Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 508

Archbishop Dolan's Latest Service will be a Great One

From my friend and Canon Lawyer Ed Peters:

"The version of the story I heard was that Tim Dolan, then an eighth grader at Holy Infant Parish in Saint Louis, rang the rectory doorbell one day and told the pastor that he wanted to do something to help the Church. The priest glanced at his shaggy yard and said, "Well, okay, how about you cut the lawn?" Timmy Dolan threw himself into the project, did a good job, and rang the doorbell to ask for his next assignment. One thing led to another, as they say, and today Abp. Timothy Dolan of New York, in a stunning break with the way things were supposed to happen, was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Abp. Dolan wants no congratulations, but he regularly begs for prayers, so, while we are baking cookies with green M&Ms to celebrate his election, we will also remember to pray for the former ecclesial greens-keeper as he takes on his latest project to help the Church. Keep in mind, he shoulders this role without the customary two-years to "read up" on things. It's a heavy responsibility; good thing Abp. Dolan takes himself so lightly.

"If any congrats are due, it's congrats to the bishops' conference for having had the good sense to choose Abp. Timothy Dolan as their leader."

For more on Archbishop Dolan in Wikipedia.

Original post: http://canonlawblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/abp-dolans-latest-service-will-be-great.html

Robert Spencer & Peter Kreeft Debate Islam

The topic: "Is the only good Muslim a bad Muslim?" I myself would argue in the affirmative.

The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts– one of a handful of Catholic colleges nationwide praised by the Cardinal Newman Society for its strong Catholic identity– has hosted a debate between Peter Kreeft and Robert Spencer on the question "Is the Only Good Muslim a Bad Muslim?"

"Essentially, when Muhammad was weak and unpopular, he asked members of other faiths to live and let live," said Spencer, director of Jihadwatch. "Once he controlled the city of Medina and led an army, he received new revelations that called for jihad and religious persecution. Islamic scholars believe that the later revelations abrogated (or overruled) the earlier ones. But when they are in a position of weakness– as they are today in America– Muslims like to cite the peaceful verses."

"I would say that today the spirit of the secular Enlightenment– which rejects God altogether, and encourages us to worship ourselves– is far more dangerous to our souls than a world religion that is devoted to worshiping the same God as Christians and Jews, albeit in a partial, somewhat primitive and distorted manner," said Kreeft, a Boston College philosophy professor and author of numerous works of apologetics.

For more info, a review and a video, click here.

ONE THOUSAND MILES!

Last Thanksgiving 2009 my son Jesse suggested we run 1,000 in one year. We set up a chart (click here) and started keeping track.

I JUST PASSED THE GOAL A FEW DAYS EARLY! Not only that but I crossed our huge milestone on a bridge crossing the Tiber River in Rome! This was exciting since my first book is entitled CROSSING THE TIBER.

To see the map, the pictures and videos of my 7.2 mile run through Rome, click here.

Run Chart and Updates

UPDATE 11-16-10: Wow! I just passed the 1,000 mile mark in Rome. See the blog with maps, photos, and videos.

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UPDATE 4-16-10: I just passed the 400 mile mark with an 8.4 mile run through Jerusalem! My son Jesse is right behind me. We are having fun racing against the chart.

ORIGINAL POST: At the end of 2008 the doctor told me I was on track to never see my grandkids grow up. He gave me pills to take for cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose. I said, "Nope, I am going to do this the right way — with a change of diet and exercise."

So I started a new lifestyle with a "homemade program" which really worked (described here). Starting January 1, 2009 I began to "heal myself" with food and exercise. My whole family joined the fun!

I lost 30 pounds. Cholesterol dropped to normal healthy levels. Blood pressure and glucose dropped to normal too.

Then on November 27, 2010 my son Jesse and I decided to run 1,000 miles in one year — and to ride our bikes 1,000 miles in a year. You can follow our progress with the chart to the right which is updated daily.

We are on track with running! But we can't ride bikes in the winter in Michigan (got catching up to do this summer)!

We update this chart daily so you can track our progress. Plus you can check out all the different places I have run around the world with lots of pictures here at EveryTrail.

Grand Finale to our St. Paul Pilgrimage & Cruise

The final video and Grand Finale for our St. Paul Cruise and Pilgrimage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-YFI5TnNK8

Rage at Naked Scanners and Patdowns

PILOTS, PASSENGERS RAGE AT NEW NAKED SCANNERS, PATDOWNS…

I will join them!

Click to view story:

http://www.infowars.com/big-sis-forced-to-respond-to-nationwide-revolt-against-tsa/

MORE: Click to view story of a man who refused:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/15/california.airport.security/index.html

One hundred Naked Citizens; one hundred leaked body scans: http://gizmodo.com/5690749/

Walking with Peter and Paul in Rome

On our last day following St. Paul we finished at his tomb for Mass.

But first we had the best ever private tour of the Sistine Chapel, visited the tomb of Pope John Paul II And enjoyed the glory of St. Peters Basilica.

Then to St. Paul Outside the Walls where the remains of his bones are under the high altar with his chains of imprisonment in clear view.

Enjoy the video and join us for a virtual tour.

Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMv4zfEpQIo

Pope's Blessing, Catacombs & more! What a day!

First full day in Rome. Our group had a great day. I've captured it on video so you can share it with us.

Started out with a great breakfast before our tour of the Ancient Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

The highlight was seeing Pope Benedict at St. Peters for his noon Angelus and Papal Blessing.

After a six course lunch at Cecilia Metella Restaurant on the Via Appia we toured the Catacombs of Callixtus and celebrated Mass deep under ground.

Everyone is now back to our hotel and scattering to shop and find a cafe for dinner. Banner day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9qXAmq4c4g

To see my run thru Rome early this morning, click here: http://t.co/i6v9Zm6

Walking with Peter and Paul in Rome

PILOTS, PASSENGERS RAGE AT NEW NAKED SCANNERS, PATDOWNS…

I will join them!

Click to view story:

http://www.infowars.com/big-sis-forced-to-respond-to-nationwide-revolt-against-tsa/

MORE: Click to view story of a man who refused:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/15/...

Protesting TSAs Naked Scanners and Invasive Patdowns

PILOTS, PASSENGERS RAGE AT NEW NAKED SCANNERS, PATDOWNS…

I will join them!

Click to view story:

http://www.infowars.com/big-sis-forced-to-respond-to-nationwide-revolt-against-tsa/