Great Opportunities to Save Unborn Babies, Parental Rights and our Soul!

Happy Advent All, The end of the year is fast approaching and there is a way you can help save unborn babies and parental rights in Oregon. Believe it or not, one out of every four abortions are paid for with your tax dollars. Now, you can actually use some of your taxes to help prevent abortion rather than pay for them. You can do this by using the "Political Tax Credit". This allows a married couple to give up to $100 to a qualified political committee (singles can give up to $50) AND receive EVERY PENNY BACK when your tax return is filed. The deadline is December 31st, the same amount will simply go to the state government, if you don't act. I would suggest that a wonderful place to guarantee the best results for the Culture of Life is to Help the OREGON RIGHT TO LIFE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE. They are one of the most effective political groups in the state and they only work for candidates who are pro-life. In addition, ORTL-PAC is sponsoring a statewide Parental Notification ballot measure for the November 2006 election. Your political tax credit is an excellent way to help this ballot measure. IT'S EASY - Just mail a check for $100 or $50 to Oregon Right to Life PAC before Dec. 31st. You can add your occupation or when they get your check they'll just contact you. (The Secretary of State is asking for this). Mail it to ORTL 4335 River Road N., Salem OR 97303. You'll have a great New Year supporting a great organization who loves LIFE. Now about saving our Souls. There's still time to wash them clean! Pope authorizes plenary indulgences marking Vatican II anniversary VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To mark the 40th anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council, Catholics can receive a plenary indulgence for taking part in any public or private devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Benedict XVI authorized the special Dec. 8 indulgences to encourage the faithful to carry out the council's teachings on peace, justice and charity, said U.S. Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court dealing with indulgences and matters of conscience. The pope expressed his hopes that all the church would be united with him and their "common mother," Mary, on Dec. 8, so that the faithful "may be strengthened in their faith, follow Christ with greater dedication, and love their brothers and sisters with more ardent charity," said the cardinal. The Vatican published the cardinal's statement announcing the indulgences and outlining the requirements for receiving them Nov. 29. Dec. 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment due for sins committed. "A plenary indulgence is the full remission of all temporal punishment (time spent in purgatory) due to sin in one's entire lifetime up to that point. It may be applied to oneself or to the dead by way of suffrage." http://www.nationalshrine.com The gift of plenary indulgence may be obtained under the usual conditions: sacramental confession Eucharistic Communion prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; it is, however, fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff be said on the same day the work is performed. The soul must be completely removed from attachment to any form of sin, on the forthcoming solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, by the faithful if they participate in a sacred function in honor of the Virgin, or at least offer open testimony of Marian devotion before an image of Mary Immaculate exposed for public veneration, adding the recitation of the Our Father and of the Creed, and some invocation to the Virgin." The document concludes by recalling that faithful who "through illness or other just cause" are unable to participate in a public ceremony or to venerate an image of the Virgin, "may obtain a plenary indulgence in their own homes, or wherever they may be, if, with the soul completely removed from any form of sin, and with the intention of observing the aforesaid conditions as soon as possible, they unite themselves in spirit and in desire to the Supreme Pontiff's intentions in prayer to Mary Immaculate, and recite the Our Father and the Creed." It's been interesting to look up ways to receive this wonderful grace. Here's one site that might be of interest. http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/indulge/plenary.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POPE BENEDICT XVI - INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER 2005 Missionary - For people all over the world searching for God and truth: may they encounter the Lord Jesus. General - For all men and women: may they come to an ever deeper understanding of their dignity, granted them by the Creator in his plan. God Bless and Happy Gaudete (Gaw-day-tay) Sunday (Latin pronunciation for the word that means Rejoice!) The Lord is Coming! Carolyn " Stop entertaining those vain fears. Remember it is not feeling which constitutes guilt but the consent to such feelings. Only the free will is capable of good or evil. But when the will sighs under the trial of the Tempter and does not will what is presented to it, there is not only NO fault but there is VIRTUE." Padre Pio (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina) VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition - "Inline with the Church, online with the world"

Oregon Catholic Money Being Used Unjustly

Everyone, This Sunday, the Solemnity of Christ the King, Oregon Catholics will be asked to give money to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

 The recipients of this campaign usually don't have any religious affiliation, but there do seem to be radical leftist affiliations that continue to receive funds year after year. Many of these groups are part of the INDUSTIAL AREAS FOUNDATION (IAF) whose founder, Saul Alisky, dedicated his 1940's Rules for Radicals with this inscription: "Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins -- or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom -- Lucifer." (Not to point out this information would be a sin of omission and a rejection of the Kingdom that Christ died so we could share it with Him.) 

In the beginning Saul Alinsky envisioned an "organization of organizations," comprised of all sectors of the community - youth committees, small businesses, labor unions and, most influential of all, the Catholic Church......The event was revolutionary in American history because it was the first time an entire community was organized. The union, the community and the Church became one and the same.

 In 1940, institutionalizing the concepts he had learned from John Lewis (Chicago), Alinsky formed the Industrial Areas Foundation - the IAF - an umbrella organization out of which new campaigns would be run. In 1940, Alinsky elicited a generous grant from liberal millionaire Marshall Field III, who provided funds to establish the Industrial Areas Foundation, which has remained Alinsky's primary base of operation.

 By the late Sixties, Alinsky was leaving most of the field work to his aides and concentrating on training community organizers through the Industrial Areas Foundation Training Institute, which he calls a "school for professional radicals." Funded principally by a foundation grant from Midas Muffler, the school aims at turning out 25 skilled organizers annually to work in black and white communities across the nation. "Just think of all the hell we've kicked up around the country with only four or five full-time organizers," Alinsky told newsmen at the school's opening session. "Things will really move now."

Beyond the IAF, dozens of community organizing networks are actively practicing Alinsky's techniques. Among the most prominent are Pacific Institute for Community Organizing (Oakland, CA), the Catholic Church's Campaign for Human Development (Washington, D.C.), Citizen Action (Chicago, IL), Organizing Training Center (San Francisco), National Training Institute for Community Organizing (Chicago, IL), Direct Action and Research Training Center (Miami, FL), The Gamaliel Foundation (Chicago, IL) and National Organizers Alliance (Washington, D.C.)

 A conservative church journal wrote that "it is impossible to follow both Jesus Christ and Saul Alinsky."

Barron's, the business weekly, took that odd logic a step further and charged that Alinsky "has a record of affiliation with Communist fronts and causes." And a top Office of Economic Opportunity official, Hyman Bookbinder, characterized Alinsky's attacks on the antipoverty program (for "welfare colonialism") as "outrageously false, ignorant, intemperate headline-seeking." "The leaders and organizers of the Industrial Areas Foundation build organizations whose primary purpose is power - the ability to act - and whose chief product is equitable social change.

The IAF is non-ideological and strictly non-partisan, but proudly, publicly, and persistently political. Through local affiliates, the IAF builds a political base among voluntary institutions that includes religious congregations, labor locals, homeowner groups, recovery groups, parents associations, non-profits, immigrant societies, schools, seminaries, orders of men and women religious, and others. Our leaders use that base to compete at times, to confront at times, and to cooperate at times with leaders in the government and market sectors. The heart of IAF's work is its commitment to identify, recruit, train, and develop leaders in every corner of every community where the IAF works. The IAF affiliates are radical ("root") organizations because we have a radical belief in the potential of the vast majority of people to grow and develop as leaders, to become full members of the body politic, to speak and act with others on their own behalf. And IAF affiliates do indeed use a radical practice: the face-to-face, one-to-one individual meeting whose purpose is to initiate a public relationship and to re-knit our frayed social fabric.

Industrial Areas Foundation Northwest "

 **************************************

Because of the Church scandal, we have to be even more careful of our stewardship. Giving to the "good" part of an organization or charity can make sure that there is money freed up for less honorable activities, this is called "fungible funding" and many groups rely on this. Many radical groups are gearing up for the elections in 2006 and most importantly 2008. Since more about the IAF is being revealed to Catholics in the pews, and their displeasure is becoming more apparent, the names are changing.

