A Pensacola, Florida abortion clinic closed Oct. 30, just as the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils being held at the site were drawing to an end. The clinic was facing a state fine for an expired license. The facility had been the site for three "40 Days."

“There had been an abortion clinic in that location for 25 years,” said David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life. “People have prayed there that abortions would cease, and it was during the fall 40 Days for Life campaign -- the peaceful, prayerful presence of faithful Christians -- that it was finally announced that this facility, where untold numbers of unborn children perished, was closing.

"That is not just a coincidence. God works in mysterious ways, and this is indeed an answer to prayer!”

Harrisburg Bids Farewell To Bishop Rhoads

The announcement came as a shock to the faithful of Harrisburg that their beloved Bishop has been chosen to lead the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The Bishop has been out-spoken on various topics pertinent to Catholic teaching. Most recently, the Notre Dame honoring President Obama at this past summer's commencement ceremony. Rhoads now shepherds the diocese that is home to ND. Could this be the Holy Father's hand being played on the topic? Our prayers are with Bishop Rhoads, and the dioceses of Harrisburg & Fort-Wayne-South Bend.

In Definition Of Marriage

The U.S. bishops are praising Maine's voters for speaking out in favor of the truth of marriage and repealing a state law that would have allowed same-sex "marriage." Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage, said this in a statement released on behalf of the U.S. episcopal conference.

Maine is the 31st state to oppose gay "marriage" at the polls. Five states now allow the unions.
"The people of Maine voted to uphold the true nature of marriage as the union of one man and one woman,..."Marriage is an institution which precedes all others, whether political or religious. It deserves the state’s reinforcement and protection," said Kurtz.

While the archbishop acknowledged that the Church's opposition to gay "marriage" is hard for some to accept, he urged "all to respect it...the Church "stands for the basic rights of all people," he continued, and noted that it speaks out against discrimination or unjust treatment of any group of people. But the issue of marriage, "has nothing to do with denying basic rights to anyone, though it is often framed in such terms."

"In fact, protecting marriage is safeguarding the rights of our most dependent and vulnerable among us -- our children, who deserve to be welcomed as a gift of spousal love and not to be intentionally deprived of a mother and a father," Archbishop Kurtz said.

"Sadly, the attempts to redefine marriage today ignore or reject the unique identity and gifts of man and woman," said Archbishop Kurtz. "Such a dismissal only fosters confusion about what it means to be human. "Protecting marriage between one man and one woman is a matter of justice. It is a matter of truth. Law should be at the service of truth and justice. Laws based on untruths are unjust."

Archbishop Kurtz invited all to work toward making marriages stronger, and to not attempt to redefine it: "Marriage must be protected and promoted today for what it is and what it is meant to be: the lifelong, exclusive union between husband and wife." "There are many ways to uphold the basic human rights of all people," he added, "but sacrificing marriage can never be one of them."

Check out TIME this week.

Pray For The Poor Souls In Purgatory

O Almighty and Eternal Father, as by your will we pray for the souls in purgatory. I dedicate to you through the most pure hands of Mary, all the masses that are offered today, for your glory and for the release of the souls in Purgatory. I humbly beg you to forgive them their sins, through the grace of your beloved Son and to have mercy on them.

In reparation for the failures of these souls to show you praise, love, honor and gratitude, and for the merits which they failed to gain, I offer to you all the praise, love, honor, gratitude, and suffering with which your Son praised you while He was on Earth.

In reparation for all the negligence and indifference showed by these souls, I offer you the ardent eagerness with which Your Son accomplished all his deeds on Earth, deeds which endure and glorify you in all the Holy Masses.

In reparation for all the mistakes and faults of these souls, I offer you all the virtues of your Son, which continue to glorify you in all the Holy Masses.

In expiation of the sins of these souls, I offer you the divine Blood which your Son spilled while on earth, and which He still offers to you for us in all the holy Masses.

As recompense for all the punishments and tortures which these souls suffer, I offer you the terrible suffering and death of your beloved Son, which are renewed by him in all the holy Masses.

For the liberation of these souls from the darkness of sin, I offer you the merits which your Son had on earth, and which he still offers in all the holy Masses.

Finally to appease your strict justice, I offer you all the virtues of the most Holy Mother of God and all your saints, who suffered greatly to make up for what the souls in purgatory failed to fulfill. May the merits which they obtained, united with the suffering and death of your beloved Son, attain for the souls in purgatory everlasting freedom and peace. Amen.

Saint Bernard's Joy

Only Jesus is "joy to the heart," says Benedict XVI, citing words from St. Bernard of Clairvaux. The Pope offered a reflection on the 12th-century saint, highlighting the abbot's personal relationship with Christ. "Only Jesus -- insists Bernard in face of the complex dialectical reasoning of his time -- only Jesus is 'honey to the mouth, song to the ear, joy to the heart,'" the Holy Father said. He recalled another line from the abbot: "'When you discuss or speak, nothing has flavor for me, if I have not heard resound the name of Jesus.'"

Obama's "Catholic Plan"

This weekend I am the Assistant Spiritual Director for the 80th Women's Weekend of Cursillo in the Allentown Diocese. Please pray that the ladies will find this "short course" in our faith a valuable experience. DeColores!