Sixth Day of Christmas

Christmas was fine, joyful even. Full of peace and contentment. None of the relatives got into an argument. 
It was a Christmas miracle.

Because there are still plenty of old people in my family, I had to sit at the kiddie table at dinner even though the youngest among us was my 18-year old godson. He, by the way, worried that the liberals are going to take away his ability to buy guns when he is 21. Should I be worried? He was part of the rifle club in high school, and by rifle club, I mean school-sanctioned activity with a faculty advisor.

My cousin who is a year older than me was able to find room at the adult table. I guess he is at that transitional age between kid and grown-up. You did note on my header, that I am in my '40s, didn't you?

I never did send out Christmas cards. Well, there's no time like the present to mail out Happy New Year notes and Happy Epiphany notes. My tree is still up, but I put away most of my Christmas decorations.

Since I had to work on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, I did not bask in the Day-After-Christmas Glow like I usually do. 

However, since I was grateful to have a job, I tried not to mind so much. Tomorrow is my last day of work at this temp assignment. Then I celebrate the new year and my new life (again) as an unemployed person as I go screaming off the fiscal cliff onto the rocky shoals below.  

Truthfully, I am looking forward to a bit of time off: to get my home in order, do laundry, put together jigsaw puzzles, and SLEEPING in. But just a little bit of unemployment. God, please do not let me be without work for a long time. By long time, I mean a long time in human terms, not a long time in the history of the universe time. Dear God, I know a short time in your Alpha-Omega perspective is different than my human perspective, please help me find work soon. Yes, yes, I'll do my part and revise my resume for the 100,000th time. Or God, if you send me . . . am I allowed to have Cinderella fantasies in which I can create a lovely home for a spouse and me full-time because Spouse has a well-paying job and doesn't need my paltry income? I can learn to cook, I think. I DID receive a lovely new apron for Christmas, and I am rather tickled by the apron. Really I am. I put it on right there and then and twirled around. It has pretty ruffles on it. 

Anyway, I'm too tired to be anxious and worried. After all, God has provided so far, and he takes care of the sparrows. Okay, I do require more food than a bird and a bigger and more expensive living space than a birdhouse. 

God, I open my arms and my heart! Come in and WORK YOUR MIRACLES in my life! But can you do it without me having another crisis? (I had enough crisis in years past, which I will not recount here, but take my word for it).

I like singing Hark, The Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the newborn King.

What else?

Today I went to Mass early and was chatting in the back of the church.

Me: What is today? Is it a feast day?

[I know this season is hot and heavy with feast days such as the Holy Innocents] 

Lady 1: It's the Feast of the Holy Family.

Me: Then what is New Year's Day?

Man: That's Tuesday.

Lady 2: There's a vigil mass tomorrow.

Me: I know it's Tuesday. What?

Lady 3: It's a Holy Day of Obligation.

Me: But I thought it was the Holy Family.

Lady 1: It's the Solemnity of Mary.

Me: Oh. 

[What's the Solemnity of Mary?]

Lady 4: Remember when it was the circumcision of the Lord?

[Man scurries away. I don't blame him.]

Lady 4: Back in the '50s, the nuns always taught us it was the circumcision of the Lord. They pounded that into us.

[I'm so glad it changed. I do not want to listen to Father talk about circumcision from the pulpit. Frankly, I never want to hear Father speak of that in any context.]

Lady 5: Back in the '50s, I got married and was busy having babies and raising children; I don't remember anything.

Me: I wasn't born yet.

[Do I really look that old?]

Six geese of laying

Not Behind the Times

I came home from my half day of work today and found a robo-call from the Cardinal on my phone. First the pope is tweeting, and now the Cardinal is robo-calling. Who says the Church is behind the times? Not me.

I also found out that next Monday, the 31st, is the last day of my temporary work assignment.

I trust God that I'll have another work assignment soon afterwards.

In the meantime, I have presents to wrap.

Oh, only the part of my Christmas tree that I can see has ornaments on it.

Christmas is tomorrow!

Explain Himself

Here I am writing about the Newtown murders and suicide.

If I could not wrap my head around the death of a sick little boy, Henry D., how could I wrap my head about the death of healthy children or a mother or the suicide of a young man?

