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January, 2012-Month of The Holy Name of Jesus

A Catholic Information Website Listing Local Events And News Of Interest For Minnesotans

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Last updated: Jan. 18, 2012

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Opening Reflection

“People often ask me, ‘How do you know whether something is God’s Will in your life?’

I say, ‘Ask me next year, and then we’ll know whether it was God’s Will.’

The Lord is not going to come down and say, ‘Now, I want you to do this little thing for me.’

He’s not going to do that. He gave you a brain. He gave you a memory, an intellect, a will.

Do you realize if you are a Christian, you have Sanctifying Grace in you?

The Holy Spirit is IN you. Pray. Move forward in His grace and you will discover His Will for you.”

-Mother Angelica-

 

 

Bible Studies

January 24, 2012: Jeff Cavins will begin a new ten-week study titled, “Walking To Eternity: Making Choices For Today.” By using the Bible and Catechism, the series covers meeting the challenges of today with such topics as forgiveness, humility, wisdom, prayerfulness, simplicity, sacrifice, gratefulness and faithfulness, in order to journey toward a closer walk with Christ. Each session includes a small group discussion, Jeff’s lecture and a time of reflection. The series runs from January 24th to March 27th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and is being held at Transfiguration in Oakdale. The cost is $60 per person. To register go to: www.transfiguraitonmn.org  or call 651-501-2233, or e-mail WTE@transfiguraitonmn.org For other information on Jeff and his classes, see: www.jeffcavins.org

January 24, 2012: Jeff Cavins is beginning a 10 week study titled, “Walking To Eternity: Making Choices For Today,” and will be giving his presentation from 10:00 am to Noon at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savage. For information go to bschroll@stjohns-savage.org  or call: 952-890-9455, ex. 254 or register on line at: http://www.stjohns-savage.org

 

February 29, 2012: Jeff Cavins will begin a 5 week series on “Walking To Eternity: Making Choices For Today,” from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Register online at: www.cathedralsaintpaul.org  or call: 651-228-1766.

 

Books/Films

“Helping Clients Forgive: An Empirical Guide for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope:” by Robert D. Enright and Richard P. Fitzgibbons. The book is explanatory in its title and is recommended by Father C. John McCloskey, a Church historian and fellow at the Faith and Reason Institute in Washington, DC.

 

 

Conferences/Lectures/Events

December 27-30, 2011: Jeremy Stanbury of the Open Air Theatre will donate 1/3 of the profits from his play, “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge,” to Total Life Care Centers located here in the Cities. Adult tickets are $18, student and senior are $15, and children under age 6 who would use a seat is $8. Call 651-955-9123 or email them at: freshair@openwindowtheatre.org

 

January, 2012: Catholic Parents OnLine will present a three-part television program on FREEMASONRY with guest Mary Therese Helmueller and host Colleen Perfect. The programs will air every Sunday in January at 9:30 pm on Metro Cable Network (MCN) Channel 6. FREEMASONRY is also available on the CPO website.

 

January 7, 2012: As part of the First Saturday series, Dr. Deborah Savage will be speaking at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The morning begins with 8:00 am Mass, and includes Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions. Benediction is at 11:45 am. Everyone is welcome.

 

January 7, 2012: An Apologetics Conference sponsored by the Holy Name Society will feature Peter Kreeft, who will give two talks, both titled, “Seven Very Good Reasons to Be Catholic,” Part I and Part II. Registration begins at 12:30 pm with the Holy Rosary at 12:40 pm and the first talk at 1:00 pm. After a break, the second talk will be held at 2:20 pm followed by Q & A, and a Book Signing in the Lower Level of the Church. A Vigil Mass begins at 5:00 pm. The event is being held at All Saints Catholic Church, 19795 Holyoke Avenue in Lakeville, MN at a cost of $15 per person or $10 for youth age 18 and under. For information or to register, e-mail: Apologetics@Nomensanctum.org  or www.nomensanctum.org

 

January 9-14, 2012: is National Vocation Awareness Week. Encourage those you believe might be inclined to a religious vocation to look into it. Team Vianney has opportunities for high school and college age men 9th grade and up to come and investigate the priesthood. They will be meeting on February 2nd, March 1st, April 12th and May 3rd. For information, go to: sjv@stthomas.edu or call: 651-962-6825.

