Saturday, December 25, 2010

Benedict XVI's Christmas Message - Verbum caro factum est" – "The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).

ZE10122502 - 2010-12-25

Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-31350

Benedict XVI's Christmas Message
"May the Birth of the Savior Open Horizons of Lasting Peace"

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's Christmas message, which he gave today at noon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, and before he imparted his traditional blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world).
* * *

Verbum caro factum est" – "The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).
Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is "Emmanuel", God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.

This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence, observing his works and hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1:14).

"The Word became flesh". Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.
God in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the world is the same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: "I am who I am … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15; 34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever and always. In himself he is communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works are directed to communion. The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point. The ordering principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the world, in a certain time and space.
"The Word became flesh". The light of this truth is revealed to those who receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love. Only those who are open to love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history. In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be seen by the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who await the Saviour. If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it calls for faith, for the "yes" of our hearts.

And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love? Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to their earthly existence.

"The Word became flesh". The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the collective journey of humanity. "Emmanuel", God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We know that his Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the energy to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for the common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our history constantly encourages us in our own commitment to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the one born in Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement.

May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who still suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic. May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters.

May the birth of the Savior open horizons of lasting peace and authentic progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it promote political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.

May the birth of the Savior strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love of "God-with-us" grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all.

Dear brothers and sisters, "the Word became flesh"; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem! To everyone, a Merry Christmas!

© Copyright 2010 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Friday, December 17, 2010

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Thank you Rod Bruinooge.

Thank you Rod Bruinooge for introducing Roxanne's Law and for all the work that it entailed.  Thank you to all those who worked with you on this and all who helped promote it especially the  Evangelical Fellowship of Canada,   Priests for Life Canada ,  4 MY CANADAArpa Canada  I know there are other groups and individuals as well but the above are the groups and people who come to my mind that I know worked very hard during the past months promoting bill C-510. And thank you to all our MP's who voted in favour of Roxanne's law.

The  Evangelical Fellowship of Canada  launched a stellar campaign over the past few weeks promoting Bill C-510 with their Video Campaign. ARPA Canada and 4MYCanada were extremely active in promoting  Roxanne's Law as well. 4MYCanada sent out e-mails with access to all the e-mail addresses of our MP's and set up their website so that one could easily contact one or all MP's in an instant. I used their system and have to say I was extremely impressed. And of Course Priests for Life Canada  promoted Roxanne's law for months and Father Tom Lynch  gave a strong Endorsement in an Interview with Rod Bruinooge on december 7th. . See Priests for Life's endorsement on my blog Strong Endorsement of Roxanne's Law from Catholic Church Leaders . Thank you too Archbishop Collins  for your support.


Disappointing to me was that LifesiteNews failed to report on  Priests for Life Canada's interview with Rod Bruinooge on December 7th . I contacted LifesiteNews last week and am still waiting for an explanation. I'm just saying it seems strange.

Roxanne's Law: How our MPs voted

The Vote for Roxanne's Law Bill C510

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4896153#Int-3688545




YEAS

Members

Abbott

Albrecht

Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac)

Allison

Anders

Anderson

Ashfield

Benoit

Bezan

Block

Boughen

Breitkreuz

Brown (Leeds—Grenville)

Brown (Newmarket—Aurora)

Brown (Barrie)

Bruinooge

Calandra

Calkins

Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country)

Carrie

Casson

Clarke

Cummins

Davidson

Day

Del Mastro

Devolin

Dhalla

Fast

Galipeau

Gallant

Glover

Goldring

Grewal

Guarnieri

Harris (Cariboo—Prince George)

Hiebert

Hoback

Hoeppner

Jean

Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission)

Karygiannis

Kenney (Calgary Southeast)

Komarnicki

Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings)

Lake

Lamoureux

Lauzon

Lemieux

Lobb

Lukiwski

Lunney

MacAulay

Malhi

Mayes

McColeman

McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood)

