Monday, November 8, 2010

ATM's at Oregon Churches, Extorsion of Priests and Parishoners for Money

"It seems the only answer to the new Church collection is that we are no longer at Sunday Mass for spiritual nourishment, but to be treated as if we're ATM's.  Our priests and parishes will be penalized if they don't have a good reason for not getting to their goal. Money forcibly taken for this reason?  Sounds like extortion. (The term extortion is often used metaphorically to refer to usury or to price-gouging, though neither is legally considered extortion. It is also often used loosely to refer to everyday situations where one person feels indebted against their will, to another, in order to receive an essential service or avoid legal consequences due to social or political beliefs.Thanks wiki) The love of Christ is nowhere to be seen, or read, in the campaign manual. Click on link.  It might take time to view, thirty-six pages to read...but here's a sample

      "Sharing Our Faith" - Manual on Capitol Campaign  (Click on link above. Might take time to view, thirty-six pages to read...but here's a sample)If the link doesn't work go to http://www.archdpdx.org/

          Page 3   Hiring Nebraska Firm to Run New Campaign
"The Archdiocese of Portland retained the services of the Steier Group, a Catholic fund raising and development firm, to help manage the campaign."
Steier Group says:  "We assign a team of professionals to each client. Your campaign manager will be dedicated to your project – and only your project – throughout the effort and will handle the day-to-day campaign activities. Your campaign manager will be directly supervised by a campaign services director, as well as our CEO, Jim Steier. Your campaign manager will be supported by a staff of public relations and media specialists, full-time graphic designers, full-time grant writers and experts in planned giving, direct mail appeals, online fundraising, stewardship programs, major gift solicitations and event planning."

      Page 4.  Penalties for Priest and Parish
120% of collections are goal or parish will be penalized without a good reason. 75% collected goes to Archdiocese and 25% to parish.  Any funds over targeted amount are divided 50/50 Archdiocese and parish.


"Parishes will be asked to make every effort to achieve their goal. A parish seeking to adjust its target must provide the archdiocese with justification for  the adjustment in order to be approved by the Archbishop.  Plans to raise funds for new construction or renovation must be approved by the Archbishop in writing.  If a parish follows the recommended campaign procedures, the parish will
not be assessed any financial penalty if it does not reach its campaign target."
(VOCAL- priests have confirmed this form of penalty for other campaigns as well.)

      Page 4.  Annual Archbishop Catholic Appeal
"The Annual  Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal (ACA) will be conducted during the Capitol Campaign. Ministries and programs remain in need of the funds generated by the ACA.  The ACA and the capital campaign may fund similar needs. Extensive communications and marketing is planned to clearly explain the need for such levels of funding."

       Page 7  Parishioners are judged on giving abilities.  Large Donors are "courted".
"All parishioners will be evaluated and assigned to a specific campaign phase and section based on their gift request for the five-year campaign.

Whereas the evaluation needs to include local knowledge regarding the donors’ ability to give, each family’s current annual adult envelope giving will provide a starting point for the evaluation.  To assist in the evaluation of donors, the following matrix will be employed at the parish-level (and the Steier Group will train parish administrative  assistants and secretaries in the use of the matrix."

       Page 13  Collection Agency to Assure Giving
"Pledge collection and tracking process is being reviewed and proposed to be handled by the Cavan Corporation, a Catholic consulting and redemption company specializing in parish and diocesan offertory,pledge collection, tracking and redemption.
      For Pilot Phase Parishes, these meetings will be held from mid-May-August, 2010.
For Wave #1 Parishes, these meetings will be held from September, 2010-January,
2011.
 (There is a quiet period of a few weeks in the campaign for Advent)
For Wave #2 Parishes, these meetings will be held from mid-January-May, 2011.
For Wave #3 Parishes, these meetings will be held from May-August, 2011.

NOVEMBER 20-21  CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (CCHD)
USCCB's "Renewal of CCHD"
CCHD How to Shoot Yourself in the Foot.
December 12, 2010 -  Retirement Fund for Religious
January 16, 2011 -  Catholic Communication Campaign
April 3, 2011 -  Catholic Relief Services
May 8, 2010 - Collection for Catholic Charities of Oregon
May 22, 2011 - Collection  for Catholic Home Missions
June 26, 2011 - Collection for the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence)
 
N.B.  The Archbishop's Annual Appeal spends almost $400,000 to oversee the yearly $3,600,000.00 they ask for annually to pay for salaries and perks for employees (that includes one million dollars from Oregon Catholic Press as a grant)
We can only imagine what it costs for $50,000,000.00 overseen for five years.  It will assure those involved a hefty salary for those years.  Funded by us.
The new campaign has no loving kindness or fruits which we would be able to see for families or the unborn.  We need to be good stewards of our money. 


"Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given."
Mother Teresa

Monday, November 1, 2010

Latin Movie Star Posts Video: 'Every Voter Must See Before Elections Tuesday'

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Latin movie star-producer-singer, Eduardo Verastegui, was so moved when he saw Cardinal-designate Raymond Burke's videos, that he immediately added the Spanish subtitle versions to his website at www.DuraRealidad.com.
Verastegui implores fellow Latinos to watch these two new videos as soon as possible, saying, "Every voter should watch these videos before voting, Tuesday, Nov. 2."
Verastegui adds, "Each powerful, short video gives you truths you must have about the most important issues when voting, and how to select the best candidates. The new videos at DuraRealidad.com will help you vote to protect our children, our families, our communities and our culture from the Culture of Death."
The two short videos are excerpts from an exclusive interview that Cardinal-designate Raymond Burke gave in Rome on Oct. 20 to Thomas J. McKenna, president of Catholic Action for Faith and Family. Burke, whom Pope Benedict will make a Cardinal on Nov. 20, heads the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican's "supreme court."
In the video excerpts, Burke explains that Catholics must work to promote the 'Common Good' and the 'Golden Rule' by voting for political candidates who most strongly oppose aborting babies, embryonic stem cell experiments, euthanasia and so-called homosexual "marriage."
Says Verastegui, "Millions of Latinos have no idea it's a sin to vote for candidates who promote these fundamentally grave evils, which attack the very foundations of society. These two new videos will help you vote with an informed and clear conscience for candidates who will protect our families and promote the 'Golden Rule' for all."
The videos are also available at McKenna's website, at: www.CatholicAction.org
Verastegui's screen fame came as a telenovela star in Spanish language "soap operas," before becoming the producer and lead actor of the 2006 movie "Bella," the story of a man who finds redemption in helping a young woman with a crisis pregnancy keep her baby. The movie is credited with saving the lives of 200 babies so far.
Catholic Action for Faith and Family is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Catholic principles.
Christian Newswire

Thursday, October 28, 2010

"Throw the Poor Dog A Bone" part two- Catholic Sentinel Scam

Dear Advocates for Life,

During the year, diverse letters to the editor are printed. That's the bone.  But the Catholic Sentinel shows it's hand during the elections.  In the letters to the editor, candidates are promoted that support abortion and active homosexuality. I say promoted because there is no editorial comment or disclaimer on what it means to vote as a Catholic.  

Voter's guides from Oregon Family Council and Oregon Right to Life are not "allowed" in most of our churches: we feel like there's a war with the Archdpdx. We are indeed the "poor dog".

The Catholic Sentinel has such a low subscription rate that it is being funded by the Archbishop's Annual Appeal to keep it afloat.  The El Sentinel, the Spanish language Archdiocesan paper is given out free of charge and has been for a long time.  There is a liberal bent to this paper too and there is definitely an agenda. It also advertises for Susan B. Komen Foundation who gives money to Planned Parenthood that focuses on minority abortions.
For one woman's great explanation go to Why I can't give to Susan B. Komen

So these "Catholic" newspapers are given to our churches "free",  passing on their progressive bent to unsuspecting Catholics with our own money.  For some reason we subsidize a dying newspaper and their employees.  Low subscription rates were probably the catalyst for this action. It seems the illusion of having a great newspaper is needed.  Below is information to educate.

Catholic Sentinel, Robert Pfohman is editor -  bpfohman@archdpdx.org

5536 NE Hassalo St.
P.O. Box 18030
Portland, OR 97218
Telephone (503) 281-1191
Toll Free (800) 548-8749
Email sentinel@catholicsentinel.org

El Centinela  editor Rocío Rios Niño was born in Colombia, South America. She worked six years at the El Espectador newspaper in Bogotá, Colombia’s major daily newspaper. It is the oldest newspaper in Colombia. Since its first issue to the present its motto has been "El Espectador will work for the good of the country with liberal criteria and for the good of the liberal principles with patriotic criteria". It was initially published twice a week, 500 issues each. It defined itself as a "political, literary, news and industrial newspaper"She worked three a half years doing television reporting on Colombia’s top television station, Caracol news. She came to the United States in 1998 to learn English and became editor of El Centinela, the Catholic Sentinel’s Spanish-language sister newspaper in 1999.
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Good News. Catholics nationwide are getting behind pro-life, pro-family candidates more than two years ago, voting for the lesser of two evils, if needed. Mentor, Father Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life, is incremental in his approach to changing hearts and minds. The Faithful Citizenship USCCB booklet isn't cutting it for thinkers.  Now it's time to pray, possibly holding our nose to save at least one baby for sure.