 

January 10, 2012:  The Men’s Argument of the Month Club will be held at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 408-3rd Street North in South St. Paul, Mn at a cost of $12 at the door. This month’s topic is, “The War For The Soul Of Catholicism,” featuring Michael Voris who answers how to spread the truths of the Faith when heterodoxy is rampant, even within some elements of the institutional Church. A Social with Appetizers begin at 6:00 pm with Dinner served at 7:00 pm and the Lecture at 7:30 pm.

 

January 12, 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. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Saint Paul will host a Girls Only Presentation for girls ages 13-16, from 6:30 pm to  9:00 pm. For information see: www.archspm.org/departments/laity-outreach/parenting-children For information call Ann at 651-789-8357.

 

January 12, 2012: John Brahm will be speaking on “Making Abortion Unthinkable: The Art of Pro-Life Persuasion,” at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Stanford and Prior Avenues in St. Paul beginning at 7:00 pm.

 

January 14, 2012: St. Croix Catholic Faith Formation is offering a new five week introductory class on Atheism and the New Age movement. Class will begin on January 14, 2012 and run through February 11, 2012. The classes will meet at St. Mary’s Religious Education Center at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Stillwater each Saturday morning at 8:30 am to 10:00 am. Learn the basis of the atheistic and new age belief systems. Learn Catholic responses when faced with the questions that will inevitably come up in conversation with atheists and new agers. For information, call: 651-439-1270.

 

January 19, 2012: Those from Minnesota who intend to attend the March for Life in Washington, DC, may begin with an 8:00 am Mass at the Cathedral, with a 9:00 am departure time for Washington, DC, with a return to Saint Paul on Tuesday, January 24th. For information, call the Archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life at: 651-291-4489.  

 

January 19, 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. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Saint Paul will host a Boys Only Presentation for boys ages 13-16,  from 6:30 pm to  9:00 pm. For information see: www.archspm.org/departments/laity-outreach/parenting-children For information call Ann at 651-789-8357.

 

January 22, 2012: A Mass For Life will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul beginning at noon with Archbishop John Nienstedt as Celebrant. Following the Service all are encouraged to join in the MCCL-sponsored March For Life to the State Capitol at 2:00 and go to the steps of the State Capitol, where there will be speakers to address the crowd. Immediately following MCCL’s March For Life at the State Capitol, (2:00 pm this year) a Prayer Vigil will be held at the new mega-Planned Parenthood, 675 Vandalia Street in St. Paul (Vandalia & Charles) from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, in commemoration of all the babies who have died since the 1973  Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision.

 

January 25, 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. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Saint Paul will host a Teen/Parent Presentation for kids grades 9-12 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For information see: www.archspm.org/departments/laity-outreach/parenting-children For information call Gina: 651-789-8356.

 

January 27, 2012: Former US Senator Dave Durenberger will moderate a discussion on Healthcare Reform between John Carr who is the USCCB Director of Justice, Peace and Human Development Justice, and Dr. Robert Kennedy who is a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. The discussion will cover the role of government in healthcare in light of Catholic teaching. The event is sponsored by the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy and will be held at the University of St. Thomas School of Law from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in Room 235. The series is free and open to the public and a complimentary lunch is provided to those who register online at: www.stthomas.edu/murphyinstitute

 

January 28, 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. Saints Peter and Paul in Loretto will present Mother/Daughter from 9:00 am to 11:30 am and the Father/Son from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm. For information see: www.archspm.org/departments/laity-outreach/parenting-children For information call: 763-479-0535, ex 25.

 

January 28, 2012: The Saturday Morning Monthly Breakfast For Men is hosting Bishop John LeVoir 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

 

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.

 

 

Education

January 5, 2012: St Agnes Catholic Schools, the only K-12 Catholic School remaining in Minnesota, is hosting an Open House beginning at 6:30 pm. St. Agnes Schools are located at 530 Lafond Avenue in St. Paul, Mn. For information, see: www.SaintAgnesSchool.org  or call: 651-925-8803.

 

January 10, 2012: Chesterton Academy, a private independent high school, is hosting an Open House from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. Cookies and informal discussion are at 6:30 pm, with a formal presentation and faculty introductions at 7:00 pm .The school is proud of their small classes, outstanding teachers, daily Mass in a setting of an integrated, classical curriculum that includes Latin, art, music, drama & speech, math science, history, literature philosophy, and theology. For information, call: 952-378-1779 or e-mail is: info@chestertonacademy.org

 

 

The Family

Rebecca Taylor: of LifeNews wrote an article about MRC-5 and WI-38 common cell lines that were used to produce vaccines for chicken pox, hepatitis and polio. Unfortunately these lines were developed from aborted fetal cells, which create a dilemma for Catholic parents and vaccinating their children. To help parents make sound decisions about vaccinating their children, try this website which can answer questions. Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute

 

The 2012 National Right-To-Life Pro-Life Essay Contest: is encouraging students in grades 7-9 and 10-12 to send a 300 to 500 word essay on: “What Effect Has Abortion Had On Your Generation.” Prizes are $200, $150 and $100 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The essays should be submitted between December 19, 2011 and January 23, 2012, and must be snail-mailed to: Michelle Fischbach, 416 Burr Street, Paynesville, MN 56362. The entries should be double-spaced and pages numbered, with any sources cited. Those essays winning at the state level will be forwarded to the national level. Be sure to check this out for more details:

 http://www.nrlc.org/essaycontest/EssayInfoSheet.html

 

A Surprise Announcement: came from Kathleen Sebelius, head of the Department of Health and Human Services, who backed down and now states that the “Plan B” morning after pill will not be available over-the-counter and without a prescription to teens, as was originally planned by the Food and Drug Administration. This is good news for parents and families.

 

 

Feast Days Of Note For The Month-2012

 

January 1

*Mary Mother of God

 

January 9

Baptism of Our Lord

January 3

Most Holy Name of Jesus

 

January 13

St. Hilary

January 4

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

 

January 21

St. Agnes

January 5

St. John Newmann

 

January 24

St. Francis de Sales

January 6

St. Andre Bissette

 

January 28

St. Thomas Aquinas

January 8

Epiphany

 

January 31

St. John Bosco

 

 

For Your Information

Archbishop Nienstedt: has instructed his clergy they are not to publicly contradict the Church’s teachings on the defense of marriage, nor oppose the archdiocese’s attempts to place a constitutional amendment on the state ballot defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. He has already been criticized by The Progressive Catholic newspaper, when in fact, the Archbishop would not have to make a public announcement of this kind if the clergy were faithful to the teachings of the Church.

 

Saint Benedict Press: from Charlotte, North Carolina is offering “Catholic Courses,” a series of 30 minute lectures presented by a Catholic professor, which can be enjoyed at home, in the car, while jogging or at the gym. This is a series of HD quality recordings, digital downloads, video and audio formats and a lecture guidebook with each course with lecturers such as Joseph Pearce who is a professor at Ave Maria University, or Regis Martin who is Professor of Systematic Theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. Some of the topics are: “The Hidden Meaning of Lord of the Rings,” “Shakespeare’s Catholicism,” “Seven Myths About the Catholic Church and Science,” “Saints With a Past” and “The Last Four Things.” For information see: www.CatholicCourses.com or call: 1-800-437-5876.

 

Governor John Kitzhaaber: of Oregon has stood up for his moral views by refusing to execute death row inmates during his term of office. Although the state of Oregon permits capital punishment, the Governor states no one will be executed during his term in office, which doesn’t end until 2015.

 

Father Bernard Reiser: passed away December 27th.  He recently underwent brain surgery for a rapidly growing cancer, which has seriously affected his speech and memory. Please remember him in your prayers.

 

The Host: from St. Augustine’s Parish in South Saint Paul which had turned red, was examined by Church authorities and determined to be a “fungus.” ???

 

Ignatius Press: has moved its magazines, Catholic World Report and Homiletic & Pastoral Review online. With the growth of electronic sources of news, magazines in print are on the decline, and this move will help keep Ignatius Press afloat financially. Homiletic & Pastoral Review’s website is: www.hprweb.com  and Catholic World Report’s website is: www.CatholicWorldReport.com

 

Due To Retirement: the resignation of Father Leo Tibesar was submitted to the Archdiocese, and was accepted.

 

Washington, DC: Last autumn the Catholic Church welcomed 100 new members who converted from St. Luke’s Episcopal church in the Washington metro area. They were received by Cardinal Donald Wuerl at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This was possible due to the declaration of Pope Benedict’s apostolic constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus which allows former Episcopalians to retain certain elements of their tradition.

 

Zenit News: which covers the Vatican, has named Antonio Gaspari as its new Editorial Coordinator. A number of editors recently resigned from Zenit citing a change in the e-news philosophy, which intended to cover more about the Legionaries of Christ interests. The Legionaries are the founders and owners of Zenit.

 

 

From The Vatican

The Holy Father: announced “A Year Of Faith” from October, 2012 to October, 2013 in which to “summon all Catholics to a renewed conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ, the one Savior of the world.” This is to address, “a profound crisis of faith that has affected many people.” In the West and in the world-in-general, the deep Christian culture in which the Faith have lost its concept of sin, repentance, forgiveness, sacrifice, penance, soul, grace, eternal life, blessedness, and holiness. The Holy Father hopes Catholics will engage in a profound cultural-religious effort to renew their faith, to be inwardly transformed so that the things of this world fall away, and then share that faith with others, not just through teaching, but through actions of Christian charity.

 

Pope Benedict XVI: issued a pontifical document denouncing efforts of the United Nations in its aggressive plan to promote abortion throughout Africa by attempting to disguise language in international documents, such as “family planning,”  “reproductive rights,” and the “right to health.” He stated, “The position of the Church on the matter is unambiguous. The child in his or her mother’s womb is a human life which must be protected. Abortion, which is the destruction of an innocent unborn child, is contrary to God’s will, for the value and dignity of human life must be protected from conception to natural death. The Church in Africa and the neighboring islands must be committed to offering help and support to women and couples tempted to seek an abortion, while remaining close to those who have had this tragic experience and helping them to grow in respect for life.”

 

The Pope: is publicly encouraging people in cities around the world to unite to eliminate the death penalty. His Holiness said he, “Encourages political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a number of countries to eliminate the death penalty, and to encourage the human dignity of prisoners and the effective maintenance of public order.”

 

The Vatican: has confirmed that the Holy Father will visit Cuba this spring during the country’s 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Virgin of Charity, the patroness of Cuba. He will make the visit some time prior to Easter, although the exact date has yet to be determined. Pope Benedict XVI will also visit the country of Mexico some time during 2012.

 

 

Fundraisers

January 28, 2012: Maternity of Mary Catholic Church is sponsoring their 10th Annual Pro-Life Presentation and Dinner following the 5:30 pm Mass. The Sisters Of Life will be giving the Keynote address. Tickets are $15 per person, $5 for ages 13-18, and $2 for children ages 12 and under. Proceeds go the Church’s pro-life activities. Maternity of Mary is located at 1414 North Dale Street in Saint Paul, Mn. For information or to register, call: 651-489-0211.

 

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.

 

 

In The Know About Our Times

On December 31, 2011: President Obama signed the NDAA, National Defense Authorization Act, which gives the government the right to arrest any American citizen at home or abroad, and to put them in prison indefinitely, anyone they consider subversive, and not permit them an attorney or due process. This is essentially Martial Law to be dictated at the government’s disgression.

 

Banks: by law must now ask anyone they consider withdrawing large amounts of money what they intend to use the money for.

 

Bishop Samuel Aquila: of Fargo, North Dakota believes he is seeing the “possibility of attempts to silence the Catholic Church in the United States where we are no longer free to preach the truth from the pulpit or to present Catholic teaching.” He reaffirmed that we are in a real struggle between the culture of life and the culture of death. Regardless, he stated that Catholics “will have to stand for the truth and speak clearly to the truth no matter what the cost.” He did not rule out civil disobedience. He foresees that those preaching the faith must be prepared to face legal sanction. He said, “There will be people who will hate you because of the stand which you take, there will be people who ridicule you, shout at you; and they did all the same things to Christ when He proclaimed the truth. We can expect no less in the times in which we live.”  In addition, two street preachers, David Stokes and Dave Allen of Houston, were charged and are facing a bench trial for spreading the biblical message about gays and sin. They are facing a ruling by Judge Barbara Hartle who is listed by the Gay and Lesbian victory Fund as, “One of only a few ‘out’ members of the Texas judiciary;” Judge Hartle was appointed by Houston’s lesbian Mayor Annise Parker. Is this deck stacked? And is the threat of Free Speech already here?

