MARANATHA -- COME, LORD, BE WITH US

Today is the New Year's for the Christian World with the beginning of Advent. Today all Christians are asked to look inside their hearts and to renew their commitment to really live the Christian life as Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave as a loving example to each of His followers. Waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was the HOPE of all of God's people as expressed through each of the Prophets that foretold the coming of Emmanuel, God with us. His first coming was the First Christmas more than 2000 years ago. His humble beginnings were in poverty, but HIS WEALTH OF LOVE WAS ABUNDANT to all of His followers. He came as an embryo, a fetus, an unborn baby, and then as a baby born of poor but loving parents. His Mother, Mary, and His foster Father, Joseph, were living examples of what God's love can accomplish for all of His followers who say, "Yes," to His invitation to live a life of Faith, Hope, and Love. AND HIS KINGDOM WILL HAVE NO END, AND HE SAID, "I WILL BE WITH YOU ALL DAYS UNTIL THE END OF TIME."

With all of the hustle and bustle of the secular world to buy presents for gifts for their family, their friends, and their many acquaintances, the BEST PRESENT OF ALL DURING THIS ADVENT SEASON is to prepare for the SECOND COMING OF THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD for each one of us. WE KNOW NOT THE DAY NOR THE HOUR WHEN THE SON OF MAN WILL VISIT HIS PEOPLE AND CALL THEM BACK TO HIM. Yet, every day is an opportunity to recommit and to rededicate ourselves to the GLORY OF THE HOLY TRINITY, THE HONOR OF MARY, AND FOR THE SALVATION OF SOULS especially our own soul and those souls entrusted to our care. Our growth in holiness, in spiritual formation, and in converting our environments to God's ways demands that we renew the face of this earth through the power of the Most Holy Spirit and the spirit of the Good News that we have received since the First Christmas. "What does it profit a person to gain the whole world but then lose his/her own soul?" Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. HIS KINGDOM COME, HIS WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. O COME, O COME EMMANUEL!

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON -- 2008

On this Black Friday established by the secular society throughout the United States, many persons will be seeking and maybe finding the object of their affections and their enthusiasm to spend hours prior to waiting and waiting and waiting. What are they waiting for, you say? They are looking for bargains, for ways of saving "money," and for any reason to escape the real reason for the season. Of course the marketers prefer the term, "Black Friday" versus "Red Friday" because of what being in the red indicates. Of course, consumers are asked to buy on CREDIT and any other gimmick that will entice the consumer to VOTE for their products or services. YOUR VOTE ALWAYS COUNTS!

Even in the word, "Credit," you will find the word "RED." When you buy on credit now, you will pay much more later. There are better plans that encourage consumers to LAYAWAY their choices, and fit their buying habits into their actual, liveable budget. Using credit wisely works well in the long run. But, try telling that to the many individuals who bought products and services on CREDIT in the past and who now are unable to meet their current financial obligations. There are many respectable Credit Counseling Services that will assist the overcharged consumers with a viable method to resolve their debt effectively and efficiently.

So what is the real reason for the season? Is it to go deeper into debt? Is it to buy out of luxury rather than out of necessity? Have the consumers really come to grips with their standard of living versus their scale of living? There is a big difference. Foreclosures are occurring because greedy financiers extended CREDIT beyond what the consumers were actually able to resolve over time. To shop around for the best possible options takes time, but time is your money. The cycle for poor choices by consumers has to end soon. There are too many scams out there that prey on the vulnerability of "shaky" and misguided consumers. Be a smart consumer. If the idea sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. Beware of "foxes" dressed in "sheep" clothing.

Are you still seeking the reason for the season? Break away from the secular atmosphere for a moment and breathe the air of God's plan for your life, if you give God a chance. Your loving Creator never lets you down, but He allows you to make choices because He gave you FREE WILL and a CONSCIENCE. Both are good features in your life. However, when you allow the world, the flesh, and the devil to dictate how you are to live, then you risk the loss of understanding the REASON FOR THE SEASON.

