The Foothills of Carmel

A Spiritual Bouquet for Our Holy Father

2011-02-20T22:03:00.001-05:00

This is a wonderful opportunity to offer prayers and devotions for our Holy Father, who very much needs our prayers.
Visit daily and log your devotions by voting!

Thanks, Fr. Z, for this opportunity.

Remember Our Brother and Sisters Suffering Persecution!

2010-11-30T17:17:00.001-05:00

The First Sunday of Advent--Cycle A

2010-11-28T22:50:00.001-05:00

Every year at the beginning of Advent, I experience such a thrill! It is the beginning of a whole new liturgical year--and the beginning of the greatest rescue adventure ever. Who ever could have imagined this?

We are so accustomed to the same old, same old. Our reality is so flat, we are so blase´. The more wonders unfold before our eyes, the more we become jaded, consumed by the old ennui.

This is our chance to see with new eyes; to set aside a season to wait, to look, to listen. Just when the world is putting on it's flashiest, most materialistic show, we are really being called to stop and to step aside for a bit. Look up! Listen up!

Stay awake!

Jesus alerts us to the fact that we are being lulled to sleep by the world. We will not be ready when the Great King comes. And then, what a cause for regret! Imagine, if the innkeeper had only known, if he had been aware of Whom he was turning away! Imagine, if we only knew, each time we turn Him away, every day. The Great King is coming, in the most unexpected ways, and at every moment--the most unexpected time. But we are so drowsy, so ho-hum, that we miss it, we miss Him. "If they had known".

We know (or we used to know, at any rate) that He came on that long-ago night--but we have managed to turn the awe of that occasion into "the first lucky 13 people in the door will get a $95 IPad." How sad; how boring.

But turn off the TV, the IPod, the Computer, and come away into a quiet place a little while. Listen.

Stay awake!

He is coming at the moment you least expect. He is coming right now.

There are so many excellent Advent resources in print and on the web. I did just find one more that I am enjoying very much. Fr. Hoisington's lovely blog Reflections On the Sacred Liturgy
has much to recommend it; at present I am especially enjoying his use of the Catena Aurea to illumine the riches of Advent's scriptures.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

2010-10-08T10:07:00.001-04:00

As a guide to meditation on the Mysteries of the day, I have a little "prayerbook" on my Rosary website. Here is a devotional guide to today's Sorrowful Mysteries.

Often I find myself dwelling on the Agony in the Garden. I think it is at that point that i can most relate to the suffering of Jesus. When I peer beyond that to all He underwent at the hands of His tormentors, for my sake, my understanding fails me. The awful torments He chose out of love! But mental distress, this I can guess at, at least dimly.

The most distressing thought of all is that it is my sins which caused this; and which daily still serve to distress Him.

King of Mercy, King of Love!

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

2010-10-07T13:54:00.001-04:00

Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!

I am spending a little extra time today in Rosary meditations, as best I can, as a poor little gift to Our Lady--my Mother who has me as the least of her daughters, and who loves me better than I can tell.

I use Yahoo Widgets for lots of little gadgety things, but one widget is much more than a gadget. It is my Rosary widget, which has the mystery of the day (or you can selct one to pray over and over--as with the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent, say), pictures and a selection of meditations. There are links to two sets of online meditations, one from St. Josemaria Escriva and the other from Father Z. Today I decided to spend a bit of extra meditation time on the First Luminous Mystery--here, and here.

There are so many wonderful links and tools relating to "The Weapon" of choice in Spiritual Battle. We are so blessed today to access to all of this. As time permits today, I will post up some more links and resources.

AVE MARIA!

Do you make an adequate thanksgiving after Mass?

2010-05-27T13:52:00.001-04:00

After Mass--for most people at my parish, its who can get out the door fastest. It is the sweetest, best time possible to spend with the Lord. In a way that is beyond imagining, He is united with us, so close to us--closer than our own heartbeat! And we totally miss it. How this must wound Him.

Happy Birthday Papa!

2010-04-16T18:14:00.001-04:00

Ad multos annos!

oremus pro pontifice.

I have to say it--on this day my heart is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to God for giving us such a shepherd.
And as well my heart brims with love and gratitude for our Holy Father.

Examination of Facts in latest Slurs against the Holy Father

2010-04-10T16:31:00.001-04:00

CatholicCulture.org has an excellent commentary on the lack of journalistic standards in the latest slur campaign against Pope Benedict. The AP should blush to call such sloppy biased tale-spinning journalism. This excellent article by Phil Lawler answers the key questions surrounding the Holy Father's involvement in the case factually and shows that, once again, the implications and charges are completely groundless.

Pray daily for our Shepherd, the Pope.

Sshhhh--Staying Hidden and Humble with Joseph

2010-03-19T11:24:00.009-04:00

Today is a good day to reflect on the value of hidden virtue. To be of inestimable value to God, our deeds, restraints, thoughts and prayers do not have to be known to all and sundry--indeed they do not need to be known by anyone but God. I think that, except for God's own decision to have deeds and personages known by others for the sake of His Glory and the salvation of souls, that virtue is best brewed in secret.

We receive no word that Mary made known the merits of her case to Joseph; rather, God saw to it that an angel took care of that matter.

As for himself, in Sacred Scripture, St. Joseph remains mute. He speaks to us through the faithfulness of his actions. The just man lived a hidden and humble life, a life of poverty and labor.

In my pursuit of humility, I can think of no greater advocate before Jesus, Save Mary herself.

Our Holy Mother, St. Teresa said we should learn to be able to suffer a bit for the Lord without the whole world knowing about it. Another great Carmelite, Saint Teresa Margaret Redi, prayed faithfully for the grace to remain hidden in her whole life, so that none would remark on her. And of course, we have the example of St. Therese's "little way", in which remaining hidden can be so great a help.

Saint Joseph, help me to take profit from every opportunity to learn to enjoy being hidden and humble. Let me not squander any chance to profit from the Graces that your Divine Son grants me! O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, I beg you to make my heart like unto thine!

Anglican Ordinariate

2010-03-12T05:01:00.001-05:00

Damian Thompson's column in the Telegraph gives us an excellent overview of this personal use Ordinariate, provided by Bishop Peter Elliott of Melbourne, the delegate of the Ausralian Catholic Bishop's Conference to the project of establishing the Personal Ordinariate in Australia. The quoted text provides a concise explanation of the varieties of ordinariate, as well.

Laying Down Self

2010-03-12T04:35:00.001-05:00

"Nearly every family and household have mental peculiarities of their own, which others recognize and appreciate far more distinctly than themselves. The same is true of religious communities, of large cities, and finally of nations themselves. In this peculiarity we shall for the most part find that the weaknesses and unworthinesses of our character entrench themselves."

I found this quote at one of my yahoo groups, Catholic Retreats . It is apparently from a book titled At the Foot of the Cross, the First Dolor, Part 13.

This struck me to the heart. It is so very true that in our peculiarities reside our weaknesses, or our "miseries", as St. Faustina would put it. These are the very things which constitute misery and weakness itself--because they belong to "me", not to Jesus Christ.

I must decrease so that He may increase. This is the very thing that is so hard for us, because we must give up our sense of entitlement, that is so entrenched in Western culture. Its all about me, baby; all about me. What is mine, peculiarly mine--my "rights", emotions, preferences. We perceive we have a "right " to these, when in fact, nothing could be further from the Truth.

Our rights and our freedoms consist in the right to love and be in right relationship with God--lover to Lover, child to Parent, servant to master. This Lent I am engaged in a fierce struggle to lay "I, Me and Mine" at the foot of the Cross.

Not my will but Thine be done, Father

Halfway Through Lent

2010-03-11T10:32:00.002-05:00
Well, we are about halfway through Lent. I have spent some time this morning looking at what I have undertaken so far, and my results are mixed. As one might expect, I have done the best with those things to which I am more naturally attracted, and the worst with things that are the greatest struggle for me. To wit, MBM (My Big Mouth).

I have not been entirely unsuccessful but I can do better. I would also like to be more abstemious with certain things than I am at present, more in line with my original resolve.

Putting on the full armor of the Lord, I journey forth again today to my small world to do spiritual battle. I take heart from the antiphon for midday prayer throughout Lent:

"As I live, says the Lord, I do not desire the sinner to die, but to turn back to me and live!"

Turning, turning, turning.

Beautiful Article on Mary and Redemptive Suffering by Shane Kapler at Catholic Exchange

2010-01-12T11:19:00.001-05:00

Here is a lovely reflection on Mary and redemptive suffering.

I need reminders of this in my own life. You know I worry sometimes that one can accept sufferings that one ought to be changing. I am still struggling with the parameters of this. At heart, I believe that whatever God sends is a grace--so that it is hard to pray for deliverance. But again, we are exhorted to lay our needs before tha Lord.

I guess that the best attitude is that which St. Pio counseled: "Pray and don't worry!"

Worrywart that I am; I need this admonition! Being able to rest in the Lord and accept suffering as Grace and Tonic from His hand is in itself a wonderful grace!   When, in the laboratory of my daily life, I am working on this (and it seems I often am), I find the Holy Name and the brief prayer, "Jesus, I trust in You!" to be the biggest help.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

2010-01-10T13:06:00.001-05:00

I have always been fascinated by this feast---how Christ sanctified the waters and entered into communion with us, manifest here. I also know that there are levels of theological and mystical meaning here that i haven't got a clue about.

