Cause Way Thursday
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pesach: Passover
. . . . . . . . . .

Of all the Jewish holidays, Pesach is the one most commonly observed, even by otherwise non-observant Jews. According to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), more than 80% of Jews have attended a Pesach seder.
. . . . .
Exodus 12:14-17
And this day shall become a memorial for you, and you shall observe it as a festival for the L-RD, for your generations, as an eternal decree shall you observe it. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove the leaven from your homes ... you shall guard the unleavened bread, because on this very day I will take you out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree. -
. . . . .
Passover this year starts Saturday April 19 at sunset. Coincidentally, this is the regular time of shabat, or sabbath. The traditional seder meal is held on the next day, Sunday April 20.

Want to know more?

go here
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Is this what you mean?
by Fr. Frank Pavone
InsideCatholic.com
04/14/08

. . . . . . . . . .

Members of the pro-life community have been fed up for a long time with public servants who can't seem to tell the difference between serving the public and killing the public. They want to mask the violence of abortion with the smooth language of "choice," and they don't want to lift a finger to extend the freedoms -- whose merits they praise -- to the neediest members of our human family, the children still in the womb.

Some of these individuals hold public office, and others seek it. This type of politician is found in both major political parties. And Church leaders have been hesitant to discipline such individuals, even as many of them claim to profess the Christian gospel.

This election season, it's time for that to change. No matter what politicians or voters or Church officials are or are not going to do, it's time that we draw a line in the sand and tell candidates and office-holders alike: If you're going to take a position on abortion, then you're going to have to come clean about what it is. We are no longer going to let you obscure or trivialize the issue. Whether people agree with you or not, you owe it to them to be honest about what you're talking about.

Therefore we issue this simple challenge to honesty: We will describe abortion to you, and you tell us if that's what you're talking about. We just want to make sure that we're hearing you. When you say "abortion," we want to make sure we're all talking about the same thing.

I recently posted two videos on YouTube in which I describe and demonstrate the two most common abortion techniques, using the actual instruments of abortion and the words found in medical textbooks and court testimony. Go to www.priestsforlife.org and you will see the links to these videos, as well as brief quotes you can use from abortionists themselves.

[To get to the videos directly, click here and here.]

Then simply ask pro-choice politicians (whether they're candidates or already in public office) if this is what they mean when they say "abortion." Yes or no. Ask it publicly. Ask it repeatedly. Ask it at town meetings, on blogs, in editorials. Those whose support they are seeking deserve to know.

---

Rev. Frank Pavone is the National Director of Priests For Life.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cause Way Thursday
. . . . . . . . . .
you'll never be able to have children
. . .

Our first child, a girl, died at birth. We name her Wendy. She's buried in a small church cemetery in southeastern MI. We'd only been married 14 months and had just buried our first child.

Young married couples can bounce back quickly, if they try. We tried. We bounced back. A year and a half later we were expecting our second child. Five months into the pregnancy and we had lost our second child - another girl - stillborn.

That's when the doctor told us, "You'll never be able to have children." There were some physical issues that precluded being able to carry a baby to term. We sought a second opinion.

The new doctor said that with some surgery, my wife should be able to not only conceive, but carry to full term. Hurray for modern medicine.

She did [had a couple of surgeries]; we did [get her pregnant]; our daughter did [stayed aboard full term] ... and she was the first - just four years into our marriage and we had a strong healthy little girl to raise. Then, after eight years into our marriage and we had a first son to raise; after twelve years into our marriage and we had a second son to raise. [see picture at head of this blog site which includes spouses-in-law and 3 grandchildren]

As young marrieds we didn't have much ... but we had each other, our extended families, and God. God entrusted us with the responsibility of raising future saints for the Kingdom - two whom He called home immediately, and three we were given the opportunity to raise from scratch.

The front end of parenting holds more questions than answers. Surround yourself with faith-filled like-minded people. Keep God in the loop in every decision. Be there for each other, and when you don't agree on what to do next, double your effort to talk it through with your heavenly Father.

Parenthood is a sharing in the life of the Creator - remember that every day.

uncle jim
. . . . . . . . . .
thanks to Peggy for the following:
. . . . .

ABORTION CHANGES YOU

Many men, women, family members and friends are seeking to make sense of their own or a loved one’s abortion experience. You are not alone.

Abortion Changes You is an invitation for those who have been touched by abortion - men, women, grandparents, siblings, other family members and friends - to know that they are not alone and that healing resources are available. Men and women are able to type in their Zip code and find local resources such as after abortion ministries and counselors. The outreach includes the interactive Web site AbortionChangesYou.com and the book Changed.

The Abortion Changes You outreach is close to my heart because I’ve been there.

When I became pregnant at 18, I had an abortion.

I was completely unprepared for the emotional fallout. I thought the abortion would erase the pregnancy. I thought I could move on with my life. I was wrong.

I experienced periods of intense anger followed by periods of profound sadness. With counseling and the help of supportive friends, I was able to enter into a healthy grieving process. In addition to grieving the loss of my child, I slowly became aware of how my choice to abort had impacted my family. I was surprised and saddened that my parents, my sister, and even my living children struggled to deal with the loss of a family member through abortion.

Over the years I’ve heard many heartrending stories about abortion. Although each story is unique, a common thread moves through them all—abortion changes you. Although abortion has touched many of us, we rarely share our personal experiences regarding it.

This is what led me to write a book that shares some of the stories I’ve heard. Changed: Making Sense of Your Own or a Loved One’s Abortion Experience is an invitation to begin the healing process through a grief and loss healing model.

There was also a need for a safe space for people to tell their stories, explore the ways abortion has impacted them, and find resources. We created AbortionChangesYou.com to fill this need.

It is my hope that the Web site and book will assist you as you seek to make sense of your abortion or the abortion of someone close to you.

If you have not been touched by abortion, I hope that the Web site and book will aid you as you seek to sensitively and compassionately communicate with others about abortion.

Michaelene

---

View the 1-minute video about the outreach here.

Visit AbortionChangesYou.com.

Be the first to receive an original edition of Changed.

Tell a Friend

Your financial support helps reach others touched by abortion.
. . . . .

follow the money, sonny

The Way Wednesday
. . . . .
The following is a compilation of excerpts from:
. . .
Are U.S. Dollars Supporting Abortion in China?
by Deal Hudson
02/04/08
in InsideCatholic.com e-zine
. . .
The mission of the Global Fund is to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis around the world. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the five-year, $15-billion plan for combating HIV/AIDS expires in 2008. The Mexico City Policy, reaffirmed by President Bush in January 2001, requires non-governmental organizations, such as the Global Fund, to "agree as a condition of their receipt of [U.S.] federal funds" that they will "neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations."

China's coercive abortion practices to enforce its one-child policy are well-known and well-documented. The United States has withheld contributions from the UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund] since 2002 because of its participation in China's program of enforced abortion.

The Gerard Health Foundation reports, "Programs funded through the Global Fund exist in all seven provinces [of China] that the State Department has identified as requiring 'termination of pregnancy' if the pregnancy violates provincial family planning regulations: Anhui, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Hunan, Jilin, and Ningxia." The participation of China's NPFPC, UNFPA, and Maria Stopes International in grants from the Global Fund is buried in structures called "Country Coordinating Mechanisms" (CCMs), by which a country develops and submits its grant proposals as well as oversees their implementation.

Lest there be any doubt about the intent of these organizations, the grant from China approved by the Global Fund includes country population and family planning services in the list of "responsible implanting agencies." The amount of Global Fund grants awarded to China for HIV/AIDS prevention totals $171 million, which means about $58 million of that amount came from the United States.

The Gerard Health Foundation report argues, "The American public has reason to be seriously concerned about the Global Fund's camouflaged activities and what is being done with taxpayer dollars." The Kemp-Kasten Amendment, for example, prohibits giving U.S. "population assistance" funds to "any organization or program which, as determined by the President of the United States, supports or participates in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization."

Taxpayer money put in the top of the pipeline to fight HIV/AIDS can come out the other end into the pockets of organizations who think the best way to fight disease is to eliminate the number of people who can get sick. American people don't want to pay for abortion, especially at the cost of HIV/AIDS victims whose suffering could be prevented.
. . .
Deal W. Hudson is the director of InsideCatholic.com and the author of Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States (Simon and Schuster, March 2008).
. . . . .
'Tis the season of political activism - get involved.
. . . . .

Got teens in the house? Lead them to truth. CS-2

My Way Sunday
. . . . .

This project in case studies started with yesterday's 'sample'. I hope you're ready - I think this one is much more challenging. Occasionally, some of these case studies you will be loaded with controversy. As you examine these, be sure to allow for differences of opinion.

Be aware that some topics will bring out responses you may not have anticipated. Be ready! Anticipate!

What you, thinking ahead, think would be 'wrong' responses can be a 'teaching' moment. Ask questions that guide thought. Be prepared to find resources that explain more completely the issues at hand.

Ready?

Set?

Go!
. . .
Following-up from yesterday's sample case, we are again going to talk about abortion.

Note: The characters in this case are middle 20's
Janet had been living out of wedlock with Tom for two years. She loves Tom very much. The past few weeks Janet had been attending a church where she had first become a Christian and then a church member. Tom was not interested in church, but he didn't mind if Janet wanted to go.

One evening after a long talk with her pastor, Janet came home and told Tom' We either have to get married immediately, or one of us needs to move out." Tom reluctantly chose marriage.

A few months after the wedding Janet became pregnant. A few days after finding out she was pregnant she was told she had cancer. Her doctor recommended an abortion.

Janet decided to talk with her pastor about her situation. He suggested that she get another opinion from a doctor who was a Christian. The second gynecologist said, "if you don't have an abortion, we can't give you chemotherapy. We can't guarantee you'll live for more than two years without chemotherapy."

Tom insisted that Janet get an abortion. Janet was unsure. She sought the advise of more doctors. Five out of seven strongly advised abortion. Janet decided to carry the baby. She believed God would protect her.

After making this difficult decision, Janet sought out a life-long friend for support, wisdom, and encouragement.
. . .
1. How would you feel about Janet's decision to keep the baby?

2. How would you feel if you were Janet? Her husband?

3. If you were the friend Janet turned to, what could you say or do to be a support to her?

4. What do you think is God's part in this whole story?
. . .
Cases Originally Copyrighted by Jim Burns 1987 - permission granted to use in work with teens.
. . . . .
There are many 'feelings' that surface when we look at issues like this. Pray for guidance as you review the issues in this particular case study. God be with you!
. . . . .
FYI - next week's case will look at an alcoholic mother
. . . . .

Got teens in the house? Lead them to truth. CS-1

Any Way Saturday
. . . . .

Case studies are tools that can bring biblical principles to life. Today, Saturday, I am going to give a sample case for you to read and review and think about. Tomorrow, Sunday, I will have another Case for you to study. It will be the first in a series of such studies which I will present on subsequent Sundays. Various topics will be covered.

If you use these in a family setting with teenagers, be aware of certain dynamics that develop. Girls will see and think about things very differently than will your boys. When using these, someone should first read the Case aloud to the others. Then the questions can be discussed.
. . .
Fitting in with the events of this past week, today's topic is: Abortion

Update FYI addition: Linda and Jerry in this case are High School seniors.
When Linda told Jerry she was pregnant he was stunned. He felt horrible. He felt responsible and really didn't know what to do. His options weren't very attractive.

You see, Jerry had been waiting for weeks to tell Linda that he didn't love her and that he wanted to break off their relationship. He simply didn't know how to tell her. He had lingered in the relationship because he had felt so guilty about their sexual promiscuity and Linda's dependent, almost helpless attitude toward him. Jerry knew Linda would probably follow any advise he gave her concerning the pregnancy.

Since Jerry wanted out of the relationship, the easiest thing to suggest was abortion. He could even offer to pay for it. Adoption or keeping the baby would only complicate and confuse the situation.

Jerry's conscience gnawed at him because before this happened he was definitely opposed to abortion. Now he wasn't sure.

1. What would you say to Jerry?

2. Is the Christian answer to marry and try to work out the relationship? Why or why not?

3. What would be Linda's options if Jerry broke off the relationship?

4. What can people do to prevent situations like this one from happening?

. . . . .
Now, get ready for tomorrow when we'll try it again.
. . . . .
Cases Originally Copyrighted by Jim Burns 1987 - permission granted to use in work with teens.

Happy UN-birthday

Vid Way Tuesday
. . . . .

It didn't start here, but it certainly became legal here and then. Many believe that we have no right to 'play God' - others believe they alone have the right to procreate and then destroy another's life being formed within them.

The United States Supreme Court agreed with those who wanted to be able to choose for themselves, including the right to take that life within. Can we, who expect to one day stand before the Judge of all mankind, hold firm to the belief that says we can take innocent life for any reason at all?
. . . . .
(2:54)

. . . . .
'CLICK' on the above > and ask, "Where do I stand?"
. . . . .

Cause Way Thursday . . . . .
There are a lot of organizations who work to help others in needs. One such group that helps unwed mothers is known as Life Call. According to the founder Kathy DiFiore:
"Since 1981, we have helped over 15,000 women. Over 200 pregnant women call our National Hotline every month seeking our assistance. Through this website we hope to help many more."

Look over the site, and help if you can. However you help others during the Christmas holidays, please give consideration to these types of organizations - I'm sure there are other similar organizations in your locale.
. . . . .

a Street Carnival

Your Way Monday
. . . . .

from Father Valenchek at Adam's Ale
posted on Sunday 12/16/07
REW sends news of a new Vatican Web Site to help people in their reading of Scripture. Thanks! This program offers Sacred Scripture, its interpretation in light of Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Magisterium, with appropriate theological commentary and exegesis. It can be very useful to anyone wanting more resources.
. . . . .
From Adoro Te Devote's post on Thursday December 13, 2007
O Come O Come Emmanuel...

Today I attended an "Advent Day of Reflection" designed for we who work in parishes, and found it to be very refreshing and enlightening. It was exactly what I needed, although it was actually at Mass that I had my "special moment". And because it was a retreat, the moment was allowed to continue.

The communion meditation was "O Come O Come Emmanuel", and, never before had I so clearly understood the hymn. Never again will I hear it the same way. [read entire post]
. . . . .
from the Dawn Patrol
Saturday, December 15, 2007

Quote of the day

"In 50 years, the sexual pendulum in Britain has swung from one extreme to the other, from an era in which nice girls didn't until after they were married, to one in which teenage abortions are drearily routine and the Government - like some deranged hippy mum - is wheedling 14-year-olds to please 'be responsible' and go on the Pill.

"The 1950s philosophy was pinned in place by shame, and a reluctance to discuss sex at all. There were dark whispers around unmarried mothers, and desperate panic in single women who fell pregnant. There were hushed-up backstreet abortions, and hurried adoptions, and the cruel denial of children born out of wedlock for decades to come.

"I have no desire to go back to those days, but it seems to me that young people now are being fed an even more complicated set of lies."

— Jenny McCartney, "Why our teenage girls get lost," in tomorrow's UK Telegraph
. . . . .

from Abbey-Roads [aka: Terry Nelson]

posted on 12/13/07

More Christmas legends and lore...

Mistletoe

The use of mistletoe dates back to pagan times of course, just as the Christmas tree, advent wreaths, and the use of other greenery does. It is actually a hemiparasite plant that grows upon tree trunks. It was once considered an aphrodisiac by the ancients and associated with fertility by the ancient Celts and Germans. The idea of kissing under the mistletoe originated with Saturnalia, the ancient pagan feast, and later extended into pagan marriage rites.

Before the invention of toilet seats, many young girls claimed to have become pregnant after having kissed a boy under the extremely potent mistletoe. However, this notion died out when young maidens realized they could get pregnant simply by sitting on toilet seats.
. . . . .

from Father Schnippel at Called by name

post dated 12/14/2007

Church Squirrels

Just in time for the Christmas turnout:

There were four country churches in a small Texas town: The Presbyterian Church, the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church and the Catholic Church. Each church was overrun with pesky squirrels.

One day, the Presbyterian Church called a meeting to decide what to do about the squirrels. After much prayer and consideration they determined that the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn't interfere with God's divine will.

In the Baptist Church the squirrels had taken up habitation in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a cover on the baptistery and drown the squirrels in it. The squirrels escaped somehow and there were twice as many there the next week.

The Methodist Church got together and decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God's creation. So, they humanely trapped the Squirrels and set them free a few miles outside of town. Three days later, the squirrels were back.

But -- The Catholic Church came up with the best and most effective solution. They baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church. Now they only see them on Christmas and Easter.

. . . . .

and this, from Adrienne at Adrienne's Catholic Corner

form her post dated 12/10/07

Discernment simply means that we exhibit sound insight and good judgment. We tend to be good at this when it comes to everyday objects or occurrences. If we don’t like a certain food, for instance, we don’t eat it. If we are cold, we put on a sweater.

Yet, when it comes to our immortal soul, we often exhibit far less care. We live in an age of information overload. If you are reading this, you have probably already checked out the number of Catholic websites, blogs, and news agencies. Some of them are a source of great wisdom and some are a scandalous barrage of nonsense. [read complete post]

. . . . .

from The Judge Report post on 12/11/07

Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow Could Have Been a Victim of Abortion:
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 9, 2007
New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow became the first sophomore in the history of the NCAA to win the coveted Heisman Trophy as the best football player in the nation. However, Tebow's accomplishments may never have been supported had his mother followed a doctor's recommendation to have an abortion. [read post]

. . . . .

Is SALAVATION ARMY 'a second chance' to help?

Want to be invisible? Ring bells at a Salvation Army [SA] kettle at Christmas time. I'm not kidding. It is like you don't exist.

For 23 years this coming Christmas, I've been ringing bells at Salvation Army kettles before Christmas. I love it. However, the majority of people who approach me look right past me like I didn't exist. I greet every passer-by; I try to be right friendly. People react in different ways, but typical is the 'ghost' response ... they pretend to not see me - and amazing how many people don't hear that bell, either. I didn't know there were so many deaf and hard-of-hearing people around.

So what keeps me going back year after year? "Second chances!" Yep; its the occasional miracle that happens right before my eyes. This past year was no exception. Take a load off your feet for a minute - set a spell and listen to my tale.
- - -
Typical weather for the last two weeks before Christmas: cold, wet, spitting occasional snow flakes, breezy, uncomfortable - some years it is below zero and the heavy snow falls. I tend my kettle with care. I greet passers-by. I play Christmas carols on the portable cd player I bring along with me, hoping it will brighten others' spirits. I dress in 3 layers of clothing to stay warm and dry. I ring my bell to attract attention. I do all these things in hopes of raising a few extra dollars so the Salvation Army can help others in need during this special season.

My location is just outside the main entrance to a large supermarket - part of a regional chain. I have the opportunity to accept offerings from people as they enter and as they depart. Fortunately, some will stop and drop in their lose change - and occasionally someone will drop in paper folding money. I've worked at this location for, I don't know, somewhere between 8-10 years I guess. The vast majority of those passing by ignore me ... they ignore my greeting on entering ... they ignore my "Have a Happy Holiday" or "Merry Christmas" as they depart ... they ignore the attraction of my bell ... they ignore my red kettle which contains the meager hope a better Christmas for the ones the Salvation Army helps each year.

I am successful at making eye-contact with maybe 1/3 of them. I sincerely want to help them look interiorly for a moment and wonder why this stranger is standing our here in the cold and damp, ringing a bell for hours - I want them to think "If he is out here, there must be a reason." If they go that far, they may be inclined to drop their change on the way out. I think I grate on their conscience.

I AM A GHOST - I DON'T EXIST - I'M NOT HERE !

The ones with small children in tow are the ones I enjoy most. Mom or dad prepares to walk on by without acknowledging my presence - but the little ones see me and say 'hi' or wave at me ... then mom or dad tells them to 'Come-on, get over here, get inside...", all without lifting a head in my direction. There's something about looking at me that makes them afraid they'll fall under my magical powers and force them to see the kettle and force them to acknowledge the obvious - they're living well, and others are not - and they're not prepared to do that.

Every once in awhile the BIG one comes along ... the one that makes the year memorable. Here is last season's.

I'm standing there ringing my bell. A woman approaches with a young girl, 10-12 years old, in tow. Mom never looks at me, never acknowledges me. The little girl says 'Hi' and keeps going, following mother into the store. As the young girl gets to the entry door of the supermarket she stops. She turns around comes back toward me. She is bundled-up for the weather, gloves and all. She approaches me - I greet her with something like "Well, how are you tonight?" She doesn't respond immediately - she's trying to take off one of her gloves.

About this time I look to my right and note that mom has now seen that her daughter is not behind her any longer ... and mom is already inside the market. Mom turns on her heel and is immediately coming out the exit door.

The young daughter has now removed her glove and is reaching into her coat pocket. Mom is approaching and half-screams at her daughter, "What are you doing!?!" The daughter doesn't respond to mom - she doesn't look her way or anything. She is intent on what it is she is about to do. The mother stops short and in a half-fit observes.

A small coin purse is produced from the young woman's coat pocket; she opens it, removes a piece of paper money, and dumps some loose change into her hand.

"Mister, is this enough to buy some kid a Christmas present?", she asks as she extends her hand toward me. I observe a crumpled up One Dollar bill and a small amount of change. "It certainly is!", I reply, and direct her where to put the money in the slot on top of the kettle.

I look over towards the mother, expecting to see a woman in a rage. Instead, I see a grown woman weeping at the miracle unfolding before her eyes and in her previously hardened heart. As a matter of fact, I almost tear-up every time I relate this story - like now.

The little girl walks the several paces to her mother and remarks, "I just bought some kid a Christmas present." The mother stoops a little, gives her daughter a big hug, and smiles at me - me, the ghost. She lets go of her daughter, opens her purse, comes over to me and the kettle, finds and parts with several pieces of folding money. I have no idea of the amount, but it is HUGE compared to what she put in the kettle on her first pass.

So, there it is - my witness of an annual Christmas miracle. Every year there is at least one such event that speaks to me deeply of the reason I stand out there. Even if I am a ghost, I get so juiced-up doing this thing with the bell and kettle and all.
- - -
How do you feel about the Salvation Army? I read a recent article that stopped just short of saying we should not give to them. The reason? The writer claims the Army is long on helping, but short on doctrine - and doctrine has to trump everything.

Here in our county, the SA is one of the largest 'agencies' helping the poor. Other agencies make referrals to the SA. Is that enough to be an organization that you can support in good conscience?

Is their policy towards counseling women in an unwanted pregnancy one you can agree with? I questioned the local leader about this issue brought to my attention. His reply, "We are an international organization. We operate hospitals in many countries. Elective abortions are not performed in any of our hospitals." OK - but how do you counsel regarding abortion. Is stressing the seriousness of the procedure being considered enough? "Our counselors' first concern is the woman they are counseling." Hmmmmm - not the baby?

Now, can you still drop money in their kettle? I can.

Can you you ignore the 'good' insisting on the 'perfect'? I can't.

What say you?