"The Road to Perdition"

The American Spectator published an article that breaks down those things a leader would do that would divorce and tear apart our country's heritage to usher in a 'new heritage'.

"If somebody were deliberately trying to undermine the very fabric of these United States, he would first vow not just to change its policies but to completely "change America," and then would do just about everything Barack Obama already has begun to do as president.

. . . to undermine the United States, the president would, as fast as possible, create a massively debt-ridden, tax-ridden, regulation-ridden government whose prosecutors play political favorites but whose stances on the world stage are marked by weakness, self-criticism, and solicitousness towards one's enemies."

In his acceptance speech, Adolph Hitler cried out to his countrymen:

"It must have been difficult at times when you were desiring change which didn't come."

The new leader of Germany quickly transformed his country into an image of himself. In the same way the new leader of America is quickly transforming his country into an image of himself. To do so both leaders divorced their country from their values to usher in new 'values'. Both brought about radical change while lashing out at anyone who disagreed. Is this the change we needed? Only to those who also believe in a Hitler inspired greater Germany.

Kneeling for Holy Communion and Receiving on the Tongue Becomes the Norm for Papal Liturgical Ceremonies

In a CNS article Msgr. Marini, master of papal liturgical ceremonies, said:

"kneeling and receiving Communion on the tongue highlights 'the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, helps the devotion of the faithful and introduces the sense of mystery more easily."

Welcome Change of Mass Texts from the Holy See

In 2002, the Holy See gave the final boot to the ICEL's revision of the Sacramentary that we had to suffer through for years with an unauthentic translation of Mass texts. In the meantime, the third edition of the Missale Romanum began and is now finally in the process of translation and review by the Vatican.

The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC), affirmed the continued use of Latin, but only permitted limited use of vernacular languages in the liturgy:

SC 36. 1. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.

2. But since the use of the mother tongue, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or other parts of the Liturgy, frequently may be of great advantage to the people, the limits of its employment may be extended. This will apply in the first place to the readings and directives, and to some of the prayers and chants, according to the regulations on this matter to be laid down separately in subsequent chapters.

3. These norms being observed, it is for the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned in Art. 22, 2, to decide whether, and to what extent, the vernacular language is to be used; their decrees are to be approved, that is, confirmed, by the Apostolic See. And, whenever it seems to be called for, this authority is to consult with bishops of neighboring regions which have the same language.

4. Translations from the Latin text into the mother tongue intended for use in the Liturgy must be approved by the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned above.

Following the Council, the texts of the Mass and other liturgical texts, were rapidly translated into English by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), formed during the Council for this purpose, and hastily approved for use in English-speaking countries. Simultaneously, new Scripture translations in English were produced by several different bodies - most of which we see today as inaccurate translations.

Memorial Day Prayer Need

Many departed world war two veterans have no one to pray for them. Let us remember them in our prayers this World War II War Memorial Day so that we may meet them in Heaven to thank them for their service.

Purgatory is God's merciful plan for those who because, although imperfect, their virtue, acts of charity towards their neighbor, or sincere devotion Him did not deserve punishment of an eternity without the Beatific Vision of God in Heaven. Let us then pray for all departed veterans this Memorial Day.

Mansions of the Lord

"To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more weeping,
No more fight,
No friends bleeding through the night,
Just Devine embrace,
Eternal light,
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry
And no children weep,
We shall stand and guard
Though the angels sleep,
Oh, through the ages let us keep
The Mansions of the Lord"

[Thanks to landsed1@yahoo.com for lyrics]

Notre Dame Graduates will Remember

In a way I feel bad for the students and parents of the Notre Dame graduating class of 2009. Their day became overshadowed by a decision that would forever change the face of the University. On the other hand, perhaps they will someday remember that this was a turning point for real authentic change to all Catholic Universities. This can be additional reason to celebrate. Perhaps something good will come of Fr. Jenkins decision. Until we see the outcome, graduates will remember this day as one of mixed signals from their University President. If Fr. Jenkins didn't want to attract attention to his school or to the remaining Catholic Universities in America then he should have thought twice about giving an honorary degree to a president that would spark a Church controversy. If major policy changes come cracking down on Catholic Universities, then there is only one person to blame (or give credit to) - the decision maker, President of Notre Dame Father Jenkins.

It would have been okay to invite the president to speak, but not to glorify him with a rare honorary degree. Why couldn't Father Jenkins compromise and say, "we'll extend the invitation to Obama to deliver the commencement address, but it would be prudent not to exalt the pro-abortion president with an honorary degree"? What could have possibly compelled the man to dig in his heels with arms crossed over his chest and say "this is my playground - Church teaching falls in line after what I think"?

Then I suppose that maybe Fr. Jenkins really does believe that Obama has the magic touch. That maybe gay marriage, embryonic stem cell research, abortion, medical conscientious objection, and denial of parental notification of abortions are A-OK. That maybe his statements stating that he disagrees with Obama's positions were really just contrived, for-show declarations so he can keep his Catholic job.

This is mere speculation and Father Jenkins did say the words that he disagreed with Obama's positions on life issues. However actions speak louder than words. Father Jenkins' actions today of elevating and aggrandizing a staunch offender of the Catholic Church, by its mere symbolic act of paying a special mark of recognition to him (without citing any accomplishments or tangible reasons why he actually deserved the elevation), seem to trump any wording he may have used to downplay his decision.

This charade may have ended, but I anticipate there will be a response from the Vatican or the US Catholic Conference of Bishops that will change some major policies in all American Catholic Universities. Let's hope some good can finally come out of this debacle.

Notre Dame Scandal - The Questions We Must Ask

Who, What, Where, and Why?

Fr. Jenkins, the President of 164 year old Notre Dame, plans on exalting President Obama by making him only the 9th President to receive an honorary degree from the Catholic University at this Sunday's commencement ceremony. The questions we all need to ask about this decision are who, what, where, and why. However, the more Notre Dame speaks, the more questions are raised.

In defense of his decision Fr. Jenkins made this statement in a letter to the graduating class of 2009:

"There is much to admire and celebrate in the life and work of President Obama," wrote Fr. Jenkins. "He's a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame . . . Ultimately, I hope that the conversations and the good will that will come from this day will contribute to closer relations between Catholics and public officials who make decision on matters of human life and human dignity."

Aren't there already Catholic public officials in place 'who make decisions on matters of human life and human dignity' like Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Kathleen Sebelius, etc.? Is an honorary degree to Obama meant to bring Biden, Pelosi, Sebelius, and Kerry into closer relations? Will they have a group hug when Obama returns with his prize? Will Obama tell these Catholic politicians 'go forth and become pro-life with me'? Will giving a rare honorary degree to a staunch pro-abortion president like Obama bring him around? Will Obama think, while holding his free degree in hand, 'you know I might reverse Roe v. Wade'?

After discerning Obama's staunch pro-abortion track record let's see how receptive he might be by Fr. Jenkins 'subtle' hints about the pro-life position :

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you" (Matt. 7:6)

Will the Luck of the Irish Change Obama?

Father Jenkins, President of Notre Dame University, believes in the enchanting magic of Obama. We look no further than his recent aggrandizing statements exalting the President with great bows of glowing praise. Entranced by Obama, Father Jenkins made these lofty statements on Obama's lucky "rainbow magic" without citing proof of even one accomplishment as evidence:

"inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow." (1)

"an inspiring leader who faces many challenges . . . and is addressing them with intelligence, courage and honesty" (2)

"He's a remarkable figure in American history" (3)

"Mr. Obama has been a healer" (4)

Where is the evidence that earns Obama such words of adulation? This, and Fr. Jenkins' intent to dignify Obama with the tribute of an honorary degree (making Obama only the 9th President in the university's 164 year old history to be elevated with such an honor) you'd think Fr. Jenkins believes that Obama is "changing the marshmallows into magical shapes and colors":




Fr. Jenkins stated in a letter to graduates of 2009: "The President’s visit to Notre Dame can help lead to broader engagement on issues". Not if all you're doing is enchanting pro-abortion politicians by handing out rare honorary degrees willy-nilly. And without even once publicly challenging Obama on abortion - not once! Perhaps Obama has converted Father Jenkins into believing that he too can change marshmallow orchards into magical shapes and colors. Studying Obama's 100 day track record, it's going to take more than "rainbow magic" to change Obama's view on abortion.

Hint to Fr. Jenkins: There are no leprechauns with pots of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Catholic Notre Dame Gives Obama Honorary Degree While Secular ASU Cites President's "Inexperience" to Deny Him Theirs

"You either belong entirely the world or entirely to God."

- St. John Marie Baptiste Vianney (Patron Saint of Parish Priests)

If only St. John Vianney spent his earthly life with us today . . . what a different world we would see.

Father Jenkins, President of Notre Dame - the most prominent Catholic University in America, is drawing a line in the sand. Except, instead of standing for Catholic principle, Fr. Jenkins is crossing over the line and stepping across to the other side. FOXNews today has reported some of the wording Obama will receive when the Catholic University exalts the most prominent liberal pro-abortion President in the country's entire history with an honorary degree. In contrast, at Arizona State University's commencement ceremony, officials there decided against giving Obama an honorary degree citing his inexperience.

The article reports that the language on the honorary degree the president will receive at Notre Dame University on Sunday will read:

"A community organizer who honed his advocacy for the poor, the marginalized and the worker in the streets of Chicago, he now organizes a larger community, bringing to the world a renewed American dedication to diplomacy and dialogue with all nations and religions committed to human rights and the global common good.

"Through his willingness to engage with those who disagree with him and encourage people of faith to bring their beliefs to the public debate, he is inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow."

The article continues to report both sides of the story:

Not so, says George Weigel, a Catholic theologian and distinguished senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center who takes particular issue with the statement that Obama engages his political opponents.

"I don't see any evidence that President Obama takes the moral arguments of those who disagree with him on the life issues seriously," Weigel told FOXNews.com. "This was most clear in his address at the time he announced the federal government's stance on embryonic destructive stem cell research."

Weigel said he opposes Notre Dame's decision to invite Obama to speak at its commencement, and he said it's "completely inappropriate" to make him the ninth U.S. president to receive an honorary degree there.

"You can't be more offended than people like myself already are," he said.

. . . Randall Terry, who runs stopobamanotredame.com in protest of the president's visit, said the degree's language betrayed the teachings of the Catholic church.

". . . Obama is not acknowledging the right to life, so it's impossible for him to promote the common good."

Even more astonishing is the poll that found 50 percent of Roman Catholics supported Notre Dame's decision to venerate Obama with an honorary degree.

Meanwhile, Arizona State University, a secular institution, has done the opposite of what Notre Dame, a national symbol of the Church in academia, is planning to do. The Associated Press and FOXNews also reported that:

Unlike Notre Dame, Arizona State University will not award President Obama an honorary degree when he delivers the commencement address

Although they are renaming a scholarship fund after Obama, they are not giving him the adulation and wreath of an honorary degree, and they explain why in an AP Report:

"he hadn't accomplished enough yet to earn an honorary degree."

Even more surprising is Obama's submission to this fact when he said:

"I come here not to dispute the suggestion that I haven't yet achieved enough in my life," he said.

". . . But more than that I come to embrace the notion that I haven't done enough in my life. I heartily concur," the president said. "I come to affirm that one's title, even a title like 'president of the United States,' says very little about how well one's life has been led."

So why is Notre Dame elevating Obama with such fealty? One can only wonder if Notre Dame has lost its way and can no longer stand on principle.

Notre Dame Website Already Glorifying King Obama

Will Notre Dame refuse to recall St. Thomas More's last words?:

"I die the King's good servant, but God's first."

- St. Thomas More (Last words from the execution scaffold on Tower Hill in London July 6, 1535)

In a statement made on their website, Notre Dame President, Fr. Jenkins is already glowing over Obama (Mr. 100% NARAL approved in 2005, 2006, 2007) and his upcoming Sunday "visit". If you haven't heard, Fr. Jenkins has invited Obama to receive an honorary degree and deliver the Commencement address to the most prominent Catholic University in the United States of America. Obama would be only the 9th president to be dignified with an honorary degree from Notre Dame in its over 160 year history of existence.

Like a child who can't wait to open his Christmas presents Fr. Jenkins is already lavishing praise upon heaps of adulation from fellow liberal adorers. One statement calls Obama "an inspiring leader who faces many challenges – the economy, two wars, and health care, immigration and education reform". Absent in this list of challenges that Fr. Jenkins' inspiring hero faces is the greatest challenge of all time for every modern day leader - protecting the innocent child in the womb. If Obama is so inspiring a leader, then why hasn't he inspired you Fr. Jenkins to challenge Obama's pro-abortion policies?

Another statement reads "Mr. Obama has been a healer". Is that so? Where is the proof? What tangible evidence do you have for dignifying Obama? Fr. Jenkins only passively states his disagreement over Obama's abortion policy, which isn't even directed to Obama himself, in the end of the statement as if he was compelled to save face.

The statement opens in a defensive posture: "Presidents from both parties have come to Notre Dame for decades to speak to our graduates". However, speaking is not all that's going on at the commencement ceremony. Notre Dame is elevating Obama with the dignity of receiving an honorary degree. Of the 'decades' of presidents speaking to Notre Dame's graduates only 8 would be exalted with an honorary degree in its 160 year history.

Furthermore, Fr. Jenkins is missing the point here. The root of Roman Catholic America's embarrassment with Fr. Jenkins welcoming the President goes beyond Republican/Democrat politics, race, or social traditions. Fr. Jenkins is overlooking his duty to lead as a representative of the Church in favor of human opinion. He is squandering his duty to uphold supernatural grace for the sake of social grace. He is confusing weakness for charity.

The 'visit' by Obama to the most prominent American Catholic institution in the entire nation isn't a mere 'drop in and say hi' social call - 'won't you give me a glass of lemonade because I'm parched and then I'll be on my way' visit. No, Fr. Jenkins has carefully planned and scheduled and fully intends to use the podium of the most prominent "Roman" Catholic University in America - the traditional American icon of Catholic academia - to publicly exalt and elevate glory upon the most prominent pro-abortion liberal politician in America. The problem is this: the message Notre Dame sends to the world is that Catholicism - to the most prominent Catholic University in the nation - can take the backseat to human opinion.

Some say that Obama may become a pro-life champion by some stroke of "Irish Luck". If, and I mean if, this happens then and only then should Notre Dame credit the man. But Obama's pro-abortion policies in his first 100 days in office are not deserving of aggrandizement. Obama once flaunted the pro-life movement declaring: "Planned Parenthood will not yield, and I will not yield". Where is Obama's inspiring work as a 'uniter' in this statement Fr. Jenkins? His 100 day track record has proven Obama's aggression true.

Let us remember the context of this event. Notre Dame isn't just a building with a podium. It is a traditional symbol of Catholic America. It is an institutional icon of the Church. It is a symbol of Christ Himself. President Obama isn't just a man occupying the oval office. He isn't merely filling a flat, voiceless, opinion-less, policy-less, vacancy. He is actively using his power to tear down the most natural moral law written in the hearts of every man - innocence of children and our duties to defend them.

Fr. Jenkins is seeing this as a D vs R political arena with tentative social repurcussions if he disinvites Obama. With his fixation upon the social and political arena, Fr. Jenkins fails to see that this is really a spiritual arena. In the spiritual arena the stakes are higher and the repurcussions are far more lasting and serious than any social faux pas. Fr. Jenkins, there are some human traditions we can afford to break.

In another letter to the Notre Dame graduating class of 2009 Fr. Jenkins defends his position with a quote from Scripture: "As St. Peter wrote (I Pt. 2:17), we should honor the leader who upholds the secular order." By giving out Notre Dame's only 9th honorary degree in its 160 year history? Also, Fr. Jenkins, the passage (1 Peter 2:17) actually reads like this: "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." Fr. Jenkins must have also been missing in Sunday school when they studied Matthew's Gospel: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you" (Matt. 7:6). As far as honoring the king we can pass along St. Thomas More's last words to Fr. Jenkins when the Saint said: "I die the King's good servant, but God's first."

Obama's First 100 Days

While Obama was grandstanding about himself to the swooning media about his first 100 days, another assessment that is not so flattering of the radical liberal has lifted the veil of his new policies. According to an AP writer, at last night's annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner Obama made this haughty remark about himself:

"I believe my next hundred days will be so successful that I will be able to complete them in 72 days," he said to a roar of laughter. "And on my 73rd day, I will rest."

Is Obama daring to compare himself to the Creator of the Universe by using the same very words that describe the creation of the world? Does he dare blaspheme God like this or is he so vain that he just speaks about himself without thinking and is his love for himself is so great that he is revealing himself to be a 21st century Emperor Nero?

Whatever the reason he chose these words, his first 100 days are a greater mockery of God's creation than any word can bear. His anti-life agenda is staggering: click here for his first 100 days: day to day of the true legacy he is creating for our future.

Do Catholics Practice Divination by Asking the Saints for Intercession?

To begin answering this question let's be clear that the Roman Catholic Church condems divination, spiritism, and necromancy. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) we read:

"All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil' the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human being, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone." (CCC 2116)

The Church teaches that the First Commandment (I am the Lord thy God, thou shall not have strange gods before me) does not forbid us to honor the saints in heaven, provided we do not give them the honor due to God alone (My Catholic Faith, CCC 2116).

So what gives? Is the Church in total contradiction of Herself when She teaches one thing and seemingly in appearances does another? The answer is that the Church is right on both accounts - divination is to be rejected, praying for the intercession of the Saints is to be embraced. The Church makes a clear distinction about who it is Catholics pray to when asking for intercession from the saints. Praying to the saints is really petitioning God's power through an intercessor who likewise subjects himself or herself to God's almighty power (see the St. Michael Prayer). Divination or necromancy on the other hand, is conjuring souls from the underworld whose influence is from another source. The Catholic understands that any assistance from the saints and angels is from the power of God and God alone, linking this practice to the central belief of Christianity: our hope in the Resurrection to someday be united with our true family in Heaven adoring God alone.

The Church teaches that the veneration we pay to the saints does not in the least detract from the honor due to God, for we only reverence the saints for God's sake. By no means do we reverence them in the way that we reverence God, but only because they are servants of God (The Catechism Explained). The saints have God's image reflected in them. God alone is wonderful in His saints just as the Blessed Virgin Mary proclaims: "He that is mighty hath done great things to me" (Luke 1:49). The goodness the saints possess is a gift from God alone.

When a person dies, they cross from the plane of life into the place of judgment where God will determine, based on the life the person lived, every thought, word, act, and omission, what reward is deserving for the soul. Called the Particular Judgment, "Every one of us will render an account for himself to God" (Romans 14:12). Based on one's account of his whole life, The just will enter into everlasting life (Matthew 25:46) or into hell, "For the hope of the wicked is as dust, which is blown away with the wind . . . and as the remembrance of a guest of one day that passes by" (Wisdom 5:15).

The souls of the wicked have no hope, the souls of the Faithful, by virtue of the hope in the Resurrection, can achieve eternal LIFE beyond the plane of death. Christ's act of the Resurrection is our central hope as Christians. Those wicked souls are gone from memory and hope. Catholics cannot pray to them, nor expect either their salvation or intercession. The Church teaches that we are forbidden to give public veneration to anyone who is not beatified or canonized a saint.

Canonization does not admit any one into heaven; it is only a solemn declaration on the part of the Pope that the man or woman by their holy life and the miracles attributed to the person, is already in Heaven and can therefore be venerated by the Church (The Catechism Explained 1899).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

"By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God's grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors." (CCC 828)

The Church points to God as the source of holiness, not man. "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him . . . and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:28-80, CCC 2012).

Catholics are often accused of divination because they are not invoking God directly. That God is somehow jealous if we petition someone other than Christ for help. Those who accuse however are refusing to acknowledge the intercessory role every Christian plays for one another by their prayers for them. Anyone can pray for one another, but only God holds the key to answering a prayer. God is not jealous of a person when we ask of them: "Can you pray for me?" It is a charitable thing to pray for another because as Christians we acknowledge that God alone will provide the answer to our prayer.

In 2 Timothy we read: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men". St. Paul still on the topic of intercessory prayer then says in 1 Tim 2:3: "This is good and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." St. Paul says this before the verse used by many against Catholics: "For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5). What St. Paul is actually saying about Christ Jesus being the one mediator between God and men is Christ is a unique mediator between man and God because he is the only person who is both God and man. He is the only bridge between the two, the only God-man. But that role as mediator is not compromised in the least by the fact that others intercede for us. Furthermore, Christ is a unique mediator between God and man because he is the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15, 12:24), just as Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (Gal. 3:19–20). Clearly, then, intercessory prayers offered by Christians on behalf of others is something "good and pleasing to God," not something infringing on Christ’s role as mediator.

St. Luke's Gospel account states:

"And Jesus said unto them, The sons of this world marry, and are given in marriage: but they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: for neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the Bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." Luke 20:34-38

In St. Paul's Letter to the Romans he writes:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35)

In Romans Ch.8 v.38 St. Paul continues:

"For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states about the saints experiencing the fullness of life in heaven:

"They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were "put in charge of many things."[Mt 25:21] Their intercession is their most exalted service to God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world." (CCC 2683)

Alas, only the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture's original author and Christ's Representative's on earth by Our Lord's own commissioning, can interpret the Books of the Bible. Only the Apostolic Church upon whom Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted with the power that what they "bind and loose on earth shall be bound and loosed in heaven" (John 20:23; Matthew 16:19, 18:18) can interpret the Bible (and appoint successors). The Church compiled the Bible in the first few centuries of Christianity and using the grace God bestowed upon them, the Church defined, and continues to define, God's revealed truth which He promised to continue teaching to the Church through the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit.

We must also concede that there were no other Christian denominations until the Protestant so called Reformation in the 16th century. Up until then, the Christian denomination was One. It was founded upon the Apostles by Our Lord Jesus Christ who entrusted the Church in their hands to act as His representatives, "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20)

The very last verse of the 4 Gospels ends with this concession:

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25).

Our Lord Himself entrusts his teachings not just to the Apostles but to the teaching Church until the end of time:

"Judas saith to him (not the Iscariot): Lord, how is it, that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world? Jesus answered, and said to him: If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father's who sent me. These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you (Matthew 14:22-26).

"But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go: for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

". . . I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you. He shall glorify me; because he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it to you. All things whatsoever the Father hath, are mine." (John 16:7, 12-15)

Thus we have the Church teaching, not all the things which were said by Christ, but revealed by Christ through the Holy Ghost to His Church which he founded upon the Apostles and will be blessed with Christ's presence until the end of time.

This same Church was the governing figure that put together Sacred Scripture, those written documents composed of Books, Gospels, and Epistles that the Church authoritatively declared as the written word of God, the divinely inspired written Truth.

The canon of both the Old and New Testaments after centuries of investigation was finally settled in the year 382 at the Council of Rome under Pope Damasus I. It was never challenged until Martin Luther and the Protestant so called Reformers who, acting as their own authority changed the canon of of Scripture to fit their new theology on such things as salvation, faith, and wholesale denial of the sacred priesthood.

Our Heavenly Father, throughout salvation history, gave special authority to men. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judges, Kings, and Prophets represented the Covenant. When Christ came to establish the new Covenant he proclaimed "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17). He continued to point to the Church as God's guiding light with the Apostles as God's new representatives:

"And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven" (Matthew 18:17-18).

And so it is that the Apostles with Peter, the first Pope, as their chief Apostle, have lived true to Christ's commission of binding and loosing on earth by defining Church doctrines and passing on their authority until the end of time:

"Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven." (Matthew 16:15-19)

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world" (Matthew 28:20).

Thus, the Church condemns divination which conjures spirits of the dead (CCC 2116). Whereas, in the same authority vested upon Her by Christ Himself, has definitively ascertained certain souls that have entered Eternal Life and declared them saints in Heaven. The formal act of canonizing a saint, is within the Church's revelation by the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete to employ Her God-given authority of binding and loosing.

A man can invest his own money in the market himself directly or through a financial adviser. Without consulting with a financial adviser, who sees the market clearer than we and is in constant contact with the market unlike ourselves, the investor risks making a poor investment that will not bring the returns he desires. A financial adviser then can wisely place our money to provide the best return for our investment. In the same way, the saints can place our petitions before the throne of God all the while submitting to His decision and His almighty power. The saints do not answer our prayers, but rather God does. Compared to the saints in Heaven we have a less clear understanding of how to present our petitions before God because we do not stand before the throne of Him Who we depend on for salvation. However the saints do, and have God's favor as they are standing before His throne. They would therefore wisely present our prayers to God in a more suitable or fitting delivery.

Catholics can venerate the saints, including asking for their intercession. One day we may be united with them in God's Heavenly Kingdom and thus we are united to them, even now, in a mutual love (Romans 8:38). The Catechism Explained tells us that both they and we belong to the same great family whose father is God; petitioning the saints does not betray want of confidence in Christ our great Mediator, but rather distrusting ourselves in that we, unlike the Saints who behold the Beatific Vision, can have recourse to a lesser mediator whose prayers will have greater weight with Him than our own.

Obama Shifting Strategy, Not Policy on Abortion

American liberals: you were duped again! Obama got elected, he got the power he wanted, now he doesn't need to "be a uniter" like he promised. Tyrants act more like their crafty selves once they get into office. Their time spent trying to earn your trust is in lying, avoiding difficult questions, side stepping debates, and trying in general to look like Mr. Cleanguy who just wants you to "believe in him" and be his friend. Obama said in a Planned Parenthood let's-have-more-abortions rally that the first thing he would do once he pulled the wool over our eyes and get elected was sign the Freedom of Choice Crock - I mean Act.



But now we learn that he's changed his tune. In his self-grandising news conference marking his 100-days of office, he stated: "the Freedom of Choice Act is not highest legislative priority."

Now that he won the I-can-get-what-I-want-even-using-violence-against-a-child pro-choice vote, he's now saying FOCA is no longer his priority. Why not? He won his power, now he can drop this promise. Or is he? We can't put anything past Obama and the 'new America' he is crafting. His dodging of questions and crafting of statements has been done methodically and intentionally. His radicalism on abortion will rear its head again - just not now. Tyrants fight the American people like they do a war. They pick and choose their timing of battles always without changing their ideology. A broader analysis can be found here.