I am still disgusted with the television news who reported wrong information as facts in its rush to fill time and get the scoop.

The person responsible for the murders is dead.

There were contributing factors to this horror.

It bugs us that we do not know what was going on in Adam Lanza's mind, but it wasn't good. We're getting clues though, not facts.

We can only reduce the odds of getting killed. We can review security procedures. We can learn.
But as long as we are humans on Earth, bad stuff is going to happen. We cannot prevent it all.

What we can do is perform life affirming actions, works of mercy, read and learn from the Bible, practice our Catholic faith, pray and put our FAITH in God.

None of us are getting out alive, We are going to die; we don't know the when or the how. Somewhere in the Bible it says we don't know the day or the hour. Let us turn to the richness of our faith, let us turn to acts of love. Let us recognize the dignity of every human being whether young, old, big, or small, cute or ugly or in between. Let us act in a civil, dignified and courteous manner as a start.

One of the things I do not understand is why our president cries over the death of the Sandy Hook children,  but allows abortion and newborns to die alone in a hospital.

And since President Obama is alive and well, perhaps he can explain himself. That's really what I want to know. 

Silly

I'm bidding on something on eBay. I don't like the stress of bidding as the auction is winding down. I should just buy it. It's silly to put myself through this stress.

Two-fer Confession

I went to the reconciliation service at church today. After some praying, singing, and listening to readings, we lined up for individual confession. There were eight different priests we could go to.

One married couple went to confession together!

I didn't know you could do that.

As I watched them, I wondered if either one confessed something that could harm their marriage.

Your thoughts?

To Write or Not Write a Christmas Letter?

I kind of want to write a Christmas card letter this year, but Christmas isn't about me. It's about Jesus. Sometimes when I receive a Christmas letter I think they're either boring or bragging. Sometimes letters are both boring and bragging.

Some Christmas letters are depressing because they contain news of death, sickness, and unemployment. Do I want to read about your escape from an abusive marriage? Well, good for you, but frankly, I don't want the details of a marriage gone bad. Or that your cat died and was found cold and stiff under the coffee table.

Some Christmas letters make me depressed because it seems they brag about their blessings, and I realize I don't have any blessings. I know, I know, I should count my blessings. But I compare myself, and come up short. So that's a bad thought cycle to get into.

I want to write a parody of a Christmas card letter, but won't that be criticizing my friends who write Christmas letters?

And those of you with children, pictures of your kids are fine, but I like to see the parents in the pictures. I am not friends with little Janie, Tiffy, Hunter, or Junior. I am friends with the parents.

And why should I write a Christmas letter? If people are my friends won't they already know what's going on in my life?

Whatever, do not use the apostrophe when you mean the plural.

It should be "Greetings from the Bombers" meaning more than one Bomber family member.
Bomber's or Bombers' mean something the Bomber family owns is sending the greeting. Maybe the Bombers' dog is sending the greetings, in which case the greeting would just be "woof."

Some Christmas letters I enjoy reading. Really, there are a few I enjoy.

Shouldn't this post, this blog be about Jesus? Maybe I'll do better next time.

Baby Confirmation and Message to Baby Dominic

When I read that Baby Dominic Pio was confirmed by a priest, I turned to my catechism to read more about it Yep, babies and small children can be confirmed by a priest. It has been common in some places and time.

 See The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 1307 and 1314.

So when Baby Dominic's friends are going to Confirmation class, he can stay home and play Monopoly with his family. But first he needs to drink his bottle.

Baby Dominic, you probably can't read this blog post, but we adults are the ones who fast. You, the baby, are not suppose to fast. Did you get confused on who was fasting and who was not? Well, you're a baby, and I suppose this whole week has been confusing and strange for you with major surgery, drugs, IV lines, hospital routines, and what not. Dear Baby Dominic, please drink your milk. It'll help you grow big and strong and get you out that hospital sooner.

Dear Infant Jesus of Prague, Dear Holy Child of Atocha, please help Baby Dominic Pio.

Baby Dominic Pio

After my most recent angry post about doctor bills, I know have to say they can do remarkable things. I too am praising God that Baby Dominic Pio came through his surgery today. Read about him and his remarkable family at www.dominicpio.com

Bitter Pill

I have complained about medical payments and doctor bills and cost of prescriptions. I love Rebecca's post today at http://shovedtothem.blogspot.com/. I think she's starting a new movement, one to anger out-of-network medical providers, to save her family's finances, so she and her family could feed their children.

Need to pay your rent and eat and put gas in your car?

Add Rebecca's  addendum 

"We refuse all non-emergent non-life-saving treatment by any physician or personnel who are considered 'out-of-network' by  (our insurance company's name) when an 'in-network' alternative is available.  Any 'out-of'network' care which is not necessary to save life or limb will be considered to have been performed pro-bono and will be treated in that manner."  

when signing yourself or your child into the hospital.

I know medical school is expensive and so is hiring a staff, renting an office, etc., etc, and all that goes into having your own medical practice. But so is providing a roof over my head, buying groceries, paying for heat in the winter, etc, paying insurance premiums.

This is so sad, the state of health care in this country and our/my bitter angry feelings towards it.

True Happiness

"True happiness lies in giving ourselves in love to our brothers and sisters."

 - John Paul II, 1998

God, I do NOT understand

All across the land, across the ocean, we blogger people are weeping over the death of little Henry from Bringing Henry Home.
http://bringinghenryhome.blogspot.com/

I am so sad and confused why this innocent baby suffered so much. I am so sad for his mother, father, and siblings who now have this gaping hole in their family. I don't understand.

Oh, I understand how quickly an infection can wipe out a little body (or even a big body).

I don't understand WHY his little life had to end this way and so soon.

God, sometimes I do NOT understand You and Your Ways.

Yet, I know we are created in the image and likeness of God.
We are His Children.
We are blessed with the sacraments.
We are all going to die.
Our souls will live forever in Heaven.
We are all One Body, and it hurts when one part leaves.
We will all meet again in Everlasting Life.

Oh God, the tears I shed for this child whom I never even met are probably nothing compared to the tears of his parents.

It's kind of amazing that I read comment after comment on Carla's blog, and everyone is crying. People I never met and don't even know are crying over this one little life gone.
Because life is precious. And behind every digital imagine is a person.

God, why, oh, why????

I trust God, that Mother Mary is rocking Henry in her arms, and Jesus is patting him on his precious little head.

I thank you, God, that Henry did know the LOVE of a real family who gave so much for him.

There is no pain where Henry is, but people are HURTING down here. People are weeping.

Oh, God, hear our prayer, comfort the mourners. Wrap Henry's family in your loving arms.

Oh, God, I still don't understand much, but I trust in You and the communion of saints.

Remember us in our walk down here on Earth. Sometimes the path is very rocky with a cold wind.

AAP Recommends Emergency Contraception for Teens

Did you see the latest recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics?

How healthy is this?

AAP Recommends Emergency Contraception Be Available to Teens

11/26/2012

For Release:  November 26, 2012

Teen pregnancies have declined over the past few decades, but the United States continues to see substantially higher teen birth rates compared to other developed countries. A new policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discusses the use of emergency contraception and how it can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy in adolescents. The statement, “Emergency Contraception,” will be published in the December 2012 Pediatrics and released online Nov. 26. According to the AAP, adolescents are more likely to use emergency contraception if it’s prescribed in advance. Many teens continue to engage in unprotected sexual intercourse, and as many as 10 percent are victims of sexual assault. Other indications for use include contraceptive failures (defective or slipped condoms, or missed or late doses of other contraceptives). When used within 120 hours after having unprotected or under-protected sex, selected regimens for emergency contraception, such as Plan B, Next Choice, etc., are the only contraceptive methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy. According to the AAP, pediatricians can play an important role in counseling patients and providing prescriptions for teens in need of emergency contraception for preventing pregnancy. Patients should also know that emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pediatricians should discuss the importance of STI testing, or treatment if needed. The AAP also encourages pediatricians to advocate for better insurance coverage and increased access to emergency contraception for teens, regardless of age.

###

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.

I thought I was hearing things when I heard this news.

You know what would be the safest? The healthiest? If boys and girl in their teens kept their pants on! There! Why aren't people teaching that? With the life expectancy what it is, there's plenty of time - decades really - for them to grow up and find a partner and have sex.

Why am I so different than the rest of the world?

I am SHOCKED (even after all these years).

Best

I had the best Thanksgiving ever. I just want to say that!

Trying not to Laugh

At Mass I sat behind a mom and a grandma who were busy corralling three young squirmy children. At some point during the Mass, I became annoyed with the kids. The mom and grandma were busy correcting their behavior and redirecting them over and over again. I guess you just have to do that over and over and over and over and over and over and over again as a parent for years. By the end of Mass I was trying really, really hard not to laugh at their antics.

Thank you, God, for turning my annoyance into amusement. Help me to be light-hearted.

Normal Results, Thanksgiving

A nice lady from the doctor's office called me this morning that my mammogram results are NORMAL. I felt lighter than air with that message. Thank you, God.


Tomorrow, I am going to try to stay off my computer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Angry Mammogram

I've been cranky since I made an appointment for a screening mammogram. I showed up for my appointment and told the women at the registration desk that I was there for pain and torture.
Ha ha, she laughed. "It's not that bad."
"Yes, it is," I said.

There is nothing natural or good about have your tender breast smooshed and trapped in a vise even if it's "just" for a few moments. Plus isn't all that repeated radiation of mammogram after mammogram going to cause cancer eventually? If I'm in that much pain then I must be dying, therefore, I had a near panic attack.

I am angry that as a woman I have to worry about breast cancer. I am angry that one aunt had breast cancer, so now it's in my family history. I am angry I haven't had children (not my fault), so my breast cancer risk increases. I am angry that my breasts were manhandled by a technician like they are just blobs of fat instead of cherished part of my body which houses my soul, my humanity.

Don't give me all that pink, la-la-la song and dance that mammograms save lives. I know that. That's why I was there. I do not feel better for taking care of myself and doing the right thing. I am angry that a better screening device hasn't been invented.

When I got back into the privacy of the dressing room, I took the stuffed puppy out of my bag and buried my face in it. Yes, I'm a grown woman and had to bring along a "transitional object" or security toy because I find mammograms to be that bad.

On the way home, I swung by Steak 'n' Shake and got a milk shake for being such a good patient (not swearing at anyone).

I came home and my heart was still beating fast and hard after escaping such a harrowing experience. You would think I had been chased by tiger. Finally, I had to partake in a controlled substance.

Now my stomach hurts because I kind of forgot I'm lactose intolerant and I feel fat from the milk shake.

I do not feel close to God right now. I just feel angry and achey. And fat and bloated.

I hate pink ribbons.

Hope & Happiness

A few weeks ago I noticed there were real nuns at Mass and excitedly told my Dad. By real nuns I mean those wearing habits. That's how I knew they were nuns. Then there were the Knights of Columbus in their regalia. And I noticed men in clerical garb in the front rows. You see, it was a special occasion. A young man from my very own parish was ordained a deacon (student priest), and was celebrating his first Mass in this capacity.

The Mass was concelebrated with our pastor and a young priest from Connecticut. The young priest was a friend of the deacon and flew out to celebrate with the deacon. That's very special, and what a great friend.

I just kept thinking what a happy occasion this was. In fact I was thinking there should be a party afterwards. Guess what! Our pastor announced that there was a reception afterwards and all are invited!

After Mass Dad and I went to the church hall for snacks. I was happy to congratulate this young man. It's so important to support seminarians. I told him he's courageous to answer The Call. I also thanked him as a regular Catholic pew person for choosing to serve us.

I also met the other seminarians at the reception. I found them to be intelligent, friendly, good-natured, and fun young men. What did we talk about? Microsoft Word upgrades was one topic. One of them had a 15-page paper due the next week. I was wondering if seminarians centuries ago had to write their papers in ink in calligraphy!

I like the way these young men teased each other like they were brothers or close friends.

I have hope for the future of the church with these guys in the priestly pipeline. It made me happy to meet them.

Majority

It's the Post-Election Morning, and I'm disgusted with the majority of voters in my state.

Many thoughts

So many thoughts in my head. Maybe I'll actually take the time to blog about them someday.

What do Atheists do?

Are you familiar with meetup.com?
Some meetup groups are religious, some are new agey, some are for fun, some are for exercise. There are all sorts.
My questions is what do atheist groups do?
I can understand pagan groups getting together, meeting in a forest, and worshipping a tree. I really don't know what pagan groups do, but that's what I imagine they do.
Maybe Christian groups sing worship songs or gather for Bible study.
And artistic groups could paint together or do a group trip to a special exhibit.
Tennis lovers get together and play tennis. That makes sense.
What what do atheists do when they hang together?
Talk about what they don't believe. That's a lot of energy to spend for something they don't believe.
They don't worship together because they don't believe in God or the magical powers of a tree, or am I missing something?
How does nothing bind you together?
Do you rage against Christmas and that you get the day off, sometimes with pay?
Are you planning festivus? If so, what are you celebrating?
If you're part of an atheist group, please let me know what you do when you meet up.

Personal Experience

I have some questions:
1) Does Felix Baumgartner have a wife or a child? Is his mother still alive? What worry he must cause people. He's hardly the first person to do something to worry the womenfolk.
2) Are there any third party presidential candidates? There must be somewhere. Luckily, I only rec'd one annoying political email.

Attended a talk at Church about Vatican II because it's the 50th anniversary of the start of Vatican II. The lecture was a bit light, but the speaker said one thing that stuck with me. He said the Holy Trinity was not just doctrine to the early Christians, but they were the personal experiences of early Christians.

I'm on the search for real friends who want to meet and talk in REAL LIFE and not just rely on Facebook because I don't do FB.

Bad Numerology

Bad, bad numbers. The number of inches of the waistband of my pants is smaller than the number of inches around my actual waist. It was a very long day at the office with my too tight pants.

No, I did not spend $40 on a numerology chart or anything occultish or new agey. I think I was looking for hope and encouragement. It's gray and rainy today too, so I'm looking for sunshine. It's so dismal outside, and it's only going to get worse with fall coming. Winter follows, and the days become short and cold.

Sin due to Disenchantment

Numerology is a sin, isn't it?

Late Sunday night or Monday morning I was disenchanted with personal aspects of my life and found myself on a numerology website and got my free reading. Of course it said wonderful things about me and my future. Now I got an email that for $40 I could get a more comprehensive report because my "chart is on fire" and I could experience wonderful changes and improvements before "the window of opportunity closes."

So I am tempted.

I know better. It's a sales pitch. Is this a good use of $40?

I am so tempted.

Your thoughts? Comments?

Wrong Email Attachment

Bible study resumed for the fall. I'm glad I went.

Made stupid error at work. Are there any smart errors? Boss Lady told me not to make any more mistakes, or I might as well pack my things and go. Now I'm walking on eggshells. No one was harmed by the mistake. One vice president thought it was funny because she said it was something she would do.  No money was lost. Customers weren't lost. Really, it just made me look stupid. Boss Lady said I made the whole team look bad. No, I'm not taking that guilt on. My name was on the mistake. I just look bad. Mostly I have to forgive myself and move on. It was a foolish mistake made in the rush of multi-tasking and tight deadlines. Haste makes waste as the saying goes. My mind was on one task, and my mouse was on the wrong document. I attached the wrong document to an email. Being an electronic document, no trees were chopped down either.

Dear God, help me do well at work. Dear God, it's hard to be human with all my stumbles especially when other people have power over my livelihood. 

Maybe the new week will be better

The doctor prescribed medicine. I took it,  mostly recovered, had a few bad days at work, and then went shopping. Then I had bad dreams about work.

I mourned the second anniversary of my friend's death, then because I didn't feel bad enough, I learned friend's widowed husband is getting married this fall. That news just made the grief fresh and new again. This is not a time for lectures about how life goes on. This is about understanding how he may get a new wife, but I'm still short a dear friend. This is not a time for rationale and logic. It's a time to hear that it's been a crappy week.

I need something uplifting and beautiful. Let me turn to my John Paul II book and see what quotes I can find.

"The dignity of the person is the indestructible property of every human being. The force of this affirmation is based on the uniqueness and irrepeatability of every person." Vatican City 1988.

"How many women have been and are still valued more for their physical appearance than for their personal qualities, professional competence, intellectual work, the richness of their sensitivity and, fianlly, for the very dignity of their being" March 8th Angelus Prayer, Vatican City 1998

Sickly

I think I have bronchitis according to the symptoms I read about on the Internet. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with my real doctor who does not have to rely on google. I feel bad taking time off from work like I'm letting down the team.

On SaturdayI had plans to take my dad shopping and out for a lunch. Also a friend invited me over for dinner. Instead I napped all day.
Yesterday I dragged my feverish self to Walgreens, but was unable to get myself and my dad to Mass. He was bummed.

This morning I went to work and left early. I went to CVS and bought a few more things that I forgot to buy yesterday.

Ho Hum.

It's just me and my inhaler. And plenty of liquids.

To get personal here, when I wake up in the morning I feel smelly. I am smelly. (Then I shower of course)I read some mom blogger who can smell her kid to see if he's sick. Are you that mother? Well, I have to mother myself.

I'm sure I'll be fine.

I would like to be entertained though. This would be a good time for the Olympics to be on, but no, my timing is off.

Ho hum.

Are you bored yet reading this?

Know any good jokes?

Are you suppose to starve a fever or a cold? And why?

It's never too early to go bed when you're sick, right? It's a little after 8:00 pm. Bedtime, right?

Cardinal George, Softies, St. Joan of Arc

1) Cardinal George has cancer again. I am praying for him.

2) Do I need to order anymore Saintly Softies from Etsy? I really like them. I don't need them. I'm suppose to be paying off my stupid debts, not buying things I don't need. Don't ever take out student loans or use a credit card if you can possibly avoid it. I really like those Saintly Softies. I could get the whole collection! They could be the beanie babies of the decade. What do people do with all their beanie babies now? Do they have any value now? I wonder if people feel stupid for having a whole bunch of them. I feel stupid having all my debt.

3) Several weeks ago, I visited the St. Joan of Arc Chapel on the grounds of Marquette University. It came from France. The docent kept explaining the art and architecture, which I half appreciated. I just wanted to pray in the silence.

The window sill is a stone that St. Joan of Arc stood on while talking to the Virgin Mary. They say the stone remains cooler than the stones around it, however, I did not bother feeling all the stones. You can see how worn the stone is from people touching it.

Cold Stone Still

Chapel came from France

St. Joan of Arc

I wanted to pray in silence

Where's my Affordable Health Care?

A Story in Which I Mistook a PBM for a Miracle

I try to keep this blog about Catholic things, but today I'm failing.

First, at work yesterday I tried to call UPS to schedule a pick-up. Again, it was a hassle, and I got scolded by a UPS man about calling the wrong UPS division. And the UPS driver in the area is a small woman who couldn't possibly lift the packages I had packed said the man. There were more complications. I don't care. All I wanted was a person in a brown uniform to pick up the brown boxes and put them in a brown truck. Then I want the company's account charged.

And yesterday's aggravation included the Take Care Clinic. I couldn't walk-in because I didn't have an appointment. Well, it either needs to be appointment only or walk-in only. And since I was in Walgreens I picked up two prescriptions. One was $5.00, and the other $100.00. Those are the co-pays. Along with some shampoo, body wash, and other sundries, I paid $19.00. I THOUGHT IT WAS A MIRACLE that my $100.00 co-pay was greatly reduced. WRONG. The insurance denied my expensive medication, so the pharmacist didn't bother filling it. Um, it's kind of important that I take this medicine, otherwise, why would I order a refill?????? I nearly cried. I have a two-day supply while I fight with the stupid PBM (prescription drug management) company. I paid $48.00 for the two-day supply.

I am not feeling the love for PBMs or my insurance company of last resort. Oh, Obama, I need some affordable health care!!!!!!!

My local Catholic hospital (don't get me started on their billing department and collection practices) recently sponsored a local event for professional athletes. Does that mean it gave prize money to the athletes? Is that where my heath care dollar is going? I can only afford to pay a dollar at a time.

This morning I sat and wrote another letter to God expressing this and more to put in my prayer box. Though I wrote to God, I still feel grumpy.

I pay $1,540.00 quarterly for my insurance-of-last resort! That's just for me, a single person.

It's not even 8:00 a.m., so there's lots of opportunity for God to fill today with miracles and goodness.

It's also a Holy Day of Obligation.

Tired, etc.

Tired of being worried about how I was going to pay my rent last year, I gave up, prayed, and God heard my prayers. Problem solved.

Tired of being unemployed, I gave up, prayed, and God heard my prayers. For now, problem is solved.

Tired of being alone, lonely, ignored, I started a novena to St. Theresa of the Little Flower(s) last week. I chose a novena to St. Theresa because several months ago, I head a dream about her. Several days ago I forgot to say the novena, and I forgot the next day too. Then I gave up.

I guess I have to start all over.
A novena failure of my own fault.

***********************

Hey, Becky, I'm sorry you removed our blog. I understand why. May I send you an email?
I'm impressed by your other blog.

************************

It's sad, sad, and tragic there was mass shooting this weekend.

***********************

And now I am tired in body.
Good night, and sweet dreams

Prayed for Rain

Today in the petitions at Mass we FINALLY prayed for rain to save the crops so farmers can earn a living and people can have food to eat.

Hid It in the Cabinet

 I went to the very nice midwife (CNM, APN) for my yearly check-up. After the exam was over, and I was  alone in the little room and getting dressed, I took the IUD advertisement and model and stuck it in the cabinet under the sink. An IUD doesn't seem like a friendly object.

One Question & One Quote

Question: Why don't Bishop "slap" (lightly pat) on the cheek people when they confirm them? I heard Bishops don't do that anymore.

Quote: "My basic principle is that you don't make decision because they are easy: you don't make them because they are cheap. You don't make them because they are popular: you make them because they're right." - Fr. Theodore Hesburgh

Fine

1) I'm fine. New temp job is fine. I like the people, the work, the building, the commute, and the flexibility.

2) My cold is gone, so I'm feeling fine.

3) With Chick-fil-A in the news, I felt compelled to try it out. I had my first Chick-fil-A sandwich today, and it was mighty fine.

5) What's not fine is Chicago's mayor saying Chick-fil-A values are not the City of Chicago's value. Apparently the president of the company has biblical values, and the city has popular culture values.

6) Besides being fine, I'm tired. Snooze.

Stuff of Daily Life, Books

1) I start my NEW JOB on Monday. Why am I not excited? It's a temp job and directly relates to my college degree. It's the type of work I've been wanting to return to. I should be excited.

2) This week I took four shopping bags of stuff to the Salvation Army thrift shop to benefit SA's programs. Yesterday I took two garbage bags of papers to Office Depot for shredding. Why do I still have stuff scattered around?

3) I'm highlighting various headings and subheadings in my Catechism in different colors. Hopefully it'll make it easier to reference topics in the future. There's a subject index in the back. I'm thinking of ordering the YOUCAT.

4) I feel like I don't fit in because I'm not a mother.

5) As a courtesy to the public around me, I always cover up my belly even in the HOT weather. There are very few people who should be showing their bellies and that goes for a lot of people at the swimming pool. You know, I don't want to see anyone's bare belly.

6) I saw a torn lawn chair for sale at the Salvation Army store for $17.00. I didn't want to pay $17 for a lawn chair that is ripped in the seat. I went next door to the Ace Hardware store and bought a new lawn chair for $14.00.

7) U.S. Olympic uniforms should have been made in America.

8) Attended my godson's graduation party over the weekend. I nearly got teary-eyed when signing his card. All grown-up. What happened? He grew like a weed these past four years.

9) I hate when I go to Bible Study and the ladies talk about their social outings and don't invite me along. Should I invite myself? That's awkward. I figure if they wanted me around, they would invite me. I'm right there.

10) Friend's husband got fired from his teaching job at a Catholic school. Two years ago he got fired from another Catholic school. So he and his wife attended a meeting with some education guy in the vicariate to complain. The wife called up the head personnel guy at the archdiocese to complain about the firings. It's one thing to be a supportive wife, but it doesn't make him look manly in my opinion.

11) Read the book Angel in the Rubble.  The first two-thirds of the book was interesting, but the last third was preachy. No need to be preachy when you experience an angelic encounter. Let your experience speak for itself. Plus here's the other thing that aggravated me. The writer was raised Catholic and rec'd the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Then she lives a life of partying and breaking the rules and doesn't bother with God or the Church. Then when one of the World Trade Center towers falls on top of her and she's trapped under concrete and steel, an angel comforts here. A dog sniffs her out. Men dig her out, and basically she goes on to have a wonderful life. She also decides to lead a life of righteousness and get good with God. So she does NOT return the the Catholic church, and that aggravated me. The woman instead goes to some made-up Christian church and gets baptized! She was ALREADY BAPTIZED in the Catholic church. According to the Catechism (paragraph #1272), Baptism cannot be repeated.

The reason she isn't a practicing Catholic was because her parents weren't married. Huh? Her parents were devoted Catholics, raised 10 children, yet were not married to each other. Therefore, the writer said she didn't respect the faith. Again, I ask, "huh?"

12) Now I have a cold or a really bad allergies and am having trouble sleeping. Aggravated because I want to be well rested and fresh for Monday morning. I better pray.

13) Also read Children's Blizzard. A blizzard swept through the Great Plains in January 1888 as children were walking home from school. Many children died in the blizzard. Heartbreaking, utterly heartbreaking. I should be inspired by hardy pioneers. Sometimes, in the olden days, swarms of locusts came through and ate all the crops. I should be inspired. I need to toughen up. I highly recommend this non-fiction book.

Birth Announcements

Apparently people I know in real life don't send birth announcements in the mail anymore. Back when I was informed of birth via mail (or even email), I would send congratulations and a gift. If the baby was nearby, I would actually hand deliver the gift and tickle the baby under the chin.

Now people are announcing the births on Facebook. I'm not on Facebook. Sure I hear about the birth sooner or later (usually later), but  I don't feel like buying a card or gift. I figure if I am hearing about a new baby second hand, I'm not really that close of a friend. Relying on Facebook just creates distance. Direct communication creates closeness.

Yes, I am becoming more old fashioned by the day.

I Was Glad

to hear our pastor speak about sexuality, the Church's teachings, the catechism, and scripture in Sunday's homily. I'm glad he had the backbone to stand up for the truth.

The church doesn't make up things just for the fun of it. Teachings are based on scripture and reflection.

No human life is an accident. It's God's will that each and every one of us was conceived. It's not funny, Father G. said, when parents say a child was an accident or an oops. The child doesn't think it's funny to be referred to as an accident.

Our sexuality was created so we may create life in a loving commitment (marriage). That's what the priest said.

I got to thinking that there is something in Catholic marriage vows about lovingly and accepting any children. So why do people think they can carefully plan their family just so?

I see my pastor's role as one who shepherds us through that narrow gate. Other people complain about him for nitpicky reasons. He can't please everyone in a parish of thousands of people. He can be and is a spiritual leader.

I hope he speaks The Truth more often than not because truth is important than winning a popularity contest.

Religious Liberty Conference Notes

I took down the following notes from the religious liberty conference I attended.

• Feelings are the main take-away in any form of communication.
• We are the only religion with an official document of dialogue thanks to Vatican II.
• When speaking about religious freedom, we must not seek to take away other's freedom.
• Our aim is not to win (an argument). Our aim is to witness.
• We are ministers of the Gospel.
• Truth makes its own claim.
• Shed light, not heat.
• We are not free to define the Catholic Church and its teachings.
• Development of doctrine continues through the ages, but does not contradict.
• Social hostility against the Catholic religious liberty is rising in Europe.
• To excommunicate someone, the bishops have to follow Canon Law. 
• The HHS mandate interferes with corporeal works of mercy.
• There's a fine line between having concern for unity in the Church and being a coward for truth.
• The secularization of culture is causing religion to be put in the closet while others are coming out of the closet.
• We need to bring people to love God, to conversion, and to the sacraments especially penance.
• We get the government we deserve because we elect our government through democracy.
• Catholic way of life has to be behavioral not just value based.

The archbishop was one of the speakers, and hearing him speak made me like him even more.