Will we live in Fantasy (SB1000) or REALITY?

Dear All, Senate Bill 1000 has passed the Senate. Now the Battle for the House begins. While many families are off enjoying their summer vacations, the Legislature is deciding the curriculum of the fall semester for these unsuspecting families. Our children won't just be having lessons in condom use as a regular part of their education if Senate bill 1000 passes. Every aspect of our lives will be effected, even our freedom of religion and speech. They are NOW deciding our future. Please act quickly. Please take the time to contact your representative http://www.leg.state.or.us/citizenguide/citizenguide.htm Senate Bill 1000 would: • Amend Oregon’s existing non-discrimination laws to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, public accommodation, education and public services statewide; and • Amend ORS chapter 106 to create civil unions, defined as a civil contract entered into by two members of the same sex who are at least 17 years of age and are not first cousins or nearer of kin, and are not parties to a marriage or another civil union. While a civil union is not a marriage, it would impose the legal protections, rights and responsibilities generally afforded to opposite sex couples through marriage. The bill is co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland) and Senators Frank Morse (R-Albany), Ben Westlund (R-Tumalo) and Alan Bates (D-Ashland). Please take the time to contact your representative http://www.leg.state.or.us/citizenguide/citizenguide.htm A Warning from Canada where the SOCIAL EXPERIMENT is Also Looming. Catholic Cardinal Warns Senate of Impending Anti-Christian Prosecution With Gay 'Marriage' OTTAWA, July 13, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada made a presentation to a committee of the Canadian Senate today on the homosexual 'marriage' bill. Speaking for himself and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Ouellet said to the Senators, "we are turning to you in the hope that you will prevent the adoption of this unjust law." The Cardinal made mention of situations where legal authorities have already trampled on rights of Christians who oppose same sex 'marriage' such as marriage commissioners who were forced out of their jobs for refusing on grounds of conscience to perform homosexual 'marriages.' "These attempts to intimidate persons who do not share the State's vision of marriage may well multiply after the adoption of Bill C-38," said the Primate of Canada. "Once the State imposes a new standard affirming that homosexual sexual behaviour is a social good, those who oppose it for religious motives or motives of conscience will be considered as bigots, anti-gay and homophobes, and then risk prosecution." Cardinal Ouellet stressed the negative impact the legislation will have on children. "We are also most concerned by the foreseeable impact of a redefinition of marriage on Canada's most vulnerable citizens - its children. We cannot dismiss their needs and rights by imagining that tomorrow's society will not suffer from the repercussions of this legislation," he said. "The principal right of children is to be born of an act of love and to live in complete communion with a father and mother." Please take the time to contact your representative http://www.leg.state.or.us/citizenguide/citizenguide.htm Top Vatican Cardinal: Gay Marriage is "A Crime Which represents the Destruction of the World" Gay Adoption "Destroy's the Child's Future" and is "An Act of Moral Violence Against the Child" VATICAN, May 3, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On the first business day after meeting privately with newly elected Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, gave one of the strongest statements defending the traditional family in recent memory. The Cardinal, who was reinstated in his post as President of the Pontifical Council for the Family which he held under Pope John Paul II just after the election of Pope Benedict, met with the Pope Friday and on Monday gave an extensive interview to Fides news service on the subject of homosexual 'marriage'. Homosexual 'Marriage' Cardinal Trujillo said parliaments which "open the way for same sex 'marriage' . . . destroy piece by piece the institution of the family the most valuable heritage of peoples and humanity." He explained, "In these unions there are no promises for the partners or for the children, no stability, nothing before society or God, but they demand all the benefits of authentic marriage." Homosexual Adoption Asked about allowing same sex couples to adopt children, the Cardinal answered, "This would destroy the child's future, it would be an act of moral violence against the child." He said, "They say that children adopted by two people of the same sex are very happy. A child may be for a couple of years but when the child reaches the age of reason, when he grows up and becomes a young adult, how tragic it will be for him to let his friends know that his 'parents' are two women or two men? This situation endangers the child's personality, balance, harmony." No Unjust Discrimination The head of the Pontifical Council for the Family also repeated the Church's teaching that homosexual persons are to be treated with respect., but added that they should be assisted as far as possible to overcome their disordered inclinations. "As I have said many times, homosexual peoples must be respected, loved and assisted. We must help them overcome this situation if they seriously want to and help them realise that there is not only life on earth, there is another life. The Church does not wish to see these 'couples' suffer discrimination, or humiliation, jeered at or treated without respect. They are human persons and we must love them. It is false to say that the Church does not love these people. She loves them and wants to lead them to eternal salvation." Duty to Refuse to Participate Cardinal Trujillo also spoke of conscientious objection. "This means a person can use his or her right to object out of conscience and refuse to comply with this crime which represents the destruction of the world." The Cardinal went further noting a duty to refuse to participate in homosexual unions comparing it to the duty of Christian doctors "who refuse to carry out abortions". He said, "All Christians, including state employees, have a duty to avail themselves of conscientious objection because the law of which we are speaking inflicts a deep moral wound on the