Comments for Catholic Faith and Reflections http://bob.yerhot.org Faith Seeking Understanding Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:28:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Government “Accommodation” to the Objections of Catholics and others to the HHS Mandate by Deacon Bob http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/02/government-accomodation-to-the-objections-of-catholics-and-others-to-the-hhs-mandate/comment-page-1/#comment-9557 Deacon Bob Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:28:26 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6594#comment-9557 Michelle, I have always respected the commitment you have made and continue to make in protecting life from conception to natural death. You have been a political leader in the local area. I too speak out about the Marriage Amendment and the sacredness of human life. It astounds me how muddy thinking has clouded the minds of so many people in these areas. Failure to support pro-life and pro-marriage legislation is a grave matter. I am aware of, and share in the struggle to live fully the teachings of Christ and his Church when faced with moral decisions that we must make even in our workplaces. For some of us, it will require great sacrifices. All of us are called to be prophets -- perhaps even martyrs -- for our beliefs. This will require great courage, a gift we receive in our baptisms and fully in our confirmations. As you so clearly point out, we cannot separate ourselves from our Catholicism. We cannot segregate our beliefs from the totality of our lives -- even in the political and economic arenas. I believe your last comment is in response to Mike Young. I know him well, for many years. I am sure he wishes to insult no one. His concern is for the poor, and he faithfully lives out that concern in many ways in his life. I extend to you, Mike, and all the readers of Catholic Faith and Reflections my diaconal blessing. Michelle, I have always respected the commitment you have made and continue to make in protecting life from conception to natural death. You have been a political leader in the local area.

I too speak out about the Marriage Amendment and the sacredness of human life. It astounds me how muddy thinking has clouded the minds of so many people in these areas. Failure to support pro-life and pro-marriage legislation is a grave matter.

I am aware of, and share in the struggle to live fully the teachings of Christ and his Church when faced with moral decisions that we must make even in our workplaces. For some of us, it will require great sacrifices.

All of us are called to be prophets — perhaps even martyrs — for our beliefs. This will require great courage, a gift we receive in our baptisms and fully in our confirmations.

As you so clearly point out, we cannot separate ourselves from our Catholicism. We cannot segregate our beliefs from the totality of our lives — even in the political and economic arenas.

I believe your last comment is in response to Mike Young. I know him well, for many years. I am sure he wishes to insult no one. His concern is for the poor, and he faithfully lives out that concern in many ways in his life.

I extend to you, Mike, and all the readers of Catholic Faith and Reflections my diaconal blessing.

]]> Comment on Government “Accommodation” to the Objections of Catholics and others to the HHS Mandate by Michelle Rifenberg http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/02/government-accomodation-to-the-objections-of-catholics-and-others-to-the-hhs-mandate/comment-page-1/#comment-9555 Michelle Rifenberg Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:00:31 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6594#comment-9555 The idea that people like me who are opposed to the false promises of socialist utopianism somehow don't care or don't think is quite frankly, an insult. I've spent my life and risked leaving my comfort zone to work on these issues and learned to understand this tangled disfunctional mess. There have been many ideas out there that begin to tackle this mess; health savings accounts, small employer/individual purchasing pools, the right to purchase insurance across state lines just to name a few. I'm a student of history and have learned about the end result of bad philosophies, the cowarded silence of many, and the socialist path to totalitarian nihlism. The ending is never good. I know what it is to leave a local healthcare employer many years ago when the lab work could mean participation in IVP. I didn't make the chicken false compromise that you could just work in another department. How many other Catholics would band together and and work to stop what may be going. I speak out when my other Catholic friends and neighbors remin silent. I've been told by Catholics in my community that I "should be me and not always view myself as always trying to be Catholic. I've been sneered at for defending the reverence and sacredness of the Mass as the representation of the sacrafice on calvary by Catholics in town. I'm the one who's taken the gospel to area Catholics who won't vote for the Marriage amendment next fall. The idea that I somehow don't care or don't think because I don't subscribe to bad p0licy because of the bad consequences it will lead to is beyond belief. The idea that people like me who are opposed to the false promises of socialist utopianism somehow don’t care or don’t think is quite frankly, an insult. I’ve spent my life and risked leaving my comfort zone to work on these issues and learned to understand this tangled disfunctional mess. There have been many ideas out there that begin to tackle this mess; health savings accounts, small employer/individual purchasing pools, the right to purchase insurance across state lines just to name a few. I’m a student of history and have learned about the end result of bad philosophies, the cowarded silence of many, and the socialist path to totalitarian nihlism. The ending is never good.

