Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael

Today is the feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael. It is one of my favorite feast days because St. Michael is the patron saint of both my husband and my son. I happen to think Saint Michael is a wonderful patron saint for boys because he is a strong servant of God. Spirituality is so often seen by men as a "woman thing" and I think saints like St. Michael go a long way toward remedying that.

On the old calendar, today was known as "Michaelmas" and was the feast of St. Michael. St. Gabriel's feast was March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24. So, I tend to think of today as the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Michaelmas was a harvest feast day and still has special food associated with it in many European countries. In the Great Britian, goose was the traditional meal for Michaelmas, eaten for prosperity. France has waffles or Gaufres and the traditional fare in Scotland used to be St. Michael's Bannock (Struan Micheil) — a large, scone-like cake. In Italy, gnocchi is the traditional fare.

St. Michael is an important saint. His name appears in Scripture four times both in the Old and the New Testaments. He is a saint we share with Judasim. We can read about Michael twice in the Book of Daniel, and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation tells of a battle in Heaven between Michael and and Satan. He is the saint traditionally invoked against evil. He is the patron of Police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, soldiers and security forces. He is truly a saint for our times!

There is a traditional prayer said to Saint Michael which is worth knowing:

Saint Michael the Archangel
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our safeguard against the
wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And do thou, oh prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God, cast into hell,
Satan, and all the evil spirits
that prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.

Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael

Today is the feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael. It is one of my favorite feast days because St. Michael is the patron saint of both my husband and my son. I happen to think Saint Michael is a wonderful patron saint for boys because he is a strong servant of God. Spirituality is so often seen by men as a "woman thing" and I think saints like St. Michael go a long way toward remedying that.

On the old calendar, today was known as "Michaelmas" and was the feast of St. Michael. St. Gabriel's feast was March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24. So, I tend to think of today as the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Michaelmas was a harvest feast day and still has special food associated with it in many European countries. In the Great Britian, goose was the traditional meal for Michaelmas, eaten for prosperity. France has waffles or Gaufres and the traditional fare in Scotland used to be St. Michael's Bannock (Struan Micheil) — a large, scone-like cake. In Italy, gnocchi is the traditional fare.

St. Michael is an important saint. His name appears in Scripture four times both in the Old and the New Testaments. He is a saint we share with Judasim. We can read about Michael twice in the Book of Daniel, and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation tells of a battle in Heaven between Michael and and Satan. He is the saint traditionally invoked against evil. He is the patron of Police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, soldiers and security forces. He is truly a saint for our times!

There is a traditional prayer said to Saint Michael which is worth knowing:

Saint Michael the Archangel
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our safeguard against the
wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And do thou, oh prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God, cast into hell,
Satan, and all the evil spirits
that prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.

Promising New Blog

Thanks to Approchons-nous de la Table, I have discovered a great blog, The Rebelution, written by 2 homeschooled Christian young men in Oregon. They have a guest blogger who has written quite an insightful post about modern society's focus on outward appearance.

The guest blogger, Hans Guenther, is also from Oregon and has been living in Germany. His thoughts on the "rapid secularization of Western Culture" in Europe and society's "focus on surface rather than what is underneath" is very wise and very well written.

Stop by, give it a read, and post a comment.

Promising New Blog

Thanks to Approchons-nous de la Table, I have discovered a great blog, The Rebelution, written by 2 homeschooled Christian young men in Oregon. They have a guest blogger who has written quite an insightful post about modern society's focus on outward appearance.

The guest blogger, Hans Guenther, is also from Oregon and has been living in Germany. His thoughts on the "rapid secularization of Western Culture" in Europe and society's "focus on surface rather than what is underneath" is very wise and very well written.

Stop by, give it a read, and post a comment.

Turning the pages with the British Library

This is truly a book lover's dream! If you go to the British Library's web site you can click on Turning the Pages and have access to 14 different manuscripts right on your computer! You can turn the pages yourself with your mouse, magnify the text and even hear an audio commentary on the text.

Texts include the original Alice in Wonderland, written and illustrated by Lewis Carroll, The Diamond Sutra the oldest printed "book", printed in China in 868, The Lindisfarne (Anglo Saxon) Gospels, the Golden Haggadah, a Hebrew Prayer Book and Leonardo DaVinci's own notebook.

Click and enjoy!!!

Turning the pages with the British Library

This is truly a book lover's dream! If you go to the British Library's web site you can click on Turning the Pages and have access to 14 different manuscripts right on your computer! You can turn the pages yourself with your mouse, magnify the text and even hear an audio commentary on the text.

Texts include the original Alice in Wonderland, written and illustrated by Lewis Carroll, The Diamond Sutra the oldest printed "book", printed in China in 868, The Lindisfarne (Anglo Saxon) Gospels, the Golden Haggadah, a Hebrew Prayer Book and Leonardo DaVinci's own notebook.

Click and enjoy!!!

Traditional Anglicans seek communion with Rome

The Shrine of the Holy Whapping via Prydain reports that:

The Most Reverend John Hepworth, the Archbishop of the Traditional Anglican Communion and primate of the largest conservative Anglican Church in the World has received an endorsement to begin developing a plan for inter-communion and unity with Rome. The climate is brewing for the Traditional Anglican Communion to be the 27th ecclesial group accepted into communion with Rome and the first church touched by the Reformation to do so.

I pray I live to see this happen! Just for the record, I would also love to see an Anglican Use Catholic Parish pop up within easy driving distance from my house!

Traditional Anglicans seek communion with Rome

The Shrine of the Holy Whapping via Prydain reports that:

The Most Reverend John Hepworth, the Archbishop of the Traditional Anglican Communion and primate of the largest conservative Anglican Church in the World has received an endorsement to begin developing a plan for inter-communion and unity with Rome. The climate is brewing for the Traditional Anglican Communion to be the 27th ecclesial group accepted into communion with Rome and the first church touched by the Reformation to do so.

I pray I live to see this happen! Just for the record, I would also love to see an Anglican Use Catholic Parish pop up within easy driving distance from my house!

Good King Wenceslas

Today is the feast day of Saint Wenceslas, patron saint and duke of Bohemia from 924-929. You may have heard of him in the Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslas". I admit I think of Saint Wenceslas' on December 26th every year (The "Feast of Stephen"). I had no idea his feast day was in September.

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing

Good King Wenceslas

Today is the feast day of Saint Wenceslas, patron saint and duke of Bohemia from 924-929. You may have heard of him in the Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslas". I admit I think of Saint Wenceslas' on December 26th every year (The "Feast of Stephen"). I had no idea his feast day was in September.