Christian faith." Countries Which Would not Tolerate Conscientious Objection Denounced "It would be pure totalitarianism if a person were sacked for conscientious objection." The strong condemnation would already apply to certain Canadian provinces where, while ministers of religion are not forced to perform homosexual 'marriages' as of yet, civil marriage ministers are required to under pain of job loss. Read this important interview in full here: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/may/050504a.html See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage: Editorial - The Real Reason Why Christians Oppose Same-Sex Marriage http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/apr/05041403.html Please take the time to contact your representative http://www.leg.state.or.us/citizenguide/citizenguide.htm Your Rights As Parents Will Erode http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41972 Parents kicked out of 'gay day' Concerned mom tried to videotape event . An outline of Wednesday's event on the district's website included these descriptions of these sessions: •"A Day in the Life: Statistically one in ten students at this school are (sic) not straight. Teenage life is complicated enough, but how does it differ for Gay/ Lesbian/ Bisexual/ Transgender (GLBT) teens? Come to this panel and find out." •"Student Speakout: Newton North students read original pieces about GLBT issues." •"Life Outside the Gender Norm: What happens when ones (sic) gender identity does not match their sex? In this session, speakers will talk about their experiences with gender identity and expression." •"Out at the Old Ballgame: Athletes and coaches discuss what it’s like to be GLBT in the gym, on the field, and on the road." •"Family Matters: What does it mean to be a family? What discriminations and legal obstacles do queer families face? Children and parents discuss living with queer family members." •"GBLT What's in a Name: What is homophobia? heterosexism? Why is there a ToBGLADay? In this interactive presentation, we will use activities to provide the groundwork for talking about GBLT issues." •"Color Me Queer: A panel discussion of race, culture, and sexual identity." Please take the time to contact your representative http://www.leg.state.or.us/citizenguide/citizenguide.htm COMBAT FAITH: A SPIRITUALITY FOR THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE Rev. Charles Dahlby It’s easy to write articles pointing out the problems in the Church. They, like the man who was possessed, are “legion!” When we have exhausted each other with “can you top this” horror stories about liturgy, catechetics and even dogma, we are left with that awful empty feeling of frustration that no one but a pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic can truly appreciate! Sure there are terrible things going on in the Church and the truth is the sins of commission pale in comparison to the sins of omission! But it’s a hierarchical Church and we are not part of the hierarchy! So, as we recite the current list of atrocities, and our blood pressure approaches meltdown, we begin to drown in our own frustration until someone throws us the old life preserver: “We’ll just have to pray about it!” That soothes the sting, but leaves an empty ache behind. Prayer alone seems so inadequate. It is! Have we forgotten that we are the “Church Militant?” Pope Paul the VI told us that the “smoke of Satan has entered the Church!” When Christ entrusted the Church to St. Peter and his successors, Jesus said the “gates of Hell will not prevail against it!” How can a gate “prevail”? It doesn’t move or fight, It simply stands there. The only way a gate “prevails” is when it withstands a force seeking to beat it down. That force was intended to be the Church! Jesus Christ “did not come to bring peace, but a sword!” It isn’t adequate to stand before the power of Hell with teacup in hand and pinkie extended! The Church Jesus founded was intended to be a race of warriors that would beat down the gates of Hell for the salvation of souls and the building up of the Kingdom of God. If you’re going to stand up to Satan and his power, you’d better have the faith that made saints and prophets. The battle for your soul and the souls of the ones you love is what we called in a more enlightened time “spiritual warfare,” and you’d better show up in full armor with weapons in hand. You’re going to need Combat Faith! Before you can put on the “armor of God” and wield the “sword of the Spirit” there are a few presuppositions you have to deal with: Myth 1. Numbers are important. Remember the story of Gideon in the Old Testament? Before the battle God said Gideon had too many men. So by the time God finished trimming them down, there was only a remnant to go against a much larger force. Guess who won! So it seems that a small number with God is greater than a larger number without God. The fact is most people are useless in a fight. Many centuries ago a Greek philosopher/general named Heraclitus was involved in a war and he sent a famous letter back to his city-state of Athens. He said that out of every 100 men they sent, 90 were useless! They just got in the way and cluttered up the battlefield. Only 10 of that hundred were fighters, and only 1 would be a true warrior! He said it was on that one that the battle would turn! After the battles of the American Civil War, they would pick up rifles on the battlefield that had multiple charges in the barrel. They had been loaded and re-loaded but never fired! This is like those 90% who talk and talk to one another about the battle but never pull the trigger. The 10% who will fight will be more than enough if we can find that one who is a true warrior! In the entire history of the Roman Catholic Church there has never been a true spiritual renewal by committee, council, or document! These things have never caused Hell to tremble. The only time the Church has risen up to do battle with evil was when God raised up warriors, to lead the way. They were prophets and saints, wild-eyed and uncompromising! They may have lacked some social skills, but they burned with the love of God and that flame cleansed and enlightened the Church. They also died, because as true warriors they were in the front lines. They were martyred, sometimes by their own Church and spiritual leaders. Remember, when Jesus returns to gather His true Church, the Bible says it will be a “remnant?” We think numbers are important because we live in a democracy