Responding to Your Questions for MORE! (Eblast from Grace Before Meals priest)

Grace Before Meals ^ | February 24, 2012 | Fr. Leo

[NYer]

To help keep the flow of our “dinner conversation,” and at the same time keep you updated with all the Grace Before Meals happenings, I’ll use this E-Blast to give you some great news. First, I’d like to give a response to questions I’ve received – either at the seminary, on the streets, and even in a few e-mails.

“What do I think about the recent conversations regarding the HHS Mandate?”

(This is definitely deadly breakfast conversation. But we have to talk about it!)

This has been a challenging time for people of faith – no matter what faith. The ability to make a good decision about whether or not to support the government has been very muddled by confusing the issues. The issues include

(1) the government’s infringement against the 1st Amendment Freedoms protecting people from government intrusion and impositions on how people of faith exercise this freedom.

(2) The government’s role in requiring private insurance companies or employers (who have to pay for these premiums) to administer abortions and abortion inducing contraceptives.

(3) the President’s speech during Notre Dame’s Commencement Address that says he will respect and honor those who disagree with abortion, in order to ensure that the government writes appropriate conscience clauses.

(4) The upholding of the Declaration of Independence, which protects life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

(5) And the need to consider whether or not mandated contraception is a “Right” protected by any constitutional or federal law?

(Statue of the Immaculate Conception, Mount St. Mary’s University Chapel, dedicated in honor as the Patroness of America.)

There are other issues, for sure. Some wonder whether it’s appropriate to for the Church to have an influence on public policy? Or whether or not contraception is a “good” or a “bad” thing in the first place. And probably the most in depth question is, at least on a moral and spiritual level, “Why is the Church so against contraception in the first place?”

(Once this cute kid – my little cousin – was just a cluster of cells, just like the Easter Egg he’s holding. It’s a biological fact, life begins at conception. After all, those little cells are living!)

Before this new HHS mandate becomes an official federal requirement, these issues have to at least be addressed. But by making the contraceptive prescriptions and abortion demands a “mandate,” the President has completely cut off all conversation.

The Church wants to uphold the dignity and equality of women; however, it’s important to put the responsibility of bringing life into this world squarely on the responsibility of those involved – not just women – but also men. It’s also imperative to see what a secular author had to say about the original “caution” Pope Paul VI offered in his encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” reminding us that God is pro-life. Finally, the Church does respect the rights of women, which is why we want to protect them from falsely placing all their biological hope on a pill that does not protect them from unwanted pregnancy, diseases, and, above all, a broken heart.

But to put it all together in a way that hopefully inspires people’s hearts, minds, and imaginations, we have put together a little “Mini-flipping” video.

Go ahead. Watch it. “Like it.” Subscribe and pass it on to others to watch.

While we will never get full consensus in this matter, we can at least get the conversation started in a way that engages people’s spiritual sensibilities to protect God-given freedoms and rights.

(Pro-life March 2012.)

There is another question that has been on the hearts and minds of many people: “When will Fr. Leo have a ‘regular’ show on TV?”

(Since the Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, people have asked when our movement will have a “regular” TV Show.)

Well, let’s get the burners ready, because the International Premier of Savoring our Faith will launch on Sunday, March 4, 2012, at 8:30 p.m., exclusively on EWTN. So for those faithful foodies who are tired of watching reruns of dramatic cooking competitions, check your local listings for where you can find EWTN on your cable “dial,” or watch online at www.ewtn.com, to get new and exciting cooking segments peppered with plenty of inspiration. It’s about time we bring back some meaning to our meals!

(On location with the “Savoring Our Faith” film crew!)

Let us pray

God we ask that You change the hearts and minds of people who need to see the bigger picture regarding the sanctity of life and the gift of human sexuality. Give to us the Grace to love You and Your laws above all other laws – especially those that hurt humanity and separate us from a deeper understanding of the sacrifice required by love. At the same time, Jesus, be merciful to us who are broken, week, and tempted. Make Your people of faith more compassionate, so that our teachings show the world the truth as Good News. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Why do we celebrate the Gift of Life only during the Christmas season? We should welcome life and celebrate it every day of our own lives!)

Let us know what you think about the mini-flipping video. We know it’s edgy and will “shock” people at first, but we need to wake people up from the spiritual malaise caused by relativism! Ask us questions you have about food, faith, family, and fun. Your comments help us do even more to spread the good news and to bring people back to the table.

[NYer]

Ping!

[SumProVita]

Another good priest who GETS it - Check out this homily by Fr.Sammie Maletta:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltTd81XpDnc&feature=youtu.be