"SON OF GOD" - THE MOVIE PREMIERES TODAY..............

ARIZONA GOVERNOR BREWER VETOES ANTI EQUAL RIGHTS TOWARD HOMOSEXUALS LAW..............

IS VITAL LEGISLATION STILL POSSIBLE IN THIS MIDTERM ELECTION YEAR ? PRESIDENT OBAMA AND SPEAKER BOEHNER MEET..............

POPE FRANCIS REFORMING VATICAN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT WITH NEW SECRETARIAT FOR THE ECONOMY..............

RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE WEST'S SUPPORT FOR THE UKRAINE OPPOSITION..............

WORD AND EUCHARIST ON THIS SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME..............

POPE FRANCIS PRESIDES OVER HIS FIRST CONSISTORY OF NEW CARDINALS..............

SCRUTINY MOUNTING ON NEWARK NJ ARCHBISHOP'S OSTENTASCIOUS RESIDENCE EXPANSION..............

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS INITIAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENROLLMENTS MAY ONLY BE MORE THAN 1 MILLION UNDER GOAL NEXT MONTH..............

POLITICAL UNREST VIOLENCE AND GOVERNMENT COUP ATTEMPT IN THE UKRAINE..............

AMERICAN GOLD MEDAL FOR OLYMPIC ICE DANCING IN SOCHI..............

FOR

PRESIDENTS' DAY USA - A DAY OF RECOGNITION IN RESPECT TO TWO + FORTY TWO MORE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS..............

LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY COMMEMORATING THE SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT THE PRESERVER OF OUR UNION..............

Teamed with George Washington, the President's Day Holiday weekend celebrates all the Presidents in the history of the United States of America, even as it also commemorates Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President from March 4, 1861 - April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is remembered and affirmed with a presidential primacy closely akin to that President Washington, for the wisdom and resoluteness of intention with which he persevered in overseeing and addressing the secession of Southern States and the War Between the States that threatened the permanence of our Union.  President Lincoln only the second nominee and first elected Republican occupant of The White House, weathered the political. electoral, and civil, entanglements and obstacles that confronted him and his Administration, confronted for re-election in 1864, by three major opponents, while he took a Democratic Party Vice Presidential running mate, to form a National Unity re-election campaign ticket.  Assassinated six weeks into his second term as the 16th President, at 56 uears old - Lincoln's leadership in maintaining the fullness of our unity as a Nation, prevailed beyond his death and has become a lasting legacy of his Presidency, 150 years later.  The Successful Preserver and Great Emanicipator, the United States and the World needs more political and governmental leaders of the stature and determination President Abraham Lincoln exhibited and contributed to furthering the continuation of the one, indivisible, United States..............fr.tdp

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY HONORING OUR FIRST PRESIDENT AND FATHER OF THE COUNTRY..............

George Washington a gentleman farmer of what was described as the Virginia middling class born in Westmoreland County on February 22, 1732, he inherited his family's fortune and their plantation estate of Mount Vernon.  He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, and in 1775, was elected to the Continental Congress.  He led the Continental Army in battle against the British as a Revolutionary War General, returning to Mount Vernon until the Constitutional Congress in 1787.  George Washington's highly respected personal, political, military, and diplomatic, abilities won him acclaim, and the unanimous  support of his colleagues, who elected him the First President of the United States, the only one of 44 U.S. Presidents to date ever to garner all of the votes of the Electoral College.  Inagurated President in New York City at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789; Washington served two four year terms as our 1st President, until March 3, 1797, when his Vice President John Adams was elected and inaugurated as his successor.  George Washington retired to Mount Vernon, where he died on December 14, 1799, at age 67.  An extensive slave owner, Washington's last act was to release all his slaves upon his death.  As we mark this President's Day weekend we remember his Birthday, 281 years ago and a life of service and leadership that gained him recognition as the, "Father of Our Country"..............fr.tdp

VALENTINE'S DAY - A DATE FOR LOVE OR MORE A DAY OF COMMERCE ?..............

