How come?

Why don't Catholics think it is a sin to vote for an abortion candidate? I was talking to a woman at morning Mass and she said she voted for obama because she wanted change. She had no idea what kind of change she wanted, however. I said that a vote for obama was a vote to kill the unborn. She quickly assured me that obama had stated in his campaign that he was against abortion. It only took a matter of minutes for me to pull up eight pages of his pro-abortion votes and actions. The woman was shocked. She wanted to know how come I knew about this but it was the first she had heard about it.

I asked her what news she watched and she happily told me she watched CNN and MSNBC faithfully. I said she should listen to conservative talk radio and watch Fox News. She blanched and said, "Oh, NO! Fox News is mean-spirited and very liberal. Rush Limbaugh is prejudiced." I just said, "I know way your prefer CNN and MSNBC . . . they tell you what you want to hear." She looked taken aback but ventured, "You know, I think I will give Fox and Rush Limbaugh another chance."

The sad thing is that she is ONE of the over 50% of the Catholics that voted in an abortion regime with their Democratic vote this past presidential election. They put the welfare of the unborn on the back burner because obama promised change, jobs, and financial security. Instead, we got unemployment, financial disaster, and a lot of change we would . . . well, change from obama that we'd like to change!

Can't entirely blame the Catholic congregations for their vote although in the information age, they'd have a hard time proving invinciable ignorance. Nope, I know of too many priests and seminarians that happily voted for and celebrated obama's election. The guardians of Christ's flocks voted to keep the killing of our future legal. If unemployment and financial ruin is all that God visits upon us, I'd say we got off easily.

We each have one vote and our vote does count. Here's hoping we all use it wisely this November. It could make all the difference in the world.

Do you make your vote count . . .?

There never is a line anymore. In this last local election, my husband voted on the way to work. I went in to vote almost an hour later. My husband was the 15th person to vote. I was the 16th. Our district is now represented by a pro-choice politician.

And if you felt that one vote wouldn’t make a difference, did you vote anyway . . . in case it did? What about our example to our children. Ever since my children were babies, they have accompanied us to the polls to learn that we think this democratic process is important. What does one vote matter? It could be a matter of your soul when Judgement Day finds God asking you why you didn’t care. When we have to contend with a pro-death culture, don’t blame the politicians so much as the people who didn’t use the influence of their vote to make a difference.

Evelyn Waugh, a famous writer, once said that when times are bad, the only way to cope is to pretend we are tourists in a foreign land. Judging from our elected officials, most of us have been acting that way for years.

Nothing new . . .

“The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome becomes bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC

Cold Oatmeal!

This looked like an interesting way to have breakfast at the ready for a busy morning.

5 cups uncooked quick oats
1 green apple, shredded
1 red apple, shredded
1 cup grapes, chopped
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup honey
3 cups milk (or more to reach desired consistency)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Toss the shredded apples with a bit of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown. Combine all the ingredients and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold for a quick, easy, healthy breakfast.

Where's the joy . . .?

We have a wonderful new priest in our parish from Nigeria. It is amazing to see the cultural differences in the perception of joy. Yesterday, was the Feast of the Assumption and Father could barely contain himself with the joy of the occasion. He rightfully pointed out that we probably express more joy at Thanksgiving. We should treat the wonderful feast days of the Church in that manner, too. He even broke out in song at one point during his sermon. You could sense the sincerity. He was actually joyful and expressing a full heart.

A friend said he met a Nigerian in the seminary and the young Nigerian's main confusion was how quiet our Masses are. I guess that we have sort of evolved into a people who are more afraid of what others will think rather than face true emotions.

My husband likens our priest to a crashing wave and the congregation are the rocks on the shore. Water doesn't wear down rocks immediately but, perhaps, we eventually learn to break out into joyful song when we mean it.

Always go to the source . . .!

used to think that the brain was the most wonderful organ in my body. Then I realized who was telling me this.
- Emo Phillips

Love this quote . . .!

If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.

Margaret Thatcher

Sadly, true!

After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say: "I want to see the manager!"

Willliam S. Burroughs

Apples and humanity . . .

Every season has it's promise but I think I like Fall the best. Even in California, we get some cooler crisp to the evenings and hope we actually get brisk weather for the Winter holidays. The best part of the Fall is apple season! We live about 45 minutes away from Oak Glen where you can go right to the orchards and purchase apples just picked that very morning.

