Maryland's Top Catholic Leaders...

• Gov. Martin O'Malley graduated from Gonzaga and tells us he goes to Mass each day. But he will sign the bill on same sex marriage.
• Del. Robert Garagiola (D-Montgomery) says that gays should have the same marriage benefit as he and his wife his in a Catholic Church 14 years ago.
• House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) used to teach and coach at his old Catholic high school will support same sex marriage.
• Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) supports same sex marriage.

This was all laid out in a Washington comPost article last week.

I wonder, how many of these well known politicians, are known by the priests of their churches.

I wonder how many of them receive Holy Communion on a regular basis.

I wonder when our clergy, at all levels, will tell these so called "catholyc" politicians, that they days of having it both ways are over.

That by voting for pro-gay legislation and pro-abortion legislation, you will no longer be able to receive the sacraments.

Cardinal Wuerl cannot say that some of the politicians listed do not reside in the Archdiocese. So,that cannot be an excuse.

As I have said over and over, as long as our clergy -- from Cardinal Wuerl to the newest Deacon -- continue to look the other way, politicians will continue to ignore our wishes.

You can lobby all you want, it doesn't matter.

Who Voted for Gay Marriage locally...(SB116)

These are the Maryland State Senators that we must get RID OF in the next election:

Jennie Forehand
Brian Frosh
Rob Garagiola
Edward Kasemeyer
Nancy King
Allan Killeman
Richard Madaleno
Roger Manno
Karen Montgomery
Paul Pinsky
Victor Ramirez***
Jamie Raskin
James Robey
James Rosapepe
Ronald Young

***Catholic

Maryland Marriage Action Alert

Our colleague over at Restore DC Catholicism has a ton of info about the latest goings on regarding the attempts to destroy True (and Traditional) Marriage in Maryland.

Click here to learn more.

The Most Merciful Supports True Marriage (NOT)

The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it will no longer defend the federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

The decision marks a significant about-face for the Obama Justice Department, which until now had defended the law in court despite President Obama's misgivings with the policy. The administration's attorneys as recently as last month had filed a court motion in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, which effectively bans recognition of same-sex marriage.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/23/obama-administration-drops-defense-anti-gay-marriage-law/#ixzz1ErQsc8uj

Again, I see The Most Merciful, Barack Obama doing whatever it will take to win re-election. What this does it to help energize the homosexual lobby to both donate time and money to his cause.

Yes, just another way the Obama administration is slowly dismantling the moral fabric of the US.

Some Housekeeping...

Periodically, you need to do some housekeeping work on the site.

So, I have updated the following links:

Fr. Joe
The Deacon's Bench

Catholics Against Joe Biden has been removed, since it seems to be restricted.

MCC Lobby Night 2011

I did not go to Lobby Night 2011.

I believe that it is really a waste of time and resources, except for the public relations.

Let me say that those who go are well meaning individuals who believe in their issue. However, elected officials are going to vote in a particular way when they know that there is a large group who will either vote for them or against and spend $$$ for that issue.

Unfortunately, we as Catholics will not vote for those politicians who support our beliefs. They know it, so they can ignore us.

The MCC and the Archdiocese can talk all about how many people showed up, pictures with representatives, etc. But it does not "mean a hill of beans" (as my father would say) -- in other words, it means nothing.

We don't do a good job of letting Catholics know who supports us and who does not. Although I will say it has gotten a bit better than 3 years ago.

Do you really think that if the MCC and concerned Catholics speak w/ Richard Madeleno, he will change his mind. Of course not! He is in a homosexual relationship and supports the gay agenda, do you really think he will change his mind?

Our Cardinal and the MCC needs to do a better job informing Catholics of who supported us and who did not.

We need to do a better job putting pressure on "Catholyc" politicians, and that includes the denying of the sacraments. Politicians know they need not fear us, since we do nothing.

You know, on second thought, maybe I will go next year and see if they will allow me to advocate for increased deportation of illegal aliens.

MD Citizens Support True and Traditional Marriage

To Richard Madaleno, Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Waldstreicher, James C. Rosapepe et al.:

A new poll shows that most Maryland voters believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman, while a supermajority believe the people, not the legislature, should define marriage.

