Dear Friends,
The subject line is not comforting or "appealing" since the campaign for Catholic money through Annual Appeal is upon us. US Bishops are investing in Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) 4 Billion dollars strong and Catholic United Investment Trust (CUIT). Oregon Catholics need to be wise as we are involved in this scandal through association, as will be revealed. The Code of Canon Law is very clear on "investments" and we now wonder how our money is being invested.
Where does material cooperation end and scrupulosity begin?
Is the love of money changing the hearts of the Shepherds?
The first thing to remember is that the US Bishops do not equal or trump the Holy Father or the Holy See (the seat, center of authority) The second thing to remember is the the annual appeal is not a mandatory collection. The insert in last week's church bulletin did show what each church is "supposed" to collect. I don't know what happens if pastors fail to make the quota, I hope they aren't somehow penalized if the laity loses hope in where the Catholic collection plate money goes and the quota falls short.
Where does material cooperation end and scrupulosity begin?
Are Holy Orders Really Vocations or turned into Occupations?
As you will note by looking at the pie chart on the insert, the Respect Life Office has no slice. Once again the Office of Justice and Peace gets a share, this year down from 3% to 2%, however, belonging to Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and advertising their anti-Catholic events with Oregon Catholic money hasn't changed. In fact it has been ramped up under Catherine Willett, the director and Mary Jo Tully her director. Money is easily moved.
Where does material cooperation end and scrupulosity begin?
Are these alliances hardening the hearts of the Shepherds?
In Oregon in the 2007 Session of the Legislature, there was NO lobbying against embryonic stem cell research, they wanted to be "behind the scenes", I ask WHY? There is no problem joining the liberals with "anti-war", and the newest, "anti-torture" letters signed by Catherine Willett and the Archbishop speaking for Catholics, why not speak out on the daily killing of unborn Catholic babies at the hands of abortionists.
According to the campaign insert, 80 ministries getting cash from us. I was told by someone involved that the prison ministry was given 1/18 of 1%....of the 3.6 million expected. They are one of the 80+ . This is why we need an audit. The following news item from New Oxford review, just released, shows and even greater need to "TRUST BUT
VERIFY".
The Catholic bloggers are active in exposing the abortion/embryonic stem cell research through GlaxcoSmithKline and possibly other CBIS/CUIT investments.
http://catholic-dads.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-bad-investments.html
Where does material cooperation end and scrupulosity begin?
Has trust in investments replaced the Trust in Almighty God's Omnipotent Power?
The Catholic bloggers are active in exposing the abortion/embryonic stem cell research through GlaxcoSmithKline and possibly other CBIS/CUIT investments.
http://catholic-dads.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-bad-investments.html
*Here is a just released study of our investments in pornography
(The bold highlights are from VOCAL)
ILLICIT INVESTMENTS
Holy Porn!
February 2008 By Thomas Strobhar
Thomas Strobhar, President of Thomas Strobhar Financial in Dayton, Ohio, has over 25 years of investment experience. He is the founder of Citizen Action Now (www.citizenactionnow.com), an advocacy group that combats the imposition of the homosexual agenda, and Chairman of Life Decisions International (www. fightpp.org), an advocacy group dedicated to challenging the Culture of Death and promoting chastity. He is also the founder of Pro Vita Advisors (www.provitaadvisors.com), a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing and confronting the business aspects of abortion. His shareholder resolutions against contributions to Planned Parenthood have affected corporate policies at AT&T, American Express, General Mills, Target Stores, Berkshire Hathaway, and others.
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Five hundred years ago the Catholic Church was laid low for selling indulgences. Six years ago the Church was rocked by news of bishops covering up the sexual misdeeds of their fellow priests. Today hundreds of Catholic groups -- dioceses, archdioceses, and religious orders -- help fund their work through the sale of sex. Not sex per se, but the graphic depiction of sex found in hardcore pornography. Yes, the seamiest and steamiest hardcore porn films are brought into our living rooms and hotel rooms everyday through the investments of a veritable who's who of Catholic religious groups.
What do the bishops have to say about this? Not much. Until a few years ago, they had nothing to say. The investment guidelines of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), first formulated in 1991, ran over 15 pages and treated esoteric subjects, like affordable housing, in some detail. But there was not a single word about pornography, one of the most likely precipitators of personal sin. Apparently, the bishops hadn't thought of it or did not think it was important. Maybe they hadn't heard many confessions lately. In 2003 that changed. They altered their guidelines and included the problem of pornography. The result: the bishops gave their blessing to investing in porn-related companies as long as the company's revenues from porn were not "significant." The USCCB's express policy, as stated in its "Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines: Principles for USCCB Investments" (Nov. 12, 2003), is: "The USCCB will not invest in a company that derives a significant portion of its revenues" from pornography.
