Catholic Femina

President Obama Insults African American Voters

2010-09-20T13:56:00.005-04:00

"The last election was a changing of the guard -- now we need to guard the change," Obama said according to Yahoo News. He made this plea to Congressional Black Caucus, begging them to get the message out to their people. This is the biggest Swiss cheese campaign I have seen in a long time. I felt that this was a huge insult! He did not tell the C.B.C. what the changes were, only that they needed to be protected. Obama constantly calls for "change." His follows call for "change," but no one seems to really know what this "change" even is. Each individual can tell you the "change" that they want to see, and when you ask if that is happening they defend the president. Obama has a national campaign that allows all peoples in all places to fill in the blank. I want "_____" change! In so doing he is moving millions of people in the same direction with one over arching slogan of fame. He promises nothing to anyone, while promising the nation "change for all." I hope that people will see through this facade and let the president know that they want facts. The C.B.C. needs to send a message that their voters are intelligent and without a list of the changes made they are not going to defend it. I am certain that many of these people will be surprised when they learn that the president's "change" is different than their "change."

Witch Craft, Really Christine?

2010-09-18T22:37:00.002-04:00

This evening I read an article, by Associated Press, on Christine O'Donnell and here admittance to "dabbling in witch craft." I am Catholic and the heart of our faith is repentance, but this article was not unveiling a long time transgression to which O'Donnell asp apologizes. It was in fact exposing an interview in which Christine laughs about the incident. The grassroots candidate who has been pushing herself in conjunction with the yes party movement is not a representative of Christianity. Moreover, joking about "witchcraft" is more than just a dishonoring to Christians. It is an overarching blasphemy before God! Furthermore, it is a slap in the face to our founding father who set this republic that we live in as "one nation under God."
Catholic Femina Speaks: We understand that many of our politicians are flawed, but cannot settle for mediocre people who do not hold to the faith of our country. Our values will never be recognized by candidates who moke us and use us. Wake-up America, and look to good people. Not the lesser of two evils....

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"Animal Farm Schools"

2010-09-15T17:08:00.002-04:00

Today I was excited to announce that my daughter had completed her pre-kindergarten program. My pediatrician, friends, and teachers praised my children's intelligence. They frequently told me how they were so far above the average, I must admit that this did boost my ego. Every parent wants to think that their child is extraordinary.
So the ambitious parent that I am, I started the search for the perfect kindergarten program for my four-year-old to give her a year advantage. I have spent time in the public schools, and observed that nothing is really taught in kindergarten except discipline. Confident that my daughter has surpassed the preliminary kindergarten level I ambitiously looked for the best first grade program. Determined not to leave a stone unturned I googled: "the best first grade program." This brought me to a Quaker school, known as the Sidwell Friend School. I read in the short bio that President Obama sends his daughters to this school, I found this odd considering the president's insistence on the greatness of our public education system, yet he places his children in a private institution. I downloaded a portion of math homework from the website, and I was shocked at the difficulty! The work that I had given my daughter did not compare... I felt deceived, weren't my children smart? They passed the pediatrician's development exams, my daughter surpasses the standard for public first grade even? Investigating deeper, I discovered that second graders, in this private school for the privileged, were completeing vin diagrams and answering questions on them! The school's lunches are organic, consisting of well-balanced meals, not at all like the poorly prepared pre-pakaged food I had seen in the public schools.
The incident reminded me of the 1947 book Animal Farm, by George Orwell... "all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." Orwell risked his life under communist scrutiny to send this message to his people. How is this happening in our country? Aren't all children worth a good education and decent food? Obviously our president doesn't think so, he praises the public school system while keeping his children away from it. As I searched for true evaluation of education I am going to keep Orwell's words in my mind. If you have children look at their work, are you being deceived? Are you a part of a movement to steal your children's future? Throw the norm to the wind ignore the standard tests, look at hard facts. Look at the education system carefully, and decide the truth for yourself. Is the public education system really seeking the good of our children, or is it a mass movement to prevent our children from real success!

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Eucharistic Ministers: How Many is too Many?

2010-08-24T13:56:00.001-04:00

Today I had the pleasure of reading an article on the UK Telegraph about the over-use of Eucharistic Ministers in their Catholic Churches… The army of distracting lay people who mob the altar during the Agnus Dei prayer has bothered me for a long time. As a Catholic we recognize that the climax of the mass is the Transubstantiation when the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. So the reception of Jesus is to be a holy and meaning full event… while in many churches there are so many Eucharistic ministers that parishioners find themselves seeking the shortest line rather than meditating on the mystery of Christ in the Eucharist.
The reverence due to the Eucharist is something that cannot be ignored, and well meaning grandmas and sweatshirt wearing teens who want to feel included, while not needed, is not doing anyone a favor. In my home parish we witness the communion rush; people are in such a hurry to take their Jesus and go. I firmly hold that Eucharistic ministers add to this lack of reverence. Anything worth having is worth waiting for. In our instant gratification world it is difficult to think of communion as a means of worship rather than the fast food drive thru. The over-use of Eucharistic minister’s is clear when it is obvious that given a few extra moments the priest or an additional minister could amply suffice.
Catholic Femina Speaks… So my own reaction to the army of Eucharistic ministers is to walk respectfully and reverently to the priest or deacon for communion. I am not worried about hurting anyone’s feelings; I am just trying to live out my faith fully. I understand that in the case of large crowds ministers are needed and I respect that, but I have been to daily mass with twelve people and had three of them rise to be Eucharistic ministers. This is an abuse, and I hope by my cordially passing up the convenient minister for the duly ordained priest I may due reverence to the Blessed Sacrament and make less need for the unnecessary ministers.

Ave Maria University Recieves Full Accredidation!

2010-06-24T17:25:00.004-04:00

AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY EARNS ACCREDITATION FROM
SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS
AVE MARIA, Fla. (June 24, 2010) – The Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) announced today that Ave Maria University (AMU) has officially been awarded “accredited membership” status and is now an accredited member of the COC. The announcement was made as part of the actions taken by the COC at its summer meeting held in Birmingham, Ala.
This distinction signifies that AMU meets the requirements and standards for accreditation published in the Principles of Accreditation and has been judged by its peers as worthy of membership in the Commission and Association. Membership will provide opportunities for the university to continue to grow and be eligible to further enhance and expand its programs to better serve its current and future students. SACS membership covers both the campus in Ave Maria, Fla., and the branch Latin American Campus in San Marcos, Nicaragua.
A division of the “Southern Association”, the COC accredits higher education institutions through a standardized multi-year application and review process designed to ensure that all member colleges and universities meet the requirements of the COC. The COC has awarded AMU membership and authorized the institution to grant accredited bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees.
Membership status is achieved after an institution of higher education completes both the pre-accreditation or “Candidacy” and “initial Accreditation” processes, which include: submitting an application; undergoing an internal review by members of the SACS staff; undergoing an independent third-party review by peer evaluators from COC-member institutions; being evaluated as evidencing compliance with the Core Requirements, applicable Comprehensive Standards and the Federal Requirements section of the Principles of Accreditation; and being judged by the Commission’s Compliance and Review Committee as compliant with the Principles.
AMU Founder and Chancellor, Thomas S. Monaghan, AMU President, Nicholas J. Healy and AMU Vice President for Academic Affairs, John E. Sites, received the news with excitement and appreciation.
“We have been looking forward to this day for many years,” Monaghan said. “As an institution of higher education, we set out to receive regional accreditation for the good of everyone associated with the university, and it is very gratifying to receive this recognition. I am also grateful for the cooperation and professionalism of all those at SACS who we worked with through every stage of this process. We are excited about what this means for our alumni and the entire university community, especially our students.”
Monaghan continued, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and everyone at AMU, I want to thank and congratulate all the university personnel who worked so diligently to attain this milestone; everyone from our vice president for academic affairs, who spearheaded this process, to our tremendous faculty, to each and every staff member who contributed in so many ways, it was truly a team effort and their hard work and dedication is appreciated.”
Healy noted AMU’s commitment to SACS and the process of maintaining membership throughout the coming years.
“Ave Maria pledges that it will continue to comply with all the requirements of membership and looks forward to satisfying the ongoing requirements of, and obligations to, the Southern Association,” Healy said. “We feel privileged to have earned membership in SACS, and we are anxious to launch the next steps of our development. Our future plans, like other institutions of higher learning, are to seek approval for new majors that are in demand from and important to our constituent student populations.
“This process will be governed by our desire and commitment to meet the ongoing obligations and responsibilities of membership in the Commission. We look forward to continuing to serve our current and future students with an excellent liberal arts Core Curriculum and appropriate majors, as well as taking our place in the academy as a member,” Healy concluded.
AMU currently offers 10 undergraduate majors: Biology; Classics; Economics; History; Literature; Mathematics; Music; Philosophy; Politics; and Theology. At its campus in Nicaragua, AMU also offers three degree programs in business administration, politics, and psychology. More than 90 percent of AMU full-time professors have terminal doctoral-level degrees in their specialized fields, usually the Ph.D. Additionally, AMU offers two masters degrees and a Ph.D. program in Theology.
Sites echoed the appreciation of Monaghan and Healy, saying, “I am personally grateful to the Commission on Colleges for its collegial and rigorous efforts in providing an excellent process by which AMU demonstrated the efficacy of its educational program and its commitment to the liberal arts education of our students. I want to thank every member of the two visiting committees and the COC liaison representative, as well as the entire AMU Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, for their time and expertise in making this a fruitful and constructive journey to membership.”
SACS membership will directly benefit AMU students, especially those planning on entering post-graduate programs. Though AMU has been accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) since 2008, some graduate programs accept only alumni of regionally accredited schools. SACS is one of six regional accrediting associations that accredit institutions of higher education in the United States. Membership also will impact university funding and makes AMU eligible to receive additional foundation grants and increased federal and state resources, which would allow the institution to improve and expand programs for students.
As a SACS university member, AMU will strive for continuous improvement in order to maintain accreditation. Members are reevaluated on a regular basis to ensure accreditation criteria continue to be met.

Catholic Femina Speaks: I am thrilled to announce that AMU is accreditted! They worked hard and they deserve it!

Most Pro-Life Part of The Super Bowl

2010-02-10T09:35:00.006-05:00

There was a big debate over the most pro-life moment in the Super Bowl... Tim Tebow boasted of being brave enough to star in a pro-life advertisement sponsored by Focus on the Family during Super Bowl XLIV... Soon after the Super Bowl ended speculation arose that Google's family ad showing the life of a couple, meeting, marrying in a church, and having a baby was the most pro-life part of the Super Bowl. This advertisement had a nice subtle message; it promoted normal family life. When I thought about the messages send by these promoters I was touched; but not as moved as seeing the winning quarterback forgo the usual champagne bath to cherished the moment with his one year old son Baylen and wife Brittany. I felt that this act did more than the Tebow and Google ads combined. Drew Brees won the ultimate prize of his career, and he would rather share it with his family than act crazy. He told America what was most important to him, and the message of life carrier through him unintentionally. I believe that a lot of Americans will take a step back to examine this more closely when they think about how the winning quarterback raised his baby before the Lombardi. Brees was moved to tears as he kissed his baby and relished his Super bowl win. The image of this great athlete gave Americans a reality, children will not end your life, rather they will enrich it! Life is precious.

Culpability, Responsibility, & Actual Ability...Yours, Mine, Ours???

2010-01-20T10:50:00.008-05:00

Culpability, Responsibility, & Actual Ability.... When we stand back and think about how we are supposed to live our daily lives; these "-abilities" play a major role. When we chose to follow Christ we are culpable for our actions, that is pretty easy to understand and accept. We then take the responsibility of our own actions and we use our personal physical ability to carry out the tasks the fruits of these actions are our own.

But what about our neighbor's actions? Are we responsible or culpable for those? If we know that our neighbor is going to act sinfully to hurt himself or another person does any of the culpability (or blame) fall upon us? Yes, sometimes even though an action is brought about by another person's physical abilities we still carry the culpability. This occurs when we have knowledge of the sinful actions and ignore our responsibility to follow Christ's example "admonish the sinner." Admonishing the Sinner is a Spiritual Work of Mercy, different from judging a sinner, admonishing is aimed toward changing the sinner's heart and returning them to the mystical body of Christ. If I pray for my neighbor is that enough to remove my culpability? Not always, for example a Church needs to be built and we pray to God to help us build the new Church; materials are provided... someone still needs to be God's hands on earth and build the Church. The same can be said for admonishing the sinner, we can pray for God's wisdom and direction, and although sometimes unpleasant we must be God's hands on earth. Christ told us in John 18:36 "his kingdom is not of this world," and in the modern world it is the trend to allow all people the "don't ask, don't tell" privilege even in regards to their immortal soul. When we are looking to live as Christ, we must do so fearlessly and not follow the trends... His kingdom is not of this world and we want as many souls to enjoy paradise as possible.

Internet Dating: A Tool To Build Up the Church?

