Faith Of A Convert

Saying Goodbye

2010-08-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

When I first created "Faith Of A Convert" it was a way to help me learn more about my Catholic faith and to help strengthen that faith in me as well as others. In the 2 and a half years I've been doing this blog I have definitely grown in many ways.

I've been wanting to create a place for me to share more personal stories, while continuing to strengthen my faith. I wish to blog more about more personal thoughts, struggles, joys, and loves--the greatest love being my wonderful husband, Paul!!

I hope you will visit my new place, and watch it grow.

"Faith Of A Convert" has been a wonderful place for me and I will miss it, but I'm also excited about my new adventure.

Please join me at: along the way...

Stove Top Fire

2010-08-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Family In Seattle

2010-08-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my mom and I went to a family reunion in Seattle to see family we had never met before.

A few weeks ago I joined Ancestry.com to work on my family tree. Once I type in my great grandmothers information a leaf popped up directing me to another members family tree. I was amazed at all the information I had found. This is the Norwegian side of our family, and if I had not found this tree I probably would not have had much luck. I sent the tree owner a message and when she (Anne) answered back she had invited us to a family reunion being held in Seattle, Anne was on her way there from Norway.

Meeting everyone was such a great experience. Anne and her husband Øystein are from Norway and most all the rest of the family is in or comes from Washington. I'm so glad I sent Anne a message when I did.

The day before my mom and I did the tourist thing and went to Pike Place Market and Pier 57 to have lunch. We did not go to the Space Needle or into the city though.

Tell It Like It Is

2010-08-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

A Texas parish priest has written a column for the El Paso Times in which he strongly denounces homosexual activity.

“Every single Catholic, out of fidelity to charity and truth, has the absolute duty to oppose (1) the murder of unborn babies, and (2) any and all government attempts to legalize homosexual unions,” wrote Father Michael Rodriguez in an August 2 column.

“Any Catholic who supports homosexual acts is, by definition, committing a mortal sin, and placing himself/herself outside of communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Furthermore, a Catholic would be guilty of a most grievous sin of omission if he/she neglected to actively oppose the homosexual agenda, which thrives on deception and conceals its wicked horns under the guises of ‘equal rights,’ ‘tolerance,’ ‘who am I to judge?,’ etc.”

“I urge all of the Catholic faithful to treat homosexuals with love, understanding, and respect,” he added. “At the same time, never forget that genuine love demands that we seek, above all, the salvation of souls. Homosexual acts lead to the damnation of souls.”

From REALCATHOLICTV.COM

Quick Question

2010-08-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

from This Rock

Q: "Most people who are gay feel that they were born that way and cannot change their orientation. They are rejected by society and faith communities. How can we be more like Jesus and accept those who are rejected?"

A: Accepting sinful behavior in other people does them no good. Pointing out the sinfulness is not rejecting them: It’s rejecting what is evil. We owe each other the truth. Because some people with same-sex attractions feel that they were born with such inclination doesn’t make it so. There is no proof for such an assumption. Such people assume they are born homosexual because they can’t remember ever feeling any other way. What we do know is that for whatever reason these people have not identified with the parent of their sex. The prevailing spin that our culture puts on this dynamic is that the culture must adapt to the needs these people perceive they have—to live as though the behavior that such feelings suggest is good and ought to be the norm for them.

Our culture insists that everyone has a right to sexual gratification. Never mind about context; let pleasure be the guide.

The greatest fallacy in such a proposition is that if anyone suggests otherwise, he is passing judgment and rejecting such people outright—as when you ask how we can be more like Jesus and accept those who are rejected. Jesus never accepted sinful behavior. He did accept sinners who were repentant, and he always loved them—even in their most sinful moments.

What is the context in which Jesus matters to us? What is the most important fact that we know about Jesus in relation to us? It is Good Friday! Good Friday is not only the day on which God revealed more about himself than at any other time in the history of creation, it is also our context as followers of Jesus. It is on the cross that Jesus shows us how to live. It is there that he shows us what constitutes love: sacrifice. "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

That God would love his creatures enough to become one of them and then suffer and die for them is beyond our ability to comprehend fully. Yet to the degree that we can appreciate what it is to suffer, we can appreciate such love. Each of us is given the opportunity for gaining such appreciation through the crosses that he allows us to have. Many different crosses prevent people from engaging in normal married life and therefore, genital pleasure. Homosexuality is only one of these. Only when we look at our human situation in its proper context, the context of Good Friday, can we recognize our place in it. Only through accepting the cross of same-sex attraction and offering it up in response to his self-gift will such a person know the full embrace of his nail-scarred hands.

It is when we accept the cross in our lives and encourage others to carry theirs that we are more like Jesus—not when we water down his expectations of us!

Quick Question

2010-07-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

from This Rock

Q: "In a discussion with a non-Catholic, I pointed out that his beliefs were incorrect or unfounded according to Catholic Church teaching. He accused me of being judgmental. But failure or refusal to accept the truth could have eternal consequences. What constitutes being judgmental?"

A: "First, pointing out the truth is not judgmental. Here are a few more examples of what does not constitute being judgmental:

It is not judgmental to make a moral appraisal of whether a person’s actions are sinful or whether the person is likely culpable for them.

It is not judgmental to have a negative emotional reaction to what is objectively evil.

It is not judgmental to bear in mind that a person you have forgiven has committed harmful actions in the past and may commit them again in the future.

One way to avoid being judgmental is to avoid making rash judgments.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way: "Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved" (CCC 2478, cf. St. Ignatius, Spiritual Exercises 22).

St. Mary Magdalene

2010-07-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

She is called "the Penitent".

St. Mary was given the name 'Magdalen' because, though a Jewish girl, she lived in a Gentile town called Magdale, in northern Galilee, and her culture and manners were those of a Gentile. St. Luke records that she was a notorious sinner, and had seven devils removed from her. She was present at Our Lords' Crucifixion, and with Joanna and Mary, the mother of James and Salome, at Jesus' empty tomb. Fourteen years after Our Lord's death, St. Mary was put in a boat by the Jews without sails or oars - along with Sts. Lazarus and Martha, St. Maximin (who baptized her), St. Sidonius ("the man born blind"), her maid Sera, and the body of St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin. They were sent drifting out to sea and landed on the shores of Southern France, where St. Mary spent the rest of her life as a contemplative in a cave known as Sainte-Baume. She was given the Holy Eucharist daily by angels as her only food, and died when she was 72. St. Mary was transported miraculously, just before she died, to the chapel of St. Maximin, where she received the last sacraments.

More about this saint: St. Mary Magdalen (Feast day - July 22) Mary Magdalen was well known as a sinner when she first saw Our Lord. She was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at His feet. Then with her long beautiful hair, she wiped His feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch Him, but Our Lord could see into Mary's heart, and He said: "Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved very much." Then to Mary He said kindly, "Your faith has made you safe; go in peace." From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and His Apostles. When Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the foot of His cross, unafraid for herself, and thinking only of His sufferings. No wonder Jesus said of her: "She has loved much." After Jesus' body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. Not finding the Sacred Body, she began to weep, and seeing someone whom she thought was the gardener, she asked him if he knew where the Body of her beloved Master had been taken. But then the person spoke in a voice she knew so well: "Mary!" It was Jesus, risen from the dead! He had chosen to show Himself first to Mary Magdalen, the repentent sinner.

I am Israel

2010-07-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Matthew 6:1-13

2010-07-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

1 Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

3 But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.

4 That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.

5 And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

1 "Your justice"... that is, works of justice; viz., fasting, prayer, and almsdeeds; which ought to be performed not out of ostentation, or a view to please men, but solely to please God.

6 But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.

7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

8 Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.

9 Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Call No Man Father

2010-07-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Snack Time

2010-07-15T05:32:00.000-07:00

This is now my new favorite snack. It's so simple, but so good.

Spiritual Reading

2010-07-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

I just started reading about St. Catherine of Siena and so far I'm really pleased with the writing style of this book. It's an easy and enjoyable read, without being too simple. A perfect choice for spiritual reading while in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Each chapter starts with a quote and while not all of them are from St. Catherine, this one was, and I loved it so much I couldn't resist sharing.

"To the servant of God, every place is the right place, and every time is the right time."

Quick Question - perfect answer

2010-07-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

from This Rock

Q: "One of my friends suggests that we should not applaud the choir after the closing hymn. He says that the song should direct souls to the Lord. I find it unnatural if we don't applaud."

A: The church is not a concert hall and the liturgy is not a performance. We are there to direct our attention to God—not to each other. There is a time and place for everything. The church is for prayer—not performances. If you want to convey your appreciation for the music, compliment the director after Mass.

Obama's Socialism

2010-07-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

From an email.

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before,
but had once failed an entire class.

--------------------------------------------

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK,
we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan"..

All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided
they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.
The second test average was a D!
No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering,
blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that.

Andrea Bocelli - A Gift From God

2010-07-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

Andrea Bocelli tells a beautiful story.

Why I Love the Latin Mass

2010-07-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

BTW, I think Michael Voris ROCKS!!

This program is from RealCatholicTV.com

4th Of July Weekend

2010-07-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about how we spend our holiday weekend, so I thought I'd just do a little post. I especially wanted to share this photo with you tonight.

Paul's sister lives in Kansas with her husband and eight children, also there was one of his brothers and another sister. We all had a great time together, and I truly wish we could see more of each other.

On Sunday it rained most of the day, but in the afternoon the sun peeked out for a bit and that's where the rainbow came from. It was neat seeing the kids (adults too) get so excited about it.

I feel blessed to be able to call these happy little people my nieces & nephews. They are all a joy to be around.

(I have pictures, but I have not asked permission to post them, so maybe another time.)

Why Chastity??

2010-07-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th

2010-07-04T04:18:00.000-07:00

I know this picture doesn't reflect the prayer posted, but I couldn't resist, it's just soo CUTE!!

I found this prayer at Opinionated Catholic.

Prayer for the GovernmentPrepared by Archbishop John Carroll November 10, 1791

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope n., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, n., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

No Apologies - Spanish Inquisition

2010-07-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Patriotic Beads

2010-07-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Check out Catholic Icing for some great patriotic beading ideas. I love this blog, you can find an arts & crafts project for just about any time of year.

Con Game

2010-07-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

This article was written in April, but I still think it's worth posting. It was written by Steve Kellmeyer.

It's time to de-mythologize the Catholic abuse scandal.

The linked column below highlights the following facts (and others besides):

skellmeyer.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-times-changing.html

As the recent Newsweek story pointed out, the Catholic Church does not molest at a rate different from other segments of the population. They don't pay higher insurance premiums, the stats don't support it.

Indeed, according to the statistics produced by the New York Times and Newsweek, celibate Catholic priests actually offend at a rate 5 TIMES LOWER than any other known group.

For every one case of Catholic priest abuse, there are five cases of Protestant or rabbinic abusing children.

For every one case of Catholic priest abuse, there are 2000 cases of public school teachers abusing children.

In Islam, child abuse is actually a moral good. Marrying a a child under ten to a man of 40 or 50 who has other wives is common, accepted, and often perfectly legal.

Thus, for every one case of Catholic priest abuse, there are literally tens of thousands of cases of Muslim abuse.

Furthermore, if you chart the incidence of abuse against the year it happened (as the linked article above does), you'll see that abuse cases began to drop dramatically the same year Cardinal Ratzinger was appointed head of the CDF, and exactly two years after John Paul II became Pope.
By the time the news media began to report on it, the rate had already been crushed into the dust by those two men.

Now, who is to blame for the continuing sexual abuse that takes place in public schools, at rates far higher than in Catholic parishes? Who is to blame for the cover-up and the non-reporting on that much more common and serious abuse?

Over the last fifty years, Catholic priests have produced an average of 220 cases of abuse each year.

Over the last ten years, public schools have produced an average of 450,000 abuse cases each year.

There should be thousands of news stories and media reports on public school and Muslim abuse for every one story of Catholic abuse. Instead, there is virtually nothing on public school sexual abuse and absolutely
nothing on Muslim rates of abuse.

So, while Catholic abuse happens, given the distorted coverage, it is clear a political game is being played here.

Have you been conned by the media and other liberal liars?
So have a lot of other people.

The question is - do you like being conned?

Liturgical Allegory

2010-06-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

A cute and quite brillant post by Saint Louis Catholic. You should CLICK HERE and go read it, that is if you like (or LOVE like me) Pride & Predjudice, otherwise you may not find it so amusing.

Quick Question

2010-06-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

from This Rock

Q: "If a person asks in prayer for assistance but no answer comes, should the person just give up on the prayers? "

A: We all like our prayers answered yesterday. But the Lord knows the best time. He’s the only one who really knows what time it is. To keep praying is to keep trusting him. To keep trusting him is to keep loving him. St. Monica spent 30 years praying for her son’s conversion. When he finally converted, he became a great saint. But all the while she had been praying, she herself became a saint. Don’t give up on God.

Hitchens vs. Hitchens

2010-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Christopher Hitchens (atheist) and Peter Hitchens (Christian)

The heart of the man who lives for God knows peace, joy, and happiness. The heart of the man who lives for the world knows fear, sorrow, and misery.

Why Modesty??

2010-06-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

Summer Fashions

2010-06-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

From Sunday's bulletin:

Dear Parents and Parishioners,

The fashions for this summer are of grave danger to Christian modesty. Mini-skirts and dresses, short-shorts, and very low-cut blouses are the fashions for this summer. Please remember that we are Christians, followers of Christ, children of God, and temples of the Holy Spirit. We are set apart by God's saving grace. Let us always follow our Blessed Mother's example and ask for her help. If we blend in with the pagan world, what type of witness would we be to our Baptismal promises? Our Lady says, "...and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength." (Mark 12:30) Dressing with these styles for the summer are an offense to God and an ocassion of sin to others. Let us give Glory to God in dressing modestly for Church, work, school and play.

May God bless you!

Amazing Grace & Protestantism (WOW!!)

2010-06-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Loser Letters

2010-06-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

I didn't think I'd make it through the first chapter of The Loser Letters because I thought I wouldn't be able to get around the writing style...but I was wrong. It's actually pretty good & I wish I could say why, but I can't seem to formulate what I want to say, so I'm going to post part of a review that was made on Amazon.com to help give you more insight as to what the book is about. I definitely think you should read it.

"The Loser Letters, Eberstadt's first published work of fiction, draws on a long satirical tradition from Juvenal to The Screwtape Letters. Eberstadt's protagonist, a young woman named A. F. Christian (as in, "A Former Christian"), details the journey of her enlightened abandonment of her "cradle Dullness" (namely, her Christian faith) and her adaptation to atheism. Christian writes excited, star-struck letters to the self-described so-called "Brights" of the New Atheism, in which she gushes about the Brights' superiority while candidly evaluating the weaknesses that limit the New Atheism's ability to win new converts. With this device, Eberstadt delivers a gripping story line with a chilling twist at the end and, in the process, administers a smackdown of the New Atheism."

Blank

2010-06-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

Everyday I think to myself "you really should make a post today", but then I can't think of anything to post about. I do go through this once in a while, but never for this long (I don't think). My most recent postings have been very spaced out.

I haven't been doing much reading lately, maybe that's part of it. I tend to post more when I do a lot of reading. Maybe today I'll finish a book I started a while back, and let you know how it is.

I know, kind of a random post, but since I had nothing to post about, I thought I'd post about nothing. LOL!! Did that make sense?

Intolerance

2010-06-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

"America, it is said, is suffering from intolerance.
It is not.
It is suffering from tolerance of right and wrong,
truth and error,
virtue and evil,
Christ and chaos.
Our country is not nearly so much overrun with the bigoted as it is overrun with the broadminded…

In the face of this broadmindedness,
what America needs is intolerance."

~ Archbishop Servant of God Fulton Sheen

Eating Healthy

2010-06-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

After a full week of eating out and eating really good food that's really bad for you, it's time to get healthy.

So my goal this month is light healthy dinners served around 5:00. Who knows, it might even inspire me to do more posting on my food blog.

Last night we had a spinach salad with pico de gallo & leftover tri tip, along with a healthy pasta salad. Tonight we had marinated chicken & quinoa. We never had quinoa before & really liked it.

I think we're off to a good start.

Been Too Long

2010-06-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Paul and I have been on vacation this week so that's why I have not been posting. We didn't leave town, but we've been spending lots of time just the 2 of us & checking places out in our area that we've never seen.

Things we've done:

Strawberry Festival.

Bike ride to the pier to have lunch, then watched a movie at home.

Japanese Garden at CSULB. (pictures to below)

Toured Rancho Los Alamitos.

Had lunch at "At Last Cafe" which was featured on a recent episode of Diner's, Drive-ins, and Dives. It was AWESOME!!

Spent the day in Old Town Temecula, where we did lots of window shopping, ate BBQ, went olive oil tasting (instead of wine), etc. On our way home we stopped at Tom's Farms to buy some produce, and Paul was super excited to find a jar of really BIG dill pickles--it was cute!!

A lot of eating out.

Relax, watch golf, read, play Gin Rummy.

We didn't take a lot of pictures this week, but we have some of the gardens we visited. I hope you enjoy them.

I love this picture!!

A New Favorite

2010-05-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

I discovered today that my favorite apple is the Golden Delicious. I had always thought it was the Gala apple, but the GD is way better.

I know, not the most thought provoking post, but it's what's on my mind.

What's your favorite apple?

Happy Feast Day

2010-05-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

"Sisters, be careful where you look, where you go, and with whom you convene. There is always danger in what we see becoming the occasion of offense against God and our vow." ~St. Rita

When I chose St. Rita as my Confirmation saint, I had no real information to go on. Paul and I were in the car, on our way to Sacramento where I would be Baptized, Confirmed, and receive my first Holy Communion. Selecting a saint was something we only thought of hours before leaving, so Paul printed out a list of saints with brief descriptions next to the name, it was actually one word next to each name, telling what they were the patron saints of.

St. Rita was listed as the patron saint of loneliness, and though it may sound sad, that's exactly what drew me to her. So without knowing anything else I decided on St. Rita of Cascia. I'm almost glad I was under pressure otherwise I might have had more trouble choosing a saint.

Once I started reading about her life I realized how perfect it was, not because we are so much alike, but because she is exactly who I should try to emulate. All of St. Rita's strengths are my weaknesses, and because of that I believe we are a perfect match.

I have since realized that she is more commonly known as the saint of the impossible, and after reading her life story I know this to be true. I've read 3 books on St. Rita and I really feel that this one is THE BEST, you should read it. I'm not sure if EWTN will be showing the movie called Saint Rita with Vittoria Belvedere, but if you have not seen it and plan to, DON'T!! Or if you do, watch it with the understanding 98% (my opinion) is not accurate. This movie is very far removed from the true life of this amazing saint, the directors definitely took a great deal of poetic licence.

Happy feast day St. Rita!!

Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.

2010-05-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Convert Stories

2010-05-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

Reading Rome Sweet Home has inspired me to read more convert stories, and rather than buy new books I asked Paul what he had & he gave me Surprised By Truth. Even though I did not experience most of their struggles with Catholic teachings, since I had no strong previous religious background, I love hearing their stories.

So far I have only read 3 of the 11 convert stories in this book, and so far I think it's great. All 3 started out as Protestant ministers (or studied to be), and the further they dived into studying came to the realization that the "Catholic faith is the faith of the Bible."

I feel that reading these types of convert stories are very helpful to all Catholics as way of studying apologetics too. I do not spend as much time studying apologetics as I should, and I've found their stories are pretty helpful in this area.

The FIRST First Lady

2010-05-14T04:51:00.001-07:00

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not our circumstances."

~Martha Washington

When Men Were Men

2010-05-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

" You can`t whine and bellyache because somebody else got a good break and you didn't."

" I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me. The others can do whatever they please."

" When the road looks rough ahead, remember the Man Upstairs and the word Hope. Hang onto both and tough it out."

"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway."

"To me, The Wild Bunch (1969) was distasteful. It would have been a good picture without the gore. Pictures go too far when they use that kind of realism, when they have shots of blood spurting out and teeth flying, and when they throw liver out to make it look like people`s insides. "The Wild Bunch" was one of the first to go that far in realism, and the curious went to see it. That may make the bankers and stock promoters think that it is a necessary ingredient for successful motion pictures. They seem to forget the one basic principle of our business - illusion. We`re in the business of magic. I don`t think it hurts a child to see anything that has the illusion of violence in it. All our fairy tales have some kind of violence - the good knight riding to kill the dragon, etc. Why do we have to show the knight spreading the serpent`s guts all over the candy mountain?"

Great T-Shirt

2010-05-10T05:12:00.000-07:00

Comedy Central Still Mocking Jesus

2010-05-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

COMEDY CENTRAL UNVEILS MOCK JESUS SHOW

May 6, 2010

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on Comedy Central's decision to offer a new animated show, "JC," in its upcoming lineup:

All we know about "JC" is that it will be a half-hour show about Christ seeking to live a normal life in New York outside the reach of his "powerful but apathetic father." But we know much more about who is doing this.

These are the same executives who delight in bashing Christians while continuing to censor any depiction of Muhammad on "South Park." They also deceive. Kent Alterman, a network official, says this about the show: "In general, comedy in its purest form always makes some people uncomfortable." Not true. Besides the fact that there is no end to the number of comedians who have made a huge name for themselves without ever offending anyone, what is even more relevant is the fact that Comedy Central has absolutely no interest in making Muslims feel uncomfortable.

But maybe they're wrong. Muslims regard Jesus to be a prophet and hold Him in high regard. They may not be too pleased to learn that one of their revered figures is going to be ridiculed on Comedy Central. To that end, we will not only contact the Catholic community, we will contact Muslim organizations as well. Those who would like to dialogue with Comedy Central's CEO, Doug Herzog, can reach him at 2049 Century Park East, Ste. 4000, Los Angeles, CA, 90067.

If you show up at Herzog's office, and he says he is feeling uneasy, let him know that having a fun time in its purest form always makes some people feel uncomfortable. He is sure to understand.

Contact: doug.herzog@comedycentral.com

National Food Drive

2010-05-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

Food Drive Website

The food drive is on Saturday May 8th. Just put canned items in a bag & leave them at the mailbox, your mail carrier will pick up the bags for you. Please take advantage of this very simple opportunity to make a donation.

Seriously??

2010-05-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

This is absolutely ridiculous.

Card Making

2010-05-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

I loved the picture & prayer so much from yesterdays post that I decided to make my own Holy Cards out of it.

First I created the prayer with a color background with my photo shop program, then I printed the picture & prayer in wallet size photos. Once I cut them out I just glued them together.

I have Holy Cards everywhere, I love to use them as book marks too

My Queen, My Mother

2010-05-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you. And to show myself devoted to you, I consecrate to to you my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my entire being without reserve. Since I am yours, my good Mother, preserve me, defend me, as your property and possession. Amen.

Saints Gallery

2010-05-03T04:36:00.000-07:00

Our Lady of Mount Carmalpencil drawing Mariola K. Paini

Quoting Paul

2010-05-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

The other night Paul said something that I just knew was a quotable quote, in fact as soon as the words came out of his mouth I stopped him from speaking further so I could right down exactly what he said. I thought it was perfect, especially since it came from a discussion about St. Zita.

"We do God's work when we do our own well, and with the right intentions." ~Paul

Beautiful

2010-05-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

Pray For Life

2010-04-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

Lord, please spare the life of an unborn child who is in danger of abortion. Let him or her be shown love and be given a caring home. If not by the biological parents then by a husband and wife in want of a child.

3AM

2010-04-28T06:09:00.000-07:00

I always kind of liked this song, but the more I heard it on the radio the more annoying it became. After spending some time on Youtube creating a play list I found an acoustic version and now I'm in love with this song. I think it's just beautiful.

Saint Zita

2010-04-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

St. Zita was born into a poor but holy Christian family. Her older sister became a Cistercian nun and her uncle Graziano was a hermit whom the local people regarded as a saint.

Zita herself always tried to do God's will obediently whenever it was pointed out to her by her mother. At the age of twelve Zita became a housekeeper in the house of a rich weaver in Lucca, Italy, eight miles from her home at Monte Sagrati. As things turned out, she stayed with that family for the last forty-eight years of her life. She found time every day to attend Mass and to recite many prayers, as well as to carry out her household duties so perfectly that the other servants were jealous of her. Indeed, her work was part of her religion! She use to say: "a servant is not holy if she is not busy; lazy people of our position is fake holiness."

At first, her employers were upset by her generous gifts of food to the poor, but in time, they were completely won over by her patience and goodness and she became a very close friend. St. Zita was given a free reign over her working schedule and busied herself with visits to the sick and those in prison. Word spread rapidly in Lucca of her good deeds and the heavenly visions that appeared to her.

She was sought out by the important people, and at her death in 1278 the people acclaimed her as a saint.

She is the patroness of domestic workers.

Shopping Trip

2010-04-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Paul & I are planning on going guitar shopping & I'm so excited. I never learned how to play an instrument, but always wish I had. The guitar has always been most fascinating and something in me says "now's the time". So after we find the perfect guitar we'll figure out where I'll take lessons.

I'm also excited because Paul plays the guitar & it's something we can enjoy together. I do feel a bit guilty buying a new one though, since he already has 6 guitars, but they're all way too BIG for me. He's 6'2" & I'm 5'1", so I'm sure it's easy to imagine that I'm sure.

Good Bye Tim

2010-04-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about the elimination on American Idol and I'm kind of sad Tim's gone. I know he wasn't the best on the show, but I don't think he should have been sent home yet. Even though this week wasn't his best performance. I know, it's sad that I'm thinking about him being kicked off enough to post about it, but I wanted to share my 2 favorite performances of his.

Busy Night

2010-04-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight I made some cake pops for a yard/bake sale that my niece's Soft Ball league is having. I've usually just make cake balls, but I figured this would be the perfect time to try a different way. I've been wanting to make them this way for a long time now, I'm so glad I did it. It was fun and actually easier.

I went to Michael's earlier today to pick up some things I needed & while I was there the idea to make lollipops just came to me. I'm going to offer them for the sale on Saturday too.

My next baking addiction is going to be cupcakes and muffins. The plan is to make both the cupcakes & muffins all from scratch. Hopefully I could find some good Low Carb, Low Sugar recipes, then maybe I wont feel as guilty after sampling the goods.

Our Saturday

2010-04-17T23:13:00.000-07:00

I love the feeling of accomplishment once somethings been on checked off of your to-do-list. It's just wonderful!!

Once Paul was home from golfing we just relaxed & talked a bit, then I suggested we go have an early lunch. Paul then did an Internet search for a healthy place to eat, he read off a menu that sounded interesting so we got ready to go.

The place was nice, but there was a strange vibe to it. It wasn't until we opened our menus before we realized they only served VEGAN food. hahaha!! I was starting to dread ordering, but tried not to let it show. I ordered an enchilada which was all vegetables, and Paul had a weird lasagna. I don't know how people could eat that way, I'm not even a big meat eater, but I still gotta have it. But even without the meat, almost nothing on the menu was a hot meal, which is what I was hoping for. Good food or not, it was an interesting experience.

I then talked Paul into going to Costco on the way home. I think he was dreading the trip, it being Saturday and all, but I was excited. We just recently got our Costco card so to us it's still new, that and I love going shopping with him. Every thing is more fun when we do it together.

Once all the Costco stuff was put away we were able to tackle our BIG project for the day, our garage. We had to get rid of some stuff, and re-organize. It took a while, but we're so glad it's done. It was so bad Paul was having trouble getting in & out of his car. We found an old carpet while cleaning that we decided to put on our garage steps, so we have a clean place to walk on when we get something from extra fridge. We are a no-shoes in the house family, so the shoes aren't aloud on that carpet either. I know we're both relieved to have an organized garage again.

For dinner I cooked up the take & bake pizza from Costco and we ate that while watching "The Real Face of Jesus" that I recorded over Easter weekend. It was amazing to watch, it's about the Shroud of Turin and the different studies that have been done to it. At the end of the show, a 3D image of what they believe Jesus looked like was shown. I thought it was AMAZING!! I have to say that they left out some important facts, but it's still worth watching.

We had a wonderful day together, even the working part was fun.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend.

Back Soon!!

2010-04-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

I'm actually working full-time this week, so I might not post anything new for a few days.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

Blessings!!

Lies About The Pope

2010-04-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

Don't believe everything you hear!!!

I hardly ever watch or listen to the mainstream media, since I find them to be completely un-trustworthy a great majority of the time. I just happened to hear ABC News do a report on allegations against the Pope & was appalled by the lack of factual & detailed information.

Everyone should do themselves a favor and before forming an opinion on ANY news story, search the Internet, do YOUR OWN research, and you'll be amazed at what you discover to be the truth.

The article below is one of many which give details of some of the allegations. Worth the read.

Journalists abandon standards to attack the Pope

An article by Phil Lawler.

We're off and running once again, with another completely phony story that purports to implicate Pope Benedict XVI in the protection of abusive priests.

The "exclusive" story released by AP yesterday, which has been dutifully passed along now by scores of major media outlets, would never have seen the light of day if normal journalistic standards had been in place. Careful editors should have asked a series of probing questions, and in every case the answer to those questions would have shown that the story had no "legs."
First to repeat the bare-bones version of the story: in November 1985, then-Cardinal Ratzinger signed a letter deferring a decision on the laicization of Father Stephen Kiesle, a California priest who had been accused of molesting boys.

Now the key questions:

• Was Cardinal Ratzinger responding to the complaints of priestly pedophilia? No. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which the future Pontiff headed, did not have jurisdiction for pedophile priests until 2001. The cardinal was weighing a request for laicization of Kiesle.

• Had Oakland's Bishop John Cummins sought to laicize Kiesle as punishment for his misconduct? No. Kiesle himself asked to be released from the priesthood. The bishop supported the wayward priest's application.

• Was the request for laicization denied? No. Eventually, in 1987, the Vatican approved Kiesle's dismissal from the priesthood.

• Did Kiesle abuse children again before he was laicized? To the best of our knowledge, No. The next complaints against him arose in 2002: 15 years after he was dismissed from the priesthood.

• Did Cardinal Ratzinger's reluctance to make a quick decision mean that Kiesle remained in active ministry? No. Bishop Cummins had the authority to suspend the predator-priest, and in fact he had placed him on an extended leave of absence long before the application for laicization was entered.

• Would quicker laicization have protected children in California? No. Cardinal Ratzinger did not have the power to put Kiesle behind bars. If Kiesle had been defrocked in 1985 instead of 1987, he would have remained at large, thanks to a light sentence from the California courts. As things stood, he remained at large. He was not engaged in parish ministry and had no special access to children.

• Did the Vatican cover up evidence of Kiesle's predatory behavior? No. The civil courts of California destroyed that evidence after the priest completed a sentence of probation-- before the case ever reached Rome.

So to review: This was not a case in which a bishop wanted to discipline his priest and the Vatican official demurred. This was not a case in which a priest remained active in ministry, and the Vatican did nothing to protect the children under his pastoral care. This was not a case in which the Vatican covered up evidence of a priest's misconduct. This was a case in which a priest asked to be released from his vows, and the Vatican-- which had been flooded by such requests throughout the 1970s -- wanted to consider all such cases carefully. In short, if you're looking for evidence of a sex-abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, this case is irrelevant.

We Americans know what a sex-abuse crisis looks like. The scandal erupts when evidence emerges that bishops have protected abusive priests, kept them active in parish assignments, covered up evidence of the charges against them, and lied to their people. There is no such evidence in this or any other case involving Pope Benedict XVI.

Competent reporters, when dealing with a story that involves special expertise, seek information from experts in that field. Capable journalists following this story should have sought out canon lawyers to explain the 1985 document-- not merely relied on the highly biased testimony of civil lawyers who have lodged multiple suits against the Church. If they had understood the case, objective reporters would have recognized that they had no story. But in this case, reporters for the major media outlets are far from objective.

The New York Times-- which touched off this feeding frenzy with two error-riddled front-page reports-- seized on the latest "scoop" by AP to say that the 1985 document exemplified:

…the sort of delay that is fueling a renewed sexual abuse scandal in the church that has focused on whether the future pope moved quickly enough to remove known pedophiles from the priesthood, despite pleas from American bishops.

Here we have a complete rewriting of history. Earlier in this decade, American newspapers exposed the sad truth that many American bishops had kept pedophile priests in active ministry. Now the Times, which played an active role in exposing that scandal, would have us believe that the American bishops were striving to rid the priesthood of the predators, and the Vatican resisted!

No, what is "fueling a renewed sexual abuse scandal" is a media frenzy. There is a scandal here, indeed, but it's not the scandal you're reading about in the mass media. The scandal is the complete collapse of journalistic standards in the handling of this story.

You Are A Priest Forever

2010-04-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

15 Comments

2010-04-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why, but I was wondering which of my past posts had the most comments, and I'm glad to find it was a very worthy topic. The post was a cut & paste from another blog about receiving Holy Communion, and even though not all comments are related to the topic, there are some great comments.

