Saint Therese of Lisieux

Tommorow begins a wonderfully full month of beautiful feast days! One of my all time favorite saints is Saint Therese of Lisieux, whose feast day is October 1. Therese was the youngest of 5 sisters who was spoiled and pampered by her pious family.

In spite of the intense love she experienced as part of her upbringing, her young life was not without tragedy. Her mother died of breast cancer when Therese was 4 years old. Her oldest sister, Pauline, became her second mother, but entered the Carmelite cloister 5 years later. Therese was so devastated, that she fell ill, and was thought to be near death. When she heard her sisters asking the Blessed Mother to pray for a cure, Therese looked up at the statue of Mary in her room and noticed Mary smiling at her. She was instantly cured.

Her next 2 sisters, Marie and Leonie, were the next to join the convent. Therese was left alone with her sister Celine and her father. She was her father's favorite, and didn't help out with any of the housework. If she had any inkling that she was being criticized for anything, she would burst into tears.

Therese was interested in following her sisters into the convent, but others questioned her ability to handle the cloistered life because she couldn't even handle her own emotional life. She turned to Christ and prayed for help.

The Christmas when Therese was 14, she returned from Midnight Mass, and went upstairs with Celine to put away their hats. Most children of 14 had long outgrown the French custom of putting out their shoes on Christmas Eve to be filled with gifts, but not Therese. Her father came to the bottom of the stairs, looked at her shoes that were waiting to be filled for presents and said, "I am glad this is the last year I will have to do this."

Celine looked at Therese and waited for the inevitable outburst that never occurred. Christ had answered Therese's prayer by coming into her heart and doing something that she herself could never have done. He kept her calm and filled with His love. She deliberately descended the stairs and exclaimed over the gifts, thanking her father as if she had never heard what he said. From that day on, she never forgot her "Christmas Conversion" experience.

The following year, after having to go the bishop and the pope for permission, Therese entered the convent where she died at the age of 24.

She is often seen as a sometimes sickeningly sweet saint, but she is a model for us Christians in the West who have been given so much, but still must turn to Christ for the will to be generous and gracious instead of spoiled and pouting in the face of all our blessings.

Her "little way" is the perfect way to God for those of us who feel that we are not called, do not have the opportunity, or the wherewithal to do "big things" for God. She literally "offered up" her everyday annoyances to Christ to grow closer to Him.

Her death of tuberculosis came after a struggle with a "Dark Night of the Soul", similar to, although not nearly as long as the one Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta has recently been revealed to have suffered.

The picture above is a photograph of the actual statue that was in Therese's room when she was cured of her illness in May of 1883 from www.TheLittleWay.com.

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, Pray for Us!

Saint Therese of Lisieux

Tommorow begins a wonderfully full month of beautiful feast days! One of my all time favorite saints is Saint Therese of Lisieux, whose feast day is October 1. Therese was the youngest of 5 sisters who was spoiled and pampered by her pious family.

In spite of the intense love she experienced as part of her upbringing, her young life was not without tragedy. Her mother died of breast cancer when Therese was 4 years old. Her oldest sister, Pauline, became her second mother, but entered the Carmelite cloister 5 years later. Therese was so devastated, that she fell ill, and was thought to be near death. When she heard her sisters asking the Blessed Mother to pray for a cure, Therese looked up at the statue of Mary in her room and noticed Mary smiling at her. She was instantly cured.

Her next 2 sisters, Marie and Leonie, were the next to join the convent. Therese was left alone with her sister Celine and her father. She was her father's favorite, and didn't help out with any of the housework. If she had any inkling that she was being criticized for anything, she would burst into tears.

Therese was interested in following her sisters into the convent, but others questioned her ability to handle the cloistered life because she couldn't even handle her own emotional life. She turned to Christ and prayed for help.

The Christmas when Therese was 14, she returned from Midnight Mass, and went upstairs with Celine to put away their hats. Most children of 14 had long outgrown the French custom of putting out their shoes on Christmas Eve to be filled with gifts, but not Therese. Her father came to the bottom of the stairs, looked at her shoes that were waiting to be filled for presents and said, "I am glad this is the last year I will have to do this."

Celine looked at Therese and waited for the inevitable outburst that never occurred. Christ had answered Therese's prayer by coming into her heart and doing something that she herself could never have done. He kept her calm and filled with His love. She deliberately descended the stairs and exclaimed over the gifts, thanking her father as if she had never heard what he said. From that day on, she never forgot her "Christmas Conversion" experience.

The following year, after having to go the bishop and the pope for permission, Therese entered the convent where she died at the age of 24.

She is often seen as a sometimes sickeningly sweet saint, but she is a model for us Christians in the West who have been given so much, but still must turn to Christ for the will to be generous and gracious instead of spoiled and pouting in the face of all our blessings.

Her "little way" is the perfect way to God for those of us who feel that we are not called, do not have the opportunity, or the wherewithal to do "big things" for God. She literally "offered up" her everyday annoyances to Christ to grow closer to Him.

Her death of tuberculosis came after a struggle with a "Dark Night of the Soul", similar to, although not nearly as long as the one Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta has recently been revealed to have suffered.

The picture above is a photograph of the actual statue that was in Therese's room when she was cured of her illness in May of 1883 from www.TheLittleWay.com.

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, Pray for Us!

Which ice cream are you?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Which ice cream are you?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Mathetes Award

Rachi and Divine Mercy have both nominated me for the Mathetes Award for excellence in Discipleship. I am humbled and grateful. I hereby pass this award onto:

• Suzi at Sailing by Starlight for one of the most beautiful and uplifting blogs out there.

• Thomas Fitzpatrick at Recta Ratio for his untiring dedication to Catholic history and tradition.

• Diana at St. Fiacre's Garden for her daily dedication to the Lord through her family.

• Deacon Harry at Dolorosa Journal for his web ministry to those suffering from mental illness and their families.

• Syrian Catholic at Ecce Agnus Dei for his dedication to the Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform in the Church.

These five nominated people are to pass this award onto five others, mentioning the person or people that nominated them.

Mathetes Award

Rachi and Divine Mercy have both nominated me for the Mathetes Award for excellence in Discipleship. I am humbled and grateful. I hereby pass this award onto:

• Suzi at Sailing by Starlight for one of the most beautiful and uplifting blogs out there.

• Thomas Fitzpatrick at Recta Ratio for his untiring dedication to Catholic history and tradition.

• Diana at St. Fiacre's Garden for her daily dedication to the Lord through her family.

• Deacon Harry at Dolorosa Journal for his web ministry to those suffering from mental illness and their families.

• Syrian Catholic at Ecce Agnus Dei for his dedication to the Liturgy and the Reform of the Reform in the Church.

These five nominated people are to pass this award onto five others, mentioning the person or people that nominated them.

Saint Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Saturday is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. St. Michael is a powerful protector against Satan. St. Gabriel is the angel who appeared to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. His words to her have come down through the centuries as the "Hail Mary" and are said by Catholics throughout the world today. St. Raphael appeared to Tobias and healed him and is known as a powerful agent for God's healing.

Prayers for the Feast day
St. Michael's prayer is a very powerful one when you are feeling spiritually attacked and was traditionally said after Mass.

St. 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 in to hell, Satan and all the evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
~Amen

For St. Gabriel, the Angelus is a prayer that retells the story of the Annunciation and reminds us of the source of our salvation.

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

~Amen.

---

Here is a prayer to St. Raphael for healing.

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

~Amen.

Saint Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Saturday is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. St. Michael is a powerful protector against Satan. St. Gabriel is the angel who appeared to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. His words to her have come down through the centuries as the "Hail Mary" and are said by Catholics throughout the world today. St. Raphael appeared to Tobias and healed him and is known as a powerful agent for God's healing.

Prayers for the Feast day
St. Michael's prayer is a very powerful one when you are feeling spiritually attacked and was traditionally said after Mass.

St. 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 in to hell, Satan and all the evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
~Amen

For St. Gabriel, the Angelus is a prayer that retells the story of the Annunciation and reminds us of the source of our salvation.

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

~Amen.

---

Here is a prayer to St. Raphael for healing.

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

~Amen.

Saint Wenceslaus

Today is the feast of Saint Wenceslaus, imortalized in these Christmas carol lyrics.

Good King Wenceslaus 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, gathering winter fuel.

Hither page and stand by me if thou knowst 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 pinelogs hither Thou and I will see him dine when we bear them thither Page and monarch forth they went, forth they went together Through the rude winds 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.

Saint Wenceslaus

Today is the feast of Saint Wenceslaus, imortalized in these Christmas carol lyrics.

Good King Wenceslaus 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, gathering winter fuel.

Hither page and stand by me if thou knowst 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 pinelogs hither Thou and I will see him dine when we bear them thither Page and monarch forth they went, forth they went together Through the rude winds 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.

Saints with issues

Today is the feast of Sts. Cosmos and Damien.

Poor Damien never gets called "Saint Damien" because he always comes after his brother Cosmos.

They were twins. Par for the course. Poor guy.

Perhaps he can be the patron of twins with issues.

Saints with issues

Today is the feast of Sts. Cosmos and Damien.

Poor Damien never gets called "Saint Damien" because he always comes after his brother Cosmos.

They were twins. Par for the course. Poor guy.

Perhaps he can be the patron of twins with issues.

Shine on, shine on, harvest moon

Tonight is the harvest moon. It is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Go outside tonight and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Shine on, shine on, harvest moon

Tonight is the harvest moon. It is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Go outside tonight and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Flowers

I went nuts buying purple mums today. I'm not sure if I will plant them or leave them in the pots. Sadly, the picture here is not an actual shot of my garden, because my cell phone has decided to stop sending pictures to my email address. This is the entire reason I got a new cell phone--to be able to send myself pictures for posting. Oh well. I shouldn't have dropped such an obviously delicate device.

Anyway, the mums are pretty.

Flowers

I went nuts buying purple mums today. I'm not sure if I will plant them or leave them in the pots. Sadly, the picture here is not an actual shot of my garden, because my cell phone has decided to stop sending pictures to my email address. This is the entire reason I got a new cell phone--to be able to send myself pictures for posting. Oh well. I shouldn't have dropped such an obviously delicate device.

Anyway, the mums are pretty.

No Fun For Me

Here I sit,

writing on my blog,

when dh is in a skybox

at Camden Yards....

*Sigh*...

No Fun For Me

Here I sit,

writing on my blog,

when dh is in a skybox

at Camden Yards....

*Sigh*...

Novena to Your Guardian Angel

October 2 is the feast of the Guardian Angels. Although, I am a day late in starting this, this is a novena to one's guardian angel, which, if begun yesterday (sorry!) would have ended on the feast day. But, I am a believer in prayer and so, I decided to post it anyway.

A Novena is said for 9 consecutive days.

Novena Prayer To Your Guardian Angel

O Holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct,

And who assists me in all wants and comforts me in all my afflictions, who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors, I return thee profound thanks,

And I earnestly beseech thee, O most amiable protector, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies.

Keep me away from all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice.

In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me the favor which I ask for by this novena. (Here mention your petition.) Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life, but more especially at the hour of my death, and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the presence of my Creator in the mansions of everlasting happiness. Amen

Novena to Your Guardian Angel

October 2 is the feast of the Guardian Angels. Although, I am a day late in starting this, this is a novena to one's guardian angel, which, if begun yesterday (sorry!) would have ended on the feast day. But, I am a believer in prayer and so, I decided to post it anyway.

A Novena is said for 9 consecutive days.

Novena Prayer To Your Guardian Angel

O Holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct,

And who assists me in all wants and comforts me in all my afflictions, who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors, I return thee profound thanks,

And I earnestly beseech thee, O most amiable protector, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies.

Keep me away from all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice.

In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me the favor which I ask for by this novena. (Here mention your petition.) Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life, but more especially at the hour of my death, and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the presence of my Creator in the mansions of everlasting happiness. Amen

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

(I just read this on a board I frequent.)

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl .She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the
situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee
bean?

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

(I just read this on a board I frequent.)

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl .She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the
situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee
bean?

Sleeping With Bread

Today, I am grateful for all those who came before me who sacrificed for me.

Sacrificial love is a concept that I think, few have today. We, as a society, are so hell-bent on fulfilling ourselves, that we barely notice the other person until, often, it is too late, and they are gone.

The virtue of "longsuffering", a fruit of the Spirit, is one that is often hard won and difficult. To love sacrificially means going through the pain because of that love. It means, often, not doing something, not pointing your life in a direction that you might want it to go in, because, to do so, would not be for the good of the other.

True love is sacrificial. True love is nothing more than desiring the true and complete good for the other, no matter where that might leave you.

True Love was shown on the cross.

Sleeping With Bread

Today, I am grateful for all those who came before me who sacrificed for me.

Sacrificial love is a concept that I think, few have today. We, as a society, are so hell-bent on fulfilling ourselves, that we barely notice the other person until, often, it is too late, and they are gone.

The virtue of "longsuffering", a fruit of the Spirit, is one that is often hard won and difficult. To love sacrificially means going through the pain because of that love. It means, often, not doing something, not pointing your life in a direction that you might want it to go in, because, to do so, would not be for the good of the other.

True love is sacrificial. True love is nothing more than desiring the true and complete good for the other, no matter where that might leave you.

True Love was shown on the cross.

RIP Marcel Marceau

Marcel Marceau, French mime, is dead at the age of 84.

RIP Marcel Marceau

Marcel Marceau, French mime, is dead at the age of 84.

Answer me this

There is a cemetery on the way to our parish. I have noticed, aside from the usual flowers in various states of aliveness, that people have taken to putting glow in the dark crosses on their loved ones' graves. WHY IS THIS NECESSARY? I am truly perplexed as to the need for this. While I understand the wish to leave flowers, holy cards, letters, or other remembrances on a loved one's grave, my confusion on the glow in the dark crosses is two fold.

First, if the gravestone itself has a cross or other religious symbol on it, why the need to repeat it? This one, I actually can wrap my mind around. Anyone who has been to my house would be forgiven for wondering why I feel it is necessary to have yet another icon or statue of Our Lady when there are so many already there.

However, I truly don't get the glow in the dark part. Does one have a glow in the dark cross on a grave to show the deceased the way out? Or, perhaps it is to show the Lord the way in? Is it for the living who want to visit the grave in the middle of the night in the pitch dark?!?

I honestly don't know.

Answer me this

There is a cemetery on the way to our parish. I have noticed, aside from the usual flowers in various states of aliveness, that people have taken to putting glow in the dark crosses on their loved ones' graves. WHY IS THIS NECESSARY? I am truly perplexed as to the need for this. While I understand the wish to leave flowers, holy cards, letters, or other remembrances on a loved one's grave, my confusion on the glow in the dark crosses is two fold.

First, if the gravestone itself has a cross or other religious symbol on it, why the need to repeat it? This one, I actually can wrap my mind around. Anyone who has been to my house would be forgiven for wondering why I feel it is necessary to have yet another icon or statue of Our Lady when there are so many already there.

However, I truly don't get the glow in the dark part. Does one have a glow in the dark cross on a grave to show the deceased the way out? Or, perhaps it is to show the Lord the way in? Is it for the living who want to visit the grave in the middle of the night in the pitch dark?!?

I honestly don't know.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.

Wild cheers go out to Dolorosa Journal for pointing out, well in advance of the day, or in this case, the week, that October 7-13 will be Mental Illness Awareness week.

Tuesday, October 9, will be the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding. On that day, if your community does not sponsor something specific to raise awareness of the plight of mental illness, stop by your local house of worship to pray, light a candle, and lift up the pain in your life caused by mental illness to our God, who always hears us.

Online resources include NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Hope to Healing, founded by Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler and Mental Health Ministries, founded by a Methodist minister who has also suffered from depression.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.

Wild cheers go out to Dolorosa Journal for pointing out, well in advance of the day, or in this case, the week, that October 7-13 will be Mental Illness Awareness week.

Tuesday, October 9, will be the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding. On that day, if your community does not sponsor something specific to raise awareness of the plight of mental illness, stop by your local house of worship to pray, light a candle, and lift up the pain in your life caused by mental illness to our God, who always hears us.

Online resources include NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Hope to Healing, founded by Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler and Mental Health Ministries, founded by a Methodist minister who has also suffered from depression.

DIY Fashion

I know I'm way too old for this, but I've become fascinated by the DIY fashion movement. Apparently, the "younger" generation is rightly tired of being "told" what to wear by the fashion industry and corporate big business. That, coupled with a love of the environment, which translates into a reluctance to continue America's current love of throw away culture, equals a movement to individualize one's own environment, starting with the clothes on one's back.

Young people have figured out that fashion (and many other things) can be had for free, or very cheap, and individualized in a creative and fulfilling way. What's not to like?!

At the forefront of this movement is Threadbanger.com, a young, edgy website that shows DIY-ers how to do everything from design their own clothing, to make their own backpacks. Their how-to videos are posted on their website, as well as on YouTube. They even have a forum where people send in their own DIY ideas.

I will be the first to admit that many of these ideas are not new. The current vid on Threadbanger, which shows how to make a purse out of an old pair of jeans, is something I remember doing as a young teen.

The idea of reusing those ubiquitous plastic grocery bags is something my own dear mother in law used to do, much to the chagrin of a few of her children. She would wash out and reuse plastic sandwich bags, a trait that was easily explained by her growing up in New England during the Great Depression. Were she alive today, she would probably be intrigued, as I was, to learn of the possibility of crocheting a beach bag (or a throw rug) out of plastic bags! Ingenious!


Here is the latest Threadbanger video showing you how to make a purse out of old jeans. Does anyone else remember doing this as a teenager?!

DIY Fashion

I know I'm way too old for this, but I've become fascinated by the DIY fashion movement. Apparently, the "younger" generation is rightly tired of being "told" what to wear by the fashion industry and corporate big business. That, coupled with a love of the environment, which translates into a reluctance to continue America's current love of throw away culture, equals a movement to individualize one's own environment, starting with the clothes on one's back.

Young people have figured out that fashion (and many other things) can be had for free, or very cheap, and individualized in a creative and fulfilling way. What's not to like?!

At the forefront of this movement is Threadbanger.com, a young, edgy website that shows DIY-ers how to do everything from design their own clothing, to make their own backpacks. Their how-to videos are posted on their website, as well as on YouTube. They even have a forum where people send in their own DIY ideas.

I will be the first to admit that many of these ideas are not new. The current vid on Threadbanger, which shows how to make a purse out of an old pair of jeans, is something I remember doing as a young teen.

The idea of reusing those ubiquitous plastic grocery bags is something my own dear mother in law used to do, much to the chagrin of a few of her children. She would wash out and reuse plastic sandwich bags, a trait that was easily explained by her growing up in New England during the Great Depression. Were she alive today, she would probably be intrigued, as I was, to learn of the possibility of crocheting a beach bag (or a throw rug) out of plastic bags! Ingenious!


Here is the latest Threadbanger video showing you how to make a purse out of old jeans. Does anyone else remember doing this as a teenager?!

Sleeping With Bread

Its that time again! Its time for the Sleeping With Bread post. Today, I am thankful for changes in weather. I am thankful for the onset of Autumn weather with its coolness and its motivating qualities.

In the Byzantine tradition, the New Year starts in the fall, which I think, is fitting. When the weather gets cooler, more can get done, at least by those of us plagued by constant sweating otherwise.

I am thankful for the fall--for the changes in color, changes in temperature, and changes in daily rhythm.

Sleeping With Bread

Its that time again! Its time for the Sleeping With Bread post. Today, I am thankful for changes in weather. I am thankful for the onset of Autumn weather with its coolness and its motivating qualities.

In the Byzantine tradition, the New Year starts in the fall, which I think, is fitting. When the weather gets cooler, more can get done, at least by those of us plagued by constant sweating otherwise.

I am thankful for the fall--for the changes in color, changes in temperature, and changes in daily rhythm.

Byzantine Liturgy

I just got back from a Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. What an uplifting experience! It is obvious, in this liturgy, that we are in the Presence of God. Before recieving communion, the congregation sings,

O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the World to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mysteries to our enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief will I confess to You.

Remember me, O Lord, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, O Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, O Holy One, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

May the partaking of your holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment, or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your most precious Body and Your life-giving Blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen

O God, be merciful to me a sinner.

God, cleanse my sins and have mercy on me.

O Lord forgive me for I have sinned without number.

It makes me sad for all parishes whose liturgy is about "us" instead of God. It makes me sad for the distance that so many of us in the Church have fallen.

May God have mercy on us.

Byzantine Liturgy

I just got back from a Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. What an uplifting experience! It is obvious, in this liturgy, that we are in the Presence of God. Before recieving communion, the congregation sings,

O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the World to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mysteries to our enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief will I confess to You.

Remember me, O Lord, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, O Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, O Holy One, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

May the partaking of your holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment, or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your most precious Body and Your life-giving Blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen

O God, be merciful to me a sinner.

God, cleanse my sins and have mercy on me.

O Lord forgive me for I have sinned without number.

It makes me sad for all parishes whose liturgy is about "us" instead of God. It makes me sad for the distance that so many of us in the Church have fallen.

May God have mercy on us.

in a daze--
life without taste
or smell

new diet
orange juice and chicken soup
waiting to breathe

no poems
my head is too stuffed
with crap

Come, Let Us Adore Him

Hat tip to Recta Ratio for this beautiful adoration picture from Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne d'Auray in France.

Its hauntingly beautiful and captures the sense of holiness that surrounds the Blessed Sacrament.

Come, Let Us Adore Him

Hat tip to Recta Ratio for this beautiful adoration picture from Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne d'Auray in France.

Its hauntingly beautiful and captures the sense of holiness that surrounds the Blessed Sacrament.

:(

I have a cold. Or the flu. Or something. Its been teasing me for a couple of days. First I thought maybe it was an allergy. I've been living on Airborne, but, this time the cold merely laughed.

My body hurts. My eyes hurt. After work, I'm coming home and going to bed.

:(

I have a cold. Or the flu. Or something. Its been teasing me for a couple of days. First I thought maybe it was an allergy. I've been living on Airborne, but, this time the cold merely laughed.

My body hurts. My eyes hurt. After work, I'm coming home and going to bed.

RIP Alex

Alex, the mathematical African Grey parrot, has died at the age of 31. Researchers at Brandeis University say they don't know the cause of death for the famous bird, who could count to 6, name 7 colors, 5 shapes and express frustration. The average life span for these birds is 50 years.

Alex was purchased at a pet shop in 1973 by scientist Irene Pepperberg, who claims that Alex had not yet reached his full cognitive potential.

Here is a very short YouTube video featuring Alex.

RIP Alex

Alex, the mathematical African Grey parrot, has died at the age of 31. Researchers at Brandeis University say they don't know the cause of death for the famous bird, who could count to 6, name 7 colors, 5 shapes and express frustration. The average life span for these birds is 50 years.

Alex was purchased at a pet shop in 1973 by scientist Irene Pepperberg, who claims that Alex had not yet reached his full cognitive potential.

Here is a very short YouTube video featuring Alex.

I am an Echinacea What Flower Are You?

I am an Echinacea What Flower Are You?

Pray for Peace

On this anniversary of the September 11th attacks, let us pray for those who are different from us in any way. Different in beliefs, different in appearance, different in physical or mental health.

Pray for Peace

On this anniversary of the September 11th attacks, let us pray for those who are different from us in any way. Different in beliefs, different in appearance, different in physical or mental health.

Sleeping With Bread

Today I am thankful for my faith. It is easy, when you are raised in a particular faith, to take it for granted. I am so happy I found my way back to the Church. I am also thankful for the Internet, where I can find information and network with other and learn about my faith.

Sleeping With Bread

Today I am thankful for my faith. It is easy, when you are raised in a particular faith, to take it for granted. I am so happy I found my way back to the Church. I am also thankful for the Internet, where I can find information and network with other and learn about my faith.

Three people who need prayers

I have three people I would like to ask everyone to pray for today.

Please pray for Miranda, from the NFP board. She is in the hospital. After trying to conceive, she is now facing a possible ectopic pregnancy.

The other two people are both friends of LifeisGreat, a frequent poster on this board and good friend.

The first is Kathy. Kathy lives with a hearing loss and is now battling multiple eye surgeries as well.

The next one is Larry. He is a former neighbor of LIG and is in the hospital because of pain related to cancer.

Please pray for all these people and their families. Pray that Our Lady will wrap her mantle of comfort around them all.

Three people who need prayers

I have three people I would like to ask everyone to pray for today.

Please pray for Miranda, from the NFP board. She is in the hospital. After trying to conceive, she is now facing a possible ectopic pregnancy.

The other two people are both friends of LifeisGreat, a frequent poster on this board and good friend.

The first is Kathy. Kathy lives with a hearing loss and is now battling multiple eye surgeries as well.

The next one is Larry. He is a former neighbor of LIG and is in the hospital because of pain related to cancer.

Please pray for all these people and their families. Pray that Our Lady will wrap her mantle of comfort around them all.

The Mother Teresa Controversy

In order to maintain my tenuous hold on sanity, I have been dutifully avoiding most secular media. I have, however, gotten a tiny smattering of the hogwash going around about Blessed Mother Teresa.

She wrote letters to her confessor, which have been recently published and show her fifty year period of feeling that God was not present in her prayer life.

There are those who now say she should not be canonized, and even that she was an atheist.

Balderdash. This happened to many, many saints. It is called "the Dark Night of the Soul." Mother Teresa persevered for FIFTY YEARS, feeding the poor and marginalized in India, with NO inner consolation from God. If that is not faith, I don't know what is.

Saints, Christians, are not necessarily overly smiley people for whom life always goes swimmingly. That is a misconception. God does not promise that life with Him, in this world, will be all sweetness and light, much less emotional (or even financial) prosperity.

Stuff happens. God is there, whether we feel Him or not.

The Mother Teresa Controversy

In order to maintain my tenuous hold on sanity, I have been dutifully avoiding most secular media. I have, however, gotten a tiny smattering of the hogwash going around about Blessed Mother Teresa.

She wrote letters to her confessor, which have been recently published and show her fifty year period of feeling that God was not present in her prayer life.

There are those who now say she should not be canonized, and even that she was an atheist.

Balderdash. This happened to many, many saints. It is called "the Dark Night of the Soul." Mother Teresa persevered for FIFTY YEARS, feeding the poor and marginalized in India, with NO inner consolation from God. If that is not faith, I don't know what is.

Saints, Christians, are not necessarily overly smiley people for whom life always goes swimmingly. That is a misconception. God does not promise that life with Him, in this world, will be all sweetness and light, much less emotional (or even financial) prosperity.

Stuff happens. God is there, whether we feel Him or not.

How God Cooks

Quote heard today on The Catholic Channel:

"I know we live in a fast food culture, but God uses a crock pot."
~Father Leo Patalinghug

www.gracebeforemeals.com

How God Cooks

Quote heard today on The Catholic Channel:

"I know we live in a fast food culture, but God uses a crock pot."
~Father Leo Patalinghug

www.gracebeforemeals.com

RIP Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L'Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time, died today at the age of 88.

A Wrinkle in Time has been popular since its publication in 1962 and its main characters, Meg and Charles Wallace have fascinated readers since then.

I will confess to having read and enjoyed it around 6th grade, I think, although much of it went over my head at the time.

Did anyone else out there read A Wrinkle in Time? Any memories?

From what I remember, the character of Charles Wallace was an close look at a vulnerable, yet very gifted kid, (written during a time before many kids who fell outside of the "mainstream" were focused on officially at all) who is looked after zealously by his big sister Meg, especially during the absence of their father who is missing after doing some space-time continuum research.

Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Witch, are the characters that perplexed me as a kid. I remember they do know about what happened to Meg's father and that they understand the whole technology of "tesseracting" or time traveling. I do remember that they meet some interesting extraterrestrial life in their travels around the universe.


Wow. And you thought you'd never need the skill of being able to BS a book report thirty some years after reading the book!!!

By the way, the picture of the book at the top of the page is the cover as it appeared when I read it.