I know what it is to leave a local healthcare employer many years ago when the lab work could mean participation in IVP. I didn’t make the chicken false compromise that you could just work in another department. How many other Catholics would
band together and and work to stop what may be going.

I speak out when my other Catholic friends and neighbors remin silent. I’ve been told by Catholics in my community that I “should be me and not always view myself as always trying to be Catholic. I’ve been sneered at for defending the reverence and sacredness of the Mass as the representation of the sacrafice on calvary by Catholics in town. I’m the one who’s taken the gospel to area Catholics who won’t vote for the Marriage amendment next fall.

The idea that I somehow don’t care or don’t think because I don’t subscribe to bad p0licy because of the bad consequences it will lead to is beyond belief.

]]> Comment on Government “Accommodation” to the Objections of Catholics and others to the HHS Mandate by Mike Young http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/02/government-accomodation-to-the-objections-of-catholics-and-others-to-the-hhs-mandate/comment-page-1/#comment-9545 Mike Young Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:33:12 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6594#comment-9545 In response to Michelle's comment on reversing care for the people who can't afford health care it would be worth while to think of some alternative to helping those people rather than saying that it is all bad. There are a number of people that don't have health care and can't afford it and there are many need it, please remember them. Thanks In response to Michelle’s comment on reversing care for the people who can’t afford health care it would be worth while to think of some alternative to helping those people rather than saying that it is all bad. There are a number of people that don’t have health care and can’t afford it and there are many need it, please remember them.
Thanks

]]> Comment on Government “Accommodation” to the Objections of Catholics and others to the HHS Mandate by Deacon Bob http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/02/government-accomodation-to-the-objections-of-catholics-and-others-to-the-hhs-mandate/comment-page-1/#comment-9542 Deacon Bob Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:14:57 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6594#comment-9542 Yes, I have already read EWTN's and Donahue's initial reactions. I am awaiting the Church's official "read" of what the president has said, i.e., what the details are and what that means for religious liberty and first amendment rights. Yes, I have already read EWTN’s and Donahue’s initial reactions. I am awaiting the Church’s official “read” of what the president has said, i.e., what the details are and what that means for religious liberty and first amendment rights.

]]> Comment on Government “Accommodation” to the Objections of Catholics and others to the HHS Mandate by Michelle Rifenberg http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/02/government-accomodation-to-the-objections-of-catholics-and-others-to-the-hhs-mandate/comment-page-1/#comment-9541 Michelle Rifenberg Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:56:01 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6594#comment-9541 The Beck Fund for Religious liberty says , no. Michael Warsaw from EWTN who is suing the feds over this is very skeptical, and Bill Donahue from the Catholic said that this is "insult to injury." The small minority of Catholics who cared enough to caucus the other night will not, rest until Obama care is repealed, buried and dead. As long as you have an over bearing intrusive government that does not stay within its constitutional boundries your religious liberties will never be secure. You reap what you sow. Those of us who opposed Obamacare from the beginning were not fooled and knew this was the havoc it would create. As Margaret Thatcher once said, "this is no time to go all wobbly." The Beck Fund for Religious liberty says , no. Michael Warsaw from EWTN who is suing the feds over this is very skeptical, and Bill Donahue from the Catholic said that this is “insult to injury.” The small minority of Catholics who cared enough to caucus the other night will not, rest until Obama care is repealed, buried and dead. As long as you have an over bearing intrusive government that does not stay within its constitutional boundries your religious liberties will never be secure. You reap what you sow. Those of us who opposed Obamacare from the beginning were not fooled and knew this was the havoc it would create. As Margaret Thatcher once said, “this is no time to go all wobbly.”

]]> Comment on Byzantine Catholic Convert by HanaPipers http://bob.yerhot.org/2010/01/byzantine-catholic-convert/comment-page-1/#comment-9519 HanaPipers Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:04:48 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=1879#comment-9519 :) :)

