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Showing posts from 2012

'Legalised murder': Family's fury as judges rule doctors can let organ failure grandad die

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The wife of a seriously ill musician who has battled tirelessly to keep doctors treating him wept yesterday as senior judges backed a hospital’s bid to stop trying to save his life. May James’s husband David, 68, was admitted seven months ago with minor stomach problems but contracted an infection on a ward and suffered multiple organ failure. Earlier this month, a senior judge rejected a legal bid by doctors not to attempt potentially lifesaving treatment if he deteriorates further, saying it underestimated the value of his ‘continued existence’. But, only four days before Christmas, Appeal Court judges last night declared – in what they admitted was a ‘sad and harsh’ decision – that the hospital could refuse to treat him. A tireless fight for life: Seriously ill musician David James, 68, pictured in hospital Mrs James and daughter Julie, 48, spoke of their shock and disgust at the decision. Immediately after the hearing Miss James said: ‘He’ll be dead by Christmas.

EWTN Global Catholic Television Network

EWTN Global Catholic Television Network

Reflection from Fr. Andrew-Carl Wisdom, O.P. for the Third Sunday of Advent

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The third Sunday in Advent is traditionally Gaudete Sunday. Liturgically, the Church explodes in a festive and lighthearted rose that rejoices with expectation as we draw nearer to Christmas. Yet nothing feels festive lighthearted or remotely right about rejoicing after yet another senseless, semi-automatic slaughter of innocents. When I woke up Sunday morning, I stared out my window at nothing and said, “Lord, where are you in this senseless violence? How do I find you? Where do I find a God of peace in such a cruel, inhumane act?” And as I looked out at the pouring rain, I felt the answer, I saw the answer. Every drop of rain was from the litany of His tears upon the earth. God was crying right along with us. God is heartbroken right alongside us. But what do we do? There are already discussions about greater gun control and being more alert about the

"Soon" - Hillsong United (Brooke Fraser)

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The REAL STAR of Bethlehem Pt. 2

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"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" lyrics

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867) I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." Till, ringing singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Civil War background)

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Pulong ng Editor November-December 2012

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In Need of Hope

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O Come, O Come Emmanuel (with Computer Graphics)

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Matt Redman - Never Once (Live)

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Humblepiety: Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord!

Humblepiety: Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord! : “Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek always the face of the Lord. Psalm 105 3-4 Novembe...

Alexander Pope - Know Then Thyself

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The Liverpool Pathway to death: how the NHS is dressing up palpable evil as kindness

The Rev Dr Peter Mullen is a priest of the Church of England and former Rector of St Michael, Cornhill and St Sepulchre-without-Newgate in the City of London. He has written for many publications including the Wall Street Journal reports in the Daily Telegraph: We ought to ask Jenny Agutter and Michael York to come back and give us a reissue of Logan’s Run, the futuristic film in which people are put to death upon reaching the grand old age of thirty. I have news for you, folks: that future is with us now in the form of the so called “ Liverpool Pathway ” to death. They have a song about it in Liverpool, don’t they? And all the doctors, nurses and euthanasia fans gather round the bed of sick patients and croon nasally, “You’ll never walk again…” I would advise the victims of this malevolent practice to protest, to Twist and Shout. Or, if they haven’t the energy for that, then sing: Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away; Now it looks as if they’re here to stay; O

Folkestone. Mass (excerpts), Homily by Fr Stephen Bould. A Day With Mary...