McTeague

Merrifield

Miller

Moore (Fundy Royal)

Norlock

O'Neill-Gordon

Payne

Poilievre

Preston

Rajotte

Reid

Richards

Ritz

Scheer

Shea

Shipley

Shory

Smith

Sorenson

Storseth

Strahl

Sweet

Szabo

Toews

Tonks

Trost

Tweed

Uppal

Van Kesteren

Van Loan

Vellacott

Warawa

Warkentin

Watson

Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country)

Weston (Saint John)

Wong

Woodworth

Yelich

Young

Total: -- 97

NAYS

Members

Ablonczy

Allen (Welland)

André

Andrews

Angus

Armstrong

Arthur

Ashton

Asselin

Atamanenko

Bachand

Bagnell

Bains

Baird

Beaudin

Bélanger

Bellavance

Bennett

Bernier

Bevington

Bigras

Blackburn

Blais

Blaney

Bonsant

Bouchard

Boucher

Bourgeois

Braid

Brison

Brunelle

Byrne

Cadman

Cannon (Pontiac)

Carrier

Chong

Chow

Christopherson

Clement

Coady

Coderre

Comartin

Cotler

Crombie

Crowder

Cullen

Cuzner

D'Amours

Davies (Vancouver Kingsway)

Davies (Vancouver East)

DeBellefeuille

Dechert

Demers

Deschamps

Desnoyers

Dewar

Dhaliwal

Dion

Donnelly

Dorion

Dosanjh

Dreeshen

Dryden

Duceppe

Duncan (Etobicoke North)

Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona)

Dykstra

Easter

Eyking

Faille

Fantino

Finley

Flaherty

Fletcher

Foote

Fry

Gagnon

Garneau

Gaudet

Généreux

Godin

Goodale

Goodyear

Gourde

Gravelle

Guay

Guimond (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques)

Guimond (Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord)

Hall Findlay

Harper

Harris (St. John's East)

Hawn

Holder

Holland

Hughes

Julian

Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's)

Kennedy

Kent

Kerr

Laforest

Laframboise

Lavallée

Layton

Lebel

LeBlanc

Lee

Lemay

Leslie

Lessard

Lévesque

MacKay (Central Nova)

MacKenzie

Malo

Maloway

Marston

Martin (Sault Ste. Marie)

Mathyssen

McCallum

McGuinty

McLeod

Ménard

Mendes

Menzies

Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam)

Mourani

Mulcair

Murphy (Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe)

Murphy (Charlottetown)

Murray

Nadeau

Neville

Nicholson

O'Connor

Obhrai

Oda

Oliphant

Ouellet

Pacetti

Paillé (Hochelaga)

Paquette

Paradis

Patry

Pearson

Petit

Plamondon

Pomerleau

Proulx

Rae

Rafferty

Ratansi

Rathgeber

Regan

Richardson

Rickford

Rodriguez

Rota

Russell

Savage

Savoie

Scarpaleggia

Schellenberger

Sgro

Siksay

Silva

Simson

Sopuck

St-Cyr

Stanton

Stoffer

Thi Lac

Thibeault

Tilson

Trudeau

Valeriote

Verner

Wallace

Zarac

Total: -- 178

The Debate on Roxanne's Law Dec. 13 and the Vote Dec. 15

Vote: December 15th 2010

STEPHEN HARPER VOTES “NO” TO PROTECTING WOMEN FROM FORCED ABORTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Prime minister Stephen Harper joined 177 other Members of Parliament today and voted against a bill that would protect pregnant women from being coerced into an abortion they did not want.
“This is a scandal of the highest proportion” said John Hof, president of Campaign Life Coalition BC. "This was common sense legislation that would have protected a vulnerable, pregnant woman's CHOICE to give her baby life." To see the leader of our nation stoop so low as to deny this protection simply to avoid talking about the abortion issue, is atrocious” Hof added.
Bill C-510 placed women first in the decision making process. Their wishes would have been paramount and the free vote in the House has now denied them that legal protection. “this places women at risk of being forced into abortions and not even the most radical of feminist groups came to their defence” said Hof.
This vote, of 178 to 97, will show clearly where dedicated pro-lifers and feminists should direct their support in the next election. This was not about abortion at all. It was about ensuring women were making the decision without pressure. Canada is the only nation with absolutely no laws regarding the termination of pregnancy before birth. The absence of any law, is what prompted this proposed Bill.
Examples of pregnant women being brutalized and killed, like Roxanne Fernando for whom the Bill was named, abound in our nation. “This vote today leaves the survivors of this brutality with no recourse under our law. Stephen Harper has abandoned them and their children yet again, all in the interests of not wanting to raise an uncomfortable issue” concluded Hof.
For more information of this and other pro-life issues please contact:
John Hof
Campaign Life Coalition British Columbia
Box 12045 Murrayville RPO
Langley, BC     V3A 9J5
Phone:   604-534-4828          jhof@telus.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Canada supposedly loves the middle way, compromise and the "big tent" but when it comes to rights issues, other minorities -- First Nations, gays, people of colour -- mill around sipping tea in cozy comfort under a protective canvas, while the unborn are always left outside, heaped forlornly in the rain."

Columnist Barbara Kay, National Post, March 23, 2005

Debate On Tuesday December 14th 2010 

From Someone who attended the debate 
Yesterday's debate on Bill C-510 (Roxanne's Law) was unbelievable! I've never seen anything like it. See full debate here: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4881391

(See LifeSite News coverage in article copied below.)

The Liberals put up no speakers at all, the NDP and Bloc put up only one speaker each, so the Conservatives had a chance to put up 5 speakers in total (4 of whom were in favour).

In all my time observing debates on issues related to pregnant women (one hour of debate on Leon Benoit's Bill C-291, two hours of debate on Ken Epp's bill C-484, and last months debate on C-510), I've never seen such reluctance (fear?) by opponents to debate. Could it be they realize it can only look bad for them to oppose a bill that protects women from coerced abortions?

Of course, the Conservative government put up a speaker (to represent the government's position), Brent Rathgeber, and he was the only Conservative Member to speak against the bill. And since the other parties didn't put up any more speakers, it cycled around to the Conservatives again, and Bev Shipley got a chance to address Rathgeber's legal arguments against the bill, which were basically the same arguments made during the first hour of debate last month.

So that was 3 speeches against the bill: the usual "back door attempt to criminalize abortion" rhetoric by the Bloc and NDP; and the government's rep who opposed it on legal grounds which were nicely refuted by Shipley and Bruinooge; and 4 speeches in favour: Kelly Block (finishing up her speech from last month's debate--each MP gets 10 minutes, and she used up 5 last time), Bev Shipley, David Anderson, and Rod Bruinooge's final 5-minute "right of reply."


It was truly a wonder to behold! A great day in our House of Commons -- where honourable Members bore witness to the plight of pregnant women who are coerced into aborting their unborn children by third parties who consider them a burden. And it's now all on the public record. See full debate at:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4881391

The crucial Second Reading vote will be on Wednesday, Dec. 15. If it passes, the bill will go to the Justice Committee for further study, where witnesses will get the chance to testify. If it fails, the bill will die and will no longer by on Parliament's agenda--and a powerful vehicle for educating the public and raising the social and moral consciousness about the injustice of coercing women into unwanted abortions will be gone. There's no way to know how long it will be before we are given another opportunity like this.