and that is how you get elected, but true Christianity is not a democracy! Christ is our King, not our president. God doesn’t need a lot of people; He just needs the right people! Myth 2. Warriors look like warriors! Maybe so, if you see as God sees, but otherwise picture the scene at Harvard University a few years ago when Mother Teresa received an honorary degree. She may have weighed 90 pounds if she were carrying an abandoned baby in each arm, and she stands there on a box so her head clears the top of the podium, and she talks about the horror of abortion. Behind her the most powerful man in the world, the president of the United States and his wife are squirming in their seats. Jesus once asked people who went into the desert to hear John the Baptist, what they went into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the wind? No! People like reeds swaying whichever way the wind blows them are everywhere. Did they go to see a saint and a prophet? Yes! And the people at Harvard saw even more. They saw a warrior for God! So did the Clintons. God’s warriors will not be known by bulging muscles or political clout, but by their courage to stand and speak the truth! Jesus told Pilate: “The reason I was born, the reason I came into the world is to testify to the truth and those who seek the truth will hear my voice!” Then Pilate asked the saddest question ever asked; “Truth, what is truth?” Yes, the truth can be painful, but as Pope St. Gregory The Great said: “It is better that scandals arise than the truth be suppressed!” Saints and Prophets are truth-speakers, and nothing is more frightening to the powers of darkness than the light of truth! Myth 3. If we follow Christ we will be loved. At funerals I have heard people say: “Everybody loved old Joe!” Why, “Old Joe didn’t have an enemy in the world!” What a terrible thing to say! Jesus Christ was perfect love and yet every Good Friday you shout “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” Jesus was perfect but there were a lot of people who were very happy when Jesus died! There is an old saying that you’re known by your enemies as well as by your friends! If everyone loves you maybe it’s because you’ve never challenged, confronted, questioned or stood up for anything! There are certain people, some in positions of authority, who dislike me rather intensely. I accept this as affirmation. If I thought they liked me I would be deeply worried! As a follower of Christ your task is not to call people to happiness, but to holiness! Have you forgotten that Jesus said: “I come not to bring peace, but a sword!” He whipped the moneychangers out of the temple and told the religious leaders (The Pharisees) they were “empty tombs filled with corruption!” If a person is so weak and insecure as to need constant affirmation, he will never be a warrior. The trick is not to have everyone love you, but to be sure the right people hate you! Myth 4. We’ll put it all in God’s hands! Most people who say this are not really concerned that it’s in God’s hands, but rather that they get to wash there own. But they will learn as Pontius Pilate did that you can’t wash away your guilt so easily. Once Jesus had a man with a withered hand stand before the Pharisees who complained that Christ was healing on the Sabbath. Jesus asked them a simple question: “Is it right to do good or evil on the Sabbath?” The Pharisees thought they had a third option - doing NOTHING! That option does not exist for God’s warriors. If you can do good and yet refuse to do it, then you have done evil! How vast is the category of “sins of omission” and how few go there to examine their conscience! Remember how the Master treated the man who buried his money in the ground? The reason that God left the Israelites in the desert for 40 years was because they had been slaves and they had a slave’s mentality. This made them unfit to enter and possess the Promised Land. That generation had to “die out” and a new strong people be raised up, a people who had been formed in the crucible of the desert. The nation that fled Egypt and the nation that entered the Promised Land were vastly different. They had been slaves looking for a master but now they were warriors ready to fight to build a kingdom for their God! Does it sound risky? It is! But there’s an old saying: “Ships in a harbor are safe...but ships weren’t built for harbors!” Christians with teacups in their hands are safe.... but God didn’t design the hands of his warriors to fit the handles of teacups, but rather the handles of swords! The Bible says: “The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent bear it away!” There is no greater act of violence than the dying to self that is necessary in order to say with the Mother of God “Behold the servant of the Lord! Be it done to me as you will!” Only that “surrender” insures our victory! Fr. McNamara said; “ The difference between us and the saints is that the saints throw themselves into the fire of God’s Love and they emerge burnt, but magnificently transfigured, while the rest of us spend our lives walking around the fire, close enough to be warm, but never so close as to risk being touched by the flames!” Remember, we are looking for a small group, a remnant, a “band of brothers” who have walked in the fire of God’s love and have emerged transformed. Are you one of them? Here is a little test: Picture the last and greatest prophet, John the Baptist, the night before he was beheaded, lying on the floor of his cell. Tomorrow he will die for daring to speak the truth and offending powerful people. Jesus Christ is addressing John’s disciples and he declares: “I tell you, there has never been a greater man born of woman than John the Baptizer!” Do you think John was a fool? Did he throw his life away? Or would you say it was worth it and you would lay down your life, too, if only you could hear God himself say such glorious things about you? If so, you have the values of a warrior! Do you also have the courage to live them? Rev. Charles Dahlby is a pastor of St. Rita’s Church in the diocese of Springfield, Illinois. . May God have Mercy on Oregon and Strengthen Us In This Battle, Carolyn "Thus, a good man, though a slave, is free; but a wicked man, though a king, is a slave. For he serves, not one man alone, but what is worse, as many masters as he has vices." St. Augustine, City of God VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Catholic Media Coalition:"In line with the Church, online with the world."

Prepare: Fighting the Sex Education Industry - Look where we are ten years later

2015 please note that in Catholic schools, parents can opt-out of sex education classes by the Vatican  Letter from Rome regarding Archdiocese of Portland's opt-out


Graduation days are a brief memory and we must already look ahead to the next school year of our children/grandchildren. We invest a lot in these gifts from God: sleepless nights, financial/emotional sacrifices and supernatural love, etc., etc., etc.

What we have to guard against are other adults both secular and religious that feel know what's best for our children. Some of these people have less than stellar connections and we are supposed to turn over our children to them? We, as Catholics, have incredible resources from the Church that have taught us about our awesome responsibility as parents.


For example, the Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality. To be undermined, even with the people having the best of intentions, is not just, and has to be changed. The areas that are most invasive at this time are of the sexual education variety. The "safe environment" programs the US Bishops want "provided" to children for their protection, doesn't address the problem of homosexuality of the priests accounting for over 80% of the abuse according to the John Jay report.

Many, many parents don't want anyone outside if them teaching their children about sex AT ALL. To have innocent children learn about where HIV/AIDS comes from in the third grade opens their minds to places adults don't want to go.

To help those parents who feel uncomfortable about the way things are going and to take back their rights, the Catholic Media Coalition  has sent out this form to their members. Many, many dioceses in the U.S. are fighting the same battle and now we have a legal weapon.

Please read the CMC alert below and act. We are all in this together. PARENT ALERT The url below will take you to a PDF document that puts schools on notice that they may not expose your children to sex ed/homosexual propaganda material no matter how it is packaged. It is important to file this with the school principle at the beginning of the school year and make sure you give one to your child's teacher.

The document originators recommend sending it to the school by certified mail so you have a paper trail. Getting your friends to file would also help keep your school family friendly. Consider the impact on a school of 100 or 50 parents (or even 10) filing this document with the principal. It would make the school very careful about exposing children to anything of this nature that might cause them legal problems.

A good way to present this would be to very cordially speak to the teacher at the beginning of the year and say you are certain this would not be a problem in her/his classroom, but you think it's important for everyone to be on the same page.  Explain that you have the document on file in the office and that you take your responsibilities as a parent very seriously. You want the teacher to know that if there is anything she/he thinks you should be aware of, you would appreciate a contact.

If you are able/willing to volunteer in the classroom for anything particular - helping with art projects, tutoring reading, etc. it would be a good time to make the offer. There are many programs in schools today that you need to be very careful about: sex ed (sometimes masquerading under a euphemistic name like "family life" or "safe environment", diversity programs, mental health screening, etc.

Some of these programs begin as early as Kindergarten. September will be here before you know it, so get prepared now. This opt-out form is good in all 50 states. http://www.abidingtruth.com/_docs/resources/6505841.pdf

For an excellent education watchdog source visit Eagle Forum's education report:
http://www.eagleforum.org/educate/index.html If you have children in school, keep on top of this. Your precious children are worth it!

By the way, I would file this with Catholic schools as well as public schools. Unfortunately there are many that have sex ed programs that are every bit as offensive as the public schools - and are probably more damaging because of being in the context of a religious environment.

Here is the form. (this is an Adobe file that comes out very well when you go to the web address) www.abidingtruth.com

For Parental Opt-Out form SEE BELOW FOR EXAMPLE STUDENT OPT-OUT NOTICE

To the _______________________________________School District.

Dear Sir or Madam,

1. Upon your receipt of this document, you are placed on legal notice that I, the undersigned parent(s), have elected to invoke my parental rights under Federal and State Statutes and Case Law regarding the instruction of sexuality to my child(ren).

 2. You are not to instruct my child about human sexuality without first providing me, on an incident-by-incident basis, at least 15 days prior notice, and obtaining my written permission after allowing me the opportunity to review your materials/lesson plan.

3. You are specifically forbidden from addressing issues of homosexuality, bisexuality, lesbianism, transvestitism, transsexuality, sado-masochism, pedophilia, beastiality or other alternatives to monogamous hetrosexual marriage to my child in any manner or form that would convey the message to my child that such orientations/behaviors are immutable, unchangeable or harmless.

4. This prohibition extends to any legitimization or normalization of these sexual orientations/behaviors no matter how your program or approach is defined or packaged, including but not limited to any instruction, materials or conversation related to “diversity” “tolerance” “multi-culturalism” “gender studies” “family life” “safe schools” “hate crimes” “AIDS education” or the like.

5. This prohibition extends to all school system employees and agents in any setting, on or off campus, in which my child(ren) is/are in the care of the school.

6. I am aware that politically active “gay and lesbian” teachers and other school system employees across America have organized for the purpose of legitimizing homosexuality and related sexual orientations to schoolchildren, using various pretexts such as the theme of “school safety.” I consider it the duty of the school to protect my child(ren) from any such activities.

 7. This document shall supersede any previously signed permission forms you may have on file. The child(ren) to which this opt-out notice applies is/are ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________

Signed, _____________________________ ______ ___________________________ ______ Parent or Legal Guardian Date Parent or Legal Guardian Date

Parents: For maximum legal protection, send this notice by certified mail.
Keep a signed, dated copy for your records and give a copy to your attorney.
After submitting this notice, do not sign any blanket permission slip offered by the school. All important communication with the schools should be in writing.

This form is copyrighted by The Pro-Family Law Center, 6060 Sunrise Vista Drive, Suite 3050, Citrus Heights, CA 95610 (916) 676-1057.

You have permission to copy and distribute this notice to others if your purpose is to protect children from homosexual activism in the schools. Copies of this form and other resources for parents, including information on how to form a local parent’s rights group, are available without charge at Valid in all 50 states. Consult with your attorney about specific parental rights laws in your state.

