Angela Messenger

It's really goodbye

2011-05-17T17:47:00.002-06:00

After years of blogging I've come to a turning point. It's time to put this blog to rest. There are many reasons why I've decided this but it's nothing huge or exciting or....dare I say it - bloggable. I'm going away for a few weeks soon and with limited computer access it's the natural break I need to move on.

Thanks to everyone that prayed for me and my family situations over the past few years.

Best wishes and God bless you!

Angela
xo

The only thing necessary

2011-05-09T10:07:00.000-06:00

Heard at Mass yesterday....if every single bible in the world was destroyed, except one, and even if that entire single bible was unreadable except for one verse, and that verse stated "God is Love", then we would have everything we need.

Right now I need to know that and remember it.

+++

Altar boys

2011-04-06T10:09:00.000-06:00

“Lay readers and extraordinary ministers serve the people,” he says. “The altar boy serves the priest. He’s the hands of the priest. He would be an apprentice, either in a real or symbolic way, for the priesthood.”

Read the whole article here.

+++

Abortion after rape

2011-04-03T00:37:00.001-06:00

Abortion pierces the heart like no other issue — especially when a rape is involved.

I have more reports from around the globe; but before that, I want to share with you one of the most touching notes I’ve ever received regarding a rape case.

This Sunday, give thanks for the love of God, which is penetrating the most desperate situations and bringing hope where the world often claims there is no hope.

——————————————————-
FROM THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE BLOG
——————————————————-

“I want to thank my mother, who did not succumb to the pressure to abort me after being raped 30 years ago,” said this 40 Days for Life participant. “Today, she chokes up with emotion whenever she tells me how special and important I am to her life! Praise God!”

I simply cannot imagine what that pressure would have been like. This is one of the so-called hard cases where abortion is somehow deemed acceptable. But as this woman’s life shows, this is not about statistics or “difficult choices.” It’s about human beings.

“I am not perfect. But because I was given the chance to live, I can and do strive for holiness,” she wrote. “Thank you, pro-lifers, for recognizing AND reminding me that I am beautifully and wonderfully made in God’s image.”

Abortion supporters, she said, “will have people like me think that we are monsters who must be punished for the crime of our father. I know what he did was wrong; but I pray for him and hope to see him in heaven as a repentant sinner.”

I tell you, her story inspires ME. But for her part, she humbly says that she is inspired by … YOU!

“Reading all of these responses makes me so enthusiastic about going back to pray … to save more lives,” she said. “God bless you all and keep up the good work!”

+++

Heal my tongue

2011-03-31T10:13:00.002-06:00

When I receive Holy Communion, I entreat and beg the Savior to heal my tongue, that I may never fail in love of neighbour. (Diary 590)

Rediscover the riches of...

2011-03-18T00:44:00.003-06:00

...Confession. Great article here.

See you in the confession line!

+++

We are Christ's ambassadors

2011-03-12T22:35:00.002-07:00

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of his body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Colossians 1:24

Q. ~ What does this mean that when Paul suffers for the church he is "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions"? How can any man fill up what is surely as full as any suffering could be?

A. ~ It is full and lacking in nothing—except one thing, a personal presentation by Christ himself to the nations of the world and the people you know. God's answer to this lack is to call the people of Christ to present the afflictions of Christ to the world—to carry them from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

In doing this we "fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ." We finish what they were designed for, namely, a personal presentation to the world of people who do not know about their infinite worth.

For those wounded by abortion

2011-03-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life and in a special way, post abortion ministries across this nation. For those wounded by their participation in abortion, the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you in your time of temptation. For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing calls for a different kind of courage that feels deceptively like weakness.

Read more here.

+++

Compelling abortion story

2011-03-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

"I did contemplate adoption, but I had such a strong sense of pride and righteousness, that I was afraid that another family would not raise my child as I saw fit, and that it would haunt me for the rest of my life. Many women who choose abortion over adoption report this feeling, a feeling of ...." READ THE REST HERE.

+++

Why condoms for Africa are stupid

2011-03-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

Your country spends so much money sending us condoms.

I'll never grow old enough to care.

Everyone

2011-02-17T14:34:00.001-07:00

To Planned Parenthood and ProLifers alike....

2011-02-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

You can't practice vice virtuously.
~ Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

+++

St. Therese...farmer?

2011-01-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

I wondered what the name Therese means. It is from the Greek 'Theresa', meaning 'harvester.' How utterly appropriate...!

"And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest. "
Luke 10:2

Time for married priests?

2011-01-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

A good look at why the answer is still a resounding NO!

+++

Suffering is not...

