Liturgical Overview of the month of May.

To mark the 5^th anniversary of Pope Benedict’s election, a Mass will be celebrated at Notre Dame Cathedral. As a tribute to him, several articles and a video are provided.

In response to the media blitz against the Pope, new articles as well a video of a program from EWTN TV featuring George Weigel are available.

The National March for Life takes place in Ottawa May 12^th to 14^th. Details are included.

The Ontario Government’s proposed Sex-Ed Curriculum caused quite a stir. Articles, as well a summary of a radio talk show, are provided.

Although the McGuinty Government has backtracked implementing the proposed curriculum, the Ministry Education appears committed to implementing “Equity and Inclusive Education" policy. A PEACE (Public Education Advocates for Christian Equity) seminar will be held in Ottawa to provide information on this controversial Government policy.

This month saw two Pro-life victories for which we should give thanks to God: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide motion was defeated in Parliament, and Canada announced it will not fund abortion in its Maternal Health aid to 3^rd World Countries.

Articles related to Pro-Life are provided.

In this issue we have access to an audio recording and PDF to the text of Swimming against the Tide, Dr Tim Lau’s conversion story.

A link is given to a book review of Caring for Words dealing with word abuse.

A link is available allowing the download of audio recordings and Power-point slides of the powerful Recapturing Reason sessions given by Dr. Tim Lau at Saint Patrick’s Basilica.

Sheila Liaugminas from MercantorNet.com has discovered Flanders & Swann, a uniquely comedic British duo. Video links to some of their hilarious performances are provided.

A captivating book review of Canadian Converts is available.

Upcoming Events of Note:

• Friday April 30th: Mass to celebrate election of Pope Benedict 16^th at Notre Dame Cathedral.
• Wednesday May 5th: PEACE Seminar dealing with Ontario Government’s policy regarding Sex-Ed Curriculum.
• Friday May 7^th: Mass celebrated by Archbishop Prendergast at Men’s Eucharistic Divine Mercy Cenacle at Annunciation of the Lord Parish
• May 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th : National March for Life
• Thursday May 13^th: Living Rosary at Good Shepherd Parish to commemorate Pro-Life Week.
• Saturday May 15^th: Seminar on Christian Citizenship and Effective Political Mobilization at Saint Patrick’s Basilica
• Saturday May 29^th: Men’s Breakfast at St. Augustine Parish with Dr. John Scott.
• July 16^th -18^th Journey to the Father - recommended activities for those with High- School children or grand-children.

Special Mass for Pope Benedict XVI

Monday April 19^th marked the fifth anniversary of the Holy Father’s election in 2005. There will be a special Mass celebrated in his intention at Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday April 30^th at Notre Dame Cathedral. Click HERE for details.

Read the following tributes to Pope Benedict:

·           Perfect Successor to John Paul II

·           God of Love Is Also God of Truth

·           Sticking to the Essentials

·           Implacable Advocate for Justice

·           Pastor-Teacher Leads With His Heart

·           Telling the Truth in Love

·           Serious and Consistent Leader 

·           See Youtube video: Benedict and the New Dark Age

Media blitz - Pope Benedict

You stitched up the Pope and this is how you did it, law professor tells New York Times

Read Michael Coren: Facts, balance missing in media coverage of abuse scandal

In Depth Analysis by George Weigel

  A very in depth analysis of this media frenzy was afforded on EWTN’s The World Over episode with George Weigel (distinguished Senior Fellow at the Ethics & Public Policy Center and the official biographer of John Paul II)….click on
http://www.youtube.com/ewtn#p/u/13/1NUgaRrHj8k

Just the facts:

Articles on the present crisis of sex abuse and the Church

The following Web site, Catholic Education Resource Center provides links to pertinent and up-to-date articles: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/media/me0097.htm

MERCATORNET is also doing a formidable job in collecting articles and presenting cultural issues which the Main Stream Media is overlooking in their reporting of this issue: http://www.mercatornet.com/justb16/

Gullible media - Is the media gullible and can it be manipulated. See THIS EXPERIMENT which was conducted in Australia. Hence it’s not surprising that not all media reports are reliable.

The National March for Life is an annual pro-life event which takes places in Ottawa. This year the dates are Wednesday May 12, Thursday May 13 and Friday May 14. This is the premier Canadian Pro-life event with prayer services and Masses conducted in several Ottawa churches in addition to the march through the streets of downtown Ottawa in the afternoon of May 13^th. The Rose Dinner will be held in the evening of May 13 at the Hampton Inn, 200 Coventry Road, with guest speaker, Lila Rose from Live Action.  (tickets are still available at $75 each). On May 14^th, there's a Pro-life Youth Conference.

For detailed information, click on the links below:

March for Life Ottawa Promo 2010

AGENDA:

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Thursday , May 13, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010

Ontario Sex Ed Curriculum 

The McGuinty government back-down on the new sex education curriculum, which would have introduced terms like oral sex, anal intercourse and masturbation to Grade 6 and 7 students and taught Grade 3 students about sexual identity and orientation…click HERE for details. This comes as a the relief not only to Catholics, but also for non-denominational Christians as well as Muslims groups who had impressively organized a concerted resistance to this new curriculum. The proposed curriculum appears to be an evident attempt at social engineering in the area of human sexuality and sexual orientation. Although this backtracking by McGuinty is welcomed, it is highly likely that the government will attempt to re-introduce a modified form of this curriculum at a later date.

Articles

A number of articles appeared to question this new curriculum. Perhaps the most in-depth analysis was done by a National Post Editorial entitled: Sex-ed requires prudence and parents

Also read Parents Must Stand against Explicit Sex Ed in Ontario Catholic Schools: Pro-Family Group

Lowell Green Show

The new Sex-Ed Curriculum was a hot topic in Ottawa media, and was handled by several talk-show hosts. On Thursday April 22^nd, Lowell Green had a very informative CFRA talk-radio show dealing with the Curriculum (this was aired just before the McGuinty Government decided to backtrack). The original thrust of the show dealt with religious freedom:  Do Catholics have a right ensure that teaching of sex in the class does not go contrary to the tenets of their faith?…specific reference was made to the Church teaching on homosexuality. The large majority of callers to the show agreed that Catholics do have this constitutional right, which also falls under the umbrella of Freedom of Religion. In the CFRA on-line poll related to this show, over 72% of the participants agreed with the notion that “Catholic, Protestant, Jewish & Muslim schools have certain beliefs on premarital sex, homosexuality & contraception - it is fundamental they be permitted to teach from a faith perspective”…click HERE for details.

Of interest however are other key points which were brought up during the program. It was established that Sex-Ed is nothing new. It has been taught in schools for almost 40 years. A fundamental question was raised regarding the purpose of Sex-Ed. Supposedly it is to minimize teen pregnancy as well as the spread of STD’s among our students. So what do the STD and pregnancy trends among our teens over the past 30-40 years show? It seems obvious to most (including Lowell and the callers) that these rates have gone up despite decades of Sex-Ed. (For background info on this click on Epidemic - How Teen Sex is Killing our Kids. Read STD Statistics)

Lowell and his callers proposed that the reason for the failure of Sex-Ed programs to abate STD and teen pregnancy rates (resulting from high promiscuity) is that they are taught about sexuality in a valueless manner. Unlike science, Sex-Ed should be based on family-based or moral values in order to be meaningful. If teens only learn the mechanics involved with sex without any value-based frame of reference, what’s to prevent them from experimenting and engaging in this activity? (Hey, everyone’s doing it, right?) A teacher who called during the program revealed that Sex-Ed is not a subject taught in Teachers College. Hence how can one expect teachers to teach such a vital subject with any meaningful family-based values or moral underpinnings.

Perhaps the most shocking revelation during the program was regarding the organization providing research on which the proposed Sex-Ed curriculum may have been based. It is the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN). This organization identifies itself as “a national registered charitable organization founded in 1964 to foster professional education and public knowledge about sexuality and sexual health.

SIECCAN works with health professionals, educators, and community organizations to ensure that all Canadians have access to high quality sexual health information, education and related health and social services.”

What is upsetting is that this organization receives some funding from
Trojan Sexual Health Division, Church & Dwight Canada, which is the condom company. This gives the appearance of a conflict of interest….as Lowell said, “follow the money”.

