Cardinal Newman Society

Join the Spiritual Bouquet
for Pope Benedict XVI...link below

Cardinal Newman Society

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Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd Benedict a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

From the Roman Missal

To Confuse the Wood with the Trees ... - Pravda.Ru

RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER PRAVDA DEFENDS POPE...BLAMES NEW WORLD OLIGARCHY


Hillary Clinton attacks Canadian PM Harper for not promoting abortion


Satan behind media attacks on the Pope, asserts Italian exorcist :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

FOUND THIS POEM IN MY BLOG TRAVELS...

Killing Time

How do I kill time?
Let me count the ways.

By worrying about things
over which I have no control.
Like the past.
Like the future.

By harboring resentment
and anger
over hurts
real or imagined.

By disdaining the ordinary
or, rather, what I
so mindlessly
call ordinary.

By concern over what’s in it for me,
rather than what’s in me
for it.

By failing to appreciate what is
because of might-have-beens,
should-have-beens,
could-have-beens.

These are some of the ways
I kill time.

Jesus didn’t kill time.
He gave life to it.
His own.

DOLAN DEFENDS BENEDICT

“All we ask is that it be fair, and that the Catholic Church not be singled-out for a horror that has cursed every culture, religion, organization, institution, school, agency, and family in the world.

Full Text) N.Y. Archbsp. Dolan defends pope: Remarks at Palm Sunday Mass
“No one has been more vigorous in cleansing the Church of the effects of this sickening sin than the man we now call Pope Benedict XVI…”


Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, made the following remarks at the conclusion of Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on Sunday, March 28, 2010.

“May I ask your patience a couple of minutes longer in what has already been a lengthy — yet hopefully uplifting —Sunday Mass?

“The somberness of Holy Week is intensified for Catholics this year.

“The recent tidal wave of headlines about abuse of minors by some few priests, this time in Ireland, Germany, and a re-run of an old story from Wisconsin, has knocked us to our knees once again.

“Anytime this horror, vicious sin, and nauseating crime is reported, as it needs to be, victims and their families are wounded again, the vast majority of faithful priests bow their heads in shame anew, and sincere Catholics experience another dose of shock, sorrow, and even anger.

“What deepens the sadness now is the unrelenting insinuations against the Holy Father himself, as certain sources seem frenzied to implicate the man who, perhaps more than anyone else has been the leader in purification, reform, and renewal that the Church so needs.

“Sunday Mass is hardly the place to document the inaccuracy, bias, and hyperbole of such aspersions.

“But, Sunday Mass is indeed the time for Catholics to pray for “ . . . Benedict our Pope.”

“And Palm Sunday Mass is sure a fitting place for us to express our love and solidarity for our earthly shepherd now suffering some of the same unjust accusations, shouts of the mob, and scourging at the pillar, as did Jesus.

“No one has been more vigorous in cleansing the Church of the effects of this sickening sin than the man we now call Pope Benedict XVI. The dramatic progress that the Catholic Church in the United States has made — — documented again just last week by the report made by independent forensic auditors — — could never have happened without the insistence and support of the very man now being daily crowned with thorns by groundless innuendo.

“Does the Church and her Pastor, Pope Benedict XVI, need intense scrutiny and just criticism for tragic horrors long past?

“Yes! He himself has asked for it, encouraging complete honesty, at the same time expressing contrition, and urging a thorough cleansing.

“All we ask is that it be fair, and that the Catholic Church not be singled-out for a horror that has cursed every culture, religion, organization, institution, school, agency, and family in the world.

“Sorry to bring this up … but, then again, the Eucharist is the Sunday meal of the spiritual family we call the Church. At Sunday dinner we share both joys and sorrows. The father of our family, il papa, needs our love, support, and prayers.”

A BLESSED SABBATH TO YOU ALL...A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO MY DEAR NEW BLOG BUDDY ...ABBEY.
I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO HAVE FOUND YOU AND YOUR BLOG...YOU TEACH ME A LOT...AND I LUV TO LEARN.


MADE COOKIES FOR CAMS THIS MORNING...AND SINCE IT'S SUNDAY...I MADE...WHAT IS CALLED SUNDAY COOKIES.PETER IS NOT TOO PLEASED WITH ME GIVING CAMS SO MUCH MOLASSES...BUT PETE IS THE SAME GUY THAT FED CAMS A WHOLE BAG OF CARROTS YESTERDAY.