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Hospitals bribed to put patients on pathway to death Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2223286/Hospitals-bribed-patients-pathway-death-Cash-incentive-NHS-trusts-meet-targets-Liverpool-Care-Pathway:

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The Daily Mail reports that: Cash incentive for NHS trusts that meet targets on Liverpool Care Pathway Some hospitals set target of two thirds of all deaths should be on LCP At least £30m in extra money handed to hospitals to achieve these goals Critics warn financial incentives could influence the work of doctors By  STEVE DOUGHTY PUBLISHED:  23:21, 25 October 2012  |  UPDATED:  23:21, 25 October 2012 Comments ( 60 ) Share Hospital consultant Professor Patrick Pullicino warned financial incentives for hospitals to put patients on the Liverpool Care Pathway could influence the work of doctors Hospitals are paid millions to hit targets for the number of patients who die on the Liverpool Care Pathway, the Mail can reveal. The incentives have been paid to hospitals that ensure a set percentage of patients who die on their wards have been put on the controversial regime. In some cases, hospitals have been set targets that between a third and two third

Former TV-am presenter Mike Morris dies from heart failure aged 65 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2222221/Former-TV-presenter-Mike-Morris-dies-heart-failure-aged-65.

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Lovely man - here is what the Daily Mail has to say: Joined breakfast show at its launch in 1983 and stayed till it finished in 1992 Conducted the first live British TV interview with Nelson Mandela after his release from prison in 1990 'A brilliant presenter,' said former TV-am co-host Lorraine Kelly By  DAILY MAIL REPORTER PUBLISHED:  01:11, 24 October 2012  |  UPDATED:  08:54, 24 October 2012 Comments ( 12 ) Share 'A gentleman': Mike Morris has died from heart failure at the age of 65 Former TV-am presenter Mike Morris has died from heart failure at the age of 65. Morris, who is best remembered for his spell presenting on the ITV breakfast television station, had been battling cancer. Famous for his distinctive moustache, Morris joined TV-am as a sports presenter, eventually becoming the host of Good Morning Britain in 1987. He remained with TV-am until 1992. His co-presenter Anne Diamond yesterday described Mr Morris as 'a ge

ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET (1807-1870) Feast: October 24

ST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET (1807-1870) Feast: October 24 Historic-Liturgical Note The founder of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anthony Mary Claret died in the Cistercian monastery at Fontfroide in France on this date in 1870. He was canonized in 1950 and listed in the Roman Calendar in 1960. Anthony was born at Salent in the Diocese of Vich in Catalonia, Spain, in the year in which Napoleon invaded Spain. He was trained for manual labor, since his father was a weaver, but in 1829 he entered the seminary at Vich. Ordained to the priesthood in 1835, he was assigned as pastor in his home parish. Later he went to Rome to work for the Propagation of the Faith. He also entered the novitiate of the Jesuits but had to leave because of ill health, so he returned to Spain and was assigned as pastor of a parish. His apostolate consisted of rural preaching, conferences for the clergy and publications (he wrote more than 150 books). Because of his successful apostolate he ar

Loneliness

God's Lonely Man  (undated as an essay) Excerpt: "The whole conviction of my life now rests upon the belief that loneliness, far from being a rare and curious phenomenon, peculiar to myself and to a few other solitary men, is the central and inevitable fact of human existence. When we examine the moments, acts, and statements of all kinds of people -- not only the grief and ecstasy of the greatest poets, but also the huge unhappiness of the average soul…we find, I think, that they are all suffering from the same thing. The final cause of their complaint is loneliness." Thomas Wolfe

Skyfall Official Trailer #2 (2012) - James Bond Movie HD

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Plants that snails won't eat ...

Tips from My Sister: Here are some plants that I use a lot as the slugs and snails don't eat them. Please excuse me if I have already given you this and blame it on alzheimers! Pinks (like mini carnations) wallflowers/mint/lavender/chives/most herbs/geraniums(flower until the first frosts with regular dead-heading) foxgoves (allow to self-seed) bleeding heart (doesn't mind shade) cornflower/forget-me-not(allow to self seed) fuschia/hydrangea/nasturtiums/antirrinhums (can leave to self seed) penstemons/bizzy lizzies(don't mind shade and will flower until frosts come) lobelia/feverfew(allow to seed) .

