Wednesday, July 25, 2007

VOTING FOR FAMILY LIFE

July 25, 2007 I am honored to be one of the chief petitioners for the two referendums to be put to a vote of the people the bills passed in the 2007 legislature: "Domestic Partnership" and "Sexual orientation as a protected minority status". By collecting enough signatures, the Referendums 303 (same sex marriage - green sheets) and 304 (protected sexual behavior, expression Blue Sheets) Archbishop Vlazny and Bishop Vasa have given their permission for churches to collect these most important signatures. Pastors can call Father Dennis O'Donovan for confirmation info - 503-234-5334. ISSUES are different than CANDIDATES and do not jeopardize tax exempt status. This past 2007 session of the Oregon Legislature, I testified on behalf of pro-life and pro-family bills and have an objective,albeit from my moral perspective, viewpoint that those of us of like mind at the Capitol experienced from our hours of attending hearings. In a nutshell, it was a done deal with the 2007 Legislature to get these bills passed. No matter the testimony, no matter the questions regarding the prudence of these bills, it was just an exercise in futility. The voters had spoken regarding both "domestic partnerships" with same-sex couples having ALL the same rights as married couples and "sexual orientation as a protected minority status" saying NO to both and the will of Oregon voters was ignored. They had the power and used it. We need to collect signatures in our churches and from all our family and friends to be able to vote. Let's see if the people really want these moral changes and if the Legislators were really representing Oregonians. Please run this "definition" past any lawyer and see if the public is protected from objectionable sexual advances, both adults and children alike, because of the wording. At the hearings, these questions were responded to with "we'll just have to let the courts decide". This was the attitude throughout the session. “Sexual orientation” means an individual¢s actual or perceived heterosexuality,homosexuality, bisexuality or gender identity, regardless of whether the individual¢s gender identity, appearance, expression or behavior differs from that traditionally associated with the individual's sex at birth." http://www.defenseofmarriagecoalition.org/pdf/SB2-Highlight.pdf Attached is a past letter from Bishop Vasa on Senate Bill 2 aka Referendum 304. There is a letter from all the Oregon Bishops regarding "same-sex" relationships that I will keep looking for and send out. There are/were also examples of "homosexual/etc. nepotism" that exist but are ignored. It's time to be truly objective and not just believe stories of "discrimination" that we ALL experience, but just don't complain about. For those of you who don't want to collect signatures, that's great. No pain, no gain.:-) Thanks to those who have requested packets. For all....if you want a packet of sheets (10 signatures to a sheet) and information OR complaints, OR would like to ask me a question or have me speak......just let me know. ALSO.....an invitation from the ecumenical Christian community. One of the other chief petitioners is from the Slavic/Russian Evangelical Church. The Russian Churches are praying every Friday night in different venues and would love to be invited to a Catholic church. You must have room for 200-400 people and get ready for a religious experience that shares the love of Christ by many different backgrounds. Many other denominations have joined to pray for all of Oregon and our needs. Let me know if your pastor would like to open up a parish to these events. Let's do this soon!!!! The Russian community has been through persecution and had their government overstepping their bounds. They were very vocal during the hearings but this too fell on deaf ears. So they are now fasting and praying. Let's join them...they want to include Catholics. Collecting these signatures and letting the voters of Oregon speak out AGAIN....will tell our children and grandchildren and those we love that we care and are willing to be inconvenienced and sacrifice for them. From Today's reading "Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; stuck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the Life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the Life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh." 2 Cor 4:7-10

Saturday, March 10, 2007

CCHD Funding Illegal Immigration March?

Dear Friends, Eventhough we are a bankrupt diocese, we have money and the unborn are still not being protected. The Archbishop's Annual Appeal does not have a share of the pie for the unborn, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development does not, and Catholic Relief Services does not. NEW! Although Mary Jo Tully and David Carrier will not divulge the volunteers that make the decisions with Catholic collection money for CCHD, we need to find out who these people. They are the same types of groups only getting more radical. Leaders of VOZ, for example are part of the grantees. We have no pro-life share. The latest "donation" from us is to "Comite Latino". http://pcasc.net/about-us/el-comite-latino, http://pcasc.net/links This group led the March at the State Capitol regarding immigrantion. They have been permission according to "La Lucha Solidaria", (Portland Central America Solidarity Committee Fall/Winter 2006 newsletter, page 2,) to give speeches in Oregon Catholic churches. With this connection Catholics are now funding the no-border policies of the militant Hispanic groups and more. Helping the poor has become big business and Jesus is truly in disguise. The radical groups have lots of sources for money. Unborn children DO NOT. Remember the Students for a Democratic Society? SDS? Well, we are now part of them with our donations to these new groups. The SDS Newsletter attachment highlights PCASC/El Comite Latino. Where is the money for the unborn? Connect your own dots.... http://www.iafnw.macg.org/memberinstitutions/ MACG is part of many of our Catholic churches. Where are the Respect Life Committees the US Bishops wanted for each parish since 1996. We see that they are given to highly organized groups in many cases. There indeed is NO religious affilitation and a blinding omission of them. According to the "spiritual leader" of this movement, Saul Alisky in his book Rules for Radicals......"Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins -- or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom -- Lucifer." Good people have been fighting this for many years, just like our involvement with the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. These groups are using this money, in most cases to build up new organizations and use it to change US government policy and direction. This is done through FUNGIBLE FUNDING. For example....From the 2006 Grant doc...attached. Organization: Oregon ACORN* Project: Health Care Reform Contact: Corrine Ball Location: Portland OR Funding: 2006 $25,000; This money the $25,000 can go towards their political type of health care reform, SO. the $25,000 they would have spent on health care can go for something else...something against even our Catholic principles!! *ACORN (The Association of Community Organization for Reform Now) has been given hundreds of thousands of dollars through the years from Oregon Catholics. This is a radical liberal anti-American organization that was started by Wade Rathke, of SDS fame Students for a Democratic Society. We need to be good stewards and educate ourselves in what the Church teaches...listen to the Holy Father and remember...the US Bishops Conference is not the Holy See....We need to go above to them to the words of the Church..which are from Christ Himself in faith and morals. This is a lot to comprehend. There are many Oregon Catholics working to make this a Culture of Life. Be Not Afraid. May we find the courage to speak up for true justice and common sense. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "It is better that scandals arise than the truth be supressed." Pope Saint Gregory the Great.

Monday, November 6, 2006

PDX/EMO - Are Immortal Souls Worth the Connection Anymore?

Dear CMC Family....Please pray for me......Here's what I sent out, today...on my birthday...I spent ALL DAY on this.....I hope it does some good. Love, Carolyn

Dear Friends, This World Net Daily article shows what can happen to the Catholic Church if we are not vigilant and let our reputation as the one True Church and devotion to the "Ultimate Sacrifice" of Jesus Christ falter.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52769 If you cannot get the link....go to www.worldnetdaily.com "Parish cancels 'Catholic' drag queens' bingo games.

The world views of the Roman Catholic church in union with the Holy Father and the Magisterium seem to be at odds with our involvement with the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Oregon parishes and organizations calling themselves Catholic have homosexual components that are not in compliance with Roman Catholic Church teaching.

They continue on, with "Catholic" money, deceiving people with no sense of shame. The most blatant connection is with EMO. Most of the churches listed support abortion "rights" and homosexual unions: the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches www.mccch.org is most visible.

We are an important member of EMO and have our chancellor, Mary Jo Tully, on the Board of Directors. www.emoregon.org for more information. The World Net Daily article involves a Catholic Church less than a mile away from the Metropolitan Community Church.

From these websites we find out something of what's happening at OUR Catholic parishes, etc. * Welcoming Communities www.welcomingcongregations.org.

Who is CWC? "The Community of Welcoming Congregations (CWC) is an Oregon and SW Washington ecumenical ministry and association of religious and spiritual congregations that welcome and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Our ministry dedicates itself to the full equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersexed and questioning people seeking spiritual home. Through arms of education and advocacy, we reach out in support and affirmation acknowledging the image of our loving Creator in every person."

Catholic Journey Catholic Community Worship Address: St. Stephens Episcopal Church SW 13th and Clay Portland, OR 97225 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 219098 Portland, OR 97225 Pastor Nancy Bannister (503) 323-2406 Contact Person: Ginny Benware npmwest@aol.com http://www.journey-catholic.org/ Koinonia Catholic Community Koinonia has merged with Journey Catholic Community. Contact Journey for worship times. Koinonia Catholic Community - http://koinoniacommunity.org Perform same-sex "marriages"(also a member of Basic Rights Oregon).

A disturbing note on this group. Click on music. Koinonia former directors Tom Conry and Patrick Loomis do music for the OREGON CATHOLIC PRESS. We have come to realize that some songs lack a true Roman Catholic message from other composers as well.

St. Andrew's Catholic Church 806 NE Alberta St. Portland, OR 97211 Fr. Charles Lienert (503) 281-4429 Contact person: Kathy Saunders http://www.standrewchurch.com/

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 330 SE 11th Ave. Portland, OR 97214 Valerie Chapman, pastoral administrator (503) 232-5880 valeriechapman@qwest.net Fr. Robert W. Krueger rkrueger@hevanet.com

St. Philip Neri Catholic Church Gay and Lesbian Outreach (GALO) 2408 SE 16th Ave. Portland, OR 97214 Fr. Richard Colgan, CSP (503) 231-4955 Contact person: Robert George Robert_Geo2000@yahoo.com List serve: http://groups.msn.com/catholicandgaywelcomehome http://www.stphilipneripdx.org/

Also... http://cclonline.org/ - Resources to Lesbian and Gay-Friendly parishes - click Oregon. These are listed. Koinonia Catholic Community; St. Philip Neri; St. Andrew; St. Vincent de Paul -- Portland

When I shared this information with ArchbishopVlazny a year ago regarding concerns with EMO and these other homosexual connections in light of the scandal and bankrupcy, this was his reply (see attachment).

 Pope Benedict XVI knows we need to pray and dialogue with other faiths...yet he asks us to avoid "syncretism", the fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, "Man's heart, in fact, is the place where God acts....Therefore, together with the 'horizontal' dimension of relationships with other men, of fundamental importance in this matter is the 'vertical' dimension of each one's relationship with God, in whom everything finds its foundation." (see attachment for full text)

Let's keep working to keep Oregon Catholic money and relationships on the right track...
 
Jesus Christ says "Be as wise as serpents as harmless as doves."

Apropos - from my Good Earth teabag. "Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile I caught hell for" Earl Warren
 for." Earl Warren world"

Thursday, November 2, 2006

Archd of PDX David Carrier/John Kerry Timed perfectly

Dear Friends, With many Oregon Catholic men and women in the armed forces sacrificing themselves in Iraq and the families who are praying for their safety, it would have been kind and prudent for something like this to NOT be sent. This happened at the same time as John Kerry's statement on our troops during war time. Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) is closely linked to homosexual, anti-war and pro-abortion groups. www.emoregon.org We know that we cannot get away from the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and their liberal agenda...we have been bound for thirty years. Their "ecumenical" member churches include the International Metropolitan Community Church, pure homosexual. Mary Jo Tully , Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Portland is on their Board of Directors and said to me that they need help with the AIDS Daycare program, that's a reason we still stay. When I first met David Carrier, our new Justice and Peace director, not knowing what VOCAL was, he invited me to invest in some building projects...(this could be the new ones we see in the PDX areas). During one of our conversations, I even went so far as to tell him what Oregon really needed was a Pro-LIfe Director. but Providence Hospital offered a grant. As we talked about the war, I asked him "If Oregon was being invaded, would you defend us?" His answer was "no". Now this is fine...I once was a Quaker...however, as a Catholic I know that we have "prudential judgment" as to the war, but NOT, abortion or homosexual marriage/promotion. Therefore, the emphasis should be on Pro-life activties and family unity, not the environment or the war. We follow the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church. It would have been nice for the Justice and Peace Ministry to support something tangible that we all could benefit from - Yes on Measure 43 as Archbishop Vlazny has requested. From: Carrier, David [mailto:dcarrier@archdpdx.org] Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:17 PM To: justiceandpeace@archdpdx.org Subject: Please act to support peace in Iraq <> Dear concerned Catholic; I am sure that you are as disturbed as I am about the violence in Iraq. The magnitude of the tragedy was really brought home for me with the news last week that the first scientific analysis of likely casualties in Iraq estimated the death toll to be upwards of 650,000 people (90% of sample respondents had death certificates for the victims). This issue is not about politics. It cannot be dismissed that easily. As followers of Christ we are obligated to support life, create peace, and care for our brothers and sisters who are victims of the violence. We must do all we can to bring about a transition to peace so Iraqis can resume normal lives as soon as possible. If you were an Iraqi citizen, what would you ask us to do? What would Jesus want you to do? Over the summer, a group of faith leaders and I met with Senator Ron Wyden to express our concern about the violence in Iraq and the need to develop a concrete strategy for a transition to peace. Senator Wyden suggested that the most effective way for the faith community to bring about a change in U.S. policy is to convey to our Congressional delegation our own thoughts on what that transition should look like. With that in mind, we have written the attached letter in conjunction with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, outlining a plan for a responsible transition to peace in Iraq. The letter has been signed by Archbishop Vlazny, the bishops or executives of several other Oregon faith communities, and over 80 churches throughout Oregon. I urge you to please ask your pastor or other religious leader to sign on to the letter. All you need to do is have them email or call me and let me know that they wish to be a signatory. Please ask them to include their full name and title, and community affiliation. In some parishes, the Pastoral Council or Social Ministry groups are also making the letter available to parishioners to sign after weekend masses. In this case, provide a separate sign-up sheet that refers to the EMO letter, and provide space for a signature, printed name, and full address. That way you will receive a follow-up letter from the Senators. Please note on the last two pages of the attached letter that we have not heard from a lot of pastors that would probably be in agreement. If your own parish is not listed, please talk to your pastor this weekend. We will be delivering the letter to members of Congress immediately after the fall elections. There will be a press conference and visits to the offices of our Senators and Representatives soon after that. So please notify me of your pastor's response, and return the letter with parishioners' signatures to me at the Office of Justice and Peace, by Sunday November 5. I would appreciate any help you can offer to circulate this letter to the appropriate people in your parish or community. With the collective signatures of people from all faith traditions we will send a strong message that our religious convictions compel us to speak out against the continued violence. We must not remain silent as this continuing conflict claims hundreds more lives each day. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration. In the peace of Christ, David Carrier David Carrier Office of Justice and Peace Campaign for Human Development Archdiocese of Portland 2838 E. Burnside St. Portland, OR 97214 503-233-8361 www.archdpdx.org/justice_and_peace * One life * One world * One human family We are one Body in Christ. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn VOCAL We believe that the foundation for a Culture of Life starts with the beginning of life: at conception, when God breathes life into His people. To circumvent this puts man in our Creator's role and can only fail causing a domino effect that leads to a Culture of Death. Poverty, war, racism, hatred, and violence all leads from this event: when man thinks he knows best. Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO BOX 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-767-3333

