"In archaeology you uncover the unknown. In diplomacy you cover the known."
-- Thomas Pickering
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
-- Bill Cosby
"This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer."
-- Will Rogers
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
A Walk on the Mild Side . . .
This was written by a very good friend of mine. It certainly points out a real problem in our Church today.
*****
The vocation crisis is absent from a few of the 146 Latin Rite Dioceses in the United States. In the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, Bishop Bruskowitz has no problem keeping his churches staffed with priests and his seminaries full. In the dioceses of Atlanta, Georgia, Omaha, Nebraska, and Peoria, Illinois, the same lack of a problem. They have vocations. They also have a different vocation crisis - the ordained priests are crowding out lay people in many ministries. When Bishop John Myers left the Diocese of Peoria, it had an abundance of vocations. After being appointed Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, he has sown and now reaps another harvest of vocations. The Diocese of Newark had the largest graduating class of any seminary in the country.
What is the secret of the flourishing diocese? It would seem that the bishop is the key as reflected by the above mentioned. Take the bishop in our diocese, for an example. He is a good man. I believe he is orthodox and holy. He prays. The sermons I have heard were very good. I believe, however, he is, indeed, the problem with our lack of vocations.
What is the problem with this good and orthodox bishop? I believe it is a lack of the virtue of fortitude. Most bishops have too much of the virtue of prudence and not enough of fortitude. They want to please two masters on earth; the Holy Father and the world. They hear from Rome that there cannot be women's ordination and they obey. However, they feel that they must bend the knee to their other master, the world. So, they "explain" or avoid explaining the teaching. They play down the "controversy". Anything that might upset the media, badly catechized laymen, or the elite who donate large sums of money is to be avoided or watered down. This is not because the bishops are heretics but to avoid the dreaded abyss of bad publicity.
Young men on fire for the Lord can give up a biological family to be a spiritual father to a flock but they will seldom do this to be a branch manager with the slight possibility of promotion to VP or CEO.
The bishops and their bureaucracies want smart, efficient, branch managers, who will run their parishes without controversy and crank out sacraments efficiently. A candidate for the seminary who is fired with the Holy Spirit makes them uncomfortable. What might such a priest say during a sermon? What might he tell a parishioner or a newspaper reporter? The bishop would have to try and smooth over the crises; almost certainly not by forthright affirmation of the Faith, but by weasel words, appeals to compromise, and mildness.
Bishops with vocation crises want what can never be: young men who want to dedicate their lives to Jesus who are "reasonable" and not too enthusiastic about the faith. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16.
*****
The vocation crisis is absent from a few of the 146 Latin Rite Dioceses in the United States. In the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, Bishop Bruskowitz has no problem keeping his churches staffed with priests and his seminaries full. In the dioceses of Atlanta, Georgia, Omaha, Nebraska, and Peoria, Illinois, the same lack of a problem. They have vocations. They also have a different vocation crisis - the ordained priests are crowding out lay people in many ministries. When Bishop John Myers left the Diocese of Peoria, it had an abundance of vocations. After being appointed Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, he has sown and now reaps another harvest of vocations. The Diocese of Newark had the largest graduating class of any seminary in the country.
What is the secret of the flourishing diocese? It would seem that the bishop is the key as reflected by the above mentioned. Take the bishop in our diocese, for an example. He is a good man. I believe he is orthodox and holy. He prays. The sermons I have heard were very good. I believe, however, he is, indeed, the problem with our lack of vocations.
What is the problem with this good and orthodox bishop? I believe it is a lack of the virtue of fortitude. Most bishops have too much of the virtue of prudence and not enough of fortitude. They want to please two masters on earth; the Holy Father and the world. They hear from Rome that there cannot be women's ordination and they obey. However, they feel that they must bend the knee to their other master, the world. So, they "explain" or avoid explaining the teaching. They play down the "controversy". Anything that might upset the media, badly catechized laymen, or the elite who donate large sums of money is to be avoided or watered down. This is not because the bishops are heretics but to avoid the dreaded abyss of bad publicity.
Young men on fire for the Lord can give up a biological family to be a spiritual father to a flock but they will seldom do this to be a branch manager with the slight possibility of promotion to VP or CEO.
The bishops and their bureaucracies want smart, efficient, branch managers, who will run their parishes without controversy and crank out sacraments efficiently. A candidate for the seminary who is fired with the Holy Spirit makes them uncomfortable. What might such a priest say during a sermon? What might he tell a parishioner or a newspaper reporter? The bishop would have to try and smooth over the crises; almost certainly not by forthright affirmation of the Faith, but by weasel words, appeals to compromise, and mildness.
Bishops with vocation crises want what can never be: young men who want to dedicate their lives to Jesus who are "reasonable" and not too enthusiastic about the faith. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Quotes to Ponder . . .
"We live in a moment of history where change is so speeded up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing."
-- R. D. Laing
"The incompetent with nothing to do can still make a mess of it."
-- Laurence J. Peter
"A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B."
-- Fats Domino
-- R. D. Laing
"The incompetent with nothing to do can still make a mess of it."
-- Laurence J. Peter
"A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B."
-- Fats Domino
Departure from the usual . . .
I took a second look at my recent quilt projects and was amazed to find they are all in pastel colors! I made two baby quilts in the rail fence pattern and used every scrap of pale blue, green, and pink in them. Not my usual choice of colors. I just finished piecing a ribbon quilt pattern in pale green with a pink floral pattern. I completely finished another rail fence patterned baby quilt in pale greens. Perhaps, the onset of Spring has softened my usual color palette choices?
I think I'm back to normal today, however. I hit the scrap box AGAIN and am doing a crazy quilt in every vibrant color in my collection. There isn't any rhyme or reason to it but it feels comforting.
I do feel a pull to the fabric warehouse coming over me and have thoughts of doing a quilt in every size and color of polka dotted fabric I can find. My favorite pattern has become the quick pieced triangle. I love the way you can put it together like a puzzle to come up with your own unique design.
I put away the quilting stuff early today to 'design' a treat for dinner - a cake! I recently acquired "Englightened Cakes' by Camilla Salisbury. The book is filled with old-time favorites with lower-fat ingredients. I made a yellow layered cake filled with lemon/orange curd and covered in a semi-sweet chocolate/orange frosting. Hey, Lent is over!
I think I'm back to normal today, however. I hit the scrap box AGAIN and am doing a crazy quilt in every vibrant color in my collection. There isn't any rhyme or reason to it but it feels comforting.
I do feel a pull to the fabric warehouse coming over me and have thoughts of doing a quilt in every size and color of polka dotted fabric I can find. My favorite pattern has become the quick pieced triangle. I love the way you can put it together like a puzzle to come up with your own unique design.
I put away the quilting stuff early today to 'design' a treat for dinner - a cake! I recently acquired "Englightened Cakes' by Camilla Salisbury. The book is filled with old-time favorites with lower-fat ingredients. I made a yellow layered cake filled with lemon/orange curd and covered in a semi-sweet chocolate/orange frosting. Hey, Lent is over!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Swine flu in the aftermath of the flu season . . .
The powers that be seem confused about the fact that we might be facing a flu pandemic AFTER the flu season is supposed to be about over. Having a daughter in each of the places where the Swine Flu has turned up, I took time to think about what I could do to keep them healthy. Naturally, nothing will make anyone immune to the flu but you can remind your college students about the need of TRYING to get enough sleep, washing hands often, etc. Also, I read somewhere that some viruses/germs incubate in the digestive track. This immediately put me in mind of Acidolophlus. If you keep the good bacteria going in your system, you help it fight off any bugs that come your way.
We have tried a lot of different types over the years. Recently, we discovered the products carried at www.valuesdrivenfamily.com/. Their Tummy Tune Up and Yeast Assassin do not have any side effects, do not need refrigeration, and really seem to work well. We don't only use them for preventive medicine but for minor stomach upsets and headaches. It sure beats grabbing aspirin or Tylenol.
I just had a bottle sent to each of my children away at college and ordered a couple more to keep on hand at home. Thought I'd share as no one wants the fame of being a Swine Flu victim! Oh, and you cannot catch the Swine Flu from eating pork! This is strictly a person-to-person borne illness.
Just thought I'd share. Hey, if you are sick, you can't read my blog meanderings, right?!
We have tried a lot of different types over the years. Recently, we discovered the products carried at www.valuesdrivenfamily.com/. Their Tummy Tune Up and Yeast Assassin do not have any side effects, do not need refrigeration, and really seem to work well. We don't only use them for preventive medicine but for minor stomach upsets and headaches. It sure beats grabbing aspirin or Tylenol.
I just had a bottle sent to each of my children away at college and ordered a couple more to keep on hand at home. Thought I'd share as no one wants the fame of being a Swine Flu victim! Oh, and you cannot catch the Swine Flu from eating pork! This is strictly a person-to-person borne illness.
Just thought I'd share. Hey, if you are sick, you can't read my blog meanderings, right?!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Forwarding a letter to the president . . .
This was passed on to me on e-mail today. It sure says it like it is and I hope it wakes up enough people to stop the problems now! Hey, we should cherish the moments we have to express our opinion because the 'current powers' would sure like to put a stop to it! ~Barbara
Subject: Letter to the President
April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.
You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America. You are responsible to the citizens of the United States. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.
I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the King of Saudi Arabia. You don't show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the King of Saudi Arabia. How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you?
I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million, not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every Real American
P.S. I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around'.............PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST......it's past time for all Americans to wake up!
Subject: Letter to the President
April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.
You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America. You are responsible to the citizens of the United States. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.
I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the King of Saudi Arabia. You don't show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the King of Saudi Arabia. How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you?
I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million, not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every Real American
P.S. I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around'.............PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST......it's past time for all Americans to wake up!
Great Quotes . . .
"Calamities are of two kinds: misfortunes to ourselves, and good fortune to others."
-- Ambrose Bierce
"All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed."
-- Sean O'Casey
-- Ambrose Bierce
"All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed."
-- Sean O'Casey
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