Catholic College Keeps Pro-Abortion Links Up Despite 15,000 Complaints By TFP Student Action

By TFP Student Action

Well over 15,000 students and parents have politely requested that Alverno College, a Catholic college sponsored by the School Sisters of St. Francis, delete several web site links that channel students to abortion advocacy groups. However, despite the large number of complaints the links remain up and running.

Make this protest grow – SIGN HERE

Call Alverno College to protest:

414-382-6064

Pro-abortion groups now listed under “resources” include:

• Center for Reproductive Health
• National Organization for Women (NOW)
• EMILY’s List, and many more

The complete list of objectionable web sites can be accessed here.
http://depts.alverno.edu/rcwg/resources.html

Radical Women is another group currently featured. This organization bills itself as “a trailblazing socialist feminist organization,” and its web site not only promotes communist ideology and homosexual vice, but also the brutal abortion procedure known as partial birth abortion.

After TFP Student Action started its peaceful protest in June, Alverno College merely removed a few links and posted a disclaimer stating: “The views expressed in these weblinks do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alverno College Research Center for Women and Girls.”

To TFP Student Action members and protesters this disclaimer is window dressing.

The Protest Continues

TFP Student Action will continue and intensify its protest until all the pro-abortion links are gone. The average webmaster could remove these links with ease in five minutes. Rosemont College and the University of Detroit Mercy (both Catholic) recently took down links to pro-abortion groups on their web sites. Yet Alverno College has not done so, thus giving scandal to students who are faithful to Catholic teaching on abortion.

Spread the word: Everyone is asked to respectfully speak out against this scandal, to be the voice of the unborn that clamor for justice, and oppose the sin of abortion. Ask Alverno College to delete every pro-abortion group on its web site today.

To protest, call:

414-382-6064

To make it easy, I suggest you say something like this:

"Hello, my name is ___________. Thank you for taking my call. I understand that the Alverno College Research Center for Women and Girls has web site links to several abortion advocacy groups, such as the National Organization for Women and others.

"I'm simply shocked that a Catholic college would channel students to groups that promote abortion. These links only undermine Catholic teaching and lead students away from the truth.

"So, I'm calling in peaceful protest to ask you to remove every link that promotes abortion."

(End call.)

To add your voice to this protest – SIGN HERE

Contact information: (be polite yet firm)

Alverno College
Mrs. Mary Meehan, PhD, President
3400 South 43rd Street
P.O. Box 343922
Milwaukee, WI 53234-3922
Phone: 1-800-933-3401
President's office: 414-382-6064
Email: president.ac@alverno.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Queen of Poland

The Polish people often call the Blessed Virgin « Mother of my heart » (serdeczna Matke), but this tender love never becomes an indiscreet familiarity. The Mother of Hearts never ceases for a moment to enjoy in the people’s consciousness the unutterable prerogatives of her divine motherhood. She is “our mother” only because she is first of all the “Mother of God” (Matka Boska).

For a long period of time, in some provinces, this respect kept people from naming their daughters after Mary. By antonomasia they would be named Maria-Anna. While negotiating the marriage of Marie of Gonzague with the Polish King Ladislas IV, the French ambassador, Count of Brégyn, wrote in July 1645: “The royal fiancée will have to change her name during the celebrations of the coronation, because the Polish do not admit any other Queen Mary beside the One whose protecting vision sometimes protects their army from on high beyond the clouds.”

Later, Maria-Josephina of Saxony just refused the title of Queen of Poland in the rite of coronation, saying that “this title belongs only to Mary, the Queen of Heaven.” The attribution of that royalty must have been quite exclusive to force royal princesses and their spokespersons to think twice about claiming it! Indeed, from times immemorial, the Polish people recognize only one “Queen of Poland,” Mary, and they jealously ensure that no one usurps this title.

Fatima Visits on the Last Frontier

Written by Richard Lyon

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 14:51

Our Lady of the Snows This July, America Needs Fatima sent a volunteer to the 49th State. As the Alaskan motto fittingly states, it was also our “Last Frontier,” the only state where we had not conducted home visits with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. On previous personal trips, I spent most of my time visiting relatives and the principal natural beauties, with which Alaska abounds. This trip, since I was traveling on my own and visiting a few homes that were only accessible via dirt roads, I was struck by the frontiersman character of the people. This aspect was further driven home when, during the first week of my stay, I went out from the motel where I was staying (located about a half hour outside of Anchorage) to pray a rosary one morning around 11:00, when a neighbor warned me that a rogue brown bear had been seen just a few minutes before down the same road. According to available data—which is scarce—Alaska is one of the least religious states of the union (along with Washington and Oregon), with fewer than 40% of the population (700,000) attending church regularly. It is unclear if the research upon which this data is based takes into consideration that not everyone lives within driving distance of a church. Whatever the case, Catholicism is still the largest single denomination, as it is in our country as a whole. One of the many groups who received a visit of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in their Alaskan home. Most of the visits were scheduled in the Anchorage area. There were anywhere between one (the first visit) and seventy-five people in attendance, with the largest attendance being at a church and a convent, both of which featured perpetual adoration chapels. Visits were also held in Fairbanks, where we had a particularly warm reception; many people came to more than one visit, with one lady attending four! It was touching to see that almost every single host had provided a beautiful floral arrangement for Our Lady, particularly roses. It was touching to see that almost every single host had provided a beautiful floral arrangement for Our Lady. Since it had been years since I had participated in this particular activity, I was surprised that the overwhelming majority of attendees, while familiar with the Fatima message in general, did not know the content of the third part of the Fatima secret, revealed in 2000. In fact, I only recall a handful of people who had heard of it prior to our presentation. Unfortunately, the weather was predominantly overcast during my stay. I stopped by Denali National Park on the ways to and from Fairbanks, but I was not able to see “the high one” as Mt. McKinley is known in the native language. While the cooler weather was quite a reprieve from the successive heat waves that swept the “lower 48” during that month, most locals pointed out that attendance would probably have been higher any other season. Alaskans like to get out during the summer months, with the abundance of daylight. Others also pointed out that they knew of others who would have liked to host Our Lady, if they had had more advance notice. Hence, while pleased to have served Our Blessed Mother by bringing Her Fatima message to hundreds of Alaskans, we are already making plans for another expedition to the Last Frontier.

