FW: Santorum: If marriage is for people who 'love,' why limit it 'to just two people? Why not 10?'

Santorum: If marriage is for people who 'love,' why limit it 'to just two people? Why not 10?'

by Peter Baklinski

CARROLL, Iowa, August 29, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - If two people should be allowed to get married simply because they "love" one another, then why limit marriage "to just two people?" asked Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum in a recent interview. "Why not three people? Why not 10 people?  […] Why not [allow] nieces and aunts to marry?"

GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

The former senator was responding to the arguments of gay "marriage" advocates, who say two people of the same sex who are in love should be allowed to "marry."
"If marriage means 'anyone who is in love,' well, then, let everybody who is in love get married," added the senator wryly.
Santorum made the remarks during an interview with Douglas Burns, co-publisher of The Carroll Daily Times Herald, last Thursday, August 25th.
Burns grilled the presidential candidate on his views about homosexual "marriage," asking him, "How does the fact that there are a handful of gay couples married in Carroll [Iowa] affect my heterosexual life and your heterosexual life?"
"Because it changes the definition of an intrinsic element of society in a way that minimizes what that bond means to society," retorted Santorum.
"Marriage is what marriage is. Marriage was around before government said what it was."
The presidential candidate outlined a clear definition of marriage, saying that it is exclusively a "union between a man and a woman […] for the purposes of having and rearing children and for the benefit of both the man and the woman involved in that relationship."
Santorum argued that marriage is an "intrinsic value to society" because it creates "stable families of men and woman bonded together to raise children."
"Young children are being indoctrinated as to what normal is."
He also argued that homosexual "marriage" "will have a huge impact on people's religious freedom," criticizing the practice in some states where "licenses [are refused] for adoptions to organizations that won't do gay adoptions."
Santorum pointed out that there is a conflict between the direction that the American legal system has taken by creating homosexual "marriage" and the collective morality of what the American public want.
With gay "marriage," "we've created something that is not what it is. It's coercion […] and that's what I've been fighting."


CPO

FW: CHRISTIAN FOES HIT THE MARKETPLACE: Request to contact Netflix, Walgreens and PETCO

An important message from the Catholic from the MN Catholic Defense League

 

 

Right now, Catholics need to let three major companies know of their need not to follow the dictates of these anti-Christian forces: Netflix, Walgreens and Petco. We are not asking them to jump into the culture war on our side; we simply ask that they remain neutral.

 

CHRISTIAN FOES HIT THE MARKETPLACE

 

The Charity Give Back Group (CGBG), formerly known as the Christian Values Network, is an online service that partners with more than 170,000 charities, religious and secular, enabling users to support their favorite charities when they shop on the web.  Because some of the charities embrace the traditional Christian understanding of marriage, some activist organizations have sought to pressure retailers not to associate with CGBG.

 

Catholic League president Bill Donohue spoke to this issue today:

 

Radical proponents of gay marriage have taken the culture war to the marketplace. Rejecting diversity and tolerance, these activists have declared an economic war against any organization that embraces the Judeo-Christian understanding of marriage. They are now contacting retailers asking them to withdraw their association with CGBG, the online charity support group that helps to channel money to various worthwhile organizations, maintaining that some of the recipients are Christian "hate groups." This is a lie.

 

An anti-Christian force, Change.org funded by George Soros, is the forum for these activists. Among the groups they have set their sights on is the Family Research Council, led by Tony Perkins. Perkins is an eminently decent man and a leader in the evangelical community. If these extremists get their way, they will silence the Christian voice. Which is why the bullies must be defeated.

 

Right now, Catholics need to let three major companies know of their need not to follow the dictates of these anti-Christian forces: Netflix, Walgreens and Petco. We are not asking them to jump into the culture war on our side; we simply ask that they remain neutral.

 

Contact Netflix: privacy@netflix.com

Contact Petco: ethics@petco.com

Contact Walgreens: privacy.office@walgreens.com

 

Contact our director of communications about Donohue's remarks:

Jeff Field

Phone: 212-371-3191

E-mail: cl@catholicleague.org

 

 

Minnesota For Marriage Coalition Hosts Booth Near State Fair

Stop by and please tell others!!

