Friday, February 27, 2009

Maryland senate committee denies pregnant women's rights

"No, you can't see your baby."

That, in essence is what the senate finance committee of Maryland told pregnant women when it beat down an act that would have allowed a woman considering abortion to view her baby's ultrasound prior to making her decision.

So much for a "woman's right to choose."

Keeping women in the dark is good for the abortion business

Please note that the Ultrasound Options Bill, sponsored by Senator Bryan Simonaire, does not require a woman to view the ultrasound. It only gives her the opportunity to do so.

But the senators would deny a woman this opportunity to view her own child.

Abortion pushers: hypocrisy in action

The National Abortion Federation's 2008 Clinical Policy Guidelines state that abortion practitioners must obtain informed consent and assess that the decision to have an abortion is made freely by the patient.

From the document paragraph entitled "Informed Consent"

Standard 1: The clinician must ensure that accurate information is provided regarding the risks, benefits, and possible complications of the abortion process.

Standard 2: There must be documentation that the patient affirms that she understands the procedure and its alternatives; the potential risks, benefits, and complications; that her decision is uncoerced; and that she is prepared to have an abortion.

Here is a way to insure that a woman is prepared to have an abortion...that she understands the procedure...that she understands what precisely she is about to do. Informed consent.

But when offered this rather obvious way to obtain informed consent, the senators balked...as did (surprise!) representatives of NARAL, Pro-Choice Maryland, Planned Parenthood, and some abortion mills who opposed the bill.

Women, wake up!

There are people out there who do not want to grant you a "choice" when it comes to abortion. They've already made your choice for you. They do not want you to have your baby. It's not your choice...it's theirs.

To deny a woman the right to see her own unborn child is more than despicable...it's intolerable and must not be tolerated.

Source: LifeNews.com

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Dom and Melanie Bettinelli are expecting a boy!

Saint Gerard, pray for a safe delivery. Amen.

Much love to and prayers for Melanie, Dom, Isabella, Sophia...and Benedict Joseph!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Good news from South Carolina, praise God!

The South Carolina state House on Tuesday passed a bill that requires abortion businesses to give women a 24-hour reflection period before an abortion as soon as Wednesday. Legislators also signed off on the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act to protect babies who survive abortions.

The current waiting period is just one hour and state legislators believe 24 hours gives women considering an abortion more time to reflect on its risks and alternatives and will lower the number of abortions.

Yes, 24 times as much time!

If an ultrasound is performed, the waiting period begins after the ultrasound. If no ultrasound is performed, the waiting period begins after the woman receives written materials describing the risks of abortion and alternatives to abortion such as adoption.

This seems to be a bill with some teeth in it.

[Bill sponsor Representative Greg] Delleney says South Carolina requires a 24-hour waiting period before other actions such as obtaining a marriage license and refinancing a house, yet abortion is a life and death decision.

"If you wait 24 hours to be married and three days before you can buy a house," Delleney said. "I don't know how this is such a drastic bill to give the mother 24 hours to determine if she wants to go through with this procedure."

Amen. And as for the Born Alive Act:

...the born alive bill declares that any child who is born alive, including those who survive abortion, have the same constitutional rights as any other person.

An infant born alive “deserves the same rights as anyone else,” Representative Delleney said.

There were no attempts to weaken the bill which passed 105 to 5 and mirrors the federal bill former President Bush signed into law in 2002.

Now, on to the state senate. Pray. Thank you, and thank God.

Source: LifeNews.Com


Want to know more about Lent?

Marcel has a pretty exhaustive FAQ.

A blessed and fruitful Lenten journey to you!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Pope taps Archbishop Timothy Dolan for New York

Please pray for him, his new archdiocese, for the people of Milwaukee he has shepherded, and for his successor.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Conversion: change worth praying for

"It's not about partisan politics, party affiliations, or attention. Our mission is simple: for the church militant, to unite in prayer and sacrifice, offering up sufferings, prayers, and supplications for the conversion of Barak Obama, an end to abortion in his policies and plans, and an end to abortion in our country."

ConvertObama.com

Saturday, February 21, 2009

I really hope the Alpha Bank London people can nail this guy

We all get ridiculous "offers" from scam artists, but this one made my blood boil. I sent this link to the good folk at Alpha Bank London. Here's the letter (in read) and my response.

