World of UTEP

2012-02-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Southwest Texas U.S.A. 78832.

Kinney County Youth "On the Move!"

Ms. Elizabeth Flores -- Brackett H.S. Class of 2012. She plans on college, pursuing a career in pharmacy.

Way to go, Elizabeth!

Mr. Andrew R. Kennedy -- Makes Fall 2012 Dean's List @ Sul Ross State University -- Rio Grande College.

Way to go Andrew!

Thanks to the Brackett News Weekly. Thursday, January 26, 2012.

2012-02-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

1937 - 2012: Seventy - five years on the air waves!

Radio XEMU -- Piedras Negras, Coahuila, México.

Mexican Army makes a haul in Colonia Los Cumbres, Piedras Negras, Mexico.

New Comandante gives a conciliatory live radio interview.

Says it's "an honor for me to be here...."

Mexican Radio XEMU ♪ La Rancherita del Aire ♫

Over the past week or so, the Army grabbed a couple of "suspected delinquents," in Colonia Los Cumbres."

Not far from where we once lived ....

The soldiers seized arms, ammunition, a few grenades and what sounded like several Japanese throwing stars, too!

The two clowns didn't seem to appear to the Army to be the sharpest swords in the Cartel's scabbards, so "the civilians" were given custody of them...

Last night the new Comandante for Piedras Negras gave a respectful on - air interview to assure all of us that it's an honor to be here with you all, and that we're going to be sure to carry on..." :)

2012-02-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

The twin evils of hatred and indifference ...

From the Rwandan Genocide to a Rwandan Peace - keeping Unit in North Darfur, Sudan.

A thoughtful Rwandan Army Lieutenant ponders his firsthand experience of the twin evils of indifference and hatred in both places and the healing role in Rwanda today of Marian mysticism.

Snippets from an informal interview given by him to a former U.S. contractor "with the African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur."

Mr. M.P. Summers' fabulous article is titled A Continent of Contradictions. In the January - February issue of The New Oxford Review.

"When I first came to Sudan, I saw a dead woman in the market square in Shangil Tobaya -- not the first one I'd seen and I suspect not the last.

"She had been stoned to death -- for adultery most likely.

"They buried her up to her waist and had the market children do the stoning.

"I drove by with three Nigerian officers.

"The laughed as we passed and made comments about her looks.

"These men were not even fazed by the evil that had occurred in front of their faces.

"That poor wretched woman died at the hands of evil, an evil that I recognized.

"That upset me greatly.

"And those poor wretched kids who did the killing were manipulated by evil.

"That upset m even more ...."

Rwandan Genocide

"I'll tell you a little - known fact about Rwanda.

"Thirteen years before the genocide, the Blessed Mother of God appeared before three school children in the village of Kibeho.

"She gave them a message of hope and a foretelling of violence.

"The visions of death they saw were were horrible and incomprehensible at the time.

"Thirteen years later the last of the violence took place on the very spot where Blessed Mary appeared.

"One of [those] schoolchildren was among the victims hacked apart on that spot.

"She was martyred through indifference.

"Indifference blinded men to ignore the Mother of God in order to murder their fellow man.

"What has happened to my country since the killing ended?

"When we regained control, did we avenge ourselves against our neighbors?

"No, love enveloped the country.

"A love and forgiveness that, I like to think, only a heavenly mother could instill in her children...

"Our horror started through hatred and indifference.

"It has ended with love and forgiveness ..

"Men asked for forgiveness face - to - face.

"W. deal with our countrymen who committed the atrocities on a village level.

"If a man killed his neighbor, he goes to the family and asks for forgiveness ..."

A fascinating account, huh??!!

You bet! :)

The NEW OXFORD REVIEW

A one - year subscription is only $19.00!

Click online for more details! :)

2012-02-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

February 3. Feast Day of Saint Blaise & Saint Ansgar.

2012-02-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

February 2. Feast Day of The Presentation of the Lord.

2012-01-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

"El papa tratará en México de violencia, dice funcionario vaticano"

"Vatican official says pope will address the issue of violence in Mexico"

Por Kristin Gobberg . Catholic News Service / Today's Catholic. Friday January 27, 2011.

"México ha experimentado en años recientes un aumento dramático en violencia relacionada con el crimen.

"Entre el 2007 y el 2010, 34,550 asesinatos fueron viniculados con el crimen, comparado con unos 8,900 tales asesinatos entre el 2000 y el 2006, según datos gubernamentales.

"En el 2010 solamente, ocurrieron casi 15,000 asesinatos por el crimen organizado, haciéndolo el peor año anotado para tal violencia..."

'Ole Dennis' spin:

"Mexico has experienced a dramatic increase in crime - related violence in recent years.

"Between 2007 and 2010, 34,550 killings were linked to [organized?] crime, compared with some 8,500 such killings between 2000 and 2006, according to [Mexican??] government data...

"In 2010 alone, there were 15,000 killings by organized crime, making it the worse year for such violence ever recorded ..."

2012-01-30T07:01:00.000-08:00

January 31. Feast Day of Saint John Bosco.

2012-01-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

"More Guns, Less Crime"

From the TFP's Crusade magazine. January / February 2012 issue.

"When the Supreme Court shot down Washington, D.C.'s Firearms Control Regulations Act in 2008, many politicians and media outlets predicted a bloodbath of crime and murder.

"Mayor Adrian Fenty foretold that More handguns in the District of Columbia will only lead to more handgun violence.

"Instead, the District's murder rates fell two - and - a - half times faster than the rest of the country.

"Robberies with guns fell by 25 percent, while robberies without guns fell by eight percent.

"Assaults with guns fell by 37 percent, while assaults without guns fell by 12 percent..."

Way to go, huh??!! :)

2012-01-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

January 29. Feast Day of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

2012-01-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

From Soviet Armored Divisions in 1956 to the European Unions' financial blackmail threats of 2012??!!

The Hungarian daily, Magyar Nemzet:

The European Union demands that Hungary drop corruption charges against socialist former president.

And ...

Hungary must also drop its legal definition of marriage "as being between a man and a woman..."

Or else?

You bet!!

From the Catholic newspaper The Wanderer. Thursday, January 26, 2012.

Original news item is: Human Life International [HLI] Tells Hungarians ... Stand Firm In Defense Of The Family.