 

Following Bishop Aquila’s Comments,: 85 year old Father Donat Gionet was reported to his Bishop and removed from active ministry for denouncing co-habitation, abortion and homosexual behavior. Father Gionet who is from New Brunswick, British Columbia, Canada, was attacked by the press and in particular the mayor who is an open homosexual and member of the parish council, who demanded the priest’s resignation. The priest said that he would, if given the chance, continue making similar comments because of the importance of speaking the truth. His statements include, “The gates of hell seek to destroy the Church; it is, in fact, Catholics who destroy our Church today.” Father Gionet pointed to the high number of abortions among Catholics and the presence of homosexuality in the Church and emphasized that cohabitating couples and homosexuals should not receive the Eucharist, but are still welcome to join the Church at Mass The Bishop apologized for Father Gionet’s statements, although he admitted they were accurate regarding the teachings of the Church.

 

The Department of Justice: under the Obama Administration has asked the Supreme Court to give the Federal Government the power to tell a church who its ministers will be. The case involved an ill teacher at a Lutheran school who wants to force the school to restore her position. Legal briefs have been filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, and the American Center for Law and Justice in support of the Lutherans. What is at stake is the First Amendment and the religious freedom of all Americans.

 

Currently: there are more Mexicans located in the United States than there are remaining in Mexico.

 

In 1997: the Kyoto Protocol was signed in Japan, which set legally binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for the nations of the world. The idea was to financially penalize nations which produced too many gas emissions, and give the money (meaning more taxes for us) to the poorer nations which are not industrialized enough to produce significant emissions. Essentially, this “Protocol” removes the sovereignty of our nations, and the nations of the world, and places them under an international governance via the United Nations. As President, Bill Clinton signed this agreement, and President George W. Bush withdrew from it. The agreement was never submitted to the U.S. Senate for the required two-thirds vote for ratification, one reason being, no nation has been able to reach the low emission standards set by the Protocol. The agreement is set to expire in 2012. However, a group known as, “CAN International, which is made up of at least 700 radical environmental organizations, is demanding that meetings begin in Durban, South Africa to replace the old gas emission targets and replace them with even more ridiculously unattainable emission goals. Among those attending the first of these meetings was Angelina Jolie, U2's Bono, Ted Turner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Gore, and Michael Bloomberg. Become more familiar with some of the buzz words such as green jobs, green building codes, going green, regional planning, smart growth, biodiversity, sustainable farming, growth management, resilient cities, sustainable communities, redistribution, urban growth boundaries, redevelopment districts, and consensus. An important article can be found here: online  The results of the Durban, South Africa meeting was that no new treaty was agreed upon, although G-77+China (poorer nations) did win as some developed (rich) European nations voluntarily extended their commitments to the Kyoto Protocol and granted start-up funds to the Green Climate Fund, which was pushed by China and is administrated by the World Bank. An ad hoc 40 member Transitional Committee was established to immediately work on a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol to place ALL countries under the same legal regime, to be presented for approval by 2015 and become in effect by 2020. China also won a Green Climate Fund. Next June a “pre-meeting” will meet in Rio (called the Rio+20) to lay the groundwork for the larger gas-emissions meeting in Qatar in December, 2012. –EagleForum-

 

In Businessweek: Bloomberg reported that in 2005 the Pentagon issued an alert that fake microchips produced in Communist China were causing military equipment malfunctions. It is believed that at least 15% of the spare and replacement chips the Pentagon purchases are counterfeits. It is difficult to know if these fake chips cause certain plane or helicopter crashes, although almost every weapon system has reported field failures. An additional danger from counterfeit Chinese chips is the possibility of foreign espionage. The head of the cyber security in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the FBI have acknowledged that “routers” can allow the Chinese to gain access to U.S. secure systems. “Routers” are from the routing trail of the router chips which come from scrapping computers from U.S. ships to China; scavengers sand off the dates and other identification from these old circuit boards, put a new coating on the chips, label them as “military,” and sell them in bazaars to small-time brokers in the U. S. The Pentagon buys them because the Federal affirmative-action policies require them to favor suppliers claiming to be “disadvantaged,” and because they are cheap. These fake microchips are being called, “hardware Trojans.” The Government Accountability Office reported that "counterfeit parts have the potential to cause a serious disruption to DoD supply chains, delay ongoing missions, and even affect the integrity of weapons systems." Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) added that counterfeit parts have "infiltrated" the defense supply chain including microprocessors for F-15 operational flight-control computers and the hardware of our Missile Defense System. Although the U.S. Government has requested the Chinese government to allow our inspectors for on-site quality control, they have rejected the request. The only solution is to insist that the Defense Department purchase only computer chips and routers manufactured in the U. S. under strict security guidelines.  –EagleForum-

 