Here is a great sermon on this by St Gregory Nazianzen:

A sermon by St Gregory Nazianzen

The baptism of Christ

Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptised; let us also go down with him, and rise with him.

  John is baptising when Jesus draws near. Perhaps he comes to sanctify his baptiser; certainly he comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake and in readiness for us; he who is spirit and flesh comes to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water.

  The Baptist protests; Jesus insists. Then John says: I ought to be baptised by you. He is the lamp in the presence of the sun, the voice in the presence of the Word, the friend in the presence of the Bridegroom, the greatest of all born of woman in the presence of the firstborn of all creation, the one who leapt in his mother’s womb in the presence of him who was adored in the womb, the forerunner and future forerunner in the presence of him who has already come and is to come again. I ought to be baptised by you: we should also add, “and for you,” for John is to be baptised in blood, washed clean like Peter, not only by the washing of his feet.

  Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with him. The heavens, like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as to an equal, bearing witness to his Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honour to the body that is one with God.

  Today let us do honour to Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity, as now you have received – though not in its fullness – a ray of its splendour, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Cold Chills

2009-04-21T23:16:00.001-04:00

Here is a quote from an article in the National Review by Fr. Robert Siroco of the Acton Institute .

The subject of the quote is the request by the ~~Moloch~~ Obama administration to Georgetown University that they cover any religious symbols be covered in the hall in which the President was speaking, the the acquiescence of the Georgetown University officials. I couldn't agree with Father more. it is saddening and horrifying to me--not that the president asked, but that the University complied.

"At the request of the White House, officials at the university placed cover over the letters IHS — the Greek abbreviation for the name of Jesus....Think of it: A Catholic university was willing to cover up the name of Jesus, hide it from the cameras, because the president of the United States was coming and asked them to do so. The fact alone gives me chills."

And not just a Catholic University, but a Jesuit run University--the Society of Jesus. For shame.

Pray for Unborn Children!

2009-04-09T21:48:00.001-04:00

The Saint Michael the Archangel Organization is promoting a 1 Million Rosaries for unborn babies prayer event, to take place May first through may third. You can sign up here.

Raise Your Hand

2009-04-01T22:13:00.000-04:00

Everyone Against Abortion Please Raise Your Hand

Father Robert Barron Critiques Obama's "The Audacity of Hope"

2009-03-30T22:02:00.001-04:00

Father Barron on Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope"

Very cogent review; I don't know whether it gives me hope, or reinforces my fear of Obama's ultimate cynicism.   I guess it depends on whether what Fr. Barron perceives as a sort of inchoate misgiving in Obama's mind about abortion really is so, or whether the man sees the issue clearly and is dancing around it. I hope for the former, and I pray daily that Obama will be open to the voice of God whispering in his heart.

My Misery--His Graciousness

2009-03-13T11:02:00.001-04:00

As I struggle my way through Lent, I find myself wrestling with my usual difference between what I desire to do and what I am actually doing. I begin anew today with empty hands. Oddly enough, though, I am in high spirits! What a grace it is to be able to receive so much from the Father. Every tiny act that through grace, God grants me to carry out, He then receives from me as if it were the most precious pearl, the greatest work of art, that He has ever seen!

And what is more amazing, an even more thrilling manifestation of mercy, when I stumble, when I show up with empty hands and brokenness, God just pours His mercy over me; as Fr. Donald Calloway would say, He just mercifies me!

With these thoughts in my mind this morning, I thought that Air Maria's daily feature of meditations based on the letters of Padre Pio was particularly apt for this.

From St. Pio's pen:

He will grant you His grace, and will raise the throne of His glory over your abjection and vileness.”

Latest on Moloch-Obama, the "Pro-Science" Prez

2009-03-11T21:47:00.001-04:00

This I just found on Dyspeptic Mutterings . It's a creepy, slithering little add-on evil to Moloch's (err, Obama's---so sorry) campaign against the protection of human life.

At the same time he obliged all of us to support by our tax dollars that which so many know to be an abomination, he also ended mandated support for pluripotent stem cell research. How odd.

How does that make good scientific sense? Beats me. But it does send a pretty good frisson up my spine. A tad on the malevolent side, I'd say.

On your knees and pray...pray...pray.

Haunted--Powerful Post at The Raving Theist

2009-02-13T22:21:00.002-05:00

"The two carefree young women in the bar were roommates. One of them was pregnant. The condition was temporary. In a few days her late-summer drinking companion would drive her to a clinic for an abortion, just as she had driven so many other friends to “get theirs.” That appointment made way for a relaxing evening, for the aversion the pregnant woman briefly felt towards alcohol was relieved by a sensible reminder.

“You are going to kill it anyway.”

Her friend was indifferent to who heard this remark (and many did) because the observation was so ordinary. It was like explaining why it didn’t matter if paint splattered on a pair of worn, soon-to-be discarded shoes. After another round of drinks and cheerful conversation, the comment would be forgotten.
It would also be remembered, some 18 years later."

The post goes on to relate how, 18 years later, the friend Jean found Carla on Facebook, and wrote to her, expressing her sorrow and regret at what she had done in helping her friend to procure an abortion. The letter is published here to0, as well as the comments of Carla and others. What was most "haunting" to me, was the fact that there were commenters to the post who brought out how they had "been Jean" in another woman's life, and their regret. I narrowly escaped being "Jean" to another young woman, I now realize by God's intervening grace, for which I am forever thankful.

Everywhere I look now, I am seeing evidence of how our culture covers up the truth, promoting the lie that abortion is "no big deal". Women and men are truly haunted by this. It changes lives, mangles something in our souls. Truly God's law is written on our hearts and we know, in ways we may not be able to express at the time, that what we do here is deeply wrong.

But the more we look at this, talk about it and bring it out to the light, the more we can be healed, in God's Light, in God's Mercy.

US Orthodox Rabbi Leader Supports Papa Benny in a Lifesite News Article!

2009-02-13T04:00:00.002-05:00

Deo Gracias!

This is so beautiful a gesture, one can feel great gratitude to Rabbi Yehuda Levin for his openness to the workings of the Spirit of The Lord.

from the article:

Left Wing of the Catholic Church Destroying the Faith Says Orthodox Rabbi
By Hilary White, Rome correspondent

ROME, February 11, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The dissident, leftist movement in the Catholic Church over the last forty years has severely undermined the teaching of the Catholic Church on the moral teachings on life and family, a prominent US Orthodox rabbi told LifeSiteNews.com. Rabbi Yehuda Levin, the head of a group of 800 Orthodox rabbis in the US and Canada, also dismissed the accusations that the Holy See had not sufficiently distanced itself from the comments made by Bishop Richard Williamson of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) on the Holocaust.

Please read the entire article here

Or better yet, read Fr. Z's complete annotated version

Related articles by Zemanta:
Pope condemns Holocaust denial
Pope criticises Holocaust denial
Pope didn't know bishop had denied Holocaust: Vatican

7 Quick Takes Friday

2009-02-13T02:33:00.006-05:00
1-- The thing I am really liking about Vicodin right now--I know, but really--is the way that it is enabling me to function without having to try to disregard the feeling that my dentist has plowed a deep furrow in my jaw. Having tried aspirin, Rapid Release Tylenol and Motrin to no avail, I was so relieved to be able to have this called in to the neighborhood Pharmacy. Dilemma-I return to work in the morning, and I know I can't drive with this. So I will be offering up, big time

2-- I am learning to appreciate rural northern Indiana. I am a country girl by nature anyway, but not a northern, cool weather type. Still, there is a crispness in the air here, and...all these little lakes. My current favorite little lake name is Pretty Lake. Yep,...Pretty Lake.

3--Another new pastime is trading lolspeak messages with my daughter via Stumbleupon's send to feature. It's silly, but it connects us, and I love that. Plus, there are all those cute kittehs.

4--It has been so long since I have had to look for a place to live, and now I am looking for a little apartment or trailer or some such. Having been assigned a store in northern Indiana, and not having plans to move the family up here from southern Indiana, puts me in a growing new class of "commuters". We stay on the road all week and just go home on the weekend, or every other weekend, if the distance is far. Heck, my boss flies home from here to the Pittsburgh area every week. How is that for commuting?
I want a lot for a little money, and the surprising thing is that I think it can be had up here, at least if I could just find it. Another aspect of small town life is that advertising and rentals don't work the same as in the big city--less available media, for one thing. Plus more people know each other, and the market is smaller. So, more word of mouth, and I am out of that loop, except for what my associates can turn me on to.
The downside for me, right now, is that I really need to find something this week, as my two paid weeks in the motel are up. Tossed in to the mix is the fact that my company wants me to fly out to their G.O. next week for a seminar. so when I come back I will either be paying weekly motel rates out of my own pocket, which I don't want to do, or I will have found a place this week, to avoid that. My best option so far, which I like except for this one thing---only a shower, no bath(!!!)--is a little one bedroom apartment in North Judson. I sense another opportunity to practice self-renunciation is in the offing.
Divine Providence looks out for me in all things.

5-- Really in all things. I have told people before that I have a deal with Saint Francis. I don't know if you could call it a deal, but I have asked the serious intercession of St. Francis that I don't hit any animals while driving. I just grieve over this. And its been years now, probably because St. Francis is a powerful intercessor with God and he really gets along with all of God's creatures and loves them. Last night he saved me from a deer collision, and the deer from a car collision. I didn't even see the beautiful doe coming, but suddenly there she was--and she turned in a split second on a hoof and bounded back the other way.
surely less than a second to spare. Thanks be to God! and thank you St. Francis--I love you, too!