2011-01-29T11:34:00.002-07:00

Suffering is not God's desire for us, but occurs in the process of life.

Suffering is not given to teach us something, but we do learn through it.

Suffering is not given to us to teach othes something, but they, too, may learn through it.

Suffering is not given to punish us, but it is sometimes the consequence of poor judgement or sin.

Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened.

Suffering is not God's way to achieve the divine purposes, but through suffering God's purposes are sometimes achieved.

Suffering is not always to be avoided at all costs, but is sometimes chosen.

Suffering can either destroy us or add meaning to life.

The will of God has more to do with how we respond to life than how life deals with us.

by Cornelius Remple

Response to pornography as a 'right'

2011-01-27T10:20:00.001-07:00

From this site:
http://forum.catholic.org/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=61910&p=799717#p799717

There is no right to pornography and it should be repressed mercilessly as particularly contrary to the common good, which must be protected by public authorities. Besides, there is the slavery aspect of it. like with prostitution, not many realize that the life of most pornographic actors, and especially actresses, is hell on earth, with violence, drug-addiction, all sorts of STDs and very frequent suicides. These people depend on their "masters" like slaves of ages past. The web is full of horror stories that reveal the reality of that truly satanic industry, often connected with organized crime, just like prostitution.

It is a lie - or the result of ignorance - to say that pornography is a private matter. There is a terrible social impact of pornography, equally well documented, absolutely devastating. It kills not only purity, but even the ability to have normal relationships. It changes the way we look at the other sex forever. It dehumanizes men and women and inflicts wounds that are never completely healed. I had thought of creating a repository of links in our M&F Library but never got around doing it. I hope to be able to do it in the future.

Because it is contrary to human dignity and it has a direct and widespread negative social impact, it should be repressed with the toughest penalties of law possible. As said about religious liberty by CCC 2108 and a number of other teachings, there is no "right to error" and there is no alleged "freedom" that should be protected to the point of endangering the common good. Repressing pornography does not endanger freedom of expression because sexual acts are neither an opinion nor a legitimate form of expression, for the social reasons mentioned above. Therefore there is no right to pornography. Of course there should be a proportionte effort to create a widespread cultural hostility towards adultery and fornication, and a general support for marriage as the only legitimate condition for sexual activity worthy of human beings and not beasts. So there is no hoping that we can do anything about it if we do not re-evangelize our countries and institutions, or at least manage to advance a culture and a policy based on natural law and the rejection of the relativist agenda.

That said, given the world we find ourselves in these days, there are indeed potential dangers in anti-pornography legislation. The risks for authentic freedom of expression are to be expected precisely from those forces, politicians and parties who are relativist and anti-family to the core, and cry wolf every time someone proposes legitimate and necessary action against immorality. But when it fits their agenda in a given circumstance the usual suspects will adopt the language of their "intolerant" and "divisive" adversaries just to sound reliable and "centrist". So, if and when they propose measures against pornography we should be able to smell a rat and expect strings attached to the apparently well-intentioned measure that will be big enough to strangle real liberties. Measures against pornography and such are necessary and urgent, but we should be careful to evaluate what it is that is actually being proposed, what is the real target hidden behind a smokescreen of feel-good/do-good rhetoric. It is unlikely that people who have dedicated their life to uprooting the foundations of society based on family and marriage and to restrict real liberties deriving from natural law all of a sudden feel the urge to protect the very targets of their ideology.

Qhote: 2354 Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials

From the document Pornography and violence in the media:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/ponti ... hy_en.html

20. A number of more immediate causes also contribute to the escalation of pornography and violence in the media. Among them are these:

- the profit motive: Pornography is a lucrative industry. Some segments of the communications industry have tragically succumbed to the temptation of exploiting human weakness, including the weakness of young and impressionable minds, in order to make money from productions of pornography and violence. In some societies, the pornography industry is so lucrative that it has been linked to organized crime.

- bad libertarian arguments: Freedom of expression is said by some to require the toleration of pornography, even at the cost of the moral welfare of the young and of the right of all members of society to privacy and to an atmosphere of public decency. Some even falsely say that the best way to combat pornography is to legalize it. Faulty libertarian arguments are sometimes espoused by small groups who do not represent the moral values of the majority and who fail to recognize that every right carries with it a corresponding responsibility. The right to freedom of expression does not exist in a vacuum. Public responsibility for promoting the welfare of the young, for fostering respect for women and for the protection of privacy and public decency indicates that liberty cannot be equated with license.

- the lack of carefully prepared laws or the ineffective enforcement of laws which already exist to protect the common good, especially the morals of the young.