Back to School Prayer

By St. Thomas Aquinas

O Mary, Seat of Wisdom, so many persons of common intellect have made through thy intercession admirable progress in their studies. I hereby choose thee as guardian and patron of my studies. I humbly ask thee to obtain for me the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that from now on I could

* Understand more quickly,

* Retain more readily, and

* Express myself more fluently.

May the example of my life serve to honor thee and thy Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, pray for us!

VIDEO: How Americans Reject Socialism - TFP Caravan

Members of the American TFP toured Texas this summer to oppose the growing danger of socialism.

The Ground Zero Mosque and the Clash of Symbols

Written by Gary Isbell

If on December 7, 1944, three years after “a date which will live in infamy,” local government officials in Hawaii had allowed a group of Japanese to erect a Shinto shrine at Pearl Harbor, how would Americans nationwide have reacted? Yet are we not seeing in Lower Manhattan an analogous situation, with government officials approving the building of a $100 million mega-mosque at the hallowed site of Ground Zero? In a way, the September 11, 2001 destruction of the Twin Towers was a new Pearl Harbor, and the American nation was faced with a choice: either vigorously wage a defensive and punishing war against the nation’s new enemy (Islamist terrorism) or suffer the loss of honor and freedom. No one denies that the terrorists who used two jumbo jets and their passengers as flying bombs to destroy Manhattan’s tallest buildings saw themselves as Muslims engaged in jihad against America. However, it is claimed that these 19 terrorists were not representative of Islam, that they were “crazed rogues” who acted on their own. As Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer points out this is deliberate obtuseness.1 These 19 killers were the Islamist spear thrust at the heart of America, and while many of the world’s billion plus Muslims did not cheer the deed, an estimated 7% of them did—and wildly so. That gave the terrorists 80,000,000 fans, a not so paltry number. These are figures that many good Americans may not know. However, they sense the reach, ability and hatred of this new and cruel enemy. Their instinctive awareness of danger is not bias or bigotry. Rather, it is an expression of love of country, faith, and family, and the natural law right to self-preservation. It does not derail perceptions, it sharpens them. Americans from Maine to Hawaii are showing this intuitive knowledge in their concern over plans to build this mega-mosque at Ground Zero. Their instincts tell them that those who favor the building of this mosque—even those doing so for the best of intentions—are plain wrong. For these Americans the notions of patriotism, sacrifice, heroism and sacredness are being violated with this attempt to build this 13-story mosque close to where 2,967 innocent fellow-Americans were killed in the terrorist attack. Moreover, these Americans become uneasy as they read that the construction of this mosque is supported by the notorious terrorist group Hamas.2 Their discomfort increases when they hear ABC News report that a spokesman for the Ground Zero mosque, Oz Sultan, has refused to rule out funding from Iran or Saudi Arabia to build the $100 million structure.3 Their misgivings grow further when they read how the conciliatory overtures of New York governor David Paterson and Archbishop Timothy Dolan trying to persuade the Cordoba Initiative to build the mosque somewhere else were turned down.4 They are perplexed seeing that other politicians seem to spare no effort to push the project through, while those hoping to rebuild St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church—which was destroyed during the 9/11 attack—are still mired in bureaucratic red tape nine years after its demolition.5 On the other hand, they rejoice and clap hearing the news that New York’s construction workers pledge faith that if the Ground Zero mega-mosque is approved they will not build it.6 Yet these Americans are browbeaten by the mosque-backers’ party: “You must set aside your perceptions, misgivings and feelings. The First Amendment guarantees the Muslims of the Cordoba Initiative the right to build this mega-mosque at Ground Zero.”—“Does it really” the concerned Americans ask? “Is the First Amendment indeed so absolute as to trump every other consideration?” “Yes!” says the first party. “Not so fast.” says the other. And thus, a loud local debate became regional, then national, and is now reverberating beyond our borders, being followed around the world. In a recent CNN poll, nearly 70 percent of all Americans oppose building a mosque at Ground Zero, even in light of First Amendment rights. Adding a curious twist to the debate, the ACLU applauded the decision of government officials to approve the mosque’s building.7 However, the ACLU is well known for driving Christmas manger scenes out of the public square.8 And so the debate rages on with individuals and groups picking their side, not always for the same motives or adducing the same arguments. Why has this debate so galvanized the nation? It is because Ground Zero is a symbol seared into the soul of America. A symbol helping Americans grasp better the essence of what happened on 9/11 and the new reality confronting the nation. A symbol that evoked a cry from the bottom of our souls: “We will never forget!” A symbol that steels the nation’s resolve to defeat the Islamist threat to freedom worldwide. And it is because Ground Zero is this symbol for the nation they live and die for that concerned Americans know how wrong it is for Muslims to build a mosque there. They sense it would desecrate our national symbol. They sense that the “Bin Ladens,” the “Zawahiris” and the “Ahmadinejads” of the world—with however many millions of radical Islamists who cheer them on in their hatred of America—will see a Muslim mosque at Ground Zero as their symbol over ours, a symbol of their conquest and our defeat. They sense the mega-mosque will be an Al-Qaeda triumph in its psywar against America. Concerned Americans sense this clash of symbols at play and that is why they are determined to do everything they can—legally and peacefully—to prevent the mosque’s building on the hallowed ground of Ground Zero. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites | More... Footnotes 1. Charles Krauthammer, “Myopia at Ground Zero” The Washington Post, Aug. 20, 2010, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ article/2010/08/19/AR2010081904769.html?nav=hcmoduletmv [back] 2. Cf. S.A. MILLER in Washington and TOM TOPOUSIS in New York, Hamas nod for Ground Zero mosque Terror group's leader: 'Have to build it', Last Updated: 12:03 PM, August 16, 2010, Posted: 1:49 AM, August 16, 2010, http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan /hamas_nod_for_gz_mosque_cSohH9eha8sNZMTDz0VVPI#ixzz0xBdwkDPX. [back] 3. Cf. http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=11429998. [back] 4. Cf. Javier C. Hernandez, Archbishop Offers Mediation for Islamic Center, Published: August 18, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/nyregion/19dolan.html?ref=nyregion [back] 5. FoxNews.com, Decision Not to Rebuild Church Destroyed on 9/11 Surprises Greek Orthodox Leaders, Published August 18, 2010, at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/18/leaders-disappointed- government-declares-deal-rebuild-ground-zero-church-dead/ [back] 6. Samuel Goldsmith, “They won’t build it! Hardhats vow not to work on controversial mosque near Ground Zero” Aug. 20, 2010, at http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/20/2010-08-20 _we_wont_build_it_hardhats_say_no_way_they_will_work_on_wtc_mosque.html [back] 7. “NYCLU And ACLU Applaud Approval Of NYC Islamic Cultural Center For Upholding Values Of Freedom And Tolerance” Aug. 3, 2010, at http://www.aclu.org/religion-belief/nyclu-and-aclu-applaud-approval-nyc-islamic-cultural-center-upholding-values-freedom [back] 8. http://www.timesleader.com/news/ ACLU_axes_nativity__menorah_12-17-2009.html?showAll=Y [back]