Also revealing is the organizations which SIECCAN is promoting in its Web site…see Links to Organizations. These include Planned Parenthood and the Guttmacher Institute, two organizations noted for their promotion of abortion and contraceptives.

It would be of interest to determine out how much influence SIECCAN has with the various Canadian Ministries of Education, other government departments, not to mention the media.

PEACE

Public Education Advocates for Christian Equity

PEACE was instrumental in getting McGuinty to backtrack on his party’s Sex-Ed initiative. It should be noted that Premier McGuinty's announcement to withdraw the sex ed curriculum does not address the concern because there is another Ministry of Education overriding philosophical document titled "Equity and Inclusive Education" which all school boards are mandated to implement this fall with curriculum that reflects the sexual diversity of the province in all grade levels, all subject areas.

There will be a seminar for lay-leaders and clergy being hosted at Peace Tower Church, 343 Bronson Ave, Ottawa, May 5^th at 7 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information on the controversial Ministry of Education curriculum dealing with instruction in alternative sexual lifestyles, beginning in kindergarten, and the steps parents may take to lessen the effects on the values of their children.

This P.E.A.C.E. initiative was very successful in Hamilton, Ontario. They remarkably managed to get the Public School Board to refer all pregnant students to Birthright, instead of Planned Parenthood. In fact, Planned Parenthood eventually closed their Hamilton office because of a loss of clientele. They are also working on giving parents control over sex education in the public schools. Catholic schools also need the support of Catholic parents through the  P.E.A.C.E project because Catholic school trustees, administrators, and teachers are also being pressured by the Ministry of Education to implement this "Equity and Inclusive Education" policy even though it conflicts with our Catholic faith and morality. 

Click HERE for more info on this strategy meeting.

Thankful for Pro-Life Victories 

This April, two positive political events took place in Canada from a Pro-life standpoint for which we should thank God:

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. On April 21^st, Canada’s MPs have overwhelmingly rejected assisted suicide and euthanasia Bill C - 384….click on Euthanasia bill defeated in House of Commons

Maternal Health and Abortion. Canada will not fund abortion as part of its 'signature' initiative to promote maternal and child health care as …click on Canadian Gvmt: No Abortion in G8 Maternal Health Plan

Other Pro-Life Articles

Between a rock and a hard place:   On the one hand, he has stated many times that he does not support re-opening the abortion debate…..On the other, there are many disturbing signs regarding pro-life advocacy, and freedom of speech issues surrounding abortion….click on Mr. Harper must support the abortion debate

Roxanne’s Law: The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) would like to commend Mr. Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, for introducing Bill C-510, an Act to Prevent Coercion of Pregnant Women to Abort (Roxanne’s Law), on April 15, 2010…click on COLF SUPPORTS "ROXANNE'S LAW"

Oklahoma passes law requiring women to view ultrasound one hour before abortion…click HERE

Why I Became Catholic: Swimming Against the Tide.
Dr. Tim Lau
Men's Breakfast Presentation
Given at St. Augustine Parish, Ottawa, June 9th, 2007

As G.K. Chesterton once said "only live fish can swim against the current." (or go against the flow). The world is clearly going in a different direction than the Church and God in an increasingly fast way. After going the wrong way for so long, my eyes eventually opened over the course of several years of searching and finding what the heart truly desires.

Click HERE to listen to a recording of this powerful testimony, or to read the text.

"Like any other life-sustaining resource," says Marilyn Chandler McEntyre, "language can be depleted, polluted, contaminated, eroded, and filled with artificial stimulants." Today more than ever, language needs to be rescued and restored.

Click HERE to read a review of this timely book.

RECAPTURING REASON
Clarity in A Confused World
by Dr. Tim Lau

Have you ever pondered whether a person is really just a clever, evolved animal? Do you have misgivings about genetic screening of pre-born persons to engender the “best babies possible”? How about putting suffering persons out of their misery with an assisted “dignified death”? Or public policies that leave themselves no option but to procure abortions as stop-gaps having committed to contraception? Consider the logic of compassion saying it's okay for marriage to be redefined outside the natural scope of two sexes. Or that a plural society must enjoin a pluralist ideology which deplores the proselytizing features of religion. For the secular mind, all these examples carry a compelling rationalism; yet they are profoundly contrary to reason and directly at odds with Christianity.

