Richard Chonak: November 2004 Archives

Some people who claim to believe in 'reproductive freedom' apparently don't believe in their opponents' freedom of speech.

They decided to vandalize a statue of our Lady and paint slogans next to a pro-life memorial at a Catholic parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts, over the weekend.

As an aside, so far the Boston Globe website has no coverage of this crime. Maybe they'll get around to it eventually.

Pro-lifers continue to spread the message of life: Sarah Terzo's Abortion Quotes page lets the people who've performed and experienced abortions speak for themselves.

As I write this, the 2001 Glutton Bowl is on the Fox Sports channel, with contestants vying to eat as much as possible of hot dogs (25), hamburgers (11), whole beef tongues (1.5), mayonnaise (128 fl oz), or whatever in a limited time. The Weekly Standard has a piece on the event and other forms of competitive eating.

Each competitor is introduced with some fact about their background; my favorite was the guy who had been banned from an all-you-can-eat shrimp restaurant.

No, it doesn't really look like this:

But there's a real-life Confession-Mobile in Germany, offering "reconciliation with God and men":Of course, for the charity Aid to the Church in Need, taking the grace of the sacraments into the marketplace is standard procedure.

A reader in Massachusetts sent a note the other day looking for some advice. She's thinking of moving to Virginia, together with her husband and their several little kids, and she'd like to know if she can find strong and sound church life there. Can our Virginia readers and writers recommend places to live or schools to attend (Catholic or public)? How the Commonwealth is doing in regard to Catholic issues? (Probably better than Massachusetts.)

Discuss.

John. J. Miller cites some NRLC ratings at The Corner:

In the 105th, 106th, and 107th Congresses, Reid actually earned a higher pro-life rating than Specter. Imagine that: the Democrats' minority leader is more consistently pro-life than the Republican who is next in line to chair the Judiciary Committee.

A bit of good news: farmers are facing up to water shortages by adopting 'no-till' methods that reduce the need for irrigation. I'm glad to hear it. Living within our (environmental) means isn't as scary as people might think.

In case anyone else wants to arrange Masses for the faithful departed, in gratitude for their intercession, I recommend contacting the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. They help the Pope support mission priests in many countries.

News from Fr. Johansen: as the Terri Schiavo case starts to move up to the Federal level, the local judge in her case extends his order preserving Terri's current situation indefinitely.

(Via Amy.)

Tuesday is All Souls' Day, so it's a time to remember how fond we are of the faithful departed; let's pray that they may swiftly enter into the joy and glory of Heaven.

Let's ask them also for their prayers for our fellow countrymen as they go into the voting booth. May wisdom from God move the hearts of all people to support what is truly good and just.

John Mallon just pointed out to me that Inside the Vatican magazine, in its October issue, has a valuable pre-election dossier of columns and interviews.

If you haven't had a chance to get the positions of Archbishops Raymond Burke (St. Louis), Charles Chaput (Denver), and John Myers (Newark) in their own words, it's a good opportunity. There are also contributions from laymen such as Catholic Worker supporters Mark and Louise Zwick, pro-life activists Judie Brown, Austin Ruse, and Steven Mosher, journalist Farley Clinton, and Ambassador Ray Flynn.

St. Blog's own Rev. Stephen Hamilton, STL contributes a pastoral letter, and Thomas Szyszkiewicz adds a helpful timeline and summary of the 'Communion controversy'.

Thanks, John.

In case anyone is facing a choice of two equally pro-abortion politicians, allow me to recommend my policy: punish the pro-abortion incumbent.

I'll be following that rule regardless of party affiliation on Tuesday. Not that it'll help much: the incumbent State Senator here has the NARAL endorsement and the challenger has NOW's. Still, if the incumbent loses, the Mass GOP will have one less moral imbecile thinking he can advance his career over the dead bodies of the unborn.