The Restoration Review

Cleveland has had many great voices for the unborn.  Today we look back at a special one, Brother Patrick Ryan, OSB.  It has been almost seven years since his death, but many in the pro-life community still fondly recall the humble, joyful Benedictine monk from St. Andrew's Abbey.   He helped save many unborn lives with his prayer and wise counsel outside abortion clinics.   “To Jesus, through Mary, with a smile" was his winning strategy. The followng is an excerpt from the St Andrew Abbey magazine: On Monday, January 12, 2015, shortly after the conventual morning Mass celebrated by the prior concluded in the abbey church, word was received that our beloved Brother Patrick Ryan, OSB, had been welcomed to the Supper of the Lamb as he passed away at 7:20 AM at Regina Health Center in Richfeld, Ohio where he had sufered with an inoperable tumor for the past year. Brother Patrick was 82 years old and had been professed as Benedictine monk for 62 years... ***** ...

“Be not overcome by evil: but overcome evil by good."   A group of pro-lifers who regularly pray for expectant mothers and their babies in front of Preterm on Friday afternoons have begun distributing free coats, hats, gloves, sweaters and blankets to those in the Preterm neighborhood.     On a recent Friday between 3pm to 5pm, over ten coats were distributed as well as five or six boxes of various other winter gear. The effort, known as the Solanus Casey Project, began this February when one of the new regulars noticed how one long-time prayer warrior, Fred, interacted with folks who happened to be walking by on the sidewalk as he prayed the Rosary for the unborn. “Fred is there from 2pm to 6pm every Wednesday and Friday and everyone seems to know him and trust him.   One week he is providing a hungry stranger a candy bar; the next week a passerby stops and Fred is trying to find him homeless shelter.   And the entire time, Fred is constan...

Below a tremendous report on how the prayerful presence of the  Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament outside of Preterm helped save an unborn baby's life! Former abortionists and former abortion workers consistently report that when pro-life witnesses gather and pray outside abortion clinics it has a dramatic impact on reducing the number of abortions performed.  Please get out and pray at Preterm.  One pro-life hero is at Preterm every Wednesday and Friday from 2 to 6.  Please join him when you can.  And there are always a pro-life warriors at  Preterm on Saturday mornings. Below is a great story on how a prayerful presence can save a life: A very encouraging report from the folks who help organize  the Cleveland Chapter of 40 Days for Life: "It was a very busy day, reports Rosary for Life. At least 15 pro-lifers were at Preterm praying  and counseling and those missing faithful Saturday prayer warriors had been exc...

The classically educated Catholic students at a small, private academy in Lakewood’s Bird Town neighborhood continue to astound the Speech & Debate establishment.   This past weekend, the Padre Pio Academy Debate Team continued its phenomenal season with a very strong performance at the Detroit Urban Debate League Tournament.   The performance was even more remarkable given the fact that none of the debaters on the Padre Pio team has yet reached high school. The team of Gideon Fry and Balin Kimbrell won the JV High School Policy Debate division.   They were 3-1 in preliminary rounds and then defeated Cass Technical High School in the championship round on a 3-0 decision.   Cass Technical High School was undefeated going into the championship round having defeated Padre Pio earlier in the tournament.  This is the first high school championship Gideon and Balin have won.   It is the first time winning a championship round (not a...

The scouting alternative we have all been waiting for, 40 Days for Life, 2 bonfires, and more highlight an incredible list of 7 Catholic things to do this weekend. 1    1.   We are not sure what this is all about, but it involves a bonfire, smores and Mary Queen of Apostles parish - - - so it must be awesome. For young adults  Reflections by the Bonfire.   Some details:         “Join us on Friday, September 27 for a bonfire and reflection. Come for an evening of faith, fellowship & s’mores! All are welcome!" Sponsored by the Mary Queen of Apostles Young Adult Ministry.  Let them know you are coming here, young adults:  Reflections by the Bonfire 1.       2.   We probably don’t need to even mention 40 Days for Life …….except, we do!!!  Get involved.  If you missed the kick off, it is never too late to start praying & fasting for the unborn.  So...

40 Days for Life begins today, folks.    Do something!    We can all fast and pray.   So start there.   We really like this from the 40 Days website: PRAYER& FASTING Knowing that “with God, all things are possible,” people of faith and conscience unite in 40 days of prayer and fasting. Christ told us some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. The two go hand in hand. Prayer keeps us rooted in the fact that it is our desire to carry out God’s will. Fasting is a sacrifice that helps us reach beyond our own limitations with God’s help. Also, even if it makes you a bit uncomfortable, head out to Preterm and pray there.   It is the largest abortion clinic in Ohio.  One gentleman prays for 4 hours in front of Preterm every Wednesday and Friday.   Start with a Rosary once a week and build from there. Remember, the most efficacious of all prayers is the Holy Mass.   On Saturday, at 9 am, less than ...

Seven Catholic Things to do in Cleveland this Weekend 9/20 to 9/22 1.           The Conversionof St. Paul Shrine on E 41 st & Euclid is one of our city’s true treasures.   Home of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration .   This is where Mother Angelica started her vocation at this very Cleveland monastery.   While there, make sure to visit the All Saints Oratory.   Come and venerate the relics of the Greatest Saints who ever lived!   It is truly amazing.   Schedule from their website : 2.         While you are driving around this weekend, why not resolve to listen to Catholic radio.  We have two great stations in the diocese.  Cleveland based 1260 the Rock and Living BreadRadio out of Canton.  We also love the sermons on Sensus Fidelium .  3.        Every single Friday from 2pm to 6pm, one man has committed to praying in fro...