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing

What language should you learn?

Couldn't resist this one!

You Should Learn French

C'est super! You appreciate the finer things in life... wine, art, cheese, love affairs. You are definitely a Parisian at heart. You just need your tongue to catch up...

What Language Should You Learn?

What language should you learn?

Couldn't resist this one!

You Should Learn French

C'est super! You appreciate the finer things in life... wine, art, cheese, love affairs. You are definitely a Parisian at heart. You just need your tongue to catch up...

What Language Should You Learn?

What's your blogging personality?

Not sure whether I agree with this or not, but here it is:

Your Blogging Type is Commanding and Larger Than Life

In blogging circles, you tend to rise to the top with your take charge personality. You are driven to solve problems, connect bloggers, and be an influential force. You are also motivated to keep your blog fresh and high quality. Your hard work has paid off - you set a high standard for other bloggers to aspire to.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

What's your blogging personality?

Not sure whether I agree with this or not, but here it is:

Your Blogging Type is Commanding and Larger Than Life

In blogging circles, you tend to rise to the top with your take charge personality. You are driven to solve problems, connect bloggers, and be an influential force. You are also motivated to keep your blog fresh and high quality. Your hard work has paid off - you set a high standard for other bloggers to aspire to.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Coffee

While I am not a coffee connoisseur, I have discovered a wonderful cup of the stuff! My dh, who knows every gas station, convenience store and grocery store along his 1 1/2 hour one-way commute, tells me that Gulliver's coffee, available at our local Sunoco gas station, is the best. Today, I have decided I agree.

I have been buying the bitter happy-hippy-organic stuff at one of my places of employment and still will, because of the happy-hippy-caffeine it contains. But today, I stopped at the Sunoco and grabbed a cup of Gulliver's. I put in a shake of chocolate and a shake of powdered vanilla and some milk. I had inadvertently forgotten my usual envelope of fake sugar and realized that it didn't need it. It was as easy going down as water--good water!

I'll have to find out if the stuff is available for home use. Mmmmm....

Coffee

While I am not a coffee connoisseur, I have discovered a wonderful cup of the stuff! My dh, who knows every gas station, convenience store and grocery store along his 1 1/2 hour one-way commute, tells me that Gulliver's coffee, available at our local Sunoco gas station, is the best. Today, I have decided I agree.

I have been buying the bitter happy-hippy-organic stuff at one of my places of employment and still will, because of the happy-hippy-caffeine it contains. But today, I stopped at the Sunoco and grabbed a cup of Gulliver's. I put in a shake of chocolate and a shake of powdered vanilla and some milk. I had inadvertently forgotten my usual envelope of fake sugar and realized that it didn't need it. It was as easy going down as water--good water!

I'll have to find out if the stuff is available for home use. Mmmmm....

Priestly differences

The Catholic Review reports that a new study shows the differences between younger and older priests. Older priests, it says, tend to go toward the "servant leader" model of priesthood, while younger priests lean toward what they call the "cultic" model. (I can't help but wonder what politics is behind that choice of terminology!)

The younger priests tend to have a higher morale and view celibacy as more important than the older priests do. Younger priests also see the priesthood as being more of a special calling. The article also said that because of their viewpoint, younger priests sometimes have a hard time dealing with lay leadership.

None of this is surprising to me. For 30 years or so we have had a great dearth of leadership in many parishes across the country and much of the laity has become used to deciding what constitutes Catholic spirituality and teaching for themselves. It must be horrifying to them to suddenly have a pastor younger than they are "telling them what to do."

I'm not surprised either, that younger priests view celebacy and the priesthood as important, special callings. Who in the world would give up what these young men are called to give up for the difficult job of running parishes or serving the poor unless they viewed it as a special calling? The previous generation has been, for the most part, unable to stop the flow of religious from their ranks by diluting the importance of their call and the teachings that go along with it.

I think it is perhaps, more of a brave thing these young men do, in today's secularized society than it was 40 or 50 years ago. There is by no means a guarantee of support or even respect for the choice of religious life, even, at times, among the priest's immediate family.

All in all, it is heartening that we are experiencing a renewal of the serious committment required for religious life among the young.

Priestly differences

The Catholic Review reports that a new study shows the differences between younger and older priests. Older priests, it says, tend to go toward the "servant leader" model of priesthood, while younger priests lean toward what they call the "cultic" model. (I can't help but wonder what politics is behind that choice of terminology!)

The younger priests tend to have a higher morale and view celibacy as more important than the older priests do. Younger priests also see the priesthood as being more of a special calling. The article also said that because of their viewpoint, younger priests sometimes have a hard time dealing with lay leadership.

None of this is surprising to me. For 30 years or so we have had a great dearth of leadership in many parishes across the country and much of the laity has become used to deciding what constitutes Catholic spirituality and teaching for themselves. It must be horrifying to them to suddenly have a pastor younger than they are "telling them what to do."

I'm not surprised either, that younger priests view celebacy and the priesthood as important, special callings. Who in the world would give up what these young men are called to give up for the difficult job of running parishes or serving the poor unless they viewed it as a special calling? The previous generation has been, for the most part, unable to stop the flow of religious from their ranks by diluting the importance of their call and the teachings that go along with it.

I think it is perhaps, more of a brave thing these young men do, in today's secularized society than it was 40 or 50 years ago. There is by no means a guarantee of support or even respect for the choice of religious life, even, at times, among the priest's immediate family.

All in all, it is heartening that we are experiencing a renewal of the serious committment required for religious life among the young.

Jesus Caritas

Pope Benedict XVI says that the entire Christian faith can be summed up in two words, "Jesus Caritas" or "Jesus Love".



That says it all!

Jesus Caritas

Pope Benedict XVI says that the entire Christian faith can be summed up in two words, "Jesus Caritas" or "Jesus Love".



That says it all!

Holy Rosary Blog

I have discovered a Catholic blog dedicated to the Rosary. It's called Holy Rosary and has devotional and historical information about the Rosary.

I think the Rosary is becoming increasingly important spiritually in these trying times after decades of neglect by many in the Church.

Stop by the Holy Rosary blog and say hi!

Holy Rosary Blog

I have discovered a Catholic blog dedicated to the Rosary. It's called Holy Rosary and has devotional and historical information about the Rosary.

I think the Rosary is becoming increasingly important spiritually in these trying times after decades of neglect by many in the Church.

Stop by the Holy Rosary blog and say hi!

MyCatholic.com

Thanks to Happy Catholic, I have discovered a new site: My Catholic.com.

It is a customizable site that has Catholic friendly info like the Mass Readings, a link for Mass Times, and an editable section for favorite links. You can also pick a default favorite search engine. You can personalize the content to include various Christian, Catholic, Secular and Financial news sources. If you type your zip code under Preferences, it will automatically give you a box with your local weather.

Under Commentary and Opinion, you can add various blogs' headlines to the page as well. In order to add my blog to your list, click on Customize, Content and copy and paste this url to the box labeled "URL":

http://dymphnaswell.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Then click "Add."

It also has the capacity to let you pick your own font type, size, and color. Hardly gets any cooler than that! :)

Check it out!

MyCatholic.com

Thanks to Happy Catholic, I have discovered a new site: My Catholic.com.

It is a customizable site that has Catholic friendly info like the Mass Readings, a link for Mass Times, and an editable section for favorite links. You can also pick a default favorite search engine. You can personalize the content to include various Christian, Catholic, Secular and Financial news sources. If you type your zip code under Preferences, it will automatically give you a box with your local weather.

Under Commentary and Opinion, you can add various blogs' headlines to the page as well. In order to add my blog to your list, click on Customize, Content and copy and paste this url to the box labeled "URL":

http://dymphnaswell.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Then click "Add."

It also has the capacity to let you pick your own font type, size, and color. Hardly gets any cooler than that! :)

Check it out!

She knows the mind of God! :)

Today's pithy theological quote comes from the BBC TV character, Hyacinth Bucket on Keeping Up Appearances.




Nobody can show that amount of leg and expect to be guided supernaturally.

She knows the mind of God! :)

Today's pithy theological quote comes from the BBC TV character, Hyacinth Bucket on Keeping Up Appearances.




Nobody can show that amount of leg and expect to be guided supernaturally.

The Shakespeare Character Test

Thanks to Lifeisgreat for giving me this link. As much as I don't like to admit it, I guess this probably fits! ;)

Nick Bottom You scored 0 evilness, 54 romance, 18 tragic, and 45 comic!

Nick Bottom is an Athenian weaver and acts the part of Pyramus in a play in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Bottom loves the sound of his own voice and believes that he is the best actor, even though he often confuses words. Through magic, he is given an ass's head and becomes the object of affection of Titania through a love spell.

Link: The Shakespeare Character Test written by mandi_g on Ok Cupid

The Shakespeare Character Test

Thanks to Lifeisgreat for giving me this link. As much as I don't like to admit it, I guess this probably fits! ;)

Nick Bottom You scored 0 evilness, 54 romance, 18 tragic, and 45 comic!

Nick Bottom is an Athenian weaver and acts the part of Pyramus in a play in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Bottom loves the sound of his own voice and believes that he is the best actor, even though he often confuses words. Through magic, he is given an ass's head and becomes the object of affection of Titania through a love spell.

Link: The Shakespeare Character Test written by mandi_g on Ok Cupid

More prayers for Rita

Thanks go out to the Curt Jester for alerting me to a post at The Anchoress' blog on praying for the people in the path of Hurricane Rita. She invites a whole list of the Communion of Saints to pray with us. This list includes:

Mary, the woman clothed with the sun
St. Michael the Archangel, patron of the first responders.
St. Raphael, the healer Archangel
St. Gabriel, the messenger Archangel
St. Joseph, the head of the Holy Family,
St. Thomas More, patron of politicians
St. Nicholas, patron of children

She is going to fast and pray more intensely for the next three days.

I do feel better knowing that not only do we have those on Earth praying and fasting in a special way for the goings on of our country and our world, but that those who now live in Heaven are joining us in prayer.

Perhaps now *is* the time to deepen our prayer life.

More prayers for Rita

Thanks go out to the Curt Jester for alerting me to a post at The Anchoress' blog on praying for the people in the path of Hurricane Rita. She invites a whole list of the Communion of Saints to pray with us. This list includes:

Mary, the woman clothed with the sun
St. Michael the Archangel, patron of the first responders.
St. Raphael, the healer Archangel
St. Gabriel, the messenger Archangel
St. Joseph, the head of the Holy Family,
St. Thomas More, patron of politicians
St. Nicholas, patron of children

She is going to fast and pray more intensely for the next three days.

I do feel better knowing that not only do we have those on Earth praying and fasting in a special way for the goings on of our country and our world, but that those who now live in Heaven are joining us in prayer.

Perhaps now *is* the time to deepen our prayer life.

Pray for the Hurricane victims

I wanted to ask everyone to please pray for those in Texas and the Gulf Coast of the U.S. as they prepare for Hurricane Rita.

Rita is a category 5 hurricane at the moment and headed for Galveston, TX.

Many of the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina are currently staying in Texas.

Saint Barbara is one of the saints who is traditionally invoked against storms. Lets ask Saint Barbara and Our Lady to be with those who are currently in the path of Hurricane Rita.

Saint Barbara, Pray for us!

Sante Marie, priez pour nous!

Pray for the Hurricane victims

I wanted to ask everyone to please pray for those in Texas and the Gulf Coast of the U.S. as they prepare for Hurricane Rita.

Rita is a category 5 hurricane at the moment and headed for Galveston, TX.

Many of the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina are currently staying in Texas.

Saint Barbara is one of the saints who is traditionally invoked against storms. Lets ask Saint Barbara and Our Lady to be with those who are currently in the path of Hurricane Rita.

Saint Barbara, Pray for us!

Sante Marie, priez pour nous!

Blog Focus: The Evil Traditionalist

I have discovered a witty and pithy blog called The Evil Traditionalist done by Steve Skojec. Despite his relative (to me) youth, Steve has witnessed the same banal, naval-gazing modern church practices that have caused many in my generation to run screaming.

Even if you don't agree with his sentiments, he writes so well that the blog is quite an enjoyable read.

Keep up the good work, Steve!

Blog Focus: The Evil Traditionalist

I have discovered a witty and pithy blog called The Evil Traditionalist done by Steve Skojec. Despite his relative (to me) youth, Steve has witnessed the same banal, naval-gazing modern church practices that have caused many in my generation to run screaming.

Even if you don't agree with his sentiments, he writes so well that the blog is quite an enjoyable read.

Keep up the good work, Steve!

Ember Days

What in the world are Ember Days, you may ask? I have just recently discovered this ancient church tradition. According to The Catholic Encyclopedia,

Ember days (corruption from Lat. Quatuor Tempora, four times) are the days at the beginning of the seasons
ordered by the Church as days of fast and abstinence.

