There Goes the Olive Branch

(Taken from the blog "Whispers in the Loggia.") President Obama begins his assault on the dignity of human life.

Well, so much for peace offerings.

After delaying it during yesterday's 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade, late this afternoon President Obama quietly signed the expected executive order reversing the "Mexico City" policy banning Federal funds to overseas groups who "perform or promote" abortions.

Minutes ago, the Mothership released the following statement:

The decision by President Barack Obama to reverse the Mexico City Policy is “very disappointing,” said Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

He made the statement January 23, after President Obama issued the executive order restoring U.S. funding to organizations that perform and promote abortion in developing nations. Cardinal Rigali’s statement follows.

“It is very disappointing that President Obama has reversed the Mexico City Policy, which prevents U.S. funding of organizations that perform and promote abortion as a family planning method in developing nations. An Administration that wants to reduce abortions should not divert U.S. funds to groups that promote abortions.

“Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote to President-elect Obama last week urging him to retain this policy. As Cardinal George said in his letter:

“‘The Mexico City Policy, first established in 1984, has wrongly been attacked as a restriction on foreign aid for family planning. In fact, it has not reduced such aid at all, but has ensured that family planning funds are not diverted to organizations dedicated to performing and promoting abortions instead of reducing them. Once the clear line between family planning and abortion is erased, the idea of using family planning to reduce abortions becomes meaningless, and abortion tends to replace contraception as the means for reducing family size. A shift toward promoting abortion in developing nations would also increase distrust of the United States in these nations, whose values and culture often reject abortion, at a time when we need their trust and respect.’”
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posted by Rocco Palmo at 17:35

"The" South House Goes to Disney

As many of you may be aware, the Murphy family and Mom Kloska took the vacation of a lifetime to none other than Walt Disney World in sunny Orlando, FL. Fortunately for Jennifer and I, the Murphy's were generous enough to extend an invitation to meet them there. And, since we live only 401.73 miles from the Magic Kingdom, we decided to make the drive. I must say, we had the time of our lives and are so happy we were able to make the trip. Please notice how pretty all the ladies look in the pictures. They sure are photogenic.

Murphy and Kloska Families outside Cinderella's Castle.

Mike, Cheryl, Jennifer, and I in the streets of London (Epcot).

This would be Mickey Mouse's bedroom.

Me and my best gal!

Me and my other best gal.

The 4 oldest Murphy's and I.

Lastly, if you ever wondered whether or not Jen and I are truly livin' the dream, here we are galloping away in the sunset on our burly white steeds.

Thanks again Murphy's and Mom!

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 14, 2008

"There is no reason to fear anyone or anything, if we stay united to Christ," says Benedict XVI.

Pretty profound and applicable to the world today, eh?

Let's live it!

Remember when Casimir made this video?

To the parents of teenage boys...

I saw this article on Zenit this weekend, and I thought it was worth passing along to any of you with teenage boys. It is advice for parents from a priest who is the spiritual director of teenage boys. Click on the title for the entire article.

7 Things Teenage Boys Most Need

Interview With Spiritual Director of Adolescents

WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 13, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Being the parent of an adolescent boy is legendary for its difficulty. But according to one priest who acts as a spiritual director and confessor for high school boys, just keeping in mind seven points can make for a better relationship with adolescent sons.

Legionary of Christ Father Michael Sliney suggests the following seven necessities for parents of adolescent boys:

1. Clear guidelines with reasonable consequences from a unified front; cutting slack but also holding boys accountable for their actions.
2. Reasonable explanations for the criteria, guidelines and decisions made by parents.
3. Avoiding hyper-analysis of boys' emotions and states of mind: avoiding "taking their temperature" too often.
4. Unconditional love with an emphasis on character and effort more than outcome: Encourage boys to live up to their potential while having reasonable expectations. To love them regardless of whether they make it into Harvard or become a star quarterback.
5. Authenticity, faith and fidelity should be reflected in parent's lifestyles.
6. Qualities of a dad: Manliness, temperance, making significant time for family, putting aside work, and being a reliable source of guidance.
7. Qualities of a mom: Emotional stability, selflessness, loving service and extreme patience.

In this interview with ZENIT, Father Sliney takes a deeper look at the seven points...

I have a dream...

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Daily Laugh

I'm sure this has been making it's way around in emails, but I thought I'd share the laugh on the blog. Enjoy.