Now THAT is so sweet....

President George W. Bush pauses for a photo opportunity with nuns at the Church of the Beatitudes Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, during his last stop in Israel. White House photo by Eric Draper

HT: The White House Web Site

A voice of reason in the wilderness

"Selfishness and fear are at the root of (pro-abortion) legislation," he said. "We in the Church have a great struggle to defend life...life is a gift not a threat."--Pope Benedict

"The Church says life is beautiful, it is not something to doubt but it is a gift even when it is lived in difficult circumstances. It is always a gift."--Pope Benedict

Read the whole article here.

Welcome Home Dr. Beckwith

“If you're going to do a thing, you should do it thoroughly. If you're going to be a Christian, you may as well be a Catholic.”

---- Muriel Spark

Dr. Francis Beckwith, president of the Evangelical Theological Society and professor at Baylor University in Waco, Texas has just converted back into the Catholic Church. You can read about his journey here and read some of the uncharitable remarks from our Protestant brothers and sisters regarding his move back to Rome. This brave man needs prayers from the entire Christian community, but could use some words of encouragement from those of us who are Catholic. Welcome this man and let him know that we are glad that he has come home. Visit his blog by clicking below:

Dr. Francis Beckwith

HT:
Edmund C.

Good News! Don't give up!

For all of you parents out there who are struggling to bring your child up in a religious home, take great heart in this recent study. It tells us what most of us already knew, but is very encouraging when you are tempted to skip Mass, faith development, or even home study in the areas of faith, morals and service. READ IT and recommit to bringing your child up in a religious home, not just on Sundays, but everyday!!

FYI, the above picture is a youth ministry event that I planned at church. I instructed the youth to race to the finish line, only after they had been wrapped up in Saran Wrap (no faces were covered and arms were allowed to be wrap free). Yes, that meant they had to "hop" their way to the finish line! It was hilarious!

HT: Edmond C

A glimmer of good news.

Monday was a disturbing day in NC with power outages, uprooted trees, and disorganized travel due to a massive wind/rain storm that brought over 40 mph winds acoss the state. The shootings at VT didn't make things any better. I had to turn off any radio, T.V. or Internet whenever the kids came around to save them from finding out about the massacre of the college students. Our prayers are with the families experiencing this tragedy directly and with the VT student community. But today, I am thankful. I'm thankful that a small victory was had for our society, for the future and for life. Thanks to our Supreme Court for seeing the brutality of partial birth abortion and banning it from ever being done again. For those of you who have never seen the procedure, you can see how one is carried out and how cruel it can be for the baby.
Here are drawings of the procedure

When I see these drawings, all I can think to say is, "Father forgive them. For they know not what they do."

This ruling is a step towards goodness and life, both of which are given to us by our Creator.