Here are links to a voters' guide if needed. Oregon Right to Life Voter's Guide   Oregon Family Council (can't find download for OFC)  Gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley has said he will support parental notification, ending state funding for abortions and partial birth abortion.  The ORTL guide doesn't reflect all subsequent conversations of people you would trust.  Dudley has a pro-life reputation to the pro-aborts.  He has his foot in the door to the Culture of Life. His fate is sealed if he wavers.  John Kitzhaber is pro-abortion and supported by NARAL.

Remember the Vatican trumps the USCCB, the Archbishop and priests on everything in the Church.  A non-perfect pro-life candidate can be chosen over a more pro-abortion one.  Not to vote is voting for evil.  Go to the Vatican website for the Catechism if needed for backup.

Rome's Cardinal Burke on voting for Catholics.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Who Is That Guy......Saturday, at six, in Salem

"Discover and Re-discover GK Chesterton. Common sense for the world's uncommon nonsense."  St. Joseph Catholic Church of Salem is honoring the "Apostle of Common Sense".  He should be a must read for everyone who can read.

GK Chesterton lived a remarkable overflowing life. Men especially would like to know that he loved a good port and a cigar..so in his honor they'll have about four different wines.  You'll be waited upon with food and drink seemingly never ending. Dale will answer any questions and there is a "special guest".   Quite a wonderful evening.

Some of GK's quotes from the American Chesterton society, to never let him be forgotten.   American Chesterton Society

"Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions." - ILN, 4/19/30

"Impartiality is a pompous name for indifference, which is an elegant name for ignorance." - The Speaker, 12/15/00 

"An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered." - On Running After Ones Hat, All Things Considered, 1908

"What embitters the world is not excess of criticism, but an absence of self-criticism." - Sidelights on New London and Newer New York

"He is a [sane] man who can have tragedy in his heart and comedy in his head." - Tremendous Trifles, 1909

“Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable.”  GK Chesterton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Gilbert Keith Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was an English writer of prolific and diverse output included philosophy, philosophy, poetry, play writing, journalism, public lecturing and debating, biography, Christian apologetics, fantasy and detective fiction.  (Thanks Wikipedia.)


Here's the info in St. Joseph of Salem's own words.
Its time again for the much anticipated
Third Annual G.K. Chesterton Steak and Wine Dinner!

This year’s event will be held on Saturday October 23rd
 at 6:00pm in the parish center. Once again we have invited back  Dale Ahlquist, President of the American Chesterton Society and EWTN host and a special guest.

Reservations are now being accepted by calling Rolando Moreno at the parish office (503) 581-1623.

721 Chemeketa St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301 
________________________________________

See you there.

Friday, October 1, 2010

"Throw the Poor Dog a Bone" - part one

The Office of Justice and Peace under Chancellor Mary Jo Tully and Matt Cato threw the poor dog (Oregon Catholics) a bone (not granting $5,000 to Street Roots). Sorry, but that's nothing. It's long overdue and insulting considering the years and amount of our money that's been squandered to build up the culture of death. Let's not sing the Hallelujah chorus just yet.

N.B.  We have a "pro-life" budget of a little more than $1,000 a year.  This is for sending the USCCB Respect Life Packets to the Oregon Churches.

Newspaper (Street Roots) Livid Over Losing CCHD Funding Planned Parenthood
(more history in Throw the Poor Dog a Bone - part 2)

“So you have the power of money, which corporations have, and you have the power of people, which is what community organizing is,” Cato added. “The power of people which needs to balance the power of money, and that’s what community organizing is about, and a lot of people are uncomfortable with the poor having the voice.”  Matt Cato, Director of Office of Justice and Peace ways in on "redistribution of wealth" and the attitude of Catholics to the poor.

Western States Center Ties most of our CCHD "ACORN" type grantee organizations together. We have given hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars to support these types of causes over twenty to thirty years with the blessing of Mary Jo Tully and Matt Cato and all the Office of Peace and Justice leaders. Add it up.

2010 Grantees From CCHD from Oregon Catholics

Catholic Sentinel - CCHD Fall Grants of $75,000 Spring Grants $40,000

VOZ  $40,000 grant List of Grantors - We are the largest. - AFFILIATED WITH WESTERN STATES CENTER
Francisco Lopez past employee of Catholic Charities has been in leadership of VOZ, CAUSA both of which are past/present recipients of CCHD funds over many years. They morph - Voz Hispana Causa Chavista and support others. The grantee changes names but leaders are the same? Seems like their other supporters also support "reproductive services".
VOCAL - Saul Alinsky and Francisco Lopez?



Adelante Mujeures - $35,000 grant
VOCAL - 2004 post shows how long they've been grantees
Under Supporters on their site..no money from CCHD is listed. No mention of the $100,000's we've given them in grants since at least 2004 are they afraid that donors will run if a Catholics are mentioned. Why? Oregon Community Foundation that supports them and also abortion.


New Planned Parenthood PDX Building Given $75,000 Oregon Community Foundation too.

Adelante Mujeures Given $300,000 grant from us in Federal Tax Money in 2010.
One of 100 Best Green Businesses to work for in 2010.
_________________________________________
Oregon Catholics Paid $40,000 for Spring Campaign 2010

OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon - $5,000 - AFFILIATED WITH WESTERN STATES CENTER
Project: East Portland Bus Riders Unite!
Location: Portland

Oregon New Sanctuary Movement - $5,000 - AFFILIATED WITH WESTERN STATES CENTER
Project: Love Has No Borders Campaign
Location: Portland

Casa Latinos Unidos - $5,000 - RECEIVES GRANTS FROM ABORTION PROVIDER WHO ALSO GIVES LARGE GRANTS TO VOZ AND WESTERN STATES CENTER. ABORTION PROVIDER GRANTEE LIST
Project: Latino Immigrant Equality Parent Organizing Project
Location: Corvallis


Community Alliance of Tenants $5,000 - Abortion Provider, Western States Center, Social Justice NW links us together.
Project: Housing Justice Program
Location: Portland
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USCCB Website Regarding CCHD Funding Policies

CCHD Funding Policies
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development fully upholds the Church's teaching on the sanctity of human life from conception through natural death. Organizations that receive CCHD funds must not participate in or promote activities that contradict the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church. For example, organizations that support or promote same-sex marriage, discrimination, racism, capital punishment, abortion, or euthanasia are not eligible for CCHD funding.To ensure CCHD funds are used in keeping with Catholic moral and social teaching, all applicants must go through a multi-step review process CCHD funds are allocated only to organizations that are incorporated and have an Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax exempt designation. If the applicant organization is not incorporated and federally tax exempt, CCHD may allow use of a fiscal sponsor to receive the grant funds and distribute them to the funded group. To qualify, the fiscal sponsor must be incorporated and must have a current 501(c)(3) designation. A fiscal sponsor does not direct a funded effort. Their primary purpose is to transmit the CCHD funds and oversee their proper use.

“Six-year” Policy
All organizations who have received funding for any period of six or more years since 1997 will be ineligible to apply to CCHD for a three-year period. This policy applies whether the organization received funding for six years on a continuous or intermittent basis. After the three-year interval, these organizations will be eligible for funding requests for up to another six years before the same interval cycle will be repeated. You should contact your area grant specialist to determine your eligibility for the current grant cycle. (vocal asks - WHO IS OUR GRANT SPECIALIST?)

OREGON policy : The Catholic Campaign for Human Development grants are awarded on the basis of need and not on religious affiliation
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Remedy  

Abandon the CCHD. It is not a mandatory collection.

The Archdiocese can make a list of organizations they feel are worthy of being funded.

Simply post this on their website for Catholics to choose from or not.

Saves administrative costs. Saves advertising costs.

Eliminates type of other past grantee organizations that were given money in the past that could be just friends of friends. History of Oregon's CCHD grantees were saved for at least twenty years.

Eliminate conflicts of interest that seem to have happened for decades.

There seems to be little or no regard to Jesus Christ's Roman Catholic church and her mission to save souls with Catholic funds entrusted to do His work. The Word has been silenced.

"..but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful." Mark 4:19