Happy All Saints Day

Happy All Saint's Day from Dymphna's Well.

Happy All Saints Day

Happy All Saint's Day from Dymphna's Well.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Our bishop has decreed that due to the risk of H1N1, we either will bow at the sign of peace, or eliminate the sign of peace altogether. This suits my dh and I, who struggle with anxiety, just fine, except for the fact that we are alone in the choir loft and would only be sharing a sign of peace with each other. So, I guess it is a lesson in offering up.

2. I've been dreaming of black dogs lately; all sizes of black dogs. Not bad dreams. Had one last night. I had a Rottweiler who would quietly eat entire loaves of bread. He was a nice and friendly Rottweiler.

3. Why do computer dictionaries not have certain words? Rottweiler, for instance. How could it think I meant "potboiler" or "protrusile"? Why is "potboiler" one word? What is "protrusile"?

4. I think I need a spirituality of Ordinary Time. I have a difficult time "getting into" a Sunday, or a day of the week, which the Church had decided falls under "Ordinary Time"--and we have a lot of it. Our former priest used to love Ordinary Time, but I like some sort of feast day to concentrate on. I'll have to think about that some more.

5. My dh and I have both been getting the message to slow down. Cut back. Do not reach for things beyond our abilities. It is a hard lesson, in a way, to let go of past activities and future dreams, but it forces us to rely on God. A constant theme.

6. "God has been good to us." Said to me the other day by my mom, who is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's. Just that alone proves it.


7. I wanted to share with you all a beautiful painting done by Maruyama Okyo in the 1700's called Pine Trees Under Snow. At that time, a full gold background was very common in Japanese painting, but Okyo tempers it with areas of white paint not only on the pine tree, but in the atmosphere, giving a beautiful impression of walking in the snow, as the wind blows, early on a bright winter morning.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Our bishop has decreed that due to the risk of H1N1, we either will bow at the sign of peace, or eliminate the sign of peace altogether. This suits my dh and I, who struggle with anxiety, just fine, except for the fact that we are alone in the choir loft and would only be sharing a sign of peace with each other. So, I guess it is a lesson in offering up.

2. I've been dreaming of black dogs lately; all sizes of black dogs. Not bad dreams. Had one last night. I had a Rottweiler who would quietly eat entire loaves of bread. He was a nice and friendly Rottweiler.

3. Why do computer dictionaries not have certain words? Rottweiler, for instance. How could it think I meant "potboiler" or "protrusile"? Why is "potboiler" one word? What is "protrusile"?

4. I think I need a spirituality of Ordinary Time. I have a difficult time "getting into" a Sunday, or a day of the week, which the Church had decided falls under "Ordinary Time"--and we have a lot of it. Our former priest used to love Ordinary Time, but I like some sort of feast day to concentrate on. I'll have to think about that some more.

5. My dh and I have both been getting the message to slow down. Cut back. Do not reach for things beyond our abilities. It is a hard lesson, in a way, to let go of past activities and future dreams, but it forces us to rely on God. A constant theme.

6. "God has been good to us." Said to me the other day by my mom, who is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's. Just that alone proves it.


7. I wanted to share with you all a beautiful painting done by Maruyama Okyo in the 1700's called Pine Trees Under Snow. At that time, a full gold background was very common in Japanese painting, but Okyo tempers it with areas of white paint not only on the pine tree, but in the atmosphere, giving a beautiful impression of walking in the snow, as the wind blows, early on a bright winter morning.

What is My Root Sin?

Have you ever looked at yourself and wondered why you struggle with the same sins, year after year?  I wanted to share a website that talks about our root sins and what to do about them. 

According to Totus Tuus Ministries, there are three "root sins"--pride, vanity and sensuality.  Each one has some surprising manifestations and is well worth reading and meditating on.

In short, pride is the decision to base my security on myself. Vanity is the choice to place my security in others and sensuality is placing my security in things and feelings.  

Totus Tuus outlines detailed characteristics (which may surprise you) of each sinful tendency, and a well thought out program to combat each sin as well as examples of how a program for each sin might be carried  out.

Excellent, concrete spiritual advice here!!

By the way, totus tuus is Latin for "totally yours" and was Pope John Paul II's motto to Our Lady.

What is My Root Sin?

Have you ever looked at yourself and wondered why you struggle with the same sins, year after year?  I wanted to share a website that talks about our root sins and what to do about them. 

According to Totus Tuus Ministries, there are three "root sins"--pride, vanity and sensuality.  Each one has some surprising manifestations and is well worth reading and meditating on.

In short, pride is the decision to base my security on myself. Vanity is the choice to place my security in others and sensuality is placing my security in things and feelings.  

Totus Tuus outlines detailed characteristics (which may surprise you) of each sinful tendency, and a well thought out program to combat each sin as well as examples of how a program for each sin might be carried  out.

Excellent, concrete spiritual advice here!!

By the way, totus tuus is Latin for "totally yours" and was Pope John Paul II's motto to Our Lady.

The Poetry of Beauty

All around us is
the poetry
of beauty.

The age-old impassioned yearning
of humanity
for the timeless, unsurpassed achievement
of created exquisiteness,

in sound
or in art,

in poetry
or in form,

unfolds for us
that which is beyond ourselves.

As we hunger for this beauty--
this order--
spending hours with the paint brush
or the pen,

with the clay
or the computer,

we toss aside our weak attempts
and start again.

