Catholic Fire has a news release about the updated Boycott List to be published on December 1.
The boycott in question is organized by Life Decisions International, and targets corporations and organizations that donate money to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
To date over 120 companies have stopped funding Planned Parenthood.
Boycotting means more than "don't buy their stuff." It also means "tell them why you don't buy their stuff." My "Advent Resolution" this year is to do a better job on the second part. For years I have consistently not been buying stuff from Johnson & Johnson, Disney, and other companies on the list. I've been sporadic, though, about writing to these companies and telling them why I choose to take my business elsewhere.
If I have time to write Christmas cards during Advent, I certainly have time to type out a letter or fill out an email form on a website. Perhaps a heart can be changed. If hearts can be changed, children can be saved.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Light One Candle...
A big tip of the hat to The Curt Jester for sharing the Advent wreath with all of blogdom!
I must admit, it's certainly prettier than the no-frills version on my dining room table.
I must admit, it's certainly prettier than the no-frills version on my dining room table.
More prayer requests
My pocket rosary today will be for Danielle's little boy, who is having surgery this morning. Hers is the first blog I have ever read, and I really enjoy reading about her family. She is younger than I am, but very wise, and a wonderful writer.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Blessed Advent!
Today marks the beginning of the end. Advent is our time of looking toward the end: the coming of the Savior, and the salvation of us all.
It's not Christmas yet. It's hard to convince children of that, since neighborhoods and stores are full of Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, candy canes, twinkle lights, silver bells and all those secular symbols. But what about the Baby?
Advent is a time in which I try to keep my family looking toward the "reason for the season." There are not yet any decorations in my home. At dinner tonight we will light a candle in our Advent wreath. After dinner I will clear a special shelf in the living room and we'll place our empty manger there. We make a calendar filled with daily Advent activities, and this year it extends through Epiphany. In our home, we attempt an attitude of anticipation, and we try not to celebrate the feast until it arrives.
It's not Christmas yet. It's hard to convince children of that, since neighborhoods and stores are full of Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, candy canes, twinkle lights, silver bells and all those secular symbols. But what about the Baby?
Advent is a time in which I try to keep my family looking toward the "reason for the season." There are not yet any decorations in my home. At dinner tonight we will light a candle in our Advent wreath. After dinner I will clear a special shelf in the living room and we'll place our empty manger there. We make a calendar filled with daily Advent activities, and this year it extends through Epiphany. In our home, we attempt an attitude of anticipation, and we try not to celebrate the feast until it arrives.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Call for Nominations: Blogs of Beauty Awards
Here's the chance to honor your favorite female bloggers at Two Talent Living's 2005 Blogs of Beauty Awards.
There are some great categories there. I've sent in my nominees...you have until Tuesday to do yours.
I am "Rerun"
NO, not the fat guy from "What's Happening!" I could never dance like that.
You are Rerun!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
I don't know much about Rerun, but maybe that's appropriate since many people don't know much about me! I do admire his coat-hanger-sculpture skills in "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!"
Via Catholic Fire. Thanks, Jean! I love Peanuts too.
You are Rerun!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
I don't know much about Rerun, but maybe that's appropriate since many people don't know much about me! I do admire his coat-hanger-sculpture skills in "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!"
Via Catholic Fire. Thanks, Jean! I love Peanuts too.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Thanksgiving
I'm giving thanks for the wonderful news that Natalie's new kidney is functioning well! She should be released from the hospital soon, and is now released from her 19-month bondage of 10-hour-per-night dialysis.
Pray, Pray, and Pray Some More
We arrived home from our Thanksgiving travels to find a very welcome message on our answering machine: a young friend of ours, turning 15 next month, is receiving a long-awaited kidney transplant right now. Please pray for a successful surgery and recovery for Natalie, and also for her parents and three sisters, and in a special way remember the immortal and generous soul of her donor, and the donor's grieving family. Of their grief is born a new lease on life for a young girl with her whole life ahead of her.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Which Philosopher Am I?
Really??
St. Augustine-
Born a Roman in a fading Empire, Augustine spent
his life trying to figure out what it was all
about. He asked questions and investigated
many possibilities but in the middle of his
life he was called by God and became a
Christian. He was a powerful thinker about
varied moral and metaphysical issues.
Augustine is the kind of philosopher you might
turn to in a time of doubt for comfort and
help.
Which Philosopher are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Via Catholic Fire.
St. Augustine-
Born a Roman in a fading Empire, Augustine spent
his life trying to figure out what it was all
about. He asked questions and investigated
many possibilities but in the middle of his
life he was called by God and became a
Christian. He was a powerful thinker about
varied moral and metaphysical issues.
Augustine is the kind of philosopher you might
turn to in a time of doubt for comfort and
help.
Which Philosopher are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Via Catholic Fire.
The Birth Verse Meme
Julie D at Happy Catholic tagged me for this one.
How it works: Look up your birth date as the chapter & verse in each of the 4 Gospels.
MATTHEW 7.28: The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at his teaching.
MARK 7.28 But she answered and said to him: "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs."
LUKE 7.28 "I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John, yet he who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he."
JOHN 7.28 Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know Me and know where I am from, and I have not come of myself but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know."
If I'm supposed to find a theme here, I'd say it is humility: being amazed at the teachings of the Lord, not being afraid to beg for something, being "less than" the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven....
How it works: Look up your birth date as the chapter & verse in each of the 4 Gospels.
MATTHEW 7.28: The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at his teaching.
MARK 7.28 But she answered and said to him: "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs."
LUKE 7.28 "I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John, yet he who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he."
JOHN 7.28 Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know Me and know where I am from, and I have not come of myself but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know."
If I'm supposed to find a theme here, I'd say it is humility: being amazed at the teachings of the Lord, not being afraid to beg for something, being "less than" the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven....
OOOOOOOOOPS!
I was asked to bring only two things to my sister's for Thanksgiving. Granma's Rolls, and shrimp cocktail. Since we have a three-hour trip (one way) she thinks of things that travel well when she assigns these things.
So that's fine. No problem.
Last time, I made two batches of cocktail sauce for the shrimp. One "regular" and one "Wasabi." The last was such a hit among several of the guests that I naturally made some to bring along tomorrow.
The two batches of sauce are in containers in my refrigerator right now, Letting the Flavors Marry, as Rachael Ray would say.
Identical containers.
Need I mention that not EVERYONE wants Wasabi?
So that's fine. No problem.
Last time, I made two batches of cocktail sauce for the shrimp. One "regular" and one "Wasabi." The last was such a hit among several of the guests that I naturally made some to bring along tomorrow.
The two batches of sauce are in containers in my refrigerator right now, Letting the Flavors Marry, as Rachael Ray would say.
Identical containers.
Need I mention that not EVERYONE wants Wasabi?
Granma's Rolls
I could never survive on the Atkins Diet.
My paternal grandmother was famous for her homemade rolls. She made these for the "Sunday Before Thanksgiving Family Dinner" and the "Palm Sunday Family Dinner," both of which she hosted, and other family special occasions such as graduations and the like. We always could count on Granma to show up with a paper grocery bag full of fresh, fragrant rolls. As kids, we would have contests among the cousins to see who could eat the most rolls at a single meal. I believe the record was 7, and that was before any of the boys hit their teenage years!
Granma was never much of a "by the cookbook" baker but one of my cousins did manage to get something of a recipe for these rolls from Granma before she passed away in 1994. It took me a few years to get that recipe from my cousin, but I finally did. Turns out it was little more than an ingredient list, but that's enough if you know a little about baking bread.
I think my sister has the recipe too, but it seems that in my branch of the family, I have become the one designated to carry on the tradition of "Granma's Rolls." Normally when we are invited to a family dinner and I ask what I can bring, the answer is always the same.
Tomorrow is no exception. So while I won't be cooking tomorrow--though I'll happily pitch in and help my sister--I'm wearing my apron now, and the smell of yeast dough is in the air. The dough is rising and getting ready to shape; then it's off to the back porch to rise slowly all night and be baked fresh in the morning.
Of course, I'll deliver those rolls in a paper grocery bag. Granma wouldn't have it any other way.
My paternal grandmother was famous for her homemade rolls. She made these for the "Sunday Before Thanksgiving Family Dinner" and the "Palm Sunday Family Dinner," both of which she hosted, and other family special occasions such as graduations and the like. We always could count on Granma to show up with a paper grocery bag full of fresh, fragrant rolls. As kids, we would have contests among the cousins to see who could eat the most rolls at a single meal. I believe the record was 7, and that was before any of the boys hit their teenage years!
Granma was never much of a "by the cookbook" baker but one of my cousins did manage to get something of a recipe for these rolls from Granma before she passed away in 1994. It took me a few years to get that recipe from my cousin, but I finally did. Turns out it was little more than an ingredient list, but that's enough if you know a little about baking bread.
I think my sister has the recipe too, but it seems that in my branch of the family, I have become the one designated to carry on the tradition of "Granma's Rolls." Normally when we are invited to a family dinner and I ask what I can bring, the answer is always the same.
Tomorrow is no exception. So while I won't be cooking tomorrow--though I'll happily pitch in and help my sister--I'm wearing my apron now, and the smell of yeast dough is in the air. The dough is rising and getting ready to shape; then it's off to the back porch to rise slowly all night and be baked fresh in the morning.
Of course, I'll deliver those rolls in a paper grocery bag. Granma wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm Not Cooking This Year
It's quiet in my kitchen right now. I'm not cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year.
I generally have the privilege of doing Thanksgiving every other year, and this is not the one.
I won't be waking up at 5 AM to saute onions in a LOT of butter, cube Wonder bread that's been getting stale on the table overnight (no other kind will do), mix in the sausage and Bell's poultry seasoning (no other kind will do), dump a turkey out of the brine bucket and shove as much stuffing as possible into the cavity--after Checking It Twice to make sure that all Bags of Miscellaneous Icky Turkey Parts have been removed, and finally put the bird in to bake.
The very first time I cooked Thanksgiving dinner was the year I was in graduate school at Notre Dame. We only had two days off, and I had no money for a plane ticket home to New Jersey. My sister was working, so she had money for a plane ticket to visit me. Two of my three roommates would also be staying, and we planned among ourselves to cook a Thanksgiving feast in our little on-campus apartment.
We rounded up a few friends who also did not have the chance to go home for the holiday, among them an international student or two. Then we divided up the dishes. I don't remember what was served that day other than turkey, because the turkey was MY job! My grandmother wrote down the recipe for her famous stuffing and mailed it to me at school.
At 5 in the morning I woke up to prepare the turkey. I was a little slow, because I was new at this, but the job got done and I didn't wake any roommates or houseguests in the process. Then I sat down at the dining room table with my cup of tea, and proceeded with my daily ritual of translating 50 lines of Beowulf, as I dared not go to that class unprepared--there were only 6 students in the class!
I basted the turkey on and off all day. My roommates prepared their parts of the meal. I can't remember where we all sat, or how many we were, but we had a great time and a very good meal.
Having been diagnosed with bronchitis on Monday, I appreciate the "bye year" this year, and I know that at my sister's house we will be fed wonderful food and enjoy the company of many relatives. But I still miss the gift of cooking Thanksgiving dinner.
I'll have to take comfort in baking the obligatory "Granma's Rolls," which deserve a post all their own.
I generally have the privilege of doing Thanksgiving every other year, and this is not the one.
I won't be waking up at 5 AM to saute onions in a LOT of butter, cube Wonder bread that's been getting stale on the table overnight (no other kind will do), mix in the sausage and Bell's poultry seasoning (no other kind will do), dump a turkey out of the brine bucket and shove as much stuffing as possible into the cavity--after Checking It Twice to make sure that all Bags of Miscellaneous Icky Turkey Parts have been removed, and finally put the bird in to bake.
The very first time I cooked Thanksgiving dinner was the year I was in graduate school at Notre Dame. We only had two days off, and I had no money for a plane ticket home to New Jersey. My sister was working, so she had money for a plane ticket to visit me. Two of my three roommates would also be staying, and we planned among ourselves to cook a Thanksgiving feast in our little on-campus apartment.
We rounded up a few friends who also did not have the chance to go home for the holiday, among them an international student or two. Then we divided up the dishes. I don't remember what was served that day other than turkey, because the turkey was MY job! My grandmother wrote down the recipe for her famous stuffing and mailed it to me at school.
At 5 in the morning I woke up to prepare the turkey. I was a little slow, because I was new at this, but the job got done and I didn't wake any roommates or houseguests in the process. Then I sat down at the dining room table with my cup of tea, and proceeded with my daily ritual of translating 50 lines of Beowulf, as I dared not go to that class unprepared--there were only 6 students in the class!
I basted the turkey on and off all day. My roommates prepared their parts of the meal. I can't remember where we all sat, or how many we were, but we had a great time and a very good meal.
Having been diagnosed with bronchitis on Monday, I appreciate the "bye year" this year, and I know that at my sister's house we will be fed wonderful food and enjoy the company of many relatives. But I still miss the gift of cooking Thanksgiving dinner.
I'll have to take comfort in baking the obligatory "Granma's Rolls," which deserve a post all their own.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Thanksgiving Meme
1. Write three things that I'm grateful to God for in this past liturgical year.
--My family & friends, both far and near.
--Being fortunate enough to have food, clothing, shelter and transportation, in a time when many in my own country have not been able to take such necessities for granted.
--Being able to start "feeding my soul" a little more.
2. Write three ways in which I hope to improve my relationship with God in this coming liturgical year.
--Blogging! This blog has become the journal I never kept. I can put all my half-baked thoughts here, let them cook, and sometimes others come along and season them and help me grow a little bit! It's wonderful.
--Confession. I've been bad about that, sorry to say. But I have started up again and I intend to keep that going and encourage my family also.
--Indulge my soul in a little spiritual reading as often as I am able. There's quite a pile on my tabletop now.
Via Steve.
--My family & friends, both far and near.
--Being fortunate enough to have food, clothing, shelter and transportation, in a time when many in my own country have not been able to take such necessities for granted.
--Being able to start "feeding my soul" a little more.
2. Write three ways in which I hope to improve my relationship with God in this coming liturgical year.
--Blogging! This blog has become the journal I never kept. I can put all my half-baked thoughts here, let them cook, and sometimes others come along and season them and help me grow a little bit! It's wonderful.
--Confession. I've been bad about that, sorry to say. But I have started up again and I intend to keep that going and encourage my family also.
--Indulge my soul in a little spiritual reading as often as I am able. There's quite a pile on my tabletop now.
Via Steve.
My Pocket Rosary
This is something that I started doing about 2 months ago. It works for me, and I'm sharing it here hoping that it might help somebody else.
A Friar suggested to me that a good way to deal with anger is to say the Rosary. I've never been much of a Rosary person but I figured, what can it hurt? I started keeping one in my pocket (and I am rarely without a pocket). The idea is that when I start to get angry I should take a time-out and pray for a decade or more, with the intention of relieving my anger and finding a good way to resolve the situation.
Around the same time, I started to think about the fact that people, myself included, say they will pray for some intention. I don't want to forget that I have promised a friend that I will pray for their grandmother, or whatever it is. So I began to dedicate my "pocket Rosary" for a certain intention each day. If someone asks me to pray for their intention, I dedicate my day's "pocket Rosary" for that. Each time I notice the Rosary in my pocket, I saw a quick prayer for the day's intention. And of course any decades I might complete are also offered for that intention.
It helps me to know that I am following up on the situation somehow. I know some people keep notebooks, or whatever. This is what works for me, right now.
I read somewhere--and if I can remember where, I will credit it properly--that the best response when someone asks you to pray for them is to say something like, "I will pray for you, as the Lord brings you to my mind." Whenever you think of this person, just say a quick prayer for them. Chances are, the Lord will bring them to your mind often.
That said, today's Pocket Rosary will be for the Cajun Princess.
A Friar suggested to me that a good way to deal with anger is to say the Rosary. I've never been much of a Rosary person but I figured, what can it hurt? I started keeping one in my pocket (and I am rarely without a pocket). The idea is that when I start to get angry I should take a time-out and pray for a decade or more, with the intention of relieving my anger and finding a good way to resolve the situation.
Around the same time, I started to think about the fact that people, myself included, say they will pray for some intention. I don't want to forget that I have promised a friend that I will pray for their grandmother, or whatever it is. So I began to dedicate my "pocket Rosary" for a certain intention each day. If someone asks me to pray for their intention, I dedicate my day's "pocket Rosary" for that. Each time I notice the Rosary in my pocket, I saw a quick prayer for the day's intention. And of course any decades I might complete are also offered for that intention.
It helps me to know that I am following up on the situation somehow. I know some people keep notebooks, or whatever. This is what works for me, right now.
I read somewhere--and if I can remember where, I will credit it properly--that the best response when someone asks you to pray for them is to say something like, "I will pray for you, as the Lord brings you to my mind." Whenever you think of this person, just say a quick prayer for them. Chances are, the Lord will bring them to your mind often.
That said, today's Pocket Rosary will be for the Cajun Princess.
Little Brother Brightens My Day
There's nothing like a 3-year-old to give you a laugh when you need it.
Just now he was flipping channels on TV, looking for his favorite show ("Hi-5.") He stopped at ESPN, and informed me, "Mom! Football's on!"
Me: "It IS?"
Little Brother: "Yes! But the Notre Dames are not playing. It's the green guys, and the Blues Clues helmet guys. The Giants are going to win. They're the best. Eagles can beat the Giants. Giants stink! Come and watch!"
Earlier this morning he was mutilating his favorite nursery rhyme:
"Dick, Dock, Dick, Dock....Dickory, Dickory, Dock, the mouse runned up the clock.
The clock SMASHED one, and down he did run, Dickory, Dickory, Dock. Dick, Dock, Dick, Dock."
Just now he was flipping channels on TV, looking for his favorite show ("Hi-5.") He stopped at ESPN, and informed me, "Mom! Football's on!"
Me: "It IS?"
Little Brother: "Yes! But the Notre Dames are not playing. It's the green guys, and the Blues Clues helmet guys. The Giants are going to win. They're the best. Eagles can beat the Giants. Giants stink! Come and watch!"
Earlier this morning he was mutilating his favorite nursery rhyme:
"Dick, Dock, Dick, Dock....Dickory, Dickory, Dock, the mouse runned up the clock.
The clock SMASHED one, and down he did run, Dickory, Dickory, Dock. Dick, Dock, Dick, Dock."
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Confessions of SFO Mom
I've been tagged by Jean.
I CONFESS that I am one of the guitar players at church! Before someone shoots me, though, I accompany a keyboard and a children's choir, and this morning we sang "All Creatures of Our God and King" AND "Come, Christians Join to Sing." Not a St. Louis Jesuits piece all morning!
I CONFESS that I just finished a nutritious lunch of half a box of "Cheese Nips" and some Pepsi.
I CONFESS that I buy more shoes than any one person really needs. Especially a Franciscan person.
I CONFESS that I regularly pilfer, pillage and plunder my children's stash of Halloween candy.
I CONFESS that I have the ability to carry a grudge for years and possibly even decades.
I CONFESS that I like to listen to "girl groups" in the car and sing along. Loudly. With the windows open.
And in related matters, I CONFESS to having the secret dream of being a "doo-wop girl." (Not one of the ones from Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love," either.)
I CONFESS to enjoying Robert Palmer's song "Addicted to Love."
I CONFESS to laughing when one Sunday my husband dressed Little Brother in pants that were way too big, and when Father called the children to the altar to say the Lord's Prayer together, Little Brother's pants fell down and all the kids saw his "Bob the Builder" underwear.
I CONFESS to making more pie dough than I need to every time I make a pie, so I can eat the "scraps" raw.
I CONFESS to taking a strange satisfaction in drinking Pepsi out of a Coca-Cola glass.
I am well aware that I still owe the Thanksgiving meme to Steve, and I promise that I'll get to it. I CONFESS that I've been putting it off, due to the hard feelings I am having toward the "powers that be" in my diocese right now.
I'm going to tag Steve at A Song of November, Amy at RC Mommy, and the Holy Fool for this one.
I CONFESS that I am one of the guitar players at church! Before someone shoots me, though, I accompany a keyboard and a children's choir, and this morning we sang "All Creatures of Our God and King" AND "Come, Christians Join to Sing." Not a St. Louis Jesuits piece all morning!
I CONFESS that I just finished a nutritious lunch of half a box of "Cheese Nips" and some Pepsi.
I CONFESS that I buy more shoes than any one person really needs. Especially a Franciscan person.
I CONFESS that I regularly pilfer, pillage and plunder my children's stash of Halloween candy.
I CONFESS that I have the ability to carry a grudge for years and possibly even decades.
I CONFESS that I like to listen to "girl groups" in the car and sing along. Loudly. With the windows open.
And in related matters, I CONFESS to having the secret dream of being a "doo-wop girl." (Not one of the ones from Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love," either.)
I CONFESS to enjoying Robert Palmer's song "Addicted to Love."
I CONFESS to laughing when one Sunday my husband dressed Little Brother in pants that were way too big, and when Father called the children to the altar to say the Lord's Prayer together, Little Brother's pants fell down and all the kids saw his "Bob the Builder" underwear.
I CONFESS to making more pie dough than I need to every time I make a pie, so I can eat the "scraps" raw.
I CONFESS to taking a strange satisfaction in drinking Pepsi out of a Coca-Cola glass.
I am well aware that I still owe the Thanksgiving meme to Steve, and I promise that I'll get to it. I CONFESS that I've been putting it off, due to the hard feelings I am having toward the "powers that be" in my diocese right now.
I'm going to tag Steve at A Song of November, Amy at RC Mommy, and the Holy Fool for this one.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Pray for the Schools
Earlier today I posted some links about a situation that is facing a Catholic school in California--basically, is the school standing up for what we believe as Catholics?
Tonight I will be attending a meeting in my diocese that I believe is emblematic of another danger facing Catholic schools. It's my opinion that my diocese is trying to get out of the business of educating Catholic children.
Tonight I'll find out the future of the wonderful little Catholic school that my Big Kids attend--and that Little Brother thinks he's a part of, given the hours we both volunteer there. (He has taken on a couple of lunchroom tasks as "his jobs" and gets very bent out of shape if someone else tries to do these tasks!)
Our diocese has invested heavily in the services of a consultant to recommend the course of action that would be best as regards the parochial schools. I think that if the diocese had channeled those funds directly to the schools, we wouldn't need to worry about closing our doors for the next few years.
The thing is, educating Catholic children is not and should never be thought of as a "business." It's an apostolate, pure and simple. It's making sure that the Faith is carried on, and showing children that the Faith is something that can be part of their daily lives, not just for 45 minutes or so on a Sunday morning. It's about letting them know that they can talk about, learn about, and pray to God at school and anytime, and that, as Middle Sister told me when she was in first grade, "Jesus is Number One!" You can't put a price on things like that.
Please pray for our school and all the schools in a similar situation. I think that's all there is left that we can do.
Tonight I will be attending a meeting in my diocese that I believe is emblematic of another danger facing Catholic schools. It's my opinion that my diocese is trying to get out of the business of educating Catholic children.
Tonight I'll find out the future of the wonderful little Catholic school that my Big Kids attend--and that Little Brother thinks he's a part of, given the hours we both volunteer there. (He has taken on a couple of lunchroom tasks as "his jobs" and gets very bent out of shape if someone else tries to do these tasks!)
Our diocese has invested heavily in the services of a consultant to recommend the course of action that would be best as regards the parochial schools. I think that if the diocese had channeled those funds directly to the schools, we wouldn't need to worry about closing our doors for the next few years.
The thing is, educating Catholic children is not and should never be thought of as a "business." It's an apostolate, pure and simple. It's making sure that the Faith is carried on, and showing children that the Faith is something that can be part of their daily lives, not just for 45 minutes or so on a Sunday morning. It's about letting them know that they can talk about, learn about, and pray to God at school and anytime, and that, as Middle Sister told me when she was in first grade, "Jesus is Number One!" You can't put a price on things like that.
Please pray for our school and all the schools in a similar situation. I think that's all there is left that we can do.
It's all about the motive.
"Nice Work if You Can Get It."
There's a LOT of food for thought here about the motive of laypeople in Church ministry. I invite you to read, and digest. I'm chewing on it myself just now.
Via The Donegal Express.
There's a LOT of food for thought here about the motive of laypeople in Church ministry. I invite you to read, and digest. I'm chewing on it myself just now.
Via The Donegal Express.
Stand Up, Stand Up, for What You Believe In!
(Kudos to Veggie Tales for a great tune with an important theme!)
I've been following the story of Katelyn Sills, a Catholic high-school student who was expelled after her family challenged the school's hiring of an abortion clinic escort as the school's drama teacher.
This young woman and her family have gone through a lot because they have stood up for what they believe is right. Katelyn has a blog with a lot of information and she has also been interviewed at Western Alliance.
H/T to De Civitate Dei for the links.
Read it! And keep in your prayers: Katelyn and her family, for the strength to fight the good fight, and Loretto High School and Catholic schools everywhere, for the grace to follow the truth that the Church teaches.
I've been following the story of Katelyn Sills, a Catholic high-school student who was expelled after her family challenged the school's hiring of an abortion clinic escort as the school's drama teacher.
This young woman and her family have gone through a lot because they have stood up for what they believe is right. Katelyn has a blog with a lot of information and she has also been interviewed at Western Alliance.
H/T to De Civitate Dei for the links.
Read it! And keep in your prayers: Katelyn and her family, for the strength to fight the good fight, and Loretto High School and Catholic schools everywhere, for the grace to follow the truth that the Church teaches.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
SFO Mom Country Music Awards
Since we've been having a chat about lyrics in the comments box, I've been thinking about some of my favorite songs. Add to that last night's awards show, and this is what I come up with.
Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary. Choices are the sole opinion of SFO Mom who claims the right to change her mind at any time, and to turn it up as loud as she wants when she's driving (with the windows open so everyone else can "share.") Not all of these songs are new.
SFO Mom Amazing Harmony Award:
"Whiskey Lullabye" (Allison Krause, Brad Paisley)
"Thirsty" (Patty Loveless)
"I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" (Sting and Toby Keith)
"I Pray for You" (Big & Rich)
Always Makes SFO Mom Cry Award:
"How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" (Patty Loveless)
"Concrete Angel" (Martina McBride)
"The Little Girl" (John Michael Montgomery)
"She's Somebody's Hero" (Jamie O'Neill)
"The Angry American" (Toby Keith)
SFO Mom Gets So Upset By This Song She Changes The Station Award:
"Don't Take the Girl" (Tim McGraw)
SFO Mom Sweet Story Award:
"She Didn't Have Time" (Terri Clark)
"Where Have You Been" (Kathy Mattea)
"Something to be Proud Of" (Montgomery Gentry)
SFO Mom Sad AND Funny Award:
"Do You Want Fries With That?" (Tim McGraw)
SFO Mom Best Title Award:
"Ain't Wastin' Good Whiskey On You" (Trick Pony)
"Did I Shave My Legs for This?" (Terri Clark)
"Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" (Joe Nichols)
SFO Mom Turn It Up Award:
"Who's Your Daddy?" (Toby Keith)
"Unbelievable" (Diamond Reo)
"That's the Kind of Mood I'm In" (Patti Loveless)
"I Feel Lucky" (Mary-Chapin Carpenter)
"Gone" (Montgomery Gentry)
"Pour Me" (Trick Pony)
SFO Mom Turn It Up Louder Award:
"Comin' To Your City" (Big & Rich)
"All Jacked Up" (Gretchen Wilson)
"I Try to Think About Elvis" (Patti Loveless)
"455 Rocket" (Kathy Mattea)
"Hell Yeah" (Montgomery Gentry)
SFO Mom's Husband Can't Believe She Likes These Award:
"Boogie-Woogie Choo Choo Train" (The Tractors)
"I Ain't As Good As I Once Was" (Toby Keith)
"Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" (Big & Rich)
Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary. Choices are the sole opinion of SFO Mom who claims the right to change her mind at any time, and to turn it up as loud as she wants when she's driving (with the windows open so everyone else can "share.") Not all of these songs are new.
SFO Mom Amazing Harmony Award:
"Whiskey Lullabye" (Allison Krause, Brad Paisley)
"Thirsty" (Patty Loveless)
"I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" (Sting and Toby Keith)
"I Pray for You" (Big & Rich)
Always Makes SFO Mom Cry Award:
"How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" (Patty Loveless)
"Concrete Angel" (Martina McBride)
"The Little Girl" (John Michael Montgomery)
"She's Somebody's Hero" (Jamie O'Neill)
"The Angry American" (Toby Keith)
SFO Mom Gets So Upset By This Song She Changes The Station Award:
"Don't Take the Girl" (Tim McGraw)
SFO Mom Sweet Story Award:
"She Didn't Have Time" (Terri Clark)
"Where Have You Been" (Kathy Mattea)
"Something to be Proud Of" (Montgomery Gentry)
SFO Mom Sad AND Funny Award:
"Do You Want Fries With That?" (Tim McGraw)
SFO Mom Best Title Award:
"Ain't Wastin' Good Whiskey On You" (Trick Pony)
"Did I Shave My Legs for This?" (Terri Clark)
"Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" (Joe Nichols)
SFO Mom Turn It Up Award:
"Who's Your Daddy?" (Toby Keith)
"Unbelievable" (Diamond Reo)
"That's the Kind of Mood I'm In" (Patti Loveless)
"I Feel Lucky" (Mary-Chapin Carpenter)
"Gone" (Montgomery Gentry)
"Pour Me" (Trick Pony)
SFO Mom Turn It Up Louder Award:
"Comin' To Your City" (Big & Rich)
"All Jacked Up" (Gretchen Wilson)
"I Try to Think About Elvis" (Patti Loveless)
"455 Rocket" (Kathy Mattea)
"Hell Yeah" (Montgomery Gentry)
SFO Mom's Husband Can't Believe She Likes These Award:
"Boogie-Woogie Choo Choo Train" (The Tractors)
"I Ain't As Good As I Once Was" (Toby Keith)
"Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" (Big & Rich)
This week's Catholic Carnival
Find the Catholic Carnival here this week, at Living Catholicism.
As always, there's a fine representation of the best Catholic bloggers. Check it out!
As always, there's a fine representation of the best Catholic bloggers. Check it out!
Monday, November 14, 2005
School Supplies
The Big Kids just ran to catch the school bus.
Middle Sister had a backpack filled with books, notebooks, and sheet music for her after-school keyboard lesson. From the looks of things, there is a good deal of "trash" in the bag as well, in the form of old, crumpled paper. After school we'll deal with that.
Big Brother had a backpack with a book or two, a novel he is reading (middle-schoolers in our school are required to carry a book to read at all times--a policy I wholeheartedly endorse), his lunch, AND Little Brother's plastic sword. All the essentials for today's swashbuckling eighth-grader!
He got about 10 feet from the front door when he realized that he was carrying an unconcealed "weapon" that the principal most likely would not admit into the building, and returned it to me.
Middle Sister had a backpack filled with books, notebooks, and sheet music for her after-school keyboard lesson. From the looks of things, there is a good deal of "trash" in the bag as well, in the form of old, crumpled paper. After school we'll deal with that.
Big Brother had a backpack with a book or two, a novel he is reading (middle-schoolers in our school are required to carry a book to read at all times--a policy I wholeheartedly endorse), his lunch, AND Little Brother's plastic sword. All the essentials for today's swashbuckling eighth-grader!
He got about 10 feet from the front door when he realized that he was carrying an unconcealed "weapon" that the principal most likely would not admit into the building, and returned it to me.
In today's comics
OK, it came out too tiny and I don't know how to make it bigger but not blurry.
So I'll give the dialogue.
"Here's what I don't get...if God created man in his own image, how come we don't also have godly powers? It seems like a big tease to make us look like a bunch of gods, but not be able to act the part."
"Are you familiar with the term infinite wisdom?"
"I want to hurl some planets around, dangit!"
It made me laugh, but don't we all want to hurl some planets around sometimes?
There are so many things I'd like to "fix," just starting with physical healing for those of my loved ones who are ill. Sometimes it's hard to remember that God is in charge for a reason.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Everybody's got a good joke today
Covering both ethnic heritages in my household, I recommend:
Catholic Fire (how could someone with a name like mine NOT like this joke?)
Regular Thoughts (wonderful Irish humor)
Rick at De Civitate Dei has been extra busy with good ones today AND yesterday.
Catholic Fire (how could someone with a name like mine NOT like this joke?)
Regular Thoughts (wonderful Irish humor)
Rick at De Civitate Dei has been extra busy with good ones today AND yesterday.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Doomed
Little Brother fell asleep on the couch at 5:00 while I was cooking dinner (chicken and dumplings, and it was YUMMY!)
I finally put him in his bed 15 minutes ago. He is, as Big Brother would say, "really sleeping hard."
It's my considered opinion that I should just go to bed now, because he'll be up looking for his dinner in about 5 hours. And I'll be the one who has to give it to him.
I'm thankful that the Big Kids are old enough to fend for themselves for a little while longer and go to bed on their own, because I think that tonight, that's what they'll be doing.
I finally put him in his bed 15 minutes ago. He is, as Big Brother would say, "really sleeping hard."
It's my considered opinion that I should just go to bed now, because he'll be up looking for his dinner in about 5 hours. And I'll be the one who has to give it to him.
I'm thankful that the Big Kids are old enough to fend for themselves for a little while longer and go to bed on their own, because I think that tonight, that's what they'll be doing.
If I'm Crying You're All Crying With Me
Der Tomissar yesterday titled a post with a song lyric from an Irish tune memorializing a young soldier who died in World War II. I know the song, since my dad is a big fan of Irish music, and I've been on the verge of tears ever since.
The song could not be more appropriate as a memorial on Veterans Day. I was out of town yesterday, so as my tribute I'm posting all the lyrics here.
THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE
by Eric Bogle
Well how do you do Private William McBride,
Do you mind if I sit here down by your graveside?
And rest for awhile beneath the warm summer sun,
I've been walking all day and now I'm nearly done
I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen
When you joined the glorious fallen in 1916;
Well I hope you died quick and I hope you died clean,
Or, young Willie McBride, was it slow and obscene?
Refrain:
Did they beat the drum slowly,
Did they play the fife lowly?
Did they sound the Death March
As they lowered you down?
Did the band play
"The Last Post And Chorus?"
Did the pipes play
"The Flowers Of The Forest?"
Did you leave 'ere a wife or a sweetheart behind?
In some faithful heart is your memory enshrined?
And although you died back in 1916,
In that faithful heart are you forever nineteen?
Or are you a stranger without even a name,
Enclosed forever behind a glass pane,
In an old photograph, torn, and battered and stained,
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame?
Refrain:
Ah the sun now it shines on these green fields of France,
The warm summer breeze makes the red poppies dance,
And look how the sun shines from under the clouds;
There's no gas, no barbed wire, there're no guns firing now.
But here in this graveyard is still No Man's Land,
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand
To man's blind indifference to his fellow man,
To a whole generation that was butchered and damned.
Refrain:
Ah, young Willie McBride, I can't help wonder why,
Did all those who lay here really know why they died?
And did they believe when they answered the call,
Did they really believe that this war would end war?
For the sorrow, the suffering, the glory, the pain,
The killing and dying were all done in vain,
For, young Willie McBride, it all happened again,
And again and again and again and again.
Refrain:
The song could not be more appropriate as a memorial on Veterans Day. I was out of town yesterday, so as my tribute I'm posting all the lyrics here.
THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE
by Eric Bogle
Well how do you do Private William McBride,
Do you mind if I sit here down by your graveside?
And rest for awhile beneath the warm summer sun,
I've been walking all day and now I'm nearly done
I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen
When you joined the glorious fallen in 1916;
Well I hope you died quick and I hope you died clean,
Or, young Willie McBride, was it slow and obscene?
Refrain:
Did they beat the drum slowly,
Did they play the fife lowly?
Did they sound the Death March
As they lowered you down?
Did the band play
"The Last Post And Chorus?"
Did the pipes play
"The Flowers Of The Forest?"
Did you leave 'ere a wife or a sweetheart behind?
In some faithful heart is your memory enshrined?
And although you died back in 1916,
In that faithful heart are you forever nineteen?
Or are you a stranger without even a name,
Enclosed forever behind a glass pane,
In an old photograph, torn, and battered and stained,
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame?
Refrain:
Ah the sun now it shines on these green fields of France,
The warm summer breeze makes the red poppies dance,
And look how the sun shines from under the clouds;
There's no gas, no barbed wire, there're no guns firing now.
But here in this graveyard is still No Man's Land,
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand
To man's blind indifference to his fellow man,
To a whole generation that was butchered and damned.
Refrain:
Ah, young Willie McBride, I can't help wonder why,
Did all those who lay here really know why they died?
And did they believe when they answered the call,
Did they really believe that this war would end war?
For the sorrow, the suffering, the glory, the pain,
The killing and dying were all done in vain,
For, young Willie McBride, it all happened again,
And again and again and again and again.
Refrain:
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
My turn to post a joke
Seems like "all the cool bloggers are doing it" so I figured, why not join in?
My dad just sent me this one.
The local parish had a fairly new priest. He had wonderful, innovative ideas that were, for the most part accepted by the congregation.
His mentor - a "higher ranking" priest came for a visit - to see how he was doing. After looking the parish over, the senior priest said, "Father John, your idea of a drive-through confessional is wonderful. That makes it so convenient for your church members.
"And, Father John, it was a really good idea to have the confessional open 24 hours a day, for those who work "shift" work. However, Father John... that flashing neon sign that says "TOOT and TELL or GO to HELL" ... well, it has got to go!!"
My dad just sent me this one.
The local parish had a fairly new priest. He had wonderful, innovative ideas that were, for the most part accepted by the congregation.
His mentor - a "higher ranking" priest came for a visit - to see how he was doing. After looking the parish over, the senior priest said, "Father John, your idea of a drive-through confessional is wonderful. That makes it so convenient for your church members.
"And, Father John, it was a really good idea to have the confessional open 24 hours a day, for those who work "shift" work. However, Father John... that flashing neon sign that says "TOOT and TELL or GO to HELL" ... well, it has got to go!!"
I couldn't resist
The results of the Golden Girl Quiz are in...
width="238" height="196" alt="Sophia Petrillo" border="1">
target="_blank">Which Golden Girl Are You?
She's my favorite, hands down!
Take the quiz. You'll love the dessert question!
H/T to Philothea Rose.
width="238" height="196" alt="Sophia Petrillo" border="1">target="_blank">Which Golden Girl Are You?
She's my favorite, hands down!
Take the quiz. You'll love the dessert question!
H/T to Philothea Rose.
Notre Dame Vs. Navy Game
You learn something new every day.
The Catholic Packer Fan features the story behind the traditional ND-Navy football game. Some people give ND fans a hard time because the team plays Navy, which has not beaten ND in 41 years. But there's an interesting story behind the tradition of this game.
Of the 3 ND games I've had the pleasure of attending, 2 were against Navy. I'd go again in a heartbeat.
Go Irish!
The Catholic Packer Fan features the story behind the traditional ND-Navy football game. Some people give ND fans a hard time because the team plays Navy, which has not beaten ND in 41 years. But there's an interesting story behind the tradition of this game.
Of the 3 ND games I've had the pleasure of attending, 2 were against Navy. I'd go again in a heartbeat.
Go Irish!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Hoorah.
 | You scored as Medic. You're a medic. Not really into fighting people, but prefer to help and heal. You're a caring person who generally wants to help, but don't fight. But instead you heal the injured. You're a brave person, but most people generally regard you as foolish because of the risks you take to help others. But you don't care because you're a battlefield medic. READY, CLEAR!!!!
Which soldier type are you? created with QuizFarm.com |
Everyone's got this one...so, via about half the people in my blogroll!
I'm sending the link to this to Big Brother, who at 13 is quite interested in military history. Should be fascinating to see how he scores.
There's a Reason for Everything
25 years ago you would never have convinced me that I'd become a "stay-at-home" mom with 3 children. When I was in high school, I was fairly sure that one day I'd enter the convent. As I completed my education, I attended retreats and corresponded with a vocation director or two.
Long story short, it just never felt "right" and I wound up working for a few years before getting married at 25 and starting my family right away. That's what felt right. Later I discovered and joined the Secular Franciscan Order, and that feels right too.
The other day I picked up a book called Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns. The fact that the dust jacket featured a glowing review by Father Andrew Greeley clued me in that this book wasn't going to go down a path I'd like--and the book did not disappoint in that respect.
Precious little mention, never mind attention, was given to orders like the Sisters of Life where young, enthusiastic women are lining up at the door to join.
Instead, the book is full of paragraphs like this one: While the McDonald sisters' belief may seem heretical, especially to conservative Catholics, the Catholic Church permits merging traditions from various religions, including Native American spirituality, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Burning sage and praying to "the Goddess" is accepted as long as it doesn't conflict with the basic precepts of the Catholic faith.
Developments such as these are described in the book as the result of "growth" or "maturing."
I seriously hope that this book is reflective of a very small minority of the Sisters in our country. If this is not the case, however, and what's described in the book is really what's going on with women Religous in America, then I'm glad that God took me down a different path.
Long story short, it just never felt "right" and I wound up working for a few years before getting married at 25 and starting my family right away. That's what felt right. Later I discovered and joined the Secular Franciscan Order, and that feels right too.
The other day I picked up a book called Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns. The fact that the dust jacket featured a glowing review by Father Andrew Greeley clued me in that this book wasn't going to go down a path I'd like--and the book did not disappoint in that respect.
Precious little mention, never mind attention, was given to orders like the Sisters of Life where young, enthusiastic women are lining up at the door to join.
Instead, the book is full of paragraphs like this one: While the McDonald sisters' belief may seem heretical, especially to conservative Catholics, the Catholic Church permits merging traditions from various religions, including Native American spirituality, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Burning sage and praying to "the Goddess" is accepted as long as it doesn't conflict with the basic precepts of the Catholic faith.
Developments such as these are described in the book as the result of "growth" or "maturing."
I seriously hope that this book is reflective of a very small minority of the Sisters in our country. If this is not the case, however, and what's described in the book is really what's going on with women Religous in America, then I'm glad that God took me down a different path.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Politics
Last night when I was talking with my Dad on the phone, he asked, "How are you voting in the elections this week?"
Me: "Reluctantly."
Enough said.
Me: "Reluctantly."
Enough said.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
You know you're a mom when....
...you want to sit down on the couch, but you can't because you don't want to disturb Little Brother's carefully laid-out battlefield that includes: a flashlight (lit and abandoned), a Micro Machines tank, three knights, one bank robber, two pirates and a cowboy from various Fisher Price sets, one Happy Meal caveman-looking guy, some monster from Star Wars, and Tinkerbell.
I did turn off the flashlight, though.
I did turn off the flashlight, though.
Lend a hand when you can....
Friday, November 04, 2005
Meme Meme Meme
The Three meme, via Steve
Three names I go by:
Barb
Barbara
Mom
Three screen names I have had:
MY T MOUSE
Barbsz
Cookbookmom
Three physical things I like about myself:
My eyes
That's about it
Three physical things I don’t like about myself:
My stomach
My feet
Moles
Three parts of my heritage:
Irish (7/8)
Belgian (1/8)
Polish/Lithuanian (by marriage)
Three things that scare me:
The thought of anything happening to my kids
Bugs!
The smell of fire
Three of my everyday essentials:
Coffee
Hugs and kisses from my family
Computer time
(Too good not to steal, Steve!)
Three of my favorite musical artists:
Patty Loveless
Sugarland
Simon & Garfunkel
Three of my favorite songs:
Silent Night
(Hey, nobody said they had to be POPULAR songs)
American Pie
Teach Your Children Well
Three things I want have in a relationship:
Listening
Trust
Understanding
Three lies and three truths in no particular order:
I'm a perfect size 3.
I have 3 children.
3 years ago I had never heard of blogs.
3 decades ago I hadn't even been born.
For lunch today I ate 3 cheeseburgers.
My youngest child is 3 years old.
(Well, you said 3....)
Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeal to me:
Smile
Hands
Legs
Three of my favorite hobbies:
Reading
Cooking
Reading cookbooks
Three things I want to do really badly right now:
Take a nap
Read a book
Continue avoiding housework
Three careers I’ve considered/I’m considering:
Librarian
Teacher (been there, done that)
Chef
Three Places I want to vacation:
Ireland
Mountains, in the fall (any mountains, anywhere, as long as there are pretty trees)
Spain
Three kid’s names I like:
(Not including the names of my own kids)
Sylvia
Timothy
Veronica
Three things I want to do before I die:
Read all the books I own
Organize my photo albums
Visit Ireland again
Three ways that I am stereotypically a girl:
Always worrying about what to wear
Change my mind a lot
Love shopping for shoes!
Three ways that I am stereotypically a boy:
Like to play with blocks, cars, trains
More of a "problem solver" than a sympathetic ear
Always want to have pockets in my clothes
Three celeb crushes:
None really
Three people I would like to see post this meme:
Jill
Rose, if she's not too busy nesting
Amy
Three names I go by:
Barb
Barbara
Mom
Three screen names I have had:
MY T MOUSE
Barbsz
Cookbookmom
Three physical things I like about myself:
My eyes
That's about it
Three physical things I don’t like about myself:
My stomach
My feet
Moles
Three parts of my heritage:
Irish (7/8)
Belgian (1/8)
Polish/Lithuanian (by marriage)
Three things that scare me:
The thought of anything happening to my kids
Bugs!
The smell of fire
Three of my everyday essentials:
Coffee
Hugs and kisses from my family
Computer time
(Too good not to steal, Steve!)
Three of my favorite musical artists:
Patty Loveless
Sugarland
Simon & Garfunkel
Three of my favorite songs:
Silent Night
(Hey, nobody said they had to be POPULAR songs)
American Pie
Teach Your Children Well
Three things I want have in a relationship:
Listening
Trust
Understanding
Three lies and three truths in no particular order:
I'm a perfect size 3.
I have 3 children.
3 years ago I had never heard of blogs.
3 decades ago I hadn't even been born.
For lunch today I ate 3 cheeseburgers.
My youngest child is 3 years old.
(Well, you said 3....)
Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeal to me:
Smile
Hands
Legs
Three of my favorite hobbies:
Reading
Cooking
Reading cookbooks
Three things I want to do really badly right now:
Take a nap
Read a book
Continue avoiding housework
Three careers I’ve considered/I’m considering:
Librarian
Teacher (been there, done that)
Chef
Three Places I want to vacation:
Ireland
Mountains, in the fall (any mountains, anywhere, as long as there are pretty trees)
Spain
Three kid’s names I like:
(Not including the names of my own kids)
Sylvia
Timothy
Veronica
Three things I want to do before I die:
Read all the books I own
Organize my photo albums
Visit Ireland again
Three ways that I am stereotypically a girl:
Always worrying about what to wear
Change my mind a lot
Love shopping for shoes!
Three ways that I am stereotypically a boy:
Like to play with blocks, cars, trains
More of a "problem solver" than a sympathetic ear
Always want to have pockets in my clothes
Three celeb crushes:
None really
Three people I would like to see post this meme:
Jill
Rose, if she's not too busy nesting
Amy
Shameless
The things we do to get a link back to our blog....but I will tell a true story in the process!
Tonight I'll have the opportunity to attend Middle Sister's capoeira class. We live in an area with many recent immigrants from Brazil, and at our parish the Brazilians have opened a capoeira group. Capoeira is a Brazilian form of martial arts, combining music, self-defense, rhythm and dance. Middle Sister loves it and it's fun to watch her practice her moves like a ninja. There is a bit of culture shock, as most of the people in the class speak little English, and my Portuguese is limited to "good morning" and "thank you" as well as part of the "Hail Mary" but it doesn't seem to deter Middle Sister from having fun and learning a lot.
And while you're at it, check out my Frappr map, the latest blog fad! Tell me where YOU are!
Tonight I'll have the opportunity to attend Middle Sister's capoeira class. We live in an area with many recent immigrants from Brazil, and at our parish the Brazilians have opened a capoeira group. Capoeira is a Brazilian form of martial arts, combining music, self-defense, rhythm and dance. Middle Sister loves it and it's fun to watch her practice her moves like a ninja. There is a bit of culture shock, as most of the people in the class speak little English, and my Portuguese is limited to "good morning" and "thank you" as well as part of the "Hail Mary" but it doesn't seem to deter Middle Sister from having fun and learning a lot.
And while you're at it, check out my Frappr map, the latest blog fad! Tell me where YOU are!
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Parenthood...unconstitutional?
Cases like this are precisely why my family feels so strongly that we need local, committed, Catholic schools in our communities.
It's not that the public schools are substandard educationally, and that parochial schools are so much better--which I know is what the people in my neighborhood think. They have told us that we're nuts for paying to send our children to Catholic schools when the town schools are just fine.
It's that we want our children raised in the Catholic culture--in school AND at home. If there's going to be morality taught in the schools, and public schools do that, then we want to make sure just what morality is being taught. Obviously parents of public school children now have no recourse in such matters.
It's not that the public schools are substandard educationally, and that parochial schools are so much better--which I know is what the people in my neighborhood think. They have told us that we're nuts for paying to send our children to Catholic schools when the town schools are just fine.
It's that we want our children raised in the Catholic culture--in school AND at home. If there's going to be morality taught in the schools, and public schools do that, then we want to make sure just what morality is being taught. Obviously parents of public school children now have no recourse in such matters.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
More American Girl Stuff
The American Girl company has moved links around on its website so it no longer links directly to Girls, Inc. but that's all that's changed. They claim that their donations are earmarked for education and sporting programs, but don't we all know that such restrictions on donations merely free up other unrestricted funds for the rest of Girls, Inc.'s activities?
Meanwhile, Rick Lugari reports that a Catholic school in Wisconsin has canceled a fund-raiser associated with American Girl. Kudos to the pastor there who is not afraid to take a stand!
Meanwhile, Rick Lugari reports that a Catholic school in Wisconsin has canceled a fund-raiser associated with American Girl. Kudos to the pastor there who is not afraid to take a stand!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
From Today's Homily
Our associate pastor today gave a lovely homily about being a saint in the circumstances you find yourself in--whether you are a mother like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, or a Pope, or a teacher and nurse like Blessed Mother Teresa.
He illustrated it with a cute story of how he, as a fifth-grade child in India preparing for First Communion, first heard the stories of many saints, especially child saints. He was taken with the story of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Fatima, and would climb a tree and pray for Mary to appear to him. Of course, she didn't. He grew to understand that it wasn't his place to copy someone else's approach to sainthood, but to find his own way.
I hope Father Gerald is the one to celebrate Mass with the school children later today, so my Big Kids and their fellow students can hear this wonderful message.
He illustrated it with a cute story of how he, as a fifth-grade child in India preparing for First Communion, first heard the stories of many saints, especially child saints. He was taken with the story of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Fatima, and would climb a tree and pray for Mary to appear to him. Of course, she didn't. He grew to understand that it wasn't his place to copy someone else's approach to sainthood, but to find his own way.
I hope Father Gerald is the one to celebrate Mass with the school children later today, so my Big Kids and their fellow students can hear this wonderful message.
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