Depression in College Students

A recent study has apparently shown that over 50% of college students have thoughts of suicide, as opposed to about 15% of the general population. That is a huge number.

Remembering my own depression throughout college, I wonder what is it about life as a young adult that causes this much depression.

My first thoughts are the "unnatural" setting that college students find themselves in. Being stuffed into overcrowded dorms with huge numbers of your peers, cut off from those younger and older than yourself, having no privacy and little sleep seems to me to be a recipe for mental health disaster.

My second thought is the fact that almost everyone in today's society feels they "have" to go to college, whether or not they are academically, financially, emotionally or socially prepared for it. There are precious few jobs and career paths out there for those for whom college is not a good choice.

As much as I value and support lifetime education, I think it is time for a viable alternative to the traditional college.

Depression in College Students

A recent study has apparently shown that over 50% of college students have thoughts of suicide, as opposed to about 15% of the general population. That is a huge number.

Remembering my own depression throughout college, I wonder what is it about life as a young adult that causes this much depression.

My first thoughts are the "unnatural" setting that college students find themselves in. Being stuffed into overcrowded dorms with huge numbers of your peers, cut off from those younger and older than yourself, having no privacy and little sleep seems to me to be a recipe for mental health disaster.

My second thought is the fact that almost everyone in today's society feels they "have" to go to college, whether or not they are academically, financially, emotionally or socially prepared for it. There are precious few jobs and career paths out there for those for whom college is not a good choice.

As much as I value and support lifetime education, I think it is time for a viable alternative to the traditional college.

Isn't it a Lovely Day?

We are finally getting our long awaited rain today. So here is Fred Astaire singing "Isn't it a Lovely Day" in the rain, with Ginger Rogers.

Isn't it a Lovely Day?

We are finally getting our long awaited rain today. So here is Fred Astaire singing "Isn't it a Lovely Day" in the rain, with Ginger Rogers.

My Top Ten Songs of All Time

Cygnus has a cool meme on his blog about the top 10 songs of all time. Here are mine.

I intend to overwhelm you all with YouTube versions of these, perhaps one at a time, but for now, I'll just list them. These are in no particular order.

I've had the unbelievable privilege of singing all of these at one time or another.

• Rutter's Gloria
• Nutcracker Suit--Tchaikovsky
• Four Seasons by Vivaldi
• This Little Babe--Benjamin Britten: Ceremony of Carols
• Ave Maria--Josquin Desprez
• Ave verum corpus--Mozart
• Halleluia Chorus--Handel
• Es ist ein Ros entsprungen--Low How a Rose 'Ere Blooming
• Stille Nacht--Melody by Franz Xaver Grube, Lyrics by Joseph Franz Mohr
• Serenade to music--R. Vaughan Williams

My Top Ten Songs of All Time

Cygnus has a cool meme on his blog about the top 10 songs of all time. Here are mine.

I intend to overwhelm you all with YouTube versions of these, perhaps one at a time, but for now, I'll just list them. These are in no particular order.

I've had the unbelievable privilege of singing all of these at one time or another.

• Rutter's Gloria
• Nutcracker Suit--Tchaikovsky
• Four Seasons by Vivaldi
• This Little Babe--Benjamin Britten: Ceremony of Carols
• Ave Maria--Josquin Desprez
• Ave verum corpus--Mozart
• Halleluia Chorus--Handel
• Es ist ein Ros entsprungen--Low How a Rose 'Ere Blooming
• Stille Nacht--Melody by Franz Xaver Grube, Lyrics by Joseph Franz Mohr
• Serenade to music--R. Vaughan Williams

Praise God!

Thank you, St. Anthony!

I found my keys this morning. They were right where my husband said they would be--in the pocket of the pants I was wearing on Sunday. I thought I had washed those pants but I hadn't. They were in the disaster area I call my bedroom.

Perhaps I can offer up the pain of staying neat and orderly from now on.

Hope springs eternal.

Praise God!

Thank you, St. Anthony!

I found my keys this morning. They were right where my husband said they would be--in the pocket of the pants I was wearing on Sunday. I thought I had washed those pants but I hadn't. They were in the disaster area I call my bedroom.