In Oregon the new IAF Northwest organization is Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Ground (MACG). http://www.iafnw.macg.org/ becomes www.macg.org The members have a large Catholic presence. The Catholic Churches are CATHOLIC CAUCUS Christ the King Parish (Milwaukie, OR) Immaculate Heart Parish (Portland, OR) St. Alexander Parish (Cornelius, OR) St. Andrew Parish (Portland, OR) St. Charles Parish (Portland, OR) St. Clare Parish (Portland, OR) St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Portland, OR) St. Philip Neri Parish (Portland, OR) Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary (Marylhurst, OR) COMMUNITY-BASED INDEPENDENT CAUCUS Central City Concern (Portland, OR) Centro Cultural (Cornelius, OR) PHOENIX RISING Transitions (Gresham, OR) Recovery Association Project (Portland, OR) Rose Community Development Corporation (Portland, OR) FAITH BASED INDEPENDENT CAUCUS First Unitarian Church (Portland, OR) Havurah Shalom (Portland, OR) Kol Shalom Community for Humanistic Judaism LABOR CAUCUS Carpenters Local 247 (Portland, OR) Carpenters Local 2154 (Portland, OR) Cement Masons, Local 555 (Portland, OR) Columbia-Pacific Building Trades Council (Portland, OR) East Multnomah County Uniserv Council, OEA (Gresham, OR) Operating Engineers Local 701 (Gladstone, OR) LUTHERAN CAUCUS Bethel Lutheran Church (Portland, OR) King of Kings Church (Portland, OR) Redeemer Lutheran/Vernon Presbyterian/Enterbeing (Portland, OR) UNITED METHODIST CAUCUS First United Methodist Church (Portland, OR) Lake Oswego United Methodist Church (Lake Oswego, OR) Metanoia Peace Community United Methodist Church (Portland, OR) {Ventures: A Publication of the Sisters of the Holy Names Oct. 22nd MACG Caucus meeting, St. Clare's, Portland Oct. 22-23rd Marylhurst Univeristy Alumni Days Nov. 17th Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good (MACG) Annual Assembly 7pm}

****************

 The CCHD committee chooses the organziations to be helped. Like the secular United Way, Catholics give campaign money to be distributed, but unlike the United Way, who the money goes to is known before hand so people can decide if they want to give their funds. CCHD promotional literature states, "We believe the poor themselves know best how to change their circumstances." This seems to be a hopeful statement, but not a just one. "Self -reliance, self-sufficiency, and self-determination" is a goal for recipients, however, faith formation is not. CCHD encourages Catholics to work for justice, through prayer, but not one mention of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to help these folks, their they can do it by them "self". Sadly, the name of Jesus is not even mentioned in the promotional piece. It also says that the "CCHD provides support where other charities and philanthropic organizations will not." The Public Welfare Foundation founded in 1951. This foundation is extremely supportive of many leftwing organizations, among which are groups advocating for radical environmentalism, feminism, gay rights, abortion rights, Third World immigrants' rights, prisoners' rights, illegal aliens' rights, welfare rights, anti-gun policies, and anti-nuclear agendas. Funds groups that promote leftwing visions of radical environmentalism; feminism; gay rights; taxpayer-funded abortion-on-demand; illegal immigrants' rights; welfare rights; and anti-gun and anti-nuclear advocacy Assets: $412,834,102 (2003) Grants Awarded: $17,992,990 (2003) Has granted monies to ACORN, VOZ (CCHD recipients) Director Peter Edelman's son, Jonah Edelman has founded "Stand for Children" out of Portland and during the Interfaith Advocacy Day 2005 stood up for Same Sex marriage. Peter Edelman's wife, Miriam Wright Edelman is the Director of the Children's Defense Fund, an organization that also received monies from this group. I was told by David Carrier, Director of Justice and Peace that groups given money were checked out to make sure they did not go against Church teachings. Here are the recipients for 2005 CCHD Archdiocese of Portland announces the 2005 Catholic Campaign for Human Development Grants The Archdiocese of Portland has announced the awarding of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grants for 2005. A total of $196,000 in national and local grants was awarded to local community-based projects that seek to end the root causes of poverty. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty program sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. CCHD is the largest private funder of anti-poverty program initiated and led by poor people in the United States. Founded in 1970, the CCHD is supported by an annual collection taken in Catholic parishes. The criteria for funding include: * At least 50% of those benefiting from the project must be from the low-income community. * Members of the poverty group must have a dominant voice in the project. * Projects must work to bring about institutional change by attacking the basic social, economical and political causes of poverty and powerlessness. * Projects may have a focus on community-based ecologically sustainable economic development with business efforts that ensure family wages, meaningful work and participatory respect in the work place. * Projects should empower low-income people to gain access to community decision-making structures. Projects awarded national CCHD grants for 2005 were: Project: Full Inclusion Organization: Lane Independent Living Alliance Contact: Carole Patterson Location: Lane County Funding award: 2005 $30,000; 2004 $40,000; 2003 $25,000 National Grants - 2002 $4,600 Local Grant LILA's mission is to increase access, voter participation, and protect the civil rights for people with disabilities in Lane County. Project Full Inclusion increases the involvement of people with disabilities on local boards and commissions so that they are "at the table" in local decision-making processes. People with disabilities have an important role to play in identifying issues of concern and actively participating in community life to resolve those concerns, including assisting with drafting of new legislation. Project: Predatory Lending Education and Reform Organization: Oregon ACORN Contact: Andrew Maxim Ginsberg Location: Portland area Funding award: 2005 $25,000; 2004 $25,000; 2003 $30,000; 2002 $27,500; 2001 $30,000 National Grants ACORN (The Association of Community Organization for Reform Now) is a grassroots association that creates progressive social change by promoting policy reforms that improve the lives of low-income and minority families. Member-chosen issues include ending community apathy, securing fair and affordable housing, community control of urban renewal funds, equal urban infrastructure (road paving, increased lighting, more traffic controls, etc.), and equal community policing and credit and loan policies. The Predatory Lending Education project focuses on improving banking CRA statistics and ending the predatory practices of certain lenders. Project: Tenant Organizing Project Organization: Community Alliance of Tenants Contact: Ian Slingerland Location: Portland area Funding award: 2005 $30,000; 2004 $25,000; 2002 $30,000 National Grants Community Alliance of Tenants is a tenant-controlled membership organization that educates and empowers lower-income tenants to organize and develop leaders who can advocate for better housing policies and practices. Through tenant organizing and collective negotiation with landlords, policy makers, and government officials, the organization seeks to improve the quality of affordable housing, change rental housing standards, and make low-income housing more widely available. Organization: Clackamas Community Land Trust Project: Low Income Homeownership Contact: Nancy Yuill Location: Clackamas area Funding award: 2005 $35,000 Clackamas Community Land Trust (CCLT) is a member-based organization that provides permanently affordable homeownership opportunities to low and moderate income people for generations to come. A CLT removes land from the speculative market and holds it in trust for the benefit of the community. The CLT holds title to the land and the homeowner leases the land from the CLT through a long-term renewable lease. CLTs balance the needs of individuals to build wealth through homeownership with the needs of communities to steward their investment in the land. Organization: Hacienda Community Development Corporation Project: Hacienda Native Plant Nursery Contact Person: Alan Hipolito Funding award: 2005 $35,000 The Mission of Hacienda CDC is to improve the quality of life for low-income Latino families by developing a permanent resource of affordable housing, education, economic development, and related activities that benefit low-income Latinos. Hacienda CDC acquired and rehabilitated several apartment complexes and now manages 321units of affordable housing. Hacienda CDC’s economic development program engages Latinos in new business development that provides economic opportunity for residents. The Native Plant Nursery will be a worker-owned cooperative that provides nursery stock and landscaping services throughout the Portland area. Project: Latino Caucus Organization: Portland Schools Alliance Contact: Barbara Willer Location: Portland Funding award: 2005 $20,000; 2004 $20,000 National Grants/ 2003 $5,000 - 2002 $2,750 Local Grants The Latino Caucus focuses on training and organizing Latino parents to be leaders in the school community and their children's education. Parents and educators build partnerships and political voice to advocate for concrete changes in school policies and practices that will improve the quality of education for Latino children. Projects awarded local CCHD grants for 2005 were: Project: PhotoVoice Project Organization: Sisters of the Road Location: Portland area Funding award: 2005 $5,000 Local Grant Sisters of the Road Café supports community-led solutions to homelessness and poverty by serving low cost nutritious meals that can be purchased with cash or in exchange for work. The PhotoVoice Project provides cameras to people experienced with homelessness to document their day-to-day lives. Through displays of the photographs and Sisters’ speakers’ series, the project provides a means to educate people about conditions faced by the homeless. The project could also become a source of income for the photographers through sales of photographs. Project: Community Cottage Industry Organization: Pioneer House Shelter Location: Astoria Funding award: 2005 $5,000 Local Grant Pioneer House Shelter assists the working poor and homeless by helping to meet basic needs like housing, food, and advocacy. To promote economic self-sufficiency, low income people will be empowered to recycle donated clothing into swatches. Buckles, zippers, and buttons will be retrieved and later re-fabricated into boutique-style clothing. Participants are from a partnering state agency which reimburses $6.25 of the $7.25/hr. minimum wage for participants. Other community partners will assist with space, marketing, and business skills. Project: Thick Chick Fashion Organization: Casa de Belen Location: Roseburg Funding award: 2005 $5,000 Local Grant Casa de Belen is a transitional home and community for homeless families and teens. Thick Chick plans to recycle used clothing into plus sizes comparable to popular styles and fashions. The goal is to provide a sense of positive self-image for plus size women who have difficulty finding fashionable designs at a reasonable price. The Project started with a group of women who wanted to learn business skills and to prepare a business plan. Community volunteers are working with the team to teach marketing, business management, and the craft of transforming donated clothing into wearable art. Project: Disabled United in Direct Empowerment Organization: Organizational Consolidation Location: Medford Funding award: 2005 $3,000; 2004 $3,000 Local Grants DUDEs is an organization of disabled people and their families and caregivers who assist with counseling, advice, and advocacy for disabled people whose rights to adequate health care are being denied. They engage in political action, help draft legislation, and educate legislators regarding the conditions of the disabled, and raise public awareness about the needs and problems faced by the disabled community. Project: Immigrants Rights Workshops Organization: VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project Location: Portland area Funding award: 2005 $3,000; 2004 $5,000; 2003 $5,000; and 2002 $5,000 Local Grants - 2002 $25,000 National Grant- special grant to support immigrant rights work. VOZ is a worker-led organization of day laborers that develops leadership and empowers members to build constructive relationships with employers and authorities. VOZ members gain control over their lives and working conditions and improve relations with businesses and the community by conducting educational workshops and dispelling stereotypes about day laborers. VOZ established a living wage of $9/hour, recovered over $80,000 in unpaid wages, and trained workers in computer use and the English language. Catholic Campaign for Human Development Grants are awarded on the basis of need and not religious affiliation. (FYI : Attached is the Justice and Peace Newsletter for November).

