From the Wha...File.....

As Reported from the A.P.

Burglar Steals Crown From Bishop's Car

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A burglar who broke into a Greek Orthodox bishop's car made off with quite a haul, but fencing one of the stolen items could prove difficult.

Among the items stolen from Bishop Metropolitan Isaiah's car was a jeweled crown of gold and silver, which Isaiah estimated to be worth between $6,000 and $10,000.

Isaiah, who is based in Denver and is bishop for the Northwest region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, said he was dining with others at a restaurant when the break-in occurred. He said the car was parked in a well-lit spot.

"We came out at 10 o'clock, and the window was smashed," he said.

The burglar also made off with a copy of the New Testament, a veil, a cell phone and a black fabric bag. The bag had special meaning to the ex-Marine because it was given to him years ago by the widow of a fellow Marine.

Isaiah offered a reward of at least $1,000 if the crown is returned without damage.

"That was the first gift I received as a bishop 22 years ago," he said. "I feel lost without it."

At a vespers service Saturday night, he was the only priest with no head covering.

"I just hope and pray that those who took it will have a change of heart," he said.

Let us pray for our Orthodox Brothers that this thief returns The Bishops Miter.

From my Collection here are 2 Photos of Metropolitan Isaiah with and without Crown.

CROWN/ MITER :
























No Crown on his head but you can see it on the Altar In the Background:

Since its an Election Year....

With Osama Bin Bama in the area and Mrs. and Mr. Clinton trying to earn your vote, and since the Candidate that I feel would be the best for this country does not get the coverage he deserves. What is an ill informed voter to do?

Get the Catholic Answers "Voters Guide for Serious Catholic's"
this guide goes in depth and is sure to guide your conscience to make the best Catholic choice for this Election Year.

I am still undecided but I'm sure this guide will help me along, Our dear bishops at the USCCB has one as well but... well... um... its the USCCB... so I will concede to the Thumper rule in this case.

To Close I shall quote the New Catechism on this topic:

"Duties of civil authorities

2235 Those who exercise authority should do so as a service. "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant."41 The exercise of authority is measured morally in terms of its divine origin, its reasonable nature and its specific object. No one can command or establish what is contrary to the dignity of persons and the natural law.

2236 The exercise of authority is meant to give outward expression to a just hierarchy of values in order to facilitate the exercise of freedom and responsibility by all. Those in authority should practice distributive justice wisely, taking account of the needs and contribution of each, with a view to harmony and peace. They should take care that the regulations and measures they adopt are not a source of temptation by setting personal interest against that of the community.42

2237 Political authorities are obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person. They will dispense justice humanely by respecting the rights of everyone, especially of families and the disadvantaged.

The political rights attached to citizenship can and should be granted according to the requirements of the common good. They cannot be suspended by public authorities without legitimate and proportionate reasons. Political rights are meant to be exercised for the common good of the nation and the human community."

Just a Peek at something special

(hint: Click to Enlarge)

Across the State Border the War Continues

I came across this quiet article yesterday I have posted it in its entirety- with Bishops like Burke and Finn Satan Must be working Overtime.

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MO Must Take Inmates to Abortion Clinics

By JIM SALTER Associated Press Writer
ST. LOUIS - The state of Missouri must provide transportation to abortion clinics for inmates who want to undergo the procedure, a federal appeals panel ruled Tuesday.

In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the state had to allow a specific inmate, listed as Jane Roe, to have an abortion after the state tried to end the practice of driving prisoners to clinics for elective abortions.

The American Civil Liberties Union then sought a federal ruling making the high court's decision a class-action on behalf of all imprisoned pregnant women in the state.

U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple ruled in 2006 that the state must allow pregnant inmates to have abortions and transport them to facilities that perform the procedure. Tuesday's decision by the three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the lower court ruling.

"The court recognized that the right to elect to have an abortion survives incarceration," said Tony Rothert, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union's St. Louis office. "This was about providing women with the opportunity to exercise their choice even though they were incarcerated."

It wasn't clear whether the state would appeal. A spokesman for Attorney General Jay Nixon said the decision was still being reviewed with the Corrections Department.

Gov. Matt Blunt called the ruling disappointing and noted that Missouri law prohibits the use of state tax money to pay for abortions.

"Over the last three years, we have made positive changes in Missouri and enacted laws that reflect our profound respect for the inherent dignity of each and every life," Blunt said. "I am hopeful and prayerful that we can further protect life by enhancing our laws to defend the dignity of human life."

The ruling came on the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, which established a nationwide right to abortion.

At a hearing in September, attorneys for the state argued security concerns and the state's limited resources outweighed a female offender's right to an abortion. Inmates are denied certain freedoms, including "the right to procreate, vote and travel," Assistant Attorney General Michael Pritchett told the panel at the time.

But the ACLU said the state exaggerated its security concerns and has shown an ability to safely transport inmates to an abortion clinic in St. Louis despite the presence of protesters.

Kansans For Life - Rally For Life - Topeka Kansas

Today as a family we braved the early morning frost and participated in the Kansans for Life Rally for life on the Steps of the Capitol Building in Topeka Kansas

Here are some pictures from the Rally and some from the Mass.

(as always you can click on the pictures for the larger version)

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Novena of Reparation for Roe vs. Wade, January 14-22

From the Priests for Life website :

The Catholic bishops of the United States have designated January 22 as a special day of prayer and penance in reparation for the massive killing that has resulted from the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision (handed down January 22, 1973) which permitted abortion throughout pregnancy. Therefore, we at Priests for Life invite you to prepare spiritually for that day by joining a Novena that starts on Monday, January 14 and concludes on the 22nd. We invite you to say the prayer below each of those days, and to let us know through this form that you have committed to say it.

Prayer of Reparation God and Father of Life, You have created every human person, And have opened the way for each to have eternal life. We live in the shadow of death. Tens of millions of your children have been killed Thanks to the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion. Father, have mercy on us. Heal our land And accept our offering of prayer and penance. In your love for us, Turn back the scourge of abortion. May each of us exult in hearts full of hope And hands full of mercy And work together to build a culture of life. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

If you do pray the novena please go to the Priests for life website and let them know that you will be praying it with them, they have a short form to fill out.

God bless you

A few Pictures from this morning

This morning, I joined a crew for Mass, Prayer and petition outside the local death mill of "Planned Parenthood"

Here are a few pictures













Kansan's For life are bring back the "40 Days for Life" That made Planned Parenthood shake in its boots. Details can be found: Here Prayer and Fasting are amazing things.

Maybe PP will come back out with their "Emily X" Blog to help spread their lies around.

Life on this rock

As January 22 Approaches and the anniversary of Roe V Wade nears, many events both for and against life are scheduled for that day. WolfTracker has smelled the situation here in Kansas City
but the flip side to this coin is that In Topeka, there will be this going on:
You can check out Kansans for Life web site for more information at : http://www.kfl.org

In this world the gift of new human life comes to many, there are many who ache to have a child of their own, I would like to share with you 1 Hour of a Call in radio program called "Catholic Answers Life" some of you may already know of it.

This hour is titled: "A Former Abortionist Tells All" -Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Levatino

Their story is gripping, and moving, Dr. Levatino shares with you his story of being an everyday abortionist, to holding his own dead child in his arms
Please give it a listen


Download Link : Here

Sacred Heart Parish - Gardner Kansas

As I have this more free time due to being out of work, I decided to take some more pictures for my readers at another local Catholic church, also I wanted to share some pictures from our new digital camera. Most of the time the pictures of churches I take are from after the Saturday evening vigil Mass.

Tonite I ventured out to Gardner Kansas to check out this parish that was built in 2004

I don't usually comment on my visit to the parish as mostly it is your typical Ordinary form mass, you can check out THIS POST for more detail about what I usually find around the area.

I must say that the Vigil Mass was one of the most reverent, heartfelt, prayerful masses I have participated in.

First as a shock to me as I kneel to pray I notice that the thurable and boat are missing from its stand near the altar.... sure enough incense was used throughout the mass.

Next when Father went to read the gospel, another shock (of the good kind) bellowed forth from the pulpit "DOMINUS VOBISCUM" the priest exclaimed, my jaw about hit the floor, this would be the first of about three DOMINUS VOBISCUM's he would say during the mass.

Father also sung (in english) the Eucharistic prayer, and then the entire Pater Noster (in english) was sung as well.

It was all topped off with the final blessing given in Latin.

I hope you enjoy these pictures.

God Bless

The Meaning of Life (pt 2)

This post is Post # 2 in a 3 part series on the meaning of Life.

See Part 1 Here: The Meaning of Life (pt 1)

As I have stated in my previous post the church gives us the very clear and simple meaning of life- To know, Love and serve God in this world, so that I can be happy with him in the next.
In this post we will examine how we can better show Love for God.

In our lives God has strategically placed people in our path, some we encounter become good friends, others we encounter we barely notice or pay any attention to and still there are some that we would rather completely forget even exist. Yet Christ calls us to show his peace and love to everyone, without exception.

In the hustle of the day its very easy to forget that I am suppose to be a living example of the Cross, that I am suppose to Put on Christ in everything I say and Do. The creepy guy at lunch deserves a smile, a hello, a kind word, just as much as the pretty girl at the bank. All too often I catch myself picking and choosing who I am most comfortable around, who conforms to my ideas of "Normal", and I do this without even thinking about it.

Everyone has likes, and dislikes. These likes and dislikes are what we are born with, what we become accustomed to, most of the times we have no rhyme or reason as to why we like or dislike the things we do. The likes and dislikes are in our nature,and feelings, these are things we have no control over.

This is what makes love all the more powerful, because love is not a feeling- love is a choice. In choosing to love someone we accept them for who they are, we love them for all their likes and dislikes, their positives and downfalls. This is not always easy and this is what makes love a virtue. Our lord command us to love one another as he has loved us, and that love lead him to the cross, it is this command that we must strive to live everyday. With the command of love we are forbidden to judge.

When we truly live our faith, and we are loving God as we are called, others should not be thinking that they just met Christopher, rather that they just had a true encounter with Christ and his love.

"And now there remain faith, hope, and love, these three: but the greatest of these is love"
1st Corinthians 13:13

Im Back with a Good Prayer After Communion

I have been gone for quite some time, but now I return to you with much more time on my hands now, so maybe there will be an influx of good posts coming your way from me.

To ease back into the world of blogging I want to share with you this prayer after Communion.

Prayer of St. Augustine


Before Thine eyes, O Lord, we bring our sins, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.
If we examine the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little, what we deserve is great.
What we have committed is very grievous, what we have suffered is very slight.
We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.
Under thy lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed.
Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.
Our life groans under sorrow, yet amends not in deed.
If thou spare us we correct not our ways: if thou punish we cannot endure it.
In time of correction we confess our wrong-doing: after thy visitation we forget that we have wept.
If thou stretch forth thy hand we promise amendment; if thou withholdest the sword, we keep not our promise.
If thou strikest, we cry out for mercy: if thou spareest, we again provoke thee to strike.
Here we are before thee, O Lord, confessedly guilty; we know that unless thou pardon we shall deservedly perish.
Grant, then, O Almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask; Thou who made out of nothing those who ask Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins.
R. Neither reward us according to our iniquities.

Let us pray.
O God, who by sin art offended and by penance pacified ; mercifully regard the prayers of thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.