Saturday, April 12, 2008
And now a word about elections
while the attention that most of the press wants us to give is toward the national democratic contest between “who wants to lose the war faster” and ” I’m more pro-abortion and more gay than you,” the real area of concern is the congress and the state houses, i.e. the local elections. If pro-lifers do not get active in local and state races, the pro-abortion elements are going to continue their control of the congress and many of the state houses throughout the country.
You and I must take the time to get involved. Here are some ideas and suggestions.
1. We should make sure that we are registered to vote.
2. Wwe should make sure everyone we know WHO thinks consistently on the life issues is eligible to vote.
3. We should know who is running for public office in our area.
4. We should know where each candidate stands on the abortion issue.
5. If pro-life support them and financially as well.
6. Talk to friends of like mind about the importance of voting. Stress the moral duty we have to cast our ballot.
more later
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 8:56 am Comments (0)
Reflections of a late Knight
Try as I might, I cannot do everything that I would like. Indeed I am reminded of St. Paul’s comments about doing the things that I am not suppose to do and not doing the tihings that I am suppose to do. Like this blog for example. Here I set up this blog and put on a few posts and promptly get so caught up in everything else that I neglect to even check it out. So I see these nice comments by people and I have not had even the decency to acknowledge them. Mea Culpa. Mea Culpa. And thanks for the nice comments and considerate thoughts.
So now suspecting that there may be one or two folks who may read this, let me give you an update and some “reflections” that are helpful to anyone who may peruse the site.
Next week Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States and will say mass in Washington, D.C. and New York City. he will visit the White House and speak at the U.N. Everyone will use his being here in the U.S. to advance their own agenda. This may be for good or for ill, but that is the way of all flesh. Hopefully the citizens of the U.S. will be treated to fairr and balanced reporting from the major mainstream media, but I am not holding my breath. I suspect that the “liberals” within and without the Church will attempt to use anything the pope has to say to advance the elect Obama campaign and the Republicans will echo the pope’s respect for life message to draw in the pro-life Catholics.
Benedict’s pontificate has been focused on a couple of simple thoughts. simple can be profound so please do not misunderstand my words. His first encyclical Deus Caritas Est - God is Love - was a powerful reminder of “what’s it all about.” His constant refrain has been to introduce reason and logic into the various conversations circling the globe. He challenged Islam to think in terms of reason and condemned all forms of violence to propagate ones particular beliefs. This is a follow up to the themes of past popes who condemned the use of violence to advance communism, socialism, and fascism. I suspect that he will continue this approach and challenge us here in the U.S. to apply reason and logic to the various issues facing us her in the States. After all his first role is that of a priest, called to bring us the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
We who are fortunate to be Knights have a special responsibility to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ in our daily lives and through our work. Having been given much we are called to share the good news by our example. Starting at home and with our family we must reflect the truth that God calls us to live. As men we must be examples for the next generation of young men who need role models in order to learn what is right and wrong.
We must teach them proper respect for women, the absolute necessity of respect for all human life and the importance of marriage. Let’s be candid. Much of the problems in today’s society are the result of the failure of men to exercise their proper roles in their families and in society at large. WE Knights must make a difference if we are to rebuild a culture of life.
Finally we must take our faith and apply it in the public square. We should not allow public officials to avoid their public responsibility to protect and defend all innocent human life. We should never allow candidates for public office to even think to ask for our vote if they are not pro-life. Regardless of party, no one who thinks killing babies in the womb is permissible should ever get our vote. Any candidate who wants to destroy the unique place of marriage by equating aberrant behavior with marriage does not deserve our vote.
Simply put if the candidate is pro-abortion, and against protecting marriage, he or she should not get our vote.
Till next time (and I intend it to be sooner rather than later), May Our Lord grant you His peace and mercy.
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 8:28 am Comments (0)
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Bella - Opening in August 2007
Award Winning “Bella” the directorial masterpiece by Alejandro Monteverde and starring Latin American film and television star Eduardo Verastegui will open across the country on August 15, 2007. The winner of the 2006 Toronto film Festival, “Bella” is a thought provoking look at life and the effects that decisions can have on one’s life.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson has offered the full support of the Knights to promote the film and joined the producers at a private screening in March hosted by former Florida governor Jeb Bush and his wife Columba at the Guzman Theater in Miami. Many State deputies from throughout the U.S. joined Brother Knight Carl for the showing.
Stayed connected for more information or go to wwww.prolifemovies.com for the latest news.
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 2:06 am Comments (0)
Saturday, January 27, 2007
All through the Knights
Having just returned from Washington, DC and the 34th annual March for Life, I can report that the presence of my brother Knights was to be seen everywhere.
It was a very powerful sight to see over 200,000 marchers of all backgrounds, from all over the country, young and old, and those in between, but mostly young, who were standing up for life.
The press coverage was horrible. But, what can you expect from a media and a press that are knee deep in their deathly collaboration with the abortion profiteers.
Yet from a perspective of hope, the March was amazing. Young people were everywhere. There were young families, moms and dads carrying their little children on their shoulders so they could see the waves of people ascending Capitol Hill on their way to the U.S. Supreme Court. At the Supreme Court the crowd converged upon the temple built to uphold the law, now the symbol of oppression and hypocrisy. While some prayed silently, others sang. Signs with the Knights emblem figured prominently on the horizon. As dusk fell, the women who regretted their abortions came forward and the eerie irony of the effects of the so-called ‘right of abortion’ in front of the very branch of government that created the so-called right became painfully clear.
The Knights helped at all levels. They were in charge of crowd control. They handled the organization within the March for Life Conference. At the Shrine, Knights assisted in mass.
So here is our mandate as Knights: to continue throughout the country to stand up for life and to be a living witness of the call to respect the life all persons from the moment of conception until natural death. Get involved with your local AZRTL chapter. If there is not a chapter, call AZRTL and we can start one in your area. We cannot stand back and not defend children. That is our calling as men - to protect and to serve.
For those of you in Arizona. mark your calendars for March 3, 2007, Arizona Right to Life’s annual Gala. You won’t want to miss it. Check us out at www.azrtl.org
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 1:22 am Comments (0)
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Bishop Olmsted on Catholics in the Public Square
Thanks to John Ellenwood of NW Tucson Right to life for getting me this link to the Bishop’s booklet at Basilica Press.
This booklet is must reading for anyone looking to understand the role of the person in the modern world. And while it is titled “Catholics in the Public Square.” it actually applies to all persons. As John Ellenwood noted, “It is a refreshingly clear moral document.”
This is an important booklet for our brother Knights to read. Every Knight to get a copy of this booklet and pray before and after reading it. Then ask God what is His will regarding our obligation to vote.
The Sacred Scriptures tell us to “CHOOSE LIFE.”
Choose life so that we and our descendents will live.
Vote pro-life vote por la vida.
Do not be afraid to spread the message.
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 9:47 pm Comments (2)
Monday, October 9, 2006
A prophetic warning
Those who hold the reins of governmetn must not forget that it is the duty of public authority, by appropriate laws and sanctions, to defend the lives of the innocent. And this, all the more so, since those whose lives are endangered and assailed, cannot defend themselves, among whom we must mention, in the first part, infants hidden in their mother’s womb.
But if those public magistrates, not only do not defend them, but by their laws and ordinances, betray them to death at the hands of doctors and others, let them remember that God is the judge and avenger of innocent blood, which cries from earth to Heaven.
Pope Pius XI
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 9:55 am Comments (2)
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Catholics in the Public Square
On Saturday October 7, 2006, Bishop Olmsted celebrated mass at St. Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix to begin the Legislative Seminar sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, the Knights of Columbus, Catholics United for the Faith and The ACC. The booklet is an excellent way to become informed on the Catholic responsibility regarding voting. Check out the ACC site through the Diocese of Phoenix website.
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 9:16 am Comments (0)
Monday, September 25, 2006
Using the site
There are a number of links on the site that will take you to various sites of interest. For example, the Arizona Catholic Conference is the public policy arm of the three Catholic dioceses in Arizona. Ron Johnson is the executive director. His site will be current on political and public policy matters affecting the Church.
The Knights of Columbus pages will include sites listing the activites of the Knights throughout the state during the year.
This site hopes to comment on and provide insight into the events and happenings as they affect the Church and our society.
The link to the Arizona Right to Life is self-evident. One should check the AZRTL site at least a couple of times each week to see what is happening throughout the nation and the state.
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 10:14 am Comments (0)
Moral Principles for Catholic Voters
Our State council website links to a very important document published by the Kansas Catholic Conference. You may read it by clicking here.
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 9:38 am Comments (0)
Sunday, September 24, 2006
WELCOME TO KNIGHTS FOR LIFE
Welcome to the new Knights for Life website.
The purpose of this site is to report on events regarding the Knights of Columbus and in particular its involvement with right to life. We hope it will be a place where the brothers can discuss current events, publish notices of events that various councils are sponsoring, and rally in support of the right to life.
This blog is the private work of individual knights and does not reflect the official position of the state council or the Supreme Council, although in some of the comments one will find a consistency in the spirit of the blog and the message of the knights, that is, the promotion of the Catholic faith, the defense of the family and all human life, and a response to the needs of those less fortunate.
Whether the latest pancake breakfast or an upcoming exemplification, whether a human interest story or a national headline, this blog hopes to be the source of much for the knights who visit this site.
One further thing: we intend to talk political at times. However anything discussed regarding politics will be governed by the teachings of the Catholic Church. We will adhere to the magisterium. We will be loyal to the Truth.
So check in on a regular basis, add to our comments and together let us promote respect for the sanctitiy of all innocent human life.
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Posted by John Jakubczyk at 6:29 am Comments (3)
