A Song A Day Blog--check it out!

What a perfect idea for a blog!! Catherine has a new blog called A Song A Day. Each day not only has a song "that every American should recognize", it also has a historical fact that occurred on that day and is somehow related to the song. What a joy this blog is! Genius!

My favorite so far: January 24, the day gold was discovered in Sutter's Creek. Song of the day? Puttin' on the Ritz.


Hat tip to Catholic Fire

A Song A Day Blog--check it out!

What a perfect idea for a blog!! Catherine has a new blog called A Song A Day. Each day not only has a song "that every American should recognize", it also has a historical fact that occurred on that day and is somehow related to the song. What a joy this blog is! Genius!

My favorite so far: January 24, the day gold was discovered in Sutter's Creek. Song of the day? Puttin' on the Ritz.


Hat tip to Catholic Fire

Do you hunger for God's house?

"I will not enter the house

where I live,

nor lie on the couch

where I sleep;

I will give my eyes no sleep,

my eyelids no rest,

Till I find a home for the LORD,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

Let us enter God's dwelling;

let us worship at God's footstool."

"Arise, LORD, come to Your resting place,

You and Your majestic ark.

Your priests will be clothed with justice;

Your faithful will shout for joy."

~Psalm 132: 3-9

Do you hunger for God's house?

"I will not enter the house

where I live,

nor lie on the couch

where I sleep;

I will give my eyes no sleep,

my eyelids no rest,

Till I find a home for the LORD,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

Let us enter God's dwelling;

let us worship at God's footstool."

"Arise, LORD, come to Your resting place,

You and Your majestic ark.

Your priests will be clothed with justice;

Your faithful will shout for joy."

~Psalm 132: 3-9

Thrift Store Inspirations

Today I got a bunch of material and yarn from the thrift store, including this white lace and this soft tan material. A dye bath of black tea later, and the lace matches the material. Sew it together, add a button and snap, and I have a neck warmer.

Thrift Store Inspirations

Today I got a bunch of material and yarn from the thrift store, including this white lace and this soft tan material. A dye bath of black tea later, and the lace matches the material. Sew it together, add a button and snap, and I have a neck warmer.

Newest creation

I started crocheting this for my dining room table, but it didn't "expand" quickly enough to work on a bigger surface, so I'm using it to cover a stool that we use as a side table.

Newest creation

I started crocheting this for my dining room table, but it didn't "expand" quickly enough to work on a bigger surface, so I'm using it to cover a stool that we use as a side table.

Are you wired for creativity?

70%

Are you wired for creativity?

70%

World Communications Day--calling for media change

The theme for this year's World Communications Day is, The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service.Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others. Pope Benedict has released remarks for the event, which is on May 4th.

"We must ask," the Holy Father insists, "whether it is wise to allow the instruments of social communication to be exploited for indiscriminate 'self-promotion' or to end up in the hands of those who use them to manipulate consciences.

"Today," he points out, "communication seems increasingly to claim not simply to represent reality, but to determine it. ...in certain situations the media are used not for the proper purpose of disseminating information, but to 'create' events." (underlined emphasis mine)

Pope Benedict calls this a "dangerous change" that has been "noted with concern by many Church leaders" and calls for a complete change in the present focus of the media, away from promoting materialism and moral relativism and towards a "media ethic" that promotes the dignity of all humanity.

How can this be done? First, by not supporting the existing media. Within the next year or two, televisions using old technology will no longer work without technical adaptations. This is a good time to consider your television diet. Do you need a tv at all? Do you need as many as you currently have? Perhaps this Lent is a good time to go on a "media diet".

Second, support alternate media. There are many good Catholic media organizations out there as well as good internet blogs of all kinds that don't pander to the materialistic culture of death.

Find them. Support them. Start one.

Some to consider: EWTN, Ave Maria Radio, The Catholic Channel, and Saint Michael's Media.

World Communications Day--calling for media change

The theme for this year's World Communications Day is, The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service.Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others. Pope Benedict has released remarks for the event, which is on May 4th.

"We must ask," the Holy Father insists, "whether it is wise to allow the instruments of social communication to be exploited for indiscriminate 'self-promotion' or to end up in the hands of those who use them to manipulate consciences.