If you run into problems, or need the advice of an attorney, or are an attorney and could help families, please contact me. Last Friday, on the Feast day of St. John the Baptist, VOCAL celebrated two years of helping win the Culture of Life war in Oregon. VOCAL, Voice of Catholics Advocating Life, also became a non-profit organization. This was necessary to be "official". VOCAL won't be a tax-exempt organization: it's too confining and the elections are coming up. VOCAL will also have a website soon, so that we can gather strength and support from each other always following Jesus Christ, His Church and His Holy Father.

The cafeteria is closed and situation ethics is a failed social experiment that will be exposed more and more. The Culture of Life Calendar is growing.

 Please let me know of any speakers or workshops you are planning so I can list them.  Happy Birthday USA. Have a safe holiday.

 "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault." John Henry Cardinal Newman

With Thanksgiving for God's Saving Hand

With Thanksgiving for God's Saving Hand Dear Everyone, The title says it all. I will be more dutiful in my prayers to our dear Lord, for he has spared us from living without His most fervent servant, Bishop Robert Vasa. Bishop survives accident by the grace of a ‘very loving God’ 06/16/2005 Bishop Robert Vasa BEND — It was a phenomenal, perhaps even sensational, accident and as far as I know, miraculously, no one was injured. The driver swerved left to avoid an unexpected deer, lost control and swerved back right, again overcompensating, and then swerved left again in a vain attempt to regain control. At that point in the road there were three lanes, and as the driver made his last swerve left, it appeared that it was impossible to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. That would have been very bad. A further swerve right would have ensured such a collision, and so the white Tahoe left the road at nearly 55 miles per hour at a 45 degree angle to the road, very possibly sideways. From there it appears that the Tahoe proceeded sideways and backwards down the steep 20-foot brush- and rock-lined embankment and at some point turned onto its roof for the remainder of the ride. This appears to have happened when, proceeding backward the Tahoe hit some large rock and most likely flipped lengthwise onto its roof. Then the ride mercifully stopped with the Tahoe resting on its top in the eight inches of water running in the creek at the bottom of the ditch into which no one would intentionally drive. Hanging upside down, the driver became aware of two very significant pieces of data. First it was immediately apparent that he was not dead as he fully expected to be. Second, he began to realize that just possibly he was not injured at all. Not being dead and not being injured, the driver was readily able to extricate himself from the vehicle, since the rear windows were knocked out, and he happily discovered that it is really quite easy to move from the front to the rear of an SUV when it is lying on its roof. The most serious injuries the driver suffered were those received from the raspberry bushes through which he tried to climb to get back to the highway. He found it was best to follow the path of destruction carved out by his SUV-turned-sled to gain level ground. After waiting a few minutes at the side of the highway with no one able to see him — did I tell you it was 11 p.m.? — he decided he could go back the car to try to find his flashlight. Back through the brambles, through the water, into the car, but alas no flashlight. He did, however, find his sleeping bag, his computer case and one of two suitcases and his slightly water damaged Breviary. The suitcase contained a miter and a 100-year-old crosier. They likewise appear to be undamaged. In my estimation, the miracle is complete. Realizing that black clothes on a dark night would hardly attract attention he took off his clergy shirt and with his white undershirt was readily able to flag down the next passing motorist. Now the folks who stopped were most generous, but oddly they were rather insistent that they not be there when the police arrived. They did have a cell phone, but the only message it displayed was: No Signal, a familiar phone message in Central Oregon. I think they were relieved, for they readily volunteered to drive down the mountain as far as they needed to in order to receive a signal to call the police. I asked if I could buy a flashlight from them and they generously gave me one before they took off, rather hurriedly I might add, in search of a signal. I had no doubt that they would carry out their mission, which might have been a minor miracle in itself, and so with flashlight in hand I waded down to the car once again. I found my alb, a sweater, and my glasses (they were still in the car in the six inches of water which had accumulated inside). Eventually I found my second suitcase, my tool box, and a pair of jumper cables. The cables were hanging in a tree about 10 feet above where the car had come to rest. The tool box was sitting upright about 15 feet from the car, well out of the water. For those who say this is just the kind of thing for which cell phones are useful need to be reminded of the lack of a signal. This shoots down that theory. Besides, if I had remembered to take my phone on this trip it would have been in that six inches of water in the car like most of the rest of my stuff. Surprisingly the small briefcase containing my laptop computer, upon which this saga is being written at 3 a.m., suffered only a little water damage, and its contents, like myself, appear to be unscathed. Since such an episode is a bit unsettling — I have not been able to sleep and this exercise is a bit of personal debriefing. The State Patrol trooper who brought me to Madras knows well our diocesan bookkeeper and could not have been more helpful, friendly and accommodating. The local pastor of Madras, happy to see that it was his bishop and not a transient ringing his doorbell repeatedly at 2 a.m., readily welcomed me into his home. It is there that I now sit trying to collect myself, amazed at God’s protective hand. It is there that I sit wondering if I am not really in a coma, hanging upside down in a Tahoe, in a deep ditch, off of a very dark and lonely Highway 97. I am pretty sure that I am here, and if I am, as I fully expect I am, it is only, really and truly, by the grace of a most wonderful, powerful and very loving God. You may be wondering what I was doing out that late anyhow. Well, it was the return trip of the Boardman-Hermiston confirmation run, followed by the Cove high school summer camp visit. The weekend was wonderful. The more than 25 young confirmands at Boardman were a bit shy but eager for confirmation. The 88 at Hermiston were a bit more lively and responsive and delightful to be with. Then I could not pass up the opportunity to greet the approximately 30 campers from all across the diocese at Cove. Despite the rather dramatic way the weekend ended, I would not change any part of it — well, maybe the last part. Even this last part, though, was amazing. I found myself walking up and down the side of the highway praying my rosary waiting for a ride or for the police but mostly waiting for shock to set in. As far as I know it never did. I was and am simply happy and genuinely surprised to be alive and uninjured. I will puzzle over and ponder the events of this night for some time to come. For all the events of this weekend, I can simply say, Praise God! I can find no other suitable explanation, and I do not need one. Praise God! Copyright 2002, Catholic Sentinel, Portland, Oregon | Published by Oregon Catholic Press | Legal Information | Privacy Policy

