I love to quilt. I enjoy the challenge of taking bits and pieces of different fabric and turning them into a whole cloth again. When you sew a dress or suit, you have to keep in mind how the various colors and patterns work together. You would never sport a striped blouse with a flowered skirt. In quilting all these rules are left behind and you find the oddest combinations seem to work amazingly well.
I am beginning to see that our world is a lot like a quilt. We all come in different colors, patterns and sizes. Alone we are something but together we can make a formidable whole. We all have a place in our world-wide quilt of humanity. Each person is in his or her place as a part of a pattern that wasn’t designed by mortal hands. Our free will, however, is starting to make a difference in the fabric of our lives.
When you make a quilt, each piece, square, triangle is stitched carefully to the next one. Each segment is dependent on the pieces connecting it to the whole. Because one piece is in place, the rest can be built accordingly. The pieces of a quilt provide a meaning and basis for the entire quilt. The world’s quilt is starting to miss spaces. The solid fabric of its connecting pieces are fraying and disappearing. God sends children into the world to step into the places left by the souls called to Heaven. He keeps older people in the world until He calls them to their eternity.
Mankind has been arranging its quilt without consulting God. Abortion leaves empty spaces and euthanasia leaves gapping holes that bring down our solidarity. You look around at your friends and relatives and wonder what life would be like without them. How many other people should be in our lives that were not given the chance to take their place in our quilt? I have heard that abortion and euthanasia weed the unproductive and unneeded. Will your child miss out on the perfect partner because they were weeded out? Will the wisdom of an older person be missing when you need it the most because someone decided they were unproductive?
The reasons for destroying our unborn and eliminating our elderly and sick are not valid, at least not to the minds that see God’s Hand in our lives. Although we will all pay for this holocaust, we, as pro-life Catholics, know where the future of our world is going. We understand why scientific cures are not being discovered. We realize why there is a lack of vocations, either in religion or marriage.
In this day the best blessing we can give anyone is to pray that they are surrounded by all the quilt pieces of life that should be there and that their children will always be surrounded by the people God planned on being there. This is a hopeful blessing although the sins of those who justify their wrongs can be seen in our lives.
I love to quilt, yet as I sew, these thoughts go through my mind. I can only pray the bits and pieces of our lives will be eventually sewn together with as much love as I put into my quilts.
“The one peculiar and characteristic sin of the world is this, that whereas God would have us live for the life to come, the world would make us live for this life. (Cardinal Newman)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
This is the solution . . .?
A few weeks ago, a company sponsored what is called a 'rave' which, from what I can gather, is a huge groups of young people getting together to listen to bands/music, dance, etc. They pack the stadiums or whatever space is used for these affairs. From what we hear, it doesn't draw a really good element. At the last one, a 15 year old girl died of an overdose. I don't imagine she was the only one indulging in some experimentation. It wouldn't seem the morality level at these events would be very high, either.
The city put a temporary stop on the Raves until they could figure out a safe way to operate them. A temporary stop seemed to me to be a good beginning followed by a permanent stop. All the blame doesn't fall to the companies that sponsor these things. What kind of parents allow their young people to attend them?
Last I heard, the sponsors decided to put on more security and more on-site emergency medical teams. You have to miss the olden days when you would go to a decent concert or event and you didn't have to worry about drugs, guns, and immorality. The sponsors can put whatever kind of 'bandaids' they want on a huge problem. When it comes down to reality, the people in charge should be the parents and they are seriously falling down on the job. No fifteen year old should die of a drug overdose. No fifteen year old should be in a situation where she can obtain drugs. No one deprived the parents of a daughter. The parents aided the demise of their child by not being a parent.
It is a sad world where the children seem to be in charge and people don't recognize inappropriate behavior for what it is. Guess I'm getting old and showing my old-fasioned mentality more and more these days. My children, however, have never been to a Rave.
The city put a temporary stop on the Raves until they could figure out a safe way to operate them. A temporary stop seemed to me to be a good beginning followed by a permanent stop. All the blame doesn't fall to the companies that sponsor these things. What kind of parents allow their young people to attend them?
