Monday, July 26, 2010

Mass Citizens for Life, Tim Cahill, and still another SNAFU

In the Massachusetts gubernatorial race, the PAC behind Massachusetts Citizens for Life enthusiastically endorsed independent Tim Cahill.

"Tim Cahill will be an outstanding advocate for the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly," ran the MCFL PAC press release received a few days ago. "Cahill holds pro-life positions on all aspects of the issue," the statement said.

Uh...not exactly true, as today's Boston Globe and Fox News report.

But while Cahill's website makes no mention of his abortion views in the "issues" section, a version of the site from late May posted by the blog Red Mass Group showed that he previously stated: "I believe in and support a (woman's) right to choose. I also believe that abortion should be safe, legal and rare."

Which, I'll wager, most active pro-lifers already knew, for bleep's sake.

Here's a money quote:

Cahill spokeswoman Amy Birmingham said the campaign fully expects to retain the Citizens for Life PAC's support, comparing the endorsement to the group's backing for Republican Sen. Scott Brown, "who is openly pro-choice but in terms of his positions on other alternative methods, the restrictions were more along the lines of what they felt."
Oy.

Here's the thing. It's called "truth."

Cahill may be Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm compared to his two opponents. But, duh! That doesn't make him "pro-life positions on all aspects of the issue." Ya know?

What I don't understand is why MCFL doesn't seem to master the art of truth-telling, even when the truth hurts. What the bleep is wrong with saying something like:

"Look folks. All three candidates are, let's say, less than perfect. None is pro-life. Our best shot at saving babies in Massachusetts is electing Tim Cahill. Not that he's what we'd want him to be...but his opponents are much worse. Sorry for the bad news, but let's try at least to make some lemonade out of the lemons we've been dealt."

Okay, maybe MCFL won't hire me as a PR writer, but you get what I mean.

Telling lies—or, to be more charitable, screwing up by screwing up the truth—gets nobody anywhere. It sure as bleep doesn't add a whole lot of credibility to the pro-life movement.

More commentary—and far better than mine—from Carol McKinley.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

The "Catholic Tea Party," Saul Alinsky, and the US Bishops

Lisa Graas, reluctantly perhaps but with no holds barred, takes 'em on. Intelligently, which is no surprise to me.

Check it out.

Papal Children's Book Talks of "Jesus' Friends"

I'm looking forward to the English translation!

ZENIT - Papal Children's Book Talks of "Jesus' Friends"

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Relic of The True Cross disappears from Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston

These images show the Crucifix as it was prior to its apparent desecration. As of today, the Crucifix still hangs in the Cathedral's Blessed Sacrament Chapel, but the relic has been torn away.

Please pray for its return.

Fellow parishioner Christopher Muldoon adds:

"And we must do PENANCE. Traditionally, relics of the True Cross are reverenced with genuflection—the same reverence shown to the Blessed Sacrament—because the True Cross was drenched in our Saviour's True Blood.

"After the Blessed Sacrament was profaned by the Know-Nothings in Charlestown in the 1830's, the Bishop of Boston ordered that after every Low Mass, the Divine Praises would be said in reparation. This practice continues after Low Masses in the Archdiocese today. We need to follow the example of our fathers and do penance.

"This is the relic that Father Cheverus brought with him when he first landed in Boston. This is the relic that was reverenced every Good Friday at Holy Cross Parish by the first generations of the faithful in our city from 1788 until this past April. It is why our Cathedral has its name. We must storm Heaven for its return, privately and publicly."
(Images courtesy Cardinal Sean's Blog.)

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Lay ministers of Holy Communion!

Please listen up. I realize your pastors may be convincing you that your service at Sunday Mass is needed. Perhaps this is true. I find it debatable in far too many circumstances, but that may be just me.

What is not debatable is that your service is needed in bringing Our Lord to the sick, in their homes and especially in hospitals.

Please consider this apostalate. Unless you have been "Jesus' donkey" and have brought Him to where He wants to go—to the sick and helpless among us—you're missing an extraordinary opportunity.

Thank you, and may the Author of Life continue to bless you.

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Litany of The Most Precious Blood


July is the month dedicated to The Most Precious Blood of Jesus.

Litany:


V/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Lord, have mercy.

V/ Christ, have mercy.
R/ Christ, have mercy.

V/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Lord, have mercy.

V/ Jesus, hear us.
R/ Jesus, graciously hear us.

V/ God, the Father of Heaven,
R/ have mercy on us.

V/ God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R/ have mercy on us.

V/ God, the Holy Spirit,
R/ have mercy on us.

V/ Holy Trinity, One God,
R/ have mercy on us.

R/ for the following: save us.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father,
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Thy Agony,
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in Thy Scourging,
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in Thy Crowning with Thorns,
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors,
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins,
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life,
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.
R/ spare us, O Lord

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R/ graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R/ have mercy on us.

Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.
R/ And made us, for our God, a kingdom.

Let us pray:

Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by His Blood. Grant we beseech Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R/ Amen.