 |
FRI-SAT-SUN January 21-23, 2000 vol. 11, no. 15 SECTION ONESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
e-mail: webmaster@dailycatholic.org |
|
| ||||
In this weekend's editorial to kick off Respect Life Week we tackle the culture of death head-on and ask how can pro-aborts call themselves pro-choice since there is only one choice that can be made - "CHOOSE LIFE!" All other avenues are deadends that lead nowhere but straight to hell because, simply, frankly put: Abortion is murder! But the insidious emergence of political correctness has dulled our senses while trying to control our sensitivities. There is only one thing we should truly be sensitive toward first and foremost - the life of every human being - born and pre-born! All else will follow as God sees fit! For today's editorial There really is no other choice! , see CATHOLIC PewPOINT
There really is no other choice!
Saturday we commemorate - or should we say commiserate the twenty-seventh anniversary of an event that would forever change the face of America. We're talking, of course, about the disastrous decision by the Supreme Court on January 22, 1973 that launched the United States of America on the downward path - the road towards the abyss that dead-ends with the culture of death. The infamous Roe vs. Wade landmark decision opened Pandora’s box. From this would not only come the loss of more human souls than in all the major wars in world history, but seriously decrease the moral fiber and soul of this once great country. It officially marked the end of the age of innocence for there was nothing innocent in senseless killing the pre-born innocents out of selfishness on the part of pregnant women who shunned accepting God’s plans for them as loving, nurturing mothers in favor for a promiscuous "do-whatever-you-want," "it’s my body" attitude. For nearly three decades feminists have cried out "Choice" - labeling the pro-abortion, pro murderers a more sedate moniker such as "Pro-Choice." Choice, what a catch-all phrase! The only choice is life! How low have we sunk to even, for one moment, believe by any stretch of the imagination that abortion is not murder? It is unadulterated murder! Over 80 million innocents have been slaughtered since abortion became "legal" 27 years ago compared to only one million, one hundred seventy thousand killed in all the wars America has ever fought. No wonder Our Lady - the Immaculate Conception, Mother of God - has warned over and over that the Almighty Father can no longer hold back His Divine Justice. All those who choose to condone abortion - whether they be mothers-to-be, doctors, midwives, pro-abortion activists, or those who remain silent, refusing to get involved - all those will be avenged by the avenging angels at the appointed time.
So how can we get involved to help promote the Sanctity of Life? First, and foremost: Prayer. Holy Mass and the Rosary, the most powerful weapon the Blessed Virgin Mary has bequeathed to us - the links or chains that will ultimately bound satan. If we truly live what Holy Mother Church teaches, follow through what His Holiness Pope John Paul II constantly reminds us of, and live the messages Our Lady has been conveying from Guadalupe to Rue de Bac, Lourdes, LaSalette, and Fatima to today's messages at Medjugorje and elsewhere, then we can be assured we are striving to do her Divine Son’s Will and we will see results.
In our effort to promote the Sanctity of Life, the DailyCATHOLIC will introduce a new column on Monday by a retired Catholic physician Frank Joseph, MD. His column, which will run daily during the entire Respect Life Week next week, is called Pro-Life Prescriptions: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! He brings to the table strong Catholic doctrine on this issue and also is not afraid to take off the gloves and call a spade a spade. He's also not afraid to mix it up politically with such culture of death advocates as Bill Clinton and Al Gore to name just a few. During this election year we feel Dr. Joseph's writings will be an important addition to the DailyCATHOLIC family of columnists. It will run each Wednesday throughout the year. Also this Monday Pat Ludwa will bring you a tremendously thought-provoking, no-holds-barred column that we highly recommend for we truly believe 'political correctness' is in cahoots with the culture of death program. If you don't believe us, read his column "The culture of death comes in many shades, sizes and disguises."
It's no disguise that the United States has the highest rate of abortion in the western hemisphere. Almost 50% of today’s abortions are by teenagers. The real solution is not contraceptives and sex education. It’s been proven this only adds to the problem. The real solution is a re-emphasis of who we are - children of God, made in the image and likeness of God and thus our bodies are truly temples of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Father has affirmed this when he proclaimed, "Human life is precious because it is the gift of God Whose Love is Infinite; and when God gives life, it is forever." Despite the lurid examples of our highest executives, movie and sports personalities, it is not only time to choose chastity, but to preach chastity from the roof-tops to offset the satanic influence of immorality prevalent in our society today. Yes, a woman has rights over her body - rights to take care of her body, to make it a worthy sanctuary for a new soul of which she plays a role in its creation; for that human being inside her womb is someone distinct from herself. Therefore she has no right, no choice to decide for herself that she can play God. Only God can make that decision. His decision is obvious. He created that child - not to have it aborted, but to have it loved with a parental care just as the woman carrying that child was cared for by her mother. To all "pro-choicers" we ask, what if your parents had "chosen" to abort you?
We all know what satan is trying to do. So far the insidious one has been succeeding. Enough is enough! Pope John Paul II, during his visit in 1993 at World Youth Day in Denver, ushered an ultimatum to our country: "America, if you want liberty and justice for all and lasting peace...defend life." Even though God gave everyone a free will, when it comes to abortion, there is no choice! It is true that abortion is the leading cause of death in the United States. Not smoking, not cancer, not coronary attacks, not automobile accidents - but Abortion! And every abortion is premeditated which makes it all the more a hideous crime. Plain and simple, Abortion is Murder!
God said it! We believe it! That settles it! From conception to natural death, life is sacred. It’s time for all of us to get off the proverbial fence and commit totally to ending abortion. It’s time to speak up and enlist in Mary’s little, but mighty army through praying the Rosary - the most powerful prevention of abortion, and pray for God's Mercy that will stop this unholy holocaust! Jesus has said to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s, but in the case of legalization of abortion in America, this does not count for the right to life does not belong to "Caesar" but to God. Rather we must follow Saint Peter’s words, echoed by the Apostles in Acts 5: 29, "We must obey God rather than man." And God says: "CHOOSE LIFE!" There really is no other choice!
In her column this week, Sister Mary Lucy Astuto returns to finish her series she had been bringing us weekly up until the Holidays, called "Kathy's Story" on the power of the Rosary. It's fitting that she concludes this weekend with the final episode corresponding with the beginning of Respect Life Week for the only way to carry out the Sanctity of Life is by using the most powerful weapon we have - the Holy Rosary, the ammo that will bind satan and end human sacrifice. Kathy points out that Our Lady promised Saint Dominic that in the end her Immaculate Heart will triumph and bring an end to abortion when she imparted to him in a vision, "One day through the Rosary and Scapular, I will save the world." But she can't do it without us and our role begins with the Rosary! See GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER
After being converted to Catholicism and giving away so very many of my Rosaries to so many people under so many different circumstances, I was asking myself: "What else could Our Lady possibly want with me?" In this, the final part of my rosary story, I wish to answer that question.
I came to understand that Our Lady wanted me to write this conversion story and share it with others. Thanks to my dear Sister-friend, Sister Mary Lucy, it has the potential to be read by people all over the world. (I'm grateful to her for that! She's a sweetheart!)
I, also, came to believe that I must tell everyone how important praying the Rosary is. Yes, I know there are dry times of prayer! But that is part of our opportunity to grow spiritually. Seeking to grow closer to God in our minds and hearts; seeking to have peace between one's self and God; seeking to have peace in the world; these are the reasons why we pray. And as a Catholic, I believe it is our duty to pray the Rosary.
No, I don't believe one is condemned to hell, if they don't pray the Rosary. But I do feel that we can do a lot better with our time here on this earth, by eliminating the "happiness gurus" we seek and return to the simplicity of prayer and, specifically, prayer through the Rosary.
Ask yourself this question: "Why is it so hard to find time to pray a Rosary, as well as, concentrate while praying it?"
The answer? Because satan knows of the power behind the Rosary and does not want it prayed, by anyone!
I'm an ordinary person. I don't have gifts of prophecy and I'm not a mystic. I'm just the average "Joe" or "Joan" on the street. What I do have, however, is a very special relationship with God. I love Him and I know He loves me. And that's it! Plain and simple!
When I finally realized that the Blessed Mother was actually working through me, with the Rosaries, you might say, I was in awe. You see, I didn't know she wanted something from me. I just thought I was very privileged to have all these Rosaries turn gold. And I was. But they weren't just for me. In fact, they aren't just for the people they were given to, either. They are tokens of love to be shared by all.
Our Lady said to St. Dominic: "One day through the Rosary and Scapular, I will save the world." And she will! Even if it is only one Rosary at a time.
Take up your weapon, then, the holy Rosary, every day, and pray for peace between God and man and for all men everywhere.
May God bless each and every one of you who reads my story and is touched in some way by it. Our weapon against evil IS the Rosary. You do not have to be Catholic to pray the Rosary. All God wants is for His children to be happy and at peace. This can only be accomplished, if we give ourselves entirely to Him. And the way to get there is through prayer and good works. Our Lady has given us the Rosary as our "tool of prayer." Let us honor her with it's recitation. Amen.
This concluded Kathy's inspiring story. I hope that it touched your heart and will move you to do as she suggests and as Our Lady asks. It's the only way we can stop abortion...THE ONLY WAY!
God bless you!
Today we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the wonderful treasures of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith, concentrating on the Books of the New Testament today with the introduction to Paul's Two Letters to Timothy. For the ninety-third installment, see APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
St. Timothy was from Lystra in Lycanoia, born of a Greek father and a Jewish mother (Acts 16, 1). He was educated in the assiduous reading of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3, 15). His mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Tim. 1, 5), as well as Timothy himself, probably embraced the faith during Saint Paul's first stay at Lystra, since they were already Christians at his return on the second missionary journey (Acts 16, 1). It was at that time that Timothy was highly recommended by the Christians and the Apostle chose him as a missionary companion. Since Timothy was uncircumcised, the Apostle permormed this rite upon him to facilitate his preaching among the Jewish colonists in the regions of Phrygia (Acts 16, 3) and elsewhere. Thereafter Timothy was seldom parted from St. Paul, who employed him in some difficult and confidential missions (2 Thes. 3, 1-8; 1 Cor. 4, 17; 16, 10; Phil. 2, 19-23; Heb. 31, 23). During the first imprisonment of the Apostle at Rome, Timothy was with his master (Col. 1, 1; Philem 1; Phil 1, 1). After this imprisonment he accompanied the Apostle on his last missionary journey and was left at Ephesus to take charge of the church there (1 Tim. 1, 3). The Apostle, shortly before his death, wrote Timothy to come to him before the winter (2 Tim. 1,4; 4, 9, 21). According to tradition Timothy spent the rest of his life at Ephesus as its bishop and was martyred during the winter of 97 A.D. His feast is celebrated in the Latin Church on January 24.
This first Epistle was written betweeen Paul's liberation from the first imprisonment (63 A.D). and his death (67 A.D.), on one of his journeys not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (1 Tim. 1, 3; cf. Also 2 Tim. 4, 13, 20; Titus 3, 12), since it presupposes an ecclesiastical hierarchy as well as false teachers at Ephesus, who were not there during the Apostle's third missionary journey (Acts 20, 29). For these reasons Catholic authors commonly hold that the Epistles was written in 65 or 66 A.D. from Macedonia (1 Tim. 1, 3).
A twofold thought is dominant in this Epistle. Timothy must energetically combat false teachers and actively engage in the work of organizing the community. The thought of the Apostle moves restlessly back and forth on these two points, since he was fully aware from his own experience of the dangers that threatened.
The Second Epistle to Timothy was written in 66 or 67 A.D., while St. Paul was a prisoner in Rome for the second and last time.
The Apostle describes himself as still in prison and abandoned by nearly all his companions, who for various reasons have left Rome (4, 9f). Only Luke the physician, of whom he seems to have special need, is with him (4, 11). He feels his isolation keenly, particularly since his relations with the Roman church are much restricted. He feels the need of seeing Mark and Timothy, for whom Tychicus was to substitute at Ephesus (4, 11). He sees his death near (4, 6-8). The Epistle is an urgent invitation to Timothy to join him, yet the Apostle is concerned to strengthen the spirit of his beloved disciple and to urge him again to act energetically against the seperatist teachers.
Tomorrow: Epistle of St. Paul to Titus
We continue with this special series introducing you to the Princes of the Church. Our one-hundred-forty-eighth red-hat we feature, in alphabetical order is 77 year-old Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzamora, S.J., the Peruvian-born Archbishop of Lima who has served as shepherd there since 1989. He was elevated to the cardinalate during the Consistory of November 26, 1994 by Pope John Paul II. For more on Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzamora, S.J., see COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION
On December 30, 1989 Pope John Paul II promoted Bishop Vargas to Archbishop of Lima, a position he still holds. When he came in there was much violence by the Sendero Luminoso which means "Shining Path." They had been making waves since 1980 but in 1988 they had stepped up their campaign of violence. He made an impassioned plea to them to stop the violence. Though they were slow to respond, their own fate was sealed for in 1992 their leader Abimael Guzman Reynoso was arrested and sentenced to life, effectively ending the threat. Possibly because of his strong stand against the Sendero Luminoso and his popularity with the people - 90% of which are Roman Catholic, Archbishop Vargas was named in the Holy Father's Consistory of November 25, 1994. He received the coveted red-hat and the titular church of St. Robert Bellarmine. He enjoys curial membership in the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. How long he will stay on as Archbishop of Lima is contingent on his health for he just turned 77, but seems to be holding up fairly well.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
"The moral and religious tone of our society has derived in part from our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, which affirm: first, that rights and liberties are derived not from man or majorities, but from God and, therefore, are inalienable; second, because rights and liberties are Godgiven, citizens enjoy rights and liberties in addition to those given by the Constitution; third, the 'people' and not the 'masses' hold the title to civil power, which derives from God - the people being self-determined through conscience are opposite to the 'masses,' who are other-determined or dictator ruled."
NOTE: We respectfully recognize and accept the final authority regarding apparitions, locutions and prophecies presently being reported around the world rests with the Holy See of Rome and the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church to whose judjment we humbly and obediently submit.
Dear children! This is the time of grace. Little children, today in a special way with little Jesus, Whom I hold in my embrace, I am giving you the possibility to decide for peace.Through your 'yes' for peace and your decision for God, a new possibility for peace is opened. Only in this way, little children, this century will be for you a time of peace and well-being. Therefore, put little newborn Jesus in the first place in your life and He will lead you on the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call.
