* BEST OF DTB #219* My trip to Notre Dame

The majesty of this place is truly breath-taking. I found myself almost wishing I was starting high school again, with the hopes that I could one day attend this national treasure of a university.

Almost.

I felt supreme joy that I was, at-last able to see this magnificent place and, at the same time, sadness for my family that they could not share it with me. I felt sadder still for the kids who are there who have no sense of what this place is really about.

The full name is Notre Dame du lac (Our Lady of the Lake).

On the grounds, there are two lakes, actually- Saint Joseph lake and Saint Mary's lake.



I have to admit that, walking these hallowed grounds, it seems impossible to me that this is where Obama spoke and Priests were arrested for standing up for life. To even comprehend such things fills me with inexpressible grief.

I can honestly say that walking the grounds of this place, I could not help but believe that the grace that still lingers here will one day grow and lift it back to where it once stood and should stand again. I found a sublime peace in that certitude. If I didn't, I don't know if I could stand what has happened to this place and the level of depravity of many who are now associated with this once sacred place. That Notre Dame can still attract a class act like Manti Teo has to give some cause for hope.

Images of Jesus and Mary are everywhere in this place but it is clear that many of the students here, fans and alums have no more class, honor or values than Florida State or Miami, schools that Notre Dame students used to deride but now, too often, emulate.

It is truly sickening that some students can come to a Notre Dame pep rally clad in their underwear and the administrators do not even take notice, much less action.

A pep rally, right in the shadow of the 'Word of life' mosaic (Touchdown Jesus). A pep rally where no prayers are offered, nothing to add to the spiritual edification of these young men.

Unfortunately, most of these sacred symbols are nothing more than lifeless decorations on a Christmas tree, in a room filled with pagans and hedonistic perverts.

I know. I belong to a Notre Dame football message board and I was shocked and stunned to find that most of the posters are hooligans and perverts who would shame any SEC school. Notre Dame was supposed to be something better and, for a long time, it was.

Now, Notre Dame is as rudderless and spiritually bankrupt as an other college in the country.

That is what sickens me. Kez McCorvey's famous words in 1993;

"I know all about Notre Dame, I know all about Rock Knutne"

were all too prophetic.

In a recent survey, only 15% of students said their spiritual growth was enhanced by attending this university. Most of them have no idea what the Alma Mater (Notre Dame, Our Mother) is even about. Thanks to Notre Dame's last moral coach, Charlie Weis, the players serenade the student section with this song at the conclusion of every home game. Most of those that do know what this song is about, don't care. What a crying shame that Our Blessed Mother stands atop the golden dome, looking over a university that has wholly rejected Her and Her Divine Son. What a shame that the team of Holtz, Leahy and Rockne is now being led by someone who exemplifies none of what Notre Dame stands for. The only time in my life I can honestly say I am ashamed of who is the coach of Notre Dame- a frothing, profanity spewing demoniac named Brian Kelly.

The thought of his purple-faced mug hanging one day here gives me a visceral physical reaction. Every college football fan I personally know says that he is an absolute disgrace to this storied team and I find it impossible to disagree.

Last year, two Notre Dame players threatened and assaulted South Bend, Indiana police officers and barely got a slap on the wrist. Can you imagine that it has come to this?

Has Notre Dame sold it's soul for football glory? No. It is even worse than that. Notre Dame has sold it's soul for far worse. If Notre Dame, Our Mother exemplifies the spirit of Charlie Weis, AD Jack Swarbrick's theme song is this one.

November of this year will mark 19 years since the last time Notre Dame;

• Was ranked #1
• Beat a #1 ranked team
• Beat Michigan, MSU and USC in the same season
• finished a season with fewer than 3 losses.

Yet, despite this continued mediocrity, Notre Dame ticket prices have soared as have parking, concessions and memorabilia. Meanwhile, concentration on marketing Notre Dame, the brand, to Washington, DC., California, Dallas, Chicago, Ireland and even China goes on unabated.

China?

