Another Pro-Life reminder on this Feast of the Holy Innocents

Fighting Abortion With the Eucharist

Groups bring Blessed Sacrament to places where modern-day Holy Innocents are slaughtered.

 

by PATTI MAGUIRE ARMSTRONG 12/28/2011 

– Jozef Sedmak / Shutterstock.com

The Eucharist is moving into enemy territory as a powerful weapon against abortion. Across the country, adoration chapels are being set up next to abortion businesses. It’s a growing movement that Father Steve Imbarrato, chaplain of Holy Innocents Chapel in Albuquerque, N.M., says he hopes will increase.
“I want to promote Eucharistic adoration to fight abortion,” Father Imbarrato said. As the director for Project Life, he said everything he does to promote life involves the Eucharist. “The chapel is the spiritual center of all our pro-life work,” he stated.
By setting up a Eucharistic chapel, Jesus has a close, permanent presence right next to the enemy. “Our Lord has been across the street from the Planned Parenthood clinic here for almost 12 years,” Father Imbarrato said. “It began when our bishop gave permission for the Eucharist to be kept in a tabernacle in an office cubicle across the street.” When the priest was asked to oversee the chapel in 2004, he formed a 501(c)(3) for Project Defending Life. The landlord, not happy with the makeshift chapel, was threatening to throw them out.
That’s when another 3,000 square-foot office space became vacant just 50 feet from the facility. The group moved there and renamed it Holy Innocents Chapel. Mass is celebrated there three days a week.
“We’ve been taking Our Lord in procession after Mass, two days a week, and we just added a third day,” Father Imbarrato said. An average of 30 or more participants join in a Rosary and other prayers before processing back.
When Father Price Oswalt, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, heard Father Imbarrato’s story on Catholic radio, he said he knew he wanted to get the Eucharist as close to the local abortion facility as he could. “If we can get people praying with Our Lord on the front lines, we can change everything,” he said. “Darkness cannot exist in light; the presence of God’s goodness will change hearts and minds.”

‘Everything Has a Price’
When the question of financing came up, Father Oswalt said Father Imbarrato told him not to worry. “Father said, ‘Just let people know about your plan, and God will provide the money.” That is exactly what happened. “People started donating, including a $25,000 and a $35,000 check,” Father Oswalt said. “I was going to rent a building, but people said, ‘Why don’t you buy one?’”
A building is in the process of being purchased. Father Oswalt said the Holy Innocents Chapel will be operational as soon as possible. His goal is perpetual adoration to pray without ceasing against the evil taking place next door. “The clinic doctor murders scores of babies six days a week,” he said.
Initially, a building nearby was not even for sale, but a pro-life businessman assured Father Oswalt, “Father, everything is for sale for a price.” Sure enough, the owner of a building 21 feet from the abortion business was looking to pay off a debt, so he accepted an offer. Ironically, he warned the future buyers, “The only thing wrong with this building is that there’s a doctor next door who does women things, so sometimes there are protesters.” The buyers did not reveal that they were the protesters.

Although money readily came forward, many details had to be addressed. The bishop needed to give permission to reserve the Blessed Sacrament, which he did as long as the chapel can be properly staffed with volunteers for perpetual adoration. There need to be at least 168 people — two per hour — to commit to an hour a day, seven days a week, before the Blessed Sacrament. Attorneys volunteered to file the legal papers for Holy Innocents Foundation of Oklahoma’s nonprofit status. They also made sure the chapel would be in compliance of city rules for setting up churches and holding processions.
After all this work, what if the abortionist moves to some quieter location? “If he moves, we move,” Father Oswalt said. “We will follow him wherever he goes.”

‘The Lord Is There’
In Robbinsdale, Minn., right next to an abortion facility, there is a renovated home that has served as a Eucharistic chapel for three years. The Eucharist is reserved in a back bedroom, and a 10-foot crucifix and five-foot statue of Mary sits in the front yard. Father Thomas Duffner meets with a group on the property every Saturday, rain or shine, where they pray 15 decades of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
“The Lord is there,” Father Duffner said. “There’s no question that there is power in this. I have no doubt whatsoever.” He said that just as the whole Church is being renewed through perpetual adoration, so too the fight against abortion is being renewed through the Eucharist. “We go to the abortion clinic, to the foot of the cross, where Jesus is suffering; and through the Eucharist, he is there with us.”
In North Dakota, there are no abortionists and only one business. Practitioners come from out of state, usually on Wednesdays, to perform abortions. Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo said that the Visitation Chapel opened on the third floor of an office building directly across from the abortion facility this past June. “I opened it with the first Mass,” the bishop said. “There is Mass every Wednesday at 8am and adoration from 8:30 until 4pm, the time abortions are done.”
The Fargo Respect Life Office directs the chapel, but it relies completely on donations from the laity. “The response has been very positive,” said Bishop Aquila. “People come from all over to pray here. They see the chapel as a real witness to the dignity of the unborn.”
Bishop Aquila, who presides over an annual Eucharistic procession on Respect Life Sunday, cautions that it is important to involve the local bishop and study the rules for establishing a chapel and holding processions.
“Certainly, with our belief in the Eucharist as the body, blood and divinity of Jesus Christ, we are putting our trust in the second Person of the Trinity to assist in the battle against the culture of death,” he said. “Jesus is the one who gives life. We know that Our Lord is with us in this battle.”

Register correspondent Patti Maguire Armstrong writes from Bismarck, North Dakota.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/fighting-abortion-with-the-eucharist#ixzz1hsWwyKKr

Thinking about abortion and all life issues on this Feast of the Holy Innocents

It's not unusual to hear about abortion on this Feast Day that remembers the innocent 2 year old and under male children killed at the hands of Herod after the visit of the Magi who came to find the child Jesus.  These babies were indeed slaughtered for no good cause other than pure evil human designs.  And so it is with the plague of abortion.  Every day, despite inroads made against groups like Planned Parenthood, many innocent babies are slaughtered in the womb.  They are not killed at the hands of an evil ruler's army; no, the babies are killed by doctors and sanctioned by the government of the United States of America.  Of course dear old U.S. of A. is not alone; most countries of the world are sanctioning the murder of babies.

In our country the protection of the unborn has taken on it's own cottage industry if you will.  There are so many groups and counter-groups all trying in many and various ways to raise awareness and money to support their cause.  The pro-life movement has become so political that many just choose to just ignore the whole abortion question.  While it is true that one major political party in this country has become very pro-choice(which I believe means pro-death or pro kill the baby) the other political party talks a good game but, when in power, can't seem to do anything about abortion either.  Abortion will never end by the political clout of any individual or any party.

We even must acknowledge that our Christian brothers and sisters don't even seem to be concerned about abortion.  The Catholic Church seems to be the loudest voice out there, although other churches certainly are pro-life, but there are many that have become ambivalent or silent.  This can't be good.  All religious leaders who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord or who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob can't possibly be anything but pro-life and four square against the horrible death that comes in an abortion.

On this Feast Day of the Holy Innocents what can we do?  For starters we must each individually challenge ourselves to be more forcefully pro-life.  How do we stack up personally in what we are willing to do and say in support of the pro-life movement?  How strongly do we support legitimate pro-life causes?  Do we gave witness to our faith in their prayer vigils, novenas and other efforts to be pro-life in both word and deed?  Can we attend a prayerful protest or pray the rosary outside an abortion clinic? Do we support church teaching on ALL aspects of pro-life, including artificial birth control, a healthy family attitude to being open to the gift of children, supporting the church teachings on euthanasia, embryonic stem cell harvesting, defending marriage as a sacrament between one man and one woman?  And finally, are we willing to vote for candidates who are pro-life which often may mean not voting for the Republican or Democrat?

These are tough questions and hard work.  In memory of these innocent little baby boys from Bethlehem, the Holy Innocents, can we pray for strength and wisdom to be fully and truly pro-life?

In the Octave of Christmas we remember the Holy Innocents

Feast of the
Holy Innocents (Childermas)

In the second chapter of the Book of Matthew is recorded the story of the Massacre of the Holy Innocents, an event which recalls the Pharaoh's instructions to midwives during the time Israel was enslaved in Egypt: Exodus 1:15-16, 22: And the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews: of whom one was called Sephora, the other Phua, Commanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive... ...Pharao therefore charged all his people, saying: Whatsoever shall be born of the male sex, ye shall cast into the river: whatsoever of the female, ye shall save alive. Moses was saved from this murder when his mother placed him in a little ark and floated him in the river. Moses's sister watched from afar as the Pharaoh's daughter found the child (Exodus 2). The massacre from which Moses was spared is a type, a foreshadowing, of the massacre of the holy innocents that took place soon after Christ was born. As to the slaughter of the Innocents in the New Testament, first some background: Herod the Great, the Governor of Galilee, was an Idumean Jew whom History describes as an extremely cruel man: he was a man who killed several of his wives and his own sons when he suspected they were plotting against him. Challenges to his power were met with a swift and final response, and he even tried to ensure that his cruel campaigns survived him when he arranged that on the day he went on to his eternal reward, hundreds of men in the area would be killed so that there would be mourning at his funeral. Though this arrangement was never carried out, it speaks well of Herod's nature. And during this tyrant's reign, the Magi -- whose adoration of Baby Jesus is rememberd on the Epiphany (6 January) and its Eve (Twelfthnight) -- saw the Star of Bethlehem and went to Jerusalem, asking where the new King of Jews may be found. Herod heard of their asking around about the newborn King and, calling the high priests to find out about this this Child, was informed that it was prophecied that the Child would be born in Juda. Threatened by this prophecy, he sent for the Magi to find the Child and report back so he could go and "worship," too. The Magi found Jesus but, knowing Herod's heart after having it revealed to them in a dream, didn't go back to tell Herod of His wherabouts. Meanwhile, the Holy Family, warned through St. Joseph who was visted by an angel in a dream, makes their flight into Egypt. Herod became enraged at the Wise Men's "betrayal," and killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger. The fourth day of Christmas commemorates these baby boys, who are considered martyrs -- the very first martyrs (St. Stephen, whose Feast was commemorated 2 days ago, was the first martyr of the Church Age). As Bethlehem was a small town, the number of these Holy Innocents was probably no more than 25, but they are glorious martyrs who died not only for Christ, but in His place. Vestments will be red or purple in mourning, and the Alleluia and Gloria will be supressed at Mass.

The Litany to the Infant Jesus; a prayerful devotion that can be prayed this Christmas season

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.  Jesus, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven,  Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,  Have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit,  Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God,  Have mercy on us.  Infant, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Infant, true God, have mercy on us. Infant, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us. Infant, strong in weakness, have mercy on us. Infant, powerful in tenderness, have mercy on us. Infant, Treasure of grace, have mercy on us. Infant, Fountain of love, have mercy on us. Infant, Renewer of the heavens, have mercy on us. Infant, Repairer of the evils of the earth, have mercy on us. Infant, Head of the angels, have mercy on us. Infant, Root of the patriarchs, have mercy on us. Infant, Speech of the prophets, have mercy on us. Infant, Desire of the Gentiles, have mercy on us. Infant, Joy of shepherds, have mercy on us. Infant, Light of the Magi, have mercy on us. Infant, Salvation of infants, have mercy on us. Infant, Expectation of the just, have mercy on us. Infant, Instructor of the wise, have mercy on us. Infant, First-fruit of all saints, have mercy on us. Be merciful, spare us, O Infant Jesus. Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus. From the slavery of the children of Adam, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From the slavery of the devil, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From the evil desires of the flesh, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From the malice of the world, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From the pride of life, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From the inordinate desire of knowing, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From blindness of spirit, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From an evil will, Infant Jesus, deliver us. From our sins, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy most pure Conception, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy most humble Nativity, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy tears, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy most painful Circumcision, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy most glorious Epiphany, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy most pious Presentation, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy most divine life, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy poverty, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy many sufferings, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Through Thy labors and travels, Infant Jesus, deliver us. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,  Have mercy on us, O Infant Jesus. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,  Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,  Have mercy on us. Jesus, Infant, hear us.  Jesus, Infant, graciously hear us.

Let Us Pray O Lord Christ, Thou were pleased so to humble Thyself in Thine incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity as to be born in time and become a little child. Grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child, power in weakness, and majesty in humiliation. Adoring Thy humiliations on earth, may we contemplate Thy glories in Heaven, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns forever. R. Amen.

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Litanies/infantJesus.htm#ixzz1hklF6Epo

New Orleans Saints win big; Drew Brees breaks Marino's record: A special night in New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints claimed the NFC South for the second time in three years, secured at least 3rd seed, and put themselves in the hunt for 2nd seed with a smashing 45-16 beat down of the most overrated team in the NFC, the Atlanta FAILcons.  And in the process Drew Brees broke the 27 year passing record of Miami Hall of Famer, Dan Marino with a touchdown pass to give him 2 more yards than Marino's record with a game to go.

Beside the sheer joy of watching a great human being, Drew Brees, get this much deserved record, the victory was solid on so many fronts.  This is a 29 point beating of a team who claimed the NFC South just one year ago.  The defense was solid, giving up a single TD to a potent offense while turning their only turnover into 7 points.  And if that was not enough, Saints special teams almost broke Sproles for a kick off TD, a run that was good for almost 90 yards.  The Saints passing game was obviously clicking again, but some determined running also contributed to a well balanced victory.

