Thursday, January 28, 2010

US: Irresponsible Senate Democrats vote to increase the government's borrowing authority to $14.3 Trillion (28/1/10)

Senate Roll Call Vote 28/1/10

Today Senate Democrats in an act of outrageous financial irresponsibility voted in unison to increase the government's borrowing authority to $14.3 Trillions.That is $45,000 per American. All 60 Democrats voted in favour. All 40 Republicans voted against. Scott Brown (Republican) has yet to take his seat. The House of Representatives will vote on the legislation next week. President Barack Obama will then sign the measure into law. Any President serious about controlling the deficit would veto this measure. Total debt ceiling increases under Obama and Democrat Congress in ONE YEAR amount to $3 trillion.

The US economy cannot recover fully without tackling the deficit.Investors may demand higher interest rates on U.S. debt if Obama and the Democrat controlled Congress do not cut the budget deficit. Failure to alter course on the deficit will result in a tripling government's interest payments over the coming decade.
In 2009 Obama quadrupled the deficit. In 2010 he will at least triple the deficit bequeathed by Bush. 2011 and 2012 will see further huge deficits. This is the road to ruin. Obama has decided against any action on the deficit problem in 2010. Of course he has one eye on the Mid Term elections. In 2011 the measures proposed by Obama if implemented would see a 3% reduction in an astronomical deficit. The reality is that Reid ,Pelosi, Obama believe in huge spending that the TAXPAYER CANNOT AFFORD.

By 2011 Obama will be on the run in to the 2012 Presidential Election so no worthwhile measures will be taken to tackle the deficit problem. This has major implications for the value of the dollar and may trigger an explosion in inflation.

Video:Michael O'Brien-Sounds of Medjugorje - Hail Mary/Gentle Woman


Below is a brief extract from Michaels website
Michael was a rock n roll recording artist for Oceana/BMG in the 1990's...As a "non-practicing Catholic", an unexpected pilgrimage to Medjugorje changed his direction. During that first visit, Michael was given a written message by the the apparition site's popular visionary, Vicka, who claimed the message was for him from the Blessed Mother to use his talent and abilities to bring people back to the faith .... he responded to Our Lady's message by recording a musical tribute to Our Lady of Medjugorje titled "Sounds Of Medjugorje" that was only available in Medjugorje...

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Video: Annual March for Life in Grants Pass, Oregon USA. (January 2010)

Video: 300,000 Pro-Life Activists Descend On Washington DC March for Life (January 2010)





On the 37th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States, 300,000 pro-life activists descended on Washington DC. Since Roe V Wade 52 million babies have been aborted in the US.

Several protesters spoke about their anger about the healthcare bill, particularly the one being debated in the Senate, including Gene Williams who asserted that providing funding for women who wish to get abortions is the equivalent of murder for hire.

“ The way that there’s so many pro-choice people in this administration that want to actually to kill more babies and kill of old people that know anything about this country,” Williams said.

As usual, the March for Life was an emotional event for many, like Denise Barrett. “I’m here because when I was younger I had abortions,” Barrett said. “And I wish I had been told the truth, that abortion is murdering a child.” RT

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Cardinal Schönborn says Pope might visit Medjugorje-Article in Tablet

A cardinal close to Benedict XVI has signalled his support for the controversial Marian shrine of Medjugorje.
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna indicated that Pope Benedict himself might one day visit the spot where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to a group of local children..........

Read the Full Article at The Tablet

Video: Jewish Michael Savage Defends Pope Pius 12th and Pope Benedict 16th


Michael Savage who is a Jew defends Pope Pius 12th who has come under attack from revisionists who have smeared the Pope about his alleged lack of effort to save Jews from Hitler. Here Savage convincingly argues that Pope Pius 12th made Herculean efforts to save the Jews. He similarly defends Pope Benedict 16th from unfair attacks.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Video: Questions and Answers with Medjugorje Visionary Mirjana

Video: Ultrasound-Baby Four Weeks in the Womb

Video: Baby in Womb-7 week 1 day Ultrasound

Video: Sound Wave Images - Ultrasound Images of Babies in the Womb

Video:4D Proof that Abortion is Murder

This is what Pro-Choicers Want to Be Allowed To Be Murdered. The video is "Anna's Baby February 2006". The first pictures in 3D of Anna's Son. 4D Ultrasound (also known as 3D/4D Ultrasound) is the most advanced technology used by sonographers during pregnancy to evaluate the unborn baby. The film proves that the unborn child is a human being and that abortion is nothing more than the murder of an innocent human being. This item is part of the collection: Open Source Movies. Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Video: Massachusetts Miracle Is Simply The Best