2009-12-23T10:32:00.005-05:00

In 2001 the online dating entrepreneur eHarmony.com boosted of having successful relationships leading to 10,000 marriages in a single year. Online dating was the fad of 2001, eight years later the meager 3% of Americans who searched for a relationship has grown to over 30%. Worldwide the online dating trend has been catching on; people are not looking to the bars night clubs to hook up; they are making honest profile to form real relationships. China has seen the largest growth of 60% annually; with a net worth of over $81 million dollars in 2008. In the US the reports of profits for online dating in 2007 were nearly $900 million dollars. The US has experienced a growth of 16% annually revealing that 90 million people are seeking their relationships online. CNN news calls online dating a sign of the times; claiming people want less first dates and want to have a wider range of people who share similarities, not wasting money on those not worth-while. An interesting trend that has arisen from this dating phenomenon is a return of the idea of match maker with values cultural background and religion leading the list of qualities for a relationship. JDate (for Jewish Singles), Christian Mingle, and Christian Match are the top three most popular website for 2009 dating. The Catholic Church has always encouraged the faithful to date within their religion. During the twentieth century these views were revoked by most as archaic and out dated. Love at first site became the most popular trend, which spiraled into the U.S. statistics that 50% of marriages end in divorce and 97% will be unhappy. Ignoring values, faith, and addictions Americans fell prey to infatuation, 2009 is revealing that people are returning to love. Couples are learning about one another and taking time to make sure that at the base level they share the same core values. Catholic dating website have exploded over the past eight years; Anthony Buono the president of Ave Maria Singles promises “Hope” with the mission of his site “offer a service solely dedicated to helping faithful, practicing Catholics find their future spouse and help them become a better follower of Christ.” Fr. Benedict Groschel has commended Buono in his work and has endorsed the AMS website as great medium for Catholics to build up the Church through solid marriages. I firmly believe that this return to principles prior to relationships is going to help the Church, and save the family. Marriage is built on the graces of God, and the vow of two people from this love abounds. I know that sometimes every relationship goes through a rough spot, but with God and share principles we can build up the Church and have happier families tomorrow.
Ave Maria Singles

Can your marriage use help? Take the Quiz: Exceptional Marriages

Keeping the Meaning of Christmas Today

2009-12-21T16:26:00.006-05:00

Amidst the torrent of sales advertisements, and contiguous list of Government agendas the season of Advent is upon us. Every person is hit with a Santa (& every other so called holiday symbol) seated in the middle of the mall, and a list of presents that never ends... It is difficult to preserve the meaning of Christmas "Christ's birth;" with our culture. In my experience I have found that many people are shying away from the holiday all together, and it is sad that people are sacrificing one of the greatest feasts of Christian tradition to the department store. Families can enjoy the holiday while retaining their Catholic identity. A good way to start is to remind others that Christmas is about the birth of Christ is to say Merry Christmas. Remind yourselves why we as Christians put so much importance on this day. Consider all the energy that the media puts on purchasing gifts; use the same amount of energy to spread Christ's love. Think about the secularization of exchanging Christmas gifts. This change has occurred slowly so that now people incur debt just to keep up with the media's perception of Holiday bliss. Think about the original tradition of gift giving was not to give the most expensive gift; rather it was an imitation of Christ's loving gift of Himself on Christmas. The beginning of our redemption and the manifesting of His love for us. I know that the average jewelry ad tells Americans that love "can be bought." Christ's love is freely given to us everyday and no one is selling it. As Catholics we enjoy the preparation of the advent season, we get to anticipate the coming of Christ's birth at mass in the readings. We can bring these traditions home with an advent wreath on the table. Remind children of the story of St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra who wanted to help families by leaving anonymous gifts (sometimes down the chimney). we as Catholics need to fight for Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season. We need to hold on to that significance, and not shy away Christ's birth for the fear of commercialism. Remember the traditions of old, bring them into our culture: a living nativity scene is another means of living the traditions of the Church today. Started first by St. Francis, this tradition of imitating the holy family is a great way to better experience the beauty of this mystery. Have a small nativity scene at home, and keep Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus out until Christmas day, this gives the waiting for Christ another visual dimension, especially for children who are learning the meaning of Christmas. Take time before running to the Christmas tree to rip open gifts to see Jesus in the manger. Take time to prepare this advent for the coming of Christ, give the love of Christ to others and imitate his way; this will give you the most meaningful Christmas because Christ is truly at the heart.

Rumor of New Development in Medjugorie Apparition Approval

2009-11-14T11:55:00.006-05:00

A report has been released that Vienna's Cardinal Schonborn will be visiting Medjugorje from December 8th through January 4th. Schonborn told Cardinal Ratizinger in 1989, "if Medjugorje were closed, he would also have to close the Seminary in Vienna, because the majority of those candidates had received their call to the priesthood through Medjugorje. To this, Cardinal Ratzinger replied: "Closing Medjugorje is not even a question!" Blessed Mother's Children

Catholic Femina Speaks: This will be a very eye opening event, if in fact Schonborn does visit Medjugorje. He will look at all the facts and give a more clear image of the happening from recent months. I feel confident that he will unearth the truth so that the Church can have a clearer picture of the validity of Medjugorje.

Vatican Gives A Lesson on How to Say Latin Mass

2009-11-14T11:46:00.002-05:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: The Tridentine Mass is so long been ignored that the priests of today do not know or understand its rituals and traditions. The return of the full beauty of the Tridentine mass will take time, as the priests learn how to say and the laity learn how to respond and participate.

Traditional- Anglicans Return to the "One" Fold

2009-10-21T10:21:00.004-04:00

The prayers of millions have been answered and Christian history has been made on October 20, 2009. 'May They Be One!' In an absolutely stunning announcement on the morning of October 20, the Holy See has, by Apostolic Constitution, provided the canonical vehicle for Anglican Christians to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. Catholic

Catholic Femina Speaks: What Next? The Anglicans are allowed to return, will this be a new rite? How will the rest of the church react, is this to be like the retelling of the prodigal son... Personally I am over 10 miles away from the nearest Catholic Church, but there is an Anglican church less than a mile away. I am interested to see if they will be offering a valid mass that I can attend. Now, just because the Anglicans have been allowed to return doesn't mean that they all will... if you want to attend an Anglican church to hear a valid mass you must first ask the pastor if this church is in full communion with the Pope in Rome. "Deciding" or "in the process of returning" do not count as a valid mass and do not fulfill your Sunday obligation. The Anglican have always carried in their tradition the "Cup of Christ's traditions." Now unlike other protestant churches who do not accept the truth and have their cup half-empty; the Anglicans who wish to have their cup filled may do so. Praise God: "we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive again; was lost and now is found!" Luke 15:32

The View Host Claims Obama's Disqualified For Nobel Prize

2009-10-13T10:14:00.004-04:00

Rachel Campos-Duffy, former reality-TV star and current blogger for Anderson Cooper's AC360 blog, was Elizabeth Hasselbeck's fill-in on today's edition of The View. As a conservative fill-in, she did not disappoint.
Before diving into the meat of the blog, however
RACHEL CAMPOS-DUFFY: Thank you. And, yes, I found happiness after all. And the news is, because I've never come on "The View," as Joy knows, without announcing a pregnancy. And I am having a sixth child and I'm three months pregnant.
That is wonderful news - congratulations to her and her husband Sean.
Now, containing our pro-life glee for a moment, the Viewettes transitioned from a conversation about Campos-Duffy’s happy home life to a discussion of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win:

WHOOPI GOLDBERG: President Obama is happily married. But he received the Nobel Peace Prize, which shocked a lot of people. Were y'all shocked?

CAMPOS-DUFFY: I was shocked.

GOLDBERG: You were shocked?

CAMPOS-DUFFY: I was shocked, and I'll tell you what: I find a lot of irony that the guy who won the Nobel Peace Prize won't meet with the Dalai Lama because he's kowtowing to just about the worst human rights abuser in the world, the Chinese government. So, yeah, I'm shocked and when I think of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, the quintessential one, I think of Mother Teresa.

GOLDBERG: Well, that's going to be hard to - that's a hard act to follow.

CAMPOS-DUFFY: I think of Mother Teresa and Mother Teresa said that we wouldn't have world peace until we ended abortion and I think personally, for me, that it's Obama's radical abortion position that makes him the least qualified for the prize.

Perhaps the pro-life glee containment will have to wait.
Bear in mind, Campos-Duffy has just transitioned from a discussion of her five (soon to be six) children, and how happy her marriage and life have been. At this point, her position on abortion is completely unchallengeable, even by the arch-liberal Joy Behar. And the Viewettes' reaction?

GOLDBERG: I think that's a very interesting way to look at it. I just figured that, if you're getting the Peace Prize, it's probably because you've been, sorta, trying to promote some peace, and after a while in the world, you know, we weren't looked upon in such an interesting way. So I think he's probably gotten it because he's been busting his behind trying to get out there.JOY BEHAR: He has changed the conversation in the world. He's interested in diplomacy. We had - we were starting wars. Now we're not anymore. I don't know what's going to happen in Afghanistan. It is a little ironic that he is involved in two wars and he would be considered the peace person. But he didn't start them and he is trying to end them and he is trying to bring diplomacy around the world and start a new conversation. And I think for that he deserved it.
Yes, Joy Behar is insufferable. But if one were to wait for the response:

CAMPOS-DUFFY: So basically, he just gets a prize for not being George Bush?

BEHAR: That's true. He does get a prize for not being George Bush.

CAMPOS-DUFFY: Then I get one!
If I may be so bold: Rachel, take the children and leave the award. If Al Gore gets this prize, and Mahatma Gandhi doesn't, it's not worth having. News Busters

Catholic Femina Speaks: I was glad to hear that there is someone speaking up against this horrible award. Abortion is a crime against humanity, killing children. I agree that this is an award not worth having!

Vatican Applauds Obama Peace Prize

2009-10-11T15:57:00.002-04:00

"The awarding of the Nobel Prize for Peace to President Obama is greeted with appreciation in the Vatican, in light of the commitment demonstrated by the President for the promotion of peace in the international arena, and in particular also recently in favor of nuclear disarmament. It's hoped that this very important recognition will further encourage that commitment, which is difficult but fundamental for the future of humanity, so that the desired results will be obtained."

Catholic Femina Speaks: When I learned that Obama received the Nobel Prize for Peace, I was disgusted! When I learned that the Vatican radio applauded this award I was shocked! The Vatican radio is not the Pope, this is the commentator's view and does not speak for the Church. Obama is seeking to fund more abortions than any other American president. I feel that the Nobel Prize no longer bears credibility and means nothing.

Global Warming Hoax Reveals: GLOBAL COOLING!

2009-10-11T15:37:00.004-04:00

According to research conducted by Professor Don Easterbrook from Western Washington University last November, the oceans and global temperatures are correlated. The oceans, he says, have a cycle in which they warm and cool cyclically. The most important one is the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). For much of the 1980s and 1990s, it was in a positive cycle, that means warmer than average. And observations have revealed that global temperatures were warm too. But in the last few years it has been losing its warmth and has recently started to cool down. These cycles in the past have lasted for nearly 30 years. So could global temperatures follow? The global cooling from 1945 to 1977 coincided with one of these cold Pacific cycles. Professor Easterbrook says: “The PDO cool mode has replaced the warm mode in the Pacific Ocean, virtually assuring us of about 30 years of global cooling.” BBC Telegraph

Catholic Femina Speaks: Here is another example of the government lying to Americans to collect money in taxes... now we discover that the world is not going to get warmer, but colder. Over the next 30 years the world is going to get consistently colder! If you have been waiting for warm days in the winter guess again, the global cooling is a well documented pattern. These finding will play a big part in people wanting to escape the cold.

School Sues Father For Pro-Life T-Shirt

2009-10-11T15:10:00.003-04:00

The father of a middle-school student ordered to remove an "Abortion is not Healthcare" T-shirt on the day of President Obama's speech to students says the school's dress code amounts to "draconian censorship of religious and political speech."

The school's dress code bans "clothing which creates hostile educational environment or evidences discriminatory bias or animus." Another policy prohibits speech which "seek[s] to establish the supremacy of a particular religious denomination, sect, or point of view," according to the lawsuit. Courthouse News Service

Catholic Femina Speaks: So this man is being sued for wearing a pro-life T-Shirt, while children may freely wear Obama clothing without any resistance. The public school system is tool used by the federal government to brain wash children. The Culture of death is subtle and slowly removes the resistance in order to confuse the children. Parents need to take a closer look at their kids' schools and decide if the agenda of the federal government is what they want their children hearing. There is no doubt that this is occurring, beginning at kindergarten with the introduction to the culture of death indoctrinating small children before they are able to read that the government is caring for them, and their parents take back seat. Even children who are removed from the FED's brain washing program at young ages still experience problems; when parents try to instill morals that do not match the stripping of morals from the young children. Massachusetts and California lead the kindergarten revolution with Gay agenda in Massachusetts: "Two Father Penguins" and the stem cell research in California. These programs effectively teach children under six that parents are not a reliable source for morals, misplacing their compassion and morals. These mistakes are hard to undo.

Pro-Life In NY Times

2009-10-11T14:59:00.005-04:00

Pro-life people are shown in a positive light in the New York Times, and photos of aborted babies were featured.

See Jill Stanek for photos

Catholic Femina Speaks: This is gaining ground in the pro-life movement. The images that were shown in this article brought tears to my eyes. Any person who can look at these babies' bodies and not feel compassion has given their soul to the devil.

LIFE CHAIN: Sunday October 4, 2:00pm

2009-10-03T10:57:00.004-04:00

Come Help End Abortion

How: LIFE CHAIN 2009

When: October 4, 2009 @ 2:00pm

Where: Find Location Here

What: Hold signs up & pray in silent protest to the murder of the unborn.

Why: Because you love life and want to end Abortion!

Octber is Respect Life Month

2009-10-02T14:20:00.005-04:00

October is Respect Life Month, below is an exert I saw on Secret Harbor from the“Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska” about how she suffered for the victims of Abortion.

September 16, 1937. I wanted very much to make a Holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament today. But God’s will was otherwise. At eight o’clock I was seized with such violent pains that I had to go to bed at once. I was convulsed with pain for three hours; that is, until eleven o’clock at night. No medicine had any effect on me, and whatever I swallowed I threw up. At times, the pains caused me to lose consciousness. Jesus had me realize that in this way I took part in His Agony in the Garden, and that He Himself allowed these sufferings in order to offer reparation to God for the souls murdered in the wombs of wicked mothers. I have gone through these sufferings three times now. They always start at eight o’clock in the evening and last until eleven. No medicine can lessen these sufferings. When eleven o’clock comes, they cease by themselves, and I fall asleep at that moment. The following day, I feel very weak.

This happened to me for the first time when I was at the sanatorium. The doctors couldn’t get to the bottom of it, and no injection or medicine helped me at all or did I myself have any idea of what the sufferings were about. I told the doctor that never before in my life had I experienced such sufferings, and he declared he did not know what sort of pains they are. But now I understand the nature of these pains, because the Lord himself has made this known to me. Yet when I think that I may perhaps suffer in this way again, I tremble. But I don’t know whether I’ll ever again suffer in this way; I leave that to God. What it pleases God to send, I will accept with submission and love. If only I could save even one soul from murder by means of these sufferings!

Catholic Femina Speaks: A friend suggested this quote from St. Faustina and reminded me how she suffered. Take time this month in a special way to pray for the unborn and make sacrifices for their suffering. We need God to help us put a stop to abortion and end the Culture of Death!

Update! CONGRATULATIONS!: In One Day FEDS Concede to Keep Christ in Christmas

2009-10-02T13:34:00.005-04:00

After only one day the Alliance Defense Fund has conceded to allow Christian images on the Government "holiday tree." After a tremendous response from Christians everywhere to maintain the freedom of religion the FEDs were forced to allow images that have Christian tradition or significance. Christ cannot be removed from Christmas as long as it is celebrated, regardless of the efforts of the ADF for diversity. World Net Daily

Catholic Femina Speaks: I was thrilled to see Christians taking ground and speaking up. Keeping our holidays centered in Christ, and protecting our children's freedoms. Prohibiting the national CHRISTMAS TREE was just not constitutional; and I say Christmas tree because Christmas is the holiday with a decorated tree, not Kwanzaa, Hanuka, or Ramadan. I do not find any offense in speaking the truth. Trying to absorb other cultures into an all absorbing blob is more offensive than recognizing that every culture has their own customs and because our nation has been founded as a Christian country placing their trust in God there is nothing inappropriate about expressing this through the celebration of a Christian holiday. I am glad this offense to Christians everywhere has been corrected so quickly.

