Colors of pro-lifers

If you’re Catholic, then you’re a pro-lifer by association; because, the Catholic faith community believes that human life begins at conception. But what kind of pro-lifer are you? Let’s go through a symbolic spectrum.

White: It symbolizes the pure solution that this group advocates. They pursue legal and charitable ways e.g. trying to repeal the Roe V. Wade and turning away would-be procurers of abortion. They are criticized as being simplistic and even naïve as they pray their Rosaries in abortuaries.

Blue: This group is blue or sad; because, while they personally oppose this atrocity, they do not wish to impose their convictions on others. They do not want to judge others. So, they watch the slaughter with resignation and angst.

Green: The color of reason of those who think that the abortion cannot be criminalized. So, they urge pro-lifers to stop fighting it, to tolerate it and try alternate means e.g. reduce the need for abortions by adoptions.

Yellow: The color of urine and the streak that runs across the bellies of those who know that abortion is murder but do not get into the fray because of the risk. They hold human respect and political capital above the lives of the children. So, they limit their efforts to safe activities like preaching to the choir. And they are quick to acquiesce to pro-aborts even at the cost of scandalizing and demoralizing others.

Red: A pro-lifer who already sees red is like the one who shot an abortionist yesterday. His type is what made the Dept. of Homeland Security classify pro-lifers as possible terrorists. They see themselves in a war to defend the unborn at all costs just like the Judges in the Bible. The abortionists are enemy combatants who are killed just as soldiers of the Taliban would be killed.

Black: Black as St. John described the night when Judas betrayed the Lord. These maliciously pretend to be pro-lifers to harm the cause. One of them gave us a list of supposed abortion providers. In his list was a suggestion to expose these providers in the newspaper. Thank God, we did not fall for it; otherwise, we’d be knee deep in lawsuits.

Church funds at risk from bishops and priests

Recently a priest in CT ran away with his boyfriend and millions of the parishioners' money. That is why the parishioners wanted to revamp the financial controls of the church funds. In my dioceses, there must have been close to 5 incidents when priests stole the church's monies for the last 30 years.

The bottom line is that if the faith communities will not revise the financial controls, then the risk remains. For more details on how the methods and procedures are unchecked, you may do some web searches yourself on "catholic church ct financial mismanagement bridgeport". Once you realize the precariousness of the situation, they you may want to raise the issue to the pastor or a parish council member.

For myself, I've stopped giving to Abp. Wuerl's diocese ever since he announced that he is willing to give Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians. Instead, I send my donations to places whose bishops are more supportive of pro-life efforts.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it appears that the same uncontrolled and unchecked financial policies and procedures are in place in all the Catholic communities and churches. So, unless there's a change, then the vulnerability is there waiting for the next thief.

After clerical abuses, Pope urges laity to evangelize

Here is a letter to Pope Clement VII dated July 13, 1530 that asks for the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon and includes the seals of dozens of bishops of England who concurred with the request. These bishops later supported the separation of the Church of England from Rome.

Last month, more than a hundred US bishops gave their tacit consent as they refrained from criticizing the honor given by Notre Dame to the Obama, a prominent supporter of abortion laws However, there were seventy or more who publicly protested this scandal.

Last week, the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, published in Dublin last week, reported some 8,000 religious people were involved in the maltreatment of 35,000 children.

Yesterday, during the opening speech of the Diocesan Ecclesial Conference in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, the Pope pointed out that the laity must progress beyond simply collaborating with the clergy to a greater share in the responsibility of the Church's activity which includes evangelization. Cf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPSNbu9lRg4

If you read the older posts, this is already being done in various ways e.g. influencing Abp. Wuerl to enforce canon 915 etc... Now, we have the Pope's blessings and mandate to continue to build the church with the good clerics and without the pedophiles and politicians.

Working for God or doing God's work

( pic from http://www.lolsaints.com/)

With all the wrongs and lies going around, someone who cares about God and the world might pop a gasket or have a hissy fit everyday. And with more bad news coming from all over e.g. Ireland and the recent events at Notre Dame, one can just sink into depression and despair.

While I do not advocate a passive approach of watching things fix themselves, I do suggest a little perspective. It's not like God has left us although that is what many thought after the Holocaust. Have we forgotten the miracle of the dancing sun at Fatima? And how about Mother Teresa who simply picked up and washed dying outcasts but in the process touched the world?

This is God's war and we just have to do our part and keep that big picture in mind. So, there's no cause to feel defeat. There's a huge difference between doing God's work and working for God. A person who works for God will not be perturbed.

And a time will come when our bodies will feel sluggish, weak, tired and ready for that eternal rest. ( My diabetes is getting worse; I might need insulin shots soon. ) As we degenerate to that condition, we end up doing even less. So, while we do not have to be flippant about our contribution, we do not have to take ourselves too seriously either. As St. Teresa of Avila counsels,

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things pass away;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.

The holy family is still human

(pic from http://www.lolsaints.com/ )

Just hanging loose tonight. With all that's going on, it helps to think that "He's got the whole world in His hands." and "I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow."

Beat the blues - what works for me

Here are some things that I do to beat the blues.

Take St. John's Wort, an over the counter herbal happy pill.

Walk to get some sun and fresh air. Feeling follows action. And action we can control easily.
So, when we act happy, we start feeling the same way.

Help others. When I was between jobs, I was able to spend time with my Dad. We bought his car together and I accompanied him for cataract surgery. He's gone now but I kept the car to remind me of those special days.

Talk things out with my wife to get another view - a cognitive reappraisal. "Most people
are as happy as they make their minds up to be."

Count my blessings - faith, health, love, and kids.

Pray. Check out the link below. Something happens to our brains during prayer. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104310443&ft=1&f=1007

Go to confession and receive Communion often. Grace amazes.

To ND grads:

Congratulations on your witness to the sanctity of life. 

Thanks to those who supported the students.