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February, 2012 – Month of The Passion of Our Lord

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Last updated: Feb. 20, 2012

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Reflection

"Many are invited"

God had given to man every possible gift. He had called him to share in his own divine life. By a privilege, the magnitude of which will only be revealed to us in heaven, man was able to know God as God knows himself, and to love him as he loves himself. To his mind God had given a higher light by which he could contemplate Truth itself, and in his heart a spark of that infinite charity by which he could love the sovereign Good, and be united to him and possess him.

And man lost that sublime crown which gave him a place in heaven, and was the richest portion of that treasure of being which was God's gift to him. And he found himself in the dust and in need, crouched upon the earth that he had preferred to God, despoiled of his soul's divine adornment.

In that misery, the eyes of infinite love followed him, drew him out of that misery and gave him back his beauty and his splendor. The soul was the King's daughter, and the Son of God came to restore in her the image of the Father. He washed away her stains, bathed her in his Precious Blood, traced anew in her the effaced traits of the divine Face. He remade her in the image and likeness of infinite Beauty. Only then was she able to shake herself free of that earth which is poverty indeed; only then did she recover her right to her Father's home: an inheritance which is the abode of the spirits of the just, the high heaven itself where God dwells, the kingdom of the Father.   Dom Guillerand (t 1945) French Carthusian monk and spiritual author. –From Magnificat, August, 2011-

 

 

UPDATES

***EWTN Global Catholic Network And Priests For Life: have filed separate lawsuits against the Department of Health & Human Services, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and other government agencies seeking to stop the imposition of the contraception mandate as well as asking the court for a declaratory judgment that the mandate is unconstitutional. EWTN is the first Catholic organization to file suit since the final HHS rules were published by the Obama administration on January 20, 2012. At Least Three Bishops have responded to the Obama Administration’s Health and Human Service’s mandate to provide contraception and sterilization services to employees, by absolutely refusing to comply with the government’s order. They are: Bishop Thomas Olmstead of Phoenix, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati, and Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay.

 

The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that three same-sex couples may continue their case in Hennepin County seeking to strike down Minnesota’s definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and impose same-sex marriage on all Minnesotans. “This is the type of case that has resulted in same-sex marriage being imposed in other states, like Iowa, and highlights the need to pass the Marriage Protection Amendment next November,” said Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference and executive member of Minnesota for Marriage. “Marriage will now go on trial in Minnesota and all citizens will be at the mercy of a judge to maintain our centuries-long definition of marriage,” he said.

 

The Susan G. Komen: breast cancer awareness organization can only be described as frightened and schizophrenic, as it first made a decision to withdraw its funding of grant money to Planned Parenthood, and then reversed itself. The Susan G. Komen Foundation was made aware of the serious problems PP has by lying (since money given them by SGK was not used for providing breast exams as was the original agreement) and that PP is under Congressional investigation for misuse of funds. It was reported that PP threatened to destroy SGK if their remaining grants were not forthcoming. In addition, 26 Senators, including Al Franken, Dianne Feinstein, and John Kerry sent a letter to SGK pressuring them not to withdraw their funding of PP, and SGK caved in. It is not known if SGK will fulfill their promise to end their cancer research using embryonic stem cells. In addition, Karen Handel, Vice President of Policy for Komen, has resigned.

Bible Studies

February 29-Mar. 28, 2012: Jeff Cavins will begin a 5 week series titled, “Walking to Eternity: Making Choices For Today,” from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Each lesson includes meditation using Lectio Divina, a lecture, small group discussions and a time of prayer with the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. Topics include: “Walking in Humility,” “Walking in Forgiveness,” “Walking in Sacrifice,” and “Walking in Holiness.” Three questions are posed at the end of each lesson to help discern the direction the Lord maybe prompting the participant in his daily life. The cost is $35. You can Register online or contact Mark Croteau.  For other courses around Minnesota see: www.jeffcavins.org 

 

Books/Videos

February 20, 2012: Girl Scouts are exposed on Eternal World Television Network (Global Catholic Television): EWTN's Women of Grace five-part series, entitled Girl Scouts: Mission Aborted, presenting the concerning issues with Girl Scouts USA will air the week of February 20th (Mon-Fri) on EWTN/Women of Grace. Catholics and non-Catholics alike will benefit from the factual presentation of Girl Scout USA's concerning relationships, role models and approved resources.  SpeakNowGirlScouts co-founder and former Girl Scout, Sydney, is featured in the series, along with members of GirlScoutsWhyNot.com.  

Conferences/Lectures/Events

February 2, 2012: A Team Vianney Event for young men grades 9 and up, who are possibly interested in the priesthood, are invited to meet for dinner with college seminarians, attend Adoration and Benediction, hear a short talk on the Faith, and participate in Mass. The event is being held at St. John Vianney Seminary at the University of St. Thomas St Paul Campus beginning at 5:30 pm. For information call: 651-962-6825 or e-mail: sjv@stthomas.edu  The next Event will be April 12th.

 

February 4, 2012: “All In God’s Plan” is a three part program offered at various stages of development for children, their parents, guardians or other strong role models in their lives. Each program is age specific and appropriate to assist families in teaching youth about God’s gift of human sexuality and the sacredness of human life, while emphasizing the importance of the family. St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings will host the Mother/Daughter presentation from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. For information see: www.archspm.org/departments/laity-outreach/parenting-children or call: 651-437-4254.

 

February 4, 2012: The Cathedral of St. Paul First Saturday Morning of Recollection Series with Bishop LaVoir hosting. The morning begins with Mass at 8:00 am, continues with Eucharistic Adoration, offers individual Confession, has time for prayer and meditation, and features two conferences. A freewill offering will be taken.

 

February 10, 2012: The Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy is hosting Professor Thomas Berg, who will speak on the topic of “Personal Rights and Religious Freedom.” The event is being held at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Room 225 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, and is free and open to the public.

