Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Bill Diss Invitation to June 17th Prayer Vigil and more.....

Dear Brothers and Sisters for Life, Purity and Healing,

You are all such a gift to me and to our cause.  I want to thank all of you again and again for your prayers, kind letters and support.  It is so great know that there are many in the area and around the world that value life and purity and know that our God is a loving God and will heal all who beckon.

Administrative activity by the school district has increased and two weeks ago I received a 41 page letter stating that they are going to try and dismiss me.  I have been on administrative leave after the principal, a vice principal, the director of human resources and a Portland police officer came and quickly ushered me out of my classroom on March 19, 2013

There will be some type of hearing that I will attend with my lawyer on June 12, 2013.  Please pray for all of us on both sides of the table.  The union has solicited the help of the law firm, McKanna Bishop Joffe, LLP, to fight my case.

I do ask for continued prayers for discernment.  I have forgiven all at the district but some sort of closure appears necessary.  We do need to fight the evil of abortion and forcing of sexual deviancy on our youth; I just want to make sure that is not vindictive. 
Prayer Vigil at Portland Public Schools (PPS) June 17, 2013
On Monday June 17, 2013 we are asking everyone to come to PPS headquarters from 5:45 to 6:45 PM.  We had around 200 on December 3, 2012 and I suspect there are many more out there who would love to be more involved in the movement for life and this is an excellent opportunity.  The address is 501 N. Dixon St, Portland, Oregon and it is very near the Rose Garden. (map)  Please call or write if you need rides, we could rent a school but or two.


Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.

(Mt: 5:12)
 
You are truly working for peace!
Added by VOCAL
I wanted to remind all of you working so hard, in prayer and in other forms for service for life and purity, that you are certainly working for peace. Countries that do not see human sexuality as holy and life giving and countries that kill innocent people are really saying, "God we don't need you."  When our supernatural hedge of protection is removed, it is all over.

Planned Parenthood Education?
We often hear how Planned Parenthood educates the children.  Here is a workshop they just had in Portland:
More information at Life News.  How is this workshop helping children or adults be better citizens or better children of God?
Two views of public school teachers:
Letter from Archbishop

Friday, June 7, 2013

Archbishop Sample Prays for Lawmakers with Pro-Abortion Roger Martin Still Our Lobbyist.

See?  Is it Roger or Peter?
Pro-abortion Roger Martin is still the lobbyist at the Capitol for the Archdiocese of Portland.  VOCAL has many records of him voting for abortion and actually putting forth pro-abortion legislation.  Note that he was the photographer for the picture of Archbishop Sample with pro-abortion Catholic Senator Peter Courtney.

It would be interesting to see his testimony this session. 

It is very frustrating for Catholics who believe in the teachings of the Church being left out at high levels of this Archdiocese.  With Archbishop Sample discerning the spiritual qualities to bring Oregon Catholics we know it will take time to change things he deems needing change. 

Our Catholic monies give these people their salary and benefits while they seemingly act like the Cheshire cat.  Their beliefs have been the norm much to the pain of many Oregon Catholics.

Archbishop Sample's words soothe the soul and will hopefully change the hearts and minds of Catholics who support abortion and could change this in Oregon. 


Archbishop asks God to help lawmakers
Photo courtesy of Roger Martin
Sen. President Peter Courtney and Archbishop Alexander Sample at Oregon Capitol.

Photo courtesy of Roger Martin
Sen. President Peter Courtney and Archbishop Alexander Sample at Oregon Capitol.

SALEM — Archbishop Alexander Sample visited the Oregon Capitol June 4 to give invocations in the Senate and House of Representatives.

In his prayer, the archbishop asked God to help lawmakers work for the common good.

"O God you are the source of all goodness and of every blessing under the heavens," Archbishop Sample said. "We humbly ask you to anoint with your wisdom and guidance these legislators who have offered themselves in service of your people. May the they deliberate with charity and decide in accord with justice the matters before them in this session. Be present in their minds and hearts. Anoint their ears and tongues so that all they say and hear will be in accord with your will and be for the good of the people, whom they represent and serve. Help them to set aside all pride and self interest and to seek the common good of our society in accord with your plan for your children."

Rep. Jennifer Williamson, D-Southwest Portland, hosted Archbishop Sample in the House. Introducing him to colleagues, she referred to him as a kind of rock star and noted that he lives in her district.

Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, was the archbishop's host in the Senate, where Catholic lawmakers convened for a reception.

In attendance at the reception were House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, a Lane County Democrat; Rep. Cliff Bentz, an Ontario Republican; Rep. Margaret Doherty, a Tigard Democrat; Rep. Joe Gallegos, a Hillsboro Democrat and past chairman of Catholic Charities; Rep. Ben Unger, a Hillsboro Democrat; Rep. Jessica Vega Pederson, a Portland Democrat; Senate President Peter Courtney, a Salem Democrat; Sen. Betsy Close, an Albany Republican; and Sen. Fred Girod, a Stayton Republican.

"He shook more hands than any of the politicians in residence and left a very positive impression on everyone he met," says Roger Martin, who represents the Oregon Catholic Conference at the capitol.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

"Part of you died that day". Well, Christ Died One Day for me too.

Helping each other on this Journey is not easy, but we "soldier on" for Him. 

We are in this world together and look what our prayers and God's grace has afforded us here in Oregon: Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, so anything is possible.

We are all put on this earth for His purpose. This event was part of His purpose for me.  After hearing about my assault, a doctor told me, "Part of you died that day".  Well, Christ Died One Day for me too. 

Testimony before Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee, April 5. 2013. Thank you fellow Catholic, Rachel Lucas and Safer Oregon.


Dear Chair Prozanski and Committee Members,
My name is Carolyn Wendell and I am speaking in opposition to SB 347, SB 699, SB 700 and SB 796.

I am here representing three teenage girls who in 1966 were kidnapped, robbed, beaten, threatened with death, then all subsequently raped one after another by three serial rapists.  I am one of the three. 

Our lives for these 47 years have been tragically affected by this long night of darkness; filling us with fear on so many levels, beating us down emotionally.   One friend suffers from anorexia because of her rape and to this day hasn’t spoken to her husband about this night although he was part of her life in 1966.  The other friend is a recluse, divorced because of the wreckage she made of her life after assault.  She lives alone: afraid of the world.  She has no children except the little boy she was impregnated with by her rapist.  The baby ended up in a quart jar at the side of her bed in our apartment.   She named him Sam. 

Back then it wasn’t deemed necessary for victims to have counseling. There were so many layers of pain that just remained buried.  I didn’t know there could be an answer to my fears. 

A doctor told me I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a few years ago.  This didn’t compute.  Then recently another physician heard what had happened to me during a PTSD episode in his office and was adamant that I take classes in concealed carry firearm protection as a very important aspect of healing. 

I erroneously believed that guns somehow fired themselves. I hadn’t even held a gun so breaking down this emotional wall really “empowered” me.  After my concealed carry class I knew this would be a big part of my healing. 

The road to advocating for firearm protection is just beginning for me to help myself and other assault victims of every kind.  I have joined the new group Safer Oregon.  The timing is perfect. 

As a mother of five and grandmother of twenty-four my life has always been about protecting them.  Now that I am older and have suffered many surgeries and a mini-stroke so it is hard to even protect myself.  For the first time in forty-seven years I feel that I have a chance to regain some strength.  Life is not over for me.

The Second Amendment should always be an option.  There are so many women that have been assaulted and feel like there is no way to regain confidence.  The answer for some may be a handgun (with a laser). Those of us who are weaker have a way to level the playing field.  

I believe in safety and having a firearm makes people safer.  Knowing about weapons allows the mind to be calmer and make the correct decisions.  Safety is drilled into our minds.  With children in our lives safety is the main issue.

My friends and I had been together since we were in Kindergarten.  We were Bluebirds, Camp Fire Girls, and took ballet together.  In 1966 we had just moved into our own apartment.  Then our lives were changed forever that night.  No one should be abused in any way by another.  Having the Second Amendment in place, with concealed carry allowed, may give pause to someone before they think of hurting others.  Please remember us.


