Summary of this Issue

August 4^th marked the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Vianney — the famous Curé of Ars. Benedict XVI declared St. Jean Vianney to be the patron of all Catholic priests. Reflections on this exemplary priest, as well as biographical books, are provided.

There should be little doubt to us in the affluent West that our civilization has gone completely awry. Despite its riches and power, it is declining both morally and demographically. A great article printed almost ten years ago explains how New Barbarians have been destroying what should be of greatest value.

North America’s news media have enormous opinion-shaping power, and therefore bear a lot of responsibility in the promotion of new forms of barbarity. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver provides keen insights into the workings of the Fourth Estate (i.e. the media)

As if we needed another example of our sad state, an article featured in the latest issue of Maclean’s Magazine promotes the “anti-virtues” of childlessness. This is in stark contrast with the documented reality: Demographic Bomb.

Scary Obamacare illustrates the “anti-life” dangers in the proposed Health Care reforms of the Obama Administration.

A clear-headed 20 year old thanks us baby-boomers for the mess we’re leaving her generation in her heart-wrenching letter.

Abortion is the acid-test of Christianity. We find out whether our faith is real as we deal with a culture that denigrates unborn life …. Powerful reflections are provided in A Simple Sermon on Abortion.

One of the most simple but effective ways for Christians to demonstrate that they are passing the acid-test regarding abortion is to get involved in the 40 Days for life Campaign. The next 40 Days Campaign runs September 23^rd to November 1^st. Suggested ways to get involved are indicated.

The D & P scandal sadly reveals that the CCCB has been failing miserably the acid-test in not taking seriously the promotion of abortion in the 3^rd World countries. Thankfully some Bishops are calling for a revision of this discredited organization.

New articles found in the Pro-Life Corner deal with euthanasia, which has been in the news of late. Margaret Somerville provides some valuable insights.

See Links to latest commentaries by David Warren on Obama and euthanasia.

Upcoming Events of Note:

·         July 2^nd to August 10^th: Shakespeare in the Parks will present the comedy: "Much Ado About Nothing" in many Ottawa parks this summer. Details are given.

·         August 24^th: 40 days for Life General Meeting at St. Pat’s Basilica (scavi).

·         September 10^th: 40 days for Life General Meeting at St. Pat’s Basilica (scavi).

·         September 11^th-12^th & 13^th: Pilgrimage for seniors and physically handicapped to Cap de la Madeleine.

·         September 19^th at St. Pat’s Basilica, “HOW BEING CATHOLIC IS ABOUT RESTORING CIVILIZATION” by David Warren

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

150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars

August 4^th maked the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Vianney — the famous Curé of Ars. The anniversary is especially significant, in light of Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to specifically link the Church’s current Year for Priests to this anniversary of St. John Vianney’s death and to highlight him as the model for the priests of today. To read more, visit: http://www.ncregister.com/daily/st._john_vianney_feast_day

Recommended books on the life of the exemplary priest:

·         Cure D'Ars Today
St. John Vianney
Fr. George Rutler
"Everyone who thinks Vianney is already well known will find not simply new information, but what has new meaning for each discoverer. That meaning may well differ for each reader. The descriptions of the Curé's encounters with Satan and "his lesser angels" and of the hours in the confessional were my own personal crucial rediscoveries. The retreat by Pope John Paul II given at Ars is an extraordinary bonus in this extraordinary work.... An important, fascinating work by an important, fascinating author. — John Cardinal O'Connor

·          The Cure of Ars
The Priest Who Out-Talked the Devil
Milton Lomask
Milton Lomask contributes his second volume to the Vision Books series of saints for youth 9 - 15 years old in this story of the greatly beloved Curé of Ars. Jean-Marie Vianney, a farm boy born during the French Revolution, longed to become a priest. But he could not learn Latin, and it seemed as if the humble, lovable, slow-thinking Jean-Marie would never be ordained. He did at last become a priest, and such a holy one that St. Jean-Marie Vianney is invoked as the patron saint and model of parish priests everywhere. To many he is known, not by name, but simply as "the Curé of Ars," the parish priest who devoted his life to the little village of Ars and so successfully led his people to sanctity that he became a prime target of the devil.

