On Being A Christian

I went to Mass today and the First reading was from the Acts of the Apostles, where, at Antioch they were first called "Christians". (Acts 11:19-26). And Father's sermon was about what it meant exactly to be a Christian. And he brought up a pet peeve of mine when I hear a Catholic say "I'm not Christian, I'm Catholic". I always want to do a facepalm at that. But the point that most struck me is how Christianity is not a "closed" group. We want everyone to be a Christian! We want everyone to share in the Joy of following Jesus Christ. We want everyone to go to Heaven. It made me think more about spreading the "Good News" rather than the sourpuss, exclusive, us vs them (you know, sinners) attitude that I myself have found myself harboring.

 John answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who followeth not us: and we forbade him.  But Jesus said: Do not forbid him. For there is no man that doth a miracle in my name and can soon speak ill of me.  For he that is not against you is for you. Mark 9:38-40 DRV

And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned. Mark 16:15-16 DRV

frustration

Trying to set up my blog dedicated the to Holy Souls in Purgatory but nothing seems to be going right. I can't come up with a title; I don't care for the templates that are available. They're too "jaunty" or so dark you cant read the text.. Argh. More rants to come. Had an idea.

New Blogs

I'm creating two new blogs dedicated to one cause each. First "The Rosary Blog" the other is dedicated to the Holy Souls. I may transfer a lot of the info I have on this blog to that one. I was sitting here thinking(!) and realized that the Rosary needs it's own page too. This might be a long, tedious process but I like tedious as long as there is something good out of it!     

"Help the Holy Souls"

I'm adding some pages I call "Help the Holy Souls". These are prayers, or pictures or instructions on how to help the Suffering Souls in Purgatory. I've always felt a devotion to them but lately I feel an urgent need to spread the word about  them and to help them as much as possible lately; most likely because of my mom dying. My mom wasn't Catholic or religious at all really; but I pray with confidence she will enter into the Glory of Heaven if only I pray long and hard enough and for ALL the Holy Souls.

UK Officials Mock Pope in Memo

I came acrosss this piece via Spiritdaily. As if we need even more reasons to Pray for the Holy Father. My comments are in green, bolds are mine as usual and I'm probably not going to quote the whole thing anyway. Read the full article here.

The astonishing proposals, leaked to The Sunday Telegraph, were contained in secret papers drawn up earlier this month by civil servants following a 'brainstorm’.
The ideas, included in a memo headed 'The ideal visit would see ...’, ridiculed the Catholic Church’s teachings including its opposition to abortion, homosexual behaviour and contraception. Many appeared to be deliberately provocative rather than a serious attempt to plan an itinerary for the September visit.(Okay, SSDD what else?)

The proposals, which were then circulated among key officials in Downing Street and Whitehall, also include the Pope opening an abortion ward; (sick) spending the night in a council flat in Bradford; ( I don't think this would phase the Pope one bit actually) doing forward rolls with children to promote healthy living; and even performing a duet with the Queen.(that might actually be cool. Pope Benedict is an excellent pianist.)

...snip...

Recipients of the memo were furious at its content and an investigation was launched. One senior official was found responsible and has been transferred to other duties.  ( Nobody, I mean NOBODY ever gets sacked in the UK unless it's some poor working class person who only made an honest mistake, like, dropping a tenner and getting a fine for 50 quid.)

“The individual responsible has been transferred to other duties. He has been told orally and in writing that this was a serious error of judgement and has accepted this view. (oooooh, that will learn him!)

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “This is clearly a foolish document that does not in any way reflect UK Government or Foreign Office policy or views. Many of the ideas in the document are clearly ill-judged, naive and disrespectful. (Well, it's certainly the views of someone in the UK gov't and Foreign Office, otherwise it wouldn't have been written!)

snip

There is understood to be increasing unease at the Vatican over the level of hostility that the Pope is likely to face in Britain, with protests and even threats of arrest from secularists. The disclosure of the secret proposals is bound to deepen concerns and cause dismay among the country’s four million Catholics.(Gee, ya think?)

Prayer for Pope Bendict XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. Amen.

V. Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
R. May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V. May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R. And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Patriots

I was going to write something in here yesterday about something political.. oh I remember! The Southern Poverty Law Center had "identified" 40 "patriots" who they think some "patriots" should be "watched". First off: their definition of "patriot" is: "people who generally believe that the federal government is an evil entity that is engaged in a secret conspiracy to impose martial law, herd those who resist into concentration camps, and force the United States into a socialistic 'New World Order.'"  The SPLC also considers "traditional Catholicism" as at "hate group" including, but not limited to the Fatima Crusade and Catholic Family News, and The Remnant! **insert eyeroll here*

Glenn Beck tops the list, natch. WND's Joseph Farah also makes the list and has this to say:

WND Editor Joseph Farah is described as "a leading fomenter [sic] of the baseless claim that President Obama was not born in Hawaii, but in Africa, and so is not qualified to be president." It also says he could not be reached for comment.
"Could not be reached for comment?" asked Farah in a response column. "Let me state unequivocally and for the record, the gutless, little cowards at the Southern Poverty Law Center with their $300 million annual budget never had the courage to call me, leave a message or send an e-mail! I would have been amused to answer the accusations of [SPLC Founder Morris] Dees or one of his little minions. Anyone who knows me understands how much I like to mix it up with those who disagree with me. Could not be reached for comment, indeed. Larceny and cowardice are the trademarks of Dees and company.

The full list of these eeeeeeeeeeeevil patriots can be found here For some reason I didn't make the list. Oh well.

Stuff

My dad has the daunting task of , eventually clearing out my mother's earthly possessions. The day before she died she had gone shopping and my dad gave me some of the food in the fridge because he wasn't going to eat it. He gave me some other stuff too that was what my mom would consume. I saw 5 bottles of Tonic Water in the cupboard; they were probably on sale and she stocked up. This made me think of all the things I "save" so I don't run out. Like lotion or shampoo or toothpaste. I'll never finish that last bit up "just in case" In case of what? I don't know. but my mom never got a chance to finish reading her book or to make a sandwich wrap.
So, what does this mean? I decided to use up things instead of having them laying around. This doesn't mean I'm going to be wasteful but, if I bought it, I'll use it. I'm especially bad at saving make-up. I have tons and tons of make-up, 1/2 full 1/3 full, unopened, or a microscopic amount.

Random Thoughts and Musings Part 1

Laying in bed for over an hour and couldn't get anywhere near sleep. I had a lot of thoughts and themes going through my head and thought I would bless you all (!) with them. The first subject is about time. *WARNING: THESE MAY BE RAMBLING AND DISJOINTED AND MAY NOT MAKE MUCH SENSE IN THE LONG RUN*

TIME

"Time is fleeting" Thus begins the iconic "Time Warp" from Rocky Horror Picture Show. A pithy saying that, for someone my age really has lost any meaning. We never think of those lost minutes, hours, days, weeks and years that slip by so stealthily. What I wouldn't give to have another 5 minutes with my mother, to hug her and tell her how much I love her and that she was a good mom and to apologize for all the shit I put her through. What would I do if I could have a whole day or week? I'd make sure I'd get her recipe for potato salad and ask her important questions about finances and get her family history and make every second count.
I am a master at wasting time. If I'm not wasting it on teh interwebs then I'm wasting it sleeping when I should be doing something constructive and meaningful: spending as much time with my children as possible, keeping a tidy and organized home, giving my children instructions that they will need to be productive (unlike me), and appreciating all that the love of my life, my finance, does for me and how much he loves me and try, at least in part, to return some of that back to him; to give God the due Worship He deserves and to thank Him for giving me this very second in which to tell Him I love him and of my gratitude. God doesn't owe us the next minute or even the next second. Every moment is a gift from Him. He has given it to us to do with it what we will, with our own free will. Once it's gone, it's gone forever, and we can never get that moment back. Our days are so full of things that, in the end, don't really matter. Which, sort of leads me to the subject of "stuff".

So much crap

There is so much negative garbage in the news today, I haven't the mental energy to deal with it all. My mother's Memorial Service is on Saturday. Yesterday I spent 4 hours with my aunt and uncle looking at old photos and videos. I was in a fairly good mood until I went to lay down for bed and the enormity of the loss hit me like a truck. And since then I've been in a funk and down in the depths of sadness, missing my mother terribly. My only consolation is prayer, for thanks be to God I'm not in a state of dryness and confusion. I've been praying the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet for the repose of her soul. I've been reading good religious books. I've remained in a state of grace in order to do these things. But on the flip-side, this alienates my Jewish finance and he's pulling away -emotionally and physically- from me at the one time I need him the most.

Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Benedict XVI

The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is preparing to send a spiritual bouquet to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. Via an online form, the faithful may contribute to this bouquet, along with others throughout the world, which will be presented directly to His Holiness.

All are invited to contribute Holy Masses, Rosaries, novenas, Holy Hours, or works of charity for our Holy Father at a time in which he is being unjustly attacked.

The Institute is especially encouraging prayers and sacrifices during a special Novena (PDF) beginning on Saturday, April 24, the 5th anniversary of the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI, through May 2, which is the first Sunday of the month of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Spiritual Bouquet Form »

Amid the anti-Catholic sentiment in the media of today, please express your fidelity to the Vicar of Christ on earth in this hour when he is unjustly attacked. Pray for our beloved Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, that God may continue to grant him an abundance of spiritual wisdom and strength to guide the Barque of Peter through the difficult waters of our times.

Desiring to show our filial support and gratitude to our Holy Father, the Institute of Christ the King wishes to offer an abundant spiritual bouquet to His Holiness. Your prayers are needed! To participate in this spiritual bouquet, please use our online form below. Simply indicate the number and types of prayers you wish to offer. This spiritual bouquet will then be presented directly to His Holiness.

Novena for the Pope Day 3

PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth,

give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit

of courage and right judgment, a spirit

of knowledge and love. By governing

with fidelity those entrusted to his care,

may he, as successor to the Apostle

Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your

Church into a sacrament of unity, love

and peace for all the world. Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.

R/ May the Lord preserve him,

give him a long life,

make him blessed upon the earth,

and not hand him over

to the power of his enemies.

V/ May your hand

be upon your holy servant.

R/ And upon your son,

whom you have anointed.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

St Justin, martyr

via Father Zuhlsdorf:


There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to genoito [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion. And this food is called among us Euxaristia, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, "This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body; "and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood; "and gave it to them alone.

First Apology 65-66

Novena for the Pope Day 2

Day 2 of the Novena for the Holy Father!

PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth,

give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit

of courage and right judgment, a spirit

of knowledge and love. By governing

with fidelity those entrusted to his care,

may he, as successor to the Apostle

Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your

Church into a sacrament of unity, love

and peace for all the world. Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.

R/ May the Lord preserve him,

give him a long life,

make him blessed upon the earth,

and not hand him over

to the power of his enemies.

V/ May your hand

be upon your holy servant.

R/ And upon your son,

whom you have anointed.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Novena for the Holy Father

I just found this from the website Catholic Dads about a Novena for the Holy Father:

The Knights of Columbus are encouraging everyone in the Church to pray a novena for the Holy Father starting today, Divine Mercy Sunday, and continuing through December 19th, the anniversary of his election to the Chair of St. Peter.

This novena is especially needed. In reviewing the news articles and the astounding poor quality of the journalism involved, it is safe to say that the ongoing attacks against the Holy Father have nothing to do with with finding justice and truth. The intent is to weaken the Holy Father and the Church; to weaken our faith. The attacks are against us faithful Catholics and our devotion to the Risen Lord and his Church here on earth. (emphasis mine)

I'm glad I'm finding these things. The website for the Novena is here (make sure to watch the video too). I see the novena cards are in the evil PDF format, so I will simply write out the text here. If you can, print these out and give them to your Catholic (and non-Catholic friends).

PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit
of courage and right judgment, a spirit
of knowledge and love. By governing
with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he, as successor to the Apostle
Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your
Church into a sacrament of unity, love
and peace for all the world. Amen.
V: Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
R: May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.
V: May your hand
be upon your holy servant.
R: And upon your son,
whom you have anointed.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

In Solidarity With Our Holy Father

The Time to Pray is NOW

With all these recent attacks on Holy Catholic Church, and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, it has occured to me that Satan is unleashing his fury in an onslaught, a pummeling. Prayer is the best weapon against these attacks of Satan and his minions (in this case, the mainstream media). Gossip is being written as fact; accusations are being asserted has been proven already with out any sort of fact checking or- God-forbid, any actually investigative journalism. The Holy Father is being smeared constantly with lies and intentionally misleading information. I cannot sit by at let this happen. PRAY FOR THE POPE AND FOR HOLY MOTHER CHURCH!

Saint Michael, For Protection of the Church

O glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of this Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained, guard with especial care her august Head, and obtain that for him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive. O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the demon, assist us especially at the hour of death; obtain for us a favorable judgment, and the happiness of beholding God face to face for endless ages. Amen.

Prayer to Defeat the Work of Satan

O Divine Eternal Father, in union with your Divine Son and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg You to destroy the Power of your greatest enemy -- the evil spirits.

Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell and chain them there forever! Take possession of your Kingdom which You have created and which is rightfully yours.

Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

I repeat this prayer out of pure love for You with every beat of my heart and with every breath I take.

Amen.

Richard Dawkins wants to arrest the Pope

Here's some "news". Rabid atheist Richard "Dick" Dawkins wants to arrest the Pope when the Holy Father visits the UK this fall.

From the Times Online UK:

RICHARD DAWKINS, the atheist campaigner, is planning a legal ambush to have the Pope arrested during his state visit to Britain “for crimes against humanity”.

Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, the atheist author, have asked human rights lawyers to produce a case for charging Pope Benedict XVI over his alleged cover-up of sexual abuse in the Catholic church.

The pair believe they can exploit the same legal principle used to arrest Augusto Pinochet, the late Chilean dictator, when he visited Britain in 1998.

One word: yawn. Usually stuff like this makes me mad. This time it's just makes me feel sorry for Mr Dawkins and Mr Hitchens. What poor lonely black souls they must have.

Divine Mercy Sunday Part Deux

Our Lord to Saint Faustina:

Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you ... Whoever shall recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death ... When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior ... Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire to grand unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy ... through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.

. (Diary 687, 1541, 1731)

HOW TO PRAY THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades.

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.

2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).

4. Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

For more information about the Divine Mercy Chaplet or Image, visit the Marians of the Immaculate Conception

On a more personal note, I did attend Mass and received Communion. On Saturday I went to Confession. I feel like what I can only describe as "Xanax for the soul". I feel peaceful, calm and quiet and reflective.

Happy Birthday Papa

Today was my father's 73rd birthday. It was subdued yet strangely calm and non-stressful. There were some very sad moments for me and my dad; it was the first birthday of a long line of birthdays, holidays and other family occasions without my mom. I missed her so much the past 2 days, I've barely been functional. Add to that a massive row with Jeremy about stupid shit (religion). When I woke up this morning though, I felt much better and more clear-headed and not nearly as tearful and zombie like. I made it to Confession for Divine Mercy Sunday tomorrow and cannot wait to have the past 18 months washed clean away; gone, kaput.

Divine Mercy Sunday

This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday:
Our Lord Jesus said, "The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.... Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy." (699) The plenary indulgence that was issued for Divine Mercy Sunday does not change the promises of Our Lord. Rather it provides the Church's highest mark of approval and endorsement and gives souls more time to go to Confession.


The Divine Mercy Image:
The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him (299). By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works (742).

The Divine Mercy devotion is one of my favorite devotions. I have received so many graces from this devotion and the accompanying Chaplet. The Chaplet can be said on any set of ordinary Rosary beads:
All information about the Divine Mercy devotion can be found from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception .

A New Direction AGAIN

I haven't posted in a while. So many changes have happened, some wonderful, some traumatic. My main dilemma is if to start a new religious blog or to just start posting more personal religious things here. This blog has gone through many changes over the years and I've neglected it more often than not. I doubt I have any readers left (all 2 of you). But, my beloved finance, Jeremy, purchased for me a net book (which I love love love. Almost as much as I love him), and this has rekindled my blogging spirit.. SO, while there are happy and joyous occasions, there is sorrow and grief. My dear mother passed away 2 weeks ago suddenly, most likely of a heart attack. My pain and suffering has only multiplied dramatically in the 2 weeks she's been gone. I just miss her more and more.

So, while I might not change the name of the blog (because it still rings true) but it might go from the joys of family and the depths of the despair of losing a parent. My mother was only 66 years old. Never in a million years did we think she wouldn't survive my dad, who is almost 8 years older. It was a running joke in our family.