*********************************************************************

Catholic monies should at least be used for organizations that are not anti-Catholic: that is true justice. More Catholics are speaking out about these abuses throghout the United States. When the Pro-Life ministry of Oregon Catholics has less than $5,000 to save the lives of unborn children, we have truly failed to see the poorest of the poor. May God Bless and Give Us Courage.

Bishop Vasa's Curriculum for The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality from Rome

“The purpose of this program is to offer assistance to

parents based on the science of child development to form healthy and secure relationships with their children. The secure attachment relationship assures that children will develop with empathy, self-control, and harmonious personalities. The most important protection children have against developing aggressive and violent behaviors, including sexual abuse, is the empathic and nurturing secure attachment to their parents beginning in the first year of life. In turn, this same relationship protects children from becoming victims of abuse.”

- The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa

In the quest to honor children and their parents and Our Lord.  There has been created "Healthy Families - Safer Children..  http://securechild.org/

Table of Contents

 Program I. Changing the Culture

Section One: The Crisis of Culture
Section Two: The Development of the Child
Section Three: Proactive Parenting for Safe and Moral Children

Program II. Child Development

Section One: Secure Attachment
Section Two: Insecure Attachments and Healing
Section Three: Adult Attachment Relationships

Program III. Authoritative Parenting

Section One: Discipline and Emotions
Section Two: Styles of Parenting
Section Three: The Marriage-Centered Family

Program IV. Moral Development

Section One: Moral Formation in Early Childhood
Section Two: Moral Emotions
Section Three: The Adolescent and Morality

Program V. The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality

Section One: Educating for Love and Chastity
Section Two: Sacred Parental Responsibilities
Section Three: Subsidiarity and Parents’ Rights

Program VI. Healing the Family, the Community, and Culture

Section One: Healing the Broken
Section Two: Healing the Parish and the Home

Section Three: Healing the Children

The way the Church teaches about love and intimacy is tangibly felt by reading the curriculum that our Archdiocese has chosen and the currculum of dignity in Healthy Families - Safer Children the Power of Relationships.  Catholic families can share a wholistic approach to teaching children .

Please read at least a little of this writing by Pope John Paul II. 

The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality

"Sex education, which is a basic right and duty of parents, must always be carried out under their attentive guidance, whether at home or in educational centers chosen and controlled by them. In this regard, the Church reaffirms the law of subsidiarity, which the school is bound to observe when it cooperates in sex education, by entering into the same spirit that animates the parents.

Bishop Vasa: Bastian of Common Sense & Good bye to Laurie Miller/Calendar Additions

Dear All, Continuing the effort to protect children and uphold the rights of parents. Here is Bishop Vasa's latest column. You can make sure are always informed by him weekly, just go to the websites and request this. Web: http://www.sentinel.org/ecolumn/ Email: vasa-ecolumn@sentinel.org ************************ E-Column by Bishop Robert Vasa ************************ REVISING STATUTES, SEX ABUSE CONCERNS AND PROMOTING VOCATIONS BEND -- The work at the Annual Presbyteral Assembly centered on the revision of the diocesan statutes and guidelines. I found the discussion to be animated and lively, interesting and interested. It seemed to me that the priests took the work we were engaged in very seriously and recognized that it was important not only for them personally but for the diocese as a whole. I found myself wonderfully energized by and grateful for their conscientiousness in tending to details that at times were nothing but tedious. Having heard the comments and suggestions of the priests and continuing to hear the comments and suggestions of the laity, I am now in a much better position to script the next revised draft. My hope is that the next draft can be ready in the next few months and that it can be reviewed once more at the deanery level and then put into final form for official adoption prior to the end of 2006. There are several sections that require further very serious review and at least one, relating to clergy health care benefits and retirement, that still needs some rather major work. I am most hopeful, at this time, that the document ultimately produced can serve the Church of Eastern and Central Oregon at least as well as its predecessors have served the diocese in the past. Pray that it is so. That used up a significant portion of the week. Another thing that occupied a lot of time was trying to respond to all the folks across the nation who wrote and mostly emailed with expressions of concern about "safe environment" programs for children. My public expression of my own concerns and questions seems to have created a kind of locus to which a significant number of concerned parents have gravitated. I am not ready at this time to pursue publicly the questions I raised in a past column, but I do want to engage in as thorough a study of this issue as necessary to allay, if possible, my own fears and concerns. A number of people have sent links to articles and websites as well as their own questions and concerns, and I appreciate the level of interest in this topic. It shows me that there are many folks out there who share my fears and concerns and whose concerns are so grave that they have withdrawn their children from such programs, refused to offer these programs to the children of others and objected to participation in them themselves. It seems to me that this is a very serious issue that needs to be weighed and considered most assiduously from a Catholic perspective to try to determine if the fears presented and questions asked have any validity. Proceeding to mandate programs of questionable value or origin under the guise that we hope they will be an effective means of keeping children safe in the future just does not sound right. At the very least, I have an obligation to assure myself, after some kind of due diligence, that these programs do not violate basic Catholic principles, unduly usurp parental rights or contradict basic common sense. It seems to me that the questions are serious enough to receive serious consideration, and a knee-jerk reaction that this is simply a group of "radical right organizations . . . working feverishly to keep our children in the dark about their sexuality and their right to make determinations about their own lives" is simply too dismissive. Many of the same objections which are raised about the highly questionable sex-education programs offered or mandated in schools for children of all ages may be applied legitimately to "safe environment" programs. I certainly do not want to confuse the two issues, for they are different, but some of the principles are certainly the same. I hope to continue to pursue this issue with the hope of coming to some fuller understanding of the dynamics involved. The study of these dynamics needs especially to extend to the children themselves. In 1995 Focus on the Family published a report on an organization known as SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States), which has, among other even more disturbing citations, these two. The first by an original SIECUS board member: "Incest between adults and younger children can prove to be a satisfying and enriching experience." The second by a SIECUS co-founder: "The major effects of [child sexual molestation] are caused not by the event itself but by outraged, angry, fearful, and shocked reactions of the adults who learn of it." Unfortunately, this same organization, and others like it, actually endorse some of the programs supported and promoted and mandated for our Catholic children under the guise of keeping them safe. One such program was actually designed by the purveyors of such tripe. Ever hear of a wolf in sheep's clothing? This is an area where parents have a most serious personal obligation to ensure that their children are not inadvertently exposed to principles and values that may be contradictory to those held by the parents or at a time not of the parents' choosing. At the same time I want to reiterate that I endorse the safe-environment programs sponsored for adults and those in positions of responsibility for children in our parishes and schools. I encourage all parents to take the valuable time to view the available materials so that you can be better instructed in the very real risks that face your children and from which, I am convinced, only you can protect them. My weekend travels took me a short piece up the road to Grass Valley and Wasco where I celebrated a Confirmation Mass. The three youngsters could not hide in the crowd as I questioned them, and I suspect there was this sweet and sour mix of both loving and hating the rather personalized attention focused on them. They did extremely well. The three topics that I have committed myself to promote worked their way into the Confirmation sermon, namely, vocations to the priesthood and Religious life, evangelization and adult religious education. In keeping with the promotion of vocations theme, one young man told his pastor that he had thoughts of being a priest. I subsequently sent an encouraging card, to which the young man reportedly reacted negatively. His response, "Dad, I was just being nice; I did not really mean it." I suspect that even "just being nice" may be a sign of a future vocation to the priesthood. Pray it is so. ****************************************************************************************************** To have a child die seems so "out of order". It doesn't seem fair somehow. May Laurie's short and sweet life make us thankful for our years and do our best to glorify our Creator and work for His Kingdom with the time He has given us. Rest in His Perfect Peace, dear Laurie. Laurie N. Miller March 2, 1994 - October 15, 2005 Laurie N. Miller, 11, of Turner died Oct. 15 after a two-year battle with cancer. She was born in Salem to Thomas and Christy (Rose) Miller. She lived near Salem for a short time before moving with her family to the Turner area. She was a sixth-grade student at St. Mary Catholic School in Stayton. She designed a Nike tennis shoe that was sold to raise money for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. She was the honorary hostess for the “Walk with Laurie” that was held in August in Stayton to raise funds for Doernbecher and the Livestrong Foundation. She enjoyed playing soccer and softball as well as doing arts and crafts. She also enjoyed spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by two great-grandfathers and uncles, Rob Miller and Ernie Kuenzi. Survivors include her parents; siblings, Lee, Clayton, Michael, Maria, Karen, Melissa and Dorathy, all of Turner; grandparents, Valentine and Dolores Miller of Brooks and Eugene and Karen Rose of Turner; and great-grandparents, Irene Rose of Albany and Dora Gilbert of Burns. Remembrances: St. Mary Catholic School, Stayton, or Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Portland. Side Note: To help the family in a more tangible way, Laurie's god-mother, Mary Belleque, would be happy to receive any donations to help the family with necessities she observes. Her address is 3405 Deerpark NE., Salem 97305 or call 503-390-6921. ******************************************************************************************************** Thursday, Friday, Saturday - October 20-22 - 74th Annual Catholic Medical Assn. Conference, PDX "The Biological and Spiritual Development of the Child" This promises to be an excellent conference at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Portland. All clergy, educators, parents as well as doctors, nurses, etc., are invited. Dr. Lynne Bissonnette-Pitre, local Portland Physician, is coordinator. Total information about the conference can be obtained at www.cathmed.org Tuesday, October 25th - Vicarate Celebration, Church of the Ressurection, Tualatin Quarterly vicariate celebration of the chaplet of Divine Mercy for Life at the Church of the Resurrection in Tualatin from 5:30 to 7 p.m. . It will be a mass with a Litany for Life, part of the vicariate observance of prayer, remembrance and fasting for life. Friday, Saturday, Sunday - October 28-30, Mother/Daughter Retreat, "Falling in Love, Mary and the Eucharist, Mt. Angel Abbey Sister Therese Improgo, O.S.F. - Retreat Facilitator Sister Therese Improgo is currently on staff at Our Lady of Peace Retreat Center in Beaverton, OR as a spiritual director and private retreat director. In past years, she has been principal, vice principal and teacher in the Catholic School Systems of Oregon and California. She holds a Masters Degree in Theology from the University of San Francisco, enjoys reading, hiking, singing and has traveled to Europe, the Holy Land, Southeast Asia and the Far East. "In today¹s society much of our time is spent in 'hurry-up-and-wait' situations. How do we make this precious time an adventure with God? Come and See!" For reservations contact Mount Angel Abbey Retreat House St. Benedict, OR 97373 /503-845-3025 Retreat begins with registration on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and ends on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. $180.00 for Mother/Daughter sharing a room; $200.00 for Mother/Daughter in separate rooms; $60.00 for each additional Daughter Fee includes meals, lodging, use of facilities and retreat program $35.00 DEPOSIT REQUIRED ********************************************************************************************************** If you have a daughter, maybe it's time to make this retreat. Life and time is too precious to waste. God Bless you all until the end of time, Carolyn The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6 VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition "Inline with the Church, online with the world"