According to one bishop, the original language offered by a committee commissioned to study the problem of porn called only for divestment if a company "has a majority investment or participation" in pornographic material. This was seen as too lenient by some bishops, who managed to have the language changed to "a significant portion of its revenues." The "majority investment or participation" language reflected the then-current practice of the Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS), whose specific policy alluded to a 50 percent or more interest in porn-related material.
The Christian Brothers are one of the largest investors of Catholic institutional money in the world. They invest billions of dollars for over 1,000 Catholic "dioceses, religious institutes, educational institutions and health care organizations." Archbishop John Vlazny of Portland, Ore., is a trustee of CBIS, and Archbishop Emeritus James Keleher of Kansas City is a former trustee. CBIS helped formulate the bishops' original investment guidelines in 1991 and boast on their website that "CBIS was honored to be the only investment firm asked to advise the USCCB in the development of the updated guidelines" in 2003. CBIS, which touts its "disciplined approach to socially responsible investing" as a way for "Catholic institutions to invest in a manner that is consistent with their mission and with the teachings of the Catholic Church," is presumably in the best position to know what "significant" means to the bishops in practice.
According to John Wilson, Director of Socially Responsible Investing for CBIS, "There are in fact relatively few such [porn-related] companies, if defined the way we define it: companies whose primary business is the production of adult content. If defined more broadly to include any producer or distributor of adult content, you could include many more companies, including most media and cable companies." Whether the wording is "primary" or "significant," CBIS apparently has no misgivings about investing Catholic funds in a wide array of companies that distribute pornography, or more politely, "adult content." As long as the company's "primary" business is not porn, CBIS deems it acceptable. As Wilson realizes, this means that "relatively few" companies are avoided. The result is that almost every company responsible for bringing pornography into our lives is fair game for investment purposes. Considering the close relationship the bishops have long had with CBIS, and the fact that many entrust diocesan funds to CBIS to this day, it appears that many bishops, too, have little problem investing in porn.
Whereas the bishops consulted the Christian Brothers on how to deal with porn, it appears neither of them looked to see what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about it: Pornography "does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public) since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others" (#2354). The Catechism doesn't talk about "primary" or "significant"; it makes it quite clear that any profit from pornography is "illicit." According to the Catechism, pornography is "a grave offense," and "civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic material" (#2354). Indeed, it is a bizarre situation when the Catechism calls on civil authorities to "prevent the distribution of pornographic material" when the bishops and countless Catholic religious groups knowingly own shares in companies that distribute pornography every day.
Investing is sometimes seen as a passive activity, but as a shareholder one is promoting and profiting from whatever that company does. If a company sells porn, the investor is encouraging and profiting from sin. On this point, the Catechism says, "we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them: by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so" (#1868). The bishops clearly aren't doing much to hinder sin when they own companies whose profits are dependent on porn sales. Keep in mind, porn sales, with their low production costs, are exceedingly profitable. To these companies, their profits from porn are most "significant."
Actual companies recently owned by the Christian Brothers, as reported on their website, include: Cablevision Systems, Charter Communications, Comcast, DirecTV Group, Echostar, News Corp, Rogers Communications, Time Warner, and Viacom -- all of which entice the public with pornography via either cable or satellite television. In addition, they own Choice Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Host Hotels & Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, and Marriott International -- which all profit by offering in-room porn movies to their guests.
The Christian Brothers, on behalf of their Catholic clients, also own Lodgenet, which is one of the largest providers of in-room porn to the hotel industry, serving 1.8 million rooms. Some of the movies offered by Lodgenet include Girls Who Love Girls, Filthy Young Innocents, and AC/DC Sex. A complete list of almost 100 titles can be seen at www.truthaboutlodgenet.com. According to CBS News (Sept. 5, 2004), it is estimated that in-room porn films are purchased by "a whopping 50% of their [big chain hotels'] guests, accounting for nearly 70 percent of their in-room profits." It is arguable, even by the incredibly lax standards of the bishops and the Christian Brothers, that Lodgenet's porn business is its most "significant," if not its "primary," business.
While ownership in companies that profit from graphic images of sex provokes little outrage among the USCCB and CBIS, it is interesting to note a shareholder resolution brought last year by the Maryknoll Sisters and the Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order. The resolution asked Viacom to divest itself of Paramount Pictures, because a number of its films showed people smoking! The religious groups argued that images of smoking would influence the behavior of younger viewers. Of course, a good number of Paramount movies have shown people in sexual situations, but this was not mentioned in the resolution. Catholic religious orders have offered scores, if not hundreds, of shareholder resolutions dealing with tobacco, but it is difficult to find even one in which the issue of porn is addressed.
Smoking is apparently a most serious taboo among Catholic investors. The Christian Brothers do a great job of keeping the bishops' money out of tobacco companies, even though the bishops' guidelines say nothing about the subject. As regards smoking, Catholic groups apparently can't be sensitive enough. Perhaps the bishops and other Catholic groups would be more upset if the porn films they help distribute showed people smoking after sex.