"Today," he points out, "communication seems increasingly to claim not simply to represent reality, but to determine it. ...in certain situations the media are used not for the proper purpose of disseminating information, but to 'create' events." (underlined emphasis mine)

Pope Benedict calls this a "dangerous change" that has been "noted with concern by many Church leaders" and calls for a complete change in the present focus of the media, away from promoting materialism and moral relativism and towards a "media ethic" that promotes the dignity of all humanity.

How can this be done? First, by not supporting the existing media. Within the next year or two, televisions using old technology will no longer work without technical adaptations. This is a good time to consider your television diet. Do you need a tv at all? Do you need as many as you currently have? Perhaps this Lent is a good time to go on a "media diet".

Second, support alternate media. There are many good Catholic media organizations out there as well as good internet blogs of all kinds that don't pander to the materialistic culture of death.

Find them. Support them. Start one.

Some to consider: EWTN, Ave Maria Radio, The Catholic Channel, and Saint Michael's Media.

Day of Penance for Life

For forty years I loathed that generation,
And said they are a people who err in their heart,
And they do not know My ways.
Therefore I swore in My anger,
Truly they shall not enter into My rest.
~Psalm 95:10

Today is the 35th Anniversary of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court decision allowing abortion throughout all 9 months of pregnancy in the United States. Yes, abortion is legal through the 9th month of pregnancy here, a fact that many in the U.S. don't even realize.

The U.S. Bishops have designated today a day of penance for the sin of taking pre-born life.

In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 22 of the “Masses for Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373

Sweet Jesus, have mercy on us.

Day of Penance for Life

For forty years I loathed that generation,
And said they are a people who err in their heart,
And they do not know My ways.
Therefore I swore in My anger,
Truly they shall not enter into My rest.
~Psalm 95:10

Today is the 35th Anniversary of Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court decision allowing abortion throughout all 9 months of pregnancy in the United States. Yes, abortion is legal through the 9th month of pregnancy here, a fact that many in the U.S. don't even realize.

The U.S. Bishops have designated today a day of penance for the sin of taking pre-born life.

In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” (no. 22 of the “Masses for Various Needs”) should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373

Sweet Jesus, have mercy on us.

What classic sitcom character are you?

What classic sitcom character are you?

Lucy Ricardo
Take this quiz!








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What classic sitcom character are you?

What classic sitcom character are you?

Lucy Ricardo
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Pray for Christian Unity

I'm late on this one this year. This is (almost "was") the Week of Christian Unity. Jesus' Holy Will is for Christians to be one body in Him.

May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you.

~John 17:21

Let us join Our Lord in prayer "that they all may be one."

Pray for Christian Unity

I'm late on this one this year. This is (almost "was") the Week of Christian Unity. Jesus' Holy Will is for Christians to be one body in Him.

May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you.

~John 17:21

Let us join Our Lord in prayer "that they all may be one."

A Man of God

Here is part of a speech that Pope Benedict XVI *would* have given to a Roman university had leftist protests not prevented it:

What does the Pope have to do or say in a university? He certainly should not try to impose in an authoritarian manner his faith on others, which can only be freely offered. ...it is his task to keep alive man’s responsiveness to the truth. Similarly he must again and always invite reason to seek out truth, goodness and God, and on this path urge it to see the useful lights that emerged during the history of the Christian faith and perceive Jesus Christ as the light that illuminates history and helps find the way towards the future.

Wow. Their anti-Catholic prejudice prevented them from hearing wise words of a learned professor and man of God.

A Man of God

Here is part of a speech that Pope Benedict XVI *would* have given to a Roman university had leftist protests not prevented it:

What does the Pope have to do or say in a university? He certainly should not try to impose in an authoritarian manner his faith on others, which can only be freely offered. ...it is his task to keep alive man’s responsiveness to the truth. Similarly he must again and always invite reason to seek out truth, goodness and God, and on this path urge it to see the useful lights that emerged during the history of the Christian faith and perceive Jesus Christ as the light that illuminates history and helps find the way towards the future.

Wow. Their anti-Catholic prejudice prevented them from hearing wise words of a learned professor and man of God.

Adoration

One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

~Psalm 27

Adoration

One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

~Psalm 27

Special Intention--PRAISE UPDATE!!