Here is a suggestion, Jack. Dress the team in red when we go there so we can match the Chinese flag, the blood of it's murderous regime and the stain on the history of Notre Dame. Shame on you for even considering such a move.

I guess the wearing of the green has been supplanted by the making of the green. Will the uniforms be made by children in forced labor? At least, the children that survive China's forced abortion policies?

How far you have fallen, Notre Dame.

From the school that was a refuge for persecuted Catholics to the school that is a refuge for Catholic persecuters.

Who can forget this monster not only giving the commencement address but receiving an honorary degree from Our Lady's university?

I cannot judge the heart of Father John Jenkins but I can say for certain, that this was the darkest day in Notre Dame's history and that Father Jenkins should have been removed from his position as President of Notre Dame for his allowing of this speech and for his persecution of the brave souls (including priests) who rightfully, and peacefully, protested this atrocity.

More than 70 Bishops decried this terrible event.

Was it a thrill for me to have my picture taken in front of the field where Notre Dame brought out the trojan horse and green jerseys against USC (1977)?

Where Pat Terrell knocked away the pass of #1 Miami's Steve Walsh and Shawn Wooden did the same against Charlie Ward and #1 Florida State?

Yes. It was a surreal and incredible feeling. To stand before this place and watch the team run out of that tunnel..... just amazing.

But Notre Dame is not who they were and it is about much more than wins. In order for Notre Dame to regain it's glory, it must get rid of Father Jenkins and Jack Swarbrick and Brian Kelly.

Donald and I spoke about this at length on the show last night.

Trumpets under the dome.

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The Catholic Defender: The Rosary Patrol Updates

To date there have been nearly 5,000 Rosary participants on deepertruth radio. Praise the Lord and thank all of you who have formally prayed the Rosary with us on the air. Along with that, I can only estimate about 163,805 Rosaries were said by Rosary Patrol members this past year. As I think about this, I am humbled by the devotion of several hundred people around the world who have become members of the Rosary Patrol. All of this is with the intent to honor Our Good Lord and His Mother, Our Mother, the blessed Virgin Mary.

Here is a collection of some of the petitions that have been asked for us to pray. I offer them here and invite anyone who would like, to join our Rosary Patrol on Facebook:

One of my friends just found out that her cousin died today, from suicide.
She is very worried about his soul.
I would like to ask if everyone could please pray for his soul, that God lift his tortured soul to Heaven. His name is Ian.
God Bless You All.

Please pray for Fr. Dan Pattee of Franciscan University of Steubenville. He also did the Cross Roads prolife walk this year (Walked from the West Coast to the East Coast). Fr. Dan is in Austria and was in a accident. He has a broken legs and ribs and had to be operated on. Please please keep him in your prayers.

Fr Lucas Ogbonna Kindly pray for the Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Etukudo who was Ordained a Priest Two Months ago.

As he was going for Mass in an out-station, while trying to escape one of those gollies/holes/dead traps on Nigerian road, he ran into an on-coming vehicle and died on the spot. That was a very sad news...... a newly ordained Priest;just two months old. May God accept His son into His kingdom....Amen

At least we are getting somewhere with my mom and all her severe knee, hip, groin, and leg pain. The nurse called and said her MRI showed tears in her knee. Well can you believe that nurse??!! A knee is a joint/bone and can't be torn. She didn't tell my mom if it is torn meniscus or ligament, etc. So first we have to find out what is torn and what can be done. She is having more pain day by day. Hopefully we can get this treated. Sadly she really can't undergo an operation so I am not sure what else can be done. Thanks for the prayers and please keep them up! God bless you all. I may never meet some of you in person but I feel close to you!

In the midst of building my faith, i got tested again.. I knew the Way isnt easy.
I had 3 epilepsy seizure in the last 4 days, including one big one today.. Im not sure how it happens. But, i managed to walk to the station, get out at the right station, took a bus to an intersection and walked all the way up to the church.
Dear Lord, Please take this epilepsy away from me. I dont want to rely on medicine, but You!

Sue Burton
Dear face book friends. I cannot say why! God knows why! But I am begging you with all of my heart to please please please pray for me. I am a mess and that is an understatement. Please without God's help I wont get through this.

Today is my son's birthday. Please keep Brandon in your prayers. He is hoping for an important situation to occur. It would make a great birthday present. Thank you.

Please remember Fr.Tom in your prayers (cancer)

Prayer for Rita, she had her second chemo for lupus on Wednesday, and she's so sick and weak. Please God make her well so she can raise her babies.


Prayers for my 18 year old son who was at the Hospitel today for a cat scan Doctor said he

has a low blood flow in his hip it needs to be taken care off of his hip can die and he can loose his leg so he has to go to a Orthopedic Doctor.

Please add my cousin, Jill, and her family, to your prayers. She has been diagnosed with liver cancer. There is still much testing that is underway.

Thank you and God Bless everyone here.

Please pray the Holy Rosary for humankind everyday and add that our Priests should do the same, praying for the special protection of the Clergy...

Prayer Request:
We are in need of PRAYERS for 8 year old Anastasia who has been give Chemo called ICE and now has a Fungal and Bacteria Infections going on. The doctors are not giving her any odds on living and said it could be anytime now. YOUR prayers are powerful and you have changed many lives with Healing. Now I ask once again to prayer for this beautiful child. Thank you and God Bless

Deacon Vince
"Jesus, I Trust In You"

Prayer Request from Denise Anne Gill -
My daughter is about to give birth to fraternal twins today (Thurs 9/13) or tomorrow. She is being admitted to the hospital today. Our little boy, Jacoby, is fine as far as we know, but our little Isabella has been a growth-restricted baby all along and has not gained weight or grown in 2 weeks. A C-section originally scheduled for the end of this month will occur today or tomorrow. The doctor thinks that Isabella will do better outside the womb, at this point. Isabella is 4lbs. 3 oz. and Jacoby is 6lbs. 6 oz. Please pray for my granddaughter, grandson and of course my daughter. Thank you and God bless you.
-Denise

Please keep my bosses daugther's in prayer..... Tammy and Kristie, they in the middle East and their mother is worried sick, she has not been able to make contact with either one of them.

"One of our sisters in Christ is going through an incredibly difficult time right this very moment and has threatened suicide. I am doing everything on my end to get through to her, and have a relative on the way to her house now - PLEASE PRAY for her immediate consolation!!"

Please pray for the Holy Father's safety during his visit to Lebanon (September 14-16)
Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XVI. The Lord preserve him and give him life, make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Your intentions will be in my daily morning Rosary. Thank you, the Rosary Patrol for helping me find this job and now, I am beginning a relationship with someone who has and will appreciate me for who I am.

The above is but a sample of some of the most recent. I envite you all to post your petitions on our Rosary Patrol Facebook page. The Rosary is a very powerful prayer from heaven!

Angel's Prayer

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacle of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.

Amen.

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*BEST OF DTB #218* The Catholic Defender: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is recognized as the first American born Saint (28 August, 1774 - 4 January, 1821), she was raised in the Episcopalian Church which during those times, was much more conservative than what you see today.

At that time the Catholic Church in America was undergoing persecutions.

The influx of Catholic Immigrants from Europe was beginning in full swing. The Catholic Church went from something like 15,000 to 17,000 thousand to over 20,000,000 in a short period of time.

To the Protestants, this was seen as a threat to their vision of a Protestant Nation. Catholic Churches in New York and Philadelphia were ransacked and burned to the ground, convents were attacked by Protestant mobs.

Protestant Universities began to push Anti-Catholic belief's using misrepresentations from Maria Monk and others that still have affect today. Even though all this was vindicated by the individuals themselves.

People like Jack Chick and Tony Alamo are among those who still push this Anti-Catholic rhetoric. Anti-Catholic sentiment have always been a recognized sport in America from several groups such as the fundamentalist Protestant to the Humanist Secularist Atheist.

Such was the time of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her Husband died in Italy as a result of a terrible illness. Elizabeth would be exposed to the Catholic Faith as she stayed with her husband, William Magee Seton who died sometime in 1803.