If you haven't contacted your MP in support of this bill, there's still time. You can find contact info for your MP at:
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E

Several MPs still have not yet made up their minds on how they will vote tomorrow. There is still a chance to make a difference.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/abortion-coercion-law-debated-in-parliament-vote-on-wed

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Let us pray that our Members of Parliament vote in favour of Roxanne's Law on December 15, 2010

Let us pray that on Dec. 15, our Members of Parliament will act with justice and compassion and vote in favour of Roxanne’s Law, a bill that would help to protect vulnerable pregnant women so that they can safely choose life for their unborn children…..we pray to the Lord

Roxanne's Law: There is still time to contact your MP

If you have not yet contacted your MP it is not too late to do so.
If you go to this link http://www.4mycanada.ca/ParliamentaryContacts.html  you will find the e-mail addresses of all Canadian MP’s. You can easily Copy and paste all of them into your bcc and in an instant send e-mails to all of them asking them to support Roxanne’s Law. The vote is tomorrow, December 15th.
This is the first abortion-related bill to be voted on in Parliament in 20 years. And it would protect pregnant women who don't want abortions, thereby saving some unborn babies' lives! Catholics must become engaged in this! See Priests for Life ringing endorsement of Bill C-510  at their website p://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/English/index.php

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Pope: "Confidence and patience awaiting the good to come

Before the Angelus yesterday Pope Benedict said
"Saint James wrote about the value of perseverance and patience. They are virtues of our fathers that our now less popular in the world that exhorts change. Advent calls us instead to increase tenacity, that inner strength in the soul that enables us not to despair waiting for good that is slow to come. Saint James gives the example of the farmer." For more please watch the video

ANGELUS 2010-12-12

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Pro Life Mass December 11, 2010, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish

Fourth in a series of Pro Life Masses
( the Pilgrimage of Masses)
to pray for the opening of a Pro Life Medical Centre in Ottawa Ontario Canada. The proposed Centre would be staffed with pro life medical professionals. The main celebrant was His Grace Archbishop Terrence Prendergast



The Mount Carmel Choir directed by organist Irene Dooling led the music. And it was fabulous!

There was a beautiful reception following the mass which was held in the Parish Hall and was hosted by the Sisters of the Queenship of Mary.

During the reception Jennifer and Anastasia gave a wonderful presentation of the Adoption in Canada Campaign. For More Information on the adoption campaign please go to this link
http://adoptionincanada.ca/

As well, approximately another 30 people signed the Roxanne's Law Petition which was made available.
There has been a strong endorsement of Roxanne's law, from Catholic Church leaders
Fr. Tom Lynch and Fr. John Lemire of Priests for Life Canada (PFLC), conducted a one-hour interview with Rod Bruinooge about Roxanne's Law, which aired on Tuesday, Dec. 7. PFLC gave a ringing endorsement of Roxanne's Law (Bill C-510) and referenced Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins' strong support for the bill. They urged all Catholics to support this bill. Priests for Life Canada is calling upon all Catholics to encourage MPs to vote in favour of the bill on Dec. 15. Roxanne's Law is the first bill related to abortion that has come to a vote in our Canadian Parliament in two decades and is probably the biggest pro Life News Story of the Year.


For more on the Pilgrimage of Masses go to this link on my website
http://sites.google.com/site/faithfulcatholics/Home/monthly-pro-life-mass-in-ottawa

Friday, December 10, 2010

Urgent: Priests for Life Canada urges all Catholics to contact MPs to vote for Roxanne's law

 Please contact your MP and ask them to vote for Roxanne's Law. The vote will take place on December 15, 2010. Find your MP here.

From LifeNews.com - Canadian Pro-Lifers: Prime Minister Should OK Free Vote on Abortion Bill

by Steven Ertelt
from http://www.lifenews.com/


In advance of a debate in parliament over a bill that would stop coerced and forced abortions on women, a pro-life group says Prime Minister Stephen Harper should reconsider his position.

Harper has said he will never reopen the abortion debate nor will he support this bill, but Peter Ryan, Executive Director of New Brunswick Right to Life, hopes he will change his mind as he did before.

