DELIGHTING WITH THE DAHLBERGS AT LA ROSA BLANCA............

In the lead up to my going to Phoenix next Tuesday for my 3rd Year Transplant Evaluation, Irene and Ted Dahlberg took to me to lunch today at La Rosa Blanca Restaurant on Fulton Avenue, their first time there and my return visit back after eight months away.  Jeremy was working today so it was a double treat delighting in LRB's delicious food and having the chance to see Jeremy and a picture of his eight and a half month old son.  Joe Gibson has just called and invited me to go down to Peet's with him before dinner.  Ruth Rosenberg may join us.  Each of these outings and others are welcome visits with valued friends I am truly blessed to have and who care enough about my socializing beyond these walls while I am away from parish life, to provide these opportunities to get out regularly and maintain a degree of normalcy during this abnormal time.  My gratitude to Ted and Irene, Joe and Ruth, the McNamaras, the Penningtons, among other cherished and faithful friends, who I appreciate ever greater............Fr.  Troy

LUNCHING AT THE BON LAIR WITH MY FRIEND J. PATRICK MCNAMARA............

Joe McNamara came by this afternoon and took me to lunch down the street at the Bon Lair Pub, where we caught up on things and had an enjoyable visit.  It was great to breakaway for an hour or two, and and  spend some quality time together as we have so many times over the past twenty five from my Ordination/First Mass weekend, to his going with me on my 1987 visit to Ireland and his active participation in my Silver Jubilee celebration three months ago.  He and his wife Deb, along with the entire McNamara Family have been, and continue to be, very good friends and supporters; especially now when their friendship means even more to me interpersonally, spiritually, and socially.  Father Steve Avella also stopped in for a friendly and fraternal hello, with a former student of his who is now a Bishop.  As always, seeing and speaking with Steve brightens and enriches my day as he is an inspiring and outstanding priest............Fr.  Troy

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY HOLYDAY AND A 60TH PRIESTLY JUBILEE............

On this Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we commemote Catholic-Christian belief that the pure and predestined Mother of God's Son, Jesus Christ who was preserved from sin from the moment of her conception, was also preserved at the end of her earthly life from the grave by being assumed into Heaven, Body and Soul. It has been the centuries old faith tradition of faithful believers that she dwells whole and complete as  Queen of God's Kingdom forever in Eternal Life with the Communion of Saints.  Today, is also the 60th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Reverend Father Cipriano Ramos, who is a retired priest of the Sacramento Diocese living here at Mercy McMahon Terrace.  Bishop Jaime Soto, joined by Bishops Emeritus William Weigand and Francis Quinn,  will join Father Ramos and other priests, in concelebrating his Diamond Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving.  The visiting Chef Tony is back again tonight for another of his splendid dinners.  The menu tonight being Roast Pork / Roast Turkey, which means a more filling portion of my favorite food, breast of turkey.  Here's hoping your midde of August summer day is a blessed one............Fr.  Troy

TODAY IN REVIEW : NEW FLOOR, ROOM SERVICE, OUT OF ORDER ELEVATOR............

Today was an out of the ordinary day here at Mercy McMahon.  The Dining Room floor was renovated  with the previous carpeting removed and and a new wooden floor installed.  The work on the Dining room floor necessitated eating Breakfast and Lunch in our rooms.  We were told Dinner would be served as usual, in the Dining Room at  5 p.m.  Therefore, I was in my room until the late afternoon, when Joe Gibson called and invited me to go with him to Peet's, for one of our regular coffee chats.  I agreed to meet him downstairs at the front entrance as usual, and left my room in my wheelchair at 3:58 p.m., and rolled the few feet across the hall to the elevator.  Sitting there reaching to push the button, I saw a sign posted above the buttons, reading Out of Order.  Unaware until then there was a problem with accessing the elevator, I returned to my room and called Joe to inform him I could not come to meet him for coffee at Peet's.  As I thoroughly enjoy these breakaways with him and other friends when they invite me, I was disappointed and sorry to have to let Joe down.  I learned an hour later, when at 5 o'clock it was time to go to dinner, that the North Elevator was still out of order, and others gathered at the elevator said we should go to the South Elevator, which fortunately was in operation.  If I had known to do that an hour earlier, Peet's with Joe would still have happened.  The new wood Dining Room floor is brilliantly beautuful and brightens the room.  I was very happy to see that the tables have been rearranged so that there is more space between the table I sit at and the one behind us.  The passage between us is now widened, which I very gladly welcome, as I have been bumped into sitting in the wheelchair at my table almost daily, the past five months - by residents and staff alike; and multiple times a day at lunch and dinner, in the past two weeks.  So welcome to the wider pathway !  As the day ends, it has been different from most of the predictable, "same 'ol, same 'ol, hanging out and hanging in", days as I say about my time here in involuntary exile from parish life and priestly ministry.  Next week I travel to Phoenix / Scottsdale, Arizona for my 3rd Annual Kidney Transplant Evaluation at the Mayo Clinic.  I look forward to the time away and then the Republican and Democratic National Conventions the following two weeks, a nice change in my daily routine at present............Fr.  Troy  

ASSAD REGIME COLLAPSING ACCORDING TO DEFECTING SYRIAN PRIME MINISTER............

The persecution against the Syrian people by the military forces of President Bashar al Assad, which has resulted in outright violence throughout much of the country as the Assad Government contends with an insurgency of Syrians fighting for control of the country which has intensified in recent months, led this month to the defection of the sitting Prime Minister over to the insurgents.  In his first public appearance following his defection, the former Prime Minister Riad Hijab, claims the Assad forces now control only 30% of the country after struggling against the rebels for the past seventeen months of their revolt against Assad.  Hijab, who was only in office for two months did not expound on how he knows the Assad's army holds less than a third of Syria especially since the military has retaken  parts of Damascus from the rebels, as they try to hold the city of Aleppo, the business center and largest city of Syria, against the brimming insurgency.  Hijab is a Sunni Muslim, who compromise 70% of Syria's population.  Assad is a member of the Alawite sect, which is a spin-off of Shiite Islam.  How close to collapse President Assad is, remains uncertain as does how much of the country is not currently under his control; however, the President is increasingly dependent on the  military and his own Alawite security to keep him in power.  With many of the towns along the country's backbone from north to south, and at the Syrian eastern and northern borders, the deadly struggle to retain control, or achieve  overthrow continue.  Some Americans on the neo-conservative right, are arguing for us to intervene and news reports last week indicated President Obama has signed a covert order, an intelligence finding - that allows for technical and communications assistance to the rebels, from federal agencies including the Central Intelligence Agency.  This report follows the Obama Administration;s public response to the failure of the United Nations Security Council in July, to impose steeper, more stringent, sanctions on the Assad regime, due to the unwillingness of China and Russia to support them.  There are also news reports today stating an Irish source is declaring that veterans of the Libyan rebellion and overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi  are now involved in training and organizing the Syrian rebels.  Any further intervention militarily by the United States at this time with Iraq still in transition after our involvement in its civil war; and our continuing participation in the Afghanistan War bogged down in an unending conflict after more than a decade of battling the Taliban, is growing increasingly unpopular with the American public, even with a 2014 American withdrawal scheduled; now is not the time for direct American military involvement in Syria.  American and Worldwide support for the right of the Syrian people to be governed with freedom from tyranny and violence inflicted upon them by any force, especially their nation's beleaguered President, who clings to ruling Syria............Fr.  Troy    

PAPERS PILFERING PAPAL BUTLER TO STAND TRIAL............

Paolo Gabriele, who served as Pope Benedict XVI'S butler until it was discovered he was passing private papers from the papal desk to a journalist which were used in the authoring of a book alledging infighting, malfeasance, and corruption,  in the Vaican was indicted on Monday and will be made to stand trial for doing so, the Vatican has decided.  Gabriele in his mid forties, is a married man with three children, and described as a devout and pious Catholic.  He is reported to have admitted to investigators that he grew "disillusioned",  with the "evil", and "corruption", he saw and with belief that, "the Holy Spirit sheds light on everything in the Church decided that a shock...even in the media would put the Church back on track".  He is said to have also told investigators, "that in a way he was working undercover for the Holy Spirit".  He will be put on trial at the Vatican along with another employee in the Vatican Secretary of State's office who is accused of aiding and abetting the butler's release of documents vis a vis the computer system.  In addition to lifting sensitive documents and papal letters from the Vatican and sharing them with the reporter whose now best selling book includes, other items belonging to the pope were found in his private apartment.  If found guilty he could serve up to 5 years in an Italian prison for aggravated theft.  The Vatican dies not have a prison, only holding cells.  My question as questionable practices at the Vatican Bank have also come to light, is were the butler's acts, agreeably a wrong doing, and breach of trust and confidentiality; as much a crime, as it is a misdirected intention of a moral whistle blower for the cleansing and  spiritual renewal of the Church ?  The psychological stability of Paolo Gabriele, is also a consideration which may be a factor in why he carried out his troubling concerns about the evil and corruption he says he observed and led to his actions ...........Fr.  Troy

SENDING SUNNY SACRAMENTO BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO KAY IN LOVELY LETTERKENNY............

My thoughts and affection flow across the miles from California to County Donegal, wishing Kay Griffin McDaid, Many Happy Returns and All the Best on her Birthday !!!!!!!!!!!!  As she celebrates her personal solemnity and opens another year of Life and Love for her Family, Neighbors, Friends, Church, and Community, I pray she will experience the blessings generated by her boundless Caring and Love.  Next month will mark 30 Years since  met on a day of budding anticipation, and new beginnings for twenty seminarians, one of whom was her son Paul.   EnJoY the DaY  KAY, with Stephen, your children, grandcgildren, and all your loved ones !!!!!!!!!!!!............Troy

OCTOBER PRESIDENTIAL / VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE MODERATORS ANNOUNCED............

