Weekend Joke

This old geezer lived near the Ohio River, and in the recent floods, he was washed away and his friends and family feared that he'd drowned. Miraculously, though, a state trooper pulled him out and his life was saved.

The old geezer lived many more years, but unfortunately he kept telling everyone how he survived the Ohio River floods until they were bored to tears.

Finally the old geezer died and went up to heaven. St. Peter met him at the Pearly Gates and said, "Welcome to Heaven! We'd like you to be eternally happy, so if there's anything you'd like to do, anything at all, just tell me and we'll fix it up for you."

"Thanks," said the old geezer. "I'd sure like to tell a bunch of folks about how I survived the Ohio River floods."

"No problem," said St. Peter. "I'll make the arrangements and get back to you."

A few days later, St. Peter contacted the old geezer and took him to the lecture hall where he was to give his talk. They both waited backstage while the audience got settled, and the geezer was pleased to see that it was rather a large crowd.

The St. Peter grabbed the old geezer's arm. "Now, I don't want to make you nervous, but I've just spotted Noah in the crowd.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Like a Rock

Peter is the only apostle who received his name directly from Jesus. In Scripture, when God changes a person's name -- as when he changed Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, and Jacob to Israel -- he is revealing that person's pivotal place in his plan of salvation. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter (Petros in Greek, Cephas in the Aramaic dialect that Jesus spoke). The name means "rock." "You are Peter," Jesus said, "and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."

Catholic Passion by David Scott

I knew this. I did. But I forgot it. This reminder is a powerful one that Jesus' commission to Peter was serious and meant to last forever.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: The Weekend

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Saturday: Memorial of St. Jerome, priest and doctor. Saint Jerome is quite a favorite among bloggers.
• The Curt Jester reruns his proposal to make Jerome our patron saint.
• Here is a poem about St. Jerome that will make you smile even as you nod in agreement.
• As always, Mike Aquilina has some good links to info about today's saint.
• Maior autem his est caritas has a good St. Jerome quote and some more good links
• Open Book has even more good links including a reminder that my favorite Rumer Godden wrote a book about St. Jerome
  

Sunday: Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

• This mother's recovery from surgery
• The peace of Jack's family
• Patrick Coffin and his family
• Our parish's upcoming CRHP retreats
• Our parish's marriage retreat and team preparation
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

You may think past ages were good, but it is only because you are not living in them.

St. Augustine

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Bulletin Board

Valerie and her family have very personal knowledge of how difficult it is to live with Lupus. Her oldest daughter was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis in 2004. She is going to be posting about all aspects of living with the disease in October. Check it out.

MyCATHOLIC.COM
It looks as if someone might be trying to clone myCatholic.com.

Tim Harrison, the mind behind myCatholic.com, obviously a bit disturbed by this as am I.

Remember that there's only one myCatholic.com. You'll find headlines from many bloggers (including Happy Catholic ... thanks Tim!), and dozen of other trustworthy Catholic sources including news sites, daily Mass readings, saint of the day quote and more. All easy to customize to your heart's content. Check it out and make it your home page.

CATHOLIC CARNIVAL
Catch it at Luminous Miseries this week.

THE CARNIVAL OF CINEMA
Nehring the Edge's brilliant carnival idea begins this week. Check it out for movie commentary of all kinds.

WORLD OF GOOD
Caribbean K.I.D.S. Style ... maybe I should go help out with this one myself, eh?

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

The Texas State Fair Opens Today

Big Tex

And it's also Private School Day at the fair, which means Rose and her friends get in free.

This necessitates me picking up and driving them down when school gets out at 12:30 (yes, the state fair is that big a deal around here), picking them up at 6:30 to take to someone's birthday party at Snuffers (a local burger joint, y'all), and ... most importantly ... an intensive effort in trading cell phone numbers and making sure phones are charged up!

Whew! Wish me luck 'cuz I'm gonna need it!

The Feast of the Archangels

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL

ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

The liturgy for today celebrates the feast of the three archangels who have been venerated throughout the history of the Church, Michael (from the Hebrew Who is like God?) is the archangel who defends the friends of God against Satan and all his evil angels. Gabriel, (the Power of God), is chosen by the Creator to announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation. Raphael, (the Medicine of God), is the archangel who takes care of Tobias on his journey.

In Conversation With God : Feast Days July - December

I have a special fondness for angels and it is a sign of my Catholic geekiness, I suppose, that I got an excited "Christmas morning" sort of thrill when I realized today's feast.

I read for the first time about angels when we were in the hospital with my father-in-law after his stroke. That made a big impression on me at the time. I always attribute the miracle that happened to the Holy Family but the angels are divine messengers and so have their place in it as well. Because of that I always have remembered that we can call not only on our friends for intercessory prayer, but also on angels for intercession and help. The prayer to St. Michael is one of my favorites.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl around the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Some more on angels.

You should be aware that the word "angel" denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.

From a homily by Pope Saint Gregory the Great.

Sadly, I don't have any angel food cake (it really is not that sad an occurrence as I abhor angel food cake), however I may stop by and pick up some heavenly, cloud-like meringues on the way home so we can celebrate properly!

Other good places to read about angels today:

• Images taken from this post by Mama T which you should go read also.
• The Anchoress has a really wonderful reflection about all three angels and a link to a great piece about the book of Tobit (and if you haven't read the book of Tobit then stop reading these blogs and get thee to thy Bible! It is one of the best books in the Old Testament for my money ... so once again The Anchoress and I agree wholeheartedly)
  
• Georgette shares one of the best excerpts I've ever seen about these angels (I'm printing this one out for repeated reading)
  
• Mike Aquilina keeps us grounded in the fathers of the church as well as providing useful links to other good resources.
  
• On the practical level, Elena has a good idea for an angelic feast
  

Here are some things I have written about angels which include facts as well as personal experiences (although these tend more toward guardian angels):

• An Experience of Angels
• Let's Talk Angels
• More Angel Talk
• Just One More Angel Story

Background Music: Friday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

• This family
  
• This woman's soul and the peace of her family
• This man and the Vietnamese Christians
• KM's emergency prayer request
• Our parish's upcoming CRHP retreats
• Our parish's marriage retreat and team preparation
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

Whenever someone is driven by love in any way, he or she is driven by Christ. Whoever has love, has the love of God, even if he or she does not confess Christ in words. There is a hidden Christ; he is much too great to be confined to human thought.

Eberhard Arnold

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Three Good Banners ...

Source

Source

Source

TWO GREAT LINKS ...

• My new hero speaks about global warming and the media. Don't miss this. Via Thoughts of a Regular Guy.
• The Crusades 101 at Insight Scoop. News to some and a good refresher course for the rest of us.

ONE FUNNY JOKE ...
Customer Service From Heaven ... it's funny because it's true.

AND A DOGGIE IN A COSTUME!

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

A Couple of Thoughts About Heroes

Did anyone else notice that the two Japanese guys singing in the karaoke bar were the two on the YouTube clip that was going around for a while? They were even wearing the same jerseys. An inside joke that was too funny.

Also, how about the contrast of the two conversations held about feeling "special?" In New York, Peter asks Mohinder if he has ever felt as if he's "special" meaning in a super-powerish sort of way. The cab driver says, "Oh, right, we're all special." A standard American answer, right. Gradually, upon realizing that Peter is talking about something different, Mohinder says, "But some of us are more special than others."

In Japan, Hiro is telling his friend that he wants to have special powers and be a super hero. His friend asks why he wants to stand out. "We're all the same. We're Japanese!" the friend says. This reflects perfectly the Japanese cultural desire to fit in.

A nice bit of cultural context and contrast that we didn't expect.

The Kiss of Christ

Russians call this sacrament [confession] "the kiss of Christ." The Russian-born writer Catherine de Hueck Doherty said that her mother taught her to talk to Jesus in confession as if she were talking to her own father:

I would ... tell him how sorry I was for having done something he didn't like. In my imagination, Christ hugged me and said something like, "That's all right, little girl. I know it's not easy to always do the right thing." Then he would kiss me and bless me and say, "Now go and play."

Catholic Passion by David Scott

Beautiful, isn't it? Maybe that helps explain to others why so many of us see Confession as a beautiful sacrament.

And, here is a really wonderful testimony in real life where confession was an answer to prayer. Don't miss reading about how the Holy Spirit moves us and those around us to give us what we really need.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Poetry Thursday

Second in our limited series by the house poet (there's nothing like a Creative Writing class for a regular output of poetry): Rose.

You Can

You can tear it down, wall by wall
You can take my home from me

You can rip them away, one and all
You can take my family from me

You can make me face learn to glare
You can take my love from me

You can make me no longer care
You can take my hate from me

You can drag me through the driving rain
You can take my pride from me

You can taunt, jeer, laugh at my pain
You can take my joy from me

You can tell me it could be worse
You can take my pain from me

You can turn each day into a curse
You can take my hope from me

You can force me into iron chains
You can take my freedom from me

You can spill the blood in my veins
You can take my life from me

You can laugh at belief, tear downs my ideals
You can take my faith from me

But with me, you can make no deals
You can’t take my soul from me

Background Music: Thursday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Optional Memorial of St. Wenceslaus, martyr; St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, martyrs

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

• KM's emergency prayer request
• Our parish's upcoming CRHP retreats
• Our parish's marriage retreat and team preparation
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

The real problem of the Christian life comes the very moment you wake each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush back at you like wild animals. And the very first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day ...

C.S. Lewis

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

WOW. Remember How It Felt to Watch the "Lost" Pilot?

We just watched Heroes and I got that same rush.

This is a do not miss show.

Remember.

You heard it here.

Why Dogs Bite People - 4

Discernment on TV

God or the Girl

I remember reading reviews from various bloggers lucky enough to have cable and see God or the Girl, a reality show that tracked four young Catholic men discerning for the priesthood. Luckily I don't remember many details except for the fact that most people thought it a fairly good show.

Luckily I was given the DVD. It has some very interesting sounding extras which I'm not going to watch until I get through the show itself for fear of ruining some of the revelations. ("Bonus features are equally substantial, including a half-episode featuring a fifth participant, deleted scenes, and a richly informative 14-minute offering of "priestly wisdom from Father Mark," in which the series' priestly consultant explains the Catholic perspective on calling & discernment, celibacy, faith, family, and sacrifice.")

I also was pleased to see that the Amazon reviewer gave it a glowing review for all the right reasons. Go read the entire thing for a better perspective but here's a bit.

... this remarkable five-part miniseries bears more resemblance to a legitimate documentary, in which four young men face the permanent and life-altering decision between celibacy in the Roman Catholic priesthood or a sexually active life of faith, marriage, and family. Although the veteran reality TV producers of this A&E series (which premiered amidst mild and short-lived controversy on Easter Sunday 2006) had originally intended a more populist MTV-like approach to their exploration of religious fervor, what they ultimately captured (largely due to the integrity of the participants) is a remarkably revealing and spiritually uplifting study of Catholic faith in modern America. While acknowledging the scandals that tarnished the Catholic Church in recent years, God or the Girl offers a refreshing and surprisingly balanced perspective on serious issues of faith rarely addressed in mainstream entertainment.

My main struggle in watching has been to get the time. Unfortunately my receipt of it coincided with the beginning of the new television season so I've had to wait until Rose is out of taped options to slide one in.

However, she and I were quite pleased after watching the first show, which we did a couple of days ago. For one thing it was odd but nice to see all the "environment" shots so extremely familiar, what with the focus being Catholicism instead of general Christianity. Secondly, we quickly got caught up in these young men's quest for discernment. At the risk of repeating what others said when the show was in progress, our initial reactions are:

• Dan impressed us with his skills when intervening between a brewing fight between two women while praying outside an abortion clinic
• Joe seems to be pressured by his mother and would have done well to listen to his older brother about how to deal with Anna when at World Youth Day in Germany
• Steve's adviser impressed us by making him confide to his old frat brothers that he is considering the priesthood. As if that would be a huge surprise since they knew that he spent time in Guatamala doing missionary work.
• And Mike. Hmmm. Mike's situation was quite troubling. For one thing he's obviously got a case of hero worship for his priest, which the priest has done nothing to stop. Quite the contrary, it is as if the priest has decided that Mike must be a priest and is putting on the pressure for it to happen. Seems like an unhealthy relationship. Add that to the things that Mike said about kissing and lust and ... well, we were uneasy about the whole thing.

So far, highly recommended and I'll keep y'all apprised when we view future episodes.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

It's All Downhill From Here

From my inbox. Thanks Cliff!

During a Eucharistic Congress, a number of priests from different orders are gathered in a church for Vespers. While they are praying, a fuse blows and all the lights go out.

The Benedictines continue praying from memory, without missing a beat.

The Jesuits begin to discuss whether the blown fuse means they are dispensed from the obligation to pray Vespers.

The Franciscans compose a song of praise for God's gift of darkness.

The Dominicans revisit their ongoing debate on light as a signification of the transmission of divine knowledge.

The Carmelites fall into silence and slow, steady breathing.

The parish priest, who is hosting the others, goes to the basement and replaces the fuse.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Wednesday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul, priest

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

• KM's emergency prayer request
  
• Ironic Catholic
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

It is not an excess of criticism that embitters the world, but an absence of self criticism.

G.K. Chesterton

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Answering Back to God

An ancient characteristic of Catholic worship is the antiphon, a word that means "answering back." It is the pattern of liturgical call-and-response, as when the priest prays, "The Lord be with you," and the worshipers answer back, "And also with your spirit." This prayerful dialogue reflects a fundamental Catholic understanding of what it means to be human. We are "antiphonal" beings in conversation with our Creator -- listening for God's call and answering him with our lives.

Catholic Passion by David Scott

You know, that has never occurred to me in all the times I have joined in responsorial liturgy. How fascinating to consider that it is a reflection of that larger reality of our relationship with God.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

It's True, It's True ... This is Why My Hair is Short and Spiked

The Last Knit.

Much thanks to Hey Jules for spotting the resemblance.

Blogging Around

'CUZ UNDER MY SKIN I'M JUST LIKE YOU

We laugh. You won't hear us laughing in public because our beliefs tell us it's vain, but we laugh a lot when we are just women together or in the privacy of our own homes. We are happy and we laugh.

That is item #1 from the list of What Saudi Women Want American Women to Know. A good reminder that we are all much more alike than we are different.

FORGIVENESS

Andrew was a classmate, born with Down's Syndrome (no, this is not about a sappy, hugging and kissing, loving Andrew, so read on, you sanctimonious ass).

We were cruel to Andrew, as you can imagine. He was clumsy, oafish and uncoordinated. He was always the last to get picked for sports, and whichever team got saddled with him automatically claimed the advantage of sides, or points or whatever. Of course, in a close game, we knew Andrew would screw up and thus the chances of his team winning was nil. Andrew would be blamed unmercifully for his teams loss. He took it all good naturedly and poked fun at himself- and this infuriated us even more.

Sigmund, Carl and Alfred has two very powerful articles about forgiveness, one about individuals and nations, the other a personal experience that drives home the message from the previous post. Really excellent writing and reminders about the strength that can come when we admit our shortcomings and weakness.

EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW

• St. Januiarus' blood liquified again on Sept. 19. Yes, miracles still do happen.
• Standing things on their heads, Dwight Longenecker tilts our heads to look at the Church a new way, "Has it ever struck you that we have here an institution that is older than Imperial Rome, yet it survives and thrives into the 21st century?">

GONNA HAMMER AT PRAYER TIME

Half the battle of life--the spiritual life--consists in persevering in spiritual reading. We are constantly subjected to impressions from the world through what we see, hear and read. We are continuously influenced too by our temperament and imagination, which tend to make our thoughts subjective and misleading. We need daily contact with a source of divine truth, and this we have through spiritual reading. Through it we enter into an atmosphere of truth and reality in which the proper perspective on values is maintained and this affects our judgments, desires, decisions, and conduct.

Without spiritual reading, prayer becomes empty and unfruitful, for spiritual reading supplies matter for our prayer. It reawakens memories and recollections, deepens true impressions, corrects errors, and extends our vision. While we continue to do daily spiritual reading, the relish for it increase; but when we let it drop out of our daily life it becomes distasteful, and only be repeated efforts do we recover its enjoyment.

Steven Riddle features this quote from "Hammer and Fire" and points out, "The hammer, then, is spiritual reading." Just a bit from an excellent article about the value of spiritual reading in our lives and the many forms it can take.

IN THE NEWS

• How Do You Solve a Problem Like Milingo?*: Archbishop Milingo has been much in the Catholic news lately for his insistence that he can be married and still be ordained. He then produced his wife. While the Vatican grappled with this, Milingo then made his excommunication quite unambiguous by ordaining four married men as bishops. 'Nuff said. He's out. Canon lawyer Ed Peters has fascinating observations about this. *Shamelessly stolen from Jimmy Akin ... it was just too good.
  
• The Pot Calling the Kettle Black: Muslims ask Christians to look at violent history. I don't know where this person has been for the last few years but it seems as if lately Christians have been apologizing for everything except breathing. Pope John Paul II was constantly bringing up some past problem and asking for forgiveness from various groups it seems to me. Now, if they wanted to look at Islam's past history of violence ... well that's different. How much time do they have?
  
• Why Don't You Make Up Your Mind? Jewish columnist Dennis Prager points out that the same people who complain that Pope Pius XII didn't speak up about the Nazis are now complaining because Pope Benedict quoted someone who called a spade a spade. A nice distinction and one that hadn't occurred to me, but that I will be sure to capitalize on in the future! Via Carl Olson.
  

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Thar's Unexpected Depths Beneath That Craggy Surface

You Are an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

On the surface, you're a little plain - but you have many subtle dimensions to your personality. Sometimes you're down to earth and crunchy. Other times, you're sweet and a little gooey.

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

Via Quoth the Maven

Where in the World is Happy Catholic?

Jean at Catholic Fire tagged me with this Geography Meme.

1. A Place You've Visited and Your Favorite Thing there.
   Paris, the area around Place St. Michel
   


2. A Country You'd Like to Visit and Why
   China! I've always been fascinated with the culture.
   


3. A Place From History You'd Like to Visit and Why
   California in the 1920s when the motion picture industry was getting started. I just think it would be interesting.
   


4. A Place You Know a Lot About
   Kansas
   


5. A Place You'd Like to Learn More About
   Southeast Asia (I'm a nut for Asian stuff, go figure!)
   


6. A Fictional Place You'd Like to Visit
   The Shire and environs (post Mordor)
   

I'll tag The Recovering Dissident Catholic, Aliens in This World, and Maced with Grace with this one. And, of course, anyone else who'd like to pick it up and play!

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Oscar Wilde, Cloudspotting

Nobody of any real culture ... ever talks nowadays about the beauty of a sunset. Sunsets are quite old-fashioned. They belong to the time when Turner was the last note in art. To admire them is a distinct sign of provincialism of temperament. Upon the other hand they go on. Yesterday evening Mrs. Arundel insisted on my going to the window, and looking at the glorious sky, as she called it. Of course I had to look at it ... And what was it? It was simply a very second-rate Turner, a Turner of a bad period, with all the painter's worst faults exaggerated and over-emphasized.

Oscar Wilde, as quoted in The Cloudspotter's Guide by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

Oh, Oscar Wilde ... how did you manage to be so very funny?

Background Music: Tuesday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Optional Memorial of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, martyrs

LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER
Personal intentions:

• Lynn's niece, Krystal, 13 years old who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She started her first of 3 rounds of chemo last Wednesday. She has gotten several sores in her mouth from the chemo and had to be brought to the ER over the weekend for more fluids and nutrients. Please say an extra prayer for her and for her family. That they all have the strength and will power to face each day and believe that treatment will soon be behind them.
• Monette's nephew, Josh, who is in the army and in Iraq. His tour has just been extended and he is in one of the most dangerous areas-western Anbar province. His parents are very nervous about upcoming Ramadan with rumors of more than usual violence. Please keep him and his parents in your thoughts and prayers.
• Jim's 101 year old grandmother, Rosalie Macaluso, who fell and broke her hip Saturday evening. She's having hip replacement surgery at sometime today and needs everyon's prayers. Please include the medical staff caring for her and her family.
• Ironic Catholic
  
• Eve's friend's mother who is dying in great pain, her family and those caring for her
• Tammy's test preparation
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of -- throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.

C.S. Lewis

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Carnival of Cinema to Begin

My favorite movie critic, Nehring the Edge, is beginning a Carnival of Cinema. Long overdue I'd say. I'm looking forward to reading this one each week.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

"Television! Teacher, mother, secret lover."*

* Homer Simpson

We've been dabbling in the new television series and not been too impressed so far.

• Smith with Ray Liotta featured a lot of mean-spirited people who weren't interesting enough to warrant watching for more than the pilot.
• Six Degrees was a slow moving soap opera. I quit halfway through although Rose stuck it out and asked me to tape it for her this week. (No problemo, as long as I don't have to watch it too.)

As I mentioned a while back we are impressed with Justice although I am sad to say that it is losing in the ratings war. It is a guilty pleasure of fast-paced television that leaves us guessing until the end as to whether their client really did the crime or not.

I heard very good things about Studio 60 and so am going to tape it tonight. Also Uncle Barky is raving about Heroes which I also am going to tape. (Uncle Barky, a.k.a. Ed Bark, was a television columnist for the Dallas Morning News for 26 years until they short-sightedly offered him and a lot of others early retirement. He was one of the best things about their entertainment section, those idiots! Now we have syndicated coverage from New York or LA papers ... hmph!)

AMAZING RACE
Ok, let's get going with race chat ... I forgot to mention this last week but here we are on the morning after ... again!

I am getting tired of those single moms already. They are quick with snide remarks about anyone who seems to be pulling ahead, won't pull over to help or even ask if a stranded team needs help, and I just don't like their attitudes ...

As for the cheerleaders' elimination, I was so sorry to see them have to quit that last competition but it looked as if the poor girl had been trying so much that her arm might fall from shooting those burning arrows.

Rose is pulling for the male models, I like the coal miner and wife and also am impressed (against my will) with the beauty queens. As for that dating couple who were melting down and screaming at each other ... we've seen that before and it usually ends up nowhere good!

Here's to another season y'all! Lost starts next week and I know we'll all be here picking over clues then...

Let us all bask in television's warm glowing warming glow.

Homer Simpson

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

This is an Amazing Clip

Tom found this on Digg. Take note of the name How to Put on a Bra ... there is nothing here that wouldn't be seen in a regular action movie to a James Bond movie so use your own judgment.

Jesus and Children

This reflects something that Fr. L. reminded us of in last week's Scripture study. Children had absolutely no legal rights in the ancient world. That is why taking care of widows and orphans was so praiseworthy. One would do it for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. There was absolutely nothing in it for the person helping out. Once again, I read about what life was like back then and I am struck with how similar many of our current ways are in the secular West.

In his tender affection for children Jesus stood in radical contradiction to the attitudes and practices of the empire of his day. The Romans and Greeks held that children were inferior beings, something less than fully human. Plato, Aristotle, and other philosophers of the ancient world approved the killing of unwanted children through abortion and infanticide, and they saw nothing wrong with using children for sexual gratification.

Jesus said it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and be plunged into the depths of the sea than to suffer God's judgment for scandalizing one of his little ones. From the beginning, the church fiercely defended children, even the unborn. The Didache ("Teaching"), the oldest surviving manual of church life, written in the mid-first century, warns: "You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish." The Christian philosopher Athenagoras, in a plea to Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 175, explained: "We regard the very fetus in the womb as a created being and therefore an object of God's care."

Catholic Passion by David Scott

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Monday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Personal intentions:

• Jim's 101 year old grandmother, Rosalie Macaluso, who fell and broke her hip Saturday evening. She’s having hip replacement surgery at sometime today and needs everyone’s prayers. Please include the medical staff caring for her and her family.
• Eve's friend's mother who is dying in great pain, her family and those caring for her
• Tammy's test preparation
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

In what is necessary, unity;
in what is not necessary, liberty
and in all things charity.

St. Augustine

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Oh, frabjous day! Calloo callay!

Dwight Longenecker is going to start standing things on their head in the blogosphere!

Now maybe only The Curt Jester (his other biggest fan, read why he's excited to see this blog beginning) and I see this as a cause for celebration because Longenecker isn't nearly well known enough for his wonderful books, which all are good at helping us see by standing things on their head.

I only have reviewed (and that briefly) Adventures in Orthodoxy. However, I also really loved St. Benedict & St. Therese: The Little Rule and the Little Way which I still use as inspiration for adhering to discipline in my personal life (too bad about all the backsliding but that's for another post), and More Christianity, which pushes the envelope on Mere Christianity by showing why Catholicism is wonderful.

Haven't read them? What are you waiting for?

As a bonus to see why I am such a fan, here's a link to an excerpt I posted back in the olden days when I had just begun blogging myself.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Blogging Cardinal is Off to a Great Start!

Boston's Cardinal Sean has been blogging his fall trip to Rome and doing it up right. Check out his coverage of celebrating the mass at the church that was built in San Giovanni Rotondo. There are two sets of photos interspersed with two quite interesting posts by the Cardinal. I felt as if I had taken a tour of the entire place by the time I got finished looking through everything. Definitely not to be missed if you have any interest in Padre Pio at all.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

A Gaggle of Quick Book Reviews

111. Guardian Angels: True Stories of Answered Prayers by Joan Wester Anderson
Like Anderson's other books about angels, this consists of anecdotes of miracles that real people have experienced in modern times. I'm a sucker for these and loved it. This really is more of a book about prayer than guardian angels although angels do figure largely in many of the anecdotes. In fact, partway through I actually forgot the book had "angels" in the title. No matter, real answers to prayer are wonderful to read, no matter how God chooses to do it.

109. Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (Loyola Classics) by John Powers
110. The Lat Catholic in America by John Powers
I was stunned to read this book and find that it was full of mean-spirited stories about the Catholic Church. Now, before you even tell me, I know, I know, if you were raised Catholic before a certain time these stories are hilariously true. All I can say is that, to me as a convert of today, if those stories ring true then thank the Lord for Vatican II. Honestly, if one strips the veil of memory off and reads what Powers writes about the Church in these two books there is no way that one would find these stories original or amusing (yes, I actually suffered through a second to make sure that I was being fair to Powers). I am put in mind of Bill Bryson's books about traveling around America. I eagerly picked one up, having thoroughly enjoyed "English, Our Mother Tongue and How It Got That Way" and found that the reason Bryson must live in England is because he hates America ... or just wants to tell mean stories about Americans to make a buck. Powers is in the same category for me. Steer clear of this book.

108. Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions by William Storey
A delightful, small volume of prayers, readings, and devotions to use through the seasons and feasts of the liturgical year. I got this in ordinary time but am looking forward to using it to deepen my devotions during Advent.

107. The Devil's Advocate by Morris L. West from My Autumn Reading Challenge
Monsignor Blaise Meredith, who is dying of cancer, is sent to a small, isolated Italian town to be a Devil's Advocate for beautification of Giacomo Nerone. We see the story, told largely in flashbacks, of a controversial character in an isolated peasant village. A vivid portrait is painted of the people who knew Nerone and how their actions resulted in good and evil. All are in need of spiritual healing or guidance, and West clearly shows us the changes that are still being wrought in their lives by their memories of Nerone. The question of whether Nerone is actually a saint is left for us to decide and I, myself, am undecided on that particular question. However, in this book it is the journey that is important along with actions taken on the way ... as it is in our own lives. There is no question about that. Highly recommended.

106. The Essential Thomas Eakins by Alice A. Carter
It is continually amazing to me how much essential information is conveyed by these small but complete books. The entire series is highly recommended and this book in particular, if only for a look at this under appreciated artist whose highly scandalous life contributed to his lack of popularity.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Weekend Joke

A repeat of one of my favorites.

Robert wakes up with a huge hangover after attending his company's Christmas Party. Robert is not normally a drinker, but the drinks didn't taste like alcohol at all. He didn't even remember how he got home from the party. As bad as he was feeling, he wondered if he did something wrong. Robert had to force himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirin next to a glass of water on the side table. And, next to them, a single red rose!

Robert sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed.

He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house. He takes the aspirin, and cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror. Then he notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror, written in red with little hearts on it,and a kiss mark in lipstick from his wife: "Honey, breakfast is on the stove. I left early to go get groceries to make you your favorite dinner tonight. I love you, darling! Love, Nancy."

He stumbles to the kitchen and, sure enough, there is hot breakfast, steaming hot coffee, and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating his breakfast. Robert asks, "Son, what happened last night?"

"Well," said Robert, "you came home after 3 a.m., drunk and out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it. Then you puked in the hallway, and got that black eye when you ran into the door."

Confused he asked his son, "So, why is everything in such perfect order, so clean, I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me?"

His son replies, "Oh THAT! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed, "Leave me alone, lady, I'm married!"

Broken Coffee Table $39.99
Hot Breakfast $ 4.20
Two Aspirin $ .38
Saying the right thing, at the right time . . . Priceless.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: the Weekend

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Saturday: Memorial of St. Padre Pio
Today is St. Pio's feast day. I just love this guy who I always think of as my Padre Pio, an Italian priest who knew how to throw his head back and laugh, who would scold a famous actress for being shallow, who suffered the stigmata for over 50 years, who knew (and could see) his guardian angel from the time he was a tiny child, who could bilocate and read souls, who was one of the greatest saints in living memory ... and who I share a birthday with (although his was 70 years earlier - May 25). He could read souls just in a casual meeting. Perhaps one of the most famous storiesis the time that Padre Pio met with a Catholic journalist who came to him for confession about a sin to which the journalist had a long-time addiction. Before the journalist said a word, Padre Pio smacked him hard across the face and told him to quit it. The addiction left and never returned. Wow.

Some good Padre Pio links can be found here.

Sunday: Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Personal intentions:

• A private intention for LH
• For two college students who have been overcome by carbon monoxide and are on respirators in the hospital in Lubbock; for their families and medical team
  
• Tammy's test preparation
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory.