Vatican Calls New UN Population Control "Abuse of Power"

2009-10-01T10:31:00.005-04:00

The Vatican's chief representative to the United Nations said giving foreign development aid only if a country adopts family planning programs that promote artificial birth control is "an abuse of power." Speaking at the United Nations in New York Sept. 29, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, papal nuncio to the world body, said true development entails respecting human life. However, in some parts of the world, "development aid seems to be tied rather to the recipient countries' willingness to adopt programs which discourage demographic growth of certain populations by methods and practices disrespectful of human dignity and rights," he said. He said it is "both cynical and unfortunate" that the developed world frequently tries to export a mentality of artificial birth control to developing countries "as if it were a form of cultural progress or advancement." "To predicate the decision to give development aid on the acceptance of such policies constitutes an abuse of power," CNS

Catholic Femina Speaks: The Contraceptive industry has been continuously growing, they are targeting children and those who are less fortunate. The Vatican has called the recent move to force third world countries into 'family planning' in exchange for aid an "Abuse of Power." Forcing countries into contraception plans is wrong. The Vatican understands that is the role of God to decide birth, not the role of government. The U.N. has been advocating population control for decades, it is now with the support of the Obama administration who are advocates for abortion, that they are getting momentum to carry out their agenda. The people who will suffer the most from this plan are the individuals that the UN is 'claiming' to be aiding. G.W. Bush wanted to police the world for the UN... Obama wants to initiate a genocide of the less productive countries. According to this UN policy only those countries that are wealthy should have children, the poor should be limit or stop reproducing.

St. Therese of Lisieux: Exhumation of Her Body

2009-10-01T10:11:00.003-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: St. Therese of Lisieux is one of my favorite saints, and these clip is in French, but it is worth watching. Since today is her feast day I thought that it would be a great opportunity to post this. Her body is in-corrupt and the miracles attributed to her are always growing.

Obama To Keep Christ out of Christmas

2009-10-01T09:40:00.004-04:00

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a letter to federal and state officials, including Arizona Governor Janice Brewer Monday, calling for them to stop enforcing a requirement prohibiting the state’s schoolchildren from expressing religious viewpoints through Christmas themes while decorating ornaments for the 2009 Capitol Christmas Tree. Arizona was chosen this year to present 4,000 handcrafted ornaments made by elementary, middle-school, and high-school students to decorate Washington, D.C.’s annual Christmas tree.

“Banning Christmas from the Capitol Christmas tree is just absurd. Christian students shouldn’t be discriminated against for expressing their religious beliefs,” said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Jonathan Scruggs. “The First Amendment does not allow government officials to exclude schoolchildren’s ornaments for the capitol’s Christmas tree merely because they communicate a religious viewpoint.”

Guidelines for the ornaments include specifications for their size, weight, composition, and the directive that “Ornaments cannot reflect a religious or political theme… Instead share your interpretation of our theme ‘Arizona’s Gift, from the Grand Canyon State.’” It is also stated that the ornaments “will provide wonderful opportunities for Arizona school children to demonstrate what Arizona means to them… Whether they represent our world-renowned landscapes, our diverse cultures, or other aspects of our state, the ornaments will help convey the particular beauty that is Arizona.” But, if students want to convey that Arizona has a religious significance to them, they are denied the opportunity offered to students with non-religious views. Alliance Defense Fund

Catholic Femina Speaks: I have been saying for a while that President Obama is not Christian... I know that he has claimed to be searching for a church to attend, but he has been in DC for quite sometime there is no excuse. Obama has a history of lying. The Children of Arizona have been asked to create ornaments for a Christmas Tree giving their personal take on Christmas without the true meaning of Christmas. After removing Jesus and the Christmas story all that remains is materialism. The ADF is asking for diversity? What is that suppose to mean, Christmas is a Christian holiday and they are not allowed to display Christ... Diversity is now a term for the exclusion of Christians. Arizona is going to have a difficult time representing anything that remotely resembles Christmas without the reason for the season.

Bishop Charged With Child Porn

2009-10-01T09:16:00.003-04:00

TORONTO — Authorities say a Roman Catholic Bishop who oversaw his diocese's settlement with victims of sex abuse is facing child pornography charges. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Brigdit Leger confimer the charges against Bishop Raymond Lahey on Wednesday. The accusations stem from the bishop's arrest following a random search of his laptop computer at Ottawa's airport earlier this month. Lahey didn't mention the arrest when he resigned as bishop of the diocese of Antigonish in Canada's province of Nova Scotia this past weekend. Lahey said he was leaving for personal reasons. Lahey recently oversaw a $15-million Canadian (US$14 million) settlement with people who said they had been sexually abused by priests dating back to 1950. Associated Press

Catholic Femina Speaks: I was very upset over this story. I hope that there is some alibi for Bishop Lahey. This is a shocking story and I pray for all priests.

Pope Visit Czech Republic

2009-09-28T18:49:00.005-04:00

Czech-Teens styling the Countries latest Fad for the Pope: Ornate & Modest

The Pope receiving a gift, and undoubtedly smiling for the modestly clad teenagers gazing at him

Holy Father Calling For "Truth" In Catholic Universities

2009-09-28T18:05:00.007-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the Czech; Pope Benedict held a meeting in the famous Castle of Prague and took the opportunity to speak on Catholic higher education: “I address you as one who has been a professor, solicitous of the right to academic freedom and the responsibility for the authentic use of reason, and is now the Pope who, in his role as Shepherd, is recognized as a voice for the ethical reasoning of humanity... The freedom that underlies the exercise of reason, be it in a university or in the Church, has a purpose: it is directed to the pursuit of truth, and as such gives expression to a tenet of Christianity which in fact gave rise to the university....Indeed,” he continued, “man’s thirst for knowledge prompts every generation to broaden the concept of reason and to drink at the wellsprings of faith. It was precisely the rich heritage of classical wisdom, assimilated and placed at the service of the Gospel, which the first Christian missionaries brought to these lands and established as the basis of a spiritual and cultural unity which endures to this day.”
Digging into the thorny issue of academic freedom in universities, and the autonomy usually claimed by the academic world, Pope Benedict said that the proper autonomy of a university finds meaning in “its accountability to the authority of truth.”

Pope Benedict spoke of "the mending of the breach between science and religion," He concluded his thoughts by saying: “An understanding of reason that is deaf to the divine and which relegates religions into the realm of subcultures, is incapable of entering into the dialogue of cultures that our world so urgently needs. In the end, ‘fidelity to man requires fidelity to the truth, which alone is the guarantee of freedom." CNS

Catholic Femina Speaks: Catholic Universities have been dropping like flies throughout the twentieth century and have declined even more through out the twenty-first century... still people every where are still funding these institutions that do not teach the truths that Holy Mother Church teaches. I am glad that the Pope has made a stand on his authority as the head of the Church to make these institutions accountable to someone. Cabrini College trying to promote homosexual agendas; Notre Dame giving Obama an honorary degree all in the name of the Catholic Church. Evidence has revealed that one's course of study does impact one's faith, and when a good intending individual attends a college that has the name "Catholic," while there is no Catholicity in their university. The new Newman Guide to Choosing A Catholic College has been released, and the schools on the list show "accountability to truth" as the Pope has demanded and a truly Catholic University. The United States Catholic Council of Bishops should follow the Pope's lead and protect the Church from Universities that ignore Church teachings. Catholic is not a club, rather a tradition of morals and beliefs to uphold. Pope Benedict calls for truth and to be Catholic is to want nothing less.

Belief in God Not Growing

2009-09-27T14:34:00.005-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: It is disturbing to hear how Christianity is declining in the United States, while Atheism is nearly doubling. It is also sad to see how New England is loosing it's Catholic identity; an area with once over 50% Catholic has dropped to less than 36%."The decline of Catholicism in the Northeast in nothing short of stunning" said Barry Kosmin a leader in the study of religious patterns. This drop has shifted the Catholic center of the US to the southwest with their growing number of faithful due to the influx of Hispanic immigrants. I believe that we are going to see an even greater drop in those identifying themselves as Catholics in the New England area since the United States Bishops have been taking a stronger stand against pro-abortion politicians, falsely claiming Catholicity. Many people who are culturally Catholic will flee if the truth is taught.

Is DOMA Catholic? Or An Invasion On the Church?

2009-09-27T13:59:00.003-04:00

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as a "legal union between one man and one woman for purposes of all federal laws, and provides that states need not recognize a marriage from another state if it is between persons of the same sex." Thirty-nine states have passed legislation and constitutional amendments to protect marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Thirty-five Catholic lawmakers are not backing DOMA; these same lawmakers have a track record of pro-abortion, anti-family voting... One Nation Under God

Catholic Femina Speaks: Is DOMA Catholic? When I first hear about amending the constitution to define "marriage," I thought this was a good thing... After giving it some more thought, I came to the conclusion that this was not to beneficial for several reasons.
First: As a Catholic I do not recognize marriages by the state, only sacramental marriages. Federal rulings on marriage is taking from the Church to give to the state, and I am opposed taking Church power.

Second: Once the government has the power to define marriage, they can redefine marriage to be anything that they want. It is much easier to change existing legislature rather than introduce new stuff.

Third:I know that it is difficult for people to comprehend, but marriage is not a tangible entity, it is a spiritual bond between spouses, only the married couple by their expressed sacrifice of self in marriage validates a marriage not the state. Thus, defining marriage to mean a union between X and Y is pointless because the state cannot know the intentions of the persons involved to validate the marriage.

The Catholic Cammpaign For (In)Human Development

2009-09-24T10:06:00.005-04:00

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has been funding organizations that are contrary to the morals and beliefs of the Catholic faith. The evidence provided is accurate and needs to be addressed immediately.
Here is a list of the groups funded by the CCHD advocating abortion or prostitution, or both:
1. The Chinese Progressive Association -- CPA
CPA has been funded by the CCHD for the last four years and was scheduled to receive $30,000 this year. Its 2008 voters guide urged Californians to vote against proposition 8 and proposition 4 requiring parental notification for minors seeking abortions.
2. Los Angeles Community Network -- LA CAN
CCHD has just defunded this organization which was to receive $40,000 this year. LACAN promotes same-sex marriage, contraception, and the morning-after pill.
3. The Rebecca Project for Human Rights
The Rebecca Project, funded by the USCCB for the last four years, joined Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion organizations in signing a “wish list” of reproductive priorities for President Obama to carry out during his first 100 days in office. This list includes proposals to increase funding for contraception and abortion, defunding abstinence programs, and the end of the Mexico City Policy.
4. The Women’s Community Revitalization Project
This organization was scheduled to receive $30,000 from the CCHD. It is a "coalition partner" of WomenVotePA, which advocates abortion, the morning-after pill, contraception, and same-sex "marriage."
5. Young Workers United
Scheduled to receive $25,000 from the CCHD. It publicly supports abortion, same-sex "marriage," and the legalization of prostitution. Their 2008 voters guide opposed proposition 8 and proposition 4 in California. The organization also advocated decriminalizing prostitution and urged and advised San Francisco voters to adopt proposition K.

Another important detail was mentioned by LifeSiteNews.com in its report. The
CCHD cannot fund or defund any organization without permission of the local
bishop, according to the CCHD director Ralph McCloud. This means that the
scandal of CCHS grant-making is not just the problem of the USCCB staff, it is
the problem of all the bishops who sign off on funding for groups like the Los
Angeles Community Network in their dioceses.

Rob Gasper, the founder of Bellarmine Veritas Ministry, is to be congratulated for his investigation. I hope he will continue his investigation into lists of CCHD grantees from earlier years -- I am sure he will find more of the same, unfortunately, for Catholics around the nation whose money was being ill spent. Inside Catholic
Catholic Femina Speaks: We as Christians are called to give of our time, talent, & treasure... and as my husband says "if you want something done right you have to do it yourself." The day of blindly paying organizations to care for the poor and under privileged without investigating the evidence of the organizations morals is ending. People are going to have to go out get their hands a little dirty... find out where their "treasure" is going and confirm that funds are used to support good organizations. There is no better assurance that you are supporting a good Catholic organization than investigating it yourself. The USCCB is not a reliable stamp of approval. Simple questions such as what organizations do you support? Or is Planned Parenthood involved with any of your affiliates? These are good starter questions before supporting a cause. I was shocked over the ACORN scandal, but this is much worse... our bishops have blindly given the stamp of approval to an organization that undermines morality. The Culture of Death has infiltrated the Catholic organizations and the faithful must look before they give. We are responsible for where our money is spent. If our donations are used for abortions, then we are paying for abortions. If donors are interested in where their money is spent, and check up on these organizations less of these issues will arise. People will be more careful to avoid scandal and bribes. Pray for the leaders of the Church, and help them by being interested in the happenings around your diocese.
For Others on this Topic...

Stop The "Sheep Stealing" It's Politically Incorrect!

2009-09-22T15:10:00.005-04:00

In a recent statement the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops is calling for an end to evangelizing... they have claimed this is an effort to have Christian unity. The USCCB has said:

Proselytism, or the deliberate targeting of another Christian or group of Christians for the sole purpose of getting them to reject their church to join another, is not allowed. Some people may feel called in conscience to change from one tradition to another, but “sheep stealing” is unacceptable! The term proselytism originated in the context of Judaism, in which the term proselyte referred to someone who, coming from the gentiles, had passed into the Chosen People. So too, in the Christian context, the term proselytism was often used as a synonym for missionary activity. More recently, however, the term has taken on a negative connotation, to mean the promotion of a religion by using means, and for motives, contrary to the spirit of the Gospel; that is, which do not safeguard the freedom and dignity of the human person. It is in this sense that the term proselytism is understood in the context of the ecumenical movement."

