From Freedom to Bondage

May 7, 2012

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses [...]

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Holy Land Day 4: Capernaum, to Jerusalem, Visitation

May 6, 2012

From Galilee to Jerusalem. A very rich, eventful day. Following Mary from Galilee to her relative Elizabeth, pilgrims were surprised that she walked over 90 miles. We started the day taking a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and having Mass at Capernaum where Jesus did more miracles than anywhere else. I gave my [...]

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Holy Land Day 3: Beatitudes, “You Are Peter,” Tabgha and more

May 5, 2012

See Part One: Part Two here:

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Day Two with Catholic Community Radio Group

May 4, 2012

This trip was inspired by Catholic Community Radio in Baton Rouge Louisiana. A bunch of these good folks are with us along with people from a lot of other states and even Australia and Africa. It is a very lively, Catholic, inquisitive, excited, humorous and fun group of pilgrims. They are firmly set on learning [...]

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Catholic Community Radio in Baton Rouge: Pilgrimage Day 1

May 3, 2012

All arrived safely. No lost luggage. Our seminarian is still on his way from Ethiopia. Our Australian pilgrim arrived along with six other Americans, some from Italy where they were visiting. All the others landed in Tel Aviv this afternoon. We picked them up and, except for our seminarian, all are sound asleep after a [...]

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How Do We Know the Holy Sites are Authentic (Protestant Skeptic)?

May 3, 2012

Today I received an e-mail from a man whose Protestant friend just returned from the Holy Land a bit disillusioned and skeptical. Here is the e-mail I received: Hi Steve, Here’s the question in brief (read more if you have time). How do we know that the sites such as the Church of the Holy [...]

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Walking with Jesus East of the Sea of Galilee

May 2, 2012

Today I took off for 8.7 miles along the eastern coast of the Sea of Galilee. I have only a few segments left to complete my run around the whole sea. However, since I have a torn meniscus in my knee (operation on May 23) I had to refrain from running on this segment and [...]

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My Run-Walk Around the Walls of Jerusalem

May 1, 2012

My goal is to run between 1,000 to 1,200 miles a year. As my wife and I get older we consider it our “medicine.” Today I am right on track even though I have a torn meniscus in my knee. I have an appointment on May 23 (when I return from Israel) to get orthopedic [...]

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Pilgrimage Day Eight: Mt. Zion, Mt. of Olives and more; Is it Safe to Come to Israel?

April 30, 2012

Part One. Two familiar sites for Jesus, the Apostles and Mary – the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion. Jesus ascended into heaven from the top of the Mount of Olives. He had always been on the ground with his disciples but this day he lifted off the ground and the last thing they saw [...]

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Charles Rice defends Bishop Jenky from Notre Dame Attackers – A Must Read!

April 30, 2012

Background: Bishop Jenky from Peoria Illinois a (Notre Dame Board of Fellows) delivered a noble and blistering homily on President Obama and his policies. Forty-nine Notre Dame professors condemned Bishop Jenky in a signed document. The professors were fools – as ably demonstrated by Professor Charles Rice, Professor Emeritus at Notre Dame Law School. Here [...]

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Pilgrimage Day 7 in Two Exciting, Fun Parts

April 29, 2012

Mass at the stone where Jesus sweat drops of blood in Gethsemane. Israel Museum to see model of the Temple from Jesus’ time and the Dead Sea Scroll Museum. Visited authentic Baptismal Site of Jesus to renew our baptismal vows before lunch in Jericho. Then to Qumran to see the ruins and the famous Cave [...]

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Mary, Queen of Heaven

April 28, 2012

A while ago a man called in to say my argument for the Assumption of Mary including references from the Old Testament was wrong. I had quoted 1 Kings 2:19 where Solomon had raised his mother up to a throne to be Queen of the Kingdom. He said that was the ONLY case of a [...]

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Pilgrimage Day 6: Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ – and more

April 28, 2012

Today we woke up at 5 AM and boarded the bus to head to the Herod Gate. We walked to the beginning of the Stations of Cross while the sun was rising. Amer gave us a short intro to the Via Dolorosa and walked, prayed and meditated the 14 Stations of the Cross — where [...]

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Pilgrimage Day 5: Bethlehem, all day!

April 27, 2012

We had a good  first night sleep in Jerusalem at Notre Dame Center, owned by the Pope. After a delicious breakfast we boarded the bus and left two minutes early (we enforce timeliness). We headed out to Bethlehem. On the way we talked about the authenticity of the biblical sites, the dealing with vendors and [...]

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Radio Show Live from the Holy Land

April 27, 2012

Teresa Tomeo and Steve Ray were in Bethlehem together on Friday. They broadcast live from Shepherds Field, click HERE to listen.

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Pilgrimage Day 4: Boat on Galilee, Capernaum, St. Peter’s Fish, to Jerusalem & more

April 26, 2012

Today was another great day with marvelous weather, curious pilgrims, insightful talks, great food, and wonderful holy sites in the footprints of Jesus and Our Lady. Mass at Capernaum is always special – partaking of the Body and Blood of Our Lord right where he said, “Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood.” The long boat [...]

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