Rally Reports - Praying for Supreme's June Announcement

Rally for religious freedom was well attended in over 145 cities.  The Portland rally was really in the belly of the beast but was well attended by almost three hundred people.  There were religious at this event which was inspiring to everyone.
 
"I came to this country for freedom, religious freedom, and that's not what we're getting," says Sister Therese Improgo of Our Lady of Peace. "It's a disappointment. We're all praying for Obama."

One woman, who asked not to be named, had brought her four homeschooled children out to the rally for a fieldtrip. "I want to show my kids that freedom is important. It's in our First Amendment. I hope that when they grow up, they will finally have this freedom."


The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments for and against Obamacare which has this mandate in it.  If the court rules against Obamacare, religious freedom for all is not on the chopping block.

Here are two links FYI. 

Priests for Life: HHS Mandate and Supreme Court


Supreme Court Website Link

The Roberts Court, 2010
Back row (left to right): Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel A. Alito, and Elena Kagan. Front row (left to right): Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg

We need to hold up the Supreme Court in prayer.  This decision is due in June, so on your knees!

Students Ordered to Stop Praying Outside Supreme Court Building

God said... "He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain." (2 Sam 23.3b-4)

Friday, March 23rd: Apex of Spiritual Battle

The HHS mandate is from the Office of Health and Human Services.  It is a part of "Obamacare" a nickname of sorts for what is called the  "Affordable Health Care" (fact sheet).  Religious freedom is at stake and this can be nothing less than a spiritual battle of good vs evil.

Friday, March 23rd is a day with too many coincidences not to be the day for this battle, they include:

• Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally Info and Locations
• Two year anniversary for Obamacare 
• "October Baby"     Theaters Near You
• The newly elected Reichstag met in the Kroll Opera House in Berlin to consider passing Hitler's Enabling Act. It was officially called the "Law for Removing the Distress of the People and the Reich." If passed, it would in effect vote democracy out of existence in Germany and establish the legal dictatorship of Adolf Hitler. It passed.
• End of Novena to Stop HHS Religious Freedom ploy.

Bishops Say Fight Against Religious Freedom Top Priority  

"Top U.S. Catholic bishops on Wednesday formally made their fight against a White House mandate for reproductive services the church’s top priority, saying “this struggle for religious freedom” demands their immediate attention.
The statement, issued by the leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, came at the end of a closed, two-day meeting and as some close to the bishops say the men are concerned that their campaign is faltering in the public square.

“This dispute is not about access to contraceptives but about the government’s forcing the church to provide them,” the statement read."

"3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty to God unto the pulling down of fortifications, destroying counsels, 5 And every height that exhalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every understanding unto the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be fulfilled."

2 Corinthians 10: 3-6

All Roads Lead to Bend not Rome for Father Cary's Ordination.

From Jay Boyd...thanks.

According to an email from the Diocese of Baker Chancery office, the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Liam Cary will be held on May 18th at 2pm at the new church in Bend.

 The date of Vespers is May 17^th at 7:00 PM at St. Francis Church on 27^th Street. 

The Ordination is May 18^th at 2:00 PM followed by an open reception at St. Francis Church on 27^th Street. 

We will have a banquet for bishops, priests, Diocesan Staff, family and a few invited guests at 6:00 Pm. I am not sure of the location for this. I am having difficulty finding places for these events because that weekend is a Pole Peddle Paddle weekend here in Bend which brings in thousands of people. 

Motel space is at a premium. I have reserved space at the following three motels. If you want to reserve a room, when you call say you are part of the Diocese of Baker group and your rate will be $70.00 per night.

We can accommodate 15, I believe, at the Retreat Center at Powell Butte. These will be the usual $50.00 per night and are on a first come first serve basis. Call Patti (541) 388-4004 if you have questions of if you want to reserve one of these spaces.

The Motels with reservations are:

Sleep Inn

600 NE Bellevue D

541-330-0050

Comfort Inn and Suites

62065 SE 27^th Street

Bend, OR 97701

541-617-9696

I am working on securing more rooms but for now these are the best choices

We are hoping most of you can stay over the night of the 18^th as we are planning an early brunch goodbye for Bishop Skylstad that morning at the retreat center. More about that later.

Bishop Cary has asked Father Paul Thomas from Mt. Angel to be MC. He is coming over Monday to get things going. His first of many trips I am sure.

Your Anti-Semitic "Slip" is Showing - Archdiocese of Portland

Boycott, Divest, Sanction: The legacy of King and Mandela
Catholic Sentinel March 7, 2012 Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss 


 The JustFaith program at St. Pius X Parish in Portland went to hear a Palestinian justice advocate to speak in Seattle this winter. Omar Barghouti suggests boycotts, divestiture and sanctions as a way to help the Palestinian people emerge from what he considers Israeli occupation.

Barghouti, who follows the nonviolent methods of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., aims to end what he calls an apartheid legal and cultural system. He is an electrical engineering graduate from Columbia University.

Barghouti cited Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu who in apartheid South Africa instructed his oppressed people to “decolonize your mind first.”

JustFaith is a 30 week program of prayer, study and action for justice based on Catholic social teaching. Participants learn about civil rights, peace and justice efforts and the nonviolence of Jesus. They examine how their purchases and investments might further unjust systems. Their formation has included "Journey To Justice," a retreat organized by the Office of Life, Justice and Peace of the Archdiocese of Portland.

Why the United States Supports Israel

"As the U.S.-Israel relationship reaches 60 years of unflagging dedication, it is indeed important to consider what precisely is the basis for this strong alliance.

Ultimately, American influence is not aimed at hegemony, but rather is motivated by the sincere conviction that democracy, free-market economy, free press, and Western-styled civil rights optimize the symbiosis between government and people and leads to stability. Israel is the only regime in its region that possesses these qualities, and therefore American support of Israel demonstrates our commitment to these values and furthermore serves as means of projecting our values into a distant sector of the world."

http://tech.mit.edu/V127/N48/fried.html

VOCAL notes:

From what has been put out from Office of Justice and Peace; it's newsletters, directors over the years and the "JustFaith" debacle, anti-Semitism is alive and well in the Archdiocese of Portland.  

President George Bush was called a "war criminal" until a long time Office of Justice and Peace Director, Frank Fromherz was finally booted from the Archdiocese.  This took over thirty years....and the beat goes on.

It's time to address the anti-Semitism of this article, I believe, showing the "slip" of the heart of the Archdiocese of Portland. 

I was told once by the Archbishop's special projects person that "We believe differently in the Archdiocese of Portland" during the 2008 election.

They are different. It's time to learn the Faith and promote the Saints and Martyrs of the Catholic Church who followed in the footsteps of Christ to really set us free.  Israel is our ally it's time to remember that.

Father Liam Cary named Bishop of Diocese of Baker

Pro-life advocate Father Liam Cary is the new Bishop of the Diocese of Baker.  We are so thankful to God for him and his faithfulness to the Church.

(Correction: consecrated NOT in Rome, but Bend, Oregon) He will be consecrated on May 18th Bend, Oregon. Bishop Cary will be able to contribute on the election of our new Archbishop.  God Bless Father Cary.

 
USCCB Announcement of Bishop