"Abusing God's Children" part two

EXAMPLE LESSONS

During the introductory meetings at which "Talking about Touching" was presented in Norwood, the parents were given examples of lessons that would be presented to students.
In a 3rd grade class, the students would be given the following story:
This is Kerry. She is worried about something that happened to her last week when she spent the night with one of her friends. Her friend's older brother came into the bedroom, put his hand under the covers of the bed Kerry was sleeping in, and touched her vagina (private parts). She said, "Stop that!" in an assertive voice. He stopped, but then he told her to keep it a secret. Kerry is wondering what she should do. Question: How do you think Kerry felt when her friend's brother touched her vagina...

In the 1st grade, children would receive this instruction:
Cole and Mai are playing at the beach. When they go to the beach, they wear bathing suits. Their bathing suits cover up the private parts of their bodies. On boys, the bathing suit covers his penis in front and buttocks or bottom in the back. Those are his private body parts. The girl's bathing suit covers her vulva, vagina, and breasts in front, and buttocks or bottom in the back. These are her private body parts.

A 2nd grade class would be presented with this example:
This is Alex. He was visiting his aunt and uncle. Alex and his uncle were watching television and eating popcorn. His uncle told Alex that he had a special game he could play. He called it the "touching game." He said, "Let's take off our clothes and touch each other's private body parts." Alex knew this game wasn't safe, so in a strong voice he said, No, I don't want to do that." Then he got off the couch and left the room. When he got home he told his mom and dad what had happened. Alex's parents were glad that he said "No" to his uncle. They were also glad that Alex had told them what his uncle said to him.

The objection might be raised that the last scenario itself imparts a false lesson. The situation may or may not be "safe," but it is unquestionably wrong. Most children would feel a natural revulsion toward the uncle's actions, but rather than affirm that revulsion and engage in moral discourse, the children are instead presented with the vague secular idea of "wellness."

The "Talking about Touching" material could also frighten young students, parents suggested, because the case studies could encourage them to see familiar adults as threats to their innocence. In several of the scenarios presented in the curriculum, the perpetrators of attempted abuse are a mother's boyfriend or foster parents. "Their minds don't need that," said Pauline Irwin, mother of three girls at the school. "You start putting these things into kids' heads."

When several parents questioned the program's emphasis on the use of explicit terms for reproductive organs, they were advised that this terminology was necessary so that the children could be "good witnesses" for prosecutors if abuse did occur. That answer provoked two objections.

First, it seemed grossly unrealistic to suggest that a prosecutor could not make use of testimony in which a child referred to his "private parts." Second, and far more important, the children were being trained as witnesses in abuse cases, a seeming admission that such cases are inevitable at the expense of their own innocence. In other words, the "Talking about Touching" campaign was pushing the children into an unwanted position as the first line of defense against abusers, putting children at risk in the name of protecting children!

THE COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN
The genesis of the "Talking about Touching" curriculum provides a fascinating case study in how secular forces - and highly questionable forces at that come into play within a Catholic-school curriculum.
The curriculum was funded by the State of Washington and produced by the Seattle-based Committee for Children. This committee is a non-profit organization that grew out of 1970s group called Judicial Advocates for Women, which itself originally grew out of Seattle COYOTE, and whose initial mission was to "educate the public about the realities of prostitution." In fact, COYOTE is an acronym for "Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics;" the group was founded in 1973 "to work for the repeal of the prostitution laws and an end to the stigma associated with sexual work." As of 1997, Seattle COYOTE's executive director was Catherine LaCroix, who billed herself as a "Dianic Wiccan priestess" and a "Shameless Sacred Whore."

The curriculum itself consists of lesson plans for children from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade and will cost each parish about $2,500 for the complete set. Sales of this program as well as other child-safety curricula netted the Committee for Children more than $8 million in revenue in 2001, according to its filings with the Internal Revenue Service.

"Talking about Touching," while recommended by numerous groups including SIECUS, an organization known for promoting the breaking down of taboos against adult-child sex, was proposed for use by the Archdiocese of Boston by the blue-ribbon Commission for the Protection of Children. The commission set up by Cardinal Bernard Law in 2002 amid the firestorm of criticism against the cardinal and the archdiocese for the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations against priests over several decades. Its overall mission was to recommend policies for the prevention of child abuse.

The commission's members included a dozen business leaders, mental health professionals, and educators, but no theologians, official representatives of the archdiocese, or even Catholic parents. As one Norwood parent observed, it seemed odd that the cardinal, who had excused the shuffling of predator priests from parish to parish by saying that the Church relied on psychiatrists and doctors, would turn to the same secular "experts" to come up with a program to prevent child abuse.

THE LIABILITY ISSUE
One of the primary reasons for implementing a curriculum that was available immediately, rather than developing an original program that could take Catholic moral principles into account, may have been the requirements of the archdiocese's insurers to decrease legal liability. In fact, "Talking about Touching" was accepted by the commission on the recommendation of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group (NCRRG), an insurance group formed in 1988 by the US bishops, which has also developed a companion program for training of adult parish leaders, called "Protecting God's Children." That group's primary mission is "financing and managing the liability risks of the Catholic Church" through "cost-effective excess liability programs."

In the end the Archdiocese of Boston has made it clear that the "Talking about Touching" curriculum will be implemented in schools and parish religious education with or without parents' support - although Father Coyne, the archdiocesan spokesman, has conceded that the mandatory requirement of the program for all parochial school children will be reconsidered.

Still, many of the concerned parents in the Boston archdiocese are unwilling to wait and see whether their children will have to endure these lessons in their schools during the next academic year. "We will be homeschooling my daughter next year," William Germino said, adding that he knows of at least one other parent who has already pulled his child out of the school. John Bettinelli added, if nothing changes in relation to the program, "We will have to homeschool. We'll have no option at that point." And the controversy shows no sign of abating, as parents with children in other Boston-area Catholic schools are joining the Shared Concerns of School Parents group at an increasing pace, and national media attention is being focused on what could be a model program for other US dioceses.


Even if they do choose to homeschool their children, the parents may be faced with another crisis in a few years, when those children are ready to receive the sacraments. If the parents cannot in good conscience send their children to parish religious-education programs that include the "Talking about Touching" curriculum, will the children be able to receive First Communion, or to be confirmed? At this point none of the parents in Norwood can answer that question. They only know that today, they may have no other options.
Author, Domenico Bettinelli, Jr. is the Managing Editor of CWR (Catholic World Report).
The Shared Concerns of School Parents web site is at (www.germino.biz/scsparents/).

"Abusing God's Children"

Background Information on Programs for Oregon Catholic Children

Guest Commentary
Abusing God’s Children - Part 1, 2, and 3
By Thomas Augustine
www.MichNews.com
Sep 14, 2005

Talking about Touching 

By Domenici Bitingly, Jr.
A controversial, mandatory child-abuse prevention program in Boston parochial schools
has alienated parents who simply want to assert their rights.

June 1, 2003 (CAR) - In March, a group of parents of students at St. Catherine of Siena school in Norwood, Massachusetts, gathered at their suburban Boston parish for a presentation on a new curriculum that will be taught to all students. The program was to be inaugurated this year for children at the class levels from pre-kindergarten to the 4th grade; next year it would be expanded to cover the 5th through 8th grades at all parochial grammar schools in the archdiocese.

Although the program is billed as a broad-based "personal safety" curriculum, in practice the focus is more specific. The course is entitled "Talking about Touching," and it is primarily a response by the Archdiocese of Boston to the clergy sex-abuse scandal.

As the parents were given their first exposure to the curriculum through an introductory video, some of them were shocked at what it contained. The video opened with the tableaux of a young child of about 5 years old asking his mother, "Mommy, what is sex?" And the mother responds, "Sex is when two people get undressed and rub their private parts together."

At that point John Bitingly, a father of three boys who are students at the school (and the brother of this writer), knew something was wrong. "There was no mention of chastity or love, that the two people should be married, or even that they should be of the opposite sex," he said. Referring to the video itself, he said, "And whether the child (in the video) was an actor or not, I knew that the child had just been sexually abused."
Some of the parents in Norwood were concerned that such a troubling, secular understanding should be at the heart of a curriculum being taught in a Catholic school and touching on such a sensitive topic.

But when they asked whether they would be able to have their children excused from the lessons, they were first challenged, "Why would you want to?" When they pressed, they were told that this year their children could be exempted, but that the Archdiocese of Boston had decided that every child in parochial schools and religious-education programs would be required to receive training in the sex-abuse program beginning next fall.

So these parents--all of them loyal and orthodox Catholics, active members of their parish--began to organize, and to inform themselves about their rights as parents of Catholic-school children.
The parents had several significant concerns:

• Their parental authority, as outlined in Church teaching and canon law, was being usurped;
• The program's contents violated their children's innocence;
• There were secular, worldly principles being fostered in the program that were inimical to their own Catholic principles; and
• The curriculum placed their children as the first line of defense for the archdiocese against legal liability.

PARENTAL AUTHORITY
Several fathers first approached the pastor of St. Catherine's parish, Msgr. Cornelius McCrae. The pastor urged them to organize the parents who were concerned, which they did, forming the group that took on the title "Shared Concerns of School Parents."

Msgr. McCrae proved friendly and helpful, but he made the revealing statement that, as a priest in Boston in the current climate, he could not publicly oppose the program, because he could not risk being seen as an opponent of any measure that might conceivably protect children from clerical abuse. So the parents, he said, would have to undertake their own campaign.

The Norwood parents did exactly that, organizing a meeting at which the cadre of concerned parents would present their objections to other members of the parish. This meeting was originally to be a lay-run affair, but then Msgr. McCrae changed his mind, and said that the meeting would be run by school administrators and archdiocesan officials, including Deacon Anthony Risotto, the director of the Boston archdiocese's newly formed Office of Child Advocacy, Implementation, and Oversight.

At that April meeting, the parents confronted the deacon with their dismay at being required to involve their children in a program that would, in their informed opinion, expose their children to harmful material. In asserting their rights, they presented the Church's teaching, including Pope John Paul It's words from his 1981 apostolic exhortation, Familiaris Consortio:

Sex education, which is a basic right and duty of parents, must always be carried out under their attentive guidance, whether at home or in educational centers chosen and controlled by them. In this regard, the Church reaffirms the law of subsidiarity, which the school is bound to observe when it cooperates in sex education, by entering into the same spirit that animates the parents.

Deacon Rizzuto's response, reported by several of the parents who attended the meeting, was that he had not read any of the Church documents to which they were referring, including Familiaris Consortio and Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality, a 1995 document of the Pontifical Council for the Family. In fact the deacon, a retired Air Force officer, had no particular claim to expertise in the fields of family life or child protection; he had been chosen to head the new archdiocesan office from his most recent post as overseer of the archdiocese's cemeteries.


And Deacon Rizzuto replied simply that the unhappy parents should trust the teachers and the archdiocese. Rizzuto added that alternative programs and "making this program more Catholic" were options that could possibly be considered, but unless there were "enough concerned families," nothing was likely to change. And it was not clear how "enough concerned families" could be mobilized, if loyal parishioners were being encouraged to set aside their concerns and trust their teachers.

The Norwood parents were not to be so easily dissuaded from voicing their concerns. William Germino, father of a 5-year-old girl in a pre-kindergarten class, said he was concerned that the way in which sensitive material was presented in the "Talking about Touching" program would do more harm than goo--that use of explicit terms for male and female reproductive organs in front of a 5-year-old, and examples of "You put your hand in my pants and I'll put mine in yours," could very well "upset or frighten small children." He added, "It has the potential to undermine their innocence."

Despite such concerns, the Boston archdiocese has decided that parents will not be able to have their children exempted from the lesson plans. Nor will parents even be allowed to monitor the classrooms in which their children are exposed to this sensitive material. In an interview with the Associated Press, Father Christopher Coyne, the official spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston, reasoned that parents are not forced to send their children to Catholic schools, or to keep them in parochial schools if they object to particular programs.

He did not address the fact that the same curriculum will be implemented in religious-education classes for those students who do not attend Catholic schools, so that students may not be considered qualified to receive the sacraments if they do not take instruction in the "Talking about Touching" program.

Echoing the advice presented by Deacon Rizzuto, Father Coyne said that the parents of schoolchildren should trust their teachers and administrators. "At a certain point, you buy a program," he told the Associated Press.
But what is it, exactly, that parents of Boston schoolchildren are being asked to "buy into?" It is important to recall that the "Talking about Touching" program was brought into the Boston parochial schools in response to public outrage over the sexual abuse of children by priests of the archdiocese. Should concerned parents now "buy into" a program that they recognize as abuse in a different guise?

Moreover, the sex-abuse scandal that has shaken the Boston archdiocese was perhaps caused, and certainly aggravated, by the failure of chancery officials to respond to parents' complaints. When lay people complained about the behavior of abusive clerics in the past, they were ignored, or kept at arm's length, and assured that the clergy knew how to deal with the situation.

Now, after having seen the grotesque consequences of that approach, Boston's parents are again being advised to trust the "experts." And in a direct clash with the teachings of the Church, which clearly teaches that parents are the best "experts" in the formation of their own children, in this case the "experts" recognized by archdiocesan officials are psychologists, teachers, and administrators.

EXAMPLE LESSONS

During the introductory meetings at which "Talking about Touching" was presented in Norwood, the parents were given examples of lessons that would be presented to students.
In a 3rd grade class, the students would be given the following story:
This is Kerry. She is worried about something that happened to her last week when she spent the night with one of her friends. Her friend's older brother came into the bedroom, put his hand under the covers of the bed Kerry was sleeping in, and touched her vagina (private parts). She said, "Stop that!" in an assertive voice. He stopped, but then he told her to keep it a secret. Kerry is wondering what she should do. Question: How do you think Kerry felt when her friend's brother touched her vagina...

In the 1st grade, children would receive this instruction:
Cole and Mai are playing at the beach. When they go to the beach, they wear bathing suits. Their bathing suits cover up the private parts of their bodies. On boys, the bathing suit covers his penis in front and buttocks or bottom in the back. Those are his private body parts. The girl's bathing suit covers her vulva, vagina, and breasts in front, and buttocks or bottom in the back. These are her private body parts.

A 2nd grade class would be presented with this example:
This is Alex. He was visiting his aunt and uncle. Alex and his uncle were watching television and eating popcorn. His uncle told Alex that he had a special game he could play. He called it the "touching game." He said, "Let's take off our clothes and touch each other's private body parts." Alex knew this game wasn't safe, so in a strong voice he said, No, I don't want to do that." Then he got off the couch and left the room. When he got home he told his mom and dad what had happened. Alex's parents were glad that he said "No" to his uncle. They were also glad that Alex had told them what his uncle said to him.

The objection might be raised that the last scenario itself imparts a false lesson. The situation may or may not be "safe," but it is unquestionably wrong. Most children would feel a natural revulsion toward the uncle's actions, but rather than affirm that revulsion and engage in moral discourse, the children are instead presented with the vague secular idea of "wellness."

The "Talking about Touching" material could also frighten young students, parents suggested, because the case studies could encourage them to see familiar adults as threats to their innocence. In several of the scenarios presented in the curriculum, the perpetrators of attempted abuse are a mother's boyfriend or foster parents. "Their minds don't need that," said Pauline Irwin, mother of three girls at the school. "You start putting these things into kids' heads."

When several parents questioned the program's emphasis on the use of explicit terms for reproductive organs, they were advised that this terminology was necessary so that the children could be "good witnesses" for prosecutors if abuse did occur. That answer provoked two objections.

First, it seemed grossly unrealistic to suggest that a prosecutor could not make use of testimony in which a child referred to his "private parts." Second, and far more important, the children were being trained as witnesses in abuse cases, a seeming admission that such cases are inevitable at the expense of their own innocence. In other words, the "Talking about Touching" campaign was pushing the children into an unwanted position as the first line of defense against abusers, putting children at risk in the name of protecting children!

THE COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN
The genesis of the "Talking about Touching" curriculum provides a fascinating case study in how secular forces - and highly questionable forces at that come into play within a Catholic-school curriculum.
The curriculum was funded by the State of Washington and produced by the Seattle-based Committee for Children. This committee is a non-profit organization that grew out of 1970s group called Judicial Advocates for Women, which itself originally grew out of Seattle COYOTE, and whose initial mission was to "educate the public about the realities of prostitution." In fact, COYOTE is an acronym for "Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics;" the group was founded in 1973 "to work for the repeal of the prostitution laws and an end to the stigma associated with sexual work." As of 1997, Seattle COYOTE's executive director was Catherine LaCroix, who billed herself as a "Dianic Wiccan priestess" and a "Shameless Sacred Whore."