"FRONT ROYAL, Va. Fr. Shenan J. Boquet, President of HLI, on January 11 called on Hungary's political leadership to stand strong against threats by the European Union to withhold financial aid if certain conditions were not met.

"The conditions, as reported by the Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet, were that the state must drop charges of corruption against its socialist former president, and it must drop a section in its new constitution which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman..."

Fr. Boquet compares the European Unions' blackmail threat against Hungary to England's against similar pro - life African nations.

"This situation is reminiscent of last month's threats by Britain to remove financial aid from those African nations who, like Hungary, realize what marriage truly is and defend it in their laws ..."

Good point, padre! :)

More info @ www.hli.org

2012-01-27T07:02:00.000-08:00

Mexican State of Coahuila officially institutes:

"Gun Battle Protocol."

For Parents, Teachers, Children -- in Schools.

From Radio XEMU ♪ ¡La Rancherita del Aire! ♫

And the Mexican equivalent of America's PTAs now have the "official word!"

Rule Number 1 for Teachers & Staff & Students: When gun battles rage between the Army & Cartel gunmen in the immediate vicinity of your school, don't gawk!

Don't use your cell phone to video - tape the live action.

Don't cluster around the windows.

Rule Number 2: Parents, keep clear away; it doesn't matter what your frightened youngsters are text - messaging you.

Rule Number 3: When the bullets start whipsawing through the windows, stay down!

Rule Number 4 Remember: It will be for the Army to determine when it's safe once more for you to both live and breathe...

Pretty good advice? You bet!

Some months back it was the news that effective immediately, Red Cross emergency workers were to be authorized bullet - proof vests...

So?

What next! :(

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

January 27. Feast Day of Saint Angela Merici.

2012-01-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

"When One Girl Stood Up"

From the American TFP's magazine Crusade.

Issue of January / February 2012.

"Anne - Marie Dust applied for the nurse residency program at Vanderbilt University in 2010 but was shocked to discover that Vanderbilt required her to certify in writing that she would agree to participate in providing abortions.

"With the help of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), she filed a federal complaint to the Department of Health and Human Services in early January 2011 objecting to the university's illegal discrimination [that forces] pro - life students to violate their federal rights of conscience.

"Anne - Marie told LifeSiteNews.com, You have to stand up for what is most important.

"Within twenty - six hours of ADF's letters, the university rescinded its policy and notified all of the program's participants that no health care provider is required to participate in a procedure terminating a pregnancy if such participation would be contrary to an individual's religious beliefs or moral convictions ..."

Way to go, Anne - Marie and ADF!! :)

2012-01-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

Novedades en la frente ... Latest news from the Cartel War Front ...

Snippets of Mexican regional news from:

Radio XEMU ♪¡La Rancherita del Aire!♪

Tampico, Tamaulipas: Elements of the Fifth Infantry Battalion captured around ten (10) persons yesterday -- "suspected of involvement in organized delinquency."

Naturally, having had the bad luck to have been taken while still more or less alive and breathing, all suspects readily furnished authentic personal documentation, with the result that each person's full and complete name was promptly broadcast far and wide... :)

While no mention was made of weapons captured, the on site live radio report made it clear that at least several detainees were believed to be big fish, indeed!

Way to go amigos! :)

Meanwhile, locally, in Piedras Negras:

Bishop Treviño shares his views live on the air

re:

Endemic local police corruption.

Last night, while munching on PICO's fried chicken, we listened as his on - air comments ran roughly along these lines:

"It's not enough that cosmetic changes are being made in firing a handful of police personnel only to have them re - hired someplace else.

"Because such superficial actions aren't going to solve the problem of corruption.

"Instead, the problem of endemic police corruption must be dealt with from the very roots ..."

Way to go, vuestra merced ! :)

2012-01-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

UTEP Spring Semester 2012: Moving right along!

"Solar panels help university go green ..."

And The UTEP Prospector's Ms. Jasmine Aguilera has today's lead story.

¡Adelante, Jasmine!

From the updated online version of Tuesday, January 24, 2012 09:01

"President Diana Natalicio conducted a ceremony January 20 recognizing the people involved in the construction of the largest solar PV (photovoltaic) arrays in El Paso when combined.

"One of the panels is placed on top of the Student Recreation Center and is 108 kilowatts.

"The second panel is located in the parking lot of the Facilities Services Building and is 78 kilowatts.

"Together the panels will produce enough energy to sustain about 53 residential homes and will save the campus about $28,000 a year, according to Ralph Martinez, Director of Energy Initiatives ..."

Way to go great people! :)

¡Ora, UTEP!

¡Ora, MEChA!

¡Adelante, DESTINO!

2012-01-24T08:11:00.001-08:00

"Les révolutions sont les changements tentés ou réalisés par la force dans la constitution des sociétes..."

Arthur Bauer in 1908.

Quoted by Andreas V. Reichstein.

'Ole Dennis' personal spin - translation is:

"Revolutions are the changes attempted or carried out by force within the political fabric of pre - existing societies..."

Texas vs Mexico 1835 - 1836

A War of Independence or a Revolution??!!

More snippets, these from pages 193 - 194, found in Andreas W. Reichstein's Rise of the Lone Star ...

"With this sentence Arthur Bauer in 1908 defined revolution as social change by means of force..

"As handy as this definition sounds, it in turn raises a number of questions.

"What is change?

"What is force?

"What is society?

"[T]he thrust of the struggle of the Texas was not at all aimed at a change in the political system in Mexico or in Texas as a part of Mexico but at separation.

"No one wanted to change anything in Mexico itself.

"They were not turning against an oppressive system of government but rather against cohabitation with and in a foreign nation.

"[I]t was not at all the aim of the Texans to create a liberal Mexico or to make social change but to annex themselves to the United States.

"If the concept of Texas Revolution is to be kept as a term, it must be firmly established here that in the scholarly sense there was no revolution in Texas ..."

Interesting point of view, huh??!! :)

2012-01-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

Mexican historian Elesio Paredes:

"Santa Anna was a bad Mason and a bad Mexican."

Page 8 of the unpublished masterpiece La Masonería Matamorose en la Historia y en la Leyenda.

Cited by German historian Andreas V. Reichstein in his Rise of the Lone Star: The Making of Texas. Bottom of page 191.

2012-01-24T07:41:00.000-08:00

January 28. Feast Day of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

2012-01-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

January 27. Feast Day of Saint Angela Merici.