Perhaps I can offer up the pain of staying neat and orderly from now on.

Hope springs eternal.

St. Monica Novena--Day Three

THIRD DAY: Prayer for Charity

O glorious mother St. Monica, who can conceive the consolation that abounded in thy heart, so long the home of brooding sorrow, when thou sawst thy child Augustine rising in the light of grace and giving himself generously to God; when thou foldedst thy converted son in thy arms, and tears of very joy streamed forth to tell the glowing jubilee of thy heart. Oh, how in that moment God in his mercy recompensed thy years of sorrow and anxiety, thy long and weary days of racking suspense. It was impossible that a child of tears like thine should perish; and when thy son Augustine heart the call of God, he obeyed it, and his life and his deeds flung a lustre all their own on thee, St. Monica. O fortunate mother, twice mother of thy child, deign to listen to our prayers and present our petitions to God; look lovingly, and with all a mother's interest on us assembled here, under thy protection, to honor thee. We love thee; let us become, as St. Augustine of old, the objects of thy maternal love. Pray that we, too, like St. Augustine, may have strength to cling to God, and triumph over sin and temptation. By thy prayers break the fetters of sin that hold in cruel bondage the souls of thy sinful children in this world. O mother, pray that the miracle of grace in the heart of Augustine may again and again be repeated in these day of universal sin, and that the erring children of Jesus may be let back to the fold; that, united here on earth, we may securely go through the dangers of life and be united with thee, our mother, in heaven for ever. Amen

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .Saint Monica, pray for us.

LET US PRAY. O God, look graciously down upon your children who sigh in this valley of tears. Hopefully we pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the never-failing help of your grace, and for the faithful fulfillment of your promises: to find life everlasting and a happy abode with you in heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

May God, through the merits and intercession of Saint Monica, increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and enkindle the fire of charity in our hearts. Amen

Here is the final installment of the chaplet:

5) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Doubt, toward the spirit of Faith --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

6) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Fear, toward the spirit of Peace --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

Returning to pendant, on the first bead pray:
"Saint Monica, Exemplary mother of the great Augustine, you perserveringly pursued your wayward son not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn to draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray."

On the next pendant bead, pray:
"O great Saint Augustine, take our children under your protection! To our efforts in their behalf, join your intercession for them with God. Exert all your influence and, with the compassion of your loving heart, intercede with the Most Holy Trinity for them. Permit not that our children, sanctified in the waters of baptism, should through mortal sin be banished from the presence of God and suffer eternal punishment."

On the medal:
"Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us and on our children! Lord, graciously hear us! Amen."

St. Monica Novena--Day Three

THIRD DAY: Prayer for Charity

O glorious mother St. Monica, who can conceive the consolation that abounded in thy heart, so long the home of brooding sorrow, when thou sawst thy child Augustine rising in the light of grace and giving himself generously to God; when thou foldedst thy converted son in thy arms, and tears of very joy streamed forth to tell the glowing jubilee of thy heart. Oh, how in that moment God in his mercy recompensed thy years of sorrow and anxiety, thy long and weary days of racking suspense. It was impossible that a child of tears like thine should perish; and when thy son Augustine heart the call of God, he obeyed it, and his life and his deeds flung a lustre all their own on thee, St. Monica. O fortunate mother, twice mother of thy child, deign to listen to our prayers and present our petitions to God; look lovingly, and with all a mother's interest on us assembled here, under thy protection, to honor thee. We love thee; let us become, as St. Augustine of old, the objects of thy maternal love. Pray that we, too, like St. Augustine, may have strength to cling to God, and triumph over sin and temptation. By thy prayers break the fetters of sin that hold in cruel bondage the souls of thy sinful children in this world. O mother, pray that the miracle of grace in the heart of Augustine may again and again be repeated in these day of universal sin, and that the erring children of Jesus may be let back to the fold; that, united here on earth, we may securely go through the dangers of life and be united with thee, our mother, in heaven for ever. Amen

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .Saint Monica, pray for us.

