Tag Archives: action

Lessons from the Lectionary

February 3, 2010

I am not for a moment about to suggest that this is the way God intended us to interpret this, but for those who happened to attend daily Mass on the Friday before the MA special election and the anniversary of Obama’s inauguration, you were treated to this story about how the people complained against Samuel and demanded that they be given a king to rule over them as other nations have.

http://bit.ly/7HFp4E

God, through Samuel, warned the people that if this were to happen, the king would quickly use his authority to tax them, take their property, oppress them with labor, and make their lives generally miserable, and that eventually they would complain to God to remove the king, and God would not listen to their complaints.

But, the people would not listen and insisted that they be given a king.  And so, God told Samuel to give them exactly what they want.  And wouldn’t you know – eventually they complained to God about the king.  Funny how that happens.

And it is also funny how history just keeps repeating itself even into our day – when even in our free republic we get caught up in the moment and cry out for a king of sorts;  someone to rule over us in a way where we don’t have to worry about anything.  He will provide everything for us.  And before we know it we get exactly what we wished for only to regret that moment of weakness.

If you ask me, that reading just happened to be in the right place at the right time for Americans to reflect on the choices we make through our voting, and the discernment we should take when deciding.

In fact, that whole series of readings was interesting given the events of the world.  On Wednesday, January 20 – the anniversary of Obama’s inauguration – daily Mass-goers woke up to the news that MA had elected a republican senator, and were then treated to the story of David and Goliath for the first reading.

Just sayin’….

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Bella’s Eduardo Versteragui Endorses Catholic Candidate for Illinois Governor

January 29, 2010

If you know anything about Catholic rock stars, chances are you have heard of Eduardo Versteragui. He’s the Mexican actor whose compassion, love and generosity for a mother and her unborn child stole our hearts in the award-winning 2006 film “Bella.”

 

Versteragui has an inspiring personal history, having transformed his life and mission as an actor after coming to Hollywood and converting to the faith.  Since his conversion, he has been extremely proactive in helping spread the pro-life message in entertainment media and the political arena.

His latest endorsement is to campaign on behalf of Adam Andrzejewski, a pro-life Roman Catholic running for Illinois state Governor.

Versteragui has issued a short video explaining why he is supporting Andrzejewski and the importance of electing a Governor who adheres to our Catholic values. As a politician who is “proudly pro-life,” Veesteragui enthusiastically shares that ”his position on the pro-life issue is as powerful as it is refreshing.” The video concludes in text, reminding viewers that Illinois is where President Obama began his political career and where he voted against the “Infant’s Born Alive Act.”

Well worth the two minute watch on YouTube:

Andrzejewski’s primary race is this Tuesday, February 2st and he is gaining momentum among five candidates, all of whom are separated by just eight points in the polls. His wife Kerry and their three daughters are parishioners of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Hinsdale, IL.

Support his campaign and visit http://www.adamforillinois.com/

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Atheist Group Goes After Mother Teresa and USPS

January 28, 2010

mother teresa stampReady for your blood to boil? Remember we told you that the US Postal Service would be rolling out a stamp featuring Mother Teresa this year? Many of you commented that you couldn’t wait for the stamp! It’s truly a great testament to her devout and self-sacrificial life.

Well, the Freedom From Religion Foundation came out today blasting the USPS for creating this stamp and are urging their supporters to boycott the stamp and engage in a letter-writing campaign to expose the “dark side of Mother Teresa.”

It’s one thing to go after the US Postal Service, which we think is completely uncalled for in this situation, but it’s a whole other situation to target a woman who is on the path to sainthood and was a living testament of Christ’s love. And for many who knew her and continue to work with her order, what the atheists are doing is outright blasphemy. The organization claims that this is a separation of Church & State issue (isn’t everything to them?) and that the USPS is pr0moting Catholicism with the stamp. Nevermind that, in the past, they have done stamps commemorating “Malcolm X, the former chief spokesman for the Nation of Islam, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.”

The spokesperson for the atheist organization said that “Mother Teresa infused Catholicism into her secular honors — including an ‘anti-abortion rant’ during her Nobel Prize acceptance speech — and that even her humanitarian work was controversial.” Ah, so now we get to a deeper issue. Apparently the Freedom From Religion Foundation doesn’t like that Mother Teresa was pro-life.

They also make a lot of outrageous claims as well about her order, the Missionaries of Charity, which we won’t even dignify with a reprint here but if you want to read the whole horrid story, FoxNews.com has it here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584165,00.html.  

Want to show your support for Mother Teresa and for the USPS? You can call them at 1-800-275-8777 or send a note of encouragement to them at US POSTAL SERVICE, 475 L’ENFANT PLZ SW RM 10407, WASHINGTON DC 20260-2200.

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Dems NOT Going to Conference on Healthcare Bill – What Does This Mean?

January 5, 2010

ping pong hamstersIn this oh-so-transparent Obama Administration, the Democrats in Congress have decided to (most likely) forgo a formal conference to merge the Senate and House healthcare bills. Instead they doing something called a “ping pong” conference. Sounds fun, right? Well, for the Democrats who really, really, really want to get a healthcare bill passed, it’s certainly better than doing a formal merging of the bills because that would involve lots of procedural hurdles in the Senate and give Republicans more ways than one to hold up the horrific bill.

In a ping pong scenario, leaders from each chamber will go back and forth with the bills until they come to a final bill that they are happy with. It’s very much a backroom deal process with little or no input from the Republicans. Talking Points Memo has more on the logistics here.

However, someone is going to have to deal with Rep. Bart Stupak and the abortion issue. The Senate version of the bill doesn’t have the Stupak language and therefore funds abortion with government money. Stupak has made it clear that he plans to hold the line in House and not allow a bill through without his amendment, which prohibits government funding of abortion.

Quite a few well-known pundits are weighing in including Ed Morrissey at HotAir, Melissa Clouthier and Philip Klein, and can give you more on what they think will happen.

In the end, this ping pong game will have to end with some final bill that will be voted on in both the House and the Senate. The Democrats are willing to do anything to give President Obama a bill, any bill, and at any price.

It’s not too late though. We’ve heard from many sources that people can’t get through on the phones or by email to their Representatives and Senators so the Stop the Abortion Mandate coalition is urging people to visit their Members’ district offices this week while Congress is at home. Download the holiday recess kit here: http://bit.ly/850wLU.

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The Senate Healthcare Bill Funds Abortion; Calls it a “compromise”

November 20, 2009

voided checkAs expected Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid came up with some phony abortion “compromise” language in the healthcare bill he unveiled Wednesday and stripped out the Stupak-Pitts languge which would have prevented the government from funding abortion.

Here’s what you need to know: It’s NOT Stupak-Pitts language. In fact, it’s the opposite.

While Stupak/Pitts would have ensured that elective abortion was kept out of the public plan, the Reid  language explicitly authorizes the Secretary of Health & Human Services (pro-abortion ex-Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius) to include abortion in the public option.  And while Stupak/Pitts would prohibit government subsidies from contributing to insurance policies that include elective abortion, the Senate language permits government subsidies for plans that pay for abortion. 

Reid tried to satisfy the abortion industry by mirroring the Capps amendment which allows federal funding of abortion. In fact, Rep. Lois Capps (D-Ca.), who has a 100% pro-abortion voting record, said in a press release following release of the Reid language:  “It appears that their approach closely mirrors my language which was originally included in the House bill.” Senator Boxer, also an ardent pro-choicer, has given her endorsement to the language saying, “Senator Reid did an excellent job of crafting language…” 

The fact that the Senate bill funds abortion isn’t even lost on the liberal media.

An MSNBC.com story about the Senate health care reform bill states:

On a controversial issue that threatened to derail the House legislation, Reid’s Senate measure would allow the new government insurance plan to cover abortions and would let companies that receive federal funds offer insurance plans that include abortion coverage.

A provision in the House bill — passed at the insistence of anti-abortion Democrats over strenuous objections from liberals — banned both those things. Reid failed in his attempt to include stricter abortion language.

Didn’t Reid WRITE the language? How did he “fail in his attempt to include stricter abortion language?”

And like the House bill, the Senate version would levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans in the government-run plan. 

Senator Jim DeMint dredges up a John Kerry flip-flopper line that works great for the very important “cloture” vote this weekend in the Senate:

Don’t let [the Senators] vote for a government takeover of health care before they vote against it.  no button

Why? A vote for cloture is a vote for the government-run plan because that would bring the bill to the floor for the debate. For the bill to pass, Reid only needs a majority, which he has. For cloture, he needs 60, which he may not have. So the Senators could very well vote for cloture and then vote against the bill and tell constituents they tried to prevent healthcare from being passed.

The vote on cloture tomorrow night is a vote for government-funded abortion.

Main points:

  • The 2,074-page Senate healthcare reform bill has rejected the bipartisan Stupak-Pitts Amendment and substituted phony language that would result in government-funded abortion.
  • A vote to allow the Senate healthcare bill to be debated on the floor through “cloture” is a vote for government-funded abortion.
  •  The bi-partisan Stupak-Pitts amendment does not change the status quo on abortion funding through the government; it IS the status quo. It mirrors the Hyde amendment which prevents the government from funding elective abortion.

 Contact your Senators NOW – the vote on cloture is very important. Don’t let Reid get the healthcare bill to the floor.

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Abortion Supporters Plotting Revenge

November 10, 2009

There are two stories that we are closely monitoring for you today. President Obama and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) reminded us quickly we are far from ultimate victory and the fight for life has only just begun.

buttonLast weekend, prolifers achieved quite an accomplishment by rallying 240 Members of Congress that voted to include the Prolife Stupak-Pitts Amendment to the House’s version of the Healthcare Bill. The merits of the Stupak-Pitts vote and amendment is the topic of numerous debates and you can read our opinion at the Sorting Through the AM Buzz Post. 

President Obama and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) are plotting revenge.  In the publication Politico today Woolsey co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus gives a not-so-veiled threat to turn the IRS against the Catholic Bishops while admitting that Bishops are within their rights to speak out on legislation.

“The IRS is less restrictive about church involvement in efforts to influence legislation than it is about involvement in campaigns and elections. Given the political behavior of USCCB in this case, maybe it shouldn’t be.” 

In Roll Call the President revealed that he already wants to change the abortion language in the final House Bill.

President Barack Obama told ABC News on Monday night that he wanted to change the language in the final House bill so that “neither side feels that it’s being betrayed.”

We’ll continue to monitor the situation and update you if action is required.  In case you were about to Google “Woosley”:

Washington DC Office:
2263 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Ph.:  202-225-5161
Fax: 202-225-5163
 
District Offices:
 
Marin Office:
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Ph.:  415-507-9554
Fax: 415-507-9601
 
Sonoma Office:
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Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Ph.:  707-542-7182
Fax: 707-542-2745
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Catholic Bishops Ask for Your Help to Stop Abortion Funding

October 29, 2009

Congress is preparing to debate health care reform legislation.  The Catholic bishops of the United States strongly support genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all, from the moment of conception until natural death. However, all current bills are seriously deficient on abortion and conscience rights, and do not yet provide adequate access to health care for immigrants and the poor.

With this link, you’ll find a special flier from the US Bishops Conference that you can share with others asking us to please contact your Representative and Senators immediately and urge them to fix these bills with pro-life amendments. 

Additionally this web address that allows you to send an email message to Congress with a click of a button. The bishops have asked for our swift action and the commitment of our prayers for this critical effort.  Thank you for your help.  We can help make sure that health care reform will be about saving lives, not destroying them.  

Let us pray:

That Congress will act to ensure that needed health care reform will truly protect the life, dignity and health care of all and that we will raise our voices to protect the unborn and the most vulnerable and to preserve our freedom of conscience. We pray to the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post is excerpted from a USCCB letter.

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Abortion is still in the healthcare bill. What are pro-lifers doing about it?

October 15, 2009

Not holding back, that’s for sure. If any of the current healthcare bills pass as proposed, it will be the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade, according to National Right to Life Committee.

Many pro-life groups have put the rest of their agendas on hold to focus solely on healthcare. Several organizations formed the Stop the Abortion Mandate coalition in the summer, which held a historical webcast with 19 pro-life leaders and over 36,000 activists. The Family Research Council built on that success and had another webcast a week later with over 70,000 participants.

CatholicVote’s action center CatholicAction parodied a Hollywood video/PSA that had celebrities endorsing current healthcare reform proposals. We just love the spirit of CatholicVote ads and the creative genius behind their work.

The Susan B. Anthony List created a great video to show that politicians are just hiding behind the Hyde Amendment when they say that abortion isn’t included in healthcare legislation. In reality, the Hyde Amendment, which has to be renewed every year, doesn’t even apply to healthcare funds, only Medicaid.

Americans United for Life president Charmaine Yoest has a great column in today’s Wall Street Journal entitled “Tax Dollars Shouldn’t Fund Abortion.” She talks about how current legislation would be breaking over 30 years worth of the government not funding elective abortion. Healthcare reform, as it stands, is a radical departure from the status quo.

AUL also released a fantastic short video calling out elected officials, including President Obama, for deceiving Americans on whether or not abortion is included in healthcare.

And Freedom2Care, the coalition of groups that want conscience protections for doctors who decline to perform or refer for abortions, are focusing on the point of view of healthcare professionals. Results from an online survey reveal startling news: 95% of faith-based physicians agreed, “I would rather stop practicing medicine altogether than be Dr. Sandy Christiansenforced to violate my conscience.”

 While current healthcare proposals would flood the already overloaded healthcare system in America with millions more patients, all the while forcing doctors to choose between their morals or their profession, how can President Obama possibly expect Americans to receive quality and timely care if his policies will force many doctors to quit?

 Several pro-life leaders all got on their webcams recently to show a united front against abortion coverage in healthcare reform. At such a crucial time in the history of our nation and in the fight to protect the unborn, these leaders are showing that we all must get involved and do it now.

What can you do? Contact your Member of Congress and tell you don’t want government dollars paying for abortions. Tell them abortion is not healthcare. And tell them you don’t want your doctor forced out of the practice of medicine.

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Sisters of Life Speaking Out on Healthcare Reform

October 13, 2009

Mother Anges Mary, SV with the Sisters of Life talks with www.StMichaelSociety.com concerning health care.  Her message: 

  1. Abortion is not health care.
  2. We need to pray and act.


We have compiled all the information you need to know here. http://stmichaelsociety.com/?p=457

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Setback Today but the Fight is Not Over

September 30, 2009

It’s important to remember that this fight is not over but sadly as expected the amendments to restrict public funding of abortion and conscience protection failed today in the Senate Finance Committee.  There are more options in the Senate and pro lifers there plan to keep up this fight.  On the House side, earlier this week 183 Members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to Speaker Pelosi asking for a vote the Stupak-Pitts amendments. 

Great coverage here by Steven Ertelt at LifeNews.  http://www.lifenews.com/nat5521.html

“The Hatch nondiscrimination amendment failed by a vote of 13-10 with pro-abortion Sen. Olympia Snow, a Maine Republican, siding with Democrats on the panel to oppose the measure.

Sen. Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, joined Republicans in supporting the amendment.”

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