This win leaves the Saints at 12-3 and as mentioned before, NFC South champs again.  A victory next week against Carolina, home in the dome, could possible lead to a 1st round bye, but we will need help from SF who must lose to the Rams.  In any case, we're back to the playoffs and hosting at least a game.  There is a possibility that we may have to face Atlanta again but that's still to be determined.

So tonight we celebrate the Saints demolition of the FalCANTS, the winning of another division championship, the record of Drew Brees and a Saints experience in these past 6 years that has brought winning to New Orleans as a way of life.  Geaux Saints!

In the Octave of Christmas: A Feast for an Apostle

St. John the Evangelist

St. John the Evangelist

Feastday: December 27

Saint John the Divine as the son of Zebedee, and his mother's name was Salome [Matthew 4:21, 27:56; Mark 15:40, 16:1]. They lived on the shores of the sea of Galilee. The brother of Saint John, probably considerably older, was Saint James. The mention of the "hired men" [Mark 1:20], and of Saint John's "home" [John 19:27], implies that the condition of Salome and her children was not one of great poverty.

SS. John and James followed the Baptist when he preached repentance in the wilderness of Jordan. There can be little doubt that the two disciples, whom Saint John does not name (John 1:35), who looked on Jesus "as he walked," when the Baptist exclaimed with prophetic perception, "Behold the Lamb of God!" were Andrew and John. They followed and asked the Lord where he dwelt. He bade them come and see, and they stayed with him all day. Of the subject of conversation that took place in this interview no record has come to us, but it was probably the starting-point of the entire devotion of heart and soul which lasted through the life of the Beloved Apostle.

John apparently followed his new Master to Galilee, and was with him at the marriage feast of Cana, journeyed with him to Capernaum, and thenceforth never left him, save when sent on the missionary expedition with another, invested with the power of healing. He, James, and Peter, came within the innermost circle of their Lord's friends, and these three were suffered to remain with Christ when all the rest of the apostles were kept at a distance [Mark 5:37, Matthew 17:1, 26:37]. Peter, James, and John were with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. The mother of James and John, knowing our Lord's love for the brethren, made special request for them, that they might sit, one on his right hand, the other on his left, in his kingdom [Matthew 20:21]. There must have been much impetuosity in the character of the brothers, for they obtained the nickname of Boanerges, Sons of Thunder [Mark 3:17, see also Luke 9:54]. It is not necessary to dwell on the familiar history of the Last Supper and the Passion. To John was committed by our Lord the highest of privileges, the care of his mother [John 19:27]. John [the "disciple whom Jesus loved"] and Peter were the first to receive the news from the Magdalene of the Resurrection [John 20:2], and they hastened at once to the sepulchre, and there when Peter was restrained by awe, John impetuously "reached the tomb first."

In the interval between the Resurrection and the Ascension, John and Peter were together on the Sea of Galilee [John 21:1], having returned to their old calling, and old familiar haunts.

When Christ appeared on the shore in the dusk of morning, John was the first to recognize him. The last words of the Gospel reveal the attachment which existed between the two apostles. It was not enough for Peter to know his own fate, he must learn also something of the future that awaited his friend. The Acts show us them still united, entering together as worshippers into the Temple [Acts 3:1], and protesting together against the threats of the Sanhedrin [Acts 4:13]. They were fellow-workers together in the first step of Church expansion. The apostle whose wrath had been kindled at the unbelief of the Samaritans, was the first to receive these Samaritans as brethren [Luke 9:54, Acts 8:14].

He probably remained at Jerusalem until the death of the Virgin, though tradition of no great antiquity or weight asserts that he took her to Ephesus. When he went to Ephesus is uncertain. He was at Jerusalem fifteen years after Saint Paul's first visit there [Acts 15:6]. There is no trace of his presence there when Saint Paul was at Jerusalem for the last time.

Tradition, more or less trustworthy, completes the history. Irenaeus says that Saint John did not settle at Ephesus until after the death SS. Peter and Paul, and this is probable. He certainly as not there when Saint Timothy was appointed bishop of that place. Saint Jerome says that he supervised and governed all the Churches of Asia. He probably took up his abode finally in Ephesus in 97. In the persecution of Domitian he was taken to Rome, and was placed in a cauldron of boiling oil, outside the Latin gate, without the boiling fluid doing him any injury. [Eusebius makes no mention of this. The legend of the boiling oil occurs in Tertullian and in Saint Jerome]. He was sent to labor at the mines in Patmos. At the accession of Nerva he was set free, and returned to Ephesus, and there it is thought that he wrote his gospel. Of his zeal and love combined we have examples in Eusebius, who tells, on the authority of Irenaeus, that Saint John once fled out of a bath on hearing that Cerinthus was in it, lest, as he asserted, the roof should fall in, and crush the heretic. On the other hand, he showed the love that was in him. He commended a young man in whom he was interested to a bishop, and bade him keep his trust well. Some years after he learned that the young man had become a robber. Saint John, though very old, pursued him among the mountain fastnesses, and by his tenderness recovered him.