LET US PRAY. O God, look graciously down upon your children who sigh in this valley of tears. Hopefully we pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the never-failing help of your grace, and for the faithful fulfillment of your promises: to find life everlasting and a happy abode with you in heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

May God, through the merits and intercession of Saint Monica, increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and enkindle the fire of charity in our hearts. Amen

Here is the final installment of the chaplet:

5) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Doubt, toward the spirit of Faith --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

6) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Fear, toward the spirit of Peace --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

Returning to pendant, on the first bead pray:
"Saint Monica, Exemplary mother of the great Augustine, you perserveringly pursued your wayward son not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn to draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray."

On the next pendant bead, pray:
"O great Saint Augustine, take our children under your protection! To our efforts in their behalf, join your intercession for them with God. Exert all your influence and, with the compassion of your loving heart, intercede with the Most Holy Trinity for them. Permit not that our children, sanctified in the waters of baptism, should through mortal sin be banished from the presence of God and suffer eternal punishment."

On the medal:
"Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us and on our children! Lord, graciously hear us! Amen."

St. Monica Novena--Day two

Here is tomorrow's Novena to St. Monica.

SECOND DAY: Prayer for Hope

O glorious mother, St. Monica, who, despite the many means thou employed to accomplish the conversion of thy son Augustine seemed fruitless, though for a long time God himself appeared deaf to thy earnest prayer and unmoved by thy ever-flowing tears, didst never lose confidence in obtaining the long-sought grace for Augustine. Thou didst lovingly and tenderly admonish thy erring son; thou didst watch over him ever with all a mother's love, and fearless of danger and heedless of fatigue, follow him from place to place in his weary and wayward wanderings; in a word, all that t mother's tender love could suggest, all that a mother's anxious solicitude could inspire, all that a wondrous prudence and true wisdom could dictate, thou, O great St. Monica, cheerfully didst to effect the return to God of thy firstborn and darling child. By all these generous efforts, so happily crowned in the end, hear, O mother, the petitions we make thee. Pray for us, too, and pray especially for those who are unmindful of and ungrateful to God. To thee, O dearest mother, we are especially dedicated; look upon us, then, as thy children, and win for us the grace we need. Regard mercifully the most destitute amongst us, that sin being diminished, the number of the faithful may increase, and greater glory may be given to Him who is the best of friends, the truest of benefactors, our first beginning and last end, the source of all our hope, our Savior, our God. Amen

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .Saint Monica, pray for us.

LET US PRAY. . O God, look graciously down upon Your children who sigh in this valley of tears. With hope we pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the never-failing help of Your grace, and for the faithful fulfillment of Your promises: to find life everlasting and a happy abode with You in heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

May God, through the merits and intercession of Saint Monica, increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and enkindle the fire of charity in our hearts. Amen.

Here is the second installment of the St. Monica Chaplet.

3) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Blame, toward the spirit of Forgiveness --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

4) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Suspicion, toward the spirit of Trust --- Saint Monica pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

St. Monica Novena--Day two

Here is tomorrow's Novena to St. Monica.

SECOND DAY: Prayer for Hope

O glorious mother, St. Monica, who, despite the many means thou employed to accomplish the conversion of thy son Augustine seemed fruitless, though for a long time God himself appeared deaf to thy earnest prayer and unmoved by thy ever-flowing tears, didst never lose confidence in obtaining the long-sought grace for Augustine. Thou didst lovingly and tenderly admonish thy erring son; thou didst watch over him ever with all a mother's love, and fearless of danger and heedless of fatigue, follow him from place to place in his weary and wayward wanderings; in a word, all that t mother's tender love could suggest, all that a mother's anxious solicitude could inspire, all that a wondrous prudence and true wisdom could dictate, thou, O great St. Monica, cheerfully didst to effect the return to God of thy firstborn and darling child. By all these generous efforts, so happily crowned in the end, hear, O mother, the petitions we make thee. Pray for us, too, and pray especially for those who are unmindful of and ungrateful to God. To thee, O dearest mother, we are especially dedicated; look upon us, then, as thy children, and win for us the grace we need. Regard mercifully the most destitute amongst us, that sin being diminished, the number of the faithful may increase, and greater glory may be given to Him who is the best of friends, the truest of benefactors, our first beginning and last end, the source of all our hope, our Savior, our God. Amen

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .Saint Monica, pray for us.

