Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Pretty, Pretty Christmas Cookies


Aren't they lovely?
'Tis the season for baking.  Especially Christmas baking.  Especially Christmas cookies.  And I made the most BEAUTIFUL Christmas cookies yesterday.  I can't help it.  I love the way these look.  And taste, of course.

They are very simple, as simple as peanut blossoms.  Actually, they were inspired by peanut blossoms, but instead of chocolate kisses, they are made with peppermint kisses.  And since peanut butter and mint are just weird together, I had to use a different cookie.  We used snickerdoodles last year, and they were very good.  But this year I was flipping through my Taste of Home cookbooks and came across the recipe for Chocolate Crackle cookies.  Perfect!  They are nice and chocolatey, and easy to make.  Excellent compliment to the peppermint kisses.  And this combination is not only great for eating, it is also very pleasing to the eye.  At least, I think they are.  So without further ado, I give you my Pretty Peppermint Kiss Cookies.

Pretty Peppermint Kiss Cookies
Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar6 Tablespoons oil (I used coconut)2 eggs6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon saltpowdered sugar36 Peppermint kisses

In a large bowl, beat sugar, cocoa, and oil until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until chilled - at least 2 hours or overnight.  I didn't take it out until right before scooping and I didn't have any trouble.



Shape dough into 1-in. balls - I used my small cookie scoop, so about 1 Tablespoon size. Roll in powdered sugar. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks. Immediately press one peppermint kiss in each cookie. They do tend to puddle a little, but if you don't jostle them and have the kitchen cool enough, they should hold their shape. Makes about 3 dozen.

Here's the original Chocolate Crackle Cookie recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Old-Fashioned-Crackle-Cookies 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Immaculate Conception - Novenas

This WILL be the year that I will get all of my advent post done! Ok, so it probably won't be.  As usual, I will get one or two done, and the rest will slip through the cracks.  But hey!  On the bright side, those posts are adding up!  

Again, I'm running late, so hopefully I will get another post done soon on this topic, but for now here are a few novenas for this year.  First, you can refer back to last year's post on the Immaculate Conception.  It has one novena option that is very beautiful.  

During the whole pre-election prayer season, I somehow connected to a website that sends the novena prayers to your email every day, praymorenovenas.com.  Brilliant!  No more forgetting! It's also nice for those novenas where every day's prayers are a little different. I only wish you could personalize the novenas a bit.  Here is the text for today: 


Day 1 - Immaculate Conception Novena Prayers 
 
O most pure Virgin Mary conceived without sin, from the very first instant, you were entirely immaculate. O glorious Mary full of grace, you are the mother of my God - the Queen of Angels and of men. I humbly venerate you as the chosen mother of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
The Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords chose you for the singular grace and honor of being his beloved mother. By the power of his Cross, he preserved you from all sin. Therefore, by His power and love, I have hope and bold confidence in your prayers for my holiness and salvation.
 
I pray first of all that you would make me worthy to call you my mother and your Son, Jesus, my Lord.
 
I pray that your prayers will bring me to imitate your holiness and submission to Jesus and the Divine Will.
 
Hail Mary...
 
Now, Queen of Heaven, I beg you to beg my Savior to grant me these requests...
 
(Mention your intentions)
 
My holy Mother, I know that you were obedient to the will of God. In making this petition, I know that God's will is more perfect than mine. So, grant that I may receive God's grace with humility like you.
 
As my final request, I ask that you pray for me to increase in faith in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in hope in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in love for the risen Jesus!
 
Hail Mary...
 
Amen.

One more novena, this one sent from a friend for the intention of a friend.  I don't want to post too many details until I have their okay, but I do think the more people praying for this little girl can't hurt anything.  Of course this novena you can also change for your own intentions.

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Prayer
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception." A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy. 
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request. 

  (state your request)
*THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MONICA'S BODY AS MUCH AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER DEEMS IS GOOD FOR HER SOUL*

 Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

Now don't forget to start the St. Andrew Novena tomorrow!God Bless!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Prayer for the Election

Dear Jesus, King of Kings, we call upon all of our relatives in heaven, along with their Guardian Angels, and indeed, upon every American in heaven and their angels, going all the way back in history to all of their relatives beginning with your Apostles, to intercede with You to Our Heavenly Father to ensure a resounding victory for the presidential candidate and all candidates most aligned with your will for the cause of protection of life from the moment of conception, for the dignity and liberty--especially the complete religious freedom--of all persons in the United States and all people in the world effected by the election today.
With serene confidence in Immaculate Mary, who our bishops chose as Patroness of the United States, we call upon her today. We beg you, Jesus, send forth her spouse, the Holy Spirit, to crush any and all forces of evil prowling about our count
ry seeking the ruin of souls. We call upon all Angels You have assigned to every governmental body, jurisdiction, and civic institution across the Land of the Free, to vouchsafe the first freedom, the right to life.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, pray for us.
Saint Katharine Drexel and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and Saint Marianne Cope, pray for us.
Saint John Neumann and all American Jesuit Martyrs, pray for us.
Little Flower Therese, who so many Americans love dearly, help us.
Saints Joseph, Anthony, and Jude, pray for us.
Immaculate Mary, Patroness of the United States, crush the serpent's head!
Jesus Christ, King of Kings, have mercy on us and on the whole world!
Father in Heaven, Release Saint Michael Now!
Father in Heaven, Release Saint Michael Now! Amen.