Update: DS and I went to the hospital this afternoon to visit Father Sigfried. We got there just as he was coming out of recovery for gallbladder surgery. Miraculously, we were able to see him and speak with him. When he saw ds was there, he immediately raised his hand and made the sign of the cross in blessing. Medically, he had been responding to medicine, but they decided to take his gallbladder out anyway. They had originally planned on transporting him to Hershey medical center, but it was a blessing that he could stay in Gettysburg where parishioners could be there for him. God's hand has certainly been in this situation from the first.



I would like to ask you all to please pray for our pastor, Fr. Sigfried. We just found out this morning that he has been in intensive care at Gettysburg hospital for a week with an inflammation/infection of the pancreas.

He is a late vocation; he's been a priest for only 9 years and is in his early 60's. He really has a heart for Christ, especially in the Blessed Sacrament.

(He's pictured here on the left.)

Special Intention--PRAISE UPDATE!!

Update: DS and I went to the hospital this afternoon to visit Father Sigfried. We got there just as he was coming out of recovery for gallbladder surgery. Miraculously, we were able to see him and speak with him. When he saw ds was there, he immediately raised his hand and made the sign of the cross in blessing. Medically, he had been responding to medicine, but they decided to take his gallbladder out anyway. They had originally planned on transporting him to Hershey medical center, but it was a blessing that he could stay in Gettysburg where parishioners could be there for him. God's hand has certainly been in this situation from the first.



I would like to ask you all to please pray for our pastor, Fr. Sigfried. We just found out this morning that he has been in intensive care at Gettysburg hospital for a week with an inflammation/infection of the pancreas.

He is a late vocation; he's been a priest for only 9 years and is in his early 60's. He really has a heart for Christ, especially in the Blessed Sacrament.

(He's pictured here on the left.)

Have a cup of tea!

As you can see from my sidebar, January is national hot tea month.

Ok, its 65 degrees out there today, but, hey, tea is good for you and warms you through and through.

I thought I'd post a picture of my new tea pot that dh and I got last weekend. I've already used it a few times and am trying not to crack it with boiling water.

It's nice nice to have a beautiful tea pot to use.

Have a cup of tea!

As you can see from my sidebar, January is national hot tea month.

Ok, its 65 degrees out there today, but, hey, tea is good for you and warms you through and through.

I thought I'd post a picture of my new tea pot that dh and I got last weekend. I've already used it a few times and am trying not to crack it with boiling water.

It's nice nice to have a beautiful tea pot to use.

Follow the star

Follow the star

Epiphany memories

Ah, Epiphany.

Seventeen years ago today, my dh and I were in Redeemer Lutheran Church in Baltimore, watching our 2 year old son carry the Baby Jesus up the aisle for his day care Epiphany pageant. (The director had wisely decided to postpone any "Christmas" festivities until Epiphany so as not to overwhelm the little ones. The "twos" could come in their footy pajamas.)

The teacher told us that the child who was supposed to carry up the Baby Jesus (a teddy bear wrapped up in a baby blanket) chickened out at the last minute, so our son volunteered. Of course, at 19, he remembers none of this. But each Epiphany, we remember how proud we were.

To us, he may as well have been inaugurated president of the United States.

Epiphany memories

Ah, Epiphany.

Seventeen years ago today, my dh and I were in Redeemer Lutheran Church in Baltimore, watching our 2 year old son carry the Baby Jesus up the aisle for his day care Epiphany pageant. (The director had wisely decided to postpone any "Christmas" festivities until Epiphany so as not to overwhelm the little ones. The "twos" could come in their footy pajamas.)

The teacher told us that the child who was supposed to carry up the Baby Jesus (a teddy bear wrapped up in a baby blanket) chickened out at the last minute, so our son volunteered. Of course, at 19, he remembers none of this. But each Epiphany, we remember how proud we were.

To us, he may as well have been inaugurated president of the United States.

An election year whine

I haven't written about politics in a long time, but its getting to be that time again and I am realizing something about myself.

I'm getting tired of feeling that, as a pro-life person, I *have* to vote for a Republican just because the party has a "pro-life" platform. I feel like I'm being backed into a corner in every election, and that I can't make a real decision as to whom to vote for--I just have to vote knee-jerk Republican down the line. I also feel like the Republican party knows that many of us feel we have to vote Republican because of our pro-life views, and they are taking advantage of that.