LET US PRAY. . O God, look graciously down upon Your children who sigh in this valley of tears. With hope we pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the never-failing help of Your grace, and for the faithful fulfillment of Your promises: to find life everlasting and a happy abode with You in heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

May God, through the merits and intercession of Saint Monica, increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and enkindle the fire of charity in our hearts. Amen.

Here is the second installment of the St. Monica Chaplet.

3) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Blame, toward the spirit of Forgiveness --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

4) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Suspicion, toward the spirit of Trust --- Saint Monica pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

Saint Monica Novena

August 27 is the feast of Saint Monica of Hippo in North Africa, mother of Saint Augustine. Because she prayed for 32 years for her son's conversion, she is a powerful intercessor when praying for family members who have lost their faith. There is a 3 day Novena chaplet to St. Monica that begins tomorrow and ends on the feast of St. Monica.

Here is the first day's prayer:

FIRST DAY

Prayer for Faith

O glorious St. Monica, transfixed with sorrow when you saw your beloved child Augustine living in the dark and gloomy abyss of error and vice, and straying far from the right path which leads to true felicity in the possession of God and His holy grace, hear our prayer, O afflicted mother. By that cruel sorrow, which with so much patience you did bear, and by those earnest sighs and bitter tears with which you did appeal to God to change the heart of your prodigal son, and by your wondrous confidence in God, which was never shaken, O grant to us, your children, that we may, like you, place all our trust in God, and in our trials and troubles be ever resigned to His holy will. While we ask you, O glorious mother St. Monica, to supply for us our special needs, we here earnestly ask you to pray for the erring children of Jesus, so many Augustines, straying from God and hurrying to ruin. Let that earnest prayer of yours go forth once more for us and for sinners, that we may live in the light of divine grace and be united again thereafter to bless the bounty of a loving God for eternity. Amen.

LET US PRAY. . O God, look graciously down upon Your children who sigh in this valley of tears. With hope we pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the never-failing help of Your grace, and for the faithful fulfillment of Your promises: to find life everlasting and a happy abode with You in heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

May God, through the merits and intercession of Saint Monica, increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and enkindle the fire of charity in our hearts. Amen.

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be. . . Saint Monica, pray for us.

There is also a beautiful chaplet to Saint Monica. Because it has 6 sections, I will publish 2 of them per day of this novena. The chaplet begins with the prayer to St. Monica, the Our Father, and the Hail Mary.

Begin on the medal with the prayer of St. Monica:
"O holy Monica, by your burning tears and unceasing prayers, you did save your son from eternal damnation. Obtain for us the grace ever to comprehend what is most conducive to the salvation of our children, so that we may effectively restrain them from the way of sin and lead them by that of virtue and piety to heaven!"

On the first pendant bead, pray Our Father

On the second pendant bead, pray Come, Holy Spirit

On the loop:
For each group of five, on the large bead, pray one of the petitions below, followed by Hail Mary on each of the four small beads:

1) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Despair, toward the spirit of Hope --- Saint Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

2) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Anger, toward the spirit of Love --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

For more information on the St. Monica Novena and chaplet, go to the Via Rosa and Saint Monica Sodality websites.

Saint Monica Novena

August 27 is the feast of Saint Monica of Hippo in North Africa, mother of Saint Augustine. Because she prayed for 32 years for her son's conversion, she is a powerful intercessor when praying for family members who have lost their faith. There is a 3 day Novena chaplet to St. Monica that begins tomorrow and ends on the feast of St. Monica.