It's Time!

Time to cast our votes!  Time to rid ourselves of terrible political ads!  I hope and pray that everyone gets out to vote today.  Yes, the current ballot is a little discouraging…but can you honestly think of one President that this country has had that you would wholeheartedly endorse?  Actually, I'd like an answer to that one :).

For me, the most important issue on the ballot is not the Presidential election.  Yes, I dread the thought of Obama being re-elected, but you have to admit the last four years have at least started to give the bishops a backbone again.  If our votes can't stop the persecution, than maybe our suffering will strengthen the Church.  That is usually how it works, anyhow.  I can only pray we will have the grace to persevere in our faith.

No, for me the really important vote is the vote for the Minnesota Marriage Amendment.  I hope my state has the clear-sightedness to realize that this vote is not against people.  It is not about limiting the "rights" of a (very small) group of people.  It is about promoting the true definition and purpose of marriage.  That purpose is creating a stable environment for the upbringing of children.  We've already seen that environment damaged by the ease with which marriage can be destroyed through divorce, and by the effects of contraception and abortion, both which serve to separate children from marriage.  And we have seen the devastating effects of the deterioration of the home and family being reflected in society.  For as the family goes, so does society.

Allowing for gay "marriage" will not strengthen marriage, because one of the primary ends - and the only end that truly benefits the state - is missing.  It takes a male and a female to produce offspring.  That is biology 101.  Unless you are a worm, but we are not worms, and our bodies don't work that way.  People scream "discrimination" when we suggest that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.  Yes, I am discriminating.  But I'm not afraid of gays, nor do I hate them.  I do consider homosexual actions sinful, and against both natural law and God's laws, but that is not why I believe so strongly in maintaining that marriage is between one man and one woman.  I believe that marriage is only to be between one man and one woman because it is the only way that the purpose of marriage can be fulfilled.  And I very, very strongly believe that the only reason that the state should be involved in any relationship is because it is necessary for the good of society.  Otherwise, they can keep their pretty little nose out of it.  So the only reason the state should be involved in marriage is because of kids.  End of story.

So today I will vote "Yes" for marriage.  And I leave the rest in the hands of my King….

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Minnesota, Vote Yes!


Vote Yes
To Protect Marriage
None of us would want to be told we don’t
 have the right to a mother and a father.

The state doesn’t issue a license for friendships or dating.  The state doesn’t require us to file with a justice of the peace to share an apartment.... Why regulate marriage?  

Because the state has an interest in protecting the future generations of citizens.  

Children do best when raised in a family with both a Mom and a Dad. Men and women think differently, and love differently; and these differences provide something unique and necessary for the development of the whole child.  We recognize marriage as a civil institution between a man and woman, not because of the love, commitment, and responsibility of the adult spouses, but because of the love, commitment, and responsibility our children need.  Marriage is a child-centered institution.  

 Marriage isn’t a freedom; it’s a constraint, to protect the rights of children to be raised with a mother and a father, the ideal environment. 

Vote Yes on the Marriage Amendment.  A non-vote is a No vote.

Memento Mori

I do believe this is my favorite time of the year.  Next to Christmas.  And Lent.  And Easter. Probably somewhere between Christmas and Lent, even though it is technically between Easter and Christmas.

I've always loved fall.  I love the sights and the sounds and the smells.  I love waiting for the first frost, and especially for the first snowfall.  I love piles of leaves (not that we ever have any around here, since the wind just blows them all away, but I love them all the same.)  I love the sweaters and sweatshirts and hats and gloves.  I like watching my brothers getting excited for deer season, and I love planning for Thanksgiving.

And I love the liturgical side to November.  "Memento Mori" is the motto - Remember Death.  This focus starts today, October 31st, with the vigils of All Saints and All Souls.  It's a stacked vigil, because of the stacked feasts.  My family hasn't done the whole "Hallow'een" thing in about 21 years (to the day.)  I remember the last time I went Trick-or-Treating, though I was only 5 at the time.  It was the year of the great Halloween Blizzard, and somehow my mother got my (clown?) costume over my snowsuit.  I remember waiting to cross the street with my dad, standing in snow up to my waist.  I wasn't very big at the age of five.
But after we moved to a new neighborhood and we started homeschooling, Hallow'een was out, and All Saints Day parties were in.  I never minded it.  There were plenty of saints to choose from.  The two who stand out are St. Therese of Lisieux, who I got to be great friends with through my dressing up and later choose as my confirmation saint, and St. Brandon, who was always fun because we got to use Daddy or Grandpa's old Navy uniforms.  Not exactly a genuine period costume, but it worked.  Most of our Saints Day parties included at least two or three other big families, a pot of chili, some doughnuts, and the rosary.  Wonderful times.  One family hosted the best party - they had games.  I wish I could remember the details.  They did the dart game, and cherry tree, and a few others, all aptly named and decorated to portray a saint - or their death.  I seem to remember stoning St. Stephen….

But I'm getting a bit off track.  Back to Memento Mori.  That simple phrase does appeal to my dark side.  Remember death.  And we are reminded of our own mortality these next few weeks leading up to the last Sunday before Advent starts.  It's so fitting here in the midwest, the way nature is dying away, preparing for the long sleep of winter.  In times past I imagine these signs of the season were even more poignant, as we were so much closer to the land.  In the liturgy, we are reminded of the four last things: Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell.  We are also reminded that Christ conquered death.  We see the connection of the Church Militant (us,) the Church Suffering (the souls in purgatory,) and the Church Triumphant (the souls in Heaven.) Especially the first two days of the month, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, we are reminded to pray for those who have gone before us, and to ask their intercession.  Did you know that you can ask the intercession of the souls in purgatory?  Their prayers in their suffering are very powerful, and they are destined for Heaven.

One of my favorite practices in November is to stop at the cemeteries and say a prayer for the souls.  There are indulgences, both plenary and partial, attached to this act. It is an especially enjoyable thing to do after dark, while the people passing by wonder what mischief you are getting into.  I don't know why, but there is just something about having strangers suspect the worst about you when you are really doing something quite good.  Within reason, of course. Usually when we stop we pray:
 5 Apostles Creed
1 Hail Holy Queen
1 Our Father
1 Hail Mary
1 Glory Be 
1 Requiem (Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in Peace. Amen.)

Or we pray the prayer of St. Gertrude:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

For more information on the indulgences granted for the souls in purgatory this month, check out this article: 
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1178

I have two bits of recommended reading.  The first, for study, is "Read Me or Rue It," by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan.  It is a short booklet, and is available for reading online here.
The second is just for fun.  It is the Father Baptist series by William Biersach, starting with "The Endless Knot."  If you throughly enjoy all the creepiness of this time of year, you will enjoy his books.  And you might just learn something about the Catholic faith while you are at it.  The series on Amazon or on Tumblar House Publishing's website, http://www.tumblarhouse.com/.

Memento Mori!
Rae

Monday, October 29, 2012

Mr. Bean star calls for repeal of British hate speech law | LifeSiteNews.com

Here is a really good article/video.  He really speaks well on the importance of free speech.
Mr. Bean star calls for repeal of British hate speech law | LifeSiteNews.com

Pray for voters!




Hi everyone!  I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that the election is next week!  We need to step up our prayers and fasting for all voters, especially those who are still uninformed or undecided about the issues.  I would especially like to ask for prayers for my home state, Minnesota.  We will be voting on an ammendment to our Constitution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman.  So far, in every state that has had a vote on the definition of marriage has upheld this position.  Those states that are allowing Gay marriage now are doing so without the vote of the people - it has been the work of a few people in government, not of the majority of citizens.  The amendment to the Minnesota constitution will take laws already in place and ensure that only a vote by the people will be able to change them.  I don’t think I have to mention that this is a very important issue right now.  Marriage in this country is already very much misunderstood and disregarded.  We need to be working to strengthen traditional marriage, which is what is best for children and society, not continue to weaken it and disregard it.  

There are many novenas out there.  If you have a favorite, I encourage you to start it today.  Even better would be to find one others are praying with you.  We have been doing the 54 day rosary novena - it is not too late to start join that one! http://home.earthlink.net/~electionnovena/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/NovenaTextOld.pdf 
A friend sent me this one to St. Jude: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/novenas/st-jude-election-novena 
The Sacred Heart Novena can be found here: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/heart/sh_novena.htm 
And here is one to St. Joseph: http://www.stjosephsite.com/SJS_Ninedays.htm 
Also remember sacrifice and fasting! 

I think the petition in the rosary novena is really well worded: For “an outcome of the November election which is pleasing to Almighty God, and which provides most effectively for the implementation of His Holy Will in the lives of all.”

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Catholic Embroidery: Giveaway: In Honor of St. Francis of Assisi

Catholic Embroidery: Giveaway: In Honor of St. Francis of Assisi"Most high, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, so that I may carry out Your holy and true command."~ Prayer of St. Francis before the Crucifix of San Damiano

Make sure you check out this great giveaway over at Catholic Embroidery!  

And yes, I will post something of my own soon.  First I have to go paint!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Welcome to the zoo…er, farm… :)



Our farm is perched atop one of the many bluffs above the Cannon River. The road leading to it is, at times, steep and winding, as befits a dead-end gravel road. The land is open and hilly - you would be hard pressed to find a level area of any great size. The horizon is a patchwork of fields and stands of trees. 
The farm itself is small, but sufficient. The eleven acres are divided between the house and backyard, a small kitchen garden with our roses, raspberries, and a few vegetables, a large lower garden with potatoes, beans, and the like, the buildings, an orchard, the pasture, and a hayfield. 
Our animals are many and varied. Presenting them largest to smallest we have:

Amy, before she was dehorned
Our Jersey milk cow, Amy. She is due to calve in April. Unfortunately, we dried her up this past spring in anticipation for a calve she never had. We all miss her milk terribly, though none so much as my youngest brother, who would probably drink a half gallon of milk a day if we let him. 
Next in the rank of size would be my puppy, Sophie. She is 17 months old, so about full grown. Good thing, because right now she's as tall as I am when she stands on her hind legs, and easily twice the size of my niece. Not bad for a female Newfoundland. :) 

Dutchess and Sophie
We also have a female Golden Retriever, Dutchess. She's my mom's dog, and I think she believes my mother is the only one above her in the pack. And she knows how to use "the force" to open doors.  I'm serious.  She stares at them until they open.  And with so many obliging humans about, they usually do eventually.

