Interesting article on the Ukraine

http://www.theonion.com/articles/ukrainianrussian-tensions-dividing-us-citizens-alo,35428/ I hope people "get: this...

For something completely different

Charles II already had puppies at the age of five!

Update and would like my readers' responses

It is too bad that a well-defined completely orthodox re-statement of the beauty of the Church's teaching

and Humanae Vitae was deleted by CH. 

If one is a Catholic and cannot take the heat, one should stay out of the kitchen.

 
Liberal tyranny against one who is a real Catholic....too sad.

Apparently, the Catholic Herald in the United Kingdom is no longer orthodox.

STM makes several points...

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2014/03/05/pope-francis-please-write-a-new-encyclical-on-contraception

My comment: and this was deleted from the Catholic Herald. Comments from readers?

• 
  

  We who have been married know what to do and that is to abstain. To separate the marital act from childbearing has caused all the sexual deviancy and loose morals we now see and encourages the use of women as objects merely. Humanae Vitae was a prophetic encyclical and also, is part of the infallible teaching of the Church. God truly inspired Paul VI to write this at a time when most of humanity was spinning off into the horrid sexual license which is only getting worse. To deny the connection between contraception and adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bigamy, polygamy and so on is simply a naivete, showing a lack of thought regarding the natural consequences of the separation of the marital act from childbearing.

  The wisdom of Humanae Vitae has truly been the dividing line between faithful and reasonable Catholics and those who, for whatever lack of rationality, cannot see this connection. Plus, most means of artificial birth-control actually kill the newly formed zygote, which is a person with a soul, which means those things are actually aborifacients, adding murder to selfishness.

  The idea of separating childbearing from sex is an evil in and of itself, and a gross misunderstanding of one of the main reasons for marital act-not only for the upbuilding of the relationship or the expression of love, but for the bringing of children into the world.

  Those who contracept have fallen into an egotism, an attitude of selfishness, not being open to life, actually denying a spiritual reality of who that couple is. We are made in the image and likeness of God and as such, we take part in the sacred privilege of creation. A married couple who cooperates with the grace of creation actually cooperates with God in His plan for creation. This is awesome.

  As to people crying poverty etc., I grew up in a Catholic world where my neighbors had eight, nine, eleven and even, yes, twenty children from one mom and dad; happy, simple households where the mom stayed at home, a home with a domestic church. The cultural push for consumerism had not yet affected these households of excellent, Catholic families, which not only created leaders for the next generation, but vocations.

  Especially in Great Britain, it is obvious that the lack of priestly vocations comes from contraception. I really have little patience for men and women who cry "Where are the priests" when they decided to abort, or prevent the creation of one themselves in their families of one or two. Some of us would have wanted more children to give to God, but He did not allow this naturally. Those who are generous with God will not be outdone in generosity from Him. I know this personally. Grace comes from cooperation with grace.

  Until Catholics truly see the beauty of the simple life and the beauty of life from conception to death, the pull to contracept will continue. And, priests who allow and give so-called permission for the attitude of death and selfishness are missing the point that we are on this planet to become saints, not to enjoy years of lifeless sex. Abstinence and even chastity bring tremendous graces to both individuals in a marriage, graces which will be seen only in the next life.

  Can priests call their people to holiness and not merely to sexual gratification? Where is the call to perfection, to which we are all called, in the minds of those who counsel a path opposite of the wisdom of Humanae Vitae?

  I can only say as a lay woman that when a priest does not think I can become a saint in marriage or in a state of permanent chastity, that I am being belittled, talked-down-to, pandered to....Do priests honestly think that Catholic marriages cannot sustain times of abstinence?

  We are all called to great holiness and to be signs of contradiction in the world. This call to have children, to cooperate with God in creation, and to also have times of abstinence is the call to holiness.

  Do not deny us heaven for a few years of selfish gratification outside of God's plan.

  
  

  
  
  
  

   

From a friend...

In 1989, Edouard Cardinal Gagnon, who served as President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, described a conversation he had with [now-Blessed] Pope John Paul II: 

“The Pope told me, ‘Error makes its way because truth is not taught. We must teach the truth, repeat it, not attacking the ones who teach errors because that would never end—they are so numerous. We have to teach the truth.’ He told me that truth has a grace attached to it. Anytime we speak the truth, we conform to what Christ teaches and what is being taught by the Church. Every time we stand up for the truth there is an internal grace from God that accompanies that truth. The truth may not immediately enter into the mind and heart of those to whom we talk, but the grace of God is there and at the time they need it, God will open their heart and they will accept it. He said that error does not have grace accompanying it. It might have all the external means, but it does not have the grace of God accompanying it. This encouraged me very much.”

 Quoted by Thomas Langan, The Catholic Tradition, page 371

Excellent News

http://www.lifenews.com/2014/03/04/abortion-clinic-in-london-england-closes-after-pro-life-prayer-vigils/?utm_content=buffer376d6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Thoughts This Ash Wednesday

2014 began harshly. This winter weather and temperatures have broken records here in the Midwest. I have been applying for jobs without success and am living in dire poverty. I have had asthma almost continually. In addition, I have been separated from one I love more than all other humans in the world and from my beloved, adopted country.

Such is the life of a Catholic on this earth. And, this list is what ties into my thoughts on this Ash Wednesday.

I am not made for this world, although this is the place wherein I work out my salvation, attempting to cooperate with God and His graces on the path of purgation.

Ash Wednesday reminds me that I am here on this beautiful earth for only a short period of time. Ash Wednesday reminds me that my body, which is part of who I am, and which is formed by my soul, will pass away and become dust.

Today is the 58 anniversary of my only sister's death. Her dust has been mingled with the earth for a very long time. She is in heaven, as she died 15 days before her first birthday. She is one of my personal patron saints. St. Elizabeth Ann watches over me and my family. She watches over my son.

Today, I asked her to intervene in my life by remembering her three atheist brothers. I asked her for a small consolation, as I am weak, and this Dark Night is very long and painful. Her nephew, my son, phoned me after I said this prayer, which was more than a small consolation.

In this period of time when the light is growing and the animals are coming out of either hibernation or semi-hibernation, I think of the long road to Easter. Lent is a small Dark Night, when I see Easter joy in the future, but when, like all good Catholics, I must endure some penances and mortifications for the sake of the Kingdom.

Ash Wednesday reminds me that time is short, that I must rest in faith and hope for the love which is beyond understanding.

God bless you this Lent.

Yeah! Another voice, and a big one, on persecution

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-more-martyrs-exist-today-than-in-the-early-church/