6-27-06
Greetings!
Last week a young man from "Fair Wisconsin" stopped by my house to talk to my wife about the Gay Marriage ban amendment which will be voted on this fall in Wisconsin. His approach was interesting. You see, this ban has already been voted on by a number of states, and everywhere it has been on the ballot it has passed—by an average margin of 70%-30%.
So this young man, on behalf of "Fair Wisconsin" tried a different tactic, saying that this ban will effect and harm even heterosexual couples who aren't married and live together. Thinking he had made a good point, this young man was quite taken aback when my wife said, "well they shouldn't be living together if they're not married." (I love my wife!)
It has become strikingly common for young couples to live together prior to marriage. The logic goes, "we'll live together and see how it goes, before we take the big step of marriage." Yet, the empirical evidence shows problems with this approach:
-Most couples who live together never end up getting married.
-Those who live together before marriage are almost twice as likely to end up divorced.
-Overall the divorce rate for cohabiting couples is about 80%(!!!)
-Women who cohabited before marriage are more then three times as likely to cheat on their husbands.
-The US Justice Department found that women who cohabitate are 62 times more likely to be assaulted by a live-in boyfriend than by a husband.
Yikes! Would you wish the above odds on anyone? And the above statistics are not "just Catholic numbers" but from various surveys. The complete article and citations can be found at: www.catholic.com/chastity/q7.asp
Of course, whenever you violate the Natural Law, there are negative consequences.
Phil's Tidbits:
Tell Your Problems to the World. Browse over 1 Million Confessions!
-This showed up in my email page the other day. Wow! All you have to do is watch daytime talk shows, Jerry Springer, or look around to realize that humans have a need to confess their sins. Maybe God knew what He was doing when He established the Sacrament of Confession? You think? And that Confessional looks a whole lot more inviting then telling the whole world…….
Despite Fussing Feminists Store Owners Refuse to Stock Abortifacient Plan B
By Gudrun Schultz
OLYMPIA, Washington, June 23, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The owners of a popular grocery store have refused to stock abortifacient Plan B medication, triggering threats of a month-long boycott by women's rights activists.
Kevin Stormans, co-owner of Ralph's Thriftway, said the store pharmacy would not carry Plan B medication because of moral concerns over the drug, the Olympian reported on Wednesday.
"I don't want to get into a detailed debate. I just think people have to choose when they believe life begins," Mr. Stormans told the Olympian. "There are questions about this drug on that issue."
The activists said they plan to hold two-hour protests with pickets beginning June 28, continuing for three days, and then begin the boycott July 1.
Kevin Stormans said the protests may hurt his business, but he will not change his position on the issue regardless.
"Obviously it's not something we would like to have happen. But it's not going to change our position. We've made our decision, and it's what we have determined. It's not a negotiable issue," he said.
"They certainly may have an effect on our business. If that happens, that's OK. People can make their choice. We've made our choice."
Plan B is stocked by at least five other stores in town, according to Stormans, who said his pharmacists refer requests for the drug to one of the locations that carry it. Planned Parenthood's downtown clinic also dispenses the medication on weekdays. Public affairs coordinator for South Sound Planned Parenthood, Jennifer Allen, said access is not the only issue.
"Many women are feeling intimidated when they ask for emergency contraception, so being turned away or being told to go someplace else can further traumatize someone," she said.
To express support to Stormans, Inc.:
Phone: 360-754-2203
Email: kevin@stormans.com
-So much for being "Pro-Choice"…….
RADIX is an awesome Apostolate, especially to men. Here's Doug Barry's latest effort. I like it!
Please Pray For These Young Warriors
Last year I put on a boys boot camp for two weeks to help young men ages 12-18 to grow both physically and spiritually. They were put through a number of drills that included running, push ups, sit ups, pull ups as well as an obstacle course and memorization of basic and necessary aspects of the Catholic faith. The response was tremendous! This year I have expanded it to two sessions. The next one begins July 10th. Thursday the 22nd of June is the last day of the first session. It is the day that they will be tested on the above challenges such as how many push ups they can do in two minutes, how many sit ups in two minutes, how many pull ups, as well as their run time for 1 mile, completion of the obstacle course and how well they have memorized and understood the basics of the Catholic faith.
They have worked very hard for these last two weeks and I have seen a great improvement in many aspects of these young warriors for Christ. One of the battle cries that is often shouted out throughout the course is "EXCELSIOR" which means ever higher. These young men are encouraged to always strive to climb ever higher for Christ and His kingdom. They are challenged to give God their best, not their leftovers. They are reminded over and over that we are called to master our passions or our passions will master us.
This is not just physical training it is also spiritual training. These young men will one day be leaders in one respect or another. Many will become husbands and fathers. Some may become priests or who knows maybe even a bishop or higher. But all of them will influence someone in their lives as they already do in some way. At the very least they have influence in their families and with their friends. They have been asked repeatedly, "What kind of leader are you? What kind of leader will you be? What do you bring to the table of those in your life? Are you a source of peace or a source of chaos?" That is what this boot camp is really all about.
More holy young men….I'm detecting a theme here.
Holy Crusaders
Youth group devoted to connecting people with Jesus
40-hour devotion a success, say kids
by KEVIN E. MURRAY
editor
NEWTON -- Spending a weekend in prayerful adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?
For young members of St. Joseph Church, that sounds like a great thing.
The Holy Crusaders, a group of 11 Catholic boys ages 7-13, organized and participated in a 40-hour devotion of the Eucharist at the church Nov. 4-6. Their goal: to help bring people closer to Jesus and the Blessed Sacrament. "We felt this devotion would help do that," said Brendan Vickers, 13, Holy Crusaders' president and founder. "It's a good experience. It's quiet -- you can really hear God and it gives you a lot of time to pray."
"Jesus spent time for us, so we can surely spend time for him, to talk and listen and to pray for our petitions," said Andrew Vickers, 12, Brendan's brother. Spending time in eucharistic adoration, said Andrew, can help people "come closer to Jesus and
understand his presence in the Sacrament." "It's actually Jesus. You're there and he's there, present right in front of you," said Kevin Thorpe, 11, Holy Crusaders' treasurer. "If you pray to him, he can help you in many ways." Brendan said he finds peace when he adores the Blessed Sacrament. "It helps me see that Jesus really loves us. He gave his life for us," said Brendan. The concept for the Holy Crusaders came to Brendan while learning about parliamentary procedures in English class. He was inspired in February to start his own organization, a "Catholic boys club" dedicated to bringing people to Jesus.
To join the club, boys have to have made their first Communion and must be willing to spend one hour a month in eucharistic adoration. The boys offer their holy hours for different intentions; so far, the Holy Crusaders have offered 28 hours for Bishop Peter J. Jugis. "The group helps us learn about our faith; it's a fun way that we can do that and spend time with God and our friends," said Andrew.
But when they are not bringing people closer to God, they are just "typical boys," she said. "They're out there playing soccer and doing 'boy things.'" When contemplating his future, Brendan said he would like to become a priest, and that he is inspired by many of the priests in the diocese. "I see how happy they are (in their ministry) and it encourages me," he said. Danny Aberle, 13, had never before participated in a 40-hour devotion.
"It's been really interesting," he said. "It's made me feel closer to God, and I would definitely do it again."
Brendan said the Holy Crusaders may organize another 40-hour devotion and they already have plans to participate in next year's diocesan Eucharistic Congress.
Contact Editor Kevin E. Murray by calling (704) 370-3334 or e-mail
kemurray@charlottediocese.org.
And finally things that make you shake your head….
There's a website called www.beliefnet.com. To be fair, there are some good things on it, especially information-wise. It seeks to be a clearinghouse for religious beliefs. One option on the site is the "Belief-O-Matic". (Yes, I'm serious). The "Belief-O-Matic" is a survey that asks you your opinions on all sorts of issues. It then tabulates the results and tells you which religion your views fit into the best.
Happily, I scored 100% Roman Catholic, and also 100% Eastern Orthodox. Of course, according to the results, I also fit into Jehovah's Witness (77%). Baha'I Faith (70%). Sikhism (59%). Hinduism (38%). Sadly, I only scored a 12% on Taoism. Oh well.
It seems symptomatic of our culture to look for a religion and even a God that fits our preferences, our needs, our beliefs, as opposed to seeking to be formed by a God that transcends us. After all, it's easier to change "god" then it is to change our own selves…
Announcements:
-Theology on Tap---Theology in a casual atmosphere for those 21-39 years old, at Pete's Pub & Grill, 200 Division St, Stevens Point. Begins Wednesday, July 12th with "Every Body's Doing It: Theology of the Body". Presented by Matt & Rebecca Sande. Sessions then continue the following 3 Wednesday nights.
-Looking for something to do on Monday nights? St. Peter's "Keys" Softball team plays at Zenoff Park. Next game is 630pm Monday, July 10th!
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
For the latest info on St. Peter's, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!