I am a fairly "traditional" type of Catholic. But I feel like religion in general, has become nothing more than a "buzz word" in party politics at this point. Both parties know that there is a "religious" vote, and they try to say all the right things to gain it.

I'm not automatically endeared with a candidate who talks about wanting to *make* America a "Christian Nation". I think America should be a nation that abides by its own first amendment. I think we should learn to be *respectful* and not just "tolerant" of each other's beliefs. Let there be manger scenes, menorahs and Kwanzaa candles in public places, for goodness sake! It won't kill us! We need to stop being so offended by the fact that other people have a set of beliefs that they follow that just might be different from our own.

It's ok. It's allowed. This is America.

A candidate's religion *should* certainly guide his politics, in spite of what JFK insisted he would (or wouldn't) do. But a president has to take the good of the entire country into account in each action he or she takes. The president of the United States is not a religious leader and shouldn't use religion as a way to run ripshod over the will of the people. The president of the United States is elected, and he or she should never forget that for a minute.

I do not want the United States to become a religion-free nation. I want our religion to influence who we are as individuals and who we are as a people. But I don't think I want religion to influence politics in quite the way it has been doing lately.

I am also having misgivings about the dynastic aspect of the U.S. presidency--Bushes and Clintons, both. I don't think I'd vote for a ticket right now with Jeb Bush on it just because of that. And, I wouldn't vote for Hillary under any circumstances.

I want someone new. I want someone with vision. I want someone with spark. I want someone with integrity and sanity.

An election year whine

I haven't written about politics in a long time, but its getting to be that time again and I am realizing something about myself.

I'm getting tired of feeling that, as a pro-life person, I *have* to vote for a Republican just because the party has a "pro-life" platform. I feel like I'm being backed into a corner in every election, and that I can't make a real decision as to whom to vote for--I just have to vote knee-jerk Republican down the line. I also feel like the Republican party knows that many of us feel we have to vote Republican because of our pro-life views, and they are taking advantage of that.

I am a fairly "traditional" type of Catholic. But I feel like religion in general, has become nothing more than a "buzz word" in party politics at this point. Both parties know that there is a "religious" vote, and they try to say all the right things to gain it.

I'm not automatically endeared with a candidate who talks about wanting to *make* America a "Christian Nation". I think America should be a nation that abides by its own first amendment. I think we should learn to be *respectful* and not just "tolerant" of each other's beliefs. Let there be manger scenes, menorahs and Kwanzaa candles in public places, for goodness sake! It won't kill us! We need to stop being so offended by the fact that other people have a set of beliefs that they follow that just might be different from our own.

It's ok. It's allowed. This is America.

A candidate's religion *should* certainly guide his politics, in spite of what JFK insisted he would (or wouldn't) do. But a president has to take the good of the entire country into account in each action he or she takes. The president of the United States is not a religious leader and shouldn't use religion as a way to run ripshod over the will of the people. The president of the United States is elected, and he or she should never forget that for a minute.

I do not want the United States to become a religion-free nation. I want our religion to influence who we are as individuals and who we are as a people. But I don't think I want religion to influence politics in quite the way it has been doing lately.

I am also having misgivings about the dynastic aspect of the U.S. presidency--Bushes and Clintons, both. I don't think I'd vote for a ticket right now with Jeb Bush on it just because of that. And, I wouldn't vote for Hillary under any circumstances.

I want someone new. I want someone with vision. I want someone with spark. I want someone with integrity and sanity.

Which saint will choose you in 2008?

Stop over at Angela's new blog, "Where Angels Go" and put a request in her comment box for a patron saint to be drawn for you for the year 2008. She is taking over for Seminarian Matthew at "A Catholic Life", who had to abandon blogging while in the seminary.

The tradition is that the saint chooses you. My saint this year is Saint Julie Billiart, who is French and was known for her cheerfulness--certainly something to ask her to intercede for on my behalf. Two of her most famous quotes are, "Oh, qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu" which means, "Oh, how good is the good God" and "Never let the peace of your heart be disturbed by anything in the world."




Also, Divine Mercy blog has a new name and an additional focus. While still promoting devotion to the Divine Mercy, the blog will now focus on Saint Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower, and will be called, Saint Therese's Roses.


All the angels
and all the Saints,
pray for us!

Which saint will choose you in 2008?