The clerical sex scandal of six years ago counted over 13,000 victims strung over a few decades. Its financial cost is well into the billions of dollars. It is not hard to imagine 13,000 people per day, or even per hour, buying a porn film through their cable television company or in their hotel room. In all, there could easily be tens of millions of people induced to sin through the financial assistance of many dioceses, archdioceses, and multiple Catholic religious groups. Tens of millions of sins would presumably qualify as "significant."
In the clerical sex scandal, what disgusted people the most was not the individual sinner but the fact that these sinners were returned, with the bishops' approval and after consulting with professionals, to unsuspecting parishes where they often sinned again and again. All of us are subject to our passions, but it is the cooperation with and enabling of sin that produces the most outrage. Owning porn-related companies is just another example of the bishops' complicity in this regard.
There are thousands of other companies that would make suitable investments. Only a small percentage of public corporations are involved in porn sales. If choice A is found wanting for any reason, simply go to choice B. For religious groups, one would think that some level of prudence would apply.
Investing is not the only arena in which the bishops have bumped up against the porn demon and lost. In a story related to this writer by a senior staff member of the USCCB and confirmed by Msgr. Frank Maniscalso, also of the USCCB, the bishops tried to block porn filters for computers destined for Catholic school libraries and classrooms. Legislative proposals in 1998 would have mandated porn filters on all computers bought with federal funds or with tax revenue. The bishops joined the ultra-liberal American Library Association in attempting to defeat the mandatory filters. The bishops argued they would put in policies against porn access in schools, and wanted filters to be optional. The bishops also thought porn filters might cost too much. (Their actual cost is negligible.) In practice, filters prevent abuse from occurring. A policy is easily broken and difficult to enforce -- e.g., consider the effectiveness of a "No Talking" policy in most school libraries. Eventually, the legislation passed with mandatory filters, thus saving the bishops from their own poor judgment.
The bishops and other Catholic groups invest in porn-related companies when there is little question about porn's redeeming value. Speaking of redemption, there is no attempt to avoid companies that may not be pornographic in the classic sense but make light of human sexuality or promote lifestyles inimical to traditional Christian belief. For example, mainstream television networks bring us situation comedies laden with vulgarities and sexual innuendo. Shock-jock radio announcers, like Howard Stern and Don Imus, belittle people and, according to a recent study by The New York Times (May 6, 2007), specialize in "sexually explicit banter, particularly descriptions of anal and oral sex." How these things promote the redemptive mission of the crucified Son of God would be most difficult to understand. Yet the companies that bring us these shows are clearly acceptable investments for the bishops. The Christian Brothers' investments in this area include General Electric, which brought us the aforementioned Don Imus (until he was fired for uttering a racial slur on the air) and a host of questionable movies and television shows. They also own Clear Channel and Emmis Communications, which collectively own over 1,000 radio stations. Some of the most offensive "humor" legally allowed is served up by these stations every day. So much for CBIS's "disciplined approach to socially responsible investing."
This picture is brought into bold relief when one considers the great art the Catholic Church inspired and helped fund over the centuries. But in America today, the bishops finance culture-destroying "entertainment" of the lowest order.
If there is a bright side for the bishops, it is this: Unlike the clerical sex scandal, no one will sue them because of their investments in porn-related companies. Unfortunately, it is also the reason that they are likely to do nothing. The fact that millions of souls may be gravely compromised or lost for eternity is not legally actionable -- in this world.
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The laity has it's work cut out. We are in the midst of a battle for souls. Our pleas will always be heard by our Risen Lord and this Lenten Season our prayers and sacrificing can change the hearts of our Shepherds to the heart of The Shepherd.
God Bless you and yours,
Carolyn
"No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at Him..
And He said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.
www.vocalnews.org
PO Box 458
Sublimity, OR 97385
503-769-4767
Member of Catholic Media Coalition
"In line with the Church, on line with the World"
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Lenten Alert and Action - QUEST fiasco and more....
Dear Friends,
As we enter the Lenten season we must not let our guard down: souls are at stake.
I am including in this email Oregon Catholic Citizens research on QUEST, a program ordered by the Archdpdx to be put together just for us. This program encourages small faith communities to replace the Church and break down the relationship between the laity and true Church leadership from Rome. The cost is being investigated, this is a three year program and Disciples in Mission cost us millions. We are bankrupt and should be careful of our expenditures. The Archbishops appeal is almost upon us and we need to be mindful of where our Catholic Collection plate money goes.
Also, please join with Precious Children of Portland www.pdx4life.org in blocking the building of the abortion site on MLK Blvd. The Archdpdx has hired the contractor and architect in the past and we need to stop this scandal now. The laity has this responsiblity...we cannot depend on others to do what we know is right. We will all go before the Lord sooner or later and will be accountable for our actions or lack of them.
__________________________________________________________________________
From OREGON CATHOLIC CITIZENS.......
What is QUEST and why is it promoted throughout the Archdiocese of Portland? What are Small Christian Communities?