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced the four moderators today of the 3 Presidential, and 1 Vice Presidential Debates between President Obama and Governor Romney, as well as Vice President Biden and Representative Ryan.  The first Debate on Wednesday October 3rd, between Obama and Romney, will be moderated by Jim Lehrer, of  PBS; Candy Crowley, of CNN, will conduct a Town Hall meeting style Debate format discussion between Romney and Obama, on Tuesday October 16th.  Bob Schieffer, of CBS News will lead the Monday October 22nd Obama / Romney Debate.  The face-off  between Biden / Ryan  has as it's moderator Martha Raddatz, of ABC News.  In announcing these two veteran Presidential Debate moderators, Lehrer and Schieffer; and two first time Presidential / Vice Presidential Debate faciltators, Crowley and Raddatz, the non partisan Commission Co-Chairmen, Frank Fahrenkopf and Mike McCurry, said, "These journalists bring extensive experience to the job of moderating and understand the importance of using the extended time periods to maximum benefit.  We are grateful for their willingness to moderate, and are confident the public will learn more about the candidates and the issues as a result".  Crowley and Raddatz will be the first two women since 1992, to be conducting one of these very widely watched candidate exchanges.  CNN, in a recent poll found that 57% of Americans say these Debates are very important to deciding who they will vote for to be President............tdp

USA TODAY-GALLUP POLL 1 DAY SURVEY OF PAUL RYAN AS VP CHOICE............

The first flashpoll, a one day survey of survey of 1,006 persons and comprised of all adults not just registered voters, shows a lukewarm response to Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his 2012 running mate for President.  Thirty nine percent (39%) of the respondents feel Congressman Ryan is an Excellent or Pretty Good choice as a Vice presidential candidate.  Forty two (42%) of the respondents feel Representative Ryan is a Fair or Poor  selection as the Vice Presidential nominee.  Ninteen percent (19%) either are of No Opinion about Ryan.  CNN's Wolf Blitzer says these numbers are slightly lower for Ryan than they were in 2008, for Sarah Palin.   Other multi-day taken polls underway, will be released later this week, and according to Chuck Todd, NBC News Political Director / White House Correspondent and host of. "The Daily Rundown" on MSNBC, we should know on Friday, what the first really accurate assessment of Ryan's being chosen by Romney is by Americans............tdp

REPUBLICAN RUNNING MATES GO SOLO TO FLORIDA AND IOWA WHILE THE PRESIDENT ALSO CAMPAIGNS IN IOWA TODAY............

After shaking hands after their last rally together yesterday in Wisconsin, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan bid each other farewell until the Republican National Convention two weeks from now and will be campaigning on their own, as Romney and Ryan continue the roll-out swing States  bus tour they have embarked on.  Governor Romney is in St. Augustine and Miami, Florida today for campaign appearances with the Sunshine State's junior U.S. Senator Marco Rubio; while Representative Ryan is going to Iowa State Fair, in Des Moines.  It will also be the first same day, same state, campaigning in this phase of the presidential election season, as President Obama will also be starting his already scheduled three day bus tour of seven towns and cities in Iowa beginning in Council Bluffs.  The President and Congressman Ryan will be appearing just 128.5 miles apart.  The Democratic incumbent is expected to speak about the Ryan Budget Plan and how it w partially privatize and / or voucherize Medicare as we know it, for Americans; while the presumptive Republican running mate will likely attempt to counter what the GOP commonly now refer to as, "Mediscare", on the part of the Democrats, as did retiring Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, over the weekend and  as Representative Ryan shares the vision and plan(s) he and Governor Romney have to stabilize and assure the long term future of Medicare.  I look forward to following today's campaign events and blogging about them later in the day, with 85 days to go to Election 2012............

MITT ROMNEY AND PAUL RYAN GIVE THEIR FIRST JOINT INTERVIEW TO BOB SCHIEFFER ON "60 MINUTES"............

At a furniture store in High Point, North Carolina this afternoon the Republican Presidential Ticket of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, gave their first interview as running mates to "60 Minutes", and CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and "Face The Nation" moderator, Bob Schieffer.  The nearly fifteen minute interview that aired included discussion of how Romney decided on Ryan as his choice and saying he realized that his help was needed to put the country back on track, having met with him during the past year to discuss policy and was impressed with Ryan's acumen, leadership and desire to make a difference in Washington.  Ryan spoke of the perilous situation he feels the country is in and how he has tried as House Budget Committe Chairman to address the economic and fiscal challenges the country faces and how the need to provide leadership to turn things around, to get the country back on track, and put the people on the right path again, excites him.  Asked about their potential working relationship should they win the election, Romney said they will work together, look at important issues together, and that Ryan will be consulted with others, on important matters in making decisions and that he, as President will make the final call.  Ryan said he does not think Romney has been defensive about Bain Capital at all; nor about his role as Governor of Massachusetts.  Ryan answered by calling Obama's inability to run on his record causing him to raise questions about Romney's record at  creating businesses, and turning around struggling businesses, which Ryan calls outstanding.  He went on to say that is what the two of them want to see happen for this  country because it creates more jobs, better take home pay, and better futures for the people.  Romney said Ryan's role in an Administration would be to work on areas of his expertise and passion, taking actual leadership in those areas, and certain Cabinet working directly with him.  Also because of his bipartisan ability to work with members of Congress to have him play a role in that way bringing them together, to do what is right for the country.  Ryan mentioned the dysfunction in Congress, but said the House Republicans have been sowing seeds of bipartisan compromise on big issues, so that next year things can get done.  Speaking of taxes and the wealthiest Americans paying the larger share but at a lower rate, given capital gain deductions, etc., Romney said it depends on the individual,  but that, "the top one percent, five percent, quartile, whatever - they pay the largest share of taxes and that is not something I would propose making smaller".  Ryan responded in a way I found surprising given the campaign questions the past few months surrounding Romney's income taxes, tax shelters, offshore and Swiss banking accounts, by proclaiming, "What we're saying is take away the tax shelters that are uniquely enjoyed by people in the top tax brackets so they can't shelter as much money from taxation, should have lower rates for everybody to make America more competitive".  Schieffer then asked Ryan how many years of tax returns he had submitted for the vetting process and Ryan said several years; but that he will be releasing the same amount as Governor Romney, two years.  And he then continued to excoriate the President for using this issue as a distraction and said the people he talks to aren't asking where the tax returns are, but "Where are the jobs ?   Where is the economic growth ?  Those are the issues that matter"; and he concluded his answer with, "we are going to focus on what it takes to turn this country around and get people back to work".  The two running mates will now go separate directions as Romney proceeds on to Florida, where he will bus tour tomorrow with Senator Marco Rubio; and Ryan will be campaigning in Iowa, another midwestern swing State, which like Wisconsin, and Ohio, the Republicans hope to win back this year............Fr.  Troy

WISCONSIN HOME COMING FOR VP CANDIDATE PAUL RYAN @ RALLY WITH MITT ROMNEY............

If 10,000 people attended the High Point, NC; Romney-Ryan rally a few hours ago, a record setting number for the Romney campaign to date; then how many thousands will be present in Wisconsin, just 61.2 miles from Paul Ryan's hometown will be interesting to see and to know.  CNN's John King is reporting it is in the thousands, and the candidates appearance is expected momentarily.  Waukesa, Wisconsin where the rally is being held is one of the highest voting Republican areas in the State. This Rally will conclude the campaign day for the Romney and Ryan, except for their first joint interview with Bob Schieffer on "60 Minutes", tonight on CBS Television.  The Romney-Ryan campaign bus has arrived in Waukesha, location of the rally and freshman U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, elected in 2010 as a Republican  Tea Party candidate is warming up the crowd with a speech.   Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who survived a recall election on June 5th, will be introducing Representative Ryan shortly.  Governor Walker says it is a Great Day for America and is energetically singing the praises of both Romney and Ryan asking if the crowd is readybto hear from them both and they make an intandem exit from the bus through the large crowd to soaring martial sounding music, shaking hands to smathered applause and cheers.  Ryan is waving to the crowd, while Romney is walking the line clasping hands.  Onto the stage they come with handshakes and hugs for the GHovernor and other officials on stage and now start the customary joint waves to the applauding crowd.  Ryan has taken the podium as the cheers and applause continues.  He has taken the microphone in hand and says, It is Good to be Home.  I Love Wisconsin.  Acknowledges his large family, announces his a fifth generation Wisconsinite.  Introduces his wife and children.  And that the home they live in is on  the block he grew up on.  Recites a litany of Wisconsin delights from Cheese to Miller beer. After acknoledging the political leaders and the results of the June 5th recall election he says saved the State, comments the November 6th election will save the country.  Goes into a litany of complaint about Obama's governance what he calls the politics of the past, dividing, distorting, distracting, or follow the idea that America's rights come from nature and God.    He continues it will take another election like 2010 and in 2013 we will fix the country.  And look back to see that it was our generation that created a brighter future for our children.  He begins his introduction of Romney and again repeats, "You did build that !".  Saying this is it, the election, the choice,. because when they win this election they go and fix this mess in Washington.  Lauds American Freedom and Free Enterprise, and introduces Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States of America.  Romney begins by asking if the crowd thinks he picked the right man ?  And says he knows he did, then chants of USA, USA, USA, break out but so does a disruption, from a man shouting repeatedly, it's time to go home.  Romney launches into his stump speech and is halted by greater chants of USA, USA, USA, with Romney challenging the protester and chides him for disrupting, and not listening with dignity and respect; then attacks the President for the campaign he is mounting.  He proceeds with his 5 point Plan.  And the speech continues as he has given it earlier today and yesterday.  I shall blog again following the "60 Minutes" interview with Romney and Ryan............Fr.  Troy

R n R RALLY HIGHLIGHTS FROM HIGH POINT, NC............

