Short Takes: The Battle for Life, an Early Feminist and…Go Chiefs!

Posted on by charliej373

jeremiah, plans for a hope and a future

By Charlie Johnston

It is ironic that the most smugly self-righteous generation in our nation’s history will likely be looked at with revulsion by future generations for having knowingly perpetrated one of the great atrocities of history. Despite science proving that a child is fully human from the moment of conception, this generation insists on the “right” to kill that child. The abortion industry, like the cotton industry in the south two centuries ago, has become such a big financial interest that its benefactors insist on promoting and expanding it, the former by killing babies, the latter by enslaving black people.

This weekend is the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Despite the large, annual crowds, the establishment media gave the goofy, vulgar, anti-Semitic “Women’s March” more coverage than the last decade of Marches for Life – even though the attendance at the life march exceeds the attendance at the Women’s March by an exponential factor. The coverage for the Women’s March was fawning, that for the Pro-Life Marches indifferent or snide – and critical. This is because the establishment press is part and parcel of the slave, I mean abortion, power in this country. It maintains that if you are pro-life, you are anti-woman. Once upon a time, German authorities insisted if you defended Jews, Gypsies or Catholics, you were anti-German. The ash heap of history, soon enough, will have a huge new addition.

There has been substantial good news in the pro-life movement this week. The Fifth Circuit ruled yesterday that Texas CAN bar Planned Parenthood (PP) from Medicaid reimbursements. It went further and noted that, though PP consistently insists that the videos that David Daleiden’s Center for Medical Progress (CMP) captured of abortionists speaking bluntly and ghoulishly about abortion are heavily edited and doctored, a forensic examination showed they are neither doctored nor edited deceptively. (Daleiden provided both edited and unedited versions of almost all his videos.) A year and a half ago, unable to make their case in the public square, PP got a pro-abortion judge who has deep ties to the industry, to forbid the showing of even a small clip from unreleased videos from a National Abortion Federation (NAF) conference of a few years ago. The court went aggressively after Daleiden AND any other entity that kept the three-minute video up. I got a threatening notice. I would have kept the video up anyway, but it was banished from almost every source I could find. Fortunately, National Review’s Alexandra DeSanctis HAS kept a copy of that video embedded in an article she wrote a few years ago. I hope that video clip can make the rounds again, perhaps under the hashtag of #ReleaseTheVideos. If the left can’t defend what they say and do, they just get a judge to keep you from hearing or seeing it for yourself.

This generation, besides willfully perpetrating a genocide (more black babies were aborted in New York City in 2012 than were born), seeks to crush the Bill of Rights because it interferes with their drive for power. Maybe it is not ironic that these monsters are so smugly self-righteous. So were those who swept the Nazis to power, the Russian Revolution, and the bloody French Revolution. In each of these cases, a major component of the movement was college students and other young activists. If today’s young people really do want to be moral, I wonder if they ever pause to think about how many times in recent history great atrocities were committed by people who were brought to power, in large part, by self-righteous young people.

I know this: today’s generation does not have to worry much about future generations pulling down statues honoring them: when the fever lifts, few such statues will be erected in the first place. The time is coming – and sooner than anyone thinks – when people studying their ancestry will be as ashamed to find an employee of Planned Parenthood in their history as they are to find a slave-trader.

*******

It strikes me that Robert Mueller was not granted subpoena powers so much as he was issued hunting licenses – to get anyone associated with Donald Trump by any means necessary. I know officials must profess their undying love for Mueller lest they trigger the shrieking mob of Democrats, Never-Trumpers and media. I think he is the dirtiest, most corrupt cop in our nation’s history to hold such a high-ranking position.

*******

In 398 A.D., St. Augustine wrote that, “In her mind and her rational intelligence, (a woman) has a nature the equal of man’s…” (Confessions, Book 13, Section 32). He, like all Christian thinkers, was an early feminist – though a realistic one. He did not pretend that a woman is every bit as strong and physically gifted as a man. No, he was in the truth business. At the time Christ came into the world, women were treated as little more than chattel, part of a man’s possessions by almost every culture in the world. In an age when women were still heavily dependent on men, Augustine noted the simple truth that men would be foolish and wrong to arbitrarily dismiss the intellect and wisdom of women, which is equal to men’s.

From the first, Christianity emphasized the equal, but complementary, worth and roles of men and women. It was Christ, Himself, who first forbade husbands from casting off wives they had wearied of through divorce (divorce was NOT an option that could be initiated by women). It was not just a ruling on marriage – but a ruling on the equivalent worth and dignity of the two sexes – and was, indeed, incredibly radical in that culture. With Christ, the question ceased to be how many sheep, goats, cattle, women and children a man could amass. Rather, it was how, in true covenantal partnership, men and women could lift each other up and form families that endured and grew. This required honest observation of the nature, strength and differences of the two sexes. Men, who were stronger, were called to protect, defend and provide for the weaker, but more nurturing, sex – who had a genius for establishing a healthy home.

Movies which show 100-lb. women tossing 225-lb men around like rag dolls are all the rage in Hollywood these days. They are pure fantasy, but they have an impact. The difference between a 100-lb. woman and a 140-lb. man these days is that the man, however fit he is, knows that if he tries to outmuscle a 225-lb. man he is going to get crushed. We live in a technologically sophisticated culture of plenty, which makes possible the pretense that men and women are equivalent in every way. If we suffered some setback that caused society to become much more primitive, the most effective thing that would keep women from becoming, once again, chattel to men (or even worse, something to barter with) is a commitment to Judeo-Christian ethics and truth.  Strange to me to see so many “feminist” women so eager to attack, during sunny weather, that which is their greatest protection in stormy weather. How often we call forth our own doom thinking it only applies to others.

*******

My friend, Kyle McCarter, was confirmed as America’s Ambassador to Kenya shortly after the new Senate was seated. I wrote a piece on how Senate Democrats had tried to hold him up because he was a believing Christian and a conservative state senator, despite his and his family’s long history of trey-trainor-360x360missionary work in Kenya. That piece was actually picked up by some press outlets in Africa. Many of you called and wrote senators to advocate on behalf of McCarter. Thank you. He is now our Ambassador in Kenya.

Over the last year, I got to know and came to deeply admire a prominent Texas lawyer, Trey Trainor, who Pres. Trump nominated to the Federal Election Commission a year and a half ago. Alas, Trainor’s nomination was stonewalled for similar reasons – he is a serious, believing Christian and a rather brilliant conservative. Trump re-nominated him earlier this month. I pray the Senate will confirm him forthwith.

*******

The crisis in our Church is primarily doctrinal. The sexual abuse and systematic cover-ups are merely the most obvious symptoms of this doctrinal crisis. In the late 90’s, talking with a Priest friend, I naively asked what difference it made if a Priest felt attracted to the same sex: after all, all had a vow of chastity. In itself, that was true – but it showed how little I really understood the problem.

For several generations now, dissenters in the hierarchy have been trying to correct what they think are the errors of Christ; to remake the Church in their own image rather than seeking to conform themselves to the image of Christ. What was a muffled battle has now become an open assault on the faith – with many enemies attacking from within. This is a hard thing for most of us. Fortunately, the great majority of Priests and those in the hierarchy are NOT enemies of the faith. Unfortunately, many of those are too timid to boldly defend the faith from the assaults either from without or from within. Some of the faithful have become fearful that the Church may not survive the twin assaults of a hostile culture and a hostile contingent of anti-Catholic bigots in the hierarchy.

For the first 300 years of Christianity, to publicly confess Christ as Lord was a capital crime throughout the Roman Empire. Even so, the faith grew and flourished. Men and women would give their lives to live this doctrine which gave profound, transcendent meaning to life beyond the transient scrabble for power and influence that so pre-occupied the Romans. We will survive, we will thrive, we will flourish as we each recollect that we are called to boldly proclaim Christ and His teaching even unto death. We have to choose – and that is what God is reminding us of every time He allows things to grow dark around us.

On Oct. 1, 2015, a lunatic at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, went around asking students if they were Christians. If they said yes, he shot them. He killed nine and wounded eight others. It is reasonable to assume that the first one killed did not know the safe answer to the madman’s question. Those that followed did, though. And many professed Christ, anyway. This was Oregon. This was a community college. I would venture that many, probably most, of those Christian martyrs did NOT know they were Christian until moments before they chose martyrdom. When our love grows cold, when we become so lukewarm we fear to proclaim what we believe lest someone speak ill of us, God allows the darkness to surround us to force us to choose Him – or remain in that darkness.

God is calling us out of the catacombs, that we may help our fellows come out of the intellectual and ideological ghettoes they have condemned themselves to. Oppression sparks holy boldness and conviction, which sparks renewal. I eagerly await the arrival of the great harvest of men and women who will discover, when forced to choose, that they are Christian – and will proclaim it fearlessly.

*******

I am a parishioner at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada, Colorado. We have a young Pastor, Fr. Nathan Goebel. He has a lively sense of humor and is very good with the many young families who make up much of the Parish. He has addressed the scandals which are rocking the Church with forthright candor and an unambiguous call for reform. But he did something special this last week that touched my heart and deepened my admiration for him.

One of my constant frustrations with the institutional Church has been that it has so degenerated into a mere bureaucratic lobbying agency, offering banal pronouncements demanding the government do the good works that IT should be doing. Over the last few years, as I travelled around the country speaking to different groups, I became appalled at how high tuition rates are for Catholic schools. In one Diocese in the Midwest, I discovered that the average tuition per student was over $10,000. It quietly outraged me. How, I wondered, could Catholic leaders encourage families to be fruitful and multiply while simultaneously having tuition rates that they knew most big families could not bear? It reminded me of one of Jesus “Woe” sequences to authorities of His day: “…you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens…” (Luke 11:45)

Fr. Nathan announced a new initiative last Sunday. Acknowledging the sacrifice that parents make and the faith they live in sending their children to Catholic school, he is raising money so that the Parish, itself, will pay for one month of tuition for every child enrolled in Catholic school who is a member of the Parish. And he intends that this be so for at least the next four years in which he is Pastor. Wow! No lobbying, no lectures, just let’s get up and do this. He set up a target of $25,000 by next Sunday – and promised he will cut off his mullet (I told you he is young) if that target is met.

Fr. Nathan is always friendly to me, but we are not pals or confidants. I know he was tipped off before he became Pastor that this was the Parish of “that Charlie Johnston.” I have no clue what he thinks of me. But I can tell you what I think of him: flat-out admiration for his direct approach to helping lift up those souls given into his care. He truly has the heart of a Pastor.

*******

About a month and a half ago, a friend of mine in media let me know that a person prominently affiliated and identified with the Kansas City Chiefs is a fan of this site. My friend wanted to arrange for chiefs logous to get together the next time that person is in Denver or I am in Kansas City. I enthusiastically agreed – and told him that was great, because it gives me a good excuse to become a football fan again. Ever since, I have been rooting for the Chiefs. This Sunday, the Chiefs play the New England Patriots for the American Conference Championship. The winner goes on to the Super Bowl. I only have one thing to say: Go Chiefs!


242 thoughts on “Short Takes: The Battle for Life, an Early Feminist and…Go Chiefs!”

