Confessions of a Catholic Mom

Answering That Little Whisper...

2011-03-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

So, for the past year or so there has been a little whispering heard in the back of my mind... it was always stirred up when I would talk to or hear of a friend, family member or acquaintance struggling with marriage... not getting married, but people already married and go through a rough time... some issues more serious than others, but struggles, none the less... and the ones that would talk to me, as I listened I would recall, "I remember going through something similar... I remember feeling that way... I remember thinking that..." Gosh, there were so many things that seemed SO serious at the time I was going through it... I was just "done"... I was tired and weary and felt lost, alone and helpless... SO MANY issues that my husband and I went through that I had NO clue of when we said our "I do's"...

I believe that part of why we are still together after almost 23 years of marriage is sheer stubbornness on both our parts... My own desire of not wanting to "fail" and my husband already having been married once before not wanting to "fail" again... But I also give credit to God and the graces we received in our Sacrament on our wedding day... But for the Grace of God go I... I look back now and see how unprepared we really were to get married... thought I don't know that any couple can be COMPLETELY prepared, I know that we could have been better prepared... if only I could share this information with other couples!

So! I finally took the prompting in my heart and made an appointment to meet with our associate pastor, a Retrovaille priest, to speak with him and ask his thoughts on a married couples mentoring group. I wanted to know what he thought about having hubby and I share our married experiences with other couples going through a rough time and maybe offering them some insight, hope and SUPPORT for their marriage... So many, today seem to be "counseled" in to trial separations or even immediate divorce so that they can "get out" and "get on" with their lives... but do they, really?... and what about children in the mix?... that makes these things even MORE complicated... Anyway, Father was THRILLED with the idea and sent me to speak with the Pastor of our parish... he too liked the idea and was ready and willing to offer support for such a program... My next step was to figure out the "how"...

Having directed an RCIA for 5 years, that was pretty much all I had to model any kind of program off of.... and I started to wonder, with a house hold and 5 homeschooling children in my care day to day, how much time was I willing to give to this venture?... Hubby was on board and supportive, but he works full time, as well... with some suggestions from friends I started to do some research, when I came across what seemed to be the perfect solution!

The Third Option is a program that has been put together for couples to mentor other couples! it is a multi-week program that can be started at intervals and replayed as needed. It specifically markets itself as being an option to couples wanting to SAVE their marriage but not live in misery... couples mentoring couples! My pastor agreed to order it for us and we can't wait to get it, look it through and get started! It seemed an answer to prayer! What struck me most, i think was when I read through how the idea came about for the creator of the program.... she, too was tired and heart broke over the stories of struggling couples looking for support and help in their marriage...

As a Catholic I believe that marriage is FOREVER.... I believe that our parishes across the country have been duped in to the "divorce and get over it and on with your life" lie, as a justifiable option... Not that there aren't instances where divorce/annulment is justifiable... I just think that it has run WAY out of control... When couples start to experience struggles they should be able to find help and support FOR THEIR MARRIAGE from the Church! While individual personalities are inevitable and we should stay true to ourselves, on our wedding days, the two become ONE.... It's tough learning to be a couple... you aren't always going to agree... But God gives us one another as a vocation and opportunity to ultimately draw ourselves and one another closer to Him. And when we learn this in our own marriages, I believe it's our duty to let other married couples know...

Next time you attend a wedding... a Catholic wedding, in particular, think about this... you were invited to witness this momentous event... to show your support... that support shouldn't end after the reception. Thank you, Jesus, for that little whisper you sent to me... I pray that this venture will produce "good fruit"...

The Less I Have...

2011-01-13T13:11:00.000-08:00

When I was younger (say, 15 - 20 years ago...) my thought was that the less I had, the more I WANTED.... 20 years ago, my husband and I were still newlyweds and had no children of our own. He had two children from a previous marriage, that we saw every other weekend and for longer periods of time during the summer and holidays. We both worked for humble incomes, had horrible spending habits, and even though we made PLENTY to sustain our home, more often we often came up short... We wanted MORE...

As years went by, because of a windfall of money paid out to my husband for a job related injury, we purchased a good car and opened our own business. We worked long and hard to build up and promote our business and were able to do quite well, as far as income... It was our out go that still had some BIG kinks in it... and as our business grew so did our expenses, but even THAT didn't seem to curb our STILL horrible spending habits... We managed to become well known in our community for our business, and lots of customers that we gained the confidence of, sending more and more people our way. We had it made... but after 10 years, the business was wavering, as we grew tired and depressed from the long hours and weeks. It seemed like LOTS of money was always flowing in to the office but there was still nothing, really to show for it... We struggled with our marriage, my step son was living with us, but we barely saw him unless it was at the office, I was pregnant with our second son and SO tired of the chaos that self employment brought. Payroll started cutting in to our own expenses and we played a lot of "money musical chairs" and robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to speak... We KNEW we wanted MORE...

My step-son turned 18 and moved on to seek his own fortune and our lives continued to struggle. After 10 years, unable to go any further we called it quits on the business... with no real plan in mind, we closed the doors and filed bankruptcy... financially and emotionally... That's when I learned I was pregnant with #3... I wanted more, but not necessarily more children....

With both of us out of work, Despite the nausea and exhaustion from pregnancy, I went to work as a substitute school teacher while my husband looked for full time employment. We had no choice... Our family of 4 1/2 was learning to live on less than $900 a month, with $550 of it going to pay the rent each month, I was at least grateful we were no longer going IN the hole with payroll and other business expenses... We went without a lot of the things that we had grown so used to having... cable, cell phones, credit cards, vacations, new clothes, eating out... You might think that I look back on that time as a time of dread that I wouldn't wish on anyone... But for me, it was a wonderful turning point... I think it's the time that instead of wanting "more" I began to realize how much I "had" already... It's the point in time where I realized the difference between "want" and "need"...

It was still another 8 years, and two children before we were able to crawl our way out of that hole and actually buy a home of our own, 21 years after we were married. Lots of frustrations and road blocks along the way... But here we are... Though I really don't want to go back to that time in our lives, I wouldn't change it for anything... It taught me life lessons that has made us stronger for it. You know how the saying goes, "that which doesn't kill you can only make you stronger"?... It really did! The lessons we learned about our lives, our life style, what's really important, all came in to focus during that time! Among other things, it made our marriage stronger. And THAT is priceless... Especially in this day and age of broken families... I am SO thankful for my marriage and family, despite the other "stuff" that we may or may not have...

Now, don't get me wrong... Everything hasn't been "peaches and roses" since that time... I still go through my struggles with "want" and "need"... but they seem fewer and further between, now... I remember seeing something when we were in our lowest time about "When you find out that God is all you have left, you figure out that God is all you need..." So true... I couldn't have come through without Him...

I remember these events now, contemplating the number of friends, family, acquaintances, etc., currently going through rough marriages... Some are struggling to stay together, some have already split, some speak of it as if there is no other option... It all breaks my heart... And there are lots of different reasons for the troubles. Some are pretty serious and not all are about money or finance... though money and finance is one of the BIGGEST reasons couples/families split up... But after 22 years and 5 children with my spouse I feel like we have gotten through some very stressful situations and I look back at our rougher areas with gratitude and the maturity that the years have brought.... I always seemed to be JUST where God wanted me to be... I have replaced "WANTING more", with realizing "HOW MUCH" we really already have and clinging to those blessings when the waters get rough, again... and they do, and they will... Squeeze your family tight.... and if you can't do that right now, then pray for them. Pray for healing in your own soul, mind and spirit, then pray the same for your family. Then offer your sufferings for other broken families. The numbers are epidemic...

Mercy Hospital Centennial Celebration

2010-10-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

The local city hospital, Mercy, was begun by the Sisters of Mercy 100 years ago. There have been newspaper, TV and bill-bard ads all over town for several months now. A Catholic can't help but feel proud of the accomplishment that the Sisters made, bringing the first hospital to the area to make good health care available to the people. That's right, Catholic NUNS did this : ) and if you've read my blog before, you know how I LOVE nuns! : )

But fast forward to present day and I have to wonder what the wonderful sisters that began this hospital would have to say... Don't get me wrong... Mercy Hospital has long been a friend of our family... It's where I and my siblings were all born. It's where my nursing Aunt worked her entire career. It's also where I had my last little one... not to mention the couple of times I've had to go for reasons other than pregnancy or childbirth...

As I mentioned, I had my last baby at Mercy Hospital almost 2 years ago. I did all my doctor visits, labs and exams at the hospital where my OBGYN has his practice. Mind you, I was 42 years old during my last pregnancy... but what saddend me most were what seemed like the ENDLESS opportunities for me to "choose" to terminate my pregnancy, without actually vocalizing the words.... The reasons were apparent... It seems it made no difference that I was at a "Catholic" hospital... I felt as though I was bombarded with "help" because of my "advanced" age for pregnancy. However, I think "we" showed them who was really in control : )

Despite my "advanced age" (which, by the way, is over 35, now!!) and thanks to my sweet Doctor, I had my healthiest pregnancy ever, keeping my blood pressure in check, thanks to the magic fish oil caplets, and the preeclampsia at bay. Despite the less than optimistic outlook that their "tests" and "numbers" showed them, I gave birth to a beautifully healthy baby boy, able to light up an entire room with his smile! But even if he was "less than perfect" by society's standards, it wouldn't have mattered because he was truly a gift, from the very beginning. God knows best and gave us this precious 5th soul to add to our family because we wouldn't have been "complete" without him! He was sent to us to teach us to love a little more, give a little more, forgive a little more, serve a little more, use a little more patience and complain a little less.... okay, probably a LOT less : ) and so it is with ALL life, both within the womb and out... Oh, but if hospitals, and medical professionals learned this valuable LIFE lesson that I'm sure the Sisters of Mercy knew and taught, wouldn't the world be a happier place?...

Never Give Up

2010-03-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

This isn't the first time I've posted this amazing person! For a dose of inspiration that will really put things in to perspective take a few minutes to listen to Nick Vujicic and be inspired to KEEP going!

House Minority Leader John Boehner

2010-03-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have said it better.... What has come of this country, and WHY do we have politicians that could give a rat's patoot about what the American people want?... I went to bed a bit sad last night... and if I could have stood to sit through and listen to Nancy, I might have heard Mr. Boehner... Thanks to my friend Cynthia for bringing it to my attention this morning... Perhaps the "good news" in all this is that perhaps even more Americans will wake up and take action.... just HOW MUCH damage can be done in 4 years?... We are finding out, and unfortunately, will continue to find out, even after his 4 years are up... I shudder to think... Not for myself, so much as for my children...They are the ones that will really "pay"... in more ways than one... "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord"... Joshua 24:15

What I've Been Trying to Tell People For Years...

2010-03-20T08:09:00.001-07:00

It never fails to surprise or disappoint me, all at the same time... EVERY year local religious teachers are all abuzz about the upcoming "Religious" Education Conference (The "Catholic" part of the title was dropped years ago...) held down in the Anaheim Convention center, every year, hosted by their very own Archbishop Roger Cardinal Mahoney. And every year I try to explain to them that this isn't really a "good" thing and they should avoid it like the plague... Thank you to Michael Voris and Real Catholic TV. Perhaps THIS will help convince more parishes that this is NOT the conference that you want to send our Catholic Religious Educators to... Is it bad to be grateful that Cardinal Mahoney's retirement is imminent?... I am curious as to what will happen to his Conference then...?

How Calloused Does One Have to Be?...

2010-03-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

I'm just wondering.... On one hand I think that the pro-life movement is gaining momentum by leaps and bounds, as more and more people become aware that that really is a life, a baby human, a beating heart inside the mother.... there are a lot of factors we can thank for that... answered prayer, former victims that are "Silent no more", advances in technology, etc... But sadly, the other side still exists... there ARE still those that fail/refuse to see the reality of killing the most innocent and vulnerable among us discounting it as a choice...

The latest outrage came from a new article written by abortion nurse turned pro-life advocate Jill Stanek . It was a about a young woman that decided to "demystify" others about what really takes place with an RU486 abortion by giving a play by play "tweet" about her own. I couldn't pull my eyes from it as I continued reading in disbelief.... But as Jill stated, I think the "lie" sold to this young woman about a "safe, easy at-home abortion" is really made evident... it wasn't easy at all... and the flip-ness of her attitude during the procedure that i got from her "tweets" was really an education for me as to the state of mind that these women have (it was just a lot of VERY uncomfortable cramping, and a heavy, heavy period that lasted WAY longer than she expected... and take notice of her final tweet...) It's sad, really... and it deepens my resolve to pray for them all the more...

"Remember the Marvels the Lord Has Done"...

2010-03-05T12:33:00.001-08:00

This morning at Mass, Father asked us to, instead of dwelling on what is making us unhappy, or asking WHY we are put in this or that situation, to REMEMBER the Marvels the Lord has done in our lives... and in contemplating this, we can't just get stuck on remembering the BIG and standout happenings, but ALL the little miracles that He brings to our lives each day... Despite all the sadness, frustrations, set backs, disappointments that always seem SO horrible at the time I'm going through them, God has obviously carried us through... And after the fact, we can look back on those tough times and maybe even see a little more clearly the "why" of why God allowed us to go through them... it makes me more thankful for the blessings... and yes, I can even count the set backs as blessings... If we hadn't lost our business over 8 years ago, my husband would never had found the job that he has. If we hadn't lost almost everything we had as we struggled to find work and make ends meet with 2 kids, we probably wouldn't have learned to live on as little as we do today with 5 kids... even though my pregnancies have been struggles for me, physically and emotionally, to the point of despair and depression, feeling as though we couldn't possibly take care of another baby, God has always provided for our every need and then some...

That said, looking back on the hurdles we've jumped and the successes we've had (though, in many circles, we would not be what many would call "successful"....) what makes me most sad are broken families and the killing of innocent lives... and again, in many parts of society, these are things that are supposed to be mainstream and "okay"... both, in my opinion, cause destruction of souls... This video, though... this video, in a few short minutes gives me hope... I pray that more survivors, mothers, fathers and children, will be unafraid to step forward and tell their stories... putting a face to the injustices... EVERY saved child/mother/father/family is truly one of God's GREATEST Marvels.... Thanks to my friend Sarah for sharing it with me!

check out ThisisRyan.com

Oh! Is THAT How it Goes?....

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

I just love listening to my kids when they are playing "Mass." My second oldest son has always had a fasination with Mass and all that is going on in Church. So much so that he was trained to be an altar server at the age of six... and even now, at almost 11 years old, he likes to dress up in the mini priest robes that we bought him at the Catholic Family Conferance a few years ago and play "Mass". And as his little sisters grow older, they, too, love to play along, saying the readings, sitting in the pews, carrying up the gifts, etc... This evening after dinner, as they were playing and my husband and I sat in the dining room listening, smiling, we heard that it was time for the Gospel reading and they all rise up singing "Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ! King of endless stories!" good thing we were done eating and didn't have food in our mouths.... : )

How DARE Father Clarify Catholic teachings from the Pulpit!!

2010-03-01T14:52:00.001-08:00

Wha?... Huh??!!! yup... so said a local "catholic" reporter, sharing in the local paper with an entire quarter page how he "stood up" to a local Catholic Priest... no.. not after Mass. Not in passing, but DURING.... a 7pm evening Latin Rite Mass, no less... Which, I think, makes the outburst all the more absurd... And his writing about it in the local rag only helped display the writer's ignorance to Catholic teaching and the role of our Priests. Mr. Gonzales uses much of the same rhetoric that "catholic" politicians, etc... use to support their spineless stance on abortion, so even though he claims to be "pro-life", his defence of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is no surprise...