Saving the West from the New Barbarians

Few would dispute that Western civilization is in trouble. Despite its riches and power, it is declining both morally and demographically…..The new barbarian is not interested in conforming his mind to reality but in conforming reality to his wishes. For him, the goal of freedom is not the truth, but more freedom….. The new barbarian will not accept as real any rational end that could constitute a limitation on his freedom, including those very “limitations” that define what human is. As a result, the new barbarian, like the old, has no capacity to recognize another person as a human being, or even to differentiate between the human and the animal. The loss of this capacity has brought upon us the now-too-familiar culture of death.

To read more, visit: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/printarticle.html?id=328

Archbishop Charles Chaput on the media:

What Catholics Need to Do

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver delivered a talk entitled "Catholics and the ‘Fourth Estate ‘." It was given to Legatus members in Colorado Springs on July 8, 2009.

North America ’s news media have enormous opinion-shaping power. Therefore it’s vital for Catholics to understand how the media work, and especially how they work on us. We saw a clear example of the media "working on us” with the lack of coverage during the last National March for Life in Ottawa last May. Archbishop Chaput provides some clear insights on how the media operates and why. Visit: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/printarticle.html?id=6098

An inspiring Pro-life Youtube video

Maclean's Mag: Kids "hurt your career, your marriage, your social life, your bankbook. Why bother?" ….visit: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/aug/09080510.html

VS

Demographic Bomb

Their targets were the poor countries of the world - reduce the number of poor by reducing their population, "by compulsion if necessary".  But their greatest success was in the developed world. 

Demographic Bomb shows what happens when countries comprising 80% of the world's economy have plummeting numbers of workers and innovators, plunging consumer spending, and not enough young to support the old.

Demographic Winter predicted the financial crash of 2008. Demographic Bomb reveals how it is just the beginning.

Click Here to watch the powerful new trailer!

Scary Obamacare

Obamacare is the name given to the proposed Health Care Reform Bill proposed by the Obama administration. They were hoping to push this bill before the August summer break, but thankfully it has been delayed allowing for some reaction to be organized.

To read the summary of the 1^st 500 pages of the proposed Bill, click HERE.

The main concern is that the Bill will open the door to the promotion of both abortion and euthanasia. See the following links:

·         Obama Health Care Bill Will Lead To Coercion At Both Ends of Life: http://catholicexchange.com/2009/08/03/120968/print/

·         Unborn May Lose Ground: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/unborn_may_lose_ground

·         Elderly Patients May Face Pressure to Die: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/elderly_patients_may_face_pressure_to_die

·         ObamaCare Ignores Subsidiarity. Visit: http://www.ncregister.com//daily/print/18839/

Questions American Catholics are encouraged to ask their Political reps:  http://catholicexchange.com/2009/08/04/120980/print/

So long, and thanks for all the mess

Surveying various problems of recent making, Rebekah Hebbert, a young Canadian, gives the baby boomers a piece of her mind. Fair enough, too. The world needs young people with their eyes wide open, brains tuned and hearts in the right place to tackle the "mess" (yes, it's the right word) their elders have created. More power to them….Visit:

http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/so_long_and_thanks_for_all_the_mess/

(Interesting comments follow the article as well)

Graham C.

A Simple Sermon on Abortion

 by Hunter Baker

The sanctity of life is an acid test for the Christian church.  What is an acid test?  One way the acid test was used was to distinguish real precious metals from fake ones.  Take something that looks like gold and drip nitric acid on it.  If it holds up and is not degraded by the acid, the gold is real.  Our approach to the sanctity of life determines how we hold up to the acid test.  We will find out whether our faith is real as we deal with a culture that denigrates unborn life, especially imperfect life….let us not be seduced by fool’s gold, let us be a witness to god’s love for human beings born and unborn. Let us pass the acid text…

To read more, visit the following site:

http://merecomments.typepad.com/merecomments/2009/07/a-simple-sermon-on-abortion.html

September 23^rd to November 1st

Our next 40 days For Ottawa Life Campaign will take place on  SEPT. 23 to NOV. 1, 2009.