Sweet relief in the form of m-u-r-r-d-e-r!

Dear All, We have some very talented people in our Oregon Catholic family. Carl Olson, who just has written award-winning "The DaVinci Hoax" had a successful forum in Corvallis with over 125 people. Join another favorite "sister", Debra Murphy, who was chosen as a semi-finalist in the "Religious Fiction" category for her murder mystery with a Catholic spiritual theme from the 2005 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Memorial Day, give yourself a "worry break"; sweet relief in the form of murder! 05/30/05 Debra Murphy will do a short reading from The Mystery of Things and participate in a discussion on the topic of "Mystery-thrillers with spiritual and religious themes" at a "Literary Latté" hosted at the Coffee House Café in Salem, Oregon. Time: 7pm, Monday, May 30. Address: 135 Liberty St NE, Salem, OR 97301. The public is welcome. Keep informed at www.idyllspress.com Back to Reality Legislative Update from Oregon Right to Life PAC Time is running out and we need your help! HB 2020 – the Unborn Victims of Violence bill – has passed the Oregon House with bipartisan support! The bill is now in the hands of the Oregon Senate. Unfortunately, the Democrat Senate Leadership is preventing a vote on this common-sense bill. Please contact your Senator by June 8, 2005 and communicate your support for HB 2020. Ask your Senator to request committee action and encourage his or her colleagues to consent to a committee vote and a vote of the full Senate. Please also contact Senate President Peter Courtney. Sen. Courtney is the most powerful individual in the Oregon Senate. He could assist HB 2020 in receiving a vote in committee and the full Senate. Ask Sen. Courtney to use his influence as Senate President to move HB 2020 forward! The purpose of HB 2020 is very simple. If a violent crime causes an expectant mother to lose her unborn baby or if the mother’s family loses both the woman and the unborn baby, the victims and their family deserve justice. Even though two bodies washed on shore, if Laci and Conner Peterson had been killed in Oregon, Scott Peterson would have only been charged with one murder. Under current Oregon law little Conner’s life and death would not have been acknowledged. Over 70% of Oregonians support this legislation. Because Senate offices are so busy, they often do not recognize requests that run contrary to their political ideology until they have received a substantial about of communication. Every Senate office – especially the Democrat offices – needs to hear from over 100 voters in their district by June 8th. Please contact your friends, family members, church members, co-workers, anyone…and ask them to participate in this vital and worthwhile effort. You can call, email or write your Senator. To identify your Senator, visit www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/ and type in your address. You can also call the Capitol switchboard at 1.800.332.2313. Senator Peter Courtney Party: D District: 11 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1600 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-203, Salem, OR, 97301 Email: sen.petercourtney@state.or.us Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senpres CULTURE OF LIFE CALENDAR JUNE Thursday, Friday, Saturday - June 2, 3 and 4, Portland "Teaching, Faith, and Service: The Foundation of Freedom" Conference Sponsored by the University of Portland Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life and American Culture and by the University of Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture. University of Portland campus in North Portland • The presentation by the Honorable John R. Noonan, Jr., U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, "Transparency in Theology: The Necessary Condition for Catholic Teaching", June 2, 6:00-7:00 pm at the Buckley Center Auditorium is free to the public. • The presentation by Wm. David Solomon, Ph.D., "Doctors, Death and Democratic Culture", Friday, June 3, 7:30-9:00 pm at the Buckley Center Auditorium is free to the public. This deals with physician assisted suicide. • Physicians for Compassionate Care Officers and Board Members are participating in presentations: Friday, June 3, 2005, 9:00-10:15 am Bioethics Roundtable Dr. Tom Pitre, Fr. John Tuohey, Dr. Charles Benz Saturday, June 4, 2005, 10:45-noon Oregon's Experience with Physician Assisted Suicide Dr. Ken Stevens, Dr. Bill Toffler, Dr. Greg Hamilton • There is a registration charge for attendance of other presentations at the meeting. Further information about the conference is available at: http://www.up.edu/up_sub.asp?ctnt=1390&mnu=220&chl=75&lvl=1 Registration Card is available online at: • www.up.edu/pdf/FoFregistrationcard.pdf Sat., Mon., Tues. & Sun.-June 4, 6, 7 & 12th - Corvallis, Salem, Portland Dr. Brian Clowes, author and international speaker from Human Life International. Dr. Clowes' book "Call to Action, Call to Apostasy" exposes more than the dissident group Call to Action. A must for your library. • Saturday, June 4, 7pm, Corvallis • “Is Dissent Good for the Church?” • Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Meeting Room, 645 Monroe St., Corvallis • Sponsored by St. Mary's Catholic Book Club, Corvallis • This is a free event sponsored by the St. Mary's Catholic Book Club • Monday, June 6, St. Mary's Upper Social Hall, Corvallis • 9am (after daily mass) "The International Abortion Situation" • 7pm (informal discussion) "Strategies for Fighting Dissent - Bring your questions. • Tuesday, June 7, 7 pm, St. Joseph Church, Salem • "Demographic Impacts of Abortion" • This is a free event sponsored by the St. Joseph's Church Respect Life Committee NEW DATE! Sunday, June 12, 7-9pm Holy Rosary Parish, Portland • "International Abortion Situation" and work of Human Life International. • Come and meet Brian, he was a parishionner of Holy Rosary for thirteen years. Just to let you know. Senate Bill 1000, (Same-sex unions) was opposed by Archbishop Vlazny, Bishop Vasa and Bishop Steiner. Let's thank our Bishops for taking a moral stand and defending the Church's position on "same-sex unions". Their rational statement that shows true love of mankind while holding Christ's standards high is my pleasure to post. Thanks to Nina Rhea - Director of the "Marriage Team" for being on top of things as usual and sending this. States’ Bishops Assess Marriage, Civil Unions And Reciprocal Beneficiaries 04/28/2005 THE SENTINEL A letter from Oregon’s Catholic bishops During the past year the issues of marriage and same-sex unions have dominated Oregon’s political debate. The Oregon Catholic Conference, the voice of Oregon’s bishops on public policy issues, offers to the faithful and people of good will these reflections for your consideration in support of the common good for all Oregonians. In March 2004, Multnomah County began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Last November, the electorate significantly passed Measure 36, supported by the Conference, limiting marriage