Second Vatican Council Says:

Our separated brethren, whether considered as individuals or as Communities and Churches, are not blessed with that unity which Jesus Christ wished to bestow on all those who through Him were born again into one body, and with Him quickened to newness of life-that unity which the Holy Scriptures and the ancient Tradition of the Church proclaim. For it is only through Christ's Catholic Church, which is "the all-embracing means of salvation," that they can benefit fully from the means of salvation. We believe that Our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, in order to establish the one Body of Christ on earth to which all should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God … When the obstacles to perfect ecclesiastical communion have been gradually overcome, all Christians will at last, in a common celebration of the Eucharist, be gathered into the one and only Church in that unity which Christ bestowed on His Church from the beginning. We believe that this unity subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose, and we hope that it will continue to increase until the end of time … Baptism therefore establishes a sacramental bond of unity which links all who have been reborn by it. But of itself Baptism is only a beginning, an inauguration wholly directed toward the fullness of life in Christ. Baptism, therefore, envisages a complete profession of faith, complete incorporation in the system of salvation such as Christ willed it to be, and finally complete in grafting in Eucharistic communion. Catholic Culture

Catholic Femina Speaks: In a Nut Shell: It is not politically correct to have a religion..."Christianity" is just a general term that expresses you believe in the Trinity and a version of the Bible with an Old and New Testament. It gives no commitment to a set of traditions or a set of moral parameters that a religion sets down. People want to think that their conscience formed or unformed is enough of a spiritual compass to lead them to salvation. Right and wrong is not politically acceptable; everyone is right in one way or another. Furthermore since everyone is right then every religion is right and anyone who disagrees with this is in the wrong.

The Truth Revealed: Ecumenism (or non-Catholic religions) is a large part of the world... Christ told us to preach the good news to all the world. Now the USCCB is telling us not to "sheep steal;" because it is not politically correct. This is in contradiction to the Vatican Decree on Ecumenism and is also in opposition to the Second Vatican council as quoted above. We are called by Christ to share our faith, "let your light shine," "proclaim the good news," etc. Understanding other faiths is a challenge, we understand that Christ established the Catholic Church and He said "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." this is the way to heaven that has been revealed to us. Christ gave us the responsibility to be the shepherd to St. Peter; and through apostolic succession this is carried down to our present pope: Benedict XVI. There was never a Shepherd's clause that read don't save those sheep that are following a false shepherd! The USCCB has called "Christian unity a goal that won't happen over night." Even though the Catholic church has successfully reunited millions of Christians with the fullness of the faith annually. I have never considered leading Christians to Christ "sheep stealing," and I never will. Following the commands of Christ and the teachings of the Church are the best way to find a path to heaven. Sharing the faith is not politically correct, but it is the best way to live out the gospel.

Wierd News: Frosty Shrapnel Removed from Man's Lung

2009-09-18T12:19:00.006-04:00

RALEIGH, N.C. - Doctors say a North Carolina man who was plagued with coughing fits should be OK now that they have removed a 1-inch piece of plastic from his lung, where it had rested since he apparently inhaled it nearly two years ago while sucking down a soft drink at a Wendy's restaurant. Doctors at Duke University Medical Center say the plastic fragment of an eating utensil — with the Wendy's logo still legible on the side — was likely to blame for the coughing, fatigue and pneumonia spells that plagued John Manley for almost two years. They pulled the fast-food foreign object from Manley's left lung during a Sept. 10 surgery. The 50-year-old Wilmington resident said he probably inhaled it while gulping a drink from Wendy's. NBC

Catholic Femina Speaks: He inhaled the end of his spoon while drinking his frosty?!! If this was a flavor it would be Shrapnel. I love Frosties, but I don't ever eat the spoon... I guess this was a die hard Wendy's fan. This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "fast food kills!"

Cabrini College: Not Really Catholic

2009-09-18T12:06:00.003-04:00

Cabrini College, a “Catholic” university has started a new effort for diversity. “The work the Diversity Task Force will do, includes a campus-wide assessment, as well as a study of best practices among colleges and universities,” said Dr. Cynthia Halpern, professor of romance languages and co-chair of the task force. “The Office of Student Diversity Initiatives strives to empower students of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome differences in age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and geographic origin," Melissa Waters, director of Student Diversity. This expensive new add-on will encourage increasing the number of African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native-Americans (ALANA), and also the amount of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students (LGBT.) This college has overlooked the teachings of the Catholic Church in regard to homosexuality and this movement is contrary to the faith. The Loquitur

Catholic Femina Speaks: First, Cabrini is not a Catholic college. Just because Catholic is in your title does not make your teachings Catholic. This action is contrary to the faith and this college is not on the Newman guide to Catholic colleges, for good reason. Secondly, I can not be classified as ALANA; but I would be angry that I was lumped with LGBT to be added for diversity. Students are free to attend what ever school they choose and their race should not be the deciding factor if they are seeking real equality. Furthermore my third point, why have an “Office of Student Diversity Initiatives?” College is expensive enough, cut out the pork… funding this ill-thought out anti-Catholic program costs the students more money and makes it harder for students to attend college. If you are looking for a Catholic University, don’t look to Cabrini.

French Preschool Teacher Bites Child?

2009-09-17T11:50:00.006-04:00

French court has fined a preschool teacher $1,450 for biting the cheek of an allegedly unruly 4-year-old during a bathroom break. The court in the Normandy town of Lisieux handed down the fine Wednesday over the March 2007 incident in the nearby town of Houlgate. The teacher had denied the boy's claim and said he had been misbehaving. The ruling came after a medical report showed a bruise on his face.The school reprimanded the 48-year-old teacher weeks afterward. In keeping with French judicial practice, the court didn't identify the woman because she is still teaching. MSN

Catholic Femina Speaks: I could not believe this story... I have a three year old, and she is adorable, wonderful, imaginative, and a fibber. As all preschool age children she likes to embellish the truth. On occasions she has told me that her stuffed toys came to life, I feel sorry for the humiliation this woman had to go through over a toddler's accusation. Any court that would take the testimony of a four-year-old over an adult is an abomination. A child of four is bound to have multiple bruises at any time from normal activity, and as this was not a bite mark and there was not reasonable evidence of contact I find this story absurd.

45% of Doctors Plan to Flee Obama Care!

2009-09-17T11:04:00.006-04:00

Catholic Answers has posted a questions: Would doctors consider leaving their practice if Obama care goes into effect? The numbers have been calculated and an overwhelming 45% of physicians would leave their practice because they could not offer quality health care in the purposed plan.

Catholic Femina Speaks: Good doctors would flee form this horrible plan, because they could not in good conscience give the care that they should to patients. QALY is a means to give souls a monetary value. Persons created by good have infinite value and the government wants to use productive to determine value in order to weed out those who cost more and produce less. The end of private health care is evident, and worse the Christian doctors will be forced out as well because they will not be able to practice without committing a sin. Doctors are going to be faced with some very scary ultimatums if this Obama care goes through.

ACORN: Aiding to the Sexual Assault on Children

2009-09-17T09:53:00.004-04:00

ACORN, (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) calling the actions of some of its employees “indefensible,” has suspended advising new clients as part of its service programs and is setting up an independent review to see what happened.

ACORN chief executive Bertha Lewis said in a written statement that she was “ordering a halt to any new intakes into ACORN’s service programs until completion of an independent review.” Big Government

ACORN has been against bank mergers and has supported institutions that give them pay-offs such as WaMu and Country-Wide. This "supposed non-profit" organization has been carrying on under-handed dealings for a long time and this exposure should help debunk the whole organization. The exposing of the long-term extortion committed by peoples' groups for billions of dollars should merit an audit of Federal Reserve Board, ACORN's partner. Lew Rockwell

Catholic Femina Speaks: The above video is one of two in which ACORN tax advisers giving incite to a man disguised as a pimp... he wanted to expose the inner working of the ACORN organization. This YouTube video has successfully shut-down the organization for the present time. The federal government has been supporting ACORN with federal funding, it is amazing how knowledgeable this "tax adviser" is on smuggling children into the country and keeping under the radar. The ACORN agent appears comfortable in the environment and tries to aid the pimp in the demise and sexual assault on children. The Federal Reserve board hides organizations such as ACORN and the American people no longer want to sit by waiting for government intervention. The people in this Youtube have successful infiltrated the ACORN and revealed it's rotted core and evil intentions. More investigations such as this need to take place so that government will have to audit the Fed!

Lighter Note: America's Got Talent has Ave Maria

2009-09-16T10:21:00.003-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: I loved cancer survivor Barbara Padilla's performance of the Ave Maria on America's Got Talent!

School Warning Unpatriotic

2009-09-15T11:11:00.005-04:00

The ACLU and other critics of the 117-year-old Pledge of Allegiance are pushing for legislation that requires all public school students be given a "Miranda warning" that informs them of their right not to recite the words and instead remain silent. Should schools be required to inform students that they have the right not to say the Pledge of Allegiance? Fox Forum

Catholic Femina Speaks: Should American children pledge allegiance to our country's flag in public schools? This is the flag of the country paying for their education, and I believe that they should show some appreciation to the country that made it possible for them to receive an education. Besides most kids in public school do not know what the "Miranda Warning" is; and it is really a waste of school time. Kids do understand please and thank you... pledging allegiance to our country is letting the men who have died for our country know it was not in vain.

MTV Does Worship Satan

2009-09-15T10:30:00.006-04:00

The 2009 Video Music Awards on MTV were held this passed week... No one expected the night to be an evening of Christian virtue. The media has been in an uproar over Kanye West's outburst during Taylor Swift's award acceptance. West was in the wrong, he appeared on the new Jay Leno Show to apologize and stumbled over his words.Historically West has behaved poorly, it was a shame that it had to take away from Swift's award. This instance has grown so out of proportion that president Obama came out to call West a "Jackass;"(and he did not mean democrat...) I am ashamed that our president would resort to name calling; and it shows America that Obama is not much better than West.

The most disturbing part of the evening has been over-looked by the liberal media and the unchristian president... Jack Black lead a prayer to Satan. Black was promoting a new video game: Brütal Legend "Dear Dark Lord Satan" to bless the rock star nominees with "continued success in the music industry." Singers and attendees held hands and bowed in prayer. The display was abhorrent. Many are calling the ploy a humorous joke, but this move offensive and the whole thing has been ignored. Christian Press

Catholic Femina Speaks: Invoking Satan is no joke, Ouija boards, tarot cards, and especially praying to Satan offend God. I feel sorry for the embarrassment of Taylor Swift, but I am more concerned with the offensive actions towards Christians every where. These artists literally sold their soul to the devil praying to him, and asking him to give them success. The actions of Jack Black need to be addressed and the Video Music Awards should apologize to Christians; but the media is not talking about that, and Obama didn't call them a "jacka$$!" Christians are readily persecuted by the liberal media and no one takes note any longer. Actions such as these cannot be ignored any longer and Christians need to contempt for this behavior

Catholic Sports Hall of Fame

2009-09-12T17:33:00.005-04:00

The Holy See announced yesterday that they are opening a sports hall of fame. The Vatican has hosted countless competitions and dozens of high-caliber athletes -- most of them lay employees, some of them monsignors and popes.

"Because so few people know about the sporty side of the Vatican and because much of it is oral history that needs to be preserved, one Vatican employee has decided to publish his research. Roberto Calvigioni, department head of sound engineering at Vatican Radio, spoke with the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, this summer about the soccer champs, black belts, tennis aces and cycling stars who will appear in his book, which, he explained, is still in the works. Pope John Paul II obviously stands out as the most athletic pope in memory: He was an avid skier, soccer player, swimmer and hiker. Sports are played at all levels of the vatican and even today's Vatican employee teams have monsignors from the Secretariat of State and various Roman Curia offices as well as the Swiss Guards, lay employees from Vatican Radio, the post office, the Vatican newspaper, the museums, the library and even the Sistine Chapel choir. All battle it out for the 'Vatican Cup' and the 'Super Cup' each year." CNS

Catholic Femina Speaks: I love the idea of a Catholic sports hall of fame, athletes are such as big part of young peoples lives it is important to give recognition to those who uphold the Catholic faith. The above picture is of bishops hanging out in a baseball locker room before mass in with the pope. I would love to be able to watch a Vatican sports match or see the USCCB take on the Swiss Guard... I hope that this will be open to the public soon.

Grown Man a Victim of Abortion

2009-09-12T17:08:00.004-04:00

"James Pouillon today joined the approximately 4,000 other victims who will be killed today because of abortion," said Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life.

"The taking of all innocent lives must stop. I call on the leaders of the so called 'pro-choice' movement to condemn this killing and to consider all of the people who lose their lives to abortion every single day."

"Mr. Pouillon was known as the 'sign guy' because he had the courage to show people what abortion really is," said Janet Morana, Priest for Life's Executive Director.

"This brutal murder will not deter pro-lifers from continuing to expose the horror of what abortion does, not just to the baby who loses his life, but also to the mother who lives with the truth of abortion the rest of her life."

"In the Fifties and Sixties, people lost their lives to secure the civil rights of those victimized by discrimination," added Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Now, James Pouillon has lost his life in the civil rights cause of the 21st Century, the struggle to protect the right to life of every single person, born and unborn. Mr. Pouillon has not died in vain; the struggle will only be renewed because of his courage and sacrifice." EARNED MEDIA

Catholic Femina Speaks: The culture of death is not solely interested in the demise of unborn infants, this is evident in their targeting elderly and less fortunate. Americans need to be weary of Planned Parenthood, Government health care, and anything that seeks to end the lives of Americans at any stage of development. James Pouilon is a victim of these organizations and his death was because of them. He is a martyr for life and will continue his work in heaven. I know that abortion supporters are ignoring this death because they have idealized abortion and do not want to see it for its fruit: murder.

Obama Lied to Kids...

2009-09-10T13:48:00.007-04:00

President Barack Obama gave his speech to the public educated children of America, and in his speech he quoted his book which indicates his parents were married living for two years as husband and wife. Obama told the school children of American that his father "abandoned" his mother when he was two years old. Obama's mother is quoted in his book, Dreams From My Father: "When your father graduated from UH [University of Hawaii], he received two scholarship offers. One was to the New School, here in New York. The other one was to Harvard. The New School agreed to pay for everything – room and board, a job on campus, enough to support all three of us. Harvard just agreed to pay tuition. But Barack was such a stubborn bastard, he had to go to Harvard. How could I refuse the best education? he told me. That's all he could think about, proving that he was the best…" World Net Daily did an investigation into the story, and revealed facts that this is entirely untrue! Ann Dunham left her husband when Barack Obama, Jr. was less than a month old and moved to Washington where she attended college in Seattle. There is no indication of Dunham working in college, or how she paid her bills. The address on the birth announcement wast Obama's grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Dunham, this was published in the Honolulu newspapers. Barack Obama Sr. maintained a separate bachelor pad at an address closer to the University of Hawaii.There is no indication that Dunham and Obama Sr. ever lived together, furthermore there is no indication that Dunham or Obama Sr. ever visited each other while she was in Seattle and he was in Honolulu.

