Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 22 February. The season of Lent is a time in which we do penance and prepare ourselves for the wonder of Easter. We pray more. We make a greater effort to financially help those in need. (This is called almsgiving.) We make special efforts to make amends for our sinfulness (penance), and we curb our physical desires by restricting our intake of food.
In an interview with Vatican Radio, Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison said that a “divide and conquer” strategy is being used against the Church in the public debate over religious liberty and conscience rights--a strategy that he fears marks the beginning of a “sophisticated persecution.” “Everybody sees that their freedom of conscience is at stake,” he said. “It just depends who is up to be curtailed at any given moment for whatever reason. If they can do it to Catholics, they can do it to anybody.”
“There seems to be an approach that seeks to divide the Church, even more than she is already divided, along liberal and conservative lines. We should not be this way,” he added. “All the liberal/conservative bit is an import from the political sphere, which really does us nothing but damage.”
Bishop Morlino continued:
To take advantage of the fact that this has already happened in our culture, this division, and then to start to pit the bishops – as if they were merely one group within the Church – [against] what other groups might think, is clearly a straightforward attempt to divide and to deepen division in the Church, and to weaken the Church – the old saying, divide and conquer.
After discussing his fears that the strategy marked the beginnings of a nonviolent but sophisticated persecution, he said that organizations that call themselves Catholic must “really be Catholic” and spoke about his efforts to ensure the Catholic identity of Catholic institutions within his diocese.
Stating that there is “too much liturgical diversity“ among parishes, Bishop Morlino said that “commonality in liturgy,” assisted by the new translation of the Roman Missal, is the foundation of a robust public witness.
Source: CatholicCulture.org
"Father, I have a question" she asked. I looked around and there she was. I've known her for years. She had accused an older Irish Pastor of being too mean to children because he had explained the Crucifixion in a religious education class. I had to be careful.
She went on, "Do I have to remove my Obama 2012 sweatshirt before receiving Communion?" She had a look in her eye that said "I'm testing you." I said "That depends on what you're wearing under it." She grinned, knowing that her first attempted trick had failed. "No, I mean, if I support Obama can I still receive Communion?"
Now she had gotten to the heart of the matter. I smiled and said "I don't know why you'd ask. The choice is clear, either you worship Obama or you worship Jesus Christ. Who is your savior?"
She didn't expect that question and looked a little confused.
"If Jesus is your savior, you are Catholic and free from serious sin, you may receive Communion." She said "But I want to know if I can support Obama." I said "Of course you CAN support Obama, but after reading what the Bishops are saying you have to decide for yourself if you can support Obama and still receive Communion."
She said "I support Obama".
I said "Then you've made your choice."
Source: Priest on Facebook.
Hear us, Almighty God, that as we today celebrate the birth into eternal life of your blessed martyr Valentine, we may be freed through his intercession from all evils that threaten us. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