MINNESOTA FOR MARRIAGE COALITION HOSTS BOOTH NEAR STATE FAIR Find out why preserving a vibrant marriage culture matters for Minnesota, sign-up to get involved St. Paul, MN-- Minnesota for Marriage, a broad coalition of community and faith leaders and organizations supporting enactment of the Minnesota Marriage Amendment - which will preserve marriage in State law as only the union one man and one woman, and prevent politicians and judges from redefining it - announced that it will have a booth during the Minnesota State Fair at Church of the Holy Childhood, which is located near the main entrance to the Fair. "Minnesotans get together at the State Fair not only to share food, but to share ideas and learn from each other in respectful, constructive ways. The booth is a way for our coalition and volunteers to participate in a broad conversation and educate their fellow citizens about why the Minnesota Marriage Amendment is needed," said Jason Adkins, Executive Director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference and coalition member. "We look forward to greeting the public, signing up volunteers and sharing our pro-community, pro-marriage message." The Minnesota for Marriage booth will be open during the Fair from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and is located at Church of the Holy Childhood at 1435 Midway Parkway, four blocks east of the main entrance to the Minnesota State Fair on Snelling Ave. The State Fair booth will be staffed by many Minnesotans who are part of the growing Minnesota for Marriage coalition. It will include volunteer sign-up opportunities, information about the 2012 Marriage Amendment ballot initiative and the importance of preserving a vibrant marriage culture in Minnesota, and opportunities for visitors to share their personal stories on what marriage means to them. Minnesotans unable to visit the booth can learn more about Minnesota for Marriage and how to get involved by visiting the Coalition's new Web site: MinnesotaForMarriage.com. ###

2355 Fairview Ave N, Box 301, Roseville, MN 55113 phone 612-367-4588 - www.MinnesotaForMarriage.com

---

Official Response to CNA Article - Real Catholic TV

Can't find an embed code - so click here to watch the video.

I think this is an appropriate response, and I was impressed with the fact that Mr. Voris states several times that it is his fault.  Very few people or agencies actually will say "It was my fault."  He did.  Well done.

FW: When attending Mass becomes an occasion of sin

When attending Mass becomes an occasion of sin

By Matt C. Abbott

From Jim Baltrinic (slightly edited):

'This post consists of excerpts from a letter I wrote to the pastor of a Catholic parish about a certain incident that occurred at his church. I have omitted all references as to the church's location. The church is semi-circular in design, and we were sitting in the last pew near the center isle, which afforded us a clear view of almost the entire congregation. I started my letter with a compliment as to how nice the newly-remodeled church looked. I then ask the pastor to please consider the following hypothetical situation.

'A priest enters the confessional for the usual Saturday morning or afternoon confession time. During this time a young man enters the confessional. 'Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.' From the sound of the voice on the other side of the screen, the priest surmises that the person is a teenager or young adult. The confession continues: 'It was a week since my last confession. I'm guilty of many lustful thoughts, and I looked at some very immodestly dressed women more times than I should have.'

'The priest asks, 'Were these impure thoughts related to these women you looked at'?

''Yes,' replies the young man.

'The priest: 'Why did you continue to look at them? Why didn't you go someplace else, away from them?'

''I couldn't,' said the young man. 'They were in front of me and I was kind of hemmed in by the crowd.'

'The priest: 'Why were you in such a place to begin with? Do you remember that we are to avoid places that may be an occasion of sin?'

'The young man answers, "Yes, Father, I know that, but I had to be there.'

'The priest, somewhat puzzled, then asks: 'Why did you have to be there, and where were you: at the beach; at a sporting event?'

''No, Father,' said the young man, 'I was at your noon Mass last Sunday, and two scantily-dressed girls were sitting in the pew right in front of me, along with their parents. I couldn't move because my parents were on either side of me.'

'While I said that the above story was hypothetical, in reality it is not. The Mass in question took place this past July at a prominent Catholic parish in a town my wife and I were visiting. It was the main Mass of the day and the church was quite full.

'The young man in the confessional could have been any one of the many young men in the church. The two 'scantily clad' girls were real and were sitting about six pews in front of us with their parents.

'From the area where we were sitting, we observed, in addition to the two girls mentioned above, approximately a dozen very immodestly dressed women, with the majority of these being young girls in their teens and early twenties. Bare backs and shoulders, low-cut tops, strapless sun suits, short shorts, mini-skirts and tight-fitting tops were plainly visible.

'Two years ago, at a parish in northern Virginia, we experienced an almost identical incident at Sunday Mass. We were sitting in our pew when a home-schooling family came in and took a place several pews ahead of us. They had two sons around age 10 and three younger daughters. A few minutes later, two young girls, of about the same age and manner of dress as the two described above, came in and sat in the pew directly in front of this family. However, in this case, the parents quickly recognized the spiritual danger these two improperly dressed girls posed for their children, and they immediately got up and moved to another part of the church.