The Church Has Always Weathered the Storms!

Born in 1971, Fabrice Hadjadj, a young French intellectual of the Jewish faith, converted to Catholicism 12 years ago. Here is part of his interview in Le Figaro newspaper in France on August 20.

LE FIGARO: The Catholic Church is going through a crisis without precedent, how [would you] describe the morale of Catholics?

Fabrice HADJADJ: First of all, this crisis is not without precedent. There have been others, probably worse: the Arian crisis of the IVth Century, the great western schism of the fourteenth [century], the scandalous moral behaviour of certain popes such as Alexander VI Borgia: assassin, keeper of concubines, trader in religious offices and preferments, to take only some prominent examples. So it’s as well that we are obliged to recognize that the Church never stops going through crises. It is in its nature, in some way. When you look at the facts without prejudice, and the events seem almost incredible, all the other institutions have been swept aside by the winds of history: but here through over 2,000 years, ‘Peter’s boat’ follows its route, with an uninterrupted apostolic succession and a mission which essentially has developed without self-contradiction.

This exceptional longevity suggests strongly an exceptional ability to weather the storms.

Nothing Learned, Nothing Forgotten

Written by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira. The French Revolution caused a large number of people, disgruntled with the concessionist policies of Louis XVI and the violence of the republicans, to emigrate to other countries. When the Bourbons were restored in 1814, these émigrés returned to their country with exactly the same mentality they had left 25 years earlier. Talleyrand said of them: “They learned nothing and forgot nothing.” This thought came to mind because of a not-so-small number of our compatriots who judge today's events with exactly the same criteria as those in vogue 25 years ago. One could also say of them, “Nothing learned, nothing forgotten” (N-L-N-F). What are the symptoms of someone who belongs to the morose class of the N-L-N-F? I’ll give an example. Someone who is shocked with this statement: today, the two poles of the thought and action of men are, on one hand, the Catholic Religion (understood without smatterings of or mixtures with progressivism or leftism), and on the other, communism. Everything else is nothing but a middle, ephemeral, transitory position. Now, two immense ideological crises — and not without mutual affinities — labor inside each of these poles. As a consequence, there is nothing that can influence the course of current events as deeply as the unfolding of these crises. It is above all in this point, that is, in the internal battles between Catholics on one hand and communists on the other, that the future of the world will be decided. This double crisis will decide, among other things, if there really should be a fight between Catholics and communists. This perspective will either persuade a man who is up-to-date, or it won’t. In either case, it won’t shock him that someone thinks this way. But it is shocking to a N-L-N-F, who sees the issue through the prism of 25 years ago and who considers the breach between Catholics a sacristy quarrel, and the breach between communists some petty political quarrel. A N-L-N-F will, a fortiori, not understand if I state that the internal crisis of the Church is incomparably more important than that in the communist camp. Nevertheless, this is how it is. The health and light of the world is in the Church. All the forces of evil are conquerable as long as the Church is in full vigor. But on the contrary, to the degree that errors, corruption and infidelity undermine the ranks of the Church, the forces of evil grow strong, advance and drag the world toward an apocalyptic catastrophe. Now, this has corollaries. If both the Church and communism are blossoming, the latter is necessarily already defeated. It is just a matter of time. If both the Church and communism are weak, communism will become powerful, or the human race will generate some new monster that will turn on it. The N-L-N-F denies all this. How do we demonstrate that the N-L-N-F is wrong? Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The health and light of the world is in the Church. All the forces of evil are conquerable as long as the Church is in full vigor. The perfect code of human conduct is in the Ten Commandments of the Law of God. If all men were to follow this Law fully, all of man’s ideological and moral problems would be resolved. If, on the contrary, all men fully violate this Law, humanity will not be long in destroying itself. These principles have a powerful effect on the technical plane. A man who fully observes the Law of God employs, ipso facto, all of its aid in the work he accomplishes. And if this man is a technician, the more faithful he is to the Law of God, the more he will produce in his field. From this follows that fidelity to this Law brings a plenitude of success in the technical field, as well as in all the other fields of human endeavor. Be he a genius or not, the more faithful he is to the Law of God, the more any man will reap from his abilities. There is much more reason to fear than hope in geniuses who depart from the Law of God. Now, a word about grace and the Church. According to Catholic doctrine, man is not able to stably practice all the Commandments with merely his own strength. To do this a created and supernatural gift of God is necessary: grace. It is through his union with the Church that man should receive this gift. Because of its misery, humanity is not capable, merely with its own strength, of always interpreting and applying to concrete cases the Law of God. For this reason Jesus Christ instituted an infallible Mistress to teach this to humanity. The source of sanctification through grace and infallible Mistress, the Church is also a Shepherd. It is for Her to govern and direct men in the fulfilling of the Law in order for them to win eternal life. Thus, it is in the degree that the Church is faithful to Herself, and accomplishes more perfectly or less perfectly Her mission, that humanity ascends or descends in the practice of the Commandments and men ascend or descend in everything they do, and in any field. The decisive ground of what happens in the world is therefore the internal life of the Church. A N-L-N-F is someone who, reading this article, disagrees with it because he takes part in the laicism that has been in vogue for the last 25 years and which has systematically attributed only secondary importance to religious matters. This article was originally published in the Folha de S.Paulo, on April 5, 1970

Help – Our Poll Was Hijacked!

Our poll question on Judge Walter's decision to overturn Prop. 8 and impose same-sex "marriage" on California has been hijacked on the American TFP website. Homosexual activists have invaded our site and voted in favor of same-sex "marriage."

The vote was up to 89 percent in favor.

Set the record straight - visit our home page and vote now!

Ask your friends to vote. Show them America is pro-traditional marriage!

Click here to vote now!

Vote here on the lower right corner of the home page

Socialism Divides the Waters: Campaign Report from Austin

By John Ritchie

Last night we enjoyed a delicious meal at the home of a gracious family in Manvel and after a good night's rest, we departed to Austin, the state capitol.

Right after unfurling our banners near the Northcross Mall, the reactions began. "God bless America," one lady said as she drove past, followed by a sinister sort of guttural yell from a different car affirming that "God is dead." These two opposite reactions a few short seconds apart reveal the great division within our nation. There are two distinct Americas: one that is for God and another that is against Him. And it so happens that those who favor socialism often display animosity against God, as we have witnessed.

"This is the answer"

"I've been wondering what I can do for our country and this is the answer," said a Texan man bubbling with enthusiasm for the TFP campaign. Unlike other states where we've campaigned before, a good number of Texans who see the campaign are not just content with honking their horns and waving goodbye. They sometimes pull off the road, get out of their cars, and approach to shake our hands and personally encourage us.

"This is the first time I see someone address the real problem: socialism," remarked a gentleman who had pulled off the road for a copy of our flier 10 Reasons to Reject Socialism. "The Tea Party doesn't address it and I want to help you in any way I possibly can." As he gave us his business card, he added: "I'm even willing to hand over my entire paycheck to stop the advance of socialism."

One more car pulled over. This time an older man with graying hair stepped out of his car and into the blazing sun. By the way, the heat index here is at about 104. "Who are you?" he asked. "Tradition, Family and Property," answered one of our caravan members. He took in the scene of our banners waving in the wind, took a flier, paused for a brief moment and said: "Like the Crusades. Keep it up!"

Double thumbs up

Very few passing vehicles merely honk in response to our signs. Many honk in support, then immediately give us a thumbs up or even two thumbs up. However, I should probably also mention that some people make obscene gestures, but not many. The support is dominant. For example, a man driving a pick up truck slowed down at the intersection and handed us a big package of bottled water. In this heat, water is constantly needed.

At evening Mass we met an energetic Catholic nun who had escaped from Vietnam in the 70s. She kindly gave us a tour of the Church built in honor of the Vietnamese martyrs. At the conclusion of the visit, she inquired where we planned to have dinner and was somewhat surprised with our lack of plans and invited us to a Chinese restaurant, where the younger caravan members tried eating with chopsticks and shied away from tasting squid. But more important than overcoming the fear of squid was the dinner conversation.

The good sister told us how she had escaped from communism on a small boat loaded with 150 people. The infants on board were given sleeping pills and stored in fish crates or compartments beneath the deck. Food was scarce and she went three days without anything to eat. If detected by Communist Vietnamese agents, everyone on board the 25-foot boat would be arrested, sent to forced labor camps, or just killed. During this harrowing experience everyone on the boat was praying the rosary. She reached Malaysia and finally the United States. She also spoke about the persecution of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, which only underscored the need to oppose socialism in America.

Irresistible Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

For those who wish, please say this novena starting today for the intentions of Archbishop Carlson and that he receive strength, courage and perseverance in defending the traditional marriage and the other moral issues that so threaten the nation. We also appreciate his support for the Traditional Mass. The novena will end on August 25, the feast of St. Louis the King!

O my Jesus, Thou didst say: "Amen, I say to you, ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you." Hence I knock, I seek, and I ask for the grace of...

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee!

O my Jesus, Thou didst say: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give unto you.” Hence I ask the Father, in Thy name, for the grace of...

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee!

O my Jesus, Thou didst say: "Amen, I say to you, heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away." Encouraged by Thy infallible words, I now ask for the grace of...

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee!

Let us pray
Sacred Heart of Jesus, for Whom one thing alone is impossible, namely, not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace we ask of Thee, through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thy tender Mother and ours.

Hail Holy Queen...
Saint Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us!
Heart of Jesus, rich unto all that call upon Thee, have mercy on us!
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us!

Caravan's Prayer Vigil to End Abortion at Planned Parenthood – Houston

By John Ritchie

Early this morning, we made our way to one of the largest Planned Parenthood abortion facilities in the country to defend innocent life. The newly opened mega center sits right off of I-45 in Houston and conducts daily abortions, including late term abortions. Planned Parenthood – Houston reported performing 8,273 abortions in 2009 alone.