CAMS IS LOVING RETIREMENT AND ESPECIALLY THE MARES...ALTHOUGH I THINK THEY MAY BE GIVING HIM THE COLD SHOULDER...THEY ARE A GOSSIPY BUNCH.
WE ARE KEEPING CAMS IN A SEPARATE PADDOCK FOR NOW BUT HE CAN TALK TO THEM OVER THE FENCE.

Sunday Cookies

1 cup uncooked oatmeal

1 cup flour

1 cup shredded carrots

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons corn oil

¼ cup water

¼ cup molasses

Mix ingredients in a bowl in the order listed. Make small balls and place on cookie sheet sprayed. Bake 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Horses love 'em!

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PRAYING THE ROSARY FOR MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW'S GRANDFATHER WHO FELL WHILE OUTDOORS WALKING YESTERDAY AND BROKE HIS HIP...REQUIRING SURGICAL INTERVENTION LAST NITE...MAY HE RECOVER AND BE ABLE TO GET BACK HOME.

CAMS CAME HOME TODAY TO KNIGHTSWOOD FARM AND A LATE-SEASON SNOWFALL...HE'S ONE HAPPY CAMPER.ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT,BIG GUY.

NO MORE SLEEPS CAMS...IN 30 MINUTES...YOU'LL BE FREE...

MY CONTRIBUTION TO A BIT OF THE BLARNEY RECIPE COLLECTION...MADE THESE LAST EVENING.IF YOU LIKE YOUR CUPPA...THEN YOU JUST GOTTA HAVE THESE WITH IT.

There is nothing more rewarding for so little effort as tea biscuits. This tea biscuit recipe is extremely economical and easy to make.Tea biscuits are great for breakfast with jam and scrambled eggs or they go marvelously with Homemade Tomato Soup.

Ingredients
•2 cups white flour
•2 cups whole wheat flour
•7 tsp baking powder
•1/2 tsp baking soda
•1 tsp salt
•1/4 cup white sugar
•1 egg beaten
•1 tbsp vinegar in 1 3/4 cup milk
•1/2 cup oil

Directions
1.Mix all dry ingredients
2.Measure milk, add vinegar, egg and oil.
3.Add wet to dry. Mix well.
4.Flour counter and dough mixture.
5.Knead!
6.Roll or pat with hands and cut with cookie cutter or clean can.
7.It is important to not use a glass as both ends need to be open. If you use a can, use a canopener to open the other end as well. If you use a glass, the biscuits will be flat.

Place biscuits on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 450º F for 12 – 15 minutes. The tea biscuits should rise and be lightly brown in color.
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JOHNETTE BENKOVIC FROM WOMEN OF GRACE WAS A GUEST ON THE FATHER MITCH PROGRAM LAST NITE...INSPIRATIONAL.

Johnnette S. Benkovic is Founder and President of Living His Life Abundantly® International, Inc., a Catholic evangelization apostolate with outreaches in television, radio, print, and internet communications. She is also Founder of Women of Grace®, a Catholic apostolate for Christian women that features a number of outreaches including conferences, curricula, study groups and more.

After years of being a non-practicing Catholic, Johnnette experienced a deep conversion back to her Catholic faith in 1981 and discerned a call to share the Gospel message through the media. She has been a consistent presence in Catholic radio since 1987 and in Catholic television since 1988.

Johnnette lost her son Simon in a tragic accident and then her husband of more than thirty years, Anthony, to terminal brain cancer. Through these tragedies, she was strengthened by her faith, family, friends and the prayers of the many wonderful supporters of Living His Life Abundantly® and Women of Grace®. She enjoys time with her daughters, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

"We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has gone through. I do not think that wide circles of American society or wide circles of the Christian community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, of the Gospel versus the anti-Gospel." - Pope John Paul II, AD 1976-2005

CNA and EWTN launch joint news service :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

GOOD NEWS

CNA and EWTN launch joint news service :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)


Catholic News Agency is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). The new cooperation involves the sharing of news and resources to bring readers more Catholic news from around the world.

The new venture will be evident on both CNA's website and in the launch of a news website for EWTN, which can be found at www.ewtnnews.com

FOXNews.com - Fox News Poll: 79% Say U.S. Economy Could Collapse

FOXNews.com - Fox News Poll: 79% Say U.S. Economy Could Collapse

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Obamacare: "The Bigger The Lie"

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FOXNews.com - States Plot to Block, Limit Health Care Reform Bill

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TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF BOTH MY GRANDFATHERS' DEATHS...

