To read some crazy Halloween stories, visit Spirit Daily - the Catholic tabloid is busting with weird stories today. LOL!
[Photo: In-corrupt/mummified remains of a man from the Capuchin Ossuary at Palermo. I mention it in this post here.]
Spooky...
I'm so freakin' pumped!I worked on my ghosts out front today. They are huge billowing gauze creations, topped with realistic skulls - they loom 10 to 15 feet in the air. One flies from the house as if he is emerging through the wall. Another floats above the Tina Crab tree, while the other hovers above the ivy hedge. It is really dramatic. Vans with kids stop and look, kids on bikes are in awe, even seniors slow down and chuckle, a couple of guys in pick-ups stopped to ask how I did it. People are liking it. Wait until tomorrow night when the white jack-o-lanterns go out, and the luminaries - 18 of them are lighted! Omigosh - and the dry-ice fog! I'm so scared!!!
Okay! I'm really into it! It is so Day of the Dead!
I'm a Halloweenie!
Hollowed out already.
I went to Target to get props - they had no fake cobwebs - just about everything was sold out. So I bought a fogger and a strobe "lightning" machine. I took it all back - the fogger had too many warnings and the strobe was just too disco.
I did buy some skulls to mount on my stakes. I bought white bags and Shabat candles for the luminaries, and Wednesday morning I will probably go out to buy the dry ice to make my own fog. Oh - I bought real pumpkins too - white ones. Of course I bought candy - but I capitulated and bought the normal stuff most people buy, Snickers, Hersheys, Mounds, etc. I was going to give out holy cards of the saints as well, but considered everyone may not be Catholic. Plus, this isn't my old job. (I had an All-Saints party each year at the store and gave out candy and holy cards and religious trinkets - people loved it. Kids would come in costumes of their favorite saint and we had a coloring contest with prizes. I don't think they did it this year.)
I'm no longer in the mood to give out candy. I'll do it, but maybe I'll just throw the candy out the window as the kids come up the stairs. That way I won't have to talk to them and say how cute they are and all that crap.
The World Series
BOSTON WINS THE WORLD SERIES AGAIN!!!!!!!!
I didn't even know they were playing. Is that why the Vikings lost yesterday? (Now how did I know that? Where's Cathy when you need her?)
Blog hiatus... yeah, right.
Cathy said she's on blog hiatus. Yet here she is, standing on the bar when she was out and about last night - she's in the black dress - I have no idea who the other woman is. Cathy - get some help!All Hallows Eve
Trick or Treat.
I never give out candy on Halloween. I usually close up the shutters and keep very few lights on, as if no one is home. I didn't want the kids running through my garden and landscape instead of using the stairs - so I refused to participate in the tradition. This year however, I intend to change all of that.
I'm going to rig up some type of fence of tall stakes with banners, knit together with spider webs. I'll line the stairs with candles, and have a cauldron with dry ice at the top of the stairs, to make a scary fog. There will be smaller containers of dry ice in the hedges, to add to the fog. I'll have the front light on and give out candy - good candy - not cheap stuff. It will be fun. I was thinking I could dress up like Bottom from "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and wear the head of a jackass.
I wish I had some Valium.
I never give out candy on Halloween. I usually close up the shutters and keep very few lights on, as if no one is home. I didn't want the kids running through my garden and landscape instead of using the stairs - so I refused to participate in the tradition. This year however, I intend to change all of that.
I'm going to rig up some type of fence of tall stakes with banners, knit together with spider webs. I'll line the stairs with candles, and have a cauldron with dry ice at the top of the stairs, to make a scary fog. There will be smaller containers of dry ice in the hedges, to add to the fog. I'll have the front light on and give out candy - good candy - not cheap stuff. It will be fun. I was thinking I could dress up like Bottom from "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and wear the head of a jackass.
I wish I had some Valium.
In the dust...