On January 19, 2010, a special election will be held in Massachusetts to select a new US Senator. Mainstream media pundits would have you believe Democrat Maratha Coakley is the undisputed leader in the race. But the so-called 'experts' may be in for a bit of a surprise.Freedom-loving Americans from across our nation are rising-up to support Republican candidate Scott Brown.

In the days leading up to the election, Brown has advanced such that some polls now actually show him within the margin of error. Brown would provide the critical 41st vote in the Senate to break the Democrat's filibuster-proof majority and stop the unprecedented assault on our personal liberties that is now taking place in Congress.

Scott Brown has pledged to vote against the government takeover of our health care system and is also opposed to cap-and-trade.Martha Coakley, on the other hand, supports Obama's socialistic agenda.The political elite should not underestimate the resilience of the American people to defend their liberty from a tyrannical government.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Video:Char Vance describes her spiritual conversion and physical healing in Medjugorje

After a well-publicized spiritual and physical healing in Medjugorje, Char Vance travels throughout the world giving her profoundly moving, faith-filled, and even humorous testimony. This Catholic convert will have you rolling with laughter as she describes her spiritual conversion and physical healing in Medjugorje. The full DVD can be purchased from Focus Worldwide TV Network, 229 North Vermont St. Covington, LA 70433 Phone: (985) 635 - 0333 or online here

Friday, January 15, 2010

January 22, 2010- Pro Life Supporters Come to Washington to tell Congress: NO abortion in health care!

January 22, 2010, join hundreds of thousands of pro-life Americans in Washington, D.C. taking a stand against the abortion mandate in proposed health care reform.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Haiti Earthquake Pictures of Damage

Red Cross Slides Below

A photoessay with images from Jan. 12 - Jan. 13 of the disaster in Haiti.
You can donate to our International Relief Fund by visiting Red Cross

Haiti Earthquake Video: Thousands Feared Dead


Heavy Casualties as Haiti struck by Devastating Earthquake Magnitude 7.0



(Maps-USGS)

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale has struck Haiti in the Caribbean at 1653 (2153 GMT).It had a depth of 10km, and was centred about 15 km (10 miles) SW of the capital Port-au-Prince and 1140 km (710 miles) SE of Miami, Florida according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquake was quickly followed by two aftershocks of magnitude of 5.9 and 5.5.
The January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake occurred in the boundary region separating the Caribbean plate and the North America plate. This plate boundary is dominated by left-lateral strike slip motion and compression, and accommodates about 20 mm/y slip, with the Caribbean plate moving eastward with respect to the North America plate. (USGS)

Raymond Joseph, Haiti's ambassador to the US, told CNN: "I think it is really a catastrophe of major proportions." Casualty figures cannot be confirmed as communications have been seriously disrupted. The quake occurred near a highly populated urban area and will have impacted on up to three million people.The size of the quake and the proximity to heavily populated slum areas is likely to have resulted in heavy loss of life. In Petitionville where a hospital fell down on top of screaming patients, homes collapsed into a ravine. The quake was centred on Petionville- a suburb some 10 miles up from downtown Port-au-Prince.

Local television also reported that the country's presidential palace and numerous other buildings in Port-au-Prince had collapsed.The United Nations building is believed to have been severely damaged, along with a local university. Kathy Skipper, a local employee for the US charity Food for the Poor, told the Reuters news agency that a five-storey building had collapsed in the capital. Another Food for the Poor employee said there were more houses destroyed than standing in Delmas Road, a major thoroughfare in the city.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Fox News Signing of Sarah Palin A Spectacular Coup-Ratings to Rocket

Former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin has signed on as a contributor to Fox News Channel. Palin, who ran for the post of vice-president during the 2008 election on the Republican ticket, will appear on the channel on a regular basis as part of a multi-year deal. However she will not have her own programme.
According to the Washington Post she will ALSO occasionally host a programme featuring "inspirational tales involving ordinary Americans".

