Some of the most interesting times at church seem to happen at Saturday afternoon confession time. Just when you think people would be the most penitent, the more potential for sin present itself. Perhaps a firm purpose of amendment and humbleness occur after each person's visit to the confessional.
One Saturday, I arrived at church to find the place completely empty but noted that the confessional light was on and someone was already in there. I settled down in the pew and awaited my turn. I guess the church had been empty when the current penitent arrived because she was talking quite loudly. Her remarks were punctuated with loud bursts of laughter. I sat there trying hard to not hear her but she was awfully strident in her sinful pronouncements. I waited almost 15 or 20 minutes and in that time, more and more people showed up for confession. After awhile, it was almost funny to watch the expressions on people's faces as they were 'treated' to this woman's exceedingly loud confession. Eventually, she exited the confessional and the look on her face was priceless as she had not realized the formerly empty church now housed about 20 people. She didn't stay to pray but with red face hurriedly left, humbleness applied. It was a reminder to other people as not a voice could be heard in the remainder of confessions.
Another time, we are patiently waiting in line for our turn when a garishly dressed woman comes down the aisle. She is sporting a picture hat complete with artificial flowers and a flowing, summer dress. She stops, looks at all of us there in line, looks at the closed confessional door, and then yanks open the door to confirm that there is, indeed, someone in there ahead of here. She stands looking in for a minute or two and then slams it shut and stands guard in front daring any of us to claim our rightful place in line. No one did!
My favorite was the mother/daughter duo that came into the church one Saturday. The mother, with a firm grasp on her daughter's arm, marched past the line and went right in the confessional with her daughter and slammed the door behind them. A few minutes later, the mother comes out and stands outside the door waiting. Eventually, the daughter leaves and the mother grabs her arm and they leave the church.
Since our current pastor came to our church, he made a much-needed change in Saturday confession. Up until his arrival, there was no discernible line for confession. People basically came in and sat near the area of the confessional and sort of kept track of who was there first. Naturally, many times, people didn't get their turn in order and words were often exchanged. The current pastor finally instructed everyone to get in line along the wall in the front of the confessional. Relief! You arrived at church and you knew your place! We still have a problem as people come in during this time and walk to the front pew in front of the confessional and then are very perturbed when someone in the line goes in ahead of them. Yesterday, a man did just that while the rest of us got into the line. After about four people went in before him, he looked around and said, "Oh, I didn't realize there was a line for this." Uh, you had to wonder what he thought we were all standing along the wall for if he didn't recognize it as a line!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Believing in Miracles!
Boy's miracle cure makes 1st Native American saint
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20121020/EU.Vatican.Saints/
(If clicking on the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it into your browser and hit "enter.")
Friday, October 19, 2012
Rallies Protesting the obaba mandate against religion locations in California . . .
Rallies protesting the obama mandate against Catholics scheduled in California. As usual, I don't see one listed for our diocese. I've written to the bishop more than once and never get a reply. If anyone attends any of the rallies, either in California or in another state, I'd be happy to post your experience on it on the blog. Just need to include your first name and the city and state.
California (10 Rallies)
- Anaheim (Sponsored by United 4 Religious Freedom)
- NOTE: The Anaheim Rally will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Anaheim Stadium under the Big "A"
- 2000 East Gene Autry Way
- Email the Anaheim Rally Captain
- Los Angeles Area (Sponsored by Survivors)
- NOTE: The Los Angeles Area Rally will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Pasadena Memorial Park
- 85 East Holly Street, Pasadena (map)
- Email the Los Angeles Area Rally Captain
- Madera
- St. Joachim Church
- 401 W. 5th Street (map)
- Email the Madera Rally Captain
- Redding
- NOTE: The Redding Rally will begin at 1:00 p.m.
- City Hall
- 777 Cypress Avenue (map)
- RSVP the Redding rally on Facebook
- Email the Redding Rally Captain
- San Diego
- NOTE: The San Diego Rally takes place at 10:00 a.m.
- Balboa Park
- Park Boulevard and Presidents Way
- RSVP the San Diego rally on Facebook
- Email the San Diego Rally Captain
- San Francisco (Sponsored by California Civil Rights Foundation)
- NOTE: The San Francisco Rally takes place at 1:00 p.m.
- Federal Building
- 90 7th Street (map)
- Email the San Francisco Rally Captain
- Santa Maria
- Government Buildings
- Bettravia Road and Miller Street (map)
- Email the Santa Maria Rally Captain
- Turlock
- March from Geer Road and Monte Vista Avenue to All Saints Church at 4040 McKenna Drive
- (map)
- Email the Turlock Rally Captain
- Vallejo
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza
- Georgia Street and Santa Clara Street (map)
- Email the Vallejo Rally Captain
- Ventura
- NOTE: The Ventura Rally takes place from noon to 2:00 p.m.
- Ventura County Government Center
- 800 South Victoria Avenue (map)
- Email the Ventura Rally Captain
Important to note:
Rallies against the HHS mandate will take place in more than 140 cities across
the nation tomorrow, Saturday, October 20.
Rally locations:
http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com/locations/
Let’s make our voices heard!
Rally locations:
http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com/locations/
Let’s make our voices heard!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Chick's New Friend . . .
A seemingly lost dog has taken up residence with us this week. We found the half-grown pup in our front yard and he took a real liking to my son. No tags, no collar, and no inclination to leave so we introduced him to our dog. Our dog was thrilled to have someone to tear around the yard with and didn't mind sharing her dinner bowl, either. My children named the newcoming, Griff. Griff is the one on the left.Tomorrow, we take Griff to the vet for a check up, shots, etc. and a license. First of all, however, we plan to ask the vet to check and make sure Griff doesn't have a 'chip' as we certainly don't want to deprive someone of a beloved pet.
Romney/obama debate - Some Fact Checking . . .
As in all debates, a lot is stated in hopes of turning the voter tide towards one party or the other. Before one renders their vote, based on what is heard at these debates, it is a good idea to 'fact check' some of the statements. Here are a few 'facts' from the recent debate that don't pan out under closer scrutiny.
Falsehood: President Obama stated, "[T]here are millions of women all across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood for…mammograms."
Fact: President Obama is attempting to resurrect and advance the myth that Planned Parenthood provides mammograms, an argument that was thoroughly discredited after deceitfully proffered by Planned Parenthood’s President Cecile Richards in 2011 Not one of Planned Parenthood’s approximately 800 clinics nationwide provides mammograms; moreover, as the Department of Health and Human Services documented in June 2012, Planned Parenthood is not even authorized to perform mammograms, and — if a clinic did — it would be violating federal law. Under the federal Mammogram Quality Standards Act, administered by HHS, "[n]o facility may conduct an examination or procedure…involving mammography" without a certification from the US. Food and Drug Administration.
Falsehood: President Obama stated that, under Obamacare, "if you like your healthcare plan, you will be able to keep your healthcare plan. Period. No one will take it away, no matter what."
Fact: Obamacare eliminates life-affirming choices from the health insurance market. In 2010, President Obama and his allies in Congress passed the most expansive healthcare bill in the history of the U.S. The Obama Administration’s implementation of that "healthcare reform" law now forces many women (and men) to purchase insurance that covers abortions and life-ending drugs and devices regardless of their deeply held — and constitutionally protected — conscientious beliefs. Forcing Americans to pay for an agenda is not choice. Punishing them with onerous fines if they do not submit is not freedom. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Obamacare’s anti-life mandates that violate federal law and American's First Amendment Freedom of Conscience. Real healthcare respects life and the foundational American principle of freedom of conscience.
Falsehood: President Obama also stated that "[h]ow women succeed in the workplace" is contingent upon forcing health insurance coverage of life-ending drugs.
Fact: President Obama’s comments, that women somehow need "contraception" (and need it to be paid for by others) in order to succeed, are not only offensive, but untrue. He is including some life-ending drugs in his definition of contraception. The true empowerment of women is not dependent on the ability to end pregnancy. As Governor Romney noted: "What we can do to help young women and women of all ages is to have a strong economy, so strong that employers that are looking to find good employees…and adapting to a flexible work schedule that gives women opportunities that they would otherwise not be able to afford."
Falsehood: The highly profitable abortion industry and its titular leader, Planned Parenthood, require taxpayer support.
Fact: Planned Parenthood receives over $1.3 million each day from the American taxpayer, a grand total of over $487 million a year — and this continues as our country is facing a $16 trillion debt. We know that 7 out of 10 Americans — self-described as "pro-life" and "pro-choice" — do not want their tax dollars being used for abortion. And yet President Obama was willing to shut down the federal government rather than see any cut in federal subsidies to the nation’s largest abortion provider.
Falsehood: President Obama stated, "[T]here are millions of women all across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood for…mammograms."
Fact: President Obama is attempting to resurrect and advance the myth that Planned Parenthood provides mammograms, an argument that was thoroughly discredited after deceitfully proffered by Planned Parenthood’s President Cecile Richards in 2011 Not one of Planned Parenthood’s approximately 800 clinics nationwide provides mammograms; moreover, as the Department of Health and Human Services documented in June 2012, Planned Parenthood is not even authorized to perform mammograms, and — if a clinic did — it would be violating federal law. Under the federal Mammogram Quality Standards Act, administered by HHS, "[n]o facility may conduct an examination or procedure…involving mammography" without a certification from the US. Food and Drug Administration.
Falsehood: President Obama stated that, under Obamacare, "if you like your healthcare plan, you will be able to keep your healthcare plan. Period. No one will take it away, no matter what."
Fact: Obamacare eliminates life-affirming choices from the health insurance market. In 2010, President Obama and his allies in Congress passed the most expansive healthcare bill in the history of the U.S. The Obama Administration’s implementation of that "healthcare reform" law now forces many women (and men) to purchase insurance that covers abortions and life-ending drugs and devices regardless of their deeply held — and constitutionally protected — conscientious beliefs. Forcing Americans to pay for an agenda is not choice. Punishing them with onerous fines if they do not submit is not freedom. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Obamacare’s anti-life mandates that violate federal law and American's First Amendment Freedom of Conscience. Real healthcare respects life and the foundational American principle of freedom of conscience.
Falsehood: President Obama also stated that "[h]ow women succeed in the workplace" is contingent upon forcing health insurance coverage of life-ending drugs.
Fact: President Obama’s comments, that women somehow need "contraception" (and need it to be paid for by others) in order to succeed, are not only offensive, but untrue. He is including some life-ending drugs in his definition of contraception. The true empowerment of women is not dependent on the ability to end pregnancy. As Governor Romney noted: "What we can do to help young women and women of all ages is to have a strong economy, so strong that employers that are looking to find good employees…and adapting to a flexible work schedule that gives women opportunities that they would otherwise not be able to afford."
Falsehood: The highly profitable abortion industry and its titular leader, Planned Parenthood, require taxpayer support.
Fact: Planned Parenthood receives over $1.3 million each day from the American taxpayer, a grand total of over $487 million a year — and this continues as our country is facing a $16 trillion debt. We know that 7 out of 10 Americans — self-described as "pro-life" and "pro-choice" — do not want their tax dollars being used for abortion. And yet President Obama was willing to shut down the federal government rather than see any cut in federal subsidies to the nation’s largest abortion provider.
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