Thought of the Day



Saturday, 31 July 2010

Baptism when the parents aren't practicing

I'm thinking I should be preparing a lesson on the Sacrament of Baptism these days. I could fool myself and say it's for RCIA and that I need to learn how to explain it better. The truth is that two of my youngest family members (baby and preschooler) are not baptized and I am very conflicted about convincing the parents that those children need to receive the Sacrament.

On the one hand neither set of parents practice the Faith. The baptismal promises made by the parents require them to give assent to raising the children in the Faith. It would be extremely hypocritical of them to promise it and not deliver.

On the other hand why should the children be denied the grace of the Sacrament because their parents are too uneducted or stubborn or claim to be waiting for the godmother's schedule to clear so they can book this baptism (never mind this nonsense has been going on for nearly 3 years!)

I know that if something tragic happened God is merciful and their souls will be looked after. At the same time the Church teaches that the usual way for someone to get to heaven is to be baptized with water, with the required intention, and using the Trinitarian formula. Yes, I know about baptism of desire and baptism of blood but I am talking about little children here.

I worry all the time about the souls of aborted babies too. Someone once even dared to suggest the souls of these poor babies go to Hell. A much wiser friend said that God in His mercy would surely have some sort of provision for these Holy Innocents even though nobody intended to baptize these children.

My prayer for my little pagan family members is this: for the Holy Spirit to enlighten their parents and help them accept the gift of Faith, for the mercy of Jesus on these little ones, and that if a tragedy were to befall either one that the Lord would remember that if they were in my care they would be batpized according to His will.

So often parents bring their babies to be baptized in our parish and we never see them again. For them it's a cultural or ethnic rite of passage, an opportunity for some pretty photos and a party and gifts. They are required to attend some classes to learn just exactly what baptism does but for many it's just another hoop to jump through to get what they want. My own parents had me baptized and never followed up with Mass, catechism, etc.

I asked my mom once why she had me baptized. She said the priests said you couldn't go to heaven if you weren't so she thought she better get it done just in case. *sigh* My mom was a really intelligent person so this response...well, I just don't get it. Maybe it was because she grew up in the often superstitious/pray-pay-obey pre-Vat II days.

We can't legislate or force faith so I guess all we can do is give a good example. And pray, hope and don't worry.

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Wednesday, 28 July 2010

My writing days could be over

The past few weeks I've been feeling a lot of tingling pains in my left arm particularly around my elbow. The pains radiate down my arm to my palm which feels like it's asleep. The muscles in my forearm feel stiff. It's probably tendinitis but I might have to limit my computer time a little in an effort to feel better. I have to be on a computer most of the day at work and can't limit my time there so it's going to have to be here that I take a little rest.

I can't stand my doctor and the other ones in town refuse to take on new patients so I am very conflicted about making an appointment with him. If anyone can suggest anything to help my arm I would be grateful! I am wondering if a tensor elastic brace would help? I'd be willing to try anything at this point. It's not so much that I am in pain but the stinging and burning is driving me nuts!

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Kneelers - you know you want to read this!

If a sacramental is a "material object, thing or action set apart or blessed by the Church to excite good thoughts and to increase devotion, and through these movements of the heart to remit venial sin", could one consider kneelers a sacramental?

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Tuesday, 27 July 2010

Mama Mary

We're talking about the Blessed Mother at RCIA tonight. Pray for us!

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Sunday, 25 July 2010

My baptism

Anniversary of my baptism today.

Thank you, Lord for the greatest gift I have ever, or will ever, receive.

Amen.

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Saturday, 24 July 2010

Humanae Vitae at 42.

July 25, 1968.

Pope Paul VI is a prophet.

Look to the right in the sidebar for Humanae Vitae at 30 and Humanae Vitae at 40.

Father's homily was on the evils of contraception and sterilization. I would say it was in the Top Three homilies I have ever heard.

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Ice Cream Contest!!!!

Larry D has a new contest brewing!

Click here to view the latest Progressive Catholyc ice cream flavors!

Larry's offering is Sr Joan's Chocolate Chippister Kooky Dough. Go take a look and have a laugh!

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Friday, 23 July 2010

Gag me with a spoon!

I was reading our bulletin today and a visitor to our parish emailed Father and praised him on the "openess" of our church (not sure if he meant he was welcomed or he liked the "round" layout) and also waxed poetic about the use of the "Eucharistic Ministers and assistants making the Communion very special."

Um...Mr. Visitor - we have only ONE Eucharistic Minister at our parish and his name is Father T. If you are referring to the EXTRAordinary ministers of Communion then you should indicate that - it's a huge distinction! As for "assistants" - is that what they are calling altar girls now? In any case The One who makes Communion "special" - His name is Jesus. You know...the guy that died on the cross so that you could live forever....yeah, Him.

BARF barf barf!

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Tuesday, 20 July 2010

The Rosary Path

I've been pulling some material together for the next RCIA class. Who knew the Rosary could lead down so many paths! I had to get some background on Tradition (4th and 5th Glorious Mysteries), why MARY is our life, our sweetness and our hope (Salve Regina) which led to questions about the difference between worship and veneration (latria, dulia and hyperdulia) which somehow led to questions about the Magisterium (authority).

The RCIA people are always so thankful we help them but the truth is that they do much more to deepen our faith.

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Curiouser and curiouser

Who knew?! Mormon underwear....

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Monday, 19 July 2010

Need photo advice

I got my hair cut from a shoulder length bob to a layered chin-length cut that flips at the sides. It looked SO cute at the salon. I came home and wanted to take a photo of it because I will never be able to reproduce the cuteness of it myself. I took a photo and I look like a peeled grape. A moon faced peeled grape. Why does this happen in photos?! Why does it all look flat and....ugly.

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Friday, 16 July 2010

Thursday, 15 July 2010

Sarah Palin hears the latest

Sarah Palin hears the news that her eldest daughter Bristol

recently got engaged to that little slimeball Levi Johnston.

I don't blame ya, Hon - I give it 18 months max.

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Wednesday, 14 July 2010

Monday, 12 July 2010

Do you realize?

She said it:

"Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle

expressly for you - for you alone?

He burns with the desire to come into your heart...

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A funny thing happened

I was driving home tonight and trying to figure out what topic we should use for our inauguaral RCIA meeting tomorrow. I drove past a lady from my church and BINGO - the light went on! She is always praying the Rosary - my topic will be prayer!

This evening I started jotting down some notes and I hauled out my catechist's manual with the lesson plan. It had suggestions for different readings appropriate to explaining prayer. I got my bible off the shelf to look them up, opened the cover and some old notes fell out. They were practically the same things I had scribbled down not minutes before! I think I am on the right track.

Please pray for me and the people I am meeting with tomorrow. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not the message - I am just...the messenger.

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Her first Latin Mass

Deb has a very good post up about her first Latin Mass.

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Progressive Parables

Get a good laugh here.

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Sunday, 11 July 2010

Kneeling for Communion and drawing attention to yourself

I had to go to another parish for Mass today. I like the priest - he is from Africa and because of his accent you really have to pay attention plus he does not sugar coat anything.

In the communion line I saw something I thought was odd. A lady, probably between 65 - 75, dropped to her knees when there were about 3 people in front of her. She shuffled on her knees for a couple of feet before receiving on the tongue from....an EMHC. Then she pulled herself up and walked back to her seat.

If you want to receive on the tongue and on your knees you have every right to do that. However, this seemed a bit showy to me, not to mention the person(s) behind her may have tripped on her as she shuffled forward. And why would you receive on the tongue from an EMHC?

I welcome comments unless you are going to tout the massive "superiority" of the TLM over the "ugly stepsister" NO Mass. Don't bother commenting if you are going to do that. I live in a remote area where I am just thrilled I even have access to the Sacraments.

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NL vs Esp

Poo! Always the bridesmaid...

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Saturday, 10 July 2010

Google is for websearch - Jesus for the search for more

Avoid this at RCIA

Q. What are some things the RCIA leader should encourage sponsors and godparents to avoid doing?

A. Here are a few suggestions, based on the common experiences of those in parish ministry:

Referring to the person you are serving as a “non-Catholic”

Overwhelming him/her with chatter, advice, and knowledge of Catholic doctrine and practice

Prying or insisting on knowing information or sinful behavior that he/she wishes to keep private

Sharing your interior life and struggles in a form of spiritual “one-upmanship”

Assuming he/she will necessarily become a Catholic or become a Catholic this Easter

Making guesses as to the Correct answer to a question, or beginning or discuss a Church teaching with “I’ve never understood why…”

Allowing discouragement or difficulties to shake your trust in God’s providence and loving care of the person you are serving

Speaking of or treating Catholic beliefs or practices with disrespect

Trying to make the person you are serving a Catholic in your image

Using the RCIA sessions to get your own questions answered or to express your frustrations with the Church

Commenting on who does (or does not) attend parish-sponsored devotions

Expressing overly opinionated preferences in hymns, liturgical traditions, or why you think one cultural or ethnic expression of spirituality is better than another.

Giving extravagant gifts or gifts beyond your means

Assuming that the nature of your relationship during the RCIA process will always be the basis of your relationship with your new Catholic and that it will not change and evolve

From this site.

More good stuff here.

I am happy to say that I have come a loooooooooong way teaching RCIA! I am probaly guilty of almost all of the above at one time or another! I am not saying I will never repeat my mistakes but I am a lot more aware of them now.


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I am decorating....

...the house in preparation for the game tomorrow. One guess as to the colour I am using....

I went to 9:00 AM Mass this morning. In all the years that Fr. T has been with us I do not recall ever having Saturday Mass unless we are engaged in a mission. This was a real treat! And...the altar flowers were...orange tiger lilies. The arrangements in front of the statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother...more orange lilies.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us!
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Pagan orange....

....will revert back to red roses after Sunday - unless my team wins!

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Friday, 9 July 2010

My personal creed for teaching RCIA

To learn from the Heart of Jesus the secret of love for souls and deep knowledge of them: how to touch their hurts without making them smart and to dress their wounds without reopening them; ... to disclose Truth in its entirety and yet make it known according to the degree of light that each soul can bear. The knowledge required for the apostolate can be had only from Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist and in prayer.

Written by Elisabeth Leseur, the woman whose goodness converted her husband from atheist to Dominican priest.

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Thursday, 8 July 2010

Orange crush

Would you believe me if I told you

one of these girls was me?

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Tuesday, 6 July 2010

On to Sunday!

YES!!!!!!
.

I am.....

....nervously watching Uruguay vs. the Netherlands.


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MORE wacky comments!

Five people commented on my last post but only one comment published.

*sigh*

Grrrrr.

I went to the blogger "help desk" and 434 people are also having trouble.

>>>

Monday, 5 July 2010

Wacky comments

There seems to be some trouble with comments appearing on posts. I've received the email with the comment but it doesn't show up on the blog. I've checked my settings and all is on order so I am not sure what is going on.

Please, keep commenting so I can try to figure out what is going on.
Thanks!

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If you were starting RCIA...

If you were starting RCIA what would your most burning question be?

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Sunday, 4 July 2010

Happy 4th!


The new civil war has no army and has no set territories. It is a cultural war that knows no boundaries. The battle between the culture of life and the culture of death affects every city, every family, every business, every school, and every church community. This new civil war is even more intense than the first one. The culture war of today is dramatic and very challenging. What will bring about a new birth of freedom and morality? America will change if Americans get back to God. Today, faithful Catholics face a battle on two fronts: the culture war in society and the polarization in our own Church. More here.

Happy Independance Day

to all my American blogger buddies!

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Saturday, 3 July 2010

Wedding Day!

(not the actual couple)

I attended a lovely wedding Mass this afternoon. A young couple from my parish invited everyone at my church to attend. The bride was gorgeous in a white satin dress and the groom looked dashing in his uniform. The bridesmaids wore royal blue empire waisted short dresses with white sashes. The groomsman wore dark suits. The flower girl was also in blue and white and the ring bearer wore a miniature version of the groom's uniform.

The music was led by the bride's mother and the bride's father was EMHC. When the newly married couple signed the register the bride's mother and the groom's father played the flute and the violin respectively. They played Ave Maria - it was truly lovely!

May they enjoy many happy years together and live to see their children's children!


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Friday, 2 July 2010

Thursday, 1 July 2010

A Lifetime

I was browsing facebook tonight when I saw this button. It showed up in the friends list of a woman I am acquainted with who has 12 children and is hardcore Christian fundamentalist. I IMMEDIATELY assumed the button was a new ProLife slogan I hadn't heard before. I was intrigued so I clicked on the photo.

Unfortunately the full picture is actually this:

Unfortunately it's a slogan for the Susan G. Komen foundation - the one that donates large sums of the donations they collect to Planned Barrenhood. Dang.

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"Spiritual" but not religious



Can an "inclusive spiritual community" really be built without universal truth?

I know the answer is a resounding NO but these people don't.


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Happy Canada Day!