Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Fire Urban Meyer.com Appears

A pre-emptive strike by a Gator fan who doesn't want anyone to buy the domain in imitation of fireronzook.com.



Home Page

Daily Advent Meditations and Books for Christmas Gifts

Just a reminder that I am posting daily advent meditations here.



Also if you are looking for a personalized gift for Christmas, Amy and I would be happy to autograph a book personally and send it out to you in time for the holidays. You can look at the options here.

Scranton Bishop Suppresses Conservative Group

From Catholic World News : Scranton bishop suppresses conservative group:



"Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton, Pennsylvania, has suppressed the Society of St. John, citing grave financial problems and reports of sexual impropriety.



The Society of St. John, a conservative group dedicated to the revival of Catholic culture centered around the Tridentine Mass, was founded in the Scranton diocese in 1998, with the approval of then-Bishop James Timlin. But by 2002, the Society was beset with problems involving allegations of financial and sexual misconduct. Critics-- including disaffected former members-- cited lavish spending at the Society's rural Pennsylvania headquarters, and reports that adolescent boys were given alcohol and invited for overnight stays with the group's leaders. "

Monday, November 29, 2004

Paralyzed Woman Walks Again After Stem Cell Therapy

Not from embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells but from umbilical cord blood...



From Paralyzed woman walks again after stem cell therapy:



"The use of stem cells from cord blood could also point to a way to side-step the ethical dispute over the controversial use of embryos in embryonic stem-cell research.



'We have glimpsed at a silver lining over the horizon,' said Song Chang-Hoon, a member of the research team and a professor at Chosun University's medical school in the southwestern city of Kwangju.



'We were all surprised at the fast improvements in the patient.'

Under TV lights and flashing cameras, Hwang stood up from her wheelchair and shuffled forward and back a few paces with the help of the frame at the press conference here on Thursday.



'This is already a miracle for me,' she said. 'I never dreamed of getting to my feet again.'"


Abortion Facts

Abortion Quotes

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Daily Advent Meditations

The First Sunday of Advent meditation has been posted at The Day Shall Dawn Upon Us.

Check back daily for new meditations throughout Advent and the Christmas season.

Saturday, November 27, 2004

The Never-ending Search

From BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | The never-ending search:



"Fascination with the Holy Grail has lasted for centuries, and now the Bletchley Park code-breakers have joined the hunt. But what is it that's made the grail the definition of something humans are always searching for but never actually finding? "

Friday, November 26, 2004

Pope Proposes Annual Day of Prayer for Vocations

In the United States...



From Wired News | Pope Urges U.S. National Prayer Day for More Priests:



"'I would propose for your consideration that the Catholic community in your country annually set aside a national day of prayer for priestly vocations,' the 84-year-old pontiff urged."

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are especially thankful this year, hope you find it in your heart to give thanks to God today also...

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Advent Christmas Blog

Since I found doing this during Lent last year enjoyable, I've decided to do it for Advent/Christmas this year. The blog title will be The Day Shall Dawn Upon Us...



Meditations will begin on Saturday.

Mysterious Booms---Now in Richmond, VA

They've been happening here for some time...



From The Times Dispatch:



Reports of the mysterious booms first felt in North Side neighborhoods are now coming from other city sections and beyond.



Folks from the Fan District, Lakeside, Short Pump and New Kent County all say they have sensed the shock.



Richmond leaders have even been contacted by officials from Fort Wayne, Ind., and several Canadian provinces where similar booms have been felt recently, city emergency services spokesman Bill Farrar said.




I should add that the local officials told residents that they had determined the cause of the "booms" but weren't going to share it with them. This story makes that statement less credible.

Monday, November 22, 2004

Confusion on the Home Front

Joseph is a little confused by the name of his baby brother Michael Jacob and has taken to calling him "Daddy" Jacob...since my first name is Michael he obviously thinks it is synonymous with daddy. This is how nicknames are born isn't it?



Joseph has also declared that Daddy Jacob's first words have already been spoken, "Allah"...from the sound he makes when crying.

Father Fox Hit by Car

What is it with famous priests being struck by cars?



Please pray for Father Robert Fox who was struck by a car over the weekend. From what I hear he is doing fine, with some fractured bones in his arm. Father Fox is famous for his apostolate to spread devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.