A Lawrence Research poll released on Feb. 17 asked Maryland voters whether marriage should be between a man and a woman or whether it should be available to same-sex couples. About 54 percent of Maryland voters support the traditional definition of marriage, while only 37 percent supported same-sex “marriage.”

Asked whether marriage should be decided by the state legislature or voters, 78 percent thought that voters should decide on the legal definition of marriage while only 14 percent thought the legislature should.

For more, go to Catholic News Agency.

BREAKING NEWS: US HOUSE OF REPS VOTES TO DEFUND PP

It was just reported on the local radio station (WMAL 630AM), that the House of Representatives has voted to repeal federal funding of Planned Parenthood!

It may not pass the Senate but it sends a message to those who traffic in legalized murder.

Bishop John Ricard submits resignation due to health...

Over a year since suffering a significant stroke, Bishop John Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee has submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict.

A Louisiana native who oversaw Baltimore's inner-city parishes for 13 years as an auxiliary in the Premier See, Ricard has served at the helm of the Gulf Coast diocese since 1997. Prior to being given the high-hat at the young age of 44, the bishop pastored three parishes in Washington alongside earning a doctorate from the Catholic University of America.

For more, go to Whispers in the Loggia.

Some Catholic Humor for the long weekend...

Things are not good for faithful Catholics in Annapolis. Gay Marriage will probably pass. Illegal aliens (those who break the law) will get cheap tuition and all sorts of other benes (with the support of the Maryland Catholic Conference). Increase taxes, etc.

But...we all need a laugh once in a while.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An Irish priest was transferred to Ballina Catholic Church.

Father O'Malley rose from his bed one morning. It was a fine spring day in his new Ballina parish. He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful day outside. He then noticed there was a Donkey lying dead in the middle of his front lawn. Not knowing who else to call, he promptly called the local police station.

The conversation went like this: ''Good morning. This is Sergeant Jones. How might I help you?"

"And the best of the day ter yer good self. This is Father O'Malley at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. There's a Donkey lying dead right in der middle of me front lawn."

Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, replied with a smirk, "Well now Father, it was always my impression that you people took care of the last rites!"

There was dead silence on the line for a long moment and then Father O'Malley replied: "Ah, 'to be sure, that is true; but we are also obliged to notify the next of kin."

Feb. 28th is National Day of Mouring

From the National Black Pro-Life Coalition:

On February 28, in response to the continued epidemic of abortion in the black community and the recent revelations of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell’s house of abortion horrors, a National Day of Mourning has been called into being. Across the country, Americans are invited to mourn the loss of over 55 million babies killed (disproportionately over 16 million of which are black babies) by the Supremely wrong constitutional decision of legalized abortion, known as Roe v. Wade. We will gather to mourn the loss of life and the wounding of women by the violent act of “choice”.

In New York City, more black children are aborted than are born alive! Fifty three percent (53.2%) of all black pregnancies end in abortion.

This is not freedom. This is genocidal oppression.

Tears stream from our eyes because of the destruction of our people! (Lamentations 3:48)

For more information, go here.

BeNotAfraid.Net

Most of us know the song by John Michael Talbot entitled: Be Not Afraid.

Recently, a friend of mine introduced me to to a group via their website entitled: BeNotAfraid.Net.

Their mission:

Benotafraid.net is an online outreach to parents who have received a poor or difficult prenatal diagnosis. The family stories, articles, and links within this site are presented as a resource for those who may have been asked to choose between terminating a pregnancy or continuing on despite the diagnosis. The benotafraid.net families faced the same decision and chose not to terminate. By sharing our experiences, we hope to offer encouragement to those who may be afraid to continue on.

Coming off of the March for Life, I wanted to share this with parents who are now facing this situation.

I wanted to share this with those who know of others, who are facing this situation, to let them know that they are not alone.

Their stories will say more to each of us, than I can ever say in a million blog postings.

BeNotAfraid.Net

Thank You...

I have been working on this blog for over three years.

Wow.

I had not realized I have been at it that long.

I started it with the idea of posting maybe once or twice per week. Now, I am posting almost every day.

With each week, the number of hits increase. The number of time spent by my readers has increased.

In some ways, I believe we have made progress. But in other ways, there has been a step back.

Nevertheless, one of the things I have learned is to always say Thank You.

So to each of you, I say THANK YOU for being part of this blog.

Pelosi Declares "War" on Pro-Life Movement

(NOTE: This is my opinion and take on the article referenced below. I do not speak for Mr. Peters or CatholicVote.Org.)

Tom Peters, over at CatholicVote.Org, has reported that Nancy Pelosi (a Catholyc) has called for the pro-abortion forces to take no quarter, on the recent pro-life bills introduced in the US Congress. Now, this is not simply a matter of a simple disagrement on the new translation of the Missal, this is "all out war" (as I believe it is).

There can be no mis-understanding her about her efforts.

Archbishop Wuerl, once again, it is time for you and the bishops to stand-up and fight.

We will be there with you, but as our Cardinal, you can NO LONGER REMAIN SILENT.

Support
- SHR3: The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, HR358: The Protect Life Act
- HR 217: Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (which will defund Planned Parenthood).

Choosy Moms Choose Life!

A friend who attended the March for Life (2011) sent this to me. Enjoy!

Watch the Liberal Catholics Whine...

Over the last few weeks, we have not heard a word from the Catholycs who support abortion, over the scandal rocking Planned Parenthood and others in the abortion industry.

Look, let's admit it, PP's staff were more than willing to break the law and look the other way with child prostitution, etc. Nor are they willing to demand increase enforcement of rules to ensure that "abortions are safe."

Tell me, have you heard them say much about good old Dr. Kermit Gosnell. I mean, you would have thought they would be the first ones out of the box saying how horrible this was, and that we will not let it happen again.

Where are you liberal Catholycs????????

But all I hear are the crickets chirping.

So, now comes the effort to "defund" Planned Parenthood.

Now PP will still be able to perform abortions, PP will still have access to private funds, and all those who claim to support it, should pony up the dollars to provide abortions for free. Put your money where your mouth is. If you truly believe it is important, then put your dollars to it.

Already Catholyc US Senators Barbara Boxer and Patty Murray are ready to fight this tooth and nail.

You see, this isn't about legalized abortion. Because if it was just that, they wouldn't fight the defunding. It is about political power, it is about control. It is about something much deeper. You know it deep down.

To read more, go to Catholic News Agency.

UPDATE: 2pm

It looks like LIVE ACTION caught PP right here in the Archdiocese of Washington -- right in DC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwiP4WUi9RY

As readers of the blog know, I periodically refer to Rush Limbaugh in the context of the DC Opportunity Scholarships. Some of you may like him, some may love, some may say "who cares," and still others may hate him.

However, I recently read an interesting article by Wilfred McClay entitled: How to Understand Rush Limbaugh. As I got to the end of the of the article, I found the last paragraph interesting:

The critics may be correct that the flourishing of talk radio is a sign of something wrong in our culture. But they mistake the effect for the cause. Talk radio is not the cause, but the corrective. In our own time, and in the person of Rush Limbaugh, along with others of his talk-radio brethren, a problem of long-standing in our culture has reached a critical stage: the growing loss of confidence in our elite cultural institutions, including the media, universities, and the agencies of government. The posture and policies of the Obama presidency, using temporary majorities and legislative trickery to shove through massive unread bills that will likely damage the nation and may subvert the Constitution, have brought this distrust to a higher level. The medium of talk radio has played a critical role in giving articulate shape and force to the resistance. If it is at times a crude and bumptious medium, it sometimes has to be, to disarm the false pieties and self-righteous gravitas in which our current elites too often clothe themselves. Genuinely democratic speech tends to be just that way, in case we have forgotten.

It struck me in light of Cardinal Wuerl's article on civil discourse and those who blog (which of course, includes myself).

Think about what has happened in this Archdiocese over the last few years, and I think that it says much as to why I blog.

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

Let the trumpets blare...it is that time again for the Catholic Standard Weekly Update.

This week, the Standard once again covered Catholic Schools week, with a number of stories on some of the events at the schools around the Archdiocese.

We also saw coverage of the Cardinal's new book: "The Mass: The Glory, The Mystery, The Tradition." I was hoping to get a copy of it to review but I guess it got lost in the mail.

We also have continuing coverage from the March for Life.

We also see a section highlighting those priests and religious for celebrating anniversary's ranging from 25 years to 60 years. Congratulations and thank you.

However, I did note an interesting editorial this week entitled: Threats to religious freedom, close to home. It focuses on the various attacks on Catholic institutions over the last year or so: Holy Cross Hospital attempting to expand, the attack on pro-life pregnancy centers and the DC City Council legalizing same-sex marriages.

This is good and a step in the right direction. However, the ending of the editorial was weak. It does not ask the faithful to do anything more than "not to forget the importance of religious freedom."

No suggestions for action. Nothing about Catholic politicians who flaunt Catholic teaching. Nothing.

Someone told me once that the newspaper of an Archdiocese or Diocese reflects the personality and direction of the bishop. How true this is with the Catholic Standard.

Help Support BOAST - A Money Saver for Maryland

From the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC):

BOAST Saves Money

Issue: The General Assembly will again take up the BOAST Maryland Tax Credit this session. By enabling businesses to receive a 75% state income tax credit for their donations to scholarship institutions, BOAST (Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers) would help: increase scholarships for Catholic and other nonpublic school students; increase grants for Catholic and other nonpublic school teachers; and increase enrichment programs for public school students. Scholarships created through BOAST would help low- and middle-income families stay in Catholic and other nonpublic schools, and stabilize enrollment at those schools. Did you know that Catholic schools actually SAVE the state of Maryland - and taxpayers - 713.5 million dollars EVERY YEAR? And if you include other nonpublic schools, the savings to the state and taxpayers exceeds $1.5 billion every year! Gov. Martin O'Malley supports BOAST. Let's show our support and get our delegates to cosponsor BOAST.

Click here to write to your delegate.

Cardinal Wuerl Queries Anglicans

From Catholic News Service...

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl said in an interview that the Catholic Church has sent out questionnaires to learn more about U.S. Anglicans who have expressed an interest in becoming Catholic. A sufficiently large response would mean the creation of an Anglican ordinariate in the U.S.

“We’ve already seen how the Holy See, at the request of Pope Benedict, has established an ordinariate in England, Our Lady of Walsingham. And that would probably be a model for what we would do here in the U.S.”

“We’re a little ways off yet,” he said.

For more, go here...

Cardinal Wuerl on Civil Discourse

To all of my regular readers, I apologize to you that I have not been reading the Catholic Standard as closely as I should, or posting as much. Work (you know, the event that helps pay the heating, food, clothing, etc.) seems to have taken up a huge amount of my spare time. Yes, there are times when it needs to be done.

As I was eating lunch, and reading the news on line, it seems that Cardinal Wuerl was given a chance to "o-pine" on the state of civil discourse in America.

Considering the state of the Archdiocese of Washington, with dissenting priests and parishes, a Catholic school system slowly getting smaller, Catholic values under attack on all sides, the Cardinal saw fit to write an article on civil discourse.

There are many more pressing issues he could have written about but I guess, and this is my opinion, it is easier to always talk about these sorts of things than making statements about key matters of faith and morals.

Read the story here. What do you think?

Right to Life: View of a Catholic High School?

As I was surfing the web yesterday, I can across this CNN story on the annual March for Life.

In the story, two Catholic high school students are interviewed:

Alex Perry, 16, and Will Stancil, 17, were given the day off from their school. They attend a Catholic high school in Hyattsville, Maryland, where, they said, many of their friends and classmates are pro-choice.

"There's very few who are pro-life in our school, even though it is encouraged," Perry said.

"Nobody forces it on you. No one tries to sway you one way or the other. Everyone knows it's a really personal decision," Stancil said.

Now, I am not going to come down hard on these students, they gave a very honest opinion.

But, what does it say about how good a job we are doing as Catholics, esp. our schools, if this is what are young people are thinking and saying.

Oh, the only Catholic high school that fits this bill, from Hyattsville, is DeMatha.