Interesting article at http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyharnden/100020934/barack-obama-gets-an-f-for-protecting-americans/

This president is WAY over his head — and we still have three years to go. Lord, have mercy!

I received an e-mail from a Southern Baptist today and decided to take a few minutes to respond. Thought others might be edifited by it so I have posted it here without using his name. His email is contained in regular text and MY RESPONSE IS IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

****************************************************

HELLO FRIEND:

I WILL ANSWER BRIEFLY SINCE I GET OVER 100 EMAILS A DAY AND SOME ARE NOT ALWAYS HONEST — TRYING TO SET ME UP FOR AN ARGUMENT — BUG HOPEFULLY NOT YOUR E-MAIL. SO, I WILL TRUST YOU THAT YOUR ADMITTED INTEREST IS GENUINE AND I WILL ANSWER VERY BRIEFLY.

Dear Mr. Ray, I listened to a CD of yours,

WHICH ONE? I HAVE ABOUT 30.

but could not determine all of what you believe or find your Doctrinal Statement on the web.  What we believe is pretty important (I know you agree).  Do you have a Doctrinal Statement besides the Nicene Creed?

APOSTOLIC, NICENE, AND ATHANASIAN CREEDS. I USED TO SAY I HAD “NO CREED BUT THE BIBLE ALONE,” BUT EVEN PROTESTANTS CANNOT ACTUALLY DO THAT. THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN “EXTRA-BIBLICAL STATEMENT” TO ADD TO THE “BIBLE ALONE” TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY BELIEVE BECAUSE THE BIBLE DOESN’T SEEM TO BE ADEQUATE. BUT FOR ME NOW — FOR THE WHOLE SHABANG — MY STATEMENT OF FAITH IS CONTAINED IN “THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.”

Having been to 12 years of Catholic School, a faithful altar boy, a good catholic, and an x-president of the local CYO, I am not altogether unfamiliar with Catholicism (at least the Catholicism of the 1950s, 60s and 70s).

IF YOU WERE EDUCATED DURING THAT TIME FRAME, I HATE TO DISAPPOINT YOU BUT YOU ARE PROBABLY VERY UNFAMILIAR WITH CATHOLICISM. THAT WAS A VERY BAD PERIOD OF THE CHURCH — JUST LIKE IT WAS VERY BAD FOR US BAPTISTS RAISED DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.

I “got saved”, as Baptist like to say, at age 24 by reading the Bible (unheard of in my Catholic Church at that time).

MY GUESS, BASED ON GOOD EXPERIENCE, IS THAT YOU DIDN’T GET SAVED BY READING THE BIBLE ALONE BUT BY ACCEPTING A NEW AND NOVEL BAPTIST-ISH TRADITION AS COACHED BY SOME WELL-MEANING FUNDAMENTALIST — BASED ON THE BIBLE ALONE TRADITION WHICH IS VERY NEW ON THE RELIGIOUS SCENE AND NOT FOUND IN HISTORIC CHRISTIANITY.

So, from the Catholic perspective, since I have not attended Mass in 35 years, am I doomed to hell for un-confessed mortal sins?  Or, is it possible that I may be saved outside of the Catholic Church?  If so, how is that possible from a Catholic perspective?

THIS IS A VERY PREGNANT QUESTION. FIRST, ONLY GOD CAN READ THE HEART AND KNOW IF ONE IS “SAVED” OR NOT. SECOND, IT DEPENDS ON HOW KNOWLEDGEABLE OR IGNORANT ONE IS OF THE TRUTH DUE TO NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. THIRD, IT DEPENDS ON IF ONE ACTUALLY HAS MORTAL SINS WHICH ARE ONLY MORTAL IF THE THREE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A MORTAL SIN HAVE BEEN MET.

FOURTH, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES THAT ONE CAN BE OUTSIDE THE VISIBLE BOUNDS OF THE VISIBLE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND STILL BE SAVED, INCLUDING OTHER RELIGIONS OR NON-RELIGIONS (CCC 1260). IF YOU THINK THIS QUESTION YOU ASK IS  UNANSWERED BY THE CHURCH, IT SHOWS YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND CATHOLICISM, SINCE THAT WAS CAREFULLY EXPOUNDED AT VATICAN II WHICH WAS AN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH. AND FIFTH, I BELIEVE THAT MANY CATHOLICS WITHIN THE CHURCH WILL GO TO HELL FOR NOT OBEYING THE GOSPEL, NOT JUST THOSE OUTSIDE WHO HAVE REJECTED THE CHURCH EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

I am heavily involved with cold call (door to door) evangelism in my community – not from a Baptist viewpoint, but simply from a general concern for the lost.

I WAS VERY INVOLVED WITH DOOR TO DOOR EVANGELISM TOO, BUT I ALWAYS ADMITTED I HAD A BAPTIST-TYPE TRADITION.

I often talk with Catholics of all sorts.  I always tell them and others that I don’t care where they go to church, as long as they have a heavenly home when they die.  It would be nice to know what a leading Catholic author would say to me if he came to my Southern Baptist door evangelizing, and heard my story.  When you ask someone if they are going to heaven when they die – as I am sure you know – you get a whole lot of interesting information in the response.

I USED TO QUOTE 1 John 5:13 UNTIL I REALIZED IT HAD TAKEN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTEXT BY MY BAPTIST TRADITION. I HAVE WRITTEN EXTENSIVELY ON THAT VERSE IN MY BOOK “CROSSING THE TIBER.” DO YOU HAVE THAT BOOK?

I DARE SAY YOU WILL ALSO GET A LOT OF INTERESTING ANSWERS IF YOU ASK BAPTISTS THAT QUESTION — OR METHODISTS, OR ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, OR PENTECOSTALS, OR LUTHERANS, OR JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES.

ALL IT PROVES IS THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE IN ALL THEIR VARIOUS TRADITIONS ARE POORLY CATECHIZED AND SADLY IGNORANT OF SCRIPTURE AND THE HISTORIC TEACHING OF THE CHURCH.

BY THE WAY, BAPTISTS DON’T “KNOW” IF THEY ARE GOING TO HEAVEN FOR SURE. THAT IS WHY SCRIPTURE CALLS IT “HOPE” AND WE KNOW THAT ONLY THOSE WHO PERSEVERE TO THE END WILL BE SAVED (Matt 10:22). EVEN BAPTISTS BELIEVE THAT IF ONE FAILS TO DISPLAY THE APPROPRIATE WORKS TOWARD THE END IT PROBABLY MEANS THAT “IT NEVER TOOK.” SO, EVEN A BAPTIST IS NOT SURE UNTIL THE END AND THE NECESSARY WORKS CONTINUE TO BE DONE.

My beliefs, if you knocked on my door – I just happen to attend a Southern Baptist church right now (it is kind of like a mission field for me) – about salvation are simple.  One is justified by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior – born again if you will.

I WOULD  BE CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW YOU WOULD EXPLAIN HOW ONE BECOMES “BORN AGAIN.” WHEN SOMEONE ASKS ME THAT I RESPOND BY SAYING, “YES, I AM BORN AGAIN, BUT I AM BORN AGAIN THE BIBLE WAY.” THIS OF COURSE IS BY “WATER AND SPIRIT” — WATER BAPTISM (Jn 3:3-5)

THE GOSPEL IS SIMPLE, THE THEN AGAIN IT IS NOT SIMPLE. FUNDAMENTALISTS TEND TO TALK ABOUT SALVATION WITH CONVENIENT “SOUND BITES” AND IN A TRUNCATED MANNER WHICH YOU WILL FIND NO WHERE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE CHURCH.

WHEN I USED TO TELL PEOPLE THEY WERE SAVED BY ONE THING: “BELIEVING IN CHRIST” — NOT BY ANYTHING WE CAN DO — WELL, I FORGOT THAT ‘BELIEVE” IS A VERB AND IS SOMETHING I MUST DO. SO WE DO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. WE DO HAVE TO “BELIEVE” AND “CONFESS WITH OUR MOUTH” (Rom 10:9-10) WHICH ONLY PROVES WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, SOME WORKS — WE HAVE TO “BELIEVE,” REPENT, CONFESS, EXERCISE FAITH, PRAY THE “SINNER’S PRAYER,” SURRENDER OUR LIVES — ALL THINGS WE MUST DO — WORK. (CF. John 6:28-29).

However, if there are no works following shortly thereafter, that one was not really saved (or justified).  There must be works!  However, those works are not a part of “justification”,  but a part of the “sanctification” process.  Works are a “sure-enough” sign of justification.

WE AGREE IN PART THAT WORKS MUST ACCOMPANY INITIAL JUSTIFICATION. HOWEVER, THE REST OF WHAT YOU SAY IS INTERESTING BECAUSE SCRIPTURE SEEMS TO DISAGREE, WHICH IS WHY MARTIN LUTHER GOT HIS KNICKERS IN A KNOT). TOO MANY PARROT MAM-MADE BAPTIST TRADITION AND TRITE SOUND BITES — CERTAINLY NOT SCRIPTURE IN ITS HISTORICAL AND CONTEXTUAL CONTEXT. I USED TO DO THAT TOO. BUT THE REALITY IS — JAMES IS PRETTY CLEAR EVEN IN THE NIV:

James 2:21: WAS NOT OUR ANCESTOR ABRAHAM CONSIDERED RIGHTEOUS [JUSTIFIED] FOR WHAT HE DID [WORKS] WHEN HE OFFERED HIS SON ISAAC ON THE ALTAR?