only to a union of one man and one woman. Following the Oregon Supreme Court’s April 14 opinion that the county acted without authority and the marriage licenses are void, the Oregon Legislature is debating the issues of same-sex civil unions and reciprocal beneficiaries. Reflection on the issues of homosexuality and marriage places this debate in context. While there is a distinction between homosexual inclination and activity, each person is a loved child of God with inherent human dignity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church declares that persons with a homosexual inclination “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (#2358) Any hostile or violent words or acts directed at our sisters and brothers are offensive, immoral and must not be tolerated. Addressing the marriage issue in November 2003, the U.S. Catholic bishops approved Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions. The statement concludes: “Marriage is a basic human and social institution. Though it is regulated by civil laws and church laws, it did not originate from either church or state, but from God. Therefore, neither church nor state can alter the basic meaning and structure of marriage. “Marriage, whose nature and purposes are established by God, can only be the union of a man and a woman and must remain such in law. In a manner unlike any other relationship, marriage makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through the procreation and education of children. “The union of husband and wife becomes, over a lifetime, a great good for themselves, their family, communities, and society. Marriage is a gift to be cherished and protected.” The U.S. bishops’ statement followed the Vatican’s June 2003 document approved by Pope John Paul II: “Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions between Homosexual Persons.” That document clearly proclaimed support for marriage’s protected status in society’s laws: “The common good requires that laws recognize, promote and protect marriage as the basis of the family, the primary unit of society.” Because marriage is the foundation of the human family, society attaches special protections and benefits for the married couple and their children. It is in society’s own self-interest and self-propagation to do so. It is not discriminatory for society to reserve the full array of marriage benefits to a married man, woman and their children. To legalize civil unions (wherein same-sex couples receive all the benefits of marriage under another name) is to adopt a public policy that, in effect, states that marriage and same-sex civil unions, although called by different names, are essentially the same and equal. They are not. Society must always be mindful that the law is a teacher of us all, including very young and impressionable minds who are growing into their sexual awareness and identity. Youth learn society’s conduct and expectations from family, community, faith and law. The policy of same-sex civil unions establishes a confusing legal and educational message for young people. Approval of same-sex civil unions makes a statement to impressionable youth: society offers the same benefits for marriage between one man and one woman and same-sex civil unions. Therefore society says you are free to choose either marriage or same-sex civil unions because they are equal in the eyes of the law. With the passage of a law legalizing same-sex civil unions, marriage will no longer hold a special place in society’s laws for the exclusive benefit of man, woman and the procreation, rearing and education of children. Marriage between one man and one woman, then, will no longer be held up as society’s preferred institution to conceive and raise children. Marriage, in effect, becomes a weakened social institution to the detriment of the stability of the family and the inherent consequences to children. Through same-sex civil unions with marriage-like benefits and through the practices of artificial insemination and surrogate motherhood, society sanctions and encourages expanded experimentation on the birth of children who deliberately will be conceived and born without the benefit of having both mother and father. Children are God’s precious gift to humanity, given to us through the mutual love of woman and man. Society’s approval of a generally accepted and expanded experimentation on the birth of children without both mother and father surely cannot be in the best interests of children or society. Accordingly, the Oregon Catholic Conference cannot support same-sex civil unions as supportive of the common good for all and must oppose legislative attempts to adopt such public policy in Oregon. In recognition of the fact that there are many people who live together for friendship, companionship and mutual economic support, the concept of reciprocal beneficiaries, with benefits such as survivorship rights, has been advanced. Since reciprocal beneficiaries are dependent on two adults, for example a mother and daughter, being mutually supportive of each other, many people, particularly elderly parents and people with disabilities, would benefit from such a public policy. In general, the Oregon Catholic Conference could support a reciprocal beneficiaries public policy as advancing the common good for a significant number of adults in society. The issues presented to the people of Oregon during this last year’s activities, policy developments and debate about the law on marriage are foundational to society and profound in their impact on the lives of all Oregonians. We pray that the public debate be conducted with civility and charity for all involved. We ask God’s continued blessings on the people of Oregon and its public officials so that wise public policy advancing the common good for all will be the fruits of this public discussion. We pray for God’s blessings on you and your families. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Rev. John G. Vlazny Archbishop of Portland, President Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa Bishop of Baker, Vice President Most Rev. Kenneth Steiner Auxiliary Bishop of Portland, Board Member Here is contact information for the Bishops. To say "thank you". Archbishop Vlazny - 503.234.5334 /2838 E. Burnside, Portland 97214 Bishop Vasa - 541.388.4004/PO Box 5999, Bend 97708 Bishop Steiner - 503.647. 2131/St. Edward Parish, PO Box 507, North Plains 97133 The term cardo means a "hinge", that on which a thing turns, its principal point; the cardinal virtues- Prudence, Justice, Bravery, Temperace, may be said to be a scientifically arranged group, helpful for those who are struggling for a well-ordered world & conduct in a disordered world, which is not prudent, just, brave, temperate. Thank you Lord, for these Shepherds who demonstrated principals You gave Your Church to make our path to Heaven clearer. God Bless you all, Carolyn "Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions." G.K. Chesterton VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97383