-confusion and apathy on the part of many persons, including members of the religious community, who erroneously consider themselves either as unaffected by pornography or violence in the media or as powerless to contribute to a solution to the problem.

Sweet Jesus

2011-01-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

It is sweet to think of Jesus;

but it is sweeter to do His will.

Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified (Mariam Baouardy)

1846 - 1878

+++

A little prayer

2011-01-20T23:24:00.002-07:00

My God, accept my heart this day

And make it always Thine,

That I from Thee no more may stray,

No more from Thee decline.

Anoint me with Thy heavenly grace,

Adopt me for Thine own,

That I may see Thy glorious face

And worship at Thy throne.

Let every thought and work and word

To Thee be ever given;

Then life shall be Thy service, Lord,

And death the gate of heaven. Amen

+++

Simple

2011-01-11T00:49:00.003-07:00

Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.

– St. Therese of Lisieux

+++

Abp. Dolan on NYC abortion rate (video)

2011-01-10T22:37:00.000-07:00

Abp. Dolan addressing the human genocide.

+++

Why did Jesus need to be baptized?

2011-01-09T17:47:00.001-07:00

From the study guide for Joseph Ratzinger's (Pope Benedict XVI) "Jesus of Nazareth" addressing the Baptism of Jesus:

John baptized Jesus "to fulfil all righteousness" (Mt 3:15). Jesus, being sinless, has no need for baptism himself. However, his baptism follows the pattern his ministry will take. In other words, in order for Jesus to take upon himself the sins of all men, he "takes their place" in his submersion into and ascent out of the waters. Jesus' baptism is therefore a sign that he takes the place of sinners, substituting himself for them. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus already points to the Cross, where his definitive act of substituting himself for sinners takes place.

Jesus had no sin but he demonstrated his obedience to God by being baptized. He placed himself in solidarity with sinners.

+++

Cheryl's abortion

2011-01-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

"I looked in her eyes," Cheryl recalled, "and I saw what she was thinking: 'What have we done?

+++

On being little

2011-01-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

At Mass this morning I thought it was appropriate to celebrate St. Therese's birthday by meditating on her littleness as we consider the Christ Child in His littleness and also His littleness in the Host.

+++

Resolution

2011-01-01T22:11:00.001-07:00

Our lives for the most part are made up of little things, and by these our character is to be tested... Little duties carefully discharged; little temptations earnestly resisted with the strength that God supplies; little sins crucified; these all together help to form that character which is to be described not as popular or glamorous, but as moral and noble.

by Fulton J. Sheen

+++

Infant Jesus - why?

2010-12-30T13:31:00.001-07:00

...sometimes Jesus appeared to St. Faustina as a child with no other clear purpose than to express His tender love for her and rejoice her heart. It became a gift of the Divine Presence. On Christmas Eve in 1937, for example, St. Faustina writes of one such encounter with the Holy Child:

When I arrived at Midnight Mass, from the very beginning I steeped myself in deep recollection, during which time I saw the stable of Bethlehem filled with great radiance. The Blessed Virgin, all lost in the deepest of love, was wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, but Saint Joseph was still asleep. Only after the Mother of God put Jesus in the manger did the light of God awaken Joseph, who also prayed. But after a while, I was left alone with the Infant Jesus who stretched out His little hands to me, and I understood that I was to take Him in my arms. Jesus pressed His head against my heart and gave me to know, by His profound gaze, how good He found it to be next to my heart (Diary of St. Faustina, 1442).

Tender moments in prayer such as this one filled St. Faustina with wonder at the mystery of the Incarnation: God loved us so much that He came among us and was born in a lowly manger to win our hearts for His own. In this way, St. Faustina reminds each of us of the value of slowing down and simply basking in the holy presence of the Christ Child. We adore Him as the Word made flesh for our salvation. As she writes, "... the inconceivable miracle of Your mercy takes place, O Lord. The Word becomes flesh; God dwells among us, the Word of God, Mercy Incarnate" (Diary, 1745).

Saint Faustina also discovered that devotion to the Christ Child deepens our trust in God, because we know we have nothing to fear from a God who would stoop so low as to become a little child for us. What repentant sinner can possibly cringe in fear before the Almighty, All-seeing, Thrice Holy God, if He gives Himself to us in weakness and helplessness, with the smiles and tears of an infant? He disarms our fear of His justice with His littleness. As St. Josemaria Escriva wrote: "He has become so small —you see: a Child! — so that you can approach Him with confidence." After Holy Communion one day, St. Faustina experienced the disarming power of the little Christ Child in one of her most touching visions:

...I suddenly saw the Infant Jesus standing by my kneeler and holding on to it with His two little hands. Although He was but a little Child, my soul was filled with awe and fear, for I see in Him my Judge, my Lord, and my Creator, before whose holiness the Angels tremble. At the same time, my soul was flooded with such unspeakable love that I thought I would die under its influence (Diary, 566).