Below, seven engaging seminars tackle the deceptions at the root of secular thinking. One of them, social Darwinism, is a de-humanized ideology of 'survival of the fittest’ and an outgrowth of atheistic rationalism and nihilism. With such roots now in full maturity in a milieu that denies God and radically severs church from state, Pope Benedict XVI has called on Christians to reclaim the only antidote: the full scope of reason together with holiness. Responding generously to that call, Dr. Timothy Lau has assembled these seven penetrating surveys of thought. Starting from sound principles of knowledge, moving through belief, and personally embracing a God who reveals both himself and the sanctity of all persons, this journey enkindles a zeal for truth, beauty, and goodness: all the great attributes of full personhood in God.

Click HERE to view Power-Point slides, and to listen the records of Dr. Lau’s insightful lectures

We need a Laugh

First, some background…

Years ago one of my sons and I happened onto the uniquely comedic British duo Flanders & Swann while listening to the classical radio station. It was some sort of Mozart anniversary, so they did their annual routine of running Flanders & Swann’s ‘Ill Wind’, a hilariously brilliant rendering of Mozart’s Fourth Horn Concerto. We laughed all the way through it, and became instant fans of the pair. And from time to time we pull out the boxed set of their performances we now own for some smart and funny entertainment, and always great laughs.

Last time we did that was around August, and now we’re in the throes of work and studies and especially this week. While working hard assembling tax documents and doing calculations, I needed to send my son a note on something else, but just gave quick info and said I’d get back to him later because….’The Tax Man Cometh’.

In no time, an email popped up from him saying it’s time to lighten up, and he sent a link for “a cure for tax blues.” It worked. Laughter is good medicine…

The Gas Man Cometh.

And for those with scientific bend, there’s the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics

Book Review of “Canadian Converts”

Click HERE to read an insightful review of this captivating book by Herman Goodden, from Catholic Insight Magazine.

Canadian Converts is one of the first books published by Justin Press, a new Ottawa-based Canadian Catholic printing house. Click HERE for details of this and other books. These books can also be purchased at St. Patrick's Gift Shop.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday April 30^th:  Mass to celebration election of Pope Benedict

There will be a Special Mass celebrated in his intention at Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday April 30^th 7:00PM at Notre Dame Cathedral (chapel in basement) to celebrate the 5^th anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict. Click HERE for details.

Wednesday May 5^th: P.E.A.C.E. Seminar

PEACE (Public Education Advocates for Christian Equity) seminar providing information on Ontario’s Ministry of Education strategy regarding Sex-Ed curriculum…. Click HERE for info.

Friday May 7^th: Archbishop Prendergast will preside Mass at Annunciation of the Lord Parish 

On May 7, 2010 at 6:30-7:45 am we will have the honour of Mgr./Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast, S.J. (Arch Bishop of Ottawa) with us to celebrate Mass at Annunciation of the Lord Parish, 2414 Ogilvy Rd., Gloucester. All men and priests are welcome to join us.

On behalf of the Men of the Eucharist for Divine Mercy we would like to invite you to be with us on this special occasion. The Men of the Eucharist have just celebrated our one year anniversary. Through your support and prayers, we have continued to bring the message of His Divine Mercy through St Faustina's Diary to many men.  There are presently two Men of the Eucharist cenacles meeting every Friday, one in the east end and one in the west end of Ottawa.  

Each week we meet to study the message of Divine Mercy and pray together for our priests, our families and our community. In addition, every week an email that goes out to over 500 families that includes words of wisdom from St Faustina's Diary. On the first Friday of each month we also celebrate the Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

You are all invited to join us every Friday. If you are not able to attend regularly, please feel free to drop in when you are able, all men are welcome.  The Lord has truly poured out His grace on each one of us who have been attending this cenacle over the past year.  

For more information:

From the East Cenacle contact:
Mike Seguin , 613-824-5123, seguinfamily@primus.ca or
Keith Doucette, 613-293-2057, keithdoucettedm@gmail.com

From the West Cenacle contact:
D'Arcy Grant, 613-591-3725, darcy@ultimateenergy.ca or
Tom Lane, 613 828 3339, tomlane@igs.net

We are inviting all men and priests to come together to celebrate this mass with the Archbishop.  Please RSVP by May 3, 2010.

This living rosary is sponsored jointly by the CWL and the Legion of Mary

March for Life Ottawa Promo 2010

AGENDA:

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Thursday , May 13, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010

Seminar on Christian Citizenship and Effective Political Mobilization

Sat. May 15th, from 9 am to 1:30 pm at St. Patrick's Basilica

Seminar on Christian Citizenship and Effective Political Mobilization.  Take part and equip yourself with the tools necessary to have an effective pro-life and pro-family influence on politics.  The seminar is offered by the Canadian Centre for Policy Studies MOBILIZATION.  For more information or to register, please contact Garnet Genuis at ggenuis@policystudies.ca or (613) 695-2176 ext. 211.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "It is the duty of citizens to... fulfill their roles in the life of the political community" (para 2239).

God bless!

…click HERE for details.

Men's Breakfast at St. Augustine Parish – May 29^th

Men's Breakfast at St-Augustine (1060 Baseline near Merivale), Saturday, May 29 at 8 AM; Speaker: Dr. John Scott, Palliative care doctor and professor, theologian and part-time farmer. John is also a convert to the Catholic faith.  Continental breakfast (with eggs & beans!). Cost: $4 at the east door of the church. RSVP breakfastformen@gmail.com or Denis at 228-7646. All men welcome.

Click HERE for details

JOURNEY TO THE FATHER

This is an excellent summer event for families and youth...mainly High School teenagers. It is very affordable and it is less than two hours from Ottawa, St. Raphael’s, Ontario (near Cornwall)….so plan your family holiday early…..

What is this conference about? You!

Enjoy amazing live music that uplifts your spirit.

Hear speakers who understand your hopes and your fears. They speak straight from their hearts.

Make peace with the Father and feel that peace in your life.

Experience your faith in an exciting new way.

Meet other teens just like you

When, where?

July 16-18, 2010
St. Raphael's, Ontario (between Ottawa and Montreal)

Adults (age 21+) Thinking of bringing a group?
Email us at signmeup@journeytothefather.ca and we'll send you a great promo dvd and info package.


Watch our 2008 promo video online
Click here to view the Photodex video now!

Watch our 2007 promo video online
Click here to view the video now!

Listen to/download audio of talks from some past conferences
Click here to listen to the audio now!


Proudly supported by:
The Catholic Diocese of Alexandria - Cornwall

The Conference

This is the tenth annual Journey to the Father Conference. This exciting adventure in the Catholic faith is modelled closely on the Franciscan University of Steubenville High School Aged Conferences. Two main differences are the smaller size ( 500) which does create a more intimate atmosphere to the conference and our Canadian speakers. After relying on American speakers the first few years, we have made a conscious decision to use our own talented and spirit-filled speakers and we have been delighted with the response.

Our teachings are faithful to the Magisterium ( as are those from Franciscan University Conferences) and we try to present the beautiful teachings of the Catholic Church in ways that our youth can understand and be drawn to.

The program is a mix of dynamic talks, beautiful liturgies, great music, with enough social time and opportunity for sports to allow the youth to meet new friends and relax. We have several young speakers and we invite other youth, especially our Disciple Team, to witness during the weekend.

We set up a book store with a variety of Catholic merchandise for sale. We also invite a number of organizations and groups to exhibit at the Conference. These are groups which offer " a next step" for young people finishing high school and have included in the past, the National Evangelization Team, Catholic Christian Outreach, Regnum Christie, religious orders, St. Francis Xavier University, and Youth Blaze among others.

All our food is prepared on site with a good variety of meals and options for people with special food requirements.

We lay ground sheets to accommodate about 200 males or females each in their respective large tent. Chaperones sleep with their groups and we have 24 hour security in these tents. The site is also well supervised throughout the weekend.

Over 400 volunteers are involved each year in staging this conference for our youth. We are very proud of the support we receive from people of all ages in our Diocese. They in turn, enjoy meeting the wonderful young people who attend these conferences and their Chaperones.

We ask for your prayers as we prepare for this wonderful event.

http://www.journeytothefather.ca/conference.html