Let the Senate Have A Turn!

Dear Advocates for Life, Great news from the Oregon House of Representatives: HB 2605 Parental Notification has passed. If this bill is made into law, parents will be notified before an abortion is performed upon their minor daughter. The 32-27 vote was along party lines except for Rep. Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) who voted with the Democrats against parental notice. Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland) has stated the bill will not receive a committee hearing. So...now the work begins on the Senate side. Please call Senate President Peter Courtney (who holds the keys to the future of this bill), Senator Kate Brown and your representatives asking for a committee hearing on HB 2605. Parents need to be told if other adults are transporting their children and assuming their role by making life-changing decisions for their family that effect their future forever. It's only decent. HB 2605 asks for parental notification, NOT permission. BTW - Mr. Courtney is a Catholic Democrat who needs encouragement and courage to be pro-life and protect the parent/child relationship. Catholics who are democrat go against their party platform to vote pro-life, they need "fortitude" ("..ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of good." CCC 1837")a gift of the Holy Spirit, when their peers think they "sold out." Pray for our brother in Christ, before you contact him. Another "tactic" is to ask your guardian angel to communicate this message to his guardian angel. Let's use the "weapons" we have in this spiritual battle. Senator Peter Courtney Party: D District: 11 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1600 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-203, Salem, OR, 97301 Email: sen.petercourtney@state.or.us Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senpres Senator Kate Brown Party: D District: 21 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1700 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-323, Salem, OR, 97301 Email: sen.katebrown@state.or.us Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/brown Find your Legislator - http://www.leg.state.or.us/writelegsltr/ Coming Next Week: HB 2020 the Laci/Connor Peterson Bill! FYI - Let's not let this happen in Oregon. Since school-based clinics, there seems to be an influx of these problems. Parents need to know what's happening in their schools and health-based clinics. We can't take anything for granted. From Life Site News - U.S. High School Hosts “Gay Education” Conference, including Pornographic Materials Encouraging Sodomy WALTHAM, Massachusetts, May 18, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Students at a Massachusetts high school were exposed to “hard core” pornographic materials depicting sodomy at a Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) conference held at Brookline High School April 30, according to an Article 8 Alliance report. One “resource” given to hundreds of kids” at the conference was a “hard-core pornographic homosexual ‘how-to’ booklet titled The Little Black Book - Queer in the 21st Century. The Article 8 Alliance said it contained "deadly misinformation on health”. Written by the Boston-based “AIDS Action Committee” with help from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston Public Health Commission, the booklet contains graphic depictions and misinformation, suggesting that condom use is a failsafe measure against contracting AIDS. Article 8 described the event, hosted by Brookline High School, as a tool aimed at “children and teachers, to promote homosexuality in schools, elementary through high school.” “This is the same group that organizes ‘Gay-Straight Alliances’ and the ‘Day of Silence’ in schools around the country,” the Alliance said. Over 500 attended the conference, including hundreds of kids middle school age and older. “Books were prominently distributed at the first table, right after registration, where everyone would be sure to go,” Article 8 said. “Is this where the homosexual movement is taking children?” Visit the Article 8 Alliance web site, including links to the materials: http://www.article8.org/ The theme for 2005 seems to be leaving our comfort zones. Let's try fifteen minutes a week to start. "God cannot be outdone in generosity." God Bless, Carolyn "Be pleasing to him whose soldiers you are, and whose pay you receive. May none of you be found to be a deserter. Let your baptism be your armament, your faith your helmet, your love your spear, your endurance your full suit of armor. Let your works be as your deposited withholdings, so that you may receive the back-pay which has accrued to you" Ignatius of Antioch (Letter to Polycarp 6:2 [A.D. 110]). VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of the Catholic Media Coalition - "In line with the Church, on-line with the World"