Catholic Femina Speaks: I have no qualms with the fact that Dunham raised Obama as a single mother, it takes a lot of courage to raise a child on your own. To claim that she was abandoned by her spouse when in fact the opposite is true; is another story. Obama's mother was not a lovely wife living with her husband when he abruptly left them, as he has led America to believe. She in fact never lived with her husband and as the above time line indicates Dunham moved away. I know that the Obama administration is full of lies, and this may seem like a minor detail... but is a direct attempt to deceive people into sympathising with him. The president wants Americans to believe he has been in their shoes and felt their pain. Even if the whole story is a carefully concocted lie. I know that American want the truth and it hurts that our president would be so low as to try to manipulate the children in difficult divorce situations. But one thing is evident, President Barack Obama knows no limits and will use all means to move his agenda forward.

Life League Ad Challenges Bishops to Stop Obama Care

2009-09-09T17:01:00.005-04:00

As Obama prepares to address the nation Wednesday on his health care plan, American Life League has challenged the nation's Catholic bishops to be prepared to shut down Catholic health care and make it clear that they prefer this action to compromising with the intrinsic evils currently contained in various Obama care proposals. "Obama speaks tonight. Christ speaks always. When it comes to health care reform which road will our Catholic bishops take?" the group asked in a Washington Times ad. The ad highlighted six principled positions Catholic-supported health care must include: opposition to abortion, contraception, sterilization, human embryonic stem cell therapy, euthanasia and assisted suicide. Judie Brown, president of American Life League, the country's largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organizationBrown said. "Embrace Obamacare and sell the soul of the Church to government bureaucrats and politicians or embrace the Faith and be prepared to shut down Catholic health care rather than participate in intrinsic evil. We ask the bishops to unite behind Christ and His teachings now while there is still time to have a positive effect on the road ahead."

The ad quotes Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) who in 1997 said:
“The words of the Bible and of the Church fathers rang in my ears, those sharp condemnations of shepherds who are like mute dogs; in order to avoid conflicts, they let the poison spread. Peace is not the first civic duty, and a bishop whose only concern is not to have any problems and to gloss over as many conflicts as possible is an image I find repulsive. "For the American bishops, the choice is simple," Pewsitter

Catholic Femina Speaks: Not all the bishops support the current health care bill; in fact none of the bishops should since it does not line up with the truths of the Catholic faith. Bishops have been calling for health care reform in the name of the Catholic Church, but this is not an issue of faith... it is a mark of socialism. I undoubtedly believe that the beginning of Obama care will mean the end of private health insurance. It will be allowing the government to have power to choose the life and death of Americans. It will seek to remove God from the lives of man and replace Him with a plan to end lives of anyone less than productive. This plan to turn human souls into commodities. Bishops need to speak out against this and work to defeat this attack by the Culture of Death.

Mexican Police Take down Hijackers

2009-09-09T16:46:00.003-04:00

Five men were arrested in Mexico when they briefly hijacked an Aeromexico plane landing in Mexico City. The Mexican news reported the hijackers were Bolivian citizens demanding to speak Mexican president Felipe Calderon. The hijackers were all taken from the aircraft in handcuffs by Mexican police. The passengers and crew were all unharmed. Yahoo News

Catholic Femina Speaks: The Mexican Police know how to handle hijackers, go in with guns blazing and take the guys out quickly before anyone gets hurt. The world needs to take note of efficiently they handled the situation. Everyone is safe, no major injuries and it was all so quick that the criminals didn't get the chance to hurt anyone.

This Ad Reminds Me of Obama Care

2009-09-09T16:36:00.003-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks:When I see this commercial it makes me think of the Obama care... you really have to ask the right questions, or there will be a lot of unpleasant surprises later.

Swine Flu Edict For Connecticut Catholics

2009-09-08T09:21:00.004-04:00

The threat of Swine Flu is bringing change to Catholic masses in the Norwich diocese, in Connecticut, effective Sunday. Bishop Michael Cote has ordered pastors to discontinue the sign of peace and drinking from the same cup. Also, communion will be taken only by hand instead of by mouth and there will be no hand-holding during prayers. This is the first time the diocese has implemented mandatory swine flu precautions. The diocese says the changes are temporary, but will continue as long as the threat of Swine Flu remains. NBC Local News

Catholic Femina Speaks: So hand holding during mass has stopped when pigs flu… I find this practice of holding hands very distracting, and people get so offended when you don’t hold hands with them, and unnecessary. “Stopping the sign of peace” in mass is not possible, but prohibiting shaking hands is fine. People do not need to shake hands to express the exchange of Christ’s peace; shaking hands is just an add-on for people to make them feel good and serves no real purpose in the mass. Prohibiting receiving from the cup does not hurt anyone, the fullness of the body of Christ is found under both species and there is no need to receive from the cup. Not receiving from the cup does not lessen the individual’s holiness. The reception of communion on the tongue is important; furthermore there are more germs on your hands than in your mouth. The priest is not supposed to touch the tongue during the distribution of communion on the tongue, but when distributing communion on the hand they do touch the hand. I know a lot of people who are very scared of the swine flu but changing the most reverent form of receiving the Eucharist is not a valid means for protection. I hope that the faithful will understand that even though this has passed there is still a need for reverence in Church. If you cannot receive Communion on the tongue, then you must make a conscience effort to receive reverently on the hand. You are receiving Jesus not eating popcorn and this must be reflected in your actions. The swine flu scare is creeping into everything. Wash your hands and use germ-x keep the scare out of church.

ACLU To Defend Hardened Murderer On Trial

2009-09-08T09:02:00.004-04:00

Gary C. Mitchell of Ruidoso, the president of the board of directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, will be representing Marino Leyba, Jr. who is accused of killing his 17 year-old pregnant girl friend, Sarah Lovato; her nine month old unborn child, and her father. Leyba shot Loyato in the stomach and in the back; prosecutors are saying that her purposely targeted the unborn child. The president of the ACLU wants Leyba to plead not guilty on the grounds of insanity and will be defending him in the case. Leyba will not be charged with the murder of the unborn child because New Mexico is not one of the 35 states to have unborn child victims law in place. After the killing, state Rep. Larry Larrañaga, an Albuquerque Republican, said he planned to ask Gov. Bill Richardson to allow a debate on an unborn victims bill. Life News

Catholic Femina Speaks: If this does not open your eyes to the evils of the ACLU I don’t know what will. This man murdered three people and the ACLU wants to intervene so that he does not have to pay the consequences for his crime. The only reason that the ACLU has become involved is because this case involves an unborn baby. They want to protect anyone who murders the unborn and do not care about anyone else who might be hurt in the process. This heinous triple homicide is a prime example of why the ACLU is a threat to our society. We need to be reminded why the ACLU was formed and then look at what it has become. Lebya should spend the remainder of his life in prison. The ACLU wants this crazed killer to go free since he murdered an unborn baby and they want to promote the culture of death in all arenas. I pray that this man will not be allowed to go free and that the Americans will see how corrupt the ACLU is.

Obama to talk to School Children at Noon: What?

2009-09-08T08:17:00.005-04:00

Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Back to School Event

Arlington, Virginia
September 8, 2009

The President: Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today? I’m here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we’ve got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I’m glad you all could join us today.

I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it’s your first day in a new school, so it’s understandable if you’re a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you’re in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could’ve stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.

I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.

Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."

So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I’m here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year.

Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.

I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn.

I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox.

I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve.

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.

Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.

Maybe you could be a good writer – maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper – but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor – maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine – but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.

And no matter what you want to do with your life – I guarantee that you’ll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You’re going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.

And this isn’t just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.

You’ll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment. You’ll need the insights and critical thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You’ll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.

We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.

Now I know it’s not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.

I get it. I know what that’s like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn’t always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn’t fit in.

So I wasn’t always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I’m not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.

But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn’t have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.

Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right.

But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.

Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.

That’s what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.

Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn’t speak English when she first started school. Hardly anyone in her hometown went to college, and neither of her parents had gone either. But she worked hard, earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University, and is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin Perez.

I’m thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who’s fought brain cancer since he was three. He’s endured all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer – hundreds of extra hours – to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind, and he’s headed to college this fall.

And then there’s Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods, she managed to get a job at a local health center; start a program to keep young people out of gangs; and she’s on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.

Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren’t any different from any of you. They faced challenges in their lives just like you do. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.

That’s why today, I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you’ll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.

Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.

I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things.

But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won’t love every subject you study. You won’t click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.

That’s OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who’ve had the most failures. JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

These people succeeded because they understand that you can’t let your failures define you – you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn’t mean you’re a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn’t mean you’re stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.

No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work. You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song. You’ve got to practice. It’s the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good enough to hand in.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust – a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.

And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.

It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.

So today, I want to ask you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?

Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

WHITE HOUSE. GOV

Catholic Femina Speaks: I understand the president wanting to talk to children, presidents in the past have given talks to kids... but not a talk like this. Our children do not need to hear about the heardships of President Obama's life or his second chances. Talking about Harry Potter and Michael Jordan just seems like a waste of time or a ploy for popularity with kids. Obama is saying that he is fixing up their classrooms and he expects great things. Children should not be confused by a president who see them as an asset that he wants to capitolize on. If they were babies in the womb he woul want to kill them; since they are sitting at a desk he will endoctrinate them to support the Obama administration.

Take your kids out of school today, or at least opt for them to miss the president's speech.

Bishops Against Universal Health Care

2009-09-04T11:01:00.004-04:00

Bishops have been speaking out against universal health care. Some of the Catholic media has been presenting the view that the United Stated Council of Catholic Bishops entirely supports public health care, but this is now being show as false. In a posting on the Catholic Key Blog Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Kansas City, Kan., archdiocese and Bishop Robert Finn of the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese said: “The right of every individual to access health care does not necessarily suppose an obligation on the part of the government to provide it.” They continued to say “when the individual has a personal, monetary stake or a financial obligation to pay even a portion of the cost of medical care, prudence comes to bear — with greater consistency — on such decisions, and unnecessary costs are minimized.” In another recent statement Bishop R. Walker Nickless of Sioux City, Iowa wrote: “the Catholic Church does not teach that ‘health care’ as such, without distinction, is a natural right.” The Catholic Church does not have a teaching that states that all people are entitled to have free health care… it is that all people are to be treated with dignity. The distortion of recent papal writings and the socialist agenda that has been promoted is not Church teachings. Kansas City

Catholic Femina Speaks: I am very happy that this error has been corrected… not all bishops want universal healthcare. It will hurt many people and promote the culture of death. People who read this must understand that all people are entitled to dignity, but that is not an over-reaching statement that contrives to forcibly tax the wealthy to pay for the poor. In other words Catholics are already providing health care through Catholic Charities and other organizations without government interference. Our pro-choice, pro-euthanasia, culture of death government will not promote the dignity of humanity and these bishops know it. They are not promoting the government health care because it is not a means to help people but a ploy to further the Obama agenda.

Boycott Gay Ice Cream!

2009-09-04T10:20:00.003-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: When I go for a pint, I am not speaking of beer... I love the creamy deliciousness of Ice Cream, but I will no longer be purchasing Ben & Jerry's who has introduced a flavor that is homosexual... The Chubby Hubby Ice Cream has been changed to Hubby Hubby Ice Cream in support of Freedom to Marry.

China Abortions Top 13 Million!

2009-09-02T11:20:00.002-04:00

“The one child policy causes more violence toward women and girls than any other policy on the face of the earth,” said Reggie Littlejohn, a one child policy expert and president of the newly-founded Women's Rights Without Frontiers. “Forced abortions and forced sterilizations are an unacceptable form of population control. Many women develop critical health problems for the rest of their lives and the emotional impact resulting from forced abortions contributes to the high rate of female suicides.”

Wei Linrong from Guangxi Province, a devout Christian and anti-abortionist, was forcibly injected with poison that killed her unborn child, according to a National Public Radio (NPR) report. Ten family planning officials visited her home and drove Wei and her husband to a maternity hospital. Wei was put through nearly 16 hours of contractions before a stillborn emerged, blackened by the effects of drugs. The body was then thrown away like “rubbish” by nurses, according to NPR. Wei was seven months pregnant. He Caigan, an unmarried 19-year-old, was forced to abort her child at nine months in the same manner, according to the report by NPR. The operation caused her prolonged physical pain and emotional trauma. The one child policy was introduced in 1979 to curb the apparently growing problem of overpopulation. Years earlier, under Mao Zedong’s rule in the 1950s, Chinese people were encouraged to produce children to boost the country’s labor and military forces.

China Daily, a state-controlled newspaper, recently published annual abortion figures of 13 million and a live birth rate of 20 million, as recorded by China’s National Family Planning Commission. The Chinese citizens are forced to get a permit in order to have a baby to begin with, single women are forbidden from having children, and married women with one child are forcibly sterilized or given an Intra-Uterine Device (IUD). The sterilizations are carried out on the local level, and there are monetary incentives for the provinces with the higher numbers. Individuals with very little experience perform sterilizations and abortions; resulting in the prolonged injuries of countless women. Furthermore, the cultural preference to male children that has caused a sex crisis in China indicates that nearly 50% of female fetuses must be aborted. Abandoned children are another huge problem; parents who divorce and want another child in a new marriage abandon the child from their previous relationship to have another. The affects of this law extend to every level of society and the leader in China could very easily change this evil edict. Epoch Times

Catholic Femina Speaks: I had a female friend, who was an exchange student from china. She had no cousins, aunts, or uncles. The family unit was totally the parents and grandparents. When she came to the United States for college she was thrilled by the family dynamics with siblings and cousins. She confessed that as a child she used to imagine that she had a sister. My friend married and stayed in the US because she wanted reproductive freedom; sounds like a slogan to have abortions… but abortions are not freeing. As china demonstrates the freedom to not have a child takes the right of the person away. My friend said that there are so many more men than women in China that friends of her parents would be angry that she would not return to marry in their country. My friend’s father was sad to loose his only family, but her mother expressed different feelings. Her mother is a wealthy and successful business woman, but when she learned that her daughter wanted to stay in the US and have more children, her mother said she was envious and longed for more children. Her mother was successful and wealthy, able to buy anything to make her happy, except have a baby. She praised her daughter. I was touched by the understanding.

The laws in China are brutal and hurt millions of families. The physical pain and the emotional scares will take decades to undo. China is committing genocide of their people. I pray that this will end and the women of China will be freed.

Muslim Peaceful Takeover

2009-09-01T13:32:00.002-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: We need to evangelize and spread the word of God!

