined the Speech and Debate Club, Campus Ministry and the liturgical music group. She has remained active in all three.
Speech and debate proved to be the biggest challenge because her speech has been affected by her limited hearing. Frustrated by her inability to place at competitions and by judges' comments like, "difficult to understand," "work on enunciation and vocal clarity," Katherine practiced and practiced. Soon, she began to win and reached another milestone: for two years in a row, she qualified for the state tournament.

What has meant the most to Katherine throughout high school is her association with the Sisters of Notre Dame. A non-Catholic, she has played the piano for them at their Sunday Masses at Notre Dame Center and at all their special events. At the Sisters' July 12 jubilee celebration, under the direction of Christopher Walker, she accompanied a choir of Sisters and Associates of Notre Dame and members of the St. Paul the Apostle (Westwood) and St. Mary Magdalen (Camarillo) choirs.

"I love being at the convent," she says. "From the moment I walked in, I clicked with the sisters. They have been welcoming, and fun to be around. They treat me as though I am one of them."
Her faith, which she describes as "weak" before coming to La Reina, has strengthened to such an extent that she has expressed interest in becoming a Catholic.

This fall, Katherine will attend Cal Poly Pomona where she will major in business with an emphasis in marketing and minor in music performance.

Indeed, the "baby who was born too soon" not only lived, but thrived. Her classmates and the sisters and the staff see her not as a girl with limitations, but as a girl whose personal courage, strength, and generosity, inspire the entire La Reina community.

The Tidings' site may be found at www.the-tidings.com.

Chaput & Conley's Cross Country Clarification

I was reading the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper online when I came upon an article which made mention of a letter distributed in an Atlanta parish's bulletins this past weekend. It was a reprint of a letter the bishops of the Denver archdiocese addressed to the members of the archdiocese.


The article only included snippets of the letter, but the archdiocese web site had the complete document. In that it is reaching Catholics from across the country, I thought you might want to see it too.

Public Servants and Moral Reasoning:
A notice to the Catholic community in northern Colorado

To Catholics of the Archdiocese of Denver:


When Catholics serve on the national stage, their actions and words impact the faith of Catholics
around the country. As a result, they open themselves to legitimate scrutiny by local Catholics and local bishops on matters of Catholic belief. In 2008, although NBC probably didn't intend it, Meet the Press has become a national window on the flawed moral reasoning of some Catholic public servants.


On August 24, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, describing herself as an ardent, practicing
Catholic, misrepresented the overwhelming body of Catholic teaching against abortion to the show's nationwide audience, while defending her "pro-choice" abortion views. On September 7, Sen. Joseph Biden compounded the problem to the same Meet the Press audience.


Sen. Biden is a man of distinguished public service. That doesn't excuse poor logic or bad facts.
Asked when life begins, Sen. Biden said that, "it's a personal and private issue." But in reality, modern biology knows exactly when human life begins: at the moment of conception. Religion has nothing to do with it. People might argue when human "personhood" begins - though that leads public policy in very dangerous directions - but no one can any longer claim that the beginning of life is a matter of religious opinion.


Sen. Biden also confused the nature of pluralism. Real pluralism thrives on healthy, non-violent disagreement; it requires an environment where people of conviction will struggle respectfully but vigorously to advance their beliefs. In his interview, the senator observed that other people with strong religious views disagree with the Catholic approach to abortion. It's certainly true that we need to acknowledge the views of other people and compromise whenever possible - but not at the expense of a developing child's right to life. Abortion is a foundational issue; it is not an issue like housing policy or the price of foreign oil. It always involves the intentional killing of an innocent life, and it is always, grievously wrong. If, as Sen. Biden said, "I'm prepared as a matter of faith [emphasis added] to accept that life begins at the moment of conception," then he is not merely wrong about the science of new life; he also fails to defend the innocent life he already knows is there.


As the senator said in his interview, he has opposed public funding for abortions. To his great credit,he also backed a successful ban on partial-birth abortions. But his strong support for the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and the false "right" to abortion it enshrines, can't be excused by any serious Catholic. Support for Roe and the "right to choose" an abortion simply masks what abortion is, and what abortion does. Roe is bad law. As long as it stands, it prevents returning the abortion issue to the states where it belongs, so that the American people can decide its future through fair debate and legislation.


