The Catholic Defender: We Have An Altar

"Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.  It is good to have our hearts strengthened by grace and not by foods, which do not benefit those who live by them.  We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.  The bodies of the animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.  Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, to consecrate the people by his own blood.  Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach that he bore.  For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come.  Through him then let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name." (Hebrew 13:9-15)

In the Catholic Church there is a continual offering taking place all over the world as one voice.  What a powerful truth this is.  St. Paul asks this question: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

St Paul then will reference the altar of the Lord stating, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons.  You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.  Or are we provoking the Lord to jealous anger? Are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:21)

If we are to analyze St. Paul's description of the Altar, something very extra-ordinary is taking place on the Altar.  Something holy is taking place.  God's presence is made manifest with the consecration of the Eucharist, "Do this in memory of me." 

This happens at every Mass in every nation and the Lord's voice is being heard in the face of all the enemies of God who seek to eradicate His image on earth.  But they will not succeed.  This past week
a little girl (Yasmin Gomes) was born prematurely at 2.6 pounds this month and stopped breathing soon after and they declared her dead and issued a death certificate. 

The Mother, Jenifer Gomes da Silva said, "My world crashed down right then. It was the most desperate moment when all my dreams were snatched away.” (Brazilian media)

Yasmin was pronounced dead by doctors after unsuccessful attempts to bring the child back.  A nurse Ana Claudia Oliveira, asked hospital officials to send the baby’s body to a local Catholic church instead of the hospital morgue.  Ms. Oliveira told International Business Times “I can assure you, the child was dead. Her pupils didn’t respond to light. All her signs pointed to the complete absence of life.” “I saw it with my own eyes. She was blue all over, completely dead.”


The Child Yasmin was dressed in a burial gown when Church authorities placed the baby’s body on  altar. Three hours later, the baby came alive.  That is the most amazing thing.  A miracle takes place on the Altar every Mass, this is unique because this is a visible transformation from death into life.

 Yasmin's Grandmother, Elza Silva, was on her way to the chapel to transfer the baby back to the hospital to the morgue when she saw the miracle take place.  She states, "At first I couldn't believe it, we couldn't accept that it could happen.  Then we saw that she was breathing.  We hugged each other and started to shout, 'she's alive, she's alive."

Doctor Aurelia Filipak stated that what happened he had not seen in his 20 years of medical practice.  Everyone involved believed this to be a miracle. 

When Pope John Paul II went to New Orleans in 2000, he wanted to go to a Church that had not been vested so security quickly went to the Church before the Pope was to arrive.  They brought dogs into the Church to ensure that there were no bombs or anybody that would be a threat to the Pope.  Once inside the Church, the police officers were shocked to see the dogs reacting at the tabernacle that there was a human body present.  What a sign that the police officers were able to see.  It is important that we also see the value of the Altar of the Lord.

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Deepertruth Presents Sister Mary Teresita

Sister Mary Teresita, of Ad Gentes, will appear on Deepertruth this Thursday, 18 July, 2013 at 8:00 Eastern, 7:00 Central.  You can listen here:

 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/deeper-truth/2013/07/19/deepertruth-sister-mary-teresita-from-nigeria

(The following is taken from a pamphlet that I was given by Sister Mary Teresita at near Kansas City at Divine Mercy Parish)

Ad Gentes is a religious community of avowed women and men committed to participate in the liturgical life of the Church as agents of Evangelization.  We share a communal life in the model of the early Church where the body of Believers was united in heart and soul (Acts 4:32).

We are inspired by the words of Jesus to echo in our world today: "Go therefore, make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:10).

The community was founded in 2003, through a response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, by Father Vitalis Ejike Anyanke, a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha Nebraska, USA.

Ad Gentes Missionaries are committed to the total development of human persons.  The life of the community is characterized by Eucharistic Celebration, Study of the Scriptures, Pastoral Ministries, and a life lived in Humility and Generosity.

We are guided by our constitution and we subscribe to the ancient rule of St. Augustine.  We adopted the thoughts expressed in the writings of St. Augustine as a clear source of inspiration for appreciating the Gospel values.

What Ad Gentes does:

Finding ways to work with at risk youths

Serving the pastoral needs of rural and inner city communities, immigrants, and refugees

Continuing the work of evangelization among African-American communities

Serving as Parish Catechist and religious Education Teachers

Promoting literacy in challenged communities and providing alternative educational and skills acquisition programs for school dropouts

We provide services through ministry of education and home healthcare services for the elderly and homebound

Youth enhancement program

Community development

Facilitating dialogue in troubled areas, creating oasis of hope

Inter-religious and cultural dialogue, especially among Christians and other faiths

We hope you see the urgency in this mission and necessity to be part of this impassioned missionary journey.

