A Call for a Rosary Novena

A message from Father John Corapi:

A Call for a Rosary Novena
Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order—a true battle between good and evil.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation. God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.

No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God’s will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.

May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well-formed Catholic conscience.

God Bless You

Fr. John Corapi

Now through Friday, October 24th, all orders will receive a free "Vote Your Conscience" Double Feature DVD. This DVD Contains both Father's "Death Wish" talk and his "Wake Up America" Talk (see below for previews). We urge any of you who receive this DVD to show it to any friends and family who may be in doubt of what "proportionate reason" means when it comes to voting for a pro-abortion candidate. Visit Father's website or call 1-888-800-7084 to place an order. (Phone hours M-F 8AM-6PM EST)

Death Wish - Part 1


Death Wish - Part 2


Wake Up America

See also Fr. John Corapi's Television Schedule.

Education, Faith & America

A message from Father John Corapi (links and emphasis mine):

Education, Faith & America

In speaking with faithful Catholics all over the world for the past twenty years there is a consensus among them that the average Catholic doesn’t know much about their faith. Likewise there is an overwhelming consensus that if we did, the world would be a very different place. In the United States of America we have over sixty million Catholics. If these Catholic citizens knew their faith and then voted and lived their faith, this country would be incalculably better off. In turn, so would the entire world.

In the past few months leading up to what may prove to be the most crucial presidential election in this country’s history, it is outright frightening how many Catholics think they can vote for a pro-abortion candidate. As many of our good bishops have pointed out, under the current circumstances this is not possible. Abortion is the overridingly most important moral issue of our times, all others being important, but rendered irrelevant if the preeminent right—the right to life—is destroyed.

As Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon recently pointed out, clarifying the teaching of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in their excellent pastoral letter "Faithful Citizenship," a candidate or office holder is disqualified from receiving the vote of a Catholic in good conscience if they hold a pro-abortion position. In other words pro-choice candidates under the current set of circumstances are disqualified because of their pro-death political positions. We cannot vote for them. As the Bishops of Kansas recently asserted in their excellent voter’s guide, "Catholics would 'commit moral evil' by voting for a candidate who supports abortion and other intrinsically evil things. Voting is a moral act, and voting for pro-choice candidates is evil in itself. One becomes a collaborator in evil by so doing. No amount of rationalization can escape this logical and moral conclusion."

There was some confusion over this based on a statement made some time ago by Pope Benedict, who was speaking in general terms, saying that for a “proportionate reason” it would be possible to vote for such candidates. However, in the concrete situation we face, with a candidate who is pro-life, this would not be possible. No amount of “other reasons” would excuse voting for a pro-choice candidate. The Church clearly teaches that life begins at conception. As Pope John Paul II stated many times, “abortion is murder.” Following logically from this, if a single abortion is murder, then 48,000,000 (the approximate number of abortions in this country since Roe v. Wade) of them is genocide. What would be the “proportionate reason” supporting such an outrage? There is none.

Lack of understanding of what the Catholic Church teaches is grossly harmful to the individual Catholic and to society in general. It is for this reason that I have always tried to promote and teach the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is a sure norm for teaching the faith, as Pope John Paul II asserted in promulgating the Catechism. “Guarding the Deposit of Faith is the mission which the Lord entrusted to His Church,” are the first words of the Apostolic Constitution "Fidei Depositum." These are the words the Holy Father used to introduce us to the Catechism.

For this reason we are making my series “The Teaching of Jesus Christ” more and more available through television, radio, and the lowest prices ever offered for DVD and CD versions. Ignorance of the Faith can prove fatal—for individuals and for nations. Learning our faith is the best investment we can make. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the very best way to do this.

May God bless you, each one, and may God bless America in this time of national crisis,

Father John Corapi

Father Corapi can be seen and heard on EWTN TV and EWTN Radio. Check the schedules for airtimes.

First Catholic internet TV station goes live

A US company has launched what it claims to be the world's first exclusively internet TV station.

IBL News reports that Amigot Corp New York has designed and engineered for a group of businessmen of Indiana, Real Catholic TV.com, said to be the first television station ot its kind on the internet.

Starting September 1, the station features daily news, daily political commentary, daily features on saints and history as well as regular episodes on morality, movie reviews, entertainment, apologetics and much more.

With its own proprietary technology, the station will provide viewers with free access to home page content, daily news and commentary (current events and politics) from the Catholic perspective, messages directly from Catholic bishops to the faithful, and program previews.

Premium memberships for US$10 per month will allow access to the full site which includes original programming including talk shows, movie/book/art reviews, programs featuring Church teaching on morality and doctrine.

The station claims the backing of various bishops in the US including Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput of Denver and others.

RealCatholic TV was formed in early 2008 by lay Catholics who claim to be faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church with extensive experience in commercial broadcast television, specifically network and local television news, and Fortune 500 companies.

Knights of Columbus launch initiative - "Fathers For Good"

At their 126th Supreme Council Meeting, The Knights of Columbus launched a new initiative aimed towards strengthening men in their role as husbands and fathers. The website for this new initiative is called "Fathers For Good". “Fatherhood is a gift, a privilege and a responsibility,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson says in a special video message on the Web site. Here's another quote from the website:

Whether you are a seasoned dad, a new dad, a dad to be, or a single guy wanting to know more about fatherhood, this website is for you.

There is a role only a father can fill and gifts only a father can give. In a culture that often does not favor fatherhood or masculine virtue, we wish to highlight the unique contributions of men, husbands and fathers. The world would be lacking without them.

The website is well designed and information packed. Check it out!

NFCM New Media Network

Good afternoon men! You may have already received this message, but just in case you haven't, well, here it is! I've been listening to their Sunday podcasts for many months, usually while I'm driving in the car or doing some chores around the house. They're helpful in that the focus is on men's spirituality. Often, there are some insightful questions for reflection at the end of each podcast.

I've also noted a great number of Catholic Men's groups around the nation, many of which I wasn't aware even existed. If there's not one in your area, you may find the NFCM helpful in getting the word out about a men's group you form at your parish.

Check out and support the National Fellowship of Catholic Men by downloading their helpful content...

Dear Brothers,

Greetings from the National Fellowship of Catholic Men. Below are several new resources from the NFCM this week that we will help you grow in your faith as a Catholic man, including our NFCM NEW MEDIA NETWORK. Please forward this email to other Catholic men that you believe could also benefit from them. If you are receiving this as a forwarded copy, you can receive this automatically each week by registering on the NFCM website. Just take a few minutes to do so by clicking here: REGISTRATION

As you are no doubt aware, God is continuing to move powerfully among Catholic men, and we are seeing sustained growth in the Catholic men’s movement. The NFCM, in collaboration with other men's ministries and with the support and endorsement of our Bishops, has played a major part in this growth. This includes our support to Catholic men’s conferences, fellowships, and men’s groups; and in training and formation of Catholic men's leaders. Here are some excerpts from an endorsement letter from Bishop Aymond of the Austin diocese (June 2006):

"Our Church desperately needs the Catholic men to take their rightful roles in their families, Church, and communities as men of God. An organization such as the NFCM clearly provides the vehicle to accomplish this goal. There is no stronger force in the world than a group of Catholic men evangelizing their faith and their commitment to Jesus Christ, their families, the Catholic Church and their communities."

NEW RESOURCES FROM THE NFCM THIS WEEK

• CLICK HERE and go to Channel Two on the NFCM New Media Network for a new compilation of inspired talks to Catholic Men at conferences, retreats, and missions, including talks by Peter Herbeck and others.
• CLICK HERE and go to Channel One on the NFCM New Media Network for a 10 minute weekly podcast reflection for men, by dynamic priests and deacons, on the upcoming Sunday Mass Readings.
• CLICK HERE to go to a new Catholic Man Channel Article, "Evangelizations, The Essential Mission of the Church"!
• CLICK HERE for a meditation on this Sunday's Mass Readings, "Trusting In God's Promises" -- plus discussion questions for men.
• CLICK HERE for information on the Catholic Men's Conference in Colorado Springs, CO., on September 13, 2008 (and on other men's conferences).
  

PARTNERING WITH THE NFCM

We are totally supported by the generosity of those who believe in our ministry, and those whom we serve. We ask you to prayerfully consider financially supporting the NFCM's vital ministry to Catholic men, especially during the summer months when contributions fall off. CLICK HERE to make a contribution.

May God richly bless you.
Maurice Blumberg, Director
National Fellowship of Catholic Men Center

If you know someone else who would like to receive periodic emails from the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, please encourage them to sign up via CatholicMensResources.org.

Our postal address is
PO Box 86381
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20886
United States

[Cross-posted to the Catholic-Dads blog]

40 Years of "Humanae Vitae"

On this, the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of the papal encyclical "Humanae Vitae (On Human Life)" on July 25th, 1968, allow for me to share some very important resources and thoughts surrounding this very important, if not prophetic, writing by Pope Paul VI (262nd Pontiff: 1963-1978). Humanae Vitae contains the basic teaching on birth control fundamental to Christian (not just Catholic) marriage and includes other uplifting topics such as the dignity of women.

First, I wouldn't be surprised if the secular media tries to spin this anniversary in a way that shows polls and interviews of countless "Catholics" who don't believe in the teachings of the Church with regards to contraception. Already one organization, the militant pro-abortion group "Catholics for Choice" (an organization that incorrectly defines itself as being "Catholic"), plans to write an open letter to the Pope criticizing Humanae Vitae. Thankfully there have been some responses to this group, such as the response by the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, but I still have my doubts that the secular media will give a balanced perspective.

The unfortunate truth is that there are a great multitude of people who have chosen to go against the teachings. They have their reasons for doing so, some of which are expressed as being because they believe the Catholic church to be "archaic" or "behind the times". But those people fail to understand that there isn't a choice when it comes to this or any other teaching of the faith. The teachings are always relevant throughout all of time.

Now I know that's a bold statement and hard for many to accept. But the fact remains that church teachings -- all of them, not just those on contraception -- have been passed down for over 2,000 years and are also based in natural law. Truth doesn't change because of new medicine or technology. Nobody has the authority to change revealed truth. It is what it is and we would be wise to abide in the truth.

When Pope Paul VI wrote Humanae Vitae, he wasn't coming up with something new. He wrote the encyclical to apply the existing natural law and church teachings to a new question -- whether or not contraception (of any kind) was moral and acceptable. In the encyclical, the Pope stated that contraception is intrinsically evil and warned us all of the consequences to marriage, families and society if contraception were accepted.

The Pope anticipated that many would not easily accept the teaching of his encyclical, but he did so because of the duty of the Church to proclaim the moral law. And sure enough, Americans and people around the world rejected the encyclical almost instantly after its release. Many held on to their sexual hedonism that still exists in today's society. And with the rejection of this teaching and acceptance of contraception, we have also come to witness the fulfillment of those predicted consequences.

For example, we now live in a society where sex on a first date is deemed acceptable, even glorified. The sacredness of sexuality has been reduced to a minor decision synonymous with where the couple plans to go for dinner or which movie they wish to view. In just a few decades, our society has largely abandoned any consideration to the moral implications of their sexual actions, choosing to also ignore both the unitive and procreative aspects of sex, and how those two aspects are best to be shared within the loving institution of marriage.

We also see examples in the world where humanitarian aid is withheld unless the nation to receive the help agrees to force "population control" measures on their people. And in perhaps the worst example possible, China self-imposes a sinister birth policy that often resorts to kidnapping pregnant women and forcing them to have abortions.

The wrongful acceptance of contraception has promoted the rise of other evils -- fornication, m*sturbation, p*rnography, homosexuality -- just to name a few. We have also slumped to the level that abortion, the deliberate murder of children in their mother's womb, is accepted as commonplace throughout our nation and many nations of the world. The rise of abortions and the use of contraception have a clear correlation. It is a lie and morally wrong to assume that the use of contraception is effective at reducing abortions.

The lies run rampant because people, perhaps through no fault of their own, have not been made aware of the truth. Many people have grown up in a contraceptive society and have been bombarded throughout their life by the constant noise of secular society that says that what is wrong is right. At the same time, many Catholic priests have neglected speaking of the sin of contraception, thus leaving the lies to run undisputed. The ignorance of the people at large stems in the fact that they simply have not been exposed to the truths surrounding contraception.

There are some efforts underway to educate the people and to dispel the lies. The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy are challenging their colleagues to reacquaint themselves and their people with Humanae Vitae. Furthermore, Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President of Human Life International, is also calling for a "Generation of Assent" to Humanae Vitae. Combined with a demand from us Lay people to be taught the hard, honest truth, it is my hope that these efforts will provide loving encouragement to our priests and bishops to tackle these issues head-on.

As the Lay Faithful, it is very important for us to take this opportunity to rediscover -- or perhaps discover for the first time -- the great moral teachings on this subject so that we may continue to influence our secular society and our elected officials to become more aware of the pitfalls that are tied to contraception. Namely, if we continue down this slope of moral decline, we risk the health of our entire nation. We need only to look back at history to see that the moral demise of a nation almost always precedes the ultimate demise of a nation. No nation, including our own, is invulnerable to this threat.

In the pursuit of truth, allow me to share with you the following multitude of resources.

Catholic Church Teaching:

• Humanae Vitae (Paul VI, 1968)
• Family Values vs. Safe Sex (Pontifical Council for the Family)

The Protestant Perspective:

• Randy Alcorn, Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?
• Charles Provan, The Bible and Birth Control (available from the HLI Catalog)

Related Websites:

• HumanaeVitaePriests.com
• NoRoomForContraception.com
• OneMoreSoul.com
  Be sure to get Professor Janet Smith's amazing presentation "Contraception: Why Not" on CD for FREE or listen to the MP3 online.
• Comprehensive list of resources on the abortifacient effect of birth control

Related Articles:

• "Benedict XVI: 'Humanae Vitae' as Relevant as Ever" from Zenit News Agency (zenit.org)
• "Humanae Vitae: a bold sign of contradiction" from Catholic World News (cwnews.com)
• "Technology is no substitute for marital love, says Benedict XVI" from Catholic News Agency (cna.com)
• "Priests still suffering from effects of Humanae Vitae dissenters, Vatican cardinal says" from Catholic News Agency (cna.com)
• "40 Years of 'Humanae Vitae' - Interview With Dr. Thomas Hilgers" by Zenit News Agency (zenit.org)
• "Humanae Vitae: A Prophetic Document?" by Dr. Janet Smith [PDF Document]
• "Paul VI versus Playboy" By Donald DeMarco on the Catholic News Service website
• "The Vindication of Humanae Vitae" by Mary Eberstadt on the First Things website
• "Archbishop: For the Clergy, Obedience to Church 'Requires Preaching About the Moral Evil of Contraception'" from LifeSiteNews.com
• "Cardinal Ouellet Praises Humanae Vitae - Abortion the Consequence of the 'Culture of Contraception'" from LifeSiteNews.com
• "Senior Curial Cardinal says Humanae Vitae Was a 'Defence of the Dignity of Women'" from LifeSiteNews.com
• "Humanae Vitae: Lasting Truth" by Arwen Mosher on the Faith & Family blog

Morally-Acceptable Natural Family Planning:

• NFP Outreach http://www.nfpoutreach.org/
• Natural Family Planning International http://www.nfpandmore.org/
• Couple to Couple League http://www.ccli.org/
• Family of the Americas http://www.familyplanning.net/

Theology of the Body:

• http://www.theologyofthebody.net/
• http://www.christopherwest.com/

Fr. Euteneuer's Mini-Series on Contraception:

• Should We Deny Communion to Dissenters on Church Teachings? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript
• Is the World Overpopulated? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript
• Is NFP Just Catholic Birth Control? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript
• Does Contraception Prevent Abortion? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript

Dr. Ray Guarendi:
Excerpt from "Why Be Catholic" on the unchanging moral standards of the Catholic Church (in reference to contraception).



American Life League:
"The Pill Kills Babies"

The Original Catholic Encyclopedia

From Catholic Answers (Catholic.com)...

An International Work Of Reference On The Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, And History Of The Catholic Church

The Catholic Encyclopedia (TCE) was published in 15 volumes between 1907 and 1912 by the Robert Appleton Company. In 1913 the publisher, renamed as encyclopedia Press, Inc., released a new edition. A year later (1914) a comprehensive Index was released as Volume 16.

The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (OCE) website holds the complete 16 volume set with the original text of all articles (~11,500) faithfully preserved.

This would make a great Catholic Homeschool resource!

Teach your child to love God

My wife was reading a religious book this Sunday when she came across a passage she felt was very powerful. I agreed. I now share it with you as a quotation of Mary Reed Newland, author of "How to Raise Good Catholic Children".

It's amusing to observe the contradictions apparent in the comparison of materialism versus spirituality, but it's not amusing for long -- because there's more involved than a game. Each man caught in the embrace of materialism is a soul in danger of hellfire, and each soul is infinitely precious to God. For those of us who are parents, the challenge is terrible indeed. We have placed in our care for a few short years precious immortal souls who belong to God, whose destiny is an eternity in and with God, and who depend entirely upon us for the formation of a way of life that will lead them surely to God. And woe to us if we fail in this charge.

Who would blame a child who runs headlong into the path of an onrushing truck if his parents have failed to warn him of the perils of trucks? And who would blame a child who fires a loaded gun, killing his friend, if his parents have failed to warn him of the perils of guns? Then who shall blame a child whose soul turns eagerly to the noise and distraction of worldliness, if his parents have failed to show him that love and peace and beauty are found only in God?

"It were better for him if a millstone were hung about his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin."[1]

Footnote
[1] Mark 9:41-42

Senator writes of restoring our right to bring religious views back in to public debate

I came across some information on a book co-written by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint (Republican) and J. David Woodard titled "Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It’s Wrong" (link is to Amazon.com). There's an article about the book written by the authors on the First Things website.

I haven't read the book, so I can't specifically recommend it. But I must at least recommend reading the article because it cites some very real examples. The article closes with a prediction of what the future may be like if we don't gain the confidence to speak up for what is right and true based on a historical example of the rise of Hitler's power in Germany.

The title of the book reminds me of a quote:

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
~Edmund Burke~

Faith and Family Live! The daily blog of Catholic Living.

My wife and I are subscribers to Faith & Family magazine. We really love the content and how we don't have to worry about the kids opening it up to something objectionable (like so many other magazines and publications). Everything is family-focused and pro-marriage; and while many of the articles are written for my wife, there's also plenty of interesting reading for me. If anything, I believe the magazine helps me to better appreciate what my wife does for our family when I consider all of the thought and energy that goes in the daily routines of people like her.

Fortunately for all of us, Faith & Family Live! has just become available. It's a daily blog (like this one) to suppliment their magazine content. And like this blog, we all can submit comments and contribute as well. It's like a great big gathering of like-minded people coming together to share in the joys of marriage and family life.

The blog content comes from very talented ladies -- Danielle Bean, Rachel Balducci, Lisa Hendey, Arwen Mosher, and Rebecca Teti. Each of these links will take you to their profile and content on the Faith & Family Live! blog. I have also added the site to my list of blogs. I would HIGHLY encourage you to check them out. You'll be happy you did!

One last thing, if you contribute to their site before midnight on Sunday, July 20th, you will be eligible to win one of over 80 great prizes. Click here for more details of their Grand Opening Giveaway.

Becoming a Catholic Family

As we come across resources we feel to be worthwhile, we will be sure to share them with you. Here's one we received in an email today which speaks directly to the topics we speak of on this site.

Becoming a Catholic Family
from St. Joseph Communications
Scott and Kimberly Hahn share the triumphs and difficulties they encountered attempting to build a Catholic family. Like you, they had to discern how to balance faith with the realities of marriage, work, educating the kids, and more. In this informative and inspirational presentation you'll gain practical knowledge and a truly Catholic theological perspective on marriage as an indissoluble, life-giving union. An inspiration for Catholic couples based on the words of Scripture and the teaching of the Church.

An "ecclesia domestica" in brief

Since we will often make mention of our "ecclesia domestica", we thought it worthwhile to explain the term and how it applies to our family life. Although unknown to many Christians, the family has been described as the ecclesia domestica since the early times of the Church. Translated from latin, it means the "domestic church". It's a call to make our homes a church.

The roots of the ecclesia domestica in Sacred Scripture can be found in Ephesians 5:21-33. There, Saint Paul describes the spousal love between a husband and wife as being intrinsicly related to the spousal love of Christ and His Church. The same unifying and fruitful love that knits the mystical body of Christ together can be found in each and every family.

Several writings have been published which address the relationship mentioned above. In fact, this long-time Christian teaching has been reaffirmed quite significantly in recent times. Pope John Paul I during an ad limina visit with U.S. Bishops in 1978, wrote "Through family prayer, the ecclesia domestica becomes an effective reality and leads to the transformation of the world." In 1981, Pope John Paul II in "Familiaris Consortio" repeatedly mentions the domestic church and later in 1995, in "Evangelium vitae", identified the importance of the domestic church as the "sanctuary of life".

It's worth reading those references to begin an understanding of the depth of the domestic church and its role in the modern world.