We Three
Thank you committee.

 
"For victims of crime, with support and counseling, the wounds do heal, but we still bear the scars. In some ways, they never really do go away. No matter how much time passes, you always feel that vulnerability and fear re-victimization in a very primal way. One of the pivotal moments of my healing was my decision to obtain my concealed handgun license. Having my CHL helps empower me to protect myself and my family. It also helps heal the wounds of vulnerability and victimization from the time when I was unable to defend myself from harm. There is a saying that, when seconds count, police are minutes away. And no one knows this more than victims of violent crime. In a very real way, taking personal responsibility to protect myself and my loved ones rights another wrong. I left to others the responsibility to protect me, and because of that, I almost lost the life that God had given me. I see now that this responsibility cannot be abdicated, nor should it be. I now see that, along with law enforcement and our judicial system, I have a role in the protection of myself and my family. Sir Robert Peel, founder of our modern day police system, (and source of the nickname, bobbies) said that police are merely ‘members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen.’ In his words, ‘the duties of protection and self defense are incumbent upon each of us.’" Rachel Lucas, Founder of Safer Oregon.

"Catholics and Gun Ownership" Matt Abbott, Renew America



Friday, May 31, 2013

Pope Alarm: Worldwide Holy Hour, June 2 - First Time in History

 
 

POPE ALARM !!!


https://www.facebook.com/CatholicVote?fref=ts go to CV at Facebook or online.


Oregon Parish Adoration Chapels...check it out.
Contact your parish for information on this event.  Some Oregon parishes are having a Adoration/Benediction after masses.  Some may have changed mass times to coincide with the Pope's Holy Hour. 


The Pope has asked the universal Church to pray for two intentions during the hour of adoration:
  1. For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.
  2. For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labor. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.
From the Cook Islands to Chile, Burkina Faso, Taiwan, Iraq, Bangladesh, the United States, and the Philippines, people will unite in prayer with Pope Francis this weekend before One Lord and in One faith, for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
The Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration, will be broadcast from St. Peter’s Basilica next Sunday, 2 June from 5:00pm-6:00pm local time. Its theme is: “One Lord, One Faith”, which was chosen to testify to the deep unity that characterizes it in this Year of Faith.
“It will be an event,” Archbishop Fisichella president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, explained, “occurring for the first time in the history of the Church, which is why we can describe it as ‘historical’. The cathedrals of the world will be synchronized with Rome and will, for an hour, be in communion with the Pope in Eucharistic adoration. There has been an incredible response to this initiative, going beyond the cathedrals and involving episcopal conferences, parishes, lay associations, and religious congregations, especially cloistered ones.”
Dioceses worldwide will be synchronized with St. Peter’s and will pray for the intentions proposed by the Pope. The first is: “For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.”

Dear Lord, Please remind and help us to pray before You on June 2nd.  Thank You for deeming  us worthy to be Your children.
 

 
 



Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Archbishop Sample Appoints New Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia


Archbishop Alexander Sample has appointed of Father Peter Smith as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. Father Smith will succeed Msgr. Dennis O'Donovan, who is retiring at the end of June.
 
(The Vicar General assists the Bishop in the general care and administration of the diocese. 
The Moderator of the Curia coordinates the ministries and services of the diocese. VOCAL)
Father Smith was born in 1958 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He earned a bachelor's degree in Commerce in Business Administration and Marketing in 1981 from the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg. He earned a law degree from the University of Natal Law School in 1983. After entering the seminary in 1996, he earned a master's degree in Theology in 2000 and a Master of Divinity degree in 2001, both from Mount Angel Seminary.

Father Smith was ordained a priest by Archbishop John Vlazny on June 9, 2001 at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Father Smith is a member of the Brotherhood of the People of Praise. He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lake Oswego, and then he studied at the Catholic University of America, earning a Licentiate degree in Canon Law (J.C.L.) He has served as pastor at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Portland since July 2006.

excerpts from the Catholic Sentinel