In his Meet the Press interview, Sen. Biden used a morally exhausted argument that American
Catholics have been hearing for 40 years: i.e., that Catholics can't "impose" their religiously based views on the rest of the country. But resistance to abortion is a matter of human rights, not religious opinion. And the senator knows very well as a lawmaker that all law involves the imposition of some people's convictions on everyone else. That is the nature of the law. American Catholics have allowed themselves to be bullied into accepting the destruction of more than a million developing unborn children a year. Other people have imposed their "pro-choice" beliefs on American society without any remorse for decades.

If we claim to be Catholic, then American Catholics, including public officials who describe themselves as Catholic, need to act accordingly. We need to put an end to Roe and the industry of permissive abortion it enables. Otherwise all of us - from senators and members of Congress, to Catholic laypeople in the pews - fail not only as believers and disciples, but also as citizens.




+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver


+James D. Conley
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver

Vote Yes for Life Press Release

The false information fed to the South Dakota electorate has gotten so bad that Vote Yes for Life has been forced to clear up the misinformation. This is a press release Vote Yes for Life issued earlier this evening:

Pro-Abortion Forces Deliberately Misleading South Dakota Voters About
Initiated Measure 11

SIOUX FALLS, SD – The ads that the abortion proponents (“Healthy Families”) placed on their website today, in an effort to defeat Initiated Measure 11, is deliberately misleading in an effort to confuse the voting public. At the same time, the abortion proponents exploited and misrepresented a personal tragedy.

Vote Yes for Life has the following response to that misleading ad:

The law that appears on the ballot as Initiated Measure 11 is an extremely well written and well crafted law. The law was drafted by South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long at the request of leaders of the State Legislature. Attorney General Long assembled and presided over a panel of eleven legal experts for the purpose of insuring that the law was well crafted. It was drafted over a period of about eight months.

Any suggestion that the law is anything other than well drafted and well thought out is false and deliberately misleading. The voters of South Dakota can trust their Attorney General.

The ad claims that South Dakota “already voted on this.”

In 2006, the Legislature passed a law that prohibited abortion, but it did not contain exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the mother. That law was referred to the election in November of 2006 and was voted on.

The 2008 law is totally different and represents what the voting public said they wanted in place of the 2006 law.

In 2006 and again in 2007 and 2008, every poll taken in South Dakota, showed that the vast majority of South Dakota voters (between 58% and 67%) wanted abortion prohibited. But many thought that there should be exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother. Although 44% of the voters voted for the 2006 law with no exception, the 2008 Initiated Measure 11 prohibits abortions but incorporates the exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother, and represents what the South Dakota voters wanted as their law.

The ad implies that a procedure resulting in the death of a twin that has “Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome” is illegal under the law. That claim is not only false, but a shameful exploitation of the mother shown on the ad who lost her child.

Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome is a very rare complication that threatens the life of the babies in utero. However, today there are modern medical procedures that are used to save the children.

If, however, one of the children dies in utero as a result of those medical interventions, the loss of the baby does not violate the law under Initiated Measure 11. The claim that the mother, under the new law, could not have had a procedure to save the life of one or both of those children is totally false.

There is no reason for a doctor to deliberately kill one of the twins in an effort to save one of them, and physicians do not do so as part of accepted standards of medical practice. Under Section 2 of the law, only if the procedure is designed to deliberately and intentionally kill the baby, is it prohibited – unless it is permitted by one of the exceptions. An unintended death is not a violation of the law, and the law permits the procedure even if there is a risk that one or both babies could die from the procedure.

Section 2 specifically requires that the doctor’s act is “with the intent of causing the termination of the life of an unborn human being.” Medical treatment intended to save the lives of the babies is not prohibited. Further, Section 13, paragraph 1 of the law states:
“Medical treatment ... that results in the unintentional injury or death of the unborn child is not a violation of this Act.”
It is offensive that the abortion proponents would use this personal tragedy to mislead the public, and it is exploitive of a mother who suffered a tragic loss.

The ad says that there is no way for a doctor to “give good advice” and that every case should be judged on an “individual case” basis. The implication is that the law prevents both.

Section 4 of the law specifically preserves the right of a doctor to make “a judgment that an abortion is necessary because there is a serious risk “of injury to a major bodily function of the mother. A doctor is not liable under the law if he performs an abortion to preserve the health of the mother, unless the “physician knowingly disregards accepted standard of medical practice.”

