Here's a Great New Age-Free Workout
JB writes: "I have recently heard of the Barre Method or bar method of exercise, referred to being similar to a ballet workout. Is this form of exercise related in any way to New Age? Is it OK to do?"
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Bishops Launch Fortnight for Freedom Campaign
The U.S. bishops have issued a call to action to defend religious liberty and are urging laity to work to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights as well as participate in a "Fortnight for Freedom" from June 21, the feast day of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, and ending on Independence Day to focus “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” on this issue.
Easter Friday Day Eight of the Divine Mercy Novena
"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
For Reflection:
Make a list of the names in a journal of your deceased loved ones and friends. Attach them to your Novena prayer today.
Planned Parenthood Launches 40 Days of Prayer - for Abortion!
In what is surely the paradox of the century, Six Rivers Planned Parenthood of Eureka, California, has launched a campaign designed by Faith Aloud to mimic the successful 40 Days for Life campaign by calling for 40 days of prayer for those committing abortions: the mothers, the escorts, the abortionists, and everyone involved - except the unborn children.
Are Women This Gullible? Falling for the Phony "War on Women"
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
It's been more than 40 years since Philip Morris snookered women into smoking with their catchy "You've come a long way, baby" ad campaign, but today's counterpart is surely the latest catchy slogan aimed at the female gender by another group of savvy male operators - the so-called "war on women."
Cardinal Dolan: No Problem with Catholics Voting for a Mormon
During a recent appearing on CBS's Face the Nation, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, advised the faithful not to let Mitt Romney's Mormon faith stop them from voting for him.
Easter Thursday Day Seven of the Divine Mercy Novena
Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:
Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.
For Reflection: To what extent do you venerate and glorify the merciful heart of Jesus? How do you show this devotion?
Easter Wednesday Day Six of the Divine Mercy Novena
Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
For Reflection: Is there one little child whom you know who most needs to know that Jesus loves him/her? A sick little one? One caught in the pain of divorce? Loss of a parent? Struggling in school or with playmates?
Woman Fakes Cancer to Get Lavish Wedding
A former New York woman was so desperate to have the wedding of her dreams that she feigned cancer in order to scam people - including her own groom - into providing her with a lavish wedding and exotic honeymoon.
Lawmaker Proud to Say His Catholicism Shapes His Policies
The renowned House Budget Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is not afraid to explain how his Catholic faith helped shape the Republican budget plan with its focus on local control and concern for the poor.