In his old age, when unable to do more, he was carried into the assembly of the Church at Ephesus, and his sole exhortation was, "Little children, love one another."

The date of his death cannot be fixed with anything like precision, but it is certain that he lived to a very advanced age. He is represented holding a chalice from which issues a dragon, as he is supposed to have been given poison, which was, however, innocuous. Also his symbol is an eagle.

Celebrating the Feast of St Stephen

An annual tradition of celebrating the Feast of St Stephen by the community of Deacons in the Archdiocese of New Orleans continued today at the beautiful church of St. Stephen on Napoleon Avenue.  Every year, on December 26th, the Deacons and their wives, along with any candidates and aspirants, gather to celebrate Mass, honor those Deacons who have passed away during the previous year and then fellowship, renewing friendships and comparing stories of ministries.

Today's Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond who also delivered today's homily.  The Archbishop reminded all of us that we serve the people of this Archdiocese in the tradition of St Stephen.  He went on to affirm our ministry in serving the poor and marginalized and encouraged us to continue.  It was a very poignant moment when Archbishop Aymond reminded us that he too is a Deacon and the Priesthood and his Episcopacy are added on to the ordination as a Deacon.  We even had a transitional Deacon with us today; sharing the same Holy Orders as all of us Permanent Deacons, he will be ordained to the Priesthood in the summer!

At the end of Mass our Director thanked the Archbishop for being with us and encouraging and supporting all of us in the ministry of the Deacon.  Once over, the community gathered for a social that included food and drink and plenty of great company.

I'm so grateful for the ministry of the Permanent Deacon and that God called me to this ministry.  And I am equally grateful for wonderful supporting community of Deacons we have here in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

The Feast Day of St. Stephen

St. Stephen

St. Stephen

Feastday: December 26
Patron of Stonemasons

Stephen's name means "crown," and he was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr's crown. Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church. The apostles had found that they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor. So they ordained seven deacons, and Stephen is the most famous of these.

God worked many miracles through St. Stephen and he spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of his hearers became followers of Jesus. The enemies of the Church of Jesus were furious to see how successful Stephen's preaching was. At last, they laid a plot for him. They could not answer his wise argument, so they got men to lie about him, saying that he had spoken sinfully against God. St. Stephen faced that great assembly of enemies without fear. In fact, the Holy Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel.

The saint spoke about Jesus, showing that He is the Savior, God had promised to send. He scolded his enemies for not having believed in Jesus. At that, they rose up in great anger and shouted at him. But Stephen looked up to Heaven and said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

His hearers plugged their ears and refused to listen to another word. They dragged St. Stephen outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. The saint prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he fell to his knees and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

After such an expression of love, the holy martyr went to his heavenly reward. His feast day is December 26th.

>>>St. Stephen is also the patron of Permanent Deacons and locally, the patron of the diaocnate community of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Remember to really celebrate Christmas

To really celebrate Christmas we must recall that the Christmas season really began today.  As Christmas Eve arrived yesterday we were bringing to a close Advent.  Christmas season began at Midnight, earlier today, and lasts through the the Epiphany, the traditional date of which is January 6th.  We will celebrate the Epiphany on the Sunday closeset to the 6th; which is the 8th.  Liturgically, in the Church, the celebration continues to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

To insure that we recall the importance of Christmas, Christmas day in the Church is an octave.  An octave is really an 8 day day.  What?  That's right; we celebrate Christmas as Christmas day over the next week.  Even though many of the days ahead celebrate great Saints, like Stephen and John the Evangelist, the focus over this next week is Christmas.

This should not be so unusual for us in the secular world.  Afterall, the schools are out between Christmas Day and New Year, many workers take vacation and several Christmas related festivities occur during the days ahead.  Hopefully, you are one who does not take down the tree tonight, or pack away that nativity scene early.  We are charged with keeping the Christmas season alive until it is truly over.  And it most certainly is not over tonight.  Some in the world may try to tell us back to the grind, but Christmas is a season and it is well worth celebrating to it is over.

So please celebrate Christmas for the rest of it's octave and the entire season over the next two weeks.

Have a very Merry Christmas!