And, yet, there was more . . . ?

As we all know by now, the United States' Roman Catholic bishops have been protesting the various policies of the current president including his support for same-sex marriage, abortion, contraception, and his insistence that all employer health insurance cover contraception . . . even if the employer is Catholic and this goes against the faith base and policies of the business and employer.

This week, however, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan  extended an invitation to the president to attend and speak at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. This is a New York Catholic charity event that has been in existence for more than six decades.

It sends such a mixed signal to our country and the world that while many American bishops are sueing the administration over their disregard for religious freedom, Cardinal Dolan is willing to have the pro-abortion president share dinner with him like no undercurrent was happening. A United States baby is aborted every 20 seconds and this horror is staunchly endorsed by the president . . . and he is invited to a Catholic event?

At first, I sort of thought that, perhaps, one has to keep the peace on some level and not start a battle but history shows that former President Clinton and Senator John Kerry were not asked to this event for their anti-life stance. Why the difference this year?

It makes one wonder how the cardinals and bishops can come out with lawsuits on one hand yet honor the recipient of the lawsuit at a Catholic function. You have to wonder how far the world has to go in disrespecting Catholics and Christians before all clergy put their foot down strongly on this issue? Do they need to see some of us fed to the lions before they put strength behind their words and actions?

Chocolate Cake the Easy Way . . .

I like to spend time creating a three-layered cake filled with tasty frosting but time doesn't always allow me to do that for my family. Rather than buy something day old and dry from the grocery store, the kitchen cupboard should have the ingredients to put this on the evening's menu.

Chocolate Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup hot water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray.

Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and beat to just combine. Smooth the batter into the  baking pan. Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes. Cool and serve at room temperature or cold.

deas . . .
-Some freshly-grated orange zest and a teaspoon of cinnamon makes an interesting difference.
-1 tablespoon of espresso powder to the batter brings it up to adult level.
-Adding 1/2 cup chopped nuts is good.
-When the cake is cold, mix together an instant pudding mix according to directions and pour on top
of cake. Refrigerate until set.

Word to the wise . . . is usually sufficient!

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
— Abraham Lincoln

A reminder to take to heart . . .

“God will not hear our prayers unless we acknowledge ourselves to be sinners. We do this when we ponder on our own sins alone, and not on those of our neighbor.” ~St. Moses the Ethiopian