Prayer Vigil Irritates Abortion Escorts

The first country to legalize abortion was communist Russia in 1920. As we reflected on the "errors of Russia" mentioned by Our Lady of Fatima and how the culture of death has spread so much since then, we pulled out our rosaries and peacefully prayed the Joyful Mysteries, specifically for the end of abortion at the gates of this mega Planned Parenthood center. Mr. Charles Sulzen played a few tunes on his bagpipes between rosaries and we also sang "We Want God" composed by St. Louis de Montfort and other hymns.

Cars intermittently pulled into the abortion facility, yet, rather surprisingly, most drivers paused to receive pro-life literature from local pro-life volunteers who faithfully provide counseling to those who will listen. Sometimes, their efforts succeed and lives are saved.

Prayer combined with the distribution of pro-life literature, however, did not go unnoticed. Soon pro-abortion volunteers showed up wearing yellow vests with "Planned Parenthood Volunteer" on them. One of these pro-abortion men we learned had been arrested for assaulting a two year old boy, pushing him to the ground, and purposely stepping on the legs of people who knelt in prayer on the public sidewalk. His wrinkled face looked hardened, perhaps a reflection of his determination to facilitate the death of unborn children.

We had the pleasant opportunity to meet Mrs. Christine Melchor, executive director of the Houston Coalition for Life and hear about her peaceful efforts to oppose abortion. Our pleasant conversation was rudely interrupted. A TFP volunteer had distractedly stepped a few inches onto Planned Parenthood's side of the sidewalk and instantly, the abortion escort rushed over to yell, using obscene language. There's not too much you can say to someone in this state so we decided to say a prayer for his conversion.

Record honking in Sugarland, Texas

In the afternoon we had a wonderful campaign at a well trafficked intersection in Sugarland, suburb of Houston, and the number of honking against socialism reached an all time high.

A businessman leaving Wells Fargo Bank asked: "How is it going?" Mr. Charles Sulzen told him it was going very well. The steady sound of honking horns made that point clear enough. "I love it," the man said, "and I hate socialism."

Another lady pulled over. She wanted to get her picture taken with our signs. Shortly after, one lady approached saying, "God bless you for being out here. I got two calls from people telling me that I had to come out and see you. Thank you so much." She wanted to greet each TFP volunteer. "You're really doing a good job!"

So far, Our Lady has blessed our caravan with abundant graces. Please continue to pray for us. And if you wish to participate, please consider sponsoring a tank of gas. Your contribution will keep us on the road.

May God bless and reward you and protect America from socialism.

Her Seven Promises

Petitions to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary
The Seven Dolors of the Mother of God

Prayers

V. Incline unto my aid, O God!
R. O Lord, make haste to help me!

One Glory be.

1. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that grief suffered by thy tender heart at the prophecy of the aged Holy Simeon. O dearest Mother, through this thy afflicted heart, implore for me the virtue of humility and the Gift of the Fear of God. One Hail Mary.

2. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of those distressing fears which thy affectionate heart endured on the flight to Egypt and during thy sojourn there. O dearest Mother, through this thy anxious heart implore for me the virtue of generosity, particularly for the poor, and the Gift of Piety. One Hail Mary.

3. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that anxiety which thy worried heart endured in the loss of thy beloved Child Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly troubled heart, implore for me the virtue of chastity and the Gift of Knowledge. One Hail Mary.

4. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that horror with which thy mother's heart was stricken when meeting Jesus, bearing the Cross. O dearest Mother, through this thy exceedingly oppressed heart, implore for me the virtue of patience and the Gift of Fortitude. One Hail Mary.

5. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that martyrdom which tortured thy magnanimous heart at the death-agony of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this thy martyred heart, implore for me the virtue of temperance and the Gift of Counsel. One Hail Mary.

6. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of the anguish inflicted upon thy tender heart by the thrust of the lance that opened the side of Jesus and pierced His Most Adorable Heart. O dearest Mother, through this vicarious transfixion of thy own heart, implore for me the virtue of brotherly love and the Gift of Understanding. One Hail Mary.

7. I compassionate thee, O sorrowful Mother Mary, on account of that agony of soul which racked thy most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. O dearest Mother, through this extreme torment that filled thy burdened heart, implore for me the virtue of zeal and the Gift of Wisdom. One Hail Mary.


V. Pray for us, O Virgin Most Sorrowful!
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech thee that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, whose soul was pierced by the Sword of Sorrow in the hour of Thy Passion, may be our advocate at the throne of Thy Mercy, now, and at the hour of our death. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Here are seven graces the Blessed Virgin Mary grants to souls who honor Her daily by saying seven Hail Marys and meditating on Her tears and Dolors. The devotion was passed to us by Saint Bridget.

Promises

1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the Adorable Will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their mother.
7. I have obtained (this grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

1. The prophecy of Simeon.
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple.
4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross.
5. The Crucifixion.
6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
7. The burial of Jesus.

On Fatherhood

“Today, fatherhood is an heroic calling. The father of olden times was in many ways an idyllic character, living serenely in the bosom of his family, planning and saving for the future. But today he lives in turmoil and toils in vain. If he is industrious, if he is competent, he does not work for his family and the future but for the lazy and incompetent everywhere. No longer has his home the peace of the old homestead. His children ride in engines of death and destruction, and the jangling of the telephone in the depth of the night may mean tragedy in the air or on the highway. Diseases of the mind, born of the madness and artificiality of the modern environment, derange and sometimes destroy those he loves.

More menacing is the increased threat against faith and morals endlessly made by an increasingly arrogant and unbelieving world. More dangerous by far are the soul’s diseases (with skepticism and apathy predominating), present always like a plague. Life outside of the monastic walls is perilous, fiercely competitive, often brutal. The dedicated father today is a hero, and if you ask why he faces the burdens so bravely, I can answer only because in him is the stuff of saints. Not for him is the consolation of applause. The mother is praised in song and extolled in story. But the father walks the common way without bugles, without drums, with no flags flying. He, truly, has given hostages to fortune.