We are embarking on various capital projects to further provide services on Women's Health, Literacy Program and Skills Acquisition Training Center and would need your generous support towards these projects.  You can also designate your help to specific projects.

We are in the process of building a medical center in Jankasa Nigeria.

Your gift of prayers cannot be measured in material terms.  We need your prayers.  You are surely in our prayers and daily remembrance at the Holy Mass.

Our Patron Blessed Seelos:

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.SS.R (1819-1867) lived a heroic and miraculous life, coming to be known as the "Cheerful Ascetic." A Redemptorist priest, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in the Solemn Jubilee Year 2000.  Father Seelos possessed great mystical gifts due to his intense prayer life.  His dedication to ministry with cheerful holiness makes him still an outstanding model for clergy, religious and laity alike.  As an itinerant preacher and lifelong friend of the poor and destitute, Seelos was a spiritual father to tens of thousands.  Despite his early death at age 48, so profound was his missionary zeal that sickness, persecution, and even the upheaval caused by civil war could not stop him.

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The Catholic Defender: Shepherd Me Oh Lord

"Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: you have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to their meadow; there they shall increase and multiply. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the Lord. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; As KIng he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: The Lord our Justice."

"The Lord our justice" is Jesus Christ, he is the "righteous shoot to David"! Jesus appointed his apostles to lead his holy Catholic Church, to "shepherd" His people. Jesus himself gathered his Apostles to build the remnant of his people Israel and established the new and everlasting Covenant.

Pope Francis is the 266th successor of St. Peter and all the current bishops today are the true successors of the Apostles in an unbroken line of apostolic succession.

If there is a Catholic Priest or Bishop who is teaching contrary to Catholic Teaching, if they are teaching that you can be a good Catholic and openly dissent from official Catholic teaching, then I would say that such a Priest or Bishop have lost site of their first mission in serving Jesus Christ. Even though the above scripture applies to the Old Testament, it is certainly applicable here and now.

We need to pray for our Spiritual leaders, "Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfull their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:17).

St Paul wrote St. Timothy, "Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you" (1 Timothy 4:16).

St. Peter writes, "So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:1-4).

St. Peter received this message from the Lord himself: "Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

St. Peter was crucified upside down at Vatican Hill in 67 A.D. glorifying God through his martyrdom as Jesus had said.

When my Sons Nathan and Jason were still in their teens, Nathan would sometimes come up with some cool guitar licks just messing around.

He would go days playing it as he was really becoming a fine guitar player. I encourgaged him to take this one sound he came up with and try placing the words of Psalms 23 with it.

What resulted would be one of my favorite songs we did as a group.

Jason is my little drummer boy, at 13-14 he became a leader of the band keeping us on track with his beat. I am so proud of all my children as they continue to do well.

The following song is both Nathan and Jason playing before a good crowd in Hopkinsville Kentucky.

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The Catholic Defender: My Day At The Museum

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to visit "The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art" in Kansas City Missouri.  What an opportunity this was as I wanted to find a work of art for my homework assignment for my Humanities Art Class.

This place was colossal, huge.  You can literally spend all day here and really just touch the surface.  The more I looked for something for my paper, the more I found myself looking through the whole Museum.

There was a great Egyptian gallery that would take you days to go through if you took the time to really look at it all.  There were some Roman art intermixed with this gallery, it kind of reminded my of the alliance between Cleopatra and Rome.  I am also reminded of the movie that stared Richard Burton as "Mark Anthony".

You walk in the building and all around were guys wearing dark suits keeping watch on the tourists as they went through the various stages.

They were also helpful in guiding you to where your wanting to go.  I had a great time meeting some of the staff working there.  As you can see, they even helped me take some pictures.

Those columns behind me were huge, that ceiling must of been 50 feet high.  There were huge sculptures that were placed throughout the Museum that really caught your eye.

There was a nice restaurant inside the Museum that really came in handy as I didn't know that taking this tour would have been so exhausting, it was really good.

One of my favorite places within the Museum was the European art gallery.  Yes there were the ancient relics of pottery and statues, but I really loved the Knight on his horse.