For many persons who have been seeking the Uncaused Cause of their human existence, meditation and reflection will lead to the TRUTH. For many persons, their NEW BEGINNINGS start on this coming Sunday when they will recognize the ADVENT of their lives. They will spend the ADVENT SEASON as a SPIRITUAL PREPARATION for the memorial of the FIRST CHRISTMAS in which God came to earth and became a human being to show how much LOVE HE is willing to GIVE to show HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for all of HIS CREATION. YES, LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS! GOD IS LOVE!

A THANKSGIVING TRIBUTE TO ALL AMERICAN FAMILIES 2008

With all of the negative news that has been broadcasted through the national media, the American Family is alive and well even with all of the challenges that they are facing in the 21st Century. To reach their successful Ladder of Achievement of 100 percent..."We did it," the American traditional family will be celebrating this Thanksgiving Day, 2008, with an economy that has gone the "roller-coaster ride" for much of 2008. For all American Families who are striving to live within their means and to plan positively for the forseeable future, there will be budget restraints that will be taken in stride for most American Families. The climb up the Ladder of Achievement for all American Families will be challenged in the next couple of years to have faith and confidence in a Republic that allows many freedoms that do not exist in other parts of the world. IN GOD WE TRUST will be the battlecry and the surge that will make the difference. "And they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights and among these are LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS." (Declaration of Independence, 1776, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)


In many parts of our wonderful Country, many American families will be homeless, unemployed, underemployed, and ignored by the greed that some individuals who could care less for the sacredness and the dignity of the human spirit. On the other hand, there will be many private volunteers who will step up and make a difference by their courageous generosity to provide for those unfortunate people who need the care and the attention that they deserve. "When did I see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you a drink? When did I ever see you a stranger and welcomed you in my home, or naked and clothe you? When did I ever see you sick or in prison, and visited you? ...I tell you WHENEVER YOU DID THIS FOR ONE OF THE LEAST IMPORTANT OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU DID IT FOR ME!" (Matthew 25)

In my mail during these past two weeks, my attention was drawn to a prayer that will be appropriate for all American Families to think about on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the next year:

"Good and gracious God, we come before You today united with all who give You thanks and praise. Fill us with gratitude for Your many blessings both physical and spiritual."

"We thank You in particular this day for the gifts of food and family. Bless this food, Lord, that it may nourish our bodies. Bless our family, especially those who can't be with us today. Also today, we remember those of our family who have gone to be with You."

"Grant us Your spiritual blessings and help us pray daily for the grace to serve You in response to Your bountiful gifts to us. Bless all who serve You throughout the World."

"We pray this in the name of Jesus, Your Son, Our Lord, who gives all things freely according to our needs. Continue to bless us and give us Your peace." Amen." (The Marianist Mission, Dayton, Ohio...www.MarianistMission.org)

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A HOLY, A BLESSED, AND A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

AN OPEN THANKSGIVING MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, 43rd PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, FOR YOUR COURAGEOUS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY DURING THESE PAST EIGHT YEARS. ALTHOUGH MANY PRESIDENTS HAVE COME AND GONE OVER THE YEARS WITH DISTINGUISHABLE RECORDS, YOUR LEGACY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAS BEEN TO STAND UP TO YOUR ENEMIES AND SHOW THAT YOU HAVE TRUST IN GOD, IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND IN YOURSELF. We commend your tireless and unselfish commitment to perform your duties as the 43rd President of the United States of America with honor, dignity, valor, respect, and your uncompromising, moral and ethical life principles.

During this THANKSGIVING WEEK in 2008, may God continue to bless you and your family for your desire, dedication, determination, discretion, discernment, and discipline as you did your ordinary tasks in an extraordinary manner. As one American citizen among many, you have my respect and my admiration for meeting the challenges of your Presidency. You brought back the respect for the Office of the Presidency even when others attacked you for your heroic decisions.