This means that only if the doctor knows good medicine does not require the abortion, is he prohibited from performing the abortion.

The ad makes the false claims that the voters can’t know what they are voting on.

The abortion proponents make these false claims because they cannot win a debate about this law if they made candid admissions about its content.

The law simply says that it is illegal to deliberately and intentionally kill an unborn child except in the case of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk or there is a serious risk to the health of the mother.

Having actors read Section 15 (chapters 187 and 188 etc.”) is intended to create the false impression that the law is difficult to understand. Section 15 is a technical section meant for the courts to let them know that one other law is not repealed.

Survivor Ad

The following is a portion of an article which maybe found on LifeNews.com's site:

A new pro-life group that features a late-term abortion survivor is running a national television advertisement against presidential candidate Barack Obama. The ad takes Obama to task for his votes against a bill to care for survivors of such abortions when he was in the Illinois legislature.

The new group, BornAliveTruth.org is a joint effort between Gianna Jessen, who survived a saline abortion decades ago, and pro-life blogger Jill Stanek. Stanek is the former Chicago-area nurse who exposed the practice of live-birth abortions, where doctors purposefully cause the premature birth of an unborn child for the sole purpose of letting her die. Her exposure of the practice led to the Illinois bills Obama opposed and a national law President Bush signed requiring medical centers and personnel to provide such babies with adequate medical care after birth.

"I'm a survivor, as are many others...but if Barack Obama had his way, I wouldn't be here," Jessen says in the ad. "Four times, Barack Obama voted to oppose a law to protect babies left to die after a failed abortion. Senator Obama, please support born alive infant protections. I'm living proof these babies have a right to live."

Stanek tells LifeNews.com that Obama's campaign is not officially responding to the ads. Full story at LifeNews.com (including ad).

Integrity

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. -A New York charity says it has turned down a share of a $3 million lottery jackpot because accepting the money could send the wrong message to gambling addicts.

The Lighthouse Mission, which helps feed 3,000 hungry Long Island residents a week, had been chosen to share an anonymous donor's jackpot last month. The donor gave the winning ticket to the True North Community Church, which said it would share the money with other charities.

The mission's pastor, James Ryan, says he appreciates the offer but had to turn it down because his organization counsels against addictions, including gambling. He did not say what the mission's share of the prize would have been.

I really like the common sense integrity this decision shows and hope donations to this group increase to 10 times what their share of the lottery jackpot would have been!

Five for Five for Free on the Seventh

Yesterday, Lisa Hendey thanked Susan Bailey on her blog for sharing in her blog that SpiritandSong.com, from 5 to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 7th, is giving away five downloads for free.

Today, I'd like to give thanks for Lisa thanking Susan. Thanks to them and SpiritandSong.com we all can download five tracks from Jackie Francois' forthcoming album. The album doesn't even "drop" until November, yet the company giving this generous preview on October 7th.

That definitely makes me thankful.

Now I just need to remember to visit on the 7th!

File this Under "Go Figure!"

Warning, reading this story out of Champaign, IL may cause a desire to pray for all involved.

Priest Accused of Dealing Cocaine
Reported by: Cortney Hall
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 @06:37pm CST

Police searched the rectory and the Newman Center where Father Layden's office is.

Some students saw the police cars last night but could never imagine why they were here.

It's a drug bust in the most unlikely place with an even more unlikely suspect.

“It just kind of makes you wonder when you are going to church are you really listening to a guy that really believes in God,” says Brett Calvert a student who lives in Newman Hall. “You have to wonder a little bit.”

Calvert saw the whole thing as it unfolded.

“Last night I had a meeting at 9 pm and when I walked out of Newman there were two cop cars.”

They were there to arrest a popular priest in a dorm that touts itself as a moral place.It’s an incident that has a lot of students worried about what's going to happen next.

“I know he's a good guy like he used to play X-Box with everybody. It sucks that things are changing around here.”

Layden has been removed from office at Saint John's Catholic Church.

Pope's Visit to France

Here is a Zenit article on Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to France:

Benedict XVI Eager to Address World of Culture

Spokesman Says Discourse Is Highly Anticipated

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 10, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is looking forward to addressing the French world of culture this week, says a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, told reporters Tuesday that the Pope is preparing with great care the address he will deliver Friday afternoon to individuals from the world of thought, science and art, as well as representatives of UNESCO and the European Union. The gathering will take place at the recently restored College of the Bernardines in Paris.