2012-01-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

"Mujer narco surte a cárteles mexicanos"

"Identifica EU a poderosa Guatemalteca..."

"Woman narco supplying the Mexican cartels"

"U.S. identifies a powerful female Guatemalan ..."

"The American government identified yesterday the Guatemalan national Marllory Dadiana Chacón Rossell as one of the most powerful drug traffickers in Central America and the principle supplier of drugs to the various Mexican cartels ..."

Fuente original: PROCESO Zócalo / Washington, EU. Viernes 20 de enero de 2012.

2012-01-23T07:13:00.000-08:00

Southwest Texas, U.S.A. 78832.

Members of other Brackettville, Texas H.S. graduating classes doing fine, too!

Not just 2012...

Especially the Classes of:

2011: Ms. Haley Hale & Ms. Erica Villanueva made the Fall 2011 Dean's List for Angelo State University.

2013: In recent H.S. Varsity Basketball against the Sabinal Jackets such Saint Mary Magdalene's Catholic Parish CCD Youth Group personalities as las reinas de la cancha Ms. Priscilla Aguirre & Ms. Selina Gerardo helped their sister BHS Tigrettes score points!

Congratulations to all you young ladies! :)

And to the Classes of 2015 and 2016 too:

They donated a "New display of our BISD school song ..." to the gym.

Artist Ms. Sandra Tate created the sign and BISD maintenance workers Mr. Tommy Sandoval & Mr. Javier Valdez "placed the new alma mater sign on the Tiger gym wall.."

AND HERE IT IS:

♪Far above Las Moras River on a hallowed site♫
♫Stands our noble Brackett High School.♪
♪Bathed in golden light♫
♫Lift the chorus, speed it onward over hill and dale♪
♪Hail to thee beloved old high school♫
♫Brackett High School hail♪

Thanks to the Brackett News Weekly Thursday, Thursday, January 19, 2012.

2012-01-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

January 26. Feast Day of Saint Titus & Saint Timothy.

2012-01-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

January 25. Feast Day of the Conversion of Saint Paul.

2012-01-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

January 24. Feast Day of Saint Francis De Sales.

2012-01-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

Kinney County, Texas: 57th Livestock Show.

Mr. Adam Resendez -- Saint Mary Magdalene Altar Server & BHS Athlete & CCD Youth Group Personality won prize for "2nd. Place Rabbit Buck."

Mr. Joaquin Solis -- San Blas / Saint Blaise community: "Most Improved Feeder" + "3rd. Place Meat Goat."

Ms. Alexa Lynn Solis -- San Blas / Saint Blaise community: "6th Place Meat Goat."

Way to go, great young people! :)

Thanks to the Brackett News Weekly. Thursday, January 19, 2012.

2012-01-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

Southwest Texas, U.S.A.

Brackettville, 78832.

Brackett H.S. Class of 2012 members Mr. Brad Edwards & Mr. Eric Falcon university bound..

Mr. Edwards -- for a career in Physical Therapy.

Mr. Falcon -- for a career in Architecture.

Good luck, gentlemen! :)

From the Brackett News Weekly. Thursday, January 12 & Thursday, January 19, 2012.

2012-01-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

Weekly compilation of regional military activity by

Mexican Radio XEMU ♪La Rancherita del Aire!♫

1) Cuatro Cienagas, Coahuila, Mexico: Mexican soldiers seize arms cache of roughly 20 rifles.

The rifles are more or less half and half, 5.56 mm & AK 47.

2) State of Tamaulipas: The Office of Mexico's Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA) announces substantial troop reinforcements for San Fernando - south of Brownsville, Texas -- and Nuevo Laredo, too...

Elements of special naval land and air combat units plus helicopters also reportedly involved.

3) Zaragoza de Coahuila -- south of Del Rio, Texas: soldiers seize around a dozen rifles "of different calibers," plus two shotguns -- one of which was a 20 gauge...

No reference to fatalities on either side.

Way to go, amigos! :)

2012-01-20T07:40:00.000-08:00

Mandatory celibacy?

It's supported among:

" 81% of priests ordained less than 10 years ago but only [supported by] 38% of priests ordained between 30 and 40 years ago..."

Snippets from CNS reporter Nancy Frazier O'Brien's timely article Evidence 'incontrovertible' that priests are happy, research finds. In Today's Catholic. Friday, January 13, 2012.

MORE:

The research also indicated that younger priests take seriously so - called "traditional prayer practices."

We're told that these are practices "such as eucharistic adoration and recitation of the rosary, but not out of a desire to return to a pre - Vatican II church. "

Plus as we've already quoted above, such younger priests "also are much more likely than those in the middle years of their priesthood to affirm the value of celibacy ..."

Not bad! :)

2012-01-20T07:27:00.000-08:00

Old time Saint Sebastian's Day Calypso song!!

♪There once was a family who lived on the isle ...

♫Of Saint Sebastian for a long, long while!♪

♪The head of the family was a Harlem man ....

♫His younger brother, his name was Ram ♪

♪Now, the Harlem man, he kept in a tower,

♫A wife so pretty, like a great white flower ...♪

♪Until one day the younger brother climbed up the tower,

♫And that's when all the badness and the trouble start ...♪

Ah, woe! Ah, me!

Pain and sorrow for the family!

Ah, woe! Ah, me!

Pain and sorrow for the family!

♪The wife and the brother, they want to go --

♫But the Harlem man he tells them no ..♪

2012-01-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

El Coronel Villista y su sobrina bisnieta, "la profe!"

A fine, interesting viewer response to last year's "Orgia de Sangre" posting!

"The Coronel, José Maria Jaurrieta is my great, great uncle.

"I have searched for literature that he has written and I believe he has two books.

"How can I get a hold of his post - Villa life?

"I ran across an article once where it seemed like he moved to El Paso and eventually owed a laundering facility.

"Can you give me any leads?"

You bet!

Assuming he wrote in Spanish, do what I'd do:

Cruise the library data - bases of really BIG university libraries in:

Argentina and Spain.

Just for starters!

Then, UT Austin, Harvard, Yale etc.

If what you're looking for is "out there," then you'll most likely find it!

Good luck, and thanks for the input! :)

2012-01-19T11:33:00.001-08:00

Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Parish in Brackettville, Texas 78832:

Ready for the Winterfest Carnival of Sunday February 19, 2012.

Jerry Lee to help his dad rope the five(5) Goats already pledged by their family 100% free of charge ...