Here is the first day's prayer:

FIRST DAY

Prayer for Faith

O glorious St. Monica, transfixed with sorrow when you saw your beloved child Augustine living in the dark and gloomy abyss of error and vice, and straying far from the right path which leads to true felicity in the possession of God and His holy grace, hear our prayer, O afflicted mother. By that cruel sorrow, which with so much patience you did bear, and by those earnest sighs and bitter tears with which you did appeal to God to change the heart of your prodigal son, and by your wondrous confidence in God, which was never shaken, O grant to us, your children, that we may, like you, place all our trust in God, and in our trials and troubles be ever resigned to His holy will. While we ask you, O glorious mother St. Monica, to supply for us our special needs, we here earnestly ask you to pray for the erring children of Jesus, so many Augustines, straying from God and hurrying to ruin. Let that earnest prayer of yours go forth once more for us and for sinners, that we may live in the light of divine grace and be united again thereafter to bless the bounty of a loving God for eternity. Amen.

LET US PRAY. . O God, look graciously down upon Your children who sigh in this valley of tears. With hope we pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the never-failing help of Your grace, and for the faithful fulfillment of Your promises: to find life everlasting and a happy abode with You in heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

May God, through the merits and intercession of Saint Monica, increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and enkindle the fire of charity in our hearts. Amen.

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be. . . Saint Monica, pray for us.

There is also a beautiful chaplet to Saint Monica. Because it has 6 sections, I will publish 2 of them per day of this novena. The chaplet begins with the prayer to St. Monica, the Our Father, and the Hail Mary.

Begin on the medal with the prayer of St. Monica:
"O holy Monica, by your burning tears and unceasing prayers, you did save your son from eternal damnation. Obtain for us the grace ever to comprehend what is most conducive to the salvation of our children, so that we may effectively restrain them from the way of sin and lead them by that of virtue and piety to heaven!"

On the first pendant bead, pray Our Father

On the second pendant bead, pray Come, Holy Spirit

On the loop:
For each group of five, on the large bead, pray one of the petitions below, followed by Hail Mary on each of the four small beads:

1) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Despair, toward the spirit of Hope --- Saint Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

2) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Anger, toward the spirit of Love --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

For more information on the St. Monica Novena and chaplet, go to the Via Rosa and Saint Monica Sodality websites.

Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around.

I've lost my keys

and they cannot be found!

Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around.

I've lost my keys

and they cannot be found!

What were you thinkin'?

One hundred college presidents are calling on lawmakers to lower the drinking age in the United States from 21 to 18. Their reason? Too much binge drinking on campus.

Soooo, having alcohol both available and legal for newly graduated high schoolers will change that?! I was in college the last time the drinking age was 18, and, believe me, allowing 18 year olds to purchase alcohol is by no means a panacea for solving problems caused by irresponsible behavior and lack of supervision. Why21.org gives statistics on the affect of lowering the drinking age:

In states where the drinking age was 18, those under 21 drank more than youth in states where the minimum drinking age was 21 and they continued to drink more as adults in their early 20s.

When colleges decided to forgo their responsibilities to act in loco parentis, it opened up a pandora's box in terms of safety on college campuses. In this litigious society, college presidents are doubtless afraid of law suits. If the drinking age were lowered, colleges could deny any responsibility for deaths from alcohol poisoning and automobile fatalities of young college students involved because they were partaking in a substance purchased legally.

And, there is always the added bonus of not having to police the alcohol use on campus.

There! Problem solved!

What were you thinkin'?

One hundred college presidents are calling on lawmakers to lower the drinking age in the United States from 21 to 18. Their reason? Too much binge drinking on campus.

Soooo, having alcohol both available and legal for newly graduated high schoolers will change that?! I was in college the last time the drinking age was 18, and, believe me, allowing 18 year olds to purchase alcohol is by no means a panacea for solving problems caused by irresponsible behavior and lack of supervision. Why21.org gives statistics on the affect of lowering the drinking age:

In states where the drinking age was 18, those under 21 drank more than youth in states where the minimum drinking age was 21 and they continued to drink more as adults in their early 20s.

When colleges decided to forgo their responsibilities to act in loco parentis, it opened up a pandora's box in terms of safety on college campuses. In this litigious society, college presidents are doubtless afraid of law suits. If the drinking age were lowered, colleges could deny any responsibility for deaths from alcohol poisoning and automobile fatalities of young college students involved because they were partaking in a substance purchased legally.

And, there is always the added bonus of not having to police the alcohol use on campus.

There! Problem solved!

Tu es Petrus

Today's Gospel is from Matthew 16.

Thou art Peter and upon this Rock, I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

Here is Palestrina's beautiful version of the verse in Latin.

Tu es Petrus

Today's Gospel is from Matthew 16.

Thou art Peter and upon this Rock, I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

Here is Palestrina's beautiful version of the verse in Latin.

Praise God

My husband got a job yesterday. Things will be tight for a while, but I know that God has a plan for our lives.

The song below, "On Eagle's Wings" is based on Psalm 91:

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."

God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague. He will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon.

Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.

You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see.
You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.
For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.

With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon.

Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high. All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor.

With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

Praise God

My husband got a job yesterday. Things will be tight for a while, but I know that God has a plan for our lives.

The song below, "On Eagle's Wings" is based on Psalm 91:

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."

God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague. He will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon.

Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.

You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see.
You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.
For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.

With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon.

Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high. All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor.

With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

Fred and Ginger--Dancing Queen

Fred and Ginger dance to Abba.

Fred and Ginger--Dancing Queen

Fred and Ginger dance to Abba.

Another Catholic Blog on Depression

Rosario, a new reader to Dymphna's Well, has a blog that deals with depression and anxiety disorders from a Catholic perspective. Crown of Thorns, Crown of Glory has very insightful information on expressing your needs in a healthy way, Saints and their interior struggles, and some OCD links.

Check out another member of the Catholic Blogosphere!

Another Catholic Blog on Depression

Rosario, a new reader to Dymphna's Well, has a blog that deals with depression and anxiety disorders from a Catholic perspective. Crown of Thorns, Crown of Glory has very insightful information on expressing your needs in a healthy way, Saints and their interior struggles, and some OCD links.

Check out another member of the Catholic Blogosphere!

Some urgent prayer requests

Please pray for my friend's son who is battling depression and for their family as they rally around to support him.

Please, also pray for my husband, who just lost his job and for our family as we navigate through that.

Also, pray for my mom and aunt who are continuing their life's journey towards eternity.

UPDATE: Spent yesterday afternoon in the ER. My dh has a cyst in the right arm socket that is causing intense pain. We are hoping to get whatever needs to be done, accomplished within the 6 week COBRA window.

Saint Joseph, protector of families, pray for us!

Some urgent prayer requests

Please pray for my friend's son who is battling depression and for their family as they rally around to support him.

Please, also pray for my husband, who just lost his job and for our family as we navigate through that.

Also, pray for my mom and aunt who are continuing their life's journey towards eternity.

UPDATE: Spent yesterday afternoon in the ER. My dh has a cyst in the right arm socket that is causing intense pain. We are hoping to get whatever needs to be done, accomplished within the 6 week COBRA window.

Saint Joseph, protector of families, pray for us!

Solemnity of the Assumption

August 15

Solemnity of the Assumption

August 15

Fred Astaire Friday

Astaire brings sexy back. YouTube's Nedyken remakes Fred Astaire's dance with Justin Timberlake's music.

Fred Astaire Friday

Astaire brings sexy back. YouTube's Nedyken remakes Fred Astaire's dance with Justin Timberlake's music.

Looks Like

see famous look-a-like faces

Looks Like

see famous look-a-like faces

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

You Are a Coconut Flavored Popsicle

You are easygoing. For you, summer is definitely a time to kick back. You are a peaceful soul. You shy away from drama and stress. You are a warm and compassionate. You give everyone a fair chance. Your tastes tend to be simple. You rather have a few high quality items than a bunch of junk.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

Hmmm...my favorite "offbeat" flavor Popsicle as a kid, was banana. Seven cents. Mmmmm!!!

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

You Are a Coconut Flavored Popsicle

You are easygoing. For you, summer is definitely a time to kick back. You are a peaceful soul. You shy away from drama and stress. You are a warm and compassionate. You give everyone a fair chance. Your tastes tend to be simple. You rather have a few high quality items than a bunch of junk.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

Hmmm...my favorite "offbeat" flavor Popsicle as a kid, was banana. Seven cents. Mmmmm!!!

The Crazyladies of Pearl Street

The Crazyladies of Pearl Street: A Novel by Trevanian

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Incredible period detail from the 1930's is married with profound emotional insight and rich poetic description. You are transported into the Great Depression as seen through the eyes of a very observant child. Excellent.


View all my reviews.

The Crazyladies of Pearl Street

The Crazyladies of Pearl Street: A Novel by Trevanian

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Incredible period detail from the 1930's is married with profound emotional insight and rich poetic description. You are transported into the Great Depression as seen through the eyes of a very observant child. Excellent.


View all my reviews.

In case you need some

see more dog pictures

In case you need some

see more dog pictures

Mission Impossible--Astaire and Rogers

This vid mixes Fred and Ginger with the theme from Mission Impossible. It is not as well done as the Pink Panther remix, but I like the tune, so it becomes today's Fred Astaire Friday pic.

Mission Impossible--Astaire and Rogers

This vid mixes Fred and Ginger with the theme from Mission Impossible. It is not as well done as the Pink Panther remix, but I like the tune, so it becomes today's Fred Astaire Friday pic.

Praise Update on the Dissent Document

Catholic Exchange reports on a former priest who had signed a document protesting Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae in 1968 and has long regretted it. Here is his letter to Fr. Thomas Euteneuer.

Dear Fr. Euteneuer,

I have signed and am returning the Pledge of Assent to Humanae Vitae for the Laity. There is for me a special significance in signing this Pledge, and [it] will give me a peace of mind and heart that I have not experienced since 1968. In 1968 I was a young Franciscan priest studying in the Graduate School of Religious Education at Catholic University. I personally knew Fr. Charles Curran and Fr. Dan Maguire, and was a student of Fr. Robert Faricy, SJ. Since they, as well as many other professors and graduate students were signing the Protest Document, I went along and did so also.

In 1975 for personal reasons not related to any doubts or questions about the Faith, or the Church, or the Religious Life…I requested and obtained…a dispensation from Pope Paul VI returning me to the Lay State. Later, I was married in the Church and raised my two children in the Faith….I have had many conversations with my Pastor and with his assistant (who is my spiritual director) about my days as a Franciscan Priest, and have been active in many of our parish’s lay apostolate and ministries.

But I have always regretted having signed the Protest Document against Pope Paul’s teaching in 1968, and having learned a few years ago that Fr. Faricy had publicly repudiated signing the Protest, I had wished that I, too, could repudiate in some official way, having signed the Protest….And so your “Pledge” document offers me an opportunity to correct my mistake, and find healing - and telling you about all this helps me to feel that my repudiation of the Protest is now known and accepted in a kind of semi-official sort of way by an “authority” in the Church.

And thank you for reading this, thereby humoring an old man, who despite everything else, knows that he is a “priest forever, according to the Order of Melchizedek.”

Praise Update on the Dissent Document

Catholic Exchange reports on a former priest who had signed a document protesting Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae in 1968 and has long regretted it. Here is his letter to Fr. Thomas Euteneuer.

Dear Fr. Euteneuer,

I have signed and am returning the Pledge of Assent to Humanae Vitae for the Laity. There is for me a special significance in signing this Pledge, and [it] will give me a peace of mind and heart that I have not experienced since 1968. In 1968 I was a young Franciscan priest studying in the Graduate School of Religious Education at Catholic University. I personally knew Fr. Charles Curran and Fr. Dan Maguire, and was a student of Fr. Robert Faricy, SJ. Since they, as well as many other professors and graduate students were signing the Protest Document, I went along and did so also.

In 1975 for personal reasons not related to any doubts or questions about the Faith, or the Church, or the Religious Life…I requested and obtained…a dispensation from Pope Paul VI returning me to the Lay State. Later, I was married in the Church and raised my two children in the Faith….I have had many conversations with my Pastor and with his assistant (who is my spiritual director) about my days as a Franciscan Priest, and have been active in many of our parish’s lay apostolate and ministries.

But I have always regretted having signed the Protest Document against Pope Paul’s teaching in 1968, and having learned a few years ago that Fr. Faricy had publicly repudiated signing the Protest, I had wished that I, too, could repudiate in some official way, having signed the Protest….And so your “Pledge” document offers me an opportunity to correct my mistake, and find healing - and telling you about all this helps me to feel that my repudiation of the Protest is now known and accepted in a kind of semi-official sort of way by an “authority” in the Church.

And thank you for reading this, thereby humoring an old man, who despite everything else, knows that he is a “priest forever, according to the Order of Melchizedek.”

God is here.

This is a beautiful video to the tune of "Majesty (Here I Am)". Great for meditation.

God is here.

This is a beautiful video to the tune of "Majesty (Here I Am)". Great for meditation.

Regrets....I have a few....

My son (now 20) was a fussy baby. I tried blankets, toys, my own clothes...anything that might help him learn to settle down on his own.

The only thing that ever seemed to get his attention at all, was this wind up, plush pig that my friend had. It made an oink noise and moved around. My son was mesmerized by it. I should have run right out and bought it, but I never did.

To this day, EVERY TIME I pass by the toy store in the mall,I regret not having gotten him one. There is always one of these pigs right up front, making its oinking noise at me, saying, "You should have bought me!!"

Mommy guilt just doesn't go away, does it? :O

Regrets....I have a few....

My son (now 20) was a fussy baby. I tried blankets, toys, my own clothes...anything that might help him learn to settle down on his own.

The only thing that ever seemed to get his attention at all, was this wind up, plush pig that my friend had. It made an oink noise and moved around. My son was mesmerized by it. I should have run right out and bought it, but I never did.

To this day, EVERY TIME I pass by the toy store in the mall,I regret not having gotten him one. There is always one of these pigs right up front, making its oinking noise at me, saying, "You should have bought me!!"

Mommy guilt just doesn't go away, does it? :O

Celebrate Small Victories

Such is the life of caring for an elderly parent that I am celebrating a small victory today: I managed to get a fork that was stubbornly and forcefully lodged in the dishwasher out of its plastic basket. Of course, that was after I hand washed all the silverware.

Nevertheless, for the "non-handy" person in the family, that was indeed a victory.

Celebrate Small Victories

Such is the life of caring for an elderly parent that I am celebrating a small victory today: I managed to get a fork that was stubbornly and forcefully lodged in the dishwasher out of its plastic basket. Of course, that was after I hand washed all the silverware.

Nevertheless, for the "non-handy" person in the family, that was indeed a victory.

Prayer for Forgiveness of Sins

I came across this beautiful Prayer for Forgiveness of Sins by Saint Gemma Galgani last night on a holy card, and thought I would post it here.

My Jesus, I place all my sins before you. In my estimation they do not deserve pardon, but I ask you...to close your eyes to my want of merit and open them to your infinite merit. Since you willed to die for my sins, grant me forgiveness for all of them. Thus, I may no longer feel the burden of my sins, a burden that oppresses me beyond measure.

Assist me, dear Jesus, for I desire to become good no matter what the cost. Take away, destroy, and utterly root out whatever you find in me that is contrary to your holy will. At the same time, dear Jesus, illumine me so that I may walk in your holy light.

~St. Gemma Galgani

Prayer for Forgiveness of Sins

I came across this beautiful Prayer for Forgiveness of Sins by Saint Gemma Galgani last night on a holy card, and thought I would post it here.

My Jesus, I place all my sins before you. In my estimation they do not deserve pardon, but I ask you...to close your eyes to my want of merit and open them to your infinite merit. Since you willed to die for my sins, grant me forgiveness for all of them. Thus, I may no longer feel the burden of my sins, a burden that oppresses me beyond measure.

Assist me, dear Jesus, for I desire to become good no matter what the cost. Take away, destroy, and utterly root out whatever you find in me that is contrary to your holy will. At the same time, dear Jesus, illumine me so that I may walk in your holy light.

~St. Gemma Galgani

loud summer thunder
the dog jumps up on my lap
the tension's broken

Fred Astaire Dances With a Piano

Fred Astaire Dances With a Piano