Forces United

Wow, there is nothing like a big injustice to mobilize the faithful! The huge recent scandal of Obama being invited to speak at and receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame has elicted an impressively emphatic and immediate response. In the span of just a few days, a number of websites have been created to voice opposition, including www.ndresponse.com. There is more than one online petition, most notably www.notredamescandal.com, whose petition has gathered more that 177,00 signatures in less than a week!

I very much agree that this invitation from a prestigious Catholic University is saddening, but I am also heartened by the unification and action we have seen as a result. Let's hope those 177,000 are on their knees petitioning heaven, too.

If you're not part of the throng yet, don't waste any time!

Great Article!

Pope Benedict Tells Youth: Church Counts on You
Urges Them to Be Envoys of God's Love

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 4, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging young people to pray and live the sacraments, so as to be witnesses of hope and joy in a world that counts on them.

Recalling the 2008 youth gathering in Sydney, the Pontiff reminded the young people, "I urged you to let yourselves be shaped by [the Holy Spirit] in order to be messengers of divine love, capable of building a future of hope for all humanity."

He added: "Youth is a special time of hope because it looks to the future with a whole range of expectations. When we are young we cherish ideals, dreams and plans. Youth is the time when decisive choices concerning the rest of our lives come to fruition."

We ask ourselves, he noted, "Where can I obtain and how can I keep alive the flame of hope burning in my heart?"

The Holy Father observed, "Experience shows that personal qualities and material goods are not enough to guarantee the hope which the human spirit is constantly seeking."

He said, "If you find your sustenance in Christ, my dear young people, and if you live profoundly in him as did the Apostle Paul, you will not be able to resist speaking about him and making him known and loved by many of your friends and contemporaries."

Benedict XVI emphasized: "The Church depends on you for this demanding mission. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties and trials you encounter."

"Be patient and persevering so as to overcome the natural youthful tendency to rush ahead and to want everything immediately."

He added, "Following in the footsteps of the people of hope -- composed of prophets and saints of every age -- we continue to advance toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom, and on this spiritual path we are accompanied by the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope."

These are just some excerpts. Read the whole thing here!

HT: Victory Rose for Christ

"Perfectly Relaxing Songs"

This offer is too good not to share! Hat tip to American Papist...

St. Patrick's Breastplate

Today is not just a day to celebrate being Irish. It’s about celebrating the great saint and bishop, Patrick, who brought the light of the Christian Catholic Faith into the great nation of Ireland 1600 years ago!

From the Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent:

The beautiful prayer of St. Patrick, popularly known as "St. Patrick's Breast-Plate", is supposed to have been composed by him in preparation for this victory over Paganism. The following is a literal translation from the old Irish text:

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the ship,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

~~~

What a glimpse into the powerful spirituality of Patrick... too often we hear only a part of something like this, instead of the richness of the whole thing!

So, bind yourself today to Christ, in the true spirit of Patrick!

Of Movies, Actors, and Real Men

So, my family watched The Ten Commandments for the first time this Lent (I know, we've had so many people say they can't believe we hadn't seen it yet!). Both Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner were simply incredible. I've enjoyed Heston immensely when seeing him before, and it struck me how thoroughly he takes the individual character of each role. The Heston Moses never came across as a Moses/Ben Hur mix! He was entirely the character in all its uniqueness. In my mind, this is a mark of a truly excellent actor.

Those of you who've read my blog for a while probably know that I'm all about who actors and celebrities really are...not just who they are on screen. And the more I've learned about the real Heston, the more impressed I am. Not only does he portray many upright characters; he was one! He served in the air force, championed the civil rights movement, was a friend of Martin Luther King Jr., and spoke out against abortion. Most significantly, he was faithfully married for 64 years to his bride, Lydia, whom he wed at age 20! Amidst the countless Hollywood scandals and divorces, this speaks volumes. He stands alone amidst celebs married two, four, five, and seven times...

In fact, I learned that my oft-repeated quote "Political correctness is simply tyranny with manners," — which and for some reason I thought was from Chesterton — was actually from Charlton Heston! (By the way, his actual name was John Charles Carter).

Check out this wonderful LifeSiteNews article from his passing almost a year ago (and check out the links at the bottom of the story!):

Larger than Life Hollywood Icon and Pro-life Advocate Charlton Heston Dies at 84

And check out this wonderful video clip of Heston on abortion. Powerful! (Don't forget to pause the music at the right). This is the introduction he gave to a video made in 1987 to raise awareness of late-term abortions.

A General Thank You...

I just wanted to express my thanks to those of you (particularly Lady Rose and Vicki) who have been kind enough to bestow various blog awards upon me on many occasions... even though I may have not always responded! Your commendation really does make my day. :) I've just taken the time to add them to my sidebar.


Any blog author who visits mine and who has not been awarded one of these can consider themself awarded. :)

I Am Blessed

My family, friends, and especially my goddaughters made my birthday so special! So did each of you, with your kind words, wishes, and prayers. I am both blessed and overwhelmed by the outpouring of sweetness. Thank you, all of you!

It's hard to believe we are two weeks into Lent already...I am trying to make the most of this truly beautiful season. Yes, it is a "desert", but because we are there with our Lord, there is beauty. We easily forget that this is a positive season. We are supposed to deprive our bodies in order to beautify our souls. That's right: Lent is beauty treatment for the soul!

I don't know about you, but I always have to resist the urge to take on everything during Lent. The same dozen vices and struggles assail me with ongoing persistance, and, perfectionist that I am, I want to tackle them all at once. Unfortunately, I am too often an all-or-nothing person. When a few of my good intentions slip, I too quickly lose hold on the rest of them. Being faithful in the little things, and targeting my struggles one or two at a time, are ongoing goals of my Lent this year. This is not to say I've been glamorously successful thus far...but I am glad to have 4+ weeks left to work on this "beauty treatment"!

Happy Birthday Claire...

21 years ago a beautiful baby girl was born...










1st birthday!



...the pride of her parents...

...a joy in their lives!

age 2 - what yummy cake!

The years passed on...

3 already!

As she continued to grow...

Birthday #4

5th Birthday

...In sweetness,

Smiling 6

...JOY,

7th Birthday

9 years old at Easter

8!

Birthday #10!

...and Love.

11 - see that smile!








Before we knew it...

12 years old

14 years

Age 13 with Birthday bread (for Lent =)












Miss 15

She was a young lady!

Sweet Sixteen!

Mature,

...Kind,

17 years

at her suprise 18th Birthday party

...and beautiful.

Her gifts and her talents amaze all who meet her...






19 - wow!

20 already

...As she continues to be...










...Christ's giver of LIGHT!

Happy 21st Birthday!

We love you, Claire!

Affectionately,

Your Staff

Surprise!

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walking 'till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.
But more than anything, more than anything...

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And always give more than you take.
But more than anything, yeah, more than anything...

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

~ "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

Wishing the happiest of happy birthday's to my "Fairy Godmother" Claire.
May you be blessed with every happiness on your special day!


With lots of love from,
Your Goddaughter, Amanda

I Love LifeSiteNews!

Where else would we get such an affirming, beautiful story as this one?

Husband of Woman in Coma for 14 Years Visits Wife Three Times Daily, Won't Give Up
Will love his wife "until God has the last word"

SANTIAGO, February 18, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) -- In a story that stands in stark contrast to the Eluana Englaro and Terri Schiavo cases in Italy and the United States, a Chilean man has been visiting his comatose wife for 14 years, and says he won't give up on her.

Carlos Abarca has always visited his wife regularly, and now that he has retired from the national police force, he is able to come three times a day. He says that caring for her is his whole life.

"My affection will always be focused on her, I have never doubted it," he told the Chilean daily El Mercurio, which broke the story. "I don't seek for more from life than caring for her. There is nothing more to do."

The affection he has for his wife, says Abarca, is "stronger than ever. I want to protect her, care for her, make sure she is well, that she lacks nothing."

Abarca says he will continue to love his wife, "until God has the last word. In the end, if tomorrow she must go, our conscience will be clear."

Go here to see a touching photo and read the whole story.

Valentine...All The Time

This past weekend, this was my article for my parish's bulletin, in which I have a weekly column as Religious Education Director. I thought it would be worthwhile to share here, too!

Yesterday, we celebrated Valentine’s Day. Despite what many think, this is not just another Hallmark holiday or a get-you-to-spend-more-money tactic. For the Christian, and especially for the Catholic Christian, Saint Valentine’s Day is much richer. The roses you received will wither in a few days, and the chocolate may disappear too quickly (before reappearing on your hips or waist), but the meaning of the day doesn’t have to be so temporary. Love is about much more than flowers, balloons, chocolates, poetic cards, or warm feelings. How many spouses get motivated to do something memorable and romantic on February 14, and then return to Mr. or Mrs. Grouch the next day? Yesterday’s card may have said “I Love You”, but how about their actions?

There is a fabulous new movie (just released January 27 on DVD) which tells a powerful story of a husband learning how to truly love his wife…authentically and unconditionally. Fireproof is a brilliant combination of tenderness, action, intensity, and humor. Its message is one of inspiration and hope for everyone, married couples and singles alike. (Check out http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/).

The challenge to you today, then, is this: don’t let the “Valentine spirit” droop as quickly as those roses will. True love is not just expressed in the costly gift, but in the giving of oneself. It can be much easier to bare one’s wallet than it is to bare one’s heart.

If we want a picture of love, all we need do is look at the cross. Jesus Christ, Love incarnate, came to show us that love equals sacrifice. Are you willing to lay down your life – or at the very least, your comforts or preferences – for the sake of the one you love?

The Voice of My Pro-Life Generation

Articulate, poised, researched, expressive...this 12-year-old speaker is simply compelling! Watch the video below, then be sure to visit this site to follow the amazing saga of her speech competition.

Actually, I don't want to sound boastful, but she reminds me a lot of me at that age. I started public speaking at eight, and had many similar mannerisms and expressions. I presented many pro-life speeches, too (though none that direct...she's got the bull by the horns!). Too bad YouTube wasn't around then so I could go back and watch myself. :)

So Amazingly Appropriate

Today's First Reading:
Heb 6:10-20

Brothers and sisters:
God is not unjust so as to overlook your work
and the love you have demonstrated for his name
by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.
We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness
for the fulfillment of hope until the end,
so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who,
through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

When God made the promise to Abraham,
since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,
and said, I will indeed bless you and multiply you.
And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.
Now, men swear by someone greater than themselves;
for them an oath serves as a guarantee
and puts an end to all argument.
So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise
an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose,
he intervened with an oath,
so that by two immutable things,
in which it was impossible for God to lie,
we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged
to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.
This we have as an anchor of the soul,
sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,
where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner,
becoming high priest foreveraccording to the order of Melchizedek.

~~~

I am continually blown away by the poignant relevance of the liturgical readings to current events. This one covers it all:

God is just
He does not overlook our efforts
He is the source of hope
We can't become sluggish
Faith and patience inherit His promises
Oaths are sacred
He is sure, firm...an anchor

There is more on which I could reflect, if I wasn't in the midst of packing to leave at 5am tomorrow for the March for Life! Please keep me in your prayers, and know I will do the same for you. When I return, I'm sure I'll have plenty to share!

The Gospel of Life

"The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as 'good news' to the people of every age and culture.

At the dawn of salvation, it is the Birth of a Child which is proclaimed as joyful news: 'I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord' (Lk 2:10-11). The source of this 'great joy'" is the Birth of the Saviour; but Christmas also reveals the full meaning of every human birth, and the joy which accompanies the Birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfilment of joy at every child born into the world (cf. Jn 16:21)."

-Pope John Paul II
Evangelium Vitae

So Much for "Global Warming"...

Silent Night

I know that I've been quiet here since Christmas. Sometimes it seems that when the Lord is working most strongly in my soul, He moves me to silence. I've always been a naturally conversational person (I love words...particularly adjectives!), but in recent months He has been gently prompting me to value silence more. Words can be beautiful, but many of life's most beautiful moments occur in the quiet. So, too, does He choose to come to us most intimately in the quiet...in the tiny, whispering wind (1 Kings 19).

How often do we really notice the words we sing in that beloved carol Silent Night? That's right: the King of the Universe chose to arrive to the world in silence, in stillness. This thought was echoed in a poem I wrote several Christmases ago:

In a hushed and waiting world
Darkness reigns with night
Sin and blackness are unfurled
All wait for the Light

Souls are blinded, no one sees
All search for the One
When blackness splits…darkness flees…

Christ, our Light, has come!

I can honestly say that this Christmas season has been one of, if not the most beautiful I have ever known. Moments of adoration, of wonder, came at unexpected times, as the eternal mystery was continuously within my mind and heart. In the midst of action, hustle, and even talkative parties, I was often blessed to have an "interior gaze"...a warm ongoing exchange between the Christ Child and my heart, like a romance in which the lover and the beloved can be as though the only ones present. No matter what the outside clamor, their glances are full of meaning for them alone, and there is a secret joy.

The Christ Child is waiting to catch you in His gaze, also. Have you acknowledged His eyes of love today?

“We need to find God,
and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
God is the friend of silence.
See how nature — trees, flowers, grass —

grows in silence; see the stars,

the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...

We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

(Mother Teresa)

Let us allow Him to touch our souls...in the silence.

For Unto Us, a Child Is Born

A priest recently said to me: "Our Lord comes as a baby at Christmas so that we might find it easier to love him". One has but to watch the enchanting effect that a tiny baby has on everyone within reach to know how true this is. A few times recently when I've had the opportunity to hold a near-newborn while in a group of people, I've noticed anew how magnetic and powerful that tiny person is. Children approach and gaze wide-eyed, young girls and ladies caress and marvel, and even grown men step near to look and smile. A baby — in all his fragile, helpless beauty — has the power to reach even the most distant and hardened of hearts. Facades come down, and an indescribable tenderness overcomes us as we behold this tiny miracle of creation.

A Christmas message sent us from an area pregnancy care center held a quote (credited to this newsletter) which I found stirringly beautiful, summing wondrously this mysterious power of each new life...

"When God wants an important thing done in this world or a wrong righted, He goes about it in a very singular way. He doesn't release thunderbolts or stir up earthquakes. God simply has a tiny baby born, perhaps of a very humble home, perhaps of a very humble mother. And God puts the idea or purpose into the mother's heart. And she puts it in the baby's mind, and then...God waits.

The great events of this world are not battles and elections and earthquakes and thunderbolts. The great events are babies, for each child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with humanity, but is still expecting goodwill to become incarnate in each human life."

Among the great events of babies, and the accompanying divine message of hope, the Birth which the whole world now celebrates shines as the greatest of all. In the supreme act of goodwill incarnated, the Father sends His own Son in the flesh: not as an imposing warrior in armor or a commanding king seated on a thone, but as a baby. As one of us. Regardless of the chaos, brokenness, or corruption that may be raging around the world, each Christmas reminds us that the Father is not finished with humanity. He reaches down, and places Eternal Light into a darkened world. Let heaven and nature sing!

"For unto us, a child is born;
unto us, a son is given.
And the government
shall be upon his shoulders,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:6

Just a Note...

Dear Kathryn, the new profile picture is for you! :)
Blessed Christmas, everyone!

Advent Day 14: Saint Lucy

Hear us, O God, our salvation, as we rejoice on the feast of Saint Lucy, Thy virgin and Martyr, and grant us to learn the spirit of pious devotion.

~from CatholicCulture.org

Fr. Kubicki on St. Lucy's memorial:

Swedish girls in a "St. Lucia" tradition...I'm not sure what the song is, but it's lovely!

Advent Day 13: Our Lady of Guadalupe

“Am I not here, I who am your Mother?

Are you not under my shadow and protection?

Am I not the source of your joy?

Are you not in the hollow of my mantle,

in the crossing of my arms?

Do you need anything more?
Let nothing else worry or disturb you.”

~Our Lady of Guadalupe

(celebrated today)

Our Lady of Guadalupe explained by Fr. James Kubicki, SJ

(National Director of the Apostleship of Prayer):