Poem

I was seeking a cure for my trouble; My trouble became my cure. I was seeking a proof of my origin; My origin became my proof. I was looking to the right and the left So that I could see the face of the Beloved. I was searching outside, But the Soul was within that very soul. - Niyazi Misri

On Suffering

Is suffering the path to redemption? It seems a strange question because surely Jesus suffered on the cross so that we might be redeemed but what about personal suffering?  So may evangelical churches preach a health, wealth and happiness gospel, not that Christ is without joy but where is the value of redemptive suffering in this gospel, where is the place for the  poor or the depressed?  In the Catholic church we have the opportunity to offer up our daily sufferings for others or for ourselves and our own personal soul and spiritual journey.  Not that we and Christ does not answer prayer and have compassion and heal people but there also seems to be a place for offering up suffering when we are not healed or people die for others, either so they may be healed or their souls may be saved. There doesn’t seem to be a place for this type of redemptive suffering in some of the evangelical/prosperity churches or even an understanding of it. Padre Pio believed that the love of God wa

Protesters at Marie Stopes private abortion clinic in Belfast

Up to 40 people are protesting outside the first private clinic to offer abortions to women in Northern Ireland. The service, run by Marie Stopes, opened in Belfast on Thursday. It has said it will provide terminations within NI's current legal framework - abortions are not illegal but are very strictly controlled. The protesters at the clinic are from a range of religious denominations and are holding up placards with images of aborted foetuses. An anti-abortion group has called for the clinic to be shut down, but Abortion Rights welcomed its opening. Northern Ireland, unlike the rest of the UK, is not covered by an Abortion Act. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19977527

In Bluebell Woods

In bluebell woods Not far from here A spirit plays Like childhood years And frolics through the hazel trees With gypsy friends and travellers past We cannot see her, yet with one glance We might perceive a tent of twigs Or a fairy ring of toadstools there To show that she had been this way And played like once When her heart was bright Enjoy the woods, smell the air Breathe in the spring And may your spirit ever sing Of childhood dreams and daisy chains And golden rod along the lane Of butterflies on the wing And memories of your garden swing I know not when we’ll meet again But I hope it will be in a woodland glade In the springtime before the bluebells fade Jane Frances

Saint Michael and the Archangels

Michaelmas Day September 29 th is the Feast Day of the Archangels, Saints Michael, Raphael and Gabriel.  The New Age movement talks a lot about angels but these are the three main ones mentioned in the Catholic Church.  We must not forget that when the devil fell to earth he took a third of the angels with him and also that they can masquerade as angels of light.  Many people seek to experience connection with an angel in some way or have experienced angels, perhaps in the form of a guardian angel who has protected them from some sort of danger or they have felt the spiritual comfort of an angel when going through a particularly difficult time. In the Church tradition, Saint Michael was the Archangel who fought against the devil and his demons for God and all His followers.  He is supposed to protect us from the snares of the enemy like Mary, the mother of Jesus who also is able to tread on the serpent’s head and keep us from harm, the serpent being that old enemy the devil.

Kyrie Eleison - Lord have Mercy - a song by Eric Lagerström

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Our God is an Awesome God!

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A Childhood in Scientology

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Our God (Is Greater) by Chris Tomlin (w/ lyrics)

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Consecrated

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Life on the Rock - Paraplegic for Life - Fr. Mark and Doug with Chelsea ...

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Chiara Luce Badano

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Pentecost

Today we celebrate the third person of God, The Holy Spirit who comes as a comforter and wisdom.  We are called to welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives for guidance and to help us for ourselves and our family and friends.  If we welcome the Holy Spirit He will come and give us gifts both of the service kind, like teaching, and the human emotion kind, like love and patience.  If we thirst after Jesus like the deer pants for the water then he will refresh us and put a hunger within us for His Word and His Praise.  The hunger and thirst we have for God within us is the gift that God gives us.  If you are mature in years take comfort from these words by the Preacher TD Jakes:   Like Naomi the Lord has saved the best for last in your life. You must endure and not give in. God has more in store for you than you know. Life must go full circle. God's plan must be worked out in God's time. Older women you are the jewels in the crown of heaven. You offer gifts that no one else can. Kee

As the deer pants for the water - Robin Mark

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Medley Minute with Fr Sam: Catholicism Launching in the UK, Wednesday April 1...