"No pit is so deep that his love is not deeper still." - Betsy Ten Boom
I was thinking of St. Therese's counsel to Celine about the humiliation of always finding oneself on the ground. She told her to rejoice at finding herself so imperfect as to be always falling on the ground through her faults and humiliations, since these so attract the mercy of Jesus. I often think of this during the stations of the cross, and imagine the face of Jesus so very close to mine when he falls carrying the cross. I find I'm content to meet him there, face to face in my misery.
Neighbor against neighbor?
Holy Family Catholic Church.
Ray from Stella Borealis sent me an email which included an article from a local arts and news weekly covering a neighborhood conflict in a western suburb of Minneapolis. The problem is between Holy Family Catholic Church and a group of neighbors whose homes are adjacent to Church property. (City Pages article here.)
Holy Family parish has grown to be a vibrant Catholic community under the capable leadership of Fr. Thomas Duffner, who happens to be a very solid Catholic priest. Fr. Duffner is a traditional Catholic priest, although not in the rad-trad sense. He is very much in line with the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church. His theology is impeccable, and his homilies reflect that, while he is very attuned to what plagues contemporary society and culture. He is admirably active in pro-life causes, pro-family, and so on. He seems to be a model priest, and though a busy pastor involved in every aspect of his parish, he takes time to nourish his prayer life in daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayer.
Do not covet thy neighbor's house.
I go to Holy Family quite often for adoration, confession, and occasional Sunday Mass. A few months ago I couldn't help but notice signs neighbors had posted on the back of their property facing the Church; "Do not covet thy neighbor's house." I knew immediately that the Church was interested in buying the neighbor's property so as to expand the Church complex. Fr. Dufner had re-opened the K-12 parish school across the street, providing solid Catholic education in the Archdiocese. The parish has grown so fast, there is a genuine need for office space, as well as a 'gathering space' separate from the quaint Norman style Church edifice.
Naturally the parish would look to a line of houses on the other side of the block, as the property would be the reasonable place to acquire for expansion of the Church campus. Trouble is, the neighbors don't want to sell, even though the Church has offered above market value for their homes. The homes are little better than what I call 'drive bys' yet they have a charm and are well kept homes, in a highly desirable neighborhood. As I understand it, a couple of the same families have lived there for decades. It is their home.
I doubt this is an anti-Catholic thing.
City Pages came to bat for the neighbors in an article some may read as hostile to Catholicism, if not Fr. Dufner. So far the chancery has pretty much stayed out of the fracas - after all, it is a neighborhood problem. Although the chancellor did communicate with the homeowners concerned to say nothing dishonest is going on in the transactions. The neighbors are accusing Father of being overly ambitious in his plans for Holy Family as well as secretive in his tactics. Obviously this is a hot issue and people's perceptions may be skewed.
Is Fr. Dufner ambitious? Is it covetousness to desire the neighbor's property? I suppose Fr. Dufner is ambitious, although ambitious for the Kingdom of God. The neighbors may see it entirely on a natural level however. Having met Fr. Dufner, though I respect him much, I can maybe see where he'd come off as ambitious and maybe a bit aloof. That is just his personality. He's a fast talker - I mean that literally - he squeezes a heck of a lot into a Sunday homily. He's a no nonsense man of his convictions, thus his approach in this contest may come off as cold and too business-like for the homeowners. And he just might be moving too fast for them. (I don't know the facts other than what I've read, so I'm just speculating here.)
Put yourself in the neighbors place.
Not a few of Holy Family's parishioners come from neighborhoods far away from the church - they don't live nearby - that neighborhood is not the one they live in. When I first saw the signs, I did think the desire for neighboring property could seem like covetousness to those not associated with the parish. Yet that is an exaggeration of terms, since the Church is willing to negotiate for the property, and is willing to pay above market value. However, the enthusiasm of the parish to acquire the property may come off as a little pushy.
Having said that, Catholics shouldn't be too quick to demonize the homeowners. Relocating is a difficult thing for most people, especially if they are long term residents. A man's home is his castle, homes create strong emotional bonds in families. Even selling at above market value, a home owner may have difficulty in replicating his home, property, and neighborhood, not to mention leaving longtime friends and neighbors. Another consideration to think about is that maybe the neighbors just don't like Fr. Dufner and his parishioners.
I've lived in my house since 1990, and I love my house. People have driven by and stopped to ask if I would be willing to sell it. My answer is always "no". If the Church across the street wanted to buy my property, again I would say "absolutely not". It is a Seventh Day Adventist church and they annoy me every Saturday because they park in my driveway, jam the streets with their vans, and litter, yet it is only one day a week. But even if it were a Catholic church - they wouldn't get my house.
I think the neighbors of Holy Family should be given a little slack. A house is not just another piece of property, it is a home - their home. As for any anti-Catholic tone in the City Pages article one has to remember that is the secular media take on conservative Catholic priests who are in line with Church teaching. They didn't exactly attack Fr. Dufner. People shouldn't over react to this one.
Prayer and patience obtains all. Holy Family will get their land.
More on WWIII
From Israeli News:
(IsraelNN.com) US President George W. Bush said a nuclear Iran would mean World War III. Israeli newscasts featured Gog & Magog maps of the likely alignment of nations in that potential conflict.
Channel 2 and Channel 10 TV showed the world map, sketching the basic alignment of the two opposing axes in a coming world war, in a manner evoking associations of the Gog and Magog prophecy for many viewers. The prophecy of Gog and Magog refers to a great world war centered on the Holy Land and Jerusalem and first appears in the book of Yechezkel (Ezekiel). - Source
The 'prophet' who would stop into visit me at the religious goods store I worked at, told me a year or two ago that the final war is soon coming. He cited the same passage from Ezekiel the Israeli News used to base their story.
It could happen.
Does anyone watch "The Office"?
Michael came into work after watching "The Devil Wears Prada" the night before and throws his coat on the receptionist's desk - like Meryl Streep did in the movie. Then he keeps yelling from his office, "I want my steak."
I thought it was funny.
Weekend "Blogger-talk"...
This is me after reading a few other blogs...I can't even bring myself to name them.
He's gay.
Albus Dumbledore is gay!Gosh! And I liked him. I guess this is one more reason why Catholics shouldn't read Harry Potter. The author 'outed him'. (I'll bet Snape and a few others are on that same dance team.)
Friday fast.
"My heart is won more readily through your wretchedness than through your virtues! Who came away from the Temple justified? The publican. For to me the sight of a humble contrite soul is irresistible... That is the way I am." - Jesus to Sr. Consolata Betrone[Thanks to Jeffrey for the photo of the shrine to the Sacred Heart.]
Elvis priest...
Viva Las something...
Thomas Merton once said that one of his greatest penances was the lack of taste shown by the monks in the monastic community in which he lived. I get that.
What about this for no taste, the Romanian priest who impersonates Elvis? (I guess when you are from Romania you have to do something.)
Sorbo, Italy - Romanian-born Antonio Petrescu believes you can worship God and (impersonate) Elvis at the same time: as a Catholic priest and Elvis Presley impersonator, he finds his spiritual inspiration in the late rock legend.
"People ask me 'How can you reconcile Elvis impersonations with your choice of professional work?'" said Petrescu, who puts on his glittery suits and swivels his hips when not working as a parish priest in the Italian town of Avezzano. - Story
The priest's website here. Yeah - that's his photo - kinda looks like Jeron.
Press Conference
The President was tough.
I watched the last part of President Bush's press conference this morning. He must not have slept well last night - I could see it in his eyes. And he was not in a good mood - in fact, he was pretty feisty and tough. No nonsense for him today. He suggested that if Iran gets nuclear capabilities we will be looking at WWIII. I have to say I think I agree with him.
"So I've told people that, if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," said Bush. - Breitbart
I watched the last part of President Bush's press conference this morning. He must not have slept well last night - I could see it in his eyes. And he was not in a good mood - in fact, he was pretty feisty and tough. No nonsense for him today. He suggested that if Iran gets nuclear capabilities we will be looking at WWIII. I have to say I think I agree with him.
"So I've told people that, if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," said Bush. - Breitbart
Blognet
Call in the investigative teams!
Blogger-talk has it that a man posing as a priest has a new blog called On Guard Against the Catholic "Lunatic Fringe". (OMIGOSH! Maybe it's Jeffrey!) I love the title - "Lunatic Fringe". LOL! The speculation that he is not a real priest is rampant however. I read his posts and found nothing offensive. I gather he is not a big fan of the Motu Proprio, but hey, is that a sin now? (Of course I don't know what the rules are for impersonating a priest.) There is a blog "Ask Sr. Mary Martha" - does anyone know if she is a real nun? Her site is immensely popular and fun to read, but what's the difference?I've often said that we don't really know who most bloggers are, and on what authority do any of us write? So some one has a long pedigree of academic letters behind their name - that doesn't make them the Magesterium. Not a few bloggers have written professionally and are published authors - so? Even bloggers whom we know are priests - they aren't necessarily speaking ex-cathedra. For the most part we know who these bloggers are and into what categories they fall - so we trust them.
Nevertheless, there are many other bloggers who use pseudonyms and write orthodox to trad sounding stuff - how are we to know they aren't part of the "lunatic fringe"? What if one or two are priests posing as laymen?
At least with me you know my real name, you know my story and have realized I'm a lunatic.
A blog, is a blog, is a blog. Lighten up.
(Just a note - I was deleted from a couple of blogrolls once because I linked to an "unapproved" blog. You people are so strict.)
Even more funny Pope pictures...
Pope in flames.
The above photo out of Poland is supposed to show JPII waving from the grave. Story here. This photo will probably thrill some trads and sedes - they might suggest it is proof John Paul is not in Heaven but some other place, like purgatory or...
Very few trads accept John Paul II as "Great".
FYI - The Congregation For The Clergy
Where Monsignor Stenico worked...
Secretary: Archbishop Csaba Ternyak
Undersecretary: Mons. Antonio Silvestrelli
With due regard for the rights of bishops and their conferences, this congregation examines those things which concern priests and deacons of the secular clergy with regard to their persons, pastoral ministry, matters which are in support of the exercise of these things, and in all this provides opportune assistance to the bishops. The Congregation has many functions: it studies, proposes and urges the means and aids by which priests strive for sanctity. This office also has charge of everything which concerns the work and discipline of the diocesan clergy. Particularly it promotes the preaching of the Word of God and the works of the apostolate and organization of catechesis, evaluates and approves pastoral and catechetical directories, fosters national and international Catechetical Congresses and indicates the opportune norms for religious instruction of children, young people and adults. The Congregation looks also to the preservation and administration of the temporal goods of the Church without prejudice to the other Congregations which have temporal goods committed to their vigilance. The Pontifical commission for The Conservation of the Artistic and Sacred Patrimony if directly responsible to the Congregation for the Clergy.
The feast of St. Teresa of Avila
Doctor of the Church
Mystical Doctor of the Church that she is, she had a very homely manner of writing, a wit that shows through even in her loftiest works. The digressions she indulges in as she wrote her autobiography dramatize her personal style while lending us ever new and revealing insight into her personality, that some have described as vivacious. Curious term for a contemplative nun.
On another blog a discussion has a come up regarding whether or not women should be declared Doctors of the Church. Not surprisingly, an SSPX bishop raised the question. For some reason a few uber-trads seem to reject most of the saints and blesseds, and apparently now female Doctors, who have been proclaimed such since the Council. Of course, trads do not follow the new liturgical calendar anyway, so how much difference does it make? (I'll have to explore that.)
Nevertheless, this reminded me of the post I did last year, on the humor of Teresa of Avila. last year - just for fun - I came up with an idea of a sit-com based upon St. Teresa's life. I immediately thought of Bea Arthur ("Maud", "Golden Girls") in the role of Teresa, with Christine Baranski ("Cybil Shepard Show", "The Birdcage") as the Princess of Eboli. They could spar over her writings as they did in real life - only make it funnier - wasn't it the Princess who had an eye-patch - or am I getting my nobility mixed up? Actually, the sit-com could focus on the Princess, after the death of her husband, when she entered the monastery of Pastrana, and became the source of so much grief - now that's a show.
In one scene, Teresa could be traveling to make another foundation, the coach falling in the river, Bea Arthur, with her dead pan humor, looking up to heaven, as in the photo above, saying, "No wonder you have so few friends when you treat them like this." Then guffaws of canned laughter. The entire production could be done similarly to the British sit-com, "Absolutely Fabulous!"
Uber-trads wouldn't be happy with that either.
[Edited from an earlier post.]
Boys in the Vatican
As in "Boys In the Band"Unfortunately, what the suspension of Monsignor Tommaso Stenico, Capo Ufficio in the Congregation for the Clergy and Professor at the Pontifical Lateranian University seems to have confirmed is the presence of a sub-culture of homosexual priests at the Vatican. Of course, homosexuals are everywhere, as they like to say, in business, politics, arts and media, and as most of us know, in the clergy. Yet most of us like to believe they are few in number and not in positions of power.
Critics of the modern episcopate and the process by which men are appointed bishops, appear to have their suspicions confirmed by the recent suspension of this priest who outed himself on Italian National television. It segues nicely with many of the conspiracy theories which blame Vatican II for much of what ails the Church in the years since the Council - despite the fact that this is not a new problem in the history of the Church. Perhaps there is some basis for these concerns today, especially in light of the recent scandals which involve bishops covering up for crimes committed by homosexual priests. After all, bishops are appointed by Rome.
It has happened before...
Rorate Caeli has a post concerning the most recent events in Rome, with links to a couple of other cases last year. One involving a high ranking Monsignor cruising the notorious gay area near the Borghese Gardens. The Vatican, as well as the Monsignor denied any disordered conduct. In the same year, three Vatican priests were dismissed for engaging in Internet gay pornography in a Cardinal's office. Thus the recent episode does not seem to be so 'isolated' in kind, especially since I believe three other priests were on the same TV program as the ill-fated Monsignor Stenico this past month. Perhaps it is a coincidence, but the Stenico incident happened this month, which observes October 11th as International Coming Out Day.
I should note, in Monsignor Stenico's 'defense', the priest has denied all the charges and insists that he had been set up. He stated, as a psychoanalyst he was doing research work on gay behavior. His efforts were directed towards a better understanding of the culture, which, by a fault of a few people - among them priests - is doing so much harm to the Church. (Read the report here.)
Faierie tales can come true...
Yes. Yes. Yes. And Larry Craig was just trying to pick up a piece of toilet paper from a dirty public restroom floor when he was caught reaching beneath the partitions, signalling the guy next door. It reminds me of a story I once heard of a guy who had been seen leaving a notorious gay cruising area in a public park one day. When asked what he was doing there, he explained to his Catholic friends who happened to drive by, that he had been handing out rosaries and leaflets, hoping to convert the homosexuals who frequented the park. Maybe. In Stenico's case, we will have to see what the Vatican's investigation turns up, admittedly, none of us know the whole story.
Throughout history there have been homosexuals in the clergy and in the Vatican. Every center of power attracts these people who are easily seduced by prestige, influence, glamour, ostentatious display, pleasure, luxury and riches - the Church is not exempt. However, if there is a homosexual problem in the Church, especially when it influences the nomination and selection of bishops, then this is very serious stuff which directly affects "faith and morals".
I wonder if it is not time for some sweeping reforms, or perhaps a new Council of Trent?
90th Anniversary of the miracle at Fatima.
The first reading from today's Mass reminded me of the miracle at Fatima. It seemed providential to have this reading for the 13th of October.
"Sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness..." - Joel 4
I wondered why Heaven chooses to reveal these things to children, and not to the Bishops or the Pope. It seems to me it would be easier if the Pope would be the one to speak the requests of Our Lady, perhaps everyone would listen then. Maybe not. And as we know, sometimes Bishops don't speak up when they ought to.
Elena of Tea At Trianon has a good post on the events of October 13, 1917.
Many people claim to have seen the miracle of the sun at other contemporary alleged apparition sites. I guarantee you - whatever they saw was not on the magnitude of what went on in Fatima 90 years ago today.
Does someone really have to tell you?
Do parents have to be told their kids are fat?DENVER – In an effort to combat the problem of childhood obesity, the Denver Public School District is sending home student health reports to keep parents informed. However, one parent says it should not have been sent home in her daughter's backpack because she read it.
"The part that upset her the most as she started reading it, there it stated that she was overweight and she started to cry saying, 'Mom, that school tells me I'm fat.' So, it was very heart wrenching," said Flaurette Martinez. - School sends home obesity notices on students.
This must mean the girl didn't know she was fat before the notice?
(Photo: Not the girl in the story.)
Contraception...
You must read this post, "Did I Kill My Little Girl?"
What follows is an excerpt:
A few years ago, I was involved in a "long-term relationship", and we used contraception. I remember my willful ignorance, most of which I gained from "informed" sources, even when that information was contradicted. I had a roommate, a left-wing liberal Democrat social worker, who told me that contraception does, in fact, cause abortions. It does this because contraception cannnot necessarily suppress ovulation. And if ovulation occurs, and a child is conceived, that zygote cannot be implanted. Contraception makes the womb uninhabitable and flushes the new life out and away and into death. - Adoro
Art: "Drawing of a Young Girl" by Adoro.
Just a heads up for Cathy...
NASCAR cootiesThe event: NASCAR.
The rub: the requirement that the Democrat and Republican staffers attending first be immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and influenza.
"I have never heard of immunizations for domestic travel, and as the representative for Concord, North Carolina, I feel compelled to ask why the heck the committee feels that immunizations are needed to travel to my hometown," Mr. Hayes, a Republican, said in a letter to Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and committee chairman.
"I have been to numerous NASCAR races, and the folks who attend these events certainly do not pose any health hazard to congressional staffers or anyone else," Mr. Hayes said. - Fishwrap News
Who is this blogger?
Go here to find out - she's pretty smart too. (Hint: She signs her comments "Swiss Miss" as if the photo didn't give that away!)
FRIDAY penitential update: My apologies Monica. I have no training in photo shop, but I used paint to make you more modest. Now you are all presentable for Fr. Altier.
Clerical dog collars...
I've never heard them called that before - it must be a British thing. Although the above clerical collar is not what has been in the news recently. It seems advisers to the Church in the UK are warning clerics not to wear their collars in public for fear of being assaulted. I doubt this is a very big problem with clergy of the American Church - many older priests rarely wear clerics. They already know the prejudice against priests because of the abuse scandals of recent years. Many good priests suffer because of the crimes of a few. My family.
There is nothing to blog about so I thought I'd post a photo of my family. We weren't always this happy, but it is a nice picture, don't you agree?
Meme...meme...meme...me...me...
Titling this post, I realized Memes are all about me - so you would think that I could be more cooperative in responding to them. I think Salve Regina is the first person to pass this meme along, then Angela Messenger. There is nothing to blog about, so I'll do it today.
1. Do you attend the Traditional Latin Mass or the Novus Ordo?
I attend the Novus Ordo Mass. I grew up with the TLM and have assisted at the TLM a few times in recent years. The local parish that currently offers the Mass is several miles away and the Mass is late morning. I prefer to attend Mass very early in the morning, after my daily Lectio Divina. This may sound strange, but I completely accept the teaching of the Church that the Novus Ordo is a valid, licit Mass.
2. If you attend the TLM, how far do you drive to get there?
I covered that in the last question - it seems like 300 miles.
3. If you had to apply a Catholic label to yourself, what would it be?
Roman Catholic.
4. Are you a comment junkie?
Kinda, sorta. I would like at least 78 comments per post.
5. Do you go back to read the comments on the blogs you’ve commented on?
Sometimes, especially if I'm having fun with the blogger. However, if I place a serious comment, it isn't for the sake of argument - I say what I want to and that is it - it wasn't a question. I usually think of my posts in the same way.
6. Have you ever left an anonymous comment on another blog?
Kinda, sorta. Only when I'm playing with someone who knows me - then I leave celebrity names - and they know it is me. I think nasty anonymous comments are cheap shots - and hypocritical - they are like sucker punches.
7. Which blogroll would you most like to be on?
The people I link to.
8. Which blog is the first one you check?
9. Have you met any other bloggers in person?
Yes - in court at the defamation hearings.
10. What are you reading?
I'm still working on "Bergdorf Blondes". I want to reread Vanna White's autobiography when I finish.
Soup to nuts
Stan Laurel in the dinner scene from "Soup To Nuts". (The soup bowls had nothing in them, but the guests were eating. LOL!)TMI
Too much information.
That is my only conclusion after going through a few blogs tonight. I read a rad trad blog and then a progressivist blog, and a couple in between. It all seems meaningless to me.
{Art: Bosch, "Ship of Fools"]
That is my only conclusion after going through a few blogs tonight. I read a rad trad blog and then a progressivist blog, and a couple in between. It all seems meaningless to me.
{Art: Bosch, "Ship of Fools"]
106 million!
Every home should have one.
I heard on the news there is now 106 million blogs on the Internet - and growing every day. (Isn't there a TV show about desperate housewives?) So everyone must have a blog now.
Anytime anything goes mainstream, it's over then.
[Except for June Cleaver - this is the best blog by a wife and mother ever - sorry Marge.]
Good byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I haven't been answering emails or the phone. What's so wrong with that? (Little Freak called me and I answered his call though. He is so good. Pray for his wife right now - she is in hospital and 6 weeks from her due date.)Did you ever see the Laurel and Hardy episode when they were all in the car and everyone kept saying good bye to each other but the car wasn't going anyplace? Well that is my situation. I'm here, I'm not going anyplace and nothing is new.
The TransitusA funny story...
You light up my life.
When I lived in Boston I became friends with a man who was planning to enter monastic life. He was very devout and frequented the same adoration chapels as I did. One night we were out for supper - he wanted to treat me. After dinner, whereat he had insisted he bore the stigmata, and I tried to convince him otherwise, we were walking to the trolley to go our separate ways. Suddenly he started to sing Debbie Boon's song, "You Light Up My Life".
I never liked to be sung to, my Dad used to do it when he was drunk, so I was embarrassed for my friend. After he finished serenading me he said, "Terry, that's how I feel about you." I realized he was gay and had a huge crush on me. I proceeded to explain to him the monastic notion of inordinate affections and friendship. He seemed to take it well.
I never saw him again.
[This post was prompted after hearing the same song on television tonight. Sorry - I'm OCD about at least one post a day.]
Battle ax nuns
Ray of Stella Borealis sent me this story yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to post it, today everyone has it. Three nuns in Southern Italy came to blows and the convent was shut down - it used to be termed 'suppressed'. The superior barricaded herself in the convent, while the other two were sent to another facility."Sisters Annamaria and Gianbattista, reportedly upset about their mother superior's authoritarian ways, scratched her in the face and threw her to the ground at Santa Clara convent near Bari in an incident in July that was kept quiet until now." - Brietbart.com
This isn't that unusual in history. Teresa of Avila encountered opposition at the Incarnation when she was appointed prioress. John of the Cross was imprisoned, and there are many stories of rebellious monks and nuns and even murder in medieval monasteries. A few years ago a group of Carmelites rebelled against the prioress of their monastery because she was going to allow television in the cloister. They barricaded themselves in the infirmary. I can't remember what happened to them however. I recall one of the rebels was a Sr. John of the Cross, a nun in simple vows at the time. (Update: I found the story here.)
Obedience, obedience, obedience, ladies.
[Photo: An order of nuns from Nazareth, I'm not sure if they are Orthodox or Roman Catholic.]
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