I won't post the whole thing again, but you can CLICK HERE if you wish to read it.

Felt Softies

2010-04-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

I found a really cute shop on Etsy that makes saint dolls out of felt. They are just adorable and look to be really well made. Now when ever I look through anything about saints I always look for Saint Rita of Cascia, so that's the picture I'm going to share with you.

I hope you check out this shop (HERE), I think these would make a great gift to any newly Confirmed Catholics or those who will be and have already chosen their patron saint.

Teen Shirts

2010-04-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

JCLU Forever

Kelsey Lynne

2010-04-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday Kelsey!!

This is my little sister, (I think she was about 5 in this picture) and today she turns 18.

When Kelsey was born I was 11 and I couldn't have been more excited to have baby sister. We have always been very close and even though she's now a busy teen and we don't talk as often as we used to the sisterly/best friend closeness is always there.

Kelsey,

You will do so much changing in the next few years and I can't wait to meet the woman you become. I hope you enjoy the journey of discovering yourself, making new friends, and taking on new challenges. I have so much faith in you, I know you'll be great at what ever you choose to do. I pray that you will not have as hard a time during this part of life as some do, and that in those hard times you are able to ask for God's help. One of my favorite quotes is "Before you go to sleep, give your troubles to God, he'll be up all night anyway".

You will always be my baby sister and there will always be times that when I look at you all I will see is a tiny 3 year old with a short blond bob. You sure were cute. I hope you know how much I love you & that I will always be here for you.

A few fond memories of you as a young child.

1. Using your hand to dig for ice in MY glass of water. This happened quite often, I might have started it actually, and if I remember correctly you still love chewing on ice.

2. Singing the bumble bee song over & over with you in the car. It helped when you'd start to get cranky, you especially liked the spitting part. LOL!

3. Realizing you were really quiet in another room for a long time, getting worried and finding you reading (trying to) and surrounded by books, you were only 2. You loved books right away and always wanted someone to read to you.

4. You really loved Barny, and all though I didn't, watching you get super excited was worth the torture of sitting through it. :)

5. When I was home with you (weekends), you were my little shadow and you never left me alone...I loved it. I think that lasted until about high school, lol.

Blessed Easter

2010-04-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Daily Actions

2010-03-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

I will examine how I perform the ordinary actions of the day.

Have I risen at the sound of the bell and immediately turned my thoughts to God and to the subject of my meditation?

Have I prepared well the points of my meditation, and sincerely tried to make to make a good one; applying my memory, understanding, and will, and taking practical resolutions?

Did I hear Mass with reverence and receive Holy Communion with due preparation and thanksgiving?

Have I recited my prayers with attention and devotion, remembering that I was then praising God in the name of the whole mystical Body of Christ and in union with the saints and angels in heaven?

Have I applied myself seriously and constantly to my duties and occupations, with a right intention, seeing the dispositions of Providence in all circumstances of the day?

Have I avoided sensuality and selfishness in eating and drinking, and attended to the wants of my neighbor at table?

Have I been faithful in my devotions to the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, my patrons and my guardian angel?

From Catholic Prayer Book

Faith (Do I.........?)

2010-03-29T05:54:00.000-07:00

Questions to ask yourself:

Do I make an honest effort to grow in the virtue of faith by daily mental prayer on the mysteries of the faith, as revealed in the life of Jesus Christ?

Do I make at least a short act of faith everyday?

Do I pray daily for an increase in faith?

Do I ever tempt God by relying on my own strength to cope with the trials in my life?

Do I unnecessarily read or listen to those who oppose or belittle what I know are truths of my Catholic Faith?

What have I done today to externally profess my faith?

Have I allowed human respect to keep me from giving expression to my faith?

Do I defend my faith, prudently and charitably, when someone says something contrary to what I know is to be believed?

Have I helped someone overcome a difficulty against the faith?

from Catholic Prayer Book

Holy Week

2010-03-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

"And the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest."

Today is Palm Sunday and the first day of Holy Week which leads to the most important feast of the year.

Important days of Holy Week:
Palm Sunday – Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper and betrayal.
Good Friday – The arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.
Easter Sunday – The day Jesus rose from the grave.

I pray for a blessed week and a glorious Easter for all, and I hope everyone takes full advantage of all opportunity for spiritual growth this week and the entire Easter season.

18 Again!

2010-03-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

Today was my husbands birthday, and like many years before and many that are to follow he is 18. :)

I hope you had a happy & wonderful birthday Sweetie, I love you so much and I am truly blessed and thankful that you have chosen to share your life with me.

I made my first from scratch cake today, in his honor. To check it out please CLICK HERE to visit my food blog.

Spring Is Near

2010-03-06T14:37:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago I threw some wild flower seeds in the planter along our retaining wall, and they're finally starting to bloom. I'm so excited!!

Most flowers I plant die, so I thought this time around I'd start with seed, I sure hope they make it. The mix I chose is supposed to attract birds and butterflies, I didn't see today but then it is raining. I did however find a Lady Bug. I love lady bugs and I used to catch them all the time as a kid.

The very last picture is the view from my bathroom window. It was such a beautiful day I had to take a picture.

Possible Obstacles

2010-02-26T21:27:00.000-08:00

7 Possible Obstacles to Our Sanctification:

1. Mortal sin
2. Deliberate venial sins
3. A lack of generosity in pursuing God's will and uniting our will to His.
4. Lack of bodily mortification.
5. Lack of interior mortification.
6. Lack of spiritual reading.
7. Lack of mental prayer.

"All the saints became saints because of mental prayer."

Lenten Discipline

2010-02-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

A discipline won’t bring you closer to God. Only God can bring you closer to Himself. What the discipline is meant to do is to help you get yourself, your ego, out of the way so you are open to His grace.

~James Kushiner

During Lent

2010-02-18T22:24:00.001-08:00

I will not be posting very often during the Lenten Season, but will not stop all together.

The plan is to spend more time reading the Bible, and finishing my books on St. Rita and St. Bernadette. I will also be practicing my baking skills more during this time. I know it doesn't seem spiritual, but I do a lot of thinking and have some great conversations with God while making things like Cake Balls.

There are many more things on my list for Lent, but lets see how much I accomplish and follow through with before I mention them.

Maybe you have some activities planned or challenges to accomplish? I would love to hear about them. I can always use more ideas.

Casting Crowns

2010-02-16T05:41:00.000-08:00

A Good Read

2010-02-13T19:03:00.000-08:00

Gina at Life Matters has made a great post, one that I think should be passed around so that maybe someone who fits into the catagories named will read this, stop, and think about their lives.

Although the article is directed towards men, I think it applies to women as well.

Read post HERE.

Life, the Potential

2010-02-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

2010-02-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Dominican Sisters On Oprah

2010-02-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

Aggie Catholics posted all the clips from yesterday's Oprah show and Paul and I just finished watching them.

The Sisters presented themselves wonderfully and answered commonly held questions about convent life.

If you have not already seen it check out Aggie Catholics for all the clips.

Tulips

2010-02-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

I bought some tulips at Trader Joe's today, and after I put them in the vase I felt inspired to practice my photography.

Happy Monday

2010-02-08T08:09:00.001-08:00

Though we stumble, we will never fall, for the Lord holds us by the hand.

Saint Colette

2010-02-07T05:49:00.000-08:00

Colette was born in Corbie, France. At 21 she began to follow the Third Order Rule and became an anchoress, a woman walled into a room whose only opening was a window into a church.

After four years of prayer and penance in this cell, she left it. With the approval and encouragement of the pope, she joined the Poor Clares and reintroduced the primitive Rule of St. Clare in the 17 monasteries she established. Her sisters were known for their poverty—they rejected any fixed income—and for their perpetual fast. Colette’s reform movement spread to other countries and is still thriving today. Colette was canonized in 1807.

Quiet Moments

2010-02-06T05:27:00.000-08:00

You would think that I would have many "quiet moments" given that I spend a big part of the day by myself, but that all depends on what you mean by a quiet moment. When I think of a quiet moment I don't think of just being alone and in silence, I think of something much better.

A quiet moment is a moment of peace, when the scene that surrounds you is so relaxing that it calms not just your nerves but your mind, and helps you see everything more clearly. When I have these moments I am usually left with an energy that I may not have had in awhile. I know when I experience a quiet moment I get inspired to do all sorts of things, like baking, cook something I haven't tried yet, create a few blog posts, call my mom when she's not at work & can actually talk, lie on the couch and read the entire afternoon, plan something fun, or just clean the house.

Quiet moments are important and usually much needed for everyone from time to time, but also hard to come by. Creating moments for yourself is sometimes just as beneficial as the moment itself, and I wish I did that more often.

Here are some of my favorite quiet moments.

* Walking around Home Depot (no really). I love looking at all the flowers and imagining how they would look around our home, and there's just something about flowers that bring me closer to God than I may have been 5 minutes prior.

* Looking through cookbooks. Not only does it relax me & have me wanting to make something bad & really fattening, but I enjoy it so much that when I'm done I feel as if I've had a mini vacation from my brain. Love it.

* Going for a walk with Paul. I do most of the talking on these walks (and every other time too) and between the exercise and being able to just let everything out it's like someone gave me a shot of adrenaline, and it usually lasts a couple days, at least. OK, it might not be quiet, but it has the same effect.

* Adoration. Spending time kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament does wonders for one's soul. I believe that's when I pray my best and truly remember all of the little things I'm blessed with and grateful for. A moment spent with the Lord is always the best moment.

What are your favorite "Quiet Moments"?

Things your burglar won't tell you

2010-02-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

From an email.

Your Security team is committed in keeping you safe at work as well as at home. Below is a list of things your burglar won’t tell but we will.

Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your
shutters or delivering your new refrigerator.

· Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

· Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of computer gaming system they have.

· Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on your driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

· If it snows while you're out of town, Virgin drifts in the driveway are dead giveaways. I look for car and foot tracks to the house. [Get a neighbor to create tracks to your house.]

· If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy. And if your dead bolt has a thumb latch that’s great, now I can break the glass and enter by opening the door. Dead bolts that are keyed on both sides make it hard for me to enter.

· Some alarm company will alarm only some of your windows and doors. But I check all of them including windows on the second floor, which often access your master bedroom-and your jewelry. Most garage doors are not alarmed. I hate it when you have a good idea to put motion detectors there too.

· It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

· I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

· Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

· Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

· You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

· I look for a house were no one is home. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If I think you are home I will find another home to check. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

· Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

· The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

· I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

· I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

· I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or computer gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

· I look for you to announce your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

· To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

· If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

· Give me a brake. Don’t listen to those KRMC Security Guys. When you are at work is when I will be checking on things.

Thank you for helping us in keeping you safe and secure,

KRMC Security Services

350,000 March For Life

2010-02-04T23:48:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Rose & Cake Balls

2010-02-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

Tonight I decided to make Chocolate Rose Lollipops...they were really easy but I wish I would have bought more red chocolate 'Cos I ran out, which is OK since I also LOST the pretty wrappers that I wanted to use for them. Errrrrrrr!! Paul helped me look for them for a long time, long after I had given up he kept on looking. :) But they never turned up.

My plan was to take these to everyone at work tomorrow, but I guess it will have to wait, which is OK since I'm not sure I like the taste. I added some cherry flavoring to the Red Chocolate & I think I should have left it alone. I think if someone else made it I'd think they were great, maybe I'm too critical with myself.

I also made cake balls, which is something I make quite often. These ones were chocolate cake with butter cream icing mixed with Bailey's Irish Cream. Yummy!

The Word Hypocrite

2010-02-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

Without actually looking up the meaning of the word "hypocrite" I'm going to talk about what I think it means & how I feel others use it.

My example of a hypocrite: Someone who speaks publicly about how a particular action is wrong, immoral, or just shouldn't be done to make themselves look good, but has recently participated in what they're speaking of (without owning up to it), or knowingly plan to in the near future.

How I feel too many people use the word hypocrite: Someone who speaks against any act that they feel is wrong, immoral, or just shouldn't be done, but has at anytime in their past participated in what they speak of.

Many people do things when they're young, uniformed, and misguided. Does that mean that they should live their whole lives according to the past, that once they realize that what they did was wrong that they have no right to speak of it, or prevent others from the same mistakes.

NO! No matter how small the incident, if it is wrong, it is wrong, and if any of us can possibly save someone from making the same wrong choices it is our MORAL obligation to do so.

I encounter people too often who I feel don't use this word correctly and I find it so frustrating, and I pray for the strength to speak up more when I can.

Am I the only one that feels this way?

Happy Anniversary!!

2010-02-02T01:21:00.000-08:00

Two years ago today I married the most wonderful man in the world, and every day I know I am blessed to share my life with him. I never tire of spending every moment with him, and we never run out of things to talk about.

I'd like to mention a few things I love & appreciate about him, to him and to you, and even though I could list 100+ I'll only name 10.

1. I love how you wake me up every morning to talk while you eat your cereal, so that we have some morning time together.

2. I appreciate every time you help with the dishes & that you always wash all the dishes you use. THANK YOU!!

3. You're a man of true faith, and strength, and are a great example to everyone around you.

4. Thank you for working so hard to stay in good health, and for dragging me along kicking & screaming. :)

5. You have taken such great care of your mom this past year and have spent countless hours/days by her side, which just proves that you're a true blessing to so many others.

6. Creating reading weekends was one of your best ideas ever! I really enjoy spending the weekend on the couch doing nothing but reading and snacking all day together.

7. It was you who helped guide me home to the Catholic Church, and showed me how to have complete faith in God without even trying to, just by living out your faith daily, effortlessly.

8. Sometimes when you get really excited about something, a look comes across your face that makes you look 8 years old. I love that!!

9. Thank you for working so hard to provide for us. We are very fortunate to have what we do, and I am thankful to you and to God everyday for making it possible.

10. You are sooo much fun to be around, no matter where we go, or what the activity is, even if we go nowhere and do nothing, we have a blast together. You have a gift for making every moment special, fun, and unforgettable (yes I'm singing it-inside joke).

I love you so much Paulo and I can't wait to experience all of life's future adventures with you.

Family Prayer

2010-01-31T22:28:00.000-08:00

Lord God, Creator and Sustainer of life, watch over our family gathered in Jesus' name. Guide and Guard us, keep us united in love for one another. Let your grace be our support in whatever emergencies may lie ahead.

Show us, Father, how to put the past behind us, give You our best today, and place our tomoorows in your hands. Bless our laughter and tears, ease our sorrows and fears. Teach us to appriciate every good gist from your paternal heart. Amen.

Church Traditions

2010-01-30T08:03:00.000-08:00

Wearing a veil to Mass or Adoration is one of my favorite traditions. Veiling yourself in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is a symbol of dignity and humility, and it makes me very sad that it is a tradition which is hardly practiced. The Tabernacle is usually veiled (or it should be) because it is a Sacred Vessel, and women should also be veiled because we too are sacred vessels.

The Cross

2010-01-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

Little headaches, little heartaches

Little griefs of every day

Little trials and vexations.

How they throng upon our way.

Yet all life is formed of small things.

Little leaves make up the trees.

Many tiny drops of water

Blending, make the mighty seas.

Asking Him for grace sufficient

To sustain us through each loss

And to treasure each small suffering

As a splinter from His Cross.

~unknown

Wasp Spray

2010-01-28T16:53:00.000-08:00

Another interesting email.

Please pass this on to your friends and loved ones, especially the women.

Even if you have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you....and you can carry it in your car with no problem!!

Thought this was some good advice.

Did you know this? I didn't. I never really thought of it before.

I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.

Wasp Spray

A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her thatshe get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School. For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades.

It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out.

"Maybe even save a life.

Walmart Commercial

2010-01-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

I saw this over at A Broken Fortress and it's just too funny not to pass on.

New Layout

2010-01-26T06:41:00.000-08:00

Well I've decided to go with 3 columns, but I'm not sure if I like it.

Please tell me what you think.

Does it seem too cluttered/crowded?

UPDATE:

Ok, so it's no longer three columns and though I loved my original backround...I really like this one too.

I know, I know, such a big deal about what the blog looks like, what's the big deal??

Well, it is a big deal for me. I want all of my readers to love what they see when they stop by.

Plans for 2011

2010-01-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

I love old mission style Churches as I'm sure many people do, and I've been thinking that I would love to take a road trip dedicated to visiting these old Churches. I don't see a trip like this being possible for 2010, but I'm hoping we can make it work in 2011.

I haven't looked into this yet, but I'm pretty sure we can find lots of Churches if we stayed along the coast. What a beautiful drive that is, even though I drove some of that last year, I would do it again in a heart beat.

Highway 1 is gorgeous, but, I would demand (yes, I said demand) that we drive up highway 1 and find another way to get home. Even if we rent a car to drive up and fly back down. Driving down the 1 means being on THE EDGE of the cliff and after nearly having a nervous break down the last time, I refuse to go through it again. As long as we're on the side of the road closes to the mountain, I'm good to go.

What places are you planning or just hoping to go to?

The picture was taken on last years road trip, it is the top of San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey, Ca. The reason I only took a picture of the top is because the rest of the Church was covered by scaffolding due to repairs.

Prayers for Sean

2010-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow at 2:30 PM my nephew Sean Michael will be having surgery for an abdominal hernia. Sean is only 9 years old & I'm sure he is pretty scared about the operation since most adults I know get completely freaked out when having to go under.

He's a tough kid & I'm sure he will recover nicely & will be back to playing baseball, football, riding dirt bikes, and all the other activities he loves so much in no time.

While I know all of Sean Michael's family and friends are praying for him, I'd like to ask all of you to offer a prayer for him as well, not only for the outcome of the surgery but for a quick and easy recovery. Every prayer helps.

We love you Sean Michael!

Uncle Paul & I are praying for you.

Help for Haiti

2010-01-22T18:08:00.000-08:00

Catholic Relief Services

Gelassenheit

2010-01-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

Carrying the Cross

2010-01-21T06:03:00.000-08:00

I have looked at this picture so many times in the past few years but I feel like I have just seen it for the first time. It is of course obvious that Jesus is carrying His cross, but it is where He is looking that struck just struck me.

In the middle of His suffering Christ looks up to heaven, up to His Father in prayer so that He may be able to carry out His will.

At least that's what I see.

I now see this painting as a great reminder to me, to all of us, since we all have our own crosses to carry, some big, some small. No matter what the size we mustn't forget to ask Our Heavenly Father for strength, patience, and guidance through those trying times.

Litany in Honor of the Holy Cross

Thinking of Paris

2010-01-19T22:28:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about Paris the other day and how our first day there (in 2008) we had the best baguette sandwiches of our entire trip, and we had at least one a day, or so it seemed. I've been in love with French Bread ever since.

After purchasing our baguettes we walked over to Eiffel Tower to sit & enjoy our lunch. It was awesome!

One of my favorite pictures from the trip was taken that afternoon from the very spot we ate our lunch. I'll show you the original and altered versions.

Camel Kneel Softly

2010-01-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

I heard this song for the first time at Mass on Sunday and I really wanted to share it with you. I was immediately drawn to how beautful it is, so I hope you enjoy.

I tried finding a youtube video, but had no luck, so Paul found an audio link for me. Thank you Sweetie!!

Here you go: http://walrus.music44.com/images/Z/details2/10_2F2663K.Audio+Sample.mp3

Sub Tuum Praesidum

2010-01-13T22:08:00.000-08:00

We turn to you for protection,

Holy Mother of God.

Listen to our prayers

and help us in our needs.

Save us from every danger,

glorious and blessed Virgin.

This prayer, known in Latin as "Sub tuum Praesidium" and first found in a Greek papyrus, c. 300, is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin.

Ben Stein

2010-01-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

This was sent to me in an email. It's worth reading.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events.... Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.... The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace..

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

amen, amen, amen!
I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! !

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein