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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The Archbishop of Sydney is willing to meet with supporters of same-sex marriage who want him to call off a Church-sponsored campaign against the unions, but on his own terms - first, they must make a public statement conceding that the Church's opposition to same-sex nuptials is not homophobic and second, they must allow a Catholic married couple to be present at the meeting.
Mass Grave of Nazi Euthanasia Victims Discovered in Austria
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A mass grave has been discovered outside a psychiatric hospital in western Austria which is believed to contain the remains of 220 victims of the Nazi euthanasia program.
January Gracelines
Feast of St. John Neumann, Bishop
(1811 - 1860)
A man must always be ready, for death comes when and where God wills it.
St. John Neumann
For Reflection:
If today should be the day the Lord would call me home, would I be ready?
(Consider: What are my outstanding sins? Whose forgiveness do I need to ask? Who do I need to forgive? What would be the last words my loved ones would remember me saying to them?)
Here's to You Mrs. Seton
"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will." St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
As a Catholic revert, it was with great joy and surprise that I was introduced to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. I, like many, at the beginning of my faith journey, viewed sainthood as something that was only attainable to priests and religious who dedicated their entire lives to prayer, fasting, and extreme penances. In other words, it wasn't for a lay person like myself. Mrs. Seton taught me differently.
Offensive Super Bowl Ad Will Not Air
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
An add mocking the Lord's Supper failed to make the top 10 list of finalists in an on-line competition that will determine which ads will be aired during the Super Bowl.
Study: Increased Use of Contraceptives Caused Abortion Rates to Double
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A study appearing in the January issue of the journal Contraception has found that as the use of contraceptives increased, so did the abortion rate.
ObamaCare and Abortion Funding in GOP Crosshairs
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Incoming House Republicans have announced that they will take up a vote to repeal ObamaCare next Wednesday, and will then turn their sights on legislation that will strip the unpopular health care reform bill of all taxpayer funding of abortion.
Australian Court Allows Minor to Undergo Sex Change
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
An Australian judge has ruled that an autistic boy can begin the process of changing into a woman, but must have his sperm frozen in case he should decide to "father" children some time in the future.
Egyptian Imam Accuses Pope of "Interference"
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Egypt's top Muslim imam has publically criticized Pope Benedict's call for world leaders to defend Christians, saying it represents "unacceptable interference in Egypt's affairs."
January Gracelines
Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
(1774 - 1821)
"Live simply, so that all may simply live."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:
Today, I will do an examination of conscience according to this quote and ask myself these questions: "What two virtues are implicit in this quote?" "To what extent has a consumerist mentality prevented me from living these virtues?" What positive steps can I take, beginning today, to remedy this situation?"