  1. I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s Archdiocese of Philadelphia and attended Catholic Schools from grade school through high school. Back then tuition was paid by the parish with the expectation your weekly contribution would increase if you had children in school. Most of the teachers were either priests or nuns. My high school Cardinal O’Hara had 4 on sight convents. There was a boy’s side and a girl’s side of the school, priests were the dominant teachers of the boys. A lot of the archdiocesan school system broke down because of increased demands of higher wages by non clergy teachers but also because the diocese decision to charge tuition. Pennsylvanians pay a school tax in addition to a property tax. The school tax is 3 x’s the property tax and it took years of fighting in the state legislature to get transportation and text book vouchers. There is another system of private Catholic schools that operate here. These Catholic Prep schools have become extremely expensive – in the $20,000 a year range. They don’t seem to have a problem filling seats. The diocesan high schools USED to be feeder schools to all the area Catholic colleges and universities. It was a nice set up but that changed when these universities went “national”. For me they lost their original mission to educate Catholic kids from local parishes. The mission of Catholic universities like St Joesph and Villanova seems to be only expansion for expansion sake. And that comes at a huge price in tuition. @$ 60,000 a year. This aces out middle class families and has subjected them and upper middle class families to strangling debt especially for families with several children. This also strangles the student with mortgage like debt. I question the morality of these universities. And then there is the secularism of those universities. Hardly Catholic at all. Join the Cardinal Newman Society to learn which colleges and universities are truly Catholic and reflect Christ’s teachings.

    Liked by 12 people

    1. Student loan debt is like a mortgage without equity. Today, with the “reform” of the bankruptcy laws in 2005, student loan debt can be the first step into debt peonage.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I have a few words regarding feminists calling forth their own doom. I may get junked for this here but it has been my attitude for a long time but especially after that vulgar women’s march just days after Trump’s inauguration.

    But first this: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle”.

    Gloria Steinem made that little gem famous back in her heyday. Really, Gloria? Ok then, you’re on your own, girlfriend. I won’t risk so much as a paper cut coming to your aid or to the aid of any of your sistas. I hope you enjoy the consequences of what you have brought down on yourself. However(!), any womanly woman who appreciates the beauty of *TRUE* masculinity, I will always and in every instance have your back and anyone who tries to harm you will be put in a serious hurt locker.

    That is all.

    Liked by 14 people

    2. Christopher, I laughed all the way from “I may get junked here,” through “you’re on your own, girlfriend,” until “However(!)” But your last sentence made me want to give you a standing ovation.

      Charlie, I’m not a fan of the NFL; but I’ll cheer for anybody who plays the Patriots. Except the ’49ers, in which case I hope for a tie, since both teams can’t lose.

      Liked by 5 people

    3. Too bad ya’ can’t tell them apart. The difference between real women and feminazis, I mean. They should have to wear those ridiculous pink hats all of the time.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Indeed, HTTP. And therein lies a problem. The radical man-hating feminists are non-uniformed combatants. My remarks above were an expression of my attitude toward them (i.e. a habitual way of thinking). There is no real way to implement it on the streets. What do I do? Carry around evaluation questionnaires to be filled out by a woman before I render help? Obviously not. So I help when the need arises without regard for their particular ideology.

        Wow, this whole NRS thing ain’t as easy as it sounds. 🙂

        Liked by 9 people

        2. Now, that would be funny! Can you imagine walking around with a questionnaire?
          It would probably work to put in the question-“What pronoun would you like to be called?” Hahaha!
          With this upside down world, by the time the questionnaire was completed, the emergency(or whatever) would be over. I am really tapping into the humor of it all. Might as well laugh.

          Liked by 3 people

          1. “Might as well laugh”: I know, right? today I saw a wonderful quotation from G. K. Chesterton: “Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances that we know to be desperate.” Ha… sounds about right!

            Liked by 5 people

        4. The APA is normalizing disorders and taking what is normal and making it a disorder.  They have already convinced my son he is a female struck in a male body.  So lets mutilate the body instead of fixing the broken mind.  The APA is clearly hijacked by the left.  It is rare to find a good psychologist.  90% of them are not worth salt.  I know first hand.  One memorable experience is when Lambzie was seeing one due to postpartum depression and after a while, the counciler was faulting me for all her ills due to the patriarchal nature of our marriage.  She finally picked up how TOXIC this psychologist was and got out.  We have been happily married for 34 years and Lambzie will affirm what I am saying.  It burns me how TOXIC the APA is.  The APA should be disbanded.  I am serious. I have been quiet here about my son. Please pray for him. It is heart breaking what is taking place. I will be posting some more on this in the not so distant future. We were blind sided by this. There is much going on.
          Lambzie and I have done much research on the topic. We are willing to offer support to anyone dealing with this issue. God bless you all!

          Liked by 4 people

          1. Doug, I so agree with you on the toxicity of too many counseling experiences. I was so blessed when I did some work on my inner world more than 35 years ago. My ardent desire is for more Catholic therapists. An excellent beginning for connecting people with services from faithful Catholics is found in the directory here. Always praying for you and your family. Such great witnesses of faith, fortitude and fiery love are you and Lambzie, Doug!

            Liked by 2 people

      1. Doug, I heard this on our Catholic radio station and I remembered your comment:
        byzantinecatholic.com/podcast/?name=2019-01-22_lighteast_748_toxic_masculinity.mp3
        praying for you and your family

        Liked by 1 person

          1. Doug, I’m so sorry to keep bugging you. The thought of “toxic masculinity” just irritates me. It goes back to the garden where our parents rejected the Fatherhood of God and sold us out. I see how it affects the men and boys in my family and even myself because, regrettably, I also shrug my shoulders and refer to certain behaviors as “a guy thing.”
            Lately, I feel as I am being shown what men are to be–an answer to this dilemma of the lie of “toxic masculinity.” And it is a lie that was perpetrated by satan in the garden.
            The following is one of the means that i perceive is needed if we as a society must do to recover, because we are dying. Our men and our boys must stand in the breach and fight as Jesus did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eodVBNik9kw

            Thank you 🙂

            Liked by 2 people

            1. Beckita, I figured out how it happened. I picked a video from an auto list on OLGC’s website–the men’s breakfast list–and it automatically started the next one. I’m sorry and I won’t let that happen again. How many souls do I get out of purgatory for that one? Maybe I can get out the one how has been in purgatory the longest. 🙂

              Liked by 3 people

              1. Love your attitude, Joyful! No worries on the error and no worries if it happens again. You’ve reminded us to pray 🙂 : May all the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

                Liked by 2 people

              2. Hmmm. Must be a lot of folks in the press in Purgatory. Get one of them out? I am tempted to leave them there. Good thing I am not God. 😎

                Liked by 3 people

            2. Hi Joyful, I initially read a Wall Street Journal article on toxic Masculinity and forwarded it to a renowned psychologist I know. He did not hear about anything the APA was doing with this. So I am a little cautious at this point. It all depends how it is ultimately defined and if it rains traction. For example, if it is a power hungry, dominant control and step on anyone’s toes to get what you want, dominate and control woman as objects for your own use or the likes, then I would concur that this should be addressed. Now, would I create a pathology for it? Not sure I would. My fear would be that the left, which has essentially hijacked the APA, would take qualities of normal male masculinity, stuff them in the toxic category and use it to force normal men into some sort of “re-education” or indoctrination program or open up new types of law suits against men or get us fired from our jobs. I have to wait and see where this all goes.

              Liked by 3 people

                1. The natural order and truth is being redefined. When our society collapses and basic survival is the order of the day, then it will become more clear how important distinctions between men and woman are and how important masculinity is.

                  Liked by 2 people

                  2. Yes Doug. I am proud of my toxic masculinity. No participation trophies for me.

                    P.S. I hope my masculine declaration doesn’t offend anyone. 😉

                    Liked by 2 people

                    2. Yes Doug, there is toxic femininity for sure. But if I’m ever confronted about making that statement by any of the many women in my life, I’ll do what any masculine male would do. I’ll try to lie my way out of it. 😉

                      Liked by 2 people

                    10. Thank you, BD! I am well and staying with my mother in Florida, watching Massachusetts get very cold, and not sorry we’re where we are. 😀

                      Liked by 2 people

                    13. Ha ha Maggie. Your wish my honey-do list increase tenfold has already come to pass. Praying novenas that my ears and nose quit growing right now. geeesshhh…

                      Liked by 3 people

                  3. I think that what I am afraid of is that redefinition of truth and that the natural order is going to be changed to the point of being ridiculous–the dictatorship of relativism. I also wishfully hope that this demise not occur, but I realize that evil must expend itself and we must turn back if we are to survive.
                    I figure that the more that is done like men’s prayer groups, etc., now, the better it will be when we do turn back.
                    Just as I am writing this and rereading what you have written, I realized that there is no solid definition of what actually is “toxic” and how true it is. My perception is more in line with your comment from 1:59 pm. I just don’t want to see the “re-education” etc., happening.
                    I hope this makes sense 🙂 You must have a St. Joseph type of relationship with your family. Bless you.

                    Liked by 3 people

                    1. Oh Joyful, I pray a St. Joseph prayer almost every day, but 2 of my 3 kids have strayed and it is difficult at times. My son has embraced the “transgender” life style. All I can say is with the younger generation and these types of things, the redefining of truth is already here. Folks can get fired for miss-engendering a person. 2+2=5 and if you do not accept it, you are bad or evil. It is insidious.

                      Liked by 3 people

              1. And how did you get those 3 kids to watch it? 🙂 I’m pretty sure 4 of my 5 wouldn’t…but then I bet your kids are younger than mine. now three of my older grandchildren might…maybe I should try that.

                Liked by 1 person

                1. Well, in techie terms, it means I sent it to them. I don’t know if they will watch it or not, but I can only hope. So we are in the same boat I guess.

                  Liked by 3 people

            4. Ha! I shrug my shoulders sometimes and say “it’s a girl thing”. To me masculinity means many, many things. What I think of often is protecting my wife and family. I am comparimentalized. I have to turn off the emotions and kill Bambi so we can eat and survive. I also have to spiritually and emotionally protect My family. My wife is the heart of the family and she is much more emotional by design and less compartimentalized. She can read a book, watch TV and have a conversation all at the same time. It is more about relationship and nurturing. This is part of the complementarity. It is a beautiful thing the way we were made by God.

              Liked by 3 people

                1. Oh yes. My dear Stella who not only is gifted in deliverance ministry, counsels people in their spiritual walk. She said to me that, so often, when she working with couples, it’s a spiritual problem of each one’s demons – who pursue them, tempting them to vices – fighting each other through the couple. A bit of hell on earth, I’d say.

                  Liked by 2 people

        1. Ha! My Dad was a huge football fan – Packers. He was always disappointed when he didn’t have a fan of the other team watching the game with him. He figured it was more fun to have someone to trash talk with and gloat over – or be gloated at. Of course, Dad preferred that he be the one doing the gloating, but he would much rather be gloated at than have no one to trash talk with during the game.

          One of the great things about all my travels across this country these last few years is that, in sports, no matter what happens, I have a contingent of friends who are happy about it.

          Liked by 5 people

          3. Charlie,

            Your Dad was obviously a great man if he was a Packer fan ! Growing up in San Antonio for the first Super Bowl, all my little friends were cowboy fans. Since my favorite color is green, I decided to be a Packer fan. Packers won of course and the rest is history !

            Paul in Katy(now Spring)

            Liked by 2 people

      2. Lifelong New Englander who in the spirit of Christian brotherhood would like to share some championships with some other fans. It is getting kind of boring winning all the time. Go Chiefs !

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Ha! Offering alms for the poor, are we? Well, Tom Brady earned his stripes as a premier quarterback by beating my beloved St. Louis Rams and Kurt Warner in the 2006 SuperBowl. I lived in Chicago and was a big Bears fan for the 86 Super Bowl, in ST. Louis and a big Rams fan for the 2000 Super Bowl (since the Rams moved back to LA they are dead to me). I was in Denver for the Broncos SB win in 2016, but I just never got into it, though I was happy for the classy Peyton Manning. Now Brady won his stripes by beating the great Warner – so its time for Mahomes to win his stripes by beating the great Brady. I pray, then, that your alms will be joyfully accepted. If not, my friends in New England will all be happy – and when my friends are happy I just can’t be too sad.

          Liked by 6 people

  6. Charlie, here is an excellent interview with your (our) friend David Daleiden regarding his California case. He is a brave, talented, and humble young man. What he is doing brings to light not just the evils of the abortion industry but also the Constitution-violating evils of elected officials who go overboard in supporting the industry:

    https://stream.org/kamala-harris-aspiring-dictator-asked-one-victims-david-daleiden/

    PS It’s a very bad idea to go overboard in the ocean without a life jacket . . . .

    Liked by 11 people

  7. Hi Charlie and Bekita

    Happy new year and may God be with everyone. Yesterday night i dreamed POTUS say We are now at the begining of the storm. While the storm is truly in its early stages as you perceived i think this was specific to the battle with the DS. There are so many tentacles and commom denominators. While i resigned to the idea this will play out in 2019/2020 as was expecting 2018 and we did have some turbalance.

    Parts of me think this will draw out till 2027 to even 2030 with a prolonged depression economic included but US might have a soft landing with Trump brining jobs back. I can see how the civil unrest is spreading to France and how EU is bullying UK government to supress the will of the people. Sweden people are so utterly disappointed and fear of becoming a muslim nation by 2050 maybe Germany too?.

    RBG replacement will be a big positive I think for US and the world as hopefully God will replace her to assist Samuel champion the cause of the babies.

    However for all you know God could shorten it and make it happen in the next few years as you perceived?. I cannot fathom everything happen this prophetic year but maybe few significant victories.

    BTW my dream was triggered because i have now joined my High school group while 80% of the entire batch are in the US and non christian and are all anti Trump posters and hardcore lefties. The non christians can make it there cause they have an entire network of their community who dominate H1B and EAD gc processing and previous governments did not care. yes 5% are bright and make it on their own. However while i firmly support the wall. I think where is the charity for the christians refugees or not in the top5%. you can be in the top5% but your will might not align with the nation. It would be interesting to see if all this would not matter in the end cause everyone will be converted as we are all his children.

    God Bless.
    Josh

    Liked by 6 people

    1. The years 2037 & 2038 meet special conditions on the Church calendar for some days; whether anything will really happen at those times, only God knows…

      Hopefully “the storm” will end soon, but even if it does there could be a period of consequences up to those years of 2037/2038, we don’t know. God made the the Israelites wander the desert for 40 years before allowing them to enter the promised land. Our generation may need a time of purification as well, only time will tell… Future events outside what God tells us is just a guessing game…

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Well, Charlie, since neither of our Texas teams made it, then I’ll have to join you and root for my fellow Texas Tech alumnus Patrick Mahomes…so Go Chiefs!

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Thanks for a great new post, Charlie. Always so much to think about and reread. Serious times these are for sure. As far as football goes, if there’s a Patriot who loves this blog I’ll pray for a tie….otherwise Go Chiefs! 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

      1. I know that’s true about Patriot fans…but I’m talking about somebody prominently affiliated with the Patriot’s organization, like you said about the Chief’s organization. Should be a good game, either way. Really, I’d love to see somebody new win the Super Bowl every year!

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Charlie, my mother is a die-hard Patriots fan. If you pay me $50, I will promise not to tell her that you have chosen the Chiefs over the Patriots. 😀

        Liked by 7 people

            1. Well, both the Rams and the Patriots won. I have a lot of friends who live in New England. I have a lot of friends who live in Southern California. When I do not have settled opinions on such a matter, it has always been my firm policy to stand with my friends. 😉 (hat tip to the late Sen. Everett Dirksen).

              Liked by 5 people

          2. My Mom isn’t much of a gloater. I think she would prefer I get the fifty bucks instead. 😀

            A heck of a game. How many times did we each get to soar and crash and soar again as the lead changed hands in that last quarter? Wow, my adrenals are shot!

            Liked by 3 people

  11. Fasting is a way to overcome temptations. Having too much of anything causes sin(s) of pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth; “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a for a rich man to enter into Heaven”.

    This generation has it all, riches from knowledge & technology to an abundance of material possessions, entertainment, & tasty morsels; only when most of those things are gone will people come to their senses.

    Abortion is a human sacrifice to the worship of “freedom from responsibility & consequences” it allows for the overindulgence in stimulation & greedy/prideful ideas of self worth.

    A return to a simpler & modest (less distractions) living with God & faith at the centre is the cure this sick world needs.

    Liked by 12 people

  12. The Wichita Diocese, somehow from parishioners’ donations, is able to subsidize parochial education 100%. (years,ago,I became aware of this from a family who used to live there, that parents pledge to give substantially in their Sunday envelopes; can’t remember the specifics.) So I checked to see if that is still the case. From their website:

    ‘How stewardship answers the questions of: ‘Why is the parish paying for education?’ and ‘Why not charge tuition to the parents?’
    What we’ve learned about Stewardship
    ‘In the Diocese of Wichita, we have learned that Catholic education is the best gift a parent can give a child because the pupil not only receives an outstanding academic education, but more importantly, is prepared for eternal life.
    In providing Catholic education as one of the missions of the parish, it was recognized that many families could not financially afford such an education. Parents are the primary educators of their children in the Catholic faith, but not exclusively.
    We understood that only through the stewardship of all of the parishioners can all active families who desired a Catholic school education could participate in this mission, as well as all the others.
    All of the parishioners therefore are partners with parents in forming children in the ways of the Catholic faith. Truly an act of stewardship: gratefully recognizing, receiving, and sharing the gift of Catholic education.’

    Only follow sports half-heartedly. I was disappointed the Chargers lost last weekend. Their QB, Phillip Rivers and his wife,(convert to the faith), are expecting their 9th, yep,ninth, child. This weekend, will be cheering the underdog,-guessing -the Chiefs? Hope that statement doesn’t open a can of worms. If so, yikes, I shall profusely apologize in advance.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Marie we were cheering for the Chargers this past weekend too, as we have always liked and followed Phil Rivers, and our old Badger Melvin Gordon is a member of that team too. Well…maybe next year for the Chargers! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Marie and Diane, my daughter (definitely the biggest sports junkie in the family) told me that Philip Rivers and his wife are Catholic, and that they homeschool their kids. Those two facts made her an instant fan.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Ten years ago or so, when my husband took on Stewardship Chairmanship for our parish, the Wichita Diocese was famous in Stewardship circles for promoting TITHING. The churches and organizations also tithe ten percent of everything they take in. Parish Bazaars and other “money-making activities are forbidden – and totally unnecessary. The parishioners pay for everything, including schools, clinics, Catholic Charities, etc. from the tithe, AND there are lots of vocations coming from there!

      Liked by 5 people

  14. Charlie, you say,
    “The abortion industry, like the cotton industry in the south two centuries ago, has become such a big financial interest that its benefactors insist on promoting and expanding it, the former by killing babies, the latter by enslaving black people.”

    Many years ago when I worked with Phyllis Bowman as a researcher on abortion law reform she often made reference to the parallels in the abortion industry, the slave trade and the work of Wilberforce. It certainly was a highly profitable industry. We tried to make it illegal for abortion referral agencies to also have financial shares in abortion clinics. The agencies were supposed to give impartial counsel to those who were considering termination. We found some companies who shipped clients in from countries that forbad abortion via their own helicopters to London. Yes much money changed hands in that business.

    The Blessed Mother spoke of Abortion at Garabandal

    Among the fulfilled prophecies of Garabandal was one that only came to light with the publication of a German book [Garabandal — Der Zeigefinger Gottes.] on Garabandal in 1992. The author, Albrecht Weber, was in Garabandal on the day after Conchita’s last apparition at Garabandal on November 13,1965, and had a long conversation with the visionary. The following excerpt from his book deals with some of what the visionary told him:

    She [Conchita] spoke quite openly about the developments by which men in the near future would rebel against God. On the day after Our Lady’s last appearance at Garabandal, Conchita asked the author, “Can you imagine how somebody could kill children in the womb without thereby killing the mother?” The author spontaneously answered, “No! What gave you that idea, Conchita?”
    “Well, the Blessed Mother spoke about this and she let me know that this will happen with the overflowing of the chalice.” [In her second Message of June 18,1965, the Virgin said, “Before, the cup was filling up. Now it is flowing over.”]

    Conchita said this tremblingly without being able to visualize what it really implied.
    She said further that it disturbed her very much but that she felt ridiculous because she hadn’t understood at all how this killing could be effected. The Blessed Virgin had not explained it to her and up until that moment, nobody had been able to make her understand it at all.
    Conchita would learn soon enough when abortion became legalized, even in her native country.

    The Blessed Virgin had spoken about this unfortunate practice to the visionary, in terms that had left her stunned. Indeed, at the time, Conchita did not understand “how it was possible to kill a child in his (or hers) mother’s womb without killing the mother at the same time . . .!”

    [Excerpted from ‘Garabandal’ Book, page 203]

    And from Akita 1973

    My dear daughter, listen well to what I have to say to you. You will inform your superior.”

    After a short silence,

    “As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one has never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests.”

    “The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres…churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

    “The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them”

    Here is part of Our Lady of Akita’s second message given to Sr. Agnes on August 3, 1973 …

    “Many men in this world afflict the Lord. I desire souls to console Him to soften the anger of the Heavenly Father. I wish, with my Son, for souls who will repair by their suffering and their poverty for the sinners and ingrates.”

    “In order that the world might know His anger, the Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind. With my Son I have intervened so many times to appease the wrath of the Father. I have prevented the coming of calamities by offering Him the sufferings of the Son on the Cross, His Precious Blood, and beloved souls who console Him forming a cohort of victim souls. Prayer, penance and courageous sacrifices can soften the Father’s anger.”

    Liked by 6 people

    1. At first I thought the cup was the cup if sin but later learned it is the cup of God’s anger. It seems Mary cannot hold it back without our full cooperation – even then it may not be possible. But even in death Mary will always be our refuge and will save us through Jesus in the end. She will keep her promise: “I alone can still save you from the calamities which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved.”

      Liked by 1 person

      1. PD. It was the most blatant no-call pass interference play I’ve ever seen. I am just a casual observer and not a big fan of either of the teams but this error clearly helped decide the outcome of the game. At minimum these referees should never work a playoff game again. If this call would have happened against my Pittsburgh Steelers, a pox befalling them and their families would be in order. 😉

        Liked by 2 people

  16. Charlie:

    Having lived in New England my entire life, (most of it less than fifteen miles from the stadium) the Patriots are of course my favorites.
    Last year the Super Bowl was a trying time. My oldest daughter’s husband, who grew up in Pennsylvania coal country, is a life long Eagles fan. The tension going into the game was extreme. After the game, we have not spoken of the event again.
    At least, in our family, the competition will not be as dramatic this year.

    One a more serious note:

    Prior to the 2016 election my wife and I were having a discussion with friends who, though committed Christians, were voting for Clinton, because Trump made them uneasy. (I was not a Trump supporter, but I knew I was not voting for Clinton.) I protested that regardless of any other issue, Clinton was an avid supporter of abortion. As we were arguing, a picture came to my mind of the blood of millions of children spilled out on the soil of the United States. That blood called for justice. I visualized the justice due to our country for this great holocaust. When I shared these thoughts the “discussion” ended.

    I pray for our country, We have much of which we need to repent. May God be merciful and not treat us as our sins deserve.

    May this abomination be soon removed from our midst.

    JT

    Liked by 10 people

    2. As I was speaking to a fellow Catholic(and liberal) about how the blood of the aborted babies cry out for justice and is on all of us in the USA. She was adamant that the justice won’t touch her. I was dumbfounded. She said because she doesn’t believe abortion is ok but keeps voting democrat and will only be judged for her individual beliefs, etc. I don’t even know how to respond to this. There is such a disconnect.

      Liked by 7 people

      1. HTTP, that reminds me of a conversation we were having a while back with a 95 year old lady at a Parish pancake breakfast. Conversation got around to politics and she said she voted Democrat. We asked her how she could do that with their history of promoting abortion? She replied, “Oh, there are so many more important things than that!” Really???

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Diane, If our Bishops and Cardinals fail to excommunicate “Catholic” politicians who support abortion and homosexual marriage we shouldn’t be surprised that many of the laity think it must be OK to vote for such politicians. Even the Knights of Columbus allow pro-abortion “Catholic” politicians to be members in good standing. Given this I don’t find this woman’s attitude surprising.

          Liked by 4 people

          1. And Diane, I don’t know your parish but when was the last time your priest preached that abortion was a mortal sin, and that anyone who supports or furthers abortion such as by voting for abortionists, is complicit in this sin? If I go to my doctor and tell him I smoke 4 packs of cigarettes a day and he fails to strongly chastise me that my health is in danger I might conclude that smoking may not be that bad after all.

            Liked by 3 people

            1. Well Dave, in our last church, before we moved here two years ago, we had very conservative Pastors who really told it like it was. Here our Pastor is quite liberal and won’t discuss abortion at all. We’re lucky that he lets our Secular Franciscans set up tables and pass out Pro Life literature one month out of the year. People in our church are about 50% conservative and 50% liberal.

              Liked by 1 person

    3. My husband and I were both uneasy about Trump too. However, we both knew too much of Hillary Clinton’s history. Then there was Uranium One and the email scandal. But most of all abortion was the consistent sore thumb. We even had a priest say from the altar, “Catholics cannot vote for anyone who supports abortion on any level for any reason and remain truly a follower of Christ”. I was glad to hear him say it but it was already in my heart. Even after Charlie said that HRC would not be president, you could have knocked me over with a feather went President Trump won. Even more of the left’s socialist anti Christian agenda has been uncovered even in our own beloved church. (Although I wonder why anyone was surprised by the AB Vigano charges when one only has to note the state of our universities like Norte Dame, Georgetown, Holy Cross, etc.)

      Liked by 7 people

  17. Wow…just excellent Charlie on so many fronts! I am so grateful for your pastor and he seeing the essential need to make Catholic education affordable to traditional Catholic families again. This was for many generations a parish (and family) priority. Currently, in my diocese (Atlanta) the tuition for one child in elementary school can be $8,000. For high school, it is at least $12,000. This is simply out of reach for many Catholic families and has really been so destructive to the culture of our Catholic schools and families. The result is, it has turned the Archdiocese Catholic schools into mere affluent, private schools and secular, anti-God public education as the affordable alternative. Both are devastating to our children and church.

    Thanks again Charlie for your insights and words of perseverance.

    Liked by 8 people

  19. More articles from MILINET and Saturday Surfing. Some Good & Hopeful 😉
    I sure wish somebody here could tell me … HOW!!?? …. the Genocidal Abortion Movement became such a Global Powerhouse able to literally Take-Over and set the agenda for politicians, Media and particularly The Democrat Party USA …. though there are more than a few RINOs in the evil cabal.
    My only reasonable explanation is Satanic!!

    Montana Sen. Steve Daines Launches Pro-Life Caucus in Senate
    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/18/montana-sen-steve-daines-launches-pro-life-caucus-senate/

    Sen. Paul Reintroduces ‘Life at Conception Act’ and Bill to End Planned Parenthood Funding
    https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/sen-paul-reintroduces-life-conception-act-and-bill-end-funding

    Black Democratic Lawmaker Says She Fights for Life, Because She’s ‘a Christian First’
    https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-arter/black-democratic-lawmaker-says-she-fights-life-because-shes-christian

    Paul Kengor: Marching for Life and Countering Roe’s Death Escorts
    https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/dr-paul-kengor/paul-kengor-marching-life-and-countering-roe-v-wades-death-escorts

    PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Unborn Lives Lifted Up at Annual March for Life
    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/18/photos-videos-unborn-lives-lifted-up-at-annual-march-for-life/

    Rev. Graham: No. 1 Problem is ‘Our Gov’t’ Has ‘Removed God’ From Halls of Congress
    https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/rev-graham-no-1-problem-our-govt-has-removed-god-halls-congress

    Love Is Not Hate–DAVID FRENCH
    https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/01/karen-pence-christianity-love-not-hate/

    Ben Shapiro loses second sponsor after March for Life speech
    https://thehill.com/homenews/media/426141-ben-shapiro-loses-second-sponsor-after-march-for-life-speech

    Laura Ingraham: Big questions about life and viability face the Supreme Court over ailing Bader Ginsburg
    https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/laura-ingraham-big-questions-about-life-and-viability-face-the-supreme-court-over-ailing-bader-ginsburg

    #EWTN4Life: Help Fight the Secular Media’s Pro-Life Blackout!
    http://www.ewtn.com/wings/2019/011719.htm

    California discriminated against pro-life pregnancy centers, Trump administration finds
    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/california-discriminated-against-pro-life-pregnancy-centers-trump-administr

    CNN Anchor Asks: Does It Matter That Taxpayers Pay for Karen Pence’s Security When She Teaches at Christian School?
    https://freebeacon.com/culture/cnn-questions-christian-education/

    Taxpayers Funded Shrinks Who Deem Masculinity Harmful to Health
    https://freebeacon.com/issues/taxpayers-funded-shrinks-who-deem-masculinity-harmful-to-health/

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 8 people

  20. I love this! Let us be in union of prayer with two dedicated prelates, Cardinal Gerhard Müller and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, as they, on Sunday January 20, bless the Church and the world with an image of the Holy Face of Jesus. There are many versions of the image used in connection with the devotion to Jesus’ Holy Face. The one venerated in the Basilica del Volto Santo in Manoppello, Italy is considered by many to be a miraculous image of the Holy Face of Jesus – called by Saint Padre Pio “the greatest miracle we have.” (Smiling now, Friends. Surely St. Pio employs hyperbole in his assessment of the image. Jesus also used hyperbole to get our attention. Must be a family trait as His Mother, too, uses hyperbole to describe the various prayers and devotions which she has brought to us. For certain, it is the faith and love with which we take up these ways of appealing to God for His help which must please Him.)

    One of this site’s patrons, Saint Therese of Lisieux, was also very dedicated to this devotion, which prompted her to take the name, “Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face”. This devotion was universally practiced before World War I but has since become scarcely known.

    A simple prayer from the heart or, perhaps, a visit to this site, linked here, for an already composed prayer would be a beautiful way to pray in solidarity tomorrow with and for our Church and our world.

    Full article on this report is found here.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Praise God for Cardinal Muller and the Archbishop! It would be wonderful to see more public appeals by members of the hierarchy for Heavenly help utilising the gifts already given us by Our Lord, Blessed Mother and the angels and saints. I am sure there are many Cardinals and Bishops who privately have their special devotions but our poor world is floundering – now is a great time to ‘come out’ so to speak, and reveal to all that it is wise, and not superstitious, to engage, and show our gratitude, for these gifts.

      The laity are freer (an individual cost I guess, rather than involving the ‘face’ of the worldwide church) it seems to reach out. I remember this Irish project from a couple of years ago with ‘The Holy Face’ https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/hli-irelands-astonishing-holy-face-project

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Giving great thanks for the various prayer initiatives which have been brought to the fore in these recent years, I still have a dream, Karen, for a worldwide Rosary Crusade. Just imagine what Our Lady could do with that. Of course, if, indeed, the Lady of All Nations’ messages are authentic ( and they do bear the full approval of the local ordinary) I also dream of the declaration of the Fifth Marian Dogma. This doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do; but we’d surely have more supernatural power infused into our efforts.

        Liked by 5 people

    2. There’s an excellent book on the Holy Veil of Manopello by a German journalist, Paul Badde. “The Face of God”. It’s a real investigation of everything concerning the veil, including fascinating details of its actual physical composition, and very well written in an accessible and entertaining way. I’d thoroughly recommend it. https://www.ignatius.com/The-Face-of-God-P690.aspx

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Looks good, J. The link was somehow broken so I simply searched the Ignatius site and edited by replacing a complete link. Let me know if that’s what you intended, J.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That’s the very one, Beckita! Thanks, didn’t realise the whole link wasn’t there. I posted the Ignatius Press one rather than Amazon because… well, we should support our own! There’s also an eBook available.

          Blessings to all, J.

          Liked by 3 people

  21. My husband and I were extremely blessed a few years ago when on Pilgrimage we got to visit the Basilica del Volto Santo in Manoppello, Italy. There we venerated and adored the Holy Face of Jesus. A framed copy of His Holy Face sits in our home. So wonderful that Cdl. Muller and AB Cordileone will bless the Church and the world with it!

    Liked by 6 people

  22. Re: Short Takes:

    1. “It is ironic that the most smugly self-righteous generation in our nation’s history will likely be looked at with revulsion by future generations for having knowingly perpetrated one of the great atrocities of history.”

    Don’t know about the whole generation thing. It’s those guys on the 1973 Supreme Court who have the most accountability IMO. The Warren Burger court. 9 Old Men in Black Robes.

    6 Republican appointed justices. 3 Democrat appointed Justices. 7-2 Decision.

    The 7. 2 Democrats Thurgood Marshall appointed by Kennedy and William O. Douglas appointed by Roosevelt voted with 5 Conservative Republicans … Warren Burger appointed by Nixon, Henry Blackmun appointed by Nixon, William Brennan appointed by Eisenhower, Potter Stewart appointed by Eisenhower and Lewis Powell appointed by Nixon … to foist this disaster on the United States.

    The 2. 1 Democrat Byron “Whizzer” White appointed by Kennedy. 1 Republican William Rehnquist appointed by Nixon.

    Those 5 Republicans and 2 Democrats in the majority on Roe v. Wade won’t have any statues erected to them in the future and any that exist at present are going to get the Robert E. Lee treatment.

    Whizzer White’s dissent:

    “I find nothing in the language or history of the Constitution to support the Court’s judgment. The Court simply fashions and announces a new constitutional right for pregnant women and, with scarcely any reason or authority for its action, invests that right with sufficient substance to override most existing state abortion statutes.

    The upshot is that the people and the legislatures of the 50 States are constitutionally disentitled to weigh the relative importance of the continued existence and development of the fetus, on the one hand, against a spectrum of possible impacts on the woman, on the other hand.

    As an exercise of raw judicial power, the Court perhaps has authority to do what it does today; but, in my view, its judgment is an improvident and extravagant exercise of the power of judicial review that the Constitution extends to this Court.”

    White asserted that the Court “values the convenience of the pregnant mother more than the continued existence and development of the life or potential life that she carries.”

    Though he suggested that he “might agree” with the Court’s values and priorities, he wrote that he saw “no constitutional warrant for imposing such an order of priorities on the people and legislatures of the States.”

    White criticized the Court for involving itself in the issue of abortion by creating “a constitutional barrier to state efforts to protect human life and by investing mothers and doctors with the constitutionally protected right to exterminate it.” He would have left this issue, for the most part, “with the people and to the political processes the people have devised to govern their affairs.”

    God Bless You Whizzer. Democrat. For bucking the cultural trend in1973. What John F. Kennedy or his ghost writer might term “A Profile in Courage”. RIP.

    2. “It strikes me that Robert Mueller was not granted subpoena powers so much as he was issued hunting licenses – to get anyone associated with Donald Trump by any means necessary …. I think he is the dirtiest, most corrupt cop in our nation’s history to hold such a high-ranking position.”

    Concur.

    I heard Joe DiGenova describe what Mueller did at 7:30 PM last night, debunking the Buzzfeed calumny against President Trump, as … covering his *ss and no great act of moral courage or intellectual rectitude on his part. DiGenova described it as the “Bill Barr Effect”. Barr is likely to be confirmed as the new AG in coming days. Despite his “BFF” relationship with Mueller, DiGenova said that Barr’s first question to Mueller will be if the Buzzfeed story was true. And if not, why didn’t he state that publicly rather than let the hoax damage the Presidency and the country. Then he would have fired him on the spot. Mueller had no choice. Personally, I think Barr put in a phone call to his friend Mueller and asked him the question unofficially stating what he would do. Mueller took the hint. Mueller and his posse of Trump Hating Democrats are no paragons of objectivity dedicated to the Truth.

    3. “Strange to me to see so many “feminist” women so eager to attack, during sunny weather, that which is their greatest protection in stormy weather. How often we call forth our own doom thinking it only applies to others.”

    Concur.

    What is strange to me is how these young “feminists” in their teens, twenties and thirties out in the weather today in DC supporting “The Women’s March” — choosing — and putting their souls at extreme risk by advocating and advancing the sin of abortion — fail to see what the effects have been on the lives of their sisters in their forties and even their fifties.

    The number of depressed women seeking a “normal” life and a “good man” to make a family with is a sad and I would say yuuuge unremarked upon consequence of the success of the “feminist movement” in my lifetime. These are sad fish seeking a bicycle that is no longer available to them. Many tears and much angst and a whole lot of “what’s wrong with me?” lamentation from many, many older women with a lot of regrets.

    4. “For the first 300 years of Christianity, to publicly confess Christ as Lord was a capital crime throughout the Roman Empire. Even so, the faith grew and flourished. Men and women would give their lives to live this doctrine which gave profound, transcendent meaning to life beyond the transient scrabble for power and influence that so pre-occupied the Romans. We will survive, we will thrive, we will flourish as we each recollect that we are called to boldly proclaim Christ and His teaching even unto death. We have to choose – and that is what God is reminding us of every time He allows things to grow dark around us.”

    Concur.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome#Religion_and_politics

    “For at least a century before the establishment of the Augustan principate, Jews and Judaism were tolerated in Rome by diplomatic treaty with Judaea’s Hellenised elite. Diaspora Jews had much in common with the overwhelmingly Hellenic or Hellenised communities that surrounded them.

    Judaea’s enrollment as a client kingdom in 63 BC increased the Jewish diaspora; in Rome, this led to closer official scrutiny of their religion. Their synagogues were recognised as legitimate collegia by Julius Caesar. By the Augustan era, the city of Rome was home to several thousand Jews.

    In some periods under Roman rule, Jews were legally exempt from official sacrifice, under certain conditions. Judaism was a superstitio to Cicero, but the Church Father Tertullian described it as religio licita (an officially permitted religion) in contrast to Christianity.

    Roman investigations into early Christianity found it an irreligious, novel, disobedient, even atheistic sub-sect of Judaism: it appeared to deny all forms of religion and was therefore superstitio. By the end of the Imperial era, Nicene Christianity was the one permitted Roman religio; all other cults were heretical or pagan superstitiones.

    After the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, Emperor Nero accused the Christians as convenient scapegoats, who were later persecuted and killed.

    From that point on, Roman official policy towards Christianity tended towards persecution. During the various Imperial crises of the 3rd century, “contemporaries were predisposed to decode any crisis in religious terms”, regardless of their allegiance to particular practices or belief systems.

    Christianity drew its traditional base of support from the powerless, who seemed to have no religious stake in the well-being of the Roman State, and therefore threatened its existence. The majority of Rome’s elite continued to observe various forms of inclusive Hellenistic monism; Neoplatonism in particular accommodated the miraculous and the ascetic within a traditional Graeco-Roman cultic framework. Christians saw these practices as ungodly, and a primary cause of economic and political crisis.

    Valerian singled out Christianity as a particularly self-interested and subversive foreign cult, outlawed its assemblies and urged Christians to sacrifice to Rome’s traditional gods. In another edict, he described Christianity as a threat to Empire – not yet at its heart but close to it, among Rome’s equites and Senators. Christian apologists interpreted his eventual fate – a disgraceful capture and death – as divine judgement.”

    Do we see the irony here? The Romans found Christianity to be …..irreligious, novel, disobedient, even atheistic … it appeared to deny all forms of religion and was therefore superstitio.

    Pope Benedict asked the question “What was it that Jesus brought to Judaism?” Answer: He brought INCLUSIVITY in the sense that Kingdom of God was not simply for the Jews but for the whole world. For all mankind. The Jews had a sense that the promises and the Torah and the Kingdom of God was for the Jews only. Judaism of the 1st Century was EXCLUSIVE. The idea that Jesus was the new Moses and that his Halakha and the Gospel of the Good News of redemption and salvation for all mankind threatened the Torah of Moses and the Mishna of milenia of Jewish tradition and way of life. Jesus threatened everything Jewish.

    How ironic then that Romans had a problem with Christ and the Christians for exactly the opposite reason. They viewed Christ and the Christians as EXCLUSIVE in that they rejected all those pagan gods and the way of life of the Empire. Jesus and his Christians threatened everything Roman.

    And today? In America today we are rolling back to the Roman view of Christ and Christians especially those in the Catholic Church. Rigid. Bigoted. Exclusive and intolerant. Hypocritical. Unwilling to accept the all -American values of the Church of What’s Happening Now. Sex, drugs and rock n roll. Abortion. Same Sex Marriage. Transgenderism. Secularism. The pursuit of pleasure in the Cathedrals of Hollywood, Las Vegas an Wall St.

    We see the Roman reaction to the threat to “normalcy” that Christ and the Christians represented. Persecution of those odd, insensitive and intolerant bigots.

    The Christians, and their treatment, became the tools of political advantage. Pawns in the political struggle to blame someone, anyone, conveniently at hand for the transitory unpleasant realities of the day. It’s those Christians fault.

    The irony that the Romans were all inclusive in their religious beliefs … you could worship the ants and it made no difference to them …. and took political advantage of the beliefs of those who followed the ONE TRUE GOD as exclusive bigots out of step with “Roman Values” … should serve as a warning of what is to come in America. From a culture that would put the Roman baths to shame.

    We are in the Storm.

    5. “….. I have been rooting for the Chiefs. This Sunday, the Chiefs play the New England Patriots for the American Conference Championship. The winner goes on to the Super Bowl. I only have one thing to say: Go Chiefs!”

    Nonconcur.

    We are everywhere behind every bush and tree. Silently watching and waiting. Waiting to spring the surprise. Go Patriots!

    Liked by 4 people

  23. I do wish I could send my boys to private Catholic school but it will cost me more than $14K per year for both of them. We opted to move to an area where the public school is “better”. It is in a more expensive area but even with the increase in mortgage payments, it was still cheaper than private school tuition…. We also know that we are on “borrowed” time as we will have to think of other options when they get to middle school age….

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Teach your children values at home and show them how to live those values. Give them the facts via books re abortion and all anti-Christian acts. This will impress them more than what any teacher has to say. There are groups that study the Bible. Join these groups and go with them. Pray as a family. As a teacher, I know the apple usually does not fall far from the tree.

      Liked by 4 people

    3. Dear TL: Years ago my friend and neighbor had a son who had learning problems and those problems were NOT being addressed in public school. Now for various reasons they thought his needs would be better addressed in public school. Or at least that was the educational “thinking” at that time that Catholic school could not address kids who learned differently. My friend had been a Catholic school teacher 10 years before her marriage. She was a stay at home Mom. But she also knew he needed help. My point to her was that she could keep him in public school and he probably would never get through college or spend the money on the tuition now with a college degree in the future. To my surprise they meet with admissions of one of the most academically intense Catholic high schools in the area. The school had a pre Freshman year summer school. And they started.
      She bought a blackboard and chalk. For two years she retaught the lessons of the day. This school has a 3 year Latin plus a 3 year Foreign Language requrement. Those kids have 7 courses a day for 4 years. By his junior year he was on his own. He graduated from Fordum University and lives and works in DC today. Now I’m not saying going to Catholic school is a guarantee that a child will remain Catholic but it will train their brains, it takes entire family commitment. It will set their sails. Three years later I sent a son to this school. It was years without night time TV but it was worth all the $$ and time.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Plus one of the most important added points of a Catholic school is the socialization. The older kids are taught to take care of the younger ones. They are taught to be Men or women for others. They are taught that bullying is wrong and a sin. My son was socially inept and had been bullied in public school. The first time someone in his freshman class tried this on him a senior saw it; collared the bully and told him “We don’t do this here”. It never happened again. His four years there are his best memories (until his marriage and children).

        Liked by 5 people

        1. I would say that it depends on the school. We have a very expensive prep school in the area, $9,000 per year, and very bright people attend. My friend, a good Catholic whose children are also good Catholics, sent her daughter there. The daughter did not want to stay because the kids were snooty and spoiled. Anyone whose parent was not a doctor or lawyer, for example, was looked down upon. There was also the usual drugs and alcohol……You have to do your homework. Please take note that I am not putting down Catholic school, but not all Catholic school are equal. That is my point.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. I would agree with you that elements of what you said are true in all high schools regardless of its mission statement. The school I sent my son to was a mix of doctors’and lawyers’ kids but also heavily police and fire persons’ kids and a smattering from the middle class. It is an inner city school. Boy’s travel there from 5 counties. The first week of school the parents were hauled in to discuss alcohol and drugs. They told us to look in the mirror and start practicing the word “NO”. They warned if a party is held at your house even unknown to you and someone is hurt or drive from that party and is in an accident, then you will be sued by those parents. Not all of them were geniuses. Many struggled. But the struggle set their sails. They learned to work. Expectations were set high. There was weekly Mass and daily early Mass. (Imagine 800 boys of various puberty levels all at Mass). Mothers and fathers were everywhere on campus more or less depending on the time day.

            Liked by 2 people

  24. One more thing….I sent my child to Catholic school. He learned his Bible and the basics well. (ie, cursive, English grammar) However, because he went to a smaller school, he was unable to get classes that large public schools could offer in the way of advanced mathematics, Java and other computer languages, and much more. He was much behind other students when he went to the university. Note that Catholic schools accept those students who have been expelled from public school. There are drug deals done at the lunch table. My son grew up with good, strong Catholic values. I was sure to get him to Mass every Sunday and live the Catholic teachings. He became a leader, not a follower. And he fully rejected all the unseemly stuff that was going on in society. Just because one goes to Catholic school, that does not then mean that they will become a strong Catholic. Everything starts in the home and that has much more of an impact than the teachers in school. See what friends he makes at school. Invite them to dinner or something. It will speak volumes of how he/she is doing.

    Liked by 7 people

  25. Thank you, Charlie, for your clear thinking and insightful articles. I expect that no one here has read as many books as you have. Your comments on the history of the Church and history in general are much appreciated. Oh, yes, I have many books on Catholicism and the lives of saints I admire. As someone with a long term illness, I just try to do the things God puts on front of me on a daily basis. There are many people who are counting on me, and few whom I can count on. Yes, my son is very, very good and he will always do what he can. But he has a special needs child and he is always running to doctors, school, etc., and his current job is not paying well at all……He will come to shovel today and see that I am OK in this snowstorm. God blessed me with a wonderful son. I just wish that the did not have so much on his plate. Whatever reward we are given for living a Christian life and loving Christ, I can see that it certainly does not happen here. But I guess the story of Job was meant to tell us that. 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

  26. Good verse/thoughts for Times Ahead!

    HeartLight Daily Verse – 20 Jan

    James 1:2-3
    Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

    Thoughts on today’s verse:
    “Hang in there!” There are few traits more important than perseverance. Most important accomplishments in life happen because of perseverance. Most luck occurs when we’ve perservered long enough for the “magical moment” to come along. Edison said it best, life’s greatest feats, the world’s greatest discoveries, his own most fantastic inventions were “1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” “Hang in there!” and see the glory of God come through in you!

    Prayer:
    Unchangeable and Unshakeable God, through the friends you have sent into my life and by the power of your gift, the Holy Spirit, help me to stand up under trial and prove my character true with perseverance when under fire. Give my faith courage and endurance so that my life shows forth your enduring strength. Through him who remained faithul unto death, I pray. Amen.
    Visit heartlight.org for more

    & ;-(

    March for Life Art Contrasts with Vulgar Signs at Women’s March in 30 Photos
    https://www.nationalreview.com/news/march-for-life-art-contrasts-with-vulgar-signs-at-womens-march-in-30-photos/

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 5 people

  27. I was appalled at the news story re the Native American/Catholic students encounter at the March for Life on Friday. This article shows another viewpoint:
    https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/01/20/critics-covington-maga-critics-push-back-against-portrayal-of-catholic-high-school-as-racist-to-native-american/
    (almost seems as if wearing the infamous red hat makes one a target to be put in compromising situations on video…and provoke consternation.)

    Liked by 8 people

      2. I’d like to say explicitly that a complete video of the incident shows that the students were innocently minding their own business and that the activist was clearly the aggressor. The MSM is once again, alas, failing to live up to its First-Amendment-privileged code of honor. Thank God for Citizen Journalists.

        Liked by 10 people

        1. Yes, I saw the full thing, Sr. Bear. The establishment media – and some conservative sites too eager to be servile – have decreed that if you are Catholic you have NO right to defend yourself from aggression. What a bunch of fascists the left AND the establishment media are. (And hey, you clowns on the right who are so eager to please your leftist overlords, try looking at the evidence before licking the fascist boots and condemning people under attack defending themselves.)

          Liked by 12 people

          1. By the way, the activist is apparently a member of the American Indian Movement. Many (most?) American Indians have no connection to that movement or its tactics. I would not like for his behavior to tarnish the reputations of all Indians.

            Liked by 6 people

    2. Marie, I was horrified too. In two days this lad was trending under #CovingtonCatholic, #CatholicChurch he was labeled as MAGA and Catholic, today they’ve added #Pro-life, of course. I’ve seen no less than 1/2 dozen photos of the #Indigenous man (agitator) pictured in other protests/events sponsored by the resistance, and several amateur videos of the actual confrontation from the man to the boy in the crowd.
      Sadly the boy, his school and Diocese have been doxed and are kowtowing to the media pressure brought on by print and social media fake news combatants. I’ve read an apology made on behalf of the lad put out by the Diocese already as I was calling for the clergy and/or bishop to come to his defense.

      http://ccky.org/2019/01/statement-on-the-actions-of-covington-catholic-high-school-students/

      Liked by 9 people

  29. I’ve had a Bad-Feeling since the Uncle Ted Revelations that the SA Angle was coming ….. and it’s ALWAYS the Cover-up that’s the “Killer” ;-(
    Pope Francis has been mostly a “Darling” of the Global Left Media but that will change very quickly if they sense “blood in de H2O” and can do serious damage to The Catholic Church with negative reportage!

    Report: Pope Francis knew about Argentina bishop’s sexual misconduct prior to Vatican promotion
    https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/breaking-pope-francis-knew-about-argentina-bishops-sexual-misconduct-prior

    ….. and the above “Sorta-Thang” allows FringeLeftists to have a Free-Fire Zone with US!!:

    SEN. HIRONO DOUBLES DOWN ON ANTI-CATHOLIC STANCE
    https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/19/hirono-doubles-down-anti-catholic-stance/

    Hollywood Producer Calls For the Murder of Covington Catholic Kids: ‘Go Screaming – Into the WOODCHIPPER’
    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/01/hollywood-producer-calls-for-covington-catholic-kids-to-go-screaming-into-the-woodchipper/

    … time may well be coming soon when you will have to choose ….

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. God bless and protect our good Bishop Scharfenberger here in Albany. He has been strong in the promotion for life since coming to Albany. We are thankful.

      Liked by 5 people

  31. I have just been watching a program on TV about a undertakers business here in New Zealand. Someone placed a plastic troll in the office of one of the employees as a play to new age sentiment. She removed it and when asked why she said on camera ‘I have Jesus, I have my crucifix, that is all I need.” What a witness.

    Liked by 5 people

  33. I’ve read a interesting selection of articles, that say most of what is taught about stars & our sun is false. Stars & our sun are NOT giant balls of gas, and that theory doesn’t explain solar cycles & the spectrum of light it gives off. Solar theory was created at a time when humanity thought matter only had 3 states. The 4th state of matter is plasma and gives off light like a arc welder.

    Some stars observed in astronomy produce a frequent phenomena

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Some stars observed in astronomy produce a frequent phenomena termed a micronova, which is a mass ejection of dust & material from the sun which is enough to blot out the stars and make the sky dark.

      The reason why bring these things up is globalist elite believe a micronova event will soon happen with our own sun, which is why the global elite are so desperate to seize power with the anti-God left, because they want to save their own asses and leave everyone else die. This also means “climate change” & “global warming” are fake and probably a just slush fund for the global elite.

      Like I said, this is what the globalist elite believe in, and probably explains the puzzling counter-moves Trump makes…

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Wow Al, I’m impressed you mentioned the micronova phenomenon. The Elite’s guarded secret for sure. In fact the Elite suppress as much information as possible relating to any of the catastrophe theories. The CIA classified a book by Chan Thomas on this subject but were forced a few years ago to release it through a Freedom of Information Act directive. The version released was declassified but sanitized. It’s available on the internet in PDF. Interesting times we are living in.

        Liked by 5 people

        1. I don’t remember how I stumbled on the micronova topic, but I did some more digging and uncovered a whole rat’s nest. The most disturbing part isn’t the micronova, but the fact the global elite were so willing to hide it, and sacrifice everyone else over it while building underground bunkers, and blame climate change on the people when it’s actually the sun, calling them dirty rotten scumbags is being too polite…

          As for whether this is a real or imagined danger, I wonder by what the visionaries of Garabandal & medjugorje meant when they mentioned “it will be too late for some when the sign happens…”.

          The earth’s weather is gyrating because our sun is gyrating, not because of our co2 emissions, this much is a fact, I’m not sure what to think about the rest, it looks like the missing puzzle piece that would connect a lot of dots, but is it?

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Yes Al I agree, CO2 is not the problem. We are entering a Grand Solar Minimum Cycle. Some scientists that I respect, suggest it will be worse than the Maunder Minimum of the 17th century and the mini-ice age it ushered in. These diabolical idiots are screaming global warming while temperatures over the next decade are about to plummet.

            Liked by 2 people

            1. BD and Al, I should probably be terrified by your discussion of micronovas and the Grand Solar Minimum Cycle; but I’m finding it really fascinating. Any suggestions or links in some articles or (not too scholarly) books that I could read on these topics?

              Liked by 1 person

              1. Sorry for the delay Mick, but somehow I stopped getting email notifications of posts. Start with Suspicious Observers on Youtube, it will give you some ideas of what may be happening.

                Liked by 1 person

                    1. Thanks, BD; I’ll take a look. I hope they’re written at a simpler level than that of the videos you recommended, though. I watched the first 2 of the Earth Catastrophy Cycle series, and I was mostly lost. I’ll keep trying, though; something is bound to stick. 🙂

                      Liked by 1 person

            2. Dr’s Singer and Avery I have spoken of before. Here is an article describing the future of the Earth as posed by historical evidence. Singer states the neanderthals, mainly subsisting on hunter – gatherer succumbed to the environment. Yet, in our technological advances, nuclear energy, heat, water purification systems etc (my interpretation: think NASA, living a small square footprint etc) some humans may survive.

              https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/07/the_next_ice_age_comments.html#disqus_thread

              Liked by 1 person

  35. Oh man, Charlie and all here at ASOH… what an absolute bummer for KC Chiefs last night! Drats! So close! I was praying my Hail Marys for the win, but I guess it was not meant to be… Did anyone else feel the calls were unusually bad btw??? ;-(

    Like

    1. The calls are always bad and the refs & umpires are always atrocious when one’s team loses. The trouble is that the history books will never include an asterisk noting that fact.

      Like

  36. We are a Church being disciplined by the Lord. Nothing to fear, for the Church will rise in splendor again. But we are suffering. How often in salvation history, God has allowed our enemies – and, sometimes, our enemies are within the Church herself – to scourge His people (us) and bring them (us) to our knees.

    Zmirak: U.S. Gov’t Should Cut Off Federal Funds to Catholic Charities After Sex Abuse Scandal
    https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2019/01/20/zmirak-u-s-govt-should-cut-off-federal-funds-to-catholic-charities-after-sex-abuse-scandal/

    Pope Francis Knew His Protégé Took Nude Selfies, Abused Seminarians; But Promoted Him to Top Vatican Post
    https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/01/20/pope-francis-knew-his-protege-took-nude-selfies-abused-seminarians-but-promoted-him-to-top-vatican-post/

    A very interesting book shall be this soon to be released one:
    In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy Hardcover – February 21, 2019
    by Frederic Martel (Author), Shaun Whiteside (Translator)

    “In the Closet of the Vatican exposes the rot at the heart of the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church today. This brilliant piece of investigative writing is based on four years’ authoritative research, including extensive interviews with those in power.

    The celibacy of priests, the condemnation of the use of contraceptives, countless cases of sexual abuse, the resignation of Benedict XVI, misogyny among the clergy, the dramatic fall in Europe of the number of vocations to the priesthood, the plotting against Pope Francis – all these issues are clouded in mystery and secrecy.

