Fallible Blogma

100+ Catholic bloggers post on top 100+ Catholic Speakers

Matthew Warner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:36:50 +0000

Support a Catholic Speaker Month is finally complete and it only took slightly longer than a month!

I must say, this turned out way cooler than I had ever thought it would. Getting 100+ Catholic bloggers to write about and support 100+ Catholic speakers was quite the task – but everyone was up to the challenge.

I’ve discovered so many new, totally awesome speakers and bloggers through the effort. And I’ve learned a lot of inspiring stuff about many of the ones I was already aware of. It’s been such a blessing.

Some of the participating blog posts are simple and to the point. Some share touching, personal stories. Still others contain some outstanding interviews of the speakers. All of them help to build up the body of Christ.

I encourage you to take some time and check out the final product and connected links. Meet some new speakers. Learn things about them you never knew. Discover new bloggers. Be inspired. And then go find some ways to bring these speakers out to your parish.

Get Catholic Speaker Month badges (code you can copy and paste) to place on your blog, profile, website here.

Explore the final Speaker Month Project here with all of the links and posts.

Catholic Speaker Month Badges: Link code for your blog, website, or profile

Matthew Warner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:09:14 +0000

Just copy and paste the code below into your blog sidebar, social networking profile, website, or wherever you want in order to show your support of Catholic Speakers! Help spread the word and support this great cause!

Tips: Make sure you are in “code view” or HTML mode when pasting this into your site. And if you need to change the size of the image, just change the “width” parameter in the code to your preferred value.

BADGE 1:

Copy and paste this code:

BADGE 2:

Copy and paste this code:

If you have any trouble, just leave a comment below and I or some other helpful person will be happy to help you out. Thanks for your support of this effort!

Dave Durand: Maximizing what the Good Lord gave ya

Matthew Warner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:59:47 +0000

Through a series of surely serendipitous events, I am supporting Dave Durand for Support a Catholic Speaker Month. I hadn’t heard of him prior to this effort, but he is one of the many gems I’ve discovered through this process of bringing together so many great Catholics.

Dave Durand is a best-selling author, CEO of ProBalance Inc, a lead executive of a $250 million company and Chairman of the Board for a small printing company with 26 publications. He has trained well over 100,000 individuals in sales, marketing, and business management. He speaks not just from theory but from experience. Dave doesn’t just provide the “feel good” motivational talk — he inspires his listeners to action.

From [his] pool of experience and data, Dave sought to find what is it that makes others more successful than the rest of the population. What he found will change your life. Dave discovered a pattern in a group of people he calls “Legacy Achievers” (highly motivated and successful people who seem to get more done in less time with what appears to be less effort). His research will show that any person in any field can get on the right path to success—and this means higher employee morale, greater efficiency throughout the work day, more time in your day, and much more!

Dave has helped thousands of people through his highly acclaimed and best-selling book, Perpetual Motivation: How to Keep Your Fire Burning in Your Career and in Life.
[full bio]

He also writes a monthly column for the National Catholic Register about personal growth and business issues.

I’ve always greatly admired Catholics who are out there living their faith and succeeding on so many levels in this world because of it. It’s a necessary exercise in truly applying the principles of our faith and seeing that they are not just “pie-in-the-sky” ideas or blind religious dogma, but that they actually work. Our religious truths are experiential. They actually do help us to live the lives God made us to live – and that, for Dave Durand, is what defines true success.

And he’s been very successful at sharing just that with so many different people around the world, all while staying true and appealing to the theology, philosophy and teaching of the Catholic Church – whether those listening realized it or not. He’s a very dynamic and engaging speaker. I hope to hear him some day in person. I’ll at least have to check out some of his books now.

Here’s a short video clip of him talking about maximizing your potential:

“You are the only person in the world who can use your own potential. That is an awesome responsibility.” – I love that.

Please check out his website and you can listen to a good interview of him by Lisa Hendey here.

Be sure to check out all of the other great speakers and bloggers participating in Support a Catholic Speaker Month.

Videos: Veteran’s Day Tributes

Matthew Warner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:45:57 +0000

Here are some very good and appropriate video tributes to those – past, present, and future – who sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you, Veterans.

Country style:

And here’s one for today’s Feast day in honor of St. Martin of Tours – a soldier who risked his life, as our soldiers today do, that there might be peace:

Quote: Are u headed down hill?

Matthew Warner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:04:47 +0000

Here’s some more wisdom from one of the most amazing philosophers the world has ever known – and one of my personal favorites – the Great Unknown. Or is it Unknown the Great? I can never remember.

“If the going is real easy, beware, you may be headed down hill.” – Unknown

Life is hard. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Everything is ultimately worth what was sacrificed to get it. It’s just part of the natural balance and justice of the real world. Short cuts will leave you short-changed. There’s no way around it. We can either spend our lives embracing that truth or running from it.

