Remembrance Day

Remember Them In Our Thoughts and Prayers (and Music)


Today we celebrate the men and women who offer themselves in service to their brothers and sisters through their vocation in the military.  Many have given the ultimate sacrifice, dying so others may live.


My father served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII, as a Spitfire pilot.  I have the privilege of having in my possession his flight logs, and some other paraphernalia, inculding his air force tunic jacket, things that remind me of how much he meant to me, and what his service meant to so many others.


Whether or not you agree about a specific mission that our brave fighting men and women undertake, or even about their mission in general, they are being obedient to leadership and putting themselves in harm's way for reasons that they believe to be honourable. 


We honour them for their courage to put their money where their mouths are, where many of us are lacking.  They are a witness in their commitment to service.


May God Bless Them all and return those who are away home safe and sound to their loved ones.


Maybe you remember S. Sgt. Barry Sadler and the Ballad of the Green Beret from 1966.

A Prayer For Priests

Received in My Mail Today

My Dear Wife and I have chosen to provide some financial support to St. Peter's Seminary here in London, Ontario.  St. Peter's has formed many priests not only for our diocese, but other notables (to me if not to the whole world) like Father Tim Moyle of the Diocese of Pembroke, the author of the "Where the Rubber Hits the Road" blog site, and our own pastor, Father John Pirt. 

23 of its graduates have gone on to become bishops, including most recently, Bishop Bill McGrattan, who was formerly the rector of the seminary.  As well, Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto is a former teacher at the seminary.

In appreciation of the support that many have given to the seminary, Bishop Fabbro has invited all donors to the annual Donor Celebration.  But, more important, in the mail also was A Prayer for Priests, that I have reproduced here, and invite you to join me in praying for all faithful and faith filled priests around the world.

A Prayer for Priests

O Father, we ask your blessing on those You have called to priestly ministry.  Show them Your love and give them Your strength.
May they, above all, be faithful and passionate followers and friends of Your beloved Son, Jesus.
May they be prayerful like Jesus, hearts burning within them and set upon You above all.
May they be compassionate like Jesus toward all who seek peace and forgiveness.
May they be teachers like Jesus, on fire with Your Word.
May they be prophets like Jesus, proclaiming Your Kingdom to all.
May they celebrate the Mass with reverence and love and grow in devotion to the Eucharist.
May they entrust themselves into the care of Mary, Mother of Priests.
May they inspire and guide many men to answer a call to the priesthood.
St. John Vianney, beloved priest of God, pray for all your brother priests, Amen.

Greg And Earlene and their Daughter

Abortion Kills and Then It Kills Some More

Here is a video, the story, in brief, of a mother and father who thought their pregnant daughter should have an abortion, so she could get on with her life.  Apparently, the best laid plans of mice and men are oft gang aglee.

Where joy was, sadness now lives.  Where life reigned, it languishes. 

Salvation and Wisdom

Thoughts from the Breviary

Salvation for many of our separated brothers and sisters in Christianity is as simple as confessing Jesus as Lord and Saviour.  And so, we disagree, because as Catholic Christians, we believe that evidence that a person has accepted their free gift of salvation must exist.  So, in simplest terms, we as Catholic Christians believe that that evidence is manifested in a life that shows good works as the fruit of that salvation.  If you were to accept Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, but then hide that free gift under a barrel figuratively, by just going on with your life as you did the day before you accepted that free gift, are you really saved?

My focus is not to debate this concept, but to share the light that has been shed by some things I came across this morning during prayer.

This morning the Lauds in the Breviary were in celebration of one of the Doctors of the Church, St. Leo the Great.   The reading was from the Book of Wisdom, which sadly does not form part of the canon of scripture for our separated brethren, as it is one of the deutero-canonical books.  But these verses from Wisdom 7:13-14 struck my prayer partners and me as important.

Simply I learned about her (Wisdom), and ungrudgingly do I share- her riches I do not hide away;  For to men she is an unfailing treasure; those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God, to whom the gifts they have from discipline commend them.

The word "Simply" jumped off the page to me as I read it aloud to my brothers, and we then discussed it, as it struck us all as important.  We can study our backsides off trying to understand scripture, and reading commentaries and other literature.  We can nail down salvation, redemption, and all the other concepts of the bible intellectually. 