JOSEPH HAWRYLAK (1971) AND
HAROLD LEBOUTHILLIER (1988)

REST IN PEACE.I PRAY FOR YOU BOTH EVERY DAY.

HAVE MERCY ON THEIR SOULS, O LORD, AND GRANT TO THEM ETERNAL REST.
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FROM TODAY'S HOMILY AT ST. BASIL'S CHURCH IN TORONTO,CANADA...

WHAT IF GOD WROTE IN TONIGHT'S SKY..."I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"...USING THE STARS TO DOT HIS I'S AND THE COMETS TO CROSS HIS T'S...

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE SAY...

"OH,IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN...I WOULD HAVE LIVED LIFE DIFFERENTLY...

CHURCHES WOULD BE PACKED,WARS WOULD END...

UNTIL SOME SCIENTIST SAID...OH,IT WAS JUST A FREAK OF NATURE...A PHENOMENON..

AND THEN...WELL...BACK TO LIFE AS USUAL...THE LIFE OF DARKNESS.
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CAMS EXCELSIOR IS COMING HOME TO KNIGHTSWOOD FARM THIS SATURDAY...RETIRING AT THE TENDER AGE OF 7.

CAMS IS 1 OF OUR RACE HORSES,STABLED AT AND RACING OUT OF NORTHSIDE DOWNS..BUT AS OF THIS SATURDAY...WE ARE JUST GONNA LET HIM BE A HORSE.

CAMS...PREPARE TO BE SPOILED...LOTS OF CARROTS,APPLES,AND HOMEMADE HORSE COOKIES...OH AND LOTS OF MARES TO FLIRT WITH TOO.

HOLD TIGHT CAMS...JUST 5 MORE SLEEPS.

On Behalf Of An Ungrateful Nation...

FROM CREATIVE MINORITY REPORT...
"Another great president once asked whether a nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal can long endure?

We have our answer.

Government of the people, by the people, for the people, has perished from the earth."


On Behalf Of An Ungrateful Nation...


I CAN RECALL WHEN A LEFT LEANING PRIME MINISTER TOOK OUR COUNTRY DOWN THE PATH OF SOCIALISM IN THE 1980'S...YOU WANNA SEE THAT MESS...I AM ASHAMED.

MINE IS SENT



Did you know...
...that you can send an email to the Holy Father? Why not write to him now and tell him of your love and loyalty, with an assurance of your prayers?

POPE BENEDICT'S EMAIL ADDRESS IS benedictxvi@vatican.va


Before you write to him, say a special prayer that he will be given strength and courage in the weeks ahead - and that his visit to Britain will be a big success. Then write and tell him that is what you have done, and that you will continue to pray for him.

FOUND AT THE DASH-THE DASH

An atheist was walking through the woods. “What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!” he said to himself. As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned to look and saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charging towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on him. As he looked behind again, he tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him. At that instant the atheist cried out, “Oh my God!” Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky. “You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don’t exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?” The atheist looked directly into the light, “It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a Christian?” “Very well” said the voice. The light went out and the sounds of the forest resumed. The bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head and spoke, “Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty. Amen”


At the wake of one of his literary colleagues who had fervently sought notoriety by trumpeting atheism, G K Chesterton declared, “There he lies, all dressed up and nowhere to go!”


And remember - Atheism is a non-prophet organisation!

"Come, gentle Spring! Ethereal Mildness! Come."
- James Thomson

Ah March! It's a time when gardeners say "Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the lawn mower is."

OR

Spring is sprung,
De grass is riz,
I wonder where dem birdies is?
De little birds is on de wing,
Ain’t dat absurd?
De little wing is on de bird!

OR

Spring is sprung, green shoots are riz; I wonder where inflation is?

Irish manuscript found is more important than the Dead Sea scrolls | Irish News | IrishCentral

Irish manuscript found is more important than the Dead Sea scrolls | Irish News | IrishCentral

Why the Pope?
Johann Christoph Arnold
March 19, 2010
The recent attempts to drag Pope Benedict XVI into the scandal surrounding pedophile priests in Germany are wrong and destructive. Yes, as head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope bears a certain responsibility for the actions of the authorities under him. But this campaign by the media and anti-Christian liberals is hardly a righteous one. It is rather a sinister ploy to undermine an institution that, despite its many problems, is one of the few remaining pillars of reverence and respect in society. Its primary aim is to drive God out of the public sphere, and to drag into the mud everything that is good. It is also financially motivated, and driven by greed and sensationalism. CONTINUE

My new book on atheism, "The Godless Delusion," coming soon

FROM PATRICK MADRID...SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING READ...

