Fr. Tim Vakoc Military Chaplain R.I.P

Please pray for the repose of the soul of a devoted priest, who was seriously injured in Iraq after saying Mass and ministering to the spiritual needs of the soldiers, who died yesterday. There is more to the story here.

Also please remember to pray for all the military chaplains who place their lives in harms way and have frequently "lain down their life for a friend."

Five years after being gravely wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq, the Rev. Tim Vakoc, a well-known and much-loved Roman Catholic priest from Minnesota, has died, his family said Sunday.

Vakoc died surrounded by family and friends, according to an entry on his CaringBridge website. "A man of peace, he chose to endure the horror of war in order to bring the peace of Christ to America's fighting men and women," Archbishop John Nienstedt wrote in a prepared statement. "He has been an inspiration to us all, and we will miss him."

Father Tim, as he was known, was the first military chaplain grievously wounded in the Iraq war. He was injured by a roadside bomb as he was returning from celebrating mass with troops on May 29, 2004, the day before the 12th anniversary of his ordination as a priest.

The blast cost him an eye and severely damaged his brain. He was hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and transferred to the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center in October 2004.

After numerous surgeries and life-threatening infections, he slowly started to recognize friends and family, and to communicate with a squeeze of the hand or a slight smile.

For more than two years, he was in what doctors called a "minimally responsive state." Then, in the fall of 2006, he spoke for the first time in 2 1/2 years, raising hopes of recovery.

Fr. Tim Vakoc Military Chaplain R.I.P

Please pray for the repose of the soul of a devoted priest, who was seriously injured in Iraq after saying Mass and ministering to the spiritual needs of the soldiers, who died yesterday. There is more to the story here.

Also please remember to pray for all the military chaplains who place their lives in harms way and have frequently "lain down their life for a friend."

Five years after being gravely wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq, the Rev. Tim Vakoc, a well-known and much-loved Roman Catholic priest from Minnesota, has died, his family said Sunday.

Vakoc died surrounded by family and friends, according to an entry on his CaringBridge website. "A man of peace, he chose to endure the horror of war in order to bring the peace of Christ to America's fighting men and women," Archbishop John Nienstedt wrote in a prepared statement. "He has been an inspiration to us all, and we will miss him."

Father Tim, as he was known, was the first military chaplain grievously wounded in the Iraq war. He was injured by a roadside bomb as he was returning from celebrating mass with troops on May 29, 2004, the day before the 12th anniversary of his ordination as a priest.

The blast cost him an eye and severely damaged his brain. He was hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and transferred to the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center in October 2004.

After numerous surgeries and life-threatening infections, he slowly started to recognize friends and family, and to communicate with a squeeze of the hand or a slight smile.

For more than two years, he was in what doctors called a "minimally responsive state." Then, in the fall of 2006, he spoke for the first time in 2 1/2 years, raising hopes of recovery.

New Cardinal Patronus of the Order of Malta

Pope Benedict has nominated Archbishop Paolo Sardi to succeed Cardinal Laghi as the Cardinal Patronus of the Order of Malta.

Archbishop Sardi has been in the Office of the Secretariat of State since the time of Paul VI, he was the Vice-Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber who sealed the papal apartment when Pope John Paul II died. During his tenure in the office of State he was reportedly a speech writer for John Paul II. He also has the title of Apostolic Nuncio with Special Tasks. Archbishop Sardi will be 75 years old in September and will likely be made a Cardinal at the next consistory.

New Cardinal Patronus of the Order of Malta

Pope Benedict has nominated Archbishop Paolo Sardi to succeed Cardinal Laghi as the Cardinal Patronus of the Order of Malta.

Archbishop Sardi has been in the Office of the Secretariat of State since the time of Paul VI, he was the Vice-Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber who sealed the papal apartment when Pope John Paul II died. During his tenure in the office of State he was reportedly a speech writer for John Paul II. He also has the title of Apostolic Nuncio with Special Tasks. Archbishop Sardi will be 75 years old in September and will likely be made a Cardinal at the next consistory.

Abortion and the Catholic University Student

There was a recent article suggesting that women at Catholic colleges and universities were more likely to abort.

The study concludes that there are several possible explanations but it is more than coincidence that I saw this student from St. Catherine's parading her school sweatshirt at a table in the Planned Parenthood parking lot on Ford Parkway in St. Paul on Good Friday. She was passing out literature and buttons to the pro-death supporters counter-demonstration the pro-life walk talking place in front of the clinic.

The College of St. Catherine's is about 3 blocks north of Planned Parenthood's location. It shouldn't come as a surprise either that the same St. Kate's has a reputation for, shall we say, being "less than orthodox" when it comes to teachings of the Church.

A new study conducted by Amy Adamczyk, assistant professor of Criminal Justice at City University of New York, found that female students at private,religious schools and colleges are more likely to have an abortion than their public school counterparts. According to Life News,women at Catholic institutions had abortion rates similar to students at other religious institutions in the study.

“This dangerous anti-life trend at Catholic educational institutions confirms what Pope Benedict XVI has reiterated many times, that there is an underlying crisis of faith among young people that is not being adequately addressed even by Catholic educators,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS).
“We observe today a timidity in the face of the category of the good and an aimless pursuit of novelty parading as the realization of freedom,” Pope Benedict told Catholic educators gathered at The Catholic University of America in April 2008.

“…[P]articularly disturbing is the reduction of the precious and delicate area of education in sexuality to management of 'risk', bereft of any reference to the beauty of conjugal love,”

Adamczyk’s findings echo a CNS-sponsored study published in November 2008 and titled “Behaviors and Beliefs of Current and Recent Students at U.S. Catholic Colleges.” The CNS study found that most Catholic colleges have little positive impact on the faith and values of students. In particular, CNS reported that nearly 1in 5 students at Catholic colleges knew another student who had or paid for an abortion

The rest of the article can be read at the Cardinal Newman Society website.

Abortion and the Catholic University Student

There was a recent article suggesting that women at Catholic colleges and universities were more likely to abort.

The study concludes that there are several possible explanations but it is more than coincidence that I saw this student from St. Catherine's parading her school sweatshirt at a table in the Planned Parenthood parking lot on Ford Parkway in St. Paul on Good Friday. She was passing out literature and buttons to the pro-death supporters counter-demonstration the pro-life walk talking place in front of the clinic.

The College of St. Catherine's is about 3 blocks north of Planned Parenthood's location. It shouldn't come as a surprise either that the same St. Kate's has a reputation for, shall we say, being "less than orthodox" when it comes to teachings of the Church.

A new study conducted by Amy Adamczyk, assistant professor of Criminal Justice at City University of New York, found that female students at private,religious schools and colleges are more likely to have an abortion than their public school counterparts. According to Life News,women at Catholic institutions had abortion rates similar to students at other religious institutions in the study.

“This dangerous anti-life trend at Catholic educational institutions confirms what Pope Benedict XVI has reiterated many times, that there is an underlying crisis of faith among young people that is not being adequately addressed even by Catholic educators,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS).
“We observe today a timidity in the face of the category of the good and an aimless pursuit of novelty parading as the realization of freedom,” Pope Benedict told Catholic educators gathered at The Catholic University of America in April 2008.

“…[P]articularly disturbing is the reduction of the precious and delicate area of education in sexuality to management of 'risk', bereft of any reference to the beauty of conjugal love,”

Adamczyk’s findings echo a CNS-sponsored study published in November 2008 and titled “Behaviors and Beliefs of Current and Recent Students at U.S. Catholic Colleges.” The CNS study found that most Catholic colleges have little positive impact on the faith and values of students. In particular, CNS reported that nearly 1in 5 students at Catholic colleges knew another student who had or paid for an abortion

The rest of the article can be read at the Cardinal Newman Society website.

Wyoming Catholic College

I had the recenty opportunity to meet with Fr. Bob Cook the President of Wyoming Catholic College and what a sharp contrast in educational philosophy compared to Fr. Jenkins at Notre Dame. I wish a school like WCC was around back when I was in college, they should definitely be on your short list if you or someone you know is looking for a solid Catholic college/university.

In fact according to a guide put out by the Cardinal Newman Society, WCC is among the most Catholic and most affordable schools. They are going into their 3rd year in the Fall of 2009 and will be approaching 90 students total. The goal is eventually around 400. Current class size is limited to approx. 30 so it is pretty competitive.

This picture was part of the opening ceremonies for the second annual Ludi Mariales (Marian Games), on Saturday, May 2nd. The official start of the day was Holy Mass and the Crowning of Our Lady.

To learn more visit their website.

Wyoming Catholic College

I had the recenty opportunity to meet with Fr. Bob Cook the President of Wyoming Catholic College and what a sharp contrast in educational philosophy compared to Fr. Jenkins at Notre Dame. I wish a school like WCC was around back when I was in college, they should definitely be on your short list if you or someone you know is looking for a solid Catholic college/university.

In fact according to a guide put out by the Cardinal Newman Society, WCC is among the most Catholic and most affordable schools. They are going into their 3rd year in the Fall of 2009 and will be approaching 90 students total. The goal is eventually around 400. Current class size is limited to approx. 30 so it is pretty competitive.

This picture was part of the opening ceremonies for the second annual Ludi Mariales (Marian Games), on Saturday, May 2nd. The official start of the day was Holy Mass and the Crowning of Our Lady.

To learn more visit their website.

Month of June Dedicated to Sacred Heart

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In recognition of this it would be appropriate to promote the Spiritual Work of Mercy - Comforting the Afflicted.In the promises to St. Margaret Mary, Jesus promised those who were devoted to his Sacred Heart that "I will comfort them in their afflictions."Some ways that we can honor the Sacred Heart are:1. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament3. Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus4. Act of Reparation5. The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus6. The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Month of June Dedicated to Sacred Heart

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In recognition of this it would be appropriate to promote the Spiritual Work of Mercy - Comforting the Afflicted.In the promises to St. Margaret Mary, Jesus promised those who were devoted to his Sacred Heart that "I will comfort them in their afflictions."Some ways that we can honor the Sacred Heart are:1. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament3. Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus4. Act of Reparation5. The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus6. The Sacrament of Reconciliation