Here's a little something to make you smile. I love the sock puppet narrator.
I also love that this is a "flannelgraph." Totally reminds me of Sunday School and learning Bible stories with huge flannel boards and little flannel people stuck to them.
h/t to Kresta in the Afternoon
Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, April 9, 2010
He is Risen! Happy Easter Friday!
Easter ain't over yet! It's an 8 day celebration! Happy Easter Friday to you all. May you have true and lasting joy in the Risen Jesus.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Triduum!
Tonight is the beginning of Triduum (three days), which refers to Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil/Sunday celebrations. These are truly some of the best and most grace filled days of the year!
It was seven years ago that Kevin and I were confirmed in the Catholic Church, and these have been 7 years of rich blessing. Even in the midst of the current media frenzy and scandals, we continue to have faith and remember that God is in charge and leading his Church on.
Enjoy these high holy days, really entering into the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This is the pinnacle! After all, "Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities," just as the Eucharist is the "Sacrament of sacraments."
It was seven years ago that Kevin and I were confirmed in the Catholic Church, and these have been 7 years of rich blessing. Even in the midst of the current media frenzy and scandals, we continue to have faith and remember that God is in charge and leading his Church on.
Enjoy these high holy days, really entering into the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This is the pinnacle! After all, "Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities," just as the Eucharist is the "Sacrament of sacraments."
Monday, July 20, 2009
Real Purpose
A beatiful reflection from this post that I had to share...
God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission—-I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it—-if I but keep His Commandments. Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am. I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends; He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, may my spirits sink, hide my future from me—-still He knows what he is about.
Cardinal John Henry Newman
...pray for us!!
God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission—-I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it—-if I but keep His Commandments. Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am. I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends; He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, may my spirits sink, hide my future from me—-still He knows what he is about.
Cardinal John Henry Newman
...pray for us!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
All This for the King
Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles with Jesus takes the reader on a journey of beauty and pain, trials and triumphs. It is the story of Fr. Dave Pivonka’s pilgrimage through the Camino Frances route of the Camino de Santiago, which traverses about 500 miles from St. Jean-Pier-de-Port, France to Santiago, Spain, the burial place of St. James. The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage path that has been traveled for centuries, and it is full of historic villages, beautiful scenery, and unforgettable people. However, Hiking the Camino is not just a travel book; it is an intimate look into a priest’s pilgrimage of thanksgiving for his vocation, a man’s pain in walking day after day, and a soul’s continued search for the God that calls continually and loves beyond all measure.
Fr. Dave decided to walk the Camino as a pilgrimage of thanksgiving for his vocation as a priest. In preparation for his journey, he walked four five times a week, participated in sporting activities, and was careful to traverse many hills at his residence in Gaming, Austria. He also prepared for his journey spiritually by reading about various saints associated with the Camino and most importantly, by spending time in Eucharistic adoration. "I prayed that I would be able to offer God my Camino as a humble offering of thanksgiving for allowing me to be a priest. I also prayed that Jesus would use the Camino to make me holy…as I prayed I continued to be struck by the words “All this for the King.” So this became the theme for my Camino…It should be noted that I had no idea what this meant." p. 9
The connection between the human body and soul and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross becomes palpable in Hiking the Camino. Fr. Dave is brutally honest about the pain of walking mile after mile, day after day. Pain is an unavoidable reality for every pilgrim on the Camino. Like so many Christian writers before him, Fr. Dave explains that pain and suffering can bring us close to God if only we will make it our companion instead of our enemy. God’s grace in Christ makes the redemption of our suffering a reality. “As I trudged forward, I prayed; I prayed a lot. In the midst of the discomfort I found myself repeating my theme for the Camino, “All this for the King. All this for the King.” I soon realized that the pain in my body was the this in “All this for the King.” I knew God was inviting me to give everything about the Camino to Christ.” p. 24-25
In giving all of his Camino to Christ, Fr. Dave also gained many insights on giving all of life to Christ, day by day. Like the day after day journey on the Camino, the spiritual life is a day to day reality and existence. There are times when it seems that we make no progress and other times when we move forward by leaps and bounds. But, even on the shorter walking days, Fr. Dave realized his Camino required a day-in-day-out commitment to walking mile after mile, just as the journey toward heaven requires a day-in-day-out commitment to Christ. "…what was ultimately important was that I…kept moving ahead, even at what seemed like a snail’s pace. In order to progress [in the spiritual life] we must renew our commitment to Christ daily and then become committed to this over and over again. It is a lot like walking the Camino: just keep moving forward." p. 50
Fr. Dave has a knack for bringing the reader right into the action of his adventures. He has an informal, conversational writing style that helps the reader feel as if they are sitting at one of the pilgrim dinners at a village eatery along the path or watching World Cup Soccer and enjoying a beer with fellow pilgrims at the albergue. Fr. Dave is a wonderful story teller who can connect the spiritual and religious dimension of life to the senses; his encounters with fellow pilgrims like Mara, who was looking to leave her pain behind, Pablo and his backpack, as well as the elderly Teresa and her blind husband Anthony, are gripping and full of insight into many dimensions of life.
The close of Fr. Dave’s journey at the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago on the feast of Corpus Christi is the pinnacle of his story. From the emotional pilgrim’s ritual at the Cathedral, to the giant thurible, to the triumph of receiving the Compostela as proof of the journey, the reader cannot help but feel the thanksgiving and exhilaration of Fr. Dave and his fellow pilgrims. Hiking the Camino is a journey worth taking through the pages of Fr. Dave’s sincere and insightful story. I could not help but dream about my own Camino in Spain, but more importantly, I continue to carry a deeper sense of the holy pilgrimage of every moment in every day.
This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles with Jesus.
Fr. Dave decided to walk the Camino as a pilgrimage of thanksgiving for his vocation as a priest. In preparation for his journey, he walked four five times a week, participated in sporting activities, and was careful to traverse many hills at his residence in Gaming, Austria. He also prepared for his journey spiritually by reading about various saints associated with the Camino and most importantly, by spending time in Eucharistic adoration. "I prayed that I would be able to offer God my Camino as a humble offering of thanksgiving for allowing me to be a priest. I also prayed that Jesus would use the Camino to make me holy…as I prayed I continued to be struck by the words “All this for the King.” So this became the theme for my Camino…It should be noted that I had no idea what this meant." p. 9
The connection between the human body and soul and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross becomes palpable in Hiking the Camino. Fr. Dave is brutally honest about the pain of walking mile after mile, day after day. Pain is an unavoidable reality for every pilgrim on the Camino. Like so many Christian writers before him, Fr. Dave explains that pain and suffering can bring us close to God if only we will make it our companion instead of our enemy. God’s grace in Christ makes the redemption of our suffering a reality. “As I trudged forward, I prayed; I prayed a lot. In the midst of the discomfort I found myself repeating my theme for the Camino, “All this for the King. All this for the King.” I soon realized that the pain in my body was the this in “All this for the King.” I knew God was inviting me to give everything about the Camino to Christ.” p. 24-25
In giving all of his Camino to Christ, Fr. Dave also gained many insights on giving all of life to Christ, day by day. Like the day after day journey on the Camino, the spiritual life is a day to day reality and existence. There are times when it seems that we make no progress and other times when we move forward by leaps and bounds. But, even on the shorter walking days, Fr. Dave realized his Camino required a day-in-day-out commitment to walking mile after mile, just as the journey toward heaven requires a day-in-day-out commitment to Christ. "…what was ultimately important was that I…kept moving ahead, even at what seemed like a snail’s pace. In order to progress [in the spiritual life] we must renew our commitment to Christ daily and then become committed to this over and over again. It is a lot like walking the Camino: just keep moving forward." p. 50
Fr. Dave has a knack for bringing the reader right into the action of his adventures. He has an informal, conversational writing style that helps the reader feel as if they are sitting at one of the pilgrim dinners at a village eatery along the path or watching World Cup Soccer and enjoying a beer with fellow pilgrims at the albergue. Fr. Dave is a wonderful story teller who can connect the spiritual and religious dimension of life to the senses; his encounters with fellow pilgrims like Mara, who was looking to leave her pain behind, Pablo and his backpack, as well as the elderly Teresa and her blind husband Anthony, are gripping and full of insight into many dimensions of life.
The close of Fr. Dave’s journey at the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago on the feast of Corpus Christi is the pinnacle of his story. From the emotional pilgrim’s ritual at the Cathedral, to the giant thurible, to the triumph of receiving the Compostela as proof of the journey, the reader cannot help but feel the thanksgiving and exhilaration of Fr. Dave and his fellow pilgrims. Hiking the Camino is a journey worth taking through the pages of Fr. Dave’s sincere and insightful story. I could not help but dream about my own Camino in Spain, but more importantly, I continue to carry a deeper sense of the holy pilgrimage of every moment in every day.
