Back Online With Some Sad News

I had no Internet, and no TV, for more than a week, and when I got back on, I found out that Fr. Anthony's twin sister, Anne Marie, passed away last week.
I also learned that Mother Angelica's health has declined, and she is now on a feeding tube.

I Dread Tomorrow

Soon after I post this, I will begin my Sunday observance.  I usually look forward to Sunday... my favorite day of the week...

but I dread this coming Sunday, and for a reason I haven't blogged about... haven't wanted to blog about... haven't been

able to blog about.

On Easter Sunday, at about 2:00 PM, Kathryn and Paul knocked on my door and said they had to talk to me.  I opened the door and Kathryn told me that Mom had passed away.
One thing I thank God for is that Mom didn't linger the way Baba did.  I remember watching Baba suffer for almost a year... and watching Mom watching her mother suffer.
This will be the first Mother's Day that I won't see Mom, or at least talk to her on the phone.
Every Rosary I pray now includes a petition for the repose of Mom's soul.  

Obama Does it Again!!!

We don't have a President... we have a dictator.

Heil Obama!

WARNING: Very disturbing news article

This is one of the most disturbing reports I've ever seen.

I'm praying that the witnesses to this horrific crime won't be

traumatized for life; and I'm praying the same thing for the

officers who responded.  I can't imagine any training that could 

steel them to something like this.

I've also been trying to pray for the woman who did this, because she needs to be prayed for.  But.... it isn't easy.

The only one who doesn't need any prayers is that sweet, innocent baby... she died.

Obama Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Abortion Activist Meryl Streep

Obama Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Abortion Activist Meryl Streep

According to the article, this isn't the first time Obama has honored abortion activists.  For example, last year he awarded
this medal to Gloria Steinem.  I blogged about it at the time, and I'm going to repeat what I said then:
If he could, Obama would canonize Margaret Sanger!

Teen Mom Puts Baby in Trunk to Avoid Ticket for Child Without a Car Seat

Teen Mom Puts Baby in Trunk to Avoid Ticket for Child Without a Car Seat

Thank God that baby wasn't injured or poisoned.
I'm trying not to judge that young mother too harshly.
She panicked, and she made a bad choice. I can't know
how she feels now about her actions, but I like to think
that she regrets them.
And one important fact: she KEPT her baby; she didn't have
an abortion. Whether she should have put the baby up for
adoption is not for me to judge.

Abortion Activists Vandalize and Ransack Pro-Life Group’s Office

Abortion Activists Vandalize and Ransack Pro-Life Group’s Office

This is disgraceful.
Prayers are definitely needed.

Kanye West Incident (with link to an old blog post)

Click here

I very, very seldom comment on the behavior of celebrities, but this time I have to say something.  Actually, a few things.

Whether or not a concert-goer is disabled, he or she is not obligated to stand up and dance.  Some people really don't

enjoy dancing at concerts.  They'd rather just sit back and

enjoy the performance, and that is their right.  Paying for

their tickets GAVE them that right.

I also feel disturbed and angered by the fact that members of the audience started chanting "Stand up! Stand up!" and booed

those who remained seated.  In a strange way, it reminded me

of this incident in my own life.

Perhaps I am basing my reaction to the Kanye West incident, at least in part, on what happened to me.  But, putting things into perspective, I can see that what Kanye did was so much worse.  The people on the bus thought that I should give the lady my seat; they did not believe that I was disabled. If I did not know about hidden disabilities, I may... no, I probably would... have reacted the way they did.

So why do I say that what Kanye did was so much worse?
Simple. When people come to see you perform, you do not
hassle them, you do not heckle them, you do not harrass them,
you do not humiliate them.
These people came to SEE the show, not BE the show.

If I could say anything to Kanye West, it would be, "Apologize... and mean it."

New Fanfiction.net Category

At my request, (brag brag brag) the Books category on fanfiction.net now has a Betsy-Tacy sub-category.
I had a story ready and waiting, and I've already submitted it.

It will be on my This Week's Fan Fiction list.

3 Relatives of Pope Francis Killed, Nephew in Critical Condition

I just read this very sad news.  Prayers are needed.

IRS Strikes Deal With Atheist Group to Monitor Content of Sermons

IRS Strikes Deal With Atheist Group to Monitor Content of Sermons

God help America.