The Sacred Scriptures  of the New Testament and our Catholic-Christian Faith teach us the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love.  And St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:13 writes..."Faith, Hope, and Love, and the  greatest of these is, Love".  We Believe, "God Is Love", and the highest attainment of every Human is to, "Love Our Neighbor As We Love Ourselves".  Therefore, the affirmation, celebration, and observance, of Love is to be admired and emulated.  Today is St. Valentine's Day, a date focusing on affectionate and romantic love and extending the generosity of remembrance and self giving friendship in outreach to others.  Valentine cards, gifts, flowers, candy, dinners, are all traditions marking February 14th.  They are good and commendable acts of thoughtfulness.  But they are secondary non essentials to the true meaning of this annual commemoration of Human Love.  for Valentine's Day is far more than just a day for buying expensive gifts of roses, chocolates, or costly, overflowing, restaurant meals. It is the  simple, personal, thoughtfulness and affection we show in remembering our loved ones that fulfill and exemplify the Theological Virtue of Love in our Human Experience of Valentine's Day.  Do what you can realistically do to signify your Love instead of what you feel commercially pressured to give or do today.  And  with what you save in cost, if possible cook a personal meal for your loved one(s) and truly celebrate this Feast of Love by savoring the time you spend with your Valentine.(s)..............fr.tdp

REMEMBERING SID CAESAR PIONEER TELEVISION COMEDY LEGENDLONG BEFORE THERE WAS A SNL..............

Milton Berle, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, George Burns, and Gracie Allen.  These were seven of the pioneers of comedy on television who shaped the place of the comedic genre in the early  days of television from 1948 into the 1950's.  Also among them was a younger performer who beginning on February 25, premiered a groundbreaking comedy variety show,"Your Show Of Shows", that would make him, his co-stars, and writer hugely popular and iconic luminaries in comedy entertanment.  He is Sid  Caesar, who died on Wednesday at age 91.  For over four years Sid Caesar made Saturday bights on NBC TV, a place of innovative comedy sketches and send ups of funny dialects.  His comedy variety show also shone a spotlight on performers such as Imogene Coca and Howard Morris, and some times featured some of his caravan of comedy writers, including Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks.  Caesar revolved into a second successful series, "Caesar's World", from 1954-1957. and with the departure of Coca for her own tv series, was joined by Nanette Fabray.  Among the many honors given to him as a comedian were 2 Emmys for Best Actor in a Comedy Series in 1952 and 1958; induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1985; The TV Land Pioneer Award in 2006; and the Television Critics Career Achievement 2001; / Lifetime Achievement 2011; Awards.  His contribution to Comedy entertainment on television, stage, and screen provides a lasting legacy, as he now joins in eternity Berle, Ball,Hope, Benny, Skelton,Burns and Allen, in the gift of Laughter they perfectly possessed on earth..............fr.tdp

GOD'S COMMANDMENTS THE MORAL LIFE AND BEGINNING OF ANN END OF LIFE CONCERNS FOR CATHOLIC-CHRISTIANS..............

As we continue the Sacred Heart R.C.I.A. Teachings sessions on the Ten  Commandments and Living of the Moral Life as Catholic-Christians, we had a guest presenter last week speaking on the 5th Commandment, "You Shall Not Kill".  Parishioner, Dr. Steven McCurdy, M.D., led a presentation and discussion on the topic and the Church's teaching on how we observe the 5th Commandment particularly in regards to the dignity and respect we are to show to the Beginning of Life, and why we oppose Abortion.  This week Msgr. Walton gives a presentation on the 6th and 9th Commandments, "You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor's Wife", (or Husband); and "You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor's Goods".  These 2 Commandments teach us the moral and righteous virtue of avoiding selfishness and undue/illicit desire for what is not ours.  Then Rita Spillane will introduce a PBS "Frontline" Production on End of Life Experiences and Decisions faced by both terminal patients and their families and proxies, and we will discuss how we approach those experiences as Christian Disciples.  All of these vital concerns to the Faith Journey we are called to embrace and share..............Father Troy David

OUR LADY OF LOURDES DAY IS WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SICK..............

Today's Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes commemorating the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary yo the young girl Bernadette, announcing herself as the Immaculate Conception, one of only two Marian apparitions the Catholic Church has officially substantiated, we focus our prayers and charitable concern toward all who are sick.  Indeed it is the World Day of Prayer For the Sick, a date when the communal conferral of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is rightly celebrated in parishes and dioceses.  If not communally celebrated today many parishes schedule a Parish Anointing of the Sick Service during the Lenten and Advent Seasons. If you, a family member, friend, or fellow parishioner , needs to receive the Anointing of the Sick check with your parish or Hospital to schedule having the Sacrament administered. Also remember the ill, infirm, diseased, and disabled, in your prayers and by visiting and offering to assist them and by recommending their need for healing and empowerment to any prayer groups you belong to or are aware of.  These are some of the beneficial ways we can further the purposes and fruitfulness of the World Day of Prayer For the Sick continuously throughout the year.............. A Blessed Parish Feast Day to thhe People of God in Our Lady of Lourdes Community of Believers in Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda / Elverta / Robla / Sacramento..............fr.tdp

HIGH RATINGS FOR THE SOCHI OLYMPIC GAMES OVER OPENING WEEKEND..............

The American television ratings for the 22nd Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia; on NBC TV are solidly in first place over all other broadcasts, even though overall viewership is down from the Vancouver Olympics four years ago.  Sunday night's prime time viewership concluding the opening weekend of the competition underscores the dominant strength of the Olympics appeal versus all comers.  Opposite CBS' "60 Minutes", 'The Grammy Special Saluting 50 Years of the Beatles Coming to America', and a rerun of the freshman comedy series, "The Millers", The Sochi Olympics scored an audience of more than 26 million viewers, doubling the 13 million viewers for the Beatles Special. Whether any other counter programming can do better against the international athletic juggernaut is highly unlikely, virtually assuring NBC'S nightly ratings prevalence during the two and a half weeks of the Winter Olympics and victory in the February Sweeps Month Ratings competition that drive television advertising costs in prime time..............fr.tdp 

THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME AND ENCOMPASSING BEING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST..............

On this 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time the Sacred Scriptures proclaimed from the Common Lectionary at Catholic Masses and other mainline Christian Worship Services are centered around the theme of Light and how we as Disciples of Jesus have the ability to be the Light of Christ to others.  It is the message of Isaiah the Prophet in today's First  Reading.  Isaiah 58:7-10; describes what Believers are capable of accomplishing for the Common Good when we are willing and ready to share the bread we possess personally and generously with the afflicted and struggling.  That generous sharing allows us to embrace the rising of the Light that vanquishes the darkness and be prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom who will bring us to the Wedding Feast of Eternal Life. The Gospel of Matthew 5:13-16; adds the seasoning of being Salt as well as Light in our Discipleship Journey, permitting us to Witness and Evangelize with flavor not blandness, so that our Faithfulness and Fidelity shine ever brightly for others to see and choose to embrace and follow. As you proactively respond to the message of these Sunday Scriptures what actions or attitudes do you need to positively adjust, so as to embrace the Holy Spirit's invitation to this Enlightened Way of Life as Followers of Jesys The Christ ?..............Father Troy David

JIMMY FALLON READIES TO WALK ACROSS THE HALL AND INTO INTO BEING HOST OF THE TONIGHT SHOW..............

New York native  Jimmy Fallon, the 39 year old  comedian, 'Saturday Night Live' alumnus who has hosted the 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' show at 12:35 a.m. on NBC, for the past five years finished his last program of that broadcast Friday night /Saturday morning in concert with the Muppets and walking into a last show congratulatory party, as he prepares to take a short walk across 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City and become the successor of Jay Leno, on the venerable 60 year NBC "Tonight Show".  Fallon, will premiere as star of the,"Tonight Show", on Monday February, following the closing of the Winter Olympics.  He joins David Letterman on CBS; and Jimmy Kimmel on ABC; late night talk show ratings competition.  He will certainly appeal to the young adult audience, while expected to maintain the middle age viewers.  He inherits the host chair with the show in first place in the timeslot to build or shrink from.  Becoming the 6th Host of the, "Tonight Show", and will bring the show back to New York and the same 30 Rock studio Steve Allen, Jack Paar, and Johnny Carson originally hosted the, "Tonight Show", from 1954-1972. I found Fallon's 12:35 a.m. show to be a perfect segue way to moving into the one hour earlier broadcast and format.  I also delighted in his gratitude especially his acknowledgement of David Letterman and Paul Schaffer, who originated the. "Late Night"show in 1982, and with whom he will now go head to head at 11:35 pm R=Eastern and Pacific, 10:35 pm, Central and Mountain times, Monday through Freiday..............fr.tdp

JAY LENO'S FINAL FINAL NBC TONIGHT SHOW AFTER 22 YEARS AS HOST..............

Comedian Jay Leno hosted his final "Tonight Show" Thursday ending a 22 year run, that was disrupted for nine months by his termination in favor of Conan O'Brien; a failed four month, five nights a week 10 p.m. 'Jay Leno Show'.  Now at age 64, NBC Television decided to replace Leno yet again witha younger man, Jimmy Fallon, who has followed Leno as the host of the "Late Night" show.  Leno was not ready to hand over his hosting of the 'Tonight Show', but has been accepting and welcoming of Fallon as the months of his tenure  wound down.  On his final show tonight Jay Leno invited and welcomed back his very first guest on May 25, 1992, comedian/actor Billy Crystal, who led a heartfelt look back and tributte to Leno, that included a rendering of the song Goodbye, Farewell, Auf Widersehen", from the 'Sound Of Music"; which included Crystal, Carol Burnett, Oprah Winfrey, among others saluting Jay.  As his last musical act Garth Brooks performed and the show crescendo came with Leno's emotional farewell speech acknowledging his share in the "Tonight Show"'s 60 year legacy; speaking of the rival he bested for the program, competitor David Letterman, and recalling Johnny Carson and using his closing words 22 years ago as his own now, "I bid you all a fond goodnight".  On CBS, David Letterman bid Leno, a classy happy retirement and joked if he were Leno he would buy a car !, alluding to Leno's well known car collection.  For now Jay Leno will continue performing stand up comedy, which he has continued doing over the duration he has hosted the "Tonight Show", and dismisses the idea of going to another network.  Meanwhile the NBC Television Network President has said they have hopes of Jay continuing with NBC, hosting Specials and other programs..............fr.tdp

THE 2014 SOCHI WINTER OLYMPICS WILL START TWICE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT.............

The 2014 Winter Olympics about to open in Socchi Russia, has set off a firestorm of  protest regarding the discriminatory governmental policies and practices towards homosexuals by President Vladimir Putin.. That has led the Obama Administration not to  send a high ranking current  official as head of the American Delegation to the Olympics in Socchi, but tapped former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, now President of the University of California system,to lead the delegation which includes a number of gay and lesbian American athletes and previous Olympians.  Whatever the human conditions and politics, the Socchi 2014 Winter Olympics which President predicts will be the biggest Olympics ever, will begin today and premiere on prime time American television tonight, with coverage of two of the dozen new sports being added at these Winter Olympics.  However, the official Opening Ceremonies will take place tomorrow and air on the NBC Television Network in primetme.  So come what may - the Socchi Olympics are upon us and despite controversy will be played to what given the ratings for Olympics past will almost certainly draw a gargantuan viewing audience on television, cable, and satellite, domestically and internationally..............fr.tdp

CVS-CAREMARK PHARMACIES ANNOUNCES BAN OF CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO SALES FROM THEIR STORES NATIONWIDE..............

A trailblazing announcement was made today by the American national chain store CVS Pharmacies, declaring the removal and ban on Tobacco products from their sales inventory. CVS-Caremark is the second largest drug store chain in the United States, with 7,600 pharmacies nationwide.  The move will remove cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, from all their stores by October 1st of this year.  CVS annually sells $1.5 billion in tobacco products and the ban is projected to cost them $2 billion.  In a statement announcing the decision to ban tobacco sales CVS-Caremark  spokesmen said by doing so they will be,"better able to focus on health care".  What impact CVS' tobacco ban will have on Walgreen's, Rite Aid, and other national drug store chains and whether they will follow suit, now becomes a primary question..............fr.tdp

A DECADE OF FACEBOOK - IT STARTED TEN YEARS AGO TODAY..............

In a dorm room at Harvard University, classmates Mark Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes, and Eduardo Saverin, created a breakthrough in social networking on the Internet that has become a global phenomenon - Facebook.  It has become a means of communication that now numbers in excess of 1 billion members.  Like hundreds of my friends and acquaintances, I am glad to have a Facebook page by which I communicate and share and receive their latest updates.  For the past six years my Facebook page has helped me stayed connected with others who are important to me through the periods of my transplant, amputation, and involuntary exile.  Kudos to Mark Zuckerberg and his associates for providing us this truly remarkable means of bringing the global village ever closer.  Happy 10th Anniversary Facebook..............fr.tdp

THE RIGHT AND JUST IMPERATIVE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE DISABLED..............

The Rights of the Disabled in our society is much more than a momentary trend, it is steeped in a four decade plus effort on the part of caring, conscientious, and committed, citizens of the United States and the World, to giving persons with Special Needs the equal opportunity for full accessibility and inclusiveness in all facets of life, without limitations and discrimination.  The 2006 United Nations Convention on Persons With Disabilities is but one of the most recent efforts to assure the Human Rights of those with Special Needs are treated fairly, justly, and equally, by all, without exception or excuse.  It is rooted in the 1975 U.N. Declaration on the Disabled; and reflects the commitment ingrained in law, by the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act,  It also furthers the prophetic 1978 Statement of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Ministry to Persons With Disabilities.  It is imperative that the U.N. Convention be adopted by the Nations of the World to further the effectiveness of the explicit challenge to every individual and institution globally, to eradicate all vestiges of ignorance, insensitivity, prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion, in responsiveness, accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment of Disabled Persons with Special Needs.  This includes both the Federal Government and the Catholic Church in the United States both which have committed themselves to an appreciable degree but with the need to move forward in furthering the full human rights of the Disabled.  The U.S. States Senate needs to ratify the U,N. Convention, and the Catholic Church needs to extend and verify the true reality of Ministry to and with Persons With Disabilities by proceeding to equalize the opportunity and inclusion of those of us who have Special Needs and who possess a Human and Baptismal Right to full, active, and conscious, participation in the life of our Church and the Christian Faith..............Fr. Troy David

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2014 IS THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD..............

On what is the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, today February 2nd, is the Feast of the  Presentation of the Lord, commemorating Mary and Joseph's fidelity to the Jewish Law in presenting the firstborn male to God in the Temple, forty days after his birth.  The presentation and dedication of the 40 day old infant Jesus of Nazareth is also a prophetically affirming occasion, as the presence and proclamations of Simeon and Anna in the Temple underscore when he is brought there.  Catholic-Christians also traditionally refer to February 2, as 'Candlemas Day', being the day each year when the candles we use for Mass and other liturgies are blessed, which represent the presence of the Lord Jesus as light to us and the Nations.  How are you and your Discipleship in Jesus as the Lord of Salvation in the Redemption of Humankind encouraged and sustained by the message  of today's Sunday Scriptures ?  What will you do to selflessly present yourself to God and others, especially in response to the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable, as each of us strives to be Faithful Witnesses to Jesus The Christ our Lord and our God ?..............Father Troy David

DESPITE HIS DENIALS DID GOVERNOR CHRISTIE KNOW ABOUT THE BRIDGE CLOSURES IN SEPTEMBER ?..............

Yesterday, a further development in the George Washington Bridge lane closures last September brought about by officials of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's Administration was alleged by the attorney for former Port Authority Director David Wildstein, writing in a lette released to the New York Times stating, the order to close the Bridge was, "the Christie Administration's order"...continuing, "evidence exists as well tying Mr. Christie to having knowledge of the lane closures, during the period the lanes were closed, contrary to what the Governor stated publicly in a two hour news conference".  Wildstein's attorney also wrote that the former Port Authority official, "contests the accuracy of various statements the Governor has made about him and can prove the inaccuracy of some".  Governor Christie responded in a written statement late Friday afternoon attesting, "Mr. Wildstein's lawyer confirms what the Governor has said all along - he had absolutely no prior knowledge of the lane closures before they happened and whatever Mr. Wildstein's motivations were for closing them to begin with".  The two investigations into the Bridge closures by the New Jersey Legislature and the F.B.I., are continuing and the unfolding of findings into what and when Governor Christie knew about the  September occurrence, are sure to remain intense, uncertaint as of now is whether there is concrete evidence to back up the allegation made yesterday, or if it is only immunity from prosecution shopping.  can potentially adversely cost him - his Chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association; his viability as a 2016 Presidential  Candidate; or even the continuation of his Governorship..............fr.tdp