 

February 11, 2012: A Cana Dinner for married and engaged couples will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Saint Paul beginning at 6:00 pm. The Keynote Speaker is Catherine Mollner, the Clinical Director of MidWest Center for Personal and Family Development. All married and engaged couples are invited to participate.  Tickets are available online

 

February 11, 2012: The Father Joseph K. Bill group is holding its monthly meeting at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 261-8th Street East in downtown St. Paul, with Confessions offered at 3:30 pm to 4:15 pm, followed by Mass at 4:30 pm and The Taste of Healing Prayer Meeting at 5:30 pm. Father Biju Mathew, the parish priest of St. Marys will address the group on the topic Opening Our Hearts To The Lord in a New and Exciting Way This Lent. –Pot Luck-

 

February 16, 2012: The Men’s Argument of the Month Club will host a presentation titled, “Mary: Queen, Virgin and Intercessor,” with Dale Ahlquist debating Pastor Mike Napier. The event is taking place at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 408-3rd Street North in South St. Paul, Mn at a cost of $12 at the door. A Social with appetizers begins at 6:00 pm, with dinner served at 7:00 pm and lecture at 7:30 pm.

 

February 16, 2012: Single or married men between the ages of 30 and 60 who may be interested in the Deaconate program, may come to the Brady Education Center, Room 105 at the St. Paul Seminary from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm to have their questions answered. Please register at: patty.mcquillan@stthomas.edu or call 651-962-6891. For questions, contact Deacon Joseph Michalak at: jtmichalak@stthomas.edu

 

February 16, 2012: The Open Window Theater, located at 1313 Chestnut Avenue in Minneapolis is presenting “Edith Stein” performances at 7:30 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and then on Saturdays at 2:00 pm on February 16th & 17th, and also on February 23rd to 26th. For tickets or information, see: www.openwindowtheatre.org

 

February 17-18, 2012: Every month the Archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life offers “Living God’s Love Marriage Preparation Program” offers engaged couples the opportunity to prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage by acquainting the couples with the beauty and richness of the Church’s teachings on marriage and family as a call to holiness and a gift of self. The program includes a Friday evening from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at a cost of $130 per couple and is held at the University of St. Thomas. Click here to register online

 

February 18, 2012: The Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office is hosting a Winter Teaching Conference titled, “Let Us Then Pursue What Leads To Peace And To Building Up One Another” with Father Greg Paffel hosting. The Conference is meant to help one’s living and renewing life through the Holy Spirit, explain how to use the Spirit’s gifts and charisms within the whole body of Christ, and sharing the love of God in a tangible way. The event is being held at Epiphany Catholic Church, 1900-111th Avenue NW in Coon Rapids from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm. Freewill offerings will be taken to cover the cost of the day. Lunch is included. Please pre-register by calling Sonia at: 952-431-2372 or Arlene at: 651-633-1286. Please bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Franciscan Brothers of Peace food shelf. For more information, see: www.mncro.org

 

February 22, 2012: The Cathedral of St. Paul is offering confidential consultation by staff members of the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal regarding questions of Annulment. The time is from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. For more information, contact the Tribunal at: 651-291-4466.

 

February 22, 2012: 40 Days for Life at Mega-Planned Parenthood Begins Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm until 3:30 pm daily throughout Lent. Please read this carefully. With God’s victory of closing the abortion facility inside Regions Hospital after seven 40 Days for Life prayer campaigns there, the Twin Cities Lenten 40 Days for Life has moved to the new mega-Planned Parenthood abortion facility at Charles Ave. and Vandalia St. in the Midway area of St. Paul. (A half block north of University on Vandalia.)  New with this campaign is a time of prayer every day led by a different area pastor each of the 40 days and will be the primary focus. This means that 40 different pastors of various Christian denominations will be on the sidewalk to lead prayer beginning at 3:00 p.m. each day from February 22 - April 1. Also new, because of the neighborhood in which the mega-Planned Parenthood is located, we are seeking to primarily keep the vigil during daylight hours.

February 24, 2012: Father David Meconi, Professor of Theology at St. Louis University, will be speaking on “The Noonday Demon and The Spirit of Prayer,” as part of the Centennial Lecture Series of “The Church And Culture.” The talk is being held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 548 Lafond Avenue in St. Paul in Schuler Hall beginning at 7:45 pm. (following 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross)

February 24, 2012: As part of the Friday Night talks on “The Spiritual Life and the Church,” Father John Paul Erickson will be speaking on “Remember, Restart, and Renew” from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm in Rowan Hall at St. Helena’s Catholic Church, 3201 East 43rd Street in Minneapolis. The cost is $4 per talk.

 

February 24-25, 2012: A special weekend for either or both parents is being offered by Fortifying Families of Faith, which is geared to help parents of adolescents and teens develop their whole child morally socially, spiritually, sexually, physically emotionally and intellectually. Topics include how to talk with your children depending on their personality, peer pressure and the kids getting caught up in the culture, the adult nature of marriage vocation, moral decision making, birth control, and authentic love. Linda Kracht who is the founder of the organization and is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Couple to Couple League will present the seminar The event is being held from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Friday, and From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Nativity Catholic Church, 324 Prior Avenue South in St. Paul, Mn at a cost of $99. To register, call: 651-699-0492, or linda@FortifyingFamiliesofFaith.com

 

February 25, 2012: Jane Cavenaugh, founder of “The Vineyard,” will be speaking at an Afternoon Of Reflection at Guardian Angels in Oakdale from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Tickets are $20. For information, call: 651-738-0710.

 

February 25, 2012: Saturday Morning Monthly Breakfast For Men is hosting Deacon Joseph Michalak as speaker at St. Helena’s Catholic Church. Mass is at 8:00 am with breakfast at 8:30 am, with the Talk from 8:45 am to 9:30 am, followed by Q & A until 10:00 am.  The cost is $5 each session, or $20 for a series of 5 speakers. Reservations must be made by noon the day prior to the presentation. St. Helena’s is located at 3204 East 43rd Street in Minneapolis. For information, call: 612-729-7321

 

February 25, 2012: The last six episodes of Father Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” will be shown at the Forest Lake Cinema Theater, 1480 Lake Street in Forest Lake each Saturday from February 25th to March 31st from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

 

February 29, 2012: Hosted by Catholic Man Night, international expert Russ Breault will speak on “The Shroud of Turin: Is It The Burial Cloth Of Jesus Christ?” at Providence Academy in Plymouth at 7:00 pm. The event is open to everyone.