We can possess all the knowledge in the world, but Wisdom is different.  It comes simply, not by any effort on our part, but by the work of the Holy Spirit in a willing soul, by a soul that sits quietly and lets God minister to our hearts.  I have wondered why an ongoing and contentious dialogue that I have been having with one lapsed Catholic who says that he has found his salvation in the Reformed Church, and feels compelled to save Catholics from the whore of Babylon, has been so mentally challenging, as we debate scripture verses and Church teachings, but has been so unsettling, not in its content or our disagreeing about it, but as it turns out, in its lack of Wisdom.

He shares his knowledge.  I share my knowledge.  We disagree with each other, and do not draw closer to each other for having shared knowledge.  And yet Jesus calls us to be One, as He and the Father are One.  Knowledge, even of scripture, is still man's knowledge of God's Holy Word.

Wisdom does not need to win debates.  Wisdom does not even have to debate.  Wisdom is a treasure to be cherished as its Source.  And as we SIMPLY gain this treasure through our existing love of God, we grow in friendship with Our God.

I see how I have contributed my knowledge, and maybe even that of the Catholic Church, at least to some extent to this debate, but have not walked in Wisdom.  I think it would be wise to stop the debate, as the only fruit I have witnessed for me, is a disquiet in my soul that I am intent on winning a debate, rather than growing closer to My Lord day by day.

That's a lousy trade.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in your love for me, for my debating partner, and for all those who seek to love and serve you to the best of their abilities.
 
 

Truth For His Guide

Father Mark Gruber

The heading of my blog, Freedom Through Truth, contains these words from Blaise Pascal from the 17th century: “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God's providence to lead him aright.”

Our human nature does not want to take truth for our guide.  We want, in our flesh, to be right, and for that to be our truth.  Some say "perception is reality."  But, perception is coloured by emotion, by circumstance, and by the self.  Reality/truth is not so coloured.  Is is.

It is a wise man, and most often a holy man, who actually takes truth for his guide.  Father Mark Gruber strikes me as just such a man, and must be believing in God's providence, for the providence of man is messing with his head.

I invite you to go to "Friends of Father Mark" on Facebook and read about the ill treatment of this faithful and faith filled priest, who first of all stood up to an administration at Saint Vincent College with which he respectfully disagreed.  There you can read about how his career was destroyed because he had the courage of his convictions.  It reminds me of the liberals in both of the lands here in North America, who fight disagreement by squelching it any way they can. 

You can also read how he finally, to protect his reputation and sanity, filed suit against his oppressors.  This past week, he rescinded his suit against them, and they have claimed a victory, as hollow as it is.  To save the bond of confession, he has had to withdraw.  His faithfulness to his vocation as a priest, including the seal of confession was too much for him to allow a penitent to be deposed in this vile charade.

Man's perfidy never ceases to amaze me, my own included.  To think that lies are truth, and that God will somehow turn his back and pretend along with you that it is not really a lie defies all logic, but from personal experience, I can tell you that that did not stop me many times.  So, Father Mark is caught up in the lies of others, the need to be right, and they are basking in the glory of being right today.  However, that glow that they feel from the heat is not that of the Sun/Son, but the fires of Hell being stoked for those who would defy God and harm one of His precious children, while hurting the faith of His other children in this perfidious display.

If this were the end of this charade, it would be a time for mourning, but God is not done with this situation, and will use the redemptive suffering of Father Mark Gruber for His purposes, and His ends.

Father Mark is very Christlike in his silence, and is a model for us all.

God Bless You Father Mark.

Cardinals Decline to Name Starting Quarterback

Ever Have a Duh Moment?

I was looking at some of the Catholic blogs that I follow a few minutes ago, and had just scanned some of the interesting things on Father Tim Moyle's blog "Where the Rubber Hits the Road." 

Returning to my own Yahoo Home Page, I saw the heading "Cardinals Decline to Name Starting Quarterback."  This caused me momentary confusion, as the Cardinals in my mind at the moment had selected Benedict (you know the guy that wears #16 - like Joe Montana did in his 49ers heyday) as their quarterback a few years ago.

Then I realised that the heading was under NFL football, and was about the other Cardinals, the ones from my winter home state of Arizona.

There is a limit to how smart you can be, but there is no limit to how dumb you can be.

Sorry for the light patter lately.  I am still not caught up from my recent travels.

Canadian Hockey Fanatics Start Early

I Went to the Fights and a Hockey Game Broke Out.

My friend Dr. Gerry McKeon, a diehard Leafs fan, sent me this picture.  I note that, as usual, it looks like the Maple Leaf is getting pummelled.  Not that we are counting, but it is now 44 years since they hoisted the Cup, other than the one that forms part of their equipment.