Fr. Benedict Live

For those who lament the lack of good Catholic education I can think of no better way for you to give yourself and your children a good solid hour of teaching every week than Father Benedict's new "live" show. Last night he touched on Purgatory and other after life issues.



By the way he mentioned last night a friend calling and telling him that they had visited Brother Fernando's grave...that "friend" was me.



Brother Ferdinand was a brother who always prayed for a happy death. Father Benedict had told the story of this brother's death the week before. The brother colapsed in the refectory and was taken to his room where a priest was summoned. After being annointed and having prayers said the brother rose from the bed and said "arrivederci"...waving his hand goodbye to all who were gathered around him and died.

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Good for Coach Zook

Glad to see Florida State get beat...and happy that Ron Zook will have that on his resume to land his next job.

Word from Amy (Should be up later today)

Thank you to everyone who has sent their congratulations and kind words. Amy returns home today and will probably have her own take published be early evening today.

Friday, November 19, 2004

Michael Jacob Dubruiel

Amy's confinement ended today at 1:14 with the arrival of Michael Jacob Dubruiel who was 7 pounds 11 ounces and 22 inches long.



We arrived at the hospital at 12:38, so you can see it all happened pretty quick, naturally and thank God safely.



Both Amy and M. Jacob are doing great!



Thanks to all who have offered their prayers and good wishes.



Michael Dubruiel's books

Michael Dubruiel

Michael Dubruiel

Michael Dubruiel

Bishops Approve National Adult Catechism--Minus Merton

I find the reasoning quesionable. Merton still remains the best known American Catholic.



Bernardin made the cut probably because other bishops were voting on it--but given some recent statements by Richard Sipe on his situation, he hardly seems like a good choice.



From Catholic bishops approve national adult catechism:



"However, the final draft removed the Trappist monk and author Thomas Merton, who was originally the opening story. Every bishop on the committee had read Merton's bestselling 1949 autobiography about his journey from atheism to faith and thought he was an excellent example of a young American searching for God. But Merton, who died in 1968, is rejected by conservative Catholics who believe his later interest in Buddhist forms of prayer compromised his faith.



The main reason Merton was removed was because 'the generation we were speaking to had no idea who he was,' Wuerl said. 'Only secondarily did we take into consideration that we don't know all the details of the searching at the end of his life.'"

Pope to Visit Northern Ireland Next Year...

From International News Article | Reuters.com:



"Pope John Paul's health has stabilized recently, so much so that the Pontiff has expressed a desire to make at least two major trips abroad next year, including one to Northern Ireland.



The 84-year-old Pope and his aides have come to terms with the rigors and limits of Parkinson's disease. Although it has taken its toll over the past 10 years, it seems to have steadied recently, making planning, albeit tentative, easier."

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Spurrier headed to South Carolina...Maybe

From Spurrier headed to South Carolina, announcement next week - Thursday, 11/18/04:



"The ol' head ball coach is on his way back to the Southeastern Conference -- just not where everyone expected.



Steve Spurrier, who guided Florida to six SEC championships and a national championship in his 12 years in Gainesville, has agreed in principle to take over at South Carolina for Lou Holtz as the Gamecocks' head coach, a source close to the situation told The Tennessean last night.



One potential snag in the agreement could be if Holtz, 67, has a change of heart and decides at the last minute not to retire. Spurrier has also been known to change his mind, although he's made it clear to South Carolina that the Gamecocks' job is the one he wants."

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

US Bishops Shelve Statement Urging Greater Use of Bible

Interesting from the perspective of the North/South rift that exist within the Catholic Chuch in the U.S.



From Boston.com / News / Nation / Washington / US bishops shelve statement urging greater use of Bible:



"'I can imagine the headline tomorrow: 'Bishops, in attempt to cut expenses, do not encourage people to read the Bible,' ' said Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan of Brooklyn.



Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb, of Mobile, Ala., said 'from my position, where the Bible is so much a part of any effort at evangelization, this would be a disaster public-relationswise.' And Bishop John W. Yanta, of Amarillo, Texas, said, 'Coming from a mission diocese, and also from the Bible Belt, I think it would be disastrous for us to vote against this, and I think it would be detrimental. The word of God is essential to evangelization.'



But opponents said that the catechism of the Catholic Church obviously encourages Catholics to read the Bible, and that a statement reiterating that support is unnecessary.



