Dear Friends,
I am asking for your prayers for "Bob." He is seeking a decree of nullity and has recently run into some roadblocks. His first attempted marriage was so long ago that the few witnesses he has been able to gather can hardly remember the time of courtship and marriage. He is leaving it in God's hands - but your prayers wouldn't hurt!!!!
Thanks,
Angie
Thought of the Day
Monday, 31 August 2009
Sunday, 30 August 2009
For a friend that is troubled..
"Theological insights are gained not only from between the two covers of a treatise, but from two knees kneeling in God's presence."
Abp. Fulton Sheen
Abp. Fulton Sheen
+++
Intentions that sound more like political posturing...
.
This part was disturbing and distasteful, particularly the intention read by Jack Schlossberg.
And that kid at the end needs a HAIRCUT!
The worst part of the funeral surprisingly was not when Obama spoke. It was Patrick Kennedy's eulogy. What a whiner.
.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
The Catholic "flag"
CNN called the pall on Kennedy's coffin the "Catholic flag."
I know they aren't Catholic but really - could they not do a teeny tiny bit of research?!
At least Christianne Amanpour wasn't part of the broadcast.
And if I hear ONE more person say what a devout Catholic Teddy was, especially if they are part of the clergy, I am going to VOMIT!
End of rant. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
I know they aren't Catholic but really - could they not do a teeny tiny bit of research?!
At least Christianne Amanpour wasn't part of the broadcast.
And if I hear ONE more person say what a devout Catholic Teddy was, especially if they are part of the clergy, I am going to VOMIT!
End of rant. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
Friday, 28 August 2009
I thought it was 1974 again...
I have spent the last two days uploading wedding photos and video to facebook. My step-daughter got married last weekend. She and her husband were both baptized in the Church but neither has any inkling of what She teaches, upholds and loves. And E. and D. are so much poorer for not knowing. However...hubby and I were at that stage once and through the example of a family member who is actually a CINO we were led back to Truth. God works in wonderful and mysterious ways!
Some have criticized me for attending the wedding of two Catholics outside the Church. I admit I did have a heavy heart over attending. However, not attending and trying to explain why would only distance them more from a church they do not understand and perceive as antiquated and irrelevant.
Hubby and I went to Mass the morning of the wedding. I was hopeful it would be a good experience. After all there were kneelers, the Tabernacle was centred at the back wall, the crucifix was huge, there was one centre aisle between two banks of pews, the priest was recognizable in his collar before Mass and I even spotted the aumbry. The Stations of the Cross was magnificent wooden carvings.
But soon my dreams of a beautiful Mass unravelled. The choir (or should I say "band") was led by a guitarist and all 7 women were over 50. I didn't bother singing the entrance song as the 2 altar girls and 1 altar boy led the procession of priest and EMHCs. WHY do EMHCs process in with the priest??
The altar servers were dressed appropriately except for their shoes. One girl wore pink Crocs and the other girl - well, I can't remember, I just noticed she kept staring at her feet while sticking her legs out when she was sitting next to the priest during the readings.
Then of course they sang the Gloria to the tune of Edelweiss.
Later we were treated to the musical stylings of "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" complete with...wait for it....maracas and tambourines! It was baaaaaaaaaaad!!!
I began to fear the homily - after all, the second reading for the day was from Ephesians, the one about wives being subject to their husbands. I debated if I should walk out or not if he went all New Agey on me. I am happy to report that Father remained faithful to Church teachings.
The consecration...oh boy. The breads and wine were brought forward. Father then proceeded to open another bag of breads. All the while his microphone picked up every crinkle and rustle of the plastic bag as he struggled to open it. My eyes were rolling back in my head...
Father stuck to the proper words for the consecration but he is one of those priests that likes to make all the grand gestures and talk really loud!
A few parishioners kneeled for the consecration but most stood. There was some hand holding at the Our Father but nobody in our pew tried to grab my hand. I've long since learned to clasp my hands in front of me and close my eyes to discourage this creepy practice.
There were 2 EMHCs distributing Communion along with Father. Luckily we were in the bank of pews that were receiving from him. There were more EMHCs distributing the Precious Blood but we passed them by as we usually do.