The curriculum itself consists of lesson plans for children from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade and will cost each parish about $2,500 for the complete set. Sales of this program as well as other child-safety curricula netted the Committee for Children more than $8 million in revenue in 2001, according to its filings with the Internal Revenue Service.

"Talking about Touching," while recommended by numerous groups including SIECUS, an organization known for promoting the breaking down of taboos against adult-child sex, was proposed for use by the Archdiocese of Boston by the blue-ribbon Commission for the Protection of Children. The commission set up by Cardinal Bernard Law in 2002 amid the firestorm of criticism against the cardinal and the archdiocese for the mishandling of sexual abuse allegations against priests over several decades. Its overall mission was to recommend policies for the prevention of child abuse.

The commission's members included a dozen business leaders, mental health professionals, and educators, but no theologians, official representatives of the archdiocese, or even Catholic parents. As one Norwood parent observed, it seemed odd that the cardinal, who had excused the shuffling of predator priests from parish to parish by saying that the Church relied on psychiatrists and doctors, would turn to the same secular "experts" to come up with a program to prevent child abuse.

THE LIABILITY ISSUE
One of the primary reasons for implementing a curriculum that was available immediately, rather than developing an original program that could take Catholic moral principles into account, may have been the requirements of the archdiocese's insurers to decrease legal liability. In fact, "Talking about Touching" was accepted by the commission on the recommendation of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group (NCRRG), an insurance group formed in 1988 by the US bishops, which has also developed a companion program for training of adult parish leaders, called "Protecting God's Children." That group's primary mission is "financing and managing the liability risks of the Catholic Church" through "cost-effective excess liability programs."

In the end the Archdiocese of Boston has made it clear that the "Talking about Touching" curriculum will be implemented in schools and parish religious education with or without parents' support - although Father Coyne, the archdiocesan spokesman, has conceded that the mandatory requirement of the program for all parochial school children will be reconsidered.

Still, many of the concerned parents in the Boston archdiocese are unwilling to wait and see whether their children will have to endure these lessons in their schools during the next academic year. "We will be homeschooling my daughter next year," William Germino said, adding that he knows of at least one other parent who has already pulled his child out of the school. John Bettinelli added, if nothing changes in relation to the program, "We will have to homeschool. We'll have no option at that point." And the controversy shows no sign of abating, as parents with children in other Boston-area Catholic schools are joining the Shared Concerns of School Parents group at an increasing pace, and national media attention is being focused on what could be a model program for other US dioceses.


Even if they do choose to homeschool their children, the parents may be faced with another crisis in a few years, when those children are ready to receive the sacraments. If the parents cannot in good conscience send their children to parish religious-education programs that include the "Talking about Touching" curriculum, will the children be able to receive First Communion, or to be confirmed? At this point none of the parents in Norwood can answer that question. They only know that today, they may have no other options.
Author, Domenico Bettinelli, Jr. is the Managing Editor of CWR (Catholic World Report).
The Shared Concerns of School Parents web site is at (www.germino.biz/scsparents/).

Bishop Vasa says No to "Safe Environment" Programs - part two

Bishop Vasa Says No to”Safe Environment” Programs -  part two

From Catholic World News News:http://www.cwnews.com/offtherecord/offtherecord.cf

"Kudos to Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon, who has announced that he will not comply with a new USCCB policy USCCB policy requiring sex-education programs (advertised as "safe-environment" training) for all Catholic children.
Many Catholics have aired their concerns about these programs, and this bishop, at least, has obviously been listening."

He asks:
Are such programs effective? Do such programs impose an unduly burdensome responsibility on very young children to protect themselves rather than insisting that parents take such training and take on the primary responsibility for protecting their children? Where do these programs come from? Is it true that Planned Parenthood has a hand or at least huge influence on many of them? Is it true that other groups, actively promoting early sexual activity for children, promote these programs in association with their own perverse agendas? Do such programs involve, even tangentially, the sexualization of children, which is precisely a part of the societal evil we are striving to combat? Does such a program invade the Church-guaranteed-right of parents over the education of their children in sexual matters? Do I have the right to mandate such programs and demand that parents sign a document proving that they choose to exercise their right not to have their child involved? Do such programs introduce children to sex-related issues at age-inappropriate times? Would such programs generate a fruitful spiritual harvest?
Right. That does cover the complaints, all right. Now what?
Bishop Vasa answers:
"At very least, even the possible unsatisfactory answers to any of the questions above leaves me unwilling and possibly even unable to expose the children of the diocese to harm under the guise of trying to protect them from harm."

Bishop Vasa's email address is bpvasa@dioceseofbaker.org
God Bless and protect Bishop Vasa

Bishop Vasa says 'No' to "Safe Environment Programs" part one

Dear All, For those families still suffering because of the "safe environment" programs that they feel abuse their childrens innocence, here is some wonderful news for you. Bishop Robert Vasa from the Diocese of Baker is putting the children of the Baker Diocese under his protection. He is respecting the parents and their concerns regarding their own children. He is respecting the Church and Her Teachings and he is following in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Who laid His life down for His Sheep and His little lambs.

Bishop Robert F. Vasa

Let us pray that other Bishops will ask questions of these programs so that our children will never again be subjected to abuse from the very people that are to protect them Here are his words and here is what he is concerned about. Thank God for this good Shepherd. To make sure we really protect children, we need answers 10/06/2005 Bishop Robert Vasa BEND — The next topic is one that I bring up only with great reluctance for I do not want to give any appearance whatsoever of being soft on my desire to assure the complete safety and protection of children. The Charter for the Protection of Children has been interpreted to include mandatory “safe-environment training” for all children of or connected with the Church. In the diocese, we have indicated that such training must be made available to all children under our supervision in our Catholic schools but have not taken on the nearly impossible task of assuming responsibility for every child in the diocese.

As a result of this discrepancy between a new interpretation of the charter and our diocesan policy, the annual charter audit will undoubtedly find the Diocese of Baker, and me as bishop, “Not in Compliance” and will issue a “Required Action,” which I am prepared, at this point, to ignore. I say this not because I resist efforts to protect children, but rather precisely the opposite. There are a series of questions that I believe need to be answered before I could mandate such a diocesan-wide program of “safe-environment training.” A few such questions follow: Are such programs effective? Do such programs impose an unduly burdensome responsibility on very young children to protect themselves rather than insisting that parents take such training and take on the primary responsibility for protecting their children? Where do these programs come from? Is it true that Planned Parenthood has a hand or at least huge influence on many of them? Is it true that other groups, actively promoting early sexual activity for children, promote these programs in association with their own perverse agendas? Do such programs involve, even tangentially, the sexualization of children, which is precisely a part of the societal evil we are striving to combat? Does such a program invade the Church-guaranteed-right of parents over the education of their children in sexual matters? Do I have the right to mandate such programs and demand that parents sign a document proving that they choose to exercise their right not to have their child involved? Do such programs introduce children to sex-related issues at age-inappropriate times? Would such programs generate a fruitful spiritual harvest? Would unsatisfactory answers to any of the questions above give sufficient reason to resist such programs? There are many concerned parents who have indicated to me that the answers to all of these questions are unsatisfactory. If this is true, do these multiple problematic answers provide sufficient reason to resist the charter interpretation? At very least, even the possible unsatisfactory answers to any of the questions above leaves me unwilling and possibly even unable to expose the children of the diocese to harm under the guise of trying to protect them from harm. I pray that, in this, I am neither wrong-headed nor wrong. For holding to this conviction I and the diocese may be declared negligent, weighed and found wanting. (continued)

Operation Save Katrina's Babies

Dear Friends I was asked if I knew of any activity to help the victims of Katrina. Here is something I just received and want to pass on. A new way of being the Hands of Christ to our children. Operation Save Katrina's Babies Dear Pro-lifers, Louisiana and Mississippi pregnancy resource centers are in desperate need of our help. Four New Orleans area pregnancy resource centers were destroyed by Katrina, and it t is unclear how incapacitated the Mississippi PRCs are, because no one has been able to get through to any of their directors. That's the bad news. The good news is that five of eight Louisiana abortion clinics were also destroyed. The PRCs in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and other outer Louisiana areas have been inundated by families needing diapers and formula. Area hospitals are also asking the centers to recover post-partum patients. The formula companies say they have sent huge shipments to the area, but they're not getting to the PRCs. I spoke with three PRC directors in Louisiana yesterday, and they gave me a list of their greatest needs. We are going to collect donations in the Chicago area over the weekend at Parkview Christian Church (11100 Orland Parkway, Orland Park, Illinois 60467), and a semi is going to deliver them to Louisiana on Monday (September 12). Here are the needs, in order of urgency: 1. Formula: Advanced Similac with iron; Enfamil with iron; any other formulas - dry, condensed, or ready to serve 2. Diapers, especially newborn 3. Infant car seats 4. Pedialyte 5. Bassinets 6. Baby wipes More than that, the PRCs desperately need money. They need to finance mobile medical units to go into the devastated areas as they are accessible. A director told me that there is lots of giving going on to churches and relief agencies, but the PRCs are being overlooked. We also need money to pay for the semi truck gas. (The truck and driver's time are being donated.) Donations for gas can be made to Concerned Women for America of IL, P. O. Box 188, Palos Heights, IL 60463. There is also a need for volunteers to go to Louisiana and stay for a week or two or longer, particularly men for protection. A nurse at the Shreveport PRC says she will help find housing. Donate directly online to: www.ctlm.org. These funds will go to finance mobile medical units and restoring pregnancy care centers. Please distribute this alert widely. Thank you very much, Jill Stanek Contact Information email: jillstanek@comcast.net web: http://www.jillstanek.com