I assume that he has sent it along to our friend Howie Greene, born in Montreal over 60 years ago, who still bleeds at Center Hice.

World Priest Day - October 31, 2010

God Bless You All

As we celebrate World Priest Day, 2010, I offer my prayers and heartfelt gratitude to all the priests who have in one way or another touched my life, those who have celebrated the sacraments with me, those who have written things that have inspired me, those who have prayed and worked to overcome the challenges that have come their way that would crush weaker men.

They have included Father John Pirt, our pastor at St. George Parish here in London, Ontario, who celebrated with My Dear Wife and I and gathered friends and relatives, this past summer, the convalidation of our marriage in the Catholic Church.  Of course, I think also of Father Sam Johnston, the 84 year old retired priest of our diocese, who challenged me (and My Dear Wife indirectly) to get on with it, and Father Tim Moyle, the author of Where the Rubber Hits the Road blog, who on the day of our convalidation said his own mass for us.

Other priests have ministered to me or us over the recent years, our former pastor Father Jim Mockler, and Father Clement Agamba, of Tucson, by way of Ghana. 

One priest has stood out in my mind for many, many years, Father Michael Prieur, of St. Peter's Seminary, a priest faithful to his vocation of teaching young priest aspirants in the ways of our beautiful Church, and who has so often shared his smile, and wisdom with me, even if I was not listening, or if he thought I was not listening with my heart.

Over the years, I have met priests at St. Peter's Seminary who have become bishops,  Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary, and Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto.  I also have had the opportunity to meet and speak with the retired Bishop of London, Ontario, John Michael Sherlock, both prior to his retirement and subsequently.  These men do not really know who I am, as my encountering them was brief, but they touched me with their faith and faithfulness, and their humanity.

I have encountered some priests by their faithful writing in defense of Holy Mother the Church on the Internet, including Monsignor Charles Pope of the Archdiocese of Washington, Father James Farfaglia of Corpus Christi, Texas, and the afore mentioned Father Tim Moyle of the Diocese of Pembroke Ontario.

Some have left the priesthood, Father Chris Beausoleil, who was a close friend, and who taught me much will remain in my heart as a priest, for the priestly way that he loved and encouraged me for many years.

And there are two priests for whom I have an ache in my heart.  They are Father Gordon MacRae, and Father Mark Gruber. 

Those who have read this blog and the These Stone Walls blog Father Gordon writes, will know of the case of this faithful priest, who now ministers in the New Hampshire state prison, where he is an inmate, having been falsely charged and convicted of phantom child molestation, during a money grab by litigants, and failure to protect him by his own diocesan administration over 16 years ago. 

You may also have read the strange and frustrating case of Father Mark Gruber, whose archabbot has removed his priestly faculties, in essence because someone used his computer (and subsequently confessed) to view homosexual pornography.  There, of course, is more to the story than meets the eye, and you can google it and find out more of the truth, or you can use my search box to find what I have written and linked here at Freedom Through Truth.

These two men are living the Crucifixion daily, and joining their sufferings with Our Dear Saviour in a way that most of us do not have to, and maybe could not even.

But, all the above priests in their station in life, are "Alter Christus", and bring Jesus to us in the Eucharist, and in the other sacraments instituted by Christ to bring grace to His people.

Deacon Greg Kandra came across a posting of this rendition of the Litany of the Saints, and I offer it up for you, along with my daily prayers of the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Liturgy of the Hours, along with the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as I attend.

You, Dear Fathers in the Lord, are loved.  May God Bless you all, and all other priests who have touched my life, and indeed all priests throughout the world, both living and those who have gone before, in your ministries to the people of God.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in your love for all these men, and all men who have taken Holy Orders.  Mother Mary, you our mother, who love all the priests who are Alter Christus for your Divine Son here on earth, surround them with your mantle of protection and frustrate the powers of Satan in their lives and in the lives of their loved ones. 

St. Michael and their guardian angels, come defend them in battle against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou Oh prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God,  cast into hell Satan and all the evil ones who roam through the earth seeking the ruin of their souls.

Toying with the English Language

From My Friend Dr. Gerry McKeon Ph.D. - retired with too much time on his hands

My long time friend, the smartest man that I know sent me this in email this morning.  Clearly in retirement he needs a hobby.  They are witticisms and half witticisms, with the odd nit witticism for good measure.  Enjoy:

Those who jump off a bridge in Paris, are in Seine.

A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.


Shotgun wedding.  A case of wife or death.


A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.


A hangover is the wrath of grapes.


Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play.


Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.


When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.


A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired.


What's the definition of a will?  It's a dead give away.


Time flies like an arrow.  Fruit flies like a banana.


In democracy your vote counts.  In feudalism your count votes.


She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off.


A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.


If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.


The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.


Local Area Network in Australia - the LAN down under.


Every calendar's days are numbered.


A lot of money is tainted - Taint yours and taint mine.


A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.


He had a photographic memory that was never developed.


A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium at large.


Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.


Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.


Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.


Acupuncture is a jab well done.

Transformational Canadians, ObamaCare and Abortion

I Am Disgusted

In Canada, we have a newspaper, the Globe and Mail, that pretends to speak for all Canadians.  As newspapers go, it probably is up there.  But, remember that it is a newspaper, and print mainstream media is dying a natural death, or so we can hope.  When I saw one particular article recently, I realised why many Canadians call it the Grope and Flail.

The Globe, with its partners in this endeavour, is seeking nominations for 25 Transformational Canadians.  They are defining them as:

...25 living citizens who have made a difference by immeasurably improving the lives of others. Readers were invited to nominate Canadians who fit this description. Over several weeks, a panel of six judges will select 25 Transformational Canadians from among the nominees.

One of the nominees is Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the 87 year old abortionist and figurehead of the death to the unborn crowd.  Dr. M. is alleged to have improved the lives of others.  They say he fought tirelessly to decriminalize abortion, like it's a good thing.  Since the unborn don't have a say, and since those thousands of women who have lost their dignity by disposing of their unborn children are too traumatized to speak out, or have consumed the Kool Aid, there is a distinct possibility that Dr. Morgentaler will be left standing at the end of the process.

We can remain hopeful that there will be a hue and cry about this nomination, though the award he is nominated for is meaningless, and I would not have been aware of it had not an American Internet friend brought it to my attention.  There are a few real transformers in the list of nominees though such as Craig and Marc Keilburger of Me to We, and so we might also hold out hope that this meaningless award will at least be given to people who have done good with the gifts they have been given.

The Globe wrote him up the other day like he was a conquering hero, not the mass murderer and conspirator in the mass murder of our unborn children and grandchildren that he is.  Yes, he himself is a holocaust survivor, though he survived to champion a holocaust that makes the one he survived pale by comparison. 

Here is the introduction to the laudatory article:

In Canada, a woman can have an abortion without fear of prosecution or imprisonment – for the simple reason that there is no abortion law. For more than 20 years, that state of affairs has set us apart from the rest of the developed world. Canadian women enjoy the right to safe and legal abortions largely because Henry Morgentaler fought a long battle on their behalf.

Yes, Canada has no laws against abortion, and so it is a free for all, where we the taxpayer get to pay for this "procedure".  Dr. Morgentaler is responsible in some way for this.  It was the case against him that in 1984 was used by the Supreme Court of Canada to strike down protection for the unborn.  So, Canadian women ENJOY the right to safe and legal government funded abortions, while their unborn children do not enjoy anything here on earth, and do not have similar rights, or any rights for that matter. 

We, of course, hope that the aborted unborn enjoy the Beatific Vision, and that their parents, and those involved in this heinous business, and those who stand by idly will be drawn to conversion of hearts and minds, and one day enjoy it too.

Warning to our American friends.  Don't think for a moment that Obama Care will not produce similar results.  In fact, this video might give you pause, as to how soon federally funded abortion will be happening in your land of the free and home of the brave, but not of the unborn.



So, what are we to do?  Here in Canada, we can ignore the meaningless award should Dr. Morgentaler be one of its recipients, and cluck our way to indignation.  Really, this potential award pales when compared to him having received already the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour in 2008.  A few Canadians displayed outrage at the OofC award for Dr. M., and another 10 previous recipients of the award returned their OofC's in protest.

Here is my greatest concern as voiced by Mother Theresa many  years ago:

Mother Teresa said, "What is taking place in America is a war against the child. And if we accept that the mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?"

This dear reader is a spiritual battle, more than it is a physical battle, and as long as we have breath, we must pray for the unborn, and for those involved in the destruction of their lives, for it not only destroys their lives, but the lives of us all.

Dear Lord, we trust in Your Love for all of your children, including the unborn and their parents, and those who would do them harm, or stand idly by while harm is done.  We beg of you to cause this travesty to Your Sacred Heart to be brought to an end, and that we would all seek Your Face, and Your Mercy.