Paul Ryan is now speaking in High Point, N.C.;  saying that together, he and Mitt Romney are going to get the country back on track, from a path of doubt, debt, and despair.  He says putting it back on track will mean providing for our children's future, because that is what our parents did for us.  He describes America as being unique, as not only a place, but an idea.  He says again as he has at most of these rallies, the idea is that our liberty/freedom comes from nature and God, not from government.  He is telling the crowd our nation is facing a test, and that that test requires leadership, the kind of leadership Romney, who he calls the epitome of leadership, is the one to provide.  Citing his raising of a Family, building a Business, saving the Olympics, and who as Governor did successfully the opposite of the policies President Obama tried and failed with.  He introduces Romney concluding with the comment that the President has gone from Hope and Change, to Attack and Blame, which he says Romney and Ryan will not allow.  Governor Romney after recognitions and introductions of persons in the crowd, namely Veterans, and introduction of politicians, begins delivering his speech talking about critical times,  NC's 9.4% Unemployment, the national debt/deficit, and touts his 5 points of focus as President, -  Energy, Schools, Trade, Cutting Spending, Championing Business.  He refers to the economic messes in California, Greece, and Europe, and says he and Ryan will restore the Economy.  That wraps up their High Point appearance and the bus tour will now travel to the last public event of the campaign day, added to the schedule, a HomeComing Rally to greet and meet Romney-Ryan in Waukesha, Wisconsin; which is just over sixty miles from Ryan's hometown of Janesville, the last of the two candidates joint appearances on this bus tour.  NBC News Correspondent Peter Alexander reports there were 10,000 people at the High Point rally, the largest crowd at a Romney campaign event all year.  Steve Baldwin of FOX News has just announced the Romney-Ryan advance team for the bus tour is working strenuously to assure that the rally crowd in Wisconsin is overwhelmingly large.  I noted watching the first two events this morning that the crowd response to Ryan was much more effusive as he spoke, than it was at the first.  Virginia being a swing State which has been trending Democratic the past several years, may explain this, along with the possibility that many of the people in these crowds may not be supporters, but spectators who have turned out to see the two candidates, or likely voters who are as of yet undecided.  I will be blogging more on the Romney-Ryan Roll-out this afternoon............tdp

BATTLEGROUND BUS TOUR OF ROMNEY-RYAN EXPECTED SOON IN HIGH POINT, NC............

Having kicked off this Sunday their second day as the publicly proclaimed Republican ticket for the race for the White House in November, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are appearing at their second rally in North Carolina in the city of High Point.  While waiting for coverage of this event I have been watching the Sunday News Shows, NBC's  Meet the Press, ABC's This Week, CBS's Face The Nation, CNN's State of the Union, while awaiting FOX News Sunday.  The words being most often used to describe and respond to the Paul Ryan pick these programs and other news coverage reporters, commentators, and political pundits are using being, "bold" / "risky".  Bold, in that it makes for a stark choice between the two parties, two visions, two plans, and two standardbearer teams.  Risky, in that the Ryan Budget Plan, and the ambivalence surrounding it, now becomes a rival mutual focus of the General Election campaign along with the state of the Economy / Jobs Creation, and President Obama's first term  record.  The initial analysis of the impact Ryan is having at these roll-out rallies, is that he is energizing Romney and increasing the enthusiasm of the base and the crowds in attendance at these campaign appearances.  The GOP candidates arrival in High Point, is reported to be just minutes away.  Stand by for an update when they do............tdp

ROMNEY -RYAN REPUBLICAN ROLL-OUT RALLYING IN NORTH CAROLINA............

The Republican running mate team for President and Vice President 2012, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are starting their first rally in North Carolina at this hour at the NASCAR Center in Mooresville, NC; near Charlotte, where Ryan is saying Romney-Ryan is offering NC and the USA a Choice in this Election, between more despair or putting the country back on the right track.  He is praising and presenting Romney as the right man to put the country back on track.  Underscoring as he did yesterday, the, "You did build that", line and saying Romney understands the problems as a successful businessman, and will turn things around as he did with the Olympics.  He is going on to tout Romney's record as Governor of Massachusetts, contrasting the Governor's record in MA, with President Obama's record, as he introduces Romney to the crowd.  Romney begins lighthearted about his father having made Rambler cars, and now he has a NASCAR with his name on it which is on the stage with them.  He speaKS of going out on a first date in his father's car and then invites his and Ryan's wife up on stage, and Ann Romney speaks for a few moments.  He begins his remarks by referring to restoring American principles to chants of USA, USA, USA.  He says one of the few persons at this time who stood up for principle is the man next to him who he has chosen, Ryan.  Tells the Ryan family story and why he decided to go to Washington to address the need for change as a man who works with even those he differs with and doesn't demonize.  Predicts this country will come roaring back, instead of continuing to become more like Greece and Europe.  Says the President's "you didn't build that" quote is outflanked by the context of that whole speech.  The rest of his speech is a repeat of the stump speech he gave yesterday.  The Battleground Bus Tour of the R/R ticket continues on to High Point, NC; as they proclaim to Stand Up for America and winning the Election............Fr.  Troy

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME......"I AM THE BREAD COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN"............

 Catholic-Christian Disciples of Jesus, believe that the Bread of Life spoken of in John 6:33; is truly and transubtantially,  Christ Himself, Son of God, Sent by the Father, and Born into the World, to be, "Flesh for the Life of the World".  That is the message and the good news we hear proclaimed and preached on this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The Jewish People with whom Jesus was interacting and discussing this prophetic proclamation with in the Bread of Life Discourse in the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, the premier passage of our understanding and theology of the Eucharist; were hungering for a Messiah, who would deliver them personally and politically, from the oppression they endured.  They needed and wanted, a New Moses, who would feed and fulfill their hunger, just as their forefather Moses fed them with Manna miraculously provided.  As eager as they were to see if Jesus indeed was the one they awaited and would make their king, when Jesus proclaimed Himself to the Bread of Life they sought, they were offended.  And as Jesus continues to discuss this with them he goes even further when He tells them God the Father sent Him and then totally dazes them with the proclamation that whereas the miraculous Manna did not provide everlasting life, whereas He does.  The key essential in understanding and accepting these words of Jesus and all His Teachings is, Believing that He is definitely the One.   The Faith we possess and nurture; the Faith we profess and practice;  the ongoing, everyday, opportunities we make and take to build a closer union with Jesus as the One sent by God the Father, and who is the Bread of Eternal Life............Fr.  Troy

THE GOP's R n R TEAM 4th RALLY TODAY IN THE OLD DOMINION............

Rally number 4 for the roll-out of the Romney-Ryan Republican ticket is in Manassas, Virginia where Representative Paul Ryan, the newly named Vice Presidential candidate opened his remarks by saying, "On November 6th, we take back our country !".  He continued bemoaning the failed leadership of President Obama who he says hasn't changed, or moderated, his approach, but is staying far left.  After touting his running mate's Business and Olympics experience he introduced Mitt Romney, who described Romney saying if you use one word, the word is, Leader.  He then praised his character and courage as a young man in Janesville, Wisconsin, and as an adult in Washington, D.C.  Romney repeated that President Obama has cut Medicare by $700 billion and that Ryan working with Democratic Senator Wyden, has proposed a plan that will save Medicare.  He decries the "product" of the Obama Plan.  He argues for his 5 point Plan  1. Energy 2. Skills 3. Trade  4. Cut Spending and Balance the Budget  5. Creating New Jobs.  He then mocks President Obama's statement, "You didn't build that",  and pledges that the Romney-Ryan ticket will take this country back and keep America, "the greatest Hope on Earth".  This fourth rally in Virginia concludes the public campaign events of the first day of their teaming as the 2012 Republican ticket seeking to win the White House.  They move on tomorrow to North Carolina, and then go to Wisconsin, for a HomeComing Rally.  I will be here to capture the campaign events of this bus tour and the celebration in Chicago of the President's Birthday............Fr.  Troy

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLS REPRESENTATIVE RYAN WELCOMING HIM INTO THE RACE............

The Obama campaign announced this afternoon that Vice President Joe Biden telephoned Representative Paul Ryan today to congratulate him and welcome him to the race.  The Vice President told Ryan, "to enjoy the day with his family, and said he looked forward to engaging him on the clear choice voters face this November".  Both Biden and Kemp are Catholic.  They are among ten Catholics nominated for President or Vice President following Alfred "Al" Smith, (1928) John F. Kennedy, (1960) William Miller, (1964) Edmund Muskie,(1968) Thomas Eagleton, / Sargeant Shriver, (1972) Geraldine Ferraro, (1984) and John Kerry, (2004).  Paul Ryan is the second Catholic vice presidential nominee of the Republican Party.  Ryan and Biden will meet in a Vice Presidential Debate in Danville, Kentucky on October 11th ...........tdp

ROMNEY-RYAN BUS TOUR MAKES SECOND AND THIRD STOPS IN VIRGINIA............

Newly teamed Republican running mates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have made their second appearance together today, this time in Ashland, Virginia; where Ryan who was named as Romney's choice for Vice President five hours ago spoke first and continued to portray the job performance of President Obama who he said has enacted his far liberal agenda and failed causing only deeper despair.  Ryan said of the current economic doldrums, "This does not have to happen,  We can do better".  Romney in his remarks at the rally in Ashland warned his listeners that attacks upon Ryan would be a part of what's coming and that he and his running mate will keep their focus on the issues of this campaign and not on personal attacks.  At a stop at a local pie shop before the rally at which the twosome  did some retail politicking, Ryan who learned on August 5th he was Romney's choice was asked if it was hard keeping it secret.  He responded, "it was fine".  Adding, It was easy to accept Romney's  offer.  We've got to save the country".  At the third rally scheduled in Virginia today at Randolph Macon College, Romney said Paul Ryan is, "a man who appeals to the better angels of America", and referred to today as a, "big day for the country".  Romney also declared at the third rally, "We are going to talk about issues and a vision for America and not drag down in the dirt like you;re seeing the Obama campaign doing".  I will continue my updating of today's campaigning as the Romney-Ryan team rolls forward ............tdp

THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO ROMNEY'S PICK OF PAUL RYAN............

Both the Obama for America re-election campaign and the White House released statements following Mitt Romney's announcement of his choice of Congressman Paul Ryan as the 2012 Republican Vice Presidential candidate.  Jim Messina, manager of the Obama campaign said, "In naming Congressman Paul Ryan Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy.  The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid.  His plan would also end Medicare as we know it, by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors,  As a member of Congress Ryan rubberstamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy.  Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same catastrophic mistakes".   The tenor of Messina's remarks indicate that President Obama will continue to fight the coming twelve weeks as a Choice campaign between two different visions of and for the United States, not a Referendum on his first term as President.  By picking Congressman Ryan as his VP running mate, Governor Romney is making his campaign to unseat the President and win the White House, as both a Choice and Referendum campaign............tdp

THE ROMNEY- RYAN REPUBLICAN TICKET ROLL OUT BEGINS............