6-- Most late nights, Fr. Z's Radio Sabina keeps me company. Right now I am listening to some lovely chant. Thanks Father Z, for all you do for us! Even get a bit of society here, as I love participating in his chat at the same address, when he opens it.
Oh, just now started playing "Ubi Caritas"which is a great favorite of mine.

7-- And I have just started Twittering and adding to my Facebook page. I think all of this being away from my family and my familiar life is prompting an urge to reach out? Don't know, but it is all a very interesting experiment. And I love my new laptop.

7 Quick Takes Friday is hosted by Jennifer at Conversion Diary so go check out her quick takes!

Brave New World

2009-02-01T22:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a must read post at Patrick Madrid's blog. For those still laboring under the delusion that the world is in a population crisis. It is, but not of the sort you might imagine. If you are over fifty, you might feel a tad uneasy. You'd be right to.

From the post:

"...like
it or not, and there's every reason to believe we won't like it —
renegotiating the established social contract in response to global
aging will soon dominate and daunt the public policy agendas of all the
developed countries” (p. 5).

What
Peterson means by “renegotiate the established social contract” is: You
retired people, as well as all you who expect to retire in the next
decade or two, don't expect that you'll be taken care of by the rest of
us the way you now are or expect to be taken care of. Safety nets like
Social Security and Medicare may have to be drastically downsized or
even, if the economy deteriorates badly enough, eliminated. In other
words, we may not be able to continue paying for the "burdensome
expenses" old people impose on an ever-shrinking younger workforce
(Thanks, contracepting couples! Thanks, abortion industry!). And what
happens then?

I've
been saying for years now what is being reported yet again in this
article. What is now known as the “right to die movement” is steadily
morphing into what will soon become the “obligation to
die movement.” Watch and see. It's happening right now, before our
eyes, though just imperceptibly enough not to raise any significant
alarm. When it does finally come out into the open, many people will be
so desensitized to this looming new evil that those promoting it will
have little difficulty imposing it on our ever more effete population.

The
politics of “young versus old” is rising, slowly but surely, and we
will live to see its pernicious effects. Soon enough we will begin to
see how the demographic winter results in an intergenerational
struggle. The younger people, who have lived their entire lives
learning from the media and our culture as a whole that other people
are only useful or valuable insofar as they do one or more of a few
things: give sexual pleasure, provide entertainment, make money, or
produce some kind of product or service."

What comes next? something wicked, I should think.

On Not Pronouncing "The Name of God"

2009-01-31T00:46:00.003-05:00

Well, I did not know this, and so perhaps you don't either. In June of 2008 there went forth a letter from the Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship, Cardinal Arinze, to the effect that we should refrain from pronouncing the divine tetragrammaton [YHWH]. This should be done as the sacred tetragrammaton was never pronounced in Christian contexts, from the earliest times, nor was it left untranslated in amy Biblical translation (always another honorific was substituted for the proper Name of God--i.e. Dominus, Kyrios, LORD).

Now that I have seen this instruction, I will, of course, obey it. And now that it is shown to me I must admit that it makes perfect sense.

Here is a link to a pdf of the letter from Cardinal Arinze

Called to Prayer and Penance

2009-01-29T09:36:00.004-05:00

The spiritual man who has been thus illumined does not limp or leave the path, but bears all things. Glimpsing our true country from afar, he puts up with adversities; he is not saddened by the things of time, but finds his strength in God.
from a Sermon by John the Serene, from today's Office of Readings

I am watching EWTN Live this morning. The topic is abortion. the reference to not being saddened by the things of time struck a chord with me. lately I have been thinking that it is urgent to kick up the penitential aspect of my life several notches. I am so full of sorrow for all that we do to offend God, and to sin against Him. We need the help and healing that only repentance can bring. So many of us are so far from even realizing that we might remotely have a need to do that. The prayer and penance of those of us who do see the need are urgently required to help to bring this Light to those who so desperately need it.

The beautiful phot above is from Hoyasmeg's photos on Flickr. Light piercing the edicule through the dome of the Church of the Holy sepulchre.

Furor Over the Holy Father's Latest Steps Toward Unity

2009-01-28T21:45:00.001-05:00

While I renew with affection the expression of my full and unquestionable solidarity with our brothers receivers of the First Covenant, I hope that the memory of the Shoah leads mankind to reflect on the unpredictable power of evil when it conquers the heart of man.

May the Shoah be for all a warning against forgetfulness, against denial or reductionism, because the violence against a single human being is violence against all. No man is an island, a famous poet write. The Shoah particularly teaches, both old an the new generations, that only the tiresome path of listening and dialogue, of love and of forgiveness lead the peoples, the cultures, and the religions of the world to the hoped-for goal of fraternity and peace in truth. May violence never again crush the dignity of man!

From the Holy Father's weekly audience today.

Fr. Zuhlsdorf has an excellent commentary on today's nonsense from some in the Jewish community over the Holy Father's lifting of excommunication for Bp. Williamson. One would hope that reasonably intelligent people could apply reasonable, rational thought to the issues and understand that the excommunication was neither incurred nor lifted over any issues relating to the holocaust.

Responding with reasoned charity leads one toward unity--responding with a lack of same leads away from it. Illustrated.

The Holy Father has (and needs) broad shoulders. Let's now, more than ever, pray for and support our Papa Benedict

"Also the Animals Possess a Soul"

2009-01-27T23:09:00.003-05:00

"When Pope John Paul II declared in a public audience in 1990 that 'also the

animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren'

some people must have thought this was a new teaching, unaware of the Holy Father's

scholarly familiarity with the authentic Hebrew texts. When he went on to state that all

animals are 'fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect' and that

they are 'as near to God as men are', animal lovers in the audience were ecstatic! The

Pope mentions the special relationship of mankind with God as being created in His image

and likeness. 'However,' he goes on 'other texts state that animals have the breath of

life and were given it by God. In this respect, man, created by the hand of God, is

identical with all other living creatures. And so in Psalm 104 there is no distinction

between man and beasts when it reads, addressing God: " … Thou hidest thy face,

they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou

sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth."

The existence therefore,' the Holy Father reminds us, 'of all living creatures depends on

the living spirit/breath of God that not only creates but also sustains and renews the

face of the earth.'

This discourse caused a stir around the world, and was especially encouraging to

Catholic animal welfare groups which had begun to despair that anything 'animal friendly'

would ever be heard in Rome. The then professor of theology and dogma at the University of

Urbino, Carlo Molari, called it 'very important and significant. It is a "sign of the

times" because it demonstrates the Church's desire and deep concern to clarify

present confused thinking and attitudes towards the animal kingdom. There should be no

need, but the Pontiff, in reiterating that animals came into being because of the direct

action of the "breath" of God, wanted to say that also these creatures, as well

as man, are possessed of the divine spark of life and that living quality that is the

soul. And are therefore not inferior beings or only of a purely material reality.' "

I would like to discover which audience this is from, as the topic is of lively interest to me.
I am delighted to find all-creatures.org, a Catholic pro-animal website and resource.

Incredibly Inspiring

2009-01-27T21:36:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Matthew Warner for this. Yesterday i was feeling rather tempted to feeling overwhelmed, possibly discouraged, wondering if--as I do sometimes--I was planning to tackle more than was prudent. Well, so much for that!

Lately my prayer has been: "Lord give me the grace to witness for you in how I carry out my daily duties." Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Ohhh, This Just makes Me So Irritable!

2009-01-16T03:05:00.001-05:00

You’re St. Jerome!

You’re a passionate Christian, fiercely devoted to Jesus Christ and his Church. You are willing to labor long hours in the Lord’s vineyard, and you have little patience with those who are less willing or able to work as you do. Your passions often carry you into temptation zones of wrath, lust, and pride.

Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

I Had No Idea

2009-01-15T03:06:00.002-05:00

Cool Mom Picks: Save Handmade

"We're all for strengthening the safety standards of mass-produced toys,
clothes, and accessories made in China, and banning toxins like
phthalates and lead. But this year, congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act,
a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate
the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who
have already earned the public trust."

Go to the page at Cool Mom Picks to learn what you can do to stop this from happening.

The Mystery of the Headship of Christ

2009-01-15T02:10:00.002-05:00

I had wanted to quote for you some of Our Holy Father's Wednesday audience, but with Benedict it is sohard to know where to begin! Is it just me, or can it be positively heady to listen to or to read his discourses? This one, on the "twin letters" of Colossians and Ephesians, is no exception. The main topic is actually the headship of Christ and its ramifications for the Church and for her members.

Head over to Zenit for the full text.