The Pontiff will travel Friday-Monday to Paris and Lourdes. His visit to the Marian shrine, which begins Saturday, takes place in the context of the 150th anniversary of apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous.

Father Lombardi said the Holy Father's address to the world of culture "is greatly anticipated. It is a text that the Pope has prepared with great eagerness."

He said the original is written in German; it has been translated into French. Benedict XVI has dedicated a good part of his magisterium to the relation between faith and reason.

The place of the meeting is very symbolic, said the Vatican spokesman, as "it has a great history."

It is an architectural complex founded in 1245 by a Cistercian monk at the request of Pope Innocent IV, who was convinced that the renewal of the Church should be through study.

Father Lombardi explained that Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, deceased archbishop of Paris, "succeeded in having the Church recover the use of this center as the place of meeting between the Church and culture."

The archdiocese has worked for seven years to restore the center. The work was completed a few weeks ago. The official inauguration will take place with Benedict XVI's visit.

During his stay in Paris, the Holy Father will meet with political leaders, representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as representatives of the other Christian confessions.

In a separate yet related article, Zenit noted of France the following:

The country, often called the cradle of secularism, boasts the lowest Church attendance rate in all of Europe.

A 2005 study by the Center for the Study on Global Christianity at the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, found that Church attendance in some areas of France is as low as 10%.

A 2000 study by the Swedish-based World Values Survey showed that nearly 60% of French people "never" or "practically never" attend church. France had the highest percentage of non-churchgoers among 14 European countries. Britain and the Netherlands followed behind with 55% and 48%, respectively.

A 2006 study by research group CSA in conjunction with Le Monde des Religions that found only 26% of French Catholics (who make up 55% of the population of France) say they’re sure that God exists, and the same number say it’s probable.

"France has been living off the moral patrimony of its Christian past for more than two centuries," said [noted American Catholic author George ] Weigel. "The account is now drawn down, and the bank of moral credit is getting empty."

Racing to Save Lives

I can say with a high degree of certainty that either you have donated blood or you know others who have.

But that is not the case for bone marrow donation.

True, not nearly as many bone marrow transfusions occur as blood transfusions. But the sad thing of the disparity is that only a handful, relatively speaking, of people have even stepped up to have the most basic "typing" done for potential donation.

The first step to finding out if you might be able to save a person's life by donating bone marrow is painless and can be done from the comfort of you living room lazyboy.

Please go to the National Marrow Donor Program for your free mouth swab kit. Go soon because from now until September 22nd NASCAR is helping to cover the costs of this program.

70% of the people in need of a marrow transplant must rely on non-related donors. Because there are so few people in the registry, many of these people die.

There is no key to happiness...

The door is always open.

Pennsylvania Campaign Ad - Extreme Position on Choice

Perhaps I am not capable of understanding the nuances of the word "extreme" with relation to the "Choice" issue. You see, from what I understand of this ad that was in today's mail, it seems that the Obama campaign is saying that McCain is the extremist with relation to this issue when one considers candidate positions. Yet that isn't how I see it.

My impression/understanding/feelings with relation to this issue is that the most "Extreme Position on Choice" rests with the candidate who could not bring himself to vote to save a child needing medical attention if the child is born -- in other words, is outside of the mother -- as the result of a botched abortion. Barack Obama has lied, back pedalled and lied again (but with a differing story) when it comes to the public voting record related to legislation regarding this issue. The record is clear...

Obama voted AGAINST saving the life of a child born of a botched abortion.

Denying a living breathing newborn medical care is undeniably the most extreme choice. A wholly unconscionable choice. A choice that makes it easy to discern for whom I'll vote.

What I Saw in My Mind's Eye

Although not well rendered, the above image is what I saw in my mind's eye as my head spun while reading San Francisco Archdiocesan Archbishop George Niederauer's take on Nancy Pelosi's most recent Meet the Press appearance and her reception of communion. Archbishop Niederauer is Pelosi's prelate - and he is evidently very good at talking out of both sides of his mouth.

Head over to Deacon Greg Kandra's blog to see what I mean.