“Right now the Prime Minister is saying his government – all the cabinet members, around 40 MPs I think – will oppose Roxanne’s Law even though many of them are pro-life, even though the prime minister should know better,” he said. “Why does he oppose it? Because he’s said he does not want the abortion issue to come up in Parliament.”

Ryan says he hopes Harper “has a change of heart as he did last April when he voted against a pro-abortion motion after initially indicating to his caucus that he would support it.”

The pro-life advocate says Harper doesn’t necessarily need to mount a public campaign for the bill.

“All he has to do is allow all his MPs – including cabinet members – a free vote, i.e. to vote according to their conscience. Is that too much to ask?” he said in an email. “Otherwise the bill will likely be defeated.”

Pat Maloney, writing  at the National Post, agreed.
“In 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the country’s abortion law. But the court did say that Parliament has the right to legislate protection of the unborn,” Maloney writes. “Even though Mr. Harper would not support such a bill, he doesn’t have to. Bill C-510 is a private member’s bill, not a government bill. The purpose of such bills is to give backbench MPs from all parties the opportunity to bring forward legislation they believe in, independent of what’s on the government’s agenda.”

“Mr. Harper would get one vote — just like any MP — and he could vote as his conscience dictates,” Maloney added. for more on this article from LifeNews click here

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Strong Endorsement of Roxanne's Law from Catholic Church Leaders

Fr. Tom Lynch and Fr. John Lemire of Priests for Life Canada (PFLC), conducted a one-hour interview with Rod Bruinooge about Roxanne's Law, which aired on Tuesday, Dec. 7. You can listen to the full interview online at this link:

http://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/Media/Pro_Life_Hour/the_prolife_hour_dec7_2010.mp3

PFLC gave a ringing endorsement of Roxanne's Law (Bill C-510) and referenced Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins' strong support for the bill. They urged all Catholics to support this bill. Attached is a transcript of that portion of the interview, which is towards the end of the hour (around 44 minutes into the interview).

This is great news but I am baffled why I haven't seen anything on LifeSiteNews about this yet.


Excerpts from Priests for Life Canada radio interview with MP Rod Bruinooge on Roxanne’s Law


Aired December 7, 2010

……
44:18 Fr. Tom Lynch - One of the things we need to look at is, there has been some controversy within some of the prolife movement in terms of whether pro-lifers, and in terms of our own audience today, Catholics, can be able to support this bill. Speaking as a moral theologian, I would say that this bill makes very good sense. We have the situation where de facto there is a law that allows abortion in Canada even though of course there is no law, but that’s what’s happened with the Supreme Court again and again restricting any possibility of bringing in a law to directly and counter and criminalize abortion.

44:57 And so I would say categorically, as a professor of moral theology, that it is a good and right thing to be able to support this proposal, Roxanne’s Law, because it seeks to be able, in a small way, to restrict the evil that is being done in our society by allowing the killing of the preborn. We are not able at this juncture to be having a law that would criminalize abortion. And so therefore, as John Paul II said in 1995, in the Gospel of Life, it is not only legitimate, and prudent, but it is a necessary and good thing to restrict abortion or any laws that would allow abortion in any way we can, to try to be able to restrict that evil.

45:42 And he especially and particularly commended legislators to be able to try to put forward initiatives that would in any way try to restrict abortion. I think there are some mistaken commentators that have said about this, and other private members bills in the past, that because they didn’t tackle abortion head-on, they were illegitimate. And I would say categorically that’s wrong. I can’t find any, any Catholic theologian that would back up that view.

46:13 And I’m happy to be able to tell our listeners that the Archbishop of Toronto, Archbishop Tom Collins, spoke to the Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus I think just last night or the night before and categorically said that Catholics could support this bill. And as a major teacher of the Church, and as I think an incredibly articulate and informed spokesperson for the Catholic Church, I think we would be wise to follow that direction and to say that this is something that we can prudently, morally, and conscientiously support and encourage. And I think that’s important to put out there because sometimes there is confusion in that regard. But we have to be very clear about it and very direct and say that anything that can work to be able to bring about a discussion on behalf of the preborn, to bring about a discussion on the situation of abortion in our country, and hopefully, God willing, to be able to bring about even a limited protection for the preborn, and especially, in this instance, particular instance, for mothers who are facing distressed pregnancies, is a good and laudable initiative.

47:22 So I think we need to be very clear on that, and it’s good to see that the key spokesperson for the English Church, the English Canadian Church, has said that pretty loud and clearly. So I think that is a very necessary thing to be able to lay there.

47:38 Fr. John Lemire - And I think in addition to that, Fr. Tom, I certainly agree with everything that you say about the understanding of Evangelium Vitae and how our late Holy Father Pope John Paul the Great certainly has given us great wisdom and guidance in this. And not only do we see support in Catholic circles for this bill with the support of Priests for Life Canada who came on very early on, the Archbishop as you said recently to the pro-life caucus. But we’ve also seen support that’s been coming from the Catholic Organization for Life and the Family (the arm of the Bishops), as well as even outside of Catholic circles from the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. So there certainly is very strong support and recognition that this is an important piece of pro-life legislation that all pro-lifers need to support and to work to see that it gets enacted into law.

….

49:03 Rod Bruinooge - I just really appreciate all of the voices in the Roman Catholic Church of Canada that have been supportive of Roxanne’s Law. It was a real pleasure not only meeting yourself, Fr. Tom, but also just meeting with Archbishop Tom Collins over the years, but more recently this week and having him say that not only can Catholics support this bill but that they should. It’s just a really nice support that we received from him. And I’m hoping that people from all viewpoints, all political backgrounds in Canada can begin to understand how important it is to empower pregnant women in our country because our mothers are really the key to our future in Canada. And being a parent I know that it’s just such an important thing to be able to not only love your children, but see them grow up. And I know that the mothers that want to see through their pregnancy deserve to have this additional protection.

50:16 Fr. Tom – Now I’d like to thank you very much, Rod, for taking this initiative, to be able to put forward this bill. Having worked with Parliamentarians and having actually worked in Parliament for a short time many years ago, I’d like to impress upon our listeners what it means to be able to take this opportunity, as you said early on in the program, to put forward a private members bill.

50:40 - And we want you to know that we stand squarely behind you in this effort, and we’ll do whatever we can in the short time that’s left to encourage not just our listeners, but everyone we can to contact their MP and to ask where their MP stands on this bill, and to ask that they support it. We see no reason for anyone to oppose this bill which has as its only and definite intention to empower women against being coerced into having an abortion.

51:06 As Catholics we feel that we can support it in good conscience, and to echo Archbishop Collins which is always a good thing, that we have a moral imperative to support it as well. We’d like to encourage all pastors across Canada to speak to their congregations in the weekend that’s left to encourage them to contact their MP. We can’t express how important this legislation is. I know we are only dealing in a small way with the issue of abortion, but it is one more way that we can be able to bring about that culture of life, and it’s incredibly important to take those opportunities as they are brought before us. It’s not often we have them. So you know, carpe diem, you know. Let us seize the day.

51:45 Thank you very much for that Rod. I know you’re busy and I appreciate very much that you’ve taken the time to speak to our listeners today to really explain to them why it is so important it is that Roxanne’s Law be able to be supported. And you know, we hope and pray, God, that it will be put into legislative action as well.

52:05 Rod – thank you so much Fr. Tom for giving me this opportunity to speak to your listeners.

52:08 Fr. Tom – God bless.

…..

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Immaculate Conception of Mary

Today we Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Father Boyd gave a beautiful homily today. In his homily he said  that to confront the evil in society and in ourselves we just have to list to Mary's . words at the Wedding Feast at Cana " Do whatever my Son Jesus tells you to do"

I found this prayer on Archbishop Terrence Prendergast's facebook page
For our celebration of the Blessed Mother's Immaculate Conception: a prayer, a poem and a reflection:


O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Why Catholics can, in good conscience, support Roxanne's Law

Please see important letter below from Priests for Life Canada (PFLC).