Excerpts from the book "Creating Small Church Communities" by Arthur R. Baranowski
Pastoring the 'Pastors'
The Small Church Community is really a church. Therefore, that church needs a pastor! The term carefully chosen at St. Elizabeth Seton to designate the pastoral leader of the small community is pastoral facilitator. The "PF" is often a couple, especially if the small community is mostly couples.
The word facilitator in this title refers to the PF's being at the service of the other members of the group, helping them relate to each other, keeping the group true to its purpose. The critical presumption is that the Holy Spirit speaks in each person in the small community and through each person for the others. Thus the small community's PF (like the parish's pastoral staff) need not necessarily be the wisest, holiest or most articulate.
The leader, in fact, works at not being the expert - the person everyone else addresses comments toward, the one giving approval. The facilitator is also not the problem-solver, not the counselor, not the teacher. Rather, the facilitator insures an environment where all members of the group can contribute to each other and where each person takes responsibility for the rest. The church always fails when only one person tries to take care of the community. The very term facilitate means to bring out the best already present in people through a process of interaction. Thus the small community's leader facilitates communication.
The pastor of the Catholic Small Church Community does what the parish's canonical pastor or the bishop does: enable each person to bring his or her gifts to the entire group, help people in the church listen to each other, keep the vision of church before the members, connect this level of church to the other levels of church.
READ MORE:
www.catholicculture.org/library/view,cfm?id=6520&repos=1&subrepos=&searchid-172969
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Call to Action board member boasted, "We are beginning to create a new church instead of fixing the old one" - and Small Christian Communities are major building blocks of this new construct of apostasy.
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Creating Small Church Communities: A Plan for Restructing the Parish and Renewing Catholic Life
by Art Baranowski. St. Anthony Press
Called to Be Church Workshop Shortly, we will be scheduling the Called to Be Church workshop for four core teams that have been in the process of basic formation for some time now. Fr. Art Baranowski will once again be on hand to conduct this workshop. Parishes whose core teams have previously done this workshop are welcome to send members who have joined their core teams since the original team participated to be a part of this workshop. Call the office for more information if interested.
Source: Small Christian Communities (SCC) Quest web site: http://www.sccquest.org
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Further reading:
Source: Catholic Culture
http://www.catholicculture.org/
Compilation on Small Christian Communities
Catholic Culture Staff (June 30, 2005)
Description:
This compilation includes links about Small Christian Communities and excerpts from the book Creating Small Church Communities by Arthur R. Baranowski.
Publisher & Date:
Catholic Culture, June 30, 2005
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=6520
A New Experience of the Church?
Stephanie Block (Catholic World News, July 2004)
Description:
Stephanie Block writes about the burgeoning interest in Small Christian Communities and whether or not this is good for the Church. She traces their origin back to the Call to Action Conference held in Detroit in 1976.
Larger Work:
Catholic World News
Publisher & Date:
Catholic World News, July 2004
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=6519
What to Think of 'Small Faith Communities'
James Likoudis (CUF NEWS, May/June/July 1996)
Description:
James Likoudis discusses the pros and cons of "Small Faith Communities". He says there is nothing wrong with gatherings of Catholics who meet in small groups regularly, ostensibly to study the truths of the Catholic Faith, to deepen their spiritual life, or to engage in the Church's mission for social justice. The problem is that in the United States they have developed a different agenda focusing on the leftest-liberal struggle for "social justice".
Larger Work:
CUF NEWS
Publisher & Date:
Catholics United for the Faith, May/June/July 1996
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=6590
Liberationism for North America
Stephanie Block (Forum Focus, Spring 2002)
Description:
Liberation Theology was addressed and denounced by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in its 1984 Instruction on Certain Aspects of the "Theology of Liberation". The Instruction insists that while the "issues provoking liberationism are genuine," the expanding theological movement is "a perversion of the Christian message as God entrusted it to His Church" (IX.1). In this 2002 commentary Stephanie Block examines the Marxist roots of liberation theology and exposes some of the most significant and influential organizations which share the liberationist philosophy.
Larger Work:
Forum Focus
Pages: 4 – 22
Publisher & Date:
Wanderer Forum Foundation, Inc., Hudson, WI, Spring 2002
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7756
Structures For a New Church Model
Stephanie Block (The Wanderer, August 17 2000)
Description:
In this article, Stephanie Block writes, "Truth by consensus, see-judge-act methodology to achieve that "truth," small base communities, conscientization, and faith-based Alinskyian organizing are the five pillars on which a new "model of church" (to use the terminology of a prior Encuentro document) is being built. These elements, while not blatantly designed into the Encuentro 2000 Conference, were nevertheless a very real part of its activities, as evidenced by at least one speaker, one sponsoring organization, by the documents of the past Encuentros, and by a number of Encuentro workshops, providing a clue as to what has deeply disturbed conference critics, namely that the laudable conference goal of ethnic harmony -- at least within the Church herself -- will be swallowed by a darker goal, the destruction of the essential elements that are Catholicism.