    In the Closet of the Vatican is a book that reveals these secrets and penetrates this enigma. It derives from a system founded on a clerical culture of secrecy which starts in junior seminaries and continues right up to the Vatican itself. It is based on the double lives of priests and on extreme homophobia. The resulting schizophrenia in the Church is hard to fathom. But the more a prelate is homophobic, the more likely it is that he is himself gay.

    “Behind rigidity there is always something hidden, in many cases a double life.” These are the words of Pope Francis himself and with them, the Pope has unlocked the Closet. No one can claim to really understand the Catholic Church today until they have read this book. It reveals a truth that is extraordinary and disturbing.”

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Re the above article about proposed defunding of federal monies to Catholic Charities:
      Granted, this is an old study, but federal funding should also cut off funds to public schools for their past/present scandals by teachers of minors.
      https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/forgotten-study-abuse-in-school-100-times-worse-than-by-priests

      Furthermore, perhaps Planned Parenthood should be included:
      https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/7/lawmakers-call-for-probe-of-planned-parenthood-and/

      Liked by 3 people

      3. The City of Philadelphia headed by a Catholic high school graduated mayor has blocked placement of children to foster care in any Catholic Charities affiliated home. His stated reason is to force these CC agencies to place children into homosexual homes. Many of the CC homes were run by African American Catholics and had been fostering children for decades. I wonder if this mayor is even aware of the AB Vigano letters. 91% of the sexual abuse was homosexual on teens and young seminarians. The MSM and this mayor will continue to lie and politically obscure this fact and subject children to this abuse for the sake of their false dogma. The left has never admitted to the victims there lies and policies create. The sacrificial souls to Ba’al continues.

        Liked by 3 people

  37. God works in mysterious ways. One of those mysterious ways is how God often turns evil into good.

    The attempted social destruction of this young high school junior Nick Sandmann from Covington, Ky is a case in point IMO.

    Thinking on MLK’s movement today. Thinking about Rosa Parks. Thinking about her role in bringing attention to the problem of racism and segregation. And in bringing attention to a new young minister named Martin Luther King.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Parks

    “On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks rejected bus driver James F. Blake’s order to relinquish her seat in the “colored section” to a white passenger, after the whites-only section was filled. Parks was not the first person to resist bus segregation, but the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) believed that she was the best candidate for seeing through a court challenge after her arrest for civil disobedience in violating Alabama segregation laws. Parks’ prominence in the community and her willingness to become a controversial figure inspired the black community to boycott the Montgomery buses for over a year, the first major direct action campaign of the post-war civil rights movement.

    Parks’ act of defiance and the Montgomery bus boycott became important symbols of the movement. She became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. She organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including Edgar Nixon, president of the local chapter of the NAACP; and Martin Luther King, Jr., a new minister in Montgomery who gained national prominence in the civil rights movement and went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize.”

    An international icon of resistance to racial segregation.

    Now, I am not saying that Nick Sandmann is Rosa Parks. But like Rosa Parks this young man stood his ground. And, like it or not, he has been thrust into the role of something of an icon. I think it is no mistake that this was only a national story jumped on by the main stream media because Sandmann was part of a CATHOLIC group, some but not all, wearing MAGA hats at the Pro -Life March.

    This looks a whole lot like a setup. To put Catholics into the role of racist haters. The activists with a cell phone moved in to create the event for the media. MAGA hats. Pro -Life. Catholics. Bait them into a reaction. In football the penalty is on the player who reacts. They tried to draw a negative reaction by getting right up into this boy’s face. It was a setup.

    If you are going to persecute a whole group of people you have to use a broad brush. You have to label them something awful that is to be hated with a righteous hatred. You have to claim the moral high ground, by hook or by crook, and demonize your “enemy”. Classic Saul Alinsky.

    A word that Alinsky used over and over again is the word ACTION. He defined POWER as the ability to Act. People who dare to Act are powerful people. See Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. Action is the life blood of mass organization.

    “Organizations must be based on many issues. Organizations need ACTION as an individual needs oxygen. The cessation of ACTION brings death to the organization through factionalism and inaction, through dialogues and conferences that are actually a form of rigor mortis rather than life.
    It is impossible to maintain constant ACTION on a single issue. A single issue is a fatal strait jacket that will stifle the life of an organization. Furthermore, a single issue drastically limits your appeal, where multiple issues would draw in many potential members essential to the building of a broad, mass-based organization.”
    Saul Alinsky

    “The tenth rule of Tactics: The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.

    It is this unceasing pressure that results in the REACTIONS from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign. It should be remembered not only that the ACTION IS IN THE REACTION but that the action is itself the consequence of reaction and of reaction to the reaction, ad infinitum.

    THE PRESSURE PRODUCES THE REACTION, and constant pressure sustains ACTION.”
    Saul Alinsky

    Undoubtedly this Philip Nathan native American activist has been schooled in Alinsky principles. Whatever else you think about him know that he has POWER. He has power because he is WILLING TO ACT. He is skilled because he quietly knows that as Alinsky taught the ACTION IS THE REACTION that the media produced with its biased video.

    Activists and Media United. Very, very powerful and dangerous and ominous for American Catholics.

    God works in mysterious ways. By standing his ground in the face of the pressure exerted by this native American to deliberately provoke a propaganda reaction for media exploitation, young Nick Sandmann of Covington Kentucky has produced a reaction not anticipated in the Alinsky playbook. Their MO — anti-Catholic demonizing to advance their political agenda — has been revealed and upended by a faithful young Catholic man standing his ground.

    Result: Catholics cannot help becoming more “Woke” to how they are being targeted for destruction by the radical, atheistic Marxist Left in America. No joke. See Brett Kavanaugh.

    Somewhere Rosa Parks is smiling.

    Liked by 7 people

    2. STE – I have had so many thoughts on the Covington spectacle rambling around in my head and you articulated them exactly. I have warned my three teenage Catholic school boys to be on the lookout. They are being targeted. Knowledge of the enemy is power, and I am trying my best to keep up with it all. But it is breathtaking. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. So when I get overwhelmed I take a deep breath, turn to my Rosary and let God take over for a while. I am not fearful – just feel this great responsibility to make sure my family is prepared. So glad I have you all here to turn to. You give a mother comfort.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Prayers for you and your family, Beth. Often, i have found that the Surrender Novena’s aspiration brings calm: “O Jesus, I surrender myself (or another person’s namee person or the situation which weighs heavy) to you, take care of everything.”

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Oh yes. I know this one well! Saying the prayer is easy for me. The surrender part is where the problem lies:). Although I read somewhere that God loves a tryer. Thank goodness because I try a lot!

          Liked by 4 people

          1. I think we all, at times, find ourselves surrendering, taking it back and surrendering again. I just find that the words bear Christ’s consolation via being washed in His Peace. God bless you, Beth, and all in our community.

            Liked by 3 people

      2. My youngest son sent this quote from C.S. Lewis to me the day before the Covington story broke. He simply thought I would like it. What he didn’t know is how deeply the words struck me. As we go forward in 2019 and encounter hatred simply for being a Christian living in obedience these are words we will need to remember often so we don’t return the hatred. I for one plan on reading it daily.

        “The real test is this. Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, ‘Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,’ or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally, we shall insist on seeing everything—God and our friends and ourselves included—as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.”

        C.S Lewis, Mere Christianity

        Liked by 4 people

        1. And this quote comes right on the heels of Charlie’s previous piece with its closing question: “The big question, then, for the coming year is this: whose eyes, God’s or the satan’s, will you see your fellows through?” Amazing.

          Liked by 2 people

  38. Some articles this morn:

    MILINET: Articles for Christians – 21 January
    ===================
    Unclaimed veterans buried with dignity, thanks to strangers
    https://www.apnews.com/412848e51ff54bc6ad6ee4f2d64f95a9

    Teen in confrontation with Native American: I didn’t provoke
    https://www.apnews.com/90c35b0e3b1f41abbcb28eef7cf4bd9a

    The Truth about the Lincoln Memorial Incident–Taylor Day
    https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/01/the_truth_about_the_lincoln_memorial_incident.html#ixzz5dEUOfPVB

    Nathan Phillips Lied. The Media Bought It–KYLE SMITH
    https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/01/nathan-phillips-lied-the-media-bought-it/

    They Will Come For The Churches Next–Matt Walsh
    https://www.dailywire.com/news/42332/walsh-they-will-come-churches-next-matt-walsh

    &
    We Need To Retoxify Masculinity
    https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2019/01/17/we-need-to-retoxify-masculinity-n2539123

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 9 people

      2. I know! Isn’t this a fantastic ad, Sean? The Gillette ad really gored my ox; so when I saw this one, I wanted to cheer. I went to the company’s website, planning to order something just as a “thank you.” Well, apparently everyone on the planet had the same idea because they had a message front and center, basically saying (heavily paraphrased), “Thanks for your overwhelming support and response to our ad; we’re ramping up production to fill all of the multitudinous orders; please be patient because we’re now back-ordered until April because of the response to the ad; and your generosity is making it possible for us to donate to charities including $10,000 USD to a charity which supports American veterans.” God bless that company, its owners, and its employees; and God bless all those connected with the veteran’s charity to which the company has donated.

        Liked by 4 people

      3. This ad is really heartwarming ~ and sad in places.

        I’ve been thinking about this topic for a few days. I’m really grateful for the men in my life ~ those now deceased and those living. I’m the first-born of five, with two brothers. It was obvious to me growing up that boys and men are different from girls and women. Thank God, because that was His idea.

        Currently I live in a forest and do quite a bit of manual labor, including the yearly work of stocking up on stove wood for the winter. The men in the civic community who have chainsaws and share a gas-powered powerful wood splitter often show up with large pine rounds which they stack up for curing and then eventually split with the wood splitter. I can split smaller rounds with an axe, but I SOOO appreciate the men with their gear and their provider instincts. They are just plain stronger than I am ~ although I am probably a tidier wood stacker. 😉

        Liked by 4 people

          3. Oh! That was HYSTERICAL! Sorry for the all caps, but I don’t know how to do italics.

            The funniest thing is that I assumed that this ad was in response to the Gillette ad, when apparently Barbasol released this ad over 5 years ago.

            Too bad my husband uses an electric razor; otherwise, I’d run right out and buy him approximately a lifetime supply of Barbasol.

            Liked by 3 people

    3. Hey Crew Dog.

      I just saw this post on Drudge. It is both troubling and baffling given that our conflict with China will most certainly involve the Navy extensively. I pray we are not stuck in that all-to-familiar position where the U.S. must ramp-up its military *after* hostilities begin — as it was at the start of WW2 and 9/11. Many concerning things have been happening — uncontested harassment by Russian jets, the Iranian incident, major collisions with civilian vessels with loss of life, and other worrisome stories about Chinese technicological developments and aggressive intentions at sea.

      Thank God for our robust Silent Service.

      https://www.heraldcourier.com/news/national/the-naval-academy-is-deteriorating-so-badly-its-mission-to/article_4729127e-af1c-5d70-ba0f-224d0f95ecb7.html

      My dad was a Cmdr and my cousin is currently serving. Go Navy!

      PD

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Read something interesting today: the super blood wolf moon eclipse early this AM was 70 weeks since the celestial events of 23 September 2017. Huummm, what says Scripture in reference to 70 weeks and beyond.