Stop over at Angela's new blog, "Where Angels Go" and put a request in her comment box for a patron saint to be drawn for you for the year 2008. She is taking over for Seminarian Matthew at "A Catholic Life", who had to abandon blogging while in the seminary.

The tradition is that the saint chooses you. My saint this year is Saint Julie Billiart, who is French and was known for her cheerfulness--certainly something to ask her to intercede for on my behalf. Two of her most famous quotes are, "Oh, qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu" which means, "Oh, how good is the good God" and "Never let the peace of your heart be disturbed by anything in the world."




Also, Divine Mercy blog has a new name and an additional focus. While still promoting devotion to the Divine Mercy, the blog will now focus on Saint Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower, and will be called, Saint Therese's Roses.


All the angels
and all the Saints,
pray for us!

Feast of Mary, Mother of God

Today is the feast of the Theotokos--Mary the Mother of God. Since Jesus was *always* God, and his Divine nature was always present at every moment, then Mary, indeed is the Mother of God, and the Bearer of God--Theotokos.

Prayer to the Theotokos
by Scheme-hieromonk St. Nilus of Sora Skete

All-merciful Virgin Theotokos, Mother of compassions and love for mankind, my most beloved hope and aspiration! 0 Mother of the most sweet and most desired Savior, Who exceedeth every love, Jesus Christ, the Lover of mankind and my God, the Light of my darkened soul! I, the exceeding sinful and hopeless one, fall down before thee, to thee I make my prayer, 0 well-spring of compassion, Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Abyss of compassion and Depth of mercies and love for mankind: Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, I painfully cry to thee; have mercy on me who am all in wounds, who have fallen among brutish thieves and who am, alas!, stripped naked of the garment in which the Father clothed me. Wherefore I lie stripped of every good deed, my wounds stinking and festering before my madness. My Mistress, Theotokos, look down on me, I humbly pray thee, with thy merciful eye and despise me not, who am all in darkness, all in filth, all immersed in the mire of passions, terribly fallen and unable to stand. Do thou take pity on me and grant me a helping hand, lift me up out of sinful depths, 0 my Joy! Deliver me from them that surround me; make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save the perishing, cleanse the filthy, raise up the terrible fallen: for thou canst do all things, as thou art the Mother of God Almighty. Pour forth on me the oil of thy compassion and grant me to overflow the wine of compunction, for I have acquired thee as truly the only hope in my life; turn thou not away from me who flee to thee, but behold my grief, 0 Virgin, and the longing of my soul and accept this prayer and save me, 0 thou the Mediatress of my salvation. Amen.

Feast of Mary, Mother of God

Today is the feast of the Theotokos--Mary the Mother of God. Since Jesus was *always* God, and his Divine nature was always present at every moment, then Mary, indeed is the Mother of God, and the Bearer of God--Theotokos.

Prayer to the Theotokos
by Scheme-hieromonk St. Nilus of Sora Skete

All-merciful Virgin Theotokos, Mother of compassions and love for mankind, my most beloved hope and aspiration! 0 Mother of the most sweet and most desired Savior, Who exceedeth every love, Jesus Christ, the Lover of mankind and my God, the Light of my darkened soul! I, the exceeding sinful and hopeless one, fall down before thee, to thee I make my prayer, 0 well-spring of compassion, Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Abyss of compassion and Depth of mercies and love for mankind: Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, I painfully cry to thee; have mercy on me who am all in wounds, who have fallen among brutish thieves and who am, alas!, stripped naked of the garment in which the Father clothed me. Wherefore I lie stripped of every good deed, my wounds stinking and festering before my madness. My Mistress, Theotokos, look down on me, I humbly pray thee, with thy merciful eye and despise me not, who am all in darkness, all in filth, all immersed in the mire of passions, terribly fallen and unable to stand. Do thou take pity on me and grant me a helping hand, lift me up out of sinful depths, 0 my Joy! Deliver me from them that surround me; make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save the perishing, cleanse the filthy, raise up the terrible fallen: for thou canst do all things, as thou art the Mother of God Almighty. Pour forth on me the oil of thy compassion and grant me to overflow the wine of compunction, for I have acquired thee as truly the only hope in my life; turn thou not away from me who flee to thee, but behold my grief, 0 Virgin, and the longing of my soul and accept this prayer and save me, 0 thou the Mediatress of my salvation. Amen.