Robert Benchley

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Blogging Around: All the Books That'r Fit to Read

Lots and lots of books being read and discussed around the blogosphere ... this is enough for weekend reading even without the books themselves!

• The Historian reviewed by Debra of The Idyllist at Catholic Fiction.
• Tim Powers Interview at Jimmy Akin's place. I really can't get into Powers' books. Maybe I've never tried the right one. Anyway, he's a general favorite and I enjoyed the interview even if I don't plan on reading the book.
• The Big Sleep, both book and movie are reviewed at Darwin Catholic. In response to his comments about the movie, I have two words of advice. Double Indemnity. The ultimate noir movie. "I killed him for money and for a woman. I didn't get the money... and I didn't get the woman." Watch it.
  
• Voting to Kill reviewed by The Anchoress with a link to another review of it.
• A "superb new history of Christianity reviewed by Philip Jenkins (an author I really like). Via Insight Scoop.
• An Irreverent and Thorougly Incomplete Social History of Almost Everything reviewed at Brandywine Books. Who can resist a book with a title like this? I know I can't. Yet another one for my "to read" list.
• The Children of Hurin is J.R.R. Tolkien's uncompleted work ... now edited by his son into a finished tale and ready for release in the spring.
• Two Books That Saved Her are revealed by the Recovering Dissident Catholic. I'm always interested in these sorts of stories, not only for the book info but also because I converted with absolutely no reading at all. It's the contrast of the thing.
• Mama T's 42nd-45th Books of the Year are reviewed for your reading pleasure.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

In the Midst of the Storm

Ten minutes into his descent, Rankin should have been reaching the ground, but the enormous draughts of air that surged up the core of the cloud were retarding his fall. Soon the turbulence became much more severe. He had no visual point of reference in the gloomy depths but he sense that, rather than falling, he was being shot upwards with successive violent gusts of rising air -- blasts that were becoming increasingly violent. And then for the first time he felt the full force of the cloud.

"It came with incredible suddenness -- and fury. It hit me like a tidal wave of air, a massive blast, fired at me with the savagery of a cannon ... I went soaring up and up and up as though there would be no end to its force." ...

The Cloudspotter's Guide by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

Pretor-Pinney certainly knows how to get my attention. Frankly, I am not that interested in the science of clouds which makes up about half of each chapter. Possibly anticipating this, he has been quite generous with attractive lures, such as the story of Lieutenant-Colonel William Rankin, a pilot in the US Air Force, who, in 1959, became the only man to fall through the heart of a cumulonimbus and live to tell the tale. Riveting stuff, y'all!

A Few More Memoirs and Family History

This is a continuation of the memories my mother has about her childhood times spent with her grandfather Charles J. Finger. I love these stories all the more for thinking of the book he wrote featuring my mother (Bobbie and Jock and the Mailman) because Jock was a Scottie ... illustrated by my Great Aunt Helen. I thought that I already had posted these but, better late than never, eh?

You all know the big table we have in the living room; that was the dining table in my grandfather's day. It came from his railroad days, as mentioned in the biography and he had it sent from (Cleveland?). People as famous as Carl Sand and Sinclair Lewis ate at it. I seem to remember fried chicken every Sunday, but I was only allowed boiled - how I craved that delicious fried, but it wasn't considered healthy for children. But what wonderful biscuits my grandmother made, and I scarfed them down loaded with her homemade srawberry jam. My grandfather would order a cup of maraschino cherries for me if we went to a restaurant ... my mother always thought they caused boils on my back. Oh well, what did they know.

There were double doors to the living room, and one year my Grandfather dressed up like Santa Claus and flung them open with drama. It was to be a great surprise, but I burst into tears, ran away, and hid. What a flop to a grand enterprise!

At the bottom of the hill was a true country store, selling cattle salt blocks, flour in print bags intended to be dresses, etc., and with gas pumps. I remember driving down there with my aunt; I thought she was the most wonderful person I had ever known. She SMOKED, she was very small, and she was so peppy and had a wonderful accent. Of course, she wasn't married and had no children so it was easy for her.

I actually remember hired hands squirting milk at cats during milking. Yes, trite as it sounds, they actually did that !

As I said before, hired help must have been really cheap. They mowed the grass, did laundry, but unfortunately never were hired to cook to help out my grandmother and mother. Charlie provided chickens, and Helen never had to do anything because she was an artist (my mother said). Don't know what the other two boys did ... one ran away from home and probably with good reason considering my grandfather's autocratic disposition. He was a wonderful grandfather, though.

There were screened porches around three sides of the house, and I seem to remember living out there most of the time. Since we usually visited only in the summer that would be natural. One morning I got up and found one of my shoes filled with cherry pits, apparently tucked in there by a mouse.

My aunt Helen raised Scotties, and Airdales. I loved the dogs, but was especially fascinated by seeing them eat rabbits, always head first. There was a fish pond in the middle of the front yard, and I remember one of the puppies drowning there; Beverly also fell in once but was quickly retrieved. The pond was surrounded by old fashioned petunias, and their fragrance always takes me back to those days and reminds me of my sweet grandmother who loved them.

OK, now you have the best of my very young childhood memories, for better or worse. You might want to compile some of yours for your own children. Old age comes quicker than you think! I have regretted many times not sitting down with my parents and talking with them about earlier years.

Background Music: Friday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from evening reading in Magnificat.

Christ in glory bears the wounds he made his own and offers them to us as the pledge of his transforming love. In faith we pray:

R: Heal us, O Lord.

You knew the pain of torture:
-- have mercy on those who suffer torture and death in our day. R

You knew the unbearable burden of the cross:
-- have mercy on those who fall under the burden of life. R

You knew the anguish of abandonment:
-- have mercy on those who have been abandoned by loved ones. R

Personal intentions:
• A private intention for LH
• For two college students who have been overcome by carbon monoxide and are on respirators in the hospital in Lubbock; for their families and medical team
  
• Tammy's test preparation
• For Emmie Rose's family.
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

LAGNIAPPE
(from my quote journal)

If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads but what he rereads.

Francois Mauriac

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Have You Stepped Into the Kitchen Lately?

You'll find a Linguine and Grilled Beef Salad, updated recipe archives, a link to Slashfood's Sandwich Day ... and more. All at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Islam Vs. Christianity: Finding Common Ground

Oy veh! Talk about funny ... and insightful. Via The Anchoress.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

The Flesh of Jesus

Oh Saint Augustine ... how perfectly put is this elegant phrase that so thoroughly sums up Jesus' example for us as a perfect human, God among us, showing us how to live. I shouldn't be surprised but that was the "twist" that made me sit up and think again.

St. Augustine, the fifth-century African who was the church's seminal teacher, penned a striking phrase to describe the example of Jesus: Caro quasi vox ("Christ's flesh is like a voice"). What he meant is that at every state of Jesus' earthy life -- his life in the flesh -- he is calling to us, inviting us personally to live in the mystery of divine love that he reveals...

Catholic Passion by David Scott

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Poetry Thursday

A limited series by the house poet (there's nothing like a Creative Writing class for a regular output of poetry): Rose.

Nightmare

Faded picture in my mind
Of nightmares from the past
Of the present, I am blind

Twenty monsters of a kind
As my heart beats fast
Faded pictures in my mind

I open doors I cannot find
The traps have all been cast
Of the present, I am blind

The roads, the walls, the trees wind
I stumble off the path
Faded picture in my mind

My arms, my legs, my tongue, they bind
I fall, the abyss is vast
Of the present, I am blind

My face is now old and lined
Many years have past
Faded picture in my mind
Of the present, I am blind

Background Music: Thursday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
"I'm the tax man, yeah..." - A little more about Matthew and a great recommendation can be found here.

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

In gratitude for the Gospel given to us through the faithful ministry of the evangelists and their hearers, let us pray:

R: Plant in every place the seed of your Gospel.

For the literate and those whohave easy access to many media:
-- grant us the reverence of former ages for the sacredness of your word. R

For the illiterate:
-- send preachers and teachers to open for them the riches of your word. R

For those who live in places where your word is banned:
-- bless the efforts of societies nad individuals who seek ways to carry the good news to them. R

Personal intentions:
• A private intention for LH
• For two college students who have been overcome by carbon monoxide and are on respirators in the hospital in Lubbock; for their families and medical team
  
• Tammy's test preparation
• For Emmie Rose's family.
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

LAGNIAPPE
(from my quote journal)

There is no worse robber than a bad book.

Italian Proverb

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Notes from College

Thanks to all who have kindly asked after Hannah's progress at A&M. She seems to be having a great time and has most of her classes under control. Except perhaps ... math.

Why can't Farmer Johnson solve his own problems? Every time he needs to know how many acres of soy beans, corn and wheat to plant with 80,000 dollars and 600 hours of labor to spare if the cost of seeds is $4 for soy and $6 for wheat or corn and labor is 6 hours per acre for soy, 2 for wheat, and 7 for corn, I have to calculate this bumpkin's assets and tell him how to run a farm.

There's pretty much no denying that logic. Obviously the answer is that Farmer Johnson shouldn't have a farm ... or won't for much longer if he can't start figuring these things out for himself.

It's All Downhill From Here

A little midweek humor from my inbox (thanks Chris!).

It had been a horrible week for Henry.

An entomologist (insect scientist) at the local university, he was up for a promotion this year. With the promotion would come tenure. But there was a problem. It was not that he couldn't teach. His Biology 210 classes were always packed, and two years ago he was honored by the undergraduates by being named their favorite teacher.

No, his problem was with his research. He hadn't had a successful research project in several years. The last paper that he'd published was three years ago. In an age of "Publish or Perish," this was not a good situation, particularly for a non-tenured professor.

The week started with a shock. He received notice that his research grants would not be renewed for the coming year. And, if that was not enough, the dean called him into his office to tell him his contract would not be renewed unless he had a paper accepted for publication by a major entomology journal before the end of the school year.

Depressed, he left the University as soon as his morning lecture was over so that he could work in his garden. In the past, this had always had been effective in relieving tension. But to his chagrin, he found most of his roses were dying. On closer examination found they were infested with a parasite.

But what were these insects? They appeared to belong to the order Anapleura. That was strange. Anapleura infected mammals, not plants.

He examined them more closely. Small. Wingless. Definitely a species of Pediculosis, but one he had never seen before.

He gathered up several specimens and rushed to his lab, full of new vigor. He examined the insects in detail and rapidly wrote an article describing this new species of insect.

Well, I'm sure you know the result. The article was immediately accepted by the American Journal of Entomology. His job was saved and he received his most coveted tenure. And, he received a new major grant to study this new species.

You could say he had discovered a new lice on leaf.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Five Things Meme

Georgette tagged me with this one ... so here goes nuttin'.

Five things in my freezer:

1. ice
2. vanilla ice cream
3. Dreyers Lime Bars (mmmm, Lime Bars)
   
4. yeast (for regular bread AND for sweet breads)
5. Ore Ida Crinkle Cut French Fries
   

Five things in my closet:

1. shoes
2. wrapping paper
3. my museum of prized papers (and more) chronicling the girls' youth
4. wedding dress
5. clothes
   

Five things in my car:

1. My iPod holder
   
2. seats
3. steering wheel
   
4. sunglasses
   
5. dashboard (what can I say? it's new and I haven't trashed it yet!)
   

Five interesting things in my backpack:
Backpack? I'll go with my work bag:

1. Halloween candy (for mailing to a certain college student)
   
2. Quote journal
3. Lunch (sometimes interesting and more often not)
   
4. Gum
   
5. 3x5 cards galore!
   

Five People I tag:
I think this has made the rounds pretty well so consider yourself tagged if you're interested!

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Wednesday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Memorial of St. Andrew Kim, priest and martyr, St. Paul Chong, martyr, and Companions, martyrs
The story of Christianity in Korea is a curious one, because it started not with missionaries preaching the Gospel, but with intellectuals forming a book club. Seriously. In the 1600s, a group of Korean poets and philosophers who'd become disillusioned with court Confucianism heard about this new "Christian faith" from contacts in China and Japan, and their curiosity was piqued. This religion, they learned, had the power to keep young women virgins and wives faithful -- voluntarily...

They had to learn more. So these literati ordered Christian books from China, read them as a group, talked the whole thing over, and decided to found a church. They baptized each other, made their own vestments, and started holding liturgies and hearing confessions -- all without ever having met a real-life Christian. Eventually they wrote to the missionary bishop in Beijing, China, to inform him that they'd founded their own church. He wrote them a tactful letter explaining that to have all the sacraments, they really did need an actual priest with valid orders -- which he would be happy to send them.

This sudden interest in a foreign religion that proclaimed the fundamental equality of all men and women struck the king and his court as a dangerous proposition, so they decided to obliterate it. Within a century, some 110,000 Korean Catholics were killed for their faith, including Andrew Kim Taegon. But the Church survived underground to flourish in the twentieth century. It even persists today in the garrison state of North Korea, despite fierce persecution. A majority of South Koreans now belong to some Christian church.

The Bad Catholic's Guide to Good Living

Here are some ideas about how to celebrate this memorial.

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

The martyrs bear witness to the cost and the reward of living according to the Gospel. Through their intercession, let us pray:

R: Make your people steadfast in faith, O Lord.

For the Church throughout the world,
-- that we may live the Gospel faith for which the martyrs died. R

For those who suffer persecution for the Gospel's sake,
-- that they may find strength in the example of the martyrs. R

For the Christians of Korea, and the Korean churches in this country,
-- that their lives may be a light to their neighbors. R

Personal intentions:
• Tammy's test preparation
• Those seeking employment
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

LAGNIAPPE
(from my quote journal)

Those who read good works ... will read the same work ten, twenty or thirty times during the course of their life.

C.S. Lewis

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Bloggin' 'Round Me Hearties: Breaking News

COUP IN BANGKOK
According to Rambling Spoon all is quiet and no one really knows what is going on yet.

MUSLIMS WILL EXECUTE CHRISTIANS IN INDONESIA
Although there are strong doubts about the fairness of the trial.

POPE BENEDICT AND ISLAM

• Irshad Manji's editorial on CBS news was all the talk of the book club last night. Made me wish I watch the news but you can read it with me here.

  As a faithful Muslim, I do not believe the pope should have apologized. I've read what’s been described as his inflammatory speech. Actually, he called for dialogue with the Muslim world. To ignore that larger context and to focus on a mere few words of the speech is like reducing the Koran, Islam's holy book, to its most bloodthirsty passages. We Muslims hate it when people do that. The hypocrisy of doing this to the pope stinks to high heaven.

• Muslim leaders call for Friday to be "Day of Rage." What, isn't what they're doing already enough for them? The Anchoress has an excellent piece about this.
• Father Fessio goes through the Pope's speech.

THE NEW PHONE BOOK IS HERE!
Don't want to disappoint anyone but instead of the phone book Mike Aquilina's new edition of The Fathers of the Church is here. If you've been reading his blog (and you should be) then you know it's chock full of good stuff.

CATHOLIC CARNIVAL
Get it at Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Avast There, D'Ye Know What Day It Is?

How quickly the holidays roll around ... 'tis International Talk Like a Pirate Day. (Which was significantly funnier before Tom and Rose watched Wife Swap last night, one family of which was the Talk Like a Pirate Family who ... ready for this? ... actually live like pirates year 'round. Evidently with fleas and all. *shudder*)

Maybe you need help with pirate talk (Warning: there are some potions that are mildly off color and guaranteed to offend some, but we're talking about pirates here. Much thanks to DL for this which he found in yesterday's issue of the daily--Good Morning Silicon Valley.)

Or maybe you just need to listen to a good pirate story to get in the mood (nothing objectionable here, just hilarious). 'Tis a fearful tale indeed, of the sea, serving wenches, and fragmented hard drives. Only the brave should rally round.

There be chicken pirates as well, if ye take the time to look.

And then take the time to pity this poor lad who fell afoul of a scurvey bunch of rogues in a raiding party.

Aye, 'Tis the Sea Shanty Wafting on the Breezes All the Day Long

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Optional Memorial of St. Januarius, bishop & martyr

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

Let us pray in Christ for all those who are in need of God's care and protection today:

R: Lord, answer those who seek you.

For those who are in flight from any kind of danger:
-- be their protection: R

For those who live in terror or in want:
-- set them free: R

For those who seek to know your will and do it:
-- show them the way: R

Personal intentions:
• Little Jack's soul and the peace of his family
• All Christians being persecuted, especially in the Middle East and China
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

All books are divisible into two classes -- the books of the hour and the books of all time. Mark this distinction: it is not one of quality only ... it is a distinction of species. There are good books for the hour, and good ones for all time.

John Ruskin

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Why Dogs Bite People - 3

Blogging Around: Jihad Means Always Having to Say You're Sorry

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.

Abraham Lincoln

At the risk of beating a dead horse about the Pope's speech and the Muslim reaction to it, actions speak louder than words.

I think that over and above the good posts and roundups that I will link to below is the need for us to pray, especially to Our Lady of Fatima. There is a very definite connection which you can read about here and I'll put just this tidbit to get you interested in reading the whole thing.

The Moors once occupied Portugal. The village of Fatima was given the Islamic name of the well-loved Princess of the nearby Castle of Ourem. She died at an early age after marrying the Count of Ourem and converting to Catholicism. Baptized with the Christian name of Oureana, she was named at birth "Fatima," like many other Moslem girls,in honor of the daughter of Mohammed. Of his daughter, Fatima, the founder of Islam, Mohammed, said: "She has the highest place in heaven after the Virgin Mary."

Now, on to the links:

• Pope Benedict's speech. If you read this you will be head and shoulders above everybody protesting the speech. See what he said for yourself. In fact, Snarky Bastards particularly appreciated his comments about science.


• "I forgive, I forgive," she whispered in her native Italian just before she died... - Sister Leonella, the nun slain in Somalia in reaction to the Pope's speech, forgave her murderers with her last breath. Let us not also forget that her bodyguard was slain as well.


• The Anchoress looks at reactions around the world.


• Michelle Malkin has the Pope's email address for any messages of support.


• "I support the pope" banners are starting to appear around the blogosphere.


• A reality check from Sigmund, Carl and Alfred about who is complicit in causing a lot of the problem.

  Here’s a bit of reality. In portraying that dysfunctional segment of the Muslim world’s unhappiness as being representative of mainstream Islam, the media are complicit in the stereotyping of Muslims as irrational and as having less than a civilized culture, unequal to our own. In fact, it is the media that has brought to the fore images of wild, frenzied and dysfunctional Muslims, expressing contrived and otherwise idiotic outpouring of hysteria.
  
  Here’s a bit of reality: Most Muslims, wherever they are, don’t give a damn what the Pope says or doesn’t say about Islam. Why should they? They don’t give a damn about what their own religious leaders say about the faith of others. It hasn’t been lost on anyone, Muslims least of all, that Arab Muslim ‘religious’ leaders in particular, have uttered some of the most vile and repugnant remarks about other faiths. Nor is it lost that these ‘religious leaders’ have been complicit in the efforts and repression of the flock they claim to care about, as they are serve the agenda of the regimes that pay them.



• Dom points out that the Pope being sorry for the reactions is not the same as apologizing for what he said.

  ... In fact, the Pope said he was sorry for “the reactions” toward his words which “were considered offensive.”
  
  That’s not exactly, “I’m sorry because I was wrong.” It’s more like, “I’m sorry because of your overreaction or misunderstanding.” The Pope is not backing down from his speech because he has nothing to apologize for. He simply quoted a 14th-century Byzantine emperor who was under siege by a Muslim army and was saying that Islam should not be spread by violence. That the Muslim world reacted in a fit of violence only proves the point...

• Also from Dom comes the notice that only one leader in the Western world has defended the Pope.


• "We are all papists now" is the unexpected response from India's Daily Pioneer. Via American Papist.


• Perhaps the ultimate statement of logic about the entire situation comes from Darwin Catholic.

  So rather than saying that they object to the pope's statement because it is insensitive, they should get down to business and say that they object to it because they believe Christianity is a false religion and Islam is a true one.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

God's Confession

Our Deliverer and God came by the quietest of signs, in the everyday miracle of a baby being born -- the same way that you and I came into the world. He was born amid tears of joy, swaddled in a blanket, and held in the gentle arms of his father. On the first night of his life, he likely fell asleep nursing, his head nestled against his mother's warm breast -- like countless babies before him and countless babies since.

Why this way? Why not in power and glory, in fire that swept down from the mountaintops, in the upheaval of nations, or in the blood red stars falling from the sky? Because in coming to us as a child, God was making what amounts to an "autobiographical" statement. The Incarnation was God's confession, his full disclosure. In the baby conceived at Nazareth and later born in a stable in Bethlehem, God revealed himself as a God of love and mercy -- a Father who seeks us in the wilderness of our fallen world. ...

Catholic Passion by David Scott

The thing I like about reading this book is that David Scott takes something that I already know, such as the idea that Jesus came to show us what God is like, and then twists it. Adds that phrase or two that makes me rethink what I "already knew" and realize that I do not know it as well as I thought. In this case, talking about God's "autobiographical statement," "full disclosure," and "confession" made me take a fresh look.

Scott's entire book has been doing that so as I go through it I will be sharing bits along the way (as always). I think the overall thing that I can say about it right now, about a third of the way through, is that it adds the poetry, imagery, and turn of phrase to more fully communicate the true, inner beauty of our faith. Even when you think you know where he is going, he adds a extra fillip of insight to make you take another look. A rare accomplishment indeed. I have seen rave reviews for this book and I understand why.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Encountering Opposition

... Christianity has too often been in what appeared at the time to be fatal danger for us now to be frightened by yet another such test. The ways by which Providence ransoms and saves its elect are unforeseeable. At times, our enemy becomes a friend; at times he is despoiled of the capacity for evil that made him fearsome; at times he auto-destructs, or, without desiring it, produces beneficial effects and simply vanishes without leaving a trace. Generally, the Church does not have to do anything but persevere with peace and confidence in the fulfillment of its tasks, remain serene, and await salvation from God. (Cardinal J.H. Newman)

The moments in which we encounter opposition and difficulties without exaggerating them are particularly propitious for exercising a whole range of virtues: we should pray for those who do evil to us even without our knowing it, so that they may leave off offending God; we can strive to make amends to the Lord, to be even more apostolic, and to protect with exquisite charity those weaker brothers in the faith who on account of their age, their lack of formation, or the special situations they find themselves in, could sustain a greater harm to their souls.

In Conversation With God Vol 4

I especially like the point that Cardinal Newman made about how many times Christianity has seemed to be in danger and how it always has been saved. It seems that too often we hear Christians bemoaning the fate of the faith's existence in the modern world without remembering that point.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Monday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Monday of the Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

In gratitude to the God who gives us every blessing, we pray:

R: Blessed be the God of our salvation.

You have brought all things into being
-- we, your creatures, pray: R

You have made us in your image and redeemed us in your love:
-- we, your children, pray: R

You have destined us for everlasting life in your presence:
-- we, your people, pray: R

Personal intentions:
• Jack and his family
• All Christians being persecuted, especially in the Middle East and China
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

I've been in love three hundred times in my life, and all but five were with books.

Lee Glickstein

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Why Dogs Bite People - 2

Weekend Joke

Boudreaux lived across the bayou from Clarence, who Boudreaux did not like. There was no bridge or other easy way to cross the bayou so the two would argue by yelling across the bayou.

Boudreaux would often yell across the bayou to Clarence, "Clarence, if I had a way to cross dat bayou, I would come beat you up!".

The threats continued for many years.

One day the state built a bridge across the Bayou.

Soon after the bridge was built, Boudreaux's wife, Clotile, says "Boudreaux, you've been talking about going across dat bayou to beat up Clarence all dese years. Now that they have dat bridge, what are you waiting for?"

So Boudreaux decided it was time to go see Clarence, so he started walking down to the bridge.

Just as he was getting ready to cross the bridge, he looks up at the sign on the bridge, reads it, and goes back home.

When Boudreaux gets home, Clotile asks "Mais, Boudreaux, did you go beat up Clarence?" Boudreaux said, "Mais no Clotile, dat sign on dat bridge says 'Clearance 13 feet 3 inches'. Mais, Clotile, Clarence don't look dat big from across de bayou!"

Background Music: The Weekend

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Saturday: Memorial of Sts. Cornelius, pope and martyr and Cyprian, bishop and martyr
Sunday: Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from Sunday morning reading in Magnificat.

Let us pray for the gift of true conversion of heart:

R: Teach us your ways, O Lord.

In our selfishness,
-- grant us a share in the self-giving love of the cross: R

In our possessiveness,
-- grant us a share in the self-giving love of the cross: R

In our anxiety over our own needs
-- grant us a share in the self-giving love of the cross: R

Personal intentions:
• Patrick Coffin's daughter and Dom's nephew, Joshua, and their families and medical teams
• Emmie Rose
• Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
• Klaire's team and their CRHP weekend
• Jack and his family
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

In this life it is impossible to escape the assault of temptation; but one thing is sure -- temptations are not sent to us to make us fall; they are sent to strengthen the nerve and the sinew of our minds and hearts and souls. They are not meant for our ruin, but for our good. They are meant to be tests from which we emerge better warriors and athletes of God.

William Barclay

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Why Dogs Bite People - 1

From my inbox ... thanks Marcia!


For some reason I'm already starting to look forward to Halloween ... and it isn't even October!

Meditations While Unraveling a Sock* ... Or How God Uses All Things to Call Us to Him

WARNING: this is one of those self-indulgent posts that a friend of mine called "what you think in the shower and that no one else probably cares about but you post it anyway ." I hate when he nails it like that. Anyway, probably no one cares about this except possibly knitters who might get a minor bit of enjoyment out of the knitting talk.

The sock was glorious, a pleasure to make and a work of art when finished. However, once the sad fact had been faced (yes, it is too big; not falling down but certainly rather ... ahem ... loose on the leg), it is better to just reclaim yarn and move on.

As I began trying to figure out how best to unravel it (dang, I did that yarn joining well partway down the foot! too well, if you ask me, for unraveling to be easy), I also went through a series of realizations.

• I know the last thing that would wear out on this sock ... the toe. Wow, that Kitchener stitch works well and I don't know why everyone complains about it. I think it's nifty. One thing's for sure. I'm not gonna be able to unravel from here.
  

Pause to get the scissors and figure out where to chop off the toe to get a loose end of yarn.

• This might be the first sock I didn't get bored knitting during any section. I know I could knit a second sock with the same interest in the everchanging lacy waterfall-ish part. I mention this and Rose asks, "You can knit two socks without getting bored. But can you knit three?" Hmmm ... good question.
• Maybe I should have just knit the mate the same way and given it to Beth ... she's a very tall girl, big boned too. I bet it wouldn't be too big on her. A little late for that thought now ... it is halfway unraveled.

Unraveling is not rocket science. Thoughts drift and some people (ok, me) read printed out emails while yanking yarn.

• Christ Renews His Parish ... the men's and women's retreats are coming up in October. Need people for Adoration and for Security. Adoration is always great. It is the only time in our parish that you get to be right up there with the Eucharist ... I mean Jesus is in touching distance. But it does take an hour ... I know I should just be dying to go but ... I could do a lot with that hour.
  
• But I usually feel guilty if I don't do a security shift too ... even with a book, what a bore. And there goes another hour from my weekend. Sheez!

More unraveling. Done. Now time to begin winding into a center-pull ball, which is just as mindless and boring as unraveling.

• I'm remembering when I first got to experience Adoration. When I went on my CRHP retreat. I'm thinking of my CRHP Team, how much in love with each other we were as Catholic woman and as the sisters that God picked out for us to meet at that time. I'm all warm and fuzzy and ... hey! ... what if a bunch of us could do Adoration at the same time! How cool would that be! And we could go for coffee later and talk (and talk and talk ...). Now this is lookin' good. I'm sending an email to them right after this...
  
• So it isn't soooo bad to sit through Security if I do it back to back with Adoration, maybe before. *sigh* Hey! And I can take my knitting ... and work on my sock ... and listen to audiobooks (yes, yes, with an eye to looking out for interlopers...). Now that is not a wasted hour!

Yes, I fully realize the irony, which is why I am being self indulgent and writing all this.

I can't spend an hour with God without complaining. Throw a chance of being with friends in there and I'm ready to spend even more time with them without a second thought.

I can't spend an hour in serving others without complaining (hopefully with the grace to just do it inwardly but it still is complaining) but throw in a mandatory time to knit and listen to stories and I'm there so fast it makes your head spin.

What can I say? I am so very far from being a saint. It really is my desire, to want to serve God wholeheartedly (but without having to do it, don't ya know? doesn't just thinking about it count?). I am trying but, oh boy, do I not even care sometimes (don't even care that I don't care, which is worse).

I am so very lucky that we have a great hearted God who will lure his daughter into doing the right thing with her friends and her knitting.

-----------------

* A six-stitch pattern Waterfall Rib sock from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch (I could spend the rest of my life knitting socks from this book; it is really fantastic) in Bunny Hop Natural (my favorite yarn, so soft, so easy to knit with...).

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Saluting Our Heroes

From my inbox. Thanks to my brother, who knows whereof he forwards.


From Snopes comes the scoop about this amazing piloting.

In November 2003, a U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Mountain Resolve in the Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan in order to disrupt anti-coalition militia (ACM) operations and prevent militia members from seeking sanctuary in the rugged Afghan provinces. The above-displayed photograph of the precarious-looking rooftop landing by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter (which began circulating via e-mail in December 2003 and started making the rounds of the Internet again in August 2006) was taken during that operation by U.S. Army Sgt. Greg Heath of the 4th Public Affairs Detachment.

Although the text that accompanied copies of this image sent via e-mail in 2006 suggested the activity shown therein was part of an effort to evacuate wounded coalition soldiers, the photo actually captures the Chinoook helicopter touching down to receive Afghan Persons Under Control (APUC) captured by members of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Friday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
The Blessed Virgin was born to be the Mother of God. From the first moment of Mary's immaculate presence in her mother's womb, Our Lady has led us to her Son. From the cross, Christ commands, "Behold, your mother." As the Savior's dying gift to us, Jesus leads us back to Mary. For we need the maternal closeness of the Sorrowful Mother to sustain us when overcome by the terrifying trials of life. Through Mary's compassionate presence at the cross, that event -- as it recurs in our life -- becomes more deeply human, filling us with the courage to face life's sufferings, certain in the secure embrace of divine providence. Whenever Mary loves us, she gives us Jesus. By obeying the Lord in our devout beholding of the Mother of God, we give Mary the chance to speak her Yes to the "annunciation" uttered from the cross: "Behold, your son."

Magnificat
Other good reading can be found at The Anchoress.

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from evening reading in Magnificat.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us pray:

R: Have pity, Lord, have pity.

For all parents who bear and raise children in poverty and exile: R

For all parents who grieve the loss of a child before birth: R

For all parents who suffer over their children's life choices: R

For all parents who mourn the death of a child: R

Personal intentions:
• Patrick Coffin's daughter and Dom's nephew, Joshua, and their families and medical teams
• Emmie Rose
• Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
• Jack and his family
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

LAGNIAPPE
(from my quote journal)

The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old.

Joseph Joubert

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Blogging Around

SECOND THE NOMINATION
Jeffrey Overstreet is a genius. He's exactly right about who would be a fantastic Wonder Woman.

WORLD OF GOOD
Southern Girl Style, which means it's irresistable, right?

CATHOLIC CARNIVAL
Prayer and 911.

MORE SAINTS BEHAVING BADLY
Steven Riddle's review.

TALKIN' WITH THE DEVIL
This is a two-fer ... first follow Brandywine Books' link to read Young Goodman Brown. I never thought that I'd say I liked something by Nathaniel Hawthorne but this story proved me wrong. Then go back and read his commentary about our quest for truth.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Black Jack Flint

Avast me hearties ... that sounds right.

My pirate name is:

Black Jack Flint

Like anyone confronted with the harshness of robbery on the high seas, you can be pessimistic at times. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Ready for Talk Like a Pirate Day? I knew it was coming up (Sept. 19) but needed The March Hare Red Bess Kid to remind me. Also check out Listen to Uncle Jay for more good pirate tips such as this.

Top Ten Pickup lines for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day

10. Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?

9. Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?

8. Come on up and see me urchins.

7. Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you.

6. I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon.

5. Pardon me, but would ya mind if fired me cannon through your porthole?

4. How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?

3. Ya know, darlin’, I’m 97 percent chum free.

2. Well blow me down?

And the number one pickup line for use on International Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day is...

1. Avast! Prepare to be boarded!

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

A Few Good Links ...

... from the cooking side of the blogosphere can be found over at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen. Everything from a tea and biscuit begging ghost to cooking french fries in horse fat to a Lithuanian's insight into the links between food and liberty. Enjoy!

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

America Gets "F" for End of the World Preparedness

WASHINGTON, DC—Over 87 percent of Americans are unprepared to protect themselves from even the most basic world-ending scenarios, according to a study released Monday by the nonpartisan doomsday think-tank The Malthusian Institute....

... The study found that many apocalypse-preparedness measures are cost-prohibitive. With virtually no tax incentives in place, many Americans share the "dangerous perception" that only the richest few can afford to survive the extinction of humanity.

"I just renovated my house with cantilevered leaden cofferdams for increased earthquake and radiation protection, and I'm working on a pantheistic altar to appease the god or gods most likely to return to this world with an insatiable wrath," said Seattle resident Tim Hanson, whose actions were praised in the study as a "highly rare display of prescience and vigilance."

"I installed solar panels and a generator so I could live off the grid for a while," Hanson added. "But it cost so much that now I might not be able to have the altar properly gilded. At least not in time." ...

Oh, The Onion ... how do they manage to be so funny? Read the whole hilarious story.

Loving Challenges

... Life involves so many challenges; by paying attention to the ways that God has gifted us, we can begin to appreciate the ways our gifts enable us to live more fully.

Great athletes love challenges. While watching the Olympics recently, I was struck by how many athletes talked about wanting to break a world record or beat a particular opponent. Instead of seeing these challenges as roadblocks to their own comfort and ease, they saw them as opportunities to let their gifts manifest themselves. Often, these athletes had to face great hurdles; many did not accomplish what they had hoped. But they were grateful for the chance. I often wish that I could bring a similar drive into ordinary life, with the ability to see challenges as ways to manifest the gifts God has given me. But the truth is that, more often, I see them as unnecessary hassles and often blame God for that.

The Ignatian Workout: Daily Spiritual Exercises for a Healthy Faith

I have to admit that I am not in the habit of loving challenges. I hear the word "challenge" and my mind substitutes "problem" or "difficulty" or "hardship." Yep, corporate speak has done a number on me and I know what they mean when they say "challenge."

However, recently I have found myself in the very situation that is spoken of here with the athletes who are grateful to have challenges so they can see how they will do when facing them. This came up partly because of My Autumn Reading Challenge and partly because of a book I have recently read and will blog about soon, Dante to Dead Man Walking: One Reader's Journey Through the Christian Classics.

Thanks to those challenges I am reading books that I normally would shun. More to the point I am reading and enjoying those books. I never would have had that opportunity had I not been given most of them. Certainly I wouldn't have chosen them for myself. But because I was given them and by the publisher I feel honor bound to read and review them. (Funnily enough, books given by a friend don't hold the same onus. I am totally fine with ignoring gift books for years ... even forever.)

Because I have accepted these reading assignments as challenges I have been enriched. Even the books that I didn't like or discarded taught me something, whether about the author, the book, or myself. I have even found myself looking forward to seeing what the next "challenging" book will bring. Which makes at least that particular challenge worthwhile.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Thursday

The Triumph of the Cross, Agnolo Gaddi, Source

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
The Exaltation of the Cross consists in the fact that "the event of the cross and Resurrection abides and draws everything toward life" (CCC 1085). We exalt Christ's cross whenever we freely take it up, filled with the certainty that the ultimate meaning and fulfillment which we crave in life comes to us through this unending event. "With the cross we are freed from the restraint of the enemy and we clutch on to the strength of salvation" (St. Theodorus the Estudite). For salvation means escape from our own inability. At the same time, "we cannot produce or give any other fruit," writes Saint Catherine of Siena, "but the fruit we have taken from the tree of life." No wonder that "the sign of the cross makes kings of all those reborn in Christ" (Saint Leo the Great).

Magnificat

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from evening reading in Magnificat.

To the Lord who is enthroned in glory we pray:

R: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

You suffered for us and now you live forever to make intercession for us: R

You were insulted for our sake and now you reign forever in glory: R

You were delivered up for us and now you are raised up forever upon the throne that is yours at the right hand of the Father: R

Personal intentions:
• Patrick Coffin's daughter (to be born today) and Dom's nephew, Joshua, and their families and medical teams
• Lonely Man who got fired for blogging on the job ... for his discernment in seeking employment.
  
• Jack and his family
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR PRAYERS ANSWERED

Veronica's unborn baby's growth spurt.

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

The art of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice.

G.K. Chesterton

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Blogging Around: All Papa, All the Time

POPE ENJOYS QUIET TIME AFTER CRITICIZING ISLAM
That is the actual headline. Now read the story itself and see if you see any mention of Islam at all.

Or perhaps we'd prefer this story which more accurately does contain mention of the Pope's speech but has an in-your-face headline of "Pope enjoys private time after slamming Islam". Yep, nobody here but us professional journalists. (Via Maior autem his est caritas and The Anchoress.)

BENEDICTWISER, THE POPE OF BEERS
Taking theology on tap to a new level.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER HAT


American Papist gives us a view of the newest papal headwear while Ironic Catholic gives us a nice fashion summary of the pope's many hats.

DON'T KNOCK THE PERSONAL ADS

“Middle-ranking civil servant, single, Catholic, 43, immaculate past, from the country, is looking for a good Catholic, pure girl who can cook well, tackle all household chores, with a talent for sewing and homemaking with a view to marriage as soon as possible. Fortune desirable but not a precondition.”

Without them we might not have Pope Benedict today. Yep, that's right. The above ad was placed by his father and answered by his mother. Via American Papist.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Honor a Living 911 Hero Meme

Adoro Te Devote tagged me with this meme. I like this idea.

We should not wait for people to die in order to celebrate their lives. We should honor them even as they live, and recognize their presence among us, the gifts they provide, and the ways they touch our lives.

The Rules:

1. Honor a living hero
2. Preference given to Firefighters, Police Officers, Paramedics, EMT's, Dispatchers
3. Not everyone is acquainted with someone fitting into these categories. If this is the case, then honor someone else, a hero in your life who is willing to "give all" in some way. It can be a priest, a pastor, a teacher, a relative, a friend...etc.

[unfortunately this had to be pulled because it could have caused problems for the particular hero I was honoring ... that military intelligence sort of thing possibly ...]

I am tagging, should they choose to accept it:

• Donna
• Roz
• Mrs. Darwin
• Patrick
• David Alexander

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

It's All Downhill From Here

A little midweek humor.

Pierre and Boudreaux were on a weekend hunt when they witnessed a UFO landing.

As the little green creatures descended from the craft Pierre said: " Mais what's dat?" to which Boudreaux replied as he aimed his gun: "I don't know me, Pierre. But you better go back to de camp and put some rice on."

The Lingering Effects of Suffering

I never, ever thought of this. Never. What an eye opening idea this is for me.

Notice that the risen Jesus still bears his wounds. How can it be otherwise? In our own lives, times of suffering may lead to times of peace and joy, but we cannot escape the lingering effects of suffering. It permanently changes us -- we cannot pretend that it never happened. That the risen Jesus still bears his wounds is good news, for it tells us that there is a continuity between the lives we have now and the lives that we will enjoy in the Resurrection. Jesus is the same person. His wounds, though, are different: they are not a source of suffering but a source of recognition. It is only through seeing Jesus' wounds that Thomas recognizes him. In the Resurrection, we will still bear the effects of the hurts that have been done to us, but they will no longer cause us pain.

The Ignatian Workout: Daily Spiritual Exercises for a Healthy Faith

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Wednesday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor

• Patron: Constantinople; epilepsy; orators; preachers.
• Symbols: Beehive; chalice on Bible; white dove; scroll or book; pen and inkhorn; bishop's mitre.

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

With confidence in God who hears our prayers and protects us, let us pray:

R: To our words give ear, O Lord.

You shield us from harm:
- teach us to protect goodness in ourselves and others: R

You guard us against stumbling and help us against falling
- strengthen our reliance on you in every temptation: R

You are the shelter of all those who are in need:
- make us a shelter to all who call upon our help: R

Personal intentions:
• This mother and all those who believe as she does ... and also for her daughter.
• Jack and his family
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

LAGNIAPPE
(from my quote journal)

The newest books are those that never grow old.

George Holbrook Jackson

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Hah!

From my mouth to Apple's ears.
Nice to see that they understood my desire for colors was not a request!

Now, let's all remember "green" shall we? Just in case anyone is in doubt when choosing gifts.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

The Ultimate Freedom

... Through the lens of the Resurrection, life is not bounded by death -- and thus we achieve our freedom in no longer being afraid of it. For while all of us will die one day, our understanding of death changes because of the Resurrection: death becomes little more than the closing of one chapter of our lives and the beginning of another. The resurrected Jesus was almost nonchalant about his own death -- extraordinary, since we might expect that someone in his situation could come back to wreak havoc on the political establishment that executed him. Why didn't he hunt down his enemies? Why didn't he use his return from the dead as a platform to call attention to his own power?

Perhaps the reason is because Jesus was truly free. He was not concerned about the pettiness of so much social and political action; he was alive and wanted to bring good news to his friends. Perhaps too he was more concerned with inviting his friends to share that joy.

The Ignatian Workout: Daily Spiritual Exercises for a Healthy Faith

And isn't that really the most attractive thing about the real Christians that we know? Their joy, their love of life and wanting to share that joy with others? I know it is for me.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Tuesday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Our salvation begins when an archangel speaks the name of Mary. To be Christian is to carry on that Annunciation unceasingly. Saint Louis de Montfort wrote that "the salvation of each individual is bound up with the Hail Mary." This prayer that names the holy name of the Mother of God "brought to a dry and barren world the Fruit of Life. It will cause the Word of God to take root in the soul and bring forth Jesus." The holy name of Mary bears such power because of the unique bond between Mother and Son. "When God sent his Son born of a woman, he instituted a once and for all order of salvation in which the union of Mother and Child stands at the center " (Romanus Cessario). To accept the divine privilege of speaking the name of Mary is to participate in that saving union.

Magnificat

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

With confidence in God who hears our prayers and protects us, let us pray:

R: To our words give ear, O Lord.

You shield us from harm:
- teach us to protect goodness in ourselves and others: R

You guard us against stumbling and help us against falling
- strengthen our reliance on you in every temptation: R

You are the shelter of all those who are in need:
- make us a shelter to all who call upon our help: R

Personal intentions:
• The soul of Georgia Olivia and peace of her family and friends
• Healing for this young military family
• Jen K. and her children
• Laura H's health
• The repose of the soul of Mr. David Duckworth, his widow, Denise, and his two sons at Cistercian
• 13-year-old Krystal ... chest x-rays show puss on the lungs and due to the enlarging lymph nodes throughout her body, they will be doing biopsies today. Please pray
  that the doctor's are able to figure out what is wrong and that it is treatable. Give her the strength to heal, and her parents the strength and patience they need to care for their family.
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.

Goethe

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Have Mercy on Me Now and at the Hour of My Death. Amen.

Captain Daniel O'Callaghan, 42, Smithtown, N.Y.
(This tribute will remain at the top of the blog all day.
Until then, other posts will appear below.)

What an privilege it has been to read through the tributes of those who knew Daniel O'Callaghan and to learn about his life. Gradually this man I never heard of before has taken on real personality to me. Part of a large Irish clan, he was full of energy, loved children, loved joking around, and loved his family and job. In short, he loved life and made it better for everyone who was lucky enough to meet him.

When I was growing up, even though we didn't see the O'Callaghan's very much, it was always something to look forward to. We always had fun, laughter, jokes, & stories to tell. It didn't matter how long it had been since you'd seen each other, everyone was part of a big happy, loving family that hung together. Friends or family, it didn't matter; you were one of the family. It was wonderful.

I, myself, love the heart of someone who relished his job so ... and you've gotta love the image of those glow-in-the-dark boxers.

Though he came from a family chock-full of police officers - including six active officers and eight retired from forces in New York City and on Long Island - O'Callaghan, 42, switched to the fire department 18 years ago, after three years as a cop.

He was "born to be a fireman," said his friend and fellow firefighter, Paul Pfeifer.

His brother firefighters marveled at the constant energy displayed by "Danny O.," as he was known. "He was a ball of fire," said Pfeifer. In the engine house, he recalled, O'Callaghan "would have his pants and boots on already, like he was waiting for the next fire." And, Pfeifer said, at a fire scene, "You would turn around to see where he was, and he was already ahead of you."

O'Callaghan was also the one to provide comic relief when it was most needed. Pfeifer chuckled as he recounted one instance involving O'Callaghan and his glow-in- the-dark boxer shorts.

"We'd had a fire early in the evening that really beat the hell out of us," Pfeifer said. Most of the men were resting in the darkened bunk room, but not O'Callaghan, who never slept on the job.

"All of a sudden, he ran into the bunk room, and all you could see was the boxer shorts, jumping from bed to bed, and all you could hear was him laughing, and then he went out the door," Pfeifer said. "Everyone sat there, and was like, 'What was that?' I just said, 'That was Danny O.'"

That energy was one of Daniel O'Callaghan's main characteristics. It was mentioned time and again by all who knew him.

"Outstanding" This was always Danny's response...When I look back on it now though I realize it was his energy. It was his energy towards the two things he loved the most. His first would be his love for his beautiful family of Rhonda, Rhiannon and Connor. The other would be his other family. Being part of the NYFD. We should all be so lucky to have a loving family they we leave at home to join another that we work with.

It was his energy that could always be counted on when asked to assist in a family project or loan a hand in a task at ones home. Energy when telling a story or joke and always lighting up the place with his presence. His laugh was always robust and full of life...

Excerpts from John Caspar's tribute which was read at the memorial service

I was especially impressed by the fact that although his shift was over, he turned back to help in the emerging disaster that was September 11, 2001. That is just the kind of guy that he was. Born to be a firefighter, from a family with a history of public service.

The motto of the station, which is located in the Broadway area, is inscribed on the fire engine and fittingly reads: "The Pride of Manhattan. Never missed a performance."

It is a motto that probably befits Daniel O'Callaghan, who was not supposed to even be on duty that Tuesday. As the station was called out to the attack site, Daniel O'Callaghan was busy shaving in the station's bathroom before attending class to become a captain.

Maureen O'Callaghan was told her brother's shaving cream and clothes were found inside the station's bathroom, as he must have hurried to New York's aid with only half his face shaved, she said.

Anybody who lived life to the full the way that Daniel O'Callaghan did would also live his faith just as large.

"Much later, Anderson said, 'officials were able to identify Danny's remains in part by the Knights of Columbus rosary they found still firmly clenched in his hand.'"

I thought that I read somewhere that he was always fingering the rosary which he kept in his pocket, but couldn't find that reference again when I was looking around. Regardless, he had it when it counted most.

I think of him and feel that he had to be saying the rosary or at least thinking it in those final moments with the beads firmly in hand. I remember a friend told me that she read somewhere about someone who is devoted to Mary. That when they who stand before God for judgment they will see Mary come forward and tell Jesus, "This is one of mine" as she puts her arm around that person. Surely, from what I have read of Captain Daniel O'Callaghan's life he had no need of Mary coming forward but just as surely I feel that she was there with Jesus to greet him as he entered heaven.

I feel that I got to know Captain O'Callaghan just a bit as I searched for pieces of his life to show others. In fact, I have gotten into the habit of turning to him for intercession when in prayer. I look forward to meeting this loving, energetic, Irish firefighter if I make it to heaven myself. In fact, I'm asking him to help me get there.

My heart goes out to his family, especially his wife and young children. If I feel this way after simply reading about him then surely they must miss him sorely. My prayers are with them.


Sources:

• Legacy.com Guest Book
• Knightline - September 27, 2003
• September 11, 2001, Victims
• Knights of Columbus newsletter
• Newsday
• Vero Beach Press Journal

Daniel O'Callaghan was just one of the 2,996 victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, as well as the attempted hijacking of Flight 93. They are all mourned and missed. We will never forget.

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2006,
2,996 volunteer bloggers
are joined together in a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person is paying tribute to a single victim.

We honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

Project 2,996 is here.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Background Music: Monday, September 11

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Monday of the Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

In memory of the tragedy and greatness, the hatred and love, the despair and the hope of September 11, 2001, we pray:

R: Lord, have mercy.

For those who died and those who grieve them still, we pray: R

For those who provided aid and comfort, we pray: R

For those who refused the temptation to hate, and those who succumbed, we pray: R

For those whose wounds are yet unhealed, we pray: R

Personal intentions:
• The soul of Georgia Olivia and peace of her family and friends
• Healing for this young military family
• Jen K. and her children
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

The heart itself is a small vessel, yet dragons are there, and there are also lions; there are poisonous beasts and all the treasures of evil. But there too is God, the angels, the life and the kingdom, the light and the apostles, the heavenly cities and the treasuries of grace -- all things are there.

Pseudo-Macarius

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Weekend Joke

Boudreaux, Thibodaux & Pierre been on dis island for 5 long years.

One day Pierre was walking along da beach when he found dis bottle. He brought it to da camp dey built and opened it.

A genie popped out and said,"I grant 3 wishes and since there are 3 of ya'll, you each get 1 wish. Since you found me, Pierre, you get the first wish."

Pierre said,"I am from Cut Off and I wanna go back home." So den he was back home.

Thibodaux said,"I am from Galliano and I wanna go back home." So den Thibodaux was back home.

Boudreaux, him, he had to think a while. He said,"You know cher, I am kinda lonely. I wish my 2 frien's were back here!"

Background Music: The Weekend

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Saturday: Optional Memorial of St. Peter Claver, priest

• Patron: against slavery; foreign missions; black people; race relations; Colombia; diocese of Shreveport, Louisiana; diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
• Symbols: ship; cockle shell used for baptizing; usually pictured baptizing a black slave.
Sunday: Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from evening reading in Magnificat.

In trust and hope we pray:

R: Make haste and come to the help of your people!

For all the sick and injured, we pray: R

For all those who have lost hope in God's promises, we pray: R

For all those who dread the coming of Christ in death, we pray: R

Personal intentions:
• Belated Happy Birthday to Jack whose family didn't think he'd live long enough to celebrate it ... and continued prayers for him and his family.
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

"I dreamed I was getting a guided tour of heaven?" Emmylou says. "I was wearing a jumpsuit and a hard hat and my tour guide, he was the same as I was, and we were in this giant building, kind of an industrial shed like in those boring old movies they used to show us in high school, how they make paper or ice cream. And there was this big huge machine in it, whirring and clanking away, and there was a conveyor belt coming out of one end of it, and on the conveyor belt were rows of golden bricks, but softer: they looked like giant Twinkies, row after row of them, and when they got to the end of the conveyor belt they fell off of it. I looked to see where they were falling to and I saw that there was a big hole in the floor there and through it I could see clouds and blue sky and the earth far below. I asked the guide what the Twinkie things were, and he said they were blessings, and I remember thinking, in the dream, how marvelous is the Lord showering all these blessings down on us. Then we moved on, across an alley and into another big huge shed with the same kind of machine cranking away, the same conveyor belt, the same giant Twinkies falling down, and I said to the guide, 'Oh, these are more blessings,' and he said, 'No, those are afflictions,' and I said, 'Oh, but they look just the same as the blessings,' and he said, 'They are the same!'"

Valley of Bones

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Blogging Around

SISTER MARY MARTHA IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM

I left without my glasses so I couldn't read. Mrs Morris was trying to keep my spirits up by talking to me so I couldn't mentally say a rosary. Which is a real shame, because I was there so long I could have freed Russia single handedly if it still needed freeing.

There is no one like Sister Mary Martha for knowing how to tell a good story.

ONE MORE TIME ... OUIJA BOARDS ARE BAD
"Et tu, Jen" asks what the general consensus is about whether Ouija boards are hokum or evil and then tells her own creepy story. I have a friend who, after goofing around with a Ouija board one evening with her roommate, had a close encounter of the demonic kind. They are dangerous, no doubt.

In fact, we had one at our house when I was growing up (atheist parents, I'm reminding y'all). After reading The Exorcist, I was so spooked I sneaked it out of the house and into the trash when no one was looking.

SACRED MUSIC MATTERS
Catholicae Testudines has been running a good series about sacred music. Long but well worth it I think. Nothing is linked to any other part of the series (hint, hint to CT) so here you go: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and the Epilogue.

NEHRING THE EDGE IS BACK!
Oh, Nehring, never go away like that again! And wasn't I silly for taking him off my blogroll this week? All is fixed now. Go there to read movie reviews by my favorite movie critic (even if we do spend half our time arguing!).

MORE ABOUT MARY
Count on Way of the Fathers to have some good, punny, and unusual things for us about the birthday girl! He always finds the most interesting links too. Check it out.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

The State of the Television Address

Earlier today I was talking to someone who said that they love a good hour-long television show that's full of mindless entertainment and doesn't worry about dainty sensibilities when it comes to severed limbs or body count.

Now we're talkin'!

So, naturally, I was stunned to hear that person continue, "But there's nothing good on TV these days so I don't watch."

Nothing good? With a high body count, severed limbs, and mindless entertainment? I can see this guy just isn't trying hard enough.

Allow me to help out as my heart aches when seeing a fellow television watcher in need. These won't supply all of your television watching needs but taken in combination they can go a long way. (Granted I am going into main plot very little so this is also a "how much do we trust Julie D. issue. But that's what Google is for, right?)

LOST
Blowing our minds regularly with hot, model-types marooned on a mysterious island ... and when I say mysterious I'm not kidding. If you haven't watched the first season, don't even bother. Rent the DVDs and catch up because this show is nothing but a great roller coaster ride.

JUSTICE
"If you've got the right lawyer we have the best legal system in the world." 'Nuff said, eh? New to the roster, I talked about it here.

HOUSE
Best show on televison. Period. This is great tribute from me since I hate shows set in hospitals. You can pick this show up anywhere in the season and start enjoying fine acting, great humor, and intelligent plots. Also, since it is in a hospital there is a sufficient gore/gross-out factor for any fan of that genre.

VERONICA MARS
Not only the smartest teenage detective, but also one with great writers. This show has style and wit and a lot of fans who are not teenagers. There always is an overarching mystery du season which is backed up by smaller mysteries in each episode.

PRISON BREAK
I venture to say that this is the must-see show for anyone who likes grit, severed limbs, and ensemble acting (just how hot Wentworth Miller is doesn't hurt a bit either for the female audience numbers). The seven (or eight or six ... who's counting) prisoners are all on the run and have their own problems to deal with. An interesting new element was added this season with the FBI agent who is just as smart as Michael Scofield ... and that's bugging the heck outta Michael you'd better believe it. Think "The Fugutive" times seven (or however many prisoners there are).

24
Do I really need to talk about this show? C'mon. Jack Bauer actually could rule the world if he didn't have a heart of gold and a desire to serve his country. (I think this list says it all.) When last we saw him, there was grave danger afoot (as always) since he'd just been kidnapped by ... the Chinese! This will start in January and run without reruns so you've got time to rent some "previously on" DVDs. You don't really need them to understand the show but season one is a thing of beauty.

BONES
This is a guilty pleasure since it doesn't really stack up consistently to the quality of the other shows. But it's got David what-his-name ... he was Angel (you know, vampire with a soul, wore a cool leather jacket?). So we cut them some slack. It can be very good. It's just inconsistent.

MY NAME IS EARL
How do they make this show so funny? Trailer-trash, loser Earl learns about karma and figures out that he has to make up for all the bad things he's done in his life. Boy, oh, boy, has he done some bad things! This is a half hour of hilarity. Just trust me on it.

DVDs
Those aren't even counting the rentals of good shows available: Firefly, Angel (the vampire with a soul), Freaks and Geeks, old Simpsons seasons (since the last few have been so terrible) ... this is a golden age for tv watching, y'all.

We can all see how I keep two VCRs busy, can't we? One for recording, one for watching (while the other's recording). Make the tv fit your schedule, not the other way 'round.

Background Music: Friday

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Birth of Mary
Something to do to celebrate this special day: have a birthday party!

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

With thanks and praise, let us pray to Christ through the intercession of his mother:

R: Jesus, Son of Mary, hear our prayer!

Son of Justice, the Virgin was born before you as dawn comes before day:
- make us walk in your light. R

Vine of life, the Virgin is the root from which you sprang:
- bless the people of the Sinai covenant whose fidelity is her heritage. R

Living bread, the Virgin gave you the flesh of our human race:
- nourish us in the fullness of life through her prayer and example. R

Personal intentions:
• Little Jack who is dying at home and his grieving family.
  Much thanks to DarwinCatholic and to Jack's family for letting us have this window into a time of sorrow but also a time of many graces as well.
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

I seldom made an errand to God for another, but I got something for myself.

Samuel Rutherford

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

"If you've got the right lawyer we have the best legal system in the world"

Has anyone else been watching Justice?

This show is just plain fun to watch. Victor Garber is thoroughly enjoying being let loose as the media spin head of the firm and Jerry Bruckheimer knows how to put together a fast-paced, enjoyable show that has you wondering by the end whether the firm's client is really innocent. (You have to wonder because the firm doesn't care ... except for the main lawyer who tries the case.) At the end an epilogue is shown with what really happened.

We have been enjoying the heck out of the first two episodes. You might wanna give it a try.

Blogging Around

WHAT PART OF "DRAMATIZATION" DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

Three members of the Clinton administration have written the chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, ABC’s parent, to complain that the network’s coming two-part miniseries “The Path to 9/11” is fraught with factual errors and fabrications....

... Ms. Albright said, she has been told by people who have seen it that it “depicts scenes that never happened, events that never took place, decisions that were never made and conversations that never occurred.”

“It asserts as fact things that are not fact,” she wrote...

ABC, meanwhile, continued to explain that the mini-series, though largely drawn from the report of the Sept. 11 commission, was a dramatization, not a documentary.

The whole article is here and a good commentary is at Sigmund, Carl and Alfred.

UPDATED: Unbelievable. They actually are editing it. I have to echo The Anchoress on this one.

All I am going to say is that Tim Robbins better never lecture us about the “chill wind of suppression of free speech” coming from the evil, Nazi Bush regime again.

AGAIN WITH THE UPDATES: As always, The Anchoress says it better than I. I should have read and linked to this instead of making a clumsy comment to the questions left for me.

TRULY, YOU HAVE A DIZZYING INTELLECT

The white, shoe-box-sized coffin was carefully laid yesterday on the edge of St. Patrick’s Cemetery, a small teddy bear, a cross, and a pink blanket placed on top. The flowers next to the coffin were addressed to Frances Hope, a fetus whose parents are unknown…. Nobody has come forward to claim the remains. Police are searching for whoever delivered the fetus, which was not full-term.

Dom Bettinelli discusses the dizzying verbal abilities at the Boston Globe who is determined not to use the term "baby" even when discussing a "delivered fetus" which is ... c'mon, we already have a word for this term ... right, a baby!

ST. THERESE AND ANSWERED PRAYER

A couple years ago in October I began a 5 day novena to The Little Flower. On the fifth day, on the bush outside my door, there bloomed a trilogy of white flowers...far out of season. This bush tends to bud and then bloom in late May into June...the flowers are long-lasting and fragrant, but they still wilt all too quickly and drop their petals all across my doorstep. They have a scene which is somewhat similar to roses.

I stared in surprise at the blooms. They were actualy springing from the exact branch from which I had taken the last buds of the previous season. I had offered those last buds to Our Lady as an "I love you" offering.

And that's just the beginning of the story.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Word Geek

CONSTABLE
Now used as on official term for law enforcement officers, this word began in the horse stables. In ancient Rome, the official version was comes stabuli, literally meaning "count of the stable," or the head groom. By the 1200s, the Old French version, conestable, was used to refer to the head officer of a king's household and by the 1500s, the current use had arisen.

I'd never have guessed ... fascinating!

Bad to the Bone But Not Beyond God's Grace

SAINTS BEHAVING BADLY
The Cutthroats, Crooks, Trollops, Con Men, and Devil-Worshippers Who Became Saints
by Thomas J. Craughwell

The point of reading these stories is not to experience some tabloid thrill, but to understand how grace works in the world. Every day, all day long, God pours out his grace upon us, urging us, coaxing us, to turn away from everything that is base and cheap and unsatisfying, and to turn toward the only thing that is eternal, perfect, and true -- that is, himself.

I must admit that I came to this slender book with a lot of preconceptions.

Fascinated by saints when I became Catholic six years ago, I sought out and read many books about all sorts of saints from the well known to the obscure. They were written in varying styles ranging from cozy friendliness talking of "our friends the saints" to those of strict scholarship and research. Therefore, I wondered if I would find many new saints in this book although I must admit that, for the life of me, I really couldn't remember one who was a devil-worshipper as referenced in the subtitle.

The idea that today's stories of saints have become too clean cut and white washed for us to relate to is really not that new. Many of those aforementioned books also mentioned that same thing and then proudly would parade each saint's imperfections that would make them more human, one of us. How bad could these saints be really? These days haven't we seen pretty much every sort of shocking behavior known to man and learned that God can work through it all?

However, Craughwell is not a predictable sort of author although he is one that I hope to encounter often in the future. I was pleased to see his forward included a defense of not including Mary Magdalene in the book since she was not a harlot, although that reputation has since overtaken her in many circles. That was a good start which he soon improved on in leaps and bounds as he went from one saint to another with astonishing pieces of information and insight.

I soon found out that what I didn't know, even about the best loved saints could, well, fill a book.

For instance I knew that St. Augustine was converted to Christianity by St. Ambrose. However, I didn't know that it was because Ambrose, with great courage, refused Emperor Theodosius' order to turn over a Catholic church to Arian heretics and barricaded himself and his congregation inside the church to see what the emperor would do. (The emperor backed down.)

Likewise, St. Mary of Egypt is well known for being a prostitute who repented for a lifetime of sin by living as a hermit in the desert. Except that she wasn't a prostitute. She was a skilled seductress who seduced men for the sheer pleasure of doing so. Somehow that makes it so much worse, doesn't it?

Then there is St. Christopher, the well-loved traveler's saint, whose demotion by the Vatican because he never existed enraged my father in law. Actually, it turns out that is a religious urban legend. He is still a saint in good standing whose celebration day was removed from the overcrowded calendar but who churches and the faithful are still free to celebrate and invoke as they will.

Craughwell also provides a plethora of stories of lesser known saints who are nonetheless fascinating. There are the three saints whose stories are intertwined and who actually managed to shock me. Why? I was truly shocked to find that Callixtux, an embezzler turned Christian, who still couldn't seem to resist crime wound up being ... pope. In an ironic case of the pot calling the kettle black, Callixtux was denounced by Hippolytus an anti-pope who manipulated results and fought off other papal contenders. Callixtux then stunned me by winding up ... sainted. Yep. As did Hippolytus. In the middle of it all was Pontian, yet another pope who wound up being sainted. This may sound confusing but in Craughwell's skillful hands these stories wind up being enthralling.

Often Craughwell, sheds light on people who were close to well known saints but who have been cast into the shade by their more famous friends. Such is the case of Alipius, who was St. Augustine's best friend from all appearances. He went where Augustine went, studied what he studied, converted when Augustine converted. The only difference was that he had a debilitating addiction to blood sports that no one, not even his best buddy Augustine, could persuade him to give up. Until St. Ambrose came on the picture. That was when Alipius converted and eventually wound up as a bishop in a town near St. Augustine's.

The more shocking stories are those of St. Olga the queen who avenged her husband's betrayal by planning and carrying out a killing spree of thousands for revenge. Yet she became a saint. Likewise, St. Olaf, a Viking, also was no stranger to brutality and mass murder but changed his pagan ways upon conversion to Christianity. His brutal methods of converting his own violent society are shocking in themselves but the results are undeniable. Norway soon became Christian and did not revert to paganism after Olaf's death.

The author does not spend time drawing out the point of each saint's story in moralistic, "so let's take this lesson away" terms. He leaves us to draw our own conclusions. I liked it that way. Each of us must draw our own conclusions and come to terms with God in our own way. That is also very likely to be the way that saints speak to us, even the ones that had the most shocking pasts. We can be thankful to Craughwell for bringing these stories so vividly to life as reminders for us of the depth and breadth of God's grace to the sinner, no matter how bad their past has been.

This book will be at bookstores on September 19.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Thursday, September 7

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Thursday of the Twenty-Second Week of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

We trust in God; he will not disappoint us. Let us lift up to him our prayers, saying:

R: Lord, make us know your ways:

For those who have been disappointed by those close to them:
- fill them with hope in you. R

For those who seek the truth:
- guide them to the fullness of faith in you. R

For the aging:
- keep them always in your love. R

Personal intentions:
• Little Jack who is dying at home and his grieving family.
  Much thanks to DarwinCatholic and to Jack's family for letting us have this window into a time of sorrow but also a time of many graces as well. Check out today's update for a look at one of those graces.
  
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

[The Prioress] said, next, as to you and this story you have told me: you have been cruelly treated and betrayed, your childhood has been stolen. The world is oftentimes une patisse emerdee, a shit pie, but this is known, this is boring. The only interesting thing is how we use the suffering that is inevitable in life.

Valley of the Bones by Michael Gruber

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

And also with you, pilgrim.

Saturno? That's Italian for "cowboy hat" ... right?

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Dashing Through the Movies

NIGHT WATCH
The much vaunted "Russian vampire movie" that broke all the Russian box office records and that generated a lot of buzz among movie reviewers. I don't think I have ever watched another Russian movie and know very little about the culture. I have a feeling that there were some contextual things that totally got by us although you didn't really need much context. Quick summary ... "a la Matrix" but with more blood and scissors (euwww). A bit more description: long ago the forces of dark and light forged a truce to keep the balance between good and evil so that all would not perish in the fight. This resulted in the Night Watch (the light keeping watch) and the Day Watch (the dark keeping watch). Each is policing the other side to make sure the truce is kept. Into this, legend tells us (of course), that there will come one who will be greater than the others and who will choose the dark. And off we go, quite stylishly, with lots of driving rock soundtrack, and an apocalyptic fight between good and evil. Rose liked it better than we did (did I mention the blood? and the scissors?). Not the best of the genre but far from being the worst.

(HC rating: *** Good despite lack of flubber)

GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK
Edward R. Murrow and his producer take on Joseph McCarthy at the height of the witch hunts to stand up for truth, justice, and the American Way. George Clooney writes, directs, and acts. *yawn* This was beautifully acted, photographed, etc. Now, if only there had been the slightest bit of dramatic tension to engage us in the story it would have been a four star movie. All three of us felt as if we had been watching a documentary, except then we'd possibly have been given more information. We watched without ever feeling the slightest doubt that Murrow would get his way and that justice would prevail. This was without us having any idea of how Murrow fit into the actual story of McCarthy's witch hunt so we couldn't even blame foreknowledge as a spoiler.

(HC rating: ** More boring than church. All you did was yak, yak, yak)

SHOPGIRL
A lonely, depressed girl who sells gloves at Saks Fifth Avenue must choose in love between the rich Steve Martin and the loser alternative met in the laundromat. Although we felt sure that she'd wind up with laundromat loser (can you tell I can't remember his name? We saw this a while back.) we couldn't see how that would happen. Steve Martin's character was so much more desirable seeming. As it turns out this movie was exactly what I read in one critic's summary ... predictable overall but darned if you can predict the little twists along the way.

It wasn't the romantic comedy that the trailers would lead you to believe but I found it quite realistic in the ways that lonely people make choices, both good and bad, and in the lies that they tell themselves along the way. This put me strongly in mind of Lost in Translation in it's understated quality. We also appreciated the fact that it illustrates what Tom often tells the girls, "You can't manage love."

Let me forestall any objections in the comments ... yes, these people all hop into bed quickly and often and without being married. Not desirable to be sure, but also definitely the way that many people live these days. It also serves as its own cautionary tale in terms of the complications that ensue due to the intimacy that comes too soon and for the wrong reasons.

WARNING: as is so often lamentably the case, the PG-13 rating is not adequate. Rose watched this with us and we felt slightly squeamish a couple of times. She's 16. I wouldn't want my 13-year-old to see this.

(HC rating: Nine thumbs up!)

Serving Christ in the Ordinary

Imagine that Christ came to you one day and said, "I need you and you are the only person in the whole world who can do this. Will you help me?" Who could refuse? Who wouldn't want to be an agent sent by Christ himself? But then imagine that Christ said, "I need you to be a friend to the old woman who lives next door to you." What would you do? There is a certain glamour in having a life purpose, imagining that everything one does in life is oriented toward some great ideal. But it's very different if one's life purpose is to carry out a very mundane task. It is much easier to imagine following Christ as a knight sent on brave errands than as an ordinary person befriending a widow. For most of us, Christ's call will look much more like the second option. It will not be glamorous or exciting; in fact, much of the time it might be pretty ordinary. But if we are following Christ, then even the ordinary becomes part of the fabric of a holy life.

There is no escape from the ordinary. No matter who we are, no matter what we do, there are going to be parts of our lives that are repetitious and boring. What makes these periods tolerable is the knowledge that they contribute to something greater. ...

The Ignatian Workout: Daily Spiritual Exercises for a Healthy Faith

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Wednesday, Sept. 6

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.

In joy we pray:

R: Lord, draw all people to yourself!

Where there is hatred,
- let us sow love. R

Where there is darkness,
- let us bring light. R

Where there is sadness,
- let us bring joy. R

Personal intentions:
• Naomi Rose and her family.

  All we know is, she seems to have a small portion of extra chromosomal material on the ninth chromosomal pair. Technically it's called partial trisomy 9q, partial monosomy 9p.
  
  Whatever. I'm frankly tired of reducing her to some arcane science jargon. Naomi is our baby, as important to God as I am. We're crazy about her already. Her two older sisters are going to positively soak her in love every day.
  

• The requests in my Prayer Journal

LAGNIAPPE
(from my quote journal)

Outside of a dog, man's best friend is a book. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read.

Groucho Marx

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Blogging Around

AGENDA? US?
Virtually brain dead girl is recovering and even speaking a few words. I find this quite suspicious though.

DSS had asked Sudyka and Haleigh's biological mother, Allison Avrett, not to disclose the 12-year-old girl's condition to the media.

Read the whole thing.

EVANGELICAL ON-LINE CONFESSIONS
Yes, really. The strangest part to me is that you can go online and read the confessions. Take a tip from a Catholic. The privacy is the best part, y'all. Just you and the priest (and God, natch!) is so much better than the entire world peeking in.

CRIKEY! GOODBYE STEVE IRWIN.
It shouldn't have been a surprise to hear that Steve Irwin died doing what he loved best, but somehow he seemed to be the luckiest guy on earth. Perhaps an even better legacy is the universal sadness that is being shown. My favorite goodbye thus far can be found at Snarky Bastards.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Bipartisan Laugh

You Know You're a Republican If ...
You feel you must hide your secret passion for reading Rolling Stone.

You Know You're a Democrat If ...
You feel you must hide your secret passion for watching stock car racing.

Source

Work is Good for Our Humanity

Work is not only good in the sense that it is useful or something to enjoy; it is also good as being something worthy, that is to say, something that corresponds to man's dignity, that expresses this dignity and increases it ... work is a good thing for man -- a good thing for his humanity -- because through work man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed in a sense becomes "more a human being."

Laborem Exercens, #9, in Magnificat.

This makes me think of something I read in a Genesis Bible study. It mentioned that Adam and Eve had work to do in the Garden before they fell from grace. I never had thought of that before. Somehow I always imagined that their time in the Garden of Eden consisted of lounging around, naming an animal or two every so often. But it makes sense that God would have given them work to do and that they would have enjoyed it as they were fully human, not having fallen short of the mark yet through sin.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Tuesday, September 5

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from evening reading in Magnificat.

The Lord is our love, our joy, and our hope. Let us pray to him:

R: We hope in you, O Lord.

You have promised to be with us always:
- may we know your presence in all we do. R

You have called us to seek you above all things and in all things:
- may we who seek you, find you. R

You await us in your heavenly dwelling place:
- may we come to dwell with you for ever. R

For those whose work is done:
- grant them rest from their labors. R

Personal intentions:
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

I have always meant to go through the New Testament to see how many times food is mentioned, how many times Christ dined, supped, picknicked with His disciples. He healed St. Peter's mother-in-law and she rose to serve them. He brought the little girl back to life, and said, "Give her to eat." He broiled fish on the seashore for His apostles. Could it possibly be that Mary was less solicitous for the happiness and comfort and refreshment of others?

Dorothy Day

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Knitting Addiction

We will never know whether knitters are addicted to yarn or to the act of knitting. To find out, we'd need to take someone's yarn away and see how she feels. I can't do that to another knitter. The ethical questions are too tricky.

Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks

I don't have a stash like truly dedicated knitters, although I do have a few balls of sock yarn tucked away for upcoming projects. Even with that small supply, the thought of someone taking it away ... well, let's just not go there.

Litany to Sanctify Work

Though today is a day off of work it seems good to me to reflect on this litany of the temptations and graces possible through daily labor. We spend most of our adult lives working, no matter where we do it. It is a wonderful thing to me to be able to look past the secular of day-to-day tasks to see the sacred available to us there in all we do.

The Catechism teaches that "daily work ... if ... accomplished in the Spirit -- indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born -- all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (CCC 901). In a spirit of sacrifice, we consecrate our workday to the Lord and pray:

R: Lord, protect me.

From the temptation to be listless and lazy. R
From the temptation to complain. R
From the temptation to be critical of my boss. R
From the temptation to cheat or to be dishonest with others. R
From the temptation to gossip. R
From the temptation to lateness. R
From the temptation to waste time. R
From the temptation to be judgmental of my co-workers. R
From the temptation to procrastinate. R
From the temptation to be jealous or envious of others. R
From the temptation to indolence and lethargy. R
From the temptation to be hypercritical. R
From the temptation to engage in idle conversation. R
From the temptation to be quick to take offense. R
From the temptation to shift my work onto others. R
From the temptation to impatience. R
From the temptation to cut corners or to be sloppy. R
From the temptation to give in to weariness. R

R: Lord, please grant it.

For the grace to be a peacemaker. R
For the grace to witness to you by word and example. R
For the grace to be energetic and committed. R
For the grace to be compassionate and forgiving. R
For the grace to offer up all tedium and drudgery. R
For the grace to be attentive to those in need. R
For the grace to be generous in sharing. R
For the grace to be prudent in dealing with others. R
For the grace to be kind. R
For the grace to be understanding. R
For the grace to fulfill my responsibilities well. R
For the grace to be patient and persevering. R
For the grace to put myself in others' shoes. R
For the grace to be dedicated and undistracted. R
For the grace to be honest and forthright. R
For the grace to be hard-working. R
For the grace to be free of stress. R
For the grace of insight to solve problems. R
For the grace of industriousness. R
For the grace to resolve conflicts and difficulties. R
For the grace to put up with hardships. R
For the grace to esteem the dignity of my co-workers. R
For the grace to be thankful for the chance to work. R
For the grace to spread the good news of the Gospel. R

Our Father ...

Magnificat

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

In the Future, When "Catholic" Has Become "catholic"

CATHOLICS by Brian Moore

Short and easy to read. In fact I read it in one day. Written in 1972, this book could be put in under science fiction without any problem. In the future, after Vatican IV, the Church is working toward convergence with Buddhism, the Mass is symbolic, and there is no such thing as private confession. The only place on the planet practicing the Latin Mass, a small island off of Ireland, has been heretofore unknown but thanks to the hordes of pilgrims it attracts, not to mention, television specials, the Church is now sending out a priest to set things straight. His confrontation with the Irish priest is not quite what we'd expect. We discover that, contrary to expectations, it is not passion for the Mass that led this priest to defy the Vatican. Quite the opposite, it is a lack of faith, not wanting to rock the boat, that led him to hang onto the old ways.

I was riveted to see what the conclusion would be to the old priest's confrontation with the "Vatican's man" who believes in the new Catholic ways. I will not spoil it here for other readers. Suffice it to say, that I have had this book in mind quite a lot in the last few days, especially during Mass yesterday. I am going to recommend this book for our book club.

(Read as part of my Autumn Reading Challenge.)

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Monday, September 4

IN LITURGICAL TIME

Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time; Labor Day (USA)

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from evening reading in Magnificat.

In Christ's name, we are called to serve according to our gifts. For all who work for good, let us pray:

R: Bless the work of your people.

For the Church:
- grant us perseverance in the good works of faith and of love. R

For those who perform the work of leadership in Church and society:
- make justice and charity their guiding light. R

For those who do the work of evangelization:
- fill them with joy in your word and zeal to proclaim it. R

For those whose work is done:
- grant them rest from their labors. R

Personal intentions (mine follow):
• Jack for his last days to be full of love and for the peace of his family
• My dear Rita, who is on doctor ordered bed rest, Jennifer at Perfect Work, this mother, and all expectant mothers
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

LAGNIAPPE
(from my quote journal)

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.

Robert Benchley

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

How to Succeed in Evil

How to Succeed in Evil is not a self-help page for the maladjusted. It it is the story of Edwin Windsor, Evil Efficiency Consultant. He's like Arthur Anderson for Supervillains.

Just because a person can melt walls by winking at them or build a device to threaten the very fabric of our reality doesn't mean that they know how to manage investments or squeeze money out of a scheme. Just look at M.C. Hammer. (Not that he's evil or super -- just that he's exquisitely bad with money.)

But the problem with supervillains is that they are all too egomaniacal to listen to good advice. (They always pay, but they never listen.) So Edwin gets so fed up with this state of affairs and decides to go into business for himself. This results in an efficient, ruthless (and often very funny) brand of evil.

Edwin quickly becomes something more than a villain and less than a hero. He takes out villains because they are "incompetent and inefficient" and heroes because they are "ineffectual and in the way." He often does the right thing for the wrong reason. Which, as fans can tell you, is very entertaining.

If you listen to no other podcast, please do try this one (I'm beggin' ya here!).

An original, entertaining, cleverly written series about Edwin, this is also available as a comic book although I haven't seen it.

How to Succeed in Evil (episode archives are here and here).

Weekend Jokes

A woman walked into a bar and asked for a double entendre. So the barman gave her one.
---------------
A pickle walks into a bar and the bartender says, "Hey you're a pickle! What are you doing here?

The pickle says, "Well, for starters, I'm celebrating the fact that I can walk."
---------------
A priest, a rabbi, a lawyer, a redneck, a blonde, and a dog walk into a bar. The bartender walks up and says, "Is this some kind of joke?"
---------------
A man walks into a bar and asks the bartender, "Do you have any Campari?"

The bartender says, "Do I have any Campari! Look down here!" And he takes him to the basement and there's a hundred cases of Campari.

"Boy, you must sell a lot of Campari."

"No, but the man who sells me Campari -- he sells a lot of Campari."

Quick Review: Terry Gilliam's Best Movie!

THE BROTHERS GRIMM

Of course I haven't seen them all but between us we've seen a pretty fair representation of them. Basically, the Grimm brothers are tricksters trading upon old fairy tales to go from town to town "inventing" witches and trolls and then ridding the town of them. They are arrested and taken to a place where the authorities are convinced that other con artists are pulling the same stunt, except in this town ten girls have disappeared in the nearby, sinister woods. Suffice it to say that the place is cursed and an inventive mixture of common European fairy tales is shown in thoroughly creepy style in the process. The brothers must solve the curse or they will die, either through the curse itself or through execution as punishment by the authorities.

This reminded me strongly of Tim Burton's Legend of Sleepy Hollow except that we all felt it was much better. Gilliam, as always, takes risks. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't but I can always appreciate the effort being made. That is the element that makes this less than perfect movie a much better use of time than something like Nacho Libre for example.

That said, I really appreciated Matt Damon's and Heath Ledger's acting. They turned in solid performances in roles that were much different from their usual star turns. I especially came away with an appreciation of Ledger's abilities, when taken in conjunction with his role in Lords of Dogtown. In both cases, he was virtually unrecognizable (except for his voice) and turned in very good performances in less than attractive roles. He may be someone who we will be watching with appreciation in many years to come as he matures as an actor.

(HC rating: Good despite lack of flubber)

Clouds and Elephants

According to ancient Hindu and Buddhist beliefs Cumulus clouds are the spiritual cousins of elephants, which is why the animals are worshipped, with a view to bringing rain after India;'s scorching summer heat. "Megha," meaning cloud in classical Hindi, is the name used to address elephants in these prayers. The Sanskrit creation myths describe how elephants created at the beginning of time were white, had wings to fly, could change their shape at will and had the power to bring rain. Although they have now lost these magical powers, the present-day descendants of those early Uber-elephants are still believed to have an affinity with the clouds -- especially the albino ones.

It is somewhat alarming to learn that eighty elephants weigh about as much as the water droplets in a medium-sized Cumulus -- a Cumulus mediocris -- would if you added them all together. (This is assuming the cloud occupies one cubic kilometre (about 0.24 cubic miles), which is not particularly large for a Cumulus. The droplets will commonly have a combined weight of 220 tons. The average Asian elephant weighs 3 tons.) for, although the droplets in a Cumulus cloud are extremely small, there are one hell of a lot of them. ...

The Cloudspotter's Guide by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

I was sent a review copy of this charming book, which I opened with a good amount of trepidation upon receipt. So far it is a real treasure in a typically eccentric British way, with the science of clouds interwoven with a true love of cloud watching and stories. The science is told in a very understandable way. After all, who can resist the image of a lava lamp to describe how heat acts upon water molecules to make Cumulus clouds? I know I can't.

In the Religion Section Today

The usual, annoying free registration is required for the complete stories from the Dallas Morning News.

Satan: Father's Little Helper?

"Christian tradition has laid a lot of blame on Satan for things they're causing themselves," said Dr. Kelly, 72, a former Jesuit exorcist and now a medieval scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles and author of three books about the devil. "I am pessimistic about human nature. I think we are totally capable of doing what we have done. You can blame it on psychosis if you want."

But you can't blame it on Satan, he said.

Ummm, yes. Yes, I can. No amount of spin is going to change the facts. There is an Evil One. Not that we don't create plenty of our own problems on our own. We definitely do. But let's not leave out that other component.

Turkish Kid Books Get Added Character: Allah

Book publishers in Turkey have reprinted several children's classics with Islamic elements inserted into the storylines. The move came in reaction to controversy over including such titles in the government's recommended reading list for students.

In "Pinocchio," when the wooden puppet arrives at the end of his quest, he exclaims to his maker, Geppetto, "Thanks be to Allah, I am a real boy!" Earlier in the book he says, "If Allah wills it, please give me some bread."

Read the Three Musketeers example. What adds to that revision is the knowledge that Aramis was in the company of religious men because he had decided to become a priest. Luckily, the Turkish Minister of Education feels about this the same way that I do. "'If you like Heidi, then write your own 'Heidi,' he said in the Turkish newspaper Radikal." (Scroll down in Briefs for this story which has other examples of changed books.)

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

IN LITURGICAL TIME

• Saturday: Saturday of the Twenty-First Week of Ordinary Time
• Sunday: Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from eveing reading in Magnificat.

To Christ, the source of light and wisdom, we pray:

R: Enlighten your people with your truth, O Lord!
For those who seek wisdom in other laws than yours: show them the wonder of your way. R
For those who seek freedom through disobedience to your word: show them the true freedom of the children of God. R
For those who fail to see your law as an expression of your love for us: show them the depth of your compassion. R

Personal intentions (mine follow):

• Jack for his last days to be full of love and for the peace of his family
  
• The suffering families in this situation
  
• My dear Rita, who is on doctor ordered bed rest, Jennifer at Perfect Work, this mother, and all expectant mothers
• Those seeking employment, especially O. and R. and Dom
• Matthew, who is currently missing - "he left and left a note saying he was leaving. Please keep him and his
  family/friends in your prayers."
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

I am getting tired of being homesick at random moments, but I guess that God is not-so-gently reminding me that my true home is not on this earth, that these days and these places are a gift from him but are temporal and not eternal.

Alicia

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

Novena to St. Michael the Archangel: Days 5 and 6

I am saying this for a friend's special intention. (For Saturday and Sunday.)

Saint Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people,
I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession.
For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power,
and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels,
be pleased to hear my prayer.

You know the value of my soul in the eyes of God.
May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty.
Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me.
I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church
and your great love for God and people.
And since you are God’s messenger for the care of His people,
I entrust to you this special request:

(Mention your request).

Saint Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator,
the powerful intercessor of Christians,
I have great confidence in your prayers.
I earnestly trust that if it is God’s holy will my petition will be granted.

Pray for me, Saint Michael, and also for those I love.
Protect us in all dangers of body and soul.
Help us in our daily needs.
Through your powerful intercession,
may we live a holy life,
die a happy death, and reach heaven
where we may praise and love God with you forever.
Amen.

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

What Does This Quote Make You Think Of?

... infinitesimal distinctions between man and man are too paltry for an Omnipotent Being. How these madmen give themselves away! The real God taketh heed lest a sparrow fall; but the God created from human vanity sees no difference between an eagle and a sparrow. . .

Hearing it this morning read from Librivox, this jumped out at me from the rest of the story. I thought of pro-abortion people, judging that a tiny baby (even if only a few cells big at the time) is less important than all their daily affairs.

I was quite surprised.

The reason being that I was listening to one of my all-time favorite books ... read aloud by Librivox.

Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Blogging Around

PRESIDENT BUSH: RESPECTING CATHOLICS
Some people could take lessons from the president in how to behave respectfully at communion and how to give full credit where it is due. A sad sign of the times that such good behavior is so unusual it is called to our attention.

CATHOLIC CARNIVAL AND WOG
Get the Carnival here and World of Good here.

SELL YOUR HOUSE WITH JOE AND JACK
The Curt Jester is in his usual fine form with these satires of the superstitious way that people treat St. Joseph by burying his statue upside-down to sell their house.

YOU SAY THAT LIKE IT'S A BAD THING ...

An infant, cased in dough to deceive the unsuspecting, is placed beside the person to be initiated. The novice is thereupon induced to inflict what seems to be harmless blows upon the dough, and unintentionally the infant is killed by his unsuspecting blows; the blood – oh, horrible – they lap up greedily; the limbs they tear to pieces eagerly; and over the victim they make league and covenant, and by complicity in guilt pledge themselves to mutual silence (Octavius 9.5-6 [Loeb translation]; full text online here).

A great post about early lies told about Christians can be found here. Via that always reliable source of all things historically Christian, Mike Aquilina.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
I am just now getting around to pointing out that the most recent stem cell news was not universally acclaimed as a good thing. In fact, it may have been based on bad research *shock, dismay, stunned surprise that scientists might be too hasty*.

• Bettnet has links to the bad science story as well as the Vatican's comments.
• GOP Soccer Mom points out that Catholics don't mind ethical stem cell research. It's just so darned hard to find anyone doing it.
• Insight Scoop has our bishops' reactions ... they're tired of these repeated unethical attempts being passed off on us.
• The Curt Jester points out some discrepancies on the FDA site between what media says and the product label pdf.

HEALING FAITH

At the heart of this difficult issue lies the human heart. God undertook a vast and dangerous experiment when creating man: He wanted, not merely another animal — of which there were countless — but an animal capable of something He alone understood: love. He gave this exalted animal vast intellect — but this was not sufficient to engender love. He gave His creation powerful emotions, the capacity for both creation and destruction, which He alone had possessed — but this also was not sufficient. For love — the utter, uninhibited emptying of self for another — required that most dangerous license of all: free will. This being thus created, designed with the capacity to love, must of necessity be utterly free to choose — for choice is the very heart, the very essence of love.

The Doctor is In has a really insightful and wonderful post about the problem of pain and suffering happening to the good and innocent. A tough subject but he does a fantastic job. Don't miss reading this post.

That's Reveille, Ma'am to You!

Reveille, the first lady of Aggieland, is the official mascot of Texas A&M University. She is the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets, and she is a Five-Star General.

Hannah saw Reveille being walked yesterday. She was on the way to class or would have summoned the courage to ask if she could meet and pet the honored Aggie mascot. However, we all showed our distinct lack of appreciation for tradition and the corp by bursting into laughter when she told us that cadets must address Reveille as "ma'am."

Tags: Catholicism, Christianity

IN LITURGICAL TIME

• Friday of the Twenty-First Week of Ordinary Time

INTERCESSIONS
Prayer from morning reading in Magnificat.
God wipes away our tears of repentance with the hand of mercy. Let us pray for ourselves and for all sinners:

R: O Lord, Hear! O Lord, pardon! (Dn 9:19)
Forgive us our pride: R
Forgive us our stubbornness of heart: R
Forgive us our anger against one another: R
Forgive us our greed in all its forms: R
Forgive us our mercilessness: R
Forgive us the harm we have done: R
Personal intentions (mine follow):

• Jack for his last days to be full of love and for the peace of his family
  
• The suffering families in this situation
  
• Chris's friend's sister
• My dear Rita, who is on doctor ordered bed rest, Jennifer at Perfect Work, this mother, and all expectant mothers
• The requests in my Prayer Journal

WELL SAID
(from my quote journal)

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring -- it was peace.

Milan