Upcoming Info

In the near future, I will be using my public page through Google Reader to recommend particular articles and blogs that are important and relevant, but that I will not be commenting on.

My Return to Blogging

As my few readers know I took a brief hiatus from blogging although I love to write as my closest friends will attest to and a momentary glance at my hard drive or thumb drive reveals. I am an artist at heart who is trying to find her way in the creative world while putting a strong emphasis on my spiritual life. I decided to put more effort into blogging recently in order to expand my focus and channel my energies.

For a while I was sharing more personal feelings and spiritual experiences, because I felt my alias was a shelter that gave me anonymity. However, my spiritual director saw things differently and strongly warned me about sharing too much of my soul. Father has been my spiritual director in the truest sense of the word as St. Francis de Sales says,

In truth, your spiritual guide should always be as a heaven-sent angel to you;—by which I mean that when you have found him, you are not to look upon him, or trust in him or his wisdom as an ordinary man; but you must look to God, Who will help you and speak to you through this man, putting into his heart and mouth that which is needful to you; so that you ought to hearken as though he were an angel come down from Heaven to lead you thither.

As a result, I paid attention to his counsel immediately and my blogging came to a standstill. So, here I am trying to return to the world of blogging while heeding Father's counsel. At first I figured I would try to regain a large base of readers, but last night I realized that the number of readers who visit my blog is unimportant. The important issue is that I remain true to myself, the spiritual growth I am committed to, and continue following Father's counsel which I believe to be truly heaven sent and rare in this world of chaos.

My promise to those who do take a moment out of their day, week, or month to read my blog is that I will post information regarding current international and national events , fun facts, and theology. If you have a question or event you would like my input on, please email me or post the questions in the combox and I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.

Everything I write on this blog is subject to the teachings and scrutiny of our Church, The Catholic Church, currently lead by Pope Benedict XVI. If I error in stating the teachings of the Church or state an opinion contrary to authentic Catholic teaching, it is unintentional and will be corrected once I am made aware of the error. Of course, there are some issues such as what constitutes a "Just War" or ethical use of the death penalty by a nation-state that can be openly debated among the faithful. I hope when I address these issues to accurately state what the Church teaches and fairly represent both sides of the coin when needed. While I state my opinions, I hope to always lovingly respond to those with differing views and without hostility, because prayer and love are the methods the Holy Spirit will use to reach those in need. Unlike several other popular blogs, I will not attack the sad state of affairs although I will comment on them and there will not be any profanity used.

Thank you to all of my long time readers, returning readers, and new readers. Please feel free to comment at any time in the comboxes.

Having to bite my tongue

I just finished reading a blog entry called Material Spirituality that has me more than a little bewildered. As Christians we are called to detachment from the things of this world which is more than a little overlooked in this blog entry. Instead the focus is the "need" to honor human creativity and celebrating human inventions. Sorry I don't buy it! We need to be honoring Christ's birth, life and death on the crucifix. We should buy what we need, but nothing we buy or invent should come close to taking God's place in our lives and comments such as "who says what I need" smacks of the very level of attachment we should be striving to avoid. Have we lost focus on the Beatitudes? Blessed are the poor, the meek, the humble they shall inherit the kingdom of God. Not those who celebrate human spirit and thought.

This comment is one that really made me cringe

By embracing materialism, I am therefore embracing the the highest spiritual and mental development of humanity.I love "things" because they are human thought made visible. I enjoy giving "objects" to people I love because they are the concrete expressions of my love. As a physical being living in a physical world, it is my essential nature to translate the abstract, the intangible, the non-corporeal --the spiritual, if you will--into reality.And when I see the incredible variety of wonders for sale in the stores--no matter how silly or trivial or "non-essential" they may be--I see every single one of them as a celebration of the human spirit.

What happened to celebrating Christ and his redemptive death? What happened to THANKING GOD for the gracious gifts of creativity and intelligence he gives us? Why are we "celebrating" ourselves?

Yes, I have more to say, because I want to address several of the issues put forward in this issue. Yes, we are physical being in a physical world, but we are also spiritual and mystical beings who often neglect our spiritual being for the sake of the physical. Endulging in the physical and material delights of this world most often surpasses the focus Christ deserves. Why are we focusing on personal pride instead of humility? I am not talking about a destructive mentality when I say humility, but true humility that realizes our lives, thoughts, actions, and even our creativity are nothing without Christ.

Interesting Internet Stats

While the headline shouts "1 in 5 Parents Say Kids Online Too Much," I am more interested in a few of the others statistics noted in this article.

That said, 41 percent of veteran users - those online for more than nine years - say they have spent less time watching television, compared with only 23 percent among those who have joined the Internet within the year.

The study found nearly a quarter of online users - especially newcomers to the Internet - say they spend less time reading.

While the good news is that veteran users are watching less television, the bad news is 25 percent of online users spend less time reading? This is a scary thought. We should be reading more now that this world wide web of information is available to nearly everyone. Personally, I find out of print books and articles on the internet so I can print them off and read them. Usually I save them too so I can refer back to the information. Great source for information, but we still need to be reading so we stay informed of current events.

At least I am not alone regarding the usage of cellular phones for text messaging.

The study, meanwhile, found that although only 27 percent of cell phone owners use them for text messaging, photo transmitting and other non-voice functions, the figure grows to 54 percent among those 18-24 and 45 percent among those under 18.

St Francis de Sales on Spiritual Direction

“Confess thyself often,—choose a single-minded, worthy confessor, who is able wisely to teach thee how to do that which is needful for thee.” “A faithful friend,” we are told in Holy Scripture, “is a strong defence, and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure;” and again: “A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.” These sacred words have chiefly reference, as you see, to the immortal life, with a view to which we specially need a faithful friend, who will guide us by his counsel and advice, thereby guarding us against the deceits and snares of the Evil One:—he will be as a storehouse of wisdom to us in our sorrows, trials and falls; he will be as a healing balm to stay and soothe our heart in the time of spiritual sickness,—he will shield us from evil, and confirm that which is good in us, and when we fall through infirmity, he will avert the deadly nature of the evil, and raise us up again.

But who can find such a friend? The Wise Man answers:—“He that feareth the Lord:” that is to say, the truly humble soul which earnestly desires to advance in the spiritual life. So, daughter, inasmuch as it concerns you so closely to set forth on this devout journey under good guidance, do you pray most earnestly to God to supply you with a guide after His Own Heart, and never doubt but that He will grant you one who is wise and faithful, even should He send you an angel from Heaven, as He sent to Tobias.

In truth, your spiritual guide should always be as a heaven-sent angel to you;—by which I mean that when you have found him, you are not to look upon him, or trust in him or his wisdom as an ordinary man; but you must look to God, Who will help you and speak to you through this man, putting into his heart and mouth that which is needful to you; so that you ought to hearken as though he were an angel come down from Heaven to lead you thither. Deal with him in all sincerity and faithfulness, and with open heart; manifesting alike your good and your evil, without pretence or dissimulation. Thus your good will be examined and confirmed, and your evil corrected and remedied;—you will be soothed and strengthened in trouble, moderated and regulated in prosperity. Give your guide a hearty confidence mingled with sacred reverence, so that reverence in no way shall hinder your confidence, and confidence nowise lessen your reverence: trust him with the respect of a daughter for her father; respect him with the confidence of a son in his mother. In a word, such a friendship should be strong and sweet; altogether holy, sacred, divine and spiritual. And with such an aim, choose one among a thousand, Avila says;—and I say among ten thousand, for there are fewer than one would think capable of this office. He must needs be full of love, of wisdom and of discretion; for if either of these three be wanting there is danger. But once more I say, ask such help of God, and when you have found it, bless His Holy Name; be stedfast, seek no more, but go on simply, humbly and trustfully, for you are safe to make a prosperous journey. Source

A bit of fun

You Belong in Spring

Optimistic, lively, and almost always happy with the world... You can truly appreciate the blooming nature of spring. Whether you're planting flowers or dyeing Easter eggs, spring is definitely your season!

What Season Are You?

Christmas Card Recommendation

My dear friends,

Although I will ensure the Christmas cards I send are delivered during the traditional twelve days of Christmas, I have to buy them BEFORE Christmas. As a result, I want to recommend the beautiful Christmas cards available through The Printery House of Conception Abbey -- a Benedictine Abbey in Missouri. In addition to beautiful Christmas Cards, they carry a variety of icons and other religious items.

Here are my top three picks:

Madonna and Child

Bugiardini Virgin and Child

Madonna and Child in Cross

This lay endeavor should prove interesting

Thank you for visiting the Catholic Catechetical Review Wiki. This Wiki is meant to be a repository for reviews of Catholic religious education materials. This includes material listed in the United States Bishops' Conference Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series as well as resources that are not on the list.

The reason for this project is that there is not any resource for those who not only want to know that a text doesn't contradict the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but also whether the content of the program is complete, accurate and actually of substance.

This project grew out of a series of blog posts critiquing my daughter's First Communion preparation course.

We recommend reading this article for background on the current state of religious education materials in the United States and also recommend this link for some existing reviews of religious education texts.

This doesn't surprise me

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm You're probably in the final stages of a Ph.D. or otherwise finding a way to make your living out of reading. You are one of the literati. Other people's grammatical mistakes make you insane.
Dedicated Reader
Book Snob
Literate Good Citizen
Non-Reader
Fad Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

Bumper Sticker of the Week

I saw this bumper sticker on the way home yesterday.

I HAVEN'T LOST MY MIND

IT'S BACKED UP ON DISK SOMEWHERE

Source

The Proof is in the Pudding

and the verdict is in -- I have a male cat that is spoiled rotten! Mr. Gregory decided to hide in my dad's van and hitch a ride to dad's house. The story behind this is that I have been staying at dad's house while we finish a project at my house and apparently my kitty took things in his own hands.

Application and Interview Process -- the Manager's perspective

For the first time, I am the person accepting applications and interviewing someone to be my assistant and a maintenance man. I'll be honest, this has been an interesting and educational process although I'm not finished. I am amazed at the sloppiness and lack of attention I have witnessed. Here are several of my chief complaints:

1) a four page resume that still doesn't include the information requested

2) the lack of references or other requested information when requested

3) failure to show for appointments

4) bringing a drunk friend when filling out an application

5) refusing to write down directions and expecting me to stay on the phone with them while they find their way here -- and they are 15 minutes out, not around the corner

6) using black marker to mark out information on a resume and hand writing information in

7) not providing a cover letter

8) wanting to apply without any related experience -- housekeeper with no office skills wanting to apply for an office job

9) sloppy appearance when applying

10) trying manipulate/step over the boss and find the "man" who will make the decisions

Charleston Snow

For those of you not from Charleston, this phrase probably brings to mind images of snow drifts and cold weather. Unfortunately, this isn't the case for my dearly beloved hometown. A Charleston Snow means we have a rain storm with an occasional snow flake intermingled. For my dear northern friends, you may call this sleet although for us warm natured southerners this is as close as we get to snow. So, what do we do? We watch the Charleston Snow fall with a smiles on our faces and the knowledge it will not stick while enjoying the beauty and wonder of it all.

Silence is Golden or rather Heavenly

“In my opinion, and according to my experience, the rule concerning silence should stand in the very first place. God does not give himself to a chattering soul which, like a drone in a beehive, buzzes around but gathers no honey. A talkative soul is empty inside. It lacks both the essential virtues and intimacy with God. A deeper interior life, one of gentle peace and of that silence where the Lord dwells, is quite out of the question. A soul that has never tasted the sweetness of inner silence is a restless spirit which disturbs the silence of others. I have seen many souls in the depths of hell for not having kept their silence; they told me so themselves when I asked them what was the cause of their undoing. These were souls of religious. My God, what an agony it is to think that not only might they have been in heaven, but they might have even become saints! O Jesus have mercy!”–Saint Faustina Kowalska, Source

Solemnity of Christ the King

Next Sunday, November 26, we will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. This means ordinary time is coming to a close and Advent is right around the corner. Advent is meant to be a penitential time although in today's society we often lose sight we need to be preparing for the birth of our Lord and Savior instead of celebrating Christmas. Of course, the practices for Advent are suppose to be milder than those of Lent, but that does not remove the nature of the season.

What are your plans for Advent? What are you going to do to keep yourself focused on the purpose of Advent instead of getting caught up in the mad rush to celebrate Christmas from Thanksgiving day to Christmas morning and then forgetting the twelve days of Christmas that follow Christmas morning?

As usual, I am not going to put my tree up until Christmas Eve and send my Christmas cards out just before Christmas so they are delivered during the true twelve days of Christamas. This year, I want to do something different. I think I am going to take on a new practice for the season and offer up a penance too. I haven't decided what I am going to do and it will stay private once I make the decision, but I thought I would share this with you just in case you were thinking of ways to make this Advent extra special. Maybe we can discuss what can practices we can take on or possible penances.

Voting, the war, pro-life issues and more

Before and since election day I have had several thoughts on my mind. With each election that passes it seems like I am voting more and more for the "lesser of two evils" and this leaves me dissatisfied. What happens when there isn't a true "lesser of two evils" as it appears will happen in the 2008 Presidential Election? Honestly, if the 2008 election is Rudy Giuliani vs Hilary Clinton I'll probably write in Mickey Mouse. Okay, I know I am sounding cynical to the hilt here. So, here's where I'm coming from.

I don't like war and seek to avoid it at all costs, but I'm not sure I can say our current war isn't a just war. We are in a situation where there is an evil we are fighting that will not listen to reason. These people want to destroy anyone who does not accept their political and religious ideology. Yes, war can and should be avoided through engaging in diplomatic talks. What about those who only understand violence -- being stood up to and not backing down? Do we honestly believe that pulling out of Iraq will lead to immediate peace? I cannot believe this especially since 9/11. We need peace in the Middle East and globally. The question now is HOW?

Let me move past the war for now to the pro-life movement. We have all war and the death penalty included as equals to euthanasia, abortion, and embryonic stem cell research. I am against war and the death penalty in MOST cases, but I must admit that there can be a just war and a valid state sanction use of the death penalty in limited scenarios. Granted both of these cases must be extremely limited. Abortion, euthanasia, abortion, and embryonic stem cell research are evils that must be eliminated. This is what puts me at odds with a large segment of the pro-life movement that wants all murder and war put on the same level as these evils:
Yes, I would love to eventually see life in all forms and marriage protected through constitutional amendments, I would be happy with allowing individual states regulating the end of abortion and defining marriage. Unfortunately, the problem arises from the courts making decisions outside of their boundaries. Now, we have a chance to make a change in the Supreme Court and many in the pro-life movement are already unhappy although I believe the new justices will attempt to line things up so we can overturn the Roe and Dalton cases -- just a matter of how and when -- within legitimate boundaries.

So, this brings me back to politics. More and more candidates are pro-abortion on both sides of the camp. We have a liberal left which is systematically attempting to destroy our freedoms and an ultra conservative right that can be as intolerant -- although in different circumstances -- as the liberal left. I tend to view my self as a conservative and moderate federalist. I believe in "state's rights" and a small federal government. I am pro-life to the core although I believe there times that we will not like the actions we have to take.

Well, I am going to cut this short here and add article links tomorrow -- my brain is tired!

You're asking, what have I been up to???

Oh boy, what a question to ask. It seems like the mundane day to day stuff has been first on the list. My co-worker was fired at work for unethical conduct so the office situation has been a bit tense. I am taking over and now the one "in charge." I am trying to integrate justice and charity into managing the community and my co-workers. The months leading up to this situation were stressful, because I was "ratting out" my co-worker behind her back, but I let her know up front that everything had to be done by the book and I walk the straight and narrow path.

Nothing spectacular has been on the horizon. There isn't a boyfriend in the picture. I hope to post more regarding my retreat and recent readings -- God willing -- in the near future.

I want to send a special Thank You to those who have commented recently and all of my regular readers. I hope your preparation for Advent is eventful.

A good start with a bad slant

The USCCB is meeting this week in Washington, DC. They are address issues such as welcoming and supportings homosexuals while encouraging them to live chastely, downsizing the conference headquarters in DC, and artifical contraception.

The nation's Roman Catholic bishops adopted new guidelines for gay outreach Tuesday that are meant to be welcoming, while also telling gays to be celibate since the church considers their sexuality "disordered." Source

The conference addressed have needed addressing for sometime and I am thrilled the Bishops are taking an orthodox stance. I find it shameful that most of the article dealt with "Catholic" groups condemning the stance the Bishops are taking, but what should one expect from the liberal media. My interest is who abstained from the vote and who voted against the guidelines for dealing with homosexual Catholics.

Postings

Hello everyone -- or at least those who still check out my blog from time to time. Life has been interestingly and pleasantly productive recently, but I find myself with little time to spare for posting. I am going to try, as I've said in the past, to post more often. I would appreciate any suggestions regarding postings you would like to see and/or questions you would like to see addressed from those who visit on occasion. I hope all is going well for everyone.

Quote of the Day

Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.

Saint Thomas Aquinas
(1225 - 1274)

Source

Quote of the Day

Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.

Saint Thomas Aquinas
(1225 - 1274)

Source