'It is a sad state of affairs when going to Sunday Mass becomes an occasion of sin. I could go on with more such examples, but I think what I have said is sufficient. What we find more lamentable is the fact that, in many cases, such young girls are in the company of their parents. What does this tell us? Simply this: When it comes to modesty in dress, most parents don't have a clue as to what is right.

'Coincidentally, several days later, as I was about half-way through the composition of my letter to the pastor, my wife saw a notice in the bulletin about appropriate dress in church. The notice was good, especially the part about adults giving good example for young children. It did, however, have two shortcomings which are common to such notices. Many times a bulletin notice can be overlooked, and secondly, the notice called for wearing 'appropriate attire.'

'The problem, as I pointed out above, is that most Catholics have a very poor understanding of what 'appropriate attire' means. When it comes to knowing what is or isn't modest, they have no idea. This is because the Church has been silent on this subject for over 40 years.

'At the beginning of summer there should be a strong sermon on this issue with a clear explanation as to what constitutes 'appropriate attire.' This should be followed up with at least a verbal reminder given once a month from the pulpit. Putting an occasional notice in the bulletin just doesn't do it. It should also be emphasized that the standards for modesty apply to everyday dress, not just in church on Sunday. Mention should also be made about the way many parents dress their little girls in skimpy outfits, thus accustoming them to immodesty at a very early age.

'In regard to this particular topic, I feel I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the disgraceful display of immodesty exhibited by brides and their bridal parties at most Catholic weddings today. At a wedding we recently attended, the comment was made that the bride and bridal party looked more like the Playboy Review than an occasion of Holy Matrimony.

'Let me close with the following thought. Someone once asked the mother of St. Maria Goretti how she was able to raise such a [holy] child. She replied, 'By teaching her the virtue of modesty.' How many Maria Goretti's are parishes and Catholic schools producing today?'

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/110820 

Catholic Parents

I have seen this at just about every Sunday Mass I have attended in the last 10 years or so........except from November to April.  I have yet to figure out what is so hard about a homily and a sign placed in the vestibule of a church.  I hear they don't put up signs becasue they might offend someone.  LISTEN here....maybe if some of those folks were offended we wouldn't need the signs.  And men wouldn't have to confess it.  And women wouldn't have to confess the feelings that they have when they see half naked women running about.  We saw it over it Italy all the time....a simple sign that showed proper dress.....not too hard.

Honesty in tax dollar use......

FW: Please help us at the State Fair!

Catholic Parents OnLine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Friends,

 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the State Fair!  We appreciate your willingness to help promote traditional marriage and the upcoming marriage amendment next fall.  We hope to sign up thousands of more supporters during the Fair.  Your participation will make that happen!  Below are some details about the booth and volunteering.

 

Minnesota Catholic Conference is supporting the statewide campaign to pass the marriage amendment, Minnesota for Marriage, that will sponsor the booth on the grounds of nearby Holy Childhood Church (1435 Midway Parkway, St. Paul), 3 blocks East of the State Fair main gate. 

 

We would like volunteers who can work ideally a 4 hour shift (9 a.m.- 1 p.m.; 1p.m. -5 p.m.; 5 p.m.-9 p.m.) and we hope to have 3 volunteers per shift.  There will be a lead volunteer each day, and I will be on-site the first four days of the fair, Aug. 25-28.  Upon arrival at the booth, you will receive a campaign T-shirt, which you will be expected to wear during your shift.  At the end of your shift, you will receive a free pass to the State Fair. 

 

Can you help during these first few dates, or another convenient day for you?  Please let me know a preferred time, and send me your name and cell number.

 

The booth will be open 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily.   

 

Once you confirm with me your participation at the Fair, Minnesota for Marriage will follow up with an e-mail containing training materials, talking points, and more details, including parking.  Additionally, please participate in a mandatory training conference call on Tuesday night, Aug.  24 at 7 p.m. (later training calls will be scheduled.).   If you cannot participate in the call, please review the materials carefully and/or talk to me. 

 

Feel free to look at the MCC's Marriage Resource page and Minnesota for Marriage for more information and background. 

 

Thanks so much for your time and help!!  Let me know if you have any questions.

God bless, 

 

Cathy Deeds

Outreach Coordinator

Minnesota Catholic Conference

651-256-7583 (direct)

651-900-1906 (mobile)

http://mncc.org/marriage/

 

...and confuse the faithful....