Campaign Life Coalition is now calling You (those of you who can) to the  40 Days Organizational TEAM MEETING.

THIS  WEDNESDAY August 12, 2009, at the CLC offices at 860 Campbell Ave. from 7:00 to 8:30PM .....Only for those who want to get involved at the ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL (see Role description below at the end)... click HERE for details.

if you can make it please leave a message at 613 729-0379 RSVP

if you need to talk to me directly: Paul Lauzon: cell 613 552-8636 

40 Days for Life General Meetings will take place on

Monday August 24^th and Thursday September 10^th  

at St. Patrick’s Basilica, 220 Kent St. enter by side door (Scavi) 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Development and Peace Scandal

Since the last VM issue, there has been some encouraging news related to the D & P Scandal. We’re getting some sound Episcopal leadership namely from Archbishop Collins from Toronto. Visit the following links:

Toronto Archbishop Will Only Allow D&P Funds to go to Groups Approved by Local Bishops. Visit: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09072303.html

Canadian Catholic Author Michael O’Brien on Development and Peace and the Pope’s New Encyclical: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09071412.html

Canadian Bishops Split on Charity Money:

http://www.socon.ca/or_bust/?p=2029

Pro-life Corner

The flawed quest for perfection by Margaret Somerville. Technology can eliminate many human imperfections, but we risk losing that messy quality that is the essence of our humanness: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/...story.html

Pro-euthanasia lobby confuses pain relief treatment and euthanasia by Margaret Somerville. It’s true and to be welcomed that the vast majority of Canadians agree we should give fully adequate pain relief, but the pro-euthanasia lobby is wrong on all its other claims. It’s true and to be welcomed that the vast majority of Canadians agree we should give fully adequate pain relief, but the pro-euthanasia lobby is wrong on all its other claims. Visit: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/...story.html

Letters by Margaret Somerville on Euthanasia:

• We Need Euthanasia Laws: http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1856705
• Words matter in euthanasia debate: http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/letters/Words...story.html

Competing Sorrows by Margaret Somerville. The swine flu pandemic is a reminder that we may be forced to make painful decisions about who lives and who dies. Visit: http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/competing_sorrows/

———————–

√ 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/

Commentaries by David Warren

·On Obama: Not Nice

·On euthanasia: The Killing Field

UPCOMING EVENTS

Shakespeare in the Parks 

Shakespeare's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" will be performed in various parks in the Ottawa region from July 2 to August 10, 2009.   Shows are at 7 pm.   "Pass the hat" donations are collected at the end of the show (suggested donation of $10).  Please see the link below for further information, including the schedule of performances.

The play is being presented by "A Company of Fools”, which is Ottawa’s only professional Shakespeare company and has been performing since 1990.  The mandate of the Fools is to produce innovative, entertaining and accessible shows based on the works of William Shakespeare.

For details, visit: http://www.fools.ca/

A Pilgrimage to  Our Lady of the Cape Shrine

The Legion of Mary is Organizing a

Pilgrimage for the Handicapped and Seniors

September 11, 12 &13, 2009

Physically challenged persons and seniors, as well as able bodied persons are invited

COST: ( $222 to $287.25) includes meals, lodging and transportation.

For more information

CONTACT: Cheryl Clingaman at 613-728-5687

 Life Changing Catholic Conference 

Theology of the Body Conference:
Discovering The Master
Plan for Your Life 

The teachings of Pope John Paul II, presented by Christopher West 

God, Sex and the Meaning of Life Ministry in partnership with The Natural Family Planning Association  are organizing this very special event.  It will be held in Toronto on October 16 and 17, 2009. Please click here for the details. 

Are you attending the Theology of the Body Conference: Discovering the Master Plan for Your Life? The conference is based on the teachings of John Paul II presented by Christopher West (world renowned speaker and author on the Theology of the Body) to be held on Friday, October 16 (7-9:30 pm) & Saturday, October 17, 2009 (8:00 am-4:30 pm) at Canada Christian College, 50 Gervais Dr. Toronto. 

We are extending the early registration rate of $30.00 to August 15 to provide as many people as possible with an opportunity to attend.

If you have not yet registered, sign up now.

But be aware attending this conference could change your life!

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