Wednesday february 16, 2011
One day in 1937 a Dutch priest was driving an Irish girl to a Legion of Mary meeting some miles from his mission in Africa. They came to a river in such flood that the bridge across it could not even be seen. He was about to turn back when the girl cried out, "Oh Father, please go on, I'm sure Our Lady will protect us". He was aghast but found he couldn't resist such faith. Some men standing by formed a human chain to see if the bridge was still there.

It was, so he drove on blindly. The water flooded the engine and plugs but the impetus carried the car across and up an incline at the far side. He dried the plugs and tried the starter. The car got going and they were in time for the meeting.The girl was Edel Quinn and the incident typical of her story. In 1936 she had been sent from Dublin to establish the Legion in East and Central Africa.
The difficulties were enormous but she met every challenge with unwavering faith and courage. When others faltered her invariable response was, "Why can't we trust Our Lady?" or "Our Lady will see after things". For nearly eight years, her health steadily declining, she worked over the vast territories committed to her. Hundreds of Legion praesidia and many higher councils were set up on an enduring basis. As a result, thousands of Africans are engaged in the Church's work of evangelization.
4:15:01 PM
"It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry." - Thomas Paine
1:31:05 PM
A new app for the iPhone allows sinners to make an instant confession. Note though that you must make your confession eventually in person, to a catholic priest, for your confession to be valid.

The Catholic Church wants to be clear about the new iPhone app meant to assist Catholics with confession — the technology should NOT take the place of a priest.

Following news this week the Church in the U.S. had sanctioned the app aimed at helping Catholics through confession and encouraging lapsed followers back to the faith, media outlets have latched on to the story with zeal.

The Vatican, however, has since come out to emphasize the app (priced at $1.99) is no substitute for the real deal (sacrament of confession).

“It’s essential to understand that the sacrament of penance requires a personal dialogue between the penitent and the confessor, and absolution by the confessor who is present,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters.

“This is something that cannot be replaced by any application. One cannot speak of a ‘confession via iPhone,’” he said.

"Father Lombardi said the new application could be useful in helping people make an examination of conscience, the Catholic News Service reports. In the past, he noted, Catholics would sometimes use written questions and answers to prepare for confession, and that’s something that could be done today with the aid of a digital device."

“People have emailed us saying they hadn't been to Confession in 20 or 30 years, and were afraid to go back. But then, they went – because our app made it a less 'scary' experience.” Kreager said he and his fellow developers, Patrick and Chip Leinen, were “extremely humbled” by these reports.

“Confession: A Roman Catholic App” is the first iPhone app to receive an “imprimatur,” signifying the official approval from a Catholic bishop – in this case, Bishop Kevin C. Rhodes of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind. Although this step seems unusual, Kreager considers it in keeping with Catholic tradition.
10:18:45 AM

Les membres de la Commission spéciale sur la question de mourir dans la dignité achèvent d'entendre les citoyennes et citoyens du Québec et rédigeront bientôt leur rapport à l'intention du Gouvernement. Pour éviter que l'euthanasie et le suicide assisté n'entrent clandestinement dans le système de santé public :

The members of the Select Committee on Dying with Dignity are almost done hearing the citizens of Quebec and will soon be preparing their report for the Government. In order to prevent euthanasia and assisted suicide from being smuggled into our public health system disguised as a medical treatment, support the Living with Dignity network :


7:08:34 AM