Summary of this Issue

Eastertide has been described at being a 50 day Sunday by St. Athanasius. Hence we have more reflections on this glorious and grace-filled season.

This past week, most of the Gospel readings were from the 6^th chapter of John which focuses on Christ being present in the Eucharist. An article by the late John Hardon provides some remarkable insights into the Real Presence.

Timothy Michael Dolan is the new Archbishop of New York. Links to Interviews, pictures and Installation Mass homily are provided. It appears that this new Archbishop is not afraid to engage the culture.

Priests for Life Canada is providing an archived video link to the Michael Coren TV program which discusses the State of the Church with well know Canadian and American clerics.

Charles Chaput, the Archbishop of Denver is another bishop renowned for his success in engaging the culture. The text of his interview with various media outlets on tough questions is available.

The Shroud and the Sudarium are the names given to the two cloths found in Jesus’ tomb. Their present locations have been know for some time, and extensive scientific investigations show how they compliment each other.

Exodus 2009 is the title given to this year’s National March for Life which will be held on May 14^th. This date marks the 40^th anniversary of Trudeau’s infamous Omnibus Bill which paved the way for the legalization of abortion. Many of our Bishops will take part in this year’s March.

Editorials from several Catholic publications are calling for an objective investigation into the Development & Peace scandal.

During a Holocaust Memorial Service, President Obama made some pertinent remarks which can equally apply to his stance on abortion. A popular Obama pro-life video was made which for some reason CNN and NBC have rejected.

In the Pro-life corner, a report by Andrea Mrozek reveals that the American Psychological Association refuses to consider the mental health issues associated with abortion.

Dr. Paul Rinalli provides some interesting insights into media accounts of Stem Cell Research.

A.N. Wilson, a prominent U.K. Atheist has recanted.

Upcoming Events of Note:

·         May 9^th : Annual Nejee Association Mother’s Day Social

·         May 14^th: National March for Life

·         May 15^th to 17^th : Retreat directed by Fr. Frances McEvoy on Our Lady of The Rosary based on JPII’s Encyclical.

·         May 4^th to May 16^th – Spring trip to Medjugorje

·         June 13th: Next Men’s Breakfast at St. Augustine Parish

·         November 27-28^th, Fr. Benedict Groeschl from EWTN comes to St. Pat’s Basilica

Easter Homilies & Reflections

The Lord is Risen! Alleluia

Eastertide Overview

HOW TO KEEP THE EASTER PARTY GOING

  "He is an Offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world." —1 John 2:2  

The Easter season (or Eastertide) is a fifty-day Sunday, according to St. Athanasius. Throughout the Easter season the Lord wants to move us from grace to grace (Jn 1:16, JB) as we "are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18).

This may seem like an unrealistic description of Easter. Many people, even Christians, have long since forgotten about Easter 2009, although liturgically we've only just begun to celebrate the risen Christ. Our spirit of celebration may be stifled because of sin. When we refuse to repent of sin, we go back into the death of the tomb. We withdraw from the resurrection-life.

"Therefore, reform your lives! Turn to God, that your sins may be wiped away!" (Acts 3:19) "I am writing this to keep you from sin. But if anyone should sin, we have, in the presence of the Father, Jesus Christ, an Intercessor Who is just. He is an Offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world" (1 Jn 2:1-2). Confession, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is an Easter sacrament (see Jn 20:23). Repent, go to Confession, and celebrate the whole Easter Season now and forever. (SOURCE: http://www.presentationministries.com/home/home.asp)

Resurrection Realities

St. Luke’s vivid description of the Lord’s first appearance to the Apostles after the resurrection presents us with significant details about the status of the resurrected body. It further points to the importance of both the body and soul in understanding personal salvation and what will happen to each of us at the end of time….Visit: http://catholicexchange.com/2009/04/25/117934/print/

The Quantum Leap, in Days and Years

When you are closer to being 50-something, rather than 40-something, as I am, you start to pay attention to numbers. (And I don’t just mean your weight, your blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers.)

The Church keeps celebrating the joy of the resurrection long after the Easter candy is gone. In fact, Eastertide, in the liturgical calendar is a 50-day season — longer than the 40 days of Lent — just to prove a point….to read more, click on: http://catholicexchange.com/2009/04/27/118018/

The ONLY Way? 

What really ticked off the ancient Romans still ticks people off today—Christians have the “arrogance” to claim that Jesus is the only saviour. 

This Sunday's readings back this idea, plus the even more offensive idea that God wants only one church, but also accounts for the fact that both truth and godly people are to be found outside the visible boundaries of the Church.  How to put these ideas together?  To get some help, click on: The Way, The Truth, and The Life - Jesus Only

The Eucharist and Sanctity
By Fr. John Hardon S. J.

 The Gospel readings this past week dealt with John:6. Hence it is appropriate to refer to the article below which is a profound reflection on what belief in this our greatest reality entails.

 “The Eucharist as the Real Presence is the touchstone of sanctity…. Every time we go back, every time we go back to Christ's words of revelation {regarding the Eucharist}, we always discover something new. Always!” To read more, visit: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/printarticle.html?id=5976

New York has a new Archbishop: Timothy Michael Dolan

‘Larger Than Life’ Figure Dolan Taught What Priesthood Means. He also had a profound influence on our Fr. Raymond De Souza as well as many other priests when he was rector of a seminary in Rome.

The garrulous Timothy Michael Dolan, preacher and raconteur extraordinaire, chooses his words carefully. And when ordained a bishop in 2001 in St. Louis, his first words were: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me! Immaculate Heart of Mary, help me!” To read more, click on: http://fatherdesouza.ca/?p=158#more-158

“…..Being Catholic is not a heavy burden, snuffing the joy out of life; rather, our faith in Jesus and His Church gives meaning, purpose and joy to life. I love being a Catholic, I love being a priest, and I fully intend to love being archbishop of New York.” Click on: http://fatherdesouza.ca/?p=160

Archbishop Timothy Dolan speaks on some tough issues …Visit New York Post video:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04232009/news/regionalnews/...

Pictures of Archbishop Dolan’s Installation: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/5-VGCSF_hwB/Timothy+Dolan+Installed+Archbishop+New+York/8JslnWk0vu3

To see official video, pictures, and read CV, homily at Archbishop Dolan’s Installation Mass, click on: http://www.archny.org/about-us/archbishop-timothy-m-dolan/

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan took New York by storm….and is already missed in Milwaukee…Visit: http://catholicexchange.com/2009/04/28/118050/print/

THE STATE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Latest video available provided by Priests for Life Canada of

Michael Coren, CTS TV, February 24, 2009, interview with:

Fr. Tom Lynch, National Director, Priests for Life Canada
Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Denver CO, USA
Fr. Thomas Rosica, Salt and Light TV
Bishop Frenderick Henry, Bishop of Calgary AB

Archbishop Charles Chaput Answers Some Tough Questions from the Media

Charles J. Chaput, archbishop of Denver, has argued that Roman Catholics should take an active, vocal and morally consistent role in public debates. At a recent Pew Forum event, Archbishop Chaput spoke about the balance between religious beliefs and political priorities and took questions from journalists. Click on The Political Obligations of Catholics

The cloths in Jesus’ empty tomb: the Shroud of Turin and the Sudarium of Oviedo

The Gospel of John (20:5-7)

“They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; ⁵ he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. ⁶ Simon Peter, following him, also came up, went into the tomb, saw the burial cloths lying on the ground ⁷ and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a place by itself.”

  The Shroud of Turin 

The Sudarium of Oviedo

The Gospel of John above refers to two distinct pieces of cloth discovered in Jesus’ empty tomb by Peter. In the preceding Virtual Ministry issue, reference was made to the napkin (or face cloth….for reminder, click on “WHY DID JESUS FOLD THE NAPKIN”). The correct term given to this napkin is Sudarium. This cloth was placed over Jesus’ face on his way to the tomb. This Sudarium cloth was kept by monks near Jerusalem until the 6^th century, after which it was moved to Oviedo Spain in order to escape desecration by invading hordes. Much like the Shroud of Turn, the burial cloth, it has undergone extensive scientific testing in the last few decades.

What is significant is the way in which the Saudarium bears witness to the Shroud of Turin. In brief, the Shroud has a gap in its known history for a few centuries when it was ‘hidden’ in Odessa.  It was recovered by the Geoffroi de Charny, reportedly a Knight Templar, and brought to France (about the 13^th century).  One of the arguments put forth by skeptics that the shroud is not authentic because we can’t trace its complete history…BUT…the Saudarium history is known in detail from the time of Christ’s death to the present day…in detail! 

Forensic tests of the Saudarium have been made and compared to the Shroud.  Since this is a complex image a minimum of 5 points of congruence are required for a match.  Well there 126 points of congruence between the Shroud and the Saudarium …proving without a single doubt that whatever made the markings on the shroud also made the markings on the Saudarium.

 Since we know the exact history of the Saudarium ……well you can figure it out.

References on the Sudarium of Oviedo:

·         Book by Janice Bennett: Sacred Blood, Sacred Image : The Sudarium of Oviedo, New Evidence for the Authenticity of the Shroud of Turin

·         PBS video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah1Zik1eKzM

·         The Sudarium of Oviedo…. Its History and Relationship to the Shroud of Turin: http://www.shroud.com/guscin.htm

References on the Shroud of Turin:

·         Book by Ian Wilson: The BLOOD AND THE SHROUD: NEW EVIDENCE THAT THE WORLDS MOST SACRED RELIC IS REAL

• Book by Msgr Vincenzo Cerri: The Holy Shroud in the visions of Maria Valtorta

·         http://www.sindone.org/en/welcome.htm

·         http://www.shroud.com/

National March for Life: Exodus 2009 - A Future Without Abortion

Location:  Parliament Hill
Date:   Thursday, May 14, 2009
Time:   12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

See promotional video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkyLgXe1AyM

Campaign Life Coalition Launches Pro-Life Petition Drive in Lead up to Landmark 40th Anniversary March for Life: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032604.html

The National March for Life has been taking place on Parliament Hill since 1998. The March has been steadily growing in numbers ever since its inception, reaching its high last year of 8,000 people. In this historic march, we have so far nine bishops who confirmed they will attend: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042901.html

40 Days for Life wants to encourage everyone participating this year to make an extra effort to attend the March on Thursday May 14, and encourage your friends and family to participate too.   This year's March is entitled "Exodus 2009" in remembrance of the last 40 years of abortion in this country.  With your prayers and participation, this year's March can be the most dramatic ever.

Please make every effort to attend, and be part of the greatest civil and human rights march of all time!

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Development and Peace Scandal

Editorials from Catholic sources - The B.C. Catholic: Let the wind blow through CCODP

Catholic Insight editorial by Father Alphonse de Valk gives some historical perspective to D&P: Development and Peace funding pro-abortion groups

Catholic Register: Open investigation into Development and Peace

Follow ongoing all of the stories on the D&P scandal, visit: http://www.socon.ca/or_bust/?p=1567

Obama’s Chillingly Precise Prophecy

  “It is the grimmest of ironies that one of the most savage, barbaric acts of evil in history began in one of the most modernized societies of its time, where so many markers of human progress became tools of human depravity: science that can heal, used to kill; education that can enlighten, used to rationalize away basic moral impulses; the bureaucracy that sustains modern life, used as the machinery of mass death, a ruthless, chillingly efficient system where many were responsible for the killing, but few got actual blood on their hands.” … Visit: http://www.ncregister.com/daily/obamas_chilling_prophecy/ (Someone should read the quote above back to him)

See related article: 100 Days: Obama's 7 Spins

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Pro-life Obama Video

A Pro-life Obama Video is making people stop and think - especially supporters of Barack Obama. Visit: http://www.catholicvote.com/

See related article: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012209.html

Pro-life Corner

Why women won't get the information they need on psychological effects of abortion from the APA by Andrea Mrozek: http://www.imfcanada.org/article_files/IMFC_Mrozek_APA_Final.pdf

Mother killed baby in state of 'confusion': http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=1520283

———————–

√ Best PRO-LIFE news Website to stay up to date with latest developments:

· http://www.lifesitenews.com/

√ Best PRO-LIFE Reference Material:

· http://www.ewtn.com/prolife/

· http://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/English/Resources/

√ Best Blog Sites:

· http://www.prowomanprolife.org/

· http://www.4mycanada.ca/

· http://www.socon.ca/or_bust/

· http://bluewavecanada.blogspot.com/

Stem Cell Research

Don't spread false hope about stem cell research by Dr. Paul Rinalli:
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=151664

Here are two more examples of successful adult stem cell treatment that were relatively ignored by the media. Click on Adult Stem Cells Used Successfully to Cure Diabetics, Heal Broken Jaw Bone

The following link provides regular updates on stem cell news as well as links on this webpage to facts and information: http://www.stemcellresearch.org/news/index.html

Human induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells

To learn the truth about Stem Cell Research, click on the following link: http://www.stagustinemp3.org/files/Stem_Cell_Research.pdf

Modern Atheism

A. N. Wilson, a noted British Atheist recants: click on An Atheist Recants

Dr. Christopher Kaczor wrote an excellent article on Richard Dawkins in a recent issue of This Rock magazine. Click on Who's Deluded? An Atheist Just Doesn't Get Aquinas.

ADULT FAITH EDUCATION SERIES: THE GOD DELUSION and other errors in logic.

By Dr. Tim Lau

These ADULT FAITH EDUCATION lectures were given at St. Augustine Parish on Thursday February 5th, 12th & 19th: The series investigates the following questions: Is the belief in God a delusion?  Is religion the reason we go to war or the root of all evil? Does evolution exclude God?  Is God a ‘blind’ watchmaker?  Are we nothing more than cells in the service of some ’selfish’ genes? What does it mean to be human?

View slides and listen to voice file of all three sessions by clicking HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday May 9^th at 1:15PM to 4:00 PM. Neeje Association Mother’s Day Tea Social: an afternoon celebration of motherhood with Patricia Dupuis. The title of her talk is “Authority, Respect &Friendship: Parenting Pre-Teens and Teens”. Venue: Valrideau University Residence, 453 Daly Ave., Ottawa. Tickets: $20 (Refreshments and Door Prizes!)

Contact: Natasha Gajraj: 613-224-1179 (please leave a message). Click HERE for more info.

Thursday May 14^th- National March for Life – Exodus 2009: Parliament Hill, Noon to 02:00 PM.

Friday May 15^th until Sunday May 17^th. A RETREAT will take place open to all men and women, directed by Fr. Francis McEvoy. The Theme is 'Our Lady of the Rosary' a look at the apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae….It will start Friday, May 15, 2009, 7:30 pm and end Sunday, May 17, 2009, 1:00 pm and will be held at Notre Dame de la Providence Retreat House Orleans ON.  Reserve by calling-  Suzanne at  613-828-9455. Sponsored by the Legion of Mary. http://sites.google.com/site/legionofmarysenatusofontario/

Spring 2009 Trip to Medjugorje:
May 4th to May 16th
Tim Dooling, Pilgrimage co-ordinator

Our Pilgrimage to Medjugorje this May, includes Mother's Day,
For more information please contact Tim at:
613-722-9594, or  timdooling@rogers.com

Thank you and God bless you!

Saturday June 13^th , next Men’s Breakfast at St. Augustine Parish. The speaker will be Matt Farnand a full time Missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO). Details to follow.

Coming to Saint Patrick’s Basilica
November 27-28, 2009

Father Benedict Groeschel CFR

Author, EWTN host, and founder of the Franciscans Friars of the Renewal

Talk times and subjects to be determined
Mark your calendar!

 Biography:
http://www.goodcounselhomes.org/about/groeschel.php

 His Order:
http://www.franciscanfriars.com/

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olY9UyRP850

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olY9UyRP850&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcMKXlSv5gk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heMMr5qMMQM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URGvnDunXaw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27-JP7mkGcw&feature=related