James 2:24-26 YOU SEE THAT A PERSON IS JUSTIFIED BY WHAT HE DOES [GREEK: WORKS] AND NOT BY FAITH ALONE.
IN THE SAME WAY, WAS NOT EVEN RAHAB THE PROSTITUTE CONSIDERED RIGHTEOUS [JUSTIFIED] FOR WHAT SHE DID [WORKS] WHEN SHE GAVE LODGING TO THE SPIES AND SENT THEM OFF IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?

I USED TO TRY TO TWIST JAMES AROUND LIKE A RUBBER NOSE TO KEEP IF FROM SAYING WHAT IT SAID. BUT THE FACT IS IT SAYS WHAT IT SAYS.

NOW WE AS CATHOLICS, AND YOU AS PROTESTANTS, DON’T BELIEVE WE GAIN INITIAL JUSTIFICATION THROUGH ANYTHING WE DO. NO ONE WILL STAND BEFORE GOD AND SAY, “YOU OWE ME.” HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT DISMISS THAT FACT THAT ONCE INITIAL JUSTIFICATION HAS TAKEN APPLIED FREELY AND GRATUITOUSLY BY GOD, WE ARE THEN REQUIRED TO COOPERATE WITH THE GRACE OF GOD IN OUR JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION. IN THE END REVELATION DOES NOT SAY WE ARE COVERED WITH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST, BUT WITH THE RIGHTEOUS OF THE SAINTS! REV. 19:8.

FROM MY BOOK “CROSSING THE TIBER”:

How does one receive salvation, justification, new birth and eternal life?

By believing in Christ (Jn 3:16; Acts 16:31)?
By repentance (Acts 2:38; 2 Pet 3:9)? [SOMETHING WE DO]
By baptism (Jn 3:5; 1 Pet 3:21; Titus 3:5)? [SOMETHING WE DO]
By the work of the Spirit (Jn 3:5; 2 Cor 3:6)?
By declaring with our mouths (Luke 12:8; Rom 10:9)? [A WORK]
By coming to a knowledge of the Truth (1 Tim 2:4; Heb 10:26)? [OUR ACHIEVEMENT]
By works (Rom 2:6, 7; James 2:24)?
By grace (Acts 15:11; Eph 2:8)?
By perseverance (Matt 10:22; Mk 13:13; Col 1:22-23)?
By his blood (Rom 5:9; Heb 9:22)?
By His righteousness (Rom 5:17; 2 Pet 1:1)?
By His cross (Eph 2:16; Col 2:14)?

I know the Catholic party line about faith and works from listening to your CD.  My question above is outside of the typical party line and can most likely only be appreciated by someone with your background.  Your response might help me deal with some of the less faithful Catholics (in greater proportion than any other group) that I come across from time to time.

I WOULD LOVE TO ASSIST YOU IF TIME ALLOWS. I HOPE MY RESPONSE IS HELPFUL TO ASSIST YOU IN UNDERSTANDING CATHOLICS. I MIGHT SUGGEST YOU GET MY BOOK “CROSSING THE TIBER” AND READ THE “CATECHISM” WHICH IS A MARVELOUS GIFT TO THE CHURCH. IT IS USED BY MANY PROTESTANT PASTORS IN PREPARING THEIR SERMONS :-)

DON’T EXPECT ALL CATHOLICS TO ALWAYS UNDERSTAND AND BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THEIR FAITH, ANY MORE THAN I EXPECT TO FIND BAPTISTS WHO CAN EVEN COME CLOSE TO EXPLAINING THEIR BELIEFS. IT IS NOT THE COMPETENCE OR INCOMPETENCE OF THE PERSON THAT MATTERS BUT THE ACTUAL TRUTH ITSELF. I RESPECT YOU FOR SEEKING FOR IT.

GOD BLESS AND STAY LOVING AND SERVING OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

STEVE RAY

I will be on two radio shows this week to discuss the Holy Family for their Feast Day which we celebrated on Sunday.

Their life was very different from ours and I will take you on a walk through “A Day in the Life of the Holy Family.”

Having been to the Holy Land over 65 times my wife and I feel like we know them and have experienced their lives in a small way.

If you are interested, you can view two of my YouTube videos where I put on my running shoes and sweat a bit to explore the land of the Holy Family: 1) Running around inside Nazareth where the Holy Family lived, and 2) Running from Sepphoris to Nazareth where Jesus and Joseph worked during the day before hiking back home up into the hills of Nazareth.

I will be on Relevant Radio with Chuck Neff, filling in for Sean Herriott, on Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:00 AM Eastern time. It will be my 55th birthday – time sure flies.

I will also join Teresa Tomeo on Wednesday at 8:30 AM on Ave Maria Radio to discuss the Holy Family.

Two of my articles you might like to read: 1) Is It Correct to Call Joseph the “Father” of Jesus, and 2) an interesting angle on the Ever-virginity of Mary.

Carl Olsen of Ignatius Press always asks authors for their favorite books of 2009. The lists he has compiled will be posted in a few days on  IgnatiusInsight. I offered my own unconventional list, as follows:

Hello Carl: My list follows. Since I have been writing Scripture commentaries for www.CatholicScriptureStudy.com and studying the lands of the Bible — especially since we lead groups through these lands — that is where my interest has landed this year.

One other thing as well. Since I am turning 55 this year I again realized how important it was to take care of the one body God has granted me, so I have been reading about health and exercise and nutrition — and putting it into practice. I have lost 30 pounds and am running over 1000 miles a year, and biking a thousand miles too.

My list will probably be quite different than most of your other authors, so I might add some variety. So, here goes:

One book on nutrition and food that I read and used a lot this year: SUPERFOODS RX by Steven G. Pratt, MD. A good book for us gluttonous American Catholics :-)  I know this is not the typical “Catholic book” you are looking for, but I think we Catholics need to focus more on these kind of things and become better examples. OK, I’m off my soapbox and here are the “religious” books.

There are three relatively new Bible commentary series, and one that has been around for awhile. The first two sets are based on quotes from the Fathers of the Church — unhappily they are both by Protestant publishers. The third is a Catholic series and the fourth is a Jewish series.

Of all the books I have used this year, the vast majority are electronic books. I have Logos Bible Software 4 on my computer and have it running constantly. I couldn’t live without it. I have almost 3,500 books and resources in its electronic library and there is nothing else like if for those interested in studying the Bible. But, let’s get to actual turn-the-pages kind of books.

The first is ANCIENT SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY ON SCRIPTURE published by IVP. The second has only three volumes released so far but I am using the one on 1 Corinthians which is exceptional. It is THE CHURCH’S BIBLE series published by Eerdmans. They follow Scripture verse-by-verse and provide quotes from the Fathers to enlighten each passage of the Bible. VERY helpful.

There is also an excellent new Catholic Commentary series edited by two friends of mine (wish they were published by Ignatius!) — Peter Williamson and Mary Healy. It the CATHOLIC COMMENTARY SERIES and is published by Baker Academic. They have three volumes out so far: Mark, Ephesians and 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. I covet the whole series and can’t wait for the other volumes to be published. Hey, is “coveting” always bad?

Another series I have found extremely valuable — actually brilliant — is the JPS BIBLE COMMENTARY series. The JPS stands for Jewish Publication Society. Having a scholarly Jewish commentary series adds a whole need deep dimension to Old Testament study. I used the volume on Genesis while writing the commentary on the first book of the Bible and found it extremely insightful and brilliant.

So much for health and commentaries.

I also have enjoyed Kenneth Howell’s new translation and commentary on the Apostolic Fathers with his first edition: IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH & POLYCARP OF SMYRNA (Early Christian Fathers) published by Coming Home Network. I love the Apostolic Fathers because — to be honest — they were the ones that brought me into the Catholic Church. These two were very influencial. My friend Ken did a fantastic job of bringing them to light again for a modern audience. Can’t wait for future volumes.

Regarding Biblical Lands I have enjoyed three older books but relevant in their own way of revealing the lands of the Bible before they became too modern. They were written by Henry V. Morton and published by Da Capo Press.

IN THE STEPS OF THE MASTER following his travels in the Holy Land
A TRAVELLER IN ROME
IN THE STEPS OF PAUL

Well Carl, there you go. Sorry no IP books this year though there have been some very good ones. I have had little time to read for fun since I am busy in certain areas and focusing thusly.

If you haven’t gone out to the cinema to see BLIND SIDE yet, then get the your keys and your kids and GO! We saw it today with our daughter Emily and her friend Sean. We were moved to tears again and again.

It is a very Catholic movie, though it was not produced by Catholics (to the best of my knowledge) and never mentions the word “Catholic.” Yet it is the kind of movie that exhibits true Catholicism — putting ourselves aside to care for others less fortunate – to serve rather than to be served. I think a wise man said that a long time ago :-)

I am writing a commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians for www.CatholicScriptureStudy.com and the whole emphasis of the first ten chapters of 1 Corinthians is to give up your own lives to love others. This movie is a beautiful example of laying down your own life for the less fortunate.

A BIG black boy has no family. A Christian woman is driving along and sees him walking in the cold with no where to go. She says, “Get in the car!” and takes him to her million dollar house. I won’t tell you more — other than to say it is well worth the $8 (or whatever it is; Janet bought the tickets while I parked the car) and the few hours it takes to see it.

I will take my mom and dad (88 and 90 — recently celebrated their 70th anniversary) and my brother Dave to see the movie later this week since we loved it so much.

We need to support such movies and avoid the trash that seems to always get the big bucks. Let’s put our money where our faith is!

Woman knocks down Pope, cardinal at Christmas Eve Mass

A woman, apparently deranged, charged at Pope Benedict during the entrance processional at Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, knocking down the Holy Father and Cardinal Roger Etchegaray. Pope Benedict, apparently uninjured, got up and celebrated the Mass; Cardinal Etchegaray, the 87-year-old vice dean of the College of Cardinals, was taken to an emergency room for a broken leg.

See the video here.

UPDATE: Vatican leans toward clemency for Pope’s attacker

The woman who leapt at Pope Benedict XVI during midnight Mass at St. Peter’s basilica on Christmas Eve is being held in a psychiatric facility in Rome, while Vatican officials weigh their legal options.

Francis Kang is a thinker from Chinese heritage. We met in San Francisco. He has an interesting genealogical story here, but you will probably be most interested in his conversion story The Church and I.

US bishops: Oppose Senate health care legislation until moral deficiencies are addressed

Denouncing current Senate health care legislation as deficient because it provides federal funding for abortions and leaves Catholic hospitals and physicians bereft of conscience protection, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops emphasized in a December 22 letter that “until these fundamental flaws are remedied the bill should be opposed.”

Poll shows heavy opposition to health-care bill, especially abortion funding

A new poll by Quinnipiac University has found that Americans “mostly disapprove” of the pending health-care reform bill by a substantial margin, and an overwhelming majority rejects the idea of public subsidies for abortion. The poll showed a 53- 36% margin against the legislation as a whole, and a much larger 72- 23% split against the use of public funds to pay for abortion.

… but get it now :-)  A friend named Cheri who joined us on our November pilgrimage to the Holy Land highly recommended this book. Her kids loved it — and so did she. Here is her recommendation:

I just had to share this awesome book with you that a friend recommended and I have been reading to my son.  It’s called “Destination Bethlehem”.   You are supposed to read a chapter a night during advent season.

It’s a fictional story of a family traveling to Bethlehem for the census and meets up with a lot of the biblical characters.  It also has maps and travel guides to the past.   It has been so awesome to read since just coming back from all these places we have just traveled.  For more information check out the website here.

Today at 6 PM Eastern I will be with Patrick Coffin on Catholic Answers Live. You can listen on-line here. We will be discussing Christmas, Bethlehem and the Birth of Our Lord.

I wrote which you might enjoy and find informative. By the way, the picture below was taken from a mural painted in the Chapel of Angels in Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem where the shepherds were tending their flocks by night. We take our pilgrimage into the caves where the shepherds were staying.

Did the Wise Men Meet the Shepherds?
by Steve Ray

A king was born. But He was born unlike most kings. There was no pomp and circumstance; there were no midwives or court attendants. There was only the bleating of sheep and the buzzing of flies. Birth in a cave-stable was not like birth in a royal palace.

When a king is born, proclamations ring out across the land. But few people knew about this exceptional birth. So angels sang it out.

(To read the whole story, click here (Word.doc) or here (PDF); for more such articles, click here.)

I was the guest on Catholic Answers Live Monday and Tuesday (repeat show) talking about the Nativity. The RealAudio link to the archived show is here and MP3 is here. Click here for other listening options.

We began the show discussing what it was like for Mary and Joseph two thousand years ago, how the Gospel writers acquired their information and the difference between the gospel accounts of the nativity:

Questions I answered:

1 – What is your opinion of a Mass in which Santa Clause appears to bow at the Nativity scene?
2 – Where do we get the idea there were three wise men?
3 – Don’t you think it’s a good idea for kids to see Santa at Mass?
4 – How did the Church choose December 25 for Christmas day?
5 – What was the status of shepherds in the 1st century and their place in the story?
6 – Did the birth of Christ take place in a stable or a cave?

I turn 55 years old on December 29, 2009. So exercising and a good diet are no longer an option. If I am going to be a good husband, dad and grandpa; if I am going to continue having unbounding energy and enthusiasm to serve the Lord and his Church — I HAVE to do it.

So, in continuing what I started in January of 2009 (in which I’ve lost 30 pounds and feel better than ever), my son Jesse and I have decided to shoot for running 1,000 miles in a year. It is great to have a wonderful son to share these adventures with. My wife Janet is also riding her bike and exercycle with us and — Man, is she beautiful :-)

Jesse developed a handy-dandy chart to help us keep track our our progress. We will share it with you so you can track us too.

My miles will include “fun-runs” in crazy places like Israel, Turkey, Greece, Dubai, India, Italy and all over the USA. Cold weather in Michigan is somewhat problematic but we have a treadmill and an in-door tension stand for my Trek bike so we can still accumulate the miles and continue the good health.

So, here is the chart and our progress so far. My son says it will automatically update every day as we add more miles. I will try to add pictures and videos as well. Wish us luck and continued good knees.

(Pictures: Steve running along shore of Galilee at sunrise; leading a group of KVSS pilgrimage runners through Jerusalem and into the Holy Sepulchre).

In a series of decrees issued on December 19, the Vatican has approved miracles allowing for the canonization of five people and the beatification of five others. The Vatican also recognized the 1984 death of Father Jerzy Popieluszko as a martyrdom, preparing the way for his beatification.

The decrees, approved by Pope Benedict XVI during a private audience with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, also proclaimed that ten other candidates for sainthood had lived lives of heroic virtue. Those decrees make the candidates eligible for beatification if a miracle is attributed to their intercession.

For more read here

Italian journalist reminds reader: Pope is not Al Gore
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=4949
Although the message of Pope Benedict XVI for the World Day of Peace places heavy emphasis on environmental concerns, Giuliano Gerrar of the Italian daily Il Foglio reminds his readers that the “green” approach favored by the Pope is very distant from the environmentalism espoused by Al Gore and other secular liberals.

Pope’s environmentalism seen as a bid to find common ground on natural law
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=4950
Father Raymond de Souza, the editor of Canada’s National Post, interprets Pope Benedict’s message for the World Day of Peace as another effort to find common ground with secular thought. If we can agree on the importance of respecting nature, he argues, we may be able to agree on the importance of respecting natural law.

UPDATE 12/19/09 from Ed Peters:
Why is this Milingo case getting complicated?

A new statement from the Holy See’s Press Office, if it has been accurately reported, is muddying the waters about the Church’s stand on the ability of schismatic bishops to confer holy orders.

I’m looking for some clarity: http://www.canonlaw.info/2009/12/why-is-this-milingo-case-getting.html

Archbishop Milingo stripped of priestly status

Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo—the renegade African prelate who has launched a worldwide crusade for married priests, under the influence of the Korean sect figure Sun Myung Moon—has been defrocked, the Vatican announced on December 17.

(Picture to right: Archbishop Milingo takes a wife in the Moonie cult)

Wrapping up Milingo’s Case — Just About
Ed Peters, Canon Lawyer

The bizarre antics of Abp. Emmanuel Milingo, suspended in 2001 for attempting marriage, and excommunicated in 2006 for ordaining to men to the episcopate without pontifical mandate, have finally resulted in his dismissal from the clerical state. This is unquestionably the right thing to do. The HSPO press release leaves only a few questions . . . click here for more.

The Vatican’s Statement on Milingo.

Someone just sent me a link to a talk I gave about salvation over a year ago. I can tell it was over a year ago because I look fat :-)  I’ve lost 30 pounds since I gave that talk and it is funny seeing me back then. But anyway . . .

. . . someone videotaped my 45 minute presentation entitled “Born Again? Faith Alone?”  It is a very clear video — someone did a nice job. So .  . .

. . . if you want to watch it click here. If you want to buy the longer version on audio CD, click here. It makes a good gift by the way :-)

Invite me to speak at your parish, conference, or event. Click here.

Merry Christmas everyone. Steve Ray here. Almost everything’s on sale at our webstore and much of it qualifies for free shipping.

Give your family and friends the gift of the truth, the Catholic faith, and our Lord Jesus. Check it all out at http://shop.catholic-convert.com.

All the purchases help support our ministry and my homeschooling daughter who handles the store for me. Thanks.

Swiss vote on minarets seen as protest against failure to assimilate Muslim immigrants

In a provocative essay on the Swiss vote to ban the construction of minarets, David Goldman of First Things argues that the people of Switzerland—and Europe generally—are reacting not only against radical Islam, but against the supposition that even moderate Muslims cannot and should not be integrated into traditional European society. “Whether Muslim immigrants to Europe are assimilable is unclear, since Europe’s institutions have made no effort to assimilate them,” he writes.

With pro-life amendment’s defeat, US bishops urgently call for changes in Senate health bill

For full article: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=4840

By a 54-45 vote, the United States Senate has rejected the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment to health care legislation. The amendment would have kept in place “the longstanding and widely supported federal policy against government funding of health coverage that includes elective abortions,” as the US Conference of Catholic Bishops stated before the vote.

Today our Baton Rouge parish mission at St. Isidore’s is completed but we are staying long enough to join the parish social with Cajun dancing and great home cooked local Louisiana foods. This is great!

What a great bunch of faithful and orthodox Catholics. Fr. Fred Youngs has been wonderful! I love finding priests and parishes like this where we feel at home the minute we arrive. We just LOVE being Catholic.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Today is a Holy Day of Obligation

Speaking at St. Isidore Catholic Church
in Baton Rouge Louisiana

If you want to understand the Immaculate Conception, or let’s say, if you want your young kids to understand it — then get my DVD Mary, Mother of God.

In this movie I fall into a mud puddle to explain it down and dirty. Of all the scenes in all our DVDs, this is the one that gets mentioned the most — 10 to 1.

Also, in Baton Rough tonight, I am speaking on “A Virtual Tour of the Life of Mary: Real Girl, Woman of Mystery.’

From Pope Pius IX, when proclaiming the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1854:

“Let all the children of the Catholic Church, who are so very dear to us, hear these words of ours. With a still more ardent zeal for piety, religion and love, let them continue to venerate, invoke and pray to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, conceived without original sin. Let them fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless. Because, while bearing toward us a truly motherly affection and having in her care the work of our salvation, she is solicitous about the whole human race. And since she has been appointed by God to be the Queen of heaven and earth, and is exalted above all the choirs of angels and saints, and even stands at the right hand of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. What she asks, she obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard.”

For the complete text of the Apostolic Constitution defining the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception:
http://www.wf-f.org/PiusIX-IneffabiisDeus.html

For more information on the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception:
http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1159

Senate passes measure that could allow mandatory abortion coverage in health-care bill

The US Senate today approved the “Mikulski amendment” to the proposed health-care reform bill, paving the way for mandatory abortion coverage in health insurance programs.

The Mikulski amendment stipulates that health insurance carriers must cover any procedure that is classified by the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) as proper preventive care.

Thus if the HRSA said that abortion is preventive care, all insurers would be required by law to cover abortion payments.

This ad in USA Today “cracked” me up. How true!

You will enjoy this well-written story of Kristyn’s search for God and then for his Church. She traveled through the desert with many stops along the way before finding the beautiful oasis of the Catholic Church.

Here is an excerpt from her story, “I learned my first memory verse that night, Psalm 27:1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Being a fearful child, these words thrilled me.  They still do.

For months I mistakenly thought this was the first verse in the Bible, since I had learned it first.  It was rather embarrassing to be corrected by a six-year-old.  “The first verse starts with, ‘In the beginning,’” he told me.  “That’s how you know it’s first.”

Thus began my church career.  I loved it all.  I loved saying the “Sinner’s Prayer” on a weekly basis, just to be safe.

To read the full story, click here.

Here I am still in the heart of Tennessee. I noticed a creche scene (manger scene with baby Jesus) on the side of the road. I took a double-take when I saw the Three Wise Men with shiny fire helmets on their heads. I thought it was strange.

So I stopped at the little restaurant and while eating I asked the waitress why the Wise Men were wearing helmets. She chuckled and smirked and said, “That’s the problem with you Yankees. You don’t know your Bibles.”

After laughing at me for a moment she said, “If you read your Bibles you would know that the Wise Men had just come from a fire.” I said, “What?” She said, “A fire, a fire! They had just come from a FIRE!”

I couldn’t understand her until I read the passage “they had just come from a far.” Ah, it was the Tennessee dialect. This Yankee learned something new today!  :-)

I usually mind my own business and worship God at Mass, but there are times I step out of my comfort zone. Once was when the priest said no miracle took place at the multiplication of loaves and fish. Today if was for other reasons. My wife Janet said I was antsy and nervous at Mass today — and I agreed I was.

They walked in and sat down a few pews away from us. To the right a loneyoung boy about 16 years old and to the left a tall white American male with his short oriental wife and two-year-old son. Mass began and the small boy began to fidget while the mother dutifully attended to him, holding him on her hip and trying to keep him quiet. The father was in another world and paid no attention to his struggling wife and child. He was oblivious.

I usually try to pay attention to the liturgy. But I could not but feel empathy for the lonely young man and the struggling mother. The young man of about 16 was sitting by himself and looking around for a friend or support. He was obviously lonely. I have to admit I was distracted out of compassion for these two struggling people.

As the Mass progressed I was progressively agitated as I saw the poor mother struggling with her 2-year old while the tall husband completely ignored her. She looked up at him several times with desperation in her eyes but he refused to look at her or show any support. Yes, as a father of four and grandfather of eight, I was feeling a bit sympathetic for the poor mother thinking of my own daughters with their children.

I also kept wanting to reach out to the lonely young man looking around for someone to give him a bit of affirmation. I wanted to take the poor young wife under my wing and encourage her.

Finally the little wife hoisted the little boy on her hip and pushed past her oblivious and stupid husband and went to the back of the church where she remained — ignored — for the rest of the Mass. He never acknowledged her or even looked back once. I know I should have been paying attention to the Mass and not involved in the others problems — or, should I have? I am not sure.

The young man offered to usher and quickly stepped up to volunteer with the offering plate. I watched the smile on his face as he was proving to be of some value. People hustled and bustled around him without paying much attention. He looked around for some sign of approval.

When he was done I gestured to him with my finger and called — “Come here!” He was shocked but stepped over to me with a quizzical look on his face. I reached out my hand and said, “You did a great job, thanks for serving Our Lord!” His face lit up like a candle!

Then came the Sign of Peace. The tall white man had never once looked back at his oriental wife still struggling with their son. I had been aggitated with this the whole time. Was I meddling, too curious, or distracted, too intrusive?

Maybe, but when the Sign of Peace came I walked over to the young man first and again said “Thanks for serving us and peace be with you.” I then walked two rows over and shook the tall father’s hand and said, “Peace be with you — you need to be more attentive to your wife and child.” I then walked back to my seat.

In a matter of seconds the tall man walked over an stood by my side and said indignantly, “I am a child psychologist!” We were in Ann Arbor and he probably graduated with a PhD from the University of Michigan. I turned and said, “You may be a psychologist but I am observant! You have completely ignored your wife and child.”

He responded, “This is the Mass!” I said, “I realize that, but your poor wife and child have been in the back and you have ignored them completely. I am a father of four and a grandfather of eight and I have learned a few things over the years. You need to pay more attention to your wife and child or you will some day lose them.”

He was stunned and went back and sat down. His wife was still sitting at the back door struggling with the boy and unable to attend communion. I looked back at her and smiled to encourage her as I had done several times during the Mass.

A child psychologist? I wish he had been a construction worker or bus driver — his conduct would have been more understandable. But a child psychologist?! How can such educated people be so stupid and selfish.

OK, I probably should just mind my own business — not be so judgmental, but I can’t! I am a dad and a husband, a grandfather and a member of the human race and member of the Body of Christ. How can I turn a blind eye? How can I not encourage the young man desperate for attention and the young wife yearning for basic respect and attention from her husband.

The other day I was on a plane. A very heavy woman boarded the plane with a heavy suitcase and told the flight attendant “I will need some help getting my suitcase up in the storage bin.” I jumped up and said, “I will help you,” and I followed her to her seat. After hoisting her heavy suitcase into its place I smiled and said, “I am a Catholic and I love helping people.”

She had a surprised look on her face and said “Thanks.” You don’t have to be a convert to do and say such things.

It is time we began acting like Catholics. It is time we stop being so shy, so politically correct, so careful, so timid. It is time we confront and speak out. Be proud to be Catholic. Challenge our brothers and sisters! Challenge the world! Encourage the weak, chastise the selfish, poke the complacent, share the faith!

Sorry, but I can’t be quiet. Maybe I just have a big mouth.

Dominic will be seven years old in January. We spent Thanksgiving together and I told him he’d get $5 to memorize John 3:16 by the end of the afternoon. He wrote it out, looked it up in the Bible, and began to seriously concentrate on memorizing this important verse in the Bible — the first verse I learned as a boy of seven years old.

He was pretty proud of himself and we will now embark on many more verses — until he has the whole New Testament memorized :-)

Hey parents and grandparents — this is serious business, as well as fun. Help your kids and grandkids memorize Scripture while their minds are young and supple. Like riding a bike or a horse, it will always stay with them.

Remember Proverbs 22:6 (hover you cursor over the verse reference to read it.)

My topic is “Faith and Works” — and how we are justified before God. You can listen live over the internet by visiting www.Catholic.com.

Much of my discussion will revolve around “the flint knife” and I will post all the questions and the link to the archived show after the fact.

You can prepare for the show by reading a few blogs I posted in the past here.

There is hope for our land when we Catholics rise up and demonstrate our love for God and the Church. It is time again for bishops to take the lead and promote and teach and demonstrate the truth of the Catholic faith! I love seeing things like this.

Click on this impressive picture for a larger image.

Cardinal DiNardo gave the keynote at today’s session of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City, while Kansas City, Kansas Archbishop Joseph Naumann led Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction at Sprint Center.

Kansas City – St. Joseph Bishop Robert W. Finn then led 22,000 High School students through his See City from Sprint Center to the Kansas City Convention Center.

Here are some pics – story later – Be sure to see the last pic.