Then we have the turkeys. I think we are down to one big Tom strutting around. For a long time we always had three that would travel together. They were known as the godfathers, and were something like the farm mascots.  Our current Tom is a mere nephew. And there are two turkey hens running around. Finally, my second brother has a flock of 10 blue slate/ wild turkey crosses he hatched out this past spring.  Needless to say, we are set for Thanksgiving.

Next (by size) would be Max and Maxine, our two Peking Ducks.  You can see Maxine's story here. Max was picked up at the fair last month, since Maxine seemed a little lonely for one of her own kind.

Not that we don't have more ducks. We also have 2 Muscovies (I love Muscovy ducks) and 4 Runners.  All hens, so those flocks will gradually shrink away to nothing, I suppose.
Dutchess and Hawkeye

Now, I had a bit of a time getting a count on the chickens. One coop has 8 hens and 2 rooster - I think these are our  source of eggs.  Then there are the 19 Easter chickens.  We have incubators, so every year we time a hatch for Easter Sunday, or thereabouts.  It's always fun to have the cute little baby chicks!  

Finally is Hawkeye.  She is my brothers' pet bantam hen.  She flies!  Well, she flies really well for a chicken, anyhow.  She hatched out a nest full of eggs over the summer, too.  The estimate was that she had 20 chicks with her, but I don't know if they are all her own.  (And if you think that is a lot of chickens, you should see the 100 we butcher every summer for the freezers.  More on that here.)

Not quite finished!  We also have guineas.  If you are not familiar with guineas, they are funny looking birds that make a lot of noise and eat a lot of bugs.  I don't know how many of those there are, because we have two or three flocks that roam free.  I would guess 20+, though.  Some were hatched this year and actually survived.  Guineas tend to be very good nesters, but terrible parents.  

And there are 3 rabbits. Can't tell you a thing about them, except that they are very soft and don't like Sophie. 

And then there are the cats.  My brother says there are ten.  Who am I to argue? Actually, most of the above data came from my dear brothers.  

Oh yes, according to the youngest, my brothers also count as part of the menagerie.  
So between Amy and Sophie, add one brother, and between Sophie and Dutchess add three.

And that is the farm. 
Most of our meat is produced here.  
We had 2 pigs, until they became pork in late July.  
Most of our calves grow up to be steak.  Because this reality, we name them accordingly.  So far, we have eaten: 
Beefsteak 
Sir Loin
Chuck Roast
Porter 
and T-Bone.  
Rump(elstiltsken) Roast was spared from our freezer - he was sold into the neighbors beef herd.  There may have been others, but I don't remember.  The next one will probably be Flank......or Homeless (1000 bonus points if you know the source of that one!)  

Other animals that have come and gone over the years are geese, mules (borrowed mules,) horses, and two goats that made us certain we would never get goats again.  And I suppose you could also count the fish in the water tanks, and the turtle in the garden, and the hermit crab that boarded with us for a couple of weeks before we gave it as a birthday gift to my niece.  So basically, the only things we haven't tried are sheep, llamas, and alpacas.  Can you eat alpacas?  Alpaca sandwich for lunch... :) Oh, and we've never had ostriches.  Or peacocks.  Hmmm....I guess we have a few more animals to try out.  Homing pigeons always sounded like fun, too….then there are quail and pheasants that could be added….elk….donkeys….monkeys...

***Update 10/4/12***
Sadly, Sophie had to be returned to her breeder last week.  She was having a really hard time bonding with us, and I suspect she may have been abused by her previous owner, judging from some of her very unusual behavior over the past year.  Because I didn't realize this right away, I was not able to gain her trust, and probably did even more damage.  We'll miss her, but hopefully now she'll find a home she will be happy in.  

Thursday, September 13, 2012

54 Day Rosary Novena for the Elections


The following was copied from the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/180105288791729/ 
I thought it was important enough to share with my readers. 

Benedictine Daughters of Divine Will 

54-Day Rosary Novena 
To Our Lady, The Immaculate Conception, Patroness of our Country 
for the Election of November 6, 2012
Beginning September 13 (Our Lady of Fatima) ending November 5 the day before the election.

The most powerful novena is the 54-Day Rosary Novena, a series of six consecutive nine-day novenas.

Pray 3 nine day rosary novenas - 27 days of petition; Pray 3 nine day rosary novenas - 27 days of thanksgiving.

The first three novenas are offered for the intention of a pro-life president, senate and congress
while the last three are offered in thanksgiving to God in anticipation of granting the favor.
During your rosaries, please pray for the conversion and sanctification of the United States of America. 
You may also offer these intentions at daily Mass, making it a 54-day Eucharistic Rosary Novena.

Join at Any Time
If you're reading this after the novena has started, feel free to "begin at any time" and finish with us. 

"...It is about the ideals our nation was founded upon: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. You can’t do much better than the First Amendment to the Constitution. The founding fathers got it right. ...We are fighting to correct that wrong, in order to make sure that religious freedom continues for the generations to come after us." - His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York

If we wish America to be blessed again by Almighty God, 
let us give The Immaculate Conception a chance to perform a first class miracle through her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. 
The holiness and the favors already granted should impregnate our supplications with unquenchable confidence. 
It is certainly permissible to pray the 54-Day Rosary Novena for our daily needs, 
but let us not be afraid to implore real miracles from this 54-Day Rosary Novena. 
Let us invoke The Immaculate Conception, Patroness of our Country who will be able to display the prodigious power of Her intercession!
Our Lady, The Immaculate Conception - pray for us
Our Lady of Guadalupe - pray for us
Our Lady of Good Help - pray for us
Our Lady of America - pray for us

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

To Thine Own Self Be True


It’s been awhile since I’ve had that strong urge to blog something worthwhile.  But this article by Simcha Fisher on The National Catholic Register rather inspired me this morning:This Isn't Who I Really Am! 
Now this is something that I’ve wanted to blog about for awhile - being yourself.  I’ve started a few posts, but never really finished.  Probably because I never really felt that I know who I am.  Every time I think I know, something happens and I realize “you know, that x isn’t as important to me as I thought.”  Then something else happens and I start thinking “wow, I’m glad y happened or z happened, because now I realize that x is really important to me!”  HA! 
Now there are some things that I DO NOT compromise on.  Truth, for example.  I am Catholic.  That is what I am, and who I am.  Not always the best Catholic, grant you, but I try. I’m going to stop there, because the last time I tried to write on this topic, I rather got lost in the whole purpose of life thing - to know, love, and serve God.  Long story short, the question is HOW?
Reading “This isn’t Who I really Am!” made me realize that this IS who I really am.  Adaptable, people pleasing, ever changing, whatever you want to call it.  There are things I enjoy.  Lots of things.  There are things I love to do.  Some of these things I know will likely be forever out of my reach here on earth.  Other things seem fairly possible.  I am shy - can’t really do anything about that.  I am outspoken and stubborn in certain situations.  I really like talking and sharing with people.  I really do feel more comfortable being uncomfortable than making someone else uncomfortable.  With a few exceptions, of course.  Injustice makes me angry.  Low blood sugar makes me impatient.  
Where does God want me?  Well, whether I like it or not, right where I am.  And chances are, circumstances won’t change me much.  For example, I probably always will put off doing dishes almost as much as I do now, even if I find a job where I’m not washing dishes for 60+ people a day.  Although there was that couple of weeks where I was really good at getting ALL the dishes done after every meal....so maybe there is hope for me yet! I do well in streaks.  But you know what?  There are things in life more important than dishes.  Like rocking a baby, or making a pan of bars for the neighbors.  PEOPLE, I hope, will always be more important to be than the dishes.  Oh, and I do tend to digress often, and I ramble.  Would I be me if I didn’t?  Nope.  I also wouldn’t be me if I didn’t apologize.  So sorry. 
Until we are in a situation, we don’t know how we will react.  And sometimes we aren’t true to ourselves, or to others.  We may say things we don’t mean to impress someone.  Or we may say things we don’t mean to make them more comfortable.  Sometimes it is much better if we AREN’T ourselves.  Being polite often means biting your tongue.  And there is nothing wrong with living up to someone else’s standards, like when you are visiting Great Aunt Catherine, who insists that young ladies should not run around or speak loudly, or tease their brothers.  When in Rome, do as the Romans do.  Of course, if the Romans are behaving below your own standards, just be yourself.  It is never good to lower your standards (providing you know your standards are at a good hight, of course, and as long as you are charitable, ALWAYS charitable, towards those with lower standards.) 
So, that turned into a ramble, as usual.  Ah well.  That’s just who I am.  Someday I will write a well-thought-out and coherent article, like the one linked above.  But don’t expect it to show up here.  I am, after all, The Rambling Amateur! God Bless! 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

To the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI: Petition to Celebrate a Public Mass According with the 1962 Missal.

Well, from my last post you have probably gathered that I have a love for the Traditional Latin Mass.  And I am certainly not the only one!  The sad thing is, many people are barely - if at all - aware that this beautiful liturgy exists.  

I have been attending the TLM since I was probably 6 or 7 years old.  I made my first Holy Communion at the TLM.  I pray that someday I will be married, and buried, in this rite.  Right now, I have few doubts that this will be possible, but it hasn't always been that way.  Up until 2007, when Pope Benedict XVI issued a Moto Propio that not only allowed any priest to celebrate the TLM but even required bishops to ensure it was available to those who requested it, the TLM was an endangered species.  It was something that the bishops needed to grant permission for - and something they could withdraw permission for.  When our pastor at St. Augustine's, Fr. Raymond Zweber (requiem in pacem) retired, we wondered if the new pastor would have objections to continuing the TLM.  There was also, and still is, the problem that many priests did not know how to celebrate the TLM.  We were blessed in that there were priests assigned who were willing and able to continue this beautiful rite.  But still, it was a thing uncertain.  Which was good, in a way - I don't think I ever forgot that the Mass is a gift from God, no one else.  

