Lord, Give Us Discerning Minds

Who am I to correct a moral theologian?  So I'm offering a differing opinion, not a correction, to this article by Father Ezra Sullivan, op, on the morality of vaccine mandates.  

I can see just by googling the morality of the COVID vaccine that there are differing opinions.  The USCCB tackles the question of morality in vaccines,  in its committees on doctrine and pro-life activities: 

 At present, there is no available alternative vaccine that has absolutely no connection to abortion. Second, the risk to public health is very serious, as evidenced by the millions of infections worldwide and hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States of America alone. Third, in many cases the most important effect of vaccination may not be the protection it offers to the person who receives the vaccination, who may be of relatively robust health and unlikely to be seriously affected by the disease. Rather, the more important effect may be the protection it offers to those who are much more likely to be seriously stricken by the disease if they were to contract it through exposure to those infected. 

The spiritual advisor to my fraternity, Father Nicanor Austriaco, op, concurs with the USCCB regarding vaccination against COVID.  Getting vaccinated is not intrinsically evil.  He has been vaccinated.  Pope Francis has been vaccinated and has urged the faithful to do likewise.

As a simple, old woman, I'll follow the advice of the Vicar of Christ.

Passing the Basket

Support the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe on February 26 #BuildTheFuture Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season and reminds us of our call to pray, fast, and give alms to those in need. The Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe (CCEE) will be taken up in many parishes on February 26 (Ash Wednesday). Funds support our brothers and sisters as they rebuild the Church in over 25 countries in Central and Eastern Europe after 70 years of communist rule. You can help make an impact in these four simple ways:  Volunteer to read the bulletin announcements and parish appeal at Mass to educate fellow parishioners about the Collection and the people it supports. Pray and encourage others to join you in praying for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe—that God will give strength to those who serve the Church. Share information about the CCEE collection on your social media channels from the CCEE social media toolkit in English and Spanish. View and share the following videos and resource guide on the Enduring Faith in Georgia and how CCEE is Changing Lives in Georgia. Join the conversation on Twitter #1Church1Mission, #BuildTheFuture and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Participate in the CCEE collection when it is taken up in your parish. Visit www.usccb.org/RestoreTheChurch2020 for more information.

Why Are They Leaving? A Response to the USCCB | Mary Pezzulo

The USCCB General Assembly met a few days ago.  Bishop Barron gave a talk. You can find his presentation and the lively conversation that took place afterward, beginning around 1:10:30 on Video 2 of the live stream (Day 1 Morning Session Part 2).  He blames the lack of church attendance on poor catechesis.  But!  his talk does not compare to Mary Pezzulo's critique of his talk.  She excoriates Bishop Barron's thesis.  Here it is:

Why Are They Leaving? A Response to the USCCB | Mary Pezzulo



There is much truth in what both the bishop and Pezzulo say.  The bishop is correct.  Mary is mostly correct because not everyone in authority is like what Mary depicted.  But Pezzulo is correct in that no one listened and that is why her article had to be written and has to go viral.



Read the article.  Weep.  Admit to its truth.

Pray for our Elections

This is from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops: Bearing in mind our nation's challenges and the particularly urgent need for wise, moral, civic leadership in addressing them, the Call to Prayer will be adapted Friday, September 9, 2016 – Friday, November 11, 2016 to highlight certain time-sensitive matters of national concern.

On Friday, September 9, the intention highlighted the National Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities. The focus for the remaining nine weeks will be on the upcoming elections. 

In addition to the current invitation to fast on Fridays, participants are encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the week's intention and for our civic leaders and upcoming elections.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

    May all people understand the moral and
    ethical dimensions of political decisions
    and decide accordingly.

Apostolic Nuncio

Apostolic Nuncios
by Fr. Larry Rice  (source USCCB)

In order to ensure the smooth functioning of a worldwide
community of faith and to facilitate relations
with the civil governments of the world, the Catholic
Church maintains one of the largest diplomatic corps
in the world. Although its origins lie in the centuries
when the Church was itself a civil and political
power, today the Vatican’s diplomatic corps serves
other purposes.

The chief ambassador at a Vatican embassy is the
Apostolic Nuncio. Usually a bishop or archbishop, the
Nuncio has the same diplomatic duties as any other
ambassador, but also serves as a conduit between the
local Church and the Roman Curia. These duties may
include recommending the appointment of bishops,
monitoring human rights issues, and serving as an
impartial mediator.

In many countries, the Apostolic Nuncio is regarded as the “dean” of the local diplomatic
community and is given honorary precedence in many matters of protocol. The Vienna Convention
on Diplomatic Relations provides that, “Except as concerns precedence and etiquette, there shall be no differentiation between heads of mission by reason of their class” (article 14[2]), but the Convention also states, “This article is without prejudice to any practice accepted by the receiving State regarding the precedence of the representative of the Holy See” (article 16[3]).

His Excellency, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, is the current Apostolic Nuncio to the United States and has been serving in that capacity since October 2011.  His residence, called a nunciature, in Washington, DC, will also be home to Pope Francis during his September 22-24, 2015, visit to the city.

Fr. Rice is Vocations Director for the Paulist Fathers.

Call to Prayer

The United States Council of Catholic Bishops ask you to pray for families, marriages, and yourself.

Novena for Life

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invite you to join their annual novena, “9 Days for Life,” a period of prayer, penance and pilgrimage marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, from Saturday, January 17 – Sunday, January 25. 

Download an app or printable version of the novena or sign up for email or text messages at www.9daysforlife.com, or join on Facebook! Each day’s content (available in both English and Spanish) includes a different prayer intention, short reflection, supplementary article, and suggested actions.

We also invite you to participate in local events such as Masses, blessings for pro-life pilgrims, or a parish holy hour for reparation and healing for all affected by abortion. Visit your local parish or diocesan website to learn about events in your area.

                          Your prayers matter. Your sacrifices make a difference.

Enter to Win

The United States Council of Catholic Bishops is having a raffle to promote the book, Catholic Households Blessings and Prayers.  It is perfect for families with young children, newlyweds, and grandparents like myself, who are active with their grandchildren.

If I can get you to enter (What have you got to lose?), I get another entry.  Just enter from http://woobox.com/pjdyns/cd8dsu  and I'll get a bonus entry.

• Learn essential prayers that Catholics need to know by memory
• Bless before games of sport
• Bless on the road
• Practice the simple form of the Liturgy of the Hours
• Celebrate the feasts and seasons of the Church year in ritual and prayer
• Bless the advent wreath, Christmas crèche, and Easter foods
• Lead grace before and after meals
• Pray for family members
• Bless the home before a move and in times of trouble

  And I'd add to bless yourself every time you pass a Catholic Church, to recognize the presence of Jesus in the Tabernacle.

Perfect like my Heavenly Father

Internet users recently expressed their views on the perfect relationship. The USCCB and For Your Marriage saw it as an opportunity to enter into the online conversation in a meaningful way. The meme below is how we answered the question, "Is there such a thing as a perfect relationship?" Share, pin or tweet to get the word out.

Push for Faith

I was reading Cardinal Sean O'Malley's blog and read where there's an initiative by USSB, the Seventh Day Adventist, Jews, Mormons, Sikhs, and the Partnership for the First Amendment, to get youth to think about the importance of having faith.  Naturally, I'm on board.  I think it's the only thing that makes sense out of life.  Otherwise, why are we here?

It's called Faith Counts.  They have a Facebook page, and a newsletter you can sign up to receive.  Young people who are recognizable, post about their faith.

Let's pray that this initiative helps our young.  Spread the word.

Call to Prayer

Cardinal Seán O'Malley

Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities

It is a great blessing to be joined in prayer with thousands of Catholics nationwide. The Call to Prayer is a reminder for all of us that we rely on God for everything; it is an invitation to grow in faith and love as we pray and fast together for the protection of life, marriage and religious liberty. Everyone can make a difference for the good of the Church and society through participation in this important campaign. Please join me and so many others in holding up the power of prayer.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is asking people to pray, do penance, and sacrifice, for the sake of renewing a culture of life, marriage, and religious liberty in our country.  Life, marriage, and religious liberty are good for society; they are not just the values of the Catholic Church.  The well-being of society rerquires that strong marriages and families, life, and our religious liberties are promoted and protected.

Our culture does not promote family values.  In many ways our government does not support our religious values and hampers our exercise of our religious freedom.  We live in a threatening environment.

So the USCCB has asked all people of good will to join together in prayer.  You can participate by:

1.  Host or attend a Eucharistic Holy Hour on the last Sunday of the month.

2.  Daily Rosary.

3.  Suggested Prayers of the Faithful, at Mass.

4.  Abstain from meat on Fridays.

5.  Pray

Lots of information on the Call to Prayer website.

Novena for Religious Freedom

Starting today, please start praying this novena for our country and religious freedom.  June 21-July 4.  From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/index.cfm

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

USCCB Novena for Life - Day Six

Day Six: Thursday, January 23, 2014

Intercession: For those whose work involves promoting abortion and contraceptive use: may God help them understand that the casual sex they foster undermines the capacity for the self-giving, faithful and enduring love that is the longing of every heart..

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection: Today marks the feast day of the newly canonized American saint, Mother Marianne Cope, OSF (1838-1918). St. Marianne Cope emigrated with her family from Germany as an infant and grew up in Utica, NY. She joined the Sisters of St. Francis at the age of twenty-four and later helped to found and operate two regionals hospitals in upstate New York. In 1883, she answered the plea of Hawaii’s king to operate hospitals and care for the victims of leprosy, travelling to Hawaii with six Franciscan sisters. During the last thirty years of her life, she chose to be exiled on the island of Molokai where she cared for women and children with leprosy. She was a life-long witness to the equal dignity and value of every human being. She brought beauty and order to the lives of these outcasts, and provided them with educational and religious instruction as well as teaching them music and the decorative arts. St. Marianne, help us to see the beauty and value in every human life!

Acts of Reparation (choose one):

• Learn how to pray the Angelus. . . prayer, and get into the habit of saying it every day—at noon or 6 pm or on awakening (or all three times).
  
• Today ignore your sweet tooth. Make healthy eating choices.
  
• Clean a room in your house without being asked or without telling anyone. Pray for your family members while you clean, "and your Father who sees in secret will repay you" (Matthew 6:6).

USCCB Novena for Life--Day 5

DAY FIVE January 22, 2014

Intercession:   For an end to legal abortion in our nation and for the conversion of all hearts, so that the inherent rights of every human being-especially those most at risk of abuse and rejection-will be upheld. Prayer: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be   Reflection:  Today, on this 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we consider the past four decades in which our society has legally permitted abortion and wandered far from God. Instead of accepting children in joy and hope, many hearts seem hardened against making commitments to others, fearing the demands others may make on our time or our freedom. We are becoming a culture marked by rejection, by loneliness and sorrow. In today's Gospel, we hear how Jesus grieved over the Pharisees' hardness of heart, as he heals the man with the withered hand. They remained silent when Jesus pointedly asked them: "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Our laws now make it legal to destroy life by abortion, by abortifacient drugs, in destructive embryo research, in the course of in vitro fertilization procedures, and in some states by assisted suicide and the death penalty. How Jesus must grieve over this culture of death! Let us open our hearts in faith, entrusting our culture to the healing power of Christ, the One who has overcome sin and the power of evil.

Acts of Reparation (choose one) Today is a day of prayer and penance for restoration of the right to life. Step out of your comfort zone and witness publicly to life in a march or rally, or call your elected representatives to ask them to promote policies and laws that respect life. Gratitude helps us love God and neighbor. Today try to not complain or be negative. Say a prayer of thanksgiving instead. Don't push the snooze button. Get right out of bed and offer your day in prayer to God. "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." (Ephesians 5:14).

USCCB Novena for Life--Day Three

DAY THREE January 20, 2014

Intercession: For the parents who influenced their child's choice to abort their grandchild: that they may have the humility and wisdom to see the wrong they've done and to seek forgiveness from God and from their child.  Prayer: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be Reflection: Today is the memorial of St. Sebastian, the famous martyr and patron of athletes, who lived his faith courageously in the midst of intense Roman persecution. St. Sebastian's life reminds us that in the midst of threats to the faith, living and dying for Christ is the ultimate witness-one that changes others. In today's Mass readings, the prophet Samuel chastises King Saul for failing to obey the Lord's command, reminding him that God values our obedience more than sacrificial offerings. The Psalm, too, reminds us that an upright life is more pleasing to God than empty professions of faith. Are our actions always consistent with what we profess as Catholics? Do we sometimes hope that God will overlook our disobedient hearts by distracting him with rote prayers?

Acts of Reparation (choose one) It's easy to put our headphones on and ignore our siblings or parents in the car. Instead, enjoy the opportunity you have to talk to them, ask them how they are doing. Smile. Ask God today for the grace to be extra joyful and share your love for Christ with those who need that encouragement the most today. "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." -Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta We can sometimes forget how blessed we are to have many of our daily comforts. Give up sleeping with your pillow tonight.

USCCB Novena for Life Day Two

DAY TWO Novena for Life January 19, 2014

Intercession For the father whose child died with his cooperation and consent: that the Lord grant him the grace to repent and be reconciled with God. Prayer Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be   Reflection In today's Gospel reading (Jn 1:29-34), John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is both the Son of God and "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." At every Mass we repeat these words, but how often do we meditate on this great mystery? There is nothing we could ever accomplish on our own that could atone for our daily failures to love others with the merciful and sacrificial love of Christ. But in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he forgives our faults, wipes the stain of sin from our souls and gives us the strength to begin anew with the help of his grace. Let us live each day in gratitude for the mercy God has shown us!

Acts of Reparation (choose one) When others are speaking uncharitably about someone else, change the conversation, leave, or offer a counter opinion that is kind and charitable. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for mothers and fathers who've lost a child through abortion, asking that they find the courage to seek Reconciliation and counseling through Project Rachel Ministry. Read about the life of a modern (19th or 20th century) saint. You might be surprised by how much you have in common with them. NABRE © 2010 CCD. Used with permission.

USCCB Novena for Life on the Anniversary of Roe v Wade

A Novena for Life

A Novena for Life ¹

DAY ONE

Created to Live with You

Prayer
Father of life,
help us to long for the fullness of life
and to know the wonder of what awaits us
beyond the dimensions of this earthly existence.

A reading from the Book of Job                                                                              19:1, 23-27a
Then Job answered and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were
inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever!
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him; And from my flesh I
shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.

(silent reflection)

Prayer
God of all creation,
grant us the wisdom
to understand fully the mystery
that life has no meaning apart from you.

A Reflection by Pope John Paul II² 
The Eucharist is a straining towards the goal, a foretaste of the fullness of joy promised by Christ
(cf. Jn 15:11); it is in some way the anticipation of heaven, the “pledge of future glory”…Those
who feed on Christ in the Eucharist need not wait until the hereafter to receive eternal life: they
already possess it on earth, as the first-fruits of a future fullness which will embrace man in his
totality. For in the Eucharist we also receive the pledge of our bodily resurrection at the end of
the world: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on
the last day” (Jn 6:54).

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

¹ Based on Evangelium Vitae, no. 2.
² Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 18.

Fish on Fridays

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has asked Catholics to pray, fast, and abstain from meat on April 12 “for the justices of the Supreme Court, that they would respect the authentic meaning of marriage by upholding the Defense of Marriage Act.”

The USCCB has asked Catholics to fast and abstain from meat on all Fridays until the conclusion of the Year of Faith.  

Defense of Marriage means to uphold the traditional definition that marriage is for procreation.  The two people involved should be ordered towards procreation.  The operative word here, is "ordered towards."  So eighty year old people can have a marriage because their bodies are ordered towards procreation.  If they wanted to, they could pump their bodies full of the correct hormones and produce children.  I know that's unusual, but it's an example of what is meant by "ordered towards."

Year of Faith

Faith

A year dedicated to me--me--me-me--me--ME--ME!  Imagine that!  Thank you very much.

Pope Benedict XVI has dedicated the year from October 6, 1212---November 24, 1213 to FAITH.

See where I'm coming from?

This morning at Mass, I learned that this October is the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.  During this Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism.  Let us pray, that the fruits of this study will deepen everyone's faith.

"The 'door of faith' (Acts14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church."---Pope Benedict XVI, Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei for the Indiction of the Year of Faith.

The upcoming Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

Source: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/

Fortnight for Freedom

 

CNA/EWTN News is promoting the USCCB's initiative "Fortnight for Freedom" June 21-July 4, to encourage prayer, education, and action in regards to religious freedom.

This is in response to the Obama Administrations efforts that threaten our Catholic consciences.  The Health and Human services mandate is the perfect example.  This mandate requires employers to cover birth control and other services that Catholics find morally reprehensible.

“Religious liberty is not only about our ability to go to Mass on Sunday or to pray the Rosary at home. It is about whether we can continue to make our contribution to the common good of all Americans without violating our deeply-held moral beliefs,” Bishop Malone said. “This issue affects all Americans — it is not a Catholic issue, a Jewish issue, an Orthodox, Mormon, or Muslim issue. It is an American issue.”

In an April 12 statement, the U.S. Bishops’ ad hoc committee for religious liberty called for a “fortnight of freedom” from June 21 to July 4. The period includes a series of feasts of “great martyrs” who faced political oppression. Their statement was an “urgent summons” to U.S. Catholics, stressing the need for prayer, fasting, and public action for religious freedom.