This is a spectacular coup by Fox and is sure to cement its position as THE conservative channel. Palin is a hero amongst conservatives and has a magnetic personality. This will ensure a further sharp rise in ratings for Fox. Many of those liberals who love to hate Palin will also tune in. So Fox wins both ways.
Sarah Palin will benefit also. Greater exposure will increase her electability potential in 2012 should she decide to run for the presidency. As Governor of Alaska Palin was viewed by many as operating from the remote north. This hampered her somewhat as she was often viewed as an outsider. Now her political centre of gravity has shifted to New York. Palin can now become central to the political process and further hone her political skills. This is the Liberals greatest nightmare.

Video:Ricardo Montalban Narrates Medjugorje Early Years Special


Actor and Catholic Ricardo Montalban narrates Medjugorje Special about the early years of the apparitions there.

Video: Scott Brown at New England Patriots Game Supported by Steve DeOssie, Fred Smerlas, Glenn Ordway and Pete Sheppard

Steve DeOssie, Fred Smerlas (former New England Patriots) and Glenn Ordway and Pete Sheppard both of the Big Show declare their support for Scott Brown Massachusetts GOP candidate for US Senate.

Live Nativity Medjugorje-Cenacolo with Cardinal Schönborn sitting in the front seat with sister Elvira

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Video: Commissions Prove Medjugorje Visionaries Are Not Faking it

Text of Video Above

The First Committee on the visionaries of Medjugorje concluded that:1) The apparitions are neither dream nor hallucination;
2) Ecstasy appears as a state where ordinary physical perceptions are suspended;
3) Ecstasy is not pathological;
4) [ Ecstasy ] is an subjective perception. This perception is more real than the one from the ordinary world;
5) Ecstasy moves the visionaries into a timezone " sui generis ", that is, different from the timezone " of the wristwatches ";
6) Calling ecstasy with other labels ( hallucination, unconscious emerging, ..) means nothing and contradicts scientific objectivity;
7) The negative character of the exams during ecstasy and the coherent reactions of the seers prompt the hypothesis of a spiritual ( and real ) communication between person and person;
8) Catholic theology underlines the particular character of this phenomena.

The Second Committee concluded with certainty that:

1) the seers of Medjugorje, during the apparitions, were in a state of consciousness corresponding to what the catholic mystical theology defines as “ecstasy”; that in this state, they had....
2) the complete loss of explored sensibility (blindness, deafness, dolorific anaesthesia, course and fine tactile anaesthesia);
3) the loss of contact with environment, and
4) very obvious sympathetic hyperactivity (cardiac, respiratory and emotional activation)

The Third Committee on the visionaries of Medjugorje concluded that:
1) the seers enjoy optimal psychophysical health;
2) the seers do not simulate their experience;
3) that ecstasy is not a psychopathologic event and that after 18 years of daily apparitions it has not provoked any damage to the psychophysical health of the seers;
4) that the ecstasies/apparitions observed in Capiago Intimiano in the 1998 were characterized by the same psychophysiology observed in Medjugorje in 1985;
5) that such psychophysiology is the same that has been observed in other ecstatics/seers, therefore so that ecstasy is one state of conscience physiological and not pathological;
6) that, also having obtained with the experiments of hypnosis a result never obtained in the previous experiments (plethysmogram verysimilar to the one of spontaneous ecstasy), still we have no proof that ecstasies and hypnosis are the same thing.

New Book -Bill Clinton allegedly said to Ted Kennedy about Obama: 'A few years ago he would have been getting us coffee'

A new book Game Change co-authored by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann exposes the vicious infighting between the Clintons and Obama in the course of the Democratic Party primaries. Both sides coveted an endorsement from the Kennedys. Both Bill and Hillary blundered in their efforts to secure the support of the Kennedy clan.

[A]s Hillary bungled Caroline, Bill’s handling of Ted was even worse. The day after Iowa, he phoned Kennedy and pressed for an endorsement, making the case for his wife. But Bill then went on, belittling Obama in a manner that deeply offended Kennedy. Recounting the conversation later to a friend, Teddy fumed that Clinton had said, A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.
Apparently Bill's alleged savage put down of Obama was too much for Kennedy. However there is a strong body of opinion that the Kennedys would have supported Obama in any event.

