The massive killer earthquake in Haiti and a mag 8.8 today in Chile, tsunamis, monster blizzards, landslides ... I predict that Time Magazine will name "Mother Nature" the Person of the Year.
WASHINGTON—On the eve of the White House Health Care Summit, the U.S. Bishops urged Congressional leaders “to commit themselves to enacting genuine health care reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.” In their February 24 letter to Congressional leadership, the bishops also cited their longtime support of adequate and affordable health care for all, calling health care a basic human right.
The letter was signed by Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chairs of the bishops’ committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities and Migration, respectively.
The bishops urged the House and Senate to adopt legislation that ensures access to quality, affordable, life-giving health care for all; retains longstanding requirements that federal funds not be used for elective abortions or plans that include them; effectively protects conscience rights; and protects the access to health care that immigrants currently have and removes current barriers to access.
“We hope and pray that the Congress and the country will come together around genuine health care reform that protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all,” said the bishops.
For more information about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ teaching on health care reform, visit www.usccb.org/healthcare.
Full text of the bishops’ letter found here.
My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.
Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.
The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not burn thee by day: nor the moon by night.
The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul.
May the Lord keep thy going in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.
-- Psalm 121
Douay-Rheims Bible
Photo taken with Treo 755 by APL.
Pa. abortion doctor's license suspended after raid
Feb 23, 9:24 PM (ET)
By JOANN LOVIGLIO
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Federal agents raided a clinic where abortions are performed and found "deplorable and unsanitary" conditions, including blood on the floor and parts of aborted fetuses in jars, according to the state agency that shut it down and suspended the license of the doctor in charge.
In the order suspending Dr. Kermit Gosnell's license, the Pennsylvania Department of State's Board of Medicine said investigators found numerous health and safety risks at Gosnell's abortion and pain-management clinic, including a preoperative and recovery area that consisted of several recliners grouped together.
The Women's Medical Society clinic is open during the day, but Gosnell does not arrive until somewhere between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and is the only person with a medical license working there, according to the order.
A clinic employee told investigators that Gosnell directed her in his absence to conduct gynecological examinations and administer painkillers to patients, the document states.
The temporary suspension of Gosnell's license follows at least two raids by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. At the time of one raid - at 9 p.m. on Feb. 18 - investigators found the clinic full of patients.
On Nov. 20, the document states, a patient died after being given two separate doses of painkillers plus anesthesia before an abortion.
The full report:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100224/D9E28RNO0.html
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us!
For the second time in four days, Philadelphia Police, along with
State Licensing officials and DEA agents, searched the West
Philadelphia office of Dr. Kermit Gosnell on Monday.
Sources tell Eyewitness News that the search came after a patient
reportedly died following an abortion on November 20.
You can read the rest of the report by clicking this link:
http://cbs3.com/local/West.Philadelphia.Dr.2.1512077.html
A blessed Lent to all!
"Am I more alive only according to the car I drive?
Father Foley and I headed out to check out the neighborhood. The view of the church from the parking lot.
Father has been out his skis quite a lot lately.
Heading down Governor Bowie Drive
Barely discernible in the center of the photo, a flock of Canadian geese huddle on the lake.
Wind-driven snow and bitter temps shortened the trek.
Robins and finches huddle for warmth in the trees on the grounds of Darnall's Chance.
Darnall's Chance historic home dressed in white.
Flora and fauna form a trio of colors with the dusting of white.
The finch mutual-protection society sticks together and posts one member as a look-out.
Our Lady's grotto on the edge of the church grounds.
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Holy See (Vatican City State) arrived from wdtprs.com on "Meeting Christ in the Liturgy"
My handiwork of Sunday resulting in a driveway clear of snow and free of ice is of no use for extricating the car as the road out remains unplowed.
D., who also lives on the compound, made three runs of 7/10 of a mile each from his house to the road and back with a snow-blower to clear this car-wide path on the main entrance lane into the compound.
Trailing the movements of indigenous creatures is made easy by snowprints.
This is the main road into the compound; as you can see, not high on the county plowing priority list and remaining buried under what began as over two feet of snow.
The deer have no need of plows to get from home to work and back.
After a short hike I discovered that Mattaponi Road was plowed only from Saint Thomas Church Road up to the last descent toward the bridge over the river and the entrance to the retreat center.
Greater telescopic capacity was needed than I possess to give a better view of this feathered sunbather.
Cleared very well for two lanes of traffic and quite dry.
Idyllic winter view of St. Thomas Church
The steeple, roof and gravestones capped in white
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
always in every prayer of mine for you making my prayer with joy,
This photo just in from brother, Patrick, in Catonsville, MD, as he digs out the family 15-passenger van to attempt the trek to Sunday Mass with wife, Joanne, and six offspring. The family completed their mission successfully by reaching Saint Agnes Church where they attended Mass with about 12 other hardy souls.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
After morning Mass in observance of the Lord's Day the work begins.
Nature adorned by its Creator in a vestment of white
A task awaits
Beginning to emerge
Back porch buried
Road indistinguishable from the surrounding fields
Is this why people usually park the car at the end of the driveway when a blizzard is expected?
Shovel-width path from the door to the driveway.
First entry: "Observe how this piece of paper contrasts dramatically with the color of the sky when it is held up for the purpose of drawing attention to it."
