Alleluia! The Raving Atheist dropped the "a!"

Putting it simply but eloquently...

P.S. For an idea on what can happen to converts, you might want to check out some of the comments on the above-linked post. Be not afraid!

H/T to Jeff Miller

FREE Epiphany Card! (Just ask!)

If you'd like to give friends and family something lovely this Epiphany Sunday, just ask. Use the "email Kelly" button on the left (please don't change the subject line) and I'll send you a printable Epiphany card in printable .PDF format.

Graced with the antiphon from Epiphany Vespers and designed by my good friend Alden Thatcher, all you need to do is print as many copies as you like (it's full color), fold it twice and give it to your loved ones.

It's my gift to you...thank you for being so good to me!

P.S. For those of you who got last year's card, this one's the same one.

Anybody else hear an "apology" for Colossians 3:18 today?

In an otherwise excellent homily, I, once again, heard the "things-were-different-in-those-days" mention regarding the passage in Colossians 3:18. I wish homilists would either skip any reference to this, or, preferably, take a leaf out of Father Ray Ryland's book whose Holy Family Sunday homily of last year is here...and well worth the read.

(Again, the homily I heard today was terrific except for that unnecessary "explanation.")

Adopt a soul! (It's easy, and the rewards are out of this world!)

It's time to adopt a soul! The idea is simple:

Take upon yourself some responsibility of getting a soul out of Purgatory and into Heaven.

Here's how it works:

Of course I know you pray for those souls you've known and perhaps even loved...kin, kith, and so on. But what makes this plan unique is simply this:

You don't know this person from Adam! You find a soul, unknown to you, and pray for him or her every day...it's that easy!

"Hey, Kelly...how do I go about finding this soul?"

Again, it's simple. Here are just three ways...I know you can think of more.

• Look around your parish church. Chances are, there are windows, fonts, or other pieces dedicated to the memory of somebody you don't know. Grab one (the soul, not the object) and make this person your own. Pray for him or her every day.

• Take a stroll through a cemetery. Look for the most unkempt stone you can find and make that person your own, and remember him or her in your daily prayers.

• Open your newspaper on any given day of the week and I can pretty much guarantee you'll find someone who's died, and I'm not even talking about the obits! Sometimes—most of the time—these stories are pretty depressing. Don't let them be. Adopt one of these souls and work to get him or her into Heaven.

"But what if this soul is already in Heaven?"

Uh...that would be the last thing you have to worry about. And besides, God knows what He's doing. I promise you that your prayers—that no prayer—will ever go to waste.

Adopting a soul...a great way to make an everlasting friend.

On the Feast of Stephen...

From the peace of Christmas Day to the violence of Saint Stephen's martyrdom may seem like quite an abrupt leap...but it is actually a logical follow-up.

Like Jesus, Stephen died praying for his persecutors. As Saint Augustine wrote: "If Stephen had not prayed to God, the Church would not have had Paul." ("Sermons," 315, 7)

Let all mortal flesh keep silence...

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of Light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

At his feet the six-winged seraph;
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
"Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!"

Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace!

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government
shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)

Advancing "reproductive rights": pro-aborts lose no time in pressuring Obama

Right after the election, pro-aborts put together their recommendations on "reproductive rights" to president-elect Obama. In a 55 page report, the message is clear:

(by the way, my personal comments are in blue)

"Call on Congress to Pass the Freedom of Choice Act ("and, hey, anything you can to stop babies from living would be greatly appreciated.")

"The undersigned coalition of medical, public health, research, religious and religiously-affiliated, women’s health, legal, and other advocacy organizations calls on the next President to advance and implement the agenda outlined below and begin to put the United States back on a path that honors, respects, and protects the health and rights of women and their families both in the United States and abroad."

Here are the signatories of this piece of shame:

Abortion Care Network
Advocates for Youth
African American Women Evolving, Inc. [site temporarily unavailable]
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
American Civil Liberties Union [promoting liberty for all, unless they're annoying or inconvenient]
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Jewish World Service [always a stunner when Jews promote the holocaust of abortion]
American Medical Student Association
American Social Health Association
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals ["don't take away our bread-and-butter!"]
Black Women’s Health Imperative ["eugenics? what's eugenics?"]
Catholics for Choice [sadly, a familiar misnomer]
Center for American Progress Action Fund
Center for Genetics and Society
Center for Health and Gender Equity
Center for Inquiry [somehow I don't think they have any answers]
Center for Reproductive Rights
Choice USA
Feminist Majority
Generations Ahead [not if you guys have your way!]
Guttmacher Institute
Healthy Teen Network ["because abortion is good for you!"]
International Planned Parenthood Federation, Western Hemisphere Region
International Women’s Health Coalition
Ipas
Jewish Women International
Law Students for Reproductive Justice [who represents the child?]
Legal Momentum
Moving Forward Initiative [no website that I could find]
NARAL Pro-Choice America [no surprise here]
National Abortion Federation [gotta hand it to 'em...they don't mince words]
National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD)
National Council of Jewish Women
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
National Health Law Program (NHeLP) [ever notice how often the word "health" is used by pro-aborts?]
National Institute for Reproductive Health
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
National Network of Abortion Funds ["don't have the bucks to kill the baby? count on us!"]
National Organization for Women [is this group still functioning???]
National Partnership for Women & Families [yes, they just love families]
National Women’s Law Center
National Women’s Health Network
New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty
Northwest Women’s Law Center
Pathfinder International [in my opinion, they've lost their way]
Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health [some of these group names are incredible!]
Planned Parenthood Federation of America [its "holiday" theme is "Choice on Earth"]
Population Action International ["the fewer the merrier"]
Population Connection [they claim too many people "raise emissions"]
Raising Women’s Voices for the Health
Care We Need [no website found]
Rebecca Project for Human Rights [at first glance, I can't figure out why this group is a signatory]
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice [incredibly, the site banner pronounces "all life is sacred"]
Reproductive Health Technologies Project
Secular Coalition for America ["enough `religion'...let us atheists in on this!"]
Sexuality Information and Education [this name sounds painfully familiar to me]
Council of the United States (SIECUS) [so does this one]
Sierra Club [and here I thought they liked creation!]
SisterSong
The MergerWatch Project [their site's down but here's what they're about]
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations [site banner: "representing over 1,000 liberal congregations"]
Women of Reform Judaism
Women Thrive Worldwide [unless, of course, they're unwanted women babies]

The document can be found at the president-elect's transition site. They say they're asking for comments. Here's the link to do so.

(H/T to the good folks at Fight FOCA.)

Immaculate Conception: a quiz

Follows is the text of the Gospel proclaimed on Sunday, December 21, 2008, in the United States. Within it, there is one possible reference to the Immaculate Conception. Can you identify it?

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke:

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

Seems like Rick Warren can't win...yet

For those of you who follow such things, you know that evangelical pastor Rick Warren was asked by the Obama-folks to give the invocation at the president-elect's inauguration next month.

All hell's breaking lose, or so it seems.

For example, the Huffington Post is doing it's usual huffing and puffing. Calling the pastor "a rabid homophobe," the — uh — writer starts out by declaring his "utter euphoria" at Obama's election. That said, he stamps his literary feet, writing, for example:

My take on this is that President-elect Obama and his staff are being incredibly disrespectful to Progressives who were a major part of getting the Obama-Biden ticket elected and having Warren anywhere near the festivities on January 20th is just flat-out stupid politically.

Other pro-gay "marriage" groups and individuals are equally in a snit, evidentally. One has to wonder if these folks realize that their idol (with temporary, at least, feet of clay) has never endorsed homosexual "marriage" and in fact has come out against it...but then why let the facts get in the way.

On the other hand, many pro-life pro-marriage folks...

...are equally appalled at Warren's place in the inauguration of arguably the most rabid pro-abortion president in U.S. history. For example, Human Life International president Reverend Thomas J. Euteneuer has called for Pastor Warren to "reconsider" giving the invocation.

“We applaud Pastor Warren’s support of pro-life causes as well as his defense of traditional marriage,” said Father Euteneuer. “This is why we are concerned that his high-profile and explicitly Christian prayerful invocation at President-elect Obama’s inauguration may be perceived as an endorsement, even a blessing, of what will likely be the most anti-life administration in the history of this country.”

Here's what I think (and yes, I realize I'm your basic nobody but it is my blog after all):

I think—actually, I know because I looked the word up in the dictionary—that the invocation is a prayer. Duh.

And, as a pro-life, pro-family Roman Catholic lady, I find nothing at all wrong with a pro-life, pro-family pastor praying at the inauguration of, whether you like it or not, our next president, God willing.

Go for it, Pastor Warren! Now more than ever, this country needs prayer. And that includes president-elect Obama...and me and you, too.

Use the N word where I can hear it? Do. Not. Dare.

For years, in my neighborhood, and probably in many others, there seems to be an unfathomable entitlement bestowed among folks with darker skin than others—mostly among the adult-to-I'm-almost-an-adult crowd—to use the N word without so much as a pause. I hear it all the time. I hear it on buses, in subways, on the street, and in the lyrics to songs. When I hear it, I inevitably glance around and see the cringing of faces too—what? Intimidated?—to object.

I've objected and will continue to object. Loudly.

I don't give one good bleep what the color of your skin is. Do. Not. Use. The N word. In. My. Presence.

You are not entitled.

That is all.

Our Lady of the Atonement Parish in San Antonio...

...has to be one of the most interesting I've ever virtually visited. Check out the parish blog here and the parish itself here.

(Thanks, Richard!)

From Cardinal Dulles' last lecture

Just before the Pope's visit, Cardinal Dulles gave his last McGinley Lecture at Fordham University. The cardinal could not speak but was present in a wheelchair, while his lecture was read for him.

In this last lecture he wrote that "suffering and diminishment are not the greatest of evils, but are normal ingredients in life, especially in old age. They are to be accepted as elements of a full human existence."

"Well into my 90th year," he wrote, "I have been able to work productively. As I become increasingly paralyzed and unable to speak, I can identify with the many paralytics and mute persons in the Gospels, grateful for the loving and skillful care I receive and for the hope of everlasting life in Christ."

Concluding this final lecture, the cardinal wrote: "If the Lord now calls me to a period of weakness, I know well that his power can be made perfect in infirmity. ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord!'"

Source: Zenit

Daschle, Lambrew...and "prevention elation"

Everybody relax. Planned Parenthood approves of your new president's choices to protect your health.

"We are delighted by his nomination and look forward to working closely with Sen. Daschle on promoting and protecting the full range of women’s health care, including family planning and prevention services.

“We also applaud the appointment of Jeanne Lambrew as deputy director of the White House Office of Health Reform. She is one of the leading health policy experts in the country, and someone who is an advocate for women’s health issues and prevention measures.

So. We've got two pro-aborts, appointed by a pro-abort. One to head the existing U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ah, the irony) and the other to head the new "White House Office of Health Reform."

Gee...you think they're gonna do something to protect the "health and human services" of unborn kids? Or push to "reform" it?

Avery Cardinal Dulles: August 24, 1918—December 12, 2008

Photo courtesy Assumption College, Worcester, Massachusetts

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, though the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen: May 8, 1895—December 9, 1979

"All my sermons are prepared in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. As recreation is most pleasant and profitable in the sun, so homiletic creativity is best nourished before the Eucharist. The most brilliant ideas come from meeting God face to face. The Holy Spirit that presided at the Incarnation is the best atmosphere for illumination. Pope John Paul II keeps a small desk or writing pad near him whenever he is in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament; and I have done this all my life—I am sure for the same reason he does, because a lover always works better when the beloved is with him."

Servant of God, Fulton J. Sheen

Happy Mary Day!

First, what one thing do we have that Mary never did? You got it. Check out the Holy Father's thoughts on Original Sin with some Pauline insights.

Next, reader Steve asks that we explore a website dedicated to Our Lady of America here.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Remembering Pearl Harbor: a terrific story reported by Michelle Malkin

How a 13-year-old kid named Quinn Appletoft kept—and help keeps—the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association alive.

Preparing during Advent...a melodic reflection

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

Thank our troops, with help from IBM

(H/T to John Cronin for the site.)

Message from John Mallon

John Mallon is trying to assemble an email list of Blogs in the English speaking world. He is currently working as Contributing Editor for Inside the Vatican magazine, doing media relations for Human Life International, and assisting at the Envoy Institute in a promotional capacity. He have two degrees in theology and frequently has items of interest to Catholic Bloggers worldwide. With 25 years of experience in the Catholic Press, he has found that major secular outlets are often closed to these messages. if you have or know of Blogs that would be interested in receiving press releases and other pertinent materials for your Blogs, he would very much appreciate getting a mailing list of these blogs for this purpose. This is not spam. Anyone not wishing to receive these materials will be removed from the list immediately upon request. Catholic Blogs are absolutely critical for spreading credible information on the Church. This mailing list could serve as a News Agency supplying news and other information to Catholic Blogs.

It is absolutely maddening trying to harvest emails off of Blogs, where people won't post their emails. He am only interested in people who want to receive these messages, not bothering anyone.

For more on John Mallon please visit his website.