For some good Parish $$$ Fund - Raising $$$ Winter Carnival Plate Sales, @ $6.00 a plate.

Buy your tickets now...

Avoid the rush! :)

2012-01-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Southwest Texas U.S.A. 78832.

Knowledgeable local press rates our 57th Annual Kinney County Texas Livestock Show "a success!"

44 young people in 4H & FFA participated!

Congratulations to Mr. Joaquin Solis for putting Spofford on the map with his well - earned "most - improved Feeder Prize!"

Thanks, too, to the excellent coverage by the Kinney Count Post. Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

A great job, everyone! :)

Maybe NEXT YEAR we'll be seeing Poultry Competition -- Ducks, Chickens and Geese!

2012-01-19T11:11:00.000-08:00

January 21. Feast Day of Saint Agnes.

2012-01-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

January 20. Feast Day of Saint Fabian & Saint Sebastian.

2012-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

A flourishing Roman Catholic Penitentiary Apostolate ...

"Confirmations held at Connelly Unit"

In Today's Catholic. Friday, January 13, 2012.

Beneath group photo of inmates and clergy:

"Confirmation was held at the Connelly Unit in Kenedy, Dec. 16.

"Twenty six inmates were confirmed and their sponsors also took part in the liturgy.

"Presiding with Archbishop Gustavo García - Siller, MSpS, were the chaplain, Father Joseph Varghese; Father Norbert Herman from Kenedy: Father Jonathan Felux, the archbishop's priest secretary; and Deacon Edward Ferguson ..."

Terrific job, everyone!! :)

2012-01-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

And in a still - developing part of the Third World ...

"A woman called to report a missing goat ..."

Southwest Texas, U.S.A.

Brackettville 78832.

Kinney County Sheriff's Report

Courtesy of the Brackett News Weekly. Thursday. January 12, 2012.

"Thursday, January 5

"A woman called to report a missing goat.

"The goat is white with gray and has a S4 Farm livestock tag #59 on its ear. .."

"Sunday, January 8

"A man called to report loose cattle on Hwy 674 15 miles from Brackettville.

"The ranch foreman was contacted ..."

Way to go, great people!! :)

2012-01-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

Un saludo cordial a los artistas -- ellos que tocan los cuerdas de sus guitarras-- de Argentina :)

♪No necesito silencio ... ♫
♫andar y andar ... ♪
♪Yo no tengo en que pensar... ♫

También:

♫Entre los pájaros cantores ... ♪
♪Sólo el macho es él que nos canta ...♫

¿Así lo es? :)

¡Guau!

¡México no es Argentina -- ni tampoco es Argentina México!

2012-01-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 16, 2012.

Catholic Southwest Texas, U.S.A. Zip 78832.

And as Brackettville's Saint Mary Magdalene's Catholic Parish Church Bulletin for Saturday, January 14 and Sunday January 15, 2012 announces:

Monday, "January 16, 2012: Women's Prayer & Worship Group @ 6:30 p.m."

PLUS!

"A.C.T.S. News

"Women's A.C.T.S. Prayer Group Meets every third Monday of the Month ..."

'Way to go, ladies!

As we noted in our gold - covered prayer book on January 14, 2009 -- three ( 3) years ago "For success of Women's ACTS [in getting stove, etc] ..."

Three weeks later the first lump sum $500.00 cash donation was handed over to Ms. Corina Hernandez -- and we've been proud supporters of ACTS every since!

You bet! :)

2012-01-17T07:47:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday's 3:00 p.m. ritualistic human slaughter ...

at the altar of Fr. Henry Clay Hunt III's former parish Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes, Texas:

1) Just one more act of random domestic violence?

2) Or a murderous satanic sacrificial ritual, given that many scholars of Nahuatl claim that Guadalupe translates roughly as "She who crushes the head of the serpent..."

3) Plus, many Christians, for example, believe that 3:00 p.m. was when Jesus Christ died on the Cross.

4) Perhaps, then, this bloodbath was intended to be a satanic message directed -- to -- ???

Note: While both the victim Ms. Zeferina Fina Castillo and her killer were Catholics, neither one seemed to be members of that congregation.

So, was the killer paying off a so - called "satanic debt"-- one that first called for the ritual slaughtering of an innocent victim, and then shooting himself to death?

Anybody reading yesterday's front page article in the San Antonio EXPRESS - NEWS can't fail to see how angry and upset both Archbishop Gustavo García - Siller, MSpS. and the parish congregation were when he personally officiated at a special liturgical ceremony in their church sanctuary Sunday...

Pretty sure Mr. Brian Chasnoff's article is available online, too...

A nasty sad business .... :(

2012-01-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

January 17. Feast Day of Saint Anthony.

2012-01-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

"Could God send his only - begotten Son, true God and true man,

"to become true God and true Martian?

"I don't know enough to exclude it, and I can't limit God..."

Father George Coyne, S.J.

"Director, The Vatican Observatory, 1978 -- 2006."

Interviewed by U.S. Catholic. Published in the February, 2012, issue.

Way to go, padre! :)

2012-01-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 13th - Saturday, January 14th -- 2012.

Kinney County, Texas Livestock Show!! :)

2012-01-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

January 14. Feast Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

2012-01-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

January 13. Feast Day of Saint Hilary.

2012-01-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

From The Wanderer. Thursday January 5, 2012.

"Africans Make Up Half Of France's Foreign Priests"

"Citing a report in the French Catholic newspaper, La Croix, the U.K. Catholic Universe reported December 2 that there there are more than 600 Catholic priests from Africa serving in France's Catholic parishes, supported by more than 1500 African men and women religious.

"The report in part said France was now home to more than 600 parish priests from Africa, with a further 150 studying theology.

"The paper said 120 had come from the Democrtaic Republic of Congo alone, and dozens more from Benin, Congo - Brazzaville, Cameroon and Burkina Faso, while some 1500 African monks and nuns were also ministering in the country's 95 dioceses, many of which had attracted only a handful of vocations over the past decade..."

One priest, the 51 - year - old Fr. Joseph Longo commented "I've had no difficulty being accepted - although as an African, I'm surprised at the indifference towards religion in France, especially among the young. My own country was evangelized by French missionaries, and their work is bearing fruit as we now bring the faith back to France ."

Meanwhile, back in Africa ....

"La Croix added that 64 French priests and 1500 French monks and nuns were serving on long - term Church projects in Africa, along with 1,200 lay Catholic volunteers ..."

Way to go great and good people!

Both Africans and French.. . :)

2012-01-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

Fort Worth ISD gives gay - activist teacher of German --

one Kristopher Franks -- of Western Hills High School

a "paid vacation!"

He formally accused freshman student Dakota Ary of "possible bullying..."

Dakota's crime?

Commenting to a fellow student:

"I'm a Christian and, to me, being homosexual is wrong..."

Plus!

German teacher Franks has a habit of "continually bringing up the topic of homosexuality in German language class..."

Upshot?

Fort Worth ISD backed down.

They even sent an apologetic letter to Dakota Ary's legal representative, Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.

"Shortly after the incident, TFP Student Action launched a petition urging Western Hills High School to completely clear Dakota Ary's record.

"Very soon, over 7,500 people contacted the school to express their protest and concern..."

And Franks?

"Franks was temporarily placed on administrative leave with pay, but more importantly, the School District must now protect students from being bullied into accepting homosexuality ..."

Snippets from the original source by Zachary Long Student Vindicated After Wrongful Suspension. In the current issue of the TFP magazine, Crusade, January / February 2012.

Way to go guys! :)

www.tfp.org

2012-01-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hey, UTEP! ¡Hey, Familia!

¡Adios, Ms. MEChA!

¡Adios, Ms. Celia Aguilar ...!

And now [The UTEP PROSPECTOR, Thursday, December 1, 2011] as she looks back to her arrival at UT El Paso and the shattered remnants of MEChA:

"All I came across were remnants of MEChA, so I decided to take it upon myself to reform the group.

"In the two years that I've been here, I've seen the organization flourish from a small group of five core members to what it is now ..."

♪And now she's [graduated and] gone ...♫
♫Woe, woe, woe, tragedy..♪ :(

¡Ay, comadre!

¡Ora, UTEP!

¡Ora, MEChA!

¡Adelante, DESTINO!

2012-01-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

"Doctors determined that it is human heart tissue from the center of the heart..."

"Eucharistic Miracle Confirmed"

From the American TFP's magazine, Crusade. January / February 2012.

www.tfp org.

"In 2006, several Polish news sources reported that a Eucharistic miracle happened in a church in Sokolka, Poland.

"A Host was accidentally dropped, and then turned red.

"The priest, following standard procedure, placed the Host in water for several days but it did not dissolve.

"Doctors have since examined the red Host and determined that it is human heart tissue from the center of the heart.

"In October 2011, the local ordinary, Bialystok Archbishop Edward Ozorowski, announced the confirmation of the miracle saying that: 'the substance of Christ's Body and Blood has become available to the human senses...'"

2012-01-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

January 7. First Saturday.

January 7. Christmas Weekday.

January 7. Feast Day of Saint Raymond of Peñafort.

2012-01-06T07:15:00.000-08:00

Cardinal Francis George!

"The rhetoric of the Ku Klux Klan;

"the rhetoric of some of the gay liberation people --

"who is the enemy?

"Who is the enemy?

"the Catholic Church ..."

Chicago's Cardinal Francis George unburdens himself to the Fox Chicago Broadcast anchors on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

Snippet from the Catholic newspaper, The Wanderer. Thursday, January 5, 2012.

The Cardinal: "You know, you don't want the gay liberation movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism.

"So I think if that's what's happening, and I don't know that it is, but I would respect the local pastor's, you know, position on that..."

When pushed by Fox Chicago's Mike Flannery & Dane Placko, the old Cardinal stayed with it, telling them:

"The rhetoric if the Ku Klux Klan; the rhetoric if some of the gay liberation people -- who is the enemy?

"Who is the enemy?

"The Catholic Church.. ."

Way to go, your eminence! :)

2012-01-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

January 9. The Baptism of the Lord.

2012-01-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

January 8. U.S.A: The Epiphany of the Lord.

2012-01-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

January 6. "Epiphany in Mexico!" :)

2012-01-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

Southwest Texas, U.S.A.

New Year's Resolutions 2012.

"Oops!"

Plus New Year's wishes, too!

For 2012.

Here's what some of our Kinney County, Texas -- zip 78832 -- fellow residents shared with the Kinney County Post. Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

Chica Hernandez -- "Allow Jesus Christ to lead me daily."

Janie DeHoyos -- "A more friendlier Community."

Monica Castillo -- "a more peaceful community."

Nora Rivas -- "Be more loving and understanding."

Sarah Terrazas --"In 2012, I want to be more of a blessing to others."

Sahara Rodriguez -- "I wish to continue strong in my faith, and use that faith as my backbone in combating and persevering through any challenge that comes my way.."

Good for you all, great people!

Hmm ... and now?

It's add - on time, from yours truly: "To go through the face - saving motions of becoming self - motivated, instead of always leaving the initiative up to anybody else, Yeah!" :)

2012-01-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

Want to know what's going on in Roman Catholic Rome, Italy?

Or more particularly Inside The Vatican??

We were told this morning that the first four (4) 6 - month Gift Subscriptions to Inside The Vatican magazine are already outbound to lucky people in Zip 78832.

So: Do YOU want to be lucky, too?

Be among the first five(5) good folks to contact us directly from here within Zip 78832 -- you'll get yours, too!

Think we're fooling??

Check it out!! :)

2012-01-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

"Learning Christ"

A sort of ecumenically Spiritual New Year's Resolution!

A snippet:

"Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life, in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness if those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.

"Let me put myself aside, to think of the happiness of others, to hide my pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.

"Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes across my path.

"Let me so use it that it may mellow me, not harden nor embitter me; that it may make me patient, not irritable.

"That it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty and overbearing.

"May no one be less pure, less true, less kind, less noble for having been a fellow traveler in our journey toward Eternal Life.

"As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, let me whisper from time to time, a word of love to Thee.

"May my life be lived in the supernatural, full of power for good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity.

"Amen..."

2012-01-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

Southwest Texas, U.S.A.!

Cows break loose & dispute RR right - of - way with Union Pacific!

From the Brackett News Weekly. Thursday, December 29, 2011.

"Kinney County Sheriff's Report

"Monday, December 19.

"A Union Pacific employee called to report three cows on the railroad tracks three miles before Cline on the north side.

"The owner of the loose cows was notified ..."