    Liked by 2 people

  40. “In the most difficult hours of your struggle for civil rights amidst discrimination and oppression, God himself guided your steps along the way of peace. Before the witness of history the response of non-violence stands, in the memory of this nation, as a monument of honour to the black community of the United States. Today as we recall those who with Christian vision opted for non-violence as the only truly effective approach for ensuring and safeguarding human dignity, we cannot but think of the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, and of the providential role he played in contributing to the rightful human betterment of black Americans and therefore to the improvement of American society itself.”
    St John Paul II, Louisiana Superdome Stadium Sat 12 Sept 1987.

    Liked by 5 people

  41. Does the fact that Pope Francis was Zanchetta’s confessor and was restricted by the seal of confession warrant consideration.? The whole tone of Breitbart on these selfies sounds to me more like one of a gossip rag rather than an article for the greater good. The fact is the Zanchetta is now gone.

    Like

    1. I wish it was simply gossip but not just Breitbart is covering this news; it’s a story which emerged in more than a few Catholic publications this month. I first read about it from Fr. Raymond J. de Souza here at the Catholic Herald on the 10th of this month. The next day, Phil Lawler raised concerns in his piece at Catholic Culture found here. Back at the Catholic Herald, today, is this piece. Appointing Zanchetta to a newly created and important post is not a matter of the confessional. As Lawler noted: Pope Francis gave him an important post at the Vatican, at the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), the agency that handles the Vatican’s investments and its enormous real-estate holdings. Ever praying for clarification, transparency and reform.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Thank you for that clarification Beckie. I suppose it just left a bad taste in my mouth. Where does one draw the line between transparency and exposing specific sins?

        Like

        1. I read somewhere that Our Lady will never expose the sins of an individual. They are always a matter for confession. Even in the Warning when we will be shown educated about all our sins no one else will be shown the sins of another. It will be a private revelation.

          Liked by 2 people

        2. Good question, Joe. I think, in cases like Zanchetta, in these times where sexual abuse, homosexuality and clericalism coincide and are part of wide-scale Church corruption, the sins related to crimes must be known in order to bring about reform. How each of us as individuals become aware of these things and discuss them bears on each one’s personal conscience.

          Liked by 3 people

      2. From your link to todays article in the Catholic Herald” Beckie.,

        “Fr Manzano also told the AP he believes Pope Francis has handled the Zanchetta matter appropriately. “There was never any intent to hide anything. There was never any intent of the Holy Father to defend him against anything,” Fr Manzano told the AP.

        Quite apart from the question of intent, the Vatican said on January 4 there had been no accusation of sexual abuse against Zanchetta when he was named Assessor to APSA in December of 2017. AP reports Manzano as maintaining that statement could be technically true, as a report of ambiguous behaviour is not a formal complaint. As of press time, the Press Office of the Holy See had not responded to repeated requests from The Catholic Herald for clarification.”

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          1. I, too, hope and expect a clarification. Perhaps if the problem of knowingly promoting predators – then denying it when caught – had not become such an old story by now, the modus operandi of the many Bishops and, sad to say, the Vatican, it could easily be dismissed as an honest error. But when there rises a forest of “honest errors,” one has to wonder if there is much honesty left in it.

            Next month, Pope Francis has his chance to firmly address all these things. He has already appointed Chicago’s Cardinal Cupich as his American representative (Cdl. Cupich is the least credible Bishop in America on the subject who is not actually under active investigation). If the Pope tries to just lay it off on Americans, when it is a worldwide problem, if he tries to blame it on “pedophilia” when it is almost 90% homosexual, if he tries to explain that some was “consensual” – as they did with one of the allegations against McCarrick – when a Priest may NOT licitly have a sexual relationship, period; if it is just more stone-walling and he continues to reward and promote people that everyone but him seems to know are predators, we have a very serious crisis on our hands and you can expect secular authorities to launch investigations that are likely to be predatory in themselves – but if Pope Francis will not take this seriously and act, there is no other choice.

            Liked by 3 people

            1. I agree Charlie that properly informed choice is essential to faith and faithfulness. There remains the questions of disinterested impartiality and qualifications of both the sources of clarification and the judges. This is why it is so important to pray for understanding to the Holy Spirit whose blade can slip between the marrow and the bone and whose breath can separate the wheat from the chaff and whose power and goodness confer the fortitude and courage to act on our convictions.

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  42. Wisdom is gathered from wherever it may be found. Plato, an early ancient Greek philosopher, gave us this gem, “The (higher) purpose of discussion is not that your words should triumph over mine nor mine should triumph over yours but together we shall come to the greater truth.” This gem fits well into Christian truth when truth is accepted for standing in and of itself independent of what anyone may think or attempt to color it. Such a proposition requires open minds in dedication to finding the truth. It requires a willingness to see the truth in what others offer and incorporate it in. It puts me in mind of the difference between seeking to be “right” and seeking to share truth. Being right carries with it the desire to prevail versus the sharing of information that is thought to be valuable. It is not connected to self and ego but a free will offering whose acceptance is not tied to personal acceptance. It is based more on the biblical injunction to accept what is good and leave the rest. If there is something of value here, let it enrich you, if not, that’s okay too.
    May the Holy Spirit continue to Guide and protect us, lead us to all holiness and truth. Watch and pray, pray and watch, TRUST in the Lord.

    Liked by 5 people

  43. There was a special one-day showing of “They Shall Not Grow Old.” It is a remarkable film.

    The theatre was nearly full for the 1pm showing. Unfortunately, the 3D projector was off and the movie was blurry. After most of the movie was over, I went to a manger to tell him I didn’t think it was working. He fixed it, and when I walked back in, I was blown away….it was like I was standing in the midst of the men. All patrons got a free pass as a result of the problem. I have to go back tonight at 7pm and try again despite a coming snow-storm. Can’t miss this opportunity to experience — virtually first-hand — the Great War.

    1914-1918.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. It was worth every minute to go back and see the film in 3D in its entirety plus the 30-minute special with the director after the credits. Put it on your list. Here’s the trailer:

      Best film I’ve seen in a decade. Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings has, once again, demonstrated his brilliance.

      Liked by 4 people

  45. Democrat Party USA has “thrown under de bus” Jews, Catholics, Evangelical Christians, producer class Americans plus anybody else who holds dear the Faith & Mores of Our Founders and embraced every fringe group that detests any of the above along with Islam … it ain’t gonna end well ;-(

    The Covington Kids Just Met Saul Alinsky’s Disciples…
    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/01/21/the-covington-kids-just-met-saul-alinskys-disciples/

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. This was always going to be the case. If you look at the system Marx contemplated it contained a few socio-economic classes including the Bourgeoisie and the Petite Bourgeouise; the Proletariate and the Lumpenprolotariate.

      The Bougreouise were the owners of capital. The rich. The Petite Bourgeouise were the professionals, small businessmen farmers and professional class. The upper middle class. The Proletariate were the industrial workers. The Lumpenproletariate were the poor and society’s castoffs.

      Marxism anticipates that all classes save the Proletariate class will be liquidated in a historical process.

      While the Marxists were weak they aligned the Proletariate with other class elements to advance the cause. With every intention of eventually liquidating those elements who they used along the way.

      In America the Marxists aligned with the Lumpenproletariate, Jews, Blacks and the poor etc to advance the cause of transformation into the communist state. And with the Catholic Church.

      Liberals, Leftists, the Democrat Party aligned with the Catholic Church politically at least since WWII in order to gain political power. The Church and Democrat Party politicians used each other to impact Government policy to advance each other’s political objectives. A union of atheists and the godly to get their hands on the federal fisc and the levers of political policy making. A pretty successful union or alliance.

      Thing is — the Marxists have always intended to destroy the Church. Liquidate it as an inevitable stumbling block or WALL to the attainment of a Godless, omnipotent, communist society wherein there would be only one social class — call it the Proletariate “working” class if you will. Led by a vanguard of really smart technicians and intellectuals in the Party. The Communist Party. That would be the Democrat Party in America today.

      The Catholic Church, in pursuit of its domestic political agenda of social justice and anti-poverty programs which lifted the economic burdens of CHARITY off the backs of the Church and placed them on the backs of the taxpayer (see obamacare) served as a POLITICALLY CORRECT useful idiot to the Marxist ideologues. For all those years. The Church sought to use the Democrat politicians. The Democrat politicians, increasingly Marxist over the years as we now witness, sought to use the Church.

      It’s the old story of the mouse and the lion. The mouse needed a ride across the river and hopped on the lion’s back. The lion carried the mouse to the other shore and then ate him. Why did you do that? Because I am a lion.

      The lion of this story is the Marxist Movement in America. The Church is the mouse.

      Now that the Marxists view themselves as powerful and in charge (see Schumer and Pelosi and all those crazy new Marxist Democrats in the House) the Democrat Party is TURNING on the Catholic Church. The Church is squarely in the cross hairs. See Brett Kavanaugh poster boy. Catholics are Lumpenproletariate who are no longer useful as allies but more useful as an “enemy of the people” to be destroyed in the historical process leading to the supremacy of the Communist State and the ascension of atheism as its state religion.

      How’s it feel to be in the crosshairs? All alliances come to an end sooner or later. And now is later.

      Liked by 6 people

      2. All socialist ideologies have have a hidden agenda, the class warfare and rebalancing of resources is the bait & distraction for a more sinister agenda, which is the rebellion against God and the destruction of the Church.

        Liked by 5 people

  48. A bunch today with some Good-News:

    MILINET: Articles for Christians – 22 January
    =================
    Trump defends Covington Catholic HS students, says media ‘smeared’ them
    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-defends-covington-catholic-hs-students-says-media-smeared-them

    ‘DISRESPECTFUL’: GOOGLE EMPLOYEES MELT DOWN OVER THE WORD ‘FAMILY’
    https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/16/google-family-triggered-meltdown/

    THE CATHOLIC THING: Jesus on Screen
    https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2019/01/21/jesus-on-screen/

    How to Debunk Transgender Madness in 2 Minutes

    The Coming Test Acts Will Challenge Religious Freedom–MICHAEL BRENDAN DOUGHERTY
    https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/01/test-acts-will-challenge-religious-freedom/

    Anti-Christian Ideology Is an Emerging Aspect of White Progressive Populism–DAVID FRENCH
    https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/01/anti-christian-ideology-is-an-emerging-aspect-of-white-progressive-populism/

    [The Covington Catholic Boys Incident was so egrigious that even NYT decided to do damage control rather than ignore or spin-it.]

    How We Destroy Lives Today

    [It still baffles me that the most awful kind of genocide can be promoted & defended in The USA!!]

    Roe v. Wade Is at Risk. Here’s How to Prepare.

    &

    Catholic Leaders Refuse to Retract Slander of School Boys at March for Life
    https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/01/22/catholic-leaders-refuse-to-retract-slander-of-school-boys-at-march-for-life/

    Former Planned Parenthood Director Says Her Pro-Life Organization Has Converted Almost 500 Abortion Workers to Be Pro-Life
    https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-arter/former-planned-parenthood-director-says-her-pro-life-organization-has

    Supreme Court rules Pentagon can limit transgender military service while lawsuits continue
    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-rules-pentagon-can-limit-transgender-military-service-while-lawsuits-continue

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 7 people

  49. …and undisciplined, angry party-girl Ocasio-Cortez will be her running mate…into the Twilight Zone.

    Trump and hatred of him has fueled this surge in radical leftism in our current politics. Every time he finds common ground to work with, they move farther and farther left. Normally, I’d say radical socialism has no chance in this country, but nowadays I’m not so sure. God’s will.

    Liked by 5 people

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Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.