Medley Minute with Fr Sam: Catholicism Launching in the UK, Wednesday April 1... : Catholicism  – An adult’s study formation programme in the Catholic Faith.  Wednesday evenings starting  18 April 2012  at St Patrick’s C...

I Am

I am pro life because ... I feel – all your emotions, your fears, your passions, your love, your anger, your worry, your sadness, your desires. I feel - dancing rhythms and swaying to the music, warm and cosseted blankets as soft as gossamer, secure, cared for, cherished, wanted. I feel my toes, my thumb, my head, my legs. I feel you. I hear - the sounds of traffic in the road, birdsong in the trees, music from a band playing on the corner, an aeroplane taking off, the news-seller down the street, my mother and father talking then singing, then talking, a bath running at bedtime, the alarm clock to wake you up from your slumber, a pram being pushed, the market traders, distant bells pealing from a church spire, laughter, children in the park, the television and the radio, the doctors and nurses at the hospital, nursery rhymes as you talk and sing to me. I know a God that surrounds me with his love and care and places an angel beside me to protect me. I know of a place transcendi

Gone

This empty shell Was just the vessel For a vibrant life Well lived It does not house the soul Which heavenward bade And like the balloons We let fly Burst into upper echalons Of yonder vision Which one day we may also Pass through And see the pastures green and new And there the weary breast is comforted Until it too must leave God’s wings Like all God’s creation Must grow, move on And start again

In Bluebell Woods

In bluebell woods Not far from here A spirit plays Like childhood years And frolics through the hazel trees With gypsy friends and travellers past We cannot see her, yet with one glance We might perceive a tent of twigs Or a fairy ring of toadstools there To show that she had been this way And played like once When her heart was bright Enjoy the woods, smell the air Breathe in the spring And may your spirit ever sing Of childhood dreams and daisy chains And golden rod along the lane Of butterflies on the wing And memories of your garden swing I know not when we’ll meet again But I hope it will be in a woodland glade In the springtime before the bluebells fade

Where have all the mothers gone?

It struck me at a family party this week that we have lost a whole generation of mothers and grandmothers significantly represented, especially in the media, by women who refuse to dress their ‘age’. Women these days are so busy being their children’s best friends and dressing twenty years younger that girls and young women no longer have a role model for what a mother should be. Where have all the women gone who dispensed cakes and wisdom with equal measure and put the world to rights over a cup of tea? It seems a sad loss to me that this generation of girls will grow up with maybe no blueprint as to how they should ‘mother’ their own children. They have few boundaries, little moral guidelines and their parents allow them to drink under age as they seek to be their friends and co-conspirators rather than putting in boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and dress codes. In the old days the mother would have been easily recognised by her clothes, hairstyle, cardigan a

Would you?

Would you die for Jesus It is easy to die for a cause. Easier to die for a cause than a man. We can understand when a man or woman is fighting for a cause, an injustice, righting a wrong. We can sympathise with their ideals, their anguish, their mistreatment. But to die for a man, a fellow human being? That requires more thought – is it someone we know, will it prevent further deaths, are we righting a wrong (a cause again). Would we die for someone we don’t know and for an unknown reason? Probably not – self preservation is all. But the first Christians, the Martyrs, the Saints – they died not for a cause but for a man, Jesus. They were willing to die because they knew Jesus, mind, body and soul. They believed in Jesus because He had first believed in them. He died for them on a cross and rose again after 3 days. He died for us because He first loved us. His love consumes us. He is jealous for us. As a lover is jealous for his/her intended. We are the Bride of Chris