The headline news of the day, the selection of Representative Paul Ryan by Mitt Romney as his Vice Presidential running mate zeroes in to Norfolk, Virginia where the two candidates are appearing together as Romney introduces his choice to the nation.  It comes as the two GOP running mates will start a bus tour of Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio, swing States crucial to victory in the November 6th Presidential Election.  The choice of Ryan is thought by NBC News Meet The Press moderator David Gregory to be a, "bold and risky pick".  Current Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is now speaking to the rally and will introduce Mitt Romney for his announcement of Paul Ryan as his the VP candidate.  He is saying President Obama does not understand the American free enterprise system and that we need a change.  Continuing to describe Obama's forty two months as having failed, he says only two words come to mind, "You're Fired !".  He proceeds calling Romney a great candidate and what he calls the Reagan-Romney vision of America.  Doing things and putting policies in place to help the middle class McDonnell is saying is what Romney will do, with a comprehensive plan.  Tomney and Ryan are now seen walking together toward the podium as McDonnell prepares to introduce Governor for the VP announcement.  Mitt Romney to triumphal heralding music makes an extended walk to the podium and begins his speech.  To cheers of "Mitt, Mitt, Mitt", he speaks of taking another step forward he announces his running mate and the next VP of the US, Paul Ryan.  Citing Paul Ryan's leadership and roots in Janesville, Wisconsin, calling him a shining example who does not demonize his opponents, and is respected for his judgment.  Calling him a faithful Catholic, who belifs in the dignity and value of every human life.  Someone who combines firm principles with practical solutions fotr the problems we face.  Calling their plan to strenghten the middle class will put Americans back to work and saying they will create 12 million new jobs.  Pledges to prtect Medicare and Social, saying the POTUS has cut Medicare by $700 billion dollars.  And vows to eliminate Obamacare.  Calling today a Good Day for America, he mistakenly asks the crowd to join him in welcoming the next PRESIDENT of the US, Paul Ryan.  Romney leaves the stage and as Ryan begins to speak returns and interrupts saying every once and awhile he makes a mistake and hasn;t made a mistake with this man, then reintroduces him as the next VICE PRESIDENT of the US.  Ryan thanking Romney and expressing his appreciation calling Romey the man for this moment, he says he and Governor Romney will restore the greatness of tihs country.  He introduces his wife Janna, daughter Liza, and sons Charlie and Sam.   Citing what his late father taught him about either being either a part of the problem or the solution, he says President Obama has become a part of the problem, not a part of the solution.  He then speaks to President Obama;s record calling this recovery the worst in 70 years after Obama has put his agenda into effect and calls it a record of failure.  He says the President and his Party are concerned more about their next election than they are the next generation.  Sating higher unemploymenty, declining income, and crushing debt is not the new normal, he proclaims beginning next January the Romney-Ryan Administration will put the country back on the right track.  Joining his own Washington experience, with Romney's experience outside Washington, at Bain Capital, the Olympics, as Governor of Massachusetts.  Turning to Family and Faith, he says our founding is on Liberty, Freedom,Free Enterprise, and  Governing with the Consent of the Governed, Ryan paints a portrait of how we can turn this thing around says he's excited about being a part of this Rurn around Team and vows together they will get this done.  He and Romney joined by their families on stage react to the cheers of the crowd. More to Come..........Fr.  Troy

STANDING BY FOR THE ROMNEY - RYAN RUNNING MATE ANNOUNCEMENT............

Warm-up speeches are being made to the large crowd gathered aboard the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin, in Norfolk, Virginia; as at the top of the hour in about twenty minutes, Republican Presidential nominee-designate. Governor Mitt Romney formally announces and introduces his choice as running mate, Representative Paul Ryan, from Wisconsin.  Among the warm-up speakers are former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator George Allen, who is again running to reclaim his Senate seat in this year's election............tdp

THE ROMNEY CAMPAIGN CONFIRMS BY AN APP IT'S PAUL RYAN............

The Mitt Romney for President Campaign has just sent an announcement by the I-Phone App they said days ago, by which they would announce the 2012 Republican Vice Presidential nominee.  The App says Wisconsin U.S. Representative Paul Ryan is Governor Romney's choice.  That announcement will be made by Mitt Romney in an appearance with Congressman Ryan in Norfolk, Virginia, on the U.S.S. Wisconsin. in about one hour and forty five minutes from now............tdp

FOX NEWS REPORTING THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS CONFIRMING PAUL RYAN AS ROMNEY'S VP SELECTION............

FOX News is reporting the Associated Press has confirmed that Mitt Romney has chosen Paul Ryan, Congressman from Wisconsin, and the House Budget Committee Chairman, as his Vice Presidential running mate.  As I blog this FOX News is saying they have not been able to independently confirm the Ryan choice, but that the Associated Press has confirmed it............tdp  

CNN REPORTING PAUL RYAN IS ROMNEY'S VP CHOICE............

CNN has just reported that sources are also confirming to them that Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the House Budget Committee Chairman, and author of the Ryan Plan; will be Mitt Romney's choice as his Vice Presidential running mate, and will be announced in about eight hours time in Norfolk, Virginia.  Ryan, a seven term member of the House of Representatives, is 42 years old, married, and a father of three.  A Catholic, he has great appeal with the Conservative, Tea Party, base of the Republican Party.  The Ryan Family was scheduled to start a camping vacation in Colorado tomorrow, but an indication earlier today that he might be the VP choice, was that an airplane was dispatched from Boston, to Janesville, Wisconsin; Ryan's hometown and is standing by............tdp

MSNBC SAYS IT IS RYAN WHO WILL BE ROMNEY'S VP CHOICE............

Chuck Todd, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and Political Director, is reporting with Correspondent Andrea Mitchell that Tag Romney, son of the former Governor has informed Rob Portman and Tim Pawlenty tonight they are not his father's choice as the candidate for Vice President, therefore greatly, if not decidely meaning that Paul Ryan will be the one chosen to join Romney on the Republican ticket for President............tdp

ROMNEY'S VP PICK COULD BE RYAN............

CNN'S John King has just reported that Ohio Senator Rob Portman has confirmed he is keeping his commitment to a 100 mile bike ride for cancer tomorrow in Ohio and Governor Tim Pawlenty has told CNN he is in New Hampshire, and will be there tomorrow campaigning as a surrogate for Romney............tdp

MITT ROMNEY TO NAME HIS VICE PRESIDENTIAL PICK SATURDAY MORNING IN VIRGINIA............

2012 Republican Presidential Nominee designate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney starting a 4 swing State, 12 city, bus tour on Saturday starting with the announcement of Romney's choice of a running mate, according to his campaign staff tonight.  News reports are that the announcement will be made between 8:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. Eastern Time tomorrow morning in Norfolk, Virginial on the ship, U.S.S. Wisconsin.  That could be a hint that Representative Paul Ryan, from Wisconsin, who has been increasingly talked about as the likely pick in recent days may be Governor Romney's choice.  Senator Rob Portman, and Governor Tim Pawlenty, are also thought to be finalists.  I will be monitoring CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and all major News networks online overnight with further Updates ............Fr.  Troy

MARVIN HAMLISCH AND HIS MUSIC............

The Great American Song Book has provided excellent entertainment and enjoyment to millions of people throughout our history.  Among the luminary composers and conductors of note are Stephen Foster, John Philip Sousa, Irving Berlin, George Cohan, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rogers, and Oscar Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Fielder, John Williams, and Marvin Hamlisch.  Marvin Hamlisch, the youngest of these outstanding contributors to American popular music was of Vienese-Jewish ancestry and a native of Manhattan, in New York City, was born on June 2, 1944.  A child prodigy in music, by age five Marvin was playing music on the piano from what he heard on the radio.  He began studying at the Julliard School of Music at seven years old.  As a teen he was a rehearsal pianist for Barbara Streisand in, "Funny Girl".  In 1967, he graduated from Queens College.  The following year, 24 year old Marvin Hamlisch was chosen to compose the music for the Burt Lancaster film, "The Swimmer", for which he composed ten original songs.  In the latter half of the 1960's he also wrote songs recorded by Liza Minnelli and Lesley Gore, including his first bonafided hit song, " Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows".  In the 1970's Hamlisch excelled as a popular composer producing music such as, "The Entertainter", for the Paul Newman / Robert Redford movie, "The Sting", which sold 2 million copies in the USA and was #1 on the Billboard charts; and "The Way We Were", for the Barbara Streisand / Robert Redford film of the same name, for which he won 2 Oscars and 4 Grammys in 1974; he also co-wrote with his then girlfriend, composer Carol Bayer Sager, "Nobody Does It Better", for the James Bond film, "The Spy Who Loved Me".  He also achieved success with the movie scores for, "Ordinary People", and "Sophie's Choice".  On stage, Hamlisch appeared with 81 year old Groucho Marx in Carnegie Hall, three years before his very own first major Broadway show score, the greatly acclaimed, "A Chorus Line", premiered, for which he won both a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize.  Other musical scores on Broadway he composed include, "They Are Playing Our Song";  "The Goodbye Girl", for the Neil Simon play; and the Musical - "Sweet Smell of Success".  As a conductor  Marvin Hamlisch was not only successful as an award winning musical director and arranger for Barbara Streisand and Linda Ronstadt; he also served as a very welcomed, well received, guest conductor to the Buffalo, Dallas, Milwaukee, Pasadena, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, Symphony Orchestras; as well as the National Symphony Orchestra Pops.  One of just eleven persons honored as an, EGOT, winning all four major American awards and entertainment honors - the Emmy; the Grammy; the Oscar; the Tony; he shares only with Richard Rogers, the distinction of winning those four awards and a Pulitzer.  He also received the Golden Globe award twice.  Following a brief illness, Marvin Hamlisch died om Monday night at age 68.  Survived by his wife of twenty three years, Terre Blair; last night at 8 p.m., Marvin Hamlisch was given the customary tribute afforded to the memory of those who have made an outstanding contribution to American theatrical stage, when the lights of 40 Broadway theaters were dimmed for a minute in recognition and commemoration.  As we remember and enjoy the music Marvin Hamlisch composed, arranged, conducted, and directed, the words of the current leader of the Pasadena Symphony / Pops will always sing true. He said, Marvin Hamlisch has "left a very specific... original mark on American Music and added to the Great American Songbook, with works he himself composed".  I pray he may now and forever join the, "Chorus Line", of musical entertainment greats in the Kingdom of Everlasting Life, for truly being, "One"............Fr.  Troy

NBC NEWS REPORTS ROMNEY'S VICE PRESIDENTIAL CHOICE NARROWED DOWN TO THREE............

NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd and his colleagues are reporting that Mitt Romney's selection of a running mate as his Vice Presidential candidate for the 2012 Republican nomination has come down to three men, Tim Pawlenty, Rob Portman, and Paul Ryan.  Pawlenty, the former two term Governor of Minnesota, was an early contender and first drop out for this year's presidential nomination.  In recent months Pawlenty has been a prominent Romney surrogate.  Portman, a first term Senator from Ohio, who has served in the House of Representatives, and as both the Federal Budget Director and U.S. Trade Representative, in the George W. Bush Administration, has been speculated on as the most likely pick as Romney's running mate for several months.  The announcement and roll out of Governor Romney's choice is expected perhaps as soon as this coming week and certainly before the start of the Republican National Convention on August 27th.  A Romney campaign bus tour through four Swing States begins on Saturday in Vitginia, proceeding to North Carolina, on to Florida, and ending in Ohio.  Of the three prospective candidates for the second spot on the Republican Ticket, Portman is considered the safest and most conventional choice, although his service in the Bush Administration could be a liability.  Pawlenty would bring executive experience from his eight years govwening from a statehouse and has wide appeal among Evangelicals.  Ryan, author of the House Republican Budget Plan, would be a controversial pick for that exact proposal, whose selection makes the Ryan Plan as it is popularly known, a focal point of the General Election campaign.  In the next week and a half whether one of these three possibilities or someone else is Governor Romney's choice for Vice President will be decided............Fr.  Troy

ROMNEY-HOOD AND OBAMA-LONEY; AND BOTH CAMPAIGNS STRETCHING VERACITY IN THEIR LATEST ADS............

American Presidential Election Campaigns have become, unlike national leadership elections in most other democracies around the World, an increasingly lengthy, and expensive period, that now spans at least two years not just the few weeks to months as in other countries.  Thus there is a quandary in how the extended campaign periods before and after the parties' primaries and caucuses, and prior to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions and the General Election Campaign develops.  Time and money are spent by the presumptive nominees to define each other for the voters, before each candidate can make a convincing case for themselves; and to establish an edge in polling, fundraising, and favorability, that is driven by advertising, as much if not more than the issues pertinent to the Election.  Here we are in the Summer of Presidential Election Year 2012, witnessing that very reality as both the Obama and Romney campaigns seek to fill and color these weeks to their political advantage going into the all important Autumn Campaign to gain the 270 Electoral Votes necessary to claim the Presidency on January 20, 2013.  Characterizing the analysis of a report by the Tax Policy Center, a non partisan group, on Monday President Obama came up with a new phrase to describe Governor Romney's tax proposals saying Romney would, "ask the middle class to pay more taxes so that he could give another $250,000.00 tax cut to people making more than $3 million a year.  It's like Robin Hood in reverse.  It's Romney Hood".  Governor Romney rebutted the Obama charge telling FOX News, "We've been watching the President say a lot of things about me and my policies.  And they are just not right.  If I were to coin a term it would be, 'Obamaloney' ".  Political pundits of all persuasions are criticizing this kind of name calling and tone at this point in the campaign.  I argue the length of the presidential campaign has grown so long that this summer down time in the election process has turned into a punch and counter punch contest that becomes ridiculous and detracts from the seriousness of the issues.  Paid advertisements are also muddling up the facts on various issues perverting and twisting the facts causing consternation about the propriety of assertions by the campaign managers, super PACS, and independent entities, who are airing commercials playing loose with the facts.  The Priorities USA super PAC supporting Obama's re-election is in the crossfires over an ad about the death of a woman who lost health insurance coverage alledgedly due to Romney and Bain Capital's closure of a steel plant in Kansas City.  The actual timeline and Romney's role are questionable.  The Romney campaign meanwhile has an advertisement running that misconstrues a memo by the Health and Human Services Department regarding waivers to work requirements in the 1996 Welfare Reform Law, alledging President Obama is wanting to, "gut welfare reform", and believes "that they shouldn't have to have a work requirement", according to Governor Romney and that is false.  Therefore, as the we move full throttle into the final stages of the 2012 Presidential Election - the Vice Presidential Candidate selection, the National Conventions and acceptance speeches, the Obama-Romney face to face Debates, and the Voting, - holding the nominees, their handlers, and supporters, to the truth and the facts and keeping the campaign focused on the real issues pertinent to who will be President the next four years and asking how he will govern on what truly matters to the future of America, not the sideshow we have been experiencing; must be priority one for the campaign and every citizen, as we hold both candidates accountable for the positions they take............Fr.  Troy

GIFFORDS SHOOTER SENTENCED; SHE AND HER HUSBAND MEET WITH THE POPE............

One day after Jared Loughner, who shot and seriously wounded former Tucson, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, while also killing six persons and wounding twelve others, pleaded Guilty to 19 counts and was sentenced to life imprisonment, the recovering and rehabilitating, resigned House of Representatives member and her astronaut husband Mark Kelly, met with Pope Benedict XVI today following his Wednesday General Audience.  Speaking after the plea and sentencing on Tuesday, Giffords' husband said, "The pain and loss caused by the events of January 8, 2011 are incalculable.  Avoiding a trial will allow us - and we hope and we hope the whole Southern Arizona community - to continue with our recovery and move on with our lives".  The Giffords-Kelly brief meeting with His Holiness at the papal summer residence Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome came as a result of their first traveling to Switzerland for a visit to the European Center for Nuclear Research.  At the conclusion of the Pope's General Audience, at which he spoke of the liturgical Saint of the Day, Dominic, Priest, who founded the religious order, the Dominicans, officially known as the Order of Preachers, and how Dominic taught us about the power of Prayer, through his preaching.  The Pope said those who personally knew him are quoted as recalling Dominic was always, "speaking to God, or about God".  Benedict XVI went on to encourage family prayer, especially while on vacation; which I have preached for years about summer and holidays, "We do not take a vacation from God". (or prayer and worship).  In what seems to be a link to the tribulations faced by the former Congresswoman and other victims of the Arizona mass shooting  a year and a half ago, the Pope also said in his remarks at his weekly Wednesday Audience, "St. Dominic prayed on his feet bowing to express humility, prostrate on the ground to ask forgiveness of his sins, on his knees to do penance in order to share in the Lord's suffering, with his arms open gazing upon the crucifix, to contemplate the supreme love, of God expressed through Christ's sacrifice", Benedict XVI proclaimed.  Today's meeting with the Pope was the second in the past eleven months for Mark Kelly, who joined his colleagues from the American Space Shuttle Endeavor and the International Space Station, who were welcomed to Castel Gandolfo last Sptember.  The gun violence exacted upon those assembled for a Meet and Greet Representative Giffords event last year, is one of three on that scale to occur in the United States, the other two, occurring in the past three weeks in Aurora, Colorado; and Oak Creek, Wisconsin............Fr.  Troy      

A DOUBLE LEG AMPUTEE COMPETES IN THE LONDON SUMMER OLYMPICS............

Oscar Pistorius, a 25 year old South African man born with both legs less than fully developed, each leg lacking a fibula; who had them amputated at eleven months of age, has been competing as an international sprint runner for the past five years.  As a student at Pretoria High School from age 11 - 13, he played rugby, water pool, and tennis; advancing to playing rugby at the Johannesburg, Gauteng Province level, as well as competing in Olympic club wrestling.  That changed in 2003, when he a serious rugby injury forced him into rehabilitation, and he began running as a part of his rehab exercises.  Oscar Carl Leonard Pistorius, is now known as the, "Blade Runner", and, "Fastest Man With No Legs", thanks to his running skill, and the Cheetah Flex Foot carbon fibre transfibial artificial limbs, that he wears.  Pistorius has run successfully in international competitions since 2007, but not without controversy over the technological advancement of his prosthetic blade running legs.  Having mastered the running in 100, 200, and 400 meters competitions between 2004 and 2007, in South Africa and at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens,  the International Athletic Federation ruled him ineligible to participate in the 2008 Beiing Olympics, citing his unfair advantage with his advanced prostheses.  Oscar appealed their decision and prevailed, so that he was able to  try out for South Africa's 2008 Beiing Olympics Team, but was not selected.  However, he continued to succeed in other international running competitions gaining acceptance for the prosthetic technology  as he did so.  Chosen for this year's South African Olympic Track Team, he won his way into the 400 meter sprint semifinals, as it was expected he would, but that was as far as he got, finishing eighth and in last place in the semifinal race.  But in Oscar Pistorius' Olympic competitiveness what would be called by some, "the agony of defeat", is actually a victory in breaking down barriers.  Oscar learned, trained, overcame obstacles and naysayers, persevering to become the first amputee to compete in the Olympics, and not yet 26, has time to succeed as a world class runner with the opportunity to sprint to future victories.  As a right foot below the knee amputee, I admire and am energized to witness the resounding achievements of this young man who is showing the world that disability is not inability; and how opportunity is empowerment.  Oscar Pistorius says it best.  The motto he proclaims as his mantra to athletic achievement is, "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have".  How true Oscar's motto is for all of us in the disability community and how enlightening these words can be in motivating others to enable rather than obstruct; to empower  instead of exclude; those of us who despite the inordinate challenges our bodies bear, choose to strive and excel in every field of human endeavor............Fr.  Troy

THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS GATHER AND "SISTER CITY" VIGILS ORGANIZED............

