Body-branding is a painful practice often regarded as too cruel to inflict on animals, but that hasn’t deterred tattoo enthusiast Kerri, who let Channel 4 film her first foray into more extreme body modification. MORE

State Sen. Ricardo Lara, an openly gay Los Angeles Democrat, wants to replace a bronze statue of Serra with a monument honoring the late Sally Ride, the nation’s first female astronaut. Lara said Ride would become “the first member of the LGBT community” to be honored in Statuary Hall. MORE

I was at the FEST at Borremeo Seminary on Sunday and had a great time with my family. Some of the music (Skillet) was a little disturbing, but overall it was a wonderful event.

However, I was very distracted at Mass by the very prominent display of rainbow colored flags, banners on the side of the stage and on the actual altar itself. I hope this wasn’t intentional, but I would think that those who organized the event would know that the rainbow colored sash/flag theme is the main symbol used by the gay/lesbian community. And with all the allegations regarding the homosexual atmosphere in the past, I am surprised they made this theme a central part of the day. SOURCE

I’m at a loss for words over this one.

Faith is important to former President Jimmy Carter, and he writes about it extensively in his new memoir A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety. But his religious beliefs don’t keep him from supporting every American’s right to marry the person they love. MORE

The WBO World Championship Committee has officially stripped Floyd Mayweather of the WBO welterweight title for failure to pay the $200,000 sanction fee, failure to advise the WBO of his position within the WBO welterweight division (despite requesting an extension) and failure to vacate the two 154-pound world titles he holds. MORE & MORE

The day before leaving on his weeklong trip to Latin America, Pope Francis told a large gathering of Catholics on Saturday that “a great temptation” is for leaders to believe themselves “indispensable” and that a “time limit” should be set for those with roles in the church.

Although he didn’t refer to himself directly, the Pope’s comments, given at a gathering of thousands in St Peter’s Square, reignited speculation that the pontiff may follow Benedict XVI and resign rather than serve as Pope for life. MORE

Pope Francis wraps up the first leg of a three-nation South American pilgrimage Wednesday after issuing an impassioned call for a new economic and ecological world order where the goods of the Earth are shared by everyone, not just exploited by the rich.

Francis will visit the elderly and give a pep talk to local priests before flying to Bolivia, where the environment, ministering to the poor and the government’s tense relations with the Catholic Church are high on the agenda. MORE

I’ve heard there was a secret chord – That David played, and it pleased the Lord – But you don’t really care for music, do you? – It goes like this – The fourth, the fifth – The minor fall, the major lift – The baffled king composing Hallelujah MORE LYRICS … APPLAUSE????

The Japanese press has taken to calling it sekkusu shinai shokogun: celibacy syndrome.

Basically, the country just isn’t that interested in sex — and it could have huge effects beyond its borders.

The most recent evidence comes in a survey by the Japan Family Planning Association, reported on in the Japan Times.

A full 49.3% of respondents between the ages of 16 and 49 in the 1,134-person survey said they hadn’t had sex in the past month. MORE

A leading authority in Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, has been sending concise messages to his people the Jews urging them to make their journey to Israel in order to harken the coming of the “messiah”. When asked about the timing he proclaimed, “At the end of the Sabbatical year,” which would put us in September 2015.

Gun shop owners are reporting a spike in gun sales, as a result of the current terror wave, and also of new regulations that allow more citizens to buy and hold guns. MORE

July 4, 1776 = 17th Tammuz

July 4, 2015 = 17th Tammuz

The last time July 4 was on the 17th of Tammuz was 1996. In other words, this doesn’t happen every few years but rather about every 20. The next time July 4th falls on the 17th of Tammuz is 2034. Folks, this is not a common occurrence. When you add September 23rd falling on Yom Kippur that same year it is even more rare. As you know many prophetic indicators are pointing to this date. MORE

Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) – Boko Haram carried out a fresh wave of massacres in northeastern Nigeria on Friday, locals said, killing nearly 200 people in 48 hours of violence President Muhammadu Buhari blasted as “inhuman and barbaric”. MORE

“Be renewed in spirit”

Vol 8 Issue 27 ~ Editor: Rev. Fr. Courtney Edward Krier

July 4, 201

1. Baptism: Means of Salvation (23)
2. Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
3. St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
4. Marriage and Parenthood (27)
5. Articles and notices Continue reading →