Honoring Mothers

Women have been historically abused and put down by the power of men. Men often believe themselves superior to women, especially if they are mediocre themselves, and claim that they are great because they are men and they have a right to use women for their pleasure. For thousands of years this has been the attitude of the world at large, that women are defective, weak, and can be enjoyed as objects. Even to this day the great atrocity of selling little girls to men as play things to be used, abused, raped, and then killed goes on everywhere, even in this country. However, I cannot continue on that subject or I'll be sick. Great thinkers have long thought women deficient. Aristotle viewed women as deficient males, lacking the essentials of a human being. Thomas Aquinas and Augustine too took this view as well as other intelligent people, but this just goes to show that even the most intelligent folks can be very wrong at times.

What was woman's reaction to all of this? Eventually she rebelled. Every rebellion has in it at least an ounce of truth, but always tends to excess. Woman wanted to be recognized as a human being having rights and a soul, but she eventually pursued the idea of equality meaning no difference, no variation. Simone de Beauvoir is revered as a champion of woman's rights and she certainly had good cause, but she went on to claim that there is no difference between men and women, that they should do the same things, and to be freed from the indignity that lies in being feminine. The only thing which stood between woman and man was the fact that woman was charged with the continuation of the race, so then we must rid woman of that responsibility; it is wrong to think of her in the context of the home where she has been unjustly confined for so many years. According to Miss de Beauvoir housework is pointless and torturous, and pregnancy unfortunate. Therefore, we welcome birth control that woman no longer be tied to her sexuality and be as free as men can be, send women to higher education to get degrees, dress them in pants and suits, cut off their hair, etc. Now she is free to be a man!

When our Lord was ascending Calvary he met several women beating their breasts and crying out in sorrow for the evils done to him. He did not thank them for their sorrow for he told them "do not weep for me but for your children, for the day is coming when people will say 'blessed are those wombs which never bore and breasts which never nursed'." That day has certainly come. While the rest of the world allows itself to be complacent with radical shifts in society, it is the woman who embraces her femininity and stands barefoot in her kitchen with a baby on each hip who will affect the redemption of the world.

In the midst of all such stupidity around us, many Catholic women are still standing against the tyranny of secularism by embracing life. Our church holds a baby shower for every expectant mother, whether it is her first or her seventh child, and in this way seeks to honor every mother for her choice to follow such a sacred vocation.


Lena's baby arrived and was baptized before the shower could take place.
Mallory was quite overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, and the fact that she received notes from both her mother and her mother-in-law who live out of state.


Emily is a new arrival to the church and quite happy to receive so much for her second baby.
Rowanne is expecting her 4th girl and this was the very first baby shower she had ever had. The poor dear was quite overcome.

November Nor'easter

Just about every decade we have a fairly severe storm down here in Southern Virginia, and this was it for us. We had tides 7.8 feet above normal, which spells trouble for certain parts of Hampton Roads, especially Norfolk and Portsmouth which have large sections either at or lower than city level. Since I did not take my camera with me, I can't show you all the submerged cars I saw on my way to work. It proved to be an excellent decision of Dad's to take the 12 passenger van through Norfolk, and we made it through several tight spots despite having to make numerous u-turns and drive through parking lots. We accidentally found the Opera house on the way, so if I ever make it out, I'll know where it is. =) Sadly, our beloved chinaberry tree was split in half during the storm. My brothers and Dad and I spent almost an entire day chopping it up and carting it off. Nothing like common work to bring a family together.



Daniel's a sturdy young helper, though the saw was a bit too big for him.
We threw the branches over the back fence where they will decompose and be gone in a few years.


Unfortunately, one of the wind turbans was damaged so my father and brother climbed on up there to have a look.

Living Simply

As one attempts to grow in virtue, he finds that there are certain virtues which are more difficult to come by than others. One of these for me is simplicity. I have taken on a great deal of the materialism surrounding me in this world, and every time I leave the house I am always searching for lovely Catholic music, modest skirts and tops, and chocolate. I'm very frugal about it all, for I can get three skirts for $10 at the thrift store...but the amount of clothing which I possess is astounding and enough to clothe 3 or 4 or me without having to share clothes from day to day!

Simplicity is not necessarily a moral virtue, but is definitely a virtue which aids one in developing moral virtue. If one lives in a detached manner, with few and simpler possessions, there would have to be fewer occasions of sin simply because there isn't enough material about to promote vanity and anger towards family members who mess up your stuff. It is shameful how much "extra" stuff people own which is never used but only pushed around and dusted. I often think thoughts on this line as I angrily step over the clutter around my room.

These people take this teaching to a whole new level. Actually, it is a very old level, but they take it to the extreme. Plain Catholics live their lives in as simple as possible a way in something. I think it may be linked to the "back to the land" movement as well. I'm not advocating this whole thing, because we must still live in this world, but it is an interesting idea.

New Job, New Period in Life

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new period in my life: I finally have a full-time, legitimate position. I have a registered nurse position in a pediatric emergency room. Since the program begins with class time and clinical, it should be an easy transition for newly graduated nursing students. It is nice to find a place that welcomes new nurses.