God bless Fr. Ralph! A good, orthodox and honorable priest with local ties that has given countless hours of service to our community, especially in his most reverent offering of the Holy Mass...While I wasn't in attendance to this particular Mass, I have no doubt that he handled the situation with the utmost respect to Mr.Gonzales, while still holding fast to the Truths " that we have been taught"... (1 Thessalonians 2:15). Fr. Ralph is a Priest among priests when it comes to teaching. And teaching is EXACTLY what is suppose to be done from the pulpit! He is to shepherd the flock... and when the sheep start to stray, it is his JOB to call them back from danger. ESPECIALLY when their lives (souls) are at risk. This is what Mr. Gonzales clearly doesn't understand...

Fr. Ralph wasn't out in a political forum. He was Celebrating Mass at our Catholic Church. He was clarifying to those Catholics at Mass, that still might be distracted or sidetracked by "wolves in sheep's clothing"that the Church still teaches that abortion is wrong... It doesn't matter what political views you hold, or what party you belong to. If you choose to be Catholic (and that IS a choice...) than you must hold fast to what the Catholic Church teaches, and THIS IS IT. Your being Catholic, a part of The Church that Jesus gave us over 2000 years ago, should come first in our lives, and all else follows. If you want to be in a public or political spectrum, your first duty is to your Faith and beliefs... No need to shove anything down any one's throats, so to speak. No need to get on your soap box and preach to the world your "religion". You simply grow a back bone and stand firm and hold fast to that which you claim to believe and follow through in action. You see, not everyone that claims to be Catholic or even everyone that attends Sunday Mass regularly is necessarily BEING "Catholic" or in union with what the Church Teaches .... "Catholic" means "universal". what is taught and believed is what Jesus handed down to his apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit and has been taught in our Church for over 2000 years. The teachings haven't changed, despite what Mr. Gonzales or Nancy Pelosi claim, or what they claim that St.Thomas Aquinas confirms for them... Obviously, had St. Thomas had the technology or knowledge then, that is available now, his opinion on when life begins would have been made MUCH clearer. Reguardless he NEVER claims that abortion is okay...

Here is where so many get side tracked... We are Catholic... we are to be seen as the older sibling to all other Christian denominations, and much has been "given" to us, so much is expected. I've said it before and I'm gonna say it again... "Just BE Catholic..." This is what Fr. Ralph was challenging his congregation with at that Sunday evening Mass. Be not afraid to stand for Truth... If you want to claim to be Catholic than just BE Catholic.... Accept the FULLNESS and beauty that Our Mother Church offers without hesitation, fully trusting and relying on what God has given us, guided by the Holy Spirit. Don't apologize, don't justify, don't make excuses... and pray for Fr. Ralph... and all our priests... that they may grow ever stronger to speak and teach the Truth, boldly...

Perfection and The Unforgivable Sin...

2010-02-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

I just love it when something that has puzzled me for some time is suddenly explained in a way that makes perfect sense!

Fr. Jude is a Dominican priest that comes to visit a local parish every year, sometimes a couple of times of year to give classes and help out. He has also been presiding over the early morning Masses since Ash Wednesday. I met Fr. Jude about 8 years ago, when I was still teaching RCIA at this particular parish and he so graciously spoke to my classes. Anyway, I've always liked his straight forward approach and his zeal for the Truth.

Yesterday morning Fr. explained that we should always forgive... He gave the example of the the rich man that asked Jesus how he may obtain eternal life (Matthew 19:15-16). Jesus tells the young man, if he wants to be "perfect" than he has to sell everything he has, give it to the poor and then follow Him... The young man walked away very sad "For he had many possessions..." Fr. Jude told us that in order to be "perfect" as God is perfect, we have to give in abundance to others as God gives to us... EVEN to those we may not feel deserve it... "But he doesn't work as hard as i do... He didn't earn it..." , or, "She doesn't even try to be nice....", etc... How often we, ourselves receive the grace and forgiveness of God when we may not deserve... It can be very difficult to give to those that our human brain tells us is not "deserving"... We have worked hard to get where we are and what we have, why shouldn't they?... We hold on to many "possessions" that really aren't going to matter when we stand before God...

Now THIS morning, Fr. Jude brought to light something that has always puzzled me and I've struggled to understand... The Bible tells us that there is nothing that God won't forgive... NO matter what we do, there is virtually NOTHING that we can't be forgiven by God.... but yet, the Bible also speaks of the "unforgivable sin"... blaspheming the Holy Spirit... it was a seeming contradiction to me... but the way the Father explained it this morning made perfect sense... When we come across people, or maybe when we ourselves say or even think "Oh, God can never forgive what I have done..." we are in essence saying that our sin is greater than God. And what is greater than God?... By saying that something is greater, I am making myself god... I am blaspheming the Holy Spirit....

So, we approach God with a repentant heart, acknowledging that He is greater than any sin I could ever commit, and receiving his abundant grace and forgiveness.... It brings to mind the differences between Peter and Jude. Jude felt he couldn't be forgiven for his transgression and gave in to despair, taking his own life... Peter felt repentance and sorrow for his rejecting Jesus and received His forgiveness and gathered back to the flock... ultimately becoming the shepherd of that flock...

I pray this day that you have the opportunity to approach Jesus with a repentant heart, and receive the Grace and Forgiveness of God. I, myself am headed back to the "box" tomorrow morning : )

Get Smarty....

2010-02-24T15:15:00.000-08:00

So, the other day, the hubby and I and the kids were playing around on a site called "mixer" where hubby is able to somehow download free ring tones to our phones. Call me "cheap" but anything more than "FREE" for a ringtone, is too much... lol...

So, the kids are calling out different song tunes to see if daddy can find them on the site and download them to my oldest son's phone... Suddenly, the theme from the old "Get Smart" show popped in to my head and I asked hubby if he could find it to down load to my phone... a few minutes later it was done, and I was pleased : ) when my oldest son requested the same tone, dad told him "no. that's mom's ringtone. you can't have the same one..." I chimed in that we didn't need to be "twinsy's.... how UNcool is THAT?!" lol... yet my son continued to beg, "PLEASE Dad?... PUHLEEEEEEEEZE???? I want that ringtone! I like that ringtone! It doesn't matter if mom has the same one! I want THAT ONE.... PUHLEEEEEEEZE?.... PUHLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE?!!!" IN the middle of folding clothes I just sort of listened and chuckled to myself...

In the mean time my second oldest son had picked up my phone and was listening to the different ring tones, something he does from time to time, and I overhear my oldest asking him "Hey! Send me that ringtone from mom's phone... " My younger son says, "Okay, hold on..." and proceeds to push buttons, staring intently at the little phone screen... a few minutes later, my oldest gets the message, and it's some other tone that he didn't like and he gives a mean glare to my younger. "That's not what I wanted!" Delighted with his "trick" the younger again tells the older, "Okay, okay... I'll do it... hold on.... " again, looking intently at the screen and pushing buttons.... The message transfers and the oldest plays to hear some OTHER tone that wasn't what he wanted... the younger literally squeals in delight as he runs through the house the older in hot pursuit until the younger finally runs in to his room and shuts the door leaving the older outside the door growling that that ISN'T what he wanted and to send the right one ....

When the younger emerges a few minutes later, the older is again begging for him to just send the Get Smart ringtone from my phone to his and again, the younger pushes buttons and tells the older, "Okay, okay... for real this time... I'm sending the real thing...." Hubby is still on the computer, and I'm still folding clothes as everyone falls silent waiting for the message to transfer... moment's later, as the older opens the message we all wait and listen.... and there, over the phone we hear my younger sons shaking voice, "do do doooooo DO! do do dooooooo DO!" to the tune of Get Smart... Hubby and I both fell to the floor laughing! The oldest tried not to laugh and make it known he was mad, but he couldn't help it. Even HE couldn't keep a straight face.... The younger son went around the room serving up "high-fives"... lol

Yeesh! You'd think it was Lent!

2010-02-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

....and to think I was SO READY for Lent to start! lol... Now, let's see... there have been the petty fights at my husband's workplace, that he'd really rather not be a part of.... and besides the usual end of the month, scraping the bottom of the barrel, I discovered Saturday morning that I forgot to register not one, but TWO payments in my check book, which resulted in THREE overdraft charges, so I rushed down to the bank to deposit the money I was able to scrape up (enough to cover everything... except the one check that was still out...) hoping to avoid a 4th overdraft charge (no such luck, the bank tells me.... gggrrrr...)

Then I was on the phone with our homeowners insurance broker trying to keep them from cancelling our policy because our roof didn't pass inspection, even though I told them that our roof was original when I found them during escrow... forwarding roofing contracts, trying to buy some time until we get our tax $$ back so we can get the work done, then opening our back curtains this morning to find our back yard fence completely flat from the rain and winds last night... now we knew why the dog didn't come right back in when she was let out to pee this morning... Welcome to home ownership!

Yet, amongst all this, Hubby and I have managed to get up and go to 6:30am mass every morning since Ash Wednesday. And just so I'm not the very WORST mom, I have even informed the kids that they will get up and go with us on Friday mornings : ). And as much as I am not a morning person, I have to say that it has made all of this much easier to handle, and I am so grateful for the quiet time with Jesus each morning to start my day...

That said, with everything going on in my own life, at Mass I can't help but put aside all my petty issues to lift up those who are really suffering, so much more than I.... I lift up those out of work, those without homes, or losing their homes, I pray for those with nothing to eat, I pray for all victims of abortion, I pray for the MANY broken families... the ones that I know of personally, and the many more that are out there... broken families break my heart....

Oh, I really do have so much to be thankful for... I really have been blessed in so many ways.... It is the season of Lent and I offer up all my little sufferings as I continue to wonder through the desert, searching to draw ever closer to Jesus, trying to understand, if even just a little bit, what it means to sacrifice for a greater good... Amen...

What's that smudge?

2010-02-18T12:05:00.000-08:00

You know... I've attended Ash Wednesday Mass just about EVERY Ash Wednesday since I was born... and for as long as I can remember Ash Wednesday has ALWAYS been one of the most attended masses I've ever been to. Right up there with Christmas and Easter, literally millions of Catholics will flock to the Church to get their badge of "dirt" smudged on their forehead... and more recently I've even heard of non-Catholics doing their own form of beginning a Lenten season of fasting and alms giving in preparation for the coming of Easter...

I've heard all the lines from outsiders... "What's that on your forehead?" or "You got a little dirt, let me get that for ya...." etc... but it never seems to take much reminding for them to remember (even non-Catholics, mind you....) "Oh! yeah! It's Ash Wednesday!...

So tell me WHY was it SUCH a mystery as to the smudge of ashes on VP Joe Biden's forehead?... Really?... It's funny though... When talking about things like his spineless stance on abortion, people have no problem recalling that he's "catholic", but go figure... when he actually goes out of his way to "do" something "Catholic" the media doesn't have a clue...

FAT Tuesday...

2010-02-16T17:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Fat Tuesday, everyone!

That said, I have to say that I am really looking forward to Lent this year.... with all the chaos of house hunting, moving, schooling, kids, life, etc... I am REALLY looking forward to de-cluttering life for a few weeks... slowing down a bit, re-prioritizing and remembering what's REALLY important... Giving up all the "little distractions" that keep me from focusing on Truth and spending more time with my Lord, my husband and my kids...

"But Lee" you say... "You homeschool! how or WHY would you want to spend MORE time with your kids?!... lol... " But that's just it... again, I get SO involved in getting their school put together, having them get their school done, getting chores done, etc...(all well and good goals... ) but we have lost some of the "fun" that homeschooling really should have... so, I've decided that I need to work on that.... Then we all are going to be taking a little more time to draw closer together in prayer and to Jesus, because I really think He's missed that from us... : )

So, I will be stopping in now and again, filling you all in on our journey through the desert as we kick off this Lenton Season... We will be attending early Mass tomorrow morning...

I am wishing you all a blessed and fulfilling Lent!

Stoooopid "Tree-huggers"

2010-02-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

Apparently PETA has taken it upon themselves to use the Duggar name to promote the spay and neutering of pets.... good for pets, not for people... and I just thought it was in the poorest taste to not only COMPARE human beings to animals, but they used SPECIFIC human beings that did nothing to deserve such insult...

It's just a good example of how some people can get so engrossed in their "cause" that they develop complete disregard for what is really important... Don't get me wrong... I love pets! We have a dog and a cat and will have both spayed very soon (not quite old enough, yet...)But pets should not be given the same and even in some cases MORE respect and dignity than a human life...

When's the last time we've seen a radio, TV, magazine or newspaper ad condemning the abuse and killing of innocent human life (abortion?...., euthanasia?....) yet, we will see and or hear something all the time, complete with pictures and sad music, teary eyed movie stars, etc... looking for support for abused animals.... Again... love pets... have them myself... don't want to see them hurt or mistreated.... but seriously! ....

... stepping off my soap box now....

Playing for THE "Major"

2010-02-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

My son belongs to our parish Edge group, which is a"pre" Lifeteen youth group for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. This last week they had a special guest speaker that his youth leader had emailed me about that I just had to sit in and listen... Now we don't get the local paper(really not worth the money...) and about the only local news we watch is the weather, unless we have "heard" of something to watch for... Anyway, I had never heard of this local kid, but was intrigued by his story.

Grant Desme, Major League Baseball's latest-greatest hopeful, before taking his BIG chance to play the game he loved his entire life, at the level he had always dreamed of, decides to retire and join the seminary. Turning away from the Big Leagues in order to play for THE Big League... The kid was SO cute I seriously wanted to just put him in my pocket and take him home! With great humility and humbleness Grant shared his story and answered questions of the teens and parents alike (I wasn't the only parent that didn't want to miss him!)

Grant did such a fantastic job of sharing his heart with us, and it was so wonderful to hear such a young person reaching out to kids barely younger than himself. I think the most inspiring thing that I got from his talk was when he shared when he realized that he had learned that going to Mass wasn't just a matter of "punching a time clock" and doing his obligation for the week. Tears literally came to his eyes when he shared how blessed he felt to stand at the foot of the cross with Mary at every Mass and receive Jesus inside of him.... He shared that he discovered that God created him, out of LOVE, for a REASON, and it was his job, and all of our jobs to contemplate "Why are we here?".... We must put god first before all other things, and even though it may not be easy at first, we need to take time to quiet ourselves and be with God... have a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ... He told us to love Mary with all our heart, because if we want to get close to Jesus, go to His Mother..... beautiful stuff....

Grant spoke of how surprised and humbled he was by all the press that he has received for his decision, again, giving all the glory and credit to God and how blessed he has been... With the full support of his family, and happy to leave the life of fame and fortune behind, Grant Desme will be entering the order of Norbertines in Southern California this summer, looking forward to a quieter, more contemplative life.... Please pray for him...

The Dominican Sisters on Oprah

2010-02-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

... and Hell didn't even have to freeze over! : ) In case you missed them, they were FABULOUS! Granted, I got a little annoyed by some of the questioning, but it was to be expected considering the secular source, and the Sisters did a great job of answering! But in my opinion, the BEST part was Lisa Ling's final comments at the end when she said that even though most people think of Sisters and convents as so rigid and confining, these sisters showed that that is not the case at all. Because of the life they have chosen, they really have chosen the greater FREEDOM. And it isn't hard to SEE that, in their shining faces....

She GOT it!! Christ is the GREATER freedom.... If you didn't see them, you can watch the videos here.

This Just Bugs Me...

2010-02-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

In the grocery store this week I see the latest cover of People Magazine with an adorable picture of Jim Bob and Michelle Dugger and their latest little blessing, Josie Brooklyn. The title of the article was something like "How many is too many?"...

Seriously? First of all, I don't think it's ANY ONE'S business HOW MANY children a family has, especially when that family is hard working, honest and expecting NOTHING from anyone but relying on God's grace to help them and their family through... Certainly a foreign concept to many of the secular world, but for Jim Bob and Michelle, it seems to just come naturally... I for one appreciate and enjoy watching the Duggars on TLC when I get the chance. It's so nice to see a large family in a positive light to let people know it CAN be done! Not only are they a large family, but they are debt free, and low and behold, they actually ENJOY each other's company! HELP each other, ENCOURAGE each other to succeed...

Now, granted, I have not read the article. Quite honestly, the title on the cover was enough for me. BECAUSE the Duggars are open to life and however many children God chooses to bless them with, some how, the secular media thinks that gives them the right to question whether or not they have too many.... excuse me, if this had been their first or second child and she was born prematurely, due to circumstances beyond the mother's control, would THAT have been "enough" or "too many?..." Would there be articles written asking society if they were having too many, then?... I know, I know.... gotta sell magazines.... Here's a family with no scandal, no grudges, no "dirt" so to speak, so we might as well slam them for being.... loving, growing family, choosing to swim against the current and trust their and their children's lives to God.... go figure...

St. Therese, Miracles and Moving....

2010-02-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

So, my last post last August I informed you that we were looking for a house, without much luck. The market had been set at a stand still trying to boost up the economy again and we were waiting for mid-September to roll around when we were told that the market would open up again... in the mean time, I had begun a Novena to St. Therese in the hopes that she would bring me a miracle in finding us the perfect house. Now I had been given not one, but two beautiful novena's that I liked to St. Therese. The first was sent to me by a friend after i told her that I had taken to asking St. Therese to help us find a home. The second came from another friend of mine that sent it a couple of weeks before St. Therese's feast day on October 1. I had already been saying the first one, but when I got the second, I just started saying both.

Nine days came and went. I had never been so specific in a request to a Saint, or with a Novena, but I figured it couldn't hurt, so I just kept praying... 9 days... 2 weeks... 3 weeks... I had even told my realtor about my prayer request and said that she should be on the lookout for roses... That was my quest...

Over the next few weeks, the houses to look at were far and few between. And it seemed the ones we did look at, weren't much to look at... lots of repairs, or bad neighborhoods, etc... and the few that we did make offers on were just not meant to be. Still trying to keep a positive outlook, I was feeling pretty defeated... like maybe we just weren't meant to move to a bigger home in a better neighborhood... maybe we were just meant to rent forever...

The second week of October my realtor called me on a Saturday afternoon. She had just gotten word about a house and she really wanted me to meet her there to see it. It sounded really good to her... So, a bit reluctantly, hubby told me to go. I went, and I remember thinking/praying along the way, telling St. Therese, that if this was the house, she was going to have to make it clear to me.... My prayer all along was that she lead us to the house that God had picked out for us.... I arrived less than 3 miles of our current home to what appeared to be a fairly nice/quiet neighborhood. The house was nice, clean, big.... everything we were looking for... except roses.... there were no roses... and I had told St. Therese on the way over that I would be looking for them... ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE.... and I did... there were some bloom less rose bushes in the back yard, but nowhere did I see a single rose... not even on the tiles in the house... My realtor was emphatic that we make an offer and I told her I would talk to hubby about it.

So, when I got home I showed hubby the pictures and told him that Cindy (our Realtor) thought we should make an offer. After the last 6 1/2 months with no luck he said, "why not?" and I was pretty much of the opinion "whatev..." so we did.

I kept praying my now perpetual novena and scanning the listings looking for THE house and two weeks came and went. Normally, in the past, when we had made offers we heard back within the week. Having not heard a word from anyone in two weeks, we had moved on from this last offer when Cindy called us out of the blue to tell us that our offer had been excepted.

"Really?.... huh...." I was sort of in shock... I thought, "But there were no roses... okay, God... who am I to argue with God and His Angels and Saints?..." so, I began to get things ready for a move...

Escrow was supposed to be a MAXIMUM 30 days, according to the seller. They didn't want to give at all, even when we asked for 35... Nope. November 20 was the closing date... Well, then there was the holidays, so it became November 30, than December 4th, then the 7th, 8th and FINALLY we closed on the 9th. So the month of November was WAY crazy between packing 21 years worth of stuff, with 5 kids and a husband that had pretty much NO TIME off, since he took it off during Thanksgiving week when we THOUGHT we were going to move... and then the holidays mixed in, it was pretty crazy...

But we DID get moved, thanks be to God and our guardian angels! and were even able to host Christmas Dinner and a small New Years party at our new home. And the house, even though I wasn't "sold" on it at first, was really starting to grow on me. So many things happened in our first weeks here that seemed to just fall in to place and we felt SO blessed that this really MUST be where God wanted us to be, roses or no roses... : )

about a month after we moved in, my husband was headed out the front door to return to work after his lunch when he was met by the postal carrier, who handed him our mail. In the mix was a letter addressed to the former proprietors of the house.... "St. Therese Group Home"

I kid you not.... I was stunned when my husband came in and told me. I asked him to repeat it 3 different times to make sure he wasn't kidding me! He had forgotten about my novena! I had sort of let it go, figuring that regardless, prayers were OBVIOUSLY answered... but St. Therese had NOT forgotten my prayers... No, she didn't send roses... she sent me HER HOUSE!! : )

I was so excited I emailed my realtor, Cindy (a long time friend from Church), right away. She wrote back that my story had given her chills, but she had to add to it... her confirmation name was "St. Therese".... : ) I guess she WAS really with me, all along....

So here we are, settling in our first home to call our own. And in the living room, on the piano sits the antique statue that came from my mom, who got it from her mother many, many years ago... of St. Therese... God is SO good! St. Therese, pray for us!

I'm Back : )

2010-02-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

Just a short notification to anyone that still might be checking in! (I hope you do!) but I'm back! Life has been crazy and there is SO MUCH to catch up on... But I have REALLY MISSED my Blog and writing about life etc... SO! Without further ado....

If You Ever Want to Make God Laugh...

2009-08-13T14:32:00.001-07:00

Then tell Him your plans! : ) Yeah, this is a lesson I learn over and over again...

You see, my latest "plan" was to finish out our school year, get our pre-qual and spend the summer finding "THE" house and moving all in time to start our new school year... I'm SO funny, aren't I?... : )

So here I sit at my computer, in the same place it was when we finished out the school year, outside in my van are the three baskets of books that I picked up from our resource teacher yesterday afternoon. I have a schedule book and curriculum ready to go through and schedule... school starts on the 24th. I am SO NOT READY... and house hunting is HIGHLY overrated... But thanks be to God that He is still sitting on His throne on high watching over each and every one of us.

So "THE" house has failed to show itself yet... we've made 5 different offers on houses we thought could possibly be "it", but as it turned out, apparently weren't... and after a 90 day moratorium placed on foreclosures took place mid-June, the number of available houses has slowly ground to a halt... While in the past month to eight weeks there has been a house here or there to look at, nothing that "spoke" to me... It's been frustrating, to say the least... and then we have the news telling us that the economy is "looking up" because there haven't been as many foreclosures in the past couple of months... HELLO??!! Does it occur to these people that there was a 90 day STAY on foreclosures placed, oh, I don't know... A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO??!! OF COURSE there has been a slow down in foreclosures! sheesh...

Anyway, our beautiful friend and realtor is doing her best to find us the right home, putting the work out to all of her realtor connections that her family of 7 needs to find a home NOW... : ) bless her heart! I'm not sure if her diligence and anxiousness to find us a home isn't fueled by her wanting to be rid of us! lol... seriously, she and I have been ALL OVER this town... please pray for her! In the mean time, we have learned all kinds of new information about buying homes and tricks of the trade... our goal (and hopefully God's) now is to hopefully find something before November 30, in order to qualify for the $8000 rebate for first time buyers, from the federal government.... Mid September, the 90 day stay will be up, and it is expected that there will be a lot more homes flooded on to the market again... again, good news for us... so, all hope is NOT lost : ) I have taken to asking St. Therese to send me 3 pink roses to the right house... I've never been this specific with a Saint request, but I know others that have, so I figured it couldn't hurt to put it out there... I know that she is praying for us regardless, because I have asked... "Big house, big yard, safe area to raise my family...."

So, that's what I've been up to all summer. Some days are better than others, and I don't always feel too inspired to write, but I have missed my blog... I'm trying not to get too down and trust God knows what He's doing : ] often easier said than done.... but I'm a work in progress! Any and all prayers offered on our behalf are very much appreciated!

Notre Dame Pressing Forward with Trespassing Charges...

2009-06-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Friend, author and speaker Jane Brennan and Laura Rohling went to the Universtiy of Notre Dame on Friday may 8th in order to be a witness to students on campus that they regretted their abortions. They went to pray for the students and staff at Notre Dame with rosaries in hand.... They went and instead of being welcomed with open arms, for being a great witness for this most basic fundamental Truth of the Catholic Faith on a Catholic campus, they were met with handcuffs and arrested for trespassing.... I have earlier posted their open letter to Fr. Jenkins . Further details of their arrest and where the case is headed can be found at their website Free Jane and Laura. Check them out and consider helping in any way that you can...

With Friends Like This, Who Needs Enemies?....

2009-05-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

My sister alerted me to this piece of brilliance....

Writer Removed from Near Air Force One at LAX

If you don't want to bother going to the link, the story is about a "Roman Catholic Priestess" and her protesting "Same Sex Marriage".... yeah... great... the irony... Obviously, that's not ALL she's "protesting"....

Okay, I'm sure she is a very nice lady (Honestly, I don't know, but I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt...) and I appreciate her "zeal" in her defence of marriage being between one man and one woman... but it just shows me how much these people that claim to be "Catholic" but choose to practice their own version of it, just really don't get it. If there is something about Catholicism that you don't understand or agree with, research it. Pray about it. Ask someone that knows, not someone that is going to promote their own agenda... It's a BIG Church and an open book... It really isn't too difficult, if you really want to find Truth... But then again, if you are more interested in molding the Church into your own version, then I guess you can. It's a free country(for now, anyway...).... Just don't call it "Catholic" aka: "universal", as in "in line with the Magesterium, and Her teachings, under the guidance and leadership of our Holy Father the Pope despite WHERE in the world you find it", when it's not....

It's Sad to Think That It's Come to This...

2009-05-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

But the Thomas More Society has actually assembled a legal team of Notre Dame Alumni to defend friend and author Jane Brennan with Laura Rohling against trespassing charges on Notre Dames campus... I'm still wondering 'HOW does this make sense??'...

Notre Dame: Prosecutor Presses Trespass Charges
Against Pro-life Advocates
5/29/2009
Clarion Herald (http://www.clarionherald.org/)
Chicago-based Thomas More Society assembles a Fighting Irish legal defense
team.

NOTRE DAME (Christian Newswire) - Thomas More Society attorneys
appeared in St. Joseph County Criminal Court to defend two prominent pro-life advocates against trespass charges brought this morning by local prosecutors in the wake of protests at the University of Notre Dame.

Laura Rohling and Jane Brennan went onto the Notre Dame campus to educate students about the after-effects of abortion, based on their own personal experiences with abortion. Ms. Brennan, author of "Motherhood Interrupted," is a frequent guest on Catholic TV and radio. She serves as regional coordinator in Colorado of "Silent No More," a group which brings public attention to the plight of women who have experienced emotional and other pain after abortion. Ms. Rohling serves as assistant regional coordinator of that group.

"The Thomas More Society is urging the University to request that these trespass charges be dropped," said Tom Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Society. "Such a magnanimous gesture will go far toward healing the divisions that have arisen between Notre Dame and the pro-life movement, in light of recent events."

The Society has assembled an all-"Fighting Irish" team, including President and Chief Counsel Thomas Brejcha, Notre Dame class of '65,
Executive Director Peter Breen, Notre Dame Law class of '00, and South Bend attorney David Wemhoff, Notre Dame class of '79, in defense of Ms. Rohling and Ms. Brennan.

"What's vitally needed is dialogue about pro-life issues of abortion, stem-cell research, euthanasia, marriage, as well as about capital
punishment and peace issues rather than confrontation in South Bend's criminal court," Brejcha continued. "The pro-life movement is the next stage of America's civil rights movement, and Notre Dame is not Birmingham.

" The Thomas More Society has a history of partnership with the University of Notre Dame. The late Fr. Ned Joyce, former Executive Vice President of the University, was a regular financial supporter of the Society. Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, former President of the University, wrote fundraising letters in support of the Thomas More Society's successful defense of peaceable, non-violent abortion protests in
the landmark United States Supreme Court case, NOW v. Scheidler.

More can be found at Catholic Online.

Jon and Kate Plus Eight... give or take...

2009-05-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Broken families make me sad... My 6, almost 7 year old used to love to watch the TLC show, Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I have to admit that at first, even I would get a kick out of watching the antics of raising a set of twins and sextuplets under one roof, and even admired how Jon and Kate seemed to work so well together to raise their little ones... True, as a Catholic, I have some definite opinions about using fertility methods that usually are the cause of these multiple pregnancies, but after the fact, it's not really the child's fault of HOW they got here. So, that being said, watching this show, in the beginning, I was attracted to how this large family had become such a hit, in how they work together and make things "work"... Although I had lost interest in the last couple of seasons because it seemed to become more about "Jon and Kate take vacation comp trips with their kids all the time..."... How is THAT reality?... No, seriously, in "reality" especially with a big family, you just can't take vacations all the time. Every family is NOT asked to take a 'comp' trip to anywhere from Disney world to Hawaii week after week...

Now any of you that watch the show, if you'll recall the beginning of just LAST season, the opening was all about the family returning to Hawaii to renew their wedding vows, and it was all about showing and assuring their growing children that they (Jon and Kate) were together FOREVER... Now, this season opens with quite the opposite... I watched it, hesitantly after everyone else had gone to bed and it just made me so sad... I really don't "know" these people... other than what is allowed to show through the TV screen on Monday nights... Kate is a little bit OCD and Jon is pretty laid back... as different as their personalities could be, they seemed to fit one another and work it through... but now, for whatever reason, they can't seem to, anymore... why?... In my humble opinion, if it were MY family, whether the rumors were true or not, the show would be over... at this point it seems that it is all about the money and how much everyone can make on this show, this family, these children...

By their own admission, Jon quit his job two years ago, so that he could stay home full time with the kids, while Kate traveled the globe promoting her book... Their "show", their "hobby" had become the "job"... sadly, it's almost like they sold their souls... We were no longer looking "in" on their day to day lives, but the show had become their lives... While Kate seems to have taken to this new "job" I think Jon, down deep, was seeing real "reality"and regretting it... The premier show last night had the two now speaking to each other in terms of "I don't know if we can fix this" or "where our future is going", etc... yet they are both all about "I'm here for the kids", "the kids are our top priority"... and I'm thinking, "You stupid, stupid people... don't you KNOW that 10 and 20 years from now the kids aren't going to give a flying flip about the show or how or where they lived or how much money or fame they had because of the show??! They will care about their family... their PARENTS... they will care and be affected by whether or not the family stays in tact over this..." I don't care HOW amicable a couple thinks they are being in a split up... if kids are involved, they WILL be affected negatively... I think that was even in the closing lines of last nights show... about trying to remain friends for the sake of their kids... it doesn't matter... kids aren't stupid and they can read the writing on the wall... Kids want mom and dad together forever...

I found myself praying for this family as I went to sleep last night, and again this morning, as well as all families that are in turmoil right now... broken families really make me sad... and the kids are always the biggest casualty... And these eight particular children unfortunately have their families turmoil recorded for all of history... was it worth it?... Something I have heard before, and I'm not really sure who said it, but I believe it with all my heart:

"The greatest gift that a father/mother can give his child(ren) is to love their mother/father"... Jon and Kate seem like nice enough people, I really hope that they figure this out before it's too late... Life is not a TV show and sometimes it can get messy... That's when we have to close the door and hit the floor praying for His strength to help us through...

Bed Time Prayers...

2009-05-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Reading up on Matt Archibald at the Creative Minority Report reminded me how good it is to have some routine in life... Sure, routine can get boring or monotonous or pick another similar word to insert here... but routine brings security and peace in knowing that somethings shouldn't change...

In case you haven't noticed (I have...) I haven't posted a whole lot of what's been going on in my home life as of late... I guess because life has just been so crazy... We've been trying to finish out our school year, trying to do some house cleaning and re-organizing (yeah, right... ), trying to pre-qualify for a house, and hoping and praying that God will find us the "perfect" home, once we get the other stuff out of the way... Trying to occupy a two year old, juggle an infant, and get some semblance of school work out of the older three on top of this, it's been a bit stressful...

The economy is bad (like you haven't noticed : ] ) and since Tuesday's election, $2 billion more will be cut from education... and while my hubby isn't a teacher of children, he IS a teacher of school bus drivers, in charge of training those that pick up your children and take them to school... So, yeah, it's a little scary to think about his future job prospects, especially in light of our trying to buy a home...

I know, we aren't the only ones affected... Jobs ALL OVER are in jeopardy... I have to sit and wonder WHERE IN THE WORLD is the future of this STATE headed?... Thank God for my Faith! Because i honestly don't know HOW ELSE I could see ANY good out of any of this! It would be SO EASY to get down and depressed... Sometimes i do... But right now, I'm not... I get frustrated, but not hopeless. In my heart, I know that God is still in control here, and the best thing I can do for my self and my family, right now is to stay grounded to Him... and in return, He grants me little tid-bits of light, here and there, of where I can actually SEE His work... in me, in my family... Which brings me back to routine...

I went to put the two year old to bed the other night, after an especially trying day... Not much sleep the night before, dealing with screaming, crying kids through most of the day, lots of teasing and just general orneriness going on. It was bed time and I wanted nothing more than to just put them all to bed and have some quiet time before I fell asleep, myself. I took the 2 year old to the bathroom, had her use the potty, I cleaned her up with a wash cloth, threw a diaper on her because I didn't want to have to get up with "accidents", walked her to her room, put her in the bed, covered her up, almost zombie like, on my part, turned out the light and started to close the door.... "Mom-mom! Mom-mom!"

"What, #2?... Go to sleep! Mommy's tired!..."

"Mom-mom, mmem..."

Though she is starting to talk a lot more, it still takes some skill to translate, so I said, "uh-huh... good... go to sleep..." and started to shut her door...

"Mom-mom! mmem..."

"What are you talking about?.. Mommy's tired!" I looked at her this time and there she was sitting up, giving her best effort to do the sign of the cross, mumbling and finishing off with "mmem", translated "Amen", then folding her hands, waiting for me to say prayers with her...

oops... forgive me Father... So, tired as I was, I went to her bedside, knelt down and began "Angel of God, my guardian dear..." and she mumbled her way through every word, with a resounding "Mmmemm!" at the end, then leaning forward with lips puckered for a kiss, says, "luv-oo"... and rolled over fast asleep, probably before I was able to haul my fat, tired fanny up off the floor! lol... "I love you too, sweetie... have nice dreams..."

yeah... routines are good... And God is still in control... and He'll use the smallest among us to remind us! : ) Amen and amen!

In Local News...

2009-05-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

There are some things that happen in life that really cause me to cry out and ask God, "WHY??!! What POSSIBLE "good" could come from this??!!"

A warning to those that choose to read this entire article. It is quite graphic... Please pray for this child, and his family... The image has haunted me since I first heard of it on the news... May God have MERCY...

Father Accused of Eating Child's Eyes Out

I've Said it Before and I'll Say it AGAIN, "Just BE Catholic!"

2009-05-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

On Catholic Complacency in America....

"Some Catholics in both political parties are deeply troubled by these issues. But too many Catholics just don’t really care. That’s the truth of it. If they cared, our political environment would be different. If 65 million Catholics really cared about their faith and cared about what it teaches, neither political party could ignore what we believe about justice for the poor, or the homeless, or immigrants, or the unborn child. If 65 million American Catholics really understood their faith, we wouldn’t need to waste each other’s time arguing about whether the legalized killing of an unborn child is somehow ‘balanced out’ or excused by three other good social policies.We need to stop over-counting our numbers, our influence, our institutions and our resources, because they’re not real. We can’t talk about following St. Paul and converting our culture until we sober up and get honest about what we’ve allowed ourselves to become. We need to stop lying to each other, to ourselves and to God by claiming to ‘personally oppose’ some homicidal evil -- but then allowing it to be legal at the same time." --Archbishop Chaput

Fr. Weslin Arrested at Notre Dame

2009-05-16T17:16:00.001-07:00

This brings tears to my eyes... If this doesn't cause you to recognize the Spiritual Battle that we are in and cause you to pick up your rosary to pray, I don't know what will...

h/t to WICatholic

An Open Letter to Fr. Jenkins...

2009-05-13T11:46:00.001-07:00

From two women that really deserve an answer... Thanks, Janie and Laura! We are SO proud of you!

Letter from Two Catholic Women Arrested at Notre Dame
5/13/2009
Catholic Online (http://www.catholic.org/)

We held signs that say “I Regret My Abortion”. We also gave our testimonies and prayed the Rosary with other Catholics who supported us.

An Open Letter to Fr. John Jenkins
President
University of Notre Dame

Dear Fr. Jenkins,

We are writing this letter to you in hopes that you can clear something up for us.

We are two Catholic women who reside in the State of Colorado. We made tragic mistakes in our younger years by having abortions. We came to the University of Notre Dame last Friday, May 8, to witness to the harm caused to us by our “choice.” We held signs that say “I Regret My Abortion”. We also gave our testimonies and prayed the Rosary with other Catholics who supported us.

We did this in hopes of saving young women years of pain, shame and guilt. We did this because college aged women have the most abortions. We did this because we wanted these young women to know that women deserve better than abortion and that women can achieve the things that they want without having their babies killed. We did this because we believe in the fundamental right to life of all human beings who are created in the image and likeness of God which is a dogmatic teaching of the Catholic Church.

We have both attended Project Rachel and Rachel’s Vineyard retreats – both Catholic healing programs for those suffering from abortion. We then joined “The Silent No More Awareness campaign”, a program sponsored by a Catholic Priest – Fr. Frank Pavone.

In all of these programs we were taught about the acceptance and mercy of God and our fellow Catholics. Also, in these programs we were encouraged to seek the counsel of a Catholic Priest – that they would help us to find redemption in the sacrament of reconciliation. We were also encouraged to share our stories so that the Catholic community and the greater community at large could hear first hand of the devastating effects of abortion.

While speaking these truths on Friday we were issued a Trespass Notice by security officers hired by the University that in part states “The University has the right to tell us that we are not wanted on University property.”

Imagine our shock after receiving this notice and being barred from speaking further, we were arrested and thrown in jail. We spent the day in a holding cell until we posted a $250 bond. As we now understand things, we are awaiting news as to whether the charges against us will be misdemeanor trespassing or a felony. This happened all because we wanted the students to know through our stories how devastating abortion is to women.

We are confused, Fr. Jenkins. Why would a Catholic University bar Catholic women from speaking the truth about a fundamental Catholic teaching, under the signage of a healing program that is sponsored by a Catholic priest, while praying the Rosary? Yet, the University would welcome, honor and have a person speak at Commencement who is virulently opposed to this same fundamental Catholic teaching?

Fr. Jenkins can you please explain this to us?
We look forward to your response.

Jane Brennan, MS
Laura Rohling
Centennial, CO
www.motherhoodinterrupted.com

Who Needs Enemies?...

2009-05-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Christians (Catholics included) are birth controlling ourselves right out of existance! Pay attention, because these statistics are alarming!

From the Crossroads Initiative

By today's standards, the secular agenda is trying to convince us that our children are the problem when in reality they are the only future Hope that we have!

The Latest Ad from CatholicVote.org

2009-05-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

This is the latest video from CatholicVote.org, and with any luck will be airing during the season finale night of American Idol.

Thanks to the girls at Defining Beauty!

Fr. John Corapi on Notre Dame Scandal

2009-05-07T20:51:00.001-07:00

The REALITY of Abortion Hits ND Campus

2009-05-07T11:28:00.001-07:00

The latest from Jill Staneck and World Net Daily is that the consciences at Notre Dame are being challenged, and they don't like it, one bit. I like how the liberals like to blame people that believe in a person's Right to LIFE.... referring to us as "Abortion haters" and all... But could someone tell me WHO "loves" abortion??!! No one, does... Some love the "power" and politics behind abortion... When they are faced with WHAT abortion actually IS and LOOKS LIKE, nope.... they don't like it... and they don't want to acknowledge the reality... It's much easier to use "words" like "anti-abortion" and "abortion-hater"... after all, if WE use words to refer to them as "anti-life" or "pro-death" they scoff, and you will NEVER hear the media use the terms... It's all about the words... You've heard the term, "if words could kill"?... This one actually does.... Check out the entire article at the above link...

It's Time... The Lines are Being Drawn...

2009-05-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

You know, I haven't had a whole lot of time to blog these last few weeks, but I have been following and listening closely to the Obama/Notre Dame controversy, and even engaging in dialogues with ND alumni. One of the arguments, and I can totally understand, is that Obama's visit to the campus should not take away the honor due to the graduates and their "moment to shine" on their graduation day. I can totally understand that these graduates worked hard for their degrees and deserve to be recognized for this esteemed accomplishment.... But really, are we not at war, here?... Lines are being drawn in the sand ALL AROUND us and "Sparky himself" is asking "WHAT are YOU going to DO about it?!" What side are we on?...

No disrespect for the graduates, but like a wedding day, graduation is ONE day... What will you do with the REST of your life?... Despite what career path we will take, God asks us continuously, WHERE does HE fit in?... What are we going to do in order to remain close to Him?! Sure, we can say "what's the big deal?... let's 'dialogue'" or, "IF Obama was really aware of the controversy he was causing, I'd like to think he'd bow out..." yeah... I've actually heard that one... Are you kidding me?! The man KNOWS EXACTLY what he's doing! He is VERY AWARE of the controversy he is causing... Fr. Jenkins is VERY AWARE of the controversy this is causing, though I'm not sure that he knew that it would cause AS MUCH as has been demonstrated...

And then there are those who fan the flames with typical secular media rhetoric... claiming that "Violent pro-life advocates" are the problem, storming the campus by the thousands, compromising the Presidents safety.... One alumni that I've spoken with made reference to the thousands demonstrators that will be BLOCKING the families from going to their son or daughters graduation... This isn't about keeping families from their kids graduation! It is about the SCANDAL that Fr. Jenkins and President Obama are bringing to Notre Dame and her graduates!! Graduation is still two weeks away! How can they even write about something that hasn't even happened? This is about the opportunity, especially for the graduates, to stand and say, "I am Catholic and I STAND on the side of LIFE at all stages and there is no other option. I am NOT going to stand for this disregard to my core beliefs in Faith that SHOULD BE protected and defended on this Catholic University Campus...." THAT would be their real moment to shine....

Pro-life means valuing ALL life... from conception until natural death... yes... even the President's.... I pray for him to have a change of heart.... I pray for his soul... But, for right now, he has done nothing during his time in office to show me that he is in defence of preserving all human life. He has actually done quite the opposite with his rescinding of the Mexico City Policy, funding abortions over seas with my tax dollars , funding of embryonic stem cell research, his intentions with FOCA, and his reference to unplanned babies as a "mistake" that can be rubbed out, and the multiple (Catholic) anti-life appointments to his cabinet, to name just a few.... He, and this administration have drawn the lines, and we can't remain silent. I really appreciate what Ann Scheidler had to say at the end of this video...

Pig Flu...

2009-05-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

I am of the mindset that as terrible as the Swine Flu epidemic is, I don't believe that it is as catastrophic in the US as the news media would like us to think... It seems the first 5 + minutes of every newscast is packed with the latest Swine Flu updates.... I believe that it's just the secular media trying to convince us of how devestating this COULD be and how well this current administration is taking care of us... ppphhhhttthh... whatever... If you're sick, stay home. Wash your hands, don't spread your germs.... All good practices that we should have as habits, anyway.... I guess what really annoys me is how quickly our own parishes/dioceses are to jump on the "political bandwagon" when it comes to these sorts of things.

What I mean is that, some bishops are slow to "do anything" in order to avoid adverse reactions when it comes to defending our Church and our Faith. Some are afraid to "make waves" in their own parishes and diocese when sometimes horrible liturgical abuses are going on... yet, the moment the media sets everyone in to a tail spin of swine flu madness, immediately directives are being sent out to not only stop distributing the Precious Blood, but the Eucharist MUST be received in the hand (I don't know about you, but I touch a lot less with my tongue than I do with my hands... and anyone with young children knows that their hands don't stay clean for long...) until this passes.... this was particularly tough for me, because my two oldest boys, ages 10 and 13, have always been told to receive on the tongue. I try to remind them and show them and teach them the beauty, dignity and respect to be given to Jesus in the most Holy Eucharist. I have grown tired of seeing so many young people shuffle up to communion seemingly without giving the least thought to receiving Our Lord as anything other than their obligatory "snack" sometimes just pulling their hands from pockets at the last moment, then "popping' the host in to their mouths... nope... I told my kids that they can receive on the tongue. Jesus' body was meant to be consumed, not 'popped'... Nothing against adults that choose to receive this way. My husband does. I understand that it is a choice allowed by the Church and can be done properly and reverently... I have more issue with the young... I feel that it can take away from the reverence and mystery that the Eucharist is supposed to instill in us. But again, that is my opinion....

Anyway, knowing the Monsignor of our Parish was going to read the Bishop's letter explaining the "temporary" new guidelines, we had to explain to our sons how to receive Jesus in their hands... But if that wasn't enough, the Bishop also decided that the Holy Water Fonts should also be emptied... : ( I'm sorry, but I thought that that was just going a little bit too far... My two year old was especially annoyed by this when she went to reach for the font, only to find the empty ring that holds the bowl in place... After that, when we went to sit down in our pew, she tried to say something to me that I couldn't quite "translate" but I'm pretty sure it was something about how the Bishop was going to hear from her.... : ]

Jamba Juice...

2009-04-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

I had to look this up for my beautiful niece and God-daughter... She will TOTALLY get this... : )

It Makes SO MUCH Sense, it's Scarey....

2009-04-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

h/t to WICatholic. I know I have had LOTS of other stuff going on in my home life, and I've neglected my blog a bit... But this gets me so upset and I think it's so important! I've mentioned before in my blog wondering if anyone else was noticing that Obama seems to have dug up EVERY liberal -small "c"atholic he could find to fill his cabinet?! It's ridiculous! This news update from RealCatholicTV explains a lot. And I hadn't heard of this news channel before, but I liked what I saw, so be sure to check them out!

Some "Fresh Air" In Store for CA Catholics?...

2009-04-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

My sister sent me this interesting article... Half of California's Bishops are 70 or over and nearing the mandatory retirement age of 75. So what do you suppose will be in store for Catholicism in California?... What will become of Roger Cardinal Mahoney's diocese? ... and his "Religious Education Congress"?... It certainly is exciting to think about! I'm thinking that there will be some "wheat sifting" at the very least, over the next few years... I agree with the last line from the news article, though, "...may the Lord grant Pope Benedict XVI good health and long life!” Amen and amen!

One Les-, no, Two Le-, wait a minute, Three L---, TWENTY NINE LESS...

2009-04-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

One of my first blogs last year was about Gardisal being pushed on to our young daughters as early as the age of 9, to help in the prevention of "certain strains" of HPV.... That's going on the assumption, of course, that "most" girls will start having sex at that age... so "they" say...

Anyway, syndicated columnist and author Mary Beth Bonacci gives this shocking, yet unsurprising, update on the use of Gardisal on our young daughters... And I just have to wonder what it will take for parents to stop letting secular society tell them what's best for the health of their children?... In this day and age, I, for one, am growing more and more leary of the "advice" shoveled out to me disguised as what's "best" for mine... Parents beware, be careful, be informed....

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! We had beautiful weather for this holiest of days! After early Mass we spent the day with family, enjoying the weather, the company and good food! Here's wishing you all the blessings and graces that our Risen King brings to those who call on His Name!

What's my Line?

2009-04-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

I loved this... A wonderful memory of a wonderful priest to share for this Holy Easter!

Enjoy!

Triduum Reflection

2009-04-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

Thirteen years ago, Holy Thursday, I stood before 60 teenagers finishing the last day of their drivers ed class..(yes, 60... I kid you not...). I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with my first baby and had a doctors appointment for that afternoon, as soon as class was over. The doctors office, anxious to finish up their appointments and leave for their long holiday weekend, called me during the day to see if I could make it in any earlier. I told them that I was teaching a class but I would try to be there by 3:00.

With my 14 year old step-daughter in tow, we headed to the doctor's office, expecting nothing more that the excitement of hearing the babies heartbeat, again... However, after my arrival, and being their last patient for the day and the only one in the office, what we thought was going to be a quick check up turned out to be something quite different... The routine, preliminary tests (blood pressure and urine) turned out to show signs of pre clampsia and the not so calm Physicians Assistant (my doctor was already gone for the day...) began barking at me "not to panic!" and how did I get there, and who was driving me and then the same to my step daughter (who did not drive...) and then began telling me that I needed to get straight to the hospital, but the hospital i was registered at didn't handle high risk babies, so if something went wrong with the baby he would have to be transferred to another hospital, or I could just go to this other hospital and avoid the possibility of being separated from my new baby altogether... yeah... real calming words...

So, it didn't take me long to decide that I would just go to this other hospital, if that's what needed to be done, now the question was "how?"... Would they call me an ambulance, or could someone come get and take me?... My stepdaughter called her dad and brother, and they were down to the doctors office withing 20 minutes to take me. Once at the hospital I signed in and was put in a room with monitors and nothing to eat since lunch earlier that day. At 8pm the nurse came in to my room where my husband was sitting with me, discussing that they would induce me in the morning when she told my husband with a BIG smile "visiting hour ova..." My husband smiled back and told her "No. I'd like to stay with my wife a little while longer..." this was our first baby, and I had no prior problems with the pregnancy, so this was all still sinking in last minute. The sweet Korean nurse smiled again and shook her head, "Visiting hour ova..." My husband again explained to her that he would like to stay a little while longer... after the third time she smiled and left and we finished up our time and he hesitantly went home for the evening, assuring me that he would be back in the morning.

I slept through the night as best I could, never having been given any dinner, and not being too sure of the immediate future, and trying to contemplate being a "mom" very soon... Very early the next morning I was wheeled to another room and "induced". Because of the pre clampsia, I was not allowed to move around, but given a catheter and some pillows, getting as comfortable as i could while I waited for the labor to come... It was Good Friday...

I remember labor pains coming and going. I remember friends and family stopping in to check on me throughout the day. I remember when my water broke that evening and the nurses coming to help... again, I wasn't even allowed to get out of bed... My labor continued long in to the night, and I was given some kind of pain medicine that made me more loopy than anything. I guess it was a good day for fasting, because I never did get anything to eat, from lunch the previous day...

By midnight I was in the delivery room and anxious to push, but the nurse would keep telling me "not yet..." THAT was agony! FINALLY! the time came and I was able to push! but between the pain medicine, being exhausted and my blood pressure spiking and plummeting I was in and out of consciousness... It took some extra help from the doctor, but I was finally able to deliver a healthy, beautiful baby boy, 7 lbs. 8 oz., at 12:35am, Holy Saturday morning... God is good... It really is true that the "bad" really doesn't seem to matter, once you hold that baby in your arms... there is nothing better... My husband, mom and sister, all in the room with me, were really scared by my health and progress... I was clueless... But I was told that I came very close to dying during delivery... Now it seems like a lifetime ago, and I would do it all over again, and again... 4 more times, 4 more blessings... My oldest son was 13 last Monday...

There isn't a Holy Week that goes by since then that I don't stop and think about the one spent in the hospital 13 years ago... I was tired, sick, hungry, frustrated and at times a little lonely, and it gave me a glimpse at what Jesus and His Mother must have felt... but to hold that new life in my arms at the end of it, made all the difference. this it the time that we meditate on Jesus' suffering and death... He did that for us.. so that we may have that new life in Him... So that we may have that new life WITH Him, forever... Take time over these next few days in quiet anticipation of what is to come... With all that is going on in the world , God is still in control and we can still count on Him to help us through. Have a Blessed and Holy Triduum...

I'm Still Here...

2009-04-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

I have been neglecting my blog this week, it has REALLY been hectic! Since we use a charter school, this last week the school had what they call "History Camp" at our local Pioneer Village. The kids get to attend Monday - Wednesday, learning something new each day about life during the pioneer times and bringing home various projects to show what they've learned, from candle making to home made pickles, to sewing, etc... Then on Thursday, the last day of the camp, all of the public school kids are bussed in to the Village, where our kids share with them the various things they've learned. Anyway! Normally it's one of my favorite weeks of the year, where I get the opportunity to have a little "me" time. But this year, my sister, God BLESS her! gave me a well needed hand in house hunting. Yeah, after 20 years in our little bitty home, we've decided it's time to move... But after this week, I know why I have put it off for so long... House hunting can be REALLY stressful... Finding the right home in the right place at the right price is draining...

As far as the hunting goes, we have yet to find "the one". There was one that was a "definite possibility", but when I called about it, it was already in escrow... : ( So! Back to square one... my husband is taking this next week off, so there will be more time to look, between dentist appointments, and Holy Week happenings...

So! Between History Camp, and house hunting, we've been working on our Parish Cross project. Each week during Lent different families were asked to participate in creating a "Lenten cross" that represents that weeks Gospel. We got Palm Sunday. They gave us a blank cross and a print out of the Gospel to read together. After reading through it a couple of times, my oldest son wrote down some notes and the little ones drew some ideas. That was LAST week. Yesterday we finally got busy trying to put some of the ideas together and this is what we came up with... I think it turned out pretty good. The younger ones helped with some of the painting and my oldest did most of the drawing artwork. I'm pretty proud of them... : )

Largest CA Abortuary Owner Loses 9 of His Own...

2009-03-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

I don't wish ill on anyone... but I DO wonder if a tragic situation such as this would even cause these people to make the connection and THINK ABOUT what their business actually is, and the loss that it brings...

Credit goes to Multimedia Pro-Life news...

Notre Dame Student Groups Respond

2009-03-25T22:18:00.000-07:00

Ya know... it is THEIR graduation... wouldn't you think that they should have a say on WHO gives the commencement address?... It is a shame, really... The statement is as follows:

NOTRE DAME STUDENT GROUPS DENOUNCE UNIVERSITY’S CHOICE FOR
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

NOTRE DAME, IN, 25 March 2009 — A number of student groups at the University of Notre Dame issued a statement today repudiating the University’s selection of President Barack Obama to deliver its 2009 Commencement Address. The statement criticizes the president’s position on abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and other life issues, and chastises University administration for apparently looking over what they termed “fundamental moral principles.”

The statement responds to Friday afternoon’s announcement of Obama as the speaker for the
University’s 164th Commencement. Citing Catholic teaching on abortion, as well as the US Bishops’ 2004 document "Catholics in Political Life," which deals with issues surrounding a Catholic response to politicians who advocate abortion, the student statement expresses “deepest opposition” to the decision. “This is not a partisan issue; rather, it’s an issue of respect for human life, and our Catholic character. We want to emphasize that we are not attacking the office of the President, but taking issue with his moral stances. I think the statement makes it clear that the student body of Notre Dame is not unequivocally in favor of this decision,” said senior Emily Toates of Notre Dame Right to Life.

An Ad Hoc committee sponsored by a coalition of University-sponsored student groups has been
organized to lead student response. These groups include Notre Dame Right to Life, Jus Vitae (Notre Dame Law School Right to Life), the Irish Rover independent student newspaper, Notre Dame College Republicans, The University of Notre Dame Anscombe Society, The Identity Project of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Knights of the Immaculata, Notre Dame Children of Mary, the Orestes Brownson Council, Notre Dame Law St. Thomas More Society, and the Federalist Society of the Notre Dame Law School.

Contact:
Chris Labadie
NDresponse@gmail.com
www.NDresponse.com

STUDENT COALITION STATEMENT ON THE 2009 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

In defense of the unborn, we wish to express our deepest opposition to Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.’s invitation of President Barack Obama to be the University of Notre Dame’s principal commencement speaker and the recipient of an honorary degree. Our objection is not a matter of political partisanship, but of President Obama’s hostility to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages. His recent dedication of federal funds to overseas abortions and to embryonic stem cell research will directly result in the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings. We cannot sit by idly while the University honors someone who believes that an entire class of human beings is undeserving of the most basic of all legal rights, the right to live.

The University’s decision runs counter to the policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops against honoring pro-choice politicians. In their June 2004 statement Catholics in Political Life, the bishops said, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors, or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” Fr. Jenkins defends his invitation by saying that it does not honor or suggest support for the President’s views on abortion, but rather support for his leadership. But our “fundamental moral principles” must be respected at all times. And the principle that requires us to refrain from the direct killing of the innocent has a special status even among the most fundamental principles. President Obama’s actions have consistently shown contempt for this principle, and he has sought political gain by making light of its clear political implications. Leadership that puts the lives of the most innocent at risk is leadership we must disdain. In the face of President Obama’s actions, Father Jenkins’ words ring hollow.

It is a great irony that the University has chosen to award President Obama an honorary law degree. As the oldest Catholic law school in the country, the Notre Dame Law School states that its mission is “to facilitate greater understanding of and commitment to the relationship between law and social justice.” The social justice issue of our day is the deliberate, legal attack on the most vulnerable members of society, the unborn. To award a Notre Dame law degree to a lawyer and politician who has used the law to deny equality to the unborn diminishes the value of the degree itself.

Additionally, Fr. Jenkins has placed some of his students in a moral dilemma as to whether they should attend their own graduation. Many pro-life seniors, along with their families, are conflicted about whether to participate in the commencement ceremony. The lack of concern for these devoted sons and daughters of Notre Dame, who love this University and the Catholic principles on which it was built, is shameful.

In response to the University’s decision, we pledge ourselves to acts of witness that will be
characterized by respect, prayerfulness, outspoken fidelity to the Church, and true concern for the good of our University. It is appropriate that only members of the Notre Dame community lead all such protests, and we ask outside groups to respect our responsibilities in this regard. Over the next several weeks, in response to this scandal, our organizations will host various academic and religious events to engage the University community. We request any groups who are committed to respectful actions to support our efforts, thereby ensuring a unified front and a more compelling public witness.

In Notre Dame,

Notre Dame Right to Life
The Irish Rover Student Newspaper
Notre Dame College Republicans
The University of Notre Dame Anscombe
Society
Notre Dame Identity Project
Militia of the Immaculata
Children of Mary
Orestes Brownson Council
Notre Dame Law School Right to Life
Notre Dame Law St Thomas More Society
The Federalist Society at Notre Dame Law
School

Statement from Bishop D'Arcy

2009-03-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

Regarding President Obama's agreeing to give the commencement address at Notre Dame this year, Bishop D'Arcy had this to say:

Concerning President Barack Obama speaking at Notre Dame graduation, receiving honorary law degree
March 24, 2009
On Friday, March 21, Father John Jenkins, CSC, phoned to inform me that President Obama had accepted his invitation to speak to the graduating class at Notre Dame and receive an honorary degree. We spoke shortly before the announcement was made public at the White House press briefing. It was the first time that I had been informed that Notre Dame had issued this invitation.

President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred. While claiming to separate politics from science, he has in fact separated science from ethics and has brought the American government, for the first time in history, into supporting direct destruction of innocent human life.

This will be the 25th Notre Dame graduation during my time as bishop. After much prayer, I have decided not to attend the graduation. I wish no disrespect to our president, I pray for him and wish him well. I have always revered the Office of the Presidency. But a bishop must teach the Catholic faith “in season and out of season,” and he teaches not only by his words — but by his actions.

My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life.

I have in mind also the statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in 2004. “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” Indeed, the measure of any Catholic institution is not only what it stands for, but also what it will not stand for.

I have spoken with Professor Mary Ann Glendon, who is to receive the Laetare Medal. I have known her for many years and hold her in high esteem. We are both teachers, but in different ways. I have encouraged her to accept this award and take the opportunity such an award gives her to teach.

Even as I continue to ponder in prayer these events, which many have found shocking, so must Notre Dame. Indeed, as a Catholic University, Notre Dame must ask itself, if by this decision it has chosen prestige over truth.

Tomorrow, we celebrate as Catholics the moment when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, became a child in the womb of his most holy mother. Let us ask Our Lady to intercede for the university named in her honor, that it may recommit itself to the primacy of truth over prestige.

To me, this man just sounds so sad and disappointed...

h/t to WICatholic

This Interview Sent Shivers Through Me....

2009-03-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

"I was lied to...." That's what kept running through my head over and over again... They are words that former feminist activist, and abortion survivor, Jane Brennan said during her testimony... She was in such a vulnerable position the first time she walked in to an abortion clinic when she was "bombarded" by the "support" of so-called liberated women... The sad result was, loss, anger, emptiness and a freedom she could never find... She was seeking it, she was wanting it, but it seemed to stay just out of her reach... Thank God Jaine DID find freedom, but it wasn't until she broke away from the clutches of feminists like Sanger and her followers... Watch Mike Wallace's interview with Sanger, and read Janies story... The TRUTH should be obvious... h/t to Patrick Madrid.

Obama at Notre Dame...

2009-03-23T18:22:00.001-07:00

I was going to blog about this days ago, when it first came out, but, well, life's been a little crazy... more on that later...

Anyway, pro-lifers have been making their voices heard about the outrage we feel for one of the United States most well known Catholic Universities INVITING the most pro-death politician, who happens to also be our current president, to speak at their commencement address. I, personally have notified and encouraged the alumni that I happen to know and be related to, to speak up, as well, and invite their friends to do the same...

You can catch up with the latest at the Creative Minority Report.

Why Waste a Tantrum...

2009-03-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

I can SO relate to this! lol...

Women Deserve BETTER than Abortion!

2009-03-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

"Abortion strips women of their dignity, and men of their responsibility to women...." Janie is very blessed with her ministry, and she has touched many hearts... God Bless her! It is wonderful to hear from someone that has been there and can touch BOTH sides of the debate. God has showered her with grace and healing in sharing her own story, and in response she will touch many more... I was so touched by her testimony and I encourage you to check out her website, read her book, listen to her CD's and see about having her come to your parish or pro-life event. In her message, she calls on everyone of us to NOT give up our most powerful weapons, prayers and fasting. Do NOT write these women off, but pray for them. Pray FERVENTLY for them, because our prayers do not go in vain. they are POWERFUL and they work. As she gratefully acknowledges, as radical of a feminist that she was, SOMEONE was praying for her....

Also at our banquet we met and heard the music of Catholic singer-song writer Donna Lee. Another beautiful soul with a powerful message for those hurting after abortion.

Giant Bioengineered Crabs...

2009-03-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

I admit that I can sometimes have a weird sense of humor, but, come on!! This is funny! : ) Thanks to that Regular guy, Paul...

Somewhere out there, there's a politician thinking, "ya know?... that's a REALLY GOOD idea!"

"Feminists groups do not care about women.....

2009-03-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

"They care about abortion...." So says my friend and author Jane Brennan. Her latest article in Catholic Online literally brought tears to my eyes... I am so proud of her and all the time, effort and personal sacrifice that she has given this past year in order to bring the TRUTH of abortion forth to people on both sides of the fence. She knows... she's been there.... I am grateful to God for having met her, and calling her my friend.... I'm even MORE thankful that she will be here in my own town, speaking at our local Right to Life Banquet this next Tuesday evening... You can find out how to have Jane come and speak at your parish through her website at Motherhood Interrupted.

I Don't Know if it Can Get Any Dumber Than This...

2009-03-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

And I'm afraid to ask.... "Embryos can't be Fertilized" Read/listen to it for yourself, draw your own conclusions... It would be laughable if it weren't so pathetic... Thanks to Elizabeth for the heads up!

White House Council on Women and Girls...

2009-03-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

A thank you to the girls at Defining Beauty for bringing my attention to the newly created White House Council on Women and Girls. Great, right? I mean, we should feel wonderful that women's health and other "issues" are important enough for our president to create our own council, right?... The council is defined as: (comment mine)

"The White House Council on Women and Girls will ensure that agencies
across the federal government, not just a few offices, take into account the
particular needs and concerns of women and girls. " -as long as they are in
line with their agenda....

A look at the list of attendees is enough to send a shiver down my spine...
The short list of attendees that stood out to me were:

United States Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
United States Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Kim Gandy, NOW
Silvia Henriquez, National Latina Reproductive Health Institute
Nancy Keenan, NARAL
Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality
Ellen Malcolm, Emily's List
Darlene Nipper, Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Laurie Rubiner, Planned Parenthood
Vicki Saporta, National Abortion Federation

Seriously, where are the pro-life women representatives? I mean, if they want what is best for women, and believe that women should have a choice then there should be an option to their agenda right?... So they can make a choice?... In what way does a pro-life option harm women and girls? Why aren't they invited and included in this newly formed "council"?... I'm not fooled... this new council doesn't make me feel better for women's rights at all...

A Day at the Park

2009-03-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Doing our school lessons, I have to admit, is REALLY hard when we have had the BEAUTIFUL weather we have had the last few days... High 60's/low 70's under CLEAR skies... We decided to make a day of it and get away to the park for a couple of hours last Tuesday... We met up with some old friends and their daughter, my little God-daughter : ) and the kids had a blast playing while we BIG people sat and soaked up some sun while chit-chatting....

Jesus in My Home...

2009-03-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

5 And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, he saw him and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down: for this day I must abide in thy house. 6 And he made haste and came down and received him with joy. (Luke 19: 5-6)

Something I am struggling with this lent... Do I see others as Jesus sees them? Am I doing ALL things for God/Jesus? Am I doing all in LOVE?... It is so easy for me to get caught up in to my everyday life. Hubby goes to work and I have my job... There are clothes to wash, kids/babies to feed, dishes to do, lessons to teach, diapers to change and a house that I must at least attempt to keep some amount of order to... It's easy for me to feel taken advantage of... So, I've decided that the trick is really to do as Jesus really taught us to do. See others as HE sees them, and ultimately to treat others as if they were Him (whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me....). and isn't that really all he asks of us?... It isn't always easy, trust me, I know... but put in to practice, it really does help.... for that, I am grateful...

So, if you will excuse me, I'm off to do some of Jesus' laundry and try and decide what I'm going to make Him for dinner this evening... : )

I Just LOVE These Babies...

2009-03-06T16:09:00.000-08:00

The Terri Shiavo Story

2009-03-05T17:45:00.001-08:00

The American Family Association has now released Terri's story on DVD.

Flight 1549 Out of New York...

2009-03-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

Some have referred to it as the Miracle on the Hudson. My husband sent this to me and it's pretty cool to see. It's a computer animation of what took place during the flight coupled with the actual flight recordings. It's really amazing! I have to give mad props to the flight captain as well as the air traffic controllers. They all kept their cool and that, no doubt, was a major factor in the survival of all the passengers. Well, that and a lot of prayers that I'm sure were being sent heavenward from inside the plane!

Petition Against HHS Appointment Sebelius

2009-03-04T16:16:00.000-08:00

I picked this information up from Pro-Life Blogs.

Petition Against HHS Appointment of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (emphasis mine)

President Obama's appointment of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for Health and Human Services Secretary is rock solid proof our new president has no concern for the health of Americans. Rather, Obama's modus operandi has and will continue to be full-scale attack on the personhood of the weak, disabled and preborn. Kathleen Sebelius, Obama's pick to lead the nation's chief agency for health care, has made no secret of her radical support for the abortion movement. Indeed she has praised, defended and treated to dinner at the governor's mansion the notorious Dr. George Tiller - set to stand trial for performing illegal late term abortions.

Sebelius, an alleged Catholic, has been repeatedly rebuked by her archbishop for her pro-abortion work. In fact Archbishop Joseph Naumann has asked Sebelius not to receive Holy Communion in his archdiocese for her flagrant support for the intrinsic evil of abortion.
Appointing Gov. Sebelius to HHS Secretary is like appointing Dr. Jack Kevorkian as Surgeon General. Kathleen Sebelius poses a huge threat
to the health and well-being of every single American, particularly those marginalized by the culture of death.

We the undersigned demand that our Senators, as our elected representatives, reject Obama's recommended appointment of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to Health and Human Services Secretary.

You can sign the petition at the American Life League.

Fr. Frank Pavone on Sebelius nomination

2009-03-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, commented as follows on the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius for Secretary of Health and Human Services (emphasis mine):

"It is not appropriate that an individual who supports abortion occupy
this post. Abortion has nothing to do with health. There is no disease that abortion cures and there is no medical benefit to the procedure. Both Kathleen Sebelius and Barack Obama should know better."

Bear With Me...

2009-03-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

This made me laugh... thanks to my friend Angela for sending it along....

The Photo below captures a disturbing trend beginning to affect U.S. Wildlife...

Formerly self-sufficient animals now show signs of mimicking human behavior too closely. This Montana Black Bear no longer forages for food but waits impatiently for the delivery of a government issued picnic basket - commonly referred to by rangers as a "Bearack stimulus package".

wah-wah-waaaahhhhh.... : )

Doctor Visits for Your Older Children

2009-03-02T12:23:00.001-08:00

I know most of my children are still very small, but my oldest son is soon to be 13 and I have given thought as to what happens at a doctors visit as they grow older.... For my sons, but probably more so for my daughters... ESPECIALLY with the OVERKILL of secular society's push of everything from condoms, to IUD's, to the after math fallout push of meds for herpes of every type to "methods" of "dealing with" unwanted pregnancies... It seems as though it's just so "unusual" to teach kids self esteem and self respect. Abstinence and chastity are STILL options... Even well intentioned Christian and Catholic doctors are clueless as evidenced by this article from Patrick Madrids Blog.... As parents WE are the ones first and foremost to protect and instruct our children and unfortunately we must be vigilant and aware at every turn... and for the record, I don't think I would EVER leave the exam room of my minor child at the request of the doctor... that request would send chills down my spine, and I really like our long time pediatrician....

Demographic Winter

2009-03-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

This movie was brought to my attention by a friend and it really brings to light what so many of these pro-abort politicians don't stop to think about. They are so set on making sure that their own agenda is put in to place do they really think of the long term?.... What is the purpose of saving the planet when we are exterminating ourselves...? And with families so much smaller these days, compared to the family size of say, 30 years ago, are we REALLY in danger of over-population?...

I Was Wondering if it Was Just Me...

2009-03-02T09:16:00.001-08:00

If I was being overly "sensitive", or if this new administration was really going out of it's way to appoint pro-abortion Catholics to office....?

Well, I still don't know if I'm just being overly sensitive, but I at least know that I'm NOT the ONLY one seeing this... From the Catholic League president Bill Donahue:

“Last week, President Obama called Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan to congratulate him on his appointment as the new archbishop of New York, effective
April 15. That was a nice statement. But it didn’t cost him anything. His
appointment of Kathleen Sebelius—one of the most extreme pro-abortion zealots in
the nation—to head HHS was not a nice statement. And it will cost him.

“Catholics do not expect that abortion-rights presidents will go out of their way to choose pro-life Catholics to be in their administration. But they also don’t expect them to go out of their way to offend them. Obama has done just that. As I said last night on the CBS Evening News, ‘She is the champion of abortion rights right through term, and for Obama to choose somebody who sews such division within the Catholic community to head HHS really is an insult to Catholics.’ Indeed, she has been publicly criticized by the last three archbishops of Kansas for her radical views on abortion.

“Sebelius is best friends with Dr. George Tiller, one of the most radical abortion doctors in American history. She has wined and dined him, and has accepted money from him. The fact that he has performed more than 60,000 abortions doesn’t faze her. None of which bodes well given her duties at HHS. Moreover, she has worked against the health-care rights of women: she refused to license abortion clinics in
Kansas. “Sebelius once signed a law that calls for the killer of a pregnant
woman to be charged with two murders. Someone should ask her who the other
person is.”

I feel so sad for these politicians that make a point of making sure everyone knows they are Catholic, but don't take the time or effort to really know or understand their Faith...

In Case You Were Wondering....

2009-03-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

...how Roger Cardinal Mahoney's Religious Ed Conference went this year, Fr. Z can fill you in...

On Friday, February 27, 2009 [NB: There is a
typo on their site indicating "2008", but this is a 2009 chat, from the 2009 Religious Education Congress.] , at 11:15 a.m. PST, ChurchWerks.com hosted an online chat session with Cardinal Mahony, live from the main Exhibit Hall at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Calif.

Ann Scolari: What are your thoughts on the Trindentine mass?
CardinalMahony: Ann: The Tridentine Mass was meant for those who
could not make the transition from Latin to English [or other languages] after the Council. But there is no participation by the people, and I don’t believe that instills the spirit of Christ among us.

It's only a small part, but it gives you an idea of where the Cardinal is coming from when planning the annual event. What's even more amazing to me is that we have a local priest that was in the same seminary class as the Cardinal and he offers the Mass of the Latin Rite every Sunday for our area.... And though I understand that the Latin mass is not for everyone, I RESPECT it as part of our Church's history and I believe that it should be respected and experienced at least once if at all possible.... IF you think about it, When the Latin Mass was all there was, that made our connection to other Catholics, world wide even MORE connected. It didn't matter where you came from or what language you spoke, in Mass, everyone understood.... sort of like the first Pentecost... coincidence?... I think not...

New Chickens!!

2009-03-01T19:30:00.001-08:00

Hubby brought me two new chickens yesterday! : ) Very pretty colorings but I have NO idea what kind they are. And I'm still thinking of some good names... As expected, my other hens aren't too enthused with the new arrivals, but hopefully, in time, they will get used to them... And little Hercules couldn't be prouder! lol!! He was crowing more than ever THIS morning, waking up to a house FULL of hens : ) Yep. I have pets that will make me breakfast every morning! : )

Warning: President Obama is NOT God...

2009-02-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

Denver's Arch Bishop Charles Chaput says it so much better than I ever could!

Chaput, who has written a book on his views, "Render Unto Caesar," noted that even before Obama was elected, he considered the now-president "the most committed 'abortion-rights' presidential candidate … since the Roe v. Wade abortion decision in 1973." He said Obama's campaign "removed any suggestion that killing an unborn child might be a regrettable thing." The result, he said, is that members of the church "owe no leader any submission or cooperation in the pursuit of grave evil." "In fact, we have the duty to change bad laws and resist grave evil in our public life, both by our words and our non-violent
actions," he said. "Second, in democracies, we elect public servants, not
messiahs. It's worth recalling that despite two ugly wars, an unpopular
Republican president, a fractured Republican party, the support of most of the American news media and massively out-spending his opponent, our new president actually trailed in the election polls the week before the economic meltdown."

I'm finding it SO HARD to even WATCH the news past the weather forecast... To read the entire article at World Net Daily go here.

Baby's First Doctor Visit...

2009-02-26T11:41:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday I finally got the baby to a doctor's appointment. You see, I took him in the week after he was born to have him circumcised and then made an appointment for his one month check up. Well, when I went in for the one month, there was a screw up with the insurance, and he had not yet been put on it, so I had to go home, straighten out the insurance mess, but never got around to scheduling him back with the Doctor. Now he is 4 months old and so I figured I better get him down. He really is such a "mellow-jello" baby. Very happy go lucky and easy to take care of. Not fussy-cussy at all, so I just didn't think about taking him to the doctor. Anyway, when we get there, they ask if there are any problems [no] and then tell me that they will just do a "well baby" check up. Sounds good! : )

So could someone PLEASE tell me WHY, when you take a perfectly healthy, happy baby in to see the doctor, they tell you that he's "behind" 10 shots that they say he "needs" and call it a "well baby check up"?... TEN SHOTS!! No exaggeration!! I about fell over! I said, "He's ONLY 4 months old!! What in the world is the necessity of giving him TEN shots?!!" For PETE's SAKE!! The doctor told me about some kind of "roto-virus..." something or other oral immunization. He said that it was the "easiest" to give, because they just put it in his mouth... Well, sorry, Doc, but JUST BECAUSE it's "easy" doesn't mean it's necessary... It wasn't to eliminate the chance of stomach flu, but to keep it from getting to the point of dehydration and hospitalization... Well, since my baby is ONLY breast fed right now, we home school and so is not exposed to the usual "muck" and he is baby #5 and I have NEVER had stomach flu in my house to the extent of hospitalization even being warranted with ANY of my kids, I think I'll pass... sheesh...

It is SO frustrating, because you want to trust your doctor to do what's best for your children to keep them healthy, but gosh! IT seems that every year they ADD to the list of "immunizations" to give children, and I'm sorry, but all that extra "Stuff" put in to an already healthy baby just doesn't seem right... *Sigh* I allowed four of the 10.. for now... and even THAT leaves me feeling a bit of guilt... I honestly don't know too much about these things... Poor baby... He is SO ticklish, there he was laughing and cooing and giggling, as the nurse was rubbing alcohol on his little chubby, thunder-thighs when his face suddenly froze in fear and pain as he felt the "stick"... it's enough to break a mommy's heart.... We're supposed to go back in a month....

Fat Tuesday...

2009-02-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

I have been giving a lot of thought to this up coming Lent... I'm actually looking forward to it.... Life has been so cluttered with LIFE; with kids, with family and finances, with happiness, frustrations, highs and lows... life has just been so cluttered with, well... me...

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. This is the time of year where I put forth that extra effort to put aside my own wants and needs, my SELF and to focus MORE on The only ONE that I need... We will all get up early tomorrow morning to attend early Mass (6:30am) together as a family, before hubby heads off to work and the kids go to their enrichment classes and then the babies I head to my mothers to clean her house. I will try to remain focused on the words spoken as the ashes are placed upon my forehead (Remember Man that thou art dust and to dust you shall return....) Without God in my life, I am NOTHING... I am but a noisy gong, clanging for no one but myself... all of my good "deeds", chores, accomplishments, whatever, should not be done for recognition, or compliments or even appreciation of others, but for the love of God. God sees, hears and knows all that I do, and in what mindset that I do them. God is LOVE and I should do these things out of LOVE for Him!

In whatever state of life I am in, whatever I am doing, wherever I am at, whoever I am with, my quest this lent is to do out of love for God who has given me this life to live in order to Love, honor and serve Him so that I might be with Him forever in the next... Simple, right?... : )

I wish you all a beautiful and faith filled lent. I pray that all who call on Him will draw closer to Him and all that He has to offer us. I pray that Our Blessed Mother be our guide as no one follows Him more closely than she... I pray that I may talk with more kindness, listen with more patience, tell my family "I love you" more often and see others only as God sees them... and when I fall, I pray that I have the strength, grace and courage to rise, take up my cross again, and continue forward... God Bless!

A Mini Vacation

2009-02-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

So, hubby and I decided that we wanted to take advantage of the nice weather predicted for the weekend (low 70's with clear skies) and take an impromptu trip North to the Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum. Now while the weather wasn't as clear as we had thought it would be, there was no rain on Saturday while we were at the zoo (yippee!!) and though we woke to rain on Sunday, the museum was inside, so no harm, no foul : ) We had a great little get away and came home to find FIVE eggs from my chickens! woo hoo! We have 5 hens, so one from each! They must have missed me! : ) Here are some pictures from our adventures! We really had a great time! The first one reminded me of the AT&T commercials that advertise "More bars in more places..." lol...

The only disappointment was not being able to meet up with an old priest friend of ours at Mass on Saturday evening. We learned at the beginning of mass that he had taken suddenly ill and was not able to attend. Being the only priest at his parish, reminded us of the need to continue to pray for more men to hear their calling to the priesthood....

Hubby and I were also reminded that it is important to take advantage of these simple moments with our children. They grow so fast... These pictures show me, especially how my 12, soon to be 13 year old son is going to be out and on his own before we know it, and probably before I'M ready! So I'm thankful we had this opportunity. God is good!

Come What May

2009-02-23T10:24:00.000-08:00

It seems that decent family movies with POSITIVE messages are catching on... Here's another that has been promoted by the makers of Fireproof. It will be available on DVD on March 17th and you can check out the website at Come What May.

h/t Cynthia!

Abortion changes You - website

2009-02-21T07:04:00.000-08:00

There are more victims in the crime of abortion than just the baby. As I've heard abortion survivor Gianna Jessan say (paraphrasing), the baby will be fine. God will take care of the baby.... it's the rest of the people involved that are left behind to face the brutality of what was done. It seems this website has hope, help and healing for all people that have been involved in an abortion; parents and grandparents, siblings and even workers involved. Have a look and pass it on to anyone else that you think might need... God Bless

More on Nancy's Meeting with Papa Benedict

2009-02-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

As expected... apparently, they were at two different meetings...

I just don't get this mindset of love the earth, hug a tree, kiss a whale, but kill your baby... oh, but only in RARE instances, course... the kill your baby, part... sheesh....

Fertilized Eggs Given Human Status

2009-02-18T12:53:00.001-08:00

Just when we thought that maybe everyone was losing their minds... : ) Some good news! H/T to WiCatholic AND her son ; )

North Dakota House Gives Fertilized Eggs Human Status

Nancy Pelosi Meets with Papa Benedict XVI

2009-02-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

I had heard Teresa Tomeo speaking of this meeting this morning on Catholic Radio. Thankfully the Vatican had the foresight to NOT allow pictures of this event... I could just imagine the media spin on that! "House Speaker Explains to Pope Benedict How it IS 'okay' to be Pro-Choice AND Catholic!"....

Anyway, thanks be to Jesus, that we have such a courageous Papa, unafraid to teach TRUTH and Lead us in the way we should go... So far Nancy has ignored words from lay Catholics, Priests and Bishops. I pray that the words of our Holy Father will reach her hardened heart for her own sake and for the sake of all those who look up to her...

My Anniversary/Christmas/Birthday Gift...

2009-02-12T19:12:00.000-08:00

FINALLY!! My husband's made an honest woman of me! lol! Probably 2 years ago as I was getting my kids out of the tub I noticed one of my diamond "chips" missing from my wedding rings. Afraid to lose another I took them off and put them away until I could get them fixed. In the mean time, my husband had quit wearing his a couple of years earlier because his finger had outgrown the band, so I wore it... Well, we have finally gotten ourselves in to a situation to where we could actually afford to have the rings fixed, so last November when I was asked what I wanted for my anniversary, the answer was, "To have my rings fixed!" Then came Christmas, and my birthday and the question and answer was the same... "To have my rings fixed!" We finally took them in to a reputable jeweler a little over 3 weeks ago and got them back today! As beautiful and shiny as the day we exchanged them! : ) My husband is now adjusting to wearing a ring again... the rash should disappear in a couple of days... ; )

The Red Envelope Project

2009-02-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already heard , you know now! The Red Envelope Project has emerged as a terrific (In my opinion...) idea to bring this nations new pro-death administration to the reality of abortion and the taking of innocent human lives. And nothing could be simpler, really... Here's all you have to do:

Get a red envelope (at Kinkos or probably any other office supply store..) or you could even make one of your own! and address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Leave the envelope empty, seal it and on the back write:

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

What a GREAT message! And one of our homeschool projects for today! Myself and each of my children will be sending one.... I hope you feel compelled to do the same! Pass the word along!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2009-02-10T16:03:00.000-08:00

God rest his soul... Dad would have been 85 today... In his memory, I would like to share with you now what I was graced with the opportunity to share with those who came to his funeral 5 + years ago.... Tho it makes me cry, still, it brings a smile to my face as well... Dad knew not to take life too seriously... well... except during baseball season! : ) I love and miss you, Dad! Thank you for all the "Life Lessons" : )

Life Lessons from Dad...

Dad taught me sign language:

If he wanted you to fetch something for him, with a whisk of his finger and a few “tst! tst! tst!” We could run and get what he wanted.

Dad taught me caution:

When teaching me to drive, he knew that was NOT the time to raise his voice....

Dad taught me service:

If someone asked for help, anywhere, anytime, anyway, he was there, almost before you finished asking.

Dad taught me “promptness”:

As we ran through the house trying to finish getting ready for Church, knowing dad had already gone out the back door, and was sitting in the car, waiting...

Dad taught me “choices”:

As you sat at his breakfast table waiting for waffles that may have gotten slightly “overcooked” on one side, he would just ask you “light or dark?”

Dad taught me “seniority”:

When he answered the phone and I would say “hello” he would pause for a moment before he’d say “who is this?” “It’s ME, your favorite!” “Richard?.....here, I’ll let you talk to your mother.” then with his mouth away from the phone “Honey! Richard’s on the phone!”

Dad taught me “ingenuity”:

From machines to motors, gadgets to gizmos, if something quit working, Dad NEVER threw ANYTHING away, before trying to “fix it” first.

Dad taught me “resourcefulness”:

I don’t believe there was anything he couldn’t fix with his power drill, a few bolts, some wood glue or duct tape.

Dad taught me to “appreciate the small things”:

In all our travels back and forth across this country, he made sure to stop, often, so we could “experience” the beauty of the land.

Dad taught me how to be “worry free”:

Whenever he would call to check on us he’d say “well, you need to call and let us know how you’re doing.... you know how your mother worries.....”

Dad taught me his love for music:

With speakers wired in every room of the house, including his garage, it was the first thing he “fixed” in every camper, motor home, or trailer he owned. And contrary to his “gruff” exterior, there were still a few songs that could easily bring a tear to his eye....

Dad taught me unconditional love:

More than once I had to call him with the dreaded news that I had been in a car accident. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?” “No, dad” I would choke through tears. “Where you at? I’ll be right there....” When he saw me he greeted my sobs with a big bear hug and tell me “It’s all right, Emily. Cars can be fixed..... You’re okay. That’s all that matters.....”

Dad taught me “team spirit”:

From my sporting events in grade school, to drill team in highschool, and from swim lessons to sporting events of all his kids and grandkids... dad was ALWAYS there to be our “number one fan”.

Dad taught me “family first”:

No matter the cost to him, dad made sure that we had a good education, going to Church was NOT an option, and family vacations every year. After we were grown, when we came by the house dad would stop what he was doing to visit for awhile, but more often, you would have him stopping by to check on you. Many times, leaving with a grandkid or two..... The kids always loved “grandpa day”. And nothing made dad more happy than to see a house full of “family” that he could make breakfast for.

Dad taught me true love and loyalty:

I don’t think there was EVER a time that dad came home or left that he didn’t greet mom with a kiss. His main concern was to make sure that SHE was happy. There was NEVER a doubt about how much he loved her.

Dad taught me devotion:

He loved a silent retreat or a quiet Church. As loud as he could be, dad had a quiet spirit that he took very seriously. I think, in the quiet, dad felt closest to God......

Dad taught me that a good laugh could last so much longer and feel so much better than crying.

This is a tough one dad..... But I know you are with us still, living in our hearts and our minds, until we meet again. We love you very much, and will miss you, dearly. Thank’s, dad, for all the lessons. When I grow up, I want to be a teacher, just like you.....

Unapologetically Catholic

2009-02-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

A conversation with my sister earlier this weekend got me to thinking about being Catholic and how I got to be where I am with my Catholic faith... I feel so BLESSED to be Catholic. I've always been Catholic... But I haven't always felt "blessed" to be so... there was a time when I was of the opinion that any Christian church or denomination was as good as another. A belief in God was all that mattered... so what changed? My husband was NOT raised Catholic. He was raised in another Christian denomination. And though I didn't think about or did it occur to me to question why he believed the way he did, it DID occur to him to question ME!! lol! I was challenged... Initially, I had nothing to give, other than Catholic was all I knew to be and I did certain things because that's what I was always taught. It never occurred to me to do otherwise... But my husband wasn't going to let me off that easily... imagine that!! ; )

The more he questioned me, the more I questioned myself... I went to Mass every week, why? We said the rosary, why?... we prayed to the saints, why?... we had communion every week and at every mass, why?... we went to confession, why?... why couldn't I just go directly to God?... THAT one was a biggie for me, that I had already been struggling with... It was nothing short of a series of God's miracles and grace that gave me the answers that I/we sought. You see, my husband, although he had gone through RCIA and had been confirmed in to the Catholic Church prior to our marriage, he only attended with me on occasion after we were married. Things really started to heat up for us and our differences in religious beliefs when our children came in to the picture. It started with a book called Catholicism and Fundamentalism that my husband had bought from a passing through missionary that had come to our parish one year. He bought the book and then put it aside, unread... I picked it up and flew through the pages, unable to put it down. From that I went to other apologetic books by Scott Hahn, Matthew Pinto, Stephen Ray, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Tim Staples, and others... we began attending the Catholic Family Conference, then being held in Long Beach CA., and listening to speakers of the same names, and our hearts were grabbed...

While I can't say that my husband and I took the same journey, at the same time, we were both given the opportunity and grace to find our way to the same conclusion... We have found the Truth in the Church founded by Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church. the Church is Holy, True and ONE, as Jesus and His Father are ONE. God did not intend for us to be scattered and split on differences of translations or leaders or rights, or traditions. When investigated and studied with an open mind and heart, the Catholic Church is a tapestry, intricately woven together with SUCH precision that only God Himself could have possibly designed it. So strong that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it. The Catholic Church existed before the Bible and it is the Church that preserved the Bible, the written word of God. And though a person, in the course of his own personal study and meditation may interpret certain scriptures as they apply to his own life, the deeper meanings of the scriptures in whole can be entrusted to the Church to teach and lead us to a deeper understanding and love of Christ and His Church.

My intention was not to make this an apologetic blog... It has just been my observation that while other Christians seem to have no problem sharing their beliefs, whether I agree with them or not... there seem to be many Catholics that feel that they have to "dumb down" our Faith in order to not offend others that may not believe as we do... why? From my own experiences, even our local Catholic schools want to tone things down, since not all of their students are necessarily Catholic... excuse me, but WHY?... Catholic parents are paying GOOD MONEY for their children to receive a CATHOLIC education at a CATHOLIC school, not just a "private" one... We have private Christian schools in town as well, and I guarantee that those teachers and staff aren't going to hold back any of THEIR teachings, whether they offend a Catholic or not... They are not going to tip toe around "sensitive" subjects at the risk of offending anyone that doesn't believe the same as they do....

I believe that even though it was sometimes very painful, it was BECAUSE my husband and I disagreed on some matters of faith, that it was a challenge and a blessing for me to take the opportunity to learn MORE.. to understand BETTER... I feel it would have been much easier to remain complacent had I not been challenged... I think it may be why so many cradle Catholics don't really know their Faith.... They may stay out of habit or obligation, feeling as I did, that one church is just as good as another, or they may stop practicing altogether or end up leaving for another church...

I am unapologetically Catholic. I believe in ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC and APOSTOLIC Church. I believe that that which I have been blessed with in discovering through my journey of Faith is truly my key to obtain heaven. Note that I am in no way saying that I am assured heaven because I am Catholic... That decision is left up to God in my final judgement as it is for all of us. But I DO believe that the more that I learn about my Catholic Faith and understand and put in to practice that which the Church teaches, the closer I will become to God our Father. The first thing that we are taught as Catholics is WHY did God create us? To know, love and serve Him in THIS life, so that we may be with Him FOREVER in the next.... And He has given us the gift of His Sacraments where I can truly encounter Him body, blood, soul and divinity each and every day... So that we are ONE as HE and His heavenly Father are ONE... How AWESOME is THAT?? Nope... no apologies here.....

An Awesome Kid!

2009-02-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

and one of my FAVORITE teenagers, is my nephew... Home schooled his entire life began high school this year at the local Catholic High School. Not only has he done a FANTASTIC job with his classes and adjusting to the routine of actually GOING to a school and a schedule of going from class to class, but he has also made the varsity swim team! WooHoo!! I'm in awe of how they even get in to a pool at all at this time of year! : ) It's COLD out there!! I'm just so darn proud!

I'm Really NOT an Irrational Person...

2009-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

I took my nine year old son to the dentist today. I admit that it's been about 2 1/2 years since we've last gone... We had a change in insurance and I've had two babies, so I just hadn't had the chance to sit and make dentist appointments... Well, hubby has been having his teeth worked on and has had nothing but praise for his dentist and has since made appointments for myself and our oldest son. I figured the easiest way to handle this was two at a time, so after we were done, than we would work with the next two youngest... unfortunately, my younger son was having some tooth ache issues, so we ended up making an appointment for him to get in today. I got a babysitter and off we went.

Now mind you, my son is 9 and has never experienced "the shot" from the dentist before... last time he had work done, it was under the influence of the "silly juice"... and being his first visit to this doctor I wasn't sure what exactly they would do. After waiting over an hour in the office, they finally call him back for x-rays. A few minutes later the assistant comes out to tell me that they need to extract a tooth that is falling apart and that is what is causing the pain. I tell her that he has never had the shot before, but it would have to be done, so okay... "sign here" and I did and she never said another word but went back to the back again. A little bit later I hear my son crying and look down the hall only to see him come out holding the side of his face and crying. They tell me that he will have to be referred to the specialist that gives "the juice" but the insurance won't cover it because he's over 7... huh?... OR I could make another appointment to meet with their other dentist, but he only comes in on Wednesday's and he would still give the "shot" but he works more with kids... Well, Wednesday's happen to be our "nightmare" days, where we are pretty much gone from morning to night...

To say the least I was little annoyed... no explanation, other than my son wouldn't cooperate and they couldn't do it... Now, I realize that a lot of people don't "get" home school mom's. A lot may assume that because we are HOME all day, we MUST sit around eating Bonn-bons watching soap opera's and have all the time in the world to drop everything for appointments! Anyway, I told them that I would have to call back after I got home... we left, nothing accomplished, thank you very much...

So on the way home I ask my son, "What happened? What did you tell them?" Thinking he must have had some tantrum breakdown for the operation to shut down so quickly and without explanation... he said, "I told them I didn't like shots..." well, duh... I don't like shots!!

So I get home and call the dentist to see if I can find ANYTHING else out... I don't know who I spoke with... the first girl answered the phone and I tried to remain calm as I explained to her that it was frustrating for me, because I had 5 kids and don't have a babysitter at my disposal for endless appointments... I wish that someone could have explained to me what the problem was when we were still there and at least given me the chance to TALK to my son and calm him down and MAYBE we could have tried again... but no one even offered that... she said, "well, he's nine, and he's had dental work done before..."

"Yes!" I told her, "But it was a couple of years ago and he was able to take the juice! This was his first experience with the shot, and he just wasn't prepared. He understands NOW that there is not an option, but from what I understand, this doctor doesn't even want to try with him anymore and the other doctor, he couldn't see him for another 2 weeks and you're telling me that this needs to be done soon..."

"well, do you want to come back?..." Upon further inquiring, according to the assistant my son started crying and said he didn't like shots... so the doctor asked him if he wanted to leave and my son nodded, and they let him leave... I almost lost it! I said, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! He is NINE... He is in a new office, with NEW faces, a NEW experience that isn't the most pleasant, and a doctor hovering over him with a needle asking him if he wants to leave... for Pete's sake, I would want to leave!!" She laughed... I'm really not trying to be unreasonable... And I'm not the kind of mother that will baby my kids through normal "life" things, like having to go to the dentist and dealing with "shots"... his having to get the shot wasn't the problem... all kids have to go through their first, at some point... he just wasn't prepared, because I wasn't sure WHAT to prepare him for... if they had JUST given me 15 minutes to talk with him... calm him down and explain what was going to happen and why, we'd be done by now... She said "well, WE told him what was going to happen..."

"You aren't his mom... I'm sorry, but to him, you are a stranger..." After I hung up my son told me that after he said that he didn't like shots, what they told him was he needed to be good or they were going to have to tie him up... yeah... that'll calm his nerves... sheesh... I called my husband and told him that HE could call and talk with them... They were probably hoping that I would just go somewhere else...

So, Hubby called, and they said that they were just looking up his number to call him... They didn't want him mad at them... Apparently he convinced them that they should give our son another chance and he would take him back down there himself and sit with him... they never even gave me the chance... When I heard him crying and got up to look down the hall, they told me I could go back to him, but he was already on his way out, and you know the rest of the story... I'm not sure that I'm happy with the decision to go back, but I don't want my son's mouth in pain any longer... so off they went... My oldest Son and I are supposed to go in to the same office a week from Monday... should I keep that appointment?...Perhaps they're hoping I won't...

Hundreds Attend Global Warming Protest...

2009-02-05T07:53:00.001-08:00

Spring Is In The Air!

2009-02-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

Or is it JUST my wishful thinking?...

Well, we have had such beautiful spring weather these past couple of weeks and my hens have been laying! yippee!! Even my little banty hen has done her part... : ) okay, so it takes two or three of her little eggs to make up for one regular size egg... The kids just want her to hatch a couple of them out! : ) Maybe come Spring... It's still too cold right now, and the weather is already predicted to turn cold again in the next few days.... Hercules is "the MAN" and struts around like it's all about him... it's SO funny! He's so gold and fluffy I HAD to give him a "manly" name... : ) Now if he can just continue to "inspire" the rest of the flock to produce we'll be set!

America Speaks, Will President Barack Listen?...

2009-02-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

It seems that in the latest Gallup polls asking the American people about funding overseas abortions a whopping 65% are against it. Catholic League president Bill Donohue is doing what he can to make sure that Congress is aware of this... I keep hoping and PRAYING that President Barack will LISTEN to the MAJORITY and STOP letting the extremists tickle his ears with this culture of death rhetoric...

A Conversation With My Son

2009-02-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

My oldest son (12) approached me today and asked what embryonic stem cell research was... So I did my best to explain how even though the media and general public want to try and convince us that it is something "good", as intelligent human beings we have to consider carefully what exactly it is and WHY the Church teaches us that embryonic stem cell research is WRONG. There has been lots of success with ADULT Stem Cell and Cord Stem Cell research that the media and general public don't want to talk about. Options that have been successful that don't require the taking of another human life. But because some still think it's okay and a "choice" to kill a pre-born baby, they want to try and somehow ease their consciences by saying that this makes it "good"...

"Son, it is NEVER good to save a life, if it means taking another. We never want anyone to try and convince us that the taking of an innocent human life is "good". It's not..."

His response, "Mom... whoever it is that is sick or hurt and wants to be fixed with embryonic stem cells... well, they've had a chance to live.... a little or a lot... they have had a chance at a life... an aborted baby never even gets a chance..."

sheesh... kids GET this... I pray that he and the rest of our future generations will continue to get it... it is our hope... It does make me sad, though.... That we even have to have such conversations...

The Lovey Award

2009-01-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

My new friend Lana, at Knit and Pray has given me the Lovey Award : ) thank you so much! And now that I have received this wonderful gift, it is my job to pass it on... So here's the rules:

The Lovey Award:
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find
and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that
when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.
Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight
bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into
the body of their award.”

So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorite blog friends:

WICatholic Musings
Sarah's Journal
The Exspresso Catholic Mom
Linda at Don't Poke the Baby
Suzi the Catholic Yankee in Texas
Rebecca the Catholic in Film School
JP the Catholic Canuk and
Melissa the Almost Catholic Momma

BIG Surprise Here...

2009-01-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

I had caught a blurb at Fr. Z's yesterday that some were trying to get the recent pro-life commercial from CatholicVote.com aired during the Superbowl. How COOL THAT would be, huh?... anyway, apparently they DID try and, well, as we might have guessed....

It's Not About Me Anymore...

2009-01-29T10:24:00.000-08:00

Something that I have been told, thought about, and have heard time and again and even repeated... When you have children, it's not about YOU anymore. Many anti-lifers will refer to those who have children as being selfish by putting so much strain on the environment etc... whatever... The truth is, when you have children it is hard to remain selfish. Children require that you give them pretty much every part of your time, attention and being in order to remain happy, healthy and alive...

Sometimes I find myself in a fog, or a funk... wondering where am I?... WHO am I?... I have been lost in the sea of "wife and mother"... But Jesus gave/gives me EVERYTHING in order to be reconciled with His Father and have salvation. In like fashion, Mary, His mother, OUR mother did for him and then GAVE Him (EVERYTHING she had) BACK to God her Father, in order for her spiritual children (that's us!) to be reconciled and have Salvation... It's not about me, anymore...

Such a contrast to societies thinking of today... I ran in to an old acquaintance at the grocery store a couple of nights ago... I say acquaintance... He is actually someone that I had butted heads with on more than one occasion... But, I hadn't seen or spoken with him in probably 6 years or more and simply smiled, and said "hi! how are you?" He, apparently wasn't as happy to see me, from the startled look on his face : ) Anyway! He managed a smile and shook my hand with a forced something about "letting bygones be bygones" and "time heals all wounds" before he asked if I was working, to which I said that I stay at home with our now 5 kids..." It was kind of funny how his face fell... then he stumbled out, "oh....... good?..." to which I laughed and said, "yes. It's good!" He said, "Well, then, good for you... if you say so... better you than me...." : ) But his reaction is SOCIETY'S typical reaction!!

By society's standards, our family of 5 plus two parents is a BIG family, even though there are some that have more, including the Duggers, they are far and few between... Just last night in my daughters First Communion CCD class I was speaking with another mom who has two boys telling another gal that she is past 30 and doesn't want any more children. I laughed when I said I was 43 and just had #5. She shook her head and said, "nope. no more for me... two's enough..." I tried to explain that two WAS hard, but three and four were no big deal... you have your mothering routine down pretty good by then... : )

How corrupt society has become when children are no longer seen as a blessing but a burden... and it's not this particular gal's fault, really... not completely... she is only repeating what she's heard, even, sadly, from a lot of Catholics... "2's enough, 3 is pushing it... global warming, hug a tree, kiss your dog but those kids... those kids you need to keep under control and if that means controlling how many, well... we have a WHOLE PLETHORA of solutions for you!! We got your pills, we got your devices of various sorts, we got your creams and concoctions, we got your abortion on demand, we got your tubal ligation's and vasectomies! What's your pleasure ?..." are you KIDDING me?! What's pleasurable about trying to fix something that ain't broke?! Fertility is NOT bad in any other sense... What would a tree-hugger do with in-fertile ground? or the animal lovers do with in-fertile animals?... What would we eat? or wear? or sleep on?... Yet if we continue to wipe out our own kind, our own species, be it through abortion or pills or contraceptives a-plenty, what or who are we saving the planet for?...

THIS is the backward thinking of our world today... A world where environment is placed at a higher place of importance than a person.... Where we are asked to "change the world" and "make it a better place" by exterminating ourselves.... Think it won't happen?... In the first few days of our New Presidency our Commander in Chief, under the cover of darkness has already rescinded the Mexico City Policy, forcing taxpayers to pay for that which many find morally abhorrent. Our country's House Speaker is saying that contraception is the answer to our current economy crisis... and NOW President Obama is looking forward to restoring financial support to the UN Population Fund. The latest is the scariest so far, when you consider that there are actually countries that exist in this world where women are FORCED to not only abort but to have contraceptive devices inserted against their will in order to control population growth... all funded through the "UN Population Fund".... again, our tax dollars at work...

God help us... I'm 43 years old and my child bearing years are coming to a close... but what about my daughters? What about YOUR daughters?... What is the future of their families?... What happens when they are not only told that they can have no more than one or two children but when they can have them? what happens when contraception gets SO out of hand (I know... like it hasn't already...) that infertility is the norm?... The inventor of The Pill is regretful now, when will the rest of the world wake up? We have to be willing to do what we can NOW giving EVERYTHING we can in order to make a safer world for their future.... It's just not about us anymore...

Who'da Thunk?...

2009-01-28T22:01:00.000-08:00

It was a year ago, January 25, that I, encouraged by friends, decided to start my own blog... gosh it's been fun! : ) Not to mention therapeutic, in many ways... And I see that today I passed the 4000 mark on my blog counter! Who'da thunk? That this 43 year old stay-at-home-homeschooling mommy of 5 would ever have her life be of interest to others around the globe, that many times??.. From Sri Lanka, to Japan, the Philippines, Germany, India, Ireland, England, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and across this nation from coast to coast... It's been a great ride! Thanks for joining me! Please come, again! : )

Fireproof is out Today!

2009-01-27T14:03:00.001-08:00

If you're like me and getting out to the movies is a rare event... Fireproof is one movie I have been anxiously awaiting release on DVD. Hubby pre-purchased it at our local Christian bookstore before Christmas and will go pick it up on his way home from work! I'm so excited! It's been so cold out today, it will be a good evening to just curl up and watch a good movie together : )

That Anaheim "Religious Education" Congress, again...

2009-01-26T19:01:00.000-08:00

It's THAT time of year again! Begining February 26, to be exact.... Now if there is anything that I am "thankful" for, as far as this conference is concerned, I'm thankful that it is no longer called the Catholic Religious Education Conference... They have long since dropped the "Catholic", thank you, Jesus, for small favors...

And returning again for this years line up is Richard Rohr... yippee... Apparently he still considers himself a Catholic priest, though I don't see why ...? I suppose even after Roger Cardinal Mahoney is no longer around, the conference will continue... it seems to have gathered a life of it's own... like a festering wound... The descriptions in the article are nothing short of spot on and have been this way for years.... I haven't personally attended a conference myself in 13 years and the leotard wearing, gyrating dancers were there, then. Not to mention the talks by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, discussing everything from A to Zen... The last year that my husband and I went, I remember struggling through the conference handbook trying to decipher some actual "Catholic" speakers that wouldn't be completely heretical...

The really frustrating part for me is HOW MUCH this conference is STILL encouraged by our own local clergy, as three of the larger parishes in town still send their catechists to Anaheim in droves to "refuel" with "spirituality".... It's kind of funny, really, when one will come up to me literally "gushing" about their "wonderful" experiences at the weekend and my husband and kids run and duck for cover! lol!! They KNOW what's comin'! : )

Jack-Catholic, Case In Point...

2009-01-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

Pelosi: Birth control will boost economy Argues fewer people stimulates economy by cutting cost to state, federal government

When are some of these politicians going to be willing to take a cut in their own pay to help the economy?... No, I suppose that's up to the mid and lower class people to stop having so many children!

Nancy could only HELP herself by taking some time to learn and know her own Catholic faith... Too many children aren't the problem... God really did have the perfect plan in mind when He told Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply".... Who is going to be around to support future aging generations? But, then, I guess that's where euthanasia comes in... giving "peaceful death" to those who are no longer "productive"... such a slippery slope....

Will These People EVER Get It?..

2009-01-26T10:55:00.000-08:00

Have the Catholics in America reached a NEW low?... That they are actually giving STANDING OVATIONS for the then soon-to-be Vice President after receiving HOLY Communion??!! When a parish becomes more focused on who is receiving communion rather that WHO they are RECEIVING, me thinks that some MAJOR catechising needs to be going on... It's so very sad... It's no wonder that jack-Catholics in politics are so confused, and continue to spread their confusion at epidemic proportions... God help us...

Washington D.C. March for Life 2009

2009-01-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures that I borrowed from my friend and editor, Sarah, who made it to the March for Life this last Thursday. Feeling disappointed in the SEVERE LACK of media coverage AGAIN this year, she was more than happy to allow me to share these here. Her comments from the event were on the tens of thousands of people, including Italy, France and Germany making their presence known.... Lastly, she was able to catch a glimpse and a picture of our mutual friend and author Jane Brennan, part of the Silent No More group, as she spoke in front of the Supreme Courthouse after her first attendance to the March of Life in Washington D.C.

I think most of the pictures speak for themselves, so I'll leave it at that. Enjoy!

A Giant of a Man - Nick Vujicic

2009-01-25T17:17:00.000-08:00

People such as this are wonderful reminders that we should NEVER give up or lose hope! God is good, and it is our job to find Him wherever we are in life and introduce Him to others so that they too can be inspired and have hope...

Reason Number 4,984,974 Why I Homeschool...

2009-01-23T20:00:00.000-08:00

And if you DON'T homeschool, be sure to check your child's homework BEFORE they turn it in! : )

(Here's the reply the teacher received the following day)

Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever
been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how
hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out
every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that
several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture
doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling
the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot. From now on I will remember to check
her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in. Sincerely,Mrs. Smith

In The Cover of Darkness...

2009-01-23T14:10:00.001-08:00

WHY do you suppose that the man that has been BASKING in the media spot light... and the media predictably pursuing his every move from sun up to sun down... WHY do you suppose that he signed The Mexico City Policy "quietly and without coverage by the media"...? Did he think we wouldn't find out?... Or do you think he's just trying to block out that small spark of a conscience that he may still have....?