Responsibility....

"So called moral permissiveness rests on an erroneous conception of human freedom; the necessary precondition for the development of true freedom is to let oneself be educated in the moral law. Those in charge of education can reasonably be expected to give young people instruction respectful of the truth, the qualities of the heart, and the moral and spiritual dignity of man" (Catechism of the Catholic Church,[1994];#2526, p.605).

Surrounded by and immersed in the current 'culture of death' parents have the heightened imperative to instruct their children in the moral law--to persist against all that threatens holiness, and the sanctity of life in particular. Have we forgotten that we are all called to be saints in Christ?
As the Demon rages in our world we must be all the more vigilant in surrounding our children with the light that comes from heaven. This is the most important obligation of a parent.

Holy Mother of God, protect our children...amen

Affirmation of Mary...

"We may affirm that by the will of God, nothing is given to us without Mary's mediation, in such a way that just as no one can approach the almighty Father but through His Son, so no one, so to speak, can approach Christ but through His Mother."
--Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical, February 2, 1904.

"There is only one under Our Lord among all the children of men who can fulfill perfectly the place of guide and beloved, only one with complete experience and complete love--the Immaculate Virgin. She has explored the way unto the Truth, and attained Him in a measure that no one else ever will or can. She has known all the darknesses that lead unto the light, the depths of suffering that has richly merited her the title of Queen of Martyrs. She alone of all mankind knows the fullness of the glory and the inexpressible joy that awaits at the end of the road. And her beauty is so compelling, and her love so selfless and divine, that if we but lift our eyes unto her we shall love her ardently in return and never wish to be separated from her. And if we but give her our hand, in complete trust, she will guide us safely to the God of All Desires.
--Fr. Nicholas A. Norman, Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (1988),p.7

Warnings...

"I say this so no one may deceive you by specious arguments. For even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. So, as you receive Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in Him and built upon Him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one captivates you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ"--Colossians, 2:4-8.

"The moral conscience, both individual and social, is today subjected, also as a result of the penetrating influence of the media, to an extremely serious and mortal danger: that of confusion between good and evil, precisely in relation to the fundamental right to life...and yet all the conditioning and efforts to enforce silence fail to stifle the voice of the Lord echoing in the conscience of every individual: it is always from this intimate sanctuary of the conscience that a new journey of love, openness and service to human life can begin"
--John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (1995).

Faith and morality calls each of us to awake and act. The warnings are for those open to hear. The faith of the saints--an example of how to live-- here, St. Therese of Lisieux gives us a lesson in living....
"The Lord has given me the grace never to fear the conflict, to do my duty no matter what the cost."
Silence is a luxury we can no longer afford if we are faithful to the Gospel. Pray incessantly yes! But we must also be a people who act--in faith and charity--but always in the Truth--cognizant that Evil exists, and hell is not an illusion.

Light...

"I must be content with the light of true faith, and walk therein 'til the day of eternal brightness breaks forth, and the shades of figures pass away."
--St. Therese of Lisieux

Liar and murderer of souls!

That is what Jesus called Satan--from the beginning...
President Obama signed an Executive Order banning federal tax dollars for abortions...this, to deceive Democrats who are marginally prolife at best to vote for his national health care plan.
Yesterday the state of Pennsylvania announced that it would include abortions in its 'high risk' so-called 'health care pools.' The Federal government--meaning our tax dollars--will initially kick in over 160 million dollars to fund these pools.
The only truth here is that abortion is high risk--physically and emotionally for the mother, as well as a mortal sin (murder)...and more clearly it is high risk for the baby...because the outcome is death.
The mother suffers spiritual death by procuring this abomination...and whether you wish to believe it or not--it is an abomination in heaven. The infant suffers the ultimate price--a violent, murderous assault on his/her personhood and dignity in the eyes of God...no choice for this innocent.
Woe to those who voted for Barak Obama...particularly, Catholics--who have a higher moral responsibility! Let us pray for mercy, and that this man will not be elected for a second term....
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us...Amen.

The Long Goodbye

By dying You destroyed death....

I have not posted in some time...my dearest father was diagnosed with an aggressive, incurable cancer around Memorial Day. He fought the good fight and entered eternal rest on July 1, 2010.
Though the temporal loss of his presence has submerged me in a sorrow that has no words, I take refuge in Christ and Mary knowing with joy that he has entered the beatific vision and eternal life--'where every tear shall be wiped away...'
Holy Scripture, prayer, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church bind us to the Church Triumphant--the Communion of Saints. Thus, this doctrine of faith has given me solace this day:
"The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord ("Dominicus character") "for the day of redemption" (St. Augustine, Ep. 98,5). "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life" (St. Irenaeus, Dem ap. 3:SCh 62,32). The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," (Roman Missal, EP 1;Roman Canon 97) with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God--the consummation of faith--and in the hope of resurrection."
--The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1274.

This I believe...