Tippi Barbie...or "Bad Birds Barbie"...

I cannot for the life of me remember where I saw this and from where I lifted it. H/T to somebody out there. This just makes me laugh out loud every time. I've been cleaning out some folders and came across this in my "drafts folder" at gmail. There could be plenty of humorous captions, but this one's mine:

"I may be be pecked to death, but so help me, I'll die with flawless hair!"

A reply to a comment I made on You Tube...

atlasdoc2 has replied to your comment on Phil Keaggy:

"Maybe if you would care as much about the children AFTER they are born, there wouldn't be as many teen pregnancies, and thus fewer abortions! Abortion is NOT the cause of a problem, it is a SYMPTOM, when will you people get it? Treating the symptoms only makes the problem get worse, you must address the cause and that is what Obama is advocating."

Evidently this is what "atlasdoc2," thinks about my "not caring" about children AFTER they're born. I replied with a few thoughts and then ended with, "wake up and smell the sulfur." I wrote "sulfur" so he or she wouldn't stumble, and misprounce the word with the "ph." How very sad this is. We are so in trouble in this country. People actually think like this. Either they've bought the lie, or they're in denial or they're in actual rebellion, and don't see that aborting UNBORN babies, who have NO WHERE TO RUN, and NO DEFENSE is a mere "symptom" of our "not caring about born children" enough. How miserable and how extremely sad is our society, when INNOCENT LIFE, being ripped from limb from limb INSIDE the womb, isn't a problem, but only a symptom. The real problem is people "like me" who don't see how much Obama really cares. May the scales fall from this horribly misled person's eyes. I really pray they will fall, before it's too late.

We watched this last night...

EXCELLENT! Accolades to Ed Asner (which seemed a puzzling casting choice for me, until I saw it) for this exquisite portrayal of beloved and "Blessed Pope John XXIII!"

Highly recommend this one, folks.

We enjoyed our time and the company of friends watching and muching popcorn and sipping some wine. Kris is recovering from surgery and it was something we talked about earlier in the day when she invited us over. We thought, "what a great idea, to have a 'movie night' or "matinee" regularly with friends, of like mind and heart! We all need more time just to "hang" and not have it be for a class, mass, donut Sunday, or a Lenten mission or a retreat, etc. We have a "friendship" deficit in our culture, and even in the Church, we get too busy just to "hang out" and "waste time" together.
And if I may add, I've been blessed to the hilt "hanging out" with Jesus and "wasting time" with Him at adoration. We've a beautiful chapel, 24/7 Exposition...Jesus is waiting to "hang out" with us, for that's what he was "hanged" on the cross for, our redemption, salvation, and just for us to BE WITH HIM,...not just here, but FOREVER IN HEAVEN. Go hang out with the Lord, and then go get a movie and call some friends over. Share the Faith this way, too, with neighbors. Who knows what might develop and where it might lead them. Maybe to the doors of your parish!

It's all too spooky, creepy, and even "Stalinesque"...

H/T Overheard in the Sacristy

Amen.

But I'm praying for Obama to return to his Mama...most Holy. Holy Mary Mother of God Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

As Saul was converted I pray for Obama and all in political office who seem to be riding rather "elevated, proud ponies" There but for the grace of God, go I and I, too, need deeper conversion but what it is we're up against only God knows. Our Lady warns us to pray and fast and we best heed our Mother. The Right Arm of the Lord is heavy upon her shoulder. She cannot keep the judgment of God our Father held back forever. Divine Mercy is for all RIGHT NOW..."tomorrow" will be too late for as we know, tomorrow never comes.

The mystery of mystery and as deep as the sea...

Proclaimed as beautifully as I've ever read. H/T Argent

Mass...

Scott Hahn's description of Mass as stated on Reasons to Believe (EWTN):

"There are not two churches, one up there, and one down here. There's one church, there's one kingdom, there's one liturgy and we do it on earth as it is in heaven."

"The Mass is probably the most biblically saturated hour that anybody can experience on this planet." And he continues, "From the very opening, and it's not just because they're reading from the bible, but because they're doing what the bible's describing."

The Catholic Church is not "sermon centered" but Eucharistic. The Mass is "soaked" in scripture. 28 times in 22 chapters in Revelation, Jesus is called "Lamb of God" No where else in the NT is Jesus referred to in eucharistic terms.
On the road to Emmaus, when Jesus opens the scriptures, showing them how Christ must suffer. When he takes bread, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to them, pnly then are their eyes opened. Once our faith grasps Christ's real presence IN the Holy Eucharist his physical presence, his visible body is no longer necessary. It even might pose a threat to faith growing and maturing. The gestures of scripture are all through the bible, as well as vestments, and all are part of the New Testament. The NT doesn't do away with the OT, but completes it...with Jesus as our High Priest, and Victim of the sacrifice that 'continues' from the cross in an unbloody manner for it is now his glorified body that we partake of and eat in the Mass. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and our Eucharistic meal, for we "eat" the Lamb as did they eat the lamb in the OT during Passover. The Eucharist is what makes us ONE BODY, we who are many are one body by sharing the eucharistic body. Hebrews and Revelation describe the "cloud of witnesses" that share in the Eucharist with us at Mass. They're more alive than we are, those Saints in heaven. The kingdom is already on earth, because the Church is already in Heaven. The Church and the Kingdom, though in some ways distinct, are inseparable and can never be divided. Lumen Gentium describes the Pilgrim Church (on earth) is in perfect sacramental union with the Church in heaven, that "great cloud" by Christ's power through the Holy Spirit, in and during the Mass, but there will come a time when the "veil" now between us is rent and we'll discover the heavenly mysteries that are sacramentally veiled in our midst every time we celebrate the Mass. Though apart we're united and ...

all I can say is, "How cool and awesome and amazing is that?!"

Now I'm OFF TO MASS to gather with ALL THE SAINTS and ANGELS!

Hill of Crosses...

I just watched "A Hill Apart" on EWTN. Unfortunately, I didn't record it, and in the search, it doesn't come up again, but found this short article. It is so timely. With the new Socialist agenda and radical Left regime building, well, more and more articles, shows, books, videos are popping up all over about persecution, and even Rush and Laura Ingraham and other talk show hosts comment on the "Stalinist" sounding ideas floating about. Words like "spooky" and "creepy" come over the air about Obama's speech today, and other speeches. I do pray for him, for his family and staff that there will be coversions of hearts. Many of my friends and I have spoken about "what could be coming down the pike" and here is a brief vignette of what we could even face here in America, for it seems since 9-11, we've been lulled back into an apathetic collective yawn, and wanting the "freebies" that Obama promises, which ARE NOT FREE! Well, we've also neglected Our Lady's many warnings, since Fatima. Now we will soon see what we're up against as a Church in this country. As Christians, we may just have to face some hard times, but if we remain in solidarity, and pray the rosary and fast, clinging to our Mother's mantle, may we find the grace to persevere, no matter what may befall. I read 3 biographies on St Maximilian Kolbe last year, and recently checked out one on Edith Stein. I pray for their intercession for us, here in "la la land" for we have been seduced by materialism and greed, pushing God further and further out of our lives. We watched First Circle, (Soltzhenitsyn) over Christmas, and I Am David recently and there have been a lot of programs on EWTN about Ukraine Catholics coming out of "underground" only in 1989 and others about Russia and her icons, etc. We need to listen to Our Lady, I think the Pilgrim Virgin Statue's recent visit in the heart of our country, right here in Omaha in October was a 'warning'... prepare. Be vigilant, sober, alert, watchful, and pray pray pray! Get the oil in your lamps, and be ready...who knows what's ahead, but we do know God is bigger than anything, any persecution. Draw close to Him, and "be not afraid."

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, PRAY FOR US!

Hill of Crosses

God rest your soul, Fr. John Neuhaus...

Saint Joseph, be by his side, welcome him with Mary, his Mother. Escort him to the throne of the Lamb of God, to behold the glory of Jesus forever. Comfort his family and friends at this time. Fill their hearts with peace and blessed joy even in their greatest sorrow, as is our hope. Resurrection is our hope. Our Lady of Peace, touch all hearts with your Motherly tenderness and graces to bear the burden of loss and attain also the true joy of knowing that he will truly rest in peace and suffer no more as he's now been called to his eternal rewarc. Amen.

FIRST THINGS BLOG

Eucharistic Miracle of Tumaco, Columbia...

Miracle of receding tidal wave

Isn't our Lord God so awesome and so good?

LIFE ETERNAL...

"Unless we recover the zeal and the spirit of the first century Christians - unless we are willing to do what they did and to pay the price that they paid, the future of our country, the days of America are numbered." Life Eternal

As told on EWTN Live last night...

How hopeful and encouraging, the stories of Eucharistic Miracles. While watching the DVR of the program this morning, there was one story that grabbed my heart and makes me even more admant to pray for Obama and his communist/socialist friends. Andre Frossard, the leader of the French Communist Party, was profoundly and miraculously converted while in the presence the REAL PRESENCE, the TRUE PRESENCE of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, where, in the Latin quarter of Paris, he'd gone to meet a friend at a church....and left that church without having met his friend, who (strangely) didn't show up, but left that church a 'friend of God!' Here's his story.

Eucharist Miracle Exhibit
Vatican Eucharistic Miracle Display
JPII's Encyclical on the Eucharist

We invoke your intercession, Andre, for our president elect. Please pray for Mr. Obama and our country. Pray for an end to the war on the unborn, and for the conversion of all in the Obama family, and for conversion of hearts in his cabinet and our political leaders. Amen.

What really matters: Fr. Corapi's Christmas greeting...

It doesn't get more "straight forward." How we need to hear this from every pulpit...but...we don't. Thank GOD for Fr. Corapi!

The blessed and joyous time of Christmas is here again. So, I’ll just take the opportunity to thank all of our viewing and listening family for allowing us into your homes. I don’t take that for granted. I am honestly grateful to you for allowing us to serve you in that way.

As I look out the windows of my home in Montana it sure is “beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” We have about a foot of snow and it’s been below zero for about ten days. Two of my dogs are under my desk with their heads resting on my feet--looking like those big fuzzy slippers that little kids sometimes wear.Christmas is, of course, the best time to recall that Jesus, the Son of God, in fact was born in a poor stable or cave on a cold night—“for us men, and for our salvation.” Amidst the escalating uncertainty and chaos of the modern world we must sit still for a moment and remember what really matters.

In recent years major corporations have been vaporized in the twinkling of an eye. It’s a sign of the times, but recall that what really matters is that it was the twinkling of a star that led shepherds and wise men to the One who is the Light of the world.

In recent years the biggest accounting firm in the world ceased to be over night. They don’t account for anything today, but it honestly doesn’t matter. What really matters is that on a cold night two millennia ago the God who loves us was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger by the Mother who loves Him.

In recent years the unthinkable has happened--major banks and financial institutions have ceased to be. That doesn’t matter either because the truly unthinkable happened on the first Christmas Eve long ago when the God who always was and will never cease to be came to show us the depth and breadth of His love.

In recent years I have been accused of being a “prophet of doom, and a pessimist.” I can understand this criticism, but it really isn’t true. I am a realist, and as a priest and Catholic/Christian of necessity must share in the prophetic dimension of Christ. The United States, and the entire world for the most part, is in many ways precipitating its own demise. That matters, and we must do all we can to “fight the good fight,” but what truly matters is the state of your soul and mine because in the end that will determine how we live forever, and compared to that nothing else really matters.

Things may go from bad to worse. It may well go from uncomfortable to dangerous to live your Catholic/Christian faith in a world unraveling rapidly due to one bad moral choice after the other. Remember that it will not be the first time if Christians are persecuted, even imprisoned and executed. “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.” The Western world is too fat and lazy, in the secular order and even in the religious. Perhaps a jolly good persecution may be what it takes for people to decide to live their faith, rather than go along with what they know to be a sick society.

In any event, don’t let it get you down. Whatever happens, stay close to Jesus and Mary. Remember that our God is not against you. He is for you, and He will be with you through all of the ups and downs of life. He will be with you in sickness and in health; in good times and in bad; and when death comes knocking at your door He will be there to comfort you and lead you safely home. Having fought the good fight and run the race to the finish line, you will surely hear those beautiful words:“WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT! NOW AT LAST ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR MASTER’S HOUSE.”

A most blessed and merry Christmas and a holy, happy, and healthy New Year to each and all of you!
Fr. John Corapi

From Unborn Word Alliance...

God became an embryonic person.

Sarah and me in Aug. 07... elated after confession and Mama's Pizza

Prayer requested....

I ask and covet all of your prayers for my friend, Sarah. She is a postulant at School Sisters of St. Francis, in Panhandle, TX. She is in the upper left corner photo on their blog. She is still suffering severe headaches (she has been for 3 months now) which are slowing her formation process and are quite debilitating. She also has spina bifida, which she bears like a trooper. Nothing slows my "little Sarah" down, believe me! She is a dear friend, and "daughter" to me. The daughter I never had of my own. I love her very much and pray for either total healing, which is my heart's desire or the grace to be lavished on her to bear this suffering with joy and gratitude as did St. Faustina and St. Therese. They and so many suffered in convents but I know I only want what God wills. I'm sure Sarah wants his will, too, but how frustrating this is for her! Please pray as she may have to face another brain surgery for her shunt, which she just recently had that has not accomplished what she and the doctors had hoped. Thank you all so much on behalf of my friend, and prayer warrior in Texas. ~JMJ~ susie

"Far out!"...

The heavens declare God's glory, magnificence, majesty, brilliance,and greatest love for us, to build for us, with utmost care and precision, the universe where we puny humans can thrive. He spoke and it was. And it was good.

What about suffering?...

This excerpt by Peter Kreeft is poignant on the subject of suffering. Even if we're having the best day we've ever had, it will be waiting around the corner for us. If we're down farther than ever due to physical, emotional, spiritual suffering, then...read this and understand the "one thing." Jesus is the "tears of God." God who sees, and understands and is with you, and with me in all we suffer. He is the answer to the question, What is God's answer to human Suffering?

H/T Austin's blog for the image

Ok, I said ONE patron Saint of the month...

but doggone it if I can't find others to 'fall in love with' and want to get to know! I will "focus" on one Saint, and that's St Joseph this month, but in the book I'm reading, JPII's Book of Saints, (Matthew and Margaret Bunson - all the Saints he beatified,) here's one I just read about and how he's tugged at my heart, "Brother Silence" who died in June, 1958

QFT...

Quote for today:

The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it. Flannery O'Connor

I just learned a new word today,...

H/T Jackie at Catholic Mom of 10 Revisited

The word? Vinculum

It sounds very interesting. Vinculum means "bond." I have such a desire for real bonding with other Christians, not just "Donut Sunday coffee chat." A longing for "true community" as we're living in such a world pushing individualistic life/religion, in such isolation. Even with the many friends we have, I find there's a longing and the need for deeper and more intimate community, as in Acts 2. We need real "Solidarity" to withstand the "shake down" that's ahead for the Church all over the world, but especially here in the U.S. of A. after voting in the most PRO ABORTION president and administration (many who call themselves Catholic, by the way). The Miles Jesus is an interesting site and reminds me of what I've heard of Opus Dei. Anyone else out there who's involved in Miles Jesus, I'd appreciate any comments to learn more about this apostolate from actual members. How apropos to find this on this the feast of the Epiphany, which I just discovered is core to the charism of Miles Jesu.