Ferndale California: Earthquake 6.5 on Richter Scale off the coast (9/1/10)

Earthquake Location in Large Yellow-USGS

The US Geological Survey has stated that a powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern California at at 4:27 p.m.
It is believed that the quake may have occurred along the Russ fault. It occurred at a depth of 7.6 km (4.7 miles)

According to the USGS the the quake occurred:


33 km (20 miles) WNW (288°) from Ferndale, CA


37 km (23 miles) W (259°) from Humboldt Hill, CA


39 km (24 miles) WSW (254°) from Bayview, CA


42 km (26 miles) WSW (251°) from Eureka, CA


359 km (223 miles) NW (312°) from Sacramento, CA

Aftershocks:


A 3.8 quake struck at 4:48 p.m. and was followed by a 3.5 magnitude tremor just 2 minutes later.
At 5:06 p.m., a 3.6 magnitude aftershock shook the same general area, followed by another 3.0 magnitude tremor at 5:48 p.m. according to the USGS reports.

No injuries or fires have been reported from Ferndale. Some damage to the City Hall has been reported. The Los Angeles Times reported the initial jolt was felt as far away as San Francisco.USGS geophysicist Richard Buckmaster said the quake was felt as far south as Capitola in central California, and as far north as Tiller in central Oregon.

Background:

The Cape Mendocino region of California's north coast is one of the most seismically active regions in the US. Offshore of Cape Mendocino lies the Mendocino Triple Junction. Here three tectonic plates come together. The San Andreas Fault, runs south from the junction, separating the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. To the north lies the Cascadia subduction zone, where the Gorda Plate is being subducted under the margin of the North American plate. Running west from the triple junction is the Mendocino Fracture Zone, the transform boundary between the Gorda Plate and the Pacific Plate.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Scientific Research on Medjugorje visionaries by French-Italian scientific theological commission

French-Italian scientific theological commission “On the extraordinary events that are taking place in Medjugorje”

The international French-Italian scientific theological commission “on the extraordinary events that are taking place in Medjugorje” examined the apparitions of Medjugorje the most competently and the most expertly. The assembly of seventeen renowned natural scientists, doctors, psychiatrists and theologians in their research came to a 12 point conclusion on January 14, 1986 in Paina near Milan.

  1. On the basis of the psychological tests, for all and each of the visionaries it is possible with certainty to exclude fraud and deception.
  2. On the basis of the medical examinations, tests and clinical observations etc, for all and each of the visionaries it is possible to exclude pathological hallucinations.
  3. On the basis of the results of previous researches for all and each of the visionaries it is possible to exclude a purely natural interpretation of these manifestations.
  4. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, for all and each of the visionaries it is possible to exclude that these manifestations are of the preternatural order i.e. under demonic influence.
  5. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, there is a correspondence between these manifestations and those that are usually described in mystical theology.
  6. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, it is possible to speak of spiritual advances and advances in the theological and moral virtues of the visionaries, from the beginning of these manifestations until today.
  7. On the basis of information and observations that can be documented, it is possible to exclude teaching or behavior of the visionaries that would be in clear contradiction to Christian faith and morals.
  8. On the basis of information or observations that can be documented, it is possible to speak of good spiritual fruits in people drawn into the supernatural activity of these manifestations and in people favorable to them.
  9. After more than four years, the tendencies and different movements that have been generated through Medjugorje, in consequence of these manifestations, influence the people of God in the Church in complete harmony with Christian doctrine and morals.
  10. After more than four years, it is possible to speak of permanent and objective spiritual fruits of movements generated through Medjugorje.
  11. It is possible to affirm that all good and spiritual undertakings of the Church, which are in complete harmony with the authentic magisterium of the Church, find support in the events in Medjugorje.
  12. Accordingly, one can conclude that after a deeper examination of the protagonists, facts, and their effects, not only in the local framework, but also in regard to the responsive chords of the Church in general, it is well for the Church to recognize the supernatural origin and, thereby, the purpose of the events in Medjugorje.

So far it is the most conscientious and the most complete research of the Medjugorje phenomena, and, for that very reason, it is the most positive that has yet been said about it on a scientific-theological level.


Source: Information Centre "Mir" Medjugorje ©

Friday, January 8, 2010

Sarah Palin Main Speaker at Pro-Life Rally in Columbus, Ohio on March 5th, 2010



LifeNews.Com reports

Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin will headline a pro-life rally in Ohio this coming March. Her appearance on behalf of Ohio Right to Life will mark her third appearance at a major pro-life event since 2008, when she ran with John McCain against pro-abortion candidate Barack Obama.
Ohio Right to Life informed LifeNews.com today that Palin will be its featured speaker at a rally on Friday, March 5 at the Aladdin Shrine Center at Easton in Columbus.
The $40 general event ticket price will benefit the Ohio Right to Life Society as it lobbies and educates on the pro-life perspective across the state.
The pro-life group is also selling tickets for a private reception with Palin that features admission to that portion of the event, onstage seating, a copy of Palin's new book Goin Rogue, and a picture of the potential 2012 presidential candidate.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Video: Obama's HUGE LIES about Health Care debate LIVE on CSPAN

Eight times Barack Obama promised during the 2008 campaign to televise the Congressional health care debates. It had been anticipated that a conference committee consisting of representatives of both the GOP and Democrats-drawn from both Houses- would seek to merge the Senate and House Bills. On Tuesday, C-SPAN had sent a letter to Democratic leaders requesting that they be permitted to film and broadcast live the anticipated conference negotiations. However the Democrats have decided to freeze out the GOP and sidestep a public, formal conference committee and negotiate BEHIND CLOSED DOORS on a final version of the pro-abortion health care bill. Obama, Reid and Pelosi want taxpayer funded abortion as an integral part of the final bill and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Their giant egos are more important than the interests of the American people. The lives of the unborn count for nothing as far as Obama, Pelosi and Reid are concerned. This is a highly undemocratic move and seeks to hide the reality of the healthcare proposals from the American people. Full ventilation of the reality of the proposals would cause an even greater explosion in public outrage. The electorate can now take Obama's promises with a grain of salt.

Excellent Spirit Daily article on Cardinal Schönborn visit to Medjugorje

Most of the US Catholic media has fought a strong campaign against the authenticity of Medjugorje. Similarly Simon Caldwell in the British Telegraph newspaper has been a trenchant critic. However the visit of Cardinal Schönborn of Vienna to Medjugorje has caused consternation among the critics.
Spirit Daily sums it up nicely
Pope Benedict, went the buzz, would finally put a rein on the apparitions, and perhaps even dismiss them.

That was the hope in a band of detractors who for years have spearheaded e-mail campaigns against Medjugorje, led by the bishop.

So there was consternation if not a degree of shock last week when a major cardinal -- Christoph Maria Michael Hugo Damian Peter Adalbert von Schönborn of Vienna, better known simply as Cardinal Schönborn -- not only visited Medjugorje, but celebrated Mass at St. James Church with Medjugorje pilgrims, freely moved about the village -- at least once with a seer who accompanied him up the hill of apparitions -- and issued what could only be interpreted as positive statements about the apparitions.

"Who could make these things up?" he asked at one point after his arrival. "Who could invent this thing? Man? No, this is not a human act."

The cardinal also called Medjugorje a "superpower" of God's mercy.....

There will be no decision, he added, until the phenomena cease -- a dramatic confirmation of what supporters have argued -- accurately, as it turns out -- for more than two decades. "Both in Lourdes and Fatima, the events first ceased and than the Church made its decision about that; its final decision," he said. "Sooner or later that will take place here as well, but until then we leave the Mother of God with freedom of choice.

It wasn't the only time he compared Medjugorje with Lourdes and Fatima.

Said the Cardinal: "There are three elements which are connected with this phenomenon. Almost always Our Lady appears to children. Those were not especially intelligent children or holy children but normal. Bernadette did not know how to write. She was 14, almost as children over here. Secondly, Mary gives the messages through the children. It is insulting for one bishop. Why Our Lady does not come to bishop’s house? Why does she come to the hill filled with stones or by the river? This is not practical. In Fatima she appeared in the bushes. She gives the messages through children because children are not complicated. The third element: it looks like Our Lady has her own program. In Fatima she appeared before Russian Revolution and she gave a message. When rationalism was on its highest level she appeared in Lourdes. She appeared in Yugoslavia in the moment when we did not have an idea that Yugoslavia would fall apart in the time when the Catholics, Muslims, and Orthodox were living together. She appears with the name Queen of Peace. I think that theologians have to study the syntax of Mary’s apparitions and in that context to study the phenomena of Medjugorje."

