Novena to St. Joseph for the election

I received this from someone this past week. What a great idea for a Novena to St. Joseph. It should have started yesterday for the nine days, but I'm sure God will understand if you only start it today.

The Federal election is in less than 3 weeks! It is only my opinion, but I think it would be a good idea at this time to pray for our beautiful country. Since voting day this year happens to be exactly one week after our Thanksgiving Holiday, let’s remember the blessings that God has bestowed on us, and ask His help in obtaining the best possible outcome.

To my fellow Catholics, I would even suggest: Why not a novena to St-Joseph, who was chosen as early as the 17th century, by Saint Mgr. de Laval, as the Patron Saint of Canada? Below is a prayer that I have tried to write for this purpose, and I would suggest to try to say this prayer on each of the 9 days preceding voting day (beginning on the Saturday before Thanksgiving), followed by the Lord's Prayer, and/or one decade or all of a Rosary, whatever you are comfortable with.

Prayer to St. Joseph

For a blessing on this year's Federal Elections

O Saint Joseph, loving father, faithful guardian of Jesus and spouse of the Mother of God, we pray you to remind God the Father of all the love He has shown for us in offering up the death and resurrection of His Son to give us life.

Our beautiful country, Canada, has been consecrated to you from its very beginnings. Just as Mary and Jesus recognized in you the protector given to them by the Father, so too we are placing ourselves under your protection.

We humbly ask you to intercede through the power of Jesus, and obtain for us from the eternal Father the grace to choose the best possible team of men and women to lead our country, men and women who will be true leaders, who are not going to be in government for their own ego, personal advantage, or agenda, but who are going to see themselves as servants of society and will focus on the common good, while working as wise stewards of the riches of our country, in harmony with God's design.

Amen

Justin Trudeau doesn't understand the Canada Health Act

In this "up for debate" interview with Justin Trudeau, the interviewer asks a question--based on a falsehood--and Trudeau just as sweet as can be, goes along with it. Either Trudeau knows it is false and doesn't correct the interviewer which is a scary thought, or he doesn't know it's false which is even a scarier thought.

Check out page 8 where Trudeau is asked about the Canada Health Act and how it requires abortion to be funded (the CHA does no such thing), and Justin says if he's elected he will have a conversation with any jurisdiction not living up to their responsibilities under the CHA:

FP: Another question which does not get much air time because it’s a question that is seen as something that was settled 30 years ago and I’m talking about reproductive rights, abortion. The Canada Health Act stipulates that every Canadian woman has a right to a free, accessible abortion without conditions. That is not being applied right now. PEI, a Liberal government, has turned away from its obligations. What are you prepared to do about that?

JT: I had a conversation with the Premier about this just a few months ago. The fact is they have moved in the right direction, made a significant change. There is no a 2 doctor rule around that. But you’re right, there are presently no abortions offered on the island of Prince Edward Island. And I certainly hope that that’s going to change. Because it’s important that we make sure that full medical access to reproductive services are available to every woman across this country. And that is something that the Liberal Party is engaged in. 

Dear Justin: Repeating a falsehood doesn't make it true.

Canada's shame: Leaders refuse to protect pre-born children

Mike Schouten in today's National Post:

"Justin Trudeau’s attempt to play wedge politics with the abortion issue fell flat at last week’s French language debate. This must have been disappointing for him as his position has been clear for some time: he supports every form of abortion — including for the sole purpose of terminating the lives of girl babies simply because they are female — at every stage of pregnancy. He even issued an edict stating that anyone who questioned the status quo was not welcome in the Liberal party. 

The de facto position of Thomas Mulcair and Stephen Harper is, in principle, no different. When questioned directly by Trudeau last Friday, Harper said the same as he has been saying for years, “My position for 10 years has been I don’t intend to re-open this debate...”

...In effect Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau all support sex-selective abortion. They care less about the fact that girls are targeted for abortion much more frequently than boys. Their refusal to act is a sign that they endorse this misogynistic practice in Canada. 

All three leaders also support late-term abortion. They show no regard for the reality that every year thousands of babies lose their lives by being aborted in the latter stages of pregnancy, after the stage when children of the same age are born, survive outside of the womb, and live productive lives as Canadian citizens..."

Mauril Belanger - assisted suicide and applause

There was another thing that came out of last night's debate. Mauril Belanger said:

"I have always voted for assisted suicide, never euthanasia. I will never support that."

What was depressing, was the big round of applause Belanger got for his support for assisted suicide.

We used to say it was tragic when someone committed suicide. Now we clap our hands.

Ottawa-Vanier - splitting the left vote

Interesting debate last night at Colonel By high school for Ottawa-Vanier candidates. I thought all the candidates did fairly well. Not too sure though about the Marxist-Leninist candidate, couldn't quite understand him and his thoughts weren't overly coherent.

There were a lot of the left leaning persuasion persons in the room and they seemed to applaud a lot for the NDP, Liberals, and Green parties. But it definitely wasn't a crowning of Belanger as I had feared.

There was some disruptive laughing/snickering/rudeness going on when Conservative David Piccini was speaking about how his party is allowed to vote with their conscience. I know that Harper controls his MPs pretty tightly, but really? Isn't it both the Liberals and NDP who don't even allow people into their party who are pro-life (and so never even get to vote their conscience) and NOT the Conservatives?

My take away from the debate is that I found the NDP and Green candidates were both quite strong, especially the NDP's Emilie Taman. Hopefully this will translate into taking away votes from Liberal Mauril Belanger who is well past his best before date.