]]> Comment on White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate by Deacon Bob http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/02/white-house-misrepresents-its-own-contraceptive-mandate/comment-page-1/#comment-9505 Deacon Bob Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:50:56 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6528#comment-9505 I have seen more and more promotion of NFP and exclusive breast feeding in our diocese. When I was employed at Catholic Charities, I got teaching couples trained in the Sympto-Thermal Method and got classes and support available for any couple who wanted to avail themselves of it. The big problem was the ignorance and lack of support from the medical field. Over and over again, women would be discouraged from using NFP by medical practitioners who had little real understanding of modern natural methods of spacing births or avoiding pregnancy. The fear factor was so often used by doctors and others to convince women to use artificial contraception, or to confuse women into thinking the pills they were taking were not abortifacients when in fact they often prevented an embryo from implanting in the uterus. The issue at hand, in my view, is a life issue, an issue on the value of the unborn and whether we are courageous enough to acknowledge that the unborn are human beings, and we must do whatever is needed to support that life and the lives of so many women in distressing pregnancies. The other issue, about which my post is directed, is the fundamental right to relgious liberty and the freedom of conscience. The columnist Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post just yesterday wrote an excellent piece on this entitled, "Moral conscience under assault." I have seen more and more promotion of NFP and exclusive breast feeding in our diocese. When I was employed at Catholic Charities, I got teaching couples trained in the Sympto-Thermal Method and got classes and support available for any couple who wanted to avail themselves of it. The big problem was the ignorance and lack of support from the medical field. Over and over again, women would be discouraged from using NFP by medical practitioners who had little real understanding of modern natural methods of spacing births or avoiding pregnancy. The fear factor was so often used by doctors and others to convince women to use artificial contraception, or to confuse women into thinking the pills they were taking were not abortifacients when in fact they often prevented an embryo from implanting in the uterus.

The issue at hand, in my view, is a life issue, an issue on the value of the unborn and whether we are courageous enough to acknowledge that the unborn are human beings, and we must do whatever is needed to support that life and the lives of so many women in distressing pregnancies. The other issue, about which my post is directed, is the fundamental right to relgious liberty and the freedom of conscience.

The columnist Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post just yesterday wrote an excellent piece on this entitled, “Moral conscience under assault.”

]]> Comment on White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate by Karen Querna http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/02/white-house-misrepresents-its-own-contraceptive-mandate/comment-page-1/#comment-9500 Karen Querna Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:28:35 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6528#comment-9500 so Bob, maybe the Catholic organizations need to promote Natural Family planning to the max. We have a program here, not well promoted. Also all Catholic organizations must promote exclusive breastfeeding,which if done correctly for the first 6 months after delivery of a baby is as effective as anything. The problem is not the government but providers that do to give supportive information. Up until the introduction of artificial baby formulas most women naturally gave birth about every 2 yrs. ( unless you had a wet nurse, which is another story) Then maternal mobitity was fairly high. In the 20/21st century Maternal morbitity is less due to advances in modern medicine. Most families had 8+ children, some babies died from bacterial infections, some women died post-partem of infections. Lucky were those women who were infertile (they survived) or their husbands died. The dilema for me is it a women's rights issue or an issue of the church. . so Bob, maybe the Catholic organizations need to promote Natural Family planning to the max. We have a program here, not well promoted. Also all Catholic organizations must promote exclusive breastfeeding,which if done correctly for the first 6 months after delivery of a baby is as effective as anything. The problem is not the government but providers that do to give supportive information. Up until the introduction of artificial baby formulas most women naturally gave birth about every 2 yrs. ( unless you had a wet nurse, which is another story) Then maternal mobitity was fairly high. In the 20/21st century Maternal morbitity is less due to advances in modern medicine. Most families had 8+ children, some babies died from bacterial infections, some women died post-partem of infections. Lucky were those women who were infertile (they survived) or their husbands died. The dilema for me is it a women’s rights issue or an issue of the church.
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]]> Comment on Speaking of Conscience by Deacon Bob http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/01/speaking-of-conscience/comment-page-1/#comment-9297 Deacon Bob Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:21:58 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6379#comment-9297 Thank you, Marilyn as always for your deeply held faith and your willingness to express it. The series you are mentioning by Fr. Robert Barron is the Catholicism Project, and from what I know, it is excellent. I will explore its possibility in our parish cluster. My blog is listed on the Holy Cross bulletin and on Crucifixion's website. Pass the web address on to those you know. It is part of what I consider my diaconal ministry. The Knights of Columbus also feature it on their website. Marilyn, we need you in our parish, and I am so glad to see you there. Blessings, Deacon Bob Thank you, Marilyn as always for your deeply held faith and your willingness to express it. The series you are mentioning by Fr. Robert Barron is the Catholicism Project, and from what I know, it is excellent. I will explore its possibility in our parish cluster.

My blog is listed on the Holy Cross bulletin and on Crucifixion’s website. Pass the web address on to those you know. It is part of what I consider my diaconal ministry. The Knights of Columbus also feature it on their website.

Marilyn, we need you in our parish, and I am so glad to see you there.

Blessings,
Deacon Bob

]]> Comment on Speaking of Conscience by marilyn peterson http://bob.yerhot.org/2012/01/speaking-of-conscience/comment-page-1/#comment-9295 marilyn peterson Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:34:20 +0000 http://bob.yerhot.org/?p=6379#comment-9295 Hi Bob....I was hoping I would find something concerning the "prolife" march in your column. I searched through the Crucifixion bulletin for even a mention of it...but there was none. I was there for the Saturday night Mass and nothing was mentioned (unless I missed it?) and I just don't know why there wasn't a whole sermon with this particular issue as the focus. If ever there was a weekend when the evils of abortion and the opportunity to "follow Jesus" was begging for a sermon...this is it. Lately, I have been attending St. James the Less Church in La Crosse on Sundays - because this is certainly a topic that will not pass under the radar with Fr. Robert Schaller. I didn't get there yesterday because I wasn't sure about the freezing roads that were being predicted. But I know that it was mentioned and promoted last Sunday at St. James. It's interesting comparing the two churches on a weekend. Did you know that there will be a new bible study series beginning on Feb 20 at St. James on the Robert Barron Catechism study. I am planning to go...I have hung up a notice regarding it at the grade school....is there any way we could promote this series in our church - or God willing ever offer it at Crucifixion - with possibly one of our deacons in charge. I know that at the last one I attended at St. James... Father Schaller was there every opportunity he had. That was the study with the new liturgy changes being explained. Recently, I was talking with a "very active and practicing" Catholic woman who has 3 children in the Catholic grade school. I mentioned to her how much I enjoyed the opportunity that is available at St. James for confession every Sunday morning for 45 minutes before the 10:00 a.m. Mass. She was honestly confused as to why I thought this was so great...she said " I haven't been to confession for more than 3 years" Surprised...I asked her why not? She said - she didn't feel the need! This is a woman I was truly surprised to hear that from. I wish Father Havel could sense the need for Faith formation opportunities at Crucifixion and even at Holy Cross I imagine. My purpose in this email actually is to thank you for speaking out about ProLife...and perhaps sometime the bulletin might list your blog site - or you could type it up and place it as an insert on special anniversaries such as this. Thanks for answering the call! Marilyn Peterson Crucifixion Hi Bob….I was hoping I would find something concerning the “prolife” march in your column. I searched through the Crucifixion bulletin for even a mention of it…but there was none. I was there for the Saturday night Mass and nothing was mentioned
(unless I missed it?) and I just don’t know why there wasn’t a whole sermon with this particular issue as the focus. If ever there was a weekend when the evils of abortion and the opportunity to “follow Jesus” was begging for a sermon…this is it. Lately, I have been attending St. James the Less Church in La Crosse on Sundays – because this is certainly a topic that will not pass under the radar with Fr. Robert Schaller. I didn’t get there yesterday because I wasn’t sure about the freezing roads that were being predicted. But I know that it was mentioned and promoted last Sunday at St. James. It’s interesting comparing the two churches on a weekend.
Did you know that there will be a new bible study series beginning on Feb 20 at St. James on the Robert Barron Catechism study. I am planning to go…I have hung up a notice regarding it at the grade school….is there any way we could promote this series in our church – or God willing ever offer it at Crucifixion – with possibly one of our deacons in charge. I know that at the last one I attended at St. James… Father Schaller was there every opportunity he had. That was the study with the new liturgy changes being explained.
Recently, I was talking with a “very active and practicing” Catholic woman who has 3 children in the Catholic grade school. I mentioned to her how much I enjoyed the opportunity that is available at St. James for confession every Sunday morning for 45 minutes before the 10:00 a.m. Mass. She was honestly confused as to why I thought this was so great…she said ” I haven’t been to confession for more than 3 years” Surprised…I asked her why not? She said – she didn’t feel the need! This is a woman I was truly surprised to hear that from. I wish Father Havel could sense the need for Faith formation opportunities at Crucifixion and even at Holy Cross I imagine.
My purpose in this email actually is to thank you for speaking out about ProLife…and perhaps sometime the bulletin might list your blog site – or you could type it up and place it as an insert on special anniversaries such as this.

Thanks for answering the call!

Marilyn Peterson
Crucifixion

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