St. Elizabeth would eventually convert to the Catholic Church on 14 March, 1805.

She began to build a hospital but because of the anti-Catholic sentiments that was the environment, it did not succeed.

It was not long however, that she caught the eye of some of the Catholic Clergy such a french Priest, Abbé Louis Dubourg, and the Bishop of Baltimore, John Carroll.

Through their urgings and support, St. Elizabeth would establish the Catholic School system, she would establish a community of Sisters at Emmitsburg.

They would eventually become part of the Daughters of Charity after 1850. She was dedicated to the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary, and the scriptures.

Of her many attributes, courage is definitely high on the list along with faithfulness. She was a strong women during a time that had many demands. Elizabeth was also a Mother, who lost two daughters.

Prayer was her lifeline. Taking a passage from St. Paul, St. Elizabeth once said, "We must pray literally without ceasing—without ceasing—in every occurrence and employment of our lives...that prayer of the heart which is independent of place or situation, or which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him".

St. Elizabeth was canonized a Saint by Pope John XXIII on March 17, 1963. It is reported that one of her favorite Scriptures was Psalms 23. That happens to be one of mine as well. I would sing this Psalms as a hymn that my Son's had put together musically in our "Final Hour" days.

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* BEST OF DTB #217* The Catholic Defender: What Is Your Passion

"Wherever there are jealousy and ambition, there are also disharmony and wickedness of every kind; whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it is also peaceable, kindly and considerate; it is full of mercy and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it. The peace sown by peacemakers brings a harvest of justice. Where do these wars and battles between yourselves first start? Is it not precisely in the desires fighting inside your own selves? You want something and you lack it; so you kill. You have an ambition that you cannot satisfy; so you fight to get your way by force. It is because you do not pray that you do not receive; When you do pray and do not receive, it is because you prayed wrongly, wanting to indulge your passions."

This is a most important scripture reading! What is your passion? What is most important to you?

If your passion prevents you from honoring God, if you are more committed to those passions than you are of God, then the above scripture is about you.

Matthew 18:20 Jesus says "For where two or three are gathered together IN MY NAME, there am I in the midst of them". Jesus didn't mention about being gathered together to pray for our passions, for what we want.

Jesus is speaking about being gathered together for praying in unity for our needs.

Is the Lord the center of your passion? Do you center yourself around doing God's will first in your life?

The danger of secularizing our society is we tend to surrender God's sovereignty for our own.

This is the equation that I have always tried to place in my life, God first, family second, work third, and fun fourth and from there it is in order as it comes.

Consider Catholic Tradition that recalls the little child Jesus gave a teaching on!

Mark 9:30-37 Jesus says, "After leaving that place they made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, 'The Son of man will be delivered into the power of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.' But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him. They came to Capernaum, and when he got into the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the road?' They said nothing, because on the road they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.' He then took a little child whom he set among them and embraced, and he said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes a little child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

The little child that Jesus took into his arms would grow up to become St. Ignatius of Antioch.

It is the same Catholic Tradition that holds that St. John is identified as the one Jesus refered to as the one he loved.

John 13:23 is a good example, "One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus side." Notice also John 21:20, "Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, 'Master, who is the one who will betray you?"

Notice that St. John does not identify who this disciple is! It comes from that apostolic Catholic tradition that it is St. John himself who is that disciple!

Likewise, it is from the same Catholic Tradition that tells us about this little child!

Can you imagine the impact that Jesus must of had on the child St Ignatious? The Lord became St. Ignatius passion.

So much so that when he was arrested for being a Christian, he saw the abuse of the Roman Soldiers as a blessing. It made him feel like a disciple.

St. Ignatius would be taken to Rome and ultimately thrown to wild beasts rather than renounce the Lord.

We see this among the Saints for nearly 2,000 years. I am not short of testimonies on this point.

The question is, What is your passion? Is your faith calling you to be a Saint? It better be! Jesus didn't give 100% so that you would only give 10%, 50%, or even 75%!