The church was quite full, mainly it was older people, a few families (most had only 2 children) and there were a number of tourists as this church is in a small resort town in the Rocky Mountains.
Mass ended and I was glad. As I said to Hubby in the car as we left, "we might have a round church, no kneelers and stupid Stations but we have an excellent and faithful priest." Later I commented that it's no wonder our children reject the Church when this irrelevant garbage (crappy music, women swarming the Sanctuary, etc.) is presented week in and week out.
Some have criticized me for attending the wedding of two Catholics outside the Church. I admit I did have a heavy heart over attending. However, not attending and trying to explain why would only distance them more from a church they do not understand and perceive as antiquated and irrelevant.
Hubby and I went to Mass the morning of the wedding. I was hopeful it would be a good experience. After all there were kneelers, the Tabernacle was centred at the back wall, the crucifix was huge, there was one centre aisle between two banks of pews, the priest was recognizable in his collar before Mass and I even spotted the aumbry. The Stations of the Cross was magnificent wooden carvings.
But soon my dreams of a beautiful Mass unravelled. The choir (or should I say "band") was led by a guitarist and all 7 women were over 50. I didn't bother singing the entrance song as the 2 altar girls and 1 altar boy led the procession of priest and EMHCs. WHY do EMHCs process in with the priest??
The altar servers were dressed appropriately except for their shoes. One girl wore pink Crocs and the other girl - well, I can't remember, I just noticed she kept staring at her feet while sticking her legs out when she was sitting next to the priest during the readings.
Then of course they sang the Gloria to the tune of Edelweiss.
Later we were treated to the musical stylings of "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" complete with...wait for it....maracas and tambourines! It was baaaaaaaaaaad!!!
I began to fear the homily - after all, the second reading for the day was from Ephesians, the one about wives being subject to their husbands. I debated if I should walk out or not if he went all New Agey on me. I am happy to report that Father remained faithful to Church teachings.
The consecration...oh boy. The breads and wine were brought forward. Father then proceeded to open another bag of breads. All the while his microphone picked up every crinkle and rustle of the plastic bag as he struggled to open it. My eyes were rolling back in my head...
Father stuck to the proper words for the consecration but he is one of those priests that likes to make all the grand gestures and talk really loud!
A few parishioners kneeled for the consecration but most stood. There was some hand holding at the Our Father but nobody in our pew tried to grab my hand. I've long since learned to clasp my hands in front of me and close my eyes to discourage this creepy practice.
There were 2 EMHCs distributing Communion along with Father. Luckily we were in the bank of pews that were receiving from him. There were more EMHCs distributing the Precious Blood but we passed them by as we usually do.
The church was quite full, mainly it was older people, a few families (most had only 2 children) and there were a number of tourists as this church is in a small resort town in the Rocky Mountains.
Mass ended and I was glad. As I said to Hubby in the car as we left, "we might have a round church, no kneelers and stupid Stations but we have an excellent and faithful priest." Later I commented that it's no wonder our children reject the Church when this irrelevant garbage (crappy music, women swarming the Sanctuary, etc.) is presented week in and week out.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Angela has returned!
Just a quick note before I head off to bed - we went to Mass last Sunday at a church where they sing the Gloria to the tune of Edelweiss.
Uh huh.
I know you are trying it right now.
Doesn't work well, does it?
More on Thursday afternoon....
.
Uh huh.
I know you are trying it right now.
Doesn't work well, does it?
More on Thursday afternoon....
.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Gone fishin'
I will be away until August 26 but will have sporadic computer access between Aug. 17 - 21.
See you soon!
.
See you soon!
.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
I needed a laugh so I dug this gem up....
Gather Us In
Here in this place, our comfortable parish,
All of the statues carried away,
See in each face a vacuous visage,
Brought here by guilt or by R.C.I.A.
Gather us in, by Beammer or Hummer,
Gather us in, so we can feel good,
Come to us now in this barren Zen temple,
With only a shrub and an altar of wood.
We are the young, our morals a mystery,
We are the old, who couldn't care less,
We have been warned throughout all of history,
But we enjoy this liturgical mess.
Gather us in, our radical pastor,
Gather us in, our unveiled nun,
Call to us now, with guitars and bongos,
Hang up your cellphones and join in the fun!
Here we will take some wine and some water,
Whether it changes, we really don't care.
But when the Sign of Peace comes, our pastor,
Jumps from the altar and hugs like a bear.
Gather us in, the privileged and snobby,
Gather us in, the liberal elite,
Help us to form our personal Credo,
Give us a choice between white bread and wheat.
Monday, 10 August 2009
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Random thoughts
I don't know what to write. I think I am in a bit of slump. Or maybe "holding pattern" is a better description. I spent the last month basically purging my house and getting rid of old clothes, furniture, books, etc. That felt SO good! Then we had the heat wave where basically all one could do was sit in front of a fan and wait it out.
Things have been ...well, let's say "tetchy" at church lately. Lately I am only going to Sunday Mass and nothing else. I am not even reading the bible or my religious books, I am not praying (except a silent version of Grace before meals) and I am sad about the state of my children's Godless lives. I think even Nikki has been talking to her mother about Buddhism. *sigh* But I digress...
After three years of no progress (except for demolishing the smelly old empty convent) the parish council has ramped up efforts to renovate the church proper. A much needed addition was built around 2004 with spacious meetings rooms, a proper kitchen, expanded bathrooms and updated and more private office space but we need to bring our circa 1972 church into the 21st century!
There was a lot of bitterness surrounding the expansion but now there isn't one person that could say it was a bad idea. I can't imagine where we would have held mission talks, movie night, funeral receptions, etc. without the space. Was this done in the foyer?? I don't even want to know.
There were more protests when it was deemed that the old convent could not be salvaged. I am not even going to get into that one. Convent is gone and is not missed. Funny thing though - the convent held the adoration chapel. There was a small group that wanted to keep it there instead of moving it into the church. Another small group in the church who could care less about adoration jumped on the bandwagon with the Adorers in an effort to keep the building. However, their motive was far from pure - they just wanted to exert pressure on Parish Council and not let us do what we knew was the right decision.
I am starting to wonder if people from either "camp" dislike me. I don't really care. I stand behind every motion I voted on. Members of council are called to be good stewards of the parish money and to follow local laws while upholding the mind of the Church. It's not that hard really. But these special interest groups think they know what is best and are very vocal about it. I admit I like to think I know what is best too. I don't consider myself terribly neutral and I am waaaay more right-wing-capital-letter-C-Conservative but at the same time I do try to listen to what people are saying. Liberals have been known to surprise me (favorably.)
Which leads me to wonder if our faith is too political? Can one separate the two? Is a Conservative that helps the poor really a liberal?
Or maybe certain factions in the Church want to run it. That usually scares me if it's people (particularly women) who converted to Catholicism during the 1960s - 1980s. I've been reading a book lately called "Ungodly Rage- The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism" by Donna Steichen. Interesting read!
I always wondered how nuns and sisters who entered religious life before Vatican II could turn out to be such granola crunchers?! Ms. Steichen's theory is that these women (generally young and unsophisticated) were taught obedience (before and after entering religious life) and weren't really taught critical thinking skills. Then along comes the 1960s and 1970s and they followed along and began to believe the lies. That is a poor paraphrase of a whole chapter but that's it in a nutshell. And that garbage is still tainting our Church today. In fact I found out that when our present church building was designed it was mainly by Protestant converts of the late 1960s. No offense to Protestants in general - just to poorly formed converts and their misguided teachers.
Hmm...and I thought I had nothing to write?
I've been down a bit too as the anniversary of my mom's passing is coming up Aug. 15. Then I am going to the un-religious wedding of my step-daughter. Sept. 11 is the anniversary of my dad's passing and a few weeks after that Luke deploys to Afghanistan. I know my faith is not an anaesthetic but I think adding a few devotions might make this time more bearable. Off to find my rosary beads....
.