We search each stranger's face
for the perfect beauty
that we know exists

for even our  imperfect minds
have conceived it.

Beauty will save the world.
~Theodore Dostoyevsky

Originally published in Falling Plum Poetry on June 11, 2009

The Poetry of Beauty

All around us is
the poetry
of beauty.

The age-old impassioned yearning
of humanity
for the timeless, unsurpassed achievement
of created exquisiteness,

in sound
or in art,

in poetry
or in form,

unfolds for us
that which is beyond ourselves.

As we hunger for this beauty--
this order--
spending hours with the paint brush
or the pen,

with the clay
or the computer,

we toss aside our weak attempts
and start again.

We search each stranger's face
for the perfect beauty
that we know exists

for even our  imperfect minds
have conceived it.

Beauty will save the world.
~Theodore Dostoyevsky

Originally published in Falling Plum Poetry on June 11, 2009

Rest in Peace, Eddie

My friend died this morning at around 5:15am.  He has lost his battle with cancer, but won his eternity. He is survived by his wife and 2 daughters, as well as by a loving family of origin, including his twin brother.

He leaves 2 communities on 2 coasts devastated yet grateful for his presence in their lives. He leaves us all wanting to hug our loved ones close and treasure every minute given to us by God.



  

Rest in Peace, Eddie

My friend died this morning at around 5:15am.  He has lost his battle with cancer, but won his eternity. He is survived by his wife and 2 daughters, as well as by a loving family of origin, including his twin brother.

He leaves 2 communities on 2 coasts devastated yet grateful for his presence in their lives. He leaves us all wanting to hug our loved ones close and treasure every minute given to us by God.



  

Outrageous Watch

I saw this YouTube video today on Facebook.  The UN is close to signing a treaty that would take precedence over the Constitution of the United States.  Once signed and ratified by our congress, we will not be able to get out of it unless the other assignees let us out and they won't--because in the treaty it says that we will be the biggest payer (to third world countries) of  what the treaty calls our "climate debt."  Never mind the debt we are already wracking up in this country bailing out and controlling our own corporations, apparently we need to pay this imaginary debt as well.  

The Supremacy Clause in our Constiution establishes treaties to be on par with the Constitution and federal statutes to be the law of the land.  There are those who are very concerned that this treaty, which has in it UN enforcement as one of its purposes, would, in effect, hand over (some) authority and independence of the United States to the United Nations.

If any of this concerns you, please go to http://www.whitehouse.gov and click on "Contact us" in the upper right hand corner to voice your disapproval. A sample e-mail is below.

"Mr. President:


It has come to my attention you plan to sign a United Nations treaty entitled the "Global Climate Change Treaty" in Copenhagen, Denmark this coming December. DO NOT SIGN THIS TREATY! You will not be fulfilling your Oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America if you sign this treaty! Do not sell out the United States!


Respectfully,

After it is signed by President Obama, this treaty will need to be ratified by a 2/3 vote in Congress. http://www.senate.gov will help you to find the names of your senators, if you do not already know them and you can contact them in a similar manner.

Here is a sample senatorial letter for this issue.

"Dear Mr. Senator:


It has come to my attention that President Obama will be signing a treaty entitled "Global Climate Change Treaty" in Copenhagen, Denmark this December 2009. This treaty will sell out the United States, Her Constitution, and People! It will destroy the sovereignty of the United States! Under Article II, Section II of the United States Constitution that for this treaty to be in effect within the United States the Senate must ratify it by a 2/3s vote. DO NOT VOTE TO RATIFY THIS TREATY! DO NOT ALLOW THE UNITED STATES TO BE RULED BY A FOREIGN POWER! KEEP YOUR OATH!


Respectfully,

Hat tip to DSamSebe1 and Cindy Geee.

Outrageous Watch

I saw this YouTube video today on Facebook.  The UN is close to signing a treaty that would take precedence over the Constitution of the United States.  Once signed and ratified by our congress, we will not be able to get out of it unless the other assignees let us out and they won't--because in the treaty it says that we will be the biggest payer (to third world countries) of  what the treaty calls our "climate debt."  Never mind the debt we are already wracking up in this country bailing out and controlling our own corporations, apparently we need to pay this imaginary debt as well.  

The Supremacy Clause in our Constiution establishes treaties to be on par with the Constitution and federal statutes to be the law of the land.  There are those who are very concerned that this treaty, which has in it UN enforcement as one of its purposes, would, in effect, hand over (some) authority and independence of the United States to the United Nations.

If any of this concerns you, please go to http://www.whitehouse.gov and click on "Contact us" in the upper right hand corner to voice your disapproval. A sample e-mail is below.

"Mr. President:


It has come to my attention you plan to sign a United Nations treaty entitled the "Global Climate Change Treaty" in Copenhagen, Denmark this coming December. DO NOT SIGN THIS TREATY! You will not be fulfilling your Oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America if you sign this treaty! Do not sell out the United States!


Respectfully,

After it is signed by President Obama, this treaty will need to be ratified by a 2/3 vote in Congress. http://www.senate.gov will help you to find the names of your senators, if you do not already know them and you can contact them in a similar manner.

Here is a sample senatorial letter for this issue.

"Dear Mr. Senator:


It has come to my attention that President Obama will be signing a treaty entitled "Global Climate Change Treaty" in Copenhagen, Denmark this December 2009. This treaty will sell out the United States, Her Constitution, and People! It will destroy the sovereignty of the United States! Under Article II, Section II of the United States Constitution that for this treaty to be in effect within the United States the Senate must ratify it by a 2/3s vote. DO NOT VOTE TO RATIFY THIS TREATY! DO NOT ALLOW THE UNITED STATES TO BE RULED BY A FOREIGN POWER! KEEP YOUR OATH!


Respectfully,

Hat tip to DSamSebe1 and Cindy Geee.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week has been a week of gratitude.  I feel like God has been telling me that life is indeed short, and to stop taking for granted every day.

On Tuesday, I posted "Thank God for the Journey";   on Wednesday I posted the crux of a beautiful post from Fr. Stephan from Glory to God for All Things I called "Being Truly Grateful." and on Thursday I did a DVD review of the beautiful movie, Father of Mercy.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week has been a week of gratitude.  I feel like God has been telling me that life is indeed short, and to stop taking for granted every day.

On Tuesday, I posted "Thank God for the Journey";   on Wednesday I posted the crux of a beautiful post from Fr. Stephan from Glory to God for All Things I called "Being Truly Grateful." and on Thursday I did a DVD review of the beautiful movie, Father of Mercy.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  I am learning the lesson of not taking things for granted.  Everything we do every day without thinking, so many other people can not do.  Getting out of bed, getting in our cars, making decisions about our day--these are things that so many other people do not have the ability or opportunity to do. All the things we worry about--all the things we *think* are necessary--are only trappings and extras compared with the great gift of love and of life itself.

2. God gave me an unexpected opportunity yesterday to go to Mass and confession.  I haven't gone to daily Mass for quite a while and was very thankful for the opportunity to be able to do so.  Something else that is easy to take for granted.

3.  My friend is nearing the end of his journey to heaven.  I pray his transition is a peaceful one and that he is given the grace of a happy death.

4.  There are some who would think that the tradition within Catholicism of actually praying for the grace of a happy death (which is the virtue we pray for during the 4th Glorious mystery--The Assumption) is morbid.  But, as the above brings home, we all must die and praying that we are given the grace of a happy death seems rather realistic and logical to me.  Memento mori.

5.  Speaking of memento mori, our parish is having an overnight adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Halloween.  This follows a procession where the children dress up as saints.  We in our culture need to be reminded that there is in fact evil.  If Good is personified, so is evil and we need to be on our guard (and on our knees). 

6.  The holidays will be fast upon us and since I'm eating a vegetarian diet, I've been thinking about what things to make for Thanksgiving in addition to turkey.  Fatfree Vegan has come through again with some delicious looking stuffed pumpkin recipes. You can stuff the pumpkin(s) with traditional stuffing, a wild rice stuffing, a  lentil stuffing, a cranberry stuffing, or pumpkin soup.  I like the idea of having a pumpkin be the culinary centerpiece of the table because it is such a seasonally appropriate vegetable and quite beautiful.  

7.  I'm loving my tupperware lunch box! It looks a bit like a purse, and has a spill proof container and cup.  Best of all, it is PURPLE and matches my computer bag.  Makes going to work fun!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  I am learning the lesson of not taking things for granted.  Everything we do every day without thinking, so many other people can not do.  Getting out of bed, getting in our cars, making decisions about our day--these are things that so many other people do not have the ability or opportunity to do. All the things we worry about--all the things we *think* are necessary--are only trappings and extras compared with the great gift of love and of life itself.

2. God gave me an unexpected opportunity yesterday to go to Mass and confession.  I haven't gone to daily Mass for quite a while and was very thankful for the opportunity to be able to do so.  Something else that is easy to take for granted.

3.  My friend is nearing the end of his journey to heaven.  I pray his transition is a peaceful one and that he is given the grace of a happy death.

4.  There are some who would think that the tradition within Catholicism of actually praying for the grace of a happy death (which is the virtue we pray for during the 4th Glorious mystery--The Assumption) is morbid.  But, as the above brings home, we all must die and praying that we are given the grace of a happy death seems rather realistic and logical to me.  Memento mori.

5.  Speaking of memento mori, our parish is having an overnight adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Halloween.  This follows a procession where the children dress up as saints.  We in our culture need to be reminded that there is in fact evil.  If Good is personified, so is evil and we need to be on our guard (and on our knees). 

6.  The holidays will be fast upon us and since I'm eating a vegetarian diet, I've been thinking about what things to make for Thanksgiving in addition to turkey.  Fatfree Vegan has come through again with some delicious looking stuffed pumpkin recipes. You can stuff the pumpkin(s) with traditional stuffing, a wild rice stuffing, a  lentil stuffing, a cranberry stuffing, or pumpkin soup.  I like the idea of having a pumpkin be the culinary centerpiece of the table because it is such a seasonally appropriate vegetable and quite beautiful.  

7.  I'm loving my tupperware lunch box! It looks a bit like a purse, and has a spill proof container and cup.  Best of all, it is PURPLE and matches my computer bag.  Makes going to work fun!

DVD Review: Father of Mercy

Italian actor Daniele Liotti plays Father Carlo Gnocchi in an intense and moving look at the real life story of a modern day saint as he fully experiences life, from the summit of all joy to the depths of despair and back again. The film does an incredible job of taking the young actors who portray Don Gnocchi’s students, from carefree school boys on the cusp of manhood to seasoned war veterans struggling to rebuild their lives after joining the Italian army, together during World War II.

Father of Mercy is set during a time more innocent and yet more horrifying than any most of us have ever known. The physical and mental torture of war is movingly juxtaposed with the warm friendship between Don Carlo and the close knit group of students at Gonzaga Institute who later join him on the front line as soldiers. The innocent trusting children Don Gnocchi helps have been injured by war in strikingly similar ways to many adults who seem unable to move beyond their suffering.
Truly a coming of age film, the “boys” and the priest both must rethink their assumptions and discover what life no longer devoid of suffering means. After the war, Father Gnocchi opened a children’s home for orphaned amputee children. By trying to heal the bodies and souls wracked by a war he himself experienced firsthand, Father Carlo Gnocchi heals a nation.

Today there are over 75 hospitals and clinics operated by the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation in Italy serving special needs children, terminally ill cancer patients and the elderly.


Don Carlo Gnocchi will be beatified by Pope Benedict XVI this Sunday, October 25, 2009.

You can purchase this DVD here.





I wrote this review of Father of Mercy for the Tiber River Blogger Review program, created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods. For more information and to purchase, please visit Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.



Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases.

DVD Review: Father of Mercy

Italian actor Daniele Liotti plays Father Carlo Gnocchi in an intense and moving look at the real life story of a modern day saint as he fully experiences life, from the summit of all joy to the depths of despair and back again. The film does an incredible job of taking the young actors who portray Don Gnocchi’s students, from carefree school boys on the cusp of manhood to seasoned war veterans struggling to rebuild their lives after joining the Italian army, together during World War II.

Father of Mercy is set during a time more innocent and yet more horrifying than any most of us have ever known. The physical and mental torture of war is movingly juxtaposed with the warm friendship between Don Carlo and the close knit group of students at Gonzaga Institute who later join him on the front line as soldiers. The innocent trusting children Don Gnocchi helps have been injured by war in strikingly similar ways to many adults who seem unable to move beyond their suffering.
Truly a coming of age film, the “boys” and the priest both must rethink their assumptions and discover what life no longer devoid of suffering means. After the war, Father Gnocchi opened a children’s home for orphaned amputee children. By trying to heal the bodies and souls wracked by a war he himself experienced firsthand, Father Carlo Gnocchi heals a nation.

Today there are over 75 hospitals and clinics operated by the Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation in Italy serving special needs children, terminally ill cancer patients and the elderly.


Don Carlo Gnocchi will be beatified by Pope Benedict XVI this Sunday, October 25, 2009.

You can purchase this DVD here.





I wrote this review of Father of Mercy for the Tiber River Blogger Review program, created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods. For more information and to purchase, please visit Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.



Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases.

Being Truly Grateful

In reading Fr. Stephen's blog, Glory to God for All Things, God has generously given me more to think about with regards to gratitude and why it so easily disappears. We have been given abundance. Or, rather, *I* have been given abundance. God has given me people and things throughout my life and, as is common, I have taken them for granted.

Fr. Stephen quotes Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain as saying,

The destruction of man lies in the abundance of material goods, because it prevents him from experiencing the presence of God and appreciating His benevolence.

By way of illustration, Elder Paisios tells the following story:

I lived in a place that had no water. I had to walk for two hours to get to a rock where water was leaking from its side. I placed the jug underneath and waited about an hour until it was filled up. The limited amount of water created in my soul various feelings:

Every day I was in agony: “I wonder, will the water be dripping from the rock?” I prayed to God to continue to make it drip. As I was walking towards the rock, I was anxious to see whether I would find some water and I prayed. When I could detect from far away the water glittering as the sun beams were falling on the rock, I glorified God. On my way back, I constantly thanked and glorified Him for the water He gave me. So, the small amount of water impelled me first, to constantly pray to God to make the rock drip and secondly, to thank and glorify Him, as He is the giver of all good things.

Elder Paisios ends with this advice:

The same thing applies to everything. If we are found in a difficult situation, we must not be upset; instead we should realize this is God’s way to make us feel closer to Him and become aware that He is the grantor of everything in our lives.

Indeed, Glory to God for all things!

Being Truly Grateful

In reading Fr. Stephen's blog, Glory to God for All Things, God has generously given me more to think about with regards to gratitude and why it so easily disappears. We have been given abundance. Or, rather, *I* have been given abundance. God has given me people and things throughout my life and, as is common, I have taken them for granted.

Fr. Stephen quotes Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain as saying,

The destruction of man lies in the abundance of material goods, because it prevents him from experiencing the presence of God and appreciating His benevolence.

By way of illustration, Elder Paisios tells the following story:

I lived in a place that had no water. I had to walk for two hours to get to a rock where water was leaking from its side. I placed the jug underneath and waited about an hour until it was filled up. The limited amount of water created in my soul various feelings:

Every day I was in agony: “I wonder, will the water be dripping from the rock?” I prayed to God to continue to make it drip. As I was walking towards the rock, I was anxious to see whether I would find some water and I prayed. When I could detect from far away the water glittering as the sun beams were falling on the rock, I glorified God. On my way back, I constantly thanked and glorified Him for the water He gave me. So, the small amount of water impelled me first, to constantly pray to God to make the rock drip and secondly, to thank and glorify Him, as He is the giver of all good things.

Elder Paisios ends with this advice:

The same thing applies to everything. If we are found in a difficult situation, we must not be upset; instead we should realize this is God’s way to make us feel closer to Him and become aware that He is the grantor of everything in our lives.

Indeed, Glory to God for all things!

Thank God for the Journey

I stopped by All Saints Convent in Catonsville today to pray for my friend who is dying of cancer, and for all of us who have been united once again via the blessing of Caring Bridge and the internet.  As I drove down the roads of my childhood and young adulthood, decades of my life, my decisions and attitudes, then and now, came rushing back.  I could almost see my different selves riding along.

I think it is a sad fact of human nature to want to put our lives in neat little boxes and forget what has brought us to our current place.  It is so tempting to want to put our past behind us to the point where we forget to express our gratitude to God for bringing us down the paths we have traveled to get us to where we are now.

Each stop on the road of our life is a gift.  Each person we meet is placed there for a reason. All our troubles and difficulties are there for our own benefit and the benefit of those around us.

Oh God,

I pray that I never again take for granted
the many gifts you have given me.
I thank You for everyone and everything You have sent me in my life
and I pray for the grace to use Your gifts
and to learn Your lessons
as You would have me do.
~Amen

Note: The photo is one I took today of a tree on the convent property that was just burning with color. Just gorgeous.

Thank God for the Journey

I stopped by All Saints Convent in Catonsville today to pray for my friend who is dying of cancer, and for all of us who have been united once again via the blessing of Caring Bridge and the internet.  As I drove down the roads of my childhood and young adulthood, decades of my life, my decisions and attitudes, then and now, came rushing back.  I could almost see my different selves riding along.

I think it is a sad fact of human nature to want to put our lives in neat little boxes and forget what has brought us to our current place.  It is so tempting to want to put our past behind us to the point where we forget to express our gratitude to God for bringing us down the paths we have traveled to get us to where we are now.

Each stop on the road of our life is a gift.  Each person we meet is placed there for a reason. All our troubles and difficulties are there for our own benefit and the benefit of those around us.

Oh God,

I pray that I never again take for granted
the many gifts you have given me.
I thank You for everyone and everything You have sent me in my life
and I pray for the grace to use Your gifts
and to learn Your lessons
as You would have me do.
~Amen

Note: The photo is one I took today of a tree on the convent property that was just burning with color. Just gorgeous.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week I talked about Divine Mercy Care, a pro-life Catholic alternative healthcare, posted a prayer for the Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and talked about my crocheted jewelry.  Looks like it was a rather light week this week.

I pray everyone has a blessed week!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week I talked about Divine Mercy Care, a pro-life Catholic alternative healthcare, posted a prayer for the Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and talked about my crocheted jewelry.  Looks like it was a rather light week this week.

I pray everyone has a blessed week!

Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, 

to whom Jesus revealed His immense love for mankind 

through His Sacred Heart, 

intercede for us who remain on earth, 

struggling day by day. 

Help us to know His love.  

Help us to show His love. 

Help us to be His love.

~Amen

You are precious in my eyes.  You are honored, and I love you.  ~Isaiah 43:4

Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, 

to whom Jesus revealed His immense love for mankind 

through His Sacred Heart, 

intercede for us who remain on earth, 

struggling day by day. 

Help us to know His love.  

Help us to show His love. 

Help us to be His love.

~Amen

You are precious in my eyes.  You are honored, and I love you.  ~Isaiah 43:4

Fred Astaire Friday--Just In Time

Here is a Fred Astaire fan vid with clips from Fred's movies using Dean Martin singing Just In Time.

Fred Astaire Friday--Just In Time

Here is a Fred Astaire fan vid with clips from Fred's movies using Dean Martin singing Just In Time.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. We had another bird in the house. Thankfully, the dog was spending the night in the trailer with dh. Dh did a surpreme job of closing the bird in the bedroom, removing the window a/c unit, thus allowing the bird to fly to safety. The dog was disappointed.

2. I got a lot of re-arranging and throwing away done last night. I think I'm finally on a roll in that regard. Too bad I have to work today, or I'd spend it throwing away and giving away unneeded items to the detriment of all else.

3. It seems to be unseasonably cold here at the moment. Our little area heaters are coming in quite handy. Maybe that's why the bird came in--too cold outside!

4. Jeanne Jugan, founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor is now a saint. She lived in France in the 19th century and started her order by taking in a blind widow. My own aunt has been a Little Sister for 50 years.

5. I just found out that Dr. John Bruchalski, founder of Divine Mercy Care was a former abortionist. He returned to his Catholic faith and now runs a pro-life obgyn practice in Northern Virginia. His personal story of conversion makes his ministry all the more miraculous.

6. Rumors are going around that actress Katie Holmes has enrolled daughter Suri Cruise in a Catholic pre-school in Boston, where she and her actor-husband Tom Cruise live while he is shooting a movie. It is said that Kate is adamant that her daughter not be raised a Scientologist as Mr. Cruise would like, but a Catholic, as she was.

7. In spite of their movie-star status, Mr. and Mrs. Cruise are people who struggle with daily decisions as we do. And, in spite of the surreal nature of their lives, there are people who pray for Katie and the difficult decisions she is having to make.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. We had another bird in the house. Thankfully, the dog was spending the night in the trailer with dh. Dh did a surpreme job of closing the bird in the bedroom, removing the window a/c unit, thus allowing the bird to fly to safety. The dog was disappointed.

2. I got a lot of re-arranging and throwing away done last night. I think I'm finally on a roll in that regard. Too bad I have to work today, or I'd spend it throwing away and giving away unneeded items to the detriment of all else.

3. It seems to be unseasonably cold here at the moment. Our little area heaters are coming in quite handy. Maybe that's why the bird came in--too cold outside!

4. Jeanne Jugan, founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor is now a saint. She lived in France in the 19th century and started her order by taking in a blind widow. My own aunt has been a Little Sister for 50 years.

5. I just found out that Dr. John Bruchalski, founder of Divine Mercy Care was a former abortionist. He returned to his Catholic faith and now runs a pro-life obgyn practice in Northern Virginia. His personal story of conversion makes his ministry all the more miraculous.

6. Rumors are going around that actress Katie Holmes has enrolled daughter Suri Cruise in a Catholic pre-school in Boston, where she and her actor-husband Tom Cruise live while he is shooting a movie. It is said that Kate is adamant that her daughter not be raised a Scientologist as Mr. Cruise would like, but a Catholic, as she was.

7. In spite of their movie-star status, Mr. and Mrs. Cruise are people who struggle with daily decisions as we do. And, in spite of the surreal nature of their lives, there are people who pray for Katie and the difficult decisions she is having to make.

An Alternative Catholic Healthcare Model

Divine Mercy Care, brainchild of Dr. John Bruchalski of Fairfax, Virginia, is the future of Catholic healthcare.  There is a greater need than ever today of quality, affordable and compassionate health care that is not regulated or priced out of existance.

Divine Mercy Care has two branches.  The first is Tepyac Family Center, an OBGYN practice that focuses on John Paul II's Theology of the Body.  They do not view fertility as a disease, but as a gift.  They do not prescribe birth control, do sterilizations or perform abortions.  Instead, they use a holistic aproach with a non-profit model which allows them to spend time with their patients.  Their focus is on health, not on making money.  In fact, Dr. Bruchalski says it is not possible to make money on some fee-for-service practices today. 

The other branch of Divine Mercy Care, DMC Pharmacy, run by Robert Sembler, operates in a shopping center in Chantilly, Virginia.  Because of its committment not to sell cigarettes, pornography or contraceptives, including the "Plan B" emergency contraceptive, they have come under fire from media outlets such as the Washington Post, and they need our support. 

If you are not near Chantilly, Virginia, you can transfer your prescriptions conveniently online and have them mailed to your door for a small fee.  Their pharmacy will match any verifyable local retail prescription price and also offers a $4.00/30 day and $10.00/90 day generic prescriptions. Their "About Us" page shows that they undersell Walmart on many prescriptions that do not yet have generic equivalents. And, yes, they take insurance.

I honestly think this is the future of Catholic healthcare.  I am currently reading a book Diagnosis Critical - The Urgent Threats Confronting Catholic Healthcare by Leonard J. Nelson, III, that outlines the current crisis confronting Catholic hospitals. 

In a comment on InsideCatholic, where the article inspiring this post came from, Decon Ed proposes that the Catholic Church "get out of the mega-hospital business...and use those funds to establish community-based, faith-based clinics."  I think that is an excellent idea.  As health care becomes more and more regulated and less and less affordable, this option to serve humanity and bring Christ to all is where the Church is needed and where Catholic healthcare headed, I think. 

If you are as inspired by this story as I am, click on the link above and transfer your prescriptions to DMC pharmacy.

An Alternative Catholic Healthcare Model

Divine Mercy Care, brainchild of Dr. John Bruchalski of Fairfax, Virginia, is the future of Catholic healthcare.  There is a greater need than ever today of quality, affordable and compassionate health care that is not regulated or priced out of existance.

Divine Mercy Care has two branches.  The first is Tepyac Family Center, an OBGYN practice that focuses on John Paul II's Theology of the Body.  They do not view fertility as a disease, but as a gift.  They do not prescribe birth control, do sterilizations or perform abortions.  Instead, they use a holistic aproach with a non-profit model which allows them to spend time with their patients.  Their focus is on health, not on making money.  In fact, Dr. Bruchalski says it is not possible to make money on some fee-for-service practices today. 

The other branch of Divine Mercy Care, DMC Pharmacy, run by Robert Sembler, operates in a shopping center in Chantilly, Virginia.  Because of its committment not to sell cigarettes, pornography or contraceptives, including the "Plan B" emergency contraceptive, they have come under fire from media outlets such as the Washington Post, and they need our support. 

If you are not near Chantilly, Virginia, you can transfer your prescriptions conveniently online and have them mailed to your door for a small fee.  Their pharmacy will match any verifyable local retail prescription price and also offers a $4.00/30 day and $10.00/90 day generic prescriptions. Their "About Us" page shows that they undersell Walmart on many prescriptions that do not yet have generic equivalents. And, yes, they take insurance.

I honestly think this is the future of Catholic healthcare.  I am currently reading a book Diagnosis Critical - The Urgent Threats Confronting Catholic Healthcare by Leonard J. Nelson, III, that outlines the current crisis confronting Catholic hospitals. 

In a comment on InsideCatholic, where the article inspiring this post came from, Decon Ed proposes that the Catholic Church "get out of the mega-hospital business...and use those funds to establish community-based, faith-based clinics."  I think that is an excellent idea.  As health care becomes more and more regulated and less and less affordable, this option to serve humanity and bring Christ to all is where the Church is needed and where Catholic healthcare headed, I think. 

If you are as inspired by this story as I am, click on the link above and transfer your prescriptions to DMC pharmacy.

Crocheted Jewelry!

I've been crocheting!  There is something about the cool weather that makes me want to get out the yarn and create.

I got this pattern from Creative Yarn, a unique crochet website run by a talented young Italian woman.  She has a fascinating collection of crocheted jewelry in addition to the more expected hats and sweaters.

Now that my husband and I have traded our trailer in for a pop-up camper, I have a feeling I'll be crocheting myself some leg warmers--style be damned!

I need to replentish my yarn supply with black yarn, as well as maybe some yarn with silver and gold in it.  I also need to buy some nice large buttons.  I've got a supply of various rather tiny buttons, but I'm thinking I need ones a bit larger.  (This necklace actually buttons in the back.)

Anyway, I really enjoyed making this and am looking forward to whatever insanely easy crochet patterns I can find in the future.

Crocheted Jewelry!

I've been crocheting!  There is something about the cool weather that makes me want to get out the yarn and create.

I got this pattern from Creative Yarn, a unique crochet website run by a talented young Italian woman.  She has a fascinating collection of crocheted jewelry in addition to the more expected hats and sweaters.

Now that my husband and I have traded our trailer in for a pop-up camper, I have a feeling I'll be crocheting myself some leg warmers--style be damned!

I need to replentish my yarn supply with black yarn, as well as maybe some yarn with silver and gold in it.  I also need to buy some nice large buttons.  I've got a supply of various rather tiny buttons, but I'm thinking I need ones a bit larger.  (This necklace actually buttons in the back.)

Anyway, I really enjoyed making this and am looking forward to whatever insanely easy crochet patterns I can find in the future.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week seems to have been "book week" for me. I talked about the upcoming new Winnie the Pooh book, Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus, did a book review about The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney, and one about Let Go by Sheila Walsh.

I also did a post about National Depression Screening Day and one about Our Lady of the Rosary.

Have a wonderful week!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Sunday Snippets is brought to you each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing.

This week seems to have been "book week" for me. I talked about the upcoming new Winnie the Pooh book, Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus, did a book review about The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney, and one about Let Go by Sheila Walsh.

I also did a post about National Depression Screening Day and one about Our Lady of the Rosary.

Have a wonderful week!

Fred Astaire Friday

Here is a clip of Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in Easter Parade.  The song is It Only Happens When I Dance With You.  Such Romance!

Fred Astaire Friday

Here is a clip of Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in Easter Parade.  The song is It Only Happens When I Dance With You.  Such Romance!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Today is Friday, traditionally a penetential day. Give something up today. The Church prescribes either abstaining from meat, or doing something extra today.

2. Say a Rosary today in honor of the month of the Rosary. Offer it up for those who are suffering. Offer each decade up for a different intention. Give your worries to God.

3. Pray Psalm 50 (51) today. Such a beautiful penitential psalm. Here is a video I did of Psalm 50 (51) using a Byzantine chant from Great (Good) Friday.

4.  I was reading something today, about an Eastern tradition of wearing a cross, either all the time, or at least when you receive communion.  Food for thought.  Do you wear any signs of your religious beliefs?  Do you think it is fair that many people are either forbidden, or feel it is not right to wear outward religious signs in their workplace?

5.  I'm wondering if one of the reasons that Sunday has lost its spiritual meaning for many is because Friday has lost its spiritual meaning.  When we do not meditate on the death of Our Lord each Friday, we can not rejoice at his Resurrection on Sunday.  Perhaps for Christians, Friday should be a day to do things we would rather avoid doing, to offer them up with the sufferings of Jesus that we remember on that day.

6.  Where does that leave Saturday, then?  If Friday is a day set apart to share in the sufferings of Christ, and Sunday is a day set aside by God since the beginning of time to rest, and since the dawn of Christianity to celebrate a "little Easter", where, then, does Saturday fall?  I think Saturday becomes the day of work.  As is often the case, society has it backwards.  Saturday is often the day of recreation and Sunday is the day to "get things done."  Perhaps we can continue working and giving up little consolations on Saturday in order to clear out our Sundays for celebrating.

7.  Sunday used to be a family time.  A "little Easter" celebrated with a big family dinner after church.  Bring out the traditional dishes that make each family so special.  Go against society's trend and avoid shopping on Sunday.  Avoid paying bills.  Avoid mandatory sports.  Celebrate the Lord's Day.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Today is Friday, traditionally a penetential day. Give something up today. The Church prescribes either abstaining from meat, or doing something extra today.

2. Say a Rosary today in honor of the month of the Rosary. Offer it up for those who are suffering. Offer each decade up for a different intention. Give your worries to God.

3. Pray Psalm 50 (51) today. Such a beautiful penitential psalm. Here is a video I did of Psalm 50 (51) using a Byzantine chant from Great (Good) Friday.

4.  I was reading something today, about an Eastern tradition of wearing a cross, either all the time, or at least when you receive communion.  Food for thought.  Do you wear any signs of your religious beliefs?  Do you think it is fair that many people are either forbidden, or feel it is not right to wear outward religious signs in their workplace?

5.  I'm wondering if one of the reasons that Sunday has lost its spiritual meaning for many is because Friday has lost its spiritual meaning.  When we do not meditate on the death of Our Lord each Friday, we can not rejoice at his Resurrection on Sunday.  Perhaps for Christians, Friday should be a day to do things we would rather avoid doing, to offer them up with the sufferings of Jesus that we remember on that day.

6.  Where does that leave Saturday, then?  If Friday is a day set apart to share in the sufferings of Christ, and Sunday is a day set aside by God since the beginning of time to rest, and since the dawn of Christianity to celebrate a "little Easter", where, then, does Saturday fall?  I think Saturday becomes the day of work.  As is often the case, society has it backwards.  Saturday is often the day of recreation and Sunday is the day to "get things done."  Perhaps we can continue working and giving up little consolations on Saturday in order to clear out our Sundays for celebrating.

7.  Sunday used to be a family time.  A "little Easter" celebrated with a big family dinner after church.  Bring out the traditional dishes that make each family so special.  Go against society's trend and avoid shopping on Sunday.  Avoid paying bills.  Avoid mandatory sports.  Celebrate the Lord's Day.

Poem of the Week

Red, gently applied over yellow

with a dry brush.

Cold apple.

Poem of the Week

Red, gently applied over yellow

with a dry brush.

Cold apple.

Our Lady of the Rosary

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.  The entire month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, precipitated by this feast.  Formerly called Our Lady of Victory, this feast was instituted in 1570 by Pope Pius V in thanksgiving for a victory over the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto.

The Rosary is a form of contemplative, vocal, physical and mental prayer which takes us through the story of the Life of Christ. While praying each decade of 10 prayers, you meditate on a different mystery from the life of Christ and pray for a particular virtue.  It is truly a life changing form of prayer that can be prayed while resting or walking, silently or aloud, in parts, or as a whole.

The following is a list of all the mysteries of the rosary along with the corresponding virtue or fruit.  It is truly a catechism in miniature.  

Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Saturday)

1. The Annunciation (of the Birth of the Savior to Mary): Humility
2. The Visitation (of Mary to Elizabeth and John the Baptist): Charity, Love of neighbor
3. The Nativity of Our Lord: Poverty of spirit, Detachment from the things of the world, Contempt of riches, Love of the poor
4. The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple: Obedience, Purity of intention
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple: Piety

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday)

1. The Agony in the Garden: Contrition, Conformity to the will of God
2. The Scourging at the Pillar: Purity, Mortification
3. The Crowning with Thorns: Moral Courage, Contempt of the world
4. The Carrying of the Cross: Patience
5. The Crucifixion: Final perseverance, Salvation, Self-Denial

Glorious Mysteries (Sunday, Wednesday)

1. The Resurrection: Faith
2. The Ascension: Hope, Desire for Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (on Mary and the Apostles at Pentecost)Love of God, : Wisdom, Knowing and sharing the truth
4. The Assumption of Mary: Devotion to Mary, Grace of a happy death
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Eternal Happiness

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan: Openness to the Holy Spirit, Living one's baptismal promises
2. The Miracle at Cana: To Jesus through Mary, Doing whatever Jesus says
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: Repentance, Trust in God
4. The Transfiguration: Becoming a new person in Christ, Desire for holiness
5. The Institution of the Eucharist: Eucharistic Adoration, Active participation at Mass

Hat tip to Catholic Culture.
  

Our Lady of the Rosary

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.  The entire month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, precipitated by this feast.  Formerly called Our Lady of Victory, this feast was instituted in 1570 by Pope Pius V in thanksgiving for a victory over the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto.

The Rosary is a form of contemplative, vocal, physical and mental prayer which takes us through the story of the Life of Christ. While praying each decade of 10 prayers, you meditate on a different mystery from the life of Christ and pray for a particular virtue.  It is truly a life changing form of prayer that can be prayed while resting or walking, silently or aloud, in parts, or as a whole.

The following is a list of all the mysteries of the rosary along with the corresponding virtue or fruit.  It is truly a catechism in miniature.  

Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Saturday)

1. The Annunciation (of the Birth of the Savior to Mary): Humility
2. The Visitation (of Mary to Elizabeth and John the Baptist): Charity, Love of neighbor
3. The Nativity of Our Lord: Poverty of spirit, Detachment from the things of the world, Contempt of riches, Love of the poor
4. The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple: Obedience, Purity of intention
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple: Piety

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday)

1. The Agony in the Garden: Contrition, Conformity to the will of God
2. The Scourging at the Pillar: Purity, Mortification
3. The Crowning with Thorns: Moral Courage, Contempt of the world
4. The Carrying of the Cross: Patience
5. The Crucifixion: Final perseverance, Salvation, Self-Denial

Glorious Mysteries (Sunday, Wednesday)

1. The Resurrection: Faith
2. The Ascension: Hope, Desire for Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (on Mary and the Apostles at Pentecost)Love of God, : Wisdom, Knowing and sharing the truth
4. The Assumption of Mary: Devotion to Mary, Grace of a happy death
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Eternal Happiness

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan: Openness to the Holy Spirit, Living one's baptismal promises
2. The Miracle at Cana: To Jesus through Mary, Doing whatever Jesus says
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: Repentance, Trust in God
4. The Transfiguration: Becoming a new person in Christ, Desire for holiness
5. The Institution of the Eucharist: Eucharistic Adoration, Active participation at Mass

Hat tip to Catholic Culture.