On 2/21/09 7:24 PM, "Phil Hodkinson" wrote:


> Alpha Bank London
> 66 cannon Street
> London EC4N 6EP
> United Kingdom
>
> Dear Friend,
>
> How are you today? Hope all is well. I am in search of an agent to assist me
> in the transfer of £23,000,000.00 (Twenty Three Million Pounds Sterling) only
> in my branch that belongs to our Late Matthew L. Tallman, an American army
> who unfortunately lost his life in the helicopter crash on their mission for
> operation Iraqi Freedom on August 22, 2007.I want to transfer the money into
> your reliable bank account as the sole NEXT-OF-KIN.

Hiya, "Phil" or whatever you name is,

I *was* just fine and dandy until I opened your pitiful letter.

If this was just your normal, run of the mill scam/spam that I, along with millions of others, get every day, I would've deleted it.

But ya know Phil baby? You crossed the line here. You're using a fellow countryman of mine who gave up his life for my sake and for the sake of pathetic scam artists like you. What's more, you twit, you're insulting the man's true next of kin, including his mother, wife, and two small children.

> Nobody has shown up as his next of kin for the claim because the account is
> untraceable. Upon the investigation I carried out from his records, I found
> out that his foreign business consultant who would have trace the account died
> earlier before the deceased. Therefore, this is a confidential and sealed
> deal. You shall also help me in subsequent investments in properties in your
> country.

It ain't confidential anymore, "friend." However, I'll be happy to help you in investments in my country. For starters, I hope somebody fines you big time for using a dead hero's name for scam purposes and puts the money into a trust fund for this man's children. How's that for an investment?

> You will be required to:-
>
> (1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
> (2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
> (3) Assist me in purchase of properties.

If there's any justice, YOU will be required to go to jail. And I'd be happy to assist you in finding a really appropriate cell.

> For the success of this transaction, you should apply and act as the only
> existing NEXT-OF-KIN to the deceased which our bank will replace the deceased
> account information through proper documentation in position of your own
> account. This transaction is risk-free, it will never harm your good
> reputation in your society because no one can trace the account, and on the
> instant of the transfer of the fund into your account, the chapter of this
> transaction will be closed entirely.

No kidding. Sweetie, I'm not worried about MY reputation, but the bank you claim to represent might be worried about theirs. And trust me on this one: they're getting a copy of this letter.

> Note that in a business of this nature, the bank don’t want to know your
> difference between the deceased country, religion or believe because our bank
> inheritance law is against that. So, it is a preference for us to achieve this
> success without any problem. Please note down that once the fund get
> transferred into your account, you will take 40% of the total sum while the
> rest will be for me as I will arrange myself down to your country to take my
> share.

Rule #1 when trying to scam an American? Learn to write the language. It may come in handy.

> I need your urgent response and include your private telephone/mobile numbers
> for easy communication. Please reply if you can be trusted in this deal.

I can't be trusted in YOUR deal, "friend." But hey, I'm a sport. Use this number: 801 11 701 801.

> Regards,
> Dr. Phil Hodkinson

Lotsa luck,

Kelly Clark

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Cloistered Passionist Nuns: amazing women!

My good friend Lisa, the Genuine GOP Mom, recently introduced me, virtually, to group of women she says "keeps her straight."

Why not pay them a visit? Here's their main site, but be sure and wander about the place, particularly the blog, gift shop, and my particular favorite, "Mother's Notebook." Have fun!

Mary, Full of Life

This beautiful website is a must-see, must-pray-with! Just keep clicking on the large image...and pray.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

"Parish Family" show to air on CatholicTV starting this March

The good folks at Boston-based (but you can view it online from anywhere) CatholicTV tell us about a new show starting this March called "parishFamily." (That's the way the spell it.)

From the release:

“parishFamily” is about the culture that exists in a parish and how Catholics must work to build a bright Catholic future. Dr. Melanie Morey and Father Reed spend some time sitting in the pews and discussing the parish as the place where Catholic culture is nurtured, sustained and transmitted.

“parishFamily” is hosted by Dr. Melanie Morey and Fr. Robert Reed. Dr. Morey has worked for thirty-five years in the areas of education and administration. Her main areas of expertise are Catholic culture, leadership, institutional identity, and governance. Dr. Morey is the co-founder of Substantially Catholic Summer Seminars Integrating the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and co-author of the book, Renewing Parish Culture: Building for a Catholic Future. Fr. Robert Reed was once a Pastor of a parish and understands very well the challenges of managing a parish.

Topics discussed on the show include:

  • Mass attendance
  • reconciliation
  • religious education of children
  • the priest shortage and pastors
  • lay leadership
  • finances
  • and politics.
I haven't seen the show, but I do belong to a parish. My questions to you:

Do you consider your parish a "family?"

If so, (or even if not), what bulleted topics above strike any kind of response in you, and why?

(The show plans to air on Mondays at 8:00 PM, Tuesdays at 11:00 AM, Wednesdays at 4:00 PM, Thursdays at 12:30 PM and 9:00 PM, Saturdays at 3:30 PM, and Sundays at 4:00 in the morning. Check your local listings or view it here.)

NOAH! :-)

Okay, so I was contemplating the beautiful Genesis account of Noah after Mass today and suddenly a sketch I heard as a little girl popped into my mind...here's a snippet with visuals.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

"...no matter how small"

Update: LifeSite news reports an abortion was cancelled because of this video.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Pope Benedict/Nancy Pelosi meeting...anybody up for praying for the latter's change of heart?

After reading what Deal Hudson, LifeSite News, and Father Tom Euteneuer have to say about the speaker's upcoming meeting with the Pontiff, I've gotta ask: is anybody confidently praying, hoping, and/or cheering on the notion that the Vicar of Christ may just possibly guide the pro-abortion pol (and, not incidentally, child of God) into repentance?

Of course, it's extremely likely that it goes without saying that the above journalists and other Catholic bloggers are praying for just that...but I think it should go with saying.

A very wise nun told me the day after the election that she felt very strongly that this administration will result in a vast number of conversions. I believe her.

I believe God can do anything He wills...and have no doubt that He wills the conversion of Nancy Pelosi.

Oremus!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Pro-life hope? Thriving!

As I count them, George and Michele Peate give us eight solid reasons for hope that the pro-life ethic is not just surviving, but thriving! Check them out here.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

When pro-lifers go wrong

Many years ago, I was "pro-choice." One reason? I truly didn't believe that an unborn child was, in fact, a child.

Another reason? I despised hearing the voices of those "on the other side" calling women who underwent abortion "murderers."

Because, when I was, oh, about 16 years old, I had an abortion myself.

This post isn't about that despicable experience—perhaps another post will be.

What shocked me into becoming a fighter for the pro-life cause, is quite simple:

I saw the body of another baby: one I'd miscarried.

He was maybe three-four months in the womb when I lost him. In the emergency room, the doctor, dispassionately but carefully pointed out his arms, legs, and head to a student nurse. Despite his tininess, he was unmistakably a child. Definitely. That was enough for me.

Today, ultrasound tells an amazing truth.

It tells anyone looking at an unborn child that this is, in fact, a living, breathing, marvelous human being. It told that truth, for example, to NARAL founder Bernard Nathanson, M.D., creator of the film "The Silent Scream" and one of this country's staunchest fighters for life.

The truth is hard to fight.

Which is why laws granting a woman contemplating abortion are allowed the opportunity to see her baby prior to making her final decision is a really good idea.

And, which is why I really don't understand why a pro-life worker, linking to this article, would post this commentary on his site:

It seems to me that we pro-lifers—and I certainly do not except myself from this—too often forget why we are engaged in this battle.

To save lives? Yes, certainly. But we're also involved in the task of helping ourselves and others achieve salvation! Abortion, indeed, in murder, and murder, indeed, is a sin. Sin separates us from God.

Therefore, it is our duty to cooperate with God's loving grace to do whatever we can to prevent it! It is not our duty or privilege to condemn others...especially others who are trying to do the same thing!

Let's try to remember that just because we're pro-life, doesn't guarantee us a one-way ticket to Heaven. We're only doing what we're expected to do.

Remember Luke 17:10: When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'

(I was moved to write this after reading this post by the Raving Theist.)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Our Lady of Lourdes, ora pro nobis!



"In honor of the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes to St. Bernadette Soubirous, this video was presented to the faithful devotees on February 11, 2008 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Retiro, Quezon City, Philippines. This is heartfully dedicated to the Mother of God and Our Mother also, MARY."

To place your petitions in the grotto at Lourdes, visit this site, and click on
"Déposer une intention de prière à la Grotte."

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Not a doctor but interested in performing abortions? California, there you go!

From today's WorldNet Daily:

A state senator in California is planning to start asking some hard questions after his staff uncovered a "pilot project" concealed within a gerontology program originally launched in 1973 that is being used to train nurse midwives and physicians assistants to perform "suction aspiration" surgical abortion procedures.

...

In a website commentary about his discoveries, Aanestad said it apparently was begun in 2006 without legislative oversight and involves the state and several foundations contributing financially to the "pilot program" at Planned Parenthood abortion businesses in three cities.

He said not only has the abortion-training program been concealed behind a "pregnancy care" label, state regulations have been suspended in order to allow "Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants" to do procedures for which they would not ordinarily be considered qualified.

The rationale?

Planned Parenthood mouthpiece Mitzi Sales says the project's goal is to "increase women's access to safe reproductive health care, " "integrate abortion care into current practice settings," [whatever that means] and "create more providers in a lot of the underserved areas that need them the most."

"Underserved areas" translates into Hispanic and African-American areas. As Senator Sam Aanestad writes:

At least this doublespeak is consistent with the stated goals of Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger: "Birth control must lead ultimately to a cleaner race." (Woman, Morality, and Birth Control, New York Publishing Company, 1922.)

"The undeniably feebleminded should indeed, not only be discouraged but prevented from propagating their kind," she wrote in 1921, the year she founded the organization that became Planned Parenthood."

In plain English? Physicians willing to abort children are getting old. Abortion-lovers are so passionate about killing that they're eager to replace them with anyone willing to pick up a vacuum and do the dirty work. And Californians are footing the bill for it.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Hope for Boston College

Eluana Englaro dies suddenly

"...and YOU my brother and sisters, to pray to the Lord our God for me."

I thank God whenever the celebrant includes the Confiteor in the Penetential Rite of the Mass. As well as confessing to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary Ever Virgin, and to all the angels and saints, we confess our sinfulness to our brothers and sisters present in this Holy Sacrifice.

And we ask the our Blessed Mother, the other saints, the angels—and our fellow worshipers—to pray for us!

It's a beautiful prayer because it unites the communion of saints with God in a humble, penitent, and most loving way.

But do we remember that this prayer is a two-way street?

While we beg "you, my brothers and sisters" to pray for us, it's important to remember that these same siblings are asking us for the same thing!

Here's what I do...maybe you know of a better way to honor this request.

After receiving Jesus in Holy Communion...after thanking Him and telling Him how much I love Him...I beg Him to hear my prayers for all those present at Mass. What a privilege it is to do this, knowing that my Jesus is so happy to grant this petition!

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Flash! Abortion clinics kill babies! (More at eleven)

Atheists in snit over Obama; call for "a great fuss"

Foot-stomping rhetorical questions include:

"The nation is needing and awaiting sweeping action and reform, and we're being told to pray?"

"The national treasury is bleeding and we're being told to throw more tax dollars at religion?"

"Make a great fuss!"

"Secularists, freethinkers and those of us who are the true conservatives--who wish to conserve what is greatest about our country and its godless constitution--must make a great fuss over today's blows to the Establishment Clause."

This is just damned silly.

Yes, I know, Mr. President...but I didn't know that YOU knew!

From President Obama's talk at this morning's National Prayer Breakfast:

"There is no doubt that the very nature of faith means that some of our beliefs will never be the same. We read from different texts. We follow different edicts. We subscribe to different accounts of how we came to be here and where we are going next – and some subscribe to no faith at all.

"But no matter what we choose to believe, let us remember that there is no religion whose central tenet is hate. There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know."

(Hat tip to First Things.)

Planned Parenthood affiliate caught on tape hiding sexual abuse...again

Video courtesy Live Action.

Synopsis: a college student entered a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Tuscon, Ariz., posing as a pregnant 15-year-old pregnant by a 27-year-old man. The tape shows a woman identified as a nurse advising the girl not to take her “boyfriend” with her when she goes for a judicial hearing to obtain an abortion without the consent of her parents.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Michael Dubruiel's last column...funeral arrangements...how you can help

Amy Welborn generously posted her husband Michael's last column. He wrote it last Monday, the night before he died. It's definitely worth the read.

Also posted are the funeral arrangements for Michael. Notifications of Masses said for the repose of Michael's soul should be sent to the funeral home, which will forward them to Amy.

Danielle Bean has set up a PayPal account for donations to Michael's family here.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Michael Dubruiel, R.I.P.

Michael Dubruiel, beloved husband of Amy Welborn, died this morning. Please pray for him and for his beautiful family.



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

Daily Mass...if you can't make it to daily Mass

Nothing, of course, beats your actual presence at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

But if you can't make it, you can always watch the Mass every day at 9:30 AM and 7:30 PM (ET) via the Internet here, thanks to CatholicTV.com.

The recitation of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary airs here daily at 10 AM, 7 PM, and 3 AM.