Saturday, September 30, 2006

OCTOBER - Respect Life Month/Our Lady's too!/Dept ofEducation legal reminder

Culture of Life Calendar ~~~ Saturday, September 30th Please join us for a MASS FOR LIFE on Saturday, September 30th at 4:30 PM at Resurrection Catholic Parish. 21060 Stafford Road, Tualatin, Oregon. This Vigil Mass will be sung in Latin by Cantores in Ecclesia, an award-winning choir under the direction of Dean Applegate, which was established in Portland in 1985 with the intention of providing Gregorian chant and sacred polyphonic music for the Mass. During the year Cantores in Ecclesia participates in services at St. Mary's Cathedral, Mt. Angel Seminary, the Immaculate Heart Church, The Grotto and Holy Rosary. The participation of Cantores in Ecclesia was arranged by the Parish Knights of Columbus and the Celebrate Life Committee. The U.S. Conference of Bishops has designated Sept. 30/Oct 1st as Respect Life Sunday. ~~~~~~ Sunday, October 1st. Life Chain 2:30-3:30pm on Lancaster Dr., Salem Info - Call 503-585-7856 Meet at Academy Square for Signs and directions. ~Yes on 43 Bumper Stickers and Brochures also available here.~ ~~~~~~ Learn how you and your children can become involved... Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 6, 7, & 8 Pro-Life Events - Local, National and Worldwide World Apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima Sanctity of Life Day/One World Praying The INTERNATIONAL APOSTOLATE is making it a three day event this year. Friday is focused on children's Eucharistic Adoration; and Saturday on prayer to Our Lady; and Sunday the goal this year is One BILLION prayers. SANCITITY OF LIFE DAY - SUNDAY OCT. 8 The Meaning of the Day: http://www.wafusa.org/events/sanctity_life/about.html > scroll down Speakers include Alan Keyes, Fr. Apostoli: http://www.wafusa.org/events/sanctity_life/prolife.html EWTN Television Broadcast Times: SPECIAL LIVE EVENT - The CHILDREN'S ADORATION is an international event and the main US location, the National Basilica at Washington, DC, will be televised on EWTN. The focus of the children's prayer is in support of our Holy Father which is especially poignant in light of recent events. WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA: "ONE WORLD PRAYING" WASHINGTON, NEW JERSEY, USA (450:00) Sunday October 8, 2006 10:00 AM Eastern Time Sunday October 8, 2006 7:00 AM Pacific Time SPECIAL FOR CHILDREN Our local Portland group does not have enough members to put on a children's event on the Friday of these three days of prayer -- but we hope many local Catholic schools may be able to organize a children's Holy Hour at their school or parish. This is in union with people all over the world dedicating three days of prayer in support of the pro-life cause and for world peace. Information and a suggested program for the children are available at http://users.ifriendly.com/pjostermann4/children/program.pdf. More information for the children's day is also located on the national website http://childrenoftheeucharist-waf.org/ JOIN US! Portland's WAF division www.wafpdx.org Our local World Apostolate of Fatima division is sponsoring a Candlelight Rosary Procession on Saturday, October 7th at St. John the Baptist Parish in Milwaukie; and a prayer service on Sunday, October 8th at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Portland. More details on these events as well as information on our apostolate is available at www.wafpdx.org . We would appreciate any help you can offer in heavily promoting especially the Candlelight Rosary Oct. 7th. All of the details of the Sunday event at St. Joseph the Worker are not decided yet but I should have this in a day or two. It will involve prayer and be at 7:00 pm with at least some pro-life groups attending. Of course, you are welcome to have an information table if you wish. Information on national events - including the times of EWTN's live broadcasts all three days - is at www.wafusa.org . If you would like any additional information please feel free to contact my wife, Marie, or myself at 503-288-2040. In Christ and His Holy Mother, Paul Ostermann World Apostolate of Fatima - Portland The World Apostolate of Fatima is an International Public Association of the Faithful approved by the Vatican. Our local division is listed as Blue Army (the former name) on the archdiocesan website. The international apostolate is making it a three day event this year. Friday is focused on children's Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday on prayer to Our Lady and Sunday the goal this year is One BILLION prayers. The children's adoration is an international event with the main US location, the National Basilica at Washington, DC, being televised on EWTN. The focus of the children's prayer is in support of our Holy Father which is especially poignant in light of recent events. Our local Portland group does not have enough members to put on a children's event on the Friday of this three days of prayer but we hope many local Catholic schools may be able to organize a children's Holy Hour at their school or parish. This is in union with people all over the world dedicating three days of prayer in support of the pro-life cause and for world peace. Information and a suggested program for the children are available at http://users.ifriendly.com/pjostermann4/children/program.pdf. More information for the children's day is also located on the national website http://childrenoftheeucharist-waf.org/ Our local World Apostolate of Fatima division is sponsoring a Candlelight Rosary Procession on Saturday, October 7th at St. John the Baptist Parish in Milwaukie and a prayer service on Sunday, October 8th at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Portland. More details on these events as well as information on our apostolate is available at www.wafpdx.org. We would appreciate any help you can offer in heavily promoting especially the Candlelight Rosary Oct. 7th. All of the details of the Sunday event at St. Joseph the Worker are not decided yet but I should have this in a day or two. It wil involve prayer and be at 7pm with at least some pro-life groups attending again. Of course you are welcome to have an information table if you wish. In addition information on national events, including times of live broadcasts all three days on EWTN, is at www.wafusa.org. If you would lke any additional information please feel free to contact my wife, Marie, or myself at 503-288-2040. In Christ and His Holy Mother, Paul Ostermann WAF Portland The World Apostolate of Fatima is an International Public Association of the Faithful approved by the Vatican. Our local division is listed as Blue Army (the former name) on the archdiocesan website. ~~~~~~~ Elections are close at hand. Yes on 43 will save the lives of over 600 unborn babies killed each year to teen mothers without their parents notification. We can no longer allow our schools to be part of the pickup and delivery system to abortion mills in our state. Schools are for teaching, not for keeping secrets from parents. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn Oregon Department of Education Statute: 336.067 Instructions in ethics and morality. (1) In public schools special emphasis shall be given to instruction in: Honesty, morality, courtesy, obedience to law, respect for the national flag, the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Stae of Oregon, respect for parents and the home, the dignity and necessity of honest labor and other lessons that then to promote adn develop an upright and desirable citizenty. VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition - "Inline with the Church, online with the world" If you prefer not to receive these messages, please reply and put "unsubscribe" in the subject line.