Previous to reading this I never understood devotion to the Infant Jesus. I do now.

O come let us adore Him!

2010-12-25T00:46:00.001-07:00

O come let us adore Him!

The ultimate Christmas post

2010-12-09T10:10:00.001-07:00

The ultimate Christmas post is here.
If you love Christmas - read it.
If you hate Christmas - read it.
If you think Christmas is for kids - read it.
Whatever your relationship is to this time of year - READ IT!

+++

Mercy

2010-12-07T14:31:00.002-07:00

God of unfathomable mercy, embrace the whole world and pour Yourself out upon us through the merciful Heart of Jesus.

— Diary of St. Faustina, 1183

Lord, today I bring You the whole world. Its suffering and violence, depravity and sin, take it all, Lord. Immerse it in Your mercy, flood it with Your mercy. And flood me with Your mercy, Lord. Melt my heart of stony ice, for You know how much I need Your mercy. I beg, I plead, I implore You: Have mercy on us and on the whole world.

More meditations here.

Hope

2010-12-06T23:24:00.000-07:00

O Blessed Host, our only hope amid the ruin of our hopes and endeavors.

— Diary of St. Faustina, 356

Plans that never come to fruition. Goals that are never reached. Dreams that are never realized. It's hard not to become discouraged in the face of all these disappointments.

But what is the most important thing? That I love You, Lord. That I try to follow You as best I can, even when my best is far from "good enough." In You I find my hope that not one moment will be wasted, even if it doesn't totally turn out the way I want, because You can bring a greater good out of every disappointment. Right now, I beg You for the grace to surrender to You all my disappointments. Take them, use them for Your greater glory and grant me Your peace. I trust in You.

More daily reflections here.

Anonymous - I do have saints for you

2010-12-04T00:59:00.007-07:00

Dear Anonymous,
Your heartfelt plea for prayers for your mother does not go unheeded. I am promising you right now that I will pray for her throughout Advent and beyond. I am also asking my readers to pray for her. I am not asking you to divulge her real name but can you provide us with a name that we can call her? It would make our prayers more personal.

You feel your faith is under attack and perhaps this makes it hard to pray. Perhaps the only prayer you can muster now is a simple aspiration such as "Jesus, mercy." This is sufficient. When even that is too much for you then know that we are praying.

My mom also died of a cancer of the reproductive system. She was 55. I can't say I know exactly how you feel because everyone has a different relationship with their mother but I do know what it feels like to watch someone you love suffering. I am praying especially that your mom will receive good pain relief.

God is not bound by the Sacraments; if your mother is not Catholic that doesn't mean she is not going to Heaven. Jesus transformed many things in order to sanctify us and bring us close to Him. He used mud to make a blind man see, changed water into wine, made bread into Himself, and laid down His earthly life so we could enjoy eternal life. Perhaps He is transforming your mother in ways that we cannot see that will bring her closer to Him. He is about right relationships, not just following the rules. After all, God's greatest attribute isn't just Love itself but love's result and extension. Obviously you love your mother very much.

I was so moved when I read your comment that I immediately decided to draw a saint for you and your mom. Your mother's saint is Zelie Martin, mother of St. Therese of Lisieux, and your saint is St. Gianna Beretta Molla. I trust you will find them good and holy helpers.

Please keep me posted on how your mother is doing and also how you are doing. I will pray the Divine Mercy chaplet for her. If you are not familiar with it you can find a link here.

Jesus, Friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven, You are my peace. You are my salvation, You are my serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocean of doubts. You are the bright ray that lights up the path of my life. You are everything to a lonely soul. You understand the soul even though it remains silent. You know our weaknesses, and like a good physician, You comfort and heal, sparing us sufferings — expert that You are.

— Diary of St. Faustina, 247

+++

The University of the Eucharist...

2010-11-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

...inspired by a post that my friend Cathy of Alex wrote.

+++

Problems conceving, rough periods, failure to adapt to pregnancy, etc.

2010-11-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

This site may interest you.

+++

Remembrance Day

2010-11-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

Election prayer

2010-11-02T09:31:00.003-06:00

Dear Father in Heaven, we pray for an outcome of today's election which is pleasing to You and which best serves the eternal and temporal interests of all of Your children.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us!

+++

Happy Birthday....

2010-10-28T00:32:00.001-06:00

to Laura Lowder!

