The USCCB released this on Friday, January 20. I know it's already the 25th but this is not going away until we all stand up and demand that our Constitutionally protected right to religious freedom be respected.

WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today's announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.

“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty.

Read more here from Catholic Culture.org

To call this action by the Obama administration outrageous is an understatement. This is the most anti-Catholic president in the history of the United States. If he gets away with this you can say good-bye to all the First Amendment protections in the Constitution. EVERYONE should be alarmed by this action. Obama has no respect for Catholics, no respect for the Constitution, and no respect for life!! He absolutely must be voted out of office. The future of our country depends on it.

Thanks be to God for Bishop Bambera!

Thanks be to God for Bishop Bambera!

The Cardinal Newman Society has reported the following story of Bishop Joseph Bambera shepherding his flock in the diocese of Scranton. God bless him and give him courage, peace, and wisdom.....

Scranton University Refuses Bishop’s Call to Withdraw Invitation to Pro-Abortion Rights SpeakerLast week, The Cardinal Newman Society reported that Scranton University is hosting a former Congresswoman and advocate of abortion rights on campus to help train women to run for public office. On Tuesday, The Cardinal Newman Society sent the report to more than 90,000 online members.Today, the Diocese of Scranton issued a statement saying Bishop Joseph Bambera specifically requested the Jesuit university to withdraw the invitation but they’ve refused.Bishop Bambera called the college’s decision “dismaying” and “personally disheartening.” He said:For more, click here....

Now I realize that the Christmas celebration is over, even in the Catholic liturgical calendar. But I never got these photos of my church posted....Our Blessed Mother....
I love my parish's Christmas decorations....
I especially love these angels....
It's a relatively new church that is still faithfully traditional.....I love it. And not just its beauty but also the people who belong here, and, of course, our beloved pastor Fr. Ed Fride.

His mercies are new every morning.....

Saw this gorgeous sunrise out my dining area window.

The Lord provides such spectacular color shows so many mornings and evenings....just dripping with his glory. How can anyone be an atheist?

Christmas Images--2011

Everyone was home for Christmas--my entire family as well as my sister and her family and my brother and his family.

Zach, receiving the desired Weber Grill from brother-in-law Mike who had drawn his name.

My oldest daughter Anne...
Mike opening a present on the stairway because all chairs and floor space were occupied.

Jim, pleased with his Italian phrasebook...
Mary and John....
Nephews Luke and Matt giving each other a hug.
My brother Rich...always making us laugh....

Niece Monique with the amazingly great red hair....She is always classy.
Liz, delighted with her new little purse...
Me---falling completely to pieces over the absolutely stunning scrapbook Monique made for me of our trips up to Northern Michigan. It had to have taken her many, many creative hours to put that together. I immediately started crying at her beautiful creativity and amazingly generous spirit.
More presents..... :-)
Husband Mike exulting in his receipt of yet another Lowes Gift Card.
And then there were the Reindeer Games....
Started last year by daughters Anne and Liz, these games are quickly becoming a Christmas day favorite. They gave out thirty some wrapped prizes for the winners of word games, wrapping contests, trivia questions, and the much anticipated poetry contest. (Write a Christmas poem in two minutes.)
Thinks got quite lively and son-in-law Zach was even told quite sternly by his wife Anne that he was "the only reindeer on the Naughty List!!"
And here we all are. This is what it's all about-- the entire family together loving each other and celebrating the sacred birthday of the Prince of Peace.
It was a great Christmas....