Especially note that PFLC's one-hour radio and internet program this month features Rod Bruinooge discussing Roxanne's Law, his private members bill C-510 which will be voted on in our House of Commons on Dec. 15.

The show is entitled: "Why Catholics can, in good conscience, support Roxanne's Law".

The program will air in the Toronto area on AM530 Multicultural Radio and on the Priests for Life Canada website on Tuesday, December 7th at 1 p.m. The program will also be available on PFLC's website following the initial broadcast, http://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/

Priests for Life Canada is strongly endorsing this bill.  As PFLC said in a November 1 letter to supporters, "By obtaining the full cooperation of Catholics across Canada, we can ensure that this bill will pass."

So please, contact your MP this week and urge them to vote in favour of Roxanne's Law on Wednesday, Dec. 15!

Thanks for your support of this very important piece of legislation to protect pregnant women from being coerced into having unwanted abortions.

For more information on Bill C-510, visit http://www.roxanneslaw.ca/

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Proposals on how you can promote passage of Roxanne's Law (Bill C-510)

The second reading of Roxanne's Law (Bill C-510) has been moved to Monday, December 13th with the crucial vote to take place on Wednesday, December 15th. Here are some proposals on how you can promote passage of the Bill:

4mycanada http://www.4mycanada.ca/Emails/20101203.html
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Roxanne
From Priests for Life Canada http://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/English/News_Events/Roxannes_Law/index.php

Bless Our God

 


O the Depths of the Riches and Wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable His judgements. How inscrutable His ways. For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been His counselor or who has given a gift to God to receive a gift in return. From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)






Friday, December 3, 2010

EFC has released a second video of Canadian women who support Roxanne's Law!

 Text of Roxanne's Law

EFC has released a second video of Canadian women who support Roxanne's Law!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2lX4D7k2IE

If you are a Canadian woman, or a man who cares about Canadian women, please submit your own video in support of Roxanne's Law. Full instructions on how to do this are posted on EFC's website: http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Roxanne Just scroll down the page and you'll find everything you need.

And check out some of the men who care about Canadian women:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuTs9vsUdx4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbeb4-xCN1U&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egWb2wbyZXk&NR=1

....and some Canadian women:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsKzIViAqT8&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo6fPTFOLZo&feature=related

....and last but not least, some of the honourable men and women who sit in our House of Commons who care about Canadian women (Is your MP shown here?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ83yRRO14E&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL



What triggered this campaign? As Faye Sonier says on EFC's blog, it is " partly in response to female Members of Parliament having suggested in the House of Commons that the bill lacked support from Canadian women.....While some may argue the contrary, many Canadian women do support Roxanne’s Law, and one of the main purposes of this campaign is to draw attention to the voices of women who want to see the bill passed.

"MP Nicole Demers (Laval, BQ) is one female MP who expressed in the House that the women of Quebec and Canada “are not fools” and that through this bill, “men are trying to decide what is good for us.”

"I sincerely hope that Ms. Demers didn’t believe that her position reflected that of all Canadian women. She didn’t speak for all Canadian women that morning, and she certainly did not speak for me."

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Canadian Women Support Roxanne's Law

GET ACTIVE! JOIN THE EFC’S CAMPAIGN ON ROXANNE’S LAW (COERCED ABORTION)

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada's (EFC) Centre for Faith and Public Life is launching a two-week campaign In support of Bill C-510, Roxanne’s Law’s, against coerced abortion. C-510 is scheduled to be voted on in the House of Commons on Dec.15. The CFPL has created a new webpage with information about the bill, how you can get involved and guidelines on submitting a video to this social media campaign. Visit www.theEFC.ca/roxanne.