Oh Saratoga Returns to NY Capital Region Aug. 14-18, 2005

Oh Saratoga!, a week of peaceful pro-life events, will be returning to the NY Capital Region August 14-18, 2005. I only was able to participate in the first day of events due to my schedule. The Eccliastical Court was a wonderful experience. During the Eccliastical Court, evil court decisions such as the atrocity that is Roe v. Wade, were judged as they are in God's Court.

For more information, please visit this web page:

http://www.choicetolive.com/?content=41

Supporters of Legalized Abortion Honored and/or Allowed to Speak at "Catholic" Colleges

It is my opinion that ANY college allowing someone who favors legalized abortion to speak does NOT deserve the label "Catholic." I certainly hope that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, bans their use of that name.

Some "Catholic" colleges claim this is 'academic freedom' or 'freedom of ideas' or some other excuse. By providing facilities for these individuals to speak and/or giving some sort of 'honor' to them, these "Catholic" colleges are complicit in the MORTAL sin of abortion in my opinion. College students are typically young and impressionable. For the "authorities" of a college to allow facilities for advocates of legalized abortion to speak, they are giving an improper message to young people. Young people may even mistakenly think the church allows abortion. Afterall, if a "Catholic" college allows one of these speakers (or honors them!) a forum, college students who may not be particularly well versed in the faith may make an incorrect conclusion.

More information can be found on the Cardinal Newman Society web site and in this Life News article.

Hypothetical "Liberal" Pope

Ignatius Insights has an excellent article about what could happen if we had a hypothetical "liberal" Pope. The article makes perfect sense in my opinion.

"The Cafeteria is Now Closed"

During a wonderful homily the day after the announcement of our new Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, a priest quoted something he heard on television in reference to 'cafeteria Catholics': "The cafeteria is now closed." This is an excellent point. It puts to rest the wishes by some that the new Pope might ignore God's Laws. The Pope must deliver God's Message. As a human being, the Pope does NOT have the ability to change God's Message.

Many seem to be confusing a Papal election with a Presidential election. During the recent Presidential election, questions about abortion and embryonic stem cell research were asked of the candidates. It was important to know the candidates' positions. Nobody should support abortion and embryonic stem cell research (least of all Catholic candidates who claim they believe life begins at conception) at all. At the same time, we should hope that those candidates and parties who claim to be AGAINST abortion are not simply giving lip service. (After the Terri Schiavo situation, it's important to thoroughly scrutinize candidates and parties to see if they will truly live up to their statements. They can claim whatever they want. But when they bow down before a local judge who defies a Congressional subpoena, one must question whether they truly posess the courage to help pro-life causes.) It is of course a mortal sin to vote for an outright pro-abortion candidate (same goes for one who outright supports embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, homosexual "marriage," euthanasia/assisted suicide, etc.). However, our vote should also not be wasted on those who merely "talk the talk" of pro-life. We should be sure they also "walk the walk."

In the case of a Papal election, none of the above matters. First, the laity is not voting. Second, there is NO need to question the candidates' positions on issues such as abortion, embryonic stem cell research, artificial contraception, homosexual ACTIONS, etc. These are in violation of God's Laws. A Pope does NOT have the ability to change God's Laws. A Pope may NOT endorse such things. The Catholic Church is unlike any other organization. On matters of faith and morals, there is no change. It does not matter what society thinks, what the so-called "experts" are claiming, what the latest poll says, what the main stream media says, etc. The Catholic Church must continue to teach the same Truths taught for nearly 2000 years.

Cafeteria Catholics who believe the church can change God's Laws about contraception or homosexual actions unfortunately do not fully understand the Catholic Church. They need to carefully review the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church. At the election of Pope Benedict XVI, some have claimed they will "leave the church." This is sad. However, this is their unfortunate decision. It is their choice to walk away from God's Laws; to say NO to God. It is hoped that they will have a change of heart and accept God's Laws. If they do not, they will eventually have to answer to God. We must pray for them. As the priest quoted in his homily: "The cafeteria is now closed."

Thank God for the election of Pope Benedict XVI! He will have gigantic shoes to fill. But it is wonderful that someone who is known for keeping the Catholic faith pure will be our new shephard.

Planned Parenthood Pastor to Speak at University at Albany Tonight (4/20) - Join the PEACEFUL Protest

The Planned Parenthood National Chaplain will be speaking at the University at Albany tonight. See the last paragraph in this article from a local paper. Pro-lifers will be PEACEFULLY handing out literature around the University's Campus Center Building. They will meet at Dunkin Donuts (across the street from the University) at 6:40 PM ET for a prayer. After that, if you park on campus, use a visitors parking lot as a permit is required to park elsewhere (ticketing is done all day and evening). Read the article linked above. Remember that the kinds of statements made in the article will be given to young, impressionable college students.

You are welcome to PEACEFULLY protest this speaker by handing out literature which will be available from local pro-lifers. If you cannot make it, please pray for them and pray for the audience listening to this individual. Pray for the individual that his heart and mind will be turned. Pray that if there are pro-lifers in the audience, they will have the courage to raise questions that might get both the speaker and others thinking.

Father Pavone Reacts to Dean Wanting to "use" Terri Schiavo

According to Life News, Howard Dean, leader of the Democratic Party, has said the Democrats plan to "use" Terri Schiavo in the 2006 and 2008 elections. This is quite interesting. During that horrible evil tragedy, some insisted that conservatives were using Terri Schiavo for political gain (I do not believe that they were - of course, the Culture of Death does not believe in any value of life so it's no wonder they would reduce this to mere political posturing). Now it appears liberals want to use this evil situation for their own gain.

Looking at the quote from Life News, one must question what Howard Dean means by "our own high powers"? Does he mean each person? Well, Terri Schiavo left NO written directives about her condition. Michael Schiavo (a man who had two children with another woman while married to Terri) and HIS side of the family claims she said something. Mysteriously, none of her own family heard her say anything similar. Michael Schiavo said something interesting on CNN (see transcript) about these alleged wishes by Terri.

(Let me make it clear that I do NOT believe in a right to die. But I find it especially troubling when people talk about a "right to die" when there is NO evidence that the person being forced to die even wanted that.)

Or does Howard Dean refer to the judges? The judges who sentenced Terri Schiavo to a death by dehydration and starvation based on HEARSAY. Judges like Greer who allowed Michael Schiavo to deny Terri Holy Communion (as a Catholic, she was allowed DAILY Communion yet Michael Schiavo was empowered by Greer to DENY HER RELIGIOUS RIGHTS WHICH ARE PROVIDED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT IN MY OPINION)?

Or, is Howard Dean meaning we should make gods of ourselves? Which is it?

Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life is rightfully upset. The article linked above quotes his reaction.

Before I say what I am about to say, I would like to make it clear that I am presently a registered Republican. I may be "jumping ship" fairly soon based on the poor performance of all Republicans in this matter except perhaps for FL State Senator Webster and Congressman DeLay. I would add that while there are a small contingent of Democrats who voted in favor of keeping Terri Schiavo alive, and while Senator Tom Harkin is working on legislation, the Republicans leave a lot to be desired in this matter. In my opinion, the Republicans who controlled Congress failed to take a strong enough position in this matter. They allowed greer to defy them. A Congressional subpoena was issued and greer ignored said subpoena. Congress did NOTHING. At first, Frist and DeLay made some huffy statements. After that, they backed down. President Bush and Jeb Bush failed to do anything. It seems during the Clinton "administration," Janet Reno was able to send troops in to 'rescue' Elian Gonzalez and send him back to Cuba. This was AGAINST a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court. President Clinton's henchwoman violated states' rights in her action and there were no sanctions. President Bush could have saved Terri Schiavo's life but failed to do so. It is embarassing to be a Republican. In my opinion, the party gives lip service to pro-life values.

Of course, GREER is a Republican. If that alone is not enough to bolt the Republican party, I don't know what is.

Pray for Mae Magouirk

Pray for Mae Magouirk, a vulnerable individual who has had her feeding tube removed at the request of her granddaughter. At a time when Terri Schiavo has recently died and the Holy Father died just two days later, we are hearing of yet another tragic case. This article and Blogs For Terri continue to have news about this innocent woman currently being starved and dehydrated.

First children are arrested, now this

Let's see, in Florida, Greer makes an order which causes CHILDREN to be arrested. Note: This is the United States of America in 2005, not NAZI Germany between 1933 and 1945.

Now, we have this article. Yes, people, $2 bills DO exist and ARE legit. And yes, people are SUPPOSED to be innocent until PROVEN guilty. Hmm, what may have happened if the poor guy tried to pay in Sacajawea dollars?

The Slippery Slope - a case similar to Terri Schiavo

Read about the slippery slope with our nation's unfortunate acceptance of euthanasia and assisted suicide at Blogs for Terri. This is frightening in my opinion!

Frist Claims judiciary Acted "Fair"

According to this article Frist has changed his tune about the judiciary. Frist, one who is talked about as a potential Presidential candidate in 2008, has just permanently lost MY vote (unless he changes his mind and does something legally to take the judges to task). It does not matter WHO the Democratic candidate will be....not even Hillary Clinton. I will vote for a third party candidate in a battle between Frist and Clinton even if it is a wasted vote. In my opinion, Frist is a REPUBLICAN FLIP FLOPPER.

Pray to the Holy Spirit for the Conclave

The loss of Pope John Paul the Great is very surreal. I still cannot believe it has happened. We must remember all the wonderful things he has done. We must hope he is watching over us right now.

We must also pray to the Holy Spirit for the Conclave. Pray that the Holy Spirit exerts maximum influence over the College of Cardinals to choose the best man as the next Pope. Hopefully, whomever is elected the next Pope will continue and build upon Pope John Paul the Great's positions.

My own wish is that Cardinal Francis Arinze will be elected the next Pope. He has similar views as Pope John Paul the Great and has had past experience with interreligious dialogue. He hails from Nigeria. He would not be the first Pope from Africa. But with Catholicism growing in Africa (as well as Latin America) at a rapid pace, it would be a welcome sign for the new Holy Father to come from that area.

Please Pray for Pope John Paul II

I cannot believe this day has come. While we all must die at some point and hopefully go home to our Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, with the evil facing the world today, I wish Pope John Paul II would be able to provide his usual inspirational leadership to help us navigate these treacherous waters. Please pray for him. He will soon be welcomed by our Most Blessed Mother, the Ever-Virgin Immaculate Mary, to whom Pope John Paul showed great devotion. Please pray that God will limit his suffering.

Please also pray to the Holy Spirit to have the greatest possible influence the conclave when they eventually meet to choose the successor to our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. The Pope wields strong influence on the world stage. The spotlight given to a new Pope will allow him to articulate his ideas and views to the entire planet. At a time when morality is under attack and moral relativism rules society, we need someone with a strong moral compass who will guide us on our pilgrimage on this earth.

Regardless of whether Pope John Paul II is alive or not by that time, for those who are Catholic, please offer your Masses and Communions for him.