There is also a special concept that is typical of these two letters, and it is the concept of "mystery." Once the "mystery of the will" of God is spoken of (Ephesians 1:9) and other times, the "mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4; Colossians 4:3), or even the "mystery of God, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3).
This makes reference to the inscrutable divine design over the destiny of man, of peoples and of the world. With this language, the two epistles tell us that it is in Christ where the fulfillment of this mystery is found. If we are with Christ, even though we cannot intellectually understand everything, we know that we are in the nucleus and on the path of truth. He is in his totality, and not only one aspect of his person or one moment of his existence, he who gathers in himself the plenitude of the unsearchable divine plan of salvation.
In him takes shape what is called the "manifold wisdom of God" (Ephesians 3:10), since in him "dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily" (Colossians 2:9). From now on, then, it is not possible to think of and adore the approval of God, his sovereign disposition, without confronting ourselves personally with Christ in person, in whom the "mystery" is incarnate and can be tangibly perceived. Thus one comes to contemplate "the inscrutable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8), which is beyond all human understanding.
It is not that God has not left the mark of his passing, since Christ himself is the footprint of God, his maximum mark, but rather that one realizes "what is the breadth and length and height and depth" of this mystery "that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19). Mere intellectual categories here prove insufficient, and recognizing that many things are beyond our rational capacities, we should trust in the humble and joyful contemplation, not just of the mind, but also of the heart. The fathers of the Church, on the other hand, tell us that love understands much more than reason alone.

Our Lady Defender of the Innocents

2009-01-14T22:09:00.003-05:00

Our
Lady of Guadalupe, we turn to you who are the protectress
of unborn children and ask that you intercede for us, so
that we may more firmly resolve to join you in protecting
all human life. Let our prayers be united to your
perpetual motherly intercession on behalf of those whose
lives are threatened, be they in the womb of their
mother, on the bed of infirmity, or in the latter years
of their life. May our prayers also be coupled with
peaceful action, which witnesses to the goodness and
dignity of all human life, so that our firmness of
purpose may give courage to those who are fearful and
bring light to those who are blinded by sin. Encourage
those who will be involved in the March for Life; help
them to walk closely with God and to give voice to the
cry of the oppressed, in order to remind our nation of
its commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness for all people. O Virgin Mother of God, present
our petitions to your Son and ask Him to bless us with
abundant life. Amen

Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #26: The Church Militant; or Impotent?

2009-01-14T21:37:00.004-05:00
Another in this excellent series. I am thinking now, of course, of our duty to proclaim saving Truth.

Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #26: The Church Militant … or Impotent?

Posted using ShareThis

Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #27: Let Death Be Your Guide

2009-01-14T21:32:00.003-05:00
On the topic of standing up for what we profess, here is Fr. Angelo.

Video - Fr Angelo - Standing Fast #27: Let Death Be Your Guide

Posted using ShareThis

Novena of Reparation for Roe vs. Wade

2009-01-14T21:22:00.002-05:00

The following novena is from Priests for Life.
This novena begins today, and is prayed in reparation for Roe vs. Wade, ending on the anniversary of the passage of that woeful law. January 22nd is a day of special prayer, fasting and recollection to end the abomination of abortion.

Prayer of Reparation

God and Father of Life,
You have created every human person,
and have opened the way for each to have eternal life.

We live in the shadow of death.
Tens of millions of your children have been killed
thanks to the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Father, have mercy on us.
Heal our land
and accept our offering of prayer and penance.
In your love for us,
turn back the scourge of abortion.

May each of us exult in hearts full of hope,
and hands full of mercy,
and work together to build a culture of life.

We pray through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Abortion -This is a Dismemberment Abortion

4th Day of Novena to Stop FOCA

2009-01-14T20:29:00.002-05:00

In the forums area at Phatmass is an excellent complete explanation of the novena to stop FOCA. Hey even if you are a straggler (I am, I didn't hear about it until the third day) just chime in! God honors our prayers and our efforts in this battle for life. So much is at stake. We must educate ourselves, and we must make a stand.

Among the important components of this novena is fasting. It is suggested to fast for at least two days during the course of the novena. Pray very much. Fast. Contact your legislators. this must be stopped.

Here is a link where you can obtain the contact information for your legislators.

A Bit More on the Iraqi Christian Extermination

2008-04-13T17:36:00.000-04:00

Washed in the Blood of the Lamb

2008-04-13T16:56:00.001-04:00

Save the Internet as We Know It

2008-04-12T12:47:00.001-04:00

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History Lit Nerd I am?

2008-04-12T12:35:00.000-04:00

Something to Carry With Us On the Coming Year's Journey

2007-12-31T19:00:00.001-05:00

Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen OCD, (Author of the great spiritual Classic, Divine Intimacy) reminds us:

'When Jesus says to us, "Be you perfect as also your heavenly Father
is perfect", He gives us a model of perfection that we can never
exhaust. The perfection of the very greatest saints when compared
with God's perfection is nothing. Jesus teaches us then not to rest
complacent in the degree of perfection we have attained, nor be
satisfied with our progress or even our efforts. Compared with the
lofty ideal He sets out for us, we are nothing. This is why He tells
us never to stop, never to say, "This is enough." No matter how much
progress we make, we never advance far enough. Who, indeed, can
become as just, as merciful as God? As long as we are on earth, our
holiness will always consist in a continual tending toward divine
perfection.'

Wishing you a fruitful and joyous journey in the new year!

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The Feast of St. Stephen

2007-12-26T14:42:00.000-05:00
Today is the feast of St. Stephen, the protomartyr of the Church. I have always wondered why the juxtaposition Christmas, the most glorious and well, innocent, of Feasts, with the occasion of the martyrdom of Stephen, a gritty and bloody wake-up call.

Maybe that is the idea. I am sure that it isn't just some gruesome coincidence; but rather a well thought out reminder. Also featured in this week is the feast of the Holy Innocents, which is something in the same vein, I think.

This tiny and innocent child came, not to bring the peace the world gives, but the edge of the sword, the vicious and personal blow of the stoning. The peace on earth the angels proclaim isn't here, in the world's terms. Her in the world we will face stones and swords, persecutions of all kinds.

Yet Stephen experienced the peace of Christ, and experienced it in the midst of his cruel and bloody murder--he looked up and saw the heavens opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. His last words were of forgiveness, and he hastened forth from the world full of love and joy.

Let the peace of the Lord be with us all, and as we follow in the footsteps of this first, great witness, returning love for hate, and good for evil, may that hasten the day when peace will reign here, as well.

God is here with us, who can be against us?

Help us, Oh Lord, to seek and to find your peace, the true peace, even here now in the midst of our anxieties, conflicts and persecutions. Let us see just a little bit of what Stephen saw, that we may be strengthened and encouraged in the midst of our troubles, whatever they may be.

Merry Christmas Season

2007-12-26T14:31:00.000-05:00
It is my wish and prayer that all of you have a joyous and blessed Christmas season.

I had hoped to go to Midnight Mass, but ended up at the 10am on Christmas morning. And you know what, I'm glad it worked out that way. Evidently the crush and throng had attended one of the two anticipation services or the Midnight Mass (which, with its promised concert and carol singing was surely enticing--and hey, you know its Midnight Mass, so cool) so that the 10 am was peaceful, though still festive. And I am also happy to relate that we (my daughter and I) arrived early.

The Church was beautiful, the small ensemble very lovely, and best of all, Jesus was there. I very much enjoyed Fr. Jim's homily, the readings, etc.....and best of all, Jesus was there.

After Mass, we took time for Lauds (a bit late, but hey, its Christmas) and to look at the nativity scene, the flowers, and to enjoy the lingering aroma of the incense....
and best of all, Jesus was there.

Modestly Yours--Modesty Blog

2007-12-16T06:38:00.001-05:00

Just stumbled across the blog Modestly Yours, a group blog by women who value modesty.

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Prudence in Action

2007-12-15T10:14:00.001-05:00

A list I subscribe to sent me this chapter fromThe Imitation of Christ. I like it because it helps me to clarify what prudence really is, and how to exercise it.

The Fourth Chapter
Prudence in Action

DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God’s will. For very often, sad to say, we are so weak that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good. Perfect men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech.

Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one’s opinion, not to believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom.

Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man. 8 Seek the advice of your betters in preference to following your own inclinations.

A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things.

http://www.ccel. org:80/ccel/ kempis/imitation .ONE.4.html

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Theodore Dalrymple on What the New Atheists Don't See

2007-12-15T09:16:00.001-05:00

I have just run across a very thoughtful article in the City Journal on the topic of the various vituperations and imprecations cast a believers of all sorts by the newest crop of atheist authors (Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris).
Written as it is by a man of letters who is not himself a believer, I found it to be especially credible, reasoned and thoughtful.

Dalrymple addresses some of the more strident and shocking claims of this group of authors. The most shocking idea I met with in the review, having not--I will admit--read the book in question was Harriss' idea that one must consider the wisdom of killing people because they entertain a certain belief. I mean here that he feels, owing to "the link between faith and behavior" that such an idea might be a good one. Gee, and we thought Diocletian was long dead.

We are accustomed, in the United States and the rest of the Western World, to say that whatever we have to suffer in the cause of our faith is of the "mere inconvenience" category of things. Or at least is confined to subtle job discrimination and family insults. I believe that most sane persons of any philosophical bent or belief system would still decry the idea of genocide --but maybe a day will come when that is no longer true, and even we in the West will be able to earn the crown of a "red martyrdom" rather than a "white" one. To say I rather hope not certainly doesn't capture the sick, sinking feeling I had when reading that the idea had been offered forth in End of Faith.

Anyhow, go and read the Dalrymple Article.http://www.city-journal.org/html/17_4_oh_to_be.html There's a lot more to it than that bit of sickening info (I guess I've got to start reading these vituperative books, just to know what's up) and I found the article so well written, that I expect to be looking back for more of his thought and reviews.

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Eve of the Feast of OHF St. John of the Cross

2007-12-13T12:17:00.000-05:00
Heads up all ye Carmelites! Today is the eve of the feast of Our Holy Father St. John of the Cross--whom I find I am growing love more and more!

A Poster of Controversy

2007-12-13T11:30:00.001-05:00

the Blog of Lon has a very interesting and controversial post regarding how Jesus' actual teachings are or are not followed by those who call themselves Christians.

Look at the poster and think about it. Where do you stand here? The actual post has excellent comments, some of which get close to my thoughts here, without actually getting there. Here goes.

I know that Jesus loves each of these people with an everlasting love, and that he died to save them. What greater service could there be than that? However, he never condoned evil or endorsed or served the causes of those who do evil. Look at all of his interaction with the Pharisees. Look at the cleansing of the temple. Yet even this is service, because to tolerate evil inanother does not do them any service of love, but is in itself sin.
Jesus, who truly loves Osama bin Ladin (but who abhors all evil) would never serve him in any way which enabled him to continue in falseness. Rather, He died for him, and calls out to him to turn away from evil and do good. To me, the image is an apparent contradiction, but really the deeper one goes, the more one can see that it is not so. It is just hard for people to get past the rather shocking image.

It is so hard for us to accept the idea that God loves passionately the one whom we hate. And we must not hate--but that does not translate to endorsing, accepting or "serving" evil

So while I find the image controversial and thought provoking, I don't find it offensive or dissonant in the way which many seem to.

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Tiny Wonder

2007-12-13T10:02:00.001-05:00

A friend at Stumbleupon, 14PeaceNow, has this--the story of convicted forger A. Schiller-- on his page. This is mind boggling to me.

Schiller spent the last 25 years of his life in Sing Sing prison. When he died in the late 1800's several straight pins were found on his body. He had painstakingly inscribed the Lord's prayer on each pin. What I want to know is, who even thought to look?

Consider the size of a regular straight pin. On the page the head's diameter is reported as being 1.17 mm in diameter or 47/1000ths of an inch! What an artist,and what a sweet and flawless hidden sacrifice to the Lord!

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Our Holy Father on the Immaculate Conception

2007-12-08T17:08:00.001-05:00

"As a merciful Mother, Mary is the anticipated figure and everlasting portrait of the Son. Thus, we see that the image of the Sorrowful Virgin, of the Mother who shares her suffering and her love, is also a true image of the Immaculate Conception. Her heart was enlarged by being and feeling together with God. In her, God's goodness came very close to us."
- - Pope Benedict XVI (December 8, 2005)

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A Thanksgiving Prayer After Mass--St. thomas Aquinas

2007-11-20T10:58:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving After Mass

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth but in the kindness of your mercy, You have fed me with the Precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good. May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, visible and invisible, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to you, the One true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You. And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where you, with Your Son and holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to your saints. Grant this through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

--Saint Thomas Aquinas

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New US Military Chaplain Appointed!

2007-11-19T11:27:00.001-05:00

Thanks be to God, we have a new US Military Chaplain. Archbishop Timothy Broglio has been appointed by the Holy Father as the new head of the archdiocese for the Military Services, USA--a flock of some 1.4 million Catholic.

Archbishop Broglio, who is originally from Cleveland Ohio, is currently the apostolic nuncio in the Dominican Republic and the papal delegate to Puerto Rico.

The US military see has been vacant for only 7 weeks, since the for shepherd, the Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, was installed as Archbishop of Baltimore. To me, this short period of vacancy
(hey 7 weeks is blazing speed for any bureaucracy) is a mark of touching concern on the part of the Holy Father.

I believe it is very rare for a US native, once part of the Vatican Service, to return to a US Diocese. Archbishop Broglio, welcome home.

Thank you, Papa!

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St. Raphael Kalinowski

2007-11-19T09:46:00.000-05:00

Today is the memorial of St. Raphael Kalinowski, OCD. This polish discalced friar was canonized in 1991. This year is also the centenary of his death.

And in Contrast.....

2007-11-17T19:01:00.000-05:00
Please read A Martyr's Letter To His Girlfriend
This is a letter from Bartolome Blanco Marquez, a young martyr of 1930's Spain, who perished in the religious persecution of the time.
Here you will find all that is lacking in so many modern relationships. What a touching, true and lasting love this young saint has for his beloved.

Our Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for November

2007-11-17T18:53:00.001-05:00

Prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI for November:

"That those dedicated to medical research and all those engaged in legislative activity may always have deep respect for human life, from its beginning to its natural conclusion." His mission intention is: "That in the Korean peninsula the spirit of reconciliation and peace may grow."

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More Dark Evidence that Cohabitation Outside of Marriage Does Not Work

2007-11-17T18:36:00.001-05:00

An associated press article appearing today by David Crary details the "dark underbelly of cohabitation".

From the article:

"..many scholars and front-line caseworkers interviewed by The
Associated Press see the abusive-boyfriend syndrome as part of a
broader trend that deeply worries them. They note an ever-increasing
share of America's children grow up in homes without both biological
parents, and say the risk of child abuse is markedly higher in the
nontraditional family structures.
"This is the dark underbelly of cohabitation," said Brad Wilcox, a
sociology professor at
the niversity of Virginia. "Cohabitation has
become quite common, and most people think, 'What's the harm?' The harm
is we're increasing a pattern of relationships that's not good for
children."
The report goes on to say that, according to a Missouri study, children living in households with unrelated adults are almost 50 times as likely to die of inflicted injuries as children living with their biological parents.

Of all families with children, nearly one third of them now live in one-parent families--29 percent.

It is so sad to me that what some of us had only considered old-fashioned and unduly restrictive we have ignored to our everlasting grief. Our God is a wise parent; would that we return to being wise children.

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Saturday Prayers for the Holy Souls

2007-11-17T06:23:00.001-05:00

Let us continue to remember our obligation to pray for the Church Suffering--this month, but really always. We will surely have good friends in heaven when those who have been helped by our prayers attain at last their sure reward!

PREPARATORY PRAYER

My Jesus, by the sorrows You suffered in Your agony in the Garden, in Your scourging and crowning with thorns, in Your journey to Calvary, in Your crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; deliver them from the torments they endure; call them and admit them to Your most sweet embrace in paradise, where You live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

SATURDAY

O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech You by the Precious Blood which gushed forth from the sacred Side of Your divine Son Jesus in the presence and to the great sorrow of His most holy Mother, deliver the souls in purgatory and among them all especially that soul which has been most devout to this noble Lady, that it may come quickly into Your glory, there to praise You in her, and her in You through all the ages. Amen.

Say here: one Our Father and one Hail Mary

CONCLUDING PRAYERS

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Merciful Father, hear our prayers and console us. As we renew our faith in Your Son, whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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St Francis on the Hail Mary

2007-11-17T06:07:00.001-05:00

Hail Mary

When I say "Hail Mary",

the heavens bow down,

the angels rejoice;

the earth jubilates,

hell trembles;

and the devils take flight!

--St. Francis of Assisi

The more I think on Mary as truly my Mother, the calmer I become, for I see a place of sure refuge. Always, always, always--she takes me straight to Jesus. I know she is helping me to receive the graces I need to begin to trust more in the Lord always, no matter what happens.
Who better to take our cares to the hands of her Divine Son, Our Lord.

How I love her!

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My Newest Rosary--Ad Majoram Dei Gloriam

2007-11-16T13:55:00.001-05:00

Here is a link to the description of my newest rosary added to Ave Maria Rosaries.com.
The Rosaries Name is "Ad Majoram Dei Gloriam". I added a bit about why that name feels right to me in the description online. There is just something about the subtle depth of beauty in these stones, and the almost hidden shimmer, plus their weight, that suggests to me the life of those most seriously dedicated all to His Glory.

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Irish Dilemna over Stricter Breathalyzer tests

2007-11-16T13:33:00.001-05:00

an interesting article in the Times Online
discusses how new, stricter blood alcohol levels could result in priests being convicted of drunk driving as they have to travel from parish to parish to say Mass. Now here is a problem that never occurred to me.

What I found most interesting however, was the lengthy comments section following the article. Seldom have so many been so confused, I think. It also saddens me to see such unapologetic Catholic bashing, and ridiculing of Our Lord's Presence in the Holy Eucharist.

It gives me a whole new feeling for the first Friday devotion, which I'd like to do, but always seem to have an excuse out of. Maybe not now. I almost felt as is some people were literally spitting on Him.

"Oh, Jesus, in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, I adore You!"

"Oh Sacrament Most Holy, Oh Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!"

There. Now I feel a little bit better.

Here is another article in a German publication on the same issue:
Proposal Could Tip Irish Priests Over Legal Limit

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A Beautiful Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great

2007-11-16T00:24:00.001-05:00

Olive Tree of Mercy

O Olive tree of mercy! Hail Mary, Mother of God. Hail Mary, Queen of
Kindness, and Olive Tree of Mercy, from whom the remedy of life came to
us.

Since, by your Son, you became the true Mother of all mankind,
now for the sake of His love, keep me in your motherly love, despite my
unworthiness. Help me to believe! Preserve and strengthen my faith.

Grant me your care in this life, and receive me with the plenitude of your motherhood at the hour of my death.
Amen.
--Saint Gertrude the Great.
I like this especially, because of the wonderful image of Mary as the Olive Tree of Mercy. Such a strong and enduring source, from whom so much life and healing richness flows!! May I rest beneath her branches, nourished by her goodness, all the days of my life. And I pray the same for you.

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A Baby Step Milestone on the Road to Reunion

2007-11-15T19:01:00.001-05:00

With great joy I read today that the final document produced by the plenary assembly of the Joint International Commision for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church contains the seeds of future steps toward reunion. This important assembly was held in Ravenna this October and was prsided over by Cardinal Walter Kaspar and the Metrolitan Ionnis of Pergamo.

On Vatican Radio, Cardinal Kaspar reported that, " for the first time the Orthodox Churches have said yes, this universal level of the Church exists and also at the universal level there is conciliarity, synodality, and authority; this means there is also a primate; according to the practice of the ancient Church, the first bishop is the Bishop of Rome. However, we did not talk of the privileges of the Bishop of Rome, we merely indicated the praxis for futre debate. This document is a modest first step and as such it gives rise to hope, but we must not exaggerate its importance."

Perhaps a modest beginning, but nevertheless historic and important. Pray very much for the continuing success of efforts toward the reunification of communion between these "two lungs of the Church"!

No doubt there are many roadblocks to be passed, but this is such encouraging news. The only sad note is that the Russian Orthodox Church has abandoned the plenary assembly over an inter-Orthodox tussle between Moscow and Constantinople, concerning the recognition of the autonomous Church of Estonia. So let's also pray that this may be resolved, because obviously it is so important that the Russian Orthodox Church participate in these talks.

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Saint Albert theGreat

2007-11-15T18:34:00.001-05:00

Saint Albertus Magnus (Albert the Great) was called such in his own day because of his great learning. But I think what truly ennobles him with this title was his understanding that all knowledge was less than nothing if not rightly used for the aims of love.

He said:
It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God."

At the end of his life, he had to let his great learning fall from his hand, as God required the return of his burning intellect. Apparently St. Albert suffered from Alzheimer's disease, or some other form of senile dementia. But there is no evidence that this was a source of disquiet for this great saint, for he had gone beyond human wisdom and encountered the living Source of All Wisdom---God, who is Love.

Saint Albert the Great, pray for us, that we may use our intellect in the service of love, and so draw near to God!

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More on Scripture from Pope Benedict

2007-11-14T18:56:00.001-05:00

In his audience today, the Holy Father reflected on St. Jerome, specifically on his love and lifelong study of Sacred Scripture.

Truly "enchanted" by the word of God, Jerome asked himself: "How could
we live without the science of Scriptures, through which we learn how
to know Christ himself, who is the life of the believer?" (Ep. 30,7).
Hence the Bible, the instrument "with which God speaks to the faithful
every day" (Ep. 133,13), becomes catalyst and source of Christian life
for all situations and for everyone.

In his audience the Pope goes on to discuss how Jerome encouraged this love in all Christians, but also how he cautioned that Scripture must always be viewed and interpreted with both the aid of the Holy Spirit, and through the lens of orthodox Catholic Teaching.

For him an authentic interpretation of the Bible always had to be in harmony with the faith of the Catholic Church. This is not an external requirement imposed on the book. The book itself is the voice of the people of God in pilgrimage, and only in the faith of these people we find the right frame of mind to understand sacred Scripture. Hence Jerome warned: "Stay firmly attached to the traditional doctrine that has been taught to you, so that you can preach according to the right doctrine and refute those who contradict it" (Ep. 52,7)

Pope Benedict and St. Therese (Her Relics) Have a Visit!

2007-11-14T18:44:00.001-05:00
Today Our Holy Father Pope Benedict rejoiced to be able to pray with the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux. Her relics have traveled to Rome with an entourage from her home Diocese of Bayeux and Lisieux.

Our Holy Father said:
St. Thérèse would have liked to learn the languages of the Bible in
order to better understand sacred Scripture," he said. "Following her
example and that of St. Jerome, dedicate time to frequent reading of
the Bible. By familiarizing yourselves with the Word of God, you will
discover Christ and remain in intimate contact with him. (From an article published in Zenit)

How this would please the Little Flower! She so much loved Scripture, and especially the Gospels, that to be held up by the Holy Father as an exemplar of this love must be pleasing to her. How I wish I could have prayed with her relics when they came to the US!

I need to take this to heart!

2007-11-14T13:51:00.000-05:00
"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the
ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your
freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God."- 1 Peter
2:15-16

How much more effective to love in silence is than to talk, talk, talk without love.

Looking at my Pics on Another Computer

2007-11-04T21:35:00.000-05:00
Drat--here in the hotel lobby on IE, my latest rosary pic looks rather dark. Sigh.
I am still looking for better picture quality.

Advent Themed Rosaries

2007-11-03T22:52:00.001-04:00

Today I uploaded the first of my Advent themed Rosaries to the website. The pictures with the digital camera are taking some learning about, and I am about middling satisfied with this one. I'd like the rosary to appear larger, without having to make the picture bigger, so as to be able to see the best detail. Still--better than the film ones I had been using!

I really like this rosary--it is especially pleasant to pray with, and I enjoy the subtle relationship between the Ave and Pater beads. The Crucifix is one of my favorites, and I think the Infant of Prague center is especially suitable to the season.

Hopefully, I can get another one up before I have to take off for work tomorrow. I have two more Advent rosaries ready to go.

Praying for Those Who Have Gone Before Us

2007-11-03T21:51:00.000-04:00

It is an important duty of ours to pray for the dead because although they may have died in grace and in friendship with God, they may still be in need of a last purification in order to enter into the joy of heaven. Prayer for the souls of the dead can be expressed in various ways, including a visit to the cemetery. Going to these sacred places provides an auspicious occasion to reflect on the meaning of earthly life and to nourish, at the same time, hope in the blessed eternity of paradise. - Pope John Paul II (All Souls Day Nov. 2, 2003)

This month is devoted to the Holy Souls. I remember reading that our prayers for them have this wonderful double effect--that they help the souls in purgatory, and that in turn they help us. Those souls who have reached heaven aided by our prayers will remember us in gratitude, and help us in our turn. What family members are supposed to do for one another.

I like to pray for everyone who has died, but I admit that I like to pray especially for my ancestors--until I came back to the Church it never occurred to me that I could do this service for them.

Use Me, Lord

2007-10-19T11:25:00.000-04:00
Here is a lovely passage shared in one of my email groups today. The one who sent it did not know it's author, nor do I:

Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Jesus was too poor.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worrywart.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul-well, lots of folks did.

There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But He'll
use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like.

I find this very comforting, for I am full of fears and weakness--but God can use me anyway.

Use Me, Lord!

Angelic or Evil?

2007-10-06T17:03:00.000-04:00

How evil are you?

A testimonial to the inaccuracy of Quizzes!!!

St. Therese

2007-09-30T14:56:00.000-04:00
Well, The Little Flower's feast day is tomorrow, don't forget! I will be traveling out of town for my
job, so I hope I can find someplace to attend Mass. And on top of that St . Mother Theodore Guerin's feast day is Wednesday, and I will be away for that too. Sigh.

Oops, and please don't be offended, dear guardian Angel, you know I never forget about you! (October 2nd, I am sure you know).

September the 19th our parish had a lovely Mass in honor of St. Mother Theodore (or St. Theodora Guerin, if you insist--but she will always be Mother Theodore to me). We had a statue installed in our garden, and Archbishop Buechlein came down to celebrate Mass. St. Joseph's in Terre Haute, Indiana (my very own parish), was the first place Mother stopped at the end of her journey--to assist at Mass, before continuing on to the woods across the river that was to become St. Mary's of the Woods and the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Providence in the U.S. So she is very special to us. I was off at work on that day too, but was very much there in spirit!

St. Therese Novena

2007-09-23T00:34:00.000-04:00

Boy am I good at coming in on the second or third day of things!! This is day 2 of the Novena for the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux.

Novena to St. Therese
To be Said Each Day:

Come Holy Spirit and fill the heart of the faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your Love.

V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.

R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us Pray: O God, who hast instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of that same Holy Spirit we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity

Oh my God, I believe in thee and rejoice in the gift of faith, strengthen this gift in me. All of my hope is in thee, may it always reside there and grow ever stronger. I love thee with all of my poor strength, grant to me and increase of they love, that I may return it to Thee more each day.

Act of Contrition

Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pangs of hell, but even more because you are all good, and worthy of all my love. With true contrition I turn again to you, and resolve that with the help of your grace I firmly resolve to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen

Concluding prayer to be said Each Day

Dear Jesus, you have said that unless we become as little children we will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven. Grant through your grace that we may learn to follow the way of spiritual childhood of the blessed virgin St. Therese, and through her example of trust and humility come to enjoy forever the glory of your kingdom.

Second Day:

Oh my dear Sister, now that you see Our Dear Savior in heaven, still bearing the wounds He endured for our sins, you know even more vividly the value of souls, and the priceless value of the Most Precious Blood which he willingly shed to save them. As I am one of those children for whom Christ died, obtain for me all the graces that I need to profit by that Precious Blood. Use you great power with Our Divine Lord and pray for me!

Intercede for us always all the days of our lives, but most especially during this Novena, and obtain for us from God all the graces and favors that we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Well, the Fence is Looking Better

2007-09-23T00:30:00.000-04:00
....but the pool is still not closed. Did you know that a good power washing can turn an ugly gray privacy fence a beautiful lovely brown color? Thanks to my nephew, I now know this happy fact. I got to play too, and it is a lot of fun using a powerwasher, I must say!

Today the fence! Tomorrow the pool??

Pool Closing Update

2007-09-21T08:57:00.000-04:00
Well, it is now well after Labor Day and the pool is not yet closed. This marks the start of my weekend, so I'll have to see what can be done about that. Of course, there is also the yard to be mowed, the house to be powerwashed, the recently chopped done vines to be stump poisoned, the laundry caught up, the.....I think I better stop the list now, or I could get a bit whiny about it, ya think?

And so, of course, with all this to do, I am prioritizing very well, and spending an hour working on my blog, and another hour working on the Rosary website.

Our Lady of Sorrows

2007-09-15T09:50:00.000-04:00
This image is one of the most haunting sorrowful Virgins I have ever seen. I don't know who painted it--if anyone knows and can tell me, I would be grateful to know, and to give proper attribution.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

the 7 Sorrows of Mary:
1. The prophecy of Simeon.
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
4. Mary meets Jesus carrying His cross.
5. The Crucifixion
6. Mary received the Body of Jesus from the cross
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in a tomb.

One way of praying this devotion is simply to meditate on each sorrowful event while praying a Hail Mary for each.

Two Hearts Network has a lovely Our Lady of Sorrows page that I would encourage you to visit. I found some beautiful prayers there; some I had never seen or heard of before, such as the "Sorrowful Hail Mary", which follows.

The Sorrowful Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of sorrows, the Crucified is with thee; thou art pitiable amongst women, and pitiable is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, implore for us, the crucifiers of thy Son, tears of contrition, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

----approved by Pope Pius IX in 1847

Labor Day

2007-09-03T11:52:00.000-04:00

Well, Here it is Labor day---aka "the day after which the pool shall be closed day". Let's see if I can do a more timely job of it this year, shall we? Stand by, and I will keep you posted. This experiment is called accountability (but not very, I guess--as you nonexistent readers are hardly likely to fine me for lackadaisical pool closing).

Today is also the feast of St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church--who did not really invent Gregorian chant. However, he did collect and preserve these chants and also wrote important works on the Mass and the Divine Office.

St. Gregory, pray for us!

Intriguing Facts about Indiana

2007-09-01T15:58:00.000-04:00

Since I am from Indiana, I found this interesting. Lots of people do think there isn't much
but corn in Indiana, but now we know better. A friend of mine sent this to me in an email, without
attribution, so---thanks to whomever, and to Beth, as well.

This is a public photo belonging to Dee Johnson
found on flickr. Thanks, Dee for allowing this beautiful photo of
an Indiana barn to be shared.

Facts about Indiana : I'll bet you didn't know......

Tomato juice was first served at a French Lick, Indiana hotel
in 1925.

The first tomato juice factory was also in French Lick, IN.

The world's largest orchid species collection is found at Ball
State University in Muncie , Indiana .

The first regulated speed limit (20 - 25 mph!) was initiated on
Indiana roads in 1921.

An average of 400 funnel clouds are sighted each year in
Indiana.

The city of Gary , Indiana , was built on fill brought from the
bottom of Lake Michigan through suction pipes.

There are only two Adams fireplaces in the United States .
One is in the White House and the other in the Diner Home
in Indiana .

Josie Orr, wife of former Indiana Governor Robert Orr, flew
bombers and cargo planes during World War II.

The Indianapolis Methodist Hospital is the largest Hospital
in the Midwest .

One of the first complete bathrooms in Indianapolis was in
the home of Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley.

The career of Dorothy Lamour (famous for the Bing Crosby-
Bob Hope Road Movies) was launched in Indianapolis .

Aviatrix Amelia Earhart was once a Professor at Purdue
University .

Crown Hill Cemetery ( Indianapolis ) is the largest cemetery
in the U.S.

The library in Fort Wayne , Allen County , Indiana houses
one of the largest genealogy libraries in America .

Wabash, Indiana was the first electrified city in the U.S.

Pendleton, Indiana was the site of the first hanging of a
white man for killing Indians.

The Courthouse roof in Greensburg , Indiana has a tree
growing from it.

The world's first transistor radio was made in Indianapolis .

Clark Gable and wife Carole Lombard (born in Fort Wayne ,
IN) honeymooned at Lake Barbee near Warsaw , Indiana .

The American Beauty Rose was developed at Richmond ,
Indiana .

Elkhart, Indiana is the band instrument capitol of the World.

Frank Sinatra first sang with the Tommy Dorsey band at the
Lyric Theater in Indianapolis .

Purdue Alumnus, Earl Butz, served as the Secretary of
Agriculture.

U.S. 231 is the longest highway in Indiana (231miles).

Johnny Appleseed is buried at Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The singing McGuire Sisters spent their childhood summers
at the Church of God Campground in Anderson , Indiana .

The main station of the Underground Railroad was in
Fountain County, Indiana.

There are 154 acres of sculpture gardens and trails at the
Indianapolis Museum of Art.

La Porte County is the only county in America having 2
functioning courthouses. (I think we can add Vanderburgh
and Elkhart Counties in with that also.)

Nancy Hanks Lincoln is buried in Posey County, Indiana.

Crawfordsville, Indiana ( Montgomery County ) is the only
site in the world where crinoids are found. (What is a crinoid,
you ask? A form of deep-water marine life that looks
something like a starfish.)

Now, dag nab it, I was in Crawfordsfille working just last week! Could I have gone to see some crinoids, I wonder???
Pendleton, Indiana was the site of the 'Fall Creek Massacre'.
A museum housing 3500 artifacts of pioneer heritage now
exists on that site.

St. Meinrad Archabbey is located in Spencer County and is
one of only 2 archabbeys in the U.S. and seven in the world.
(Abbey Press is an operation of the archabbey.)

A Buzz Bomb (German - WWII), believed to be the only one
on public display in the nation, can be found on the Putnam
County Courthouse lawn in Greencastle.

Roberta Turpin Willett was born in Indiana .

Red Skelton was born in Vincennes , Indiana .

May West and Claude Akins were from Bedford , Indiana .

The inventor of the television, Philo T Farnsworth, lived in
Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Forrest Tucker was from Pendleton , Indiana .

You can't ship wine to Indiana . (So how does it get here?)

Bob Greise is from Evansville, Indiana and was quarterback at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN

Toni Tenille (of The Captain and Tenille) is from Indiana .

Oprah Winfrey built her residence in N/W Indiana .

Florence Henderson is from Indiana .

John Mellancamp is a Hoosier and resides in Bloomington .

The much sought-after Hoosier Cabinets are an Indiana
product.

90% of the world's popcorn is grown in Indiana .

The Jackson Five are from Gary , Indiana .

The birthplace of the automobile, the pneumatic rubber tire,
the aluminum casting process, stainless steel and the first
push-button car radio was in Kokomo , Indiana .

Pretty neat, huh? And you thought there was only corn in
Indiana.

Design Decisions, Decisions

2007-08-31T17:38:00.000-04:00
Well, I am overdue to take down my First Communion Specials and start thinking about Advent and Christmas designs.

I have made up an Advent themed Rosary which is ready to be photographed and put up. It is done in Swarovski crystals, mostly "purple velvet" with one decade of light rose for the Third Sunday. Sort of an Advent wreath theme.

Its hard to believe that it is time to think about this already.

My Latest Rosary up at Ave Maria

2007-08-26T21:49:00.001-04:00
This is one of my very favorite Rosaries, and I especially love that I found these terrific beads to use. The Ave beads are 6mm vintage Swarovski hobnails with a beautiful AB coating on one side of the bead. (See how some of the rounds appear to have AB and others do not, in the photo--this is owing to the one sided coating). This crystal is totally opaque, like fine milk glass. The Our Father beads are also this same lovely old milk glass crystal, but they are older--really more like very vintage, or antique, and the AB is on all the faceted surfaces.
Really fantastic!

I love the purity of the white for First Communion, plus the shape of the Ave beads hints at the Eucharist, and the AB, especially on the Our Father beads seems to me to be sort of Eastery, which is the heart of First Communion "season".

I used a gold filled Crucifix and a vintage reproduction goldplate over Sterling Silver center. The center is especially nice for a Communion theme, as it depicts two adoring angels flanking the chalice and Host. The little medal you see in the photo is a tiny Miraculous Medal.

Although this was designed as a Communion Rosary, I think it works well for any special occasion gift for a young lady--or a woman for that matter, as the 6 and 8mm beads make it not too small for adult hands.

Rosary Website Back Up Again

2007-07-01T17:48:00.000-04:00
Well, I have (or rather my friend who has done all the work has) my rosary website up and actually functioning. I am thinking of some posts about design work that I am doing; or perhaps the angstiness of learning how to use a digital camera. I am so intinidated by the thing, it isn't funny.

Anyhow, please check out my site here. I don't have much up in the way of my own stuff yet--confer hand-wringing remarks re the digital camera--but I am tackling that in the next couple of days.

The Part of Me That Nobody Sees

2007-07-01T17:46:00.000-04:00
And here I am, exposing it on the internet? The scary thing is, this test gave a result that is all too true.

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are balanced, peaceful, and sincere.

You're the type of person who goes along to get along.

And you're definitely afraid of rocking the boat.

Underneath it all, you fear your world falling apart.

You'll put up with a situation that you don't like in fear of changing it.

Disruptive and forceful people intimidate you - and sometimes exploit you.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

What Kind of Soul Am I?

2007-07-01T17:34:00.001-04:00

You Are a Peacemaker Soul

You strive to please others and compromise anyway you can.