 

February 29, 2012: Jason Adkins, Director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, will be speaking on, “Catholics In The Public Square,” at St.Odilia’s, 3495 No. Victoria Street in Shoreview at 8:00 pm.

 

March 3, 2012: The World Apostolate of Fatima will host its 26th Annual Marian Congress with the topic, “Fatima: More Relevant Today Than Ever For The Sake of the Family, Our Nation and the World.” Speakers include Father John Gallas, Father Charles Mangan, and Bill Sockey. The event is being held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1154 Seminole Avenue in West St. Paul from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm, with Mass at 8:00 am. The cost is $30 in advance, which includes continental breakfast and lunch or $35 same-day registration.  Checks can be written to WAF and mailed to: Marian Congress, c/o 5225 Lincoln St. NE in Fridley, Mn 55421. Or, for information or to register, call Barb Ernster at: 763-502-0792 or register at www.fatimaonline.org

 

March 24, 2012: Catholic Parents Online is hosting their annual Lenten Retreat with Father Robert Altier, who will be speaking on, “Back To The Catacombs: Suffering For The Faith In A Secular Age.” The event will be held at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 901 East 90th Street in Bloomington, Mn. The cost is $25 per person or $40 per couple. Early registration is encouraged since seating is limited. For information, see: http://catholicparents.org/specialevents.html

 

March 31, 2012: A Men’s Conference titled, “Rise Up, O Men of God” with featured speaker, Matthew Kelly, will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul from 7:00 am until Noon. Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions will be held beginning at 7:00 am, Mass at 8:00 am with Archbishop Nienstedt followed by breakfast sandwiches, Presentations by Archbishop Nienstedt and Matthew Kelly at 9:30 am, with Announcements and Closing at 11:45 am. The cost is $15 per adult and $10 for high school age. To sign up, call: 651-291-4488 or e-mail: mfl@archspm.org.

 

Conferences Elsewhere

March 3, 2012: Michael Brown will be holding a day-long Conference at the Rock Garden Comfort Suites, 1951 Bond Street in Green Bay, Wisconsin from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Topics will include, how to effectively pray in times of personal attack, what does the Blessed Mother mean in a recent message that “the rule of evil has arrived,” how do we find peace and balance, near-death experiences, and is it necessary to prepare for times ahead. To register, go to: www.spiritdaily.com  and click on Wisconsin Retreat.

 

March 3, 2012: The Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation is sponsoring a one-day Conference titled, “Faith, Family, Freedom” in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Speakers include Father Robert Sirico who is President of Acton Institute, Dr. David Noebel who is Editor of The Schwarz Report, David Lumbaugh who is a columnist and author, and Ronald Rychlak who is a Law Professor at the University of Mississippi. The Conference is from 8:00 am to 3:15 pm. For information call Victoria Nelson at: 847-312-2116

 

 

Education

Parents: The Archdiocese is sponsoring “All In God’s Plan,” a three part program offered for various stages of development for children, their parents, guardians or other strong role models in their lives. Each program is age specific and appropriate to assist families in teaching youth about God’s gift of human sexuality and the sacredness of human life, while emphasizing the importance of the family. A Mother/Daughter or Father/Son presentation can be held at your church. For information see: www.archspm.org/departments/laity-outreach/parenting-children

 

In Order For: states to receive funding from the 2009 Stimulus Package, hidden in the provisions was the Federal Government requiring each state to create a data bank on all the school children and place it under the Department of Education(since, by law, it was not permitted to use welfare or other statistics on individuals in other government departments). Included is information which tracks each child. Further, this information can be shared with other governmental agencies, and also private entities.  Suppose a student took a course on STD’s…the government could conclude that this child was sexually active whether or not this was true. Or suppose that a child had behavioral problems, but later in life was an upstanding citizen—the earlier data on the child was no indicative of the changes in his adult life. Or suppose that a child took medications for hyperactivity—would this information come back to haunt him in later life as he applied for a job. One day soon, parents need to organize, rise up and halt this kind of invasion of privacy; many times parents do not even know these things are happening. Remember, people do not belong to the government; the government belongs to the people.

 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: recently recommended that12 year old boys routinely be vaccinated for HPV, this in addition to a similar recommendation in 2006 for young girls, even though only about 12,000 women each year develop cervical cancer. GlaxoSmithKlein with its drug, Cervarix, and Merck’s Gardasil stand to make enormous amounts of money on this endeavor. (Glaxo also produced a drug for Lyme Disease which left its recipients with severe cases of the illness which were untreatable, and Merck is known to use fetal stem cells in the production shingle’s vaccine). Most frightening is the lack of information on long-term effects of the drug, such as, would it sterilize its recipients? Merck is known to have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to entice endorsement of their product for immunization.

 

Parents In New York City: are attempting to counter a new sex education requirement imposed or students, (which suggests cataloging condom brands at area stores, or going to Planned Parenthood to find out what methods of birth control they offer) by either permitting students to opt-out of the program, or to add an abstinence-based program in the curriculum. The NYC Parents Choice Coalition wants to include a program that includes lessons on abstinence, resisting sexual pressure, purity and avoiding high-risk situations. Currently 41% of students are sexually active by 9th grade and 58% are active by 12th grade. The National Abstinence Education Association produced data of their program’s significant curriculum results. UPDATE: Parents succeeded and the program was pulled.

 

The Family

How Important: is having a father in the home? Pope John Paul II, in his book, “Crossing The Threshold of Hope” said, “Above all, Original Sin is an attempt to abolish fatherhood. The disobedience of our primal parents was a rejection of God’s legitimate authority, which is inseparable from His Fatherly love. Thus, a rejection of His authority is a rejection of His Fatherhood. The serpent offers Adam and Eve a replacement of fatherhood, an authoritarian posture, which is incompatible with human freedom.” Donald DeMarco, adjunct professor at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, reiterates twelve characteristics of a good father: an authority without being authoritarian, a leader without being a frontrunner, a visionary without being arrogant, a servant without being servile, a lover without being sentimental, a supporter without being subordinate, a disciplinarian without being punitive, merciful without being spineless, humble without being self-depreciating, and courageous without being foolhardy. –CPO-

 

“As I Have Loved You:” a book by Dr. Gerrard O’Shea, explains the Church’s teachings on human sexuality in simple terms, and is geared specifically for parents who can apply these teachings in the home to educate their children. As the Vatican has said, the parents are the primary teachers of their children.