Last I heard, the sponsors decided to put on more security and more on-site emergency medical teams. You have to miss the olden days when you would go to a decent concert or event and you didn't have to worry about drugs, guns, and immorality. The sponsors can put whatever kind of 'bandaids' they want on a huge problem. When it comes down to reality, the people in charge should be the parents and they are seriously falling down on the job. No fifteen year old should die of a drug overdose. No fifteen year old should be in a situation where she can obtain drugs. No one deprived the parents of a daughter. The parents aided the demise of their child by not being a parent.
It is a sad world where the children seem to be in charge and people don't recognize inappropriate behavior for what it is. Guess I'm getting old and showing my old-fasioned mentality more and more these days. My children, however, have never been to a Rave.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
My favorite find of the week!
The Seminarian's Song
To the Tune of the Major-General's Song from The Pirates of Penzance
I am the very model of Catholic seminarian
I've information pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I know the Popes of Avignon and Councils Ecumenical
From Nicaea to Vatican plus gatherings heretical.
I'm very well acquainted too with matters homiletical,
I'll write a pretty sermon that is eloquent yet practical,
About soteriology I'm teeming with a lot o' news
Such as salvation history's relation to the modern Jews.
I'm very open minded, I have Sunday lunch with Protestants,
I teach them our Church History and sing it in Gregorian Chants,
In short in matters pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I am the very model of a Catholic seminarian.
I know my ancient languages, some Latin, Greek, and Hebrew too;
I'm smart as a Dominican, I write for The Thomist review,
I quote Thomas Aquinas and I know the Summa all by heart,
I know the arguments for God from Anselm to Rene Descartes;
I am an expert without doubt in all matters liturgical,
I'll see the rubrics carried out in fashion demiurgical!
I can intone polyphony from every epoch, school and rank
And sing all of the arias composed by Mister Cesare Franck.
Then I can run a bingo or a bake sale in the Parish Hall,
And sell spaghetti supper tickets at the local shopping mall:
In short, in matters pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I am the very model of a Catholic seminarian.
In fact, when I know what is meant by 'Molinist' and 'Arian,'
When I can rise above the title of Popish sectarian,
When such affairs as wakes and confirmations I'm more wary at,
And when each sort of imperfection, sin, and fault I can combat;
When I have learnt the progress of von Balthasar's theology,
Converted every member of the Church of Scientology.
In short, when I've a smattering of basic Catholicity.
They'll say that I'm a cleric full of goodness and simplicity.
And though my Bishop is impressed by my enormous panurgy,
The man is rather wary at my love for Latin Liturgy,
But still in matters pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I am the very model a Catholic seminarian.
To the Tune of the Major-General's Song from The Pirates of Penzance
I am the very model of Catholic seminarian
I've information pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I know the Popes of Avignon and Councils Ecumenical
From Nicaea to Vatican plus gatherings heretical.
I'm very well acquainted too with matters homiletical,
I'll write a pretty sermon that is eloquent yet practical,
About soteriology I'm teeming with a lot o' news
Such as salvation history's relation to the modern Jews.
I'm very open minded, I have Sunday lunch with Protestants,
I teach them our Church History and sing it in Gregorian Chants,
In short in matters pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I am the very model of a Catholic seminarian.
I know my ancient languages, some Latin, Greek, and Hebrew too;
I'm smart as a Dominican, I write for The Thomist review,
I quote Thomas Aquinas and I know the Summa all by heart,
I know the arguments for God from Anselm to Rene Descartes;
I am an expert without doubt in all matters liturgical,
I'll see the rubrics carried out in fashion demiurgical!
I can intone polyphony from every epoch, school and rank
And sing all of the arias composed by Mister Cesare Franck.
Then I can run a bingo or a bake sale in the Parish Hall,
And sell spaghetti supper tickets at the local shopping mall:
In short, in matters pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I am the very model of a Catholic seminarian.
In fact, when I know what is meant by 'Molinist' and 'Arian,'
When I can rise above the title of Popish sectarian,
When such affairs as wakes and confirmations I'm more wary at,
And when each sort of imperfection, sin, and fault I can combat;
When I have learnt the progress of von Balthasar's theology,
Converted every member of the Church of Scientology.
In short, when I've a smattering of basic Catholicity.
They'll say that I'm a cleric full of goodness and simplicity.
And though my Bishop is impressed by my enormous panurgy,
The man is rather wary at my love for Latin Liturgy,
But still in matters pastoral, canonical, and Marian,
I am the very model a Catholic seminarian.
Remembering . . .
When I was eight years old, my mother went to work full time outside the home. I wasn’t very happy about it. During the subsequent years, I often dwelled upon the situation with some bitterness. I was a latchkey child before it even became prevalent in our society. Until she went to work, my mother was a stay-at-home mother who baked, cooked, sewed and was ALWAYS there for helping with homework. I would come home from school secure in the knowledge that she would be there. She did everything I now do today.
My mother didn’t actively start an all-out, job-hunting campaign. She did her work as a full-time mother very well. Gradually, however, she found more satisfaction in volunteer work outside the family. Volunteer work eventually turned into a job offer and she took it. The job did provide more income but the security of finding my mother home when I needed or wanted her was gone. Don’t get me wrong, she still loved us deeply but her desire for intellectual stimulation and perhaps even prestige called to her strongly. She was a woman of the nineties in the late fifties.
My own first child came along and he seemed to take away a lot from me---freedom, solitude, time to be artistic, intellectual stimulation, money not to mention sleep! I felt trapped and then guilty because I felt that way. When my baby was four months old, I got a part-time job. Actually, it was the best possible deal. I could take the baby with me to work, I only worked one day a week and I worked for someone I loved and respected.
Even though I worked for a sympathetic person, the work I was hired for came first. I remember instances of trying to nurse the baby AND get a typing assignment completed. Paperwork came first and a living, human being was a definite second in the business world. Whatever I typed, filed or wrote is long gone and forgotten. My baby is now an intelligent, young man. By the time I became pregnant with my second child, way back then, I was more than ready to quit the job and had finally found appreciation for my God-given place in life. I am a mother. I found I couldn’t divide my attentions for that responsibility and still provide the best for my children.
That year of trying to work and be a mother opened my mind. I came to discover that I wasn’t giving up a single aspect of my life in taking up a career in motherhood. I was actually enhancing my life greatly. I found freedom in taking my children with me on errands and enjoying their growing up as we went about our daily tasks together. I made the most of my solitude while they were napping and appreciated it more. I started incorporating my artistic abilities in the baking, cooking and sewing I did for my family. Money went very low on the scale of necessities for happiness. We had sufficient.
When people ask me if I ‘work’, I can reply truthfully, “Yes, I work very hard and I LOVE my job!” I don’t have to look outside my home to find fulfillment. And my mother’s job actually helped make my life better. Unknowingly, she showed me what is important in life. I no longer harbor any bitterness. I am thankful that God showed me how any childhood unhappiness could be used to build a more productive and happy present and future. Mother’s Day is everyday if you let it happen.
My mother didn’t actively start an all-out, job-hunting campaign. She did her work as a full-time mother very well. Gradually, however, she found more satisfaction in volunteer work outside the family. Volunteer work eventually turned into a job offer and she took it. The job did provide more income but the security of finding my mother home when I needed or wanted her was gone. Don’t get me wrong, she still loved us deeply but her desire for intellectual stimulation and perhaps even prestige called to her strongly. She was a woman of the nineties in the late fifties.
My own first child came along and he seemed to take away a lot from me---freedom, solitude, time to be artistic, intellectual stimulation, money not to mention sleep! I felt trapped and then guilty because I felt that way. When my baby was four months old, I got a part-time job. Actually, it was the best possible deal. I could take the baby with me to work, I only worked one day a week and I worked for someone I loved and respected.
Even though I worked for a sympathetic person, the work I was hired for came first. I remember instances of trying to nurse the baby AND get a typing assignment completed. Paperwork came first and a living, human being was a definite second in the business world. Whatever I typed, filed or wrote is long gone and forgotten. My baby is now an intelligent, young man. By the time I became pregnant with my second child, way back then, I was more than ready to quit the job and had finally found appreciation for my God-given place in life. I am a mother. I found I couldn’t divide my attentions for that responsibility and still provide the best for my children.
That year of trying to work and be a mother opened my mind. I came to discover that I wasn’t giving up a single aspect of my life in taking up a career in motherhood. I was actually enhancing my life greatly. I found freedom in taking my children with me on errands and enjoying their growing up as we went about our daily tasks together. I made the most of my solitude while they were napping and appreciated it more. I started incorporating my artistic abilities in the baking, cooking and sewing I did for my family. Money went very low on the scale of necessities for happiness. We had sufficient.
When people ask me if I ‘work’, I can reply truthfully, “Yes, I work very hard and I LOVE my job!” I don’t have to look outside my home to find fulfillment. And my mother’s job actually helped make my life better. Unknowingly, she showed me what is important in life. I no longer harbor any bitterness. I am thankful that God showed me how any childhood unhappiness could be used to build a more productive and happy present and future. Mother’s Day is everyday if you let it happen.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
What happened to professional journalism?
There was a time when the newspapers would keep us informed of what the government was about in regards to our life and affairs. The government sort of behaved because they didn't want bad publicity. These days, the media virtually tries to hide the bad stuff and leaves the subscribers out to dry.
The few avenues of truth on the radio and in the media that dare to expose the truths, are maligned and lied about. It has to make you wonder where virtue and truth has gone in the world? I've also noticed that the more wrong anyone is, the louder they yell as if that will convince you.
It isn't so much the bad politics but the politicians refusal to represent the people that initially gave them their place in office. I have written to our senators on several occasions and they DO write back but the gist of the reply is, "I appreciate you writing with your concerns but I will have to do what I think is right in this matter." The concerns I wrote about shows the senator's view to be in the minority. If the senator is going with the minority's view, how are we being represented democratically?
It does come down to the fault of many voters and non-voters. The fools we have in office didn't get there by themselves. Voters who didn't research and look past the end of their nose, put them into office. The non-voters let the rest down by not honoring their privilege to vote.
I'm especially shocked at how supposedly pro-life people voted for the economy and left the unborn to fend for themselves. The current, anti-life administration garnered 65% of the Catholic vote and that is a sad commentary on a Faith that honors life. If these 65% thought the economy was more important than life, they need to review their religion and basic, common decency.
The few avenues of truth on the radio and in the media that dare to expose the truths, are maligned and lied about. It has to make you wonder where virtue and truth has gone in the world? I've also noticed that the more wrong anyone is, the louder they yell as if that will convince you.
It isn't so much the bad politics but the politicians refusal to represent the people that initially gave them their place in office. I have written to our senators on several occasions and they DO write back but the gist of the reply is, "I appreciate you writing with your concerns but I will have to do what I think is right in this matter." The concerns I wrote about shows the senator's view to be in the minority. If the senator is going with the minority's view, how are we being represented democratically?
It does come down to the fault of many voters and non-voters. The fools we have in office didn't get there by themselves. Voters who didn't research and look past the end of their nose, put them into office. The non-voters let the rest down by not honoring their privilege to vote.
I'm especially shocked at how supposedly pro-life people voted for the economy and left the unborn to fend for themselves. The current, anti-life administration garnered 65% of the Catholic vote and that is a sad commentary on a Faith that honors life. If these 65% thought the economy was more important than life, they need to review their religion and basic, common decency.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Inspirational note for the day . . .
Did you hear about the new car that runs entirely on water? The only problem is you can only use the water from the Gulf.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
For cookin' moms!
Interested in lots of recipes, hints, and homebody kitchen talk, join my new group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PhillingPhilosophy/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PhillingPhilosophy/
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