We must pick up our cross and follow him. We are called to give 100%! With that being said, when we do stumble and fall, the Lord calls us to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves and continue marching forward!

If we allow the grace flowing from the Sacraments to take root in us, then we will certainly be placing our passions in the right place.

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The Catholic Defender ponders the question of suicide

Today, a good friend called me with a question concerning suicide. He was attending a suicide prevention class when during a break, a Protestant Chaplain was saying that committing suicide is not a damnable sin.

That hell was a creation of the Catholic Faith beginning with St. Augustine. The Church was planted at a time when Paganism influenced the nations.

It is important to note that suicide during Roman times use to be a Pagan practice. It was considered honorable to commit suicide as opposed to face embarrassment.

Due to the subject matter, I want to speak the truth on this subject, but with compassion. It is not always black and white and only God knows the heart of the person.

It is all God's judgement. In saying this, I would agree in part with the Chaplain that the Catholic Church taught suicide was an "unforgivable sin" unless there are circumstances were the individual was not in control. A sin must be a wilful act of defiance against God. Consent of the will.

This did not begin with St. Augustine, but the Apostolic age. Apostolic Authority handed down from the very beginning set the foundation of the Christian Faith.

St. Augustine was based from this Apostolic Tradition. Lets take a look at Sampson who killed himself while in the Temple of Dagon (Judges 16:25-31).

Hebrews 11:32 lists Sampson as one who did righteous because of his faithfulness. He was not a "suicide bomber", the Philistines were going to kill him and Sampson completed his mission to the very end.

During the attacks on the Twin Towers, you had people jumping off the buildings to escape certain death due to the extreme heat. These American hero's had no choice.

How terrible this was and may the Lord shine upon them his radiance and love in perfect happiness.

Jesus also taught that no greater love can man have than to lay down his life for his friends. I would often times give the example of a Soldier who dives on a grenade and by this act saves everyone who was there.

America has had Soldiers who have done that very thing who were given the Medal of Honor. There are situations where a person has sacrificed his life or took his or her life when there was no other way out.

The problem becomes more difficult when there is no apparent reason for such acts. There are just under 35,000 suicides per year, white males represents about 75% of that number. Women attempt it more often but they fail probably because the usual choice is through drugs or prescription drugs.

They are more easily found. Other cases are not that easy to understand. During my deployment to Germany, I was stationed in Schwienfurt (pig crossing) for about a year when one day I received some very bad news.

When I lived in Harrison Arkansas, I sponsored one of the teenagers for Confirmation. He was one who I had helped a number of times before I joined the Army. His Mother wrote me informing me that he went out into the barn and tossed a rope over a rafter and hung himself.

He couldn't have been 16 years old. I was shocked, this was very difficult for me. I had written him encouraging him from time to time and nothing from his letters gave any kind of indication of desperation.

The Christian Rock group "Petra" has a song called "For Annie" that meant allot to me. The song encourages us to never give up on people. When you're at Mass, we do not aways know what the person next to you might be going through.

Obviously, all we can do is place these unfortunate ones in the hands of God. That is all we can do. We should look to see signs that a person might be thinking of suicide. If they are giving things away, if they are more reserved, if they are not performing as normal, if they talk of suicide, these and other signs we must get them help. Recently we had 4 Soldiers commit suicide.

My Wife works with Soldiers at the WTU that are dealing with very tough images. Pray for them! Going back to the original question, will a person go to hell if they commit suicide? Many very well might especially if they took their life premeditatively. Jesus warns us not to kill (murder), we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

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The Notre Dame chronicles- Part 5

In the aftermath of Notre Dame's 20-3 demolition of (then) #10 Michigan State, there is a much different atmosphere than for any Notre Dame game in at least 6 years. Certainly it is different than last year's game. Notre Dame is no longer merely playing for pride and a chance to-perhaps- work it's way back in the top 25. No, win this game and the Fighting Irish are a top 10 team in the Associated Press poll.