Since Moto Propio in 2007, I have seem more and more parishes celebrating the TLM, and younger and younger priests.  There IS something special about it, something that the Ordinary form cannot quite touch.  Perhaps it is the timelessness of it.  Perhaps it is the beauty of the words.  Regardless, it is still too rare and too hidden.  It needs to be shared.  It is our past, our present, and our future.  This is why I share this petition.

My mother and sister were talking to a young woman after Mass a couple of weeks ago.  She told them about this petition, which she had helped start.  She asked them to sign it and to share it.  I now ask the same of you.  It is a petition asking the Holy Father to publicly celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass.  Pass it on!  Oh, and be careful - the site this petition is on is a site that allows anyone to start a petition.  And after you sign the petition, it will ask you to sign other petitions.  For example, the one that popped up first after I signed asked be to sign a petition supporting Obama.  No thanks.  You've been warned!

God Bless,
Rae 

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

"Why I love the Traditional Latin Mass"


I’m home!  As you may have noted, I spent the weekend with a group of AWESOME people, doing AWESOME things, like going to daily Mass, listening to wonderful talks, and taking beer and brat cruises.  More on that another time.  It pertains to this post, but is not the subject of it. 
The subject of this post is “Why I love the Traditional Latin Mass.” Oh, you noticed that from the title?  Ok than.  I was working on this post before I left, but never got it finished.  Truth told, I don’t know if I could ever finish such a subject.  So I decided to recruit a little help.  I asked my friends from Sursum Corda to write down, in a short paragraph, why they love the Traditional Latin Mass, a.k.a. the Tridentine Mass, a.k.a. the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, a.k.a. the TLM.  Here are there replies (along with their ages, to forever dispel the myth that the TLM is for old people, nostalgic for their youth.) 

“There are so many things I love about the Traditional Mass that it is difficult to cut it short, but I'll try!  I'll just chose one thing. One of the many things I love about the Tridentine Mass is that it is timeless.  When I am at this Mass, I know that the words that are being said by the priest are the same as those that were once used by all of Christendom.  They were used by St. Thomas Aquinas, St John Vianney, St. Edmund Campion, and Pope St. Pius XII.  As G. K. Chesterton says, "It is of new things that men tire – of fashions and improvements and change.  It is the old things that startle and intoxicate. It is the old things that are young."” --Audrey, 20

“I love the extraordinary form of the Mass because of the reverence it inspires and the way it leads you to a more internal experience of the Holy Mass.  The music, the language, and the rituals point you to the deeper reality of what is really going on during the Mass of Christ’s Sacrifice for our salvation.” -- Joanna, 26

“It is comforting to go to. I feel closer to God.  Definitely I am in love with the reverence and beauty.”  -- Ruthanne, 18

“To know the Latin Mass is to know the history of Western Civilization.  The liturgy is the hope of our time, as it has been for the ages.  The Latin Mass is Home.” -- Petra, 21

“Love the reverence and solemnity that lift up your heart to Him.  Embracing both the sensible and the spiritual sides of our human existence, the Extraordinary Form of the Mass excels at using the more sensible things like art and music to take you to the higher, less physically sensible things of God.” -- Fabian, 25

“One of my favorite things about the Latin Mass is its universality.  It isn’t for one place or another...it is for the whole world.” -- Maddie, 24

I know I cannot say it better than these, but I will add my own.  I love the Extraordinary form because it is extraordinary.  It is beyond the ordinary.  It transcends both time and place.  It is capable of inspiring awe, reverence, and contemplation.  I think one of the things I love the most, that I do not find in the Ordinary form, is the silence.  The silence holds the words sacred, as never using God’s name aloud kept it sacred for the Jews.  The silence allows me to focus on lifting my mind and heart and sacrifices to God, along with Christ’s sacrifice of the Cross. -- Rae, 26

Please, share why you love the Tridentine Mass. You don’t have to add your age, but I think it does help to show that the appeal of the TLM is not confined to any one age group.  God Bless! 

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Just a quick stop before running to the next thing...

Wow!  Is it really the last day of July?  Insane.  Next comes August, then September, and I guess the Summer fades away.  Ah, but then comes fall, and I love fall…
I have a million and three things I'm trying to get done right now, hence the lack of blogging.  I'm trying to move out (out is next door, so that's not TOO hard, but takes time and lots of shuffling.) I'm trying to get another blog started on caring for the elderly in your home (something we did for 12 years.  Learned lots!)  I REALLY want to get a young adults group established somewhere in our area.  And I just took on arranging some children's activities for the church auction.  Oy!

Did I mention Sursum Corda is coming up?  If you are a young adult over the age of 18, and you think the Extraordinary form of the Mass is, well, Extraordinary, come join us! Here's the link: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/go/summer-camp/   In case you missed my post last year, here's a run-down: Sursum Corda Young Adults Camp
In short, it was an amazing experience.  It was a wonderful mix of prayer, excellent spiritual talks, and FUN!  Not to mention the great camaraderie.  Even though I only knew a handful of the attendees when I arrived, I don't think I ever felt like an outsider or out of place.  For me, that can be a little rare!  Oh, I guess there was one time I felt out of it - volleyball.  I really hate volleyball.  But other than that… :D So if this sounds like a good time, come join us!  Sign up today! Now! I'll see you there!

Let's see, I had a few other things I wanted to share.  Oh yes.  Here's a great post from The Catholic Young Woman blog: http://catholicyoungwoman.blogspot.com/2012/07/this-is-not-christs-work.html 

Well, I really must run!  Off to buy paint!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Keeping Sunday, Part 2...

    Let’s see...it’s been three weeks since my last “Keeping Sunday” post.  Time for round two!  
Okay, so we determined that shopping on Sunday isn’t the greatest idea.  At least, I hope that’s what we gained from that little rant.  This post shouldn’t be a rant.  It is on what we SHOULD be doing on Sunday. 


First Things First: Mass.  It isn’t an option.  You know those days they talk about, those “Holy Days of Obligation,” when we are supposed to go to Mass?  You know the ones.  The ones that they say if you don’t go to Mass, it is a mortal (soul-damning) sin?  (The ones they keep moving to Sunday?)  Yeah.  Now you remember.  What were they again?  Oh yes:  Christmas, New Years (Circumcision and Mary’s Purification,) Immaculate Conception, Ascension, Assumption, and All Saints Day.  But wait...why isn’t Easter on there?  And what about Pentecost? Aren’t they really, really important feasts?  Shouldn’t they be Holy Days of Obligation, too?  Hmmmm... Oh yeah!  That’s right!  They are.  Because every single Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation.  Yup.  We risk our immortal soul if we don’t go to Mass on Sunday.  Of course, there are good reasons for missing Mass, like being sick or having to care for someone who is sick, but those are the exception to the rule.  Now that we have that straight.... but you knew all of that anyhow.  I will go into the wonders of the Mass another time.  Back to some ideas on keeping Sunday. 

So you go to Mass.  Maybe it’s an early Mass, maybe a later Mass.  You have breakfast (or brunch, or lunch.) Now what? Now I’m going to be honest.  I am not the perfect Sunday keeper.  You are probably far better at it than I.  I would love to hear your ideas, actually.  But I’m going to make a few suggestions.  Actually, I’m going to give a list of ideas.  ‘Cause lists are fun!

  • Read the Bulletin.  Most pastors have a little article in there, so you might learn something.  It’s also interesting to see who’s getting married, who’s had a baby, things like that.  It’s the Catholic Gossip Page ;)  Events are generally listed, like fundraisers, or classes, or talks.  Don’t forget to check confession times!  By this time, you’ve drank your coffee, so time to move on…

  • Spend some time with Family.  My dad always calls his parents on Sunday.  We used to go visit my other grandparents after Mass on Sundays.  All week we are running around, working, studying, and getting on with our individual lives.  It’s a good idea to have one day to reconnect with those people God put into our lives, (whether we like it or not.  Some get us to heaven by their holiness, others because they require OUR holiness to put up with them...) Talk to your family.  Play a game.  Share a few beers.  Get into deep theological discussions.  Or just talk about all the silly and wonderful things that happened to you all week.  I was watching a talk on marriage on EWTN one day, and something they said struck me, because I had never looked at it in this way before.  The speaker pointed out that all of the works of mercy are part of raising a family.  Seriously.  And, I might add, being part of a family. Visiting the imprisoned might be a stretch (I hope!) but the rest certainly hold true.  So before you lament that you have no time for the works of mercy, look at your family and start there.
 I found this image here. The Works of Mercy are a great place to start your Sunday!

  • Write letters.  I love the idea of writing letters on Sunday afternoon.  It never happens, but who knows? Maybe this week I’ll succeed.  I want to write a real letter, with paper (you know, the stuff that goes in the printer?  Only nicer.)  Real paper and a real pen.  Maybe I’ll even make my own stationary.  A girl can dream.  There is just something about a real letter that email and facebook and chatting can’t touch.  Maybe it’s because you can hold it and smell it and because the letters aren’t perfect.  Besides, it’s lovely getting something in your mailbox besides bills and political ads (they are coming...) “But,” you are thinking, “I have nobody to write to.  Nothing to write about. Everybody knows everything about my life because I text and chat and facebook and email all day.” I’m guessing, though, that there is SOMEONE not on facebook.  Your grandma, perhaps?  Or maybe you know someone who deserves a little more personal touch?  Who knows...you may make their week.  As far as what to write about, write about them.  Share a memory, or share a story that made you think of them.  Share a prayer.  Tell them why you are thankful God made them part of your life.  (Must find pen and paper tomorrow.  And stamps.  Must find stamps.)


  • Find ways to become closer to Christ.  This is really what it is all about.  “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy.”  Everything about can bring you closer to Christ.  Actually, any act that is not sinful can bring you closer to Christ, if you offer it to Him.  Find Christ in those around you.  Spend some time learning more about your faith (there is ALWAYS more to learn.) Spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or take a walk and say an extra rosary.  Thank God for your week, and ask Him to bless the next week.  Ask Him what He wants you to do this week.  Ask what virtue you need to practice, and what vice you need to conquer this week. 

  • Relax. Take a nap.  Sundays are made for naps.  And planning for a nap later really makes it easier to get out of bed for Mass some mornings.  Really, the fact that we aren’t supposed to work on Sunday is a blessing.  Our minds and bodies need refreshment.  A nap, or reading a good book, or doing other things that relax us really are healthy for both mind and soul.  

So, this is the end of my list of suggestions.  How do you Keep Sunday?   

From Yesterday's Tomorrow: Why are they Killing Babies?

I just thought I'd share this post from my brilliant younger sister…

From Yesterday's Tomorrow: Why are they Killing Babies?: My nine year old brother can’t understand why someone would kill babies. “Don't they remember that they were babies too?” he asked me. We t...

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Twilight...


© J. Bridger 2011

It is neither day, nor night.  
It is twilight.
We don’t see the sun, nor can we yet see the stars, 
but still there is light.  

All green fades to black. 
The only colors are pink and blue and yellow.
It is still easy to see, at first, but as stars appear, the familiar become enchanted.  
Trees and flowers and buildings stand as sharp silhouettes against the sky that fades from bright to dark.  
The most drab thing in daylight becomes beautiful, 
and the most beautiful becomes grotesque. 
 It holds the fancy of faeries and elves and dwarves -
the monsters and demons still fear the shadows of sunlight lingering on the horizon. 

 Until at last, twilight fades to dusk, 
and dusk to night.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Monday Reflections

I am weak.  I don't know how to defend the honor of my Lord and my God.  I want to, but instead, I say nothing.  I pray in my heart, and frown, but it is little to defend the honor of His most Holy Name.  Perhaps if I suggested that my coworkers say "Oh Buddha" or the name of some other deity out of frustration, they would get the picture.
We could use the names of false gods "in vain," but would that help to bring about the conversion of those who believe in these false gods? (Hmm, perhaps I should add "o Bama!" and "governementdam" to that list of acceptable alternatives?) I don't think, though, that blaspheming their gods would really weaken their faith - it would only weaken their faith in us.
Our "charity" makes us a group of easy targets, you ever notice? We are easy to ignore and easy to offend without opposition. If a Christian criticizes anyone for their choices, they are told that they are judgmental, bigoted, and uncharitable.  Ironic, considering these virtues that we are so painfully short on weren't even considered virtues before Christianity.  It was a Christian idea that men didn't judge one another, rather that they leave judgement to God.  It was a Christian idea that we love our neighbor, regardless of his status, color, or gender, for the love of God. Before Christianity, equality was an idea unheard of.  True, Christianity did not do away with classes or slavery, but it taught mankind the equal dignity of every human in the eyes of God.
Bigoted.  Now there's an interesting word.  I actually had to look it up.  I had a fair idea of what it meant, but I wanted to be sure.  According to my handy-dandy iPod dictionary: Bigoted - "having or revealing an obstinate belief in the superiority of one's own opinions and a prejudiced* intolerance of the opinions of others." Hmmm.  Sounds like something that can go both ways.  Hey, I'll admit there are a lot of bigoted christians out there.  And I would say ALL of us have a streak of that in us somewhere - we like to be right, and we like to have our own opinions.  But see, there is this little thing called "truth" that not everyone recognizes as even existing.  I believe it does exist, and I believe that the Catholic church holds the fullness of it.  Therefore, I don't consider myself a bigot.  First, because I'm not talking about opinions, I'm talking about facts.  If it was merely my opinion that 1+1=2, and I refused to back down from that, I could be considered a bigot.  Or, to give a better example, if it was merely my opinion that 7+5-2 x 4 = 4, I could be considered a bigot.  However, math doesn't deal in opinions, it is fact.  And it is a fact that 7+5-2 x 4 = 4.  I could be wrong, though, and say that 7+5-2x4=40, and then I could obstinately refuse to listen to my math tutor explain the order of operations.  In that case I would be a bigot.
I would also like to mention that I am not a "blind sheep" following everything the Church teaches just because it says it is right.  I consider there to be sufficient evidence for what I believe.  I don't understand it all, I admit.  But when there is something that doesn't make sense to me, I look for an explanation.  After all, I want to make sure I'm understanding what I think I'm hearing. It's been said by many different people in many different ways, but to put it simply, most people hate the Church for what they think it is, not for what it actually teaches.  So far, I have found an answer to all of my questions. Prove to me that the Church is wrong, and there is nothing to hold me - I do not look for the honor and glory that comes man, only that of God.  Prove my God does not exist, and I have no reason to follow a Church that is false.  Ah, but you can't prove it.  I know it to be truth.
God Bless,
Rae


*Prejudiced: To quote my then-8 year old brother to my then-10 year old brother: "Your just prejujished.  You don't like cocoanut and you haven't given it a fair chance!"