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/

Nice reminder on how to get a plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory

http://www.the-pope.com/purg.html

Oppsie, an ICBM!

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/04/russia-test-fires-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-report-says/

Superb Vortex

News from the Putin Front

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-04/putin-says-no-need-yet-for-russia-to-send-troops-to-ukraine.html

and what about this?

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100026745/so-russia-is-going-to-abandon-the-dollar-as-a-reserve-currency-good-luck-with-that-one/

One evil leads to another evil

The first chipped humans are IVF fetuses....http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2014/03/barcoding-human-embryos.html

I grew up with clam chowder without bacon

Ingredients 

Original recipe makes 8 servingsChange Servings

• 3 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams
• 1 cup minced onion
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 cups cubed potatoes
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 3/4 cup butter

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 quart half-and-half cream
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Drain juice from clams into a large skillet over the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetables and clam juice. Heat through, but do not boil.
3. Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.

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Fasting and Abstaining

Too many Catholics do not fast or abstain. We are facing one of the greatest times of tribulation the Catholic Church has ever seen. This time can be shortened by fasting and abstinence.

In the past, through His prophets, God warned of punishment and purgation because of national sins. God also told His People that such tribulation could be ameliorated by prayer, fasting and abstinence.

And, yet, the vast majority of Catholics do not do any fasting or abstinence.

Why?

People fall into categories of those who are just plain lazy and those who are greedy. I wrote about the forgotten sin of gluttony in Advent.

As a reminder for abstinence, here is the Vatican rule found here.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19660217_paenitemini_en.html

III. 1. The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat.

2. The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing—as far as quantity and quality are concerned—approved local custom.

IV. To the law of abstinence those are bound who have completed their 14th year of age. To the law of fast those of the faithful are bound who have completed their 21st year and up until the beginning of their 60th year.

The evil of fast foods also interferes with people's sensitivity regarding eating.

Do you realize that your parishes could be fasting and abstaining to avoid persecution?

Do you know that your families could be fasting and abstaining?

Again, on Being Lay

Many times, I have written on the role of the laity in the Church.

Too many trads are not acting like lay people, but acting like clerics.

We do not have the same call, the same vocation, as the priests or bishops.

We do not have the same work to do. Our work is to make holy the workplace, the home, the public sphere.

Our job is not to meddle with things which are not our responsibilities.

I am convinced that one reason why the Church is weak is that the laity want to act like priests and do priestly work instead of lay work. This not only reveals the sin of pride, but a denial of the necessity of the lay life.

One reason why there is so much evil in the world is that the laity has not gone out and evangelized. Instead of taking the Gospel into the world, beginning with the domestic church, people want to change things which are not their responsibilities.

Two areas come to my mind immediately as areas where the laity is not letting go of issue which are none of their business, but the business of bishops and priests.

One is the issue of the so-called dedication of Russia to the Immaculate Heart, and the second is the decision regarding Medjugorje.

These are decisions for the hierarchy. The Pope and the bishops decide and act on such things, not us.

While too many people are writing and doing work to push certain aspects of these topics, the real work of the laity suffers.

When is the last time you spoke of Christ and His Church to someone at work?

When was the last time you invited someone to attend Mass with you or with your family?

When was the last time you tried to get a lay community going in your parish?

When was the last time you prayed at home with your family and made time for your spouse to pray daily?

Are you tithing?

Are you going to daily Mass and weekly Adoration?

When was the last time you took part in faith formation for the laity in your parish?

The work of the laity is strenuous and demanding.

Let the priests and clergy do their work, and do your work. If the laity were really doing the work God has called us all to do, the Church would be stronger.

Another Great Article from New Liturgical Movement

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/index.html#8453815553273278570

Important Note from New Liturgical Movement on 1965 Missal

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/just-say-no-to-65.html#.UxVLgeNdXlM

Patron of Youth

We need role models who are lay people, regardless of rank or status. St. Casimir, like St. Edward, is called "confessor" as he was willing to stand up for the Faith in public-to confess his faith.

However, this role model died at the very young age of 23 or 25, depending on the source, after being persecuted by his father, and misunderstood by his family. He was a true intellectual genius of sorts as well as being a young man of peace and charity.

To be a prince is not to be a person who can choose one's life. Casimir was able to become holy in a short period of time, being blessed at such a young age with graces of charity and piety.

We need young saints. We need role models who are in the world but not of the world.

St. Casimir is one. His dates are October 3, 1458 – March 4, 1484. He is the patron saint of both Lithuania and Poland.

A Prophetic Papal Voice

We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has ever experienced. I do not think the wide circle of the American Society, or the wide circle of the Christian Community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-church, between the Gospel and the anti-gospel, between Christ and the antichrist. This confrontation lies within the plans of Divine Providence. It is, therefore, in God’s Plan, and it must be a trial which the Church must take up, and face courageously…

We must prepare ourselves to suffer great trials before long, such as will demand of us a disposition to give up even life, and a total dedication to Christ and for Christ. With your and my prayers, it is possible to mitigate the coming tribulation, but it is no longer possible to avert it, because only thus can the Church be effectually renewed. How many times has the renewal of the Church sprung from the shedding of blood? This time too, it will not be otherwise. We must be strong and prepared and trust in Christ and in his Holy Mother and be very, very assiduous in praying the holy rosary.

Thanks to a reader. There is a confusion as to the source, so I share an article on this quotation itself. Attributed to Blessed John Paul II from a talk he gave to the American bishops in September, 1976.

https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/john-paul-ii-said-what-now