Those holy men and women who have given up the world are glorious children of God, but if there were no harassed, slaving poor fathers, there would be none of those glorious children, if for no other reason than they would never have been born. Peace of mind and peace of soul are lovely possessions but they are not for the dedicated father. The particular saint in him demands he go out and meet the challenge of the day, that he be concerned not with his own serenity and well-being but with those in his care, that he venture forth into the world and there, thick in the masses of men, seek the opportunity to love his neighbor and to love his enemy, so that, in advance and not in retreat, in battle and not in seclusion, he may prove himself worthy of Him who has shared with him the divine power of creation.

The priest may offer his Mass and the nun her sacrifices, and the contemplatives may send up their unceasing assault of prayer and mortification – all may cry out for succor, may plead to stay the hand of Eternal Justice – but it is the father, that undistinguished, yawning man you see in the early morning leaving home for the shop, the office, the factory, the mine – that tired, troubled person you see returning home at night, often with a smile that is false and a cheerfulness without foundation – it is he who is the first warrior and the first guardian of the Faith. For he is the captain of the home, the citadel on which the Christian civilization is built. There is no order or organization to record his heroism to promote his beatification. He is the common, oftentimes inglorious beast of burden, his greatest distinction being the resemblance he bears to the ass that carried Christ.”

Taken from the book, Dan England and the Noonday Devil, by Myles Connolly

Texans Reject Socialism -- Report From the Front Lines

Written on the road by John Ritchie

I am glad to tell you that the American TFP and TFP-Louisiana kicked off a new caravan in Texas. Our tour is taking us to a number of major cities in the Lone Star State with the clear goal of alerting the public about the growing dangers of socialist ideology in America. As many of our friends and supporters expressed interest in following our travels and campaigns, we will be posting daily updates from the front lines.

10 Reasons to Reject Socialism

Our first campaign today started at a busy intersection in Beaumont. It was in the 90s, and for those of us who are not accustomed to Texas weather, the sizzling hot sun and elevated temperatures posed an added challenge. By the end of the day we all had hats to protect ourselves from the blazing sun. Now I know why cowboys use those characteristic hats.

A lady paused at the intersection, rolled down her car window and said: "I am happy to see you out here dressed like that. You represent me and I am proud of you!" One of our volunteers gave her a copy of the TFP flier, 10 Reasons to Reject Socialism, and she drove away very pleased.

The TFP campaign was very visible. We have a large banner and it reads: "May God protect America from socialism." Smaller posters invite passing vehicles to "Honk for true freedom from socialism." So, as you can imagine, what typically happens is this: as soon as the traffic light turns green a symphonic eruption of honking horns begins. Then there is our bagpiper playing patriotic music which attracts yet further attention. That explains why a news crew with Channel 6 that happened to be driving by pulled over and filmed the campaign. I'm pretty sure they showed a segment of our campaign on the 5 or 6 o'clock news.

"Like Children in an Ice Cream Shop"

"Thank you for doing this," said a passerby. "It's about time someone does something about socialism instead of just talking about it."

Lots of people people driving by honked with broad smiles on their faces. TFP member Charles Sulzen described the support we received today very well. He put it this way: "They see the campaign and smile like children in an ice cream shop."

I should mention that some new volunteers in their teen years have joined us from Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. After hearing about the TFP caravans at one of the Call to Chivalry summer camps, they asked to participate. It is their first caravan and they are doing very well.

Several families here have gone out of their way to assist us during our travels. For example, a delicious lunch and dinner were provided for us at a local Catholic Church hall. During dinner a group of Knights of Columbus gathered to hear more about the TFP campaign.

Tomorrow, we will push on to Houston.

Until then, please continue to pray for us as. Thank you for your prayers and support.

10 Reasons to Reject Socialism

1. Socialism and communism are the same ideology

Communism is but an extreme form of socialism. From the ideological standpoint, there is no substantial difference between the two. In fact, the communist Soviet Union called itself the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922-1991) and communist China, Cuba and Vietnam define themselves as socialist nations.

2. Socialism violates personal freedom

Socialism seeks to eliminate "injustice" by transferring rights and responsibilities from individuals and families to the State. In the process, socialism actually creates injustice. It destroys true liberty: the freedom to decide all matters that lie within our own competence and to follow the course shown by our reason, within the laws of morality, including the dictates of justice and charity.

3. Socialism violates human nature

Socialism is anti-natural. It destroys personal initiative – a fruit of our intellect and free will – and replaces it with State control. It tends to totalitarianism, with its government and police repression, wherever it is implemented.

4. Socialism violates private property

Socialism calls for "redistributing the wealth" by taking from the "rich" to give to the poor. It imposes taxes that punish those who have been able to take greater advantage of their productive talents, capacity to work or thrift. It uses taxation to promote economic and social egalitarianism, a goal that will be fully achieved, according to The Communist Manifesto, with the "abolition of private property."

5. Socialism opposes traditional marriage

Socialism sees no moral reason for people to restrict sex to marriage, that is, to an indissoluble union between a man and a woman. Furthermore, socialism undermines private property, which Friedrich Engels, founder of modern socialism and communism along with Karl Marx, saw as the foundation of traditional marriage.

6. Socialism opposes parental rights in education

Socialism has the State, and not parents, control the education of children. Almost from birth, children are to be handed over to public institutions, where they will be taught what the State wants, regardless of parental views. Evolution must be taught. School prayer must be forbidden.

7. Socialism promotes radical equality

A supposed absolute equality among men is the fundamental assumption of socialism. Therefore, it sees any inequality as unjust in itself. Private employers are quickly portrayed as "exploiters" whose profits really belong to their employees. As a consequence, they rule out the system of wage earning.