Catholic Health Association Retracts Obama Care Support

2009-09-01T10:56:00.005-04:00

Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Health Association, said: “our message has always been clear: health care must respect and protect human dignity from conception to natural death. In that spirit, coverage for everyone is a moral imperative and a matter of social justice.” This was the motivation to make the advertisement begging Americans to accept the health care bill and not wait for reform. Keehan has been asking for health care reform, and is excited about the prospect of Obama Care… The confusing advertisement leads Americans to believe that CHA supports the present health care reform, and they do not mention abortion, euthanasia, or the death panels. CHA is one of a few organizations such as Planned Parenthood who have been pushing this bill. The message is “I can’t wait for health care reform,” sounds like CHA is calling Americans to turn a blind eye to the moral issues at hand. In a recent statement Keehan claims: “to date, CHA has not endorsed any health care reform bill, but our message to lawmakers is unchanged: Health reform should not result in an expansion of abortion, and it must maintain conscience protections for health care providers who do not want to participate in abortions or other morally objectionable procedures.” She has been trying to clarify that the advertisements are for “health care reform;” not necessarily anyone person’s reform plan… But President Barack Obama is the first one to speak about his plan on the advertisement and he is followed by people asking for health care. CNA

Catholic Femina Speaks: If CHA was not promoting Obama care, I don’t know what would be. Keehan was excited about having money for her organization and didn’t think through the repercussions of accepting money from the government. She also ignores the success of Catholic healthcare based on donations, and how these donations would stop if people are over-taxed to pay for the new Obama Care. Universal health care is not a good option and I think that Keehan is seeing the full picture a little late. She sat with rose colored glasses on and believed the liberal media; she thought that the government would help people. She ignored the abortions on demand, the QALY system, and the death panels. She took her own interpretation of what she hoped health care reform would be and presented it. Keehan was sadly wrong; she is admitting her error in a round-about way. Hopefully Catholics will realize that Keehan is not an authority on the health care reform of President Obama and look for more reliable sources in the future.

Catholic Health Association Advertisement?

2009-09-01T10:51:00.003-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: This is a Video that the Catholic Health Association has made, I thought it sounded like they supported the Obama Care; and did not care about waiting for pro-life or euthanasia to be removed... You decide!

Public School Insanity

2009-08-31T12:02:00.005-04:00

The World Net Daily “Most likely you've heard Einstein's definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Nowhere is this more obvious today than with political and religious conservatives, the so-called right. What do I mean? Next month the right will send millions of their own children to public schools that are literally controlled by the left – meaning that it is only the liberals' "values," "morals" and curriculum that are taught in our government schools.”

Some may ask if this is true – can liberals actually be running the schools? Is it possible that there is a direct link between our country's precipitous slide into socialism and decades of indoctrination in leftist school ideologies? You be the judge. Read below what the founder of today's schools and other public school advocates have said over the years:

"I believe that ... [public] education is the fundamental method of social progress and reform ... this conception has due regard for ... socialistic ideals." and "There is no God and there is no soul. ... There is no room for fixed ... or moral absolutes."

– John Dewey, father of modern public education and signer of Humanist Manifesto 1930

"Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every American school is a school of humanism. What can a theistic Sunday school's meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children do to stem the tide of the five-day program of humanistic teaching?"

– C.F. Potter, signer of Humanist Manifesto 1930

"... [E]very child in American entering schools at the age of 5 is insane because he comes to schools with certain allegiances toward our Founding Fathers, toward his parents, toward a belief in a supernatural being, toward the sovereignty of this nation as a separate entity. ..."

– Chester Pierce, professor of education at Harvard (1970)

"The old order is passing. … Social controls cannot be left to blind chance. ... Man must be the builder of new forms of social organizations. … Here [public] education must play a stellar role."

– Dan W. Dodson, professor of educational sociology at N. Y. University (1970)

"We are the biggest potential political striking force [union] in this country, and we are determined to control the direction of [public] education."

– NEA President Catherine Barrett (1972)

"Public schools promote civic rather than individual pursuits. ... We must focus on creating citizens for the good of society. … Each child belongs to the state."

– William H. Seawell, professor of education (1981)

"... [T]he battle for humankind's future must be waged and won in the public school classrooms by teachers who correctly perceive their role as proselytizers of a new religion. … The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new – the rotting corpse of Christianity ... and the new faith of humanism. ..."

– John Dunphy, 1983 (Secular-Humanist)

"We do not need any more preaching about right or wrong. The old 'thou shall nots' simply are not relevant. Values clarification is a method for teachers to change the values of children without getting caught."

– Dr. Sidney Simon, creator of "Values Clarification"

Catholic Femina Speaks: There is very little that I can add to this... the public schools are a place of corruption and ignorance is not true bliss. If you put your children under the care of the state you can expect them to reflect this. Pope Benedict reflected on this yesterday, the feast of St. Monica the mother of St. Augustine. She tirelessly worked for the conversion of her son, and the Holy Father is calling all parents to follow her example. To parent a child is to guide them through the world and help them find their way to God; and the state is never going to facilitate this.

Obama To Police the Internet! Will You Be Affected?

2009-08-30T16:25:00.005-04:00

A new bill has just been purposed by the Senate that gives President Obama the ability to "declare a cybersecurity emergency." "Non-governmental" computer networks and do what's necessary to respond to the threat. Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for "cybersecurity professionals," and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license. This bill, if passed will be used to stop the spread of news to the American people so that the Obama Administration can do whatever they want. CNET
Catholic Femina Speaks: This bill is really upsetting; the president will be able to end your Internet access based on his discretion. We have seen in the past that Obama uses all measures to promote his agenda; including trying to confuse the American people , spy on bloggers, pretending to have messages from God, and this will be no different. Stealing the freedom of the American people to pass bills without their knowledge is the real source of this bill. Obama has tried to shut down grass roots movements, and he has been unsuccessful. The internet has been a tool to assure America’s freedom. We cannot let this happen, the Obama Administration wants to pass bills that force Americans to do things that they would not freely choose otherwise. We need to stand up for our right to freedom of speech. “Cybersecurity” is just another way to hurt Americans.

Vaccinating Massachusetts Destroys Personal Freedoms

2009-08-27T10:35:00.004-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: Watch this video and listen to the meausres that the legislators are puting in place. This bill is not just about the swine flu... It has the potential to force Massachusetts residents to obey the state with the threat of marshall law in matters that 'the state' deems nessecary. Mandatory vaccines is opening the door to making mandatory other medical matters; such as mandatory contraceptives, abortions, and euthanasia. Stamping out freedom with 'health' as the trojan horse is the quickest way steal other freedoms from the people.

KENNEDY DIES

2009-08-26T10:31:00.002-04:00

Pray For his soul...

Faithful Prefer Tridentine Mass!

2009-08-25T13:46:00.002-04:00

A survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate has found that Catholics in the United States with an opinion on the subject favor the availability of the extraordinary form of the Mass by a two to one margin, with the majority having no opinion. When asked “Do you favor as an alternative to the newer Mass, bringing back the older Latin Tridentine Mass for those who would prefer this option?” 25% favor the option, 12% oppose it, and 63% have no opinion.
Support for the extraordinary form option is higher among older Catholics, those who attend Mass weekly, political independents, and those with graduate degrees.
A similar survey conducted in 1985 found that Catholics favored the option by a 40%-35% Catholic Culture
Catholic Femina Speaks: I enjoy the Tridentine Mass, when I have the option I attend mass in Latin. I attended mass as a child in Latin with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. I believe that in many ways the Tridentine Mass is more reverent with the priest facing the altar, and ultimately God rather than the distracting congregation. I love the Communion rail! I know that the Latin language is more traditional and can be a universal mark of the church because it is at the heart of the faith. I know that the Latin language adds mystery to the mass and makes people pay attention because they have to follow along in their missals rather than dose off...

Stimulus Package For Sex Research

2009-08-24T15:35:00.002-04:00

The Obama Stimulus package has dedicated funding to research the sexual behavior in humans and some animals as it can be pertained to humans. This research comes with a price tag of nearly $700,000; and is definitely not going to be used to promote morality or monogamy. Some of the National Institutes of Health are studies that include:

* Examine "barriers to correct condom use" at Indiana University, at a cost of $221,000.

* Study "hookups" among adolescents at Syracuse University. Study's cost: $219,000.

* Evaluate "drug use as a sex enhancer" in an analysis of "high-risk community sex networks" at the University of Illinois, Chicago. That study will cost $123,000.

* Study how methamphetamine, thought to produce an "insatiable need" for sex among users, "enhances the motivation for female rat sexual behavior." Some $28,000 has been awarded for the University of Maryland at Baltimore study. NY Post

Catholic Femina Speaks: Well, we have theology of the body instituted by former Pope John Paul II and it appears President Obama is looking to introduce other purposes for human sexuality. Pro-creation of children and spousal love were not on the research funded by the stimulus package. Rather, “teen hook-ups, condoms, and drugs” are the basis for this study. Our country is truly loosing its morality, because we are not working to stop these perversions of human sexuality. Obama is giving money to research them, ultimately leading to a spread in this behavior. People constantly say that they do not want the Catholic Church in their bedroom… what about the government? Is ‘Big Brother’ running a porn industry? These studies are degrading to the human person and it is atrocious that our tax money will be funding it!

Obama: Image of Christ or Harbinger of Death?

2009-08-24T14:56:00.004-04:00

“We are God’s partners in matters of Life and death”… When President Barack Obama said this I was wondering which God he was blaspheming. I came to the conclusion that the statement was intended to be Christian since the Muslim community was not offended. Obama has started a “40 days for Health Reform;” he is asking the Christian community to drop their morals in the way side and follow him into the culture of death. Life Site News

Catholic Femina Speaks: If you can’t stamp out religion, become God? Obama is trying to personify Christ, with the “partnering with God” and “40 days”… Using biblical theory to promote Christian support is only effective when the person actually imitates the Gospel. Jesus spent forty days praying for the salvation of souls, and Obama will spend his forty days collaborating to exterminate more unborn babies! I thought that Obama wanted to play God, killing the less desirable, as he feels. Now he is trying to convince Americans that he got a message from God. I am thinking that he must have developed a new version of the bible too We now have the Revised Standard, the Douhey-Rheims, the King James; now it will be the Obama Bible…maybe written in Ebonics for diversity. I hope that Americans are not fooled by the wolf in sheep’s clothing, and continue to fight against the culture of death.

What It Means To Be A "Catholic Femina"

2009-08-23T13:14:00.005-04:00

I have been asked by blogger Salvation Is An Adventure to write the following:

Catholic Femina Speaks: The Women’s role in the Catholic Church… this has been a question that I have been answering regularly for the past seven years. In college I studied Theology, I felt God calling me to learn more about the faith. I loved what I studied and I grew spiritually as a result. Even now I am asked: “you are Catholic, why did you (a woman) study theology?” Then very quickly most people follow with the question, “Do you want to be a priest?” The mass down playing of the woman’s role in the Catholic Church is magnified by the feminist movement. Men and women are equal in the Catholic Church regardless of whether or not a woman can become a priest. Men should be priests because that is God’s plan. It was not a mistake or an over sight, Jesus chose twelve men. This was not a cultural or historical difference that needs correction, because pagan churches of Jesus’ time had priestesses. Christ created the complimentary natures of male and female; He understood the best roles in the Church for each. Men are to be priests and the Church is their bride: the Church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23–32). Women cannot have an ordered relationship as a priest with the Holy Mother Church. Men are to take the Church and protect her as Christ asked St. John to protect Mary while He hung from the cross. The proper role for women in the church is as an image of Mary, she stood at the foot of the cross faithfully. Swords pierced her heart as she shared in the pain that Christ endured; this true spiritual sharing with Christ is a woman’s role in the Church. Women in the gospels fearlessly pursued the truth and Christ. This is not a lesser role to men and despite feminists desire to undermine women’s role in the Catholic Church; woman are integral to the faith. The female nature has a heart open to loving unconditionally and giving selflessly. This sharing of self is unparalleled in the Blessed Mother and should be the goal of all women. Female religious can be truly espoused to Christ and give themselves freely as is ordered in the female nature. Men cannot experience this same espousal to Christ; priests represent Christ in the sacraments, but they cannot have this relationship with Him. In marriage a man and woman co-create with God a child, but it is the woman’s role to carry that child to term and feel the Creator’s hand on her as a new life begins. It is not a man’s nature and it should not be a concern that they cannot do this, because their role is vital as well. This is the same with the Catholic Church, women have an important place and this cannot be ignored or lessened by the male role. Men and Women are complimentary. Their proper ordered roles in the Catholic Church must reflect this and Jesus was not in error when He formed the Church. As a woman when I sit in Mass I feel proud of the heritage of noble Catholic women who through humility espoused themselves to Christ and took their place as His bride. I feel that the role of married and single women in the Church is just as important as they share in union with the priest through their humble ardent desire to fearlessly love and give. Women do not need to be ordained priests or claim titles in their parish because Christ gave them a position. The female role in the Church is honorable and should never be looked down on. It is not ordination that makes saints, following the Gospel plan left by Christ is the clear path. I hope that understanding the importance of women in the Body of Christ will encourage them to courageously give of their talents in ministry, as the women of scriptures, and nobly embrace their place in the Church.

Planned Parenthood Wants Contraceptives For Children

2009-08-20T22:13:00.004-04:00

Planned Parenthood is pushing for girls under sixteen to have unlimited access to birth control with state funded child insurance. The Planned Parenthood organization is now attacking the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), because contraceptives are not supposed to be covered for children. Gregg Trude from Right to Life of Montana said: “There is a law in Montana -- it's on the books -- that girls under the age of 16 do not have to have parental involvement or consent in anything that has to do with birth control, birth, pregnancy, or abortion. It's crazy. It's crazy,” He went on to point out that children “right now are allowed to get birth control through the CHIP program in the state of Montana, if in fact a doctor writes a prescription for it.” Apparently Planned Parenthood wants unlimited access to birth control without parental consent for all children. Culture

Catholic Femina Speaks: Planned Parenthood truly must be the hands of Satan on earth. To want developing teenagers to consume drugs that has numerous adverse affects on the body, and promotes promiscuity. Planned Parenthood is at the fore front of the abortion industry and they have been known to protect child molesters. I am concerned about the safety of a girl of twelve or so who is seeking out contraceptives, are they for herself or protection from a family member who is threatening. Planned Parenthood doesn’t care and if the girl does become pregnant they will hide the evidence from the authorities; perform an abortion and put the child in the same situation again.

Lockerbie Bomber Realesed: "Humanitarian Effort?"

2009-08-20T10:18:00.004-04:00

The December 21, 1988 terrorist attack on Pan Am Flight 103 over the skies of Lokerbie, Scotland where Abdel Baset Al-Megrahi massacred 270 people is now a thing of the past. Megrahi has been released to return as a hero to his home country of Libya. He has spent 21 years in a Scotland prison for the crimes he committed. Megrahi was the only man convicted for the massacre, of this flight headed to J.F.K. Airport in New York. Frank Lautenberg Democrat, from New Jersey, said in a statement. “Releasing Mr. Al-Megrahi also sends the wrong message about the consequences of international terrorism and increases the threat of terror in the United States.” Megrahi was said to be serving a life sentence for the horrific massacre, but after only 21 years he is free as a “Humanitarian effort” because he is dying of prostate cancer. NBC

Catholic Femina Speaks: In 1988 I was only six years old when my father’s cousin died, from what doctors called internal bruising resulting from his massive fall, in Pan Am Flight 103. Planning to spend a quiet Christmas alone with her son Michael in mourning, my great-Aunt Margaret, a middle-aged Florida elementary school teacher, had not expected what was to come. She and her living son were treated like criminals by the American government and the loss of her son was over looked. The suit-case bomb was at the fore-front of Americans’ minds and the pain of this experience was merely a side-note, the family was investigate unmercifully for the crime against humanity. It was only after Margaret Stoweand her son Michael passed away that the Libyan Government paid millions of dollars in restitution for the crimes of their citizen. Even this year the families of the victims received an additional $2 million dollars apiece. These numbers are astounding and are the source for this criminal against humanity's is release, called a “Humanitarian effort.” The families of victims have been given ample money from the Libya and the Scottish Government has not exposed any funds given to push his release… but I am certain that this bombing plot was not a single person’s effort and I believe the Libyan government is worried about any leeks from Megrahi and has worked tirelessly to have him released. This dangerous killer will be sent home to hailed as a hero during the Ramadan calbration, for massacring Christians who were returning home to celebrate the birth of Christ. No ammount of money should free this man from serving the life sentence he deserved, and I am sorry to see the world free a "Criminal Against Humanity" as a "humanitarian effort." This is just insane!

Japanese Benefit Most From Cash-For-Clunkers

2009-08-17T23:37:00.002-04:00

“Under the cash-for-clunkers scheme, modeled on similar incentives in Europe, buyers who trade in old vehicles for those with lower fuel consumption receive a rebate of $3,500 or $4,500, depending on the fuel consumption of the replacement vehicle.” This was the brain child of the Obama administration to copy Europe to aid the American Auto Industry, but we are helping Japan instead. Americans are purchasing more Japanese vehicles than American made. “Toyota has an 18.9 per cent share of vehicles bought so far, putting it ahead of General Motors with 17.6 per cent and Ford with 15.4 per cent. Chrysler is in fifth place, after Honda… in contrast to the beginning of the year GM had a 19.6 per cent share of the overall US light-vehicle market in the first seven months of this year, compared with Toyota’s 16.3 per cent.” It would seem that the $2 Billion dollars that was supposed to help Americans is really an incentive for Japanese car manufacturers. FT
Catholic Femina Speaks: So the government is trying to help the American car industry by giving lots of money to the Japanese car companies. I think of it like a coach in a football game allowing players to play for the opponent. That coach is not likely to win, and he is very likely to advance his opponent farther beyond what he could have obtained without the help. This is not an effective way to bail-out anyone. The second question is who will be paying back this money to help boost Japanese car sales? If you answered: “me,” you were right. The American people will be paying back all the money that our government is spending through taxes. So before you take a cash for clunkers deal remember you will be paying for that incentive for a long time; it is not a car manufacturer rebate. C. F. C. is a plan to help large car companies immediately, but will hurt Americans later.

Voodoo In the White House?

2009-08-17T23:17:00.003-04:00

President Barack Obama has threatened to turn his mother-in-law out of the White House, and not because of her end of life cost to health care! According to the recent rumors 72-year-old Marian Robinson is practicing voodoo in the White House. Robinson began practicing Sanateria, an African Spirit cult, during her husband’s illness Robinson in the 1980s and did not stop after his death. Rumor has it that Obama is furious that his mother-in-law is practicing the occult in his home and has threatened to send her back to Chicago. Atkinson's Advice

Catholic Femina Speaks:This is a rumor going around and I could not pass this up, 'voodoo?' I have to take a moment here because I hardly ever see eye to eye with the president… but I do agree that I would not have anyone practicing voodoo around my kids!

American Life League On: Obama Care

2009-08-17T11:29:00.001-04:00

Red Flag: Obama Health Care Growing Worse!

2009-08-17T11:22:00.003-04:00

Is Obama waving white flag to blind the American people? In a surprising move on Sunday President Barack Obama claimed to be removing “the public option” from the health care plan. Instead the new proposal by Senator Kent Conrad, D-N.D., consumer-owned nonprofit cooperatives would sell insurance in competition with the private industry, not unlike the way electric and agriculture co-ops operate. The government will give these co-ops federal money to start-up of $3-$4 billion dollars, but the companies will be independently managed outside the government. Taking the “public option” out of the healthcare plan is not a major change according to Obama. "All I'm saying is, though, that the public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform," Obama said at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado; "This is just one sliver of it, one aspect of it." Yahoo News

Catholic Femina Speaks: Obama has been trying to stop grass roots movements, he has been trying to prevent people from exposing the death panel, and he has been attempting to cover up the rationing of care. All of these efforts have been foiled by the American people. A new day of the media has arrived; American citizens read the proposals before them. They don’t blindly sit by and listen to the liberal news broadcasters interpretations. Americans want to preserve their rights and are prepared to stand up for them in an Obama town hall meeting or on facebook. Obama calls removing the ‘public option’ only a ‘sliver of it;’ this is not a white flag for Americans, this is a red flag. After all the controversy over this bill the president is not conceding. He has found another way to move his agenda forward. Forming insurance co-ops with federal funding is not a means to help Americans have other options; it is an effort to put private health insurance out of business. As I wrote before; in the past health care plan Obama was not forcing anyone to take public health care, he was making it extremely difficult if not impossible to get health care else where. In this new plan only the co-ops that keep with government principles will receive the funding; pro-abortion, pro-contraceptive, and pro-euthanasia companies that work as an extension of the government. Obama can keep his nose clean by saying that there is no ‘public option,’ but in reality he has not changed the out come at all. Health care will be provided through government approved co-ops and government funding will be used to make these plans inexpensive. As history shows when the government gives funds they have control of care. Judie Brown, American Life League, said “I do not want a government who has killed 500,000 babies to have a role in my health care, and especially my end of life decisions.” I hope that Americans will see that this plan is different means to the same end. They can stand their ground and continue to fight for the Culture of Life!

Marriage at the Heart of the Vocations Crisis

2009-08-15T13:09:00.004-04:00

In Phoenix, Arizona during the 127th annual Knights of Columbus convention, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York pointed out four major problems with the church in America. “The four being the vocation to marriage, the state of Catholic parishes and schools, the great number of lapsed Catholics, and finally the difficulties in a culture desperate to keep the Church and morals out of the public square.” After a few moments the Archbishop pointed out that the well-spring of these problems is the vocations crisis… “We have a vocation crisis to life-long, life-giving, loving, faithful marriage. If we take care of that one, we’ll have all the priests and nuns we need for the church,” Archbishop Dolan said. Pope Benedict XVI has declared this the year of vocations and has focused this dedication on the priesthood. The Archbishop Dolan has redirected this year of prayers to the vocation of marriage. He has told the faithful that if we have good Catholic marriages vocations will be the fruit. So he is trying to use the year of priests as a focus on why we are having a shortage; and heal the root of the problem. “Only 50% of our Catholic young people are getting married,” the Archbishop said. We need to pray for all vocations so that Catholic marriage can begin producing religious again. CNA

Catholic Femina Speaks: the term “Vocations” is a very misunderstood term. Most of the time people only understand this exclusively as a “religious vocation;” while in reality it is anything that a person does for the glory of God. Every person should pursue a vocation, but most only seek a career. A career as a means of personal stability on earth, and they are not living out a vocation for the glory of God. Marriage needs to be understood as a vocation, just as every other life goal. This will begin the healing process of Catholic families. The call to a vocation should be the first driving factor and parents need to help their children learn how to listen for God so that their vocation is not drowned out by the world. “Religious vocations” are a means to glorify God, but so are the married life, single life, and careers. So we as Catholics must take the Archbishop’s suggestion and heal the base for vocations the married life so that all other vocations can flourish.

53 Year-Old to Try Out For Catholic College Basketball Team

2009-08-15T12:37:00.005-04:00

Chris Spina, a 53 year old, realtor of Bonita Springs, Florida was 300 pounds a little over eight months ago. He told his friends and family that he would loose nearly 100 lbs. in hopes of playing college NAIA basketball at Ave Maria University. Spina works out for 3-4 hours daily and has hired a hall of fame caliber basket ball coach to hone in his skills. “I fully intend to make that team and get on the court and play,” Spina said. AMU coach Jamon Copeland coach has informed Spina that he would have a fair try out just as any other student. “Age doesn’t have anything to do with it,” Copeland said. “Ability is what I’m looking for. If there’s someone that can help us, we’ll take them, but I’m not going to take somebody just to take them.” Spina’s dream of playing college ball will be determined by his performance at the try-outs; on an early fall date yet to be announced. Naples News

Catholic University Promotes Planned Parenthood

2009-08-14T11:14:00.004-04:00

After the Belmont Abbey incident, I was saddened to see another Catholic University in the headlines… but this time it is the attacker not the attackee. Gonzaga University is not expressing the Catholic faith. Their mission as a Catholic institute is to: “affirm the heritage which has developed through two thousand years of Christian living, theological reflection, and authentic interpretation. And as Jesuit, we are inspired by the vision of Christ at work in the world, transforming it by His love, and calling men and women to work with Him in loving service of the human community.” This is a beautiful Catholic mission lost long ago, now Gonzaga University is a spokes person for Planned Parenthood. Susie Prusch is Gonzaga's Manager of University Events and is a contact for questions in regard to commencement and major university functions. A gentleman, Stan W. Bill, emailed Prusch about a Lifesites News article. In response Prusch wrote in reply:

"Anyone who supports Sarah Palin is an A## hole. A dumb A## hole. Planned Parenthood is a great organization which does a great job of helping many women who need medical treatment, help, and advice, and support throughout their pregnancy.”

Jill Stanek

Catholic Femina Speaks: We now know that Gonzaga should be added to the list of fraudulent Catholic Colleges, with Notre Dame. To keep the Catholic faith in daily life is an essential aspect to a Catholic University. Defending an organization that provides abortion and hurts women is wrong. Prusch even says P.P. “does a great job!” Maybe if you are in favor of killing unborn babies, but her assumption is that the organization aids women through pregnancy. She has either buried her head in the sand or is truly lost; because defending the nation’s leading Death Machine is not the role of a Catholic. Abortion is the only sin listed for excommunication, so I wonder what happens to a Catholic University that promotes it, can the Pope stripe their title. Or does the response have to come from Catholics who stop supporting the University. I hope that Gonzaga University will dismiss this employee and get on track to return their very lost University to the faith.

Pope Calls Parents to Educate Children

2009-08-13T10:19:00.005-04:00

The World Conference for Families began in Amsterdam today, under the theme, “Modern Families: Traditional Values.” In his augural address, the under secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Bishop Carlos Simon Vasquez, said only the family “can guarantee an authentic education in values.” The conference encouraged families to take active roles in education and ensure fundamental morals were at the core of their children’s education. The bishop read passages from Pope Benedict XVI’s recent encyclical “Caritas in Veritate,” underscoring that only the family “can guarantee an authentic education in human values, because it ensures altruism and temporal continuity, which are essential in education.” Then Bishop Vasquez added “Only the vocation to paternity and maternity can transmit a responsible education in responsible procreation, which brings with it the necessary union between personal and social ethics through a harmonious existence that only the family can offer.”CNA World Net

Catholic Femina Speaks: After hearing these words from Bishop Vasquez and the Holy Father I examined a recent release from the Home School Legal Defense League. They reveal that Home Education only costs 5% of the total cost of public education, and that home schooled students score on average 40 points above public school students in standardized tests. Home Schooled Students comprise 4% of the total students educated at present and the number grows by 7% annually. So the Catholic Church is calling parents to be “the first educators of their children;” and home schooling is a viable option. For many Catholics home schooling is the only option. With the homosexual agenda of the elementary education in Massachusetts to the Stem-Cell Research plan in California Catholics cannot sit by and watch the state steal their children’s souls. I know that for many families parochial schools are too expensive and are not a viable option. Home education is an answer to the Pope’s call to educate. It protects children from the Culture of Death in the Obama Administration education centers, and does not destroy the child’s ordered view of family. Parents cannot blindly claim they do not know what their children are exposed to in school; the Holy Father has reminded us of parental accountability. I hope that the public schools will change, but I will not be fooled into allowing them to indoctrinate my children.

Fessio to Attend Ratzinger Schulerkreis

2009-08-13T10:07:00.005-04:00

Pope Benedict XVI is to hold his annual Ratzinger School Circle. Former students of his gather with him to discuss relevant topics and this year's theme is the "Mission of the Church." The members attending the group are the Pope's former students from the theology departments of Tubingen and Ratisbona. Included in the invitees Cardinal Cristoph Schonborn of Vienna, who was also one of the editors of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and from the United States Fr. Joseph Fessio of Ignatius Press; the former Theologian in Residence at Ave Maria University. CNA

Sex Bus To Educate UK Teens Without Parents

2009-08-13T09:58:00.005-04:00

A team of youth is staffing a bus to help educate younger youth about sex and test for Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The bus is supposed to be for youth over thirteen, but no proof of age is required to get on the “Sex Bus.” The U.K. bus running under the ‘Summer of Love’ plan and boasts the slogan: “R U Sure Ur Really Ready.” The bus will be parked outside an amusement arcade on Bournemouth promenade every Friday evening during the summer holidays. Tim Fewell, head of youth service at Bournemouth council, said: “This is very much focused on the idea of encouraging young people to delay sexual activity until they are ready.” Many parents are disturbed by the buss and think distributing condoms and giving them an STD screening is not the most effective method to promote good decisions. Telegraph UK

Catholic Femina Speaks: So now a thirteen year old can climb on a bus without his or her parents’ consent and be checked for STDs? There is no proof of age required so younger kids can go on the bus to receive the informative sex information from ‘peers’ and receive a free condom. The idea is to encourage kids to wait until they are ready? This is the broadest statement that can be put on kids. They are kids and they don’t know when they are ‘ready’ but regardless of the supposed attempt to delay sexual activity the bus arms to youngsters with contraceptives. I know that this is far from a Chastity scheme and it sounds more like a means to help teens hide their sexual activity from their parents. This bus normalizes casual sex for teens and gives them a false representation of the proper place for intimacy. As a parent I would not want my children to see the ‘Sex Bus and I would be furious about a group that believes it is their duty to educate teens and children about sex without the knowledge of their parents. I know that this plan will not lower teen pregnancy. Educating a younger generation on contraceptives has been a failed plan in other nations and it is sad to see the U.K. take this road.

Florida Prevents Muslim Honor Killing

2009-08-13T09:20:00.005-04:00

When you are watching this, the Islamic lawyers are covering this story up, but this girl truly believes her parents are going to murder her. The Christian faith cannot be tolerated in the Muslim family and they want to show Allah they love him more than their daughter by killing her. She is now in protective custody and I hope that the state continues to defend her freedom of religion.

Maciel Scandal Should Change Regnum & Legion

2009-08-12T10:06:00.004-04:00

Three More Children of Marcial Maciel Claim Inheritance Rights

Mexican lawyer José Bonilla Sada has made it known that three [additional] children, born in Mexico, will contest the Legionaries of Christ [claiming] that they should recognize their existence and their rights as heirs to the goods of the religious order's founder. The litigant, who has as his assistant one Joaquín Aguilar — a victim of sexual abuse committed by ex-priest Nicholas Aguilar — said that he is confident that there is sufficient proof to demonstrate that even the late Pope John Paul II, along with the Legion, knew of the existence of Maciel's three other children, now adults, who were legally recognized by their father but whose names will be kept confidential. Some months ago, the order founded by the late priest, [who was] accused of sexual abuse against minors, admitted the existence of one of his daughters. Her name, according to Bonilla's account on his blog http://conlajusticia.wordpress.com, is Norma Hilda. She lives in Madrid, Spain, where, along with her mother of the same name, she obtained a non-work related residence visa. Originally from Guerrero [Mexico], she is approximately 23 years old and maintains a comfortable lifestyle level, such that she does not have to work; she lives in a luxury apartment building and also has other income [rents] from the same building in which she lives. They were acquired by Marcial Maciel with money from benefactors of the congregation. It was precisely because of this blog that the late priest's three children contacted José Bonilla to represent them; after which they furnished him with a series of documents that verify their relationship to Maciel: photographs showing that they had met with John Paul II, all kinds of letters, and recordings of high-level leaders in the Legion of Christ discussing this issue. The litigant maintains that the calligraphic [i.e., handwriting] evidence is sufficient to demonstrate that the letters were written byMaciel's own hand, and that his children can be subjected to DNA testing to demonstrate their blood relationship [with him]. At present, the lawyer is studying [the evidence] and composing a civil law suit, in which it would be determined that his clients have inheritance rights, although he admits that before coming to that point he hopes to reach a settlement with the Legion of Christ. "I suppose," said Bonilla, "that he [Maciel] did leave them money. Our team is working on this, and some informants have have told us that it is a significant amount. One must remember that the Legion surrounded and was for [i.e. at the disposal of] the founder; practically speaking, everything was his. He indicated that the deceased [priest's] children seek their existence be acknowledged and, eventually, they are contemplating making known [publicly] the life they had at their father's side, in the sense of how it developed, which is to say, what he counseled them, what he taught them, and that they have rights of inheritance. Developing . . .

Translated By Patrick Madrid (great blog!)

Catholic Femina Speaks: I appreciate the effort of the Legionaries and Regnum Christi to evangelize. I know that can be over whelming for many Catholics, who do not understand their avid recruiting. I think of them as the “Catholic Jehovah Witnesses.” Many are not sure really what they are promoting and do not fully understand the mission of the Legion. With the Celebration of Founder Maciel’s birthday being greater than the celebration of the Birth or Resurrection of Christ it does lead to some speculation. I know that many of the people involved with the Legionaries and Regnum Christi have the best of intentions, to spread the faith and give whole hearted. I was always weary of their approach to vocations and the confusion they pressed upon young youth to make commitments that they were not ready for. I have met many people who have had terrible repercussions after making promises and coming to learn that they did not have a vocation. Much of the hallowed respect for “the Founder,” as he was revered, was removed from literature recently. I feel the movement wants to defend their Founder, but this is not the issue at hand. Restructuring the movement to reflect the Holy Father rather than Maciel would be a good movement. I never liked the Legion and Regnum Christi’s cover-up theory (members of the movement are not supposed to accuse anyone of a crime, true or not) I believe this was a result of Maciel’s crimes and I hope that the movement will turn away from him and move toward a good future.

Hear What Others are Saying

EEOC Discriminating Against Catholic Colleges

2009-08-12T09:46:00.007-04:00

Belmont Abbey was providing insurance that included abortion and contraceptives? I was appalled; this is not a minor mistake or an over sight. These are first issues that Catholics address when purchasing health care. The statement from Belmont Abbey is: “As a Roman Catholic institution, Belmont Abbey College is not able to and will not offer nor subsidize medical services that contradict the clear teaching of the Catholic Church,” Belmont Abbey president William Thierfelder said and “There was no other course of action possible if we were to operate in fidelity to our mission and to our identity as a Catholic college.” So now the college has stopped offering these pro-choice products as health care and they are getting into trouble. President Obama vowed during his campaign that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was going to seek out Christian colleges and make them follow EEOC practices. Obama threatened that he was going to “crack-down” on higher education and now the “crack-down” has begun. I understand that the Catholic schools benefit from federal funds by means of grants, federal-subsidized loans and federal financial aid, but we cannot put a price on morality. Pope Benedict XVI is calling for Catholic education and is promoting true Catholic colleges. The EEOC wants to help ‘woman’s rights’ and force a school to overlook their mission. Clearly the EEOC is discriminating against Christians trying to force them to uphold practices contrary to their faith. If the Catholic colleges are being black-mailed into providing abortions for federal funding they are not truly Catholic. This Obama “crack-down” will sort the truly catholic colleges from those who only pretend to be Catholic. Life News
Catholic Femina Speaks: Since providing health care coverage is so important why not look into Catholic Health care? Verus Health LLC is offering “Authentic Health Insurance for the Culture of Life.” In their website they quote the Catechism on each major health care dilemma. The motto is from an American bishop who wrote: “A lot of health insurance plans cover things that are not about health. Abortion, sterilization, assisted suicide... None of that is about health or life, and paying for those things is not really health insurance. This is authentic health insurance.” When providing insurance employers need to seek out companies that promote the culture of Life and support them buy purchasing services from them. Furthermore if Catholics support companies that uphold the church teachings these companies will grow and non-health care will diminish. Don’t just promote the culture of life, support it.

Other Christian College Fears

Hearing the Confessions of Shopaholics

2009-08-11T13:42:00.004-04:00

Concerned about spending too much during your next shopping trip? Why not pair shopping with a trip to confession. The Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colorado has a new take on evangelization. In a chapel funded by the Capuchins, Knights of Columbus, and the Diocese of Colorado Springs; Mass is now daily available in a shopping mall. In the upper level of the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs nestled between Dillard’s and the Burlington Coat Factory is the Catholic Center where there is Mass and Confession is heard. Recent studies have shown that confessions are down; so this diocese is actively promoting confession for the people. Supported by five Capuchins, the Catholic Center offers people the chance to go to Church inside their comfort zone. “Some people are hesitant to stop into an organized church, but the Catholic Center offers a 'no strings attached' approach,” said Msgr. Robert E. Jaeger, vicar general of the diocese of Colorado Springs. The Center offers Mass twice each day and confession from 9:00am- 10:00pm the same hours of the mall. This Chapel for the shopper has had 72,000 people attend the 6:00pm mass and 16,000 attending the 12:10pm mass since opening in 2001. So if you are looking to go back to school on a good note new shirt and a clean soul are available at the Citadel Mall. CNS

Catholic Femina Speaks: Bringing goodness to weakness? Or is this like when Christ said do not make of my Father's House a market place. I think that Jesus hit people with reeds and over turned the money changers' tables at this point. These Capuchins have made the Father's house in the market and have not busted any ATM Machines. Maybe that makes the difference. I am glad to hear so many people are going to mass and using this as a way to return to the faith. I know that this is a good excuse to go to the mall, I'm going to confession. Can't argue with that one, but the question is can you go make it there without being tempted on the way in. I hope that this will bring many people back to Mass and the sacraments.

Craig's List Ads To End Grass Roots Movements

2009-08-11T13:18:00.004-04:00

So Obama care is now hiring people to stop Grass Roots Organizations. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. This is a Craig's list ad paying individuals $9-16 hourly to stop the Grass Roots initiative. First it was an email address and now it is a hunt. I am very concerned about the freedoms of our country disappearing completely.

Bible Class In Texas Public Schools

2009-08-10T09:39:00.002-04:00

A new class to be offered in Texas public schools, the class is going to be a look into the Bible. Texas has been preparing to offer a Bible class since 2007. The School board wanted to be sure that the teachers were prepared to teach the class and had the proper tools to offer it before initiating the mandate to offer a Bible class. Over 2008 the Texas Department of Education took the Legislators’ 2007 mandate, which ensures that a class on the Bible's impact on history and literature of Western civilization would be taught in an "objective, academic manner that neither promotes nor disparages religion," and not "from a particular sectarian point of view." The class is to give students an overview from a purely educational standpoint leaving out any particular religion. News-Journal
Catholic Femina Speaks: A public school class on the Bible, hmmm. This just sends up red flags for me. The Bible is the word of God, and it has to be represented as such. Taking religion away from the Bible is like taking Christ out of Christmas; you are left with the shell of something that once was good and is now a perversion of secularism. A class taught on the Bible will only be as true as the individual teacher’s representation. Furthermore giving parameters on teaching ties the hands of the teacher and degrades the Bible to merely literature. I foresee that this class will rob faith rather than spread it. Stripping reverence and honor due to the Word of God cannot bring good.

Premature Baby Declared Dead, Wakes Up

2009-08-10T08:26:00.002-04:00

It is sad that this family was treated so poorly when their baby needed care

Natural Baby Sex Selection: Ethical?

2009-08-09T20:48:00.005-04:00

A new company, Choice Baby, has promised consumers that it has uncovered the secret to infant sex selection. The plan is backed by a 100% money back guarantee the Choice Baby has a 98.7% success rate. The process is not like the recent attempts for sex selection that required fertilization of an egg outside of the mother’s womb. Past methods of sex selection have involved In Vitro Fertilization and other processes contrary to the Catholic Church teachings. There are no invasive processes to the Choice Baby plan, the act of pro-creation is all-natural. Jenifer Chin a leading sales manager said:

“At Choice Baby, a conception chart is prepared based on the analysis of
data like blood type, date of birth and other personal information. The gender
chart will show the favorable days to attempt conception. All information given
by the couple is sent to a laboratory in France and within 12 working days the
chart is ready.” Asia One Health

Catholic Femina Speaks: So we can now decide if we want a boy or a girl, with reasonable certainty. Is this morally right? I would say that this depends on the person. If a couple uses the Choice Baby Chart and tries to conceive a boy, and they find out that the plan was wrong. How the couple responds to this mistake answers the moral question. If they decide that they will abort the baby because they are having a girl rather than a boy. This is wrong. If they are open to all life and will carry the baby to term boy or girl it is acceptable. Being open to all life and hoping to conceive a child of a particular sex is not a sin, most parents hope for a girl or boy. We have to leave room for God and in the Choice Baby plan 98.7% is not a hundred percent. This is a lot like the Natural Family Planning Model that is 99% accurate, and still open to life.

The End of Private Middle Class Health Care

2009-08-06T14:22:00.003-04:00

Catholic Femina Speaks: The end of the private middle class Healthcare… This should be the proper title for the Obama Health Care plan. After a conversation with my cousin I decided I should make a frightening comparison to those who still believe “equal” means freedom. In the United States 88% of students attend public schools, 9% attend parochial schools , 1% attends private independent schools, and 2% are home-schooled.

Why am I quoting school statistics on a blog about Health care?

Well, in 2007 the Department of Education had a budget of $972 Billion dollars. This is money that Americans paid in taxes was used to pay for education. Statistics reveal that 11% of the population is not using the public school system, but they are not reimbursed for the school-tax they paid. Everyone is charged the same school-tax whether they have children in the school system or not. So the folks who have deemed it necessary to educate their children by means of home-schooling, private, or parochial schools are paying twice for their children’s education. The point that I am driving at is that many families in the United States would like the freedom to put their children in a private school, but due to the burden of the large school-tax it is impossible. So the middle class family is given no choice but to use the second rate government education institutes. The freedom of middle class families to seek private/parochial education was robbed by the taxes to pay for “FREE” public education. Now, attending private/parochial school is considered a mark of the upper class; because most of the middle class cannot afford it.
I see many parallels between the public education system and the Obama Health Care System… Americans can maintain private health insurance if they can bare the financial burden of the high taxes from this new system with their present costs of healthcare. Like the education system, most of the middle class will not be able to afford double pay for health care. So with this being said, private insurance will be reserved for the wealthy, just as private/parochial education. With the Obama health care plan it will be so burdensome for the middle class to carry private health care that it will cease to exist for them altogether.

Catholic College Imperative For Social Studies & Humanities

2009-08-06T11:01:00.003-04:00

Does college affect the spirituality of the person? This was the question that propelled the University of Michigan Study, the researchers observed students majoring in: Education, Vocational/Clerical, Business, Biology, Engineering, Physical Science/Math, Humanities, and Social Sciences. At the start of the study researchers had expected the Physical Science/Math students to move farther from religion, but the truth surprised the researchers. The group studied nearly 26,000 students graduating high school between the years 1996-2006. The researchers concluded that students majoring in Education had the greatest church attendance and put the most emphasis on the importance of religion. The study observed that students who studied Humanities and Social Studies were the most likely to loose their faith. Ars Technica
Catholic Femina Speaks: This study is very interesting, especially considering that most of the “real Catholic Colleges” are liberal arts or humanity based. I believe that this is because these subjects speak the most of religion and it is imperative that these subjects be taught in light of the faith. I hope that this study enlightens people to the importance of studying at a Catholic college particularly for the humanities and the Social Sciences.

Pope Cam At Castel Gandolfo

2009-08-06T10:39:00.003-04:00

The Vatican has installed a new webcam at Castel Gandolfo, it allows veiwers to see the Pope while he is strolling in his garden. On this italian website are other Vatican cameras that will give you a chance to see the Pope at other times as well.

Click Here To View The Vatican Webcam