Category: Freedom

Bishops call for novena for culture of life

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Action Alerts, Catholic Christianity, Current Events, Freedom, Prayer, Pro-life, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

Just saw this on EWTN Live: the bishops of the USCCB have called for a simple novena, “Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage” toward a culture of life. The novena will be from January 19-27, 2013. You can sign up for e-mail or text updates and get more information at the USCCB website. I think it’s a great idea. The battle we are in must be waged at the spiritual level and we need to pray together to defeat our common ancient enemy.

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St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

God bless you.

Updating the Resource Pages

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Catholic Christianity, Current Events, Freedom, Morality, Political, Pro-life, Theology, Year of FaithLeave a comment

I’m in the midst of editing and updating some of the pages around here (about time!). Made some additions tonight including some new resources on the Life Issues page, more  about the HHS Mandate (including the false claim made by the Vice President during the VP debate and the USCCB’s quick response to it– breathtakingly fast!). Made a couple of changes on the Year of Faith and the Vote pages. Comments are welcome and thank you for reading. God bless you and peace be with you.

How is this for a movie title, The President Has Two Faces

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Current Events, Freedom2 Comments

If Hollywood made a movie about President Obama, they could call it “The President Has Two Faces”. Or for a better parallel in wording, “The Fuehrer Has Two Faces”. I just read an article by Thomas Sowell about the two Obamas: the man of illusion who promised “hope and change” and the reality of the man who has me hoping for some real change this November. Here’s looking at your two faces, Mr. President. May many millions of people wake up and see you for who and what you truly are. Before it is too late.

Read “Obama versus Obama” by Thomas Sowell. And get ready to vote in November. This is the most important election we’ve faced in a long time. In my lifetime, for sure.

Chick-fil-A Appreciation Alive and Well Here

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Action Alerts, Current Events, FreedomLeave a comment

Stand up to bullies...and eat mor chikinChick-fil-A Appreciation Day is going well at the store the next town over. I live in a small town that doesn’t have its own Chick-fil-A; so, even though I threw my back out Saturday over a week ago and even though I hadn’t been out of the house since then until yesterday afternoon, I did manage to hobble out to the car and drive over here to show my support — both moral support and financial — for a company that is not afraid to speak out and stand up for Christian values amidst a firestorm of very vocal opposition. The fact that they aren’t afraid attracts me immensely. Like I always say, the only way to handle a bully is to stand up to him.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7)”

And for more on what the verse means by sound mind (sobriety in some versions):

“and of a sound mind: in the principles and doctrines of the Gospel; and which shows itself in a prudent conduct and behaviour; in sobriety, moderation, temperance, purity, and honesty; all which may be signified by the word here used: and these who have such dispositions and qualities from God, will not easily give way to the enemies of religion, or decline their duty for fear of them (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, quoted on the page containing the quoted Bible verse).”

I hope you’ll show your support today, too. God bless you.

ReligiousLiberties.org, a new website presented by EWTN

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Freedom, Patriotism2 Comments

EWTN has opened a website devoted to keeping the faithful and people of goodwill informed on the current issues concerning religious liberty, which liberty is under serious attack here in the U.S.A. I just found out about it and have only spent a few minutes looking over the contents of the site. A number of similar sites have opened up lately and I need to do a page of links devoted to this issue pretty soon.

 

One decision down, get ready, the real battle is only just beginning

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Action Alerts, Current Events, Freedom, Morality, News, Patriotism, Pro-life, Spiritual Warfare, TheologyLeave a comment
Where's the freedom? Protesting the HHS Mandate outside the Supreme Court

Yes, I heard the news. No, I’m not surprised. Neither am I throwing up my hands in despair. The battle over religious freedom (and freedom in general) is on and it has only just begun. I’d like to quote a newsletter I received today from Eric Scheidler. I think it will help to clear up some of the misinformation which is already flooding the airwaves now that this decision has been handed down. We have a long way to go, folks. Get educated. Do it now.

THE SUPREME COURT DID NOT UPHOLD THE HHS MANDATE TODAY.

Our opponents will try to claim we’ve lost our fight against the HHS Mandate because of today’s ruling. That is simply FALSE.