This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles with Jesus.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Change for the Better
Prayer is an integral part of the Christian’s journey toward a real, personal relationship with God. God gave us the gift of prayer because of His desire to love us and abide with us, but I must admit that there are times when prayer doesn’t seem like much of a gift. On the first page of Dr. Tim Gray’s book, Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina, he cites a quote from C.S. Lewis which grabbed my attention:
Well, let’s now at any rate come clean. Prayer is irksome. An excuse to omit it is never unwelcome. When it is over, this casts a feeling of relief and holiday over the rest of the day. We are reluctant to begin. We are delighted to finish…And we know we are not alone in this.
Maybe my experience of sitting down to pray and immediately becoming fidgety, distracted and nervous was not so uncommon. I was stuck on how to move from the desire for deep prayer, to actual conversations and experiences of God’s presence. I knew I needed direction and structure in prayer in order to grow in my relationship with God and in holiness.
Praying Scripture for a Change instructs the reader in the practice of lectio divina (Latin for “divine reading”), an ancient method of prayer developed in monasteries. Through the practice of lectio divina, countless Christians throughout the centuries developed intimate connections with God in prayer. Dr. Gray emphasizes that “the normative way God speaks to his people is through His Word, especially in the Holy Scriptures,” which are not bound by time. God’s Word is personally addressed to each one of us, to the intimate details of our lives. The timeless and personal nature of Scripture “opens up for us the other half of the dialogue of prayer.” This is truly a secret of the saints and their close connection with God. As St. Augustine wrote, “When you read the Bible God speaks to you; when you pray, you speak to God.”
Lectio divina consists of four steps or stages that naturally build on one another: the careful reading of Scripture (lectio), meditation or a deeper reflection on what emerged during the reading (meditatio), a dialogue of prayer with God where one expresses the movement of one’s heart during meditation (oratio), and contemplation “which is the experience of God marked by joy and peace” (contemplatio). In a metaphor taken from writings by Guigo, a Carthusian monk, Dr. Gray compares lectio divina to a four-rung ladder reaching to heaven. Guigo believed that if a soul ascended the four rungs of the ladder (lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio) in the proper order then the ladder would lead that soul to heaven.
Praying Scripture for a Change is set apart from many other books I have read on prayer because it puts a heavy emphasis on application. Each “rung” of the lectio divina ladder has its own chapter in which Dr. Gray gives detailed examples of how to read Scripture, squeeze out the best parts for meditation, go before God in prayer about the parts of our life that are touched on in the passage, and finally, how to receive the gift of contemplation: God’s loving gaze which brings such joy and peace.
In the last chapter, Dr. Gray adds a fifth “rung” to the lectio divina ladder: operatio (Latin for “work”). In order for lectio divina to “bear fruit that lasts (John 15:16), it must result in a life of virtue. The Word must be “made flesh” again and again in our daily lives.” Our response to God and the movements of our heart that result from practicing lectio divina cannot be in word only. Dr. Gray gives a number of examples of “operatio” in his book, such as making a concrete resolution at the end of prayer time in order to live out God’s Word or concentrating on a particular virtue during the day, such as patience or kindness. Not only does “operatio” provide focus in striving for holiness in everyday life, but it also cultivates humility; in noticing our imperfection concerning these resolutions and virtues, we understand more and more how much we need God’s grace and guidance in His Word, in prayer, and in the sacraments.
Before reading Praying Scripture for a Change, I tried to practice lectio divina with very little information and as a result, very little fruit. Now that I know the “rungs of the ladder” and have Dr. Gray’s excellent examples, I am much better able to practice lectio divina; God’s word has become a foundation for my prayer, my experience of God’s love in quiet moments, and resolving to live virtuously. I know that I am still in the beginning stages of cultivating a deep and fruitful prayer life, but now I have the structure and direction I need to be even more open to God’s grace through His Word and prayer using the practice of lectio divina. If you are looking for direction and depth in your prayer life, spend some time reading Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. With God's grace, Holy Scripture, and a little bit of help from Dr. Tim Gray, you will surely grow in prayer and in holiness.
This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina.
Well, let’s now at any rate come clean. Prayer is irksome. An excuse to omit it is never unwelcome. When it is over, this casts a feeling of relief and holiday over the rest of the day. We are reluctant to begin. We are delighted to finish…And we know we are not alone in this.
Maybe my experience of sitting down to pray and immediately becoming fidgety, distracted and nervous was not so uncommon. I was stuck on how to move from the desire for deep prayer, to actual conversations and experiences of God’s presence. I knew I needed direction and structure in prayer in order to grow in my relationship with God and in holiness.
Praying Scripture for a Change instructs the reader in the practice of lectio divina (Latin for “divine reading”), an ancient method of prayer developed in monasteries. Through the practice of lectio divina, countless Christians throughout the centuries developed intimate connections with God in prayer. Dr. Gray emphasizes that “the normative way God speaks to his people is through His Word, especially in the Holy Scriptures,” which are not bound by time. God’s Word is personally addressed to each one of us, to the intimate details of our lives. The timeless and personal nature of Scripture “opens up for us the other half of the dialogue of prayer.” This is truly a secret of the saints and their close connection with God. As St. Augustine wrote, “When you read the Bible God speaks to you; when you pray, you speak to God.”
Lectio divina consists of four steps or stages that naturally build on one another: the careful reading of Scripture (lectio), meditation or a deeper reflection on what emerged during the reading (meditatio), a dialogue of prayer with God where one expresses the movement of one’s heart during meditation (oratio), and contemplation “which is the experience of God marked by joy and peace” (contemplatio). In a metaphor taken from writings by Guigo, a Carthusian monk, Dr. Gray compares lectio divina to a four-rung ladder reaching to heaven. Guigo believed that if a soul ascended the four rungs of the ladder (lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio) in the proper order then the ladder would lead that soul to heaven.
Praying Scripture for a Change is set apart from many other books I have read on prayer because it puts a heavy emphasis on application. Each “rung” of the lectio divina ladder has its own chapter in which Dr. Gray gives detailed examples of how to read Scripture, squeeze out the best parts for meditation, go before God in prayer about the parts of our life that are touched on in the passage, and finally, how to receive the gift of contemplation: God’s loving gaze which brings such joy and peace.
In the last chapter, Dr. Gray adds a fifth “rung” to the lectio divina ladder: operatio (Latin for “work”). In order for lectio divina to “bear fruit that lasts (John 15:16), it must result in a life of virtue. The Word must be “made flesh” again and again in our daily lives.” Our response to God and the movements of our heart that result from practicing lectio divina cannot be in word only. Dr. Gray gives a number of examples of “operatio” in his book, such as making a concrete resolution at the end of prayer time in order to live out God’s Word or concentrating on a particular virtue during the day, such as patience or kindness. Not only does “operatio” provide focus in striving for holiness in everyday life, but it also cultivates humility; in noticing our imperfection concerning these resolutions and virtues, we understand more and more how much we need God’s grace and guidance in His Word, in prayer, and in the sacraments.
Before reading Praying Scripture for a Change, I tried to practice lectio divina with very little information and as a result, very little fruit. Now that I know the “rungs of the ladder” and have Dr. Gray’s excellent examples, I am much better able to practice lectio divina; God’s word has become a foundation for my prayer, my experience of God’s love in quiet moments, and resolving to live virtuously. I know that I am still in the beginning stages of cultivating a deep and fruitful prayer life, but now I have the structure and direction I need to be even more open to God’s grace through His Word and prayer using the practice of lectio divina. If you are looking for direction and depth in your prayer life, spend some time reading Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. With God's grace, Holy Scripture, and a little bit of help from Dr. Tim Gray, you will surely grow in prayer and in holiness.
This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Has Only Begun
One thing I love about being Catholic is that Easter is not only one day. In fact, it is an 8 day feast and the Easter season lasts until Pentecost. So wishing someone Happy Easter on Monday is totally valid! Here is a meditation by Papa Ben that I came across in the Magnificat. May we all be Easter People!
Jesus...says of his death: "I go away, and I will come to you." It is by going away that he comes. His going ushers in a completely new and greater way of being present. By dying he enters into the love of the Father. His dying is an act of love. Love, however, is immortal. Therefore, his going away is transformed into a new coming, into a form of presence which reaches deeper and does not come to an end...Jesus who is now totally transformed through the act of love, is free from barriers and limits. He is able not only to pass through colsed doors in the outside world, as the Gospels recount (Jn 20:19). He can pass through the interior door separating the "I" from the "you," the closed door between yesterday and today, between the past and the future...Now he can even surmount the wall of otherness that spearates the "I" from the "you."...Believers are never totally cut off from one another. We are in communion because of our deepest identity: Christ within us. Thus faith is a force for peace and reconciliation in the world: distances between people are overcome, in the Lord we have become close (Eph 2:13)...The Lord has granted us the light of truth. This light is also fire, a powerful force coming from God, a force that does not destroy, but seeks to transform our hearts, so that we truly become men of God, and so that his peace can become active in this world...Let us pray...in these words: Yes, Lord, make us Easter people, men and women of light, filled with the fire of your love.
Jesus...says of his death: "I go away, and I will come to you." It is by going away that he comes. His going ushers in a completely new and greater way of being present. By dying he enters into the love of the Father. His dying is an act of love. Love, however, is immortal. Therefore, his going away is transformed into a new coming, into a form of presence which reaches deeper and does not come to an end...Jesus who is now totally transformed through the act of love, is free from barriers and limits. He is able not only to pass through colsed doors in the outside world, as the Gospels recount (Jn 20:19). He can pass through the interior door separating the "I" from the "you," the closed door between yesterday and today, between the past and the future...Now he can even surmount the wall of otherness that spearates the "I" from the "you."...Believers are never totally cut off from one another. We are in communion because of our deepest identity: Christ within us. Thus faith is a force for peace and reconciliation in the world: distances between people are overcome, in the Lord we have become close (Eph 2:13)...The Lord has granted us the light of truth. This light is also fire, a powerful force coming from God, a force that does not destroy, but seeks to transform our hearts, so that we truly become men of God, and so that his peace can become active in this world...Let us pray...in these words: Yes, Lord, make us Easter people, men and women of light, filled with the fire of your love.
Pope Benedict XVI
Friday, April 10, 2009
Peace to You On Good Friday
In the Cross is salvation,
in the Cross is life,
in the Cross is protection from enemies,
in the Cross is infusion of divine peace,
in the Cross is fortitude of heart,
in the Cross is joy of spirit,
in the Cross is summary of the virtues,
in the Cross is the perfection of sanctity.
There is no salvation for the soul or hope of everlasting life except in the Cross. Take, then, your cross, follow Jesus Christ and you will enter eternal life.
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
in the Cross is life,
in the Cross is protection from enemies,
in the Cross is infusion of divine peace,
in the Cross is fortitude of heart,
in the Cross is joy of spirit,
in the Cross is summary of the virtues,
in the Cross is the perfection of sanctity.
There is no salvation for the soul or hope of everlasting life except in the Cross. Take, then, your cross, follow Jesus Christ and you will enter eternal life.
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Poignant Penance
Confession is usually a very private affair: just you and the priest (in persona Christi). I am very thankful for the secrecy of the sacrament, so I normally wouldn't share my experience in such a public way. But I really think the penance that I was asked to perform was beautiful.
A little background first...I am a control freak. My freakishness extends into many areas of my life and other people's lives, and this is often the cause of much anxiety, angst and relational strain. It's one of those pet sins that I seem to always be confessing.
In response to my most recent confession, the priest asked me to spend time looking at and reflecting on the stained glass window of Jesus hanging on the cross at the front of the church. He explained that the need to feel in control is often a response to insecurity. In our effort to give up control, there is no better example to follow than Christ on the cross. At that moment, Jesus was the most insecure he had ever been in his life by the world's standard; he was beaten, bloodied, nailed to a cross, and nearly abandoned. However, with his last words, he showed us how to trust God with what is most precious: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." May Christ be merciful and give us the grace to do the same, now and at the hour of our death.
A little background first...I am a control freak. My freakishness extends into many areas of my life and other people's lives, and this is often the cause of much anxiety, angst and relational strain. It's one of those pet sins that I seem to always be confessing.
In response to my most recent confession, the priest asked me to spend time looking at and reflecting on the stained glass window of Jesus hanging on the cross at the front of the church. He explained that the need to feel in control is often a response to insecurity. In our effort to give up control, there is no better example to follow than Christ on the cross. At that moment, Jesus was the most insecure he had ever been in his life by the world's standard; he was beaten, bloodied, nailed to a cross, and nearly abandoned. However, with his last words, he showed us how to trust God with what is most precious: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." May Christ be merciful and give us the grace to do the same, now and at the hour of our death.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The New Evangelization!
I just had to share these videos. Two teenage boys put five videos together depicting Christ's passion, death, and resurrection using legos! Sounds kind of nuts, but really, it is well done. According to an inside source, the boys spent all of this time and energy on the videos because they really want to share the gospel with their younger siblings and as many others as they can reach. Check them out!
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Monday, October 6, 2008
Respect Life Sunday
Yesterday marked Respect Life Sunday in the Catholic Church throughout the United States. Every year since 1972, US Bishops have set aside the first Sunday in October for prayer and a renewed resolve to embrace a culture of life and end the killing of innocent human beings, regardless of age, size, health and dependency.
The right to life of children in the womb is close to my heart, and has become even more dear during pregnancy. Experiencing a child within me, a life that is separate and yet so intimately connected to mine, has been surreal and challenging, but altogether beautiful and humbling. God saw fit to entrust me with this life that is so vulnerable. Apart from my choice to protect this child, there is no protection for him or her under the law; the child in my womb does not have the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Father Frank Pavone, the director of Priests for Life stated recently, "...there’s only one group in our society whose right to life has been directly and formally denied, and that is the children in the womb...Deny their right to life, and you undermine the entire moral order." The right to life from conception to natural death is absolutely critical to all social issues from the war in Iraq, to immigration, to health care, to responsible environmentalism. The right to life is at the heart of all issues facing our society.
Please consider the right to life--in regards to abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research--in the upcoming elections-presidential and local. Our right to life is the most important and precious gift we have. Please do all you can to protect it for all people in our society.
Voting with a Clear Conscience - Catholic Edition
Voting with a Clear Conscience - Interdenominational Edition
The right to life of children in the womb is close to my heart, and has become even more dear during pregnancy. Experiencing a child within me, a life that is separate and yet so intimately connected to mine, has been surreal and challenging, but altogether beautiful and humbling. God saw fit to entrust me with this life that is so vulnerable. Apart from my choice to protect this child, there is no protection for him or her under the law; the child in my womb does not have the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Father Frank Pavone, the director of Priests for Life stated recently, "...there’s only one group in our society whose right to life has been directly and formally denied, and that is the children in the womb...Deny their right to life, and you undermine the entire moral order." The right to life from conception to natural death is absolutely critical to all social issues from the war in Iraq, to immigration, to health care, to responsible environmentalism. The right to life is at the heart of all issues facing our society.
Please consider the right to life--in regards to abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research--in the upcoming elections-presidential and local. Our right to life is the most important and precious gift we have. Please do all you can to protect it for all people in our society.
Voting with a Clear Conscience - Catholic Edition
Voting with a Clear Conscience - Interdenominational Edition
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Timeless in Our Hearts
In these uncertain ecomomic and political times, I think today's first mass reading is comforting and appropriate. If, like me, finances, politics and the like have seemed bleak to you, remember the One who "has put the timeless into their hearts." We can never know the fullness of the magnificence, peace and blessing that God has for us while we're on this side of heaven. That is why I am thankful for Christ in His Eucharistic presence. In receiving him at mass during communion, the timeless passes over our lips into our very selves. Let us rejoice in that, no matter what uncertainty and trials we face.
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man’s ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man’s ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Thursday, August 28, 2008
More of the Real Deal
Yesterday I posted an excerpt of Speaker Pelosi's comments regarding the Catholic Church's stance on abortion. She specifically referenced St. Augustine in regard to abortion and when human life actually begins. The specific writings she was referencing did not really address the morality of abortion, but the time that the soul entered the human body, or ensoulment.
Here's part of a statement from Archbishop Wuerl of Washingtion D.C.:
“As the Catechism and early Church documents make clear, abortion is always an evil. That is an unchanging teaching. The question on when the soul enters the body was a philosophical question that grew out of a lack of scientific data at the time of St. Augustine. We have the data today which shows the embryo is human. There no longer is any discussion of whether the unborn is human and so the philosophical discussion of St. Augustine’s time is not relevant today.
Here's part of a statement from Archbishop Wuerl of Washingtion D.C.:
“As the Catechism and early Church documents make clear, abortion is always an evil. That is an unchanging teaching. The question on when the soul enters the body was a philosophical question that grew out of a lack of scientific data at the time of St. Augustine. We have the data today which shows the embryo is human. There no longer is any discussion of whether the unborn is human and so the philosophical discussion of St. Augustine’s time is not relevant today.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Real Deal
Over the past week, there has been a lot of media hub-bub regarding politics, the sanctity of human life, and the Catholic Church. On Sunday, Representative Nancy Pelosi erroneously represented the Catholic Church and its position on abortion. An excerpt of her statement reads:
“as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition . . . St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose.”
In the past 48 hours, the archbishops of Denver, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. and other bishops have made formal statements regarding those of Nancy Pelosi. One of the most ardent was that of Edward Cardinal Egan. Directly from the Archdiocese of New York website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2008
STATEMENT OF EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
August 26, 2008
Cardinal Egan is an outspoken champion for the unborn and the integrity of the Catholic Church's teaching on this abortion. In April, Kevin and I had the opportunity to attend a mass celebrated by Cardinal Egan during Catholic Public Policy Day in Albany. His homily centered on this very issue and was just as strong and poignant as the statement above. In the end, who are Catholics and the American pubblic going to believe? A misinformed politician claiming skills in moral theology, or a faithful, learned man of the church who gives his life for defense of the truth?
“as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition . . . St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose.”
In the past 48 hours, the archbishops of Denver, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. and other bishops have made formal statements regarding those of Nancy Pelosi. One of the most ardent was that of Edward Cardinal Egan. Directly from the Archdiocese of New York website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2008
STATEMENT OF EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
August 26, 2008
Cardinal Egan is an outspoken champion for the unborn and the integrity of the Catholic Church's teaching on this abortion. In April, Kevin and I had the opportunity to attend a mass celebrated by Cardinal Egan during Catholic Public Policy Day in Albany. His homily centered on this very issue and was just as strong and poignant as the statement above. In the end, who are Catholics and the American pubblic going to believe? A misinformed politician claiming skills in moral theology, or a faithful, learned man of the church who gives his life for defense of the truth?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Bridegroom and His Brides
I just got back from the mass celebrating the first profession of vows for 14 religious sisters who are continuing their journey with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. After the sisters made their vows, they received a blessed veil. After going back to the sacristy to put on their veils, they came out with the most radiant, beautiful smiles-like 14 brides who had just pledged their love and life to their bridegroom. And that is truly what happened! These women pledged their love and life in the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to Jesus Christ for as longas they live. That is a radical response to a radical call.
Bishop Daniel Flores, an auxilary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit celebrated the mass. He said in his homily that the world has not given up the notion of a single-minded life, but it has given up hope that a single-minded life is actually possible. That really resonated with me. There is so much to choose from and filter in this world overflowing with activity, information and images on the internet, television, in the mall, and in the workplace. Even in my life at home, I feel tugged at by the dishes, unpacked boxes, laundry, painting, the dog, my husband, the phone, and our baby growing inside me that demands food, sleep, and the restroom at some inopportune times. But when I see these women who are willing to give it all, body and soul, to the call to be a religious sister, I am reminded that a single-minded life devoted to Christ IS possible and worth striving for.
Bishop Daniel Flores, an auxilary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit celebrated the mass. He said in his homily that the world has not given up the notion of a single-minded life, but it has given up hope that a single-minded life is actually possible. That really resonated with me. There is so much to choose from and filter in this world overflowing with activity, information and images on the internet, television, in the mall, and in the workplace. Even in my life at home, I feel tugged at by the dishes, unpacked boxes, laundry, painting, the dog, my husband, the phone, and our baby growing inside me that demands food, sleep, and the restroom at some inopportune times. But when I see these women who are willing to give it all, body and soul, to the call to be a religious sister, I am reminded that a single-minded life devoted to Christ IS possible and worth striving for.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Cleaning Out the Old Digital Camera
I'm finally getting to Craigslisting the old digital camera. Here are random pictures I found:
What's so strange about this picture? The fact that I'm actually ironing? Nope. The dog is laying underneath the ironing board, of which he is definitly afraid. When we bring it out, he normally retreats to another room. However, that evening there was an extended period of lightning and thunder. I guess we found out that he is more afraid of booming thunder than the ironing board, and felt the need to draw near to me, no matter what stood in his way. You've gotta do what you've gotta do.
Here's Pope Benedict XVI in his Popemobile at Yankee Stadium this past April. That was a great day with so many blessings!
A belly picture from the end of April. The baby has grown, along with my belly, by leaps and bounds since then. I think I've nearly forgotten what it feels like to be without the belly!
What's so strange about this picture? The fact that I'm actually ironing? Nope. The dog is laying underneath the ironing board, of which he is definitly afraid. When we bring it out, he normally retreats to another room. However, that evening there was an extended period of lightning and thunder. I guess we found out that he is more afraid of booming thunder than the ironing board, and felt the need to draw near to me, no matter what stood in his way. You've gotta do what you've gotta do.
Here's Pope Benedict XVI in his Popemobile at Yankee Stadium this past April. That was a great day with so many blessings!
A belly picture from the end of April. The baby has grown, along with my belly, by leaps and bounds since then. I think I've nearly forgotten what it feels like to be without the belly!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
On a More Gracious Note
Today is the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle, and I happened to attend daily mass at St. Thomas the Apostle parish today. It was especially festive, and there were ice cream treats for all afterwards.
Almighty and everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Almighty and everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Monday, May 19, 2008
"This One's Gravy!"
That's what our real estate agent said when we listed our house 10 days ago.
Kevin and I had our doubts, but per many prayers (and Kevin's birthday wish), our house is under contract for a full-price offer! It was on the market for a week with about 10 showings. Not too shabby! Now, we can begin moving forward with new digs in Michigan.
What blessing!
Thanks to all who prayed, including St. Joseph*.
*No, we did not bury a statue. Though, we have a great novena we're still praying.
Kevin and I had our doubts, but per many prayers (and Kevin's birthday wish), our house is under contract for a full-price offer! It was on the market for a week with about 10 showings. Not too shabby! Now, we can begin moving forward with new digs in Michigan.
What blessing!
Thanks to all who prayed, including St. Joseph*.
*No, we did not bury a statue. Though, we have a great novena we're still praying.
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Banner Day
Saturday was the first day for house showings and we had four appointments. Not bad! We spent a lot of time cleaning, decluttering, mowing, and planting potted flowers. We really tried to put our best foot forward, so to speak. However, the circumstances surrounding our house during the showings were not exactly ideal.
Our real estate agent owns the properties on either side of our house. He lives in one and rents the other. The renters are very nice people, but have some interesting habits.
1. They really like to burn things...such as trash and furniture.
2. They decided to hold a garage sale on the driveway...all day Saturday and Sunday. For most of the day on Saturday, a big yellow-green truck rolled in every couple hours with a bed full of garage sale stuff to set out on the driveway. The place was filled with old dishes, strollers, furniture, rugs, a giant chinese fan for wall decor, formal dresses, board games and the like.
Our take on #1: not favorable on any day of the week.
Our take on #2: normally not a big deal, but on the first day of house showings?! Our nerves were a little spent after a few hours of the garage sale inventory doubling with every truck-load and random garage salers driving up and down our driveway and lawn.
So, we figure it will be a serious miracle of any offers are made from Saturday's showings.
St. Joseph, continue to pray for us!
Our real estate agent owns the properties on either side of our house. He lives in one and rents the other. The renters are very nice people, but have some interesting habits.
1. They really like to burn things...such as trash and furniture.
2. They decided to hold a garage sale on the driveway...all day Saturday and Sunday. For most of the day on Saturday, a big yellow-green truck rolled in every couple hours with a bed full of garage sale stuff to set out on the driveway. The place was filled with old dishes, strollers, furniture, rugs, a giant chinese fan for wall decor, formal dresses, board games and the like.
Our take on #1: not favorable on any day of the week.
Our take on #2: normally not a big deal, but on the first day of house showings?! Our nerves were a little spent after a few hours of the garage sale inventory doubling with every truck-load and random garage salers driving up and down our driveway and lawn.
So, we figure it will be a serious miracle of any offers are made from Saturday's showings.
St. Joseph, continue to pray for us!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Our Pope-tastic Weekend
The weekend of April 20th, Kevin and I went to New York City with his parents to do a bit of sight-seeing and attend the papal mass at Yankee Stadium. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and I think we all received many spiritual graces at and after our time with the Holy Father and nearly 60,000 other Catholics.
During the processional, the choir sang "Tu es Petrus" (You are Peter) which is the following Scripture:
"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I shall give thee the keys to the kingdom."
During this short choral piece, my understanding of the papacy new depth. The papacy and the teaching authority of the Church empowered by the Holy Spirit have enabled the Catholic Church to remain as such for 2000 years. I have known this for a long time, but at that moment, to be in the presence of the Pope and to experience that rich spiritual heritage was very moving. It made me feel truly joyful to be Catholic. And the joy continues!
Here are some pics from the mass:
During the processional, the choir sang "Tu es Petrus" (You are Peter) which is the following Scripture:
"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I shall give thee the keys to the kingdom."
During this short choral piece, my understanding of the papacy new depth. The papacy and the teaching authority of the Church empowered by the Holy Spirit have enabled the Catholic Church to remain as such for 2000 years. I have known this for a long time, but at that moment, to be in the presence of the Pope and to experience that rich spiritual heritage was very moving. It made me feel truly joyful to be Catholic. And the joy continues!
Here are some pics from the mass:
These flags sporting Vatican colors were flying all around the stadium (instead of the usual MLB flags).
Papa Ben on the Big Screen! We had bleacher seats so our view was of the back of the stage.
The Pope Mobile making its way in front of our seats.
Even though we had far-away bleacher seats, they were right next to the gate where the Pope Mobile entered and exited the field. So, here's our "up-close-and-personal" photo of Il Papa.
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