Pope Callistus (217-222) is said to have ordered the fast, but it is thought to be even older. Leo the Great considered Ember Day fasting to be an Apostolic institution.

Blessed Jacopo de Voragine (A.D. 1230-1298) wrote in The Golden Legend, some reasons for the Church prescribed fasting 4 times a year.

He said we fast in March, to begin Lent, for the purpose of ending vices, especially pride. In Summer, we fast prior to Pentacost to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit and for an end to greed. In September, before Michaelmas, we fast to "render to God the fruits of good works" and to end the "darkness of ignorance." In December, we fast at the beginning of Advent for the virtue of constancy and to be "mortified to the world."

This year, the Ember Days before Michaelmas fall on Wednesday, September 21, and Friday September 23 and Saturday, September 24. Wednesday and Friday have been traditional fast days since the early Church adopted them. September 29th is the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, or Michaelmas. Late September is also the Autumnal Equanox. Each of these Ember Days falls at the beginning of the change of our seasons as a way to remind us of what is important in life and to take stock of where we are spiritually.

A big thank you goes out to Tom Fitzpatrick of Recta Ratio for alerting me to this Church custom.

He recommends visiting Holy Trinity Catholic Church website for more information.

Ember Days

What in the world are Ember Days, you may ask? I have just recently discovered this ancient church tradition. According to The Catholic Encyclopedia,

Ember days (corruption from Lat. Quatuor Tempora, four times) are the days at the beginning of the seasons
ordered by the Church as days of fast and abstinence.

Pope Callistus (217-222) is said to have ordered the fast, but it is thought to be even older. Leo the Great considered Ember Day fasting to be an Apostolic institution.

Blessed Jacopo de Voragine (A.D. 1230-1298) wrote in The Golden Legend, some reasons for the Church prescribed fasting 4 times a year.

He said we fast in March, to begin Lent, for the purpose of ending vices, especially pride. In Summer, we fast prior to Pentacost to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit and for an end to greed. In September, before Michaelmas, we fast to "render to God the fruits of good works" and to end the "darkness of ignorance." In December, we fast at the beginning of Advent for the virtue of constancy and to be "mortified to the world."

This year, the Ember Days before Michaelmas fall on Wednesday, September 21, and Friday September 23 and Saturday, September 24. Wednesday and Friday have been traditional fast days since the early Church adopted them. September 29th is the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, or Michaelmas. Late September is also the Autumnal Equanox. Each of these Ember Days falls at the beginning of the change of our seasons as a way to remind us of what is important in life and to take stock of where we are spiritually.

A big thank you goes out to Tom Fitzpatrick of Recta Ratio for alerting me to this Church custom.

He recommends visiting Holy Trinity Catholic Church website for more information.

Happy Birthday, MK!!

Happy Birthday, MK,
Happy Birthday, MK,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday.....
Happy Birthday, MK!!!

Happy Birthday, MK!!

Happy Birthday, MK,
Happy Birthday, MK,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday.....
Happy Birthday, MK!!!

It's not fair!

Today's gospel (Mt 20:1-16) is one of those difficult ones that we may not like, but may not want to admit it. It is the story of the landowner who goes out during various intervals during the work day and hires workers. At the end of the day, he pays them each a full day's wage. Those who put in a full day's work are angry. His response is "Are you jealous because I am generous?"

How many times have we felt jealous of God's generosity to another? How many times have we let self pity stand in the way of some good that God is trying to give us because we are too busy looking over our shoulder at how others are being treated? Today, our priest asked the congregation, will you be able to rejoice in Heaven, if the person you hate the most is in Heaven standing next to you?

Our Western view of God as "Just" assumes that God will not let "evil" people "get away with" their deeds.

Saint Isaac the Syrian said, "How can you call God just, when you read the passage on the wage given to the workers? '

‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’"

"How can a man call God just when he comes across the passage on the prodigal son, who wasted his wealth in riotous living, and yet only for the contrition which he showed, the father ran and fell upon his neck, and gave him authority over all his wealth? None other but His very Son said these things concerning Him lest we doubt it, and thus He bare witness concerning Him. Where, then, is God's justice, for whilst we were sinners, Christ died for us!"

God is more than "just". God is Pure and Perfect Love.

It's not fair!

Today's gospel (Mt 20:1-16) is one of those difficult ones that we may not like, but may not want to admit it. It is the story of the landowner who goes out during various intervals during the work day and hires workers. At the end of the day, he pays them each a full day's wage. Those who put in a full day's work are angry. His response is "Are you jealous because I am generous?"

How many times have we felt jealous of God's generosity to another? How many times have we let self pity stand in the way of some good that God is trying to give us because we are too busy looking over our shoulder at how others are being treated? Today, our priest asked the congregation, will you be able to rejoice in Heaven, if the person you hate the most is in Heaven standing next to you?

Our Western view of God as "Just" assumes that God will not let "evil" people "get away with" their deeds.

Saint Isaac the Syrian said, "How can you call God just, when you read the passage on the wage given to the workers? '

‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’"

"How can a man call God just when he comes across the passage on the prodigal son, who wasted his wealth in riotous living, and yet only for the contrition which he showed, the father ran and fell upon his neck, and gave him authority over all his wealth? None other but His very Son said these things concerning Him lest we doubt it, and thus He bare witness concerning Him. Where, then, is God's justice, for whilst we were sinners, Christ died for us!"

God is more than "just". God is Pure and Perfect Love.

The Work of the Parish Priest :)

Great joke from Diary of a Suburban Priest via Catholicism Anew:

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.

The Work of the Parish Priest :)

Great joke from Diary of a Suburban Priest via Catholicism Anew:

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.

Which Saint Are You?

This is an odd little quiz about which Saint you may be. All in all, I'm glad I turned out to be Saint Francis of Assisi.


You are Saint Francis of Assisi! You don't care
what you look like (or smell like) as long as
you can live simply and help the poor. You
should be receiving your stigmata any day now.


Which Saint Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Which Saint Are You?

This is an odd little quiz about which Saint you may be. All in all, I'm glad I turned out to be Saint Francis of Assisi.


You are Saint Francis of Assisi! You don't care
what you look like (or smell like) as long as
you can live simply and help the poor. You
should be receiving your stigmata any day now.


Which Saint Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Forgiveness

The blog, Against a Dictatorship of Relativism, has a great post on forgiveness. Forgiveness is, I think, a cornerstone of Christianity and yet is so difficult.

The Zenit article referenced talks about forgiveness from a Catholic as well as from a psychological perspective. Dr. Robert Enright, a psychologist and founder of the International Forgiveness Institute researches the practice of forgiveness. In his interview with Zenit he mentions the steps necessary to forgive.

1. Acknowledge that you have been harmed and are angry.

2. Explore what forgiveness really is and is not. For example, to forgive does not mean to forget the wrong, to condone, excuse or even to reconcile with the wrongdoer. Enright admits, "One can forgive the bully and then watch one's back."

Forgiveness, according to Enright means "to reduce resentment and increase benevolence and love toward someone who was unjust."

3. He recommends "Cognitive Forgiveness" which involves practicing forgiving thoughts about the person who was unjust. It helps, he says, to think of them as a whole person who is not defined by his or her hurtful actions alone. Realize that they are children of God.

6. Emotional forgiveness is the often difficult next step. It entails opening yourself up to feelings of compassion and love toward the other person.

7. The final step is "bearing the pain" of the hurt done towards you. One cannot undo the hurtful act, but we can accept the pain and be a conduit for good for the offender. As Christians, this means identifying with the sufferings of Christ, who bore our pain on the cross.

Christ endured suffering because of our sin. He was innocent. By realizing that Christ has opened up the road before us, we can carry our own cross while on this earth and, with His help, move towards forgiving those who have hurt us.

Forgiveness

The blog, Against a Dictatorship of Relativism, has a great post on forgiveness. Forgiveness is, I think, a cornerstone of Christianity and yet is so difficult.

The Zenit article referenced talks about forgiveness from a Catholic as well as from a psychological perspective. Dr. Robert Enright, a psychologist and founder of the International Forgiveness Institute researches the practice of forgiveness. In his interview with Zenit he mentions the steps necessary to forgive.

1. Acknowledge that you have been harmed and are angry.

2. Explore what forgiveness really is and is not. For example, to forgive does not mean to forget the wrong, to condone, excuse or even to reconcile with the wrongdoer. Enright admits, "One can forgive the bully and then watch one's back."

Forgiveness, according to Enright means "to reduce resentment and increase benevolence and love toward someone who was unjust."

3. He recommends "Cognitive Forgiveness" which involves practicing forgiving thoughts about the person who was unjust. It helps, he says, to think of them as a whole person who is not defined by his or her hurtful actions alone. Realize that they are children of God.

6. Emotional forgiveness is the often difficult next step. It entails opening yourself up to feelings of compassion and love toward the other person.

7. The final step is "bearing the pain" of the hurt done towards you. One cannot undo the hurtful act, but we can accept the pain and be a conduit for good for the offender. As Christians, this means identifying with the sufferings of Christ, who bore our pain on the cross.

Christ endured suffering because of our sin. He was innocent. By realizing that Christ has opened up the road before us, we can carry our own cross while on this earth and, with His help, move towards forgiving those who have hurt us.

Millenial learning differences

I heard something recently that characterized the so-called Millenial Generation, those from elementary age up to recent college graduates, as more like their grandparents (The "Greatest Generation") than their Boomer parents. As an aging Boomer myself, this does my heart good. These kids have seen what a mess we have made of the world and are trying not to make the same mistakes that we did. The Millenial kids I know have big hearts and try hard to please.

The TV program that allerted me to all this said that this generation tends to be overscheduled in an effort to do it all and "be" it all. Fewer children per family puts more pressure on the kids that are there (and were often conceived later in life) to do everything they can to acheive.

I wonder, though, about those for whom traditional "excellence" does not come easy, or perhaps, at all. What about those in the Millenial Generation who struggle to keep up their grades, or can't fit in or afford the back-to-back, lessons-and-sports schedule so prevalent among their peers? How does one measure up in a generation where "all the kids are above average"?

Millenial learning differences

I heard something recently that characterized the so-called Millenial Generation, those from elementary age up to recent college graduates, as more like their grandparents (The "Greatest Generation") than their Boomer parents. As an aging Boomer myself, this does my heart good. These kids have seen what a mess we have made of the world and are trying not to make the same mistakes that we did. The Millenial kids I know have big hearts and try hard to please.

The TV program that allerted me to all this said that this generation tends to be overscheduled in an effort to do it all and "be" it all. Fewer children per family puts more pressure on the kids that are there (and were often conceived later in life) to do everything they can to acheive.

I wonder, though, about those for whom traditional "excellence" does not come easy, or perhaps, at all. What about those in the Millenial Generation who struggle to keep up their grades, or can't fit in or afford the back-to-back, lessons-and-sports schedule so prevalent among their peers? How does one measure up in a generation where "all the kids are above average"?

Dickinson and Denver

In honor of the recently deceased Bob Denver and the great poet, Emily Dickinson, I post the following, with a nod to BQuinnan of Catholic Answers Forum.

Did you know that the tune to Gilligan's Island can be used to sing almost any Emily Dickinson poem? Try it!

"Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility."

I know, I know! A great way to ruin a perfectly good poem! I couldn't resist, though! Here's another:

I died for beauty but was scarce
adjusted in the tomb,
when one who died for truth was lain
in an adjoining room.

He questioned softly why I failed.
"For beauty," I replied.
"And I for truth. Themselves are one.
We brethren are," he said.

And so as kinsman met a night
and talked between the rooms,
until the moss had reached our lips
and covered up our names.

Now that I've forever ruined Emily Dickinson for you, I suggest TRYING to read her poetry without the Gilliganian accompaniment--her stuff is really cool!

Dickinson and Denver

In honor of the recently deceased Bob Denver and the great poet, Emily Dickinson, I post the following, with a nod to BQuinnan of Catholic Answers Forum.

Did you know that the tune to Gilligan's Island can be used to sing almost any Emily Dickinson poem? Try it!

"Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility."

I know, I know! A great way to ruin a perfectly good poem! I couldn't resist, though! Here's another:

I died for beauty but was scarce
adjusted in the tomb,
when one who died for truth was lain
in an adjoining room.

He questioned softly why I failed.
"For beauty," I replied.
"And I for truth. Themselves are one.
We brethren are," he said.

And so as kinsman met a night
and talked between the rooms,
until the moss had reached our lips
and covered up our names.

Now that I've forever ruined Emily Dickinson for you, I suggest TRYING to read her poetry without the Gilliganian accompaniment--her stuff is really cool!

Speak the truth. Vote the truth. Live the truth.

I really didn't want to post this, because it is something I didn't even want to contemplate. However, Yahoo news reports that

A Pentagon planning document being updated to reflect the doctrine of pre-emption declared by President Bush in 2002 envisions the use of nuclear weapons to deter terrorists from using weapons of mass destruction against the United States or its allies.

This is particularly disturbing:

One scenario for a possible nuclear pre-emptive strike in the draft would be in the case of an "imminent attack from adversary biological weapons that only effects from nuclear weapons can safely destroy."

Let's hope, if it ever comes to this, that they have definitive proof that that a biological attack is imminent. Given past history, I don't hold my breath.

As a Catholic, Christian and Spiritual woman, I'm becoming less "political" in the traditional sense. More and more, I see that the 2 major political parties in the U.S. follow the philosophy of "the party, right or wrong." Frankly, I'm sick of hearing it.

I do beleive that voting and involvement is important. I just don't think that it helps to make every serious issue into a partisan shouting match. These days, letting ego get in the way of truth may be deadly.

Speak the truth. Vote the truth. Live the truth.

I really didn't want to post this, because it is something I didn't even want to contemplate. However, Yahoo news reports that

A Pentagon planning document being updated to reflect the doctrine of pre-emption declared by President Bush in 2002 envisions the use of nuclear weapons to deter terrorists from using weapons of mass destruction against the United States or its allies.

This is particularly disturbing:

One scenario for a possible nuclear pre-emptive strike in the draft would be in the case of an "imminent attack from adversary biological weapons that only effects from nuclear weapons can safely destroy."

Let's hope, if it ever comes to this, that they have definitive proof that that a biological attack is imminent. Given past history, I don't hold my breath.

As a Catholic, Christian and Spiritual woman, I'm becoming less "political" in the traditional sense. More and more, I see that the 2 major political parties in the U.S. follow the philosophy of "the party, right or wrong." Frankly, I'm sick of hearing it.

I do beleive that voting and involvement is important. I just don't think that it helps to make every serious issue into a partisan shouting match. These days, letting ego get in the way of truth may be deadly.

Can't let the farmers get ahead!

Time for more PA politics. State House Speaker John M. Perzel, R-Philadelphia thinks this mental gymnastics justifies his self-voted pay raise:

''The people in Lancaster County who milk cows are making $50,000 to $55,000 (a year). ...You are paying a guy who milks cows $55,000, and (they're) saying it's too much to pay a member of the General Assembly half of what a member of Congress makes?''

Grassroots PA reports that Perzel's salary, after the $37,000 raise he voted for himself, will be $145,000. Hmmm....almost three times that $50,000 the "undeserving" dairy farmer in Lancaster County is making.

I say it once again, VOTE THE BUMS OUT!!!

Can't let the farmers get ahead!

Time for more PA politics. State House Speaker John M. Perzel, R-Philadelphia thinks this mental gymnastics justifies his self-voted pay raise:

''The people in Lancaster County who milk cows are making $50,000 to $55,000 (a year). ...You are paying a guy who milks cows $55,000, and (they're) saying it's too much to pay a member of the General Assembly half of what a member of Congress makes?''

Grassroots PA reports that Perzel's salary, after the $37,000 raise he voted for himself, will be $145,000. Hmmm....almost three times that $50,000 the "undeserving" dairy farmer in Lancaster County is making.

I say it once again, VOTE THE BUMS OUT!!!

What kind of cross are you?

I'm so excited!!! I'm the Benedictine cross. What kind of cross are you? Follow the link and check it out!!!


You are the Cross of St. Benedict: This cross is
inscribed with several prayers for holiness and
peace including, -May the holy cross be my
light! May the dragon never be my guide- and -
Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your
vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the
poison yourself!-


What Kind of Cross are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

What kind of cross are you?

I'm so excited!!! I'm the Benedictine cross. What kind of cross are you? Follow the link and check it out!!!


You are the Cross of St. Benedict: This cross is
inscribed with several prayers for holiness and
peace including, -May the holy cross be my
light! May the dragon never be my guide- and -
Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your
vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the
poison yourself!-


What Kind of Cross are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Governmental ineffectiveness

I hate to sound like paranoid Democrat, but I'm truly getting sick of this government. I realize the importance of trying to stave off mass panic during a crisis situation, but I can't respect a government who is either so misinformed that it tells untruths, or deliberately lies to its people. I'm not sure which I dislike more.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, various members of the U.S. government were out toting the "party line" about how everything was under control when it was not.

On Thursday, President Bush said, "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees" when computer models have been forecasting that exact occurrence for decades.

The Moderate Voice says:

the New Orleans Times Picayune published a five-part series on "The Big One," examining what might happen if they did.

It predicted that 200,000 people or more would be unwilling or unable to heed evacuation orders and thousands would die, that people would be housed in the Superdome, that aid workers would find it difficult to gain access to the city as roads became impassable, as well as many other of the consequences that actually unfolded after Katrina hit this week.

In spite of that, former FEMA head Mike Brown said that he was not informed that there were people in the Superdome until Thursday.

Why is it seemingly inherent in government that people not be able to think for themselves? Why must we wait for official word to get help out to people who need it? Why is covering our own hindquarters more important than doing our job?

And, given this inherent lack of effectiveness, who in the world will be worthy to vote for in the next election?!

Governmental ineffectiveness

I hate to sound like paranoid Democrat, but I'm truly getting sick of this government. I realize the importance of trying to stave off mass panic during a crisis situation, but I can't respect a government who is either so misinformed that it tells untruths, or deliberately lies to its people. I'm not sure which I dislike more.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, various members of the U.S. government were out toting the "party line" about how everything was under control when it was not.

On Thursday, President Bush said, "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees" when computer models have been forecasting that exact occurrence for decades.

The Moderate Voice says:

the New Orleans Times Picayune published a five-part series on "The Big One," examining what might happen if they did.

It predicted that 200,000 people or more would be unwilling or unable to heed evacuation orders and thousands would die, that people would be housed in the Superdome, that aid workers would find it difficult to gain access to the city as roads became impassable, as well as many other of the consequences that actually unfolded after Katrina hit this week.

In spite of that, former FEMA head Mike Brown said that he was not informed that there were people in the Superdome until Thursday.

Why is it seemingly inherent in government that people not be able to think for themselves? Why must we wait for official word to get help out to people who need it? Why is covering our own hindquarters more important than doing our job?

And, given this inherent lack of effectiveness, who in the world will be worthy to vote for in the next election?!

Double meaning

It has been pointed out to me that the title of this blog can have a double meaning. It can mean Dymphna's Well in the possessive sense, as it was intended, or it could mean Dymphna is well. I like the positive aspect of the latter interpretation. Certainly food for thought.

Double meaning

It has been pointed out to me that the title of this blog can have a double meaning. It can mean Dymphna's Well in the possessive sense, as it was intended, or it could mean Dymphna is well. I like the positive aspect of the latter interpretation. Certainly food for thought.

France and French

I am going to France in October to see my aunt who is a Petite Soeur des Pauvres, or Little Sister of the Poor. She is celebrating her golden jubilie as a sister. She has been a nun away from her home country for longer than I have been alive. Hard to contemplate.

To me, her life vividly illustrates Jesus' words in the Gospel of Saint Matthew.

Matthew 19:29

And every one that hath left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

She certainly has done that.

In my frantic search for anything to help me brush up on my high school French, I have discovered a Catholic Blog written in French! It's called Approchons-nous de la Table... which means We Approach The Table.

A site like AltaVista's Babel Fish can help you translate anything you can't read in French. Very helpful in translating one's English replies into French, too!

France and French

I am going to France in October to see my aunt who is a Petite Soeur des Pauvres, or Little Sister of the Poor. She is celebrating her golden jubilie as a sister. She has been a nun away from her home country for longer than I have been alive. Hard to contemplate.

To me, her life vividly illustrates Jesus' words in the Gospel of Saint Matthew.

Matthew 19:29

And every one that hath left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

She certainly has done that.

In my frantic search for anything to help me brush up on my high school French, I have discovered a Catholic Blog written in French! It's called Approchons-nous de la Table... which means We Approach The Table.

A site like AltaVista's Babel Fish can help you translate anything you can't read in French. Very helpful in translating one's English replies into French, too!

Under $3!!

Driving back from work this evening, I spotted a gas station in Taneytown, MD selling gas for $2.99 9/10 per gallon.

It sure felt good to see it under $3!!

Color me, thankful!!

Under $3!!

Driving back from work this evening, I spotted a gas station in Taneytown, MD selling gas for $2.99 9/10 per gallon.

It sure felt good to see it under $3!!

Color me, thankful!!

Groovy!

DS and I have been having a wonderful time listening to records--yes, records, not CDs, or tapes, or whatever else they have out there. I have a record collection from DH, my dad and myself. We have organized them into favorites and others, and have been having a great time listening to old Beatles records, PDQ BACH, The Tonight Show Band and numerous 45's. We even found a record of my father's audition for a radio job at WBJC in Baltimore from 1949--ten years before he met my mother.

So its been a trip down memory lane and beyond for both of us!

Groovy!

DS and I have been having a wonderful time listening to records--yes, records, not CDs, or tapes, or whatever else they have out there. I have a record collection from DH, my dad and myself. We have organized them into favorites and others, and have been having a great time listening to old Beatles records, PDQ BACH, The Tonight Show Band and numerous 45's. We even found a record of my father's audition for a radio job at WBJC in Baltimore from 1949--ten years before he met my mother.

So its been a trip down memory lane and beyond for both of us!

Good news--aid from around the world!

We are so blessed! Aid to the Victims of Hurricane Katrina is pouring in from around the globe.


CBS News reports that "more than three dozen countries have offered to help the U.S. in the wake of hurricane Katrina.

Cuba and Venezuela have offered to help despite political differences. The list also includes Canada, Saudi Arabia, Dominica, Russia, France, Japan, China, El Salvador, Israel, Paraguay, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, The Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Korea, New Zealand, Guatemala, Belgium, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Italy, Guyana, Indonesia, Austria, Lithuania, Spain, Norway, the Bahamas
NATO and the Organization of American States."

According to Yahoo News, "The Gulf emirate of Qatar announced it will donate 100 million dollars to relief efforts for the US victims of Hurricane Katrina."

WTOP News says that "Kuwait said Sunday it will donate $500 million in aid to U.S. relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

The offer is the largest known put forward since the hurricane ravaged Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and follows a $100 million aid donation from the emir of a Mideast neighbor, Qatar."

Good news--aid from around the world!

We are so blessed! Aid to the Victims of Hurricane Katrina is pouring in from around the globe.


CBS News reports that "more than three dozen countries have offered to help the U.S. in the wake of hurricane Katrina.

Cuba and Venezuela have offered to help despite political differences. The list also includes Canada, Saudi Arabia, Dominica, Russia, France, Japan, China, El Salvador, Israel, Paraguay, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, The Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Korea, New Zealand, Guatemala, Belgium, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Italy, Guyana, Indonesia, Austria, Lithuania, Spain, Norway, the Bahamas
NATO and the Organization of American States."

According to Yahoo News, "The Gulf emirate of Qatar announced it will donate 100 million dollars to relief efforts for the US victims of Hurricane Katrina."

WTOP News says that "Kuwait said Sunday it will donate $500 million in aid to U.S. relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

The offer is the largest known put forward since the hurricane ravaged Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and follows a $100 million aid donation from the emir of a Mideast neighbor, Qatar."

Some specifics on being prepared

Here is some specific information from Ready.gov on what to include in an emergency preparedness kit. Remember to keep a kit in your car(s) as well as your home.

Emergency Supplies
Water, food, and clean air are the essential items for survival. Each family or individual's kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.

Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit:

* Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
* Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First Aid kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
* Moist towelettes for sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers, and important family documents
* Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Clothing and Bedding:

If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes.

# One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:

* A jacket or coat
* Long pants
* A long sleeve shirt
* Sturdy shoes
* A hat and gloves
* A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

Other items to consider adding to your Supply Kit:

* Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or a print out of this information
* Rain gear
* Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
* Cash or traveler's checks, change
* Paper towels
* Fire Extinguisher
* Tent
* Compass
* Matches in a waterproof container
* Signal flare
* Paper, pencil
* Medicine dropper
* Feminine supplies
* Personal hygiene items
* Disinfectant
* Household chlorine bleach

You can use bleach as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Important Family Documents:

Keep copies of important family records such as insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.

Some specifics on being prepared

Here is some specific information from Ready.gov on what to include in an emergency preparedness kit. Remember to keep a kit in your car(s) as well as your home.

Emergency Supplies
Water, food, and clean air are the essential items for survival. Each family or individual's kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.

Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit:

* Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
* Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First Aid kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
* Moist towelettes for sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers, and important family documents
* Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Clothing and Bedding:

If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes.

# One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:

* A jacket or coat
* Long pants
* A long sleeve shirt
* Sturdy shoes
* A hat and gloves
* A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

Other items to consider adding to your Supply Kit:

* Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or a print out of this information
* Rain gear
* Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
* Cash or traveler's checks, change
* Paper towels
* Fire Extinguisher
* Tent
* Compass
* Matches in a waterproof container
* Signal flare
* Paper, pencil
* Medicine dropper
* Feminine supplies
* Personal hygiene items
* Disinfectant
* Household chlorine bleach

You can use bleach as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Important Family Documents:

Keep copies of important family records such as insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.

Are you prepared at all?

Has anyone else been wondering what you as an individual or family could do to help prepare yourself in the event of a natural disaster? There are things you can do that might make things easier in the event you need to evacuate or "hunker down" in your home for a period of time without electricity.

A helpful website on preparing for such emergencies would be Ready.gov.

Ironically enough, September is National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness month is co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the Red Cross. We have seen the toll a natural disaster takes on these two organizationsa as well as countless others. I think individual preparedness is important for each of us, if only for peace of mind.

Here is some of what Ready.gov suggests:

* Get a Kit - Get a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you and your family to survive for at least three days in the event an emergency happens. The kit should include basic items like water, food, battery powered radio, flash light and a first aid kit. Go to www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org/preparedness for a complete list of recommended supplies.

* Make a Plan - Plan in advance what you and your family will do in an emergency. Your plan should include a communications plan and address sheltering-in-place and evacuation. Go to www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org/preparedness for more information and templates to help get you started.

* Be Informed - Learn more about different threats that could affect your community and appropriate responses to them. Go to www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org/preparedness for more information about natural disasters and potential terrorist threats including biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological emergencies.

* Get Involved - After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies, take the next step: get training in first aid and emergency response and get involved in preparing your community. Citizen Corps provides residents with opportunities to prepare, train and support local emergency responders. Or volunteer through your local American Red Cross chapter. For more information or to get involved visit www.citizencorps.gov to find your local Citizen Corps council or www.redcross.org/preparedness to find your local Red Cross chapter.

We have seen the need for this first hand in the last week. Let's all make sure we are prepared if anything were to happen to us.

Someone over at the Catholic Answers forum has also suggested preparing a "Spiritual Emergency Kit" with things like Holy Water, a small Bible, a Rosary, the Daily Office or other spiritual readings.

Are you prepared at all?

Has anyone else been wondering what you as an individual or family could do to help prepare yourself in the event of a natural disaster? There are things you can do that might make things easier in the event you need to evacuate or "hunker down" in your home for a period of time without electricity.

A helpful website on preparing for such emergencies would be Ready.gov.

Ironically enough, September is National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness month is co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the Red Cross. We have seen the toll a natural disaster takes on these two organizationsa as well as countless others. I think individual preparedness is important for each of us, if only for peace of mind.

Here is some of what Ready.gov suggests:

* Get a Kit - Get a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you and your family to survive for at least three days in the event an emergency happens. The kit should include basic items like water, food, battery powered radio, flash light and a first aid kit. Go to www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org/preparedness for a complete list of recommended supplies.

* Make a Plan - Plan in advance what you and your family will do in an emergency. Your plan should include a communications plan and address sheltering-in-place and evacuation. Go to www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org/preparedness for more information and templates to help get you started.

* Be Informed - Learn more about different threats that could affect your community and appropriate responses to them. Go to www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org/preparedness for more information about natural disasters and potential terrorist threats including biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological emergencies.

* Get Involved - After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies, take the next step: get training in first aid and emergency response and get involved in preparing your community. Citizen Corps provides residents with opportunities to prepare, train and support local emergency responders. Or volunteer through your local American Red Cross chapter. For more information or to get involved visit www.citizencorps.gov to find your local Citizen Corps council or www.redcross.org/preparedness to find your local Red Cross chapter.

We have seen the need for this first hand in the last week. Let's all make sure we are prepared if anything were to happen to us.

Someone over at the Catholic Answers forum has also suggested preparing a "Spiritual Emergency Kit" with things like Holy Water, a small Bible, a Rosary, the Daily Office or other spiritual readings.

Do you believe in "Ambush Theology?"

An article in American Catholic talks about the prevalence of "Ambush Theology" in the world today. This is especially true in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Those who hold to this theory think that God is always waiting in the wings to ambush us for everything we do wrong. Those who believe this point to places in Scripture such as the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy where God lays out a blessing to those who do good and a curse to those who do wrong.

But, as the article points out, "The Bible takes people where they are, with later books often correcting the incomplete views of earlier ones." Later in the Old Testament, Jeremiah asks God why He doesn't strike down evil men. "But God answers in effect, 'You are in over your head, Jeremiah; you have to get beyond the old tit-for-tat theology.'"

Man's understanding of God's ways has developed as the centuries have passed. Jesus addressed this question further in the example of the man born blind. His followers were sure that either the man himself or his parents had sinned in order to merit him being born blind. He tells the crowd:

"His blindness has nothing to do with his sins or his parents' sins. He is blind so that God's power might be seen at work in him" (John 9:2-3).

In this case, "God's power" meant that the man was cured. Is that always the case? Of course not.

Tragedies happen. Where is God then? Sometimes God's power has to work through others (that means us). We can show God's love to those in need.

Christ has no body now but yours
No hands no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which he looks
Compassion on the world
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good
Yours are the hands with which he blesses the world
Yours are the hands
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes.
You are his Body.

Therese of Avila

Do you believe in "Ambush Theology?"

An article in American Catholic talks about the prevalence of "Ambush Theology" in the world today. This is especially true in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Those who hold to this theory think that God is always waiting in the wings to ambush us for everything we do wrong. Those who believe this point to places in Scripture such as the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy where God lays out a blessing to those who do good and a curse to those who do wrong.

But, as the article points out, "The Bible takes people where they are, with later books often correcting the incomplete views of earlier ones." Later in the Old Testament, Jeremiah asks God why He doesn't strike down evil men. "But God answers in effect, 'You are in over your head, Jeremiah; you have to get beyond the old tit-for-tat theology.'"

Man's understanding of God's ways has developed as the centuries have passed. Jesus addressed this question further in the example of the man born blind. His followers were sure that either the man himself or his parents had sinned in order to merit him being born blind. He tells the crowd:

"His blindness has nothing to do with his sins or his parents' sins. He is blind so that God's power might be seen at work in him" (John 9:2-3).

In this case, "God's power" meant that the man was cured. Is that always the case? Of course not.

Tragedies happen. Where is God then? Sometimes God's power has to work through others (that means us). We can show God's love to those in need.

Christ has no body now but yours
No hands no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which he looks
Compassion on the world
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good
Yours are the hands with which he blesses the world
Yours are the hands
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes.
You are his Body.

Therese of Avila