War or conflict bothers you, and you would do anything to keep the peace.

You are a good mediator and a true negotiator.

Sometimes you do too much, trying so hard to make people happy.

While you keep the peace, you tend to be secretly judgmental.

You lose respect for people who don't like to both give and take.

On the flip side, you've got a graet sense of humor and wit.

You're always dimplomatic and able to give good advice.

Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul, Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Latin Mass Poll

2007-07-01T08:33:00.000-04:00
Vote Here!

Thanks to Father Z at What Does The Prayer Really Say? .

Almost Holy Week

2007-03-28T13:44:00.000-04:00
Apparently I have almost given up Blogging for Lent. I wish that I could say I have made a "Good Lent", but I don't know.

My daughter and I resolved that we would be more loving and less argumentative with each other this Lent, but in my judgement, that has been a miserable failure--and mostly owing to me, I might add. Sara has her own set of issues, as do we all, but she is less responsible for our constant bickering simply because she is less adult, and some of her struggles to be civil to me have to do with her condition (she is a fairly high function person who does have Pervasive Developmental Disability), so she may be expected to sometimes view me as the enemy, etc...
just like most adolescent daughters do.

I, however, have no excuse. Every day I tell myself that I will remain patient and loving. Every day I pray for the grace to be faithful to this resolution. Almost every day I fall down, at some time. Its pretty well beyond humbling, let me tell you.

And yet I still want this to be the Lent where I can look back and say. "From that time on, she left everything and followed the Lord."

Since the Lord always leads to Calvary before Easter, this is hard. Harder than hard, it is impossible for me unless He carries me. I know He is, because I would be just a disintigrated pile of goo were He not, but I am at a "seeing only one set of footprints" stage.

If anyone reads this, please pray for me.

Really? No Kidding!

2007-03-26T05:49:00.000-04:00

You scored as Roman Catholic.

You are Roman Catholic.
Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely
important, and the most important part of worship
for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is
important in your theology, and as the communion
of saints includes the living and the dead, you can
also ask the saints to intercede for you.

Roman Catholic

100%
Neo orthodox

86%
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

75%
Fundamentalist

50%
Emergent/Postmodern

46%
Classical Liberal

39%
Reformed Evangelical

36%
Charismatic/Pentecostal

29%
Modern Liberal

11%

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

Long Blog Holiday

2007-02-20T04:49:00.000-05:00
Well its been awhile! Took off for Christmas and just sort of never came back, but I've been with you (my readership of 0!) in spirit.

Lately I've been having dreams of Lent--probably because it starts tomorrow, ya think?

What are you giving up, or taking on?

A Pilgrim's Reveries

2006-12-07T08:53:00.000-05:00
A Pilgrim's Reveries Ia a wonderful blog I fell into by accident. I think it showed up in a feed on My Yahoo. Anyhow, it is full of wonderful meditative discourse. Come and see!

Yep. From The Midwest

2006-11-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

What American accent do you have?
Your Result: The Midland

"You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The South

Philadelphia

The West

The Inland North

Boston

North Central

The Northeast

What American accent do you have?
Take More Quizzes

The Arborticide Shame Test

2006-11-10T08:06:00.000-05:00
Wittingshire has posted the most telling thoughts I have encountered on abortion.

Three times I've had to explain abortion to a child. Each time I, too, felt ashamed. There's no way to soften this blow; children are fascinated by pregnant women, love to point out that not so long ago they were inside their own Mommy's tummy. They may not know the biological details, but they know where babies come from; they know how their own lives began.

Each time circumstances demanded that I explain abortion to a child, I watched that child's eyes grow big with disbelief, then sick with horror. And each time I knew that some fundamental trust of adults, some basic belief that grown-ups were merciful and just, had gone.

Oddly, each of my children said, then, the same thing: "I know it must be true because you say it is, Mommy, but I really don't want to talk about it."

And each turned from me and walked away.

You know, I have never thought about having to have that discussion. Really puts it in perspective, doesn't it?

I found this by way of John C. Wright whose own article on the subject is very good, with some interesting comments dialogue.
As I read it, John's own awakening to the horror of abortion came thusly:
For all the years of my life, they told me that a child in the womb was not a human, or, at least, that whether he was human or not was a matter of personal conviction. Every art and artifice at their command, peer pressure, personal insult, sly propoganda in the midst of otherwise innocent books and movies, all, all was directed toward this end: to deaden my natural sense of right and wrong, so that I would regard as a merely personal choice what was actually the crime of Medea.

When my son was (wrongly) diagnosed as having a spinal disease, the doctor urged us to consider "all our options" by which he meant my wife and I should contemplate the murder of our child. When I finally saw a sonic picture of my son in the womb, even at seven weeks, he was as clearly human as any pro-abortionist with whom I'd been debating (and their ability to reason was not noticeably more acute than his, to judge by their performance).

So, the pro-aborts are basically a group of people tried to get me to kill my son.

Great article on Lack of Samhain/AllSaints Connection

2006-11-10T07:55:00.000-05:00
The Cranky Professor has a very informative article on this irritating "Oh, you were just baptising pagan feasts" theme we hear every year around this time.

Well, I had hoped to publish this a week or so ago, but seem to be having some difficulty with performancing. Still a good article, though.

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Jesus in the Sky with the Pearl of Great Price

2006-09-01T13:32:00.000-04:00
There is a very thoughtful posting by Jay
at DeoOmnisGloria.com, "What if Jesus Appeared in the Sky Every Night?".

Like one of the commentors, I used to think that with such "hard evidence", even great skeptics would be converted, but now I have seen too much evidence of hardness of heart, in which the person to whom Christ is calling simply does not want to hear the call.

Why? Because the Pearl really does exact a great price. It is so hard for us to let go of our folly and our sin. Even after we hear the voice of the Master and follow, who among as has never fallen, never looked back? I know that, for myself, I could never have succeeded without the powerful helps of God's actual grace. When I first had the stunning encounter with Christ the Good Shepherd, among the first thoughts I had when I came to myself was--"Oh no, not you, Jesus!". Because I knew how "uncool" this would be to my family and friends. And I knew I would have to change.

As each day of my new life in Christ passes (8 years, now) I become more and more grateful that My Good Shpeherd came for me, and that He gave me the grace to hear His voice. Let us pray with great love and compassion for all those whose hearts are hardened by their own desires, who are "looking for love in all the wrong places", that they may at last hear His lovely voice.

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Mostly Cat

2006-08-31T19:29:00.000-04:00

You Are: 30% Dog, 70% Cat

You and cats have a lot in common.
You're both smart and in charge - with a good amount of attitude.
However, you do have a very playful side that occasionally comes out!
Are You More Cat or Dog?

The Gift of Life

2006-08-14T19:33:00.000-04:00
Donum Vitae gets it right, as Michelle Arnold points out in this poignant post on lessons of artificial insemination.

I suppose that Cheyenne is lucky that her mother supposed her father had been thoroughly "vetted". Otherwise she might have fallen under the scythe of that other great eugenic technology, which has already decimated generations.

My prayer is that Michelle Jorgenson benefits greatly from the unique gift of her daughter, and comes to prize this gift for the priceless treasure that it is. I am finally beginning to learn so much from my daughter, who has a developmental disability. In some way I can never explain, but only thank God for, she is perfect--for herself, and for me, as a daughter. I only hope that I can give her half of what she has already given to me.

There is something in this post that really struck me with just how sad our efforts to perfect and orchestrate our children really are, and how little we appreciate the mystery and awesomeness of the gift of life.

Tall, Barrel-chested and Handsome?

2006-08-14T18:59:00.000-04:00
This Seattle times article explores one idea about what may have happened to our Neanderthal cousins--we may have assimilated them. According to author Faye Flam:

" Around half a million years ago the Neanderthal line spread through Europe and the Middle East, while our dominant ancestral line didn't move into Europe until much later — around 45,000 years ago. There, we overlapped until about 28,000 years ago...

...Biologist Alan Templeton of Washington University in St. Louis has found hints that some people of European ancestry carry genes that emerged in Europe more than 300,000 years ago — far before our main ancestors left Africa."

There is more to be explored, of course, DNA sampling and so forth, but I think they may be on to something.

Thanks to Don Jim at Dappled Things for his post on Interacting with Neanderthals. Oh, we be interacting, all right. We are the interactingest bunch of people I know.

I kind of like this idea, as I always found the Neanderthals to be a romantic, lost group. Maybe they aren't lost at all. Maybe they are us.

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July Prayer Intentions

2006-07-04T14:08:00.000-04:00
THE HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JULY

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for July is: "That all those who are in prison, and especially young people, may receive the necessary support from society to help them rediscover a sense to their own existence."

His mission intention is: "That, in the mission territories, different ethnic and religious groups may live in peace and together build a society inspired by human and spiritual values."

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Scottish Proverb

2006-07-04T12:37:00.000-04:00
"Better keep the devil at the door than turn him out of the house."
--Scottish Proverb

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Via Sancta

2006-07-01T09:46:00.000-04:00
Via Sancta
Just rejoined St Blog's Parish and looking about a bit, this is the first blog I looked at. Stuart, I hope you go back again in August! What a beautiful calling. Someday I hope to see the Holy Land--actually I long for it; so, I can understand this very well.

God speed!

God Bless the Lakota Souix!

2006-06-30T18:30:00.000-04:00
Here
is a very heartening story, which reflects a culture of life!

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What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
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