"I am fascinated with the coherence of Medjugorje with other Marian shrines, apparition sides," went on the eminent churchman. "I always say that there is a grammar of Mary’s apparitions. That style has something special with Our Lady....."

Access the full Spirit Daily article here

Monday, January 4, 2010

Scott Brown Massachusetts GOP Candidate for US Senate speaks on the issues


State Sen. Scott Brown won the Republican nomination in the race to succeed the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. Brown defeated businessman and attorney Jack E. Robinson in primary elections securing 89% of the Republican vote.

Scott Brown on the issues

State Senator Scott Brown has led the fight in Massachusetts against wasteful government spending and higher taxes. He is a free-market advocate who believes that the strength of the US as a nation flows from its people. He is a staunch fiscal conservative.
He believes in a culture of family, patriotism and freedom. At his September 12 announcement of candidacy for the U.S. Senate, Senator Brown articulated a core set of beliefs that guide his thinking.
•Government is too big and that the federal stimulus bill made government bigger instead of creating jobs.
•Taxes are too high and are going higher if Congress continues with its out-of-control spending.
•The historic amount of debt we are passing on to our children and grandchildren is immoral.
•Power concentrated in the hands of one political party, as it is here in Massachusetts, leads to bad government and poor decisions.
•A strong military and vigorous homeland defense will protect our interests and security around the world and at home.
•All Americans deserve health care, but we shouldn't have to create a new government insurance program to provide it.
•In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, he supports reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and improved hydroelectric facilities.
•Opposes a national cap and trade program because of the higher costs that families and businesses would incur.
•He is pro-second amendment.He supports safe and responsible gun ownership.
•Favours traditional marriage.
Visit Scott Brown

Friday, January 1, 2010

Text of Sermon (Homily) by Cardinal Schönborn at Medjugorje -Mid Night Mass December 31, 2009

Cardinal Schönborn's Homily

Praised be Jesus Christ! People: In eternity, amen. Dear brothers and sisters here in the Church and on the squares in front of the church and in the yellow hall. We are all conscious of the fact that it is a big privilege to not have to celebrate the New Year with champagne. (laughter) Maybe later. (loud laughter and clapping) But now we are allowed to celebrate the beginning of the New Year with Mary and Joseph and with the child that is lying in the manger and with the shepherds. These days, we have all come to Medjugorje to be especially close to the mother of the Lord. To be more exact, we have to say that we have come here because we know that the mother of the Lord wants to be close to us. With her, we want to begin the New Year. And the first thing that moves me when I think about the manger and the shepherds is that there were no angels present. Although here there is an angel at the nativity set (points), but in the gospel there are no angels there. They were on the field with the shepherds. An entire host of angels. But Mary and Joseph only heard about it. The shepherds told them. You also didn’t see the Gospa. But there are people here who told about it. And we trust that the Mother of God really is close to us.

Belief comes from hearing. And it impresses me that first, in the gospel of today, there is talk about hearing. We have to listen to the good news first. We have two ears, two eyes, and only one mouth. That means we have to listen much, watch much, and then talk also. And what are we supposed to say? We are supposed to report what we have seen and heard. The world needs a new evangelization and that is only possible through people for whom it is impossible to keep silent about what they have seen and heard.

We all have received the faith. And through baptism we all have received the task to pass on the faith. The shepherds related what they were told. And from there it went on. The gospel, the good news was told and those who told it were believable. Those who heard also saw that the word and life harmonize. That what the witnesses saw is also true in their life. How can we be witnesses of the good news? First, by looking to Mary. Mary kept all that happened in her heart and pondered it. Brothers and sisters, what we need most in this time is prayer (cardinal sounding very suppliant and insistent). I’m saying this with a sadness of some sorts. I know that I’m praying not enough. I know that prayer is life. Without the living relationship with God our life becomes dry and empty.

What does the Mother of God tell us all the time? Pray. Take yourself time for prayer. (sounding imploring again). Is that a good resolution for the New Year? For us priests and deacons. For us all. Time for prayer. It gives so much strength and so much joy. So much clarity. Let us ask Mary that she helps us to pray more. When we pray our word is also filled with life. And then our testimony is credible.

I want to tell you something about what the Apostle Paul told us. The Year of Paul is already over, we are now in the Year of Priests. But the word of the Apostle Paul was so strong because it was filled with life. In the reading of today he talks about God sending his Son so that we can become sons. The daughters are not excluded here. Daughters and sons are meant together. But Paul says we are called to become sons – not slaves. Like Jesus is Son of God we are supposed to be allowed to call God Father. In the beginning of this year the Apostle Paul tells us: You are sons and not slaves.

I believe Medjugorje is a place where a lot of people confess. Confession is deliverance from the slavery of sin. Nothing makes us less free than sin. God wants us as sons: Freedom of the children of God. And for that he gifted us with the sacrament of reconciliation. We are to have a new relationship with God, to be allowed to call him Abba. Jesus invited us to that in a way that we trust Him, that we trust God. There is so much fear of God in us (I’m not sure if I got the preposition right but I liked the phrasing and so I didn’t change it to the simpler “we are so afraid of God”, which is what the cardinal meant). Cardinal speaking (in Croatian, I believe) “Jesus, I trust in you.” I can also speak Polish (laughter). Jesu Ufam Tobie. Jesus, I trust in you. (clapping). Pope John Paul II. left us this message: Trust in the mercy of God. Trust in the mercy of Jesus. Trust can be heroic sometimes, if life becomes difficult. If a marriage becomes a burden, if an illness oppresses us, if we don’t know what becomes of our work – then to say Jesu Ufam Tobie – that can be heroic. Trust – that really is an act of faith. And again we look to Mary. Who has made and gave this act of trust, of faith, more than Mary? Jesu Ufam Tobie. That is to be our program in the coming year.

It is almost midnight and it is cracking (pointing outside) (--> the fireworks are going off outside). But we are not cracking, we are praying. We are not cracking but we are singing (clapping). And a last word: The shepherd returned, praised God, praised him for what they heard and saw. We, too, will return home. In order that we can become witnesses of the gospel, we have to praise God first. The shepherds praised God for what they have seen and heard. I hope that we can all drive home, travel home after these days here and praise God for what we have seen and heard. Then people will also believe us when we tell, then our word will be credible. Now it is almost midnight. It is exactly the right moment to profess our faith. With this faith we are going into the New Year. God bless this year. (clapping) (Thanks to Pandora for Translation from German to English)

January 1st Feast Day: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Below are extracts drawn from a very fine article on this feast to be accessed in its entirety at (ChurchYear.Net)
The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God commemorates the divine motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the God-Bearer, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on January 1st, one week after Christmas
The origins of a feast celebrating Mary's divine maternity are obscure, but there is some evidence of ancient feasts commemorating Mary's role as theotokos. Around 500 AD the Eastern Church celebrated a "Day of the Theotokos" either before or after Christmas. This celebration eventually evolved into a Marian feast on December 26th in the Byzantine calendar and January 16th in the Coptic calendar. In the West, Christmas has generally been celebrated with an octave, an eight day extension of the feast. The Gregorian and Roman calendars of the 7th century mark the Christmas octave day with a strong Marian emphasis. However, eventually in the West, the eighth day of the octave of Christmas was celebrated as the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. The push for an official feast day celebrating Mary's divine maternity started in Portugal, and in 1751 Pope Benedict XIV allowed Portugal's churches to celebrate Mary's divine maternity on the first Sunday in May. The feast was eventually extended to other countries, and by 1914 was being celebrated on October 11. The feast of Mary's divine maternity became a universal feast in 1931.

However, following Vatican II, Pope Paul VI decided to change the feast of Jesus' Circumcision to the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God to reclaim the ancient Western Marian emphasis at the end of the Octave of Christmas. Celebrating Mary's divine maternity during the Christmas octave makes complete sense in that the celebration is connected closely to Christ's birth...

Prayer to Mary Mother of God

We fly to thy patronage,
O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Third Century; Oldest Known Prayer to Mary

Video:Cardinal Schonborn celebrates New Year's Eve Mass at St. James Church in Medjugorje

On New Year's Eve, 2009, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn celebrated Mass at St. James Church in Medjugorje to ring in 2010. Visit Medjugorje Video.Com for more videos about Medjugorje