Culture of Life Calendar for September & October

Culture of Life Calendar for September & October Dear Friends, We are truly blessed in Oregon. The Holy Spirit is pouring out His grace to help us make sense of our existence and stay close to Him. Here are some wonderful opportunities for us to get together, as One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. Culture of Life Calendar September Friday - Sunday, September 16-18 in Portland - Rachel's Vineyard Retreat These weekend retreats are for women, men and anyone suffering after an abortion. Participation is strictly confidential and offers a beautiful opportunity to experience the healing love of Jesus Christ . For more information or registration call Lori Eckstine, Project Rachel Coordinator 541-521-5186 or 1-800-249-8074. The cost is $130 for meals, room and all retreat materials. Assistance is available. Visit their website www.rachelsvineyard.org *** Mea Culpa, work fast for this one. Thursday, September 22 - "On Being a Courageous Catholic" - Mt. Angel Abbey Retreat House An evening retreat with Father Pius X Harding, O.S.B. Father Pius X Harding, as his name indicates, has a particular interest in Pope Pius X and the errors of modernism. He will share his insights from the Church's spiritual and intellectual tradition.The talks will focus on the source of challenges to the lay Catholic today, and the spiritual and practical aspects of being a courageous Catholic. Time - 4:00 to 9:00pm and the cost is $15.00 Schedule 3:45-4:15 Check-in and settle 4:15-5:15 First Talk 5:20-5:50 Vespers with the Monks 6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:00-7:30 Casual Discussion or stroll on Abbey grounds 7:30-7:50 Compline with the Monks 8:00-8:45 Second Talk Contact: Denise Campagna - 541.753.2751 Make checks payable to Mt. Angel Retreat House, by September 8th to Alice Brown, 5125 SW Beals Corvallis, OR 97333 This event is sponsored by Corvallis Pillar of Truth, a new non-profit organization in faithful obedience to the Holy See. www.corvallispillaroftruthorg *** Saturday, September 24th Day Conference, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Salem Conference Schedule 7:00 (Morning Mass in the Church) 8:00 Coffee/ juice in the parish center 8:45 Opening Prayer 9:00 Keynote Speaker: Janet Smith Natural and Non-Violent: A Catholic View of Sexuality 11:00 Break 11:15 Dr. Lynne Bissonnette Holy Feminine 12:15 Lunch provided 1:15 Mike and Amy McDermott Covenantal Love in Marriage: Living A Christ-Centered Family Life 2:00 Break 2:15 Janet Smith Culture of Life vs. Culture of Death 4:15 Closing (Vigil Mass is at 4:30 pm in the Church) Dr. Janet E. Smith is the Fr. Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Issues and a professor of Moral Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary of New York. She is the author of Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later and editor of Why Humanae Vitae Was Right: A Reader and many articles on ethical and bioethics issues. Over 700,000 copies of her tape, Contraception: Why Not?" have been distributed. She taught for nine years at the University of Notre Dame and twelve years at the University of Dallas. She speaks nationally and internationally on several issues, especially the Catholic Church's teaching on sexuality. She is serving a second term as a consultor to the Pontifical Council on the Family. Dr. Lynne Bissonette is a medical doctor with specialty in psychiatry. She has been practicing medicine in the Portland area for over 28 years. Her particular interest is in marriage and the family. In addition, she is currently serving as a regional director of the Catholic Medical Association. Mike and Amy McDermott Married for thirteen years, with six wonderful children, Mike and Amy also work with the marriage preparation ministry at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Salem. Conference Registration $10 in advance, $15 at the door Send name, address and phone number with registration fee to: St. Joseph Catholic Church Respect Life Committee 721 Chemeketa St.S Salem, OR 97301 Contact and info: (503) 581-1623 www.stjosephchurch.com checks payable to: St. Joseph Catholic Church October - Respect Life Month Sunday, Oct 2, 2:30-3:30p.m. LIFE CHAIN - Salem On Lancaster Drive in Salem families and all church communities will join together for the Life Chain. Lives have been changed and babies saved through the silent example of advocates for the unborn standing peacefully with signs. Bring your children and be a witness for life. Call Salem Right to Life for information and where your church will be needed to fill up Lancaster Drive. Get your church involved. If you can't or forget to call. Just come on down. We are family. Salem Right to Life office 503.585.7856 fax 503.585.0605 ALSO ON OCTOBER 2nd You can be part of this at the same time!!!! at the Life Chain or at Home! *** Sunday, October 2nd - World-wide Prayer Event of 100,000,000!!! Sanctity of Life Sunday Worldwide Catholic Effort Aimed at Offering 100 Million Prayers for Sanctity of Life! June, 2005 - Washington, NJ - The Blue Army, USA a member nation of The World Apostolate of Fatima/Blue Army today announcded an expansive effort aimed at offering 100,000,000 prayers to Heaven on October 2, 2005 in support of the Sanctity of Life. The Worldwide Fatima Sanctitiy of Life Day initiative endeavors to produce the largest day of organized prayer the world has ever seen. What is the Blue Army? Is this a spiritual dinosaur , or a constant "militia" of Our Lady as revealed in Fatima, Portugal in 1917 for the Church militant. The Blue Army formed in response to the Red Army of Communist thought. Part of the Catholic Church, the Apostolate is calling Catholics and non-Catholics alike to implement Our Lady of Fatima's message by praying onOctober 2, 2005. This worldwide event will spread Our Lady's plan forpeace, which is focused on hard work, following the commandments and prayer,especially the Rosary. By joining together with over 40 Member Nations and those who work hard for the Sanctity of Life, the massive effort results in the goal of sending 100,000,000 prayers to heaven from all corners of theworld. This event begins a movement that intensifies worldwide efforts to spread and emphasize the importance of the message of Fatima to pray.and pray often to resolve the problems confronting today's society. "Together we will bring the message of Fatima to life for millions of peoplearound the world, not just in big cities around the world but also to tiny villages," said Michael La Corte, Executive Director. "We will spread the message of Fatima not just to those who pray regularly, but also to many of God's children who don't fully understand the power of Our Lady's message." The world community is invited to visit www.bluearmy.com and register their pledge to pray the Rosary or according to their faith, on Worldwide Fatima Sanctity of Life Day. In registering their pledge, participants will be remembered in a Holy Mass at the Blue Army National Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Washington, NJ and in Fatima, Portugal. Each participant's name will be placed in Fatima at the site where the Apparitions took place.In addition, all visitors to www.bluearmy.com who register their pledge to say the Rosary or offer 20 minutes of prayer on October 2nd for the Sanctity of Life will be automatically entered into a special drawing to win a Free Spiritual Journey for four to Fatima, Portugal!"We ask all humanity to encourage your Catholic and Non-Catholic friends, family and loved ones, to register their pledge and if possible attend one of our October 2nd events being held throughout the United States and the world. With your help, heaven will smile as it receives 100,000,000 prayers for the sanctity of life," continued Michael La Corte. On October 2nd, Blue Army will also dedicate an inspirational monument Mary,Mother of the Life Within in Washington, NJ. Dr. Alan Keyes, one of theworld's most notable Sanctity of Life Champions, will join with Father Andrew Apostolic, one of the most recognized speakers on the message of Fatima, to address the thousands of faithful. His Excellency Bishop Bootkoski the local ordinary and the Spiritual Advisor for the Blue Army will dedicate the monument. Attendees will learn, pray, act on and spread Our Lady's message of salvation for the world. About Blue Army Shrine The Blue Army, USA is the only "Our Lady of Fatima" Apostolate that is part of the Catholic Church. They are recognized as a "Private Association of the Faithful." As such, the Church reviews their publications and actions in regards to theological accuracy, faith and morals. No other Fatima organization maintains this status. The Blue Army began the World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF), an organization that has garnered motions by Pope John Paul II to be raised to the status of International "Public Association of the Faithful" a status granted to only about 11 other catholic lay organizations." *** October 21-23 - Medford - Rachel's Vineyard Retreat (see September retreat information) *** Saturday, October 22th - Oregon Right to Life Silent and Oral Auction, Red Lion Hotel, Salem "UNDER THE SEA"..... Save This Date!!! Silent auction begins at 5pm. Please mark your calendar to join us for a fun and exciting evening with friends, including entertainment, a live auction, and a silent auction. Call 503.463.8563 or email www.ortl.org we will add you to our invitation list. *** Thursday - Sunday October 27-30 SILENT Retreat, Our Lady of Peace Retreat, Beaverton This silent retreat entails Holy Mass, Adoration, the Rosary, conferences, time for private reflection, meals in silence, opportunity for Confession and Spiritual Direction. Cost for room and board, $175 For more information call 312-527-1739 or see their website www.opusangelorum.org Retreat Masters - Father Titus Kieninger and Fr. Wolfgang Seitz of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. Father Titus is presently professor of philosophy and spiritual director at the major seminary of the Holy Cross in Brazil. He is also superior of the Community in Detroit, Michigan. Father Wolfgang Seitz, originally from Germany is the Director of Opus Angelorum for the U.S. A Blessed Opportunity. Pope John Paul II said that "silence is the sanctuary of prayer". Only he who flees the noise of the world and enters into the silence of the heart can hear the voice of God. Take your Guardian Angel on this retreat. They need a break from all the noise too. *** Friday evening - Sunday afternoon, October 28-30 Mother/Daughter Retreat, Mt. Angel Abbey The retreat will be geared for mothers with daughters in their teens through adulthood. As a mother, what would you like to experience with your daughter on this weekend. Any suggestions and/or things you think need to be addressed in your lives, please direct them to Linda Mayer (503) 981-9090 or email Linda at eAre1Body@msn.com Any questions regarding the retreat can be directed to Fr. Michael Mee at Mt. Angel Abbey at (503) 845-3414 . (Correction - Holy Family Academy is 1st through 8th with a one day/week kindergarten. ) God Bless Us and God Please bless those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Carolyn "Spiritual Childhood is not spiritual foolishness or softness; it is a sane and forceful way which, due to its difficult easiness, the soul must begin and then continue, lead by the hand of God." Saint Josemaria Escriva VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition "Inline with the Church, online with the world"