Things have been ...well, let's say "tetchy" at church lately. Lately I am only going to Sunday Mass and nothing else. I am not even reading the bible or my religious books, I am not praying (except a silent version of Grace before meals) and I am sad about the state of my children's Godless lives. I think even Nikki has been talking to her mother about Buddhism. *sigh* But I digress...
After three years of no progress (except for demolishing the smelly old empty convent) the parish council has ramped up efforts to renovate the church proper. A much needed addition was built around 2004 with spacious meetings rooms, a proper kitchen, expanded bathrooms and updated and more private office space but we need to bring our circa 1972 church into the 21st century!
There was a lot of bitterness surrounding the expansion but now there isn't one person that could say it was a bad idea. I can't imagine where we would have held mission talks, movie night, funeral receptions, etc. without the space. Was this done in the foyer?? I don't even want to know.
There were more protests when it was deemed that the old convent could not be salvaged. I am not even going to get into that one. Convent is gone and is not missed. Funny thing though - the convent held the adoration chapel. There was a small group that wanted to keep it there instead of moving it into the church. Another small group in the church who could care less about adoration jumped on the bandwagon with the Adorers in an effort to keep the building. However, their motive was far from pure - they just wanted to exert pressure on Parish Council and not let us do what we knew was the right decision.
I am starting to wonder if people from either "camp" dislike me. I don't really care. I stand behind every motion I voted on. Members of council are called to be good stewards of the parish money and to follow local laws while upholding the mind of the Church. It's not that hard really. But these special interest groups think they know what is best and are very vocal about it. I admit I like to think I know what is best too. I don't consider myself terribly neutral and I am waaaay more right-wing-capital-letter-C-Conservative but at the same time I do try to listen to what people are saying. Liberals have been known to surprise me (favorably.)
Which leads me to wonder if our faith is too political? Can one separate the two? Is a Conservative that helps the poor really a liberal?
Or maybe certain factions in the Church want to run it. That usually scares me if it's people (particularly women) who converted to Catholicism during the 1960s - 1980s. I've been reading a book lately called "Ungodly Rage- The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism" by Donna Steichen. Interesting read!
I always wondered how nuns and sisters who entered religious life before Vatican II could turn out to be such granola crunchers?! Ms. Steichen's theory is that these women (generally young and unsophisticated) were taught obedience (before and after entering religious life) and weren't really taught critical thinking skills. Then along comes the 1960s and 1970s and they followed along and began to believe the lies. That is a poor paraphrase of a whole chapter but that's it in a nutshell. And that garbage is still tainting our Church today. In fact I found out that when our present church building was designed it was mainly by Protestant converts of the late 1960s. No offense to Protestants in general - just to poorly formed converts and their misguided teachers.
Hmm...and I thought I had nothing to write?
I've been down a bit too as the anniversary of my mom's passing is coming up Aug. 15. Then I am going to the un-religious wedding of my step-daughter. Sept. 11 is the anniversary of my dad's passing and a few weeks after that Luke deploys to Afghanistan. I know my faith is not an anaesthetic but I think adding a few devotions might make this time more bearable. Off to find my rosary beads....
.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Fertile ground
I work in an office with 12 women. Only 4 of us have children and one is pregnant with her first. The childless ones are aged 25 (2 of them), 26, 31, 33, 37 and 47. Four of the childless ones look panic stricken when you tease them about having a child.
For those of us that have children two started while in their teens. One was 30 when she had her first and one was 40. The one that was 40 never wanted kids until it was almost too late.
The childless ones say silly things like "I am going to space my two kids 5 years apart so there is no sibling rivalry." (She's got a Masters in Science so that proves my theory that having a bunch of letters after your name doesn't mean you have any common sense.)
They look absolutely sick if you suggest they might want more than one or two kids. It's as foreign to them as eating dirt.
One guy in the office has 2 kids with another on the way. That seems to be a crime according to the anti-moms.
Our office has oodles of family-friendly policies - help with daycare, medical, flex-time - so you'd think they'd all be running out getting pregnant while their eggs are still "fresh" but I think the whole idea of sacrifice is so foreign to them. The pregnant one (who will come to my desk to tell me things like the baby just starting kicking!) said today "my body will never be the same." NO. It won't. And your precious baby will be worth it.
Why are babies treated as if they are just something else to experience in life, something less exciting than kayaking or bungee jumping? Why is there no thought to the eternal soul they are helping to bring into the world?
I am so sad for these women.
.
For those of us that have children two started while in their teens. One was 30 when she had her first and one was 40. The one that was 40 never wanted kids until it was almost too late.
The childless ones say silly things like "I am going to space my two kids 5 years apart so there is no sibling rivalry." (She's got a Masters in Science so that proves my theory that having a bunch of letters after your name doesn't mean you have any common sense.)
They look absolutely sick if you suggest they might want more than one or two kids. It's as foreign to them as eating dirt.
One guy in the office has 2 kids with another on the way. That seems to be a crime according to the anti-moms.
Our office has oodles of family-friendly policies - help with daycare, medical, flex-time - so you'd think they'd all be running out getting pregnant while their eggs are still "fresh" but I think the whole idea of sacrifice is so foreign to them. The pregnant one (who will come to my desk to tell me things like the baby just starting kicking!) said today "my body will never be the same." NO. It won't. And your precious baby will be worth it.
Why are babies treated as if they are just something else to experience in life, something less exciting than kayaking or bungee jumping? Why is there no thought to the eternal soul they are helping to bring into the world?
I am so sad for these women.
.
Recipe for commentor RJW
You can find my recipe here.
Enjoy!
Oh and BTW, I didn't use scallions - I just grated a bit of white onion into the batter. And I used regular salt, not kosher.
Also, 1/2 cup of oil is overkill! I just used a non-stick griddle with a brushing of oil (the fritters don't get as crispy but neither do my arteries!)
.
Enjoy!
Oh and BTW, I didn't use scallions - I just grated a bit of white onion into the batter. And I used regular salt, not kosher.
Also, 1/2 cup of oil is overkill! I just used a non-stick griddle with a brushing of oil (the fritters don't get as crispy but neither do my arteries!)
.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
More power!
As per ArchAngel's Advocates advice I have installed some high tech help for my new computer....meet Gabe, Mikey and Raph!
*
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Playing ketchup
Glad to be back but not sure what to write. I will stick with the weather for now. It has been HOTHOTHOT. In fact we had record breaking temps last week ... 41 C / 105.8 F
Things are settling down somewhat now.
My house has been getting more than a lick and a promise since the old computer died. Normally mornings would go like this: shower, dry hair, get breakfast and eat in front of computer, lose track of time, rush to put on makeup and show up for work in the nick of time. Last week I would shower, do hair, eat, make bed, do dishes, do makeup and show up for work 30 minutes early. Hmmm...
Speaking of heat - our last in camera parish council meeting. Sheesh! But I am happy to report that the option of adding an adoration chapel to our proposed renos has been voted down. A small elite group (as in Catholic snobs) wanted this added to the plans but basically it would be reproducing on a smaller scale what we are trying to accomplish in the church. And trust me - that is going to be hard enough to "sell" to the parish at large.
My nephew got married a couple weeks ago. He met her in May. Good luck is all I can say.
My step-daughter has been visiting for the last 10 days. We had our "girl talk" and she admitted she was worried about getting pregnant (she just turned 30) so I suggested she look into NFP. She wasn't opposed to it.
And the VERY BEST news of all.....my eldest son broke up with his stupid GF with the pink hair!!!!!!!! When Luke told me I said, "stop messing with my mind!" He repeated that it was true. I made him put Nikki on the phone. She confirmed it. Later I checked facebook and T's status was changed from "in a relationship" to "single." St. Jean Vianney - pray for him!
I think that's it for now. I will be going away again shortly for holidays. But for now I am enjoying catching up with all my favorite blogs!
Love, Angie xoxo
PS - I need a home page - any suggestions?
I'm back!
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
New computer installed a few hours ago.
Withdrawal symptoms abating nicely.
I MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
Those of you that have my email - could you email me something so I can hit reply and get you back in my address book.
New computer installed a few hours ago.
Withdrawal symptoms abating nicely.
I MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
Those of you that have my email - could you email me something so I can hit reply and get you back in my address book.
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