Pray for Bishop Fred Henry and Archbishop Richard Smith, who are currently fighting the devil on so-called 'gay-straight' alliances. As faithful Catholics we must recognize the root-cause of bullying while refusing to side with modern ideas of gender. Let me be bold: If a boy with female characteristics finds himself (or herself) at the mercy of school bullies then that is a tragedy for that child. But to conclude from this case that there is no such thing as gender strikes me as willfully negligent. I do not wish any person to suffer, and for every person that does suffer I hope the sufferings of Christ offer some solace: Our Lord and Savior was tormented on the cross for all our sins. If that does not make us see the World for what it is then nothing will. But we ought never to think that Our Brothers and Sisters are equal in their suffering. In Iraq we see fellow Christians persecuted for their beliefs in Christ. In Canada we see fellow people persecuted in Christ for their ways. Whether they are right or wrong is of course a matter for God and his elect, but I find it uncomfortable to assume my place in such exalted company. Let us therefore pray that all of the persecuted, wherever they may be and whatever they may have done to incite the mob, are within our hearts this Christmas. For we, the Catholic community, can only hope to encourage virtue. Please forgive me for saying this, but discouraging vice seems to be beyond our calling.

Countdown to Christmas.....

The HF, Pope Francis, has advised us to count down to Christmas by running our very own Christmas blessing countdowns. Instead of the twelve days of Christmas let's have the ten (now) days of thanks to God. Each day let's list one blessing we feel we have received in the last year from the Almighty. I will begin (in no particular order) with the memory of my sister. In June she was sadly taken from me. I say a prayer for her each day and thank the Lord for her time on earth. Our Father, please grant Grace her place in your Kingdom, as she deserves. I follow the Holy Father in recognizing that: "the joy of knowing one is loved vy God and saved by Christ must be seen at least in a sense of peace, if not a smile."

A blesses Christmas to all and joy to those who accept the Faith, 

I have been shocked lately at the number of so-called Catholic bloggers who are prepared to attack faithful and well-meaning fellows in order to score points. I have never blogged before, but after witnessing serial troll 'On the Side of Angels' instigate a truly pointless flame war with the good and godly 'Bones' Lawrence England I feel compelled to break ranks. OTSA professes to be some sort of big wheel in theology, but he comes across (God forgive me) as a petty bully with the philosophical acumen of a rock. Perhaps Lawrence's humanity is beyond this species of ultra-troll, but I hope I speak for all faithful Catholics when I say that Lawrence is writing the kind of defense of the faith that we, the faithful, need in this secular age. God bless all of my readers.