Beginning today through Saturday members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the largest organization of Catholic Nuns in the United States is meeting are meeting in St. Louis, Missori to discuss and determine their response to the mandate and investigatory review placed upon them by the Vatican in recent months.  While the Sisters are gathered in discernment, other American Catholics in at least thhirty five cities across the country, in a show of support and solidarity for the Women Religious who have ministered in the parishes, schools, hospitals, and social services in their communities; will be holding, "Sister City" Vigils.  Ames, Iowa; Anchorage, Alaska; Austin, Texas; Bardstown, Kentucky, Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio, Charlotte, North Carolina, Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Fort Meyers, Florida; Hebron, Conneticut; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; Midland Park, New Jersey; Muskegon, Michigan; New York, New York; Oakland, California; Omaha, Nebraska; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Portland, Maine; Rochester Minnesota; San Diego, California; San Francisco, California; San Juan, Texas; Seattle, Washington; St. Louis, Missouri; Summerfield, Florida; Tempe, Arizona; The Villages, Florida; Toledo, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Wildwood, Florida; have all scheduled events in support of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, over the next five days.  These Sister City Vigils this week follow Prayer Vigils during the months of May and June, in fifty cities, including Sacramento, California; Los Angeles, California; and Dublin, Ireland.  The LCWR Discernment Gathering and the Sister City Prayer Vigils, are a response to a Vatican Mandate from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in April, calling on the LCWR to reform and revise their practices and positions in closer conformity with "the teachings and discipline of the Church".  The Vatican Mandate came after a three year Doctrinal Assessment, conducted by American prelate William Cardinal Levada, who until June was the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and is the former Archbishop of both San Francisco, California; and Portland, Oregon.  To oversee the carrying out of the LCWR Mandate the Vatican appointed the Archbishop of Seattle, Washington; the Most Reverend Peter Sartain in April with responsibility for reviewing five specific areas of the Women Religious Leadership Conference's policies and responses -  1.) Revising LCWR Statutes;  2.) Reviwing LCWR Plans and Programs;  3.) Creating New Programs for the Organization;  4.) Reviewing and Offering Guidance on the Application of Liturgical Texts;  5.) Reviewing  the LCWR'S Affiliations with other Organizations, namely NETWORK and the Resource Center for Religious Institutes.  Whatever the rationale the Vatican and American Bishops may be using to mount this investigation into the largest leadership group representing Women Religious in the United States, it is apparent the American Church Laity are overwhelmingly with the Sisters in expressing their gratitude and recognition for the ministries the Sisters perform and side with them in regards to the Mandate.  Addressing this matter requires an increased exercise of sensitivity in human relations and interpersonal communication in arriving at an understanding that promotes unity, not divisiveness and polarization.  Archbishop Sartain and his collaborators need to exert a very pastoral outreach to the LCWR as their role involving the Mandate proceeds.  Unless it is approached with such sensitivity the credibility of the hierarchy stands to be further eroded, with Catholics, who almost intrinsically are very highly supportive of the Women Religious they know and love............Fr.  Troy

NASA'S "CURIOSITY" MARS ROVER MAKES A SMOOTH, TRIUMPHAL, SURFACE LANDING............

After an eleven year effort at effectively exploring the outer space horizon of the Planet Mars, the focus for the future of the American Space program, NASA celebrated the triumphal landing of a robotic rover on the surface of Mars, Sunday - succeeding at placing the $2.5 billion high tech, interplanetary, robotic explorer in a giant crater on the Red Planet, so that a detailed study can be made.  Engineer Allen Chen, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California where NASA's most ambitious study into Mars past is being headquartered and monitored, exclaimed, "Touchdown confirmed.  We are safe (and wheels down) on Mars.  As the rover came down onto the Martian surface  at a speed of 13,200 miles per hour, in a harrowing seven minute plunge through the atmosphere, required use of a rocket propelled sky crane, and a correctly opening parachute, to land without a hitch.  The rover explorer named, "Curiosity", chosen by a school child from among other submissions; landed near a wealth of Martian history, the Gale Crater, a three mile mound of layered, frozen, rock with a wide range of as much as tens of millions of years of Martian history exists.  This seventh NASA landing of a rover o Mars, the costliest endeavor involving the Red Planet, will mean "Curiosity", over the next two years will  extensively explore and climb the Gale Crater and Mount Sharp, to investigate signs of past or present Life o Mars.  The volume of Water,  any evidence of Habitability, and searching for carbon components; in the environment and evolution of Mars will be carried out.  The feeling and emotion at 1:32 a.m. Eastern Time time today, 10:32 p.m. Pacific Time  last night, experienced by many was reminiscent of the excitement of the Gemini and Apollo space missions that led up to the Moon Landings.  The possibility for this next level of Space Exploration will in a major way depend on Americans enthusiasm and resolve to prioritize the expenditure of billions of dollars more, at a time when economic instability and national debt and deficit beset us.  The wealth of  potential discoveries  counterbalances the fear and uncertainty the costs entail.  We surmounted the same challenge  fifty years in taking up President Kennedy's goal to land us on the Moon.  Now is another time, a further opportunity, like that.  Will we meet the challenge, or shrink before ourselves and others, in embracing and extending our reach through the Universe ?  God Bless the Continuing Success of NASA, the United States National Aeronautics Space Administration............Fr.  Troy      

CHECK UP WITH DR. BHAT............

With the welcomed assistance of Ted Dahlberg, who drove me to my appointment, I saw Dr. Bhat in Roseville this morning for a kidney check-up.  As I prepare for my third year Post Transplant Evaluation at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix / Scottsdale, Arizona; two and half weeks from now, the labs Dr. Bhat had me do last week came back with very good results for kidney function and effectiveness of the medications for transplant renal care.  Like the rest of my doctors team, he received no reports from Mercy San Juan, or Mercy General, on my spinal infections and back surgeries last winter; which concretizes my need to keep under the Sutter Roseville umbrella where he and my doctors are fully affiliated............Fr.  Troy

ANOTHER TRAGEDY 2 WEEKS AFTER AURORA - AS DOMESTIC TERRORISM KILLS SIX AT A SIKH TEMPLE IN WISCONSIN ............

The tranquilty of Sunday Worship, between Services this morning at a Sikh religious Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin USA, just outside Milwaukee.  A man bearing a single handgun entered the Temple, shooting and killing six persons, and was shot and killed by a police officer on the scene.  Local law enforcement authorities in Wisconsin are treating it as a domestic terrorist case, and there is develkoping speculation the gunman has ties to the white supremacist movement; although the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (F.B.I.) have not found any ties to terrorist organization on the perpetrator's part, as of now.  He has been found to be a former, six year member of the U.S. Army, who worked in the area of psychological testing, and was given a General Discharge in 1998, for a drinking problem.  Motive for the attack is as yet undetermined.  It is indeed sad that six persons gathered on a Sunday morning in religious observance and worship, senselessly lost their lives due to human malfeasance and gun violence.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim, their families, loved ones, and the Sikh community.   The Sacramento area has had two incidents of criminal violence against Sikhs, one an attack upon a taxi driver; and the other the killing of two Sikh men walking in Elk Grove.  Hopefully, our society can and will continue to address such hate crimes, and the 10,000 crimes committed with guns in the USA annuallty - of which today's violent attack is another stark and sad consequence............Fr.  Troy

THIS 18th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME WILL BE REMEMBERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH 18 GOLD OLYMPIC MEDALS............

To paraphrase the words the PBS children's program Sesame Street pioneered more than forty years ago, This Sunday is brought to us by the number, "18".  Eighteen for the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time, and 18 for the number of Gold Medals, record setting American Olympics Swimmer Michael Phelps, has won as of last night, once the observance of Sunday was underway.  Both the Sunday Scriptures of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time and 18 Gold Medals attained by Olympian Phelps share a common denominator in what they mean for us as believers in a Higher Power.  In a secular world where self determination and individual accomplishments are often the most focused in interests of human beings, this Sunday reminds us individualism is inferior to interdependence.  As finite creatures, citizens of a created universe, and members of the community of believers, we are interdependent on one another and on the Divine Trinity of God, to be fullest and most faithful persons we can be.  For it is God our Heavenly Father who provides us with the Bread of Life, that feeds our spiritual, as well as physical, - selves.  If our primary concern is saturated with filling our stomachs and feeding our bodies, to the exclusion of feeding our souls with the Bread of Life that is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, of Jesus the Lord - then we fail to grasp the importance of our interaction human to human, and human to divine.  That is the essential, indispensable, nature of the Eucharist and God's Word, being mutually present in our lives on this 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time..  In the same way, the "Baltimore Bullet", Michael Phelps with his 18 Gold out of 22 Olympic Medals won over the past dozen years, did not do it all on his own.  His championship abilities and swimming skills were honed and perfected by his commitment teemed with the encouragement, support, inspiration, and interaction , with his family, coach, trainers, teammates, and fellow competitors, along with God; as Michael Phelps describes himself as a Christian.  Diagnosed with  A.D.H.D., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as a child, which is a developmental condition that exists in three to five percent of children worldwide before the age of 7, working assiduously with his mother Debbie, by age 11, when he was joined with his coach Bob Bowman, he was successfully set on the path that has led to his record setting Olympic achievements.  As we pray, worship, and break open God's Word and the Bread of Life that is Christ's Body and Blood, may the insights and interactions we gain today, feed us body and soul, to live the spirit of this 18th Week of Ordinary Time, striving for the Gold Medal of Eternal Life in God's Kingdom............Fr.  Troy    

DEMOCRATIC SENATE MAJORITY LEADER REID AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT ROMNEY GET CONTENTIOUS OVER SOON TO BE GOP STANDARDBEARER's INCOME TAXES............

Governor Mitt Romney's adamant unwillingness to release more than the last two years of his federal income tax returns as he runs for President this year, when multiple year disclosures of up to a dozen years of tax returns have been the standard since 1968, when his own father, then Michigan Governor George Romney, seeking that year's Republican Presidential nomination established the practice by being the first candidate to disclose not one, but twelve years of his income tax returns, has fueled speculation for many months through the primaries and caucuses, until now up to the cusp of the nominating conventions and general election campaign; that Mitt Romney either has something embarrassing to hide in his returns, or that he paid much lower taxes than his income group rate calls for, and perhaps paid no taxes at all in some years.  Current Federal Income Tax Rates in the United States in effect since 2003, range in six levels from the lowest rate of 10% on earned income up to $8,700.00 a year; to the highest rate of 35% on annual income above $388,350.00.  Romney with income of $20 million a year or more, is definitely in the upper catergory for payment of income tax payment.  Yet as shown by Romney's 2010 U.S. Tax Return, on an income of $21.7 million, derived not from wages, but from capital investments and profits.  Mitt Romney paid only 13.9% in federal taxes, amounting to just over $3,016,000.00; far under the $7,595,000.00, owed under the 35% income tax rate his annual income falls under.  Romney's 2011 income is estimated to be $20.9 million, with a projected tax payment of 15.4%, less than half the 35% rate for income above $388,350.00, that is his income tax level.  This has fueled the months long debate and heat over why he refuses to release further tax returns and what most Americans response to knowing would mean for his presidential prospects.  Enter U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who for several days now has been saying Romney may have paid no income taxes for 10 years, which is why he will not release more of his tax information.  Majority Leader Reid has repeatedly asserted this week that an investor in Bain Capital, the financial firm founded and chaired by Romney until 1999, or 2002, has told him that the former Governor paid no income taxes for ten years. Although Reid has not substantiated the claim or identified his source, he continues to stand by the assertion and persists in calling on Romney to release further income tax returns.  This has led Republican Presidential nominee-designate to fire back at Leader Reid on Friday, while campaigning in LasVegas, Nevada; the State Harry Reid has represented for twenty six years in the United States Senate, energetically stating, "Harry Reid really has to put up or shut up".  Romney appearing before reporters after a campaign rally went on, "Let me say catergorically I have paid taxes every year.  And a lot of taxes. So Harry is simply wrong and that is why I am so anxious for him to give us the name of the people who put this forward.  I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear the names are people from the White House or the Obama campaign, or who knows where they are coming from", the Republican candidate told reporters.  Reid also responded on Feriday with a press release addressing Romney's rebuttal stating, "Romney's message to Nevadans is this : he won't release his taxes, but he wants to raise yours"..."It's hard to say which is more insulting to Americans' intelligence, Mitt Romney's tax plan, or his refusal to show the American people what's in his tax returns".  When he was asked why he would not release more years of his tax returns, Romney said he was only doing John McCain did in 2008; "I'm following the precedent of the last presidential candidate of our party, John McCain, putting out two years of income tax returns and putting out a financial disclosure statement, that is required by law of course".  Romney also portrayed these comments in view of Friday's July Jobs and UnEmployment Department of Labor report and the statements of Majority Leader Reid and President Obama, by saying, "I had hoped it would be a debate on the direction of the country but what we are seeing instead is one attack after another that are misleading, false attacks.  The President's ads are saying I am going to raise taxes on the middle class.  That is patently, simply, false.  The President has now raised taxes on the middle class as so determined by the Supreme Court".  The accelerating dispute Reid, Romney, Obama, and the respective Democratic and Republican campaigns, are mounting - guarantees Romney's tax returns will continue to be a bone of contention in the presidential campaign and with the vast majority of American citizens paying 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, and 35%, rates in income taxes without the benefit of tax breaks, shelters, investments, or exemptions, and most of us earning much less in wages and minimal return on savings or investments, in contrast to the twenty million dollars plus a year man who would be President, whose net worth is reported to be $250 million............Fr.  Troy  

ST. JOHN VIANNEY, EXEMPLARY PATRON OF PRIESTS............

August 4th on the Liturgical Calendar of the Catholic - Christian Church is the Memorial of Jean Baptist-Marie Vianney, known in English as St. John Vianney, and called the Cure of Ars, for his dedication and devotion as an assistant parish priest in 19th Century France.  Born on May 8, 1786;  as the fourth of six children of Matthieu Vianney and Marie Beluze, John Vianney was baptized on the date of his birth, and raised in a family who fervantly served the poor and generously provided hospital to St. Benedict Joseph Labre, who is now the patron saint of tramps, when Benedict Joseph journeyed through the Vianneys hometown of Dardilly, as he made his way to Rome, on a pilgrimage.  Despite delays in his youthful education and preparations to become a priest, and deficiencies in gis academic achievement John Vianney perservered through the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, to become a humble and holy priest, whose attention and ministry to the people he served had a transforming affect on the community of believers he served and centered in his affinity for celebrating Mas and in his availability for hearing Confessions and the Sacrament of Penance.  It is in this that St. John Vianney provides an example of holiness, fidelity, and commitment, to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, that sets a high standard for all priests and makes him a truly excellent exemplar for those who answer God's Call to minister as ordained priests IN Catholic-Christianity.  During his lifetime, Reverend Father Vianney, as curate, or associate priest in parish ministry became internationally renowned and received visitors between 1827 - 1856, of more than 20,000 annually by the end of that time period and leading him during the last decade of his life to spend two thirds to three quarters of everyday ( 16-18 hours daily) in the Confessional.  Vianney's contemplative spirituality which anchored him and took him away from Ars four times, beginning in 1853, was a great contributor to the effectiveness of his ministry as a priest.  When he died on August 4, 1859; at age 73, the local Bishop was joined at his fumeral by 300 priests, and 6,000 people in attendance.  Credited with multiple miracles,  his holiness and spirituality led to his being declared, "Venerable", by Pope Pius  IX in 1874; "Blessed", and a model for diocesan priests in 1905; by Pope Pius X - and, "Canonized", a Saint of the Church by Pope Pius XI, in 1925, less than two thirds of a century after his death.  His liturgical feast day was originally set on August 8th, and was changed to August 4th, the anniversary of his passing from earthly life.  Declared Patron Saint of Priests in 1929, eighty years later, he was invoked by Pope Benedict XVI, as patron of the spiritual and pastoral renewal observance for the, "Year of the Priest", in 2009-2010.  Noted for his intercession leading to Healing, especially the curing of children.  Two other historical notes about the life and death of  John Vianney stand out for me by this six times, papally honored saint.  As a student of the American Presidency, it is interesting that his birthday and the last day of his life, both intersect with the birthdays of two American Presidents.  Born on May 8th, 1876, that date eight years later became the birthday of President Harry S Truman, in 1884; and dying on August 4, 1859, one hundred and two years hence, August 4, 1961; became the birthday of President Barack Obama.  As we commemorate St. John Vianney today, let us pray thay his simple, but consistent devotion to God, and dedication to ministering to God's People, may continue to inspire and be emulated by all parish priests, especially at this critical juncture in the history and ordained ministry of  the Catholic Church in Christianity and the World............Fr.  Troy

THE OLYMPICS ARE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC COMPETITION NOT THE INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES PERSONAL LOVE AND SEX LIVES............

Today, American Olympic Swimmer Ryan Lochte turns 28.  He is finishing his greatly hyped and personally predicted performance in the 2012 London Summer Games of the 30th Olympiad, with 2 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals, 1 Bronze Medal, not quite the 5 Gold Medals, he, his family, and fans, thought he would win.  Taking nothing away from his excellent swimming skills and world record setting achievements, as well as his performance at these Olympic Games, but I like many others find ourselves amazed how he and his family have entered the question of his love and sex life into the Summer Olympics story he is living this week.  For his mother Ileana (Ike) to say in an NBC News Today Show interview, that because of his swimming her son Ryan doesn't have time for a romantic relationship, and goes out on, "one night stands", and his sisters in another NBC interview with the members of the Lochte Family to refer to his sex appeal saying even matronly co-workers are turned on by him, and for Ryan himself in pre Competition interviews to speak in the media about his sleeping and sex preferences, all seem strange self and family inclusions at the height of his participation in the Olympic Games.  No matter how beautiful, handsome, alluring, or appealing, to the countless women and men who are fans or viewers the Olympic competitors are, they are on the world stage because they are strenuously trained and qualified athletes, not because they are celebrities with sex appeal or marketing potential.  Ryan Lochte's assertion that 75 % of those in the Olympic Village are having sexual relationships and that he didn't participate in Beiing because he had a girlfriend, but will have fun this time because he's single, is a bizarre admission / justification, competing with - if not overshadowing the positive coverage derived from his medal winning swimming performance.   Objections to his mother's Today Show interview comments have intensified in recent days with a mostly negative reaction, that today both Ryan and his mother attempted to clear up her statement about his "one night stands", with mother Ike, telling USA Today, "What kind of mom is going to say that ?" (having a son who goes out on one night stands) "Especially being a mom and having two daughters".  Yet she did say that, so is this an apology, a denial, or redaction of the record ?  Supposedly both Ryan and his mom knew that she meant dating not hookups, it's the rest of us who misunderstood.  Ryan goes on to tell the USA Today interviewer, "I knew how the media was going to take it, and I know what my mom really meant...She's new to the whole media (experience) so she really didn't understand that they were going to twist it, and make it bad...She was definitely like, why did they do that ?  She is so oblivious to everything".  So it seems his mother has to disavow she ever said the words, and he has to diss his mom, in order to counter the coverage and fallout generated by her earlier comments during the past few days.   Being new to the media and oblivious to everything like this is a large stretch of at least eight years time, as Ryan swam in and medaled at the 2004 Athens, and 2008 Beiing Olympic Games.  I think there is another reason Ryan's love and sex life have been sprung into the Olympic 2012 spotlight.  Namely, his family's desire to share in his celebrity in a more pronounced and profitable way, ( reality show here we come !) and as a marketing strategy for the shoes, fashion design line, he is beginning to produce. (which might even include jewelled mouth grilles !!)  The excellence in Olympic competition that Ryan Lochte, as well as Missy Franklin, Tyler Clary, Rebecca Soni, Nathan Adrian, Allison Schmitt, along with Michael Phelps, in Swimming; and in Women's Gymnastics Gaby Douglas and the Fab 5, have gained at the one week mark in the London Summer Games, is so much more pertinent and meaningful.  Besides, overnight Gaby's Gold Medal victory landed her on boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, as America's newest and youngest athletic phenom !!!!!!!!!!!!............Fr.  Troy

CANDIDATES ROMNEY AND OBAMA CAST JULY JOBS REPORT IN DIFFERENT LIGHTS............