The Supreme court did not address the HHS Mandate issue in their ruling today. Nor did they declare the whole 2700-page Obamacare law to be constitutional.

Today’s ruling only addresses the constitutionality of a few pages of that law, on completely different issues from the HHS Mandate.

Provisions of Obamacare like the HHS Mandate could still be struck down in the future. In fact, I’m sure it will be when the scores of lawsuits against the HHS Mandate reach the high court.

But I’m not willing to wait that long — not when religious freedom is on the line. …

As I said, I’ll be nailing down specific plans for future action against the HHS Mandate soon. Meanwhile, visit the Stand Up website to see what you can do RIGHT NOW to fight the HHS Mandate:

http://StandUpRally.com/action/

So don’t lose heart.

Yes, today’s Supreme Court ruling is a disappointment. But in the end it will only INCREASE the urgency of our protests and inspire MORE people to join us out onto the streets!

The fight to stop the HHS Mandate will go forward with zeal — in the courts, in Congress, on the streets and on election day!

Yours for Life,

— Eric

This is truly spiritual warfare. Join the battle! Stand Up For Religious Freedom today! Read another interesting take on the decision and its implications.

Fortnight for Freedom and a novel in progress

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Action Alerts, Catholic Christianity, Current Events, Discipleship, Freedom, Morality, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare, Theology, Writing2 Comments
Fortnight 4 Freedom

I plan to write more about this at some point but right now I’m linking to the USCCB‘s Fortnight 4 Freedom site. My current novel-in-progress focuses on this very issue of freedom and faith, and the writing has taken over my blog time and pretty much the rest of my life. (After much struggle and a long dry period, having the writing take over my life, at least part of it, is a good thing and I am loving it.)

“The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “fortnight for freedom”—a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.  Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action will emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty. Dioceses and parishes around the country have scheduled special events that support a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty.”

For information, bulletin inserts, web graphics, pdf’s and more: http://www.fortnight4freedom.org

Vote the Values That Will Stand the Test of Fire

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Catholic TV and Video, Current Events, Freedom, Pro-life, Spiritual Warfare, Videos34 Comments

A friend sent this video to me. Thought I’d share it with you. It’s called Test of Fire, made by Catholics Called 2 Witness (cc2w.org). Watching this makes me want to go out and vote right now!

Will you vote the values that will stand the test of fire? Some things are more important than high gas prices or a faltering economy. They are life, marriage and freedom. This November, Catholics must stand up and protect their sacred rights and duties.  Please share this video with your friends! Visit www.cc2w.org for more details.

The prayer vigil is over; back to our reguarly scheduled programming

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Books, Freedom, Morality, October Baby, Patriotism, Prayer, Pro-life, Road Trips, Seek First the Kingdom, Series, Spiritual Warfare, UpdatesLeave a comment

Seek First the Kingdom, by Donald Cardinal WuerlSo much has happened in the last few weeks, even the last few days (including the air conditioner in my car konking out yesterday–thank the Lord the dealership was able to repair that this afternoon and for far less money than I’d expected). I’m hoping now to get some work done for the blog, which has been sadly neglected during 40 Days for Life. I started several posts and they’re sitting there in my poor little also-abandoned writing app, waiting, waiting, waiting for me to get back to them and write more than a the barest outline of a draft of a note and get them posted. I’ll be picking up this week where I left off in Cardinal Wuerl’s book, Seek First the Kingdom (see other posts); finishing my write-up for the rally for Religious Freedom (see part one); sharing some thoughts (with photos) on the wonderful pro-life film, October Baby (see other posts, only mentions so far); writing an account (also with some photos) of a trip I took with friends today to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville; and working on some other projects that are still in the idea stage.

May your observance of Holy Week bring you closer to the Lord and fill your heart and mind with grace upon grace. Peace be with you. See you soon. :)

Stand Up For Religious Freedom, Birmingham, Photos and Thoughts, Part 1

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Action Alerts, Ecumenism, Freedom, News, October Baby, Patriotism, Pro-life, Spiritual Warfare4 Comments

[Note: This page has several photos on it, so I’m not posting the whole thing on the front page of the blog. See the post page for all the photos. Thanks!] I’ve been sitting in a cafe downloading and editing photos from the Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally in Birmingham, AL, that took place from noon until around 1 p.m. today.

CEC For Life Director, Fr. Terry Gensemer
CEC For Life Director, Fr. Terry Gensemer

Didn’t realize that today is Fr. Coyle’s birthday. Who’s Fr. Coyle? He was a Catholic priest at St. Paul’s in downtown Birmingham, back before St. Paul’s was made the cathedral. He worked very hard to bring people together, used to pray the Divine Office on the steps outside the St. Paul’s so he could be close to those passing by. He was threatened many times for the audacity of true hope, for taking Christ’s prayer that we all be one seriously and doing something about it.

Hey, check it out! News cameras! Local news coverage! Maybe...
Hey, check it out! News cameras! Local news coverage! Maybe...

Continue reading “Stand Up For Religious Freedom, Birmingham, Photos and Thoughts, Part 1” →

Stand Up, Speak Out, Ready to Rally for Religious Freedom This Friday

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Action Alerts, Freedom, News, Pro-life, Spiritual Warfare3 Comments

I’ve marched for life in Birmingham, AL, and in Washington, D.C. I’ve prayed in the rain and lightning, in the cold and in the mosquito-miserable heat outside abortion mills. But this Friday will be the first rally for religious freedom I’ve ever attended. Because never before in this country has there ever been such a clear and present danger aimed at religious freedom — by our own government! Yes, the United States government has done things with which I have not agreed. But this is the first all-out in-your-face attack of which I am aware and the only way to not see it is to be blind. Completely and totally absolutely positively no eyes in your head cannot see your hand in front of your face blind!

Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally on Friday from 12-1pm Local Time across the US

Sadly, there are those who are just that blind and do not understand what is happening. I pray for them. Some are unaware as of yet. Some are unaware because they prefer to be unaware, prefer not to be bothered. My own father thinks, “Eh, so what?” (But he also does not even know what the HHS Mandate is, even though he watches the news every day almost all day. The man is nearly 88 and, God love him, if you ask him what year it is, he can answer correctly “2012!” only because he’s been saying that since 2010 and he’s finally right. Like a clock that’s right two times a day. Oy.)

If you haven’t found a rally near you, there’s still time. Find a rally! The last I heard (and this update was from the folks organizing the event, no, they didn’t telephone me, I heard it on the radio) there were over 130 cities participating, though not every person reporting on it has the updated number. I’m hoping that there are more cities than that already and that more will be added even up to the last minute.

The important thing is for folks to wake up, stand up, speak up and tell our lousy leftist thug government to back off and start doing the job they were ELECTED to do. We don’t work for them, they work for us. And it’s high time they started remembering it. Since they don’t seem inclined to remember it on their own, come Friday, we’re gonna give ’em a little friendly reminder. Come November, we’re gonna hand ’em their pink slips right before we t’row da bums out! ‘Nuff said!

Well, a little more needs to be said:

That’s Fluke, Pronounced “Yada Yada Whatever”

On By Lee (@disciple96)In Freedom, Morality2 Comments

Her Highness The Flukemeister HerselfWhy do people insist on choosing Catholic schools and other institutions and then insist that the Catholic entity cease being Catholic? Why not go someplace that isn’t Catholic to begin with if one does not want to be bothered with Catholicism in the first place? Why work so hard to eradicate the Catholicism of a place that one chose knowing full well what kind of place it was? Unless the goal is precisely to eradicate that Catholicism. I’m thinking that Sandra Fluke knew exactly what she was doing when she chose Georgetown.

For an interesting article on the Flukemeister, see Limbaugh and Our Phony Contraception Debate, by Cathy Ruse.

Cathy Ruse is Senior Fellow for Legal Studies at the Family Research Council, and she received her J.D. from Georgetown Law in 1989. [Her] article appeared in The Wall Street Journal on March 6, 2012.

http://www.frc.org/op-eds/limbaugh-and-our-phony-contraception-debate