Way to go, guys! :)

2012-01-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

Spofford, Texas's Sra. Paulita Solis' Grandson, Jersey #24 is ready to fly!

Big sisters Cecilia Solis & Celina Montalvo are proud, too!

Along with parents Joel & Sarah Terrazas!

Class of 2012 BHS Senior Mr. Joelson Terrazas plans to major in music!

And then?

To "follow God's plan."

From the Brackett News Weekly. Thursday, December 29, 2011.

Maybe he'll "someday" have a career as a Roman Catholic priest - professor in "Music Ministry," at a brand - new Southwest Texas Seminary, huh?

Hey, why not??!!

In either case, we wish him the very best of luck! :)

2012-01-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.

Brackettville, Texas 78832.

Former BHS Senior Varsity Cheerleader & former KCL Summer Intern 2010 Ms. Erika Christine Villanueva is now a proud godparent -- along with Mr. Victor Elizondo -- to little Sammie Jess Stewart III.

As the Brackett News Weekly's issue of Thursday, December 29, 2011 tells us in a photo caption by Ashley Castillo Sandoval:

"On Saturday, December 24th, Father Pius (center) of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church baptized Sammie Jess Stewart III.

"Sam and Nayellie Stewart (right) are the proud parents of Baby Sammie, Victor Elizondo and Erika Villanueva (left) are proud Godparents ..."

Congratulations, everyone!

You great young people made our day! :)

2012-01-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

Mexican / U.S. Border State of Tamaulipas.

"Soldiers kill 18 ..."

"Matan soldados a 18"

"Logra Ejército la liberación de 21 secuestrados"

"Del 10 al 16 de diciembre se reportaron diversos enfrentamientos en Tamaulipas"

"Decomisaron: 5 toneladas de marijuana + 388 armas de fuego + 22 mil cartuches de diversos calibris + $1,500 dólares fueron asegurados ..."

Fuente original: Agencias / Zócalo / Tamaulipas. Miércoles 21 de diciembre de 2011.

"From the 10th to the 16th of December various gun battles were reported in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas."

"Soldiers killed 18.

"The Army managed to free 21 hostages

"They also decommissioned 5 tons of marijuana + 388 firearms + 22 thousand rounds of ammunition of diverse calibers + plus seizing $1,500 American dollars ..."

Hmm ... is that all?? :)

2012-01-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

Mexican Army spokesman General Richard Trevilla

Representing the Office of the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA):

Original source published in Proceso / Zócalo Tuesday, December 20, 2011.

"One soldier dies for every 18 criminals..."

From December 1, 2006 to December 1, 2011:

"There have been 948 confrontations between the Army and organized crime.."

"During the same five - year time period, 126 soldiers have died and 2, 268 presumed members of organized crime..."

"Besides the dead, 2,180 delinquents have been detained, this signifies that around 4,448 are now out of circulation..."

"Regarding the wounded there's a rough and ready parity of two(2) presumed criminals to one soldier. In all, 744 presumed criminals and 348 soldiers have been wounded in the confrontations...."

Way to go, queridos amigos! :)

2012-01-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Brain - cracked Mexican Cartel gunmen start off the New Year by "opening fire" on Mexican Army patrol.

Get their as*es kicked, Big Time!

Out of three (3) prisoners taken alive, two(2) were wounded.

Source: Last night's news hour on Mexican Radio XEMU ♪La Rancherita del Aire♫

2012-01-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

January 7. First Saturday.

January 7. Christmas weekday.

January 7. Feast Day of Saint Raymond of Peñafort.

2012-01-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

January 6. First Friday.

January 6. Christmas Weekday.

January 6. Feast Day of Saint André Bessette.

2012-01-03T07:36:00.000-08:00

January 5. Feast Day of Saint John Neumann.

2012-01-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

January 4. Feast Day of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.

2012-01-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

January 3. Christmas Weekday.

January 3. Feast Day of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

2011-12-31T10:40:00.000-08:00

Fabulous new Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas!

Diocese of Fort Worth.

The 29,000 square foot Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church.

Snippet from the Catholic newspaper, The Wanderer. December 22, 2011. Original was in reporter Robert Cadwallader's article in The Fort Worth Star - Telegram.

As we are told in a nutshell:

"The congregation, which in three years has raised all but $1.5 million of the church's $6.5 million price -- the rest is on loan from the diocese -- spared little expense in providing a taste of the homeland for those who came to the U.S. as refugees.

"Te architecture of the 29,000 - square - foot church features a 75 - foot bell tower visible from Interstate 20, and the floor, walls, statues, and altars were cut and carved in Vietnam from 750,000 pounds of granite and marble.

"The smooth, glossy pews were crafted in Vietnam from American oak..."

That all adds up a most inspirational story! :)

2011-12-30T07:51:00.001-08:00

"Compensation for other top CHA officers is as follows:

"Lisa J. Gilden, JD, VP and General Counsel, was paid $385,705, with other compensation of $35,591.

"Rhonda E. Mueller, CPA, Corporate Treasure, $423,026 with other compensation of $48, 594..."

Now, for the lowest man on the corporate totem pole:

"Edward Giganti, VP Communications and Marketing, $262,491, with other compensation of $39,818..."

Cool! Huh?? :)

2011-12-30T07:37:00.000-08:00

"Preferential Option For The Poor Pays well..."

Snippet from the Catholic newspaper, The Wanderer. December 22, 2011.

"According to the Catholic Health Association of America's 2009 IRS filing, Sr. Carol Keehan, D.C., President and CEO of the CHA, received compensation of $953,394, payable to her [ha, ha!] religious order, the [ha, ha!] Daughters of Charity..."

Way to go, Sister! :)

2011-12-30T07:15:00.000-08:00

Radio XEMU "♫La Rancherita del Aire♪"

♪Todavía dando ánimo a las masas,

♫ ... en la lucha para transparencia,

♪ ... con tu querida presencia,

♫ Señor Comandante Che Guevara ... ♪

Y, ¿así lo fue?

¡Guau! :)

¡Ora, UTEP!

¡Ora, MEChA!

¡Adelante, Destino!

2011-12-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

January 3. Christmas Weekday.

January 3. Feast Day of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

2011-12-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

January 2. Feast Day of those Bishops & Doctors of the Church: Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen.

2011-12-30T06:59:00.000-08:00

January 1. New Year's Day.

January 1. The Octave Day of Christmas.

January 1. Feast Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary -- the Mother of God."

2011-12-29T07:56:00.000-08:00

Mexican Army hits the jackpot, again...

Twice!

In Piedras Negras, across the river from Eagle Pass, Texas.

Mexican Radio ♪La Rancherita del Aire♫ stated earlier this week that the Mexican Army followed up an anonymous tip and discovered an arms cache of 8 high - powered rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

Then, last night, we caught the tail end of a fragment alluding to yet another success in which the Mexican Army is doing well in counter -- electronics communications espionage in Piedras Negras, too!

Way to go, amigos! :)

2011-12-29T07:38:00.000-08:00

"Communicating God's Word"

A snippet from Msgr. David A. Rubino's original article.

In the December 2011 issue of the Homiletic & Pastoral Review.

"Words need to be blended with wisdom, eloquence and the heart of the homilist, in equal proportion.

"The parables if Jesus, delivered to an audience accustomed to listening, have an average length of 38 seconds.

"The longest is two minutes and twenty seconds..."

Hmm ... so, Jesus was sending us a message, huh??!! :)

2011-12-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

December 31. Seventh Day, Octave of Christmas.

December 31. Feast Day of Pope Saint Sylvester I.

2011-12-29T07:33:00.000-08:00

December 30. Feast Day of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph.

2011-12-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

"Hey, Convict!"

"When I did run into a guard the exchange was always the same ... "

Snippets from Russell L. Ford's A Prison Evangelist's Swan Song: How I Became a Catechist behind Bars.

In Catholic Answers Magazine. January - February 2012 issue.

Having picked the right office lock, Russell is "smuggling" Catholic contraband.

He's shuffling along the prison corridors, juggling the VCR , television, cables and Fr. Fox's Sharing the Faith tapes to share with his fellow prisoners at Draper Prison in Alabama, where -- a quarter of a century later! -- he's in the final year of a 25 - year sentence -- no parole for him!

SCENE: Comes a guard!

"When I did run into a guard the exchange was always the same:

"Hey convict, where are you going with that stuff?

"You ain't supposed to have that!"

"Hey, Boss, all I know is, I'm supposed to take this stuff to classroom three."

"You ain't supposed to have that stuff, convict.

"Take it back where you got it!"

"Hey, Boss, that's fine with me.

"I don't want to do this anyway."

"Hmm. Hold up, convict! Go ahead and take it where you're supposed to take it."

Russell's Teaching Point:

"Nothing I said here was a lie, but there were two psychological elements that worked every time.

"I told the guard I did not want to do what I was doing, which was true.

"Guards love to make us do what we don't want to do, so that was the first psychological factor.

"Since I did not give him any lip when he told me to put things up, he always assumed someone outranking him told me to get the equipment and my agreeable obedience was a setup to get him into trouble, which was the second psychological element.

"Our classes and our group grew from there.

"The guards got so used to us with videos and hardware to show them that such items ceased to be contraband.

"And our members truly blossomed.

"In fact, things began to move so fast that Fr. Killian told me, You catechize 'em, I'll baptize 'em.

"That is how we began the apostolate a quarter of a century ago..."

Way to go, señor! Keep up this terrific work! :)

2011-12-28T07:16:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile, in a remote rural corner of the still - developing Third World...

A cow breaks loose in Brackettville, Texas -- 78832.

Kinney County Sheriff's Report

"Tuesday, December 13

"A woman called to report a loose cow west [of] town on Highway 90..."

Thanks to the Brackett News Weekly. Thursday, December 22, 2011.

2011-12-28T07:12:00.000-08:00

December 29. Fifth Day, Octave of Christmas.

December 29. Feast Day of Saint Thomas Becket.

2011-12-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

Now, it's Father Vincent Serpa's turn!

Catholic Answers, January - February 2012 issue

QUESTION:

"Has it always been okay for a woman to become a nun if she has chosen to have sex before marriage?

"I figure that she would still be allowed to because she hasn't taken her vows of chastity yet..."

FATHER SERPA'S ANSWER:

"Many reasons can disqualify a woman from being accepted into a novitiate, but being a sinner is not one of them.

"What a woman confesses in the sacrament is between her and God.

"When she is absolved, she is without sin.

"There have been many great sinners who have become holy nuns.

"You are correct..."

-- Fr. Vincent Serpa --

Way to go, padre! :)

2011-12-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

A Question for Catholic Answers magazine's Ms. Michelle Arnold!

"A gay, non - celibate priest keeps trying to convinve me that Jesus was gay...

"and that it is therefore okay to live the lifestyle.

"I am homosexual but living chastely.

"How should I handle this person?" From the January - February 2012 issue.

Michelle's Answer:

"If your account of the situation is accurate, the priest is trying to rationalize his sin.

"I recommend ending your association with this priest immediately.

"And, since he is living in sexual sin and his behavior might well be predatory in nature, I strongly urge you to report him to his bishop immediately ..."

Way to go, Michelle! :)

2011-12-27T07:41:00.000-08:00

December 28. Feast Day of the Holy Innocents.

2011-12-27T07:40:00.000-08:00

December 27. Feast Day of Saint John.

2011-12-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

Fortieth Anniversary of the Mother of All Western New York State School District Christmas parties!

At the Hilton Country Club, Hilton New York!

"A suburb of Rochester, New York!"

In terms of both mens' and womens' fashions?

The Sixties still held sway, you bet... :)

Friend "Mark" -- teacher of Middle School Social Studies -- was like yours truly!

Sporting long hair (yeah, I know -- "Me, too!") an elegant brown suit with wide lapels plus an over sized Princess Mara tie.

His blond bombshell of a wife was tastefully gowned and demurely coiffed.

But!

While I still wore my Marine Corps - issue black oxfords, "Mark" had a flashy pair of all - American star - spangled red, white and blue tennis shoes!

"Those were the days..."

Wonder whatever happened to those ex - Catholic nuns "we" dated casually??!!

Great ladies as I recall! :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

¡Feliz Navidad!

2011-12-22T07:44:00.000-08:00

♪Si durante esta temporada tú sientes mal,

♫Ven a mi casa esta Navidad!♪

2011-12-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

6 Mexican Soldiers WIA, 1 later dies from his wounds -- 5 Cartel sicarios blown to smithereens!

Youngest sicario was only 16.

Mexico's Cartel War ...

Last Tuesday, December 13, in Piedras Negras -- across from Eagle Pass, Texas.