SPECIAL POLKA MASS

My wife posted on this, and when I read it at work I just about threw up in my mouth.  Really, are you freaking kiddin me?????  Just when a guy thinks the boat is slowly turning around this type of PERFORMANCE is announced and allowed.  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against polka music - provided it is before OR after Mass.  During though, sorry IT IS NOT FITTING WITH CHRIST'S SACRIFICE ON CALVARY.  The gauntlet has been thrown down, I plan to fight this - I fear this year is too late - but I plan to gather as much authoritative documentation to put an end to this.  Granted, this may be difficult, as the Church hasn't ruled on a polka Mass officially.  Nor have they specifically ruled that bringing swimming pools into the church, with an umbrella and a mixed drink with Bruce Springsteen playing "Born in the USA" on a boom box while Mass is not allowed.  WHY?  Because what loonie would do that - it is too over the top.  The Mass is not a performance, it is not for our entertainment, for clapping, for jammin out - it is to represent the Sacrifice of Calvary for His faithful to WORSHIP Him.  Stay tuned - I'm just gettin warmed up.  I have no authority in the ongoing of the Church.  If anyone reads this and does have the DUTY and authority- please help - not me, but Our Lord.  Help keep His Sacrifice about that - HIS Sacrifice.

Funeral For The Unborn

40 days for life - Rochester

From September 28 - November 6 201, our community will be one of many joining together for a faith-filled, groundbreaking, coordinated pro-life mobilization -- 40 Days for Life.

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:

• 40 days of prayer and fasting
• 40 days of peaceful vigil
• 40 days of community outreach

We are praying that, with God's help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in Rochester--and throughout America. We also pray it will provide healing for those who have suffered from an abortion or have played a role in providing abortion services.

Take a stand for life

While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to end abortion and provide healing, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil outside the local facility.

You can help make a life-saving impact by joining our local vigil at:

Planned Parenthood
1212 7th St NW
Rochester, MN

While the Planned Parenthood in Rochester does NOT do abortion procedures, they do refer individuals to clinics that provide abortion services. Individuals entering the clinic may be seeking an abortion provider and/or the morning after pill! Our goal is to prayerfully provide other alternatives to those who are suffering and afraid while faced with an unplanned/unwanted pregnancy.

Sign up to participate in our local 40 Days for Life vigil by clicking the "Vigil Schedule" link here.

Contact us

To learn more, sign up for specific vigil hours, or let us know how you feel called to serve God in this effort, please contact the local 40 Days for Life leadership team:

Paula Ellefson
buggz25@msn.com

Get the latest updates

Be sure to sign-up for updates and prayer requests using the form at the top right of this page, and browse through the rest of this site to find out how YOU can help make a lifesaving impact as part of our local 40 Days for Life campaign.

Learn more about the national 40 Days for Life campaign.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Planned Parenthood's Rochester Website:

SERVICES OFFERED

• Abortion Referral
• Birth Control Services
• Emergency Contraception [chemical abortions..so technically they DO perform abortions]
• General Health Care
• HIV Testing
• HPV & Hepatitis Vaccines
• LGBT Services 
• Men's Health Services
• Patient Education
• Pregnancy Testing, Options & Services
• STD Testing & Treatment
• Women's Health Services

HOURS OF OPERATION

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	9:00am	9:00am	9:00am	9:00am	9:00am	12:00pm	12:00pm
Close	6:00pm	6:00pm	6:00pm	6:00pm	6:00pm	5:00pm	5:00pm

Languages

English; Interpretation by telephone available for other languages.

Health Center Services and Information

Walk-in Services

Emergency Contraception, Pregnancy Testing, HIV Testing, Depo Injections

All other services require an appointment.

If you need emergency contraception (morning after pill), you can walk in any time the health center is open.

Hmmmmm.......I don't see anything about Natural Family Planning here......A thinking person would logically assume they would provide people with ALL options, not just those that intentionally kill babies.  Maybe they forgot to put it on the website.  Do you think they provide prostitution counseling?

New Knights of Columbus Council in the Diocese of Winona

Though in it's infancy, there is an attempt to start a new Knights of Columbus council in the Diocese of Winona.  This will be based out of the Cathedral in Winona and will be.....


"geared at young men and focused on pro life and apologetics. We are currently in the recruiting phase, and are well on our way. We are hoping that this is a great way for young Catholic men to grow in faith and fellowship."


This sounds like a great thing that is getting started, the DOW is coming around.  


Oh, and word has it Mr. Raymond de Souza will be involved as well.


If this peaks your interest, leave a comment or send an email to versolaltoblog1@gmail.com 

What a Cathedral restoration SHOULD look like

Sioux Falls, South Dakota - they get it right.  Notice the altar rail?  Just sayin......

http://www.stjosephcathedral.net/PhotoGalleryViewer.aspx?SubCat=248