8. Socialism promotes atheism

Belief in God, who unlike us is infinite, omnipotent and omniscient, clashes head-on with the principle of absolute equality. Socialism therefore rejects the spiritual, claiming that only matter exists. God, the soul, and the next life are illusions according to socialism.

9. Socialism promotes relativism

For socialism there are no absolute truths or revealed morals that establish standards of conduct that apply to everyone, everywhere, and always. Everything evolves, including right and wrong, good and evil. There is no place for the Ten Commandments, neither in the private mind nor in the public square.

10. Socialism mocks religion

According to Karl Marx, religion is "the opium of the people." Lenin, founder of the Soviet Union, agreed: "Religion is opium for the people. Religion is a sort of spiritual booze in which the slaves of capital drown their human image, their demand for a life more or less worthy of man."

May God protect America from socialism.

How to Make an Act of Perfect Contrition

Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, Saint Maximilian Kolbe wrote a letter to his followers. The purpose of this letter was to exhort his disciples to prepare themselves for the approaching feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8.

But it also showed them how to receive forgiveness for sin in the coming war, where priests were scarce and it was hard to receive sacramental confession.

He wrote:

“Whoever can, should receive the Sacrament of Penance. Whoever cannot, because of prohibiting circumstances, should cleanse his soul by acts of perfect contrition: i.e., the sorrow of a loving child who does not consider so much the pain or reward as he does the pardon from his father and mother to whom he has brought displeasure.”

This is a magnificent formula and lesson on how to make an act of perfect contrition.

As most people know, there are two types of contrition:

- perfect: out of love of God;

- imperfect: out of fear of Hell.

Catholic teaching distinguishes a twofold hatred of sin; one, perfect contrition, rises from the love of God Who has been grievously offended; the other, imperfect contrition, arises principally from some other motives, such as loss of heaven, fear of hell, the heinousness of sin, etc. (Council of Trent, Sess. XIV, ch. iv de Contritione). (New Advent)

When we go to confession, imperfect contrition is sufficient to receive the pardon of our sins.

However, in circumstances where we cannot get to confession, we can make an act of perfect contrition, which is sufficient to have our sins forgiven.

Important: in making the act of prefect contrition, we must always have the intention to receive sacramental confession at the very first opportunity.

The fact that we can always make an act of perfect contrition, in any circumstance, and at at any time, is very consoling and very important to remember.

Especially when we think of our troops who are in harm’s way. They may not have a chaplain in their battalion before entering battle. In that case, they should always say an act of perfect contrition.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins,
to do penance, and to amend my life.

Amen.

Same-sex "Marriage" Ruling Unmasks Movement

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) has issued the following statement about the August 4, 2010 decision to strike down California’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex “marriage” by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California:

In the name of equality, Chief Justice Vaughn Walker has ruled that California's constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman is unconstitutional and has “no rational basis” because it excludes same-sex unions.

In making the decision, Justice Walker has taken upon himself the task of defining marriage based on the faulty logic that marriage is defined by any committed relationship.

Marriage is not a mere form of relationship such as a friendship or a business partnership. Nor is it the legalization of a passion. It is a mutual self-giving between a man and a woman for the purpose of raising a family. Even if, for a number of reasons, this union may not result in children, it still is the only institution that allows children to grow naturally and be raised in normal conditions for their psychological and moral development.

According to Judge Walker, traditional marriage is "nothing more than an artifact of a foregone notion that men and women fulfill different roles in civic life." In dismissing any other criteria than equality, the judge denies the notion of this august union instituted by the Creator himself in its present form through natural law, and confirmed by Revelation, for the perpetuation of the species.

The ruling unmasks how the homosexual movement’s promotion of same-sex “marriage.” deprives marriage of its rational end, belittles a higher moral law and disregards the majority of California who hold marriage to be sacred. Americans must reject this decision will now be appealed to the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

A Message from a Bulletin

This was part of the Pastor's message found in a bulletin at a church on the East Coast.

“WHAT RETURN SHALL I MAKE

TO THE LORD?...?”

Upon consuming the Sacred Host at the Mass, the priest makes a private thanksgiving prayer from some verses of Psalm 115, which begins: “What return shall I make to the Lord,

for all that He has given to me?...” (Psalm 115:12). At the moment the priest is giving

thanks to God for himself, certainly, but he is also anticipating the thanksgiving of the whole assembly and speaking in their name, “What return shall I make to the Lord?...”

The answer is, everything and nothing.

Everything we have, from our mere existence, to whatever natural gifts and attributes we may possess, to whatever material resources we may own, is rightfully God’s. So, we can give Him nothing in return which is not rightfully His.

Clarity on this point is crucial when it comes to the support we are asked to give to the Church. Faithful Catholics are asked to give of their substance, and give generously, for the material needs of the Church.

By definition, it is sacrificial, because it is out of our substance and not just out of any surplus income that we are asked to contribute. By definition it is also a

pure gift which is offered primarily to God, and only secondarily to the parish, the diocese, or whatever branch of the Church’s apostolate.

And since our substance is 100% God’s to begin with, is it not humbling to us that He asks such a modest percentage for His portion in return?...

After 378 Years, NH Family Farm Goes up for Sale

What a shame!

DOVER, N.H. (AP) - In 1632, John Tuttle arrived from England to a settlement near the Maine-New Hampshire border, using a small land grant from King Charles I to start a farm.

Eleven generations and 378 years later, his field-weary descendants - arthritic from picking fruits and vegetables and battered by competition from supermarkets and pick-it-yourself farms - are selling their spread, which is among the oldest continuously operated family farms in America.

"We've been here for 40 years, doing what we love to do," said Lucy Tuttle, 65, who runs the 134-acre farm with brother Will. "But we're not able to work to our full capacity any longer, unfortunately."

Click here for the whole story

British Soldier Saved by Rosary Like Great-Grandfather!