All through school our teachers and the general public were always telling us how we would have no trouble getting a job. However, supposedly due to the economy, no one would take a new nurse. Why? well, we are a liability since we have so little experience, and then the other thing is that they want experienced nurses, ones they don't have to watch out for, people who already know their way around. It kinda goes to show that while book knowledge is great, there is nothing that can really take the place of lived experience, experiential knowledge. However, one would like to wonder that if no one will allow me experience how the heck am I gonna get any!?!? These things go in cycles, however, and any good economist would probably have something to say about all the various causes of such cycles. I am certainly happy though to have such a position and thank ful that it did come exactly 6 months after graduation. Now to pay off my loans. =)

Downfall of the Free Thinker.

A good reflection from The Ball and the Cross by GK, the apostle of common sense. Eerie how right he was on most things

"No, the great Freethinker, with his genuine ability and honesty, does not in practice destroy Christianity. What he does destroy is the Freethinker who went before. Free-thought may be suggestive, it may be inspiring, it may have as much as you please of the merits that come from vivacity and variety. But there is one thing Free-though can never be by any possibility: Free-thought can never be progressive. It can never be progressive because it will accept nothing from the past; it begins every time again from the beginning; and it goes every time in a different direction. all the rational philosophers have gone along different roads, so it is impossible to say which has gone furthest. Who can discuss whether Emerson was a better optimist than Schopenhauer was pessimist?"

Consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of the Kingship of Christ because he desired to make a solemn proclamation of the social dominion of Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ over the entire world. He is the King of souls and consciences, of intellects and wills, of families and cities, peoples and nations, indeed over the entire universe. Pius XI, in his Encyclical Quas Primas of 1925, denounced secularism as the direct denial of the Kingship of Christ. Secularism organizes social life without any reference to the existence of God whatsoever, and this attitude leads to widespread apostasy and the ruination of society. The feast was instituted in the Old Rite on the last Sunday of October, near the close of the Liturgical year. With the new Liturgical Calander in 1969, it was placed as the last Sunday before Advent, thus at the very end. It comes at the end to signify that the feast is the crowing glory of all the mysteries of the life of Christ and as an anticipation of the eternal reign He will have over the New Jerusalem.

At my own parish, every year on this feast we reconsecrate ourselves as a Parish, as famlies, and as individuals to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart in 1900, and at that time all parishes recited this prayer together. Pope Pius XI prescribed that it should be recited in a modified form annually in all churches on the feast of Christ the King. When recited as a parish, this prayer is extremely powerful. There is no reason why we should not consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart, for what can we give him that he would want more? If your own parish does not do this together, you can do it as a family or on your own at your house.

Dearest Jesus, redeemer of mankind, look upon us as in all humility we bow down before they altar (or in the presence). Thine we are, and thine we desire to be; but in order to be more firmly united to thee, each one of us this day freely dedicates himself to they most Sacred Heart.

Many there are who have never known thee; many, too, have made light of thy commandments and forsworn thee.

Have mercy on them all, most gracious Jesus, and draw them to they Sacred Heart. Reign, Lord, as king not only of the faithful who have never left thee, but of the prodigal sons who have forsaken thee; bring them back with all speed to their Father's house, before they perish of misery and hunger.

Reign as king over those who are beguiled by heresy or kept aloof by schism: call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that before long there may be on fold only and one shepherd.

Grant, Lord, to thy Church freedom from fear and immunity from harm; grant to all nations ordered peace; perfect thy work, until the earth rings from pole to pole with a single cry: Praise be to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to that Heart be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen

By the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Peace, set up Thy kingdom in our parish. Enter closely into the midst of our families and make them Thine own. May the triumphant Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved, blessed and glorified forever! To the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede for us.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

On Bill Cosby's "Himself" he remarks how many people who don't have children and say that they love children because "they are so truthful. They tell the truth and are so genuine." This is partially true, but every child instinctively adjusts to certain times when it seems better for him to tell the truth. No matter whether the kid is a well meaning liar or an honest angel, children have a way of telling truth at the most inopportune moments.

One friend of ours had a very mischievous 3 year old, and realized that she was not in the back playing with the other children. She walked into the house calling "Mackenzie, where are you?" The reply came back: "Not in the kitchen!" "What are you doing in the kitchen?" "Not eating cookies!" came the child's response, and upon walking into the kitchen she espied the imp sitting on the counter surrounded by crumbs and with both hands in the cookie jar, her cherubic face streamed with chocolate.

As we were leaving church one day, a lady arriving for the next Mass passed us on the way in. She was a little Filipino lady, back bowed with age, hair dyed bright orange, and colorful scarves wrapped around her. My little sister grabbed my hand, her eyes wide and face all smiles, and quite loudly said, "Doesn't that lady look like an Oompa Loompa?" I dissolved in embarrassment.

As the years have gone by, even though I'm still quite young, I've developed a bit of paunch. One morning I was lamenting the roundness of my person as I was getting dressed, and bewailing my chubby state when my little sister decided to inform me that I was dead wrong. "You are not fat," said the young one, "and even if you are, you shouldn't worry. Lots of fat girls get married." What could I say? "Thank you dear...that's so...reassuring."

Jobless Wishlist.

I've been out of a job for about 5 months now, and there are a great many things that one cannot acquire if he finds himself lacking funds. I mean, if you don't have a source of income, you can't even go out to dinner or drive to the beach cause you can't fill your gas tank. Therefore, I have been thinking of all the things I want to do/get once I have a job. They would include:

1. Pay off my credit card balance.
2. Buy sun glasses (I get some every summer and then promptly loose them)
3. Tithe (haven't been able to for a while) and light thanksgiving candles. :-)
4. Pay Deborah back the money I owe her. (I was compelled to borrow money in order to pay my rent last year)
5. Buy a car (in order to get to the job)
6. Take my parents out to dinner
7. Buy some formal shoes for church and some nurse shoes
8. Go to Busch Gardens (YAY!!!)
9. Buy some movies and books I've wanted for a while.
10. Get an apartment.
11. Pay my parents back for all my cellphone, rent, and other expenses.
12. Get some celtic cross earrings =)
13. Acquire a white veil to wear to church so I don't always look like I'm taken and/or in mourning.
14. Get a laptop (eventually...not a priority)
15. Buy Irish cream
16. Drink the Irish cream with lovely people.
17. Take my less fortunate friends out to lunch.
18. Pay people back for their gasoline.
19. Getting riding/horsemanship lessons...and eventually a horse. =)
20. Learn to shoot and buy a gun.
21. Get a canoe or a kayak and hit the inter-coastal waterway. (not really...but lots of cool places!)
22. Wedding presents for everyone who decided to get married this year, which seems to be the majority of my friends.
23. Baby presents for everyone having babies, which is the rest of my friends who are already married.

Cardinal Arinze Speaks

A number of Cardinal Arinze's Q&A session answers from an interview in 2008 at Catholic Familyland in Bloomingdale, Ohio are available on Youtube. I have picked a few to post here which I think are pivotal. From the Apostolate for Family Consecration.

Kneeling during Mass, kneelers, and Alter rails



On the Tridentine Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) and on "creativity" in the Novus Ordo Mass. Priests must follow Holy Mother Church's directions in relation to rubrics and the mode in which the Holy Mass is celebrated.

Prayer of St. Augustine

An excellent meditation for before/during/after Holy Mass...especially if you've trouble with focusing on Our Lord after Holy Communion. I've often puzzled over my inclination to go right back to sinning no matter how many times I have confessed and asked for forgiveness. It is encouraging to see that such a great Saint struggled with similar things but eventually ended in eternal glory.

Before Your eyes, O Lord, we bring our offenses, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.
If we consider the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little and what we deserve is great.
What we have committed is very grave, wheat we have suffered is very slight.
We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.
Under Your lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed.
Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.
Our life groans under sorrow, yet mends not in deed.
If You spare us we correct not our ways: if You punish we cannot endure it.
In time of correction we confess our wrong-doing: after Your visitation we forget that we have wept.
If you stretch forth Your hand we promise amendment; if You withhold the sword we keep not our promise.
If You strike we cry out for mercy: if You spare we again provoke you to strike.
Here we are before You, O Lord, shameless criminals: we know that unless You pardon we shall deservedly perish.
Grant then, almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask for; You who made out of nothing those who ask You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins.
R. Neither requite us according to our iniquities.
Let us pray.
O God, You are offended by sin and pacified by penance; mercifully regard the prayers of Your suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Your wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Letter from the Pontifical Academy for Life

Letter from the Pontifical Academy for Life on the question of using vaccinations derived from aborted fetal tissue. It has been translated from Italian by the Academy.

On Vaccines Made From Cells of Aborted Fetuses

Ethical Vaccines

There has been a great deal of unrest with regards to vaccines in recent years. As a nurse, I'm supposed to push people to get their children vaccinated...and I cannot deny that vaccines have probably done some good since their inception during the last century. However, as a Catholic and a nurse who is concerned with the holistic good of others I cannot in good conscience remain silent on this issue.

Unknown to most of the public is the fact that the cell lines from aborted fetuses are used to grow or become the substance of vaccines. Basically, this means that tissues taken from aborted fetuses are used as the cells to grow vaccines in/on. They can be grown on other substances (chicken embroys for example) so there is no conceivable reason to use those of aborted fetuses. Using the fetal cell lines is faster because new eggs must be gotten each time and cultivated, whereas the fetal cell line, called PER C6, is always handy.

The link below contains a list of the vaccines that contain aborted fetal cell lines and gives moral alternatives. Some vaccines, like the They also have the sources of their information listed, and individuals can call or go online to see the ingredients of their vaccines because these things are public. MDCK is a moral line ingredient name. You can request any of these from your physician. Any vaccines not listed do not contain the immoral lines.

COG for Life

Reflection on Tolerance

Today we have arrived in a state of total ambiguity, or at least so it would seem. Virtues are no longer practiced in public, nor are they acceptable. Chastity is looked upon with scorn and disdain, fertility which was once a blessing is now a curse and must be "controlled;" Children, once a blessing, are now a "right" so that if you are unable to conceive in the natural there are means by which a child may be manufactured, as opposed to being the fruit of a loving act between father and mother; Justice and mercy seem to be a dicotomy, and therefore cannot really exist in todays world of logic and constistency, thus we adopt the attitude of "fairness" because of course this is the purified form of justice; Love is acceptable at all times and in all places, in any form and for any person, so that any atrocity can be committed as long as it is done for love; kindness is permitted so long as it does not inconvenience the giver in any way; patience has gone by the wayside, for you can even skip the few seconds of silence in between songs; self-sacrifice, meekness and humility are silly and stupid. Faithlessness in marriage is forgivable under nearly every circumstance, and divorce always acceptable. Temperance is good, but if you want to do everything to excess no one will say boo. Peace is simply the lack of virtue. Liberality has become a virtue instead of a trait. What is the only virtue left us?

Frankly, it isn't a virtue at all. It is tolerance. Virtue has become obsolete, for everything is relative to location, time, person, situation, etc. As Chesterton pointed out, "Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions," Some even believe that cold blooded murder, the worst of crimes, is acceptable if the victim is a "bad" person, though what constitutes bad these days I have no idea. It may be acceptable if they are suffering, or no longer productive (fulfilling their place in society), or perhaps unwanted, "for it is better they not live at all than to live a life as an unwanted person." Life, we must conclude from this, is no longer worth living if conditions are not optimal. Thus we join Margaret Sanger in her crusade against "retarded" life, blacks; Hitler and his band which supported only the perfect race, a race of demi-gods made of genetically perfect individuals; Peter Singer in his view that parents have sway over the life or death of their offspring until age 12.

So what is this new virtue, this standard? Tolerance is "to bear with, to not interfere with, to allow, to permit," in the grammatical world. In the medical world it refers to the body's ability to grow numb to the effects of certain drugs so that there must be more drug given to cause the same effect. Tolerance itself is a neutral thing and can become either good or evil by way of the essential matter tolerated. However, in our day one must tolerate everything, good and evil, no matter how atrocious...one is absolutely compelled to do so. In the land of free speech it is now a crime to take an unpopular stance or to speak an unpopular sentiment. Tolerance is the gospel of the people.

As for me, I will tolerate other opinions, the fact that you like scary movies, that Mr. Jones only cuts his lawn every two weeks, that my roommate plays loud music I dislike. Such things are not moral issues. However, under no circumstances should one ever condone sins, silence his own voice or the voices of others in speaking against evil, nor should we ever be silent in the face of policies, legalities, or opinions which are offensive to the right. We must have convictions, that there is truth, and that life is indeed worth living.

"All the Pretty Little Horses"

Lullabies are exactly that, a song which is supposed to lull the listener into sleep. They are repetitive, often with simple appealing intervals, and are usually seem about nothing of consequence. However, nearly every lullaby tells a tragic or dramatic story. This one seems to be a negro/southern song. The very last verse is obviously very different than the refrain or the other verse, and is thought to indicated the sorrow of the black slave ladies who nursed their white charges having been compelled to abandon their own families. However, since the song has been handed down by oral tradition, the real meaning of the song may remain a mystery. I recently heard "All the Pretty Little Horses" at a music student recital, and fell in love with it.


Hushaby, don' you cry
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you awake you shall have cake
And all the pretty little horses.

Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
Blacks and Bays, Dapples and Grays
Coach, and a six a little horses.
So Hushaby...etc.

Way down yonda', down in the medder
There's a poor little lambie.
Bees an' the butterflies peckin' out his eyes
Poor lambie cried fo' his mammy

To listen on youtube

Homilies

The Fraternity of Saint Peter, an order of secular priests who say only the Extraordinary form of the Latin Rite Mass, have a website with some of the most excellent homilies and Lenten missions then have done. It's pretty cool, you can find them by category, by date, and others.

Audio Sancto

You Were Born to Fly by Sara Evens

I heard this song by Sara Evens on the radio this evening, and it is one of those songs that just strikes a chord within you and you know that you have felt that. Wanting so much that which you think will fulfill or which is most possibly your vocation. Kinda silly though, the part about the desire for love being a sin. There is no sin in attempting to fill that whole left in our being by original sin, ever since the fall, whereby we seek love, happiness, and fulfillment to be found in Christ by means of our vocation. It is that search for something deeper which effects our salvation...that we look into ourselves and eventually to God for the truth. Truth is end, the goal, of our lives and our being, the end and the means by which we find our way into paradise and happiness.

You Were Born to Fly

I've been telling my dreams to the scarecrow
About the places that I'd like to see
I say, "friend do you think I'll ever get there?"
Oh, but he just stands there smilin' back at me
So I confessed my sins to the preacher
About the love I've been prayin' to find
Is there a brown-eyed boy in my future, yeah
And he says, "girl, you've got nothin' but time."

But how do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know that you were born,
You were born to fly

My daddy he is grounded like the oak tree
My momma she is steady as the sun
Oh, you know I love my folks
But I keep starin' down the road
Just lookin' for my one chance to run
Hey, cause I will soar away like a blackbird
I will blow in the wind like a seed
I will plant my heart in the garden of my dreams
And I will grow up where I wander wild and free

Oh, How do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know, that you were born?
You were born, yeah, you were born to fly

Coffee and Diapers

I recently found this site, made by three young mothers. I have met Sia and esteem her as a gifted artist and a lovely woman. The site is artistic (something I wish I were), funny, gives advice, and anything else that might possibly go with the diaper-coffee theme. Check it out for yourself.

Coffee and Diapers

"This site is devoted to the discussion of the Holy and Sacred vocation of Motherhood: Imitation of Our Lady of Nazareth and becoming the heart of the home. Diaper by diaper, dish by dish, we are asked to grow in holiness. As responsible Catholics, we also hope to remind our readers about the nature of our calling. Motherhood is such a dignified and important task... something that is forgotten in today's world. May this blog serve to inspire and encourage women everywhere:"

"Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the beauty of a good wife in a well-run house."
Ecclesiasticus 26:16

Reflections on Truth

What is Truth? According to Chesterton.

1) Truth will always be true. It's veracity does not rest on what day it is or what age in which we live. What was true in 1398 B.C. was true in Mexico in 1600, in China in 400 A.D., in Rome in 66A.D., in Jerusalem in 70 A.D., in the United States in 1775, in Ireland in 1916, England in 1940, in Georgia in 1864, in Germany in 1987.
2) Truth is consistent.
3) Truth is whole. Anything less than the whole is a heresy, a lie, a half-truth or perhaps even less. If you are missing a piece of the truth, you cannot be said to know the truth.
4) Truth is good, never evil. Truth always coincides with virtue, as a lack of truth always coincides with vice. Though we all love the truth, it makes us uncomfortable. A lack of truth lives with evil.

Fiction Vs. Truth.
Truth is stranger than fiction because we have made fiction to fit ourselves. Truth is real whereas fiction is realistic. Truth is holy, superior, and high and fiction low, debase, and evil.

Other than the fact that truth makes us uncomfortable is the fact that speaking the truth can get you into a fight. Every person knows that they are to love truth and to hate evil. If this were not the case, people would not spend so much time, effort, wind, and energy to make evil appear true. One should always defend what you love. Therefore, though perhaps unpleasant, a fight for truth is an act of love.

Truth is muddy, which encourages doubt and a lack of faith. Doubt is reactionary and prejudicial. Tolerance is preferred nowadays to truth. Those who denounce intolerance have no theory to denounce it. The idea is that it doesn't matter what you believe now so long as you don't hurt anybody else. The logic of that statement is debatable. However, on the flip side is that everyone is concerned with what everyone else believes. People are never so hypocritical and intolerant as when they are being impartial. Tolerance refuses to fight, to act for the truth, and if it is not true, it must needs be a lie.

An Old Fashioned Girl and Work

Everybody loves an old fashioned girl, that is unless she's a prude. She is generally regarded with honor if the term is applied brightly. I flatter myself that I could be considered an old fashioned girl myself. Why? Well, if I cannot talk with a person face-to-face I would rather write letters than email or even phone someone. My favorite mode of travel is by train, or maybe by car, something that is slow enough to take in all of the country between stops. Therefore, planes are not agreeable to this "old fashioned" world view. Furthermore, there are usually too many people in airports. Washing dishes is much more fun that a dishwasher, which doesn't save much time in the long run. You can hang out with your family, discuss things, and get it all done in record time. Then there is no accidental forgetting to run it and having no spoon at breakfast...in which case you have to wash the thing all the same. Raking leaves provides much more exercise and joy than blowing 'em around. Besides, one doesn't use any gasoline or electricity.

All the benefits are not on the side of being conservative. For example, sweeping is great for your arms but horrid for your back, and it took me an entire hour to sweep the grass out of the gutter in front of the yard. Most folks just use a blower and have done with it, or one of those lawn vacuums. Nevertheless, those blowers do joggle one's joints and contribute to premature deafness. Also, while I was sweeping up, I was able to talk with my Daddy while he worked on the car. Time savers which pollute the nice quiet world with noise often interrupt our ability to converse, to talk with each other, and to just spend quality time. It was pretty nice, spending time with Daddy, cause with 6 younger siblings at home and a talkative mother, I hardly ever get to talk with Daddy.

I would encourage everyone out there to take some time and do it the old way. Otherwise, use your time saved by modern conveniences to spend with family and friends as opposed to getting more modern conveniences.

Universal Prayer

I recently found this prayer and fell in love with it. Not only does it touch on every issue that I've felt the need to pray about but does it well. It also works to simply pray a couple paragraphs only, focusing on that specific part. It makes a great thanksgiving after Mass too. Anyhow, I felt that this is the sort of prayer that every Christian should pray because it is somehow appropriate in every stage of the spiritual life.

The Universal Prayer (Pope Clement XI)

Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
and call on you as my loving protector.

Guide me by your wisdom,
correct me with your justice,
comfort me with your mercy,
protect me with your power.

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
my words: to have you for their theme;
my actions: to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.

I want to do what you ask of me:
in the way you ask,
for as long as you ask,
because you ask it.

Lord, enlighten my understanding,
strengthen my will,
purify my heart,
and make me holy.

Help me to repent of my past sins
and to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses
and to grow stronger as a Christian.

Let me love you, my lOrd and my God,
and see myself as I really am:
a pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch,
those in authority over me or those under my authority,
my friends and my enemies.

Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
greed by generosity,
apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others.

Make me prudent in planning,
courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering,
and unassuming in prosperity.

Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
temperate in food and drink,
diligent in my work,
and firm in my good intentions.

Let me conscience be clear,
my conduct without fault,
my speech blameless,
my life well-ordered.

Put my on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
keep your law,
and come at last to your salvation.

Teach me to realize that this world is passing,
that my true future is the happiness of heaven,
that life on earth is short,
and the life to come eternal.

Help me to prepare for death
with a proper fear of judgment
but a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death to the endless joy of heaven.

Grant this thorugh Christ our Lord. Amen.

Little Update

I am finally back online after an extended absence, and most probably about to begin another. I do not have a computer, nor stable internet access as our dialup goes out for three days every time it rains. Highly inconvenient as there is an aweful lot of rain coming down these days.

This past weekend my sisters and I sang for a High Solemn Mass at our friends' wedding. Jiza and Mark had a traditional Latin Mass/Filipino wedding, which was not only a lovely experience but an extremely beautiful Mass. It was also nice to be part of a choir that knew what they were doing and had really practiced everything. Even though each individual messed up a lot, it would seem that the other voices covered up the mishap and nobody knew otherwise. Great experience. In addition to the actual liturgy, which was of course the best ever as the pinacle of beauty and creation, the church itself was lovely. Despite the fact that it is your typical ugly Naval Base construction job, the internal decorations, statues, and pictures were enough to make the place seem like heaven on earth. I am certain that if the faithful had a mind to, they could make any ugly delapidated building look fitting for a king.

The job search goes on, and I'm looking at as many options as I possibly can. Deborah is heading back to school with her roomate later this week. And our family embarks once more on a changing time.

There are a ton of posts I've been meaning to make, but I do not have frequent computer access and thus they never get typed. So, for all intensive purposes, my mind appears as blank as this blog. But you just can't tell all that goes on. How's that for being cryptic?

This Summer

The summer is almost over, and things have been a little difficult of late. My job search has thus not produced anything, but I have a place to live and food so it isn't a big deal. After one has been living independently but finds it necessary to move back home, there are bound to be certain irritations and frustrations, especially since one's freedom is essentially neutered. Well, maybe not quite, but very nearly so.

One of the most difficult situations for me personally has been having to share a room with my three little sisters...it's about 20x20 feet, so a modest size, but we are a all a bit slobbish. I've often been annoyed with clutter, with clothing everywhere, not being able to just relax and read if I want to, having to share my clothes (which was probably inevitable in the first place regardless of room situation), share my space...my, my, my, mine. Today, though, we watched "The Diary of Anne Frank," and I remembered all I had read about that time period: Bright Candles, The Borrowed House, The Hiding Place, Number the Stars, I Am David, Father Elijah, The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican, and all the others. Who am I to complain about having to share a small messy space with three sisters? Many of those people, most Jewish, shared similarly confined spaces with others in order that they might live one day longer. How much space does a person need anyway.

In the end, we don't need more than a 1.5x6 foot box in death. How much more do we need in life? An entire room? An apartment? A mansion.

My guess is that most of us can get by with much less room than we think.

By an Unknown Confederate Soldier

I didn't find this one on my own, but from a friend.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do great things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for...but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

Name that Patriotic Song/Speach/Document

Alright folks, see if you can! And all those Patriots out there may add their own if they so desire! I would have put more, but these are the only ones I could remember off the top of my head...so feel free to correct me if my memory was not quite up to par!

1.
"As the storm clouds gather far across the sea, let us swear allegiance to a land that's free. Let us all be grateful for a land so fair as we lift our voices in a solemn prayer."

2.
"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free while God is marching on!"

3.
"Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.
We have been to every climb and place where we could take a gun.
If the army and the navy ever look on heaven's scene,
they will find the streets are guarded by the United States Marines."

4.
"We the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity do ordain and establish this constitution for the United states of America."

5.
"There was Captain Washington upon a slappin' stallion a givin' orders to his men, I guess there was a million."

6.
"O thus be it ever when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation. Blessed with victory and peace may the heaven rescued land praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
And then conquer we must when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: in God is Our trust!
And the flag of the free, forever may it wave, or the land of the free and the home of the brave."

7.
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, a Yankee-doodle do or die!
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the fourth of July!
I've got a Yankee doodle sweatheart, she's my Yankee doodle joy.
Yankee doodle went to London just to ride the ponies,
I am my Yankee doodle Boy!

8.
Four-score and seven years ago, our Fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

9.
"Treason is a charge invented by the winners as an excuse for hanging the loosers"
(sorry, I couldn't resist)

10.
He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither.

11.
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teaming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

12.
RESOLVED, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be totally dissolved.

13.
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume among the powers of the earth the equal & independant station to which the laws of nature & of nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the change.

Favorite Pictures

One day towards the culmination of my final semester, I found myself without much to do and a camera in my hand. Actually, there was probably plenty to do, but I couldn't think of anything better at the time. You know when you are always saying to yourself "if I had time, I would do x, y, and z" or "goodness, will I ever find the time to finish that?" and then one day, you find yourself with nothing but time on your hands and you can't remember a thing that you wanted to do? Well, this was one of those times. I finally got a chance to play with the camera, and several things lying on my counter top crying to be preserved for posterity. I always like looking at artistically pleasing photographs, and taking them is even more enjoyable.



Bananas and Bread and Peppers:
some very happy things...especially for poverty stricken students who happened to find them on sale at Aldis and needed a spike in nutritional well being. They also looked amazing in color. Lotsa vitamin C, Beta carotene, water, and endorphines (released by happy things).





Great-granny's copper teapot and the cast iron skillet my mother gave me were staples to make it through the the extreme cold of the Ohio winter weather.

"Green besprings Ohio Valley..." well, at least part of it...the buds were just coming in and I have no idea why the grass was so very green that early.

Graduation and a few word.

It has been a long time since I posted anything personal up here. My goodness! I am very lazy, and that's probably the worst thing about me. now that that is out in the open, I shall commence updating my worthy readers on my life.


Nothing of note has happened.


Just kidding =D.


I finally graduated from Franciscan University in the Nursing Class of 2009. When our class was called we rang cowbells, threw confetti and streamers into the air, and squirted out 60cc syringes of saline solution! Oddly enough, I don't feel any differently than when I was an undergrad. Odd, huh? Just like I said. Perhaps it was compounded by the stress of my entire family living in my apartment with me. Nothing like family bonding time. My three younger sisters remained with me in my apartment after the graduation, and everyone else has gone back to Virginia.

Funny the changes graduation brings about. As a college student, one has credibility, status, and worth. I am now unemployed for the most part...or at least i will be as soon as I quite my student work job. I also have gobs and gobs to study, for I cannot become a nurse until I pass the NCLEX.

Thus is the beginning of my mundane little summer...and life post graduate.

Morning Reflection

Beginning this year, I have been trying to pray more, so I have been attempting the liturgy of the hours in the morning and evening. Success has been minimal, but I'm just gonna keep going on this. This morning while praying the office, I was struck by a phrase in the second psalmody, a canticle from Isaiah:

On Zion sinners are in dread,
trembling grips the impious;
"Who of us can live with the consuming fire?
Who of us can live with the everlasting flames?"

He who practices virtue and speaks honestly,
who spurns what is gained by oppression,
brushing his hands
free of contact with a bribe,
stopping his ears lest he hear of bloodshed,
closing his eyes lest he look on evil.

What captured my attention was the description of the one who practices virtue. Though the virtuous person is above evil, he does not allow himself to be exposed to it. This flies in the face of the opinion many Christians and Catholics alike hold: "I can watch immoral stuff in movies cause it doesn't affect me. I would never do that. I'm tough, I can take it." The difference between a wise man and a foolish one may be said to be determined by one thing only. That is, that the one knows his weakness and avoids it. The other denies his weakness and thinks he will become strong by exposing himself to as many evils/dangers as possible.

I'm thinking that this would be hard to live. Personally, I love murder mysteries. Closing my eyes against evil is definitely something to work on, because my curiosity may be my downfall in that. Greater vigilance is needed in the Church and in personal life.

Declining Notre Dame: A Letter from Mary Ann Glendon

Hooray for her! I encourage all my fellow Catholics to stand up against lukewarmness and to take appropriate action against such outrages as an upstanding Catholic University inviting a pro-abortion, pro-euthanasia, pro-embryonic stem cell research politician to speak at it's commencement. I am listing this letter because I think it is well written and gets the point across respectfully but without any wishy-washy dillydallying.

April 27, 2009
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President
University of Notre Dame

Dear Father Jenkins,

When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame’s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.

Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.

Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:

• “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.”

• “We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.

It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.

Yours Very Truly,

Mary Ann Glendon

Taken from a post by a member of Phatmass discussion board: http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=93928

Plunket poems

Joseph Mary Plunkett, one of my favorite poets, was born in Dublin at the end of the 19th century. He was an amazing scholar, and apparently had an attraction for the works of Saint John of the Cross, St. Theresa of Avila, and Francis DeSales, which definitely comes out in his writings. They themselves are not only patterned after the mystics, but seem to be somewhat mystical in themselves. He joined the Easter Rebellion against the tyranny of the English, was apprehended and condemned to death. On the morning of his execution, May 4, 1916, he married his fiance, Grace Gifford. He was executed that day at the age of 28. This is one of my favorite poems he writes, so evident of the wonder and glory of God.

I See His Blood Upon the Rose

I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.

I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice—and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.

All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.


Another favorite:
The Splendour of God

The drunken stars stagger across the sky,
The moon wavers and sways like a wind-blown bud,
Beneath my feet the earth like drifting scud
Lapses and slides, wallows and shoots on high;
Immovable things start suddenly flying by,
The city shakes and quavers, a city of mud
And ooze—a brawling cataract is my blood
Of molten metal and fire—like God am I.

When God crushes his passion-fruit for our thirst
And the universe totters—I have burst the grape
Of the world, and let its powerful blood escape
Untasted—crying whether my vision durst
See God’s high glory in a girl’s soft shape—
God! Is my worship blessed or accurst?


My Lady has the Grace of Death

My lady has the grace of Death
Whose charity is quick to save,
Her heart is broad as heaven’s breath,
Deep as the grave.

She found me fainting by the way
And fed me from her babeless breast
Then played with me as children play,
Rocked me to rest.

When soon I rose and cried to heaven
Moaning for sins I could not weep,
She told me of her sorrows seven
Kissed me to sleep

And when the morn rose bright and ruddy
And sweet birds sang on the branch above
She took my sword from her side all bloody
And died for love

Old Glory

As I began to study this morning in the computer lab here at school, I looked out the window to the bright gray-blue spring sky, cloudy but bright, up through the branches of new-budding trees...and there is the old flag pole, with Old Glory fluttering in the light breeze. Rather limp looking, sure, but glorious nevertheless, right? I immediately remember a poem from my elementery school days (acutally, I guess 6th grade isn't considered elementary or primary school anymore, eh) which I had memorized purely for my own enjoyment. It spoke so well of patriotism, that virtue which I love. So, I thought I share the poem with you.

An intesting sidenote is that my Catholic reader (published in the earlier half of the last century) did not list the second stanza. I guess you can see why ;-)

The Name of Old Glory

by James Whitcomb Riley

Old Glory! say, who,

By the ships and the crew,

And the long, blended ranks of the gray and the blue,

Who gave you, Old Glory, the name that you bear

With such pride everywhere

As you cast yourself free to the rapturous air

And leap out full-length, as we're wanting you to?

Who gave you that name, with the ring of the same,

And the honor and fame so becoming to you?

Your stripes stroked in ripples of white and of red,

With your stars at their glittering best overhead

By day or by nightTheir delightfulest light

Laughing down from their little square heaven of blue!

Who gave you the name of Old Glory? - say, who

Who gave you the name of Old Glory?

The old banner lifted, and altering then

In vague lisps and whispers fell silent again.

Old Glory,--speak out!--we are asking about

How you happened to "favor" a name, so to say,

That sounds so familiar and careless and gay

As we cheer it and shout in our wild breezy way

We-the crowd, every man of us, calling you that

We-Tom, Dick, and Harry-each swinging his hat

And hurrahing "Old Glory!" like you were our kin,

When-Lord!-we all know we're as common as sin!

And yet it just seems like you humor us all

And waft us your thanks, as we hail you and fall

Into line, with you over us, waving us on

Where our glorified, sanctified betters have gone,

And this is the reason we're wanting to know

(And we're wanting it so!

Where our own fathers went we are willing to go.)

Who gave you the name of Old Glory O-ho!

Who gave you the name of Old Glory?

The old flag unfurled with a billowy thrill

For an instant, then wistfully sighed and was still.

Old Glory: the story we're wanting to hear

Is what the plain facts of your christening were,

For your name--just to hear it.

Repeat it, and cheer it, 's a tang to the spirit

As salty as a tear;

And seeing you fly, and the boys marching by,

There's a shout in the throat and a blur in the eye

And an aching to live for you always-or die,

If, dying, we still keep you waving on high.

And so, by our love

For you, floating above,

And the scars of all wars and the sorrows thereof,

Who gave you the name of Old Glory, and why

Are we thrilled at the name of Old Glory?

Then the old banner leaped, like a sail in the blast,

And fluttered an audible answer at last.

And it spake, with a shake of the voice, and it said:

By the driven snow-white and the living blood-red

Of my bars, and their heaven of stars overhead

By the symbol conjoined of them all, skyward cast,

As I float from the steeple, or flap at the mast,

Or droop o'er the sod where the long grasses nod,

My name is as old as the glory of God....

So I came by the name of Old Glory.

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/#8444211410698345695

The revised translation of the Latin-English Liturgy of the Hours and the English Mass are both coming out soon! I have long desired to buy a Missal, and have decided to continue to wait until I graduate and have enough money. That is, that perhaps it would please God a bit more if I put the credit card on the shelf for a bit.

Aging well or not

Does attitude, ability, diet, and habit really affect aging and whether or not the mind deteriorates as the body ages? Or is it all determined by genetics?

The argument of nature versus nurture is as old as the hills, to use a phrase of similar age. But in reality, they most probably go hand in hand, having substantial effects on the individual. Regardless of your healthy habits, in some things you simply cannot outrun your genes. You are going to die. This study was brought up in my research class today, and I think it very interesting. The Nun Study, which is termed exactly that, was described by my professor as a researcher's dream because about 600 nuns, who have had all nurture variables removed, donated their time and brains to science. Some of them are getting alzhiemers, but most of them are not. Statistically, they are mentally sharper and much more active in their 80s and 90s than most people are in the 60s and 70s. Many of the sisters are living into their 90s and a few into their hundreds, but their quality of life is astounding. They still get up every morning, do various tasks, and exercise. Few are bedridden or confined to wheel chairs.

On the other hand, is it really so astounding? The old saying "if you don't use it, you loose it" holds true for most skills and competencies. why not for mental capacity? My great-grandmother was 96 when she died and retained her full mental competence until her death. Is this genetics? Well, she read books incessantly and sang from morning to dusk. When she was in her 70s, she had stopped working and got board over the summer, so she memorized the Latin names of all the plants in her garden. She hardly ever engaged in passive intellectual activity, i.e. watching television. She never smoked, always ate whatever she grew in her backyard, and she worked day in and day out, always doing something.

Exercising the brain and the body together are known to help. Keeping the brain active and working it out every day can and will definitely aid in recall, memory, and intact faculty. Just how much of an influence has always been the debate. The first website listed is fairly solid and simply summarizes the facts involved int he study. Enjoy. =)

http://www.stpt.usf.edu/~jsokolov/agealzh2.htm

http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101010514/

Country Roads by John Denver

One of my favorite songs ever!!! The family got a 4 volume set of John Denver music this Christmas, and this is our universal favorite.

Almost heaven, west virginia
Blue ridge mountains
Shenandoah river
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

All my memories gathered round her
Miners lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

I hear her voice
In the mornin hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
drivin down the road I get a feelin
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, now country roads