Tag Archives: Religion

That They May Be One, Father

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As the 14th day of Lent draws to a close, Nelson shares these thoughts from the letter of Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch (Melkite) for  Lent that I’m passing on:

“Indeed, if the cross, with all that it represents, with all that it signifies, symbolises and indicates, of sufferings, sicknesses, disasters, various afflictions, catastrophes, pains and injuries to which all people are subject, if the cross is a constituent reality of all human life, there is an obligation for all people, like Jesus, to carry the cross together, in order to disburden the one charged with it and together to bear it with love and solidarity.  In this letter, I am urging my faithful sons and daughters of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in the Arab world and throughout the world to be in solidarity with each other and stand shoulder to shoulder with their brethren, friends, neighbours and fellow-citizens to bear the cross together on the way of the cross, especially during these days of Great Lent on our common spiritual Lenten way towards the Feast and the joy of the glorious Resurrection.”

I pray that all Christians may be one and bear faithful witness to the One who is all in all.

Lenten Reading Plan – Day 15 – Mar 13

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crucificionicon12

Crucifixion Icon ----- c 2009 Joann Nelander

St. Justin Martyr: First Apology: chapters 36-47

Day 15 Lite Version

St. Justin Martyr: First Apology:46-53

Compilation of Lenten readings

Printer-Friendly Version of Outline: Church Fathers Lenten Reading Plan PDF

Judgment Day Distractions? – Another Mercy!

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The Anchoress gave new hope for Judgment Day saying:

Well…be not afraid. If that day comes, everyone else will be looking at the records of their own lives being exposed. It may well have the effect of bringing us – finally – together, as we realize that we are all faulty, flawed, capable of great good and great evil, creatures of lightness and dark. It will emphasize that “none are perfect save Christ.” Remember what Michel Montaigne said:

There is no man so good, who, were he to submit all his thoughts and actions to the laws would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.

Phew!!!!!!!!!!……  It’s great to imagine everyone being so distracted.

I heard one rendition of the Day in which everyone is trying to outdo each other with the greatness of God’s Mercy for what He’d forgiven them. Actually, I remember some prayer meetings which made me feel as though no one would be interested in my story after hearing the soul-curdling tales of conversion of some of our bunch.

General Public – Generally Duped! Update

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Update:

Thoughts From the Great Unwashed – putting it in the vernacular so no one has a reason to be uninformed or unconcerned – simplifies the thinking behind the   Obama/Pelosi/Reid attack on America and human life:


If We’re Going to Murder Babies We Might As Well Use the Tissue.

Update: Cardinal Rigali :

Obama stem cell order  “a sad victory of politics over science and ethics”.

According to the Catholic News Agency, the Cardinal explained:

” that embryonic stem cell research is wrong due to the fact that it destroys “innocent human life” by “treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested,” and also noted that the executive order “disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life.” “It ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support.”


Keeping Liberty – Preserving Freedom and Faith

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The good news is that people took action.  There is no sleeping for Connecticut Catholics.

FIC Action President Peter Wolfgang will be on the Laura Ingraham show at 10:35 March 12th to discuss the anti-Catholic bill S.B. 1098, the two legislators–Lawlor and McDonald–who were behind it, and the incredible response by outraged citizens of all faiths at the state Capitol on March 11th. You can listen to Laura’s program here

“There were about 5,000 people at the state capitol yesterday– a weekday!–to protest this blatantly unconstitutional attack on religious liberty.  Legislators of both parties are suddenly showing a greater level of deference and respect toward the Catholic Church and other faiths than FIC Action has ever seen.”

“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your follow believers throughout the world undergo the same suffering.” 1 Peter 5: 8-9

Connecticut Catholic Parishes Beware – Prepare!

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Connecticut Catholic and the bishops of the Catholic Church had better get their ducks in order for the next volley.

Ed Morrissey writes that Connecticut lawmakers “finally got around to reading the founding documents”

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

As a result of the mass outcry,the bill that would have deprived bishops of  legitimate power in their parishes was cancelled  on the grounds of it being clearly unconstitutional.

As soon as word spread about the bill, the Legislative Office Building was flooded with telephone calls and e-mails on Monday. The bill, virtually overnight, became the hottest issue at the state Capitol.

The cancellation came less than 24 hours after Senate Republican John McKinney of Fairfield called for the cancellation, saying that his caucus was unanimously against the bill because they believe it is clearly unconstitutional.

The bill itself according to Morrissey, and the agreeing protesters, was “a piece of work”

(a) A corporation may be organized in connection with any Roman Catholic Church or congregation in this state, by filing in the office of the Secretary of the State a certificate signed by the archbishop or bishop and the vicar-general of the archdiocese or of the diocese in which such congregation is located and the pastor and two laymen belonging to such congregation, stating that they have so organized for the purposes hereinafter mentioned. [Such archbishop or bishop, vicar-general and pastor of such congregation and, in case of the death or other disability of the archbishop or bishop, the administrator of the archdiocese or diocese for the time being, the chancellor of the archdiocese or diocese and the pastor of such congregation shall be members, ex officio, of such corporation, and, upon their death, resignation, removal or preferment, their successors in office shall become such members in their stead. The two lay members shall be appointed annually, in writing, during the month of January from the lay members of the congregation by a majority of the ex-officio members of the corporation; and three members of the corporation, of whom one shall be a layman, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.]

(b) The corporation shall have a board of directors consisting of not less than seven nor more than thirteen lay members. The archbishop or bishop of the diocese or his designee shall serve as an ex-officio member of the board of directors without the right to vote.

We do live in interesting times.  Sleep only with one eye open!