Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Instead of convincing the public that women need mandated birth control coverage, Nancy Pelosi's unofficial hearing featuring a promiscuous Georgetown law student is causing even more controversy than the mandate.
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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDSThe Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kathleen Sebelius, has announced that a new rule is coming "in the near future" that will both provide women with free contraception and respect religious liberty. The catch is that she's not meeting with bishops to iron out the "compromise" but with dissident "Catholic health leaders" and union bosses.
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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
The Dutch have been pushing the envelope for years when it comes to who they are willing to euthanize, but the latest case of a woman who was killed because of her macular degeneration have many wondering what has become of medical ethics in the Netherlands.
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If you think grisly blood sacrifice only happens in the movies, think again. Just last week in a nice suburban neighborhood outside Philadelphia, police discovered a trove of animal bones in a home that appeared to be a site for ritualistic animal sacrifices.
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St. Bridget was once told by our Sorrowful Mother of God, "No matter how numerous a person's sins may be, if he turns to me with a sincere purpose of amendment, I am prepared forthwith to receive him graciously, for I do not regard the number of sins he has committed, but look only on the dispositions with which he comes to me: for I feel no aversion in healing his wounds, because I am called and am in truth the Mother of Mercy."
For Reflection:
How comforting is this! Although the Church observes September 15 as Our Lady of Sorrows, how can we not daily, especially during our lenten journey and the Stations of the Cross, ponder our Lady's sorrows? There are numerous indulgences attached to the Rosary of the Seven Dolors and other devotions to the Mother of Sorrows. These are the SEVEN PROMISES that God grants to those who honor The Blessed Virgin Mother daily by saying seven Hail Mary's while contemplating her tears and sorrows during her life. This devotion was passed on to us by St. Bridget.
1. "I will grant Peace to their families."
2. "They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries."
3. "I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work."
4. "I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls."
5. "I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives."
6. "I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother."
7. "I have obtained (This Grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy."
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It was hard to miss the appearance of Mother Dolores Hart at the Oscars on Sunday evening - she was the only starlet on the red carpet wearing a nun's habit!
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Cardinal Francis George of Chicago is warning that the HHS mandate, which will force Catholic institutions to either violate their conscience by providing services that are against Church teaching or close, says that unless it is rescinded, Catholic social services may become a thing of the past.
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Citizens concerned about the potential loss of religious freedom if the Obama Administration's HHS Mandate should be allowed to stand are planning to take to the streets on March 23 in over 50 U.S. cities.
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“The Virgin Mary, who believed in the word of the Lord, did not lose her faith in God when she saw her Son rejected, abused and crucified. Rather she remained beside Jesus, suffering and praying, until the end. And she saw the radiant dawn of His Resurrection. Let us learn from her to witness to our faith with a life of humble service, ready to personally pay the price of staying faithful to the Gospel of love and truth, certain that nothing that we do will be lost.”
- Pope Benedict XVI
For Reflection: In what way do these words of the Holy Father speak to you today? Are we willing to face the moments of our life, from this second forward in persona Maria? How have Mary’s dolors encouraged you and strengthened you to do so?
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A Committee of the Maryland legislature held a hearing last week on a bill that would grant health care surrogates the power to donate non-vital organs, such as a kidney or lobe of a liver, of a person who is diagnosed to be in a persistent vegetative state (PVS).
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