Heavenly Help for Our Children and Schools

Dear All, Here is a prayer for all our students in and out of Catholic education. Please remember Ecce Veritas, the new independent Catholic school in Portland, in these prayers as they start this new endeavor. For those of you not in the Portland area, another independent traditional Catholic school, the Marian Latin School, in Mount Angel is welcoming new students for high school. Also, in the Mount Angel area, Holy Family Academy is available for children from first to sixth grade. Let's not forget the Home schoolers. If you're interested in Traditional Catholic Home Schooling, there is a group at Holy Rosary with over 160 Catholic Home Schooling families. Home School meetings are on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.. Parents with toddlers are welcome to join the group, even before having school age children being Home Schooled. For membership information, please contact: dndhurley@netzero.net No matter where our children are educated they need the intercession of the Church Triumphant and the dear Saints who want to help them Keep the Faith. Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas Patron of Students, wonderful theologian and Doctor of the Church, you learned more from the Crucifix than from books. Combining both sources, you left us the marvelous Summa of theology, broadcasting most glorious enlightenment to all. You always sought for true light and studied for God¹s honor and glory. Help us all to study our religion as well as all other subjects needed for life, without ambition and pride in imitation of you. Novena to St. Thomas Aquinas Novena prayer St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of students and Catholic schools, I thank God for the gifts of light and knowledge he bestowed on you, which you used to build up the Church in love. I thank God, too, for the wealth and richness of theological teaching you left in your writings. Not only were you a great teacher, you lived a life of virtue and you made holiness the desire of your heart. If I cannot imitate you in the brilliance of your academic pursuits, I can follow you in the humility and charity which marked your life. As St. Paul said, charity is the greatest gift, and it is open to all. Pray for me that I might grow in holiness and charity. Pray also for Catholic schools, and for all students. In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena (mention your request). Amen. First Day St. Thomas, called by God "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Mt 10:37) St. Thomas, as a young man you became convinced that God was calling you to religious life. Although your family was opposed to it, you were determined to follow God's call. Even when your brothers kidnapped you and forced you to remain a prisoner in your own house, you did not give up but waited patiently for God's hour. St. Thomas, pray for all young people who are considering their vocation in life. Help them to be open to the call of God. Inspire them to make choices motivated by love for God and an unselfish love for other people. Whatever their state in life, help them to see their chosen path as a call to service. May all married couples, single persons, priests and religious build up the Church through lives of unselfish devotion and love. Second Day St. Thomas, lover of purity "For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness" (1 Thes 4:7). St. Thomas, you had a great esteem for the virtue of purity. When your family tried to deter you from entering the Dominicans by sending a woman to lead you into sin, you resisted the temptation and deter mined to consecrate your chastity to God forever. Today we are immersed in a culture that degrades the gift of human sexuality. Human persons are viewed as objects of pleasure and their human dignity is devalued. As a consequence, society tolerates abortion, disregarding human life at the very outset. Children suffer abuse and families are damaged by infidelity. Pray that our society may once again value the virtue of chastity. Pray that those in the media will work to promote a Christian view of marriage and family life. May the plague of pornography in all its forms be eliminated. May Christian moral standards act as a leaven in society and bring about a greater respect for human life. (Recite the novena prayer.) Third Day St. Thomas, example of humility "All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted" (Mt 23:12). St. Thomas, when you were a young student some of your classmen called you the "dumb ox." Although you were more intelligent than all of them, you bore their insults patiently without retaliating. You were endowed with a keen mind but recognized that God is the source of all gifts. You humbly acknowledged your dependence on God, and begged him to enlighten you so that you would act only for his glory. St. Thomas, pray for me that I too learn to act out of humility and never from the empty desire for esteem in the sight of others. Help me to seek only God's glory and to act with a right intention. May I seek to humble myself now, so that in heaven I will shine like the stars for all eternity. (Recite the novena prayer.) Fourth Day St. Thomas, devoted to truth "But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into Him who is the Head, into Christ" (Eph 4:15) St. Thomas, you devoted your life to seeking the truth and explaining it to others. You dedicated your mind to God, and used it to probe the Word of God more deeply. Your gifts as a theologian and philosopher make you stand out as one of the greatest doctors of the Church. In your discussions, you made truth your primary aim, while treating respectfully anyone who differed with you. Obtain for me too a great love of truth. Help me to ponder God's word so as to draw from it the light I need to nourish myself spiritually. Keep me firmly rooted in the truth, and never let me be swayed by false teachings. I pray also for those who are lost in darkness; please bring them into the light of truth. (Recite the novena prayer.) Fifth Day St. Thomas, afire with love for the Blessed Sacrament "So Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you"' (Jn 6:53). St. Thomas, you had a great love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and spent many hours in adoration be fore the Blessed Sacrament. You once said that you learned more from prayer before the tabernacle than from many hours of study. The Church owes you a debt of gratitude for the beautiful Eucharistic hymns you wrote at the request of Pope Urban IV, for the newly-established feast of Corpus Christi. Pray that I too might be inflamed with an ardent love for the Holy Eucharist. Help me to always esteem and reverence this wonderful sacrament. Pray for me that I might always participate devoutly in Mass, receive Holy Communion with great fervor, and often visit Jesus in the tabernacle. Through con tact with the Eucharistic Lord, may my heart overflow with love for God and for my neighbor. (Recite the novena prayer.) Sixth Day St. Thomas, filled with charity "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth" (1 Cor 1 3 :4-6) St. Thomas, you were noted during your life for the charity you showed to others. During debates at the university, you did not ridicule those who argued with you but treated them with respect and love. You showed consideration for the needs of other people. Help me also to be more deeply rooted in love of God and neighbor, keeping in mind Jesus' words, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:35). Help me to practice this same charity in a concrete way that does not stop at words, but is shown with sacrifice. May it begin first of all in my family, and then radiate to everyone I meet. (Recite the novena prayer.) Seventh Day St. Thomas, defender of the Church "...the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15). St. Thomas, from your youth you learned to love the Church, your spiritual home. In your teaching, you sought to explain and defend the doctrine of the Church, making it known through your writings. You understood that true wisdom means to let oneself be instructed by the Church, for Jesus guaranteed that the Holy Spirit would always be with the Church, to lead it into all truth. At the end of your life you said, "I have taught and written much...according to my faith in Christ and in the holy Roman Church, to whose judgment I submit all my teaching." Intercede for the Church today, that it might grow stronger and more spiritually fruitful in the world. Raise up holy priests, religious and laity, that they may all be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Bless the pope in his efforts to guide the Church, witnessing to the power of the Gospel to renew the face of the earth. May all theologians work to explore the richness of Catholic teaching so as to show forth its truth and benefit the faithful. Pray for missionaries as they work to spread the Gospel. May the whole Church be renewed by the power of the Spirit to more effectively witness to Christ in the world today. (Recite the novena prayer.) Eighth Day St. Thomas, teacher of prayer "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving" (Col 4:2) St. Thomas, you knew that prayer is the source of wisdom and you spent long hours in conversation with God. Prayer became your very life. Whenever you pondered over a problem in theology, you turned to prayer to seek God's enlightenment. Now in heaven you see God face to face. Pray for me, too, that I might become a person of profound prayer. Obtain for me the grace that I might always pray with humility, confidence and perseverance. Help me to grow more and more in the spirit of prayer, so that my whole life may become a prayer. May I always seek the face of the living God. (Recite the novena prayer.) Ninth Day St. Thomas, patron of students "For in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind" (1 Cor 1:5). St. Thomas, God called you to spend most of your life in academic pursuits, first as a student, and then as a professor of theology. In your work as a teacher, you desired to help your students apply what they learned to their lives, in order to grow in holiness. You realized that knowledge is meant to draw people closer to God. In your teaching you sought to communicate the truth, desiring to help your students become better Christians. Pray for all students. Pray for those who may have difficulty in their studies, as well as for those who can study with ease. Pray that they may all be open to the truth, and always seek to better under stand it. May they grow in knowledge so as to know God better and to be able to serve their brothers and sisters as the Lord desires. St. Thomas, pray especially for theologians, that in their studies and research they may come to a deeper knowledge of revealed doctrine in keeping with the mind of the Church. May their lives reflect the holiness of the Word of God which they seek to more fully understand. (Recite the novena prayer.) May God Bless and protect our children and help us to be able to provide the means to keep them always able to hear Your Voice, for You shall come again in Glory. Carolyn God our Father, you made Thomas Aquinas known for his holiness and learning. Help us to grow in wisdom by his teaching, and in holiness by imitating his faith. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. From the Roman Missal VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition "Inline with the Church, online with the world"