Yet, the domination of the Spartans did not just put the Fighting Irish in position for a special season this year. It was a potential program changing win. Notre Dame beat a top 10 team on the road and are 3-0 for the first time in a decade. There are a boat-load of potential recruits attending the Michigan game and as depth continues to grow, one can see emerging the foundation of a championship caliber football team.

Consider this. Since their September 10, 2011 loss to Michigan, the fighting Irish have gone 11-3. The three losses were by a combined 32 points to three elite teams who have all been part of the National championship conversation- Florida State, Stanford and USC.

Consider further that we just throttled a top ten team, in their own back yard, that was enjoying their longest home winning streak in almost 60 years.

One ticket site is fetching up to $763 for a ticket to the Michigan game.

I leave tomorrow. I've got chills.

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The Catholic Defender: True Love bares no lies

"If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)".

It is clear that love is very central to our relationships. Without love, we serve another master and we deviate off course. So love must be the motivation why we do anything. The Greek language gives four different words that identified love in a person. They are as follows:

1. Agape, which is unconditional love. This expression has come to mean the deeper love between a man and a woman, the love of God for a sinful race, without it a person would hold a low self esteem. Most Christians would see the love between God and man as agape. The supreme act on the cross was agape love.

2. Éros, this is passionate love, romance, the physical love between a man and a woman. This is the desire and the longing. This is specifically felt during 12 -15 month deployments to the Middle East, but it is more than a sexual nature or expression. The modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love". But this can apply to dating as well as marriage so it isn't always used for physical but also emotional understanding. Eros has also been identified as a kind of love for a friend or an appreciation for the beauty of a person. Eros has even been used to show a spiritual expression. Through this philosophy, lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth through the means of eros. People can be very passionate about truth. That is for sure.

3. Philia, from modern Greek, Philia refers to friendship or brotherly love. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. Philos denoted a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers. Since I have "loved" the Kansas City Chiefs growing up and sports in general, philia as a word expression would be a distinguishing factor. I am noticing a certain cross connect in these expressions that can infer lovers in all of them. I find this important. As a married couple, the husband and wife should not only be lovers, but also best friends, they should have that kind of relationship.

4. Storge, is a word that expresses "affection" in modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring. Storge is almost exclusively referred to as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in "loving" the tyrant. This best explains my position of how I feel about liberals in politics.

In our American culture, we simply use love as an expression for just about everything. If sex was "love", then you can say the United States was a very loving country? Somehow this seems out of place.

St. Paul spoke of Knowledge at the beginning of this article. This is based in the knowledge of God's love for us and our response to his love.

This knowledge is expressed in 1 Corinthians 12:8 stating, "To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom: to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit".

This is the language of Isaiah as he writes, "But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord" "Isaiah 11:1-3).

To have true love or that "agape" unconditional love in our hearts, we must allow the God of creation to implant and infuse his love within us. This gift from God is given to us in Baptism (Acts 2:38).

To resist God's love would create the true hell that exists for those who refuse to love God above all things. Hosea 4:6 reminds us "My people perish for want of knowledge! Since you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from my priesthood; Since you have ignored the law of your God, I will also ignore your sons".

There is a connection between God's love and His knowledge. To reject God is to open yourself to every evil and the hounds of hell. Lust is the direct opposite of agape love and the true desire of a man and woman.

With the perversion of the word "love" we see every kind of immorality, fornication, homosexuality, and incest.

We must strive to follow Christ picking up our cross and follow him. St John writes, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life" (John 3:16).

The motivation for the believing Catholic is set before us in this journey, to go to Mass out of love for God and His Church. To pray with fervor in love for God trusting in his word.

The Rosary, reading the bible, prayer of all kinds can and does take commitment and sometimes work. Love for God and his Church gives us right motivation to administer and receive the Sacraments, God's grace. We become Soldiers of the cross.

St. Paul continues, "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know patially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:4-13).

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*BEST OF DTB #216* The Catholic Defender: Get Behind Me, Satan

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Christ." Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it."

This is a very important scripture, most will be familiar with Matthew's Gospel account which clearly gives more detail of St. Peter's role in the Church. The foundation of the Church rests on Jesus teaching.

In reading this passage today, I am reminded of Matthews account, but I also take away the following.

 St. Peter identifies Jesus as the Christ, the annointed one of God, the Messiah. It was very difficult for the Apostles to see Jesus as the suffering servant.

Many had believed and hoped that the Messiah would bring back the glory days of King David, that the Messiah would be an earthly King that would liberate the nation of Israel.

St. Peter's reaction to the cross would be typical for anyone longing for the liberation of Israel.

St. Peter was given revelation of who Jesus is, we benefit from this knowledge and like St. Peter, we profess Jesus to be the Christ every time we proclaim the Creed.

Yet, like Peter was told, "get behind me, Satan", Jesus is saying this to anyone who rejects Catholic teaching.

For those who are willing to compromise with the world and accept teachings contrary to the Church, Jesus is telling them, "Get behind me, Satan".

The Catholic Church is the foundation of God's word, it is the vehicle Christ speaks to the world, it is his voice.

When we reject the Magisterium, dissent from official Church teaching, then we become like St. Peter who wanted to lead Christ away from the cross.

We must be willing to follow Jesus and that means we much carry our cross.  We are called to follow the road of the cross.  To follow the voice of the Lord.

Jesus said, "For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice" (John 18:37).  "Jesus also said , "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:8). 

Jesus speaks through His Church.  St Paul wrote, "But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" (1 Timothy  3:15).

If a person wants to follow Christ, the sure way is through his holy Catholic Church. We are to pick up our cross and follow the Lord. His will be done.

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The Catholic Defender : Open to God's Mission

I've had some stressful assignments in my time, many deployments, but few like Korea. I was stationed at Camp Hovey about 12 miles from the DNZ, close to the 38th Parallel.

I was assigned with an artillery unit. I quickly became active in fixing several problems I inherited. The Combat Life Saver program was in poor shape.

I reorganized the program setting up a class of 50 Soldiers beginning a successful deployment. At the graduation of that class the Battalion Commander participated in the ceremony giving an Army Achievement Medal to the Soldier with the highest scores on their practical exercises and written exams.

I also had to redo and reorder all the Combat Life Saver bags as they were not well maintained or stocked. There was no accountability. In Korea, we were in the field constantly. There were civilians camping out there with us which was very new to me.

I think they were sometimes more informed of our plans than allot of us. We were able to buy food and have nice pictures made. That was really a change from anything I had seen before. I became very involved with the Catholic Community at Camp Hovey serving as our Battalion Lay Eucharistic Minister when in the field, serving at Mass as an Altar server every Mass when at the Camp.

What an honor this was for me. I was involved with Father helping him organize an RCIA program where we would meet on Tuesday evenings. This was great support for me. I was always witnessing for the faith when the opportunity arose!

After 3 months we received a new Chaplain transfer into our unit. He became very important to me. We would support each other a great deal. He was an Episcopalian and I would have fun with him. I would challenge him asking him why he stayed in a "halfway house". Why did he prefer being a "liberal" Catholic?

We would have many respectful discussions in the field as well as back at Camp Hovey. As the Battalion LEM, I would go with the Chaplain to the field when ever there was a service in the field. I was commissioned to offer the Eucharist to the Catholic Soldiers in the field in the absence of a priest. During Holy Communion you could really feel the division between the Catholics and Protestants as we went our separate ways.

One night, as we were conducting training, as we were crossing a bridge, one of our APC's (Track 113's) went off the bridge and plunged into the river. There were five casualties that were riding in the back of the track. It was a sad time and I obtained permission to advertise a Rosary service for those who died in conjunction with the military service.

I organized the Rosary service picking out music, scripture, and the mysteries. I invited the Chaplain if he would say a few words at this service. He did and the Soldiers and their families were lifted up in prayer. This service would be a life changing experience for the Chaplain!

About six months after I returned home (back in the USA), I received a call from my old Battalion Chaplain and he called me to thank me personally for leading him to Mary. As a Protestant, he never knew Mary.

Later that year (June 2,000) he informed me that his wife and family were received into the Catholic Faith through RCIA. He continued serving as a Military Protestant Chaplain until his commitment was fulfilled and he was finally received into the Catholic Faith in 2003.

He went on to become a permanent Deacon where he worked through his Bishop going to Rome finally to receive his dispensation from the Pope and is now an ordained Catholic Priest. While I was deployed to Iraq between 06 and 08, I was on the computer when his address come up as if he was on line.

I recognized him so I called to see how he was doing these days. I was informed this was his Son, not his Father. I apologized to him and introduced myself, when he realized who I was, he became very appreciative towards me.

He thanked me for the witness I gave his Father and informing me the result of his Family. He and his wife and family converted to the Catholic Faith, his siblings and their families as well. His Aunts and Uncles and their Families Converted as well.

This was very humbling to me, I asked him what it was that he learned that changed his mind to accept the Catholic Faith. He paused for a moment, then he said, "When Jesus told Simon, Son of Bar-Jona, you are Kepa (Kephas), and upon this Kepa (Kephas), I will build my Church. Everything else fell into place after that".

No matter how difficult times might be God can still work where you are at. In every assignment I've been in, I have tried to make the best of it. God will open doors for you if He has a mission for you. Like the Virgin Mary, through faith in Him, we can say yes.
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The Catholic Defender: The Time To Act is Now

On 18 February, 2011 the House of Representatives voted to block Federal aid for Planned Parenthood by a 240-185 vote.

I believe the liberal Democrats in the Senate will plan to put up a fight of resistance and try to kill the bill.

I have to ask the question; how long will it take before the Church really decides to get involved?

Not just the Catholic Church, but all Churches who call themselves Christian.
How long will it take before America says it is enough, after 38 years and 60,000,000 abortions that it is enough and time to end this holocaust.

November 2, 2010 we elected a new Congress to bring change to get our economy going in the right direction, but also to get the Government out of the baby-killing business.

This past January all across the United States, thousands of people participated in pro-life demonstrations.
People braved the cold weather, the snow and ice in many States such as Jefferson City Missouri.

Planned Parenthood has been hit hard the past few weeks because of their members being caught on video giving advice to pimps wanting to procure abortions for underage girls.

It is reported that this kind of problem is widespread among the workers at Planned Parenthood.

If they are ultra liberal in their thinking supporting abortion, how much does it show that these very liberals are based in anti-Christian bias. They do not care about you as a patient, they see you as an opportunity.

Fox News has reported recently that the American people have decidedly shifted to a pro-life stance regarding the vast majority of abortions.

In the early going, the pro-abortionist would try to gain ground using "rape", " incest", "mother's life", "deformation of the child" as their means to gain public sympathy and support. All this represented about 1% of all abortions.

That has changed considerably today.

When you hear pro-abortion advocates today, it is a "woman's right to choose", "it is between a woman and her 'doctor".

Of course the doctor is wanting to conduct the abortion so it takes no excuse or diagnosis to procure an abortion.

The abortion industry is not interested in giving women a real choice, not really.

They are after the child.

Planned Parenthood makes most of their money from performing abortion using nearly $400,000,000 tax payers money for their business.

Other social services they render are used as a front so Planned Parenthood would not stand long without providing abortion services.

The time to act is now, the time for the Church to rise up is now. Every 20 seconds, a child is killed in America by abortion.

Heaven is counting on you, just as Cortez fought to put an end to the human sacrifice he encountered in his time, so now it is just as important today.

The Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 giving us the miracle of the tilma. She advocates life.

As she was able to bring about change to a culture of death in those times, may she become an important message of life today.

God is raising great men and women today to do his will, we have to respond now while there is still time.

The battle continues to be between the woman and the serpent, between her seed and the serpents.

The problem is not political but moral. So much of the anti-family forces are coming from anti-Christian neo-Pagan sources. They want to destroy our Christian foundations. Now is the time to act.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 states, "Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation".

It's time we stop speaking in riddles, but be straight forward. Riddles can get you in trouble:


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