Do you think this place comes alive after midnight? While I was there I saw several groups of young children making this tour with a guide.

It reminded me when I was in Catholic School just a few miles away from here.  This was a very family oriented place to go.

Everyone who can appreciate art as a professional down to the youngest student could take something home with them.  From the American Indian culture and art down to the Mexican contemporary gallery, there is a lot for everyone.

The religious paintings were really spectacular! I chose this particular picture because of the relevance I place on the Scriptures.  This is an oil painting on canvas of St. Jerome, the first Biblical  Scholar who spent 34 years in the Holy Land and 15 more years in Rome translating the Scriptures from the original languages.

Antonio d' Enrico, also known as "Tanzio da Varallo", an Italian born painter (1575-1635), entitled this work "The Penitent Saint Jerome" (1630).

This painting depicts a lot of symbols showing through art the importance of penance.  As he researched and studied the scriptures, he lived as a hermit much like many of his time.

Notice the red cardinal's hat in the upper left of the picture, it is kind of tucked away in the upper left as a background. This shows he was a prince of the Church, you can see the red clothing as well which denotes the blood of Christ.

The books are before him as he is studying them, writing them.  Notice the rock in his right hand, this is St. Jerome beating his chest with the rock to show his sorrow for sin.  The skull is placed there as a reminder that worldly pursuits only bring death.  When you look closely at St. Jerome's fingernails over the skull, they are dirty which is contrast by the self discipline and spiritual devotion emphasized by the paintings bright light. 

Oil paintings of this kind were important for European artists especially on canvases such as "The Penitent St. Jerome."  We see the illusion of light and dark illustrating an emphasis and focal point that the artist wants to convey.  This painting gives an "Atmospheric Perspective" which displays objects in the background seemingly less distant such as the cardinal hat.

As I finished my tour, I couldn't help but noticed the art located on the landscape.  Notice how small the couple walking on the left of the bad-mitten birdie?

It was a great day that I enjoyed.  I would encourage you to find a local Museum near you and see what there is to see.  It is part of our culture and much of the religious art is so inspiring.

Here at Fort Hood we have a couple of good Museums that depict some of our Units history.  I invite you to come check them out when you happen to come to Texas and the Fort Hood area!

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The Catholic Defender: Hells Bells

The battle lines are drawn and the effort to indoctrinate young people is in full swing. 

I recently took on an on line college course entitled "Sociology and Sexology" thinking I might be able to take the class.

Early on the Teacher (not named) made it clear they did not want scripture or anything Christian based involved in the discussions.

I will add that the Teacher did admit that she is an Atheist and regarded scripture too divisive. 

As the class progressed onward it is clear and plain to see why.  There is no fellowship between the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LBGT) lifestyles and Orthodox Christianity. 

The Progressive (liberal) movement have been developing curriculums to teach (beginning with) kindergarteners all the way up into the graduate level in college.  Reported on CNN Opinion, BlackinAmerica" from the article, "Same-Sex marriage will hurt families, society" it says:

"In Massachusetts, where a ruling legalized same-sex marriage in 2004, kids in public schools are reading books depicting same-sex families. At a California charter school in 2008, kindergartners' parents objected when a school newsletter alerted them to "National Coming Out Day;" a parent told a local ABC-TV affiliate that a teacher at the school screened a film to kindergartners the previous year showing gay families."

This is where I now find myself, I am not a teenager or young adult that can be so easily indoctrinated, but the effort imposed by Academic society is drastically complimentary to the Obama's Administration attack on faith and family.  The following is the most recent engagement between the Teacher and myself:

"This chapter is by far and away one of the most difficult for me to respond to because I cannot nor will not be able to approve of this kind of lifestyle under any circumstances.  Homophobia does not apply in any sense of the word.  I grew up watching the original Star Trek and I thought J. S. Cavalcante is extremely over the top.  It is one thing to understand that people act out their sexuality in various way, but this does not make it right.  We have moved towards the literal understanding and meaning of what hedonism is.  Basically, anything goes with no responsibility.  This will never be accepted in society by and large despite the attempts to indoctrinate young people away from their parents and their faith.  I most certainly can have compassion for those who choose to live outside of the norm.  The invention of sexual orientation is steeped in the progressive movements of the latter 18th Century.  I most certainly believe that most of these studies are flawed regardless if they are trying to tie the length of a persons fingers or the width of their ear canal.  None of it is proven.  To discover that they are "gay" is liken to someone who believes they were born a "witch", I have spoken with both camps, it is the same rhetoric.  Where ever there is a dominance of acceptance of the LGBT we see a decline of faith and family.  It is a really sad state because of the impact this has on families.  Suicide is at epidemic levels among those who practice unnatural sex.  You have to kill the conscience.  I know that some here do not like the use of scripture, but for many of us, this is really a defiance against what our faith is.  Love the sinner, hate the sin has been the motto in resisting such lifestyles.  For me, this is a difficult task because it really pushes the envelop to an "in your face" status."

