Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 42

Brilliant Response to “Most Muslims are Peaceful”

Brilliant response to “most Muslims are peaceful”.

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Singer Brittany Spears Regrets Abortion

Singer Britney Spears reportedly revealed in her upcoming memoir that she obtained an abortion at age 19 and still suffers from the experience. “To this day, it’s one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life,” Spears wrote. “I’m sure people will hate me for this, but I agreed not to have the baby. I don’t know if that was the right decision. If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it.” See Catholicvote.com

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Pilgrimage Updates: Good News and not so Good News

The not so good news: Due to the war in Israel we have had to postpone our November and December pilgrimages until November and December of 2024. We are working out all the multiple details which you can check out on our Footprints blog. Israel needs to defend itself and it may take some time. We are adapting to the reality of the situation.

The Good News is that we are adding two new pilgrimages in 2024. First, to a favorite pilgrimage site in St. Augustine Florida. Second, the wonderful pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain and France to visit Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Loyola and Lourdes. These will both be in April 2024. Stay tuned for exact dates and brochures.

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Steve explains situation in Israel with Teresa Tomeo on EWTN

This is my 15 minute interview with Teresa Tomeo about the current situation in Israel. I talk about the history of these two peoples, the Jews and the Palestinians. It is certainly not woke and I hope you enjoy it and learn.

https://teresatomeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CC-Steve-Ray-10-12-23-on-Israel-conflict.mp3

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Best Song Every – “Buy Dirt!” A Great Catholic, Anti-woke, Pro-family song. Spread this song around!!!

Click on the YouTube video and then read the words below. Love it! This is the meaning of life! As an old grandpa with 20 grandkids, I could sing this for you!!

[Verse 1: Jordan Davis]
Few days before he turned 80
He was sitting out back in a rocker
He said “What you been up to lately?”
I told him chasing a dollar
And in between sips of coffee
He poured this wisdom out
Said “If you want my two cents on making a dollar count

[Chorus: Jordan Davis]
Buy dirt
Find the one you can’t live without
Get a ring, let your knee hit the ground
Do what you love but call it work
And throw a little money in the plate at church
Send your prayers up and your roots down deep
Add a few limbs to your family tree
And watch their pencils marks, and the grass in the yard
All grow up
‘Cause the truth about it is it all goes by real quick
You can’t buy happiness
But you can buy dirt”

[Verse 2: Luke Bryan]
Before you get caught on that ladder
Let me tell you what it’s all about
Find you a few things that matter
That you can put a fence around
And then he laid it out

[Chorus: Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan]
Buy dirt
Find the one you can’t live without
Get a ring, let your knee hit the ground
Do what you love but call it work
And throw a little money in the plate at church
Send you prayers up and your roots down deep
And add a few limbs to your family tree
And watch their pencils marks, and the grass in the yard
All grow up
‘Cause the truth about it is it all goes by real quick
You can’t buy happiness
But you can buy dirt

[Bridge: Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan]
You can buy dirt
And thank the good Lord for it
‘Cause He ain’t makin’ any more of it

[Chorus: Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Both ]
So buy dirt
Find the one you can’t live without
Get a ring, let your knee hit the ground
Do what you love but call it work
And throw a little money in the plate at church
Send your prayers up and your roots down deep
Add a few limbs to your family tree
And watch their pencils marks, and the grass in the yard
All grow up
‘Cause the truth about it is it all goes by real quick
You can’t buy happiness
But you can buy dirt

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Fun Evening in Bethlehem in September, just before the war – WE WILL BE BACK SOON!

This was a fun evening with the young Christian Dahbka Dancers in Bethlehem. We do this with all our groups accompanied by a superb lamb dinner with a mountain of Palestinian rice and lots of local wines.

This was the first time I did anything like this with my new knees, five months after double knee surgery. I would have never believed it!

Stay tuned for updates tomorrow (Thursday) concerning our upcoming trips – we are working through all the many facets now.

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Current Situation with Hamas in Israel

Janet and I have been watching the situation carefully in which Hamas has attacked Israel in the south.

First, we arrived home two days ago with our our two back-to-back groups. So this has no immediate effect on us or our pilgrimages.

Second, the areas in danger are those in the south and not immediately in the areas that we habitually visit in Galilee and Jerusalem.

Third, however, the situation is very tense in all of Israel right now. I’m glad that our pilgrims are back home. Israel cannot allow this to go on for long and they will crush the opposition in short order, as they should.

Forth, we expect things to be calm in a few days since Israel cannot allow it to continue, and they certainly have the power to stop it.

Fifth, our next trip to Israel is not for six weeks, which will by then certainly have calmed down with business back as usual. In the meantime, we will be watching carefully and post updates.

Sixth, we will not be canceling our November, December, January or February trips.

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Final Comments & Farewells 10-3-23

What a great group of folks on this pilgrimage. Everyone got along so well and lasting friendships were made.

Also, they said they learned more and experienced more than they ever anticipated. Enjoy their final comments and farewell.

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“The Life & Truth about Mary” My Interview on Reason & Theology

We discussed the whole life of Mary especially the end of her life. It is very a lively and fast-paced interview. Hope you enjoy it!

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Last Day: Mary Dies, Upper Room, Gallicantu, Schwarma, Mass at Gethsemane

Our last day was deeply immersed in the life of Christ. We started out in the morning on Mount Zion where we visited the Dormition Church — which is now open again — the Upper Room and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Jesus was held prisoner over Holy Thursday night.

Then we went to lunch overlooking the city of Jerusalem for Shawarma sandwiches. Paternoster was next, where our Lord taught them to pray the Our Father and from where Jesus ascended into heaven. Amer and I gave our talks before a wonderful Mass at Gethsemane. Dinner at Dan Panorama and everybody packed slept for a while and went home.

Stay tuned for the next video of farewells and comments.

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