A soldier who stood on a landmine and was shot in the chest in Afghanistan is convinced a rosary saved his life in exactly the same way as his great-grandfather towards the end of the Second World War.

Glenn Hockton, 19, who is now home from a seven-month tour of duty with the Coldstream Guards in Helmand Province, was on patrol when his rosary suddenly fell from his neck.

His mother Sheri Jones said today: 'He felt like he had a slap on the back. He bent down to pick up his rosary to see if it was broken. As he bent down he realised he was on a landmine.'

Glenn had to stand there for 45 terrifying minutes while his colleagues successfully managed to get to him.

Mrs Jones, from Tye Green, Essex, said she was physically sick when her son rang to tell her of his ordeal.

His great-grandfather Joseph 'Sunny' Truman also credited a rosary with saving his life in a World War II blast that killed six members of his platoon.

He was with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and after being captured towards the end of the war, he and other prisoners were forced to march away from the advancing Allied armies.

Mrs Jones, 41, recalled: 'He was walking across a field with half a dozen of his platoon. He bent down to pick something up and was the only one to survive a sudden bomb blast. He had picked up a rosary.'

Before Glenn was deployed to Afghanistan, she said he asked for a rosary to take with him.

His mother and stepfather Danyal Jones have also kept a bullet which embedded itself in Glenn's body armour when he was shot on a separate occasion. He was winded, but otherwise he was unhurt.

Glenn, a mortar man, is in hospital at the moment with broken ribs he suffered in a non-work related mishap.

Glenn joined the Coldstream Guards at 16 and was deployed at the end of last October.

Mrs Jones said: 'As a parent, it was the hardest thing I had to do because being 16 I had to sign to give permission for him to join the Army. It was too painful to see him leave Brize Norton for Afghanistan.

At home his sister Danyel, six, and brothers George, eight, and TJ, 17, worried for their big brother. Mrs Jones said: 'It was horrible for them.

'I couldn't watch the news because the children used to say: "Is Glenn on there?" each time they said another soldier had been killed.'

Glenn's duties involved patrolling and loading the mortars. He was based in Helmand Province, which has seen some of the worst fighting, and Kabul.

'He lost a couple of close friends out there," his mother added. 'He is a very private person. We don't really push him [to talk about it]. If he wants to tell us, he tells us.

'He has turned around and said: "When you're out there, you either kill or you are killed".

Glenn is based in Aldershot and is now training ahead of his next deployment.

His mother said the Army had changed her son's life since he left Notley High School at 15.

She said: 'He is a better person. He went in a snotty-nosed 16-year-old that knew everything, a Jack the Lad. The change in him is unreal. It is a good change. I am very proud of him.

'We went up to London to Horse Guards Parade where they did their welcome home march. It was the proudest day of my life.'

The First Rosary Rally Captain Wants You to Join Him

Written by Robert Ritchie

Around the turn of the eighteenth century in Rennes, France, a family named D’Orvilles presented a problem to Saint Louis de Montfort.

Mr. D’Orvilles complained to Saint Louis de Montfort that his house adjoined the city square where much sin and immorality took place. He said young people would come there at odd hours, sin and make so much noise that they would distract those in his household during the Rosary.

He asked the saint, “What could be done about this?”

“Make a niche in the façade of the wall that overlooks the square,” replied Saint Louis de Montfort. “Put a statue of Our Lady there, and pray the Rosary in front of her.”

“In the public square?” replied Mr. D’Orvilles.

“In the public square right in front of the image of Our Lady,” instructed the saint.

The day following the completion of the niche, Mr. D’Orvilles, his family and all the servants from his household, prayed the Rosary in the public square. His wife lead the mysteries while he stood guard with a whip to keep the aggressions of young hoodlums at bay.

While praying, many carriages went through the public square, and some friends even called out to him inviting him and his wife to party. At first he was tempted to hide his Rosary beads in his hand, but he conquered himself and held the Rosary high so that all could see that he was at prayer.

A strange thing happened. After saying the Rosary daily for some time, the public square Rosary became a curious attraction.

“People came in crowds to pray, as if some great church ceremony were taking place, and soon, the disorders in the square ceased.”*

Much of what happened in Rennes, France, is happening in America today.

The response to the Public Square Rosary Rally has been excellent. On October 16th, 5,000 Rosaries will be prayed in public because every city in the United States and in the world is in need of conversion.

Our Lady revealed at Fatima that God wishes to establish devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the solution for the world’s sins and impurity.

I’m inviting you to give public testimony to our divine faith and become a Rally Captain for Our Lady and to pledge yourself to her and the “Divine solution.”

This story of the D’Orvilles family is one of many examples where the power of the Rosary helped to transform public opinion. You can do the same, and it’s easy. Just take your Rosary, the sign we will send you, and then stand in a public spot on October 16th with family and friends and pray. That’s it!

When you decide to become a Rally Captain, and I pray you do, simply go to www.AmericaNeedsFatima.com and sign up on our Rosary Rally page devoted solely to receiving your pledge to Our Lady.

On the Web site, you’ll find more details and how we’ll help you have a successful, easy and fulfilling Public Square Rosary Rally on October 16, 2010. As a Rally Captain we will take a red rose to Fatima on your behalf this October. This is a small way to show our appreciation to you for becoming a Rosary Rally Captain by helping spread devotion to Our Lady each year.

Our Lady asked for prayer, penance and sacrifice for the conversion of sinners. The Rosary is the prayer. Standing in a public place is the penance and sacrifice. She’s waiting for your pledge to be a Rally Captain.

Together we can repeat history for the sake of America and help accelerate “The Triumph of My Immaculate Heart!” for the greater glory of Our Lady.

Thank you, and may God bless you!

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* Adapted from Eddie Doherty, Wisdom’s Fool (Bay Shore, N.Y., Montfort Publications, 1993), 214.