Larger Work:
The Wanderer
Publisher & Date:
The Wanderer Printing Company, August 17, 2000
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=3127
The Underground Call to Action
Stephanie Block (Forum Focus., Winter 1999)
Description:
An analysis of Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) activities relative to Call to Action initiatives.
Larger Work:
Forum Focus
Pages: 7 -16
Publisher & Date:
Wanderer Forum Foundation, Inc., Winter 1999
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=1318
A Commentary on the Industrial Areas Foundation
Unknown (Forum Focus, December 1998)
Descriptive Title:
The Industrial Areas Foundation
Description:
This commentary was prepared in response to proposed changes in the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) guidelines. It provides information about the Industrial Areas Foundation, which receives the largest percentage of CHD grants of any CHD grantee
Larger Work:
Forum Focus
Pages: 7-21
Publisher & Date:
The Wanderer Forum Foundation, Inc., December 1998
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=2885
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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,
'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Mt 4 :1-4)
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FROM BILL DISS AND PRECIOUS CHILDREN OF PORTLAND www.pdx4life.com
40 Days For Life
February 6th - March 16th
YOU can help save lives!
This spring, from February 6 - March 16, our community will be one of 59 cities in 31 states joining together for one of the largest simultaneous pro-life mobilizations in history -- the national 40 Days for Life campaign.
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:
40 days of prayer and fasting
40 days of peaceful vigil
40 days of community outreach
We are praying that, with God's help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city and throughout America.
Take a stand for life
While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to end abortion, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil
Vigil Information for Portland:
We would love to have you at these locations at any of the times listed or find a friend or two and come at other times. Please stop by for just 20 minutes if you cannot stay an hour; your presence will make a difference! Drive by and honk for life and give us a thumbs UP.
Day of Week
Location
Times
Sundays
NE Beech and MLK
12:30pm – 4:30pm
Tuesdays
15th and NE Fremont
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Wednesdays
SE 50th, 3 blocks N. of Powell
8am – 7:00pm
Thursdays
NE Beech and MLK
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Fridays
NE Beech and MLK
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Fridays
Beaverton: 12220 SW 1st St by Post Office
9:00am – 7:00pm
Saturdays
NW 25th and Lovejoy
9:00am – 2:00pm
The Wednesday site is particular important because that is the current headquarters and main prenatal killing center for Planned Parenthood. If you have questions on vigil times or locations contact or need signs contact:
Portland: 503-309-0280 or 503-334-6183 Beaverton: 503-430-7087
Salem: 503-569-4794 McMinnville: 503-434-6789
Outreach Information: Please write and call the following that all have some part in building the huge new Planned Parenthood prenatal killing center on MLK Blvd.
City Officials who own and control the land sale.
Mayor Tom Potter
1221 SW Fourth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
503-823-4120
Commissioner Mark Rosenbaum
1675 SW Marlow Avenue, Ste. 401
Portland OR 97225
(503) 352-1300
Commissioner Charles Wilhoite
9655 NW Marvin Ln
Portland, OR 97229-9168
(503) 203-8469
Beech St. Developers (People who will buy land for Planned Parenthood)
James Adamson
2044 E Burnside, Ste. C
Portland OR 97214
801-558-7704
Timothy Ray
2814 NE 40th Ave.
Portland, OR 97212
503-249-0134
Brett Anderson
2525 N Sumner
Portland, OR 97217
503-519-5210
Architect for the abortion center
Ankrom Moisan Architects
6720 SW Macadam Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
(503) 245-7100
Proposed Contractors:
Bob Walsh
4240 SW Fairview Blvd.
Portland, OR 97221
503-228-5912
Al Beyer
2905 SW First Ave.
Portland OR 97201
503-849-7168
Please tell these people: "I urge you to not have any thing to do with Planned Parenthood and their plans to build the prenatal killing center on MLK Blvd."
Please contact us at 40DaysPDX@gmail.com or call 503-309-0280 to learn more, to sign up for specific hours, or to let us know how you feel called to serve God in this effort. See www.40DaysForLife.com.
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Things to learn and never forget:
CALL to ACTION - group who conducts anti-Catholic events "woman ordination" etc., and is connected with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
LIBERATION THEOLOGY - condemned by the Church. It directs true Justice and Peace due Christ and replaces focus on starting groups that build economic base to replace church. Used freely in our Office of Justice and Peace and new director focus as proved by events and advertising on Archdpdx website for Ecumenical ministries of Oregon events.
Do what you can this Lent. Even a well placed prayer can move mountains.
God Bless you and yours,
Carolyn
www.vocalnews.org
503-769-4767
Member of Catholic Media Coalition - " In line with the Church, on-line with the World."
As we enter the Lenten season we must not let our guard down: souls are at stake.
I am including in this email Oregon Catholic Citizens research on QUEST, a program ordered by the Archdpdx to be put together just for us. This program encourages small faith communities to replace the Church and break down the relationship between the laity and true Church leadership from Rome. The cost is being investigated, this is a three year program and Disciples in Mission cost us millions. We are bankrupt and should be careful of our expenditures. The Archbishops appeal is almost upon us and we need to be mindful of where our Catholic Collection plate money goes.
Also, please join with Precious Children of Portland www.pdx4life.org in blocking the building of the abortion site on MLK Blvd. The Archdpdx has hired the contractor and architect in the past and we need to stop this scandal now. The laity has this responsiblity...we cannot depend on others to do what we know is right. We will all go before the Lord sooner or later and will be accountable for our actions or lack of them.
__________________________________________________________________________
From OREGON CATHOLIC CITIZENS.......
What is QUEST and why is it promoted throughout the Archdiocese of Portland? What are Small Christian Communities?
Excerpts from the book "Creating Small Church Communities" by Arthur R. Baranowski
Pastoring the 'Pastors'
The Small Church Community is really a church. Therefore, that church needs a pastor! The term carefully chosen at St. Elizabeth Seton to designate the pastoral leader of the small community is pastoral facilitator. The "PF" is often a couple, especially if the small community is mostly couples.
The word facilitator in this title refers to the PF's being at the service of the other members of the group, helping them relate to each other, keeping the group true to its purpose. The critical presumption is that the Holy Spirit speaks in each person in the small community and through each person for the others. Thus the small community's PF (like the parish's pastoral staff) need not necessarily be the wisest, holiest or most articulate.
The leader, in fact, works at not being the expert - the person everyone else addresses comments toward, the one giving approval. The facilitator is also not the problem-solver, not the counselor, not the teacher. Rather, the facilitator insures an environment where all members of the group can contribute to each other and where each person takes responsibility for the rest. The church always fails when only one person tries to take care of the community. The very term facilitate means to bring out the best already present in people through a process of interaction. Thus the small community's leader facilitates communication.
The pastor of the Catholic Small Church Community does what the parish's canonical pastor or the bishop does: enable each person to bring his or her gifts to the entire group, help people in the church listen to each other, keep the vision of church before the members, connect this level of church to the other levels of church.
READ MORE:
www.catholicculture.org/library/view,cfm?id=6520&repos=1&subrepos=&searchid-172969
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call to Action board member boasted, "We are beginning to create a new church instead of fixing the old one" - and Small Christian Communities are major building blocks of this new construct of apostasy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating Small Church Communities: A Plan for Restructing the Parish and Renewing Catholic Life
by Art Baranowski. St. Anthony Press
Called to Be Church Workshop Shortly, we will be scheduling the Called to Be Church workshop for four core teams that have been in the process of basic formation for some time now. Fr. Art Baranowski will once again be on hand to conduct this workshop. Parishes whose core teams have previously done this workshop are welcome to send members who have joined their core teams since the original team participated to be a part of this workshop. Call the office for more information if interested.
Source: Small Christian Communities (SCC) Quest web site: http://www.sccquest.org
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Further reading:
Source: Catholic Culture
http://www.catholicculture.org/
Compilation on Small Christian Communities
Catholic Culture Staff (June 30, 2005)
Description:
This compilation includes links about Small Christian Communities and excerpts from the book Creating Small Church Communities by Arthur R. Baranowski.
Publisher & Date:
Catholic Culture, June 30, 2005
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=6520
A New Experience of the Church?
Stephanie Block (Catholic World News, July 2004)
Description:
Stephanie Block writes about the burgeoning interest in Small Christian Communities and whether or not this is good for the Church. She traces their origin back to the Call to Action Conference held in Detroit in 1976.
Larger Work:
Catholic World News
Publisher & Date:
Catholic World News, July 2004
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=6519
What to Think of 'Small Faith Communities'
James Likoudis (CUF NEWS, May/June/July 1996)
Description:
James Likoudis discusses the pros and cons of "Small Faith Communities". He says there is nothing wrong with gatherings of Catholics who meet in small groups regularly, ostensibly to study the truths of the Catholic Faith, to deepen their spiritual life, or to engage in the Church's mission for social justice. The problem is that in the United States they have developed a different agenda focusing on the leftest-liberal struggle for "social justice".
Larger Work:
CUF NEWS
Publisher & Date:
Catholics United for the Faith, May/June/July 1996
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=6590
Liberationism for North America
Stephanie Block (Forum Focus, Spring 2002)
Description:
Liberation Theology was addressed and denounced by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in its 1984 Instruction on Certain Aspects of the "Theology of Liberation". The Instruction insists that while the "issues provoking liberationism are genuine," the expanding theological movement is "a perversion of the Christian message as God entrusted it to His Church" (IX.1). In this 2002 commentary Stephanie Block examines the Marxist roots of liberation theology and exposes some of the most significant and influential organizations which share the liberationist philosophy.
Larger Work:
Forum Focus
Pages: 4 – 22
Publisher & Date:
Wanderer Forum Foundation, Inc., Hudson, WI, Spring 2002
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=7756
Structures For a New Church Model
Stephanie Block (The Wanderer, August 17 2000)
Description:
In this article, Stephanie Block writes, "Truth by consensus, see-judge-act methodology to achieve that "truth," small base communities, conscientization, and faith-based Alinskyian organizing are the five pillars on which a new "model of church" (to use the terminology of a prior Encuentro document) is being built. These elements, while not blatantly designed into the Encuentro 2000 Conference, were nevertheless a very real part of its activities, as evidenced by at least one speaker, one sponsoring organization, by the documents of the past Encuentros, and by a number of Encuentro workshops, providing a clue as to what has deeply disturbed conference critics, namely that the laudable conference goal of ethnic harmony -- at least within the Church herself -- will be swallowed by a darker goal, the destruction of the essential elements that are Catholicism.
Larger Work:
The Wanderer
Publisher & Date:
The Wanderer Printing Company, August 17, 2000
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=3127
The Underground Call to Action
Stephanie Block (Forum Focus., Winter 1999)
Description:
An analysis of Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) activities relative to Call to Action initiatives.
Larger Work:
Forum Focus
Pages: 7 -16
Publisher & Date:
Wanderer Forum Foundation, Inc., Winter 1999
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=1318
A Commentary on the Industrial Areas Foundation
Unknown (Forum Focus, December 1998)
Descriptive Title:
The Industrial Areas Foundation
Description:
This commentary was prepared in response to proposed changes in the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) guidelines. It provides information about the Industrial Areas Foundation, which receives the largest percentage of CHD grants of any CHD grantee
Larger Work:
Forum Focus
Pages: 7-21
Publisher & Date:
The Wanderer Forum Foundation, Inc., December 1998
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?id=2885
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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,
'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Mt 4 :1-4)
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FROM BILL DISS AND PRECIOUS CHILDREN OF PORTLAND www.pdx4life.com
40 Days For Life
February 6th - March 16th
YOU can help save lives!
This spring, from February 6 - March 16, our community will be one of 59 cities in 31 states joining together for one of the largest simultaneous pro-life mobilizations in history -- the national 40 Days for Life campaign.
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:
40 days of prayer and fasting
40 days of peaceful vigil
40 days of community outreach
We are praying that, with God's help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city and throughout America.
Take a stand for life
While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to end abortion, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil
Vigil Information for Portland:
We would love to have you at these locations at any of the times listed or find a friend or two and come at other times. Please stop by for just 20 minutes if you cannot stay an hour; your presence will make a difference! Drive by and honk for life and give us a thumbs UP.
Day of Week
Location
Times
Sundays
NE Beech and MLK
12:30pm – 4:30pm
Tuesdays
15th and NE Fremont
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Wednesdays
SE 50th, 3 blocks N. of Powell
8am – 7:00pm
Thursdays
NE Beech and MLK
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Fridays
NE Beech and MLK
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Fridays
Beaverton: 12220 SW 1st St by Post Office
9:00am – 7:00pm
Saturdays
NW 25th and Lovejoy
9:00am – 2:00pm
The Wednesday site is particular important because that is the current headquarters and main prenatal killing center for Planned Parenthood. If you have questions on vigil times or locations contact or need signs contact:
Portland: 503-309-0280 or 503-334-6183 Beaverton: 503-430-7087
Salem: 503-569-4794 McMinnville: 503-434-6789
Outreach Information: Please write and call the following that all have some part in building the huge new Planned Parenthood prenatal killing center on MLK Blvd.
City Officials who own and control the land sale.
Mayor Tom Potter
1221 SW Fourth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
503-823-4120
Commissioner Mark Rosenbaum
1675 SW Marlow Avenue, Ste. 401
Portland OR 97225
(503) 352-1300
Commissioner Charles Wilhoite
9655 NW Marvin Ln
Portland, OR 97229-9168
(503) 203-8469
Beech St. Developers (People who will buy land for Planned Parenthood)
James Adamson
2044 E Burnside, Ste. C
Portland OR 97214
801-558-7704
Timothy Ray
2814 NE 40th Ave.
Portland, OR 97212
503-249-0134
Brett Anderson
2525 N Sumner
Portland, OR 97217
503-519-5210
Architect for the abortion center
Ankrom Moisan Architects
6720 SW Macadam Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
(503) 245-7100
Proposed Contractors:
Bob Walsh
4240 SW Fairview Blvd.
Portland, OR 97221
503-228-5912
Al Beyer
2905 SW First Ave.
Portland OR 97201
503-849-7168
Please tell these people: "I urge you to not have any thing to do with Planned Parenthood and their plans to build the prenatal killing center on MLK Blvd."
Please contact us at 40DaysPDX@gmail.com or call 503-309-0280 to learn more, to sign up for specific hours, or to let us know how you feel called to serve God in this effort. See www.40DaysForLife.com.