As a token of my acknowledgment of your outstanding living and being an honorable Commander-in-Chief in the face of past and present challenges, would you please accept this prayer for your future endeavors:

"O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending in Heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, would you please grant the same Holy Spirit to President George W. Bush that He may perfect in his soul the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant him the Spirit of Wisdom that he may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten President George W. Bush's mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that he may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that he may bear his cross with You, and that he may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose his salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that he may know God and know himself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that President George W. Bush may find the service of God sweet and amiable, the Spirit of Fear (Wonderment and Awe in the Presence of God) that he may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark President George W. Bush with the sign of Your true disciples and animate him in all things with Your Spirit. Amen."

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED AND HOLY AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY 2008. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING LIFE!

THE TRUTH ABOUT STEM CELL RESEARCH (PART 5)

Dr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Yale University and post-doctoral research at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, shares "The 10 Great Myths in the Debate over Stem Cell Research."

"MYTH 1: Stem cells can only come from embryos.

In fact, stem cells can be taken from umbilical cords, the placenta, amniotic fluid, adult tissues, and organs such as bone marrow, fat from liposuction regions of the nose, and even from cadavers up to 20 hours after death."

"MYTH 2: Christians are against stem cell research.

There are four categories of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells, umbilical cord stem cells, and adult stem cells. Given that germ cells can come from miscarriages that involve no deliberate interruption of pregnancy, Christians in general oppose the use of ONLY one of these four categories, i.e., embryonic stem cells. In other words, most Christians approve of three of the four possible types of stem cell research."

"MYTH 3: Embryonic stem cell research has the greatest promise.

Up to now, no human being has ever been cured of a disease using embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, have already cured thousands. For example, bone marrow cells from the hipbone have repaired scar tissue on the heart after heart attacks. Research using adult cells is 20-30 years ahead of embryonic stem cell research and holds greater promise. This is in part because stem cells are part of the natural repair mechanisms of an adult body, while embryonic stem cells do not belong in an adult body (where they are likely to form tumors, and to be rejected as foreign tissue by the recipient). Rather, embryonic stem cells really belong only within in the specialized microenvironment of a rapidly growing embryo, which is a radically different setting than an adult body."

"MYTH 4: Embryonic stem cell research is against the law.

In reality, there is no law or regulation against destroying human embryos for research purposes. While President George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States of America, has banned the use of federal funding to support research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001, it is not illegal. Anyone using private funds is free to pursue it."

"MYTH 5: President George W. Bush created new restrictions to federal funding or embryonic stem cell research.

The 1996 Dickey Amendment prohibited the use of federal funds for research that would involve the DESTRUCTION OF HUMAN EMBRYOS. Bush's decision to permit research on embryonic stem cell lines created before a certain date thus relaxes this restriction from the Clinton Administration."

"MYTH 6: Theraputic cloning and reproductive cloning are fundamentally different from each other.

The creation of cloned embryos, either to make a baby or to harvest cells, occurs by the same series of technical steps. The only difference is what will be done with the cloned human embryo that is produced. Will it be given the protection of a woman's womb in order to be born? OR WILL IT BE DESTROYED FOR ITS STEM CELLS?"

"MYTH 7: Somatic Nuclear cell transfer is different from cloning.

In fact, 'somatic cell nuclear transfer' is simply cloning by a different name. The end result is still a cloned embryo."

"MYTH 8: By doing somatic cell nuclear transfer, we can directly produce tissues or organs without having to clone an embryo.

At the present stage of research, scientists are unable to bypass the creation of an embryo in the production of tissues or organs. In the future it may be possible to inject elements from the cytoplasm of a woman's ovum into a somatic cell to 'reprogram' it into a stem cell. This is called 'de-differentiation." If so, there would be no fundamental moral objection to this approach to getting stem cells, so LONG AS AN EMBRYO IS NOT CREATED."

"MYTH 9: Every body cell, or somatic cell, is somehow an embryo and thus a human life.

People sometimes argue: 'Every cell in the body has the potential to become an embryo. Does that mean that every time we wash our hands and are shedding thousands of cells, we are killing life?' The problem is that this overlooks the basic biological difference between a regular body cell, and one whose nuclear material has been fused with an unfertilized egg cell, resulting in an embryo. A normal skin cell will only give rise to more skin cells when it divides, while an embryo will give rise to the ENTIRE UNIQUE ADULT ORGANISM. Skin cells are not potential adults. Skin cells are potentially only more skin cells. ONLY EMBRYOS ARE POTENTIAL ADULTS (or better put: ADULTS WITH POTENTIAL TO BE SELF-ACTUALIZED)."

"MYTH 10: Because frozen embryos may one day end up being discarded by somebody, that makes it allowable, even laudable, to violate and destroy those embryos.

The moral analysis of what we may permissibly do with an embryo doesn't depend on its otherwise 'going to waste,' nor on the incidental fact that those embryos are 'trapped' in liquid nitrogen. Consider a radical case in which a group of children are permanently trapped in a schoolhouse through no fault of their own; that would not make it morally acceptable to send in a remote control robotic device which would harvest organs from those children and cause their demise."

Thank you, Dr. Tadeuwsz Pacholczyk, Ph.D., for your insights into this most challenging debate for the 21st Century. Will the elected political representatives take the time to do their own research and to discern the proper way of treating HUMAN LIFE, or will they continue to listen to "itching ears" and "false prophets of doom" to be popular for their own agendas and selfish concerns? The time has come to STAND UP AND BE COUNTED and to WALK YOUR TALK. Consider each unique person's future as they develop from conception to natural death. We are all on equal footing when we call ourselves a HUMAN BEING WITH THE POTENTIAL TO MAKE A DIFFERNCE. Allow the progression up the LADDER OF ACHIEVEMENT for each HUMAN BEING to reach the 100 percent plus....I DID IT. RESPECT ALL HUMAN LIFE AS PRICELESS!

THE TRUTH ABOUT STEM CELL RESEARCH (PART 4)

Continuing our series on the TRUTH ABOUT STEM CELL RESEARCH, you will find information on Human Embryos and why those who support Pro-Life efforts are seriously concerned about the attitudes of those who are Pro-Death in America. Will we create a culture of death or a culture of life?

Dr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D in Neuroscience from Yale University, points out the TRUTH that everyone who is willing to listen should understand and respect.

"Where do Human Embryos Come From? From the combining of sperm and egg (fertilization); from embryo splitting (fission); and from somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning)."

"Are Embryos Human? Are they really One of Us?

"Embryos are no different in their essential humanity from a fetus in the womb, a 10-year old boy, or a 100-year old woman. At every stage of development, human beings (whether zygote, blastocyst, embryo, fetus, infant, adolescent, or adult) retain their identity as an enduring being that grows towards its subsequent stage(s); embryos are integral beings structured for maturation along their proper time line. Despite their unfamiliar appearance, EMBRYOS ARE WHAT VERY YOUNG HUMANS LOOK LIKE."

"Isn't it a Matter of Religious Belief as to when human beings begin?

"It is NOT a matter of religious belief, but a matter of BIOLOGY. A human embryo is a HUMAN BEING, a being that is clearly and unmistakably HUMAN. It is not a zebra-type being, a plant-type of being or some other kind of being. EACH OF US WAS ONCE AN EMBRYO, and this affirmation does not depend on religion, belief systems, or imposing anything on anyone. It depends only on a grasp of BASIC BIOLOGY. It is a matter of empirical observation. Once you are constituted a HUMAN BEING (which ALWAYS occurs at fertilization or at an event that mimics fertilization, like cloning), YOU ARE A NEW MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RACE WHO MUST BE PROTECTED UNCONDITIONALLY. The human embryo is a being that is HUMAN, and such beings are INVIOLABLE ENTITIES, because that's what we all directly spring from at the root level."

"Why is the Destruction of Human Embryos Wrong?

"The well-known moral principle that good ends do not justify immoral means applies directly here. ONCE YOU'RE A BEING WHO IS HUMAN, you are the bearer of HUMAN RIGHTS and you should NEVER BE VIOLATED FOR ANY REASON. We know that the HUMAN EMBRYO IS A HUMAN BEING because it possesses an internal code for SELF-ACTUALIZATION and it is an organism with an INDEPENDENT and INHERENT TELEOLOGY (goal-directedness) to develop into an adult. It is physiologically alive and genetically HUMAN. Our existence as human beings is a continuum that extends all the way back to our origins in that humble ball of cells we call an EMBRYO. EACH OF US HAS OUR ORIGINS IN SUCH AN EMBRYO, and therefore HUMAN EMBRYOS should NEVER BE DEPERSONALIZED or INSTRUMENTALIZED for research purposes by STRIP-MINING them for their cells or tissues."

In the upcoming segments, you will learn the TEN GREAT MYTHS in the debate over stem cell research. HUMAN LIFE IS A CONTINUUM FROM CONCEPTION (FERTILIZATION) TO NATURAL DEATH. CHOOSE LIFE! THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN. With the whole truth being revealed, let us CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE and GIVE EACH HUMAN BEING AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR SELF-ACTUALIZATION AND TO REALIZE THEIR ACHIEVEMENT LADDER SUCCESS IN THEIR UNIQUE LIFETIME AT THE 100 PERCENT LEVEL!

THE TRUTH ABOUT STEM CELL RESEARCH (PART 3)

As we continue with Part 3 of our series about the Truth in Stem Cell Research, Dr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D., gives us the whys and wherefores of Embryonic Stem Cells vs. Adult Stem Cells research and applications.

"Why are Adult Stem Cells Preferable to Embryonic Stem Cells?

"Adult stem cells are a 'natural' solution. They naturally exist in our bodies, and they provide a natural repair mechanism for many tissues of our bodies. They belong in the microenvironment of an adult body, while embryonic stem cells belong in the microenvironment of the early embryo, not in an adult body, where they tend to cause tumors and immune system reactions. Most importantly, adult stem cells have already been successfully used in human therapies for many years. NO therapies in humans have ever been successfully carried out using embryonic stem cells. New therapies using adult type stem cells, on the other hand, are being developed all the time. There are many examples of success stories using adult stem cells."

"Treatments from Adult Stem Cells"

"Spinal Cord Injury, Leukemia, Krabbe's Leukodystrophy, Parkinson's Disease examples show the use of Adult Stem Cells that have been successful for the following patients: Laura Dominquez, Patrizia Durante, Gina Rugari, and Dennis Turner. (details on request)" There are many other documented examples of successful adult stem cells usage to this very day.


"IS STEM CELL RESEARCH ETHICAL?"

Most types of stem cell research are morally acceptable and laudable. Only research using EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS RAISES INSUPERABLE MORAL OBJECTIONS. An ethical overview:

"Embryonic Stem Cells -- ALWAYS MORALLY OBJECTIONABLE, because the human embryo MUST BE DESTROYED in order to harvest its stem cells.

"Embryonic Germ Cells -- MORALLY OBJECTIONABLE when utilizing fetal tissue derived from ELECTIVE ABORTIONS, but morally acceptable when utilizing material from SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS (MISCARRIAGES) if the parents give informed consent.

"Umbilical Cord Stem Cells -- MORALLY ACCEPTABLE, since the umbilical cord is no longer required once the delivery has been completed.

"Placentally-Rerived Stem Cells -- MORALLY ACCEPTABLE, since the afterbirth is no longer required after the delivery has been completed.

"Adult Stem Cells -- MORALLY ACCEPTABLE, assuming informed consent from the adult donor."

As we travel up the Achievement Ladder of Success in Stem Cell Research, we will find documented proof that Adult Stem Cell Usage has been extremely successful with many patients over the years. When we start to explore Embryonic Stem Cell Usage, we are ignoring the respect and the dignity that the sacredness of human life demands and requires of an informed citizenry. MAKING THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS has never been a good reason to risk DESTROYING HUMAN LIFE AT ANY AGE OF EXISTENCE, DEPENDENCY, OR RESIDENCY. HUMAN LIFE IS A CONTINUUM FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH.