Words and Phrases to Drop from Our Pro-Life Vocabulary

From Rock for Life Be sure to visit their site for the complete article:

...1. Fetus, embryo—These terms are generally used by abortion supporters, but I also notice pro-lifers using these terms often. Fetus and embryo are actually terms referring to stages of development. Their use begs the question, which animal species, during its embryonic or fetal development, are you referring to? For human beings, embryo describes human development from the very beginning of a human being’s life through their eighth week of development. Fetus describes a human being’s biological development from the beginning of their ninth week of development until birth. We should replace these terms with “human embryo,” “human fetus” or “human being during their embryonic (or fetal) development.”

2. Fertilized egg—This is a dehumanizing term used as a form of pro-abortion propaganda. It is not a legitimate term, since it isn’t scientifically accurate. Human women don’t carry eggs; they have oocytes. Upon first contact of a human sperm and a human oocyte, a newly created human person now exists who is in his/her first embryonic stage of development. It has become popular with abortion advocates these days, in response to the state personhood initiatives cropping up around the country. We need to correct this whenever we see or hear it. Use correct terminology in its place, such as “human embryo.”

3. Mistake, accident, unwanted, unplanned— These terms have very negative connotations and are very demeaning, especially for the child who happens to overhear some mention of the circumstances in which he or she came into being. Every child is wanted by someone and no one is an accident. God creates every single person with a special purpose in life. A positive-sounding term such as “surprise” should be used instead of terms or phrases that imply that God’s creation of a baby is an unfortunate event.

4. Pro-choice—This term was developed by a marketing firm employed by the abortion lobby before abortion became decriminalized on January 22, 1973. It has been and still is a very effective term, but still very misleading. It begs the question, what is the choice? The child has no choice when threatened with an abortionist’s suction device, knives and forceps. Replace this term with “pro-abortion” or “abortion advocate.”

5. Pregnant woman—This term takes the child out of the equation and can make pregnancy sound like a disease. Abortion is often referred to as “terminating a pregnancy.” Instead, use terms such as “mother,” “pregnant mom” or “expectant mother.”

6. Health clinic/abortion clinic—Health gives the impression that health is being restored to an individual. Similarly, clinic normally denotes a respectable, morally legitimate health care facility. Abortion is murder, not health care, so we should not dignify it with such dignified terms. Replace such terms with “abortion business,” “abortion mill,” “abortion facility,” “abortion center” and so forth.

7. The abortion issue—Taxes are an issue. Paying for education is an issue. Abortion is not an issue; it’s a tragedy. Abortion is a violent crime that kills a human person and leaves his/her mother scarred for life. You can also replace issue with terms such as “question,” “matter,” etc.

8. It—A baby boy or baby girl is not an it. Yet that is how many of us refer to children in utero or even at the moment of their birth. I hear this so often: “It’s a (boy/girl)!” Instead, say, “He is a boy” or “She is a girl” or “My/our/their/his/her/the baby is a (boy/girl).”

9. I’m going to be a ___!—This phrase usually ends with “mother,” “father,” “grandparent,” “aunt,” “uncle,” etc., But it’s inaccurate and dehumanizes the baby, because actually, it’s a done deal! The person speaking is already a mother (or father, grandparent, etc.). If you catch someone (or yourself) saying this, quickly correct it by reminding them (or yourself) that the child already exists, so they (or you) are already a mother (or father, grandparent, etc.)...

The Catholic Church and the Danger of Freemasonry

In the book The Herald of Fatima: John Haffert, which was recently reviewed by me, there is a chapter on the smoke of Satan infiltrating the Catholic Church to paraphrase Pope Paul VI. One such evil has to do with Freemasonry.

The following is in reference to John Haffert's book which he wrote in order to stress the urgent message of Fatima. The book referred to by author Edna McGrew was "To Shake the World".

"...John says that an interview given by Cardinal Edward Gagnon published in April 1991, gives us a rare glimpse into the power of Masonry within the Church. John writes that Cardinal Gagnon said that: 'Masonry still wields real power which is all the greater because it is never talked about.'

In his early years in Canada, in his capacity as Cardinal Leger's canonist, Cardinal Gagnon often had to help people who wanted to return to the Church after they had been excommunicated for stealing the Sacred Host on Masonry orders. These Hosts were to be used in 'black masses.' John thought that such masses were only celebrated by a handful of Satanists. But His Eminence implicated the Masons as well when he added that: 'Some forms of Masonry also celebrate black masses.' The Cardinal elaborated that his personal experience was in Canada 'where Masonry is not believed to be anti-religious and where [even] some chaplains are Masons.'

Moreover, John quotes Pope John Paul I as saying: 'Do not forget that Masonry, whether it be above board or underground, is more active than ever now...It is a power of evil. We must face its perverse actions with courage.' Cardinal Gagnon, who agreed with Pope John Paul I revealed that in Europe this secret cancer of Masonry had 'crept into the highest levels of the Church.' Their power was so strong in the Church that the New Code of Canon Law issued in 1983 removed the previous Code's condemnation of Masonry. When the New Code was approved, John relates that one Italian Bishop who was opposed to Masonry received a call from 'an influential Vatican official' who gloated that the Bishop would finally 'have to stop battling against Masonry.'

...Fortunately, matters did not end there The Congregation of the doctrine of the Faith immediately issued a condemnation of Masonry. However...according to Cardinal Gagnon: 'some prelates still make regular visits to the Vatican today...to convince the hierarchy that collaboration with Masonry is possible'.

It should be clear to everyone that it is a very grievous sin for a Catholic to be a mason.

The following will help clarify the reason for this:

TEN REASONS CATHOLICS CANNOT BE MASONS

Freemasonry, contrary to public perception, is a secret society rather than a fraternity. Its principles are fundamentally contrary to the Catholic faith and explicitly deny key tenets of Christianity. Below are ten reasons why Catholics cannot be Masons or participate in their activities.

1). The Holy See on Nov. 26, 1983, at the direction of the Pope, issued a "Declaration on Masonic Associations" restating the Church's position condemning the basic principles of Freemasonry. It also states that Catholics who join Masonic organizations are in a state of grave sin and are automatically denied Holy Communion.

2). God as described in Masonic works is an impersonal "Great Architect of the Universeî," not the personal God of the Patriarchs, the One True God of Revelation, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

3). Masonic writings specifically deny that God has revealed Himself and His truths to us, or that He ever established a Church.

4). In Masonry Jesus Christ is portrayed as merely a man, a great teacher, on a par with Buddha or Mohammed and His Divinity is denied.

5). The Trinity is denied and compared to the "trinitiesî"of pagan religions. The Holy Spirit is blasphemed by Masonry's denial of the Divine Inspiration of Scripture.

6). Christianity is considered a derivative of ancient pagan religions and like all religions deliberately ladens itself with error. God is portrayed as a deceiver who leads many men away from truth as not all are worthy of it.

7). All truth is relative according to Masonry, thereby rejecting objective, absolute truth and therefore the dogmas of the Catholic faith.

8). Freemasonry is portrayed as the foundation of all religion and it is built on Naturalism, a system of belief that makes human nature and human reason supreme in all things.

9). At the various degrees when an oath is sworn, even the initial ones, it is a blood oath swearing for example, "binding myself by no less penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by its roots, and buried in the sands of the sea..." This is a real oath sworn with one's hand on the Bible or Torah, etc.

10). One can easily be deceived by Masonry's rituals and symbols that an objective transformation of man is being carried out. This will lead one away from the workings of God's grace especially manifested in the Sacraments instituted by Christ. Remember, Masonry denies Christís Divinity and therefore His role as our Savior.

For further information the book "Freemasonry: Mankind's Hidden Enemy"can be obtained from TAN BOOKS, Rockford,IL., ($8.00 retail). Your local bookstore can order it for you.

Source Consecration to the Milia Immaculata

The Mass and Sacrifice

The following is an excerpt from the Nocturnal Association Society, October 2009

OUR OBLIGATION

We must consider ourselves fortunate every time we have an opportunity to attend a Holy Mass. In order not to lose the opportunity, we should never withhold ourselves because it might cost us some sacrifice, especially on Sundays and holidays; indeed on those days one is gravely obligated to participate in Holy Mass and whoever does not do so commits a mortal sin. (CCC 2181)

SACRIFICE - PROOF OF LOVE

Let us remember St. Maria Goretti, who, to go to Sunday Mass traveled on foot -- a journey of 15 miles from home (to and fro).

We should think of Santina Campana, who went to Mass while she had a high fever.

Think of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, who offered Holy Mass when his health was in such a pitiful condition that one of his brothers in religion had to support him at the altar so that he would not fall.

And how many times Padre Pio of Pietrelcina celebrated Holy Mass while he was bleeding and had a fever!

LOVE FOR THE MASS

When illnesses sometimes prevented the saints form taking part in Holy Mass, they united themselves at least spiritually to the priests who were celebrating Masses in all the churches of the world. This was what St. Bernadette, for example, did when she had to be confined to her bed for a long time. She would say to her fellow sisters: "Masses are being celebrated in different parts of the world every hour. I unite myself to all these Masses, especially during those night when I cannot sleep.

MASS -- INFINITE VALUE

In our down daily lives, we ought to rank the Holy Mass ahead of any other good; for, as St. Bernard says, "one merits more by devoutly assisting at a Holy Mass than by distributing all of his goods to the poor and traveling all over the world on pilgrimage." And it cannot be otherwise, because nothing in the world can have the infinite value of one Holy Mass.

"Martyrdom is nothing," the holy Curé D' Ars said, "in comparison with the Mass, because martyrdom is the sacrifice of man to God, whereas the Mass is the Sacrifice of God for Man!"

SETTING OUR PRIORITIES

All the more we ought to prefer Holy Mass to mere amusements that waste our time and bring no profit to our soul. St. Louis IX, King of France, attended several Masses every day. A minister of the government complained, remarking that he could better devote that time to the affairs of the kingdom. The holy king replied, "If I spent twice that time in amusements, like hunting, no one would have any objection."

THE ANGEL COUNTS THE STEPS

Let us be generous and willingly make sacrifices so as not to lose so great a good. St. Augustine said to his Christians, "Every step one takes while traveling to hear Holy Mass is counted by an angel. One will be given a high reward for them by God in this life and in eternity." The Curé D' Ars adds, "How happy is that guardian angel who accompanies a soul to Holy Mass."
- Jesus our Eucharistic Love - Fr. Stefano M. Manelli. FFI

Christian concert - Saturday, Nov. 14 - pro-life fundraiser

DON'T MISS THIS CONCERT...TAKE YOUR KIDS!

The excitement is building...a totally unprecedented event is coming together in Honolulu called...Stand for Life!

Dozens of pro-life charities, churches, musical artists, and individuals are joining their efforts to present a Christian concert under the stars at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park Amphitheater on Saturday, November 14 from 5:00-9:00pm.

Stand for Life will serve as a benefit for local pro-life ministry and will provide an opportunity for attendees to hear about life issues from a Christian perspective. Hawaii Right to Life Education Fund is one of the beneficiaries of the event, along with Hawaii Family Forum, HOPE INC, Aloha Pregnancy Centers, Pearson Foundation, and others (for a complete list, see Stand for Life Hawaii).

The concert will feature nationally recognized musical guest The Kry, along with local talent Native Roots, Remember Him, Holyjam and the California-based Driven Cure.

Tickets are available now for a suggested donation of only $10 ($12 at the gate, keiki 12 and under free). To purchase, make your check or money order payable to Hawaii Right to Life and write "Stand for Life" in the memo line. Mail your payment to 81 S Hotel St, Ste 200B , Honolulu , HI 96813-3144 by Wednesday, Nov. 11. Tickets may also be purchased by credit card by calling the Hawaii Right to Life office at 585.8205.
We welcome additional gifts beyond the ticket price, which will help us underwrite the cost of the event and which are are tax deductible.

The Code of a Gentleman

The Spirit of Chivalry by Daniel Maclise
Brother André Marie posted the Code of a Gentleman over at his blog. The following is an excerpt:

Without a strict observance of the fundamental Code of Honor [cf., that a gentleman does not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do], no man, no matter how ‘polished’, can be considered a gentleman. The honor of a gentleman demands the inviolability of his word, and the incorruptibility of his principles. He is the descendant of the knight, the crusader; he is the defender of the defenseless and the champion of justice… or he is not a Gentleman.

A Gentleman…

…Does not discuss his family affairs in public or with acquaintances.

…Does not speak more than casually about his girlfriend.

…Does not go to a lady’s house if he is affected by alcohol. He is temperate in the use of alcohol.

…Does not lose his temper; nor exhibit anger, fear, hate, embarrassment, ardor, or hilarity in public...

Persecuted Priests: Faith helped Lithuanian bishop survive gulag

A persecuted priest in the then Soviet-occupied Lithuania, Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius says it was his daily, secret celebration of the Eucharist in his prison cell, as well as his love for God and compassion for others, that helped him survive and grow stronger in his faith.

Read the rest here

H/T Sue Cifelli

Say Something Nice About a Priest Meme

Thanks Cathy for the tag.

As the title says, I have to say something nice about a priest.

It is hard to narrow down my choice to one priest. It is also hard because ever since the Maryknoll Fathers have left the islands, my family hasn't really developed a close, personal relationship with any priest....you know...having him come over for dinner, etc.

I am going to choose Fr. Patrick.

He is a big, Irish priest who looks younger than his actual age of late 50's.

Some would find him curt at times. Maybe some find him to be abrasive and insensitive to their feeling. He runs a tight ship at his parish. He is a no-nonsense type of priest.

Yet, he is a good priest.

He has a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. He is keenly aware of his failings and he talks about it openly. He is there when a lonely person has no one to advocate for them with hospital officials. He has almost single-handedly resurrected a dying parish. He has brought back reverence to the Holy Mass. He surrounds himself with other holy priests and brothers...and sisters. He expects nothing but the best for God and his church.

He is a real priest, with real failings and a wonderful sense of humor. And he is a good role model who continuously challenges and inspires the young.

He is the pastor of my mother's home parish and I am blessed to be able to be a part of his parish when I go home.

For this meme, I tag:

1. Jean

2. Maryellen

3. Squelly

Veteran's Day

Picture Source

Prayer on Veterans Day

Dear Lord Jesus Christ,
those whom we honor today
are examples of your words:
"Greater love than this no one has:
that he lay down his life for his friends."
They gave up their lives in the defense of freedom
for their loved ones and their country.

Teach me to appreciate the virtue of patriotism-
a true and Christian love of country.
Let me love my country not to follow it blindly
but to make it the land of goodness
that it should be.
Let my patriotism be such
that it will not exclude the other nations of the world
but include them in a powerful love of country
that has room for all others too.

- New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing

PRAYER TO SAVE AMERICA

PRAYER TO SAVE AMERICA

O merciful God, we cry to Thee for pardon and for mercy.
We are an unbelieving and perverse generation.
We are disobedient, disloyal and ungrateful to Thee.
We have excluded Thee from our homes, our schools, our places of business.
We are no longer worthy to be called Thy children.
Merciful Father, spare America!
Forgive us!

Save us from the scourge we deserve.
Teach us Thy law, and move our wills to serve Thee today and everyday.
Merciful God, please spare America!
O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Pray for us!

Source

H/T to Sue Cifelli

Our Lady of America

Picture Source

At the recent Marian Conference my friend Lois showed me a print out of an article I am sharing with you here. At the exact moment I was reading the article, my friend Dottie approached me and showed me a prayer card of Our Lady of America! We were all struck in awe of that God-incidence!

A couple of years ago, I like many other Catholics, was aware that our Lady's statue was traveling to different parts. I think I even received or found one of those holy cards. Other than that, I really did not pay much mind to her message....that is until I read the article found in its entirety HERE:

Our Lady of America

Purity Torchbearers of the Queen

Richard Salbato 11-09-2007

Some say it will take a miracle to turn America around to purity. America is known throughout the world, especially in developing nations, as a beacon of impurity. Since the 1960s Hollywood has produced and exported pornography, both subtle and explicit, around the globe.

However, just prior to America's descent into the sexually quagmire of the 1960's, a nun in Rome City, Indiana began receiving messages from heaven; messages from "Our Lady of America." From the start, those messages called for purity. The first words that Sister Mary Ephrem (Mildred Neuzil) heard from the Lady on September 26, 1956 were:

"I am Our Lady of America. I desire that my children honor me, especially by the purity of their lives."

Essentially, the messages teach that purity in love is pleasing to Jesus and call for reformation of lives regarding purity, a change that is impossible without great love for God. They also warn that if reformation does not occur there will be great suffering.

In what some today call a prophetic warning, given its timing in relation to the moral destruction of the sexual revolution, Sister Mary Ephrem recorded these words in September 1957:

"My beloved daughter, what I am about to tell you concerns in a particular way my children in America. Unless they do penance by mortification and self-denial and thus reform their lives, God will visit them with punishments hitherto unknown to them."

Peace, say the messages, will be restored to America once the nation embraces purity.

"My child, there will be peace, as has been promised, but not until my children are purified and cleansed from defilement, and clothed thus with the white garment of grace, are made ready to receive this peace, so long promised and so long held back because of the sins of men."

(This peace was promised at Fatima in 1917)

The challenge of responding to the messages from heaven does not rest with the faithful alone. The bishops of America have a role to play as well. "Our Lady of America" asked that a statue in her honor be placed in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Church Approval

Devotion to the Mother of God under the title of "Our Lady of America" was approved in 1963 by former Archbishop of Cincinatti, OH, the late Paul Francis Leibold. And since then, many other bishops have taken part publicly in the devotion.

The most recent bishop to take up the cause is St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, one of the leading bishops in the fight for the culture of life in the United States. On May 31 of this year, Archbishop Burke, a renowned canon lawyer, issued a letter of approval about devotion to "Our Lady of America". The Archbishop of St. Louis sent a copy of his letter to all bishops in the United States.

During the month of August, 2007, the statue of Our Lady of America was on display at the Basilica of St. Louis...

...Why America

America is facing this life-and-death challenge because of the Western world's demographic collapse and mass Muslim immigration into Europe, which threatens to turn parts of Europe into majority-Muslim countries by mid-century. Meanwhile, rising European and Islamic anti-Americanism may soon force America to confront the enemies of civilization without help from anyone else.

Much of the Western world will not survive the 21st Century, and much of it will effectively disappear within our lifetimes -- including many if not most European countries. The New Order in Europe and the world depends on whether America can summon the will to shape at least part of the emerging global picture.

If not, then we will see the end of the American moment and the beginning of the new Dark Ages: the return of much the planet to a primitive state.

Described with wit and wisdom by Mark Steyn, author of “America Alone”:

* Why Libya's Qaddafi is probably correct when he says that "there are signs that Allah will grant Islam victory in Europe without swords, without guns, without conquests"

* Why the progressive Left can be in favor of Big Government or population control but not both and how that mutual incompatibility is about to plunge Europe into societal collapse

* The hidden reason that the problem of Islamic jihad has exploded across the world since 1970

* The disquieting implications of the fact that Islam is a religion, not a race or nationality as is commonly claimed in the West; and an explicitly political religion at that

* Why the liberal talk of finding the "root causes" of terrorism in the errors and excesses of Western foreign policy is so wrongheaded

* How Europe's welfare states are helping to foster the rise of a globalized Islam

* Dangerous consequences that are likely to come from manifestations of "cultural sensitivity" -- such as the fact that U.S. guards at Gitmo must handle copies of the Koran only when wearing gloves because the detainees regard infidels as "unclean"

* How the terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2005 along with other events such as the murder of Theo van Gogh were the opening shots of a European civil war

* Sobering facts about how advanced civilizational suicide already is in Japan and Russia

* How mosques in the West serve as recruiters for the jihad and play an important role in ideological subordination and cell discipline

* Why the Spanish government was so eager to appease the jihad terrorists after the Madrid bombings of March 2004

* How oil isn't the principal Saudi export, Islamic jihad ideology is -- and our oil money bankrolls its spread

* Europe's suicidal multicultural malaise -- and why jihadists understand that the Continent is ripe for the taking in a way that America isn't yet

* How the ultimate victory of Islam in America can be avoided not by more government but by less: by government returning to the citizenry the primal responsibilities it has taken from them in the modern era...

To learn more about Our Lady of America, her message and what we can do to bring purity to America through certain devotions, please be sure to visit HERE

A big mahalo to Lois for making sure that I read this important message from our Lady.

2nd Annual Marian Conference

My mother and I, along with many other Catholics attended the 2nd Annual Marian Conference sponsored by the Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group Hawaii. Both were very long days but worth every second spent there.

We got to hear really good talks by Bishop Larry Silva on Our Lady of Guadalupe, Father Vince Inghilterra, spiritual director of the group, on combating evil with the most powerful weapon, the Holy Rosary, Fr. Mieczylslaw Piotrowski, SChr. (Fr. Mitch) on the secrets of Fatima, John Paul II, the evils (specifically that of abortion) that assail the world because we do not heed our Lady's warnings, and Fr. Andrzej Trojanowski (Fr. Andrew) also a Society of Christ priest, who spoke about their magazine Love One Another. It is now translated from Polish to English. I cannot recommend this Catholic magazine enough. Those of you who are local and would like a magazine, let me know and I will give it to you next time I see you. Sister CC, OSB was the emcee and also a speaker. She share her story of coming home and her vocation. She attended two canonizations this year! Another guest speaker was Wayne Weible, who has written books on Medjugorje. He apparently is an expert on the apparitions in Medjugorje. At the conference he addressed the controversy surrounding the apparitions, the visionaries and the Bishop of Mostar.

Check out the photos from the first day of the Conference that have been posted at Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group Hawaii blog