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Things to learn and never forget:
CALL to ACTION - group who conducts anti-Catholic events "woman ordination" etc., and is connected with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
LIBERATION THEOLOGY - condemned by the Church. It directs true Justice and Peace due Christ and replaces focus on starting groups that build economic base to replace church. Used freely in our Office of Justice and Peace and new director focus as proved by events and advertising on Archdpdx website for Ecumenical ministries of Oregon events.
Do what you can this Lent. Even a well placed prayer can move mountains.
God Bless you and yours,
Carolyn
www.vocalnews.org
503-769-4767
Member of Catholic Media Coalition - " In line with the Church, on-line with the World."
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Your signature on petition sheet not protected .....
Dear Friends,
You might be interested to know that your name on a signature sheet does not receive the same value as your name on a ballot.
Today, Federal Judge Mosman ruled against the voters of Oregon, in my opinion. According to him, a signature is not a protected right of the people when signing a petition sheet, since I, as a chief petitioner can eliminate some signatures that would effect the "formula" used by the Secretary of State. This "cleaning process" lessens their validity.
The problem with this, is that as a chief petitioner, I am, under pain of prosecution, made to jump through certain hoops. If I don't I can be fined or worse. Also, if YOU sign a signature twice in different elections YOU can be fined, or worse.
This insanity was the scenario at the Federal Courthouse today. The domestic partnership was put on hold until today.
The attorneys for the rights of Oregon Voters were stellar and clear minded. The State was an embarrassment on all levels. There is NO standard for counties in making sure signatures are genuine and this was proved. The gal who gives seminars, to give the county clerks "tools" to use are their own discretion, is stealing tax payers money, in my opinion when it comes to this.
The judge clearly said that those FIVE signers on which this case rested should have been contacted by the counties, instead of the chief petitioners and all the wonderful volunteers making sure we had the numbers. And they should have standard as is required by Oregon law (ORS and OAR) HOWEVER....his mood changed when the last lawyer, a woman for Basic Rights brought up the same-sex unions and how this was a hardship on them....something he stated in his opening statement the the proceeding was NOT about.
He gave her a little nod and then she almost started crying and that was that...Any other person would have been reprimanded for bringing this subject up, however, the homosexual community has deep roots that, in my opinion, go to the judges chambers.
Never fear.. The Godly lawyers and folks who endured five hours of judicial education did in fact learn a lot. We will really do this over and do it even better. We will overcome this evil with good...the people will get to vote in November, no matter how much influence the homosexual lobby has.
Our work was NOT in VAIN...God Cannot be outdone in generosity of our time, talent and treasures.
Keep praying.
God Bless you and yours,
Carolyn
www.vocalnews.org
503-769-4767
Member of Catholic Media Coalition - "In line with the Church, on-line with the world"
You might be interested to know that your name on a signature sheet does not receive the same value as your name on a ballot.
Today, Federal Judge Mosman ruled against the voters of Oregon, in my opinion. According to him, a signature is not a protected right of the people when signing a petition sheet, since I, as a chief petitioner can eliminate some signatures that would effect the "formula" used by the Secretary of State. This "cleaning process" lessens their validity.
The problem with this, is that as a chief petitioner, I am, under pain of prosecution, made to jump through certain hoops. If I don't I can be fined or worse. Also, if YOU sign a signature twice in different elections YOU can be fined, or worse.
This insanity was the scenario at the Federal Courthouse today. The domestic partnership was put on hold until today.
The attorneys for the rights of Oregon Voters were stellar and clear minded. The State was an embarrassment on all levels. There is NO standard for counties in making sure signatures are genuine and this was proved. The gal who gives seminars, to give the county clerks "tools" to use are their own discretion, is stealing tax payers money, in my opinion when it comes to this.
The judge clearly said that those FIVE signers on which this case rested should have been contacted by the counties, instead of the chief petitioners and all the wonderful volunteers making sure we had the numbers. And they should have standard as is required by Oregon law (ORS and OAR) HOWEVER....his mood changed when the last lawyer, a woman for Basic Rights brought up the same-sex unions and how this was a hardship on them....something he stated in his opening statement the the proceeding was NOT about.
He gave her a little nod and then she almost started crying and that was that...Any other person would have been reprimanded for bringing this subject up, however, the homosexual community has deep roots that, in my opinion, go to the judges chambers.
Never fear.. The Godly lawyers and folks who endured five hours of judicial education did in fact learn a lot. We will really do this over and do it even better. We will overcome this evil with good...the people will get to vote in November, no matter how much influence the homosexual lobby has.
Our work was NOT in VAIN...God Cannot be outdone in generosity of our time, talent and treasures.
Keep praying.
God Bless you and yours,
Carolyn
www.vocalnews.org
503-769-4767
Member of Catholic Media Coalition - "In line with the Church, on-line with the world"
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