If there had been no cross....

If there had been no cross, Christ would not have been crucified. If there had been no cross, Life would not have been nailed to the tree. If he had not been nailed, the streams of everlasting life would not have welled from his side, blood and water, the cleansing of the world; the record of our sins would not have been cancelled, we would not have gained freedom, we would not have enjoyed the tree of life, paradise would not have been opened. If there had been no cross, death would not have been trodden under foot, the underworld would not have yielded up its spoils.

How great the cross, through which we have received a multitude of blessings, because, against all reckoning, the miracles and sufferings of Christ have been victorious!
From a homily by St Andrew of Crete, Office of Readings for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Advice from former Baywatch, Playboy star: "Pray the Rosary every day. Attend Mass every Sunday. Go to Confession regularly."

Donna D'Errico is now a 44 year old pro-life mother of two who wears the Scapular, goes to Mass and says the Rosary every day with her children. "I know what it’s like to be led astray and fall into a life of sin. I know how easy that is. I’ve lived it. I also know what it’s like to come back." Read more at LifesiteNews.com.

UK ABORTION LAW CRITICIZED AS PARALYMPICS COME TO AN END

This from Zenit

Games Coordinator Calls on British Government to Change Legislation

LONDON, SEPT. 4, 2012 (Zenit.org).- James Parker, Catholic coordinator of the 14th Summer Paralympic Games, called on Christians and all who value human life to challenge leaders and politicians to change Great Britain's "discriminatory and outdated abortion laws." 

Parker serves as the first ever lay Catholic chaplain to serve at the games. He made this call in a pre-recorded interview with Vatican Radio.

As the Paralympic Games draw to an end, Parker spoke of his time working with the Games and directly with some of the athletes. "My own experience of the Paralympic Village, the heavily guarded home to all the athletes and officials alongside the Olympic Park, is that it is a sacred place," he said. 

Saying that while the village is strewn with wheelchairs, crutches, bodies of every shape and size, there is "a vibrant tangible passion for life, that not even the greatest town or city could boast."

"The joy in the Village is palpable," he said. "It is a place where everyone is celebrated and honored whether a medallist or not, and each person is in service of their neighbor. I am constantly reminded of the words of St. Lawrence when, in the year 258, he was commanded by the Emperor Valerian to bring to him the Church’s treasury. Days later he brought before the Emperor the poor, crippled, and maimed and stated: 'Behold the jewels of the Church!' He was then martyred for such a simple action."

Speaking about the lead up the Games, Parker mentioned that "we see the word 'Superhumans' on our billboards and yet Paralympians are no different to any other human being."

"What is astounding is that Britain is enabling the eyes of the world to be opened to the giftedness and potential of those with disabilities through its hosting of the Paralympic Games. However, its own laws vehemently and shockingly discriminate against any new life in the womb that might possibly be affected by a physical handicap, genetic problems or a mental defect."

Parker also noted that in conversations with a number of Paralympians during the games, he was astonished to discover that many didn't realize that had they or their teammates been conceived today in Britain, they would most likely be aborted. "If Britain wishes to retain its place towards the head of the medals table at future Paralympic Games in decades to come then it needs to seriously consider changing its laws to stop discriminating against what is presently termed as an ‘unacceptable quality of life.' Games aside, any society that wishes to be healthy needs to increasingly value disability and non-disability equally," he said. 

“The Christian community needs as a whole, along with others who share our beliefs on the dignity of human life, to continue to take the lead and, like St. Lawrence, to stridently work towards changing Britain’s discriminatory and outdated abortion laws," Parker concluded. "If this issue is not addressed as we wave goodbye to the Paralympic Games from our shores, then it is hard to imagine when another opportunity of this sort will pass our way when British society and the world as a whole is celebrating the incredulous achievements of those with disabilities."

Life is THE issue - vote pro-life first

I Vote Pro-Life First.com

New Catholic Free School opens in Cambourne, Cornwall

ITV News has a piece on this exciting new development. It looks a delightful little school. Let's pray for its success.

Visit the school's website and facebook page.

Pope Benedict: God's law leads man to true freedom and life.

Above diptych can be purchased from Catholic to the Max.

Commenting on yesterday's Liturgy of the Word, Pope Benedict spoke about the law of God.

In the Liturgy of the Word this Sunday emerges the theme of the Law of God and His commandment, an essential element of Judaism and even Christianity, where it finds its fulfillment in love (cf. Rm 13:10). The law of God is his Word that guides man on the path of life, releases him from the slavery of selfishness and introduces him to the "land" of true freedom and life. For this in the Bible the law is not seen as a burden, a limitation overwhelming, but as the most precious gift of the Lord, the testimony of his fatherly love, of his desire to be close to his people, to be his ally and write with it a love story. So please the pious Israelite, "In your decrees is my delight, / will not forget thy word. (...) Lead me in the path of your commands, / because it is my happiness "( Ps 119,16.35). In the Old Testament, who in the name of God sends Moses is the Law to the people. He, after a long journey through the desert, on the threshold of the promised land, so proclaims: "And now, Israel, listen to the laws and rules which I teach you, so that put into practice, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers, is giving you "( Dt 4:1).

For the original see the Pope's Angelus message (it's only available in Italian currently, but you can get Google translator to make a pretty good job of it, as above.)

As it happens, Bishop Sample also preached about the Divine Law, Natural Law and Human Law, pointing out how the fact that God reveals His law to us is a sign of his love, of his care for us. (I preached in a similar vein, but nothing like as eloquently as the Bishop.)

Edna Hocking receives Catholic Services Award

Bishop Sample speaks before presenting the
Catholic Services Award to Edna on July 27th.

Edna receives the award from the Bishop.

With her daughters Linda and Phyllis.

Edna shows off the award.

Bishop Sample blesses the reception held at St Anthony's in Edna's honor yesterday.

Bishop Sample came to the parish yesterday to celebrate the principal parish Mass and to formally present Edna Hocking with the diocesan Legacy of Faith Catholic Services Award.

Because Edna's health had deteriorated a little, Bishop Sample first presented the Award to Edna on Friday July 27th at the Brookridge Assisted Living facility to which she had just moved. However, Edna was determined to make it for the previously arranged date of September 2nd and, thank God, she was able to be with us. The parish erupted into a spontaneous standing ovation when Edna was wheeled to the sanctuary for the presentation of the award at the end of Mass yesterday.

Other photographs were taken - I'll update the post with a link but check out the UP Catholic Facebook page.

Here is the citation that the Chair of our parish council, Mrs Sandy Hause, submitted as we nominated Edna for this award. It will give you some idea of what an extraordinary person she is.

Commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church

Edna Hocking is a life-long member and a "forever-giving" member of St Anthony Parish in Gwinn and we treasure her! She has served in countless positions and immeasurable committees for many, many years, but the one that she is most proud of is her 75 years as an active member of the Choir of St Anthony Parish! A rare distinction that no one has held before her and I dare say it will never be accomplished again! She joined the choir as a young girl and as the years went by, she was asked to lead daily "Latin Mass" along with many other distinctions at weekly Mass. Even though she was working with her husband in their store and then at the Gwinn Bank before her retirement, she never ever faltered in her dedication to her God, her parish, her choir! She is an exemplary witness to her Faith by never missing an opportunity to use her voice to praise God in all special devotions, for funerals, and all Masses. You can always depend on her to be there, no matter what it takes to make sure that it happens. Please allow me to also mention that by her example, her two daughters both began singing in our choir and then in their own respective parishes after they began their careers. Her daughter Linda is the organist at St Joseph Parish in Sioux Ste Marie, MI and has shared her talents with us on many occasions; many times when we were urgently in need of an organist.

Inspiration/Service/Leadership

It is extremely difficult to know where to start and, indeed, where to end explaining Edna's qualities in this category. She inspires all of us that work with her or know her, on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, I never try to schedule any meeting that she would be involved with unless I talk to her first!! Her schedule is that jam-packed! Though she has had a few health problems of late, she simply works with and around them and keeps on going!

She has been an officer and active member of our Altar Society since its inception and its is joy and a gift to be able to have her share all those years of knowledge with us which reminds us that we have the same goals in mind always. Serving! She has been on every committee possible associated with this organization, from elaborate dinners and fund-raisers to Carnival planning and numerous other special events through the years, but I believe that she would tell you that her copious amount of hours spent working on the Funeral Luncheon Team has been (and is) her greatest joy! Being part of that special group of ladies who immediately drop everything in their own lives in order to ensure these grieving families, having lost loved ones, are well cared for and shown mercy and love is of utmost importance to her. There is never a family who not only appreciates the donation of food and service time, but who feel truly blessed by the Corporal Work of Mercy when their hears are so sorrowful.

In additions, she performs this same service at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Member. In either organization, she is on the phone like lightening to ensure enough donations are secured to feed everyone, and in Gwinn, that can be a lot of people! She is very active in this organization as well and is their past-president, along with many other leading roles. Her leadership in their ever on-going Pasty Project is heralded far and wide! She arrives by 5:00 a.m. on Pasty Day and always says it is "just to try to get a jump on things!" She continues to mentor and inspire and still work banquets for them as well. Like I said, "forever-giving" is our Edna!

Edna is a member of our St Anthony Parish Pastoral Council and our Finance Council. Her ability to remember specific facts and numbers is utterly amazing and she never, ever ceases to participate by sharing her much-valued assessments or input and ideas to a given topic or situation. We are so enriched by her wisdom.

In addition to all that I have shared with you, there are many other organizations to which Edna belongs and is a vital link in their objectives and goals. They are as follows:

Forsyth Township Library Board Member ... currently extremely busy working on plans and development for a new Library in Gwinn.

Historical Society of Gwinn ... lends her mind and ideas to his important organization that honors and chronicles the founding of his Community.

"Share Food Group" ... For 20 years she arrived at our local Club House at 5:30 a.m. to receive and check in the food truck that came from Wisconsin for orders placed through her. Another prime example of her fierce dedication to whatever she does and for whomever she does it! The behind the scenes time this project took is unreal!

"Merry Mixers" and work in the Senior Center ... [Edna's leadership in this was explained in an attachment to the submission.]

Study Club of Gwinn ... This group has been in existence for many years in Gwinn and they study everything from books to engaging guest speakers that will educate and enlighten them on any number of subjects. She never misses!

"The Red Hats" of Gwinn ... And the, just for fun, she joined the "Red Hats!" How could a "gal" miss the opportunity for a lovely meal at a great place, or a trip to Michigamme shops, or an Ice Cream Social! I just had to add this because it just further exemplifies that Edna never stops inspiring by her service, her devotion, her beautiful radiant sharing of her time and talents with everyone and every group she serves on and always, serving her God is most important in her life. The Holy Spirit guides her and she "preaches and teaches" with every action she takes. "As often as you do it one of the least of my brothers, you do it for me", said our Lord and I think this is certainly the scriptural quotation that embodies how Edna lives her life, consistently and faithfully for so many years.

Endorsements from parishioners, as well her pastor (me) were also submitted.

In presenting the award, Bishop Sample remarked that when he telephoned Edna to inform her of the award, she said she didn't want it! After a little persuasion, she accepted. This was, the Bishop said, the reaction of one who truly deserved the award.

I hope that others in the parish, especially our young, will be inspired by Edna's example of service to God, Church and Society.

Congratulations Edna!