[photo credit]

An ultrasound machine that fits in your pocket!

Matthew Warner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:10:53 +0000

It’s coming. GE says it should be out in 2010 (video below):

The Star Trek Tricorder, a device that allows medics to check their patients in the field in the sci-fi TV show, took a step closer to becoming reality today thanks to a new device being shown off by General Electric in the US.

The device, which is a cross between a mobile phone and an iPod was shown at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco on Tuesday.

Called Vscan, the clamshell designed gadget is aimed at doctors, and possibly would-be parents who could use it in their office or in the field to check the progress of unborn babies or other medical instances, rather than sending their patients to a specialist department for a scan. [source]

Imagine standing on the sidewalk outside of an abortion clinic and being able to show a confused mother a live video feed of her baby right there that very instant.

The facts are on our side. It’s a unique, individual human life in the womb. We just need to bring our society to face this reality. What an amazing tool to help us do just that.

Video: Fr. Corapi on Corruption in the Church

Matthew Warner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:02:23 +0000

Fr. Corapi is always both educational and inspiring to listen to:

Quote: God cannot fill what is already full

Matthew Warner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:04:25 +0000

This is another one of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa:

“If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own power. Your self-sufficiency, your selfishness and your intellectual pride will inhibit His coming to live in your heart because God cannot fill what is already full. It is as simple as that.” – Mother Teresa

Overcome pride and you’ll not know discouragement. As complicated as we make it out to be at times, it truly is as simple as that.

Bishops on Health Care Priorities for Catholics

Matthew Warner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:50:40 +0000

Bishop James D. Conley, of Denver, wrote recently on the remaining problems with health care reform as it is currently being proposed:

The bishops have a few simple but important priorities.

First, everyone should have access to basic health care, including immigrants. The Church would hope to see that access broadened as widely as possible. But at a minimum, it should include those immigrants who live and work in the United States legally. Second, reform should respect the dignity of every person, from conception to natural death. This means that the elderly and persons with disabilities must be treated with special care and sensitivity. It also means that abortion and abortion funding should be excluded from any reform plan, no matter how adroitly the abortion funding is masked. Whatever one thinks about its legality, abortion has nothing to do with advancing human “health,” and a large number of Americans regard it as a gravely wrong act of violence, not only against unborn children but also against women.

Third, real healthcare reform needs to include explicit, ironclad conscience protections for medical professionals and institutions so that they cannot be forced to violate their moral convictions. Fourth—and this is so obvious it sometimes goes unstated—any reform must be economically realistic and financially sustainable. We can’t help anyone, including ourselves, if we’re insolvent. If we commit ourselves to health services, then we need to have the will and the ability to really pay for them. That’s a moral issue, not simply a practical one.

Note that these priorities do not attack the constitutional status of abortion. That’s a different battle. Nor do they take anything away from people who regard themselves as pro-choice. But they do protect the rights of the many, many citizens who see abortion as tragic and evil, and refuse to be implicated in supporting it.

Given the broad Catholic support for some kind of comprehensive healthcare reform, the historic links of the Democratic Party to the Catholic community, and the party’s total control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, the reform legislation actually moving through Congress as I write these comments on November 5 is not only inadequate and baffling, but insulting and dangerous.

So should Catholics support health care reform as it is currently being proposed and pushed through congress?

With the exception of a few leaders, like Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak, Congress has ignored or rejected every attempt at resolving the serious concerns voiced by the bishops—or alternately, has pushed solutions like the Capps Amendment that do not solve the problems, and even create new ones. The White House has done nothing to intervene. “Common ground” thinking in Washington apparently has more reality as public relations than as public policy. And as a result, all of the main healthcare reform proposals in Congress, including the huge, 2,000-page merged House bill, are fatally flawed. Unless they are immediately and adequately amended, they need to be opposed and defeated.

The House just passed a bill over the weekend and did end up (were forced to in order to pass it) including restrictions on funding for abortion. So that was a very good thing. The bad part is that these other moral problems with the bill still exist. We still can’t pay for it (which is also morally wrong). It does contain a “public option” which is a very bad idea. And it’s just an all-around bad approach to improving health care in the long run (socializing our health care industry).

The good news is that there is no way this horrible bill will pass the Senate as it is. The bad news is that whatever the Senate comes up with probably won’t be all that much better. We’ll see.

The Miracle Seen by 70,000 at Fatima

Matthew Warner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:03:39 +0000

There’s a new movie out documenting the miracle at Fatima. It’s called The 13th Day. This is one of those miracles that should have any non-believers seriously scratching their heads. And if they were truly searching, I’d think they’d be spending an awful lot of time considering gracing the doors of a Catholic Church next Sunday because of it. Maybe they’ll go see the movie. It’s supposed to be very good. I can’t wait to see it!

Here’s the trailer:

Archbishop: 26 books I wish all Catholics would read

Matthew Warner — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:07:11 +0000

Want some recommendations on some great books to add to your reading list? Archbishop Chaput gives you his top 10…OK, top 26 books he thinks every Catholic should read.

If Archbishop Chaput thinks every Catholic should read these books, I’m gonna do it. He’s an outstanding leader of the Catholic Church with a good sense of current events, culture and what Americans need to hear most right now. I’ve read a lot of these already…but lots of news ones have just been added to my reading list.

Great News Florida: Yet Another Abortion Center Closes!

Matthew Warner — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:08:07 +0000

Here’s a letter from 4o Days for Life announcing the news:

There is a REALLY BIG announcement at the end of this message — that you won’t want to miss — but first I have to share the breaking news…

Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does! I stand today in wonder at the awesome power of God, as one miracle follows on the heels of another miracle, which follows on the heels of yet another!

Here’s the latest … For at least 25 years, there’s been an abortion facility at 6700 North 9th Avenue in Pensacola, Florida. But last Friday — Day 38 of the fall 40 Days for Life campaign — as people prayed outside, the clinic CLOSED ITS DOORS and shut down!

The local 40 Days for Life team didn’t even realize it at the time. Ernie Cyr, the Pensacola coordinator, heard reports that law enforcement officers went into the clinic on Friday to serve some legal papers, but no one really knew what was going on.

Then on Monday, a simple legal notice appeared in the fine-print section of the local newspaper: “As of October 30th, 2009, The Community Health Center of Pensacola will be terminating its practice.” Ernie’s two-word response? “Praise God!”

A local TV news team did some digging, and last night their top story reported what they discovered. The clinic operated a lab, and that lab required a state license. The owners had a license at one time, but the news report documented that it expired 413 days ago. And that’s something state investigators became aware of only recently.

The clinic was given a choice: pay a huge fine or close down. The fine is $1,000 a day — for each of the 413 days the lab was without a license — which came to a whopping $413,000! The clinic could not come up with the money … and was left with only one choice: CLOSE.

State officials told WEAR-TV that they had offered the abortion facility a reduced fine as part of a settlement agreement — but they never received a response. The abortion center staff would not talk with the TV reporters for comment, but the legal notice in the newspaper certainly suggests that the closure is permanent. God works in mysterious — and wonderful — ways!

Now, I do have to tell you that this clinic had been the target of senseless violence in the past — a bombing in 1984 and two murders in 1994. Because of that, many of the pro-life people in Pensacola quit coming out and opted to pray for the unborn at home or at church — or avoided pro-life efforts completely. Although some stalwart Christian witnesses kept up their heroic efforts through the years, prayer presence at this clinic had drastically diminished because of the things that had happened.

Bottom line: the violence did not stop the abortions. And, it drove away the very people who could have been part of the solution to the abortion crisis.

But God had other plans. A young couple named Ernie and Mary Beth moved to Pensacola a few years ago and were not fully aware of the past history of the area. They heard about 40 Days for Life during a “Being Human” episode on EWTN and decided to conduct a local campaign — and then another, and then another.

It hasn’t always been easy, but throughout the three local 40 Days for Life campaigns over these last two years, Ernie and Mary Beth Cyr have seen more and more people coming back out to pray at the clinic, PEACEFULLY asking God to end abortion there.

And He did!

The TV news story reported the observable facts about a Florida health agency that took action against an unlicensed facility — but it also featured Ernie saying, “It’s just a complete joy and what a blessing for our community to have this facility close.”

During the news report, Bernadette Ensley — a University of West Florida student, and head of UWF’s Students for Life group — said it best: “For this to up and close the last weekend of 40 Days for Life is really shocking and great!”

Watch the video of the TV news story at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=523

This now makes FIVE abortion centers CLOSED — facilities where people came to pray outside for an end to abortion during 40 Days for Life.

Praise God indeed, for answering your prayers and the prayers of thousands of others!

*** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ***

Today’s amazing news makes me even more excited to announce that this coming Monday, November 9, you are invited to participate in a live teleconference and webcast where you will:

* Learn about the comprehensive results from this fall’s 40 Daisy’s for Life campaign — the impact is even bigger than you think!

* Personally meet Abby Johnson, former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in the community where 40 Days for Life began, who will be on the call live to share more about her amazing conversion — and the power of prayer

* Hear the incredible story of the closure of the Pensacola abortion facility directly from Ernie and Mary Beth Cyr

* Discover the BIG NEWS about what’s next for this nationwide movement

* And some additional surprises!

Here are the details:

*****************************************************

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

WHAT: 40 Days for Life “BELIEVE” Teleconference
and Web Simulcast Event

DATE: Monday, November 9
TIME: 9 PM Eastern / 8 PM Central / 7 PM Mountain / 6 PM Pacific
WHO: YOU — Matt Warner
FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via phone or webcast — it’s your choice)

TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT, GO TO: http://www.40daysforlife.com/believe

*****************************************************

With the BIG plans that will be revealed during the event, we believe that this next year could be the most exciting time the pro-life movement has seen in years. But we’ll also be totally transparent with you about the significant challenges that must be overcome if this effort is to realize its full potential. And how YOU can help make a life-saving impact during this crucial next year.

Register now at: http://www.40daysforlife.com/believe

I can’t wait to share the latest news with you next Monday night, Matt!

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

Quote: Wiser than I

Matthew Warner — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:59:57 +0000

“Now a Catholic is a person who has plucked up courage to face the incredible and inconceivable idea that somebody else may be wiser than he is.”
- G.K. Chesterton (The Well and the Shadows)

In otherwords, as Catholics, we are admitting that we need Jesus’ Church. We are admitting that He gave us this Church for a reason – to guide us and sanctify us. As Catholics we submit to this guidance. We admit that we are not our own pope. We do not personally have the authority to interpret scripture authoritatively. On certain things, we do not have the authority to tell Jesus’ Church it is wrong. And even when we do disagree or have trouble understanding, we question with obedience. We work to understand better.

We have the humility to know that our perspective may not be better than the perspective of a 2000 year old Church founded by Jesus himself and given the authority to bind and to loose, to forgive sins, and to feed His sheep. An institution given the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit at Pentacost.

We don’t start our own churches. We join Christ’s Church.

We recognize that we need the grace of the sacraments. We recognize that being Catholic is believing in all of the teachings of the Church, not just choosing the ones we like and discarding the others.

Ultimately, we recognize that our faith, our Catholicism, is not something we mold to our life. It’s something we mold our life to.

(At least we try to do these things!)

Action: Congress to vote to fund abortion…I mean “health” care reform Saturday

Matthew Warner — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:44:39 +0000

PelosiCare will be voted on this Saturday evening. Before that vote happens, we need to email and call (202-224-3121 ) our elected representatives to demand that they vote NO on HR 3962.

Whatever you’ve heard, 1) this legislation still funds abortions with our taxpayer dollars. 2) Its price tag is outrageous and will be crippling to our economy. 3) Nationalized health care systems always disadvantage the elderly and the very sick.

I’m blogging at APP about the problems with this health care bill:

Chapter and Verse: How PelosiCare pays for abortions

Facts: few more reasons to oppose HR 3962

…

Pro-abortion organizations, which stand to profit massively if this legislation passes, are mobilizing their members to contact their representatives. Well our voice needs to be heard as well, and now.

Check out more over on American Papist.

This is very important, especially if you live in a district with a moderate representative who may be sitting on the fence about this. Call them and tell them you promise not to vote for them next election if they vote for this bill. This needs to get shut down decisively so they can throw it out and get working on something that will actually help reform the health care system in a morally sound way. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is completely against this current bill also.

FREE MP3: How to Get More Out of the Mass

Matthew Warner — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:00:36 +0000

Free MP3 downloads are always nice. And they’re even better when they teach you about the Catholic Mass and how to get more out of it.

GET THEM HERE as a part of the Faith and Reason Podcast by Marcel LeJeune.

Gay “Marriage” Voted Down…Again

Matthew Warner — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:52:15 +0000

Gay “marriage” was voted down again this week in Maine. Activist judges keep trying to push it on people and the people keep rejecting it. In fact, every single state with legalized gay “marriage” has done so by way of the court imposing it. And in every single state where the issue has been voted on (I believe it’s like 31 states now or something) traditional marriage has won out.

This is not about discriminating against people. This is not about denying anybody any civil rights. This is not because we don’t like gay people – we love them. Here’s a good statement from Bishop Malone (Diocese of Portland) that sums up the sentiment from the Catholic point of view:

“These past few months have served as a teaching opportunity to explain to parishioners and the wider community about how and why the Church views and values marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It has also been an opportunity for listening, and I trust that those who voted for such a radical change did so out of concern for our gay brothers and sisters. Respect and acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation is not a point of controversy — indeed, it is a teaching of the Church. While the Catholic Church will continue its commitment to work for the basic human rights to which all people are entitled, it remains devoted to preserving and strengthening the precious gift of marriage.”

It’s about recognizing the uniqueness and importance of a true marriage. Certainly even a child can understand that a marriage between a man and a woman that reflects the most fundamental physical complement in nature and procreates the human race so that we can continue to exist is a very different thing than simply a partnership or commitment between two people of the same sex. The list of differences goes on and on (without even having to mention the most important differences that exist spiritually and sacramentally). So shouldn’t they be referred to by different terms – different words? One is called a Marriage and the other should be called entirely something else. At the very least, this is just good semantic sense. It’s what makes language useful – you know, having different words for different things.