Meriam Ibrahim Reportedly Freed Again After Re-Arrest on “Forgery” Charges

Meriam Ibrahim Reportedly Freed Again After Re-Arrest on “Forgery” Charges
We need to keep praying for Meriam Ibrahim until she is safely out of Sudan, and also pray for her sadly misguided brother.

Meriam Ibrahim Charged With Fraud, Prohibited From Leaving Country

Meriam Ibrahim Charged With Fraud, Prohibited From Leaving Country

If I were going through what Meriam Ibrahim is going through,
would I have her faith, her courage?

Update on Meriam Ibrahim... Terrible News

Meriam Ibrahim has been arrested again.  I am heartsick over this.  Please keep praying!

Sudan's Meriam Ibrahim 'Freed' From Prison

This is wonderful news.   THANK GOD!!!!!!!

More news and picture of Meriam Ibrahim with her family
after her release.

Secretary of State John Kerry Finally Speaks Up for Meriam Ibrahim

Secretary of State John Kerry Finally Speaks Up for Meriam Ibrahim

In 1994, American citizen Michael Fay was sentenced to six strokes of the cane for theft and vandalism in Singapore. President Bill Clinton pressured the government, and while the punished wasn’t cancelled, it was, at least, reduced to four strokes.
Now, twenty years later, Meriam Ibrahim, who is also an American citizen, is facing 100 whiplashes and death by hanging, not for any crime, but because of her Christian faith. And what is President Barack Obama doing to help her? As an American citizen, I am angry and ashamed to have to say: Nothing. The President of the United States of America is doing NOTHING to save Meriam Ibrahim.
I’m praying for Meriam Ibrahim.
I’m also praying for my country.

Children’s Hospital Colorado Giving Plan B Drug to 12-Year-Olds Without Parental Consent

Children’s Hospital Colorado Giving Plan B Drug to 12-Year-Olds Without Parental Consent

There was a time when this would have made me feel
shock and disbelief.  Now, however, all I can feel is a
deep, deep sadness.

Cat Saves Child

Click here to watch.  Warning: Scary.

The words "Good kitty!" seem SO inadequate here!  And thank God that little

boy is all right! 

Baby Charged With Attempted Murder

Yep!  You read that right!

Now, this is one of the weirdest, craziest, most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!  It's also very frightening.  What kind of mentality, what kind of mindset could even THINK of including a nine-month-old baby in a crowd of rock-throwers?

I'm glad that the officer who made the charge has been suspended without pay.  That baby probably (did I say

"probably?") has more sense than he does!

Update

Veteran News Professional Brian Patrick Joins ‘EWTN News Nightly’ As Executive Producer

Irondale, AL – Brian Patrick, longtime news anchor of Cincinnati’s ABC affiliate and a 40-year veteran of television and radio, has joined “EWTN New Nightly With Colleen Carroll Campbell” as Executive Producer.  Patrick also serves as interim anchor for Campbell, who is currently on maternity leave.

 

Patrick is well-known to viewers of the EWTN Global Catholic Network where he serves as moderator of the weekly television series, “Crossing the Goal,” which uses a sports show format to get men into spiritual shape; and as host of the daily drive-time radio program, “Son Rise Morning Show” on the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network, which engages Catholic Christians in a thoughtful discussion of their Faith and Church traditions. In addition, Patrick has anchored a weekly business news program in Cincinnati.

 

“We’re thrilled to have Brian Patrick take on the challenging role of Executive Producer of this groundbreaking program.  Brian is experienced news professional who brings with him a perfect balance of solid news judgment and Catholic sensibility.  He is the ideal person to lead our News Nightly team,” said EWTN Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw.

 

“I’m excited to be part of the ‘EWTN News Nightly’ team,” Patrick said. “I invite viewers to tune in to watch as the show evolves and we work to expand to five night a week.”

 

Patrick served a three-year term on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Communications Committee and has been involved with Christ Renews His Parish and the Cursillo communities in the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky.

 

He is the father of three grown daughters and “Papa” to seven grandchildren, as well as an active member of St. Barbara parish in Northern Kentucky.

 

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 33^rd year, is available in over 230 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

###

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Brian Patrick, longtime news anchor of Cincinnati’s ABC affiliate and a 40-year veteran of television and radio, has joined “EWTN New Nightly With Colleen Carroll Campbell” as Executive Producer.

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 367713