Better safer

Abby writes about the intrauterine device.

"A woman came in one day complaining of severe abdominal pain. She had an IUD. During her exam, it was determined that her IUD was the source of her discomfort…it would have to be removed. I came in to assist. I couldn’t believe what I saw. On the end of that IUD was a tiny baby. We estimated the child to be 9 weeks. That baby had been growing on the end of a birth control device. But not to worry, Planned Parenthood says IUDs are safe.

"While working at Planned Parenthood, I decided an IUD would be the best method for me. After 3 years of use, I had no side effects…so I thought. After I had my IUD removed, I realized there might be a problem with my body. I had never had a problem getting pregnant, but several months had now passed, and every pregnancy test came back negative. What was going on? I had some blood work run and was told I didn’t produce several hormones. My body had tried to produce the hormones while the IUD was in…but the IUD won. My body couldn’t compete. I am only pregnant now because of NFP, supplemental hormones and an amazing doctor.

"I found out several months ago that a woman had miscarried because of an IUD inserted at my clinic. She was pregnant when it was inserted. That isn’t supposed to happen…but mistakes are made…her child paid the price. She went to the emergency room because she was having severe abdominal pain. She didn’t know she was pregnant until they did an ultrasound to find out what was wrong. There was her baby. His heart had stopped. She had to deliver her baby and have her IUD removed all in the same visit to the hospital. He was 18 weeks old. Why did this happen? Because an IUD is made to abort children."

Disingenuous not

While some anti-lifers say it is disingenuous to link abortion and anti-life medical practices to the holocaust (it is not), Gerard makes a point in the context of the win by pro-life nurses in New Jersey against their hospital's disregard of their conscience rights related to assisting in abortions.

We’ve been here before.
The Nuremberg trials at the end of World War II wrestled with a very difficult decision. Nazi leaders and concentration camp personnel claimed to be following the lawful orders of Adolph Hitler, orders which were indeed lawful under Germany’s constitution, as the constitution had been amended by the people to declare the Fuehrer’s word law. At those trials, every civilized nation in the world stood to declare that Natural Moral Law is universal, and supersedes all manmade (positive) law.
Yes, the orders in Germany were indeed lawful under positive law, but the Natural Moral Law which takes the human nature of all human beings into its view supersedes any positive law which might conflict with the dictates of Natural Law.
On that basis, war criminals were hanged or imprisoned for life.

In a manner of speaking...

And this is an insult to whom?

“I remember history. When Adolf Hitler assumed power in Germany, he was a most popular figure. He put up the Third Reich and trampled on the rights of everyone because he was very popular. We all know what happened to him.”

On another note, Malacanang's Mr. Lacierda is quoted as advising some judges and court employees, in the context of what he thinks, mistakenly enough, as the Court's declaration of a court holiday:  “to not let themselves be used to further the political agenda of one man and his patron.”

Seems like he is talking about the 188 congressmen and their patron.  Di bala?

 

Sign of good times ahead

... for Canada.

Canada decided to get out of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change.  Good for them. 

Not for the young

Got a kick out of this image from Mrs. Rant.

Those BiC ballpens did a pretty good job as well.

A rebound

Apparently, SIRI has checked herself.  Now it's all out for referrals to abortion services, even when not asked.

Some samples (all in jest, peeps, all in jest):

Of course, for as long as abortion clinics do not advertise themselves as abortion clinics nor call themselves as such, SIRI would not be able to locate them as efficiently.  It seems that SIRI is more intelligent than those running these killer places.

Tebowing

After planking and others, now there is Tebowing.  Patton Todd writes in WSJ some background in God's Quarterback:

In recent weeks, as Tebow mania has re-emerged alongside the unexpected success of the Broncos, it has become clear that the fever is not confined to the quarterback's fellow evangelical Christians. Mr. Tebow's habit of taking to one knee in prayer on the field has given rise to an Internet meme called "Tebowing." Fans have posted pictures of themselves praying on one knee while doing everything from surfing and fighting fires to touring China and going into battle.

"Tebowing" is the brainchild of Jared Kleinstein, 24, a real-estate marketer in New York City who was raised in Denver, where he grew into a devoted sports fan. Mr. Kleinstein, who is Jewish, just wanted to pay tribute to the inspirational quarterback of his favorite team. He launched Tebowing.com from Manhattan in October, on the night after Mr. Tebow led the Broncos to victory over the Miami Dolphins. 

"We were at a bar watching the game," he says, "and when he came back to win, everybody was cheering like we won the Super Bowl, even though we had just beat the last-place team in the league." Mr. Kleinstein noticed that as the Bronco players were jumping up and down on the sidelines, Mr. Tebow took a knee in prayer. He snapped a picture of himself and his friends doing the same, called it "Tebowing," then created the site and sent it to eight people. 

Within 48 hours, Mr. Kleinstein had been interviewed by this paper, CBS, Fox, ABC and other media outlets. The site has received millions of visits and page views in its short life. Mr. Kleinstein receives pictures of people Tebowing all day long, and often posts new pictures every hour.

With his site, Mr. Kleinstein says, "people found hope through a gesture," noting a much-discussed photo that he posted of a young boy with an IV attached to his arm who wrote that he was "Tebowing while chemoing." Mr. Kleinstein adds that a lot of support for the trend has come from rabbis. "It has made prayer in public something to not be ashamed of," he says. "I think that crosses all religious boundaries."

Anyone for tebowing?

 

Here's one athlete tebowing:  Lindsey Vonn in her World Cup win in the US.

Here they go again

Unbelievable what's coming out of Durban, although hardly surprising, with the UN still pushing for the one world government thingy through a climate change treaty.  Good read from Paul Joseph Watson: UN Calls for Eco-Fascist World Government at Durban Summit

Be afraid, be very afraid.

"Maybe instead of trying to be like other presidents, (he) should try being president."

In the mess that is the President's disrespect for the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court a few days back, spokesperson Lacierda was reported to have pointed out that "Bernas may have overlooked the fact that US President Barack Obama did the same in his 2010 State of the Union Address when he criticized US Supreme Court justices for their decision regarding campaign finance reform."

So, is Obama now the model for the President's actions.  Well, Obama likes to compare himself to other Presidents (Lincoln, for example, and as recently as yesterday, to Teddy Roosevelt), even as the comparisons are a real stretch.

AP reports of two reactions to Obama's comparing himself to TR:

One of the leading contenders for the GOP nomination, Mitt Romney, ridiculed Obama for comparing himself to Roosevelt.

Obama "said that he is like Teddy Roosevelt," Romney said at a campaign event in Paradise Valley, Ariz. "And I thought, `In what way is he like Teddy Roosevelt?' Teddy Roosevelt of course founded the Bull Moose Party. One of those words applies."

Kirsten Kukowski, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, said, "Maybe instead of trying to be like other presidents, Obama should try being president."

I'd say to Lacierda and the President through substitution:  "Maybe instead of trying to be like other presidents, P-Noy should try being president."

Even more clear

The connection of global warming alarmism and population control.  Can it get more obvious than this?

Worldwide population control and abortion funding in global warming bill co-sponsored by Gingrich - Jill Stanek

Newt Gingrich recently called the global warming ad he made with Nancy Pelosi in 2008 “the dumbest single thing I've done in years.” But that ad didn't come out of nowhere. Nineteen years earlier ...

Google search

What the SC won't do, to descend to his level, I probably would.  

What, call him.  

The weird thing about this is that his handlers say that he was just reminding "all of us that we’re all accountable to the people.” 

What, he can do that, but the others cannot?  He is so persistent in so many of his almost rotten ways, methinks, despite the many people "reminding" him to be accountable.

It had to end, sometime

Tiger booked one in the win column after clinching the Chevron World Challenge.  After 749 days without a win, he's back.  Now he is at #21.

Another Catholic that ...

gives Catholic a bad name.  And he is even the front runner in the polls re GOP candidates for US election.  H/T: Jill

On another note, you must have read or heard or whatever about a youtube video that has gone viral on a "Pinoy" celeb talking about another Pinay celeb's supposed abortion.  Sad.   Really sad.  

A blogger said that the anti-RH peeps are going to have a field day with this scandal.  Really?  

Perhaps so, but only because this abortion, if it indeed was procured abroad, is only a testament to the failure of contraception without the benefit of correct moral formation.  Then again, a true moral formation that emphasizes on abstinence (outside of the context of marriage) will guarantee that there is no pregnancy, and there would not have been any abortion necessary (it is not, but perhaps they thought they had no other choice considering the many factors they faced).

Of course, a fact that we cannot deny is that these celebs have had sex.  Multiple times.  Outside of marriage. It is always the same, when "pregnancy" rumors (and now even abortion) abound concerning celebs, they seem to have a hard time getting an answer out, although they usually have a set of talking points that, in the end, muddle the issue.  

I have never heard any couple simply say:  that is impossible, because we have to have sex for one to get pregnant (we are not talking of IVF here, BTW).

That is the best answer, and all bets are out the window.  BUT, only if it is true.


See.

The Jaffe Memo

This is the 1969 memo from Planned Parenthood in their recommendations for population control.  Looks to me the same could be the playbook that RP pro-RH folks got hold of.  Some of the suggestions:

Restructure family:
  a) Postpone or avoid marriage
  b) Alter image of ideal family size

Compulsory education of children
Encourage increased homosexuality
Educate for family limitation

Allow certain contraceptives to be distributed non-medically

Improve contraceptive technology

Make contraception truly available and accessible to all

Improve maternal health care, with family planning a core element

Look familiar?
H/T:  Abby

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to our stateside family and friends!
Despite the worries, etc., still lots to be thankful for.

A dime a dozen

Really, he is probably worth less than a penny.  Another one that gives Catholic a bad name.  Goes by the name of Kmiec.

As it should be ...

Tim Tebow responds to Jake Plummer's comments on his faith

Broncos QB Tim Tebow responded on ESPN Tuesday to the suggestion from Jake Plummer that he limit his references to Jesus Christ during interviews.

Will probably not

They could be hoping for the moon, or might as well be the sun, but I doubt he will sign.  

This commitment will cost lots (for something that might not be useful enough), and while we have the budget, this government will not spend for this (or for many other things, too).  

But it could be money well spent for other things.

Update:  well, he signed it.  Now he is committed to spend a lot.  Good luck.

She who gives Catholic a bad name

Nancy Pelosi does it again. 

On abortion

 

Pelosi recently was criticized for the way she characterized a bill to amend Republican-proposed conscience exemptions for health-care reform that allow providers to refuse to perform abortions. Pelosi called the measure, which passed last month with some help from Democrats, “savage,’’ and said, “When the Republicans vote for this bill today, they will be voting to say that women can die on the floor and health-care providers do not have to intervene, if this bill is passed. It’s just appalling.”

In retrospect, does she think that assessment went too far? Not at all, she said: “They would” let women die on the floor, she said. “They would! Again, whatever their intention is, this is the effect.’’

Catholic health-care providers in particular have long said they’d have to go out of business without the conscience protections that Pelosi says amount to letting hospitals “say to a woman, ‘I’m sorry you could die’ if you don’t get an abortion.” Those who dispute that characterization “may not like the language,’’ she said, “but the truth is what I said. I’m a devout Catholic and I honor my faith and love it . . . but they have this conscience thing’’ that she insists put women at physical risk, although Catholic providers strongly disagree. 

On one occasion, she said, laughing, one of her critics on the topic of abortion, speaking on the House floor, said, “Nancy Pelosi thinks she knows more about having babies than the pope. They think like this. And of course I do — I think the pope would agree — and I know more than you, too, mister.’’

I think many of our politicians (and then some) are not much different.

"It’s just that we’re not used to seeing it.”

"... it’s what humans look like at that stage of development. It’s just that we’re not used to seeing it.”

 

Kathy Ireland Raises Funds for Abortion Alternatives Group | LifeNews.com

The gathering of about a thousand people in the Chantilly Ballroom was their largest yet, and featured a luncheon, raffle, and keynote address by model-turned-mogul Kathy Ireland.

Recent: Pope Benedict XVI on embryonic stem cell research

Don’t Take One Life to Save Another

Hypocrite alert!

Guess who?

Whoa!

Am not sure if my reading is correct, but after some reading and then some, I am a bit unsettled about the  Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace's TOWARDS REFORMING THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND MONETARY SYSTEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL PUBLIC AUTHORITY.  Sure, it gets to read correctly the cause of the financial mess today, y'know, excessive credit due to excessive greed, etc.  

But, as some would say, proposing a solution in the "context of a global public authority", a "global central bank"?  But isn't it that the centralization of governance in the political and financial spheres contributory to the SWAFU?

Is it now succumbing to the concept of One World Government?  Like the Global Warming Alarmists and Population Explosion Doomsayers?  Fair question?

Back home

Mom is back home after more than a week in hospital.  

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PRAYERS FOR HER AND DAD.

There might have to be other interventions (check-ups, etc), but we are happy that she is back home again.

Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity

Register!

Joe Nebrao+

Dear friend Joe Nebrao passed away last Saturday evening from his cancer.  I first met him in 2007.  I learned a lot from him, and that says a lot.  He got me to help out in Rosevale School, a school that was very close to his heart.  We definitely have an intercessor for the school in Heaven.  

We shared a cab to Kitanglad Center before he left for the US and even then his mind and heart were still for Rosevale as well as the Center.  He was in a hurry to get things in order before his trip, and before his illness could get the better of him.

Here is a photo I snapped of him in 2008 during Rosevale School's Foundation Anniversary.  I capped it as Rosevale Boss.  Now, he is with his Boss. 

He will be interred on Thursday, after the Mass at the Guadalupe Chapel at Xavier Estates.

Some other photos here.

1,000th post on 1,000,000 rosaries

A few of us in school in the beginning, but it's picking up as the days go for "A million roses for the world: Filipinos at Prayer: Peace for all nations".

"to me this is your first birthday"

I just could not not link to this.

About eight months after the reunion, Atkins received a birthday package in the mail from his birth mother. She had learned that Atkins had played baseball as a kid and idolized Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey. The package contained Garvey’s MVP card, a baseball and a Dodgers jersey, all personally autographed by Garvey.

Atkins was stunned. He called his birth mom and thanked her profusely, saying she did not have to do this.

“She told me, ‘You have to understand, Rodney, to me this is your first birthday.’“

When it hits close to home 2

Update 2

Mom's improving.  She will stay at least another night at the ICU for continuing observation.  Dad says her dear doctor will decide tomorrow on whether she goes to a private room and for how long.  Or go home, we can always hope for the best, right?  

She's been chatting up her nurses when they come around. 

(Dad says Celing T. will visit.  Thanks Celing!)

When it hits close to home

Actually, it hit home.

Our Mom Elsa is in the hospital.  In the ICU, for unstable angina.  That is not good.  We are prepared to accept that it could be worse when further tests are done. 

Our Dad brought her to the hospital after midnight of the past Saturday because of pains associated with a heart problem and elevated blood pressure.  Later test results were not alarming enough and her doctor let her leave on Monday to rest at home.

Yesterday, at 2am, Mom again felt the same symptoms of 4 days ago, and so Dad brought her to the hospital again.  Her blood pressure was in the 200/100 range.  With sedation and meds, she was improving.  However, at 11:30 last night, she had more severe chest pains and her blood pressure went down to 50.   She was brought to the ICU.

It was good that she was in the hospital when her blood pressure went down really low.  Although, the hospital (Howard Hubbard Memorial Hospital) is really very near where they live.

Earlier today, she was given the sacrament of the anointing of the sick by their dear parish priest.  Her blood pressure is rising, but still in guarded condition.  Maybe well enough to make the trip to the bigger, better equipped General Santos Doctors Hospital in a couple of hours.

I am grateful to all of you praying for her recovery.  Include Dad as well.

Update1:  Mom was transferred to the ICU of the big hospital as I wrote the original post.  We still await official 2d echo results.  It was in fact a heart attack, but may have been milder than we originally feared.  Which is most welcome.  We continue praying, nevertheless, while the dear doctors and nurses do what they do best for her.  The fact that we are far away from them at this time is also, well, bummer.

Misplaced priorities

California bans tanning beds for minor teens.  Harmful, they say.

What about the controversial HPV vaccine for teens without parental consent in California?  

And what about abortion in California?

Let's make "baka"

A friend told me that this reminded him of Arneo students in rallies in the early 80's in Manila.  WhoA!  That's a loaded comment.  Can't verify, wasn't ever there.  Photo from here.

9 years ago today ...

Canonization of St. Josemaria, at communion time.

Our favorite whipping boy

Again.  PDI came out with a report entitled "Climate change blamed for storms, flooding, drought".  It starts off  with "Officials have warned Filipinos to brace against the inconvenient truth of devastating storms, flooding and drought unless policies and projects are put in place to mitigate climate change."   

Of course, it also mentions that oft mistaken and proven otherwise in many fora claim that "A major factor is global warming—the increase in the oceanic and atmospheric temperatures of the planet resulting in the melting of the ice caps and the rising of the seas."  

Ok. So they say.  Quite convenient actually.

The weird thing is that the report also talks about other causes of the destruction that the past typhoons had.  The geologists interviewed, in fact, say, that the mess isn't because of climate change per se, but ... wait for it ... wait for it ... 

"... the proliferation of fishponds and aquaculture projects in the major waterways and in the coasts has slowed down the flow of water from the typhoons and the dams, resulting in prolonged flooding in residential and rural areas ...

"If there were no fishponds and garbage clogging the canals and rivers of the region, “the outflow would have been quicker ...


"... noted that deforestation had caused flooding in areas which did not experience it in the past ...


"... said that illegal logging, slash-and-burn farming and quarrying in mountain areas would lead to soil erosion and flooding."

So what is it really?  Where is global warming in all this?

Also, the report says that a senator said this: 

“If (Pagasa) can predict the volume of rainfall, dam operators can already release water in increments that would not be destructive,” Legarda explained.

“If this kind of meteorological information can be determined, say, one week before a typhoon arrives, does it not make common sense that the dam operators would not release the water only on the day it finally arrives,” she asked.

I do not know how she can say this.  Weather is difficult to forecast, and will always be so.  I do not think PAGASA, in their right mind, can and, they definitely will not try.  They want to keep their jobs you know.

The heat is on

Last Saturday, City Hall closed some areas of the downtown area to vehicular traffic upon the recommendation of some environmental groups.  Again, an exercise in futility, and they know it, but carry out nevertheless because, "it is the thought that counts", much like your Earth Hour.  And with 350.org as one of lead groups, it is nothing but an excuse to instill in the minds of folks the disingenuous man-made catastrophic climate crisis.

That Saturday activity only raised heat in the heads of people affected, and perhaps even increased emissions as cars had to go a longer way to get around the "pedonale" areas.

On another note, I wonder why they did not close down the areas where there were usually more cars like the Cebu Business Park, the IT Park, or the SM City area.  In the downtown area, people are used to walking there and the volume of cars are not as much, I believe.

Last Saturday, I was on the road around the three areas previously mentioned.  I saw LOTS of cars and LOTS of cars carrying only one person.  At least at the downtown area, the jeeps carry more than 10 at any given time (of course the jeeps also give their share in pollution, we really need to do more about the belchers).  

So why not do the "no car" activity in these areas next time?

Or why not let those with cars "enjoy" themselves more by participating in a "no car" activity (by staying home and not go to the malls and other commercial areas for retail tripping), than inconvenience those who need to go downtown to eke out a living or get most out of their hard-earned money in discounts and ukay-ukay (or others, but you get the drift).

Similar perspectives here and here.

Update Sept 28.  Bobby writes about it here and Eddie similarly here.

Lots of bull

No more bullfights in Catalonia -- bullfights deemed cruel. And how about abortions in Catalonia?

The last Ole! Bullfighting comes to an end in Catalonia - Telegraph

Almost seven hundred years of Catalan bullfighting history ended on Sunday night with the final death blow dealt by its hometown hero.

Who said this?

For what it's worth...  from Shamcey

"If I would have to change my religious beliefs, I would not marry the person that I love because the first person that I love is God, who created me. I have my faith and my principles, and this is what makes me who I am. If the person loves me, he'll love my God too."

He's back

Al's back to haunt you again.  Even bringing the "fight" to social networks.  What, since Jerry Lewis couldn't join the last telethon of MDA, he now thinks he can be the "telethon" king?  My. my.

H/T: Michelle/Doug

Get them back

Now, here's something good coming from Sen. Trillanes:  ... urges repeal of ban on trash incinerators.

Although I find his reason -- risk of trash slide -- skirting the more scientific ones in favor of incineration (although he did mention the advances in technology), I can accept the move to try a repeal on total ban on trash incinerators.  

The issue on trash to energy conversion may still be a little more contentious in terms of cost of conversion and carbon emissions.

Safer, really?

From the comments on

10 Things I'd Say To Pro-Aborts Who Blame Conservatives For Their Abortion

"... the current maternal mortality rate in the US is 13.3 per 100,000 women. Hardly the danger you purport it to be. Abortion, on the other hand, kills 1.3 million unborn children annually in the US. Put another way, there are almost 2000 fetuses killed for every 100,000 women who are pregnant. It's clear that being a fetus in the US is a lot more dangerous than being a pregnant woman."

"Women who abort have a suicide rate 4-6 times higher than women who give birth and 2-3 times higher than women who have never been pregnant."

Better if you read the post.

"...Use Technology Without Destroying Life"

Directing you to Gerard's Lifenews.com article:

Pro-Life Catholic View: Use Technology Without Destroying Life

News as we call it

H/T:  Jill Stanek
Original here. 

Ann also has something similar here.

Any criminal act committed by a white man with a gun is a right-wing, Christian conspiracy, whereas any criminal act committed by a nonwhite is the government violating someone's civil liberties.

Nono's take on pajero

Here goes Nono's take on the "pajero" issue.  Speaks much of how media puts words in people's mouths (as Conrado writes on the same day)?  Maybe not. 

Only knew when they were on the way back

Apparently, the Catholic University of America has co-ed campus dormitories.  I would not have thought she had these dorms, but she does in fact.  Gone with the flow, I guess.

Strangely enough, I got to know about it only recenlty, when CUA is stepping back from that practice.  She will revert back to single-sex dorms.

Welcome back.

H/T:  Kathryn Jean Lopez

"Les moulins de mon cœur"

It isn't just the windmills, for sure, but alternative energy solutions need to be checked and balanced on an effective base load from conventional energy.  

We will thus be landed in the ludicrous position of having to spend an additional £10 billion on those 17 dedicated power stations, which will be kept running on "spinning reserve", 24 hours a day, just to make up for the fundamental problem of wind turbines. This is that their power continually fluctuates anywhere between full capacity to zero (where it often stood last winter, when national electricity demand was at a peak). So unless back-up power is instantly available to match any shortfall, the lights will go out.

Two things make this even more absurd. One, as the energy companies pointed out to DECC, is that it will be amazingly costly and wildly uneconomical, since the dedicated power plants will often have to run at a low rate of efficiency, burning gas but not producing electricity. This will add billions more to our fuel bills for no practical purpose. The other absurdity, as recent detailed studies have confirmed, is that gas-fired power stations running on "spinning reserve" chuck out much more CO2 than when they are running at full efficiency – thus negating any savings in CO2 emissions supposedly achieved by the windmills themselves.

Is there no longer anyone around at DECC who is familiar with these very basic practical points? The policy on which our national energy strategy is now centred is a ludicrously expensive, self-defeating joke, which will achieve no benefits whatever – even if you are among the diminishing number of people who still believe that man-made CO2 is causing catastrophic climate change.

Fr Luis+

Yesterday, they laid Fr. Luis to rest at Heritage.  The last time I saw him and spoke with him was after the get-together with Bishop Javier Echevarria at UA&P in July 2008.  I wanted to visit him last May or June when I was in Luzon, but I could not then.

I first met Fr. Luis in the summer of 1986.  That was in a seminar held at MFI's conference center in Talisay, Batangas.  It was great fun.  My first time up Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu was with him and maybe 10 others.  No more delay!  was one of his favorite cheers to us young people on that climb.

We had to hike up to Tagaytay from Talisay, continued to the rotonda and from there took a bus to Batulao resort, then hiked up to Mt. Batulao.  We arrived back inTalisay at about 9pm.

Over the years I had stayed with him also in our homes in Cebu City.  I remember him often pulling the leg of us CITE folks, especially after he celebrates Mass in school:  When are you organizing a choir?  

Thing is, we had, but you know how tech guys can generally be with respect to singing in a choir.  I don't think we ever fulfilled that "dream" of Fr. Luis for CITE.  We fulfilled other dreams he had for us, just not that one melodic dream.  Are we working on that one? Well...

Here's a photo with him, one Christmas Day.

A little more respect: How the Feast of the Sacred Heart started for me in Cagayan de Oro

Now I can write.  I am less annoyed (irritated, pissed?).

This morning, I wore a red shirt I have not worn for some time.  Because now it fits again. ;-)

I went to attend Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Cagayan de Oro.  I like to attend Mass there as the Blessed Sacrament fathers have a Eucharistic Adoration after the Mass, and we can pray afterwards with Our Lord in a big monstrance upon the altar.

Remember the red shirt?  Well, half of the Mass goers this time was in red.  I fit right in.  Of course, today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Church celebrates with the votive colors of red.  But I did not plan to wear red because of the feast, but because the red shirt fit.  Again.  A less worthy celebration, but a celebration nevertheless.

The Holy Mass went just fine.  Nearing the end of the Mass though, the noise level outside at the entrance was increasing.  Not yet disturbing.  At the Benediction and Adoration time after the Mass was a different story.  The noise was terrible.  Shouting, running about, etc.  The decibel level was nearing last night's Wimby Centre Court semi-finals.

Even as I had wanted to stay longer, I did not want since I would end up not praying at all, even probably angry, and anger does not make for good prayer and meditation.  It was bad enough that the morning traffic outside was increasing.

So who were causing the ruckus?  Kids.

Kids.  Don't get so worked up with kids.  No, I am not.  They are immature, less responsible, although I can say that there were probably high school students there as well.  

But they are kids.  I can let that pass.  But, WHERE ARE THE TEACHERS?  WHERE ARE THE ADULTS OF THIS SCHOOL?  

As I walked out, I saw a man who looked like he was an adult, a big man, in dress pants and long-sleeved shirt.  He looked like he would be responsible enough.

So I asked him if these were his students, and he affirmed that.  Then I let him really have it.

(Silly, not that way.)  I told him that Our Lord was there on the altar, at the same time pointing towards Our Lord.   I added that they could show a little more love, and at least reduce the noise, so that the others who wanted to pray can do so.  And I said thanks.  Bless that man for listening.

I walked away, thinking about Our Lord.  He is indeed Lord, having all the patience there on the altar.  A truly Sacred Heart.

Me?  I lost it, and rightly so, because I am far from holy.  Should I just have walked away without saying anything?  I doubt there was anyone else who spoke up, although there were those who looked back at what the noise was all about earlier. But then slowly turned their heads back to Our Lord on the altar.

I hope that man took something from what I told him.  I hope he gets to tell the adults in that school that they teach their students how to behave in Church, even as the Mass has not started.  Especially since Our Lord was on the altar for adoration.  I hope he gets to tell the adults in his school that they be more present so that the kids have better deportment in these similar circumstances.  

It is possible.  Come to Rosevale School and see for yourself.  How much love these kids and teachers have for Our Lord!  And they have regular Mass on the third floor of one of their buildings, not even a church.

I am at awe how students and teachers from two schools in the same city act in so contrasting fashion before Mass.  I sure hope they even out DURING Mass.

I do not know how that played out in the end as I walked away.  The noises from the kids were drowned by the sounds of the cars that whizzed by.

Disclosure:  I help out in Rosevale School in many ways.  This is why I know how they do things there.  Photo was taken some weeks back.  

60 years

This year's feast of Sts Peter and Paul is more special:  it is also the 60th anniversary of the priestly ordination of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.  We keep him in our prayers, and if we will be at Holy Mass today, offer that Mass too.  He needs our prayers.  We need them too.

It's been long in coming

And somehow, this is not the "coming" yet.  Meantime, here's a link to:

John Hawkins  

10 Ways Conservatives Should Give Liberals Exactly What They Say They Want

There are prayer requests from Dawn here and here.

Nadal: A Post-Abortive Mother’s Agony

Just another link to Dr. Nadal: on a post-abortive mom's comment.

The spin, again

News feature entitled "3 Miss Mandaue winners favor RH bill passage" explains the reasons for the three ladies' support for the RH Bill proposed in the Philippine Congress in so many paragraphs.  

A single line was attributed to the winner's rejection of the RH Bill:  On the other hand, crowned Miss Mandaue Donna Cardino opposed the RH bill because it is against the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Then again, one line says it all, and the same one line to prove her truly worthy of the prize.

Happy Mother's Day!

from Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty: “The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral -- a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body.... The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other human creature. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation.... What on God's earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother.”

Earth Day post

What you may not know about Earth Day, I link you to Paul Kengor's "Sterilizing Those Pesky Humans:  Earth Day with Paul Ehrlich"

That same coercion is happening with Climate Change hysteria.

Happy Birthday Pope Benedict XVI

Happy Birthday Pope Benedict! Today is the big day!

I want to say a big THANK YOU on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI! I'm sure that our prayers together are benefiting the Pope, the Church and ourselves! 

Novena Prayers

Jesus, we pray for our beloved Pope and for his intentions. We pray for his personal intentions and for his April prayer intentions for the entire Church. In solidarity with the Universal Church, we ask that you grant this intention: "That the Church may offer new generations, through the believable proclamation of the Gospel, ever-new reasons of life and hope."

Heavenly Father, you commanded that we make disciples of all nations. We pray for this missionary intention given to us by the Pope: "That missionaries, with the proclamation of the Gospel and their witness of life, may bring Christ to all those who do not yet know Him."

Heavenly Father, we pray for Pope Benedict XVI as this year's World Youth Day approaches. We pray for a New Evangelization of the youth through this year's World Youth Day. Please bless all who attend and all who follow the events from afar. Give your servant Benedict XVI the words to bring all those in attendance closer to Christ.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.

Novena for the Pope, Day 8

The Pope wants you to pray for these intentions. Every month, Pope Benedict XVI specifies two prayer intentions. So, today and tomorrow we will pray for his two intentions for the month of April as we continue to pray for the Pope's birthday! 

Novena Prayers

Jesus, we pray for our beloved Pope and for his intentions. We pray for his personal intentions and for his April prayer intentions for the entire Church. In solidarity with the Universal Church, we ask that you grant this intention: "That the Church may offer new generations, through the believable proclamation of the Gospel, ever-new reasons of life and hope."

Heavenly Father, we pray for Pope Benedict XVI as this year's World Youth Day approaches. We pray for a New Evangelization of the youth through this year's World Youth Day. Please bless all who attend and all who follow the events from afar. Give your servant Benedict XVI the words to bring all those in attendance closer to Christ.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.

Novena for the Pope, Day 7

Have you ever been to World Youth Day? I know a lot of young people heading to Madrid this summer to celebrate their Catholic faith and see Pope Benedict XVI. So, let's pray today for World Youth Day and the Pope's interaction with the young people in the world.

Novena Prayers

Heavenly Father, we pray for Pope Benedict XVI as this year's World Youth Day approaches. We pray for a New Evangelization of the youth through this year's World Youth Day. Please bless all who attend and all who follow the events from afar. Give your servant Benedict XVI the words to bring all those in attendance closer to Christ.

Jesus, you gave to us a great Pope in Benedict XVI. You blessed him with wisdom, insight and intelligence to help guide your Church on an intellectual level. We pray for his ministry as a teacher specifically through his writing. We pray that his writings about you will reach the whole world with your saving message. We pray for a deeper understanding of our faith through the Pope's writings.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.

Novena for the Pope, Day 6

Benedict XVI is a prolific author. His writings are inspirational, educational and powerful for the faithful. Today let us pray for the promulgation of Benedict XVI's writings to more and more people around the world. Let us pray that more Catholics will be attentive to what our Holy Father has to teach us about Christ and let us pray for more non-Catholics to be drawn into the beauty of the faith through his writings. (If you're interested, you can find the Pope's latest book on Jesus here: Jesus of Nazareth, Vol. II)

Novena Prayers

Jesus, you gave to us a great Pope in Benedict XVI. You blessed him with wisdom, insight and intelligence to help guide your Church on an intellectual level. We pray for his ministry as a teacher specifically through his writing. We pray that his writings about you will reach the whole world with your saving message. We pray for a deeper understanding of our faith through the Pope's writings.

Dear Lord, your servant Benedict has given his life for the Church and for You. Please protect his health as he grows older in his pontificate so that he can lead your Church with vitality.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.

Rights of Mother Earth

Could soon be equal to human rights.  

If the UN (finally) will follow the "lead" of Bolivia who recently passed a national law recognizing the rights of "Mother Earth" as equal to human rights.  Incidentally, the UN will try to get this resolved by April 22, the International Mother Earth Day.  A real good source of sacrifice and mortification as it is also Good Friday this year.  Shush, no laughing.

The UN draft says that Mother Earth also has the right to life.  That's well and good.  

But knowing that the UN is supportive of abortion rights, will it be alright to say that there could also be a right to abort whatever fruits Mother Earth may have?  Who will determine what fruits will be "inconvenient" and thus possible of termination?

My vibe is that Mother Earth will be luckier than some human mothers and babies.

Novena for the Pope, Day 5

We are past half way to completing our birthday gift for Papa Benedict. Let's keep going and praying for his Holiness the Pope! 

Novena Prayers

Dear Lord, your servant Benedict has given his life for the Church and for You. Please protect his health as he grows older in his pontificate so that he can lead your us, your Church with vitality.

Prince of Peace, we come to you today to ask for your grace of peace for our Holy Father. There are many problems in the world and in the Church that he must address everyday. We beg you for peace in the world, peace in our hearts as we face the brokenness of a fallen world and peace for the Pope as he shepherds your Church.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.

Birthday Novena for the Pope, Day 4

It's day 4 of the novena for the Pope! Let's pray today for his health. Pope Benedict XVI is not as young as he once was. At 84 he's still quite proactive which is pretty amazing. However, we need to pray that he stays healthy and strong so that he can lead the Church for many more years to come. Long Live the Pope! 

Novena Prayers

Dear Lord, your servant Benedict has given his life for the Church and for You. Please protect his health as he grows older in his pontificate so that he can lead your us, your Church with vitality.
 

Prince of Peace, we come to you today to ask for your grace of peace for our Holy Father. There are many problems in the world and in the Church that he must address everyday. We beg you for peace in the world, peace in our hearts as we face the brokenness of a fallen world and peace for the Pope as he shepherds your Church.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.

"Walang pakialam"

Lea Salonga has been quoted in the papers as saying, in a rally at Ayala Alabang against the barangay ordinance #1 (series of 2011), "Wala namang may pakialam dapat sa nangyayari sa ating mga (No one can interfere on what's happening in our) bedrooms."

Although this rally was not a rally about the proposed RH Bill now in Congress, there were many in the rally who were pro-RH Bill.

Funny, what she says, because this is precisely what the pro-life (anti-RH Bill) groups have been saying all along, that an RH Law will legislate what couples can or cannot do in their bedrooms.

Now, why does Mainstream Media not take her up on that, but aim their guns on pro-lifers who say this of the government if an RH Law is passed?  Double standard, huh?

Voluntary snip, anyone?

PETA, the People Who Eat and Torture Animals, oops, damn spellcheck; People Eating Tasty Animals, not again, damn spellcheck, is offering free vasectomy for one who will have his dog or cat neutered. 

"The best way to combat the companion-animal overpopulation crisis is to have your cat or dog neutered. And with a global population of almost 7 billion humans, more of our species could use a (voluntary) snip too."

This population explosion mythers (I think, lumping up Pro-RH and pro-aborts, and GWA's together with them isn't so bad -- dogs of a whisker?) can think of anything.  Anything towards the agenda of population control.

H/T: Jill

Birthday Novena for the Pope, Day 3

It's the Lord's day and it's time to pray... for the Pope! His birthday is coming up soon and he needs all the prayers he can get. Today, let us pray for peace. Our Holy Father is constantly reminding the world to pray for and work for peace. He is at times the lone voice for peace among world leaders. So, today let us pray together with thousands of the faithful for his intention of peace for the world but also for God's peace to rest in the heart of Pope Benedict. 

Novena Prayers

Prince of Peace, we come to you today to ask for your grace of peace for our Holy Father. There are many problems in the world and in the Church that he must address everyday. We beg you for peace in the world, peace in our hearts as we face the brokenness of a fallen world and peace for the Pope as he shepherds your Church.

Heavenly father, Your Providence guides the Church and the successor to St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. May he be protected at all times from spiritual attacks so that he may lead Your Church to greater holiness and unity through your Holy Spirit.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

 

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.

Birthday Novena for the Pope, Day 2

Let's pray today for the spiritual protection of the Pope. As you may know, those who are in positions of leadership of the Church are often under the most spiritual attack. The Pope is, I am sure, the biggest target of the devil. So, let's pray together for his protection by the Blood of Christ. 

Novena Prayers

Heavenly Father, Your Providence guides the Church and the successor to St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. May he be protected at all times from spiritual attacks so that he may lead Your Church to greater holiness and unity through your Holy Spirit.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict XVI, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and the Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

[Insert your personal petitions for the Pope here]

Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.

May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

May your hand be upon your holy servant.
And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …

Amen.