tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16548654625437756202024-02-06T21:20:23.259-05:00MetanoiaGinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-21741699250323059082014-01-24T01:34:00.003-05:002014-01-24T16:13:01.487-05:00Local Coverage of Public Prayer Service in Support of Life I was most disappointed to read the write up about the local pro life
prayer service. On Wednesday, pro-life persons gathered in front of the Federal Court House in Youngstown to hold a peaceful, prayful protest in solidarity with those in Washing D.C. at the March for Life. You can read the disappointing write up here...<br />
<a href="http://www.wfmj.com/story/24523964/right-to-life-supporters-emphasize-the-impotance-of-adoption-on-the-anniversary-of-roe-vs-wade" target="_blank">http://www.wfmj.com/story/24523964/right-to-life-supporters-emphasize-the-impotance-of-adoption-on-the-anniversary-of-roe-vs-wade </a><br />
<br />
The following excerpt comes from write up on the WFMJ website...<br />
<br />
<br />
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Today marks the 41st anniversary of f Roe vs Wade,
the Supreme Court ruling that struck down anti abortion laws. <br />
Wednesday afternoon in Youngstown, right to life organizers emphasize
the importance of adoption, over their traditional anti-abortion
message............<br />
<br />
<br />
Eh hem...First of all, adoption is ALWAYS an
anti-abortion message. Second, the signs in the photograph stated women REGRET ABORTION, highlighting the fact that pro-lifers still proudly
protest abortion. The writer clearly wishes to direct readers into
thinking that pro-life communities have shifted from an "anti-abortion" focus to
an adoption focus.<br />
<br />
The truth? Far from it. As always, true pro-lifers remain both strong supporters of adoption and ENDING abortion. Pro-life must be anti-abortion or the movement ceases to retain its pro-life focus. The two go hand in hand. Adoption is both pro-life and anti
abortion. The irresponsibility in reporting remains shocking. The blatent attempt at twisting the truth of the pro-life movement into a media conveniant sound byte fails to shock me. We, on this side of the fence, often see the media manipulate. However, in today's world, as responsible pro-lifers with technology at our fingertips, we can do a bit of untwisting. Pro-life efforts always support adoption and are ALWAYS anti-abortion. The assertion that the anti-abortion focus among pro-life groups shifting remains absurd.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-24558674287087912642013-12-09T10:29:00.003-05:002013-12-09T10:29:45.906-05:00Immaculate ConceptionIn America today, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Our dear Blessed Mother. This feast refers to the conception of Mary, free from original sin, in the womb of her mother. This dogma has created no small misunderstanding with non Catholics. It simply need not be. As we think about this, we can ponder the traditional way of explaining this to fellow non Catholics. We, having sinned, through the merits of Jesus on the Cross, were pulled from our sins and cleansed, out of the pit <i>after</i> falling, so to speak. God's timeless existence saved Mary through her Son's same sacrifice on the cross, preventing her from ever falling <i>into</i> the pit. How fitting, the Mother of God, prevented from falling into the pit of sin in the first place. She would, afterall, carry in her womb, the Son of God. Completely human, Mary can inspire us, also completely human, to be always living better lives. <br /><br /> To borrow from Kimberly Hahn, God has saved me personally from many sins in my life; times when I didn't fall into this trap or that, etc. Therefore saving his Mother is entirely within His realm. <br /><br />He did it for a reason. He does everything for a reason. On this feast of the Immaculate Conception, how can we help pull some one out of a pit they are struggling in? How can we help that family struggling to live a Catholic life in today's world bear the ridicule they face day after day? How can we make that family with 5 kids feel welcome, because they have embraced and actually desire life? How can we reach out and stop that frightened teenager from making that decision to abort her child. One decision, I promise that she will regret and suffer over. Could it be a coin given to one in needy? (I don't suggest Salvation Army for their stance on abortion) Could it be a smile to someone lonely? A visit to the rest home? A simple and sincere "God Bless you." Let us keep our eyes open as we celebrate this feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mary pray for us!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-6448230395433930242013-02-20T15:00:00.000-05:002013-02-20T15:00:23.117-05:00Check Your Rhetoric: What Common Good?<i>“The horrors of Bolshevik governance stemmed directly from their repudiation of the precious fruits of Western political thought.” It is a classic example of the tendency of some to promote <a href="http://blog.acton.org/archives/50101-sharpening-the-weapon-of-love-from-moralism-to-morality.html">cheap moralisms</a> while ignoring the empirical realities of any given context, what then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger <a href="http://www.acton.org/global/article/market-economy-and-ethics">termed in 1985</a>, “the antithesis of morality.”</i><br />
<br />
Read the rest of the article <a href="http://blog.acton.org/archives/50268-check-your-rhetoric-what-common-good.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-86532000838204458072013-02-13T09:21:00.001-05:002013-02-13T09:21:40.047-05:00Cardinal Arinze reacts to pope's resignation<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/06UP2qHCxWg" width="480"></iframe>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-70101101296436164492013-02-05T15:23:00.000-05:002013-02-05T15:55:43.893-05:00Why Should Everyone Should See Les Miserables (whether you like musical theater or not)?<b>Because it is about METANOIA, in the most complete sense of the word.</b><br />
<br />
I had mixed feelings when I heard about the film production of Les Miserables last fall. I was concerned that a film version would turn this magnificent musical into a chopped up mess. I thought movie-musicals were a lost art. I didn't think it could be pulled off.<br />
<br />
I waited until last Sunday to see it, not by choice. I came down with that nasty influenza that swept the nation, and I was down for about a month (count your blessings if if you avoided it). As much as I was curious, though, and as much buzz that the film has generated over the last month, I completely avoided anything by way of commentary about it, because I wanted to formulate my own thoughts.<br />
<br />
I am so glad I did. It's the best movie-musical I have ever seen.<br />
<br />
More importantly, though, is the story itself. In a merciless world, one merciless man is shown mercy, and that one act of mercy changes him. From the moment he realizes what has been shown him, he lives a deliberately good life, even when it meant certain hardship, loss, or the possibility of death. This is the heart of Metanoia--to make the decision to live better, to try harder, to be more Christlike today than you were yesterday, and to leave yourself behind.<br />
<br />
If you're not into musicals, this will be a tough one for you. It's nearly an opera, as much of the dialog is sung rather than spoken. Try to get past it, though, and see this film, if for no other reason than this: <br />
<br />
<i>"So long as there shall exist, by virtue of law and custom, decrees of damnation pronounced by society, artificially creating hells amid the civilization of earth, and adding the element of human fate to divine destiny; so long as the three great problems of the century--the degradation of man through pauperism, the corruption of women through hunger, the crippling of children through lack of light--are unsolved; so long as social asphyxia is possible in any part of the world;--in other words, and with a still wider significance, so long as ignorance and poverty exist on earth, books [and their adaptations for stage and screen*] of the nature of Les Miserables cannot fail to be of use."</i><br />
<br />
Preface, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo<br />
*my addition.<br />
<br />Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-9949662313364443782013-02-01T16:50:00.002-05:002013-02-01T16:50:16.834-05:00Go Directly To Jail.It's what Virginia's Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli believes must happen in order to expose the tyranny of the HHS Mandate. From the LifeSiteNews.com article: "If citizens were jailed...it would 'provide an example of what tyranny means when it’s played to its logical conclusion.'" (Read the entire article <a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/go-to-jail-to-oppose-hhs-mandate-says-virginia-attorney-general">HERE</a>.)Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-5096547388439422452012-06-18T13:14:00.001-04:002012-06-19T18:56:03.287-04:00Plan BI stumbled across an article today from a poster who proports to set the record straight about plan B: A drug that claims to prevent conception by preventing ovulation<em> after</em> sexual intercourse. The poster goes on to claim that the drug does not cause an abortion. At the tips of your fingers lies the truth. Go to plan B website, but don't stop there. Of course, the site claims that Plan B will not end an already existing pregnancy. <br />
However, don't satisfy yourself with window dressing. Dig a little deeper, on their site. Go to the medication mechanism of action. I will quote<br />
"12.1 Mechanism of Action<br />
<br />
<br />
Emergency contraceptive pills are not effective if a woman is already pregnant. Plan B One-Step is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or fertilization (by altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova). In addition, it may inhibit implantation (by altering the endometrium). It is not effective once the process of implantation has begun." <br />
<br />
I repeat "In addition, it may inhibit implantation (by altering the endometrium)." Their information, not mine. Window dressing, concealing an early abortion. <br />
<br />
Let's unpack. Fertilization occurs first. The newly formed child floats around for a period of time in mom's uterus before finally implanting into the wall of the uterus sometime around 7 days post conception. Plan B, by their own mouth, can alter implantation. Note: At implantation MOM IS ALREADY A MOM. A child exists in her womb. Why do you suppose 30 some percent of women who take the drug report a heavier period? Some in the medical community desperately wish to redefine pregnancy as occuring at implantation. They can no more truly do that than they can reverse natural law. I am outraged by this mispedaling of information to the public and to our children. Stand up, stand up and fight. Lest you be forced to pay for abortions because you believed the rhetoric. Stand up and be counted at election time. Will you stand for forced conscience violations? Will you vote to pad your wallet instead of protect millions of innocent children? The power, at least right now, in our country rests with the people. Speak and speak loudly at election time. Wake up now while we still possess freedom. <br />
<br />
A further FYI...anyone 17 and over can purchase plan B without a prescription. How many children's lives do you suppose plan B can claim responsibility for ending? God alone knows. Christ have mercy, Our Lady help us! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-40003567967862335072012-04-16T19:20:00.001-04:002012-04-16T19:20:08.287-04:00Test Of Fire <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'></p><p class='bloggerplus_youtube_section'><div style='clear:both;' class='bloggerplus_youtube_section' align='center' ><object ><param name='movie' value='http://www.youtube.com/v/D9vQt6IXXaM' ></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' ></param><param name='allowscriptaccess' value='always' ></param><embed allowfullscreen='true' type='application/x-shockwave-flash'' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/D9vQt6IXXaM' allowscriptaccess='never' value='true' wmode='transparent' width='256' height='171' ></embed></object></div></p>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-12769760967080081442012-04-04T10:08:00.006-04:002012-04-04T12:53:56.832-04:00Response to a response I readRecently, today in fact, I came across a comment to which I felt I must respond. In a later post, the poster identifies him/her self as Catholic, a practicing Catholic in fact. Here is the original post.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">"No problem, why not just tell the President that the Catholic church will not participate, which might destroy the health legislation. Then you can go back to providing your own money to take care of those people who need medical help. Also the Church will need to stop using any of the insurance companies that are doing business today. Abortion is legal as are the preventive contraceptives at present, so the Church will need to get these provisions overturned as soon as possible. All those who think that our government is at war with the Church could move to the Vatican one of the few places that abortion is illegal. But you will have to put up with the Italian State which allows abortion. The first amendment implies that no religion can be selected by the government to impose its dogma on the rest of the country. Remember you and I have freedom to choose and we can choose not to have abortion or use contraceptives, but we cannot tell other people what they must choose. The government might also take the tax loophole away from the Church for being a conservative, republican, catholic political party. God Bless you and just continue to speak our against what you do not like, but do not expect me to agree with you. By the way, I do not believe in abortion except under the current law that allows it for incest, rape and the life of the mother. "</span><br /><br />And I repond to this writer and anyone else who claims these beliefs the following<span style="color:#6600cc;">...</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Your payment for the abortion makes you a particpant......and what makes the baby conceived from incest or rape less of a child than a child conceived in a wanted manner? Clearly the child can not chose the manner he or she enters the world. If you believe abortion wrong in one case, you must believe it wrong in all cases, or you are assigning worth to a child based on the circumstances to which the child enters our airspace. That is grossly unfair. The fact that a government deems a practice legal remains a far cry from the practice (abortion) being just. Not too long ago in our own country slavery enjoyed the same false legality. Do you believe that people in that time period actually possessed the right to own slaves? Would you have contributed money into a fund that allowed people to be bought as slaves even though you yourself opposed it? Turn to Germany. Once laws prevented the Jewish person from citizenship in their own country. Could that be right just because the law of the land proclaimed it? No way. When a law conflicts with God's law (catholic talking to catholic here), always go the way of God. Do you intend to stand before almighty God and honestly say that I personally do not believe in abortion, but the law passed, so I respected people's rights to follow it? In other words, to take the child He just created and destroy it. You might give some pause and thought to that. You say in your post that we have the freedom to chose. This mandate strips that freedom away. When you force me to pay any amount in any way for an abortion, when you propose to provide contraception and education privately to my daughter, when you tell employers and health care workers that they must violate their beliefs, freedom is gone. Plenty more could be discussed on other statements you lodged against the Catholic heiarchy, I simply caution you to remember they stand in need of many prayers as they are under attack. They are the modern day apostles, in so much as they stay in line with the Pope, they are the authentic teaching voice of the Church. This is a tenant of the Faith. If you disagree, perhaps you should look into yourself and ask are you really Catholic, or have you become Protestant? If you wish to follow up with a comment, you can find me at <a href="http://realmetanoia.blogspot.com/">http://realmetanoia.blogspot.com/</a> where I will repost my comment. </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Wake up America! Or when you do will we be reliving Germany during WWII?</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-22873314837481083152012-03-03T11:29:00.001-05:002012-03-03T11:29:58.142-05:00Media Bias <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>We know it's there. They're not telling us everything. And when I say "they" I mean all mainstream and cable media outlets (yes, even <i>your</i> favorite cable news channel--they're all guilty).<br><br>Take a look at the Vortex episode posted below that exposes just one blaring example of media bias. (The actual video starts at about 0.30 if you want to skip the ad & intro.)<br><br>If the mainstream and cable media outlets would withhold information in order to slant Republican primary results, can you imagine what else they're not telling us? When information is withheld from We the People, how can we possibly make the right decisions for ourselves, for our families, for this nation and for the future? If we're not getting the right information, or all the information, how can we tell when we're being lied to?<br><br>There are so many examples of media bias out there that it would take years to post them all, and quite frankly, we don't have that kind of time. In the sidebar of this blog (<= that one) is a link to CatholicVote.org. There you'll get truth in journalism and plenty of resources to help you vote your conscience.<br><br>More resources from a Catholic perspective:<br><br><a href='http://www.catholicculture.org' target='_blank'>Catholic Culture</a><br><a href='http://www.culturewarnotes.com/' target='_blank'>Notes on the Culture Wars</a><br><a href='http://www.catholic.org' target='_blank'>Catholic Online</a><br><a href='http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/' target='_blank'>Catholic News Agency</a><br><a href='http://www.realcatholictv.com/free/index.php?proID=1' target='_blank'>RealCatholicTV: Catholic News Roundup</a><br><br>I also recommend surfing the web for alternative, <i>privately owned</i> resources for current events, as far too often subsidized and publicly-traded companies have a vested interest in serving and protecting their benefactors.<br><br><i>And if you be unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; <strong>but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.</strong>" Joshua 24:15</i><br><br></p><p class='bloggerplus_youtube_section'><div style='clear:both;' class='bloggerplus_youtube_section' align='center' ><object ><param name='movie' value='http://www.youtube.com/v/UoRka8j3HYE' ></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' ></param><param name='allowscriptaccess' value='always' ></param><embed allowfullscreen='true' type='application/x-shockwave-flash'' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/UoRka8j3HYE' allowscriptaccess='never' value='true' wmode='transparent' width='256' height='171' ></embed></object></div></p>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-13623825778760449612012-03-01T11:27:00.000-05:002012-03-01T11:38:28.483-05:00Another Jesus Sighting...*SIGH.*<br />
People of faith have supernatural experiences all the time. God is Himself supernatural after all. How else would He communicate with us? The experiences of St. Faustina, St. Bernadette, the students of Kibeho, Sister Agnes of Akito, the shepherd children of Fatima and many, many others are mighty demonstrations of the power of Heaven when it wants to get Earth's attention. Each of us who strives to live a devout life could I'm sure talk about varying degrees of supernatural experiences as well, though we hesitate to share our stories with anyone.<br />
<br />
Gee, I wonder why?<br />
<br />
Just a moment ago--yet again--I heard another Jesus-sighting story. Our local radio station's morning show (that is on against my will since I share an office with two other people) dropped the story in that ever-so-slightly facetious tone only trained media personnel can achieve between another joke about wardrobe malfunction and the traffic report. It will never cease to annoy me how mainstream media will ignore stories of real apparitions and the grave messages that always come with them and then latch onto ridiculous claims of images of Our Lord or Our Lady appearing on things like grilled cheese sandwiches, cloud formations, superstore receipts, pet fur, on building walls...<br />
<br />
I hate that matters of faith have been reduced to being the butts of really bad jokes. These bogus stories like we hear on the mainstream media don't help. Some pretty compelling supernatural experiences are targets for second-rate commedians, which is sad, since they're some of the most powerful tools for conversion out there. I've had experiences like these, as have my husband, many of my friends and I'm sure many of you; but I rarely open up to anyone about my experiences. I can just hear the conversation now:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"One afternoon I was sitting on the sofa in prayer and suddenly I heard a voice that I just know was The Lord."<br />
<br />
"You hear voices?"<br />
<br />
"What? Oh, no. No, of course not, but it wasn't like that--"<br />
<br />
"How do you know it wasn't just your imagination?"<br />
<br />
"Well I know because I know The Lord."<br />
<br />
"Really? How do you "know The Lord"? Does he also appear to on your morning toast?"<br />
<br />
"Well no, of course not, but--"<br />
<br />
"Do you believe Jesus appears on toast?"<br />
<br />
"No, I'm sure He doesn't, but your--"<br />
<br />
"What about on a K-mart receipt? You ever see that?"<br />
<br />
"Well, no."<br />
<br />
"Well then how can you believe you heard Jesus talking to you?"<br />
<br />
"Because they're not the same thing at all. The toast is--"<br />
<br />
"Oh, no, no, no, they are the same thing. They are the very same thing. People see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear."<br />
<br />
"But how can you possibly know that I wanted--"<br />
<br />
"Look, it's either your imagination or you're a nut-job religious fanatic, and I'm leaning toward the latter, since you just admitted to me that you hear voices, didn't you?"</i></blockquote>Seriously, friends, how do you combat the ignorance of a closed mind and a hard heart? The above is an example of what we've been doing, and as you can see we give them plenty of ammo. <br />
<br />
So look at this as an option: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"One afternoon I was sitting on the sofa in prayer and suddenly I heard a voice that I just know was The Lord."<br />
<br />
"You hear voices?"<br />
<br />
"Do you want to just ridicule me? Because if so, we're done here."</i></blockquote>Or how about this one:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"<br />
How do you "know The Lord"? Does he also appear to on your morning toast?"<br />
<br />
"Do you want to talk about fake toast stories or do you want to hear this story?"</i></blockquote>I've done similar to both of these, and the conversations always ended abruptly. Charity does not mean letting someone kick you in the teeth, and turning the other cheek doesn't mean being a doormat. Faith is not entertainment. It's the ideal upon which we base our entire existence. Look to Christ in the gospels as our model in this. How often during his 3-year ministry up until his arrest did Jesus allow Himself to become the butt of a joke?<br />
<br />
NEVER.<br />
<br />
Don't you allow it, either.<br />
<br />
<i>And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomor'rah than for that town. Mt. 10:14-15</i>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-75640685296668095652012-02-28T10:30:00.002-05:002012-02-28T10:39:19.112-05:00The Wake of the HHS MandateWe're coming upon about a month since the HHS Mandate announcement that has rocked the Catholic world. Lawsuits from across the country have been filed and our Bishops have spoken. See what they have to say <a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Over the last few weeks, and on more than one occasion, I've heard a number of people around my diocese in discussions regarding the HHS Mandate and the subsequent <strike>insult</strike> compromise by the White House make a rather disturbing statement. It goes something like this: <i>"I understand the Bishops' position, and I applaud their defense of the 1st amendment; but isn't this really an issue about religion. The decision has been made, the government should deal with matters pertaining to health care, and we're free to agree or disagree."</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
First let's tackle the obvious. If a person says "I am Catholic" but disagrees with Catholic teaching, are they really Catholic? The answer is simply, NO. To claim the Catholic faith as your own means you believe and accept ALL of her doctrines. It's not a smorgasbord, and the pertinant commandment is "Thou shall not kill." There's no black and white here. Abortion and birth control are both immoral. We are not, therefore, free to disagree.<br />
<br />
Next we'll tackle the not-so-obvious. To institute a nationwide program that provides Americans with taxpayer- and insurance-funded resources premiums that allow them to kill is simply a violation of our faith. I believe everyone understands this point, yet still claims that there is freedom to disagree.<br />
<br />
Not so.<br />
<br />
A disagreement on a moral issue for which I have no tangible recourse is not "freedom to disagree". In other words, if I disagree with this issue, I can't just simply "opt out" and not pay. I MUST PAY ANYWAY, or suffer the consequences. That's right, if I disagree, I can't do diddly about it. I can say it over and over, I can write my congressmen, I can shout it from the mountaintop. It won't matter, though, because in the end, the money that I earn and for which I should have the freedom to spend wherever I choose <b>will be taken from me and used to pay for something to which I am morally opposed.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Consider this excerpt from <a href="http://www.doy.org/images/PDF/Bishop%20Murrys%20HHS%20Statement.pdf" target="_blank">our Bishop's letter to our diocese on the mandate dated January 31, 2012</a>:<br />
<br />
"...the mandate will allow a Catholic institution one of three options: 1) violate its beliefs by<br />
providing coverage for medications and procedures we believe are immoral; 2) cease providing health care<br />
insurance for all of their employees and face ongoing and ultimately ruinous fines; or 3) attempt to qualify for<br />
the exemption by hiring and serving only Catholics."<br />
<br />
Is this your idea of freedom? Pay or suffer consequences regardless your beliefs?<br />
<br />
What's next, armbands and ghettos?<br />
<br />
Think about it. This is a critical juncture for faithful Catholics, and this issue--this PROBLEM--is not going to just go away easily.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-73059793807428424652012-02-27T00:33:00.000-05:002012-02-27T00:58:55.925-05:00Know Your Enemy <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'>The HHS mandate should have given all of us some things to ponder. I think these days we often want to always see the best in everyone, to assume that no one really wants to bring harm to others. We think that deep down everyone is good at heart, tries to keep their word, are basically working toward the same thing that we are.<br><br>Over the years, I've learned that this is a fantasy.<br><br>There are, in fact, people who aren't good at heart, who sell their word to the highest bidder and work only toward their own agendas regardless the price the rest of us have to pay. Worst of all, we can't distinguish them from the crowd by simply looking at them. <br><br>Doesn't St. Paul warn us of this?<br><br><i>And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Cor 11:12-15</i><br><br>We living here on earth are called the Church Militant for a reason, and that reason is that we are at war with Hell. Yes, the war has been won, but every war has casualties. Time has not played out, and the casualty list is growing larger and larger. How many have already been lost because we have been living in a feel-good age we don't want to be reminded of such unpleasentries? We've not done ourselves any favors with all the nicey-nice hand holding. Too many of us Catholics don't know our faith, which means that too many of us don't understand our enemy.<br><br>Consider this a reminder.<br><br><br>St. Joan of Arc, pray for us.</p><p class='bloggerplus_image_section'><div class='bloggerplus_image_section' align='center' style='clear:both;'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rjk6sYmBOPRr5rusIZU3-r4zlSuZeESnrVEZlUGsYY5oUiHNN9GThl0A7913hhoi90yaYDnQZ1E5yw7y-RfBCLp_TQow2lqMPCoeZPhmrIIQ5uzYDphEGTTK-nxNO6ImzfjG2o-Qg_h0/'></div></p>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-57230475326092771202012-02-25T20:56:00.001-05:002012-02-25T20:57:10.526-05:00Skipped already?!Posting every day. I should have worked the bugs out of using my new iPad before making that promise.<br />
<br />
I owe y'all two.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-90528938038494918972012-02-24T00:08:00.001-05:002012-02-24T00:08:29.144-05:00The Tenth LeperI don't know why my brothers <br />
did not return with me.<br />
Werent they rescued from their misery<br />
like me?<br />
His voice echoed through me,<br />
washing away the stains that cursed me<br />
and ignited in my soul <br />
something that will take a lifetime to explain,<br />
all with just a wo<br />
This is no ordinary man.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-38473366468483091282012-02-22T22:36:00.000-05:002012-02-22T22:36:26.090-05:00Dust and AshesIt's been far too long since I posted something. Months! What kind of Catholic writer/blogger am I? Pictures, videos and linked articles are simply not the kind of work that I should be doing. Honestly.<br />
<br />
So I've decided that for Lent I will post something original every day. (Does this count? No? Drat.) It may not be pretty, but it will be original. So here goes...<br />
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<center> * * * * * </center><br />
<br />
Yesterday afternoon I asked my husband which Mass he wanted to attend today.<br />
<br />
"After work. Who has a 7:00?"<br />
<br />
"That late?" I asked. "Why not first thing in the morning?"<br />
<br />
"Because I'd rather go in the evening."<br />
<br />
"But no one will see your ashes."<br />
<br />
"I don't get them for everyone to see. I get them for me."<br />
<br />
Well said, Eddie Ray. Thanks for the reminder.<br />
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<br />Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-63322607682597896912012-02-21T08:45:00.003-05:002012-02-21T08:48:14.531-05:00Staying the Hand of Socialism/CommunismWhat are you doing today to reverse the HHS mandate? Regardless of your creed, the HHS mandate seriously jeopardizes the freedoms our country's founding fathers built it upon. If you practice Lent in your faith, please offer up sacrifices to end this freedom killing Mandate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-819961068191897792012-02-11T13:12:00.000-05:002012-02-23T10:18:05.739-05:00As He Should...and As All Catholics Should...<a href="http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=4860">http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=4860</a>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-21974225254334754792012-02-06T08:53:00.004-05:002012-03-03T12:03:05.575-05:00HHS Mandate <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><p>Today, I sat at my computer and composed emails to my representative and senators. Every person of good will that loves freedom should do the same. The HHS (Health and Human Services) mandate attacks the very core of the freedoms which our ancestors fought time and time again to protect. The mandate requires women's "preventative" services including, all FDA approved birth control, sterilization, and education and counseling to promote these for all women of reproductive age. In the following paragraph I will attempt a translation of what this means.<br><br><br>All FDA contraceptive drugs include the abortion inducing drug Ella, the morning after pill, and birth control pills. All of the listed drugs can cause abortions. In addition, it would also include the IUD. The IUD works by guiding a fertilized egg, in other words a tiny human, out of a mother's uterus before it can implant into the wall. The IUD, when used effectively as birth control, works in an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">abortifacient</span> manner 100% of the time. As if this all falls short of stepping on the toes of freedom, we now add that women of reproductive age, aka around 11-13 for girls, receive counseling on the use of such products.<br><br><br>Now that we have a clear picture let's discuss the "outs" given for religious reasons. An <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">institution</span>/employer can opt out of providing this coverage only if they serve <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">soley</span> those whose beliefs follow suit. For example, Catholic charities, schools, or hospitals can opt out only if they serve solely other Catholics, or those holding to the same belief system. This flies in the face of Catholics long history of helping everyone, regardless of creed. It will only hurt and restrict the health care system: instead of making it accessible to more people, in fact institutions will close, restricting <i>more</i> people from receiving proper care.<br><br><br>Frankly, any person who understands freedom must exhibit a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">healthy</span> amount of outrage as such an atrocious attempt to limit freedom, regardless of creed. As United States citizens every one of us needs to make our voices heard. On this argument, pro choice and pro life persons should stand together. After all, the mandate removes all choice. For years, the pro choice movement claimed if you do not like abortion, do not have one. Well, the government now sees fit to say, if you do not believe in abortion, too bad, you must pay for it anyway. No sir. I still believe in my freedom and God given right to say NO WAY. No way will you trample on my faith and all that stands dear to me. No Way will I take part in a child dying. No way will you teach my daughter how to use contraception.<br><br><br>For if the mandate stands, freedom must fall. If I must pay for a product that violates my conscience and my faith, my country greatly fails in its duty to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">safeguard</span> my freedom. For truly freedom carries a price. This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mandate</span> renders every war ever fought to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">guarantee</span> our freedom impotent. If the mandate stands, freedoms fought and won on foreign shores no longer possess meaning in this country to these citizens. The current administration seemingly laughs and mocks the American public. It mocks our intelligence when it tries to sell religious exemptions so narrow that no religious institution that I know could claim the freedom to opt out. All persons, regardless of religious belief, stand up, get outraged at this affront to our freedom, and start doing your part to reverse it.<br><br><br>Will you sit back because these particular set of impositions do not disagree with your conscience? Or will you instead see that <i>this</i> mandate, forced on the people, only opens the door to the <i>next</i> mandate which can/will offend your conscience? It can be summed up quite nicely in the infamous quote about the Nazi party...."First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak out because I was Protestant. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me." <br><br><br>Will you sit back and take this or will you fight it? Ultimate power rests in the hands of the people. Pick up the phone, type a letter, let the representatives know that freedom remains precious. In the past history of our country, the burden to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">safeguard</span> freedom largely fell to the soldiers and military. Today I tell you we have an attack as serious as any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">terrorist</span> attack or as serious as any war. <br><br><br>How can the government do this? The answer? The government can still only accomplish what we, as citizens allow it to do. We possess the strings. We vote, we can exert the pressure on our ELECTED congress. We must act on this. If we do not, we leave to our children a legacy of bondage, not a legacy of freedom. As a Catholic, a mother, a woman, and a human being I am incensed by this attack. Everyone of us should be, regardless of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">religous</span> beliefs. Make no mistake, if <i>this</i> mandate doesn't attack your freedom, the <i>next one</i> will. Thus instead of a government for the people and by the people, we become a government for the few and by the few imposed <i>upon</i> the people. Will you stand by and do nothing? Or will you raise up in defense of the freedoms of all people?</p></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-5103642740218079802011-12-16T15:54:00.001-05:002011-12-19T16:29:50.634-05:00Prepare a Highway For the Lord: A Teaching on Advent<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jz-l8rEIdEc" width="450"></iframe>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-13218937283140621422011-12-02T08:57:00.001-05:002011-12-02T09:02:44.085-05:00Mahoning Valley Health Now On Facebook!Get regular updates, learn about pro-life and pro-family issues and show your support!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mahoning-Valley-Health/189231441154239">Click here</a> to like us!Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-86601181702528269982011-12-01T14:42:00.001-05:002011-12-01T15:01:45.558-05:00The Grace to Listen to the Lord's Words<blockquote>
Advent is the time of the promise, not yet the fulfillment. We are still standing in the middle of the whole thing, in the logical relentlessness and inevitability of destiny. To captive eyes, it still appears that the ultimate throw of the dice indeed will be cast here below in these valleys, on these battlefields, in these camps, and prisons, and cellars. Once keeping vigil, though, senses the other powers at work and can await their hour.
<br />
<br />
The sounds of devastation and destruction, the cries of self-importance and arrogance, the weeping of despair and powerlessness still fill the world. Yet, standing silently, all along the horizon are the eternal realities with their age-old longing. The first gentle light of the glorious abundance to come is already shining above them. From out there, the first sounds are ringing out like shepherds' flutes and a boys' choir singing. They do not yet form a song or melody--it is all still too far off and only the first announcement and intimation. Still, it is happening. This is today. And tomorrow the angels will relate loudly and jubilantly what has happened, and we will know it and will be blesssed if we have believed and trusted in Advent.</blockquote>
<a href="http://www.ignatius.com/Content/Site107/ProductImages/AOH-P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ignatius.com/Content/Site107/ProductImages/AOH-P.jpg" /></a>I originally found this excerpt in today's <i>Meditation of the Day</i> from Magnificat, Vol 13. No. 10. The author's name was Father Alfred Delp, S.J., a German Jesuit priest executed February 2, 1945 by the Nazis after suffering torture and imprisonment for fearlessly speaking out against their regime. I felt compelled to find out more about him, and discovered that this excerpt is from <u>Advent of the Heart</u>, a book of Fr. Delp's Advent sermons along with meditations that he wrote while he was imprisoned by the Nazis.<br />
<br />
What a magnificent find. I recommend it highly. <a href="http://www.ignatius.com/Products/AOH-P/advent-of-the-heart.aspx">CLICK HERE</a> to get a copy for yourself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-56417785780928351012011-10-17T12:15:00.002-04:002011-10-17T12:16:48.423-04:00A God of OrderIn the first Chapter of Genesis, we read that God created, and created in order. Our God is a God of order; we, created in His image, must therefore be a people of order.<br /><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="335" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/dBBSh-0sr-M?rel=0" width="450"></iframe>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-587180220428298092011-10-11T09:04:00.000-04:002011-10-11T09:05:03.486-04:00Pray For AmericaThis was in my inbox this morning:
<br />
<blockquote>
The way to cut short all the evils we suffer is to pray. (The Forge, 76)<br />
<br />
Remember that prayer does not consist in making pretty speeches, or high‑sounding or consoling phrases. Prayer, at times, will
be a glance at a picture of Our Lord or of his Mother; sometimes a petition, expressed in words; or offering good works, and the fruits of faithfulness. We have to be like a guard on sentry duty at the gate of God Our Lord: that's what prayer is. Or like a small dog that lies down at his master's feet. Do not mind telling him: Lord, here I am, like a faithful dog; or better still like a little donkey, which will not kick the one who loves him. (The Forge, 73)<br />
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Your prayer cannot stop at mere words. It has to lead to deeds and practical consequences. (The Forge, 75)<br />
<br />
Heroism, sanctity, daring, require a constant spiritual preparation. You can only ever give to others what you already have. And in order to give God to them you yourself need to get to know him, to live his Life, to serve him. (The Forge, 78)</blockquote>
<br />
<i>Source: <a href="http://www.opusdei.us/art.php?p=19198">www.opusdei.us</a></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Join us in prayer for America<br />
Saturday, October 15, 2011<br />
<a href="http://realmetanoia.blogspot.com/p/pray-for-america.html">CLICK HERE </a>for more information</b></div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1654865462543775620.post-53881720191212837282011-10-05T08:39:00.001-04:002011-10-05T09:07:27.232-04:00Take 33 Minutes Out Of Your Day And Watch This.<div style="text-align: center;">
"HE ALONE WHO OWNS THE YOUTH OWNS THE FUTURE."
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="259" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/7y2KsU_dhwI?rel=0" width="450"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This film is why we need to pray for this country. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
JOIN US ON OCT 15.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://realmetanoia.blogspot.com/p/pray-for-america.html">Click here for more information.</a></div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03846547501253855220noreply@blogger.com0