Gloria Steinem on Sarah Palin

Abortion Advocate Gloria Steinem Attacks Sarah Palin:
“Only Shares Chromosome” With Women

Leading pro-abortion advocate Gloria Steinem is going after Governor Sarah Palin, John McCain’s choice for his vice-presidential running mate. She says Palin, who takes a strongly pro-life view on abortion, shares nothing with women like former candidate Hillary Clinton other than the same genetic makeup determining their gender. Calling her the “wrong woman with the wrong message,” in a Los Angeles Times editorial Thursday, Steinem goes on the attack from the get-go.

“Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger,” Steinem complains, comparing the Alaska governor to the venerable pro-life advocate.

“She doesn't just echo McCain's pledge to criminalize abortion by overturning Roe vs. Wade, she says that if one of her daughters were impregnated by rape or incest, she should bear the child,” Steinem claimed in the attack piece. “She not only opposes reproductive freedom as a human right but implies that it dictates abortion, without saying that it also protects the right to have a child.”

But, not all women are down on Palin and others say she represents the long-standing history of women who have been pro-life on abortion -- down to Susan B. Anthony. Marjorie Dannenfelser, the head of a pro-life women’s group that bears the name of the feminist foremother, tells LifeNews.com that Palin represents the women of America -- perhaps more so than Steinem -- because she understands that women’s rights can’t be advanced when the human rights of their offspring are denied.

“Authentic women’s rights will never be built upon the broken rights of other human beings. Both parties would do well to observe, embrace, and benefit from the strong and documented pro-life trend in America,” she said. Full story at LifeNews.com.

Oddly enough, right before I saw this LifeNews.com piece I was posting the story of a man whose mother was indeed impregnated by rape and she had the child. You can read it below.

A Good Man

I received an e-mail memorializing an man who passed away Tuesday. Normally I wouldn't even think to share something like that here, but there was something to it that makes me want to post it. Here is a portion of the e-mail:

Bill Connor's life left a huge imprint on the voteyesforlife.com campaign. He spoke out with tremendous courage and grace to save every unborn life that we possibly can. Bill was a very private person, but when the opportunity came to tell the world his personal story, he didn't hesitate and shared the experience of how he came into this world. He was conceived in rape and molestation. He grew up in foster home after foster home in unbelievable adversity as a child.

The secular world says, "Why bring a child in who may be abused, who isn't wanted, or isn't born to perfect circumstances?"

But God doesn't create junk, nor does he make mistakes. Every person is unique in God's eyes with special talents and giftedness.

Bill sought the Lord's help and made a decision to make a difference. Our life is God's gift to us, but what we do with our life is our gift to him. It's not how long we live, it's how we live that matters. Bill's story was written in over 50 newspapers in South Dakota in the last campaign.

Thank you Bill Connor, for sharing you life with us. Now the Lord has welcomed you into his kingdom with a greeting, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Leslee and Allen Unruh

That letter led me to google the man. I found what I was looking for on the Catholic Advocate Network site. Here is his story, written by him:

Chosen, Not Forsaken
The Bill Connor Story

My name is Bill Connor. I have to speak out about abortion, because by the grace of God, here am I.

I live in Colton. I own Prairie Coach Trailways, a charter bus fleet company. I am a husband and a father and an entrepreneur. And I am a product of rape.

My mother started babysitting the children of a 55-year-old man when she was 10. He sexually assaulted her for five years, until she was 15. I was conceived through that abuse.

Abortion wasn't legal at that time. My mother’s attacker impregnated her with 3 other children as well. My grandfather was a devout Catholic. It’s because of him that I’m alive. He supported my mother in giving birth to me.

We had nothing. My mother was a welfare mom. We lived with my grandfather for several years. But I did attend Catholic elementary school in St. Paul.

Eventually, my mother couldn’t care for us. I grew up in foster homes. The foster care system wasn’t as regulated back then, so some of the people I stayed with were less than nurturing. I was bounced around a few times. Eventually, I lived with the Johnson family. They were good to me. I remember eating dinner with them. They would put out a big plate of chicken. I could eat as many pieces as I wanted. I could even have a whole glass of milk. I didn’t know what that was like. I wasn’t used to that kind of luxury.

When I was living with them my foster father encouraged me to play basketball. I became an All-State, All-Conference player. I had always been the kid on the wrong side of the tracks. But now I was the cool kid.

I went on to tech school and eventually got a good banking job. When I was 40 my scrimping, saving and risk-taking paid off. My wife and I were able to pursue the formation of our bus company. I was living my dream.

But six years ago, my son, Jaran, was diagnosed with brain cancer. We had to drive to Mayo Clinic for his treatment, a 4-hour drive. So we took our luxury bus. It turned many arduous drives into fun trips.

While I sat in the waiting room during Jaran’s treatments I saw dozens of other cancer-stricken children. I wanted to do something for them. I wanted to give them the same kind of experience that I gave Jaran. So I started a non-profit organization called Angel Bus. It gives terminally ill kids luxury bus rides to treatment. Today there are a couple hundred Angel Buses in America. The rides we provide add a great dimension of excitement for the most critically sick children with few other options.

Two years ago my son Jaran died. He was only 24. It was the hardest thing that I’ve ever gone through. Those of you who have lost a child can relate. But throughout his illness Jaran insisted that it wasn’t brain cancer that was taking him. It was God calling him home.

Three weeks after Jaran died, I was diagnosed with leukemia. The doctors told me to get my life in order. At times I have been so ill that my physician fears I won’t live through the hour. I’m 48 now. If I reach 50 it will be a miracle.

In the midst of my grieving and cancer-fighting, I started hearing about HB 1215 on the news. For obvious reasons, I’ve always been pro-life. God laid it on my heart to call Dr. Allen Unruh, the husband of VoteYesForLife.com campaign manger, Leslee Unruh. I said: “Dr. Unruh, you and Leslee are getting beat up in the news all the time. I just wanted to call and tell you that there’s somebody out here who supports you.” Dr. Unruh started telling me about Leslee’s desire to create a mobile clinic for pregnant women. This “clinic on wheels” would provide free ultrasounds, counseling and education for rural South Dakota women who were considering abortion. I just happened to have an Angel Bus for sale.

The rest is history. The Fleet for Little Feet bus will tour the state this year. I pray that it will save children conceived in less than idyllic situations just like mine. Planned Parenthood’s philosophy is that everyone has to be born at the perfect time, to the perfect parents who have a perfect relationship, who have the perfect family and the perfect job. But where is that world?

When Planned Parenthood says, “Rape and incest children should be aborted,” they’re talking about me. It’s like they think these innocent children will be born with horns. But I can’t help the circumstance I was born into. Two wrongs never make a right. A woman should never be ridiculed for carrying a child conceived through a sex crime. A lot of people think that we should only be responsible for the intentional consequences in our lives. But I know that we’re also responsible for the unintentional consequences that come our way.

Sometimes children like myself ask the question, “Why me?” Sometimes I thought that God had forsaken me. But eventually I realized that I am here to witness to other people. That’s how God is using me. I wasn’t forsaken at all. I was chosen.

I know that you will be inundated with commercials claiming that abortion should be legal for rape and incest cases. But when I see those ads I say to myself, "They want to kill me." I should have never been here nor my family. If there's any question in your mind on the value of giving dignity to human life - I urge you to vote yes on six this November.

My name is Bill Connor. I have to speak out about abortion, because by the grace of God, here am I.

He seems to have been a genuinely good man.
May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Just Sharing a Picture

Obama Needs to Review His Target Audience

Okay, last week they called to ask me to made a $200 donation.

This week I got this in the mail:


What the Obama campaign saw as a way to sway voters for their candidate, only makes me proud that I can vote for a forthright leader who can be proud of his record with relation to abortion. As the ad shows, John McCain has not in any way hidden his his agenda. Can the other candidate, in good conscience say the same?

The reverse side of this piece of mail bears a picture and quote of a nurse practitioner saying the Planned Parenthood party line about abortion being a decision "between a woman and her doctor." The thing I don't get is who this woman is and why Pennsylvania voters should care to see or hear from her.

Google searches for a nurse by the name given proved to be fruitless.

Front Porch Swing

Come sit by me

On the front porch swing

In a still moment

Borrowed from the day

Talk of children

Dream of life to be

Your hand in mine

Knowing we are blessed

Ever will be

$65 Million for MDA, but One of Jerry's Kids is Crying

Hey, Jerry -

First, Congratulations on raising the record amount of $65 million for MDA. Truly impressive.

That said, I have to tell you that one of your "kids" is crying.

One of your kids is crying out for MDA to stop funding research that involves embryonic stem cells. Please listen to the cries.

I have Myotonia Dystrophia. One of the neuromuscular diseases that you have so admirably been fighting to eradicate.

I've been symptomatic since birth. I can't say that I've ever experienced a normal life. Nor can I say that I'd wish this on anyone. I can, however, wholeheartedly say that I would much rather not see one embryo damaged to change even a whole year of my life.

Oh, I'd love it if my son had a non-dystrophic mother, but not at the expense of the cells of a human being that might otherwise have developed to be a mother herself.

Mr. Lewis all of America has witnessed the love you have so very generously showered upon the young children helped by MDA's services. As I'm sure your heart has been touched by the amazing smiles that come from the shining faces of children whose bodies have been twisted by muscular dystrophy, my heart has tugged as I've sat in clinic watching these sweet innocent kids and their parents when they've come in for services. I can't imagine that you'd want a human life harmed.

Embryonic stem cell research is toying with human embryos. It harms human life.

Please, sir, as one of your kids, I ask you to please ask the Muscular Dystrophy Association to develop guidelines that assure that research respects that very essence of human life. Please.

What a Contrast - The Palins' Press Release

Boy, oh boy...

Do you remember when presidential candidate Barack Obama said that if one of his daughters had an unplanned pregnancy that he wouldn't "want them punished with a baby?"

That was the first big thing that really told me of his character. It said to me that he is so entrenched in the culture of death that he could talk of murdering the child of his daughter, his grandchild.

Everyone has been talking of Palin giving birth to a child she knew was going to be disabled as a sign of her commitment to Life. Well, I'd like to enlarge that picture by pointing out her statement regarding the fact that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. The press release that Sarah and Todd Palin issued regarding the pregnancy was simple and direct:

Statement from Sarah and Todd Palin

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Sarah and Todd Palin issued the following statement regarding today's Reuters story:

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."



Inherent to that statement is that this is not an ideal situation. Bristol and her boyfriend Levi have indeed made a mistake by engaging in an adult activity that brings with it adult responsibilities. They have conceived a child. No one is rushing to "get rid" of the mistake because the child itself is not the mistake - nor is it an inconvenient blob of tissue.

By the way, John McCain is said to have known of the pregnancy before choosing Sarah Palin for the republican ticket.

Sunday's Angelus Message

You've probably heard that former French/Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt had a twenty minute audience with Pope Benedict at Castelgandolfo today where she was able to thank him for his prayers and calls for her release while she was being held captive by the Marxist guerrilla of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. It was there at the summer papal residence south of Rome where Betancourt told the Pope that it was her faith that got her through the six years spent in primitive jungle conditions at the hands of the terrorists.

That may be the "biggest" reported story connected to the pope this week; however, the one I think may be the most important coming from Castel Gandolfo happened yesterday.

At Sunday's Angelus address Pope Benedict discussed yesterday's gospel reading(Mt 16:21-27) in which Peter rashly answered Jesus' assertion
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
The Pontiff said that Peter's faith was "still immature and too much influenced by the 'mentality of this world."

The Holy Father noted that at the time the incident occurred, "It is evident that the Master and the disciple follow two opposed ways of thinking. Peter, according to a human logic, is convinced that God would never allow his Son to end his mission dying on the cross. Jesus, on the contrary, knows that the Father, in his great love for men, sent him to give his life for them, and if this means the passion and the cross, it is right that such should happen."

"If to save us the Son of God had to suffer and die crucified, it certainly was not because of a cruel design of the heavenly Father."

"The cause of it is the gravity of the sickness of which he must cure us: an evil so serious and deadly that it will require all of his blood. In fact, it is with his death and resurrection that Jesus defeated sin and death, reestablishing the lordship of God."

"But the battle is not over. Evil exists and resists in every generation, even in our own. What are the horrors of war, violence visited on the innocent, the misery and injustice that persecutes the weak, if not the opposition of evil to the Kingdom of God? And how does one respond to such evil if not with the unarmed love that defeats hatred, life that does not fear death?"

"This is the mysterious power that Jesus used at the cost of not being understood and of being abandoned by many of his followers."

"Dear brothers and sisters, to complete the work of salvation, the Redeemer continues to draw to himself and his mission men and women who are ready to take up the cross and follow him. Just as with Christ, it is not 'optional' for Christians to take up the cross; it is rather a mission to be embraced out of love."

"In our present world," he concluded, "where the forces that divide and destroy seem to prevail, Christ does not cease to propose his clear invitation to all: Whosoever wants to be my disciple, he must renounce his selfishness and carry the cross with me."