163, 000 new jobs were created during the month of July, according to the statistics released this morning by the U.S. Department of Labor.  Yet the current UnEmployment Rate went up from 8.217 % in June - reported as 8.2%; last month to 8.254% in July - reported as 8.3% today.  The number of jobs created was the greatest since February of this year, but still 96,000 fewer than it was then.  Both presidential candidates wasted no time responding to today's report and attempted to define its meaning.  Candidate Romney, who becomes the Republican nominee for President later this month, tweeted his preliminary responded to today's jobs numbers saying, "Today's increase in the unemployment rate is a blow to struggling middle class families...Americans deserve better and we can do better".  Defending the Incumbent Obama, who will be nominated for re-election early next month, his National Press Secretary Ben LaBolt responded, "There have been 29 months of consecutive jobs growth".  LaBolt went on to attack Congressional Republicans for failing to support President Obama's Jobs Plan, and the Romney Tax Plan, that he alledges would cause severe cuts and could create an economic slowdown.   The Romney campaign magnified their response by rolling out criticism from  surrogates Representative Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin; and former Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota; with Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul tweeted a press release highly critical of President Obama's Economic Stimulus - that declares, "Under Barack Obama the unemployment rate has been above 8% for 42 straight months, 98% of his tenure".  From the White House, Alan B. Krueger, Chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors responded in a statement to today's report, "More work remains to be done...today's employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy is continuing to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression".  With Members of Congress leaving Washington on their August Recess, the response to the July Jobs/UnEmployment Report, was predictable and partisan in nature.  Speaker of the House John Boehner, Republican from Ohio, said, "The private sector still is not 'doing fine', and President Obama's economic plan did not work".  Boehner opposing the President and Democrats Plan, went on to state raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans is, "insane".  Whereas, House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, from California, responded with, "Last month, 163,000 jobs were created despite Republicans refusal to work with President Obama and Democrats to create jobs, grow our economy, and ensure the economic security of our middle class".  Pelosi went on to acknowledge that with so many Americans out of work, "we must do more".  The 112th Congrees persists in being unable to reach accord on a tax policy before the end of this year when the Bush Tax Cuts will expire.  Before recessing the House passed a Tax Bill to keep incomes lower on all Americans, while the Senate passed President Obama's proposal that will raise income taxes on the top 2% of Americans, households making $250,000.00 a year or higher.  With just over three months to Election Day, the politics as well as the progress of the American Economy will most surely proceed to loom large in updating and furthering the unfolding of the Presidential campaign and determing who occupies the White House the next four years and whether Republicans, Democrats, or both; will continue to control the chambers of Congress, and if  bipartisan cooperation or extended stand-off will shape our American future............Fr.  Troy  

MICHAEL PHELPS ALL TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST............

Over the past twelve years, and four Summer Olympics, from ages 15, 19, 23, 27, in Sydney, Australia; Athens, Greece; Beiing, China; and London, England;  American Swimmer Michael Phelps, has proven himself to be a champion and a medalist of history making proportion.  Winning eight of his sixteen Olympic Gold Medals to date, at the Beiing Summer Olympics four years ago - their was some uncertainty this year as he approached the London Olympic Games, as to how ready he was to viably compete and whether he had been too lax in training over the past four years; especially in light of the world record setting achievements of his team mate and younger, fellow American rival, Ryan Lochte.  Yet winning three more medals at these Summer Olympics during the first six days of competition, including 2 more Gold Medals; Michael Phelps is now the undisputed All Time Medalist of the modern Olympic Games.  He and America have very good reason to be proud of his accomplishment.  Despite whatever criticism he did not work or train hard enough for London, and after a disappointing start, he has come back strong and shown his continuing ability to succeed victoriously in a record setting way.  Phelps is considered the best overall male American Olympics Swimmer deservingly so; ahead of outstanding medalists, Mark Spitz, Johnny Weismuller, and Matt Biondi. But he is also a normal man in his twenties, who is not an aquatic robot, but a human being, who will do other things characteristic of a young man.  Although not as dominant in London 2012, as he was in Beiing 2008, he is still proving his ability to compete as a respectable  Olympian.  Kudos and Congratulations have once again been earned by Michael Phelps, outstanding Olympics swimmer and all time Olympics medalist............Fr.  Troy

CHICK FIL-A APPRECIATION DAY AND THE BATTLE OVER TRADITIONAL AND GAY MARRIAGE............

Dan Cathy, the founder / owner of the popular Chick fil-A chicken sandwich restaurants across the United States, a traditional Christian and social conservative, whose values and religious beliefs are so closely and devoutly held, that the restaurant franchises are closed on Sundays; gave interviews just over two weeks ago, that created such a stir, that on Wednesday led to what former Arkansas Governor. Republican Presidential candidate, and FOX News commentator/talk show host, Mike Huckabee declared to be, "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day".  Dan Cathy's comments about his belief in the righteousness of traditional marriage between one man and one woman, and vehement denunciation of same sex, gay marriage, set off a firestorm that rallied loyal supporters and unbridled vociferous opposition that included critical announcements from two major city mayors, denouncing his statements.  American freedom, personal moral values and religious beliefs, again have found themselves interwined and conflicted with partisan politics, cultural preferences and personal lifestyle choices.  As has been true for much of the past two decades in our country, the United States is now very much a fifty-fifty nation on such contentious, touchstone, issues.  Dan Cathy's right to freely hold and state his beliefs and practice the values he and his fellow believers adhere to, is assured; but agree or disagree with him, so is does that freedom allow those who hold the much different view and practice, to oppose and speak out against it.  The constitutional assurance to  Free Speech for all Americans permits every side of any issue to be heard.  Thus Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, have the opportunity to speak out against Dan Cathy's views, even while the extent to which they oppose his words and values, saying they would fight Chick-fil-A franchises from coming to their cities their is serious right to question.  That is also true of former Governor Mike Huckabee, former Senator Rick Santorum, Representative Michelle Bachman, and others on Wednesday who Facebooked and Tweeted their support for Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A, and posted pictures of themselves eating one of its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries; just as tens of thousands loyally lined up for long waits to do the same on Wednesday.  All of this undergirds the potency of the clash caused by the cultural conflict continuing to unfold and play out between traditional values adherents and equal rights proponents on the issue of allowing for hetrosexual marriage only, or extending the right to marriage to same sex couples.  The past two weeks has shown again - that in addition to representing moral values, religious beliefs, and personal practices, - political differences and calculations, are also potent components of the American equation of Marriage............Fr.  Troy

THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT MANDATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND THE ONE YEAR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION............

The Health and Human Services Department Mandate of the new Federal Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, National Health Care Law, also referred to as, ObamaCare; went into effect today - requiring business employers, hospitals, and universities, to provide contraception insurance coverage for their employees and students, but allowing a one year exemption for religious institutions.  It has set off an opposition effort from Catholic Bishops, Businesses, Hospitals, and Universities, charging it is a violation of Religious Liberty, and Freedom from Government Intervention, or Violation of Conscience.  President Obama granted the one year exemption as a softening of the Law to find a Compromise with religious groups.  He did so, while assuring greater access to check ups, test screenings, and preventive services, in an effort to keep down spiraling health care costs, and extend insurance coverage diagnosing and dealing with diseases and illnesses early, while seeking to curb health complications and unwanted pregnancies.  With several Catholic religious groups fighting the Mandate by pulling health insurance coverage or filing lawsuits against it, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., the oldest Catholic higher educational third level institution in the United States, is facing the challenge by staying faithful to Church reaching but also seeking to further the dialogue to reach a permanent compromise between the Church and the Government over the Mandate in the Health Care Law.  The will not provide Birth Control coverage during this year of exemption.    Members of the American Catholic Hierarchy, the Republican Party, and Social Conservatives, are adamantly opposing the Mandate, while the Obama Administration seeks to implement it, but not trample on religious beliefs, yet see that others holding differing views have access to it.  So at least until the General Election and the politics and governance of 2013 and beyond are played out; the Mandate will proceed and simultaneously Catholic institutions and other religious groups opposed to it will continue to avoid being impacted by it in ways contrary to Catholic-Christian beliefs.  One of the ways an acceptable permanent compromise could be achieved in the year ahead is to guarantee that the health insurers, not the employers or institutions, are responsible for covering the cost of contraception. As in the pluralistic, capitalist, democracy, that is the 21st Century United States of America all Catholic institutions are composed of and serve Catholics and non Catholics alike; and the Catholic Church in the USA is comprised of believers who are strongly divided on the practice of contraception. How we can succeed in imposing our official Church teaching on non Catholics or unbelievers, will hardly be achieved.  We must continue to fight the good fight in fidelity to our Catholic-Christian Faith, and be true to furthering the common good of all American citizens by supporting accessibility to health care that puts people, not profits first.  That requires ongoing Dialogue and Compromise that can and will pave the path to discovering a Consensus that serves the greatest good of our citizens and disciples, succeeding beyond the limitations of partisan politics, religious differences, and other special interests............Fr.  Troy

NEW QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL SHOWS OBAMA LEADING ROMNEY IN 3 KEY SWING STATES............

The latest Quinnipiac University Poll taken in tandem with CBS News and the New York Times between July 24 - 30, has President leading Governor Romney in the electorally essential swing states of Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  The President's tax proposal revolving around those earning more or less than $250,000 a year is also finding solid support in those same three States. More than 1, 100  Likely Voters in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, were asked if the Election for President were held today who they would cast their ballot for responded :  in Florida - Obama 51%;  Romney 45%;  in Ohio - Obama 50%;  Romney 44%;  in Pennsylvania - Obama 53%;  Romney 42%;.  The margin of error is less than three percent, thus it could be from a dead even tie, to a twelve point Obama lead in Florida and Ohio; to a five to seventeen point Obama  point Obama lead in Pennsylvania.  No Republican candidate for President has ever won the General Election without winning Ohio; and since the Kennedy-Nixon Presidential Election in 1960, the winning candidate has won at least two of the three States, with President winning all three in 2008.  The drop in the UnEmployment rate in these three swing states greater than it is nationally; as well as support for the President's proposal to raise taxes on  those earning more than a quarter of a million dollars a year income, leading in this poll are likely boosting Obama's re-election in these three States.  Support for the income tax increase on households earning more than $250,000 annually is 58%-37%; in Florida;  60%-37%; in Ohio;  and 62%-34%; in Pennslyvania.  Continuing the focus on the swing states that will determine the outcome of this Election, President Obama campaigned in Ohio today, attacking the Romney Tax Plan saying it would cause the poor and middle class to pay more in income taxes to offset tax cuts for the wealthy.  The Romney campaign charged the Brookings Institute / Tax Policy Center report on which the Obama attack on Romney is based, has, "glaring gaps", and is being used by the Obama campaign to distract voters from what they call a, "sputtering economy".  Last November, campaigning against Texas Governor Rick Perry's income tax proposal in the Primaries, Romney called studies by the Brookings Institute/Tax Policy Center an, "objective, third party analysis"............Fr.  Troy