'All these arguments could be applied to just about every statement we make, but at some point we have to draw the line, as difficult as it might be,' said Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of Youngstown, Ohio.



The bishops voted 137 to 102 not to pursue the statement until the conference can decide what its priorities are."

Monday, November 15, 2004

Pastor: Bishops Should be Jailed for 'Silence' on Abuse

From Boston.com / News / Local / Mass. / Pastor says bishops should be jailed for 'silence' on abuse:



"The Rev. James J. Scahill, pastor of St. Michael's Parish in East Longmeadow, told 900 cheering members of Voice of the Faithful that parishioners nationwide are engaged in ''a struggle of truth against power' in their long effort to hold church leaders accountable for alleged abuse.



On the eve of a major bishops' conference in Washington, D.C., Scahill told a packed ballroom at the Worcester Centrum Centre that by refusing to speak out quickly and decisively and remove priests accused of abuse from the ministry, some church leaders had become mere ''readers of the Gospel instead of proponents of the Gospel.'"

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Archbishop O'Malley Writes to Boston Parishes

Excerpts can be read atNews Read - TheDay.com:



"At times I ask God to call me home and let someone else finish this job"

Bishop Wenski Takes Over in Orlando

A month early...



From OrlandoSentinel.com: Orange County News:



"Pope John Paul II on Saturday named Bishop Thomas Wenski to succeed Bishop Norbert Dorsey as head of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, effective immediately.



In July 2003, Wenski was named bishop coadjutor, signifying he would automatically take over for Dorsey when he retired. The common practice under this pope is for bishops to submit letters of resignation as they near their 75th birthday. Sometime thereafter, at the Vatican's discretion, the resignation is accepted.



Dorsey will not be 75 until Dec. 14, but no reason was given for the early appointment. The incumbent had no complaint about the timing of the hand-over to Wenski.



'He's ready, and I'm ready,' Dorsey said in an interview.



Dorsey, who will continue to live in Orlando, said he now hopes to begin a fitness program and to learn how to use a computer. He would still like to do pastoral care at prisons and hospitals, and perhaps fill in for other parish priests.



'I'm still a priest and a bishop,' Dorsey said. He had more earthly matters in mind after Saturday's announcement, however. His first job after the news conference was to get a flu shot."

Couple Sought to 'Sacrifice' Kids on Altar

In Rochester, NH in a Catholic Church...



From FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Cops: Couple Sought to 'Sacrifice' Kids on Altar

Saturday, November 13, 2004

Bishops Who Don't Deny Communion

To gay activists...



They plan on presenting themselves at the Mass on Monday.



From The Rainbow Sash Movement: Gay Catholics Act Up with the National Council of Catholic Bishops:



"Earlier this year Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago made international news for denying RSM members and their supporters Holy Communion at his Cathedral. Like Cardinal George of Chicago, Cardinal McCarrick will only bring more scandal to a scandal ridden church.



However, there is division on this matter among the bishops: Archbishop Harry Flynn (Minneapolis/St Paul, MN), Cardinal Roger Mahony (Los Angeles, CA), Bishop Mathew Clark (Rochester, NY), have welcomed RSM members to Holy Communion this past year. Additionally, Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton (Detroit) has supported our call for inclusion."

Friday, November 12, 2004

Message for the End of Ramadan, 2004

From the Holy See, focuses on children...Message for the end of Ramadan, 2004:



"In their prayers many Christians have been thinking about you and accompanying you during this month of fasting, a month which occupies such an important place in the life of your community. At the earliest age possible you teach your children to observe this month of fasting, thus developing in them a sense of God and a spirit of religious obedience, at the same time helping them to train their will and to acquire self-discipline. In this way the family is, par excellence, the place where your children receive their first religious education."

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Papal Reaction to Arafat's Death

From Vatican Information Service:



The following telegram of condolences was sent in Pope John Paul's name to Rawhi Fattuh, president of the Palestinian Legislative Council, by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, upon learning of the death early this morning of Yasser Arafat:



"At this hour of sadness at the passing of President Yasser Arafat, His Holiness Pope John Paul is particularly close to the deceased's family, the Authorities and the Palestinian People. While entrusting his soul into the hands of the Almighty and Merciful God, the Holy Father prays to the Prince of Peace that the star of harmony will soon shine on the Holy Land and that the two Peoples dwelling therein may live reconciled among themselves as two independent and sovereign."

Diocese of Spokane Filing for Bankruptcy

From SR.com: Bankruptcy for diocese:



"A week after failed settlement talks with victims of clergy sex abuse, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane announced Wednesday that it will file for bankruptcy by the end of the month.



The move won't close schools or parishes, but it will stop a civil lawsuit from going to trial on Nov. 29. Filing for Chapter 11 also forces the diocese to surrender its financial records for public scrutiny.



'We are not a wealthy diocese,' Bishop William Skylstad said during a press conference Wednesday. He said filing for bankruptcy accomplishes two goals: 'All claims will be treated equally, fairly, with justice' while allowing the diocese to continue its ministry and mission in Eastern Washington."

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

U.N. Demands Poland Allow Abortion

Another reason to abolish the United Nations...



From LifeSite Special Report - U.N. Demands Poland Overturn Laws Against Abortion:



"The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) concluded a review on Poland's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), demanding that the mostly-Catholic nation 'liberalize' its abortion laws. The UN committee composed of 18 UN human rights 'experts' from various countries met with Polish officials on October 27 and 28, making its observations and recommendations on November 4.



While, the UN itself and the ICCPR specifically does not officially promote abortion, both the organization and the committee enforcing the ICCPR have often been criticized for meddling in the contentious issue. The November 4 statement of the UNHRC is particularly blunt in demanding Poland legalize abortion. 'The State Party should liberalize its legislation and practice on abortion,' it said."

God's Little Hobo

From a reader:



I am writing in regards to the book "God's Little Hobo" by Virginia Cyr,

edited by Dr. Quentin Colgan and published by Our Sunday Visitor Books.



This book is a compilation of some of the "Letters to Mother" (Blessed

Mother Mary) that Virginia wrote during the last few years of her life has

touched me deeply. Abandoned by her mother at the age of four years, she spent

her life in foster homes and finally an orphanage. In the letters she confides

to our Blessed Mother Mary as a child would confide in her own earthly mother.

She tells Mary about her joys, trials, sufferings. She had such a close

relationship with Mary. Everything she owned and everything she did was always

"ours"....our chair, our room, our mail, our retreat. Virginia longed for her

very own "Nazareth" - a home with family who would be there for her - a place

where she felt wanted and loved. She suffered immense physical pain due to her

cerebral palsy but most people that knew her were unaware of just how much she

really suffered. She hid it so well. Her spirituality reminds me of St. Therese

the Little Flower of Jesus.



My prayer is that some day Virginia Cyr will

be canonized a Saint in our Catholic church. I have told numerous people about

Virginia and some are reading the book now.



This book has left me wanting to know more about Virginia Cyr. Dr. Quentin Colgan has a beautiful web site filled with information about Virginia. It would be wonderful to have more of her "Letters to Mother" published in another book.



I thank Dr. Colgan for introducing me and countless others to Virginia Cyr.



Thank you for publishing this awe inspiring book.




To view Virginia's book click on the link:









Anti-religious Post Election Commentary

Go to their site to read the list...



From CATHOLIC LEAGUE for Religious and Civil Rights:



"Last week Catholic League president William Donohue listed the anti-religious commentary that many cultural elites offered in the aftermath of the election. "

Arctic Melting Fast; May Swamp U.S. Coasts by 2099

Inland Florida land may be ocean front property in your children's lifetime!



From Arctic Melting Fast; May Swamp U.S. Coasts by 2099

Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Seven Signs of Hope for the Church

Tim Drake gives us Seven Signs of Hope for the Church

Here We Go Again - Arafat Is Dead, Palestinian Sources Say

Of course the Israelies have said that he's been dead, hooked up to life support for a number of days now. See previous posts.



From Yahoo! News - Arafat Is Dead, Palestinian Sources Say:



"'He is dead,' a senior political source close to Arafat told Reuters in Paris, where the 75-year-old leader has been lying in a coma at a French military hospital.

Asked to confirm Arafat's death, another official close to the president said: 'Yes, he is dead. There will be an announcement soon.'



None of the sources gave any details of the cause of death.



Officials in the West Bank said they had not been informed that Arafat was dead. "

Review of Surprised by Canon Law

From Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:



"Q: What are the basics of the code that Catholics need to know on a

daily basis?



Vere: There are several of basics, both in

terms of canonical rights and canonical responsibilities.



Yet Canon 213

provides a nice summary, stating: 'The Christian faithful have the right to

receive assistance from the sacred pastors out of the spiritual goods of the

Church, especially the word of God and the sacraments.' In other words, all

Catholics have the right to sound teaching and the means with which to grow in

holiness. "





The book and another new book by Pete and Pat Madrid:









Monday, November 8, 2004

USATODAY.com - Church struggles with change

Major series of stories in the USA Today, today. Slant is inaccurate...fails to mention there are more Catholics even if there are fewer priests/parishes serving them. Also fails to note the true why of decline in Mass attendance, something that the Year of the Eucharist if properly implemented (and don't hold your breath on that happening) could bring about a great reform in the Mass.



On a side note that is relevant to this point: A whole generation of priests have been taught a confused theology of the Church. Ask any of them a simple question and you are bound to receive an overqualified answer that nuances everything to the point of saying almost nothing. Until this problem is remedied, I don't see how things are going to change.



For Example: All Souls becomes "memorial day" with no mention of praying for the dead, or keeping in mind our final end.



From USATODAY.com - Church struggles with change:



"Today there are fewer parishes and fewer priests than in 1990 and fewer of

the nation's 65 million Catholics in those pews. And there's no sign of

return."


Is Christ in the Fire?

Check out the picture of a Rectory damaged by fire

Sunday, November 7, 2004

O' Donnel's Adopted Son--"I want to have a daddy."

From Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:



"We have already seen an example of this. Rosie O'Donnell, a very public lesbian and advocate for lesbian adoption, was asked what she would do if her adopted son wanted a father. According to O'Donnell, her son had already expressed that desire. When he was 6, he said, 'I want to have a daddy.'



O'Donnell replied, 'If you were to have a daddy, you wouldn't have me as a mommy because I'm the kind of mommy who wants another mommy. This is the way mommy got born.' He said, 'OK, I'll just keep you.'



While O'Donnell undoubtedly sees this as a positive affirmation of same-sex adoption, there is another interpretation: She made her son feel that his natural desire for a father is a rejection of her. That is a terrible burden to place on a little boy.



And it gets worse. In the same interview, O'Donnell recounted how she explained adoption to her son: '... he understands that there are different types of people; that he grew up in another lady's tummy, and that God looked inside and saw there was a mix-up and that God brought him to me.'



In other words, in light of this and the previous conversation between O'Donnell and her son, it is wrong for him to want a daddy because God decided that he shouldn't have one. "

Iraq Declares State of Emergency

From Yahoo! News - Iraq Declares State of Emergency:



"The government declared a 60-day state of emergency throughout most of the country Sunday, as U.S. and Iraqi forces prepared for an expected all-out assault on rebels in Fallujah. Insurgents escalated a wave of violence that has killed more than 50 people the past two days, and a U.S. soldier was killed in an attack on a convoy."

Saturday, November 6, 2004

Time for Foley to Go as AD of Florida

As usual Bianchi is right and entertaining at the same time. When Spurrier quit they were in a hurry to replace him, now after firing Zook in the middle of the season they seem incapable of replacing him....



And here is a prediction: If they hire Urban Meyer who has had success at a MAC school and now at Iowa, look for Florida to post records worst than those of the Zook era....the SEC isn't anything like those conferences.



From All Spurrier truly wanted was a job offer: South Florida Sun-Sentinel:



"Foley was adamant again Friday about how imperative it is for UF to conduct a comprehensive search to make sure the Gators hire the best coach available. Maybe he's right, but I believe he's wrong. Foley, who knows better than anybody how Spurrier thinks, surely had an idea that this 'national search' likely would cost UF a chance to bring back Spurrier.



I give up on trying to figure out the modus operandi UF uses to hire football coaches.



Three years ago, the Gators rushed through the process and hired the wrong coach. Now, they're taking their sweet time, and it likely cost them the right coach."

Evangelize!

From Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:



"'We Catholics don't provoke anyone, but we mustn't be afraid to confess our faith in public,' the cardinal exhorted.



With 'two-thirds of humanity who do not yet know Jesus or don't accept him' and geographic areas 'that need to be re-evangelized. --We cannot remain indifferent,' Cardinal Arinze warned.



'This is why the Pope speaks of a new evangelization. New not in content, but in method, in the impetus, in the spirit with which we proclaim Jesus,' he said. "

Friday, November 5, 2004

Arafat on Life Support

The story that won't die. Seems like they are trying to keep the illusion of life until they can iron out where he is going to be buried. He wanted Jerusalem, but Israel won't allow that. As a Muslim he would need to be buried within 24 hours of his death.



From CNN.com - Arafat on life support, U.S. officials say - Nov 5, 2004:



"Two U.S. administration officials have said machines were keeping Arafat alive until his family and officials from France, Israel and Egypt could reach a decision about a burial site."

Spurrier Says No to Gators but will Probably say Yes to Dolphins

From MSNBC - Spurrier might have bigger Fish to fry:



"The caretakers of the Dolphins are going to make current coach Dave Wannstedt suffer through a dreadful season and earn his pay, then they are going to make him the former head coach. They are going to deposit him in the assistants-who-should-not-have-been-head coaches bin with Ron Zook and try to get right with the fans.



A good start would be to hire Spurrier, who has Florida fans walking toward a ledge today. Six days ago, they were giddy believing Spurrier would rescue them. Today, they hold their heads in their hands.



Spurrier insists the Dolphins have not called, but there has to be a certain telepathy at work here. Bad team needs good coach. Works every time.



And all along we thought Spurrier was going to ride in and rescue the Gators. Wrong water animal. The life preserver could be thrown to the Dolphins.



Maybe."

New Bishop for Alexandria

From the Vatican Information Service:



The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Ronald Paul Herzog of the clergy of the diocese of Biloxi, U.S.A., and pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Laurel, U.S.A., as bishop of Alexandria (area 28,780, population 389,970, Catholics 48,050, priests 69, permanent deacons 5, religious 64), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Akron, U.S.A. 1942 and was ordained a priest in 1968.

Thursday, November 4, 2004

Help Requested

I'm looking for Saints who were converted or whose lives were changed from hearing either the Gospel preached or proclaimed at Mass.



St. Antony comes to mind,



But I'm looking for others.

Reports: Arafat Clinically Dead

From Reports: Arafat Clinically Dead:



"Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was declared clinically dead on Thursday in a French hospital, Israeli television said citing French sources. "

Arafat Lapses Into a Coma

From ABC News: Yasser Arafat Lapses Into a Coma:



"Yasser Arafat has lapsed into a coma in French hospital, a senior Palestinian official said Thursday, a day after the Palestinian leader was rushed to intensive care following a sharp deterioration in his health"

Catholic Vote Indistinguishable From the Rest of the Country

51-48 percent. What does this tell us?



But if you are Catholic and go to Mass the numbers are radically different, what does that tell us?



Moral issues were the number one factor in Bush getting re-elected.



From NewsMax.com: Inside Cover Story:



"Exit polls are showing that President Bush has won the Catholic vote 51-48 percent, which was decisive in states that were the key to Bush's victory, especially Ohio and Florida."

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

Kerry to Concede Victory to President Bush at 1 p.m.

From DRUDGE REPORT 2004

Having a Baby Changes a Mother's Brain

From NBC 15 :: NEWS:



"Motherhood doesn't just change your life. It also changes your brain.



New research, reported last month at a neuroscience meeting in San Diego, suggests that having babies permanently alters brain function.



If you're a rat, it makes you better at finding and killing dinner quickly. If you're a human, it helps you distinguish between your baby's cry and that of other children.



In either case, it's something fathers just don't get. Only mothers undergo these changes.



'Clearly these experiences are changing the female brain, but in a way that's natural,' said Craig Kinsley, a neuroscientist at the University of Richmond in Virginia. "

Winner Declared in Presidential Election

of Afghanistan...



From Karzai Declared the Winner of Afghan Presidential Election After Fraud Ruled Minor - from TBO.com



Hamid Karzai was declared the winner of Afghanistan's landmark presidential election Wednesday, after investigators concluded that a string of irregularities were too minor to overturn his triumph.



The country's joint U.N.-Afghan electoral board confirmed that the American-backed incumbent had clinched a five-year term as the country's first popularly chosen leader.




California Backs Stem-Cell Research

From ABC News: California Backs Stem-Cell Research:



"Californians voted Tuesday to spend $3 billion on stem cell research, putting the state on the cutting edge of a field questioned by conservatives and the Bush administration. Arizonans approved a crackdown on illegal immigrants, adopting a measure that would deter them from voting or obtaining certain government services. "

Cardinal Joos Dies

From Belgium-Cardinal-Dies:



"Gustaaf Cardinal Joos of Belgium, who derided lesbians and gays as 'sexual perverts,' died Tuesday at age 81, local church officials said.



Joos died at his parish home. He fell ill after saying mass Tuesday morning at a church in Landskouter, 44 kilometres northwest of Brussels, which he led since 1970, the Ghent bishopric said. It did not release information on the cause of death.



Joos, who was appointed cardinal last year, studied with Pope John Paul II before the latter became pontiff in Rome. "

Tuesday, November 2, 2004

All Souls Day

Pray the Office of the Dead for your loved ones...Liturgy of the Hours Apostolate

It's a Sin Not to Do It

New book...



From Telegraph | News | Vatican sex guide urges Catholics to do 'it' more often:



"The controversial book, It's A Sin Not To Do It, written by two theologians, promises the reader answers to "everything you wanted to know about sex but the Church (almost) never dared to tell you".



In their attempt to galvanise the faithful, Roberto Beretta and Elisabetta Broli, who write regularly for the Italian Bishops' magazine, Avvenire, have written one of the raciest works ever to deal with the Church and sex....



...The pages of It's A Sin Not To Do It, however, feature a frank interview with Cardinal Ersilio Tonini in which he emphasises that "the Church is not an enemy of the flesh". He argues that Vatican doctrine has always defended the "nobility of sexuality", which is regarded by the Church as a "treasure" of humanity.



Another chapter likely to raise eyebrows unearths theological justification for post-coital masturbation for women who fail to achieve orgasm during intercourse.



Beretta told The Telegraph: "The Church is not against sex. Something needed to be done about the cliches and stereotypes. The Church is not only about forbidding the use of contraception and warning against the sins of the flesh.




Bush Wins...First Results are In

From Yahoo! News - N.H. Hamlets Cast First Election Day Votes:



"The first Tuesday votes came from the northern New Hampshire community of Hart's Location, where 16 voters chose Bush, 14 went with Kerry and one chose Nader. Minutes later, the 26 registered voters in Dixville Notch, about 50 miles to the north, split 19 for Bush and 7 for Kerry."

Monday, November 1, 2004

Hire Steve Spurrier Petition

Hire Steve Spurrier Petition

Feast of All Saints

From Pope John Paul II:



"Let us all rejoice in the Lord on this solemnity of All Saints' Day. The Eucharistic celebration honouring All the Saints begins today with this invitation to rejoice. A Church pilgrim on this earth raises her gaze to Heaven and joins the chorus of those whom God has brought into His Glory. This is the communion of Saints.



Under the bright lights of this wonderful mystery the annual commemoration of all the faithful departed will take place tomorrow. The liturgy invites us to broaden our hearts and pray for all of them, especially for the souls who need Divine Mercy the most.



I raise a special prayer to God for all the victims of terrorism. I feel spiritually close to their families. As I ask the Lord to make their pain more bearable, I invoke his name that peace may come to the world.



May Mary, Queen of All Saints, help us faithfully follow Christ so that we may reach the Glory of Heaven."

From Father Benedict Groeschel

From Father Benedict:



"It is a difficult time for the Church, with scandals, religiously inadequate Catholic higher education in many places, and the decline in vocations. It is also a beautiful time. During my first program last Sunday, with the support of prayer from several communities of cloistered nuns around the country, I was able to speak to an audience of perhaps a million people in the United Sates alone, as well an unknown number in other countries. People from all over the U.S. phoned in with intelligent, well-thought-out questions.



While this is a time of battle and conflict, it is also a time to be hopeful. We must never enter a conflict with a hangdog, depressed attitude. That is the loser's way. "If the trumpeter sounds an uncertain note, who will follow?" is an old saying. Now is a time for the sounding of sure and certain notes. Whatever happens in the immediate future, we must be absolutely convinced that the cause of God will triumph. It would be spiritually helpful to many people at this point to read the first psalm, which has much to say about the current political situation. Read it, and you will know what to do as you go into the voting booth--no matter what the outcome. "




Here is Psalm 1:



Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does,

he prospers.

The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.



Light a Candle, Remember Your Dead on All Souls

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