We have a couple of favorite places to go but the best one is run by an elderly couple and their dog, Daisy. The gentleman will not let you buy apples until you try them and listen to his stories. We have learned to put aside the time to enjoy this visit. There have been people who show up, mentally push the man aside, and demand so many pounds of this and that apple and refuse his offer of a sample. His face remains calm but you can see feelings of hurt and regret about a moment lost.

It is not only the stories and the apples we go for but the kindness and respect the couple show for each and every customer. They remember us from visit to visit. We cherish these times for the unique apples he raises, our drive up to the mountains, and the stories that go with each variety of apple.

We developed a longing for a specific apple that only shows up towards the end of the season. It was kind of funny as in our anticipation of this event, we kind of rushed our joy in the many types we purchased and sampled in the months before. Yes, we got a bushel of the desired, long-awaited apple. No, it was not as splendid as we remembered. It was unusual, not often seen/heard of, but not quite as tasty as some of the previous harvests.

I think we treat life this way, too. We look so forward to one, specific event and just touch on all the potential happiness on the way to it.

Judge not . . .

Over the years, we have sponsored children/seminarians through the Catholic Foundation for the Children and Aging. Someone, looking at the photo of 'my' little girl in Peru, remarked, "She looks pretty well-dressed to be needing your financial help. I heard the same remark from someone when my mother was showing him pictures taken during World War II in Germany. He said, "I heard everyone was hungry and sick. You all don't look that bad."

Both people judged by the picture. I have come to find out that when a child gets assigned a sponsor through the above-named organization, everyone rejoices for them and the whole village/neighborhood loans them the best for the photo. They might be poor and in need but they want to look nice. Same with my mother. She said that when anyone took a picture, people pulled their lives away from the war for the moment and spruced up the best they could.

In both instance, people judged by what they saw and left their opinion at the superficial level. We have all been guilty of that, from time to time, and you have to wonder what terrific people you will never become friends with because you judged hastily. There is a lot of evil in the world today. It is a shame to miss out on including all the good people you can find in your life.

Democracy doesn't count . . .

The State of California is basically sitting by and watching the destruction of Democracy. Elected officials who are supposed to uphold the majority rule, have let the majority down. A person with a vested interest has been given the 'deciding vote' which naturally went the way of the agenda at hand.

I'm talking about the much-publicized Prop. 8 which states that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, the fact is that the majority of California voters, voted in favor of this proposition TWICE yet one judge decided to throw it out. The judge is publically gay which means it was acted upon by a prejudiced party with a vested interest in the outcome.

There are a lot of other things about our government and world that I'm not happy about but when the majority votes one way, the minority should not be able to throw it out because they disagree with the outcome. I mean, why vote? Isn't this kind of a dictatorial act?

Face it, not one group is ever entirely happy once the votes are counted. You rejoice when your viewpoint is honored. You are sad and vow to work harder when your idea/proposition is shot down. California was given the vote on Prop. 8 twice and the same conclusion came about twice.

There is rejoicing among some factions over the judge's decision. Even though they 'won', they, like the rest of us, lost today. Our government clearly showed that voting was for 'fun' and the majority doesn't necessarily win. Democracy started the death march today and everyone lost.

Padre Pio knew best . . .

“Ahead! Courage! In the spiritual life, he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the winds will blow it back.” ~St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Bitterness vs. Spirituality . . .

We have a typical, Novus Ordo parish where a detour from the Rubrics has and does happen. We have the poorly trained Extraordinary Ministers and a couple who just decided they could do it sans training . . . which shows. I'm not always happy with what I see or experience but am usually able to keep my focus on the altar, the priest, and the miracle that God through Jesus Christ has granted us there. The human mistakes are momentary while the Eucharist is for eternity.

It is sad, however, when some of the more orthodox crowd lose sight of the Eucharist in their dismay over Rubrics and voice their bitterness frequently and loudly. It is like the hatred of things not going entirely in line with Rubrics is replacing their chance at experiencing the spirituality of the Mass. Unfortunately, it runs over into their peers and you have to wonder what the long-terms effects will be. Their feeling is that if everything was done exactly right, life would be perfect. Well, Adam and Eve decided the question of perfection and, sometimes, you have to work around the imperfections to find the grace.

I've seen both sides of the liberal/conservative coin. I found it interesting, in my time attending a more conservative parish, that the conservative people couldn't let go of whatever might be happening in more liberal parishes. It is like they were bringing their bitternes into their preferred Mass. Seems to me that if you can't leave the bitterness behind, you are tainting the perfection you are looking for in church.

Now, I prefer the peace of a consevatively celebrated Mass. I didn't find it at the conservative parish. Ultra-conservative people, in my experience, are more judgmental even towards the people trying to worship with them. In fact, the attitude of the conservative parish actually drove one of my children FROM the Faith and left him with . . . bitterness.

I was told, this morning, by a particularly angry woman that she was leaving our more liberal parish to attend the very conservative one full time and I should go, too. I attended that parish for over twelve years. I was only able to leave behind bitterness and find peace by leaving that parish.

Yes, we get peeved at some people's perception of how to participate in the Mass. We have made a name for ourselves by NOT going along with that kind of stuff. The difference is that after Mass at the liberal parish, people come out and are still friends. When we didn't fall in line with the more orthodox parish views, we were often left out.

I have to wonder, however, at how adamant some people have been towards me about their idea that going to a liberal Mass will cost us our spirituality. I think it may be that they might not have the spirituality to go it on their own no matter what Mass they attend. To me, daily Mass is always food for the soul regardless of the problems. The priest celebrates with the correct words, Christ comes down from His Cross into our hearts, and all can be well with the world if you cut the bitterness and invite the spirituality.

I have heard said that the Masses you attend while you are alive speak more in your favor then the ones said for you after you are dead. I'm pretty sure God counts EVERY Mass and doesn't count out any Mass attended with a good attitude. Besides, attending Mass 350-plus times a year vs. the required 52 will be credited at your personal judgment day.

Got that right!

"Too bad the only people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair."
-- George Burns

One to remember!

“We cannot give what we don’t have so, therefore, let us be holy.” ~Mother Teresa

Dating Advice for Dads to Follow!

RULE ONE. If you pull into my driveway and honk, you'd better be delivering a package, because you're not picking anything up.

RULE TWO. You will not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off my daughter's body, I will remove them.

RULE THREE. I am aware it's considered fashionable for boys to wear their trousers so loose that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open-minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to my door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. In order to ensure your pants do not come off during your date with my daughter, however, I will fasten them securely in place with my electric nail gun.

RULE FOUR. You may have been told that in today's world, sex without a "barrier method" can kill you. When it comes to sex with my daughter, I am the barrier method, and I am the one who will do the killing.

RULE FIVE. Social practice suggests that, to know each other better, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please don't bother. The only information I require from you is when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house. The only answer I need from you is "Early."

RULE SIX. I have no doubt you're a popular fellow who can date any girl he wishes. This is fine with me if it's okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

RULE SEVEN. Please do not sigh and fidget as you stand in my front hallway waiting for my daughter to appear, even if more than an hour goes by. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why not do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

RULE EIGHT. The following locations are not appropriate places for a date with my daughter: *Places with beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. *Places that are dark. *Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or excessive happiness. *Places where the temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff t-shirts or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka zipped up to her throat. *Movies with strong romantic or sexual themes. The following locations are appropriate places for a date with my daughter: *Movies with chainsaws. *Hockey games. *Old folks homes.

RULE NINE. Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a balding, middle-aged, pot-bellied has-been, but when it comes to my daughter, I am the all-knowing and merciless God of your universe. If I ask you where you're going and with whom, you have exactly one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I have a shovel, five acres behind the house, and a shotgun. Do not trifle with me.

RULE TEN. Above all, be afraid. Be very afraid. As I wait for you to bring my daughter home, the voices in my head tell me frequently to clean the shotgun mentioned in Rule Nine. Once home with my daughter, exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, and announce in a clear, enunciated voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car. There is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

A lot of sense that makes . . .!

I was talking to a woman after morning Mass. We were talking about the candidates running for governor in California this November. Neither one of them are 'winners' and you have to wonder at the lack of intelligent people available for public office these days.

Anyway, one of the candidates initially came out strongly in favor of regulating immigration, etc. However, to appease the illegal factions, she put forth billboards and commercials in Spanish pretty much saying the opposite. Guess she figured no one in California was bilingual.

The woman I was talking with said she was disappointed as she had planned to vote for this female but now won't because of her stand on immigration. I had to wonder. The woman is known to be VERY pro-abortion and this Catholic church goes was okay for voting for her BUT she took her vote away from her when she disagreed with her stance on immigration! Immigration was more important to her than babies? I was shocked but probably should not have been as the majority of the Catholic vote got us into a lot of mess in the recent presidential election.

Judgement Day should be interesting when God comes forth and shows them the legions of unborn baby souls they helped to murder by their unthinking vote.