"Again Donald, you are not taking a sociological perspective. This is not about agreeing or disagreeing about certain 'lifestyles" as much as it is about the various types of people who live in this society. The social fact remains that there are many sexualities and ways of expressing ones self. But when you start tying in religion once again, you begin to judge others who do not follow your very narrow worldview.

As a social scientist and a human being, I take great offense to the statement that 'in societies where there is acceptance of LGBT people that we see a decline in faith and family'. Where is your scholarly research? Where is your proof? It is your opinion.

Not everyone in this class agrees with what they read but they are able to look beyond gut reactions and moral judgments to talk about the material at hand. Even Mr. Cole questions his understanding of the material but he is able to critically think through his confusion because he wants to learn.

This posting shows me that you do not. Have you ever stopped to think that one of your classmates might be LGBT? Do you not have respect for your fellow classmates? Leave your judgments off of the weekly discussions.

And yes, I think homophobia describes your approach to the topic at hand - there is hatred and fear of individuals just because they don't believe the way you do.

You may think that I'm crossing the line but I have every right to ask that students analyze material using a sociological perspective and remain respectful to their classmates. It's in my syllabus. Read it for yourself."

I will give here an example of the material that we are presently covering:

The following is taken from the textbook entitled "Sexualities in Context, A Social Perspective" and the following comes from J.S. Cavalcante, "The Word Withheld". (Ironic that "The Word Withheld" is more than symbolic)

"They shed their cloths, leaving them where they fell, and dropped into Kirk's bunk together.  Spock slid his hands around Kirk's back and down to his ________ pulling Kirk against him.  He could not wait for the sensation of Kirks naked body against his; when he finally felt it, it was ecstasy.  Kirk was warm in some places and cool in others, his arms and chest and thighs like sculpted marble.  The pulse in his throat thrilled against Spock's lips.  Spock's hands shook as he caressed the curves of Kirk's backside.

     Kirk's hands were not particularly steady, either, as he stroked Spock's chest, carding his fingers through the curling black hair.  "You're beautiful," Kirk whispered, "and all of a sudden I'm as nervous as a teenager."

This definitely casts a very different objective of Star Trek??? This Chapter was entitled "The Alphabet Soup of Sexualities", which covers the "invention of Sexual Orientation quoting Gay publications such as the "Advocate".  (The Virgin Mary who is our true Advocate before the Lord is now replaced by a pro-Gay advocacy group?) 

This Chapter also covers that Christians and people like myself are homophobes.  The assertion is that those who oppose homosexuality on biblical grounds are "socialized into hegemonic masculinity", inspiring "hate crimes, murders, assaults (sexual, physical, and emotional), rapes, batteries, and other forms of violence."

This makes clear what the Teacher thinks of me when she writes, "And yes, I think homophobia describes your approach to the topic at hand - there is hatred and fear of individuals just because they don't believe the way you do."

I have never nor would I ever advocate violence against anyone, what is most important here is the violence that the LGBT brings upon themselves.  The following is from "Impact, a LGBT health and Development Program, White Paper, A healthy Chicago for LGBT youth".  This is coming from a pro-Gay site, think about the balance in reality?

Results show that Chicago LGBT youth report health disparities across all domains. In terms of mental health, LGBT youth were more likely to report depression and depressive symptoms, previous suicide attempts, and non-suicidal self-injury.
In terms of sexual health, LGBT youth were more likely to report sex risk behaviors, a deficit in HIV education, and in female-born youth, were more likely to report pregnancy. In terms of substance use, LGBT youth were more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.  And finally, LGBT youth were more likely to report experiences of sexual violence and victimization. Taken together, these results indicate health disparities for Chicago LGBT youth are strong and pervasive. Due to the presence of these disparities at such a young age, they are likely to influence to health and well-being of LGBT Chicagoans throughout their lifespans.

