 
Into the Valley of Death stormed the brave and faith-filled Irish Brigade
Because it is St. Patrick's Day, we are foregoing our regular column of AT ONE WITH GOD - The Charism of Conjugal Love until next Saturday in favor of a special column by Pat Ludwa on the famed Irish Brigade and the determination of the Irish Catholic stock. He cites the valor and bravery of these dedicated men who, though treated lower than slaves, were far greater in the eyes of God and fought valiantly for their new sod of America. Pat calls for that same spirit today when relativism is making so many spirits lazy and resigned to accept error, mediocrity and conformity. Faithfulness was a character of the Church once, it should and must be again. For Pat's column, The Irish Brigade see VIEW FROM THE PEW
 
Lenten Weekday and
Feast of Saint Patrick
While today is the liturgy of Lent, most will acknowledge it for the Optional Feast it is: the Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop and Apostle of Ireland who solidified the Faith in the emerald isle in the 5th century. Tomorrow we observe the Third Sunday of Lent. For these liturgies, see Daily LITURGY
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Purple vestments
SATURDAY, March 17:
Lenten Weekday
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First Reading: Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20
Psalms: Psalm 103: 1-4, 9-12
Gospel Reading: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
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"But he said to him, 'Son, thou art always with Me, and all that is Mine is thine; but we were bound to make merry and rejoice, for this thy brother was dead, and has come to life; he was lost and is found." Luke 15: 31-32
 
O God, Who didst vouchsafe to send Thy Confessor and Bishop, Blessed Patrick, to preach Thy glory to the nations, grant, through his merits and intercession, that what Thou dost command us to do, we may, by Thy mercy, be enabled to perform. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
From My Daily Prayer for March 17th.
Bishop Cummins: We implore you to call Congressman George Miller to task for his unyielding pro-abortion stance.
 Today's "Herod's Hero" is the Democratic Congressman from the 7th Congressional District in California covering the Oakland area George Miller. We call on him to repent and for his shepherd in the Diocese of Oakland Bishop John S. Cummins along with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Shepherd of the nation's capitol see, to issue the ultimatum of the "Bell, Book, and Candle" if Congressman Miller will not hear even the Church. We beg of you, dear Bishops, to stand up for the Roman Catholic Church, to exact the discipline all Catholics are expected to follow. By Miller's pro-abortion record sine 1975, he has shown a disdain for Catholic doctrine and has been a willing accomplice to satan. We implore him to amend his ways, to turn away from embracing the pro-abort stance with no mercy for the lives of millions of unborn. By his actions as a 'Catholic' he is guilty of being an accomplice to murder through his promotion, voting record and legislation of pro-abortion measures. For another betrayer who seeks to perpetuate the culture of death and slay the innocents, see HEROD'S HEROES
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Holy Father encourages document on "Ethics on the Internet"
Acknowledging the importance of the internet, Pope John Paul II addressed the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, headed by American Archbishop John Foley. In his talk the Holy Father reminded all of the Jubilee document "Ethics in Communication" and signaled that a similar one "Ethics on the Internet" would be forthcoming shortly in the same vein.. He praised the possibilities of the web and the great evangelization tool it provides, but warned that the truth must be put out first and foremost for much deceit has been conveyed over the internet. We agree wholeheartedly with His Holiness and offer this publication as proof of the truths that he wishes to convey to the faithful. We stand always ready and willing to shout from the rooftops the truths of the Roman Catholic Faith.
For more, see News from ROME
ALSO:
 
Cardinal calls for conscience clause on contraceptive insurance bill to protect Catholics
New York's Archbishop Cardinal Edward Egan is showing strong signs of following in his predecessor's footsteps in the fight for the Sanctity of Life. Like Cardinal O'Connor, Cardinal Egan has called for a "conscience clause" to exempt Catholic institutions from providing contraceptive insurance. He ventured into the halls of Albany's state capitol to lobby for the clause because to provide contraceptions goes against the teachings of the Church. For more, see USA News
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Bill introduced to protect unborn in the womb from violence
A US House of
Representatives subcommittee has resurrected a bill that
would make it a felony to harm an unborn child during a
violent criminal act. The bill, which critics say is an attempt to restrict
access to abortion, was first proposed last year and passed the House but failed in the Senate, largely because pro-abort Bill Clinton vowed to veto it. President George W. Bush has promised to sign it if passed.
For more, see Pro Life News
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When Pope visits mosque in Damascus he won't be able to pray at Saint John the Baptist's tomb there
Many have made a big deal out of the Pope making a visit to a mosque when he arrives in Damascus. What they are missing and what the Syrian Grand Mufti affirmed is that the Holy Father is not going there to pray to Allah but because Saint John the Baptist is buried inside the mosque which was built on his tomb there. However the Roman Pontiff will not be allowed to even kneel at the Baptist's tomb but "a quick silent glance at the tomb" confirmed Bishop Izdor Battikha.
For more, see Universal News
ALSO:
For more Daily News, we recommend sources we rely on. For these news agencies, see News Sources
Sure n' begorrah, New York loves a parade and Irish Catholics have had one on this day for 239 years
On this date in 1497, Pope Alexander VI decreed that a cave in Ireland be sealed shut forever; the same cave which was revealed to Saint Patrick in an interior vision as the "doorway to hell." Also, on this date in 1762 New York Catholics celebrated their first St. Patrick's Day Parade. Ever since it has become thee event of the year in the big Apple which carpetbagger Hillary Clinton has tried to usurp. Like the Borgia Pope, Clinton's lust for power will stop at nothing from campaigning in a Catholic church to constantly lying. On the other end of the moral spectrum, Cardinal Edward Egan, for the first time as Archbishop of New York, will preside over this largely Roman Catholic celebration that has had to deal with the demons of the gay militant factors in recent years. Thank God this year parade organizers don't have to worry about Hillary. She'll be antagonizing parade organizers in Albany where the cardinal has boldly been fighting the contraceptive measure Clinton is trying to pass. For other Time Capsule events that happened Today in Church history, see Daily TIME CAPSULES in Church History
We're more blessed than we think!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
"The talents we have must be put to work, but if they yield only a certain return, we do not murmur because the return is not greater. When we really examine our consciences we have to admit that we have received more than we morally deserved!"
Monthly Medjugorje Message for February 2001
For Our Lady's February 25th message for 2001 and more on Medjugorje, see MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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March 17, 2001 volume 12, no. 76
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