Original source is Radio Station XEMU ♪La Rancherita del Aire♫ -- in driblets -- over several days!

In the immediate aftermath of a pitched gun battle, three injured Mexican soldiers were hospitalized locally, three more air - lifted to Monterrey, where one was later pronounced dead.

The local Mexican forensic pathologist's report on the Cartel gunmen was given orally in a dead - pan manner but what he said was roughly this:

Cartel sicario bodies 1 - 4 "showed evidence of massive cranial damage with extruding brain matter," while number 5 had "severe cardio" and / or "thoracic aorta" damage.

In all 5 cases the injuries were "compatible with injuries inflicted by projectiles" -- big mystery there, huh??!! :)

2011-12-21T07:59:00.000-08:00

December 26. Feast Day of Saint Stephen.

2011-12-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

December 25. ¡Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

Last night's Basketball Game in Comstock, Texas:

Brackett H.S. Tigers over Comstock H.S. Panthers 46 - 40.

Jersey #24 -- Senior Varsity player Mr. Joelson Terrazas --

whose jersey #24 was also worn in Varsity Football by his equally legendary maternal uncle Mr. Eddie Solis, Brackett H.S. Class of '73

-- scored up a storm!

When queried, Mr. Solis told us just now that the inspiration for Jersey number 24 came from his own steadfast admiration for Mr. Willie Mays ...

And that, folks!

Is what makes high school traditions so American! :)

Way to go Team! :)

2011-12-21T07:05:00.001-08:00

December 24. Christmas Eve!

December 24. The Big Rivas Family's First Annual Civic Center Mitote!

En honor de dos caballeros dichosos:

Sr. Hernan Josue Talamantes Rivas.

and

Sr. Jesus (Tony) Zamora Rivas.

Happy birthday, great and good people! :)

And congratulations to your hard working and dedicated parents, too:

Mr. & Mrs. Jesus and San Juanita Talamantes.

Mr. & Mrs. Rolando and Lourdes Zamora.

2011-12-21T07:03:00.000-08:00

December 23. Feast Day of Saint John of Kanty.

2011-12-21T07:01:00.000-08:00

December 21. Feast Day of Saint Peter Canisius.

2011-12-20T08:55:00.000-08:00

Southwest Texas, U.S.A. 78832

And Brackettville's Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.

Special Bulletin Announcement:

"St. Mary Magdalene CCD Posada

"Wednesday, December 21st @ 5:30 p.m."

Go for it, young people!

Keep these great traditions alive! :)

2011-12-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

Pontiff plans March 2012 visit to Cuba!

"Castro set to welcome papal visit to Cuba"

Posted Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by catholicculture.org/news/headlines.

"Cuban President Raul Castro has announced that his government will greet Pope Pope Benedict XVI with affection and respect when the Pontiff visits early next year.

"Castro met on December [18] with a Vatican delegation making plans for the papal visit.

"Pope Benedict himself announced plans for the trip last week.

"The Vatican has not yet provided exact dates for the visit, but a December 20 announcement said that the Pontiff would be in Cuba at the end of March ..."

Way to go, Holy Father! :)

2011-12-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet:

¿Cuba Libre?

Don't hold your breath! :(

"The communist regime is the same as in 1959.

"It's repressive, unproductive and corrupt.

"It's governor, Raul Castro, has the same characteristics as five decades ago.

"He's perverse cruel and a murderer..."

Snippets from Jordan Allott's CWR interview with "Cuba's Conscience," Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet. In the December 2011 issue.

Question:

"After having spent the better part of the last 11 years in prison, do you believe the Cuban government has made any changes in the way it treats its citizens?

Answer:

"Currently in Cuba we have the same dictatorship we've had during the last 52 years, Castro's Stalinist dictatorship.

"What we've seen in the country's government is the succession of one ruler to another.

"Recently, Fidel Castro was [succeeded] by his brother, Raul.

"Since then, state terrorism has also increased.

"They have even beaten women, and they have murdered people, like Orlando Zapata Tamayo and Juan W. Soto, who were [working] in a peaceful manner for human rights.

"The communist regime is the same as in 1959.

"It's repressive, unproductive, and corrupt.

"It's governor, Raul Castro, has the same characteristics as five decades ago.

"He's perverse, cruel, and a murderer..."

Humm .. good points -- all of them!

But!

What happens starting tomorrow, for example, if the Castro brothers disappear off the face of this earth?

Some sort of unrelieved horror of anarchy, chaos and civil war? :(

2011-12-20T07:18:00.000-08:00

U.S.A. -- Immigration and the Law

"It's not up to bishops or priests to come up with a formulation of what the law should be ..."

Ex - Jesuit priest and nowadays Bishop Robert Morlino, currently the head of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin.

Snippets from his interview with Jim Graves of The Catholic World Report, called Be Not Afraid. Final print issue of this magazine, December 2011.

"I'm concerned about immigration.

"It's an issue that has become overly emotionalized.

"We are capable of finding a way to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35) while respecting the laws of the United States.

"It' s not up to bishops or priests to come up with a formulation of what the law should be; we need great Catholic legislators to do so..."

Way to go, your excellency! :)

2011-12-17T10:01:00.000-08:00

Muringoor, India!

"Retreat center in India draws huge crowds, heals many"

"[N]early 10 million people, including half a million Hindus and Muslims have attended the weekly retreats,

"since it opened in 1990 ..."

Snippet from author Anto Akkara's original, CNS NEWS SERVICE / Today's Cathodic. Friday, December 16, 2011.

"A message on the center's website from Vincentian Father Augustine Vallooran, director of the center's English section, reports that nearly 10 million people, including half a million Hindus and Muslims, have attended the weekly retreats since it opened in 1990.

"The Indian Vincentians opened the center after buying a closed hospital and surrounding land.

"Father George Panackal, the center's founding director, told CNS ...."

His comments!

"This is God's work.

"We are only helping people turn back to God and lead better lives..."

And, so ...

"Father Panackal said that retreats at the Vincentian center follow a holistic approach.

"Retreats are offered in eight languages, including English, and go beyond a good confession and try to touch lives of the people and help them overcome their problems, he said.

"The retreat center is considered the largest in the world; it can accommodate up to 25,000 people for week-long residential retreats..."

Fascinating read! :)

2011-12-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

December 18. Fourth & Last Sunday of Advent!