Consider what the Teacher concludes in her response regarding another classmate "Even Mr. Cole questions his understanding of the material but he is able to critically think through his confusion because he wants to learn."  The obvious thing to conclude here is that if you oppose LGBT you are confused and you need to be enlightened to the truth behind this lifestyle.  There is no hell, no judgment, no right or wrong.  Can't we all just get along?

Mom and Dad, are you listening to this? This is centered on an extreme Progressive position that is out to indoctrinate your children from the earliest age down to the Academic.  This is being made into a science taught with the same assurance to math, reading, and history.  Even Catholic Schools must be really vented before sending your children to school. 

I took this course with the intent of testing my compassion for the sinner and humanity, but this is a clear case of pure indoctrination bent to reform America.   Know that when you start seeing commercials of children playing with toys of the opposite sex, this is part of a process to change America.  They want to take away the meaning of Christmas, but they want you to buy their new gospel?

Hell bells, another entrapment set out by the enemies of God.  We are being conditioned and desensitized to join them.  The scriptures and the teaching of the Church is clear about this.  Mother Mary reminds us that more souls go to hell because of the sins of the flesh than any other reason.  Do we think that we are smarter than He, surely not!

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The Catholic Defender: The Longest Air Assualt

It was 1991 during the Gulf War. I was with a small Band of Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division (3-187 Rakkasans).

I was among the early ones to go into Iraq to cut the head off of the snake. While waiting, I was the only member of the Battalion Aid Station that did not catch any major disease.

I thanked the Lord for this favor.Late at night, while keeping radio watch in the Battalion Aid Station, I would pray the Rosary.

I had my trusty New American Version of the Catholic Bible, which has great pictures, to help me meditate. Using my flashlight, those pictures would seem to come to life. By Day, we were always working on our defensive positions, digging in, filling sand bags, and training for war.

I would keep myself in shape by doing push ups, working out with a sledgehammer, sit ups, what ever I could do at the time. Running was out of the question.

That was one giant sand box. There was a particular Captain at our Battalion Trans, boasted of doing 600 push ups in one day. Because I couldn't let an officer boast of a record, the next day I did 700 push ups and that was never challenged.

When we would be camped out somewhere along the boarder of Saudi Arabia, we would have all our camouflage nets set up, the latrine screen set up, and a makeshift shower point.

Because the temp was 120 plus, we didn't have to worry about hot water.
Sometimes helicopters would fly low carrying water brevets and other supplies. When they did, the nets and tents would come to life.

A lot like those huge sand storms we would get from time to time. There was this one time our Brigade Commander happened to be visiting our area when one of these helicopters came flying overhead very low.

Everything was flying everywhere and everyone was diving for cover. The Brigade Commander went running out of the tent screaming and pointing to the pilot to land the helicopter. As he kept pointing to land that bird now, the pilot hovered above kind of watching for a few moments. Finally, he did land and he got reamed. We never had that problem again.

Those sand storms would be so thick you couldn't see a foot in front of you. We always had something going on that would be interesting.

Back at Tent City (right near King Fad Airport), one night we were awakened by the loud noise of plane engines. They were in the airport idling awaiting orders to fly as you could hear them for miles. This night officially began the Air War.

We were no longer Desert Shield, but now Desert Storm. Hussain failed to leave Kuwait and when he missed his deadline, President Bush Sr. was ready to go. We were quickly on alert. Each day we kept up with the news. We were flying over 2200 sorties a day hitting targets and weakening the Iraqi defenses.

Our air superiority quickly took control over the skies and we were thankful that we did not get hit by enemy planes. To this day I'm thankful for our Air Force. Our helicopters were another great advantage in hitting our enemy.

By the time the ground war began, the Iraqi defenses, communication, travel, support were greatly impacted.

Just before the ground war. on the eve of the greatest Air Assault mission, we were preparing to move out when Mass was being offered for us.

I attended the Mass and found myself before TV cameras when leaving the camouflaged tent.

I was given an opportunity to answer questions, I was seen on all the major news stations and ultimately placed in the CNN's Documentary of the Gulf War narrated by Bernard Shaw.

Mr. Shaw refereed to my prayer as "an answered prayer on the eve of battle".

We ultimately flew over four Iraqi Divisions who were fortunately bogged down by severe rain.

Rain that is very rare in that area. With the Rakkasans, if it were not raining, it wasn't training!

At Fort Campbell, we trained extensively using Black Hawk helicopters flying low just above the trees.

Here, there were no trees. It felt like a straight shot. This wasn't a joy ride like a roller coaster, this was the real deal. We jumped out of the helicopters and into the mud in the Euphrates river valley.

We quickly set up hasty fighting positions until we were able to set up our Battalion Aid Station. I was on the advanced party so we mapped out our position and maintained it until the main force arrived.

There was sporadic enemy activity but the action was limited as we routed any Iraqi troops in the area. I carried a 100 pound plus Ruck Sack during this time. I had an AT-4 (anti-tank weapon), my medical gear, and everything else that everyone else had.
Turmoil was all around us.

One mayor in a nearby town was hung because he supported Hussein, while in another neighboring town, this mayor was hung because he was against Hussein.

We began receiving civilians trying to seek refuge or needing some kind of medical attention. Once, we received a prisoner of war who was brought in to be checked out that had polio as a child. His leg was almost a walking stick. He was being used as an Iraqi officer's driver. I couldn't help but have compassion on him. He was part of Hussein's "Million man Army"?

We held this position for about 30 days when the BBC began broadcasting to the world that there were no American Soldiers left in Iraq. I was part of this team that was sitting at the most northern inward position in the Iraqi Theater of Operations. That was a bit chilling.

On the evening of March 5th, it rained terribly, a monsoon like rain. This was miserable. My foxhole had been swamped, all my things were soaked, the wind was bristling, my poncho was just popping. Water was standing everywhere around us. There was not a dry place to be found as everything had been packed up to leave the next day.

I just sat on an MRE box and waited it out. On a lighter note, after the ground war was officially called off and we had won the war, our Battalion Sergeant Major went throughout our perimeter informing us that we had to conduct police call (clean up the area around us before we left Iraq. That struck us all as odd.

It would be hours before we would leave the area and head for Camp Cobra, which was still in Iraq near the boarder with Saudi Arabia. During these times, it is easy to forget the times when explosions would sound off and we would all jump into our foxholes or cover.

I remember encouraging our Maintenance Officer who was certain we were all going to die. I was able to share the love of the Lord with him.

I remember celebrating Mass with the Catholic Priest who was assigned with us in this place. We would walk the perimeter praying the Rosary together.

There were no buildings in site, no vegetation, it was a miserable place to stay. What made it special for me was my faith. That helped me through this important period of my life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WYv4KsUAPY&feature=related

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The Catholic Defender: The Chicken Runs At Midnight

I grew up playing in a great little league program just outside of Kansas City in Blue Springs Missouri through the 1960's, I remember seeing the Kansas City A's before they would go to Oakland California.

I remember watching Jim "Catfish" Hunter pitch, see a home run by Lou Piniella of the Baltimore Orioles, and the wonders of being at a professional baseball game.

Like many young boys at the time, I was filled with dreams of playing in the big leagues. I would eventually play college ball and also semi-pro which was a great blessing to play. I love the experience and opportunity I had growing up in the baseball environment.

The story of Amy Donnelly continues to touch my heart, the story of her Father, Rich Donnelly. As inspiring as the video is of the story which I can't help but shed a tear, Amy's impact on the family in solidifying their Catholic Faith is even more inspiring.

This is a great story in how God can use ordinary human beings to create extraordinary events for the glory of God. Does God love baseball? Well, I've always heard that the Lord created the world from the "big inning" (in the beginning), but in the case of Amy Donnelly, this is certainly a new beginning.

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*BEST OF DTB #126* The Catholic Defender: St. Maria Goretti

Pope Pius XII once wrote, "It is often said almost with passive resignation that fashions reflect the customs of a people. But it would be more exact and much more useful to say that they express the decision and moral direction that a nation intends to take: either to be shipwrecked in licentiousness or maintain itself at the level to which it has been raised by religion and civilization."

It does not take long for anyone today to see how the Western culture has declined attacking religion, family, and society. Young people imitate whom they admire and the grow towards those whom they imitate.

Why is the media silent concerning the dangers of sexually transmitted disease, why does the media support left wing agendas such as abortion and homosexuality?

Yet, we see an attack on religious faith in America.

Little Jacita of Fatima said, "Fashions will much offend our Lord. People who serve God should not follow the fashions". Jacinta also said, "The sins which cause most souls to go to hell are the sins of the flesh".

This was given to her by the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared to the Children of Fatima.

When you do a study about domestic violence, especially violence directed towards women, they become a random statistic.

Every 2 minutes someone is sexually assaulted in the United States, 44% of them under the age of 18. 80% under the age of 30.

There is something to say about the effect of pornography and immodest dress. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27).

When Governor Rick Perry first entered into the Republican Presidential Race, he was challenged by Michele Bachmann because of his mandate in the State of Texas to give 12 year old girls and older a vaccine against HPV virus.

Recent studies have shown that women have been exposed and diagnose with a sexually transmitted disease at a rate of 1 in 4 down to the age of 12. This is an amazing statistic?

Governor Perry sought to safeguard these girls from the HPV Virus recognizing the threat as a serious problem.

One of the greatest role models in the early 20th century was a young girl named Maria Goretti. She was a 12 year old girl who was brutally murdered by Alessandro Serenelli.

Maria goretti's Father had a lumber business with a partner, who had a son, Alessandro Serenelli, who was 20 years old at the time of the murder.

Maria's Father had died and her Mother tried to hold up the business when Alessandro began to make sexual advances toward Maria, each time refusing him.

On July 5, 1902, Alessandro attacked Maria while she was at home. He tried to sexually seduce her but she refused crying, "No, no, Alessandro, God does not want it. It is a sin. You would go to hell for it".

Maria had always been drawn to her Catholic Faith, she loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Alessandro stabbed her 14 times and left her there to die. Maria lived through the night and when the Priest asked her what she thought of Alessandro, her last words were: "I forgive him".

Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison when after 8 years he received a vision of St. Maria gathering lilies in a field. She turned to him and the lilies became radiant and she gave them to him. There were 14 lilies representing her 14 stab wounds.

This so much affected his life that he became a model prisoner and was released from Prison after 27 years time served. Pope Pius XII canonized St. Maria in 1950 with a huge crowd at the Vatican. Alessandro was among the vast throng who were there to honor St. Maria Goretti.

Pope Pius XII gave a stern warning to the world that has proved to be prophetic. The Pope warned that in the latter half of the 20th century, to be a Christian you would have to be a living martyr because the attacks on the family and faith will be so strong.

A great example of this can be seen at the New Hampshire Primary where former Senator Rick Santorum was speaking before a group of supporters when Gay Activists began to chant him down. Because Rick Santorum is a dedicated Catholic, the media has gone after his Catholic values.

The Obama administration has been waging a war against the Catholic church in America. Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, another Republican Candidate for President of the United States, referred specifically how the State of Massachusetts because of the Obama mandate for Homosexuals, took away the Catholic Church's ability to help adoption of children because the Church does not recognize Gay parents.

Even though the Church had helped thousands of Children find homes, more than 50% of any other agency. The attack on religious liberty by the Progressives in our Country is tearing at the fabric of our society.

Unfortunately, many 12 year old girls today admire the likes of Lady GaGa, Madonna, who are far from modest. St. Maria Goretti should be a role model that encourages young people to follow and serve Our Lord Jesus Christ and His holy Catholic Church.

Consider the following two questions, "Girls, have you, in any manner whatsoever, made immodest use of your bodies to draw to yourself attention from the opposite sex? Boys, have you, by subtle means or otherwise, sought to induce a girl to sin? If so, you have made yourself an instrument of destruction to any soul you have tempted to sin gravely, since grave sin causes a soul to be lost forever (unforgiven-unconfessed in Confession). You have made yourself an actual companion of Satan, who has vowed to destroy every soul, every temple of God, he possible could".

St. Paul warns, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

In repeating what Pope Pius XII said, "It is often said almost with passive resignation that fashions reflect the customs of a people." And remember little Jacita's warning, "Fashions will much offend our Lord. People who serve God should not follow the fashions". Jacinta also said, "The sins which cause most souls to go to hell are the sins of the flesh."

Plato once said, “Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the laws of the State always change with them." Plato's Republic: The Theatre of the Mind

America is not innocent, we knew what the effect of the Democratic Party and the Obama Administration would be.  As a nation, we have chosen the direction our Country is following.  We are turning farther and farther away from our Judeo/Christian roots.

Remember Alessandro, years later, after serving as a Capuchin Monk, would say, "I am an old man, almost eighty, nearing the end of my days. Looking back over the past, I realize how, as a youth, I set out on the wrong road, the way of evil, which led me to ruin. I was persuaded to believe-by what I read in the press, or saw in shows, or noticed in bad example of some-that many young men follow that path without giving it much thought. And I, too, did not let it bother me. There were around me those who believed in and practiced goodness and virtue, but blinded by the brute force which pushed me onto the way of evil, I committed, at the age of twenty, the passionate crime which today fills me with horror just to remember. Maria Goretti, now a saint, was the good angel that Providence had sent before my steps to save me. I still bear, imprinted on my heart, her words of reproof and pardon. She prayed for me. She interceded for me, her murderer. Thirty years in prison followed. Had I not been a minor, I would have been condemned for life. But I accepted my well-deserved sentence, resigned to expiating my sin. Little Maria was truly my light, my protectress. With her help I conducted myself well and tried to live honorably when society again accepted me among its members. The sons of St. Francis, the Friars Minor (Capuchin) of the Marches, with seraphic charity, have received me among them, not as a servant, but as a brother. I have been living with them since 1936. And now I serenely await the moment of my being admitted to the vision of God, of again embracing my loved ones, of being near my angelic protector and her dear Mamma, Assunta. Those who read this letter will, I hope, take from it the lesson of fleeing evil and of always following the good, even from childhood. Let them realize that religion, with its precepts, is something one cannot affort to do without. It is a true comfort and the only secure way in all the circumstances of life, even the saddest. Peace and goodness. Alessandro Serenelli."

There is so much that Alessandro says in his farewell letter. Some people seem to have to learn the hard way, if they ever learn at all.

One thing that Alessandro says that is so true, we are to avoid evil, to flee from it. 1 Peter 5:8-10 warns, "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world (The Catholic Church) undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.

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The Catholic Defender: Mission First

Editors note: When you come on deepertruth, you might find us actively involved in different things, lately, our debate issues is prime example. Our first concern is the spiritual care and direction of all Christians especially your prayer needs. Please, if you might have any prayer requests, please place them on our FaceBook page, "The Rosary Patrol".

Our Mission Statement is to know our Faith, love our faith, and spread our Faith. Sometimes it means to defend our Faith as people want to cause apostasy amongst the faithful. We see this all the time and so sometimes our focus is to respond to their arguments. I encourage you to check out our "best of" radio shows and articles for any topic you would like to hear and see.

After Mass, I once had an Iraqi citizen come up to me one morning to challenge me about what the Catholic Church believes.

It was interesting in that he identified himself as a "Nestorian" Christian. He also stated that the Nestorian Believers made up about 5% of the Christians in Iraq.

Just to give a background on the Nestorians, in 431, the Catholic Church at the Council of Ephesus defined that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man in one person.

Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople at the time had questioned the apostolic tradition which emphasized the disunity between Christ's human and divine natures.

To give added weight to the Catholic position, Mary was given the title "Theotokos", Mother of God.

That Mary was not just the Mother of the humanity of Jesus but the whole person. Jesus was conceived and born fully one person with two natures. He was not someone simply with multiple personalities.

My friend came up to me asking me what an "Apostle" was.

I simply responded that an apostle is one who is sent. Then I elaborated a little bit more explaining that Jesus had prepared his Disciples for three years for the missionary work that he was calling them to.

Not only does Jesus give the Apostles the "Deposit of Faith" but also the authority to proclaim it to all the nations.

That for nearly 2,000 years the Catholic Church has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach good news setting the captives free.

My Iraqi friend listened intently to me as I explained this to him when he asked me a second question.

He asked me why we were making a God out of Mary. To him, this was what kept the Nestorians from coming back to the Catholic Faith.

I thought about that for a second and I responded that the title "Theotokos" is an important title not necessarily for Mary, but because it identifies who Jesus is, Jesus is the Incarnation.

Jesus asked his Apostles who people say the Son of Man is and during the early centuries of the Church, that question was hammered out in the face of all the various heresies.

Nestorianism was just another heresy the Catholic Church had to contend with. I quickly posed this question to my friend:

"What is the difference from the Catholic definition "Theotokos" Mother of God, and Elizabeth's recognition of Jesus as "Adoni" or "my Lord"?

This is a very famous scripture coming from Luke 1:39-45, "In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry. 'Blessed are you among women. and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

And why is this granted me, that the mother of My LORD (Adoni) should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord".

This leads into the great song of praise from Mary, "My soul magnifies the Lord (Adoni), and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever".

As I finished what I was saying, my Iraqi friend became highly interested in our Bible Study I had been conducting there at the Division Chapel. Oh, wouldn't it be great to bring back those who have wondered from the fold so long ago? Sometimes we can only do so one person at a time!

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