 

Helps For Parents: who are trying to keep their kids from being inundated by the less-than-desirable programs on television, computers and i-pods, is to check in with media watchdog organizations such as the Parents Television Council , Christian Spotlight on Entertainment,  and Focus on the Family’s Plugged In, to check out what’s new in movies, TV and video games. These groups currently rate some of the most vile programs on television as including “Gossip Girl” which has three-way sex scenes, and use of drugs, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” which has slipped into a soap-opera type presentation of teen pregnancy, “American Dad” which is a cartoon presentation of perverse humor regarding sex, “American Horror Story” which desensitizes the viewer through vivid depictions of murder, nude scenes, and sexual assaults, and “Teen Mom, 16 And Pregnant,” which focuses on everything except the negative consequences of teen pregnancy.  –LHLA-

 

The Girls Scouts: are at it again. In 2010 the Girl Scouts of America published a book called, “Media” which was designed for girls grades 6-8, allegedly to help these girls “process and understand the media messages surrounding them.” The problem is that this book refers these young girls to the Media Matters For America, which supposedly is like a SNOPES website for the kids. However, this site was funded by George Soros, who has not been inductive to family values.

 

New York: The Shenendehowa school district of New York have kicked Planned Parenthood out of their classrooms, after PP came into the schools to conduct, “Interactive lessons in health education” in the high school and middle school. The parents were outraged when their kids were taught “abstinence allowed for oral sex,” and how they were not taught accurate information about how sexually transmitted diseases were transmitted, to name only two problems. The parents had not been given time to opt their kids out of the program. If PP is a problem in your school, this is a video resource produced by Texas Right To Life which is a plan to get rid of PP in the school system. Check out The Campaign to Kick Planned Parenthood Out of Our Schools. And also see this article: here.

 

Feast Days Of Note For The Month-2012

February 2

Presentation of The Lord

 

February 11

Our Lady of Lourdes

February 3

St. Blaise

 

February 12

World Marriage Day

February 5

World Day for Consecrated Life

 

February 14

Sts. Cyril & Methodius

February 10

St. Scholastica

 

February 22

Ash Wednesday

 

For Your Information

Bishop William Lori: who heads the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty for the USCCB took on the Government as he testified before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the “grave threat to religious liberty the Bishops have recognized which need urgent and concerted action, most of which arise under federal law.” Bishop Lori was concerned about conscience rights for religious employers, health insurers and health-care providers, which the USCCB views as being hostile to the religious freedom of Catholic institutions including hospitals, schools and social agencies. He called for a Congressional investigative hearing regarding the Department of Health and Human Services which he considers as placing “illegal” conditions on religious providers of human services. The USCCB filed a Freedom of Information Act request for data regarding the HHS refusal to renew a grand for aid of victims of human trafficking. The Bishop stated, “Liberty is prior to the state itself; it is not merely a privilege that a government grants us and so may take away at will. We look to the state not to impose religion, but to guarantee religious freedom and promote harmony among followers of different religions.”

 

With The Recent Announcement: from the US Department of Health and Human services, the Director of Media Relations for the USCCB has indicated that the Bishops intend to challenge the government in court over the its dictate to Catholic and other religious institutions that their medical coverage must include coverage for birth control and contraception.

 

Congratulations: to Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, who was recently named as a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.

 

Dr. Ralph Martin: founder and president of Renewal Ministries located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was named by the Holy Father as a consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. Dr. Martin is known to Catholics through retreats, publications, conferences, television and radio, as well as publishing numerous books, articles, pamphlets and video about living out the Christian faith more effectively. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome.

 

Your Local Parish Priest: received a letter last year regarding the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, and is to appoint a Captain in your parish to head up the effort. See: http://mncc.org/issues/marriage/  Or if you want to get directly involved, contact Cathy Deeds  cdeeds@mncc.org  at the MCC.

 

Nancy Fowler: who claimed she had visions of the Blessed Mother at Conyers, Georgia from October 13, 1990 to October 13, 1998, has died of a terminal illness. These apparitions were never confirmed by the Church. May she rest in peace.

 

A New Website: www.AbortionWiki.org  started by Andy Moore, went online on January 19th of this year. The goal is to expose the abortion industry on an international scale, drawing from people from around the world who can log-in and contribute their local and specialized knowledge. Moore’s wants to expose the secrecy surrounding the abortion business and advise the public of the truth about abortion.

 

If You Would Like To: listen to programming on your computer that Catholic Parents On Line presents on their television series, you can go to: http://www.catholicparents.org/cpovimeo.html They are currently presenting a series on Freemasonry and its effects on a number of nations around the world.

 

From The Vatican

-ZenitNews-

The Vatican: Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity announced that the Vatican and Lutherans are preparing a Document on the Reformation, and it is hinted that mutual responsibility may be included in the document.

 

The Holy Father: discussed “Walking The Path Of Faith,” by encouraging the Church to serve God and neighbor through its organizations, but to remember that the most important aspect of charity is love. “More than professional expertise is needed; an open heart that allows itself to be touched by the love of Christ, so that we may give our neighbor something more than a technical service. It is important that the other person is able to see Christ, the loving God. Christian life is a life for others; existing for others, humble service of neighbor and of the common good. Let us ask God for the courage and the humility to walk the path of faith, to draw from the riches of His Mercy, and to fix our gaze on Christ, the Word, Who makes all things new and is for us, ‘the way, the truth and the life:’ He is our future.”

 

A New: Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter was specifically appointed to guide the new Anglicans who have come into the Church. Father Jeffrey Steenson, the former Episcopal bishop of the Rio Grande, and who has since been ordained a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was appointed to the position. Currently over 100 former Anglican priests have applied to become Catholic priests.

 

Pope Benedict XVI: stated, “A person who can kneel before the Eucharist and receive Christ in Communion will be a person attentive to the needs of his neighbor and ready to share his goods with others, and remedy situations unworthy of man. A Eucharistic spirituality is the true antidote to individualism and egoism that often characterize daily life, so that he can break his bread with the hungry, share water with the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned.”

 

The Holy Father: addressed ambassadors to the Vatican saying that laws which allow abortion, and laws that undermine the traditional family, are a threat to human dignity and a threat to the future of humanity. He said, “The world is dark wherever men and women no longer acknowledge their bond with the Creator, and thereby endanger their relation to other creatures and to creation itself. He proposes that the way to overcome this is, “Through the recognition of the inalienable dignity of each human person and of his or her fundamental rights,” and that respect must be at the center of institutions and laws. –LifeSiteNews-

 

Father Federico Lombardi: who is Director of the Vatican Press Office, also reiterated in a weekly production of the Vatican Television Center, of the importance of Eucharistic Adoration and “being present in silence with Jesus.” Also emphasized was the value of making a “Spiritual Communion,” by stating, “At Mass, the community of the whole Church celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus living and present; receiving Him in the Sacrament is still a free gift, and the intense desire to be united with Him is also an effective source of communion.

 

Archbishop Dominique Marnberti: the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, has called for a World Day to mark anti-Christian persecution and violence which affects over 200 million Christians. The Archbishop addressed the 18th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe stating, “The right to religious freedom, despite being repeatedly proclaimed by the international community, as well as in the constitutions of most states, continues to be widely violated today, and it is Christians who suffer most from persecution due to their Faith.” He cited legal and cultural structures which lead to discrimination and hopes that a World Day of Peace would signal to governments that they deal with this serious issue.

 

Vatican Archbishop: Augustine DiNoia, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments intends to bring in and engage young theologians to promote the New Evangelization. He stated, “The need for the Church to confront theological dissent is an obligation of the Church. The enemy occupies our territory,” citing how the advance of secularism has fueled doubts about the faith.

 

Cardinal Raymond Burke: will oversee an International Congress on the Biotechnological Revolution held in Rome February 25-26. Other speakers include Dr. Mercedes Wilson who is President of the Family of the Americas Foundation, Philosopher Dr. Josef Seifert, Neonatologist Dr. Paul Byrne, and Dr. Roberto de Mattei who is a historian at the European University of Rome. Topics include “The Wisdom of Humanae Vitae,” “Transplantation of Vital Organs: Imposing Death or Saving Lives,” and “The Boundaries of the Human Being.”

 

 

Fundraisers

February 10, 2012: Chesterton Academy is hosting a Dinner, Dance, Live Auction and Silent Auction fundraiser at International Market Square in Minneapolis.  . A cocktail reception and silent auction begin at 5:30 pm with Dinner from D’Amico at 7:00 pm, followed by “The Chestertones” big band music. Father Rocky from Relevant Radio will be speaking, as will Dale Ahlquist, President of the Chesterton Society. Tickets are $90. You can register online at: http://paperless.ly/v4KG9g  For information see:  http://chestertonacademy.org/news/2012-chesterton-academy-gala

 

February 16, 2012: Mother Ann Marie Karlovic O.P. will be speaking at the “Light Their Way” fundraising dinner to benefit the school of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Stillwater, and their Faith Formation program. She will be speaking on, “Catholic Education: The Privilege of the Parish.” Tickets are $250 per person. The event will be held at St. Michael’s Social Hall, 611 South Third Street in Stillwater, Mn. Proceeds will benefit the St. Croix Catholic Schools and its tuition program. A portion of your donation may be tax deductible. Seating is limited. For tickets, order online at: www.stmichaelstillwater.org  or call Sue Campbell at: 651-983-6037.

 

March 19, 2012: The Women’s Life Care Center is hosting their third Annual Banquet For Life at the TST Creative Catering Hall located at 1494 Dale Street in St. Paul, Mn. The reception is from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, dinner from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm and the program is at 8:00 pm, followed by a drawing. The cost is $35 per person, $280 for a table of 8, or $350 for a table of 10. This is a wonderful way to treat your Priest, Pastor, Deacon or Sister to a wonderful inspiring evening out. For information, call: 651-777-0350.

 

In The Know About Our Times

In The Minnesota Legislature: Representative Karen Clark has introduced a bill to block the people of Minnesota from voting on the Defense Of Marriage Act scheduled to appear on the November ballot in Minnesota. She states that DOMA is “not in step with most of Minnesota” even though polls indicate 60% of Minnesota residents support defining marriage as, “A union between one man and one woman.”

 

If There Is Any Doubt: that speaking up for moral issues could be costly, recently former gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer had a position with Hamline University withdrawn due to his support of the Marriage Protection Amendment. Hamline had agreed to hire him to fill an “executive in residence” position, but withdrew the agreement after a small group of staff, including a business school professor, objected to Emmer’s political views.

 

In A Five To Four Decision: the US Supreme Court ruled on the side of the Fourth Amendment regarding unreasonable search, by barring police from tracking individuals with GPS attached to a car, unless a warrant from a judge is obtained in advance. The ruling could include surveillance cameras and cellphone tracking, although it was not specified in the ruling.

 

C-FAM Reports: that a recent audit of finances at United Nations agencies found that some of the agencies would not permit their books to be audited, while others are believed to be sitting on billions of dollars of case reserves while continuing to solicit for even more funds. Additionally, the International Lesbian and gay Association (ILGA) was approved as a UN non-governmental organization, which means the majority of their funding must come from private sources; however, the majority of their money comes from governments, which means they do not qualify for their UN status.

 

The Department of Homeland Security: under the National Operations Center’s Media Monitoring Initiative, now permits the government to retain data on journalists and social media personnel, although the government does not state why they would need to monitor and collect personal information. Actually, it is  known that the DHS has been doing this for the past eighteen months already, by monitoring top blogs, forums and social networks for the purpose of, “collecting information used in providing situational awareness and establishing a common operating picture.”  Would sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Drudge Report, and YouTube be included? Could this possibly be a tool the administration and government would use to keep journalists and the people quiet and intimidated.

 

Deep Gratitude: is to be given to State Appellate Court Associate Justice Andrew Grainger of Massachusetts who reversed a lower court order to force a mentally ill women’s baby to be aborted and then to sterilize her, even though the women repeatedly insisted she did not want the procedure. In this nation between 1907 and 1939, approximately 30,000 Americans in twenty-nine states were sterilized while incarcerated in prisons or in institutions for the mentally ill. Nearly half were carried out in California during this time of strong influence of Charles Darwin’s principle of eugenics. Additionally, the Nixon administration dramatically increased Medicaid-funded sterilization of low-income Americans, mostly Americans of color, even though those sterilizations were supposedly voluntary, evidence later discovered questions this, since patients were often misinformed regarding the procedures they agreed to undergo. Make no mistake that this was an effort on the part of a judge to reinstate/reactivate the involuntary practice of sterilization on American citizens—it can happen here, and an attempt to do so was just made. Had it not been for a moral Judge in a higher court, this case could have become a current day precedence. –LifeNews-

 

Kathleen Sebelius: Secretary for the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that their Department has no intention of excusing religious employers from mandating health insurance coverage for sterilizations, some abortion drugs, and contraception (including those that cause abortion).  The USCCB is currently planning to file suit.

 

Scientists: at the University of Wisconsin and scientists at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, are both working on a strain of bird flu known as H5N1 specifically to make it more contagious. Supposedly this strain of bird flu rarely affects humans, but when contracted by humans, is highly deadly. The scientific community is split on this research, and points out that the Wisconsin facility is working in a non-high-containment lab with these deadly materials. Scientists are also concerned for the safety of the public should the virus escape the lab, or be stolen by terrorists for use against Americans. The controversy has resulted in a 60 day shutdown of the project. Two scientific journals, “Science” and also “Nature” will publish a letter from the researchers which explains the project, which is currently scheduled to resume in 60 days. –NewYorkTimes-

 

A Website: called www.endoftheamericandream.com reports that there are some 1.4 million gang members in the United States, that are essentially an army of heavily armed criminals located in our major cities. There are some 33,000 different gangs active in the US and their numbers have increased an incredible 40% in the last two years. These gangs are made up not only of America’s youth, but of the many illegal aliens pouring into our country. They are into the usual drugs, theft and violence, but now have expanded into human trafficking, prostitution, alien smuggling, identity theft, mortgage fraud and counterfeiting. The FBI reports that approximately 48% of all violent crime is perpetrated by these gangs. The 18 Street gang has the largest membership with 80% bring illegal aliens from Mexico and Central America; they are active in 44 cities in 20 states and use cocaine and marijuana, some heroin and methamphetamine as income sources, as well as auto theft, carjacking, extortion identification fraud, and engage in robbery, assaults, and drive-by shootings. The Latin Kings is believed to have 18,000 members in Chicago alone and are the largest single Hispanic gang in the country.  A major concern is what would happen to our country if civil unrest arises in America; is it reasonable to foresee brutal lawlessness from these groups, perpetrated upon our own citizens.

 

 

Meditations On The Rosary

Which Are Meditations On Scripture-Father Patrick Peyton

The Scourging: Christ shrank from pain, but He did not refuse it. Late morning saw Him flung against a praetorium pillar, while the hired men of Rome, giant barbarians with the muscle and moral sense of wild beasts, wore themselves out whipping and lashing Jesus near to death. Every thump of the iron-weighted cords tore fresh red rents in His Flesh. Jesus, who the night before had turned wine to Blood, now shed that Blood like wine poured out. His Body is the chalice of his spilt-out Blood, the cup, He no longer asks His  Father to remove. When we ask God to relieve our sufferings, He sometimes answers our prayers with more wisdom by letting them continue. To accept pain as Jesus did, is to sanctify it, and myself.

 

Medjugorje Monthly Message

“With Prayer You Can Stop Wars; You Can Alter The Storms Of Nature.”

-Blessed Virgin Mary at Medjugorje-

Message For January 25, 2012: “Dear Children! With joy, also today I call you to open your hearts and to listen to my call. Anew, I desire to draw you closer to my Immaculate Heart, where you will find refuge and peace. Open yourselves to prayer, until it becomes a joy for you. Through prayer, the Most High will give you an abundance of grace and you will become my extended hands in this restless world which longs for peace. Little children, with your lives witness faith and pray that faith may grow day by day in your hearts. I am with you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

 

February 2nd Message To Mirjana: "Dear children; I am with you for so much time and already for so long I have been pointing you to God’s presence and His infinite love, which I desire for all of you to come to know. And you, my children? You continue to be deaf and blind as you look at the world around you and do not want to see where it is going without my Son. You are renouncing Him - and He is the source of all graces. You listen to me while I am speaking to you, but your hearts are closed and you are not hearing me. You are not praying to the Holy Spirit to illuminate you. My children, pride has come to rule. I am pointing out humility to you. My children, remember that only a humble soul shines with purity and beauty because it has come to know the love of God. Only a humble soul becomes heaven, because my Son is in it. Thank you. Again I implore you to pray for those whom my Son has chosen - those are your shepherds."

 

New Saints

Sister Bonifacia Rodriguez y Castro: who was born in Salamanca, Spain and in 1874 co-founded the Servants of St Joseph where she dedicated her life to the helping find work for poor unemployed women. The Holy Father recently canonized her.

 

Prayer Intentions From The Holy Father

For February, 2012

General Intentions:

That all peoples may have access to water and other resources

 needed for daily life.

Mission Intentions

That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers

assisting the sick and elderly in the world’s poorest regions.

 

Prayer Opportunities And Retreats

February 3-4, 2012: The World Apostolate of Fatima is sponsoring an all-night prayer vigil at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, 380 Roselawn Ave E in Maplewood, Mn. . Please note the new schedule with the Rosary beginning at 7:00 pm with a Mass of Reparation to the Sacred Heart, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 12:30 am, at which time a Mass of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart will be said. Confessions are from 8:45 pm to 9:45 pm. The Vigil ends at 1:00 am.

 

February 3-4, 2012: An all-night prayer vigil will begin at 7:00 pm on Friday evening and conclude at 8:00 am Saturday morning at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 401 Concord Street in St. Paul. For information, call: 651-228-0506.

 

February 4, 2012: A single parent’s retreat, a time to reflect and connect with other parents will be held at Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 1414 North Dale Street in St. Paul. The topic of this year presentation is “Parenting Before And After” with two presentations by Father Al Backmann. Mass is at 8:00 am with the presentation from 9:00 am to Noon. The cost is $10, which includes childcare. Please address checks to: Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, and mail to: MFL, Single Parent’s Retreat, 328 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, Mn 55102. To register online or call: 651-291-4489 or e-mail: Nancy Schulte

 

February 11, 2012: The Archdiocesan Retreat For The Newly Married (0-7 years) will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2739 Stinson Blvd in St. Anthony, Mn 55418 from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm at a cost of $40 per couple. Father Rocky Hoffman, Executive Director of Relevant Radio will be speaker. The retreat includes breakout sessions, reconciliation and renewal of vows. Please register with the Office of Marriage, Family and Life by February 6th. Click here to register online

 

February 11, 2012: The World Day of the Sick will be recognized by Bishop Lee Piche for all those who are ill, all caregivers and those who work in health care. A 10:00 am Mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave in St. Paul, where everyone is welcome.

 

February 11, 2012: The Holy Name Society hosts Solidarity Saturdays on the second Saturday of each month at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 8th Street and 2nd Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. The morning begins with Mass at 8:00 am, with Confessions available following Mass.

 

February 18, 2012: A Day of Recollection for Caregivers with Father James Livingston speaking on, “Refresh Our Hearts,” will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church, 509-54th Street West in Minneapolis, Mn from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. The day is a spiritual renewal and will include celebration of the Holy Mass, Adoration, Conferences and Reconciliation. The day is open to anyone who lives, works or regularly visits persons with serious illnesses or disabilities including a spouse, dependent child, other family members, nursing home residents, special school students or others in need of care, comfort or other consolation. The event is sponsored by the Archdiocesan Outreach to Persons with Disabilities at a cost of $15 per person. Please register by February 18th by calling Deacon Curtan at: 651-291-4543 or curtans@archspm.org

 

February 18, 2012: A women’s morning retreat as part of the Companions In The Heart of Jesus is being held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1740 Bunker Lake Blvd NE in Ham Lake, Mn from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. The teaching will be: “Owning Our Faith.” The morning consists of praise and worship, talks, journaling, and prayer time. There is no registration fee. (childcare $4)  For information call: Amy Miller at 763-350-9344.

 

February 25, 2012: A morning retreat for women will be held from 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon. The topic is, “Finding Christ In The Desert,” and will be presented by Father Michael Keating and held at Holy Spirit, 515 Albert Street South in Saint Paul. Included are Adoration, Mass, Confessions, and Stations of the Cross. The cost is $10, which includes a continental breakfast. To reserve your place, see: www.archspm.org/family  or call 651.291.4489.

 

March 2-4, 2012: A weekend Ignatian Retreat is being sponsored by Miles Christi, and will be held at the Retreat Center in Buffalo, Mn especially for women and young women. For information, call: Karen Hastreiter at 651-451-1132 or minnesota@spiritualexercises.net Please register by February 2, 2012.

 

March 2-4, 2012: A Retreat with the theme, “Is Jesus Calling You Closer?” is being sponsored by the Father Joseph K. Bill Ministries, with Father Augustine Vallooran as Retreat Master. Father Vallorran is the Director of Retreats at Divine Retreat Center in Kerala, India, the world’s largest Catholic retreat center, and is also Director of Divine Vision worldwide television ministry. The event is being held at Saint George Catholic Church, 133 North Brown Road in Long Lake, Mn. Friday is from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Advance tickets for all three days is $20 per individual or $30 for couples; at the door, for all three day is $30 for individuals or $40 for couples. Lunch is not included. To register, call: Neil at: 763-443-5847 or Rita at: 651-303-0532 .

 

Pro-Life

LifeNews

"If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom and lasting peace, then, America, defend life.
  All the great causes that are yours today will have meaning only to the extent that you guarantee the right to life”
--Pope John Paul II

A Conference: sponsored by the Council on Poor Prenatal Diagnoses and Therapeutic Intervention recently took place in Washington, DC to raise awareness about the dignity of all human life, including those with serious disabilities. Included as featured speakers were numerous medical professionals, presentations of medical researchers and panel discussions. Statistics indicate that 90% of babies with disabilities are aborted, even though 99% of adults with Down syndrome report that they have happy lives. The Conference organizer was Jeanne Monahan, who is the Director of the Center for Human Dignity at the Family Research Council. –SpiritDaily-

 

A Hollywood Surprise: as Gene Roddenberry Jr, son of the creator of the original “Star Trek” television series, donated $5 million dollars to the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco for research on adult stem cells. The newly created institution will be called, the Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine and will be under the leadership of Shinya Yamanaka M.D. Ph.D.

 

Although: Fitness Magazine claims they intend to “embrace fitness as a lifestyle, and to change the conversation from “skinny” to “healthy” its website is advocating others to go to the new up and running www.WomenAreWatching website that Planned Parenthood just posted. PP will use the site to endorse pro-abortion candidates. Fitness also has late-term abortionist Carolyn Westhoff on their health advisory board. Fitness Magazine is asking for suggestions on how to improve their website. Here’s your chance to let them know. The address is: Fitness Magazine.com, Meredith Corporation, 805 Third Ave., 25th Floor, New York, NY 10022 or e-mail support@fitnessmagazine.com

 

Americans United For Life: released their annual ranking of states across the country based on a comprehensive list of life issues from abortion to euthanasia. The highest ranking pro-life states were Louisiana, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, while the least life-affirming states were Washington, California and Hawaii. Minnesota came in 24th.

 

Beware Of:  BabyCenter.com which may sound like it would be a resource website for babies; rather, the website contains nothing but “family planning,” including listing various birth control options, tubal ligation and the Morning After Pill.

 

Catholic News Service Reports: that between the years of 2010 and 2015, the International Planned Parenthood Federation intends to increase the number of abortions on the continent of Africa by 82%. This would be a figure of 250,000 babies.

 

Illinois, Chicago: is prepared to quash Americans civil rights by prohibiting Free Speech via means of proposed City Ordinance #10-8-334. The ordinance would forbid public assembly by requiring a complex and elaborate permit process for public assemblies, meaning as few as two people. This would effectively prohibit gathering at abortion facilities for prayer and silence free speech. Currently The Thomas More Society, which has won two U.S. Supreme Court decisions in defense of the Right to Protest, has taken on the Chicago city government, telling them they have overstepped the bounds of its legal authority.

 

In His Book: “In The Beginning: A Catholic Understanding of the Creation and Fall,” then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger commented on those who desire to rid the earth of people in favor of promoting nature. He warned, “Human beings no longer have any use for themselves; they would prefer to put themselves out of the way so that nature might be well again. But this is not how to bring healing to the world, for we go against the Creator when we no longer want to exist as the human beings that He wanted to exist. It is not thus that we heal nature, but rather that we destroy ourselves and creation by removing from it the hope that lies in it and in the greatness to which it is called.”

 

Ireland, Dublin: A study from the Pensions and Population Research Institute compared data on abortions performed on women in that country between 1968 and 2010, and compared it with data from Britain. It was shown that Ireland’s ban on abortion favored women with had lower incidences of breast cancer, lower immune system illnesses, and better mental health. The birth rates in Ireland today are nearly at replacement level, so Ireland also benefits from a more youthful demographic profile with less dependence on immigration than other European countries.

 

Minnesota, St. Paul: Since June of 1994, Minnesota taxpayers have been forced to pay over $17 million dollars for over 54,800 deaths by abortion to its fellow fetal Minnesotans. The case, Doe vs Gomez, was brought before the Supreme Court of Minnesota by then Attorney General Skip Humphrey, who, did not have an actual client requesting an abortion, but brought the matter to the Court on principle. Only 12 states require taxpayer funding of abortions. The figures are from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

 

The NAACP: evidently does not understand that Planned Parenthood operates 78% of their abortion facilities in inner-city neighborhoods, resulting in a total abortion rate of 37%, even though the African-American population makes up only 12% of the nation’s population. Yet, the NAACP has come out opposing the Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2011, which would criminalize abortion on the grounds of race or sex.

 

A New Drug: NSI-189, produced by Neuralstem company, is believed to make it possible to actually cure depression, schizophrenia and re-grow parts of the brain to cure Alzheimer’s disease. However, the drug, which is now being tested on human subjects, was made from fetal stem cells. Please be aware.

 

New Jersey: Thanks to the Alliance Defense Fund, attorneys on behalf of 12 nurses currently have had a court issue a preliminary injunction against the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey which had been forcing nurses to assist at abortions at a New Jersey hospital. An agreement was reached where the nurses can remein in their current positions and not be pressured to assist in any part of an abortion procedure, so long as there is not a life-threatening emergency for the mother, and no other staff is available. The nurses are still concerned that their hours may be cut, or other nurses may be brought in, thereby labeling them surpluses.

 

Planned Parenthood: abortion business is pushing its abortion agenda on kids and teenagers by hiring them to push its sex education agenda on their peers. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin recently posted a job listing indicating it is looking for children as young as 14 to work as sex educators. The ad reads, “Planned Parenthood of WI (PPWI) is hiring Youth Health Educators at PPWI (there are 7 positions available),” the new listing reads. “Youth must be between the ages of 14-24, hold a current leadership position in a youth-serving Community Based Organization (CBO) or at their school/college, and be able to work at least 10-12 hours/week. This position will further the department’s mission of creating sexually healthy communities with a focus on reducing the rate of teen and young adult pregnancy and STIs, including HIV/AIDS. More specifically, this position will provide one-on-one health education to youth in our Youth Health Clinics, assist with providing direct sexuality education to youth via the youth text hotline and “Youth Nights” programming, and act as community advocates regarding issues of responsible sexuality education among adolescents and young adults.”

 

A Poll: conducted for the Susan B. Anthony list indicated that 77% of Blacks and young adults do not want government funding to organizations that perform abortions. Interestingly, 26% of pro-choice respondents rejected using taxpayer funding for abortions. Additionally, young adults and Blacks are those people first targeted by Planned Parenthood.

 

Randall Terry:who is the former President of the Christian Coalition, has thrown his hat in the ring for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in order to qualify as a federal candidate so that he can air graphic abortion ads on television. Current federal laws require stations to run ads by federal candidates uncensored. He is currently purchasing ad time in 35 NBC metropolitan media markets, where he hopes to reach 16 million homes and some 35 million Americans and show them during the Super Bowl.

 

Researchers: have known for some time that women who experience weakened heart function in the months before and after childbirth (a condition known as peripartum cardiomyopathy) recover more quickly than any other group of heart failure patients. Now, a team of researchers from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine thinks it may know why. Researchers found when lab animals suffer a heart attack, her fetus will actually donate cells that can migrate to mom’s heart before differentiating into different types of cardiac cells, aiding in the heart’s regenerative processes.

 

Sweden, Stockholm: Thirty-year old Christopher Lyles from Baltimore, Maryland went to Sweden to have his cancerous windpipe removed, and had an artificial trachea implanted, a trachea which was constructed from his own tissue and adult stem cells.  Adult stem cells are again leading in successful treatments.

 

Washington, DC: Sixty pro-life leaders and heads of faith-based organizations signed a letter to President Obama and Secretary Kathleen Sebelius protesting the narrow exemption to the health insurance contraceptives mandate. Included are Protestant and orthodox Jewish leaders representing many colleges and universities, K-12 schools, grassroots faith-based organizations, denominations, law associations, rescue missions and others. The mandate states that none of these groups want to be forced to provide health insurance coverage that pays for contraception, birth control drugs, or morning-after-pill drugs, Plan B or ella. Unfortunately, this did not persuade the Administration to change their position.

 

Washington State: The current law in the state of Washington requires doctors who assist suicides, to legally lie on death certificates. Rather than list the actual cause of death as assisted suicide, physicians are required to list the underlying disease as the cause of death. Legislators in Washington State are attempting to change this through the introduction of SB 5278.

 

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