The National Labor Relations Board: which is administrated by President Obama’s appointees, recently implemented a new rule designed to push more workers into forced unionism. Exceeding its statutory authority, the NLRB is forcing its way into as many as six million private-sector workplaces requiring job providers to post biased notices that effectively serve as a roadmap to unionization, even if the workers don’t want to work under union-boss control, even if the company has never been accused of an unfair labor practice. Mom and Pop shops, small businesses, larger companies and even some religiously-affiliated organizations are included. Read to learn more.  –TheNationalRightToWorkLegalDefenseFoundation-

Donald Berwick: former head of the Federal Medicare and Medicaid programs stepped down in the face of his controversial views which advocate following the British health system with its rationing arm, The National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness (NICE), and his pro-euthanasia socialist views, support of abortion funding, rationing, and failure to protect conscience rights of medical workers. This man, to whom the President entrusted $962 BILLION dollars, failed to be approved by the Congress, where Republican Senators blocked his nomination by filibuster. He will be replaced by his chief deputy, Marilynn Tavenner.

 

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority: is set to release a list of more than 1600 words it considered to be “vulgar, obscene or harmful,” and ordered phone companies to block text messages containing those words. However, one of the words on the list of this Moslem government is “Jesus Christ.” The Authority states that it is planning to shorten the list, although it is not known if they will leave the name of Jesus on the list and continue this manner of Christian persecution.

 

 

Medjugorje Monthly Message

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

-Blessed Virgin Mary at Medjugorje-

 

Update: Cardinal Ruini: who is Chairman of the committee investigating the events at Medjugorje, has stated that the Commission is still in the process of its investigation and is far from being ready to announce any resolution. It was also confirmed that the committee has interviewed visionaries Vicka, Ivanka, and Father Jozo Zovko.

 

Marija’s Message of December 25, 2011: “Dear Children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Pray, little children, and witness so that in every heart, not human but God's peace may prevail, which no one can destroy. It is that peace in the heart which God gives to those whom He loves. By your baptism you are all, in a special way called and loved, therefore witness and pray that you may be my extended hands to this world which yearns for God and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

 

Jakov’s Message of December 25, 2011: "Dear Children! Today, in a special way, I desire to take you to and give you over to my Son. Little children, open your hearts and permit Jesus to be born in you, because only in this way, little children, you yourselves will be able to experience your new birth and set out with Jesus in your hearts towards the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call."

 

January 2, 2012 Message to Mirjana:"Dear children; As with motherly concern I look in your hearts, in them I see pain and suffering; I see a wounded past and an incessant search; I see my children who desire to be happy but do not know how. Open yourselves to the Father. That is the way to happiness, the way by which I desire to lead you. God the Father never leaves His children alone, especially not in pain and despair. When you comprehend and accept this, you will be happy. Your search will end. You will love and you will not be afraid. Your life will be hope and truth which is my Son. Thank you. I implore you, pray for those whom my Son has chosen. Do not judge because you will all be judged."

 

 

New Saints

Blessed Marianne Cope: a Franciscan, now has an assigned Feast Day of January 23rd.  She spent her life in Hawaii caring for those afflicted with leprosy. She followed in the footsteps of Brother Damian of Molokai, who first served the lepers of Hawaii and eventually died from the disease. Today this disease can be cured in its earlier stages through the use of doxycycline, an inexpensive antibiotic.

 

 

Prayer Intentions From The Holy Father

For January, 2012

General Intentions:

That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need

to rebuild their lives.
Mission Intentions:
That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ

before all men and women of good will.

 

 

Prayer Opportunities And Retreats

December 31, 2011: Welcome the New Year with Eucharistic Adoration beginning at 8:00 pm, ongoing Confessions, and then Benediction just prior to the start of the English Mass at Midnight. Father Robert Altier will be the celebrant for Midnight Mass in honor of the January 1st Feast Day of Mary, Mother of God. (this will take care of the obligation for this Holy Day) This will be at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 408-3rd Street No. in South St. Paul. All are welcome.

 

January 6-7, 2012: An all-night vigil will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 401 Concord Street in St. Paul, Friday from 7:00 pm to Saturday at 8:00 am.

 

January 6-7, 2012: An prayer vigil sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatima will be held at the Little Sisters of the Poor, 330 Exchange Street South in St. Paul. 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. For information, call Bill Rysavy at: 952-892-7153.

 

January 8, 2012: A Children’s Holy Hour is being held at St. Charles Catholic Church, 409 North 3rd Street in Bayport from Noon to 1:00 pm. The Children’s Holy Hour will be held every second Sunday of each month. Everyone is invited.

 

January 14, 2012: A Retreat for engaged couples titled, “God’s Plan For a Joy-Filled Marriage” is being held at St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Albertville from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The retreat is based on Christopher West’s Theology of the Body retreats, and seeks to provide understanding of the teachings of the Church and offers helps to live married life as God intended. Topics include natural family planning, chastity prior to marriage, the difference between lust and love, and the importance of praying together as a couple and growing in faith together. The cost is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Register online at: www.JOYFILLEDMARRIAGERETREAT.EVENT.BRITE.COM  or contact: Jeremy Rohr at: 763-458-1942 and ROHR_JEREMY@YAHOO.COM

 

January 21, 2012: A morning retreat for women, 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: “Sharing Christ With Muslims.” 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.

 

January 22, 2012: A weekend retreat event for women titled, ‘Fire of Hope” is being held at the State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave in downtown Minneapolis. It is billed as, “a celebration of faith, family and friends with inspirational speakers, a marketplace with materials of general interest to women and entertainment. The cost for Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm is $59, the cost for Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm is $79, or $99 for both. Tickets are available at: www.fireofhopeusa.com or call: 650-503-HOPE.

 

January 22, 2012:  For information on the Annual Prayer Service for Life in commemoration of Roe vs Wade, see Conferences, Lectures and Events above.

 

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

 

February 4, 2012: A single parent’s retreat, a time to reflect, recharge 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 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 25, 2012: A morning retreat from 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon titled, “Finding Christ In The Desert,” 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.

 

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

 

After: the State of Texas defunded Planned Parenthood, a total of 12 Planned Parenthood facilities had to be closed throughout the State of Texas. The total cut in funding amounted to $64.2 million dollars.

 

The American Life League: is calling for the resignation of Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, due to the growing evidence that there is a connection between the illegal destruction of records in a criminal case that let Planned Parenthood of Kansas off the hook for its allegedly illegal activities.

 

Among The Particpiants: of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement are the Communist Party USA, the American Nazi Party, Socialist Party USA, Industrial Workers of the World, International Bolshevik Tendency, Marxist Student, 9/11 Truthers, and in Florida, Planned Parenthood joined a coalition of left-wing groups to support the movement. Planned Parenthood joined the “Awake The State” group which organized the rally, along with Occupy Orlando. Is there any question where Planned Parenthood’s loyalties are.

 

An Amazing Report: was presented on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition program in which their Science Editor, Robert Krulwich presented a report about “fetomaternal microchimerism.” At the time when a woman is pregnant with her children, she receives a large number of protective cells from the child, which remain with her for the rest of her life, and actually repair damaged tissue. This may also be evidence to support the strong bond between mother and child.

 

Arizona, Phoenix: The parents of twenty-one year old Sam Schmid had been approached by hospital officials to turn off his life-support and donate his organs, and were just hours away from doing so, when he began to hold up two fingers on command. Sam had been diagnosed a brain dead due to a car accident in October. Today he uses a walker, has recovered his speech and is expected to make a full recovery. Great caution needs to be taken in these cases.

 

Austria: has won a huge pro-life victory when the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Austria has the right to ban in-vitro fertilization. The Court cited the disrespect for national sovereignty in bioethical issues, the undermining of the family, and it stated that there is no such thing as the “right to have a child.” The Court confirmed references to “natural procreation,” and a “natural family” having only one mother and one father, which artificial reproductive methods would lead to the destruction of the biological family as a social model, and would also overlook “moral considerations” which using biotechnologies tend to do.

 

Beware of The: “Here’s Hope Breast Cancer Bible” which is available at Wal-Mart. This is a thematic book of testimonies from breast cancer survivors with 5% of the purchase price going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which will turn around and donate to Planned Parenthood.

 

Did You Know: that no private insurance company offers maternity coverage. Evidently when Obama enacted his health reforms, he mandated that maternity coverage was not to be available to any private insurance company. It turns out that this policy is not new; in 1969 the government asked Planned Parenthood to come up with ideas to deal with overpopulation. PP’s response was to eliminate paid maternity leave or benefits, making it difficult to have children.

 

Ian Wilmut: the scientist who achieved international notoriety for cloning the sheep Dolly, is now urging his fellow scientists and researchers to abandon embryonic stem cell research. His comments at a conference follow on the major news that Geron, a cloning company the Obama administration funded to undertake the first human clinical trials involving embryonic-like stem cells, abruptly canceled the trials and got out of the embryonic stem cell research business. Wilmut spoke to researchers in California and said that embryonic stem cells are not likely going to show promise because they lead to the development of tumors after injected into animals in studies and that scientists should focus their energies on non-embryonic stem cell research. Wilmut is particularly impressed by direct programming, a process that takes adult stem cells and reverts them to an embryonic-like state without purposefully creating and destroying human embryos

 

Georgia, Atlanta:  The Center for Disease Control now recommends that boys ages 9 to 12 years should be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, and that girls and young women between the ages of 9 and 26 should also be vaccinated to prevent various cancers of the reproductive tract, and cervical cancer in females. This would not even being a topic of discussion if abstinence were practiced.

 

Illinois, Springfield: In 1995, Illinois passed the Parental Notice Act to ensure that parents were notified if their minor daughter was seeking an abortion. However, the law has never been enforced, largely due to the Illinois State Constitution, which the ACLU insists includes “a right to an abortion.” Abortion was illegal in Illinois until the Roe vs Wade decision which imposed abortion on this nation. The Illinois State Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case, which has yet to be argued before the State High Court.

 

Maryland: Two abortionists, Steven Brigham and Nicola Riley have been charged with murder in the deaths of viable babies at an illegal secret abortion clinic they operated in Elkton, Maryland. Both have been arrested and are being held in custody in New Jersey and Utah, respectively and are awaiting extradition to Maryland. The clinic performed late-term abortions, where Brigham would instigate the abortion, and then caravan the laboring women to Elkton where the abortions were completed by Riley. When raided by police, the facility was found to have the remains of 35 aborted babies, one of which was 33 weeks old. Although late-term abortions are not illegal in Maryland, anyone who kills viable babies in the commission of a crime can be charged with murder in that state. Brigham has no license to practice in Maryland

 

Massachusetts, Boston: The number of signatures necessary to introduce legislation is 68,911 in Massachusetts, and this number was obtained in order to give the legislature the opportunity to pass “assisted suicide” legislation, which in this case, would permit physicians to prescribe lethal drugs to patients with fewer than six months to live. If the legislature wants to defer the matter to the people, then another 11,485 signatures must be obtained, and the measure will be placed on the 2012 ballot for public vote. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston is speaking out strongly on the issue, urging Catholic voters to reject a statewide initiative. The Massachusetts Medical Society’s House of Delegates also voted to retain its position against assisted suicide.

 

Michigan: Dr. David Fink is leading research at the University of Michigan using gene therapy to combat chronic pain. He and his researches are using a herpes virus to deliver a gene with a natural painkiller, which then migrates to the nerves and makes the nerve cells produce the pain killer for 4 to 6 weeks. Researchers believe they will be able to extend this effect for as much as 6 months. This is particularly important for end-of-life issues which can sometimes result in chronic pain, and lead some to believe the answer for their problem is assisted suicide. This would be an effective treatment particularly for those cases.

 

Netherlands: The Dutch Medical Association is seeking to expand the practice of Euthanasia in the Netherlands to include more people under the “unbearable suffering” that allows physicians to kill patients and the elderly. This is “code” that a number of social factors and diseases and aliments that are not terminal would qualify as “unbearable and lasting suffering” such a loneliness. Euthanasia has been proven to be the “slippery slope” as was predicted.

 

South Korea: Scientists in South Korea have not given up on attempting to clone human embryos, and under the leadership of Professor Park Se-pill at Jeju National University, are pursuing the research using human fetus’.

 

Texas, Houston: Democratic legislators in Houston threw their annual “Holiday Party” at a newly built Planned Parenthood facility. To be clear about the connection between the Democrats and PP, even the Houston Mayor spoke at the June, 2010 opening of the massive new Planned Parenthood, stating that their services there were “about family.”

 

Washington, DC: The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, which was introduced by Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ), would prohibit sex-selection abortions, period. However, the usual protestors have lined up to voice their objections, including Planned Parenthood, NARAL, the ACLU and 30 pro-abortion groups which allege the bill will “effectively exacerbate already existing disparities by limiting some women’s access to comprehensive reproductive health care.”

 

 

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