+++

Explain this to me

2010-10-14T20:23:00.004-06:00

Explain to me how someone can declare themselves a "feminist" yet defend Islam (the religion that espouses sharia law and female genital mutilation) while trashing Catholicism.

Color me perplexed.

***

Life Chain and young men.

2010-10-03T16:36:00.004-06:00

Young men are usually the only ones who give us the middle finger.

Guilty conscience? Wrecking their fun and making them try to accept responsibility?

Pray for them.

+++

I was reading some stories today of women that have had abortions. One wrote, "my boyfriend didn't want the baby, he was going through a divorce."

What the h-e-double hockey sticks was she doing with a married man?!

+++

Oct. 1 - Thérèse, la petite fleur de Lisieux

2010-10-01T00:28:00.007-06:00

If I wrote down every quote of St. Therese that I loved I would be here for a year. I will just leave you with one - "my vocation is LOVE."

A conversion story worth reading

2010-08-29T11:06:00.003-06:00

It's Jimmy Akin's. Read it here. Bring tissues.

Renee (Jimmy's wife )

+++

The Word of the Day....

2010-08-28T12:26:00.003-06:00

.....is ECO-holic. An eco-holic is one who is so concerned about saving every tree and whale that when this is accomplished nobody will be around, due to contraception and abortion, to enjoy Creation.

>>>

For Rose

2010-08-24T19:56:00.002-06:00

“Justice and mercy are so united that they mutually temper each other. Justice without mercy is cruelty. Mercy without justice is disintegration.”

St. Thomas Aquinas

+++

Why Catholics should never do yoga

2010-08-24T10:02:00.001-06:00

Read about it here.

Assumption and my mama

2010-08-15T00:34:00.006-06:00

Mama and me

1942 - 1997

My mom died Aug. 15, 1997.

My constant prayer is that she made it to heaven.

Tonight hubby came in from the garden - with a rose.

He doesn't really understand the whole shower of roses/Therese thing.

He just said something told me I needed to give this to you.

Thank you, St. Therese. You read my mind.

Thank you for the prayers

2010-08-13T18:34:00.002-06:00

I am feeling a little more at peace and thinking rationally about how to deal with my problem. (That's a first!)

Thanks again for taking time out of your day to do this.

+++

prayer request

2010-08-13T10:19:00.002-06:00

I am REALLY crabby today. If I tell you why certain bloggers are going to come here and tear a strip off me. So suffice it to say I would just appreciate it if you would pray for me, that I can let go of old hurts and I can move on.

That's all.

Thanks.

+++

Real Men....

2010-08-11T23:12:00.002-06:00

REAL men love Our Lady

(click on the red link for the story)

+++

Devotions Meme - thanks Char!

2010-08-11T10:13:00.002-06:00

I've been tagged by Char to do the Five Favorite Devotions Meme.

1. Eucharistic Adoration - aka the University of the Eucharist. I've received many insights at Adoration and at times it was the only thing that kept me hanging on while I waited for my decree of nullity.

2. Rosary - aka Call Your Mother and send her a bouquet of 53 roses! It's the go-to prayer for any and every situation, happy or sad.

3. Divine Mercy Chaplet - I resisted this one for ages but once I "got it" I was hooked. For a long time I could not seem to memorize the prayers until we got EWTN and I heard it being sung. Being a scrupulous and by-the-book type of person the concept of mercy was often lost on me. I am slowly starting to understand it now. It has really helped me teach RCIA!

4. Aspirations - it can (and should) be simple. Like - Jesus, I trust in You. Or when you are waiting in traffic for a red light the red light reminds you of the Sacred Heart of Jesus burning with love for us so you say....'Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.' Keep it simple.

5. Just thanking God for the gift of faith and the ability to explain to others (sometimes I don't do that well but occasionally I let myself be the 'little pencil in God's hands' and He gets results.

I am tagging the first five people in the blog roll (which changes as you update so sooner or later you will ALL be tagged!)

+++

Taliban bastards execute pregnant woman

2010-08-09T17:55:00.002-06:00

Taliban execute pregnant woman after giving her 200 lashes.

It takes a lot to make me cry but this did. If I write anymore I will need to go to confession but I won't be sorry for what I wrote so I better just pray for her soul and the soul of her unborn child.

Once our military presence leaves Afghanistan will the Taliban resume power? Will those that lost their lives and those that sacrificed their physical and mental health have died or suffered/continue to suffer in vain? I really hope not.

My mother always spoke of man's inhumanity to man. I wonder what she would think of this if she was alive today?

+++

When surrendering to His will is almost impossible to understand.

2010-08-08T12:04:00.009-06:00

I was reading an article today titled "Why Doesn't the Chaplet Always 'Work?'" It helped me understand why I keep repeating the same phrase ("at least he will never remember this") to a family member who is fretting about the pain another family member is enduring due to medical procedures. The other family member then responds with - "but it still hurts." Of course it hurts! I am fully cognizant of that fact! However it's a necessary evil at this time and in the end these procedures will serve to make the patient better. (Some of you know who I am referring to - please do not reference his name in any comments you may make - thanks!)

Knowing that I was not making myself clear with my oft repeated response of "but he will never remember" I decided I needed to dig deeper into the Catholic counsel to "offer it up." So I read the article mentioned above and a few paragraphs really twigged with me. Such as:

"The other form of evil that the Chaplet does not always seem to "work" to eliminate is physical suffering. That is, suffering that does not arise directly from human sin, but from sickness, disease and accident, from misfortunes and natural disasters, and even from the inevitable process of growing old.

God has not given us a full and complete answer as to why He often permits these physical evils to run their course, often in spite of our prayers and Chaplets. Sometimes, in response to our prayers, He intervenes with miraculous healing and relief. Sometimes He asks us to bear our sufferings, and offers us the grace to cooperate with Him in bringing about a greater good than if He had not permitted them (for example, because He wants us to grow in patience, or courage, or trustful surrender to Him, or because He wants us to grow in love by "offering up" our sufferings, in union with the sufferings of Christ on the Cross, for the good of souls). "

Now of course the small patient in question cannot offer up anything -but his parents can. They have no idea what "offering up" means though. I admit that this is one of the most difficult concepts I have ever encountered and even after intensive study of all things Catholic for over seven solid years I am barely scratching the surface of any sort of understanding in regard to this. I cannot expect the parents to know anything about it either as they left the Church long ago never having grasped the true depths of Catholic teaching in the first place (not really any fault of theirs - their catechesis was poor, the examples of their family members was dismal and they have surely never heard a homily dedicated to offering it up.)

So, I need to get past the blame game and figure out how I can communicate this concept to them in a way they can understand. They are mired in the thought that God only wants us to be happy. Not quite. (For a better explanation of that you can read this.) All the parents can see is that their child is hurting physically which naturally hurts them emotionally. Having a tiny bit of understanding of how God's mercy works I see this is as an opportunity for them, indeed for all of us, "to grow in patience, or courage, or trustful surrender to Him...in union with the sufferings of Christ on the Cross, for the good of souls." It's a tall order, I will admit that.

All of this makes me think of the verse from Scripture that reads "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of his body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Colossians 1:24. I wrote about this some time ago - make sure you read Laura's comment as well.

So, no easy answers but then that's not God's way anyway. All the more reason to keep praying JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!

***

FB update

2010-08-07T13:26:00.003-06:00

I decided to take the fake FB update post down. It was vulgar and the only excuse I give in posting it was that it did illustrate the "let it all hang out" philosophy of secular society today.

We now go back to our regularly scheduled programming.

ps...I did enjoy Terry's updates LOL!

***

The sermon of the amount

2010-08-06T00:38:00.003-06:00

We are planning to replace our broken furnace, aging roof, and make some other much-needed updates to our parish. Of course the cost estimate from the architect was lower than the actual bids received for the work. However, we must continue to ensure the comfort and safety of our parishioners so we will press on.

Like many parishes we are graying and many of our seniors are on fixed incomes. The few young families we have are struggling to stay solvent and feed and clothe their kids, and those in their early 20s are either in school or working minimum wage jobs. Not exactly a hotbed of liquid assests, is it?

We were throwing around some ideas tonight to help the parish contribute generously to the renovation. There has been some criticism in the past of Father and the Council "pressuring" parishioners to pledge a certain amount - an amount that would be more than 10% of their monthly income.

We do not want anyone to feel pressured. We want them to give proportionate to their income. However, we don't want to set the bar so low that we are caught short.

How would you "market" this renovation? (And Catholic guilt won't work around here!)

+++

Confidence in Christ - do you have it?

2010-08-05T01:20:00.002-06:00

"You must believe in the love of Jesus for you. How do you give Jesus love? Before all and above all, by your confidence in Him.

This word, confidence, summarizes the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity."

Think about this before you read on. Really.

"St. Therese understood that it is our state of misery which attracts mercy.

We have been trained in the habit of looking at our dark side, our ugliness...we think about examining ourselves, yet we do not think, before, during and after the examination to plunge ourselves with all our miseries into the consuming and transforming furnace of His Heart which is open to us in a simple act of confidence."

When was the last time you told Jesus that you loved Him?

***

With thanks to Fr. Jean J.C. d'Elbee

Do you think you are a....

2010-08-04T00:25:00.001-06:00

...joy for Jesus?

+++

Wedding Dresses - Royalty Edition

2010-08-03T20:11:00.004-06:00

I love Autumn Kelly's wedding dress. However, she left the Church to marry Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne. If someone in the royal family marries a Catholic they have to give up their place in the line of succession. Even though he was like 642nd in line for the throne. (OK, he was actually 11th in line or something like that.) Stupid Autumn.

OK, so the late Mrs. JFK, Jr. isn't royalty but it seemed right to include her as she was considered married into American "royalty." I am sure this "slip dress" trend helped start the strapless trend. Bo-ho-ho-hooooring! I hate her dress. Period. And she got to kiss JFK Jr. Grrr. Hmm....John Jr. is another Catholic who left the Church to wed.

Grace Kelly. Perfection. The veil is exquisite. High necked but not a turtle neck. Love the sash.

Jackie Kennedy's dress. Her mother loved the design, Jackie didn't. I don't either. I keep thinking she had wheels sewn onto the front of her dress. The only redeeming feature of this dress is the bodice - snug without being unseemly. It does seem a teeny bit revealing for a Catholic wedding of 1953.

My ultimate favorite - wedding dress of then-Princess Elizabeth.

The embroidery was symbolic, everything that should be covered is, and she wore it with a real diamond tiara!

And THE Royal wedding dress of all dresses - the Diana DUD. I HATED this dress! It was fussy, precious, unsophisticated. Not to mention it looked dirty and wrinkled! Gee, adjectives that could describe Diana at many turns of her life...

I know she felt like the lamb going to the slaughter at her wedding but I am sure when Charles saw this silly, girly dress she wasn't the only one that felt that way.

May she rest in peace.

***

Wedding Dresses of First Daughters

2010-08-02T11:56:00.007-06:00

Luci Baines Johnson, 1966

The sexual revolution is gaining momentum yet she's as covered up as an Amish woman.

Truthfully I love this look - the black flip, the gossamer veil,

the sense that she is dressed up to go somewhere special.

(And how many 19 years old do you know today that dress like this?! Yes, she is only 19.)

Princess Anne...er ...Chelsea Clinton in her strapless Vera Wang.

Is everyone else as tired of strapless as I am??

Amy Carter, 1996

She not only swiped the flower arrangement off

the dining room table but the tablecloth as well.

***

Holy Hour ideas

2010-08-01T23:14:00.001-06:00

Need ideas to structure your Holy Hour at Adoration? Look here.

+++

August - the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

2010-08-01T00:26:00.005-06:00

@>---;---

Baptism when the parents aren't practicing

2010-07-31T00:42:00.003-06:00

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.

+++

My writing days could be over

2010-07-28T22:19:00.004-06:00

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!

***

Kneelers - you know you want to read this!

2010-07-28T09:59:00.001-06:00

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?

+++

Mama Mary

2010-07-27T09:45:00.000-06:00

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

+++

My baptism

2010-07-25T10:56:00.001-06:00

Anniversary of my baptism today.

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

Amen.

+++

Humanae Vitae at 42.

2010-07-24T22:34:00.004-06:00

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.

+++

Ice Cream Contest!!!!

2010-07-24T10:33:00.003-06:00

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!

+++

Gag me with a spoon!

2010-07-23T18:27:00.005-06:00

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!

***

The Rosary Path

2010-07-20T10:18:00.002-06:00

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.

+++

Curiouser and curiouser

2010-07-20T00:48:00.000-06:00

Who knew?! Mormon underwear....

___

Need photo advice

2010-07-19T20:20:00.002-06:00

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.

+++

Wonder of wonder....

2010-07-16T14:42:00.002-06:00

This post really made my day!

Sarah Palin hears the latest

2010-07-15T20:43:00.002-06:00

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.

Thank you, Mom and Dad

2010-07-14T09:44:00.000-06:00

29 again...

Do you realize?

2010-07-12T23:15:00.000-06:00

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...

+++

A funny thing happened

2010-07-12T20:36:00.004-06:00

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.

+++

Her first Latin Mass

2010-07-12T14:21:00.000-06:00

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

+++

Progressive Parables

2010-07-12T10:04:00.001-06:00

Get a good laugh here.

+++

Kneeling for Communion and drawing attention to yourself

2010-07-11T16:48:00.004-06:00

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.

+++

NL vs Esp

2010-07-11T15:14:00.001-06:00

Poo! Always the bridesmaid...

+++

Google is for websearch - Jesus for the search for more

2010-07-10T23:39:00.000-06:00

Avoid this at RCIA

2010-07-10T23:04:00.004-06:00

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.

+++

I am decorating....

2010-07-10T14:01:00.003-06:00

...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!
***

Pagan orange....

2010-07-10T01:53:00.002-06:00

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

.

My personal creed for teaching RCIA

2010-07-09T09:54:00.003-06:00

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.

.

Orange crush

2010-07-08T23:30:00.002-06:00

Would you believe me if I told you

one of these girls was me?

+++

On to Sunday!

2010-07-06T14:25:00.000-06:00

YES!!!!!!

I am.....

2010-07-06T13:52:00.002-06:00

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

___

MORE wacky comments!

2010-07-06T09:55:00.002-06:00

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.

>>>

Wacky comments

2010-07-05T22:56:00.002-06:00

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!

+++

If you were starting RCIA...

2010-07-05T19:46:00.003-06:00

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

+++

Happy 4th!

2010-07-04T12:29:00.003-06:00

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!

***

Wedding Day!

2010-07-03T15:37:00.004-06:00

(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!

+++

Hup Holland Hup

2010-07-02T01:46:00.000-06:00

A Lifetime

2010-07-01T22:06:00.005-06:00

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.

***

"Spiritual" but not religious

2010-07-01T19:32:00.002-06:00

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

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

+++

Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T17:06:00.001-06:00

USCCB permits rape victims to take hormones if...

2010-06-30T14:43:00.004-06:00

From Dr. Stackpole:

"The Ethical and Religious Directives for health care Services" of the USCCB permits victims of rape to take the hormones that are present in contraceptives to prevent a pregnancy if the prevention does not involve destroying the embryonic human being or preventing implantation. Destruction of an embryonic human or preventing implantation is equivalent to abortion and thus immoral. If the treatment, however, works prior to the process of fertilization—by destroying or incapacitating the sperm or preventing ovulation—it is morally permissible.

Such treatments to prevent conception are permissible because they inhibit a part of the rapist (the sperm) from further advancement into the woman's body and prevent this part of the man from uniting with part of the woman's body, her egg. As such, this act differs morally from acts of contraceptive use during voluntary intercourse. It qualifies as an act of self-defense rather than an act of contraception.

An office of the Vatican in the late 1950s was asked if it would be immoral for some nuns in the Congo who believed they were in grave danger of being raped to use contraceptives, and the office replied in the affirmative…. Contraception in such cases would not be violating the meaning of a voluntary act of sexual intercourse but rather a means of self-defense. Some theologians who accept the teaching of the magisterium have argued that even sterilization is permissible in order to prevent a pregnancy from an act of sexual intercourse [obviously, as a last resort]."

***

I have never heard of this before. I can't imagine what sort of treatment this would be. Plus, I don't think that it would be effective due to the time lapse between the attack and receiving medical help.

What do you think???

A sobering thought

2010-06-30T00:39:00.004-06:00

I copied this from Belinda's blog....

"Jesus knows everything we "google" and He reads everything we write."

Sobering, isn't it.

+++

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

Psalm 34

+++

Good news!

2010-06-29T19:57:00.002-06:00

Lane, my friend's nephew that suffered a head injury, is improving bit by bit. The doctors have removed the breathing tube and he is breathing on his own. His eyes open sometimes though he still seems quite confused by everything.

Thank you for your prayers - they do work! From time to time I will update you on his progress. Continued prayers are much appreciated!

Gratefully!
Angie

+++

"The purpose of a gay pride parade is....

2010-06-27T23:52:00.003-06:00

... to warn parents to raise your children properly or face these results. "

I didn't write it - I just copied and pasted. What say you?

***

He thirsts

2010-06-26T22:38:00.003-06:00

For the second week in a row a new young couple sat behind us at Mass. This week I decided to take a page out of the "protestant hand book" and asked if they were new to town. The wife said they were just new to the parish. I said it was nice to meet them. And then it was time to go for Holy Communion.

As I drank the Precious Blood I kept thinking of Jesus' words from the Cross - I THIRST. He is thirsting for their souls and so am I! Whenever I see new people I get all excited!

When I got home I emailed Father and told them I'd be happy to fill in the gap with them over the summer since there is no RCIA. He'd probably rather find a young couple to match them with but hey, now he can't say there isn't anybody that can help them out. Or maybe they just want to read books and figure it out on their own and don't want to share what they are going through. Totally fine with me. But don't say I didn't offer!

In any case - it's always wonderful to see someone responding to Jesus' invitation!

+++

Best penances

2010-06-26T12:54:00.003-06:00

Seen in the comment section at the Crescat blog:

"One of the best penances I've ever received was to take a rosary and say "Jesus I trust in you" on every bead."

+++