Good Reading

I just finished (for a second time) this book by Walter Miller - A Canticle for Leibowitz. It is a sometimes amusing, often frightening, very moving science fiction type novel - which is a genre I usually don't enjoy very much. It is also an apocalypse, so perhaps it's not very good holiday reading! But I found it very, very good. The author was a somewhat reclusive fellow who gave up writing after a brief but brilliant career. He committed suicide a few years ago, which is ironic in light of the fact that the third section of Leibowitz is a beautiful argument against euthanasia.

Saint of the Week

St. Edmund Campion was hanged, drawn and quartered, along with numerous other Catholic martyrs, at Tyburn Tree (also known as the "Deadly Never Green Tree").

There is now a CONVENT there. LOL just my thing! They have a neato website you should check out. It takes a while to load but it's goody :)


St. Edmund Campion
"The Pope's Champion,"
"the Diamond of England"



1540-1581
Feast Day: December 1

Persecution in England after the Reformation called forth many Catholic martyrs. Most heroic of those who died under Queen Elizabeth I was Edmund Campion, called by his enemies "the seditious Jesuit".

Edmund's father was a London bookseller. The parents had left the Catholic Church when Queen Elizabeth re-established Anglicanism, so Edmund became Protestant. The brilliance of his mind was evident from childhood. As a boy he had been selected to give a speech of welcome to Queen Mary Tudor in 1553. Thirteen years later he was chosen to give an oration of welcome to Queen Elizabeth when she visited Oxford. Leading figures, including Queen Elizabeth, were interested in the potentialities of this young Oxford scholar. William Cecil, Elizabeth's counselor, did not hesitate to call him "a diamond of England." A born leader, Campion was the most notable figure of his day at the University. He exercised there a magnetic influence comparable to that of John Henry Newman three centuries later.

The Anglican bishop of Cloucester persuaded Edmund to take the oath of Supremacy to the Queen and receive the Anglican order of deacon. But Campion's studies thereafter convinced him that the Anglican Church was invalid. Falling under suspicion as pro-papist, he went to Dublin to assist in the foundation of a university. In 1571, when Pope St. Pius V's excommunication of Elizabeth made people like himself ever more subject to prosecution, Campion fled to Belgium. At Douay he was reconciled to the Catholic Church, and ordained a subdeacon. Then he went to Rome and joined the Society of Jesus. He was ordained a Catholic priest in Prague, Bohemia, in 1578.

In 1579 the general of the Jesuits began to send English Jesuits back to Britain to carry on a secret apostolate. The two first chosen for this dangerous mission were Fathers Robert Persons and Edmund Campion. Persons entered England disguised as a returning soldier. Campion came later, posing as a jewel merchant, accompanied by Jesuit Brother Ralph Emerson as his "servant". Not all Catholics welcomed them. They feared that the trio came with some political purpose. The priests had to reassure them that their mission was "only apostolical-without any pretense in knowledge of matters of state."

The British government quickly learned of their arrival, so they had to move out into the provinces. To the government also, Fr. Edmund asserted that their presence in England was spiritual, not political. He did this in a leaflet "Challenge to the Privy Council," which soon became known as "Campion's Brag". In 1581 he was able to print and distribute "Decem Rationes" ("Ten Reasons"), a leaflet addressed to Protestants to persuade them to return to the Catholic faith.

Campion, now all the more prominent and hated by his enemies, led a life of joyful adventure, going about on his mission often only a step ahead of the police. The success of his religious contacts was great, so the hardships were worth it. He wrote to his superior in Rome: "I am in apparel to myself very ridiculous; I often change it and my name also." He knew he could not escape forever, but as he said, "Fear itself hath taken away all fear."

On Sunday, July 16, 1681, after he had celebrated Mass in a private house, a traitor in the congregation called the police. Campion was arrested and tortured within an inch of his life, but he did not break down. Government leaders, including, it is said, Queen Elizabeth herself, tried another tack. They would give him high positions in the Church of England if he would give up his Catholicism. Campion's sister also tried to persuade him to recant. Edmund rejected this ploy, too. The court finally tried him and all other Catholic missionaries on the charge of fomenting rebellion. Even the packed jury didn't really believe the verdict of guilty. Before sentence, Fr. Campion said to his judge: "In condemning me - you condemn all your own ancestors. To be condemned with these old lights … is both gladness and glory to us."

On December 1, 1581 Campion and three others were hanged in London. At the scaffold, he publicly prayed "for your queen and my queen, unto whom I wish a long reign with all prosperity."

As he was later beheaded, disemboweled and quartered, some of his blood splashed on Henry Walpole, a young gentleman in the front row. Walpole subsequently became a Jesuit and was martyred in 1595. This is one example of the great spiritual influence of Campion, the "diamond of England". Walpole and Campion were canonized together in 1970.

From Saints Alive.

Happy Sunday

I didn't get to go to Confession yesterday (my father went off with the car just before it was time for me to go; and my mother was at work with the other auto) so no communion for me. Today was the first week of Advent, so Immaculate Conception had a lot of purple laid out! The feast of the Immaculate Conception is coming up Dec. 8, and it's a Holy Day of Obligation (gentle reminder). So you are required to go to Mass! This means you, Betsy (he he he). The Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the United States, and the patroness of that parish, of course. They're having a Bishop there next Sunday. Fun fun!

The trouble with Christmas is that there is a great deal of holiday programming on. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy most of it! But Mother always insists that we watch every single second of it, even if it is a probably lousy TV movie starring Jennifer Love Hewitt or similar. It's even worse when It's a Wonderful Life comes on. I loooove that movie, but Mother also looooooves it and likes to watch it over and over again. It also causes her to bawl like a baby. She starts crying when young George Bailey has his confrontation with Gower the pharmacist and becomes progressively worse until they are all gathered around the Christmas tree at the end, which is when the reserve flood-gates open up. I get sniffly too, sometimes, but not that badly. The only time I really cry over entertainment is when it's a good book. Then I really let loose!

Christmas time!

Sooo, the little discussion about Christmas trees (see comments in previous post) got me searching, and here are some interesting facts from EWTN. A bigger dork than me would say, "Fun Facts!" Leslie, check out the link on the Blessing for the Christmas Tree (which you don't need a priest for), your mother could use that to "represent" ;) They also have blessings for Advent Wreaths and manger scenes that lay Catholics can use.

Christmas

"The Word became Flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: The glory of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with enduring love." (John 1:14)

The actual date of Christ’s birth is unknown. The Gospels do not record it and there is not any early tradition to identify it. Scholars identify the approximate year as sometime between 8 - 5 BC and the season as probably early spring. The feast day was placed where it was, in all likelihood, to supplant the practice of the winter solstice festival among pagan converts by pointing to Christ as the true light who comes into the world. The Western Church emphasizes the celebration of the Nativity or Birth of Jesus on December 25, while the Eastern Church celebrates His manifestation to the Magi on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6.

The word Christmas was derived from the Old English Cristes Maesse or "Mass of Christmas." Over the centuries it has become a comprehensive word including both the religious traditions and the secular traditions.

In North America,the early immigrants brought their different Christmas traditions. The Germans brought the Christmas tree, the Irish contributed the lights in windows of homes, Catholic immigrants brought Midnight Mass and everyone had their own Christmas carols.

The Lights of Christmas
The most obvious symbol of Christmas are lights – Christmas candles, window lights, luminaries, lights on the Advent Wreath and Christmas tree. All signifying that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.

Christmas Candle
The Christmas candle is an ancient tradition. It is usually placed in the center of the Advent Wreath to complete the removal of darkness and sin by the Coming of Christ.

Window Lights
Lights placed inside window sills depict a beacon to light the way for Mary, Joseph, and the coming of the Christ Child.

Christmas Tree
Christmas trees can be found almost anywhere, any size. For many people, the Christmas tree is only a seasonal decoration. To Christians it symbolizes the green of hope at a time of dying, the burning light of Christ at a time of spiritual darkness and the fruits of paradise. Its origin as a Christian symbol may trace to an historical event. When St. Boniface evangelized the Germanic tribes he chopped down their sacred oak to prove the impotence of their god. Just as Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol of the Trinity, Boniface used the evergreen as a symbol of the eternity of the true God. The Church provides a blessing ceremony in its Book of Blessings for use in the absence of a priest.

Holly
The appearance of holly isrepresentative of the burning bush of Moses and Mary’s burning love of for God.The red berries and prickly points are symbolic of the crown of thorns and the bloody death that the Christ Child would eventually suffer.

Poinsettia
Poinsettias are associated with Christmas asthe lily is with Easter. In Mexico it blooms at Christmas time and is called the"Flower of the Holy Night." Its name is from the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett.

I forgot to mention

On Thursday night, my mom and my little brother and I went to see the new SpongeBob SquarePants movie. Yes, I am unashamed. It was extremely amusing, especially the parts where SpongeBob and Patrick declaim on the glories of being "men." Also, the cameo by David Hasselhoff was hilarious. I am glad he can laugh at himself :) "You done good, Hasselhoff." He he he, it makes me laaaauuuugh.

Overall a very good experience. Yay for SpongeBob and going to movie theatres with your Mom and your kid brother!

Shopping Makes My Blood Hurt

Today was the first time that I have ever actually gone shopping on "the biggest shopping day of the year" - the day after Thanksgiving. It will also be the last. What a zoo! I have never seen so many people crawling over each other in department stores. I have also never had so many near misses in my car (parking lots were horrible, horrible, horrible). My mother and I got up around 6:30 to try to avoid the crowds (as you can see it was rather a vain attempt) and we, uh, hit it off within moments of entering T.J. Maxx. She was way into wallets. And ornaments. Newsflash: no one needs new wallets. And we definitely do not need any more ornaments. Ugh. Our tree is actually going to tip over this year :)

Mother also had us go to four different Target stores spread over the face of Northeastern Ohio. The only store I actually went into was the afore-mentioned T.J. Maxx; after that fiasco I had lost whatever shopping bug I had caught earlier that morning. It was a pretty weak bug to begin with, I have to say! Having no money can do that to you ... But I did get a couple nice things. For People. You want to know what I got you? Hmmmmm. You'll just have to wait.

I have a low feeling that Christmas is going to be non-cheery in the gifts department again this year - Mother actually got us things this time, I think, but she was talking about them and it was all ... Sweaters .. And jewelry ... And socks and stuff. And high-class cute pins. Ack. If the sweaters are cute then that's ok; but I don't wear a lot of jewelry, nor do I have occasion to. Oh well. I don't want to hurt her feelings (I'm sure she's high on her purchases just as she is with all shopping, he he he) so I'll act blissful. And it's the thought that counts. And fine jewelry will be pretty nice. There are starving children in Kenya who would faint if they got jewelry, Maggie.

Anyway, we are supposed to be celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord, and giving presents is lovely but only secondary. And it's just a way for heathens, pagans, and non-believers to cut in on our fattening Christmas pie! Gasp! Those jerks! ;) Trying to get chubby like us ;) Hmmm, maybe I should be a Christian separatist or something. Except that I think it is probably incompatible with the Catholic tradition.

I am going to go try to recover now (read: Nap time). Perhaps I was nasty with my mother because of the early hour. Alas, I still have to go to Confession tomorrow about it :( Sleep will cure my nerves. Mmmm, sleep and chocolate.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving Day, 2004
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

All across America, we gather this week with the people we love to give thanks to God for the blessings in our lives. We are grateful for our freedom, grateful for our families and friends, and grateful for the many gifts of America. On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of these things, and life itself, come from the Almighty God.

Almost four centuries ago, the Pilgrims celebrated a harvest feast to thank God after suffering through a brutal winter. President George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and President Lincoln revived the tradition during the Civil War, asking Americans to give thanks with "one heart and one voice." Since then, in times of war and in times of peace, Americans have gathered with family and friends and given thanks to God for our blessings.

Thanksgiving is also a time to share our blessings with those who are less fortunate. Americans this week will gather food and clothing for neighbors in need. Many young people will give part of their holiday to volunteer at homeless shelters and food pantries. On Thanksgiving, we remember that the true strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of the American people. By seeking out those who are hurting and by lending a hand, Americans touch the lives of their fellow citizens and help make our Nation and the world a better place.

This Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude to our dedicated firefighters and police officers who help keep our homeland safe. We are grateful to the homeland security and intelligence personnel who spend long hours on faithful watch. And we give thanks for the Americans in our Armed Forces who are serving around the world to secure our country and advance the cause of freedom. These brave men and women make our entire Nation proud, and we thank them and their families for their sacrifice.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for His blessings and ask Him to continue to guide and watch over our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 25, 2004, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship to reinforce the ties of family and community and to express gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

See the White House website.

Interesting article

On the "odor of sanctity" phenomenon. If you don't want to read the entire thing, pleaaaaaaaaase just read the last paragraph. (It's beautiful.)

I know I've posted a couple of pictures of saints with incorrupt bodies (see St. Catherine below). Another aspect of this miraculous lack of decay is that it is sometimes accompanied by a beautiful fragrance - the odor of sanctity. It happens to the bodies of holy people belonging to both the Catholic Church and her closest sister Church, Eastern Orthodoxy (the Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox etc have priests, all the sacraments, vestments, Mass, incense, and devotion to the Virgin Mary and all that glorious stuff).

Excerpt:

So this is why I'm interested to hear about the fragrance people experienced when they opened the coffin of Thérèse. I'm also interested because it coincides with other stories. There are lots of accounts through the ages, in both Catholic and Orthodox circles, of the odor of sanctity, corpses that exude perfume instead of putrefaction. There's an Orthodox monk in a Syrian monastery, for instance, whose body has been oozing a fragrant healing oil now for a couple of decades. I'm interested not because I am particularly credulous or because I think such miracles prove a lot. In fact, I'm interested for almost the opposite reason. While I do believe in miracles, I'm interested in the apparent randomness of it all. If this is a sign of holiness, why don't all saints smell good when their coffins are opened? