Icky Website Down & St. Rita Feast Day - I See a Connection, Do You?

1) I am happy to report that the offending website I wrote about yesterday was taken down. There were several women who wrote reasoned comments on why that website was a bad idea. I don't know if the men "got it" or understood the ick factor.

2) It's the Feast Day of St. Rita.

I copied and pasted the picture and information from the Catholic Fire blog.

St. Rita of Cascia

The saint of the day for May 22 is Saint Rita of Cascia, religious.

St. Rita was born at Rocca Porena, Italy, in 1386 to Antonio and Amata Lotti, who were quite advanced in years. Rita’s birth was an answer to their prayers. The family was well-known for their charity, which merited them the surname of "Peacemakers of Jesus Christ."

Rita brought much joy to her parents. She was a cheerful, amiable, pious and devout child who spent much of her time in prayer. At the age of twelve, she desired to consecrate herself to God in the religious state. Pious though her parents were, they refused her pleas, but instead gave her away in marriage, at the age of eighteen, to an ill-tempered young man who was the town watchman. The couple had two sons, who inherited their father's temperament. After 18 years of marriage, Rita’s husband was murdered by an old enemy. Her sons swore vengeance on their father’s killers, but through Rita's intercessory prayers, they forgave the offenders. Both of her sons died shortly afterwards.

Rita's former desire to consecrate herself to God in the religious life returned. On three separate occasions, she asked to be admitted to the Augustinian Nuns, but her request was refused each time, and she returned home to Rocca Porrena.

One night, as Rita was praying, she heard someone call her name and a knock on the door. Miraculously she was instantly transported to the Augustinian monastery. Astonished at the miracle, the Nuns received Rita, and accepted her as one of their own.

St. Rita lived a very austere life and performed many severe penances. After hearing a homily on the Passion of Christ she returned to her cell; kneeling before her crucifix, she prayed: "Let me, my Jesus share in Thy suffering, at least of one of Thy thorns". Her prayer was answered. Suddenly one of the thorns detached itself from Christ’s crown of thorns and fastened itself on her forehead so deeply that she could not remove it. The wound became worse, and gangrene set in. Because of the foul odor emanating from the wound, she was denied the companionship of the other Sisters for fifteen years.

As St. Rita was dying, she requested a relative to bring her a rose from her old home at Rocca Porrena. Although it was not the season for roses, the relative went and found a rose in full bloom. For this reason roses are blessed in the Saint's honor. She died May 22, 1456, and both in life and after death has worked many miracles. After St. Rita's death, her face became beautifully radiant, while the odor from her wound was as fragrant as that of the roses she loved so much. The sweet odor spread through the convent and into the church, where it has continued ever since. Her body has remained incorrupt to this day; the face is beautiful and well preserved.

 When St. Rita died her cell was aglow with heavenly light, while the great bell of the monastery rang of itself. A relative with a paralyzed arm, upon touching her sacred remains, was cured. A carpenter, who had known the Saint, offered to make the coffin. Immediately, he recovered the use of his long stiffened hands.St. Rita of Cascia was the first woman to be canonized in the Great Jubilee at the beginning of the 20th century, on May 24, 1900.

Patronage

 Rita is well-known as a patron of desperate, impossible causes and situations. She is also the patron saint of abuse victims, difficult marriages, infertility, impossible causes, parenthood, sterility, and widows.

 Quote 

The saint of Cascia belongs to the great host of Christian women who "have had a significant impact on the life of the Church as well as of society" (Mulieris dignitatem, 27). Rita well interpreted the "feminine genius" by living it intensely in both physical and spiritual motherhood. ~ Pope John Paul II

 Prayer to Saint Rita

 Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, you were humble, pure and patient. Your pleadings with your divine Spouse are irresistible, so please obtain for me from our risen Jesus the request I make of you: {mention your petition}. Be kind to me for the greater glory of God, and I shall honor you and sing your praises forever. Glorious Saint Rita, you miraculously participated in the sorrowful passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for me now the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect me in all my needs. Amen.

I Wanted to Leave a Comment on Simcha's Blog

My post today is about this:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/simchafisher/2014/05/21/a-beautiful-courageous-idea-naming-your-victims/

I wanted to write a comment on Simcha's Fisher blog post, but due to goofy Disquis or whatever that stupid program is called, I couldn't.

I think the project is just another way for men who have used porn to make themselves feel better.  It's like the hot or not site.

Men with this particular sin, how about writing a thoughtful essay on how you came to the conclusion that viewing pornography is objectifying???


 Every cell in my female body says this is a misguided project and wrong. In fact, it seems icky to me. And Darren Cools, is your goal to make a woman icky and uncomfortable? 'Cause that's what you're doing to me. 

Darren Cools wrote this comment in reply to another woman's opposing opinion: 
"It's important to remember that the women in question have already 
publicized their names, faces and much more (or someone else has, 
despite them) across the internet." 

This is what I say: Just because a person has disgraced him or herself or was exploited, doesn't mean you get to perpetuate the bad behavior. 



Ladies, what is your take???

Okay for Now

Thank you for those who prayed for me. I can stay in my apartment until June 30th. I can stay longer if I quickly find a really good job. Tomorrow I have an interview for a real job. I am kind of looking for a roommate.

On Sunday morning I was so overwhelmed. I went to the ladies' room before Mass and an acquaintance who was washing her hands asked how I was, and I broke down sobbing. She was Christ to me because she patiently listened, gave me hugs, and said comforting words. I didn't go into details just that life's challenges are getting the better of me. Who knows what she understood through my sobs. I was just so grateful.

Did Anyone Miss Me? - Financial Crisis - Need Prayers

I deleted my blog, and just undeleted it. I kind of missed it.  Actually, I'm back because I need prayers. I'm unemployed (again) and am behind on my rent. Today I rec'd the dreaded 5-day notice to pay $2,800.00+ in back rent or else.

My dad has already lectured me.* He told me to get a job! Well, duh! That's what I've been looking for.

My dad lives in a one-bedroom senior apartment, so I suppose there's his couch for a while.

I'm calling the township for emergency assistance. I'll call Catholic Charities & the Salvation Army.

I'm going to sell some jewelry and see what I come up with.

I'll have to call my relatives, and just listen to their lectures and cry. Has anyone ever had to do that to get out of a bind? Have you ever lent relatives money? I don't even know when I could pay relatives back.

Help, help, help

If nothing else, could you please pray????????????????

I've been saying a 30-day novena to St. Joseph. The last time (several years ago) I was in dire straights, I prayed that novena and rec'd a surprising solution. I'm hoping God pulls me through once again.

In the meantime, I'm applying for jobs like crazy. Yes, I rec'd unemployment, but it isn't all that much. It never is.

I don't have siblings.

Maybe if I lost everything (stuff, money), I can start over to a better new life.  I can only hope.


*He wasn't exactly an example of financial stability or responsibility either for the 40+ years of his marriage. I know things and my mother told me things (before she died), so he has no room to lecture.

Two Reasons for Joy!

I'm taking the blogger's easy way out and linking to other people's posts because they deserve to be read.

It is  truly awesome that this boy wants to be a priest when he grows up! 

http://choosingtobethelight.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-son-wants-to-be-priest-isnt-that.html

I heard a priest say that there is much joy to be found in serving others. That priest finds joy in his vocation. So why am I sitting here in front of my computer so much?

and

It's still Easter, so let's keep celebrating!

http://www.piercedhands.com/50-ways-celebrate-easter/

Maybe I will send out Easter cards that I meant to send, but didn't.


Grab what joy you can in this life. I just gave you two reasons to life your head out of the ordinary grind and worries (I have plenty) and look up and rejoice that

He is Risen!!!!

Yippee!

Two Books I Read in April

1) Swimming with Scapulars. True Confessions of a Young Catholic by Matthew Lickona.

This is a calm and honest account of the spiritual development and struggles of the author. And by the picture inside the book jacket, a hot looking author. Oh wait, do not judge a book by the hotness of the author.

He attended Thomas Aquinas College in California. I was looking at the college's website and noted that there are separate resident halls for male and female. Not only that, a guy can't be hanging out in a girl's dorm and vice versa (unless it's moving day). I think I would have liked being in an environment where there wasn't all that rampant sex under my nose and feeling odd that I wasn't partaking in such. It seems like a safe and wholesome environment at least according to the website.

I recommend this book if you are a Catholic adult or Catholic young adult and need encouragement. It's nice to know you aren't walking alone on the conservative lifestyle road. Read this book if you're curious what it's like to be Catholic these days. This is one man's experience.

2) Prude. Lessons I Learned when my Fiance Filmed Porn by Emily Southwood.

Well, this author bares all in her writing. Yowza. I would be so embarrassed to write about sexual escapades. She wanted to explain to readers that she wasn't a prude. Nope, not a prude. Not even modest. Sure, this book is honest and frank, but in a different way. I wonder if her parents read this book, but maybe the parents are um . . . loose-minded.

Anyway, this "sexually liberated" author was bothered by the fact that she was bothered by the fact her fiance was taping porn stars doing various sexual activities, which is described in the book. Then the sad part was the author became very insecure about her own body. Anyway, she finally admitted to her fiance that she was bothered by his job, and he quit his job.

Well, my reading material is varied.

March Mix-Up and God's Not Dead

Hi, I resisted the urge to title post this March M ------ because I never went to the big dance.

Anyway, here it goes:

1) Russian Soldiers and Putin, get back into your own country. Russia is big enough! Stop invading other countries and that includes Crimea! Russia, I don't trust you. I never have, and never will. I feel for the people in the Ukraine.

2) I can't even imagine what it's like to lose your beloved on that Malaysian jet. I hope a real person finds the real jet very soon. In the meantime, people, stop throwing trash in the ocean.

3) Went to a memorial service at a Unitarian church. A lady minister said some nice words. I forgot what if anything was said about the afterlife or Heaven as we know it.  Every time I looked at the lady minister I thought of LarryD who stopped blogging.

4) Seraphic Singles blogger AND Meg from the Pierced Hands blog had things to say about leggings.  I think leggings with some skirts especially on little girls are cute and have a purpose. Leggings on grown women without skirts - um - either you're showing up your super skinny body or um grossing some people out. But if it's cold enough for leggings, then why aren't Leggings Wearers wearing socks?

5) Currently unemployed. This time I'm skipping the worry and going straight to God. I feel like praying the rosary a lot. Suddenly it doesn't seem like a chore. Hmm. Go order a beautiful rosary from Becky's Etsy shop Roses for Mary by clicking here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeckyArganbright. Hoping God changes my life in a big wonderful fantastic way like He did for Stacy Trascanos with wonderful husband, cute children and big wonderful home with cool job offers that don't require much of a commute. Her family update post is about the only I understood on the whole blog. Wait, didn't she once write on an old blog how she didn't like to see lesbian couples holding hands in the park or something like that? I understood that post.

6) I once socialized with a cool lesbian couple. Fun, witty, very kind. No, they didn't hold hands. People are people.

7) Somehow I ended belonging to a book discussion group at a Catholic Worship Center. The deacon said it's not a church, but a worship center to be inclusive. A neighboring synagogue uses the space for its High Holy Day services. We're reading a book about Jesus being Jewish written by Amy-Jill Levine, and there are practicing Jewish people in our group. The deacon likes to show off his knowledge of Hebrew.

8) Sometimes I worry that I'll never get to hold a baby again. When I see more gray hairs, I am repulsed. Then I make a phone call to the salon.

9) Last weekend made the bad decision to see the movie About Last Night. Stupid me. I wasn't all that thrilled with that movie back in the 1980s, and not thrilled with the remake. It's based on the play Sexual Perversity in Chicago by David Mamet. I never saw the play, but maybe he would title it Hooking Up in Chicago if he wrote it today. Or maybe not.

10) Today made the much better decision to meet different friends at the movies. We saw God's Not Dead. http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com. Some of it was very simplistic and exaggerated, but it's a movie and needed to make a point. Some of it was meaty, I thought. Anyway, you've seen that kind of ending before, but who cares? It was a Feel Good movie about STANDING UP FOR CHRISTIANITY, and staying true to your beliefs. If you have a precocious jr. high school child, I think he/she would get it. Otherwise, appropriate for teen-agers and above. And guess what??? There is NOTHING embarrassing or shameful about it.

I thought I was going to see Heaven's For Real or something like that. But the teen-age boy in the box office said I meant God's Not Dead. I never heard of that movie! Also, Son of God was playing at the theatre, so I was rather confused about what God movie I was suppose to see. But the teen-age boy was right (hire a teen-ager while they still know everything).

11) I'm not sure I like this trend of putting nail polish on girls. What do you think? It just seems like putting nail polish on girls is part of the whole sexualizing girls while they are still girls. Okay, call me old fashioned. On the other hand (or foot), it's just nail polish. But why do girls feel like they have to embellish their bodies??? I know why I feel that way. But shouldn't girls just live in a world where they are pretty just the way they are? Why don't they feel that way? What am I missing?

12) I have lots of old fashion ideas, but also feel like spray painting my hair pink. Go figure.