My new book on atheism, "The Godless Delusion," coming soon

MY MEMORIES OF ST. PATRICK'S DAY...

GROWING UP,WE ALWAYS CALLED IT ST.PADDY'S DAY.

AND OF COURSE...THE WEARING OF THE GREEN...WE ALL HAD TO HAVE SOMETHING ON THAT WAS GREEN WHEN GOING TO SCHOOL...IRISH OR NO.

In North America, it's customary to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. But in Ireland the color was long considered to be unlucky.Irish folklore holds that green is the favourite color of the Good People (the proper name for faeries). They are likely to steal people, especially children, who wear too much of the color.

According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish people.

I showed my appreciation of my native land in the usual Irish way by getting out of it as soon as I possibly could. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

I RECALL A SCHOOL AGE FRIEND...MARYLOU FITZGERALD WHO WAS A 2ND GENERATION IRISHGIRL.SHE WAS AN ALBINO(WHITE HAIR,PINK EYES) FROM A FAMILY OF ALBINOS...WOW COULD SHE EVER DANCE THE IRISH GIG...SHE WOULD COME TO SCHOOL ON THIS DAY IN FULL COSTIME...AND JUMP LIKE A LEPRAUCHON.HER FATHER RAN THE Fitzgerald School of Irish Dance IN CAPE BRETON.

“The Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scotts as a joke, but the Scotts haven't seen the joke yet.”

READ THIS...

St Patrick's Day and the massacre of the shamrock at the White House! | Kelly's Corner | IrishCentral

Shamrock shortage in Ireland sparks St. Pat's fears | Irish News | IrishCentral

ANOTHER AQUAINTANCE,EILEEN POTTIE DID CELTIC DANCING...SEE HER FAMILY SHOOL OF DANCE HERE...FORRESTER SCHOOL OF DANCE

TRIVIA...

Originally the colour associated with Saint Patrick was blue. However, over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick's day grew.


Many myths surround St. Patrick. One of the best known—and most inaccurate—is that Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland into the Irish Sea, where the serpents drowned. (Some still say that is why the sea is so rough.)

But snakes have never been native to the Emerald Isle. The serpents were likely a metaphor for druidic religions, which steadily disappeared from Ireland in the centuries after St. Patrick planted the seeds of Christianity on the island.

More Canadians leaning right, poll finds

Are Canadians more conservative than we used to be?

The conservative-minded Manning Centre thinks so and a new poll it paid for says the centre of the Canadian political spectrum has shifted rightward.

A survey by Allan Gregg of Harris-Decima and Carleton University’s Professor André Turcotte concludes that while a majority of Canadians identify with the “centre” position on the political ideology scale, this centre is increasingly embracing “traditionally conservative values.”

The poll says a plurality – or 47 per cent – of those respondents who consider themselves political “centrists” voted for the Conservatives in 2008. By comparison, back in 1997, 41 per cent of those self-identified as centrists voted Liberal.

“What is most surprising about these results is how mainstream conservative the political centre has become,” Mr. Turcotte said.

The survey found a majority of Canadians strongly agreed with traditionally conservative value statements on the morality of abortion, the definition of marriage as “between a man and a woman” and the supremacy of the family.

But while results suggest far more conservative-mindedness among Canadians, they also explain why surveys find most people are nevertheless leery of government action to enforce morality.

For instance, the poll says 75 per cent of respondents feel abortion is “morally wrong” and 80 per cent support the traditional definition of marriage.
But it also found only 21 per cent of self-identified political centrists wanted to see government play a “major role” regulating individual behaviour and morality, suggesting Canadians have a strong libertarian streak on social issues.

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH

Vincenzo Camuccini, Mort de César, 1798.

The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martias) is the name of March 15 in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other months.The Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was killed in 709 AUC or 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in the Roman Senate led by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus and 60 other co-conspirators.

According to Plutarch, Caesar was warned by a seer to be on his guard against a great peril on the Ides of March. On his way to the Theatre of Pompey (where he would be assassinated) Caesar saw the seer and joked "Well, the Ides of March have come," to which the seer replied "Ay, they have come, but they are not gone."This meeting is famously dramatized in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, when Caesar is warned to "beware the Ides of March."

Another incident on this date happened in 1917, when Nicholas II of Russia abdicated.

The Ides of March
Just one of a dozen Ides that occur every month of the year

As far as Caesar knew, the Ides were just another day.

The soothsayer's warning to Julius Caesar, "Beware the Ides of March," has forever imbued that date with a sense of foreboding. But in Roman times the expression "Ides of March" did not necessarily evoke a dark mood—it was simply the standard way of saying "March 15." Surely such a fanciful expression must signify something more than merely another day of the year? Not so. Even in Shakespeare's time, sixteen centuries later, audiences attending his play Julius Caesar wouldn't have blinked twice upon hearing the date called the Ides.

The term Ides comes from the earliest Roman calendar, which is said to have been devised by Romulus, the mythical founder of Rome. Whether it was Romulus or not, the inventor of this calendar had a penchant for complexity. The Roman calendar organized its months around three days, each of which served as a reference point for counting the other days:


•Kalends (1st day of the month)
•Nones (the 7th day in March, May, July, and October; the 5th in the other months)
•Ides (the 15th day in March, May, July, and October; the 13th in the other months)
The remaining, unnamed days of the month were identified by counting backwards from the Kalends, Nones, or the Ides. For example, March 3 would be V Nones—5 days before the Nones (the Roman method of counting days was inclusive; in other words, the Nones would be counted as one of the 5 days).

On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"
So God agreed......

On the second day, ! God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God agreed.......

On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years.. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed again......



On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God. "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service.

Vatican issues statement on sex abuse scandal on Independent Catholic News

Vatican issues statement on sex abuse scandal on Independent Catholic News

Susan Boyle and The Priests get on like a house on fire | Entertainment in Ireland and Around the World | IrishCentral

Susan Boyle and The Priests get on like a house on fire

Singing sensation Susan Boyle and Irish trio, The Priests, got on like a house on fire when they met up recently in Leipzig.

The Priests are three Irish-born clerics who have had several platinum albums all over Europe for their music .

The Irish Priests are huge fans of Susan's and arranged to meet up after both performed on a German TV show.

Father Eugene O'Hagan posted a picture on their Twitter page.

Fr. O'Hagan Tweeted, "Photo of two of us (Martin taking pic) and 'another' who needs no introduction."

O'Hagan said it had been a "pleasure" for them to meet up with Susan.

Susan, who sang "I Dreamed A Dream" on the show, said: "It was a very quick visit - but worth it."

Of course, Susan attributes her love of singing to the days when she sang in the local church choir at Our Lady of Lourdes in Blackburn.

She accompanied the choir on their annual pilgrimages to Knock in Ireland where she often performed for others who had also made the trek.

In My Name

In My Name


Why Don't Christians Care?
Posted by John
In a number of places around the world, it is open season on Christians. We read of Christians burned out of their homes and slaughtered in Pakistan. Most recently, at least 500 Christians were murdered in Nigeria. The attackers in all cases are Muslims, inspired by the warlike message of their Prophet. AFP reports on the Nigerian attacks:

UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Washington led calls for restraint on Monday after the slaughter of more than 500 Christians in Nigeria, as survivors told how the killers chopped down their victims.

Funerals took place for victims of the three-hour orgy of violence on Sunday in three Christian villages close to the northern city of Jos, blamed on members of the mainly Muslim Fulani ethnic group. ...

"We have over 500 killed in three villages and the survivors are busy burying their dead," said state information commissioner Gregory Yenlong. "People were attacked with axes, daggers and cutlasses -- many of them children, the aged and pregnant women."

Do you remember the "massacre" at Jenin? Of course: Palestinians initially claimed that 500 had been killed, but it turned out that there was no massacre after all. In Nigeria, on the other hand, no one disputes that more than 500 Christians were slaughtered by Muslims. So where is the outrage? I don't know what denomination those Nigerian Christians were, but Lutherans are the most numerous Christian denomination in Africa. I'm a Lutheran, but I have never heard a single word from any church source, local or national, about the mass murder of African Christians. No one seems to care.

No doubt readers can refer us to some Christian sources--evangelical, most likely--who have tried to draw attention to the plight of Christians in Africa, the Middle East and Asia who are being exterminated. But any such effort has wholly failed to gain traction in the "mainstream" Christian community.

Why? I can't explain it. Maybe "mainstream" Christianity is dead, except as an appendage of secular liberal opinion. Maybe, as the world's largest religion, Christianity has become so diffused that New World Christians don't much relate to their co-religionists in Africa and Asia. I don't know. What I do know is that it is much more dangerous to publish a cartoon of Mohammed than to slice apart a Christian with a machete.

Wife and daughter of Shinto priest prepare for baptism

Wife and daughter of Shinto priest prepare for baptism

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

- Genesis 1:27

Smile...Wrinkles Are GOD'S Beauty Marks
by Nancy Jo Sullivan
Last week, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I found myself watching an infomercial on TV. As I lounged on the couch, a well-groomed woman, middle aged and very blond, pitched the virtues of a wrinkle reducing cream.

“It’ a miracle. The cream saved me. My fine lines have disappeared.” She said. The inflections in her voice rise and fell like she was giving an impassioned sermon.

I sat up. I watched with wide eyes as she wisped a silky hand over her wrinkle-less face.

“Wow…Maybe I should order some” I said.

As the mother of two college-aged kids, I was beginning to notice some fine lines on my face that had never been there before.

“I’m getting older” I told myself.

I listened as several other women shared compelling testimonies, their dramatic before and after photos flashing across the screen. Then, a memory from my childhood began to surface.

I was nine years old again, standing in my grandmother’s kitchen. It was snowing outside but I could feel the warmth of the bright December sun that streamed in through the windows above her stove. With her short grey hair waved into pin curls, ”Mema” as we called her, wore an oversized shirt and plaid polysester pants. She stirred a pan of bubbling sugar and water, twirling a wooden spoon round and round. I stood close by, under my grandmother’s watchful eye, pouring a cup of corn syrup into the mixture.

I loved being with Mema. A gentle light radiated from her sweetly furrowed face, a comforting glow that always wrapped around me like an invisible embrace.

Her bright countenance was a sharp contrast to the dark moments she had lived through in her earlier years. Time and time again, my mother had told me about the hardships she had endured during the great depression; losing the family farm, poverty, and the death of her nineteen year old son during World War II.

Nonetheless, an irrepressible joy poured forth from Mema. As a child, I always wondered why relatives called her a “rock of faith” given the heartaches of her past.

“God always works everything out.” Mema often said.

The candy mixture came to a hard boil as steam rose from the pan.

“It’s time to add the licorice” Mema said. She reached into a cupboard and handed me a small bottle trimmed with a red label.

“This is my favorite part,” I told Mema as I opened the bottle of spice, just to breathe in the familiar scent. “It smells like Christmas.” I said.

My grandmother stood in the winter sunlight, her curled strands glistening like tinsel. Her brown eyes twinkled like two candles, shining beneath her thick, bifocaled glasses. The lines on her face all curved upward like a hundred grins.

“Mema, your wrinkles look like smiles.” I told her.

Mema laughed. She wiped her hand on the apron that wrapped around her waist.

“Wrinkles are God’s beauty marks,” she said, hugging me. “Don’t ever forget that.”

The blond television host continued promoting her product. She waved her arm over several anti-aging creams that were displayed on a table. “For only three easy payments of $19.99, we will send the wrinkle reducer and the cleanser at no extra charge.”

As the commercial continued, I found myself pondering Mema’s life in a whole new way. The challenges she had faced in life were the tools God had used to impart lessons of trust. Though her youthful appearance had faded, she had become wise in matters of faith. It was Mema’s wisdom, born of adversity, that had made her beautiful, inside and out. And every smiling wrinkle on her face proclaimed her loveliness.

I turned the television off. I drew near to a mirror in a nearby hallway. As I stood in the sunlight, I could see all the fine lines that framed my eyes. ”I’ve earned these” I said as I thought about some of the challenges that I had faced in my own life. Though I would not have asked for any of the struggles I had been given, God had been faithful to me. Like my grandmother, I had learned to trust. Now, my wrinkles were holy impressions, markings of the inner wisdom I had gained. I smiled. ”God always works everything out” I whispered.

Wisdom. It’ not a miracle cure for wrinkles. It won’t save anyone from crows feet. You can’t purchase it with three easy payments of $19.99.

Yet, in the eighth chapter of Proverbs we are told:

“For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 8:11.

This is good news for those of us who are often distracted by a culture that emphasizes external beauty. Each day, television presents non-stop images of airbrushed faces, skinny thighs and flawless hair. Women’s magazines are packed with articles that highlight the importance of losing weight and developing six-pack abs. On any given trip to the drug store, the average woman will be bombarded with products that shout: “Don’t do it! Don’t get older!”

Today, no matter what your age, ask yourself this question: How have I gained inner beauty?

Then, take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror. Do you see your inner radiance?

It’s there. The light of God’s wisdom. Let’s its warmth wrap itself around you like an invisible embrace.

Then rejoice.

Your wisdom is the beauty mark of God.

And that’s something to smile about.

EWTN Did you know that each month you can download podcasts of some of EWTN’s best shows for FREE? This month, go to http://www.ewtn.com/podcast/index.asp#special to download 13 episodes of the late Ralph McInerny’s “Thomism.” In this series, Professor McInerny explains as understandably as possible the main features of the thought of this giant of Catholicism.

BLESSED SALT

Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F.

There is a renewed interest today in the ancient sacramental of blessed salt, especially by charismatics, in healing and deliverance situations, etc. To understand its proper use and its efficacy, it would be helpful to review the Scriptural symbolism and its history, since Vatican II urges us to participate "intelligently and actively" in the use of sacramentals, just as in the use of Sacraments.
Salt in the ancient world was a precious commodity (even monopolized by the royalty in Egypt and Persia). Roman soldiers were partially paid with packets of salt ("sal" in Latin); this was the origin of our word "salary" and of phrases like "worth his salt," etc. Being costly, it was an appropriate offering to God as a "covenant of salt" (Lev. 2:13; II Chron. 13:5; Num. 18:19) used in sacrifices by the Israelites (Ezck. 43:24) and for the accompanying sacrificial meal (Gen. 31:54).
Belief in its preservative and healing properties led to its use to dry and harden the skin of newborns (Ezek. 16:4) and to prevent umbilical cord infection. Used for 3500 years to preserve meats from deterioration, it became a symbol of preservation and spiritual incorruptibility that was to characterize anyone offering sacrificial worship. Shared at the sacrificial meal, salt became a symbol of friendship and hospitality, custom-symbol still used today in Arab culture.

As a Catholic sacramental, salt blessed by the liturgical prayer of a priest may be used by itself, unmixed, as in exorcisms, and formerly in the exorcistic prayer at baptism, or it may be mixed with water to make holy water, as the Ritual prescribes (reminiscent of Elisha's miracle). In whichever form, it is intended to be an instrument of grace to preserve one from the corruption of evil occurring as sin sickness, demonic influence, etc.
As in the case of all sacramentals, its power comes not from the sign itself, but by means of the Church's official (liturgical, not private) prayer of blessing “a power the Church derives from Christ himself (see Matt. 16:19 and 18:18). As the Vatican II document on the Liturgy states (art. 61), both Sacraments and sacramentals sanctify us, not of themselves, but by power flowing from the redemptive act of Jesus, elicited by the Church's intercession to be directed through those external signs and elements. Hence sacramentals like blessed salt, holy water, medals, etc. are not to be used superstitiously as having self-contained power, but as "focus-points" funneling one's faith toward Jesus, just as a flag is used as a "focus-point" of patriotism, or as handkerchiefs were used to focus faith for healing and deliverance by Paul (Acts 19:12).
Thus used non-superstitiously, modest amounts of salt may be sprinkled in one's bedroom, or across thresholds to prevent burglary, in cars for safety, etc. A few grains in drinking water or used in cooking or as food seasoning often bring astonishing spiritual and physical benefits, as I have personally witnessed many times. As with the use of Sacraments, much depends on the faith and devotion of the person using salt or any sacramental. This faith must be Jesus-centered, as was the faith of the blind man in John 9; he had faith in Jesus, not in the mud and spittle used by Jesus to heal him.
In light of this, we can see why Vatican II states that "there is hardly any proper use of material things which cannot thus be directed toward the sanctification of persons and the praise of God." (art. 61 of Liturgy document). Hence new sacramentals may also be added when rituals are revised (art. 79). Blessed salt is certainly not a new sacramental, but the Holy Spirit seems to be leading many to a new interest in its remarkable power as an instrument of grace and healing.
Any amount may be presented to a priest for his blessing, using the following official prayer from the Roman Ritual:
Almighty God, we ask you to bless this salt, as once you blessed the salt scattered over the water by the prophet Elisha. Wherever this salt (or salt mixed with water) is sprinkled, drive away the power of evil, and protect us always by the presence of your Holy Spirit. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

His head is bent to kiss you; His arms are extended to embrace you; His Heart is open to receive you.” ~ excerpted from “The Way of the Cross According to St. Francis of Assisi”

KOREA - Figure skating queen brings Catholics pride
Catholics in Korea were overjoyed to see Stella Kim Yu-na make the sign of the cross during her performance at the Olympic figure skating competition on Feb. 23.

The 19-year-old went on to make a new world record and became South Korea’s first Olympic figure skating champion.

“Her crossing herself made me also make the sign of the cross as I watched her performance on TV,” Monica Lee Ji-yun told UCA News. “Her faith in God and her ceaseless training finally paid off,” she added. “As a Catholic, I’m very proud of her.”

“Stella Kim touched and gave happiness to all Koreans by … overcoming various difficulties and doing her best,” he said in his message, expressing the hope that “lots of young people will gain confidence and hope through Kim’s achievement.”

Many youths thought her rosary ring was an engagement ring and media had to explain its usage and meaning.

Kim was baptized in May 2008, along with her mother. Since then, she has always worn a rosary ring and made the sign of the cross when competing.

Kim’s father and older sister do not practice any religion.

Father Ignatius Kim Min-soo told UCA News on March 2, “Big stars like Kim making the sign of the cross in public can help the Church’s evangelization activities indirectly.”

“Her public display of her Catholic identity fills local Catholics with pride and influences non-Catholics too,” said the secretary of the Korean bishops’ Committee for Social Communications.

'I took the photos around Ash Wednesday 2010,' wrote Greg Miller. 'What appears to be the living, suffering Jesus being crucified on a tree. You can see his arms, face, beard, crown of thorns. It's a knot on a tree that I walk by every day, but have told almost no one about. I didn't want to attract a crowd there.'

A poem by the Welsh poet R S Thomas

The Coming

And God held in his hand
A small globe. Look, he said.
The son looked. Far off,
As through water, he saw
A scorched land of fierce
Colour. The light burned
There: crusted buildings
Cast their shadows; a bright
Serpent, a river
Uncoiled itself, radiant
With slime.
On a bare
Hill a bare tree saddened
The sky. Many people
Held out their thin arms
To it, as though waiting
For a vanished April
To return to its crossed
Boughs. The son watched
Them. Let me go there, he said
-

THE HUNGER SITE
GO HERE TO PROVIDE RICE TO THOSE IN NEED...THANK YOU ELIZABETH

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WOW...I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS...IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL...

Two Italian newspapers are reporting that St. Louis Archbishop emeritus Raymond Burke and native St. Louisan Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York will both be elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in November.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York IS A NATURAL...I AM CURRENTLY WATCHING HIS 6 PART SERIES ON EWTN...ST. PETER: ICON FOR LENT.I WATCHED HIS INSTALLATION AS ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK LAST APRIL.HE IS SO JOVIAL...YET SO HOLY...DESTINED TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR GOD.

BAD NEWS IS...LATE SEASON SNOW...



GOOD NEWS IS...IT'S MARCH...

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn; ...
God's in His heaven--
All's right with the world!
Robert Browning

According to the Georgian calendar, March is the third month of the year. According to the early Roman calendar, it was the first month and was called Martius. The ancient Romans later made January 1 the beginning of the year, and March became the third month on the calendar. March has always had 31 days. Its name honors Mars, the Roman God of war. The bloodstone and aquamarine are the birthstones for March. The violet is the flower for the month of March.

There are many superstitions about March. We often hear that "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." This means that the first day of March is often stormy, and the last day is mild and warm. Another saying is, "April borrowed from March three days, and they were ill." This refers to the first three days of April, which are generally rough and blustery like March. A third saying calls the first three days of March "blind days" because they are "unlucky." If rain falls on these days, farmers supposedly will have poor harvests.


IF YOU CAN CATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY ...DO SO. AS A LOVER OF HISTORY...ESPECIALLY ROMAN...I FOUND THIS RIVETING.
WHO KILLED CLEOPATRA? aka THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF CLEOPATRA

One-Hour Special for five/Discovery Channel
For 2,000 years only one verdict has been recorded - suicide by snakebite. Now FBI Criminal Profiler Pat Brown, and a team of experts from fields as diverse as archaeology and toxicology, are re-examining the circumstances of Cleopatra's alleged suicide. Using techniques that are usually the preserve of 21st Century criminal investigations they reconstruct the death scene, go inside the mind of Cleopatra, and reveal the sinister power-games that led to Cleopatra's untimely death.

THE LAST WORDS OF THIS DOCUMENTARY RANG TRUE...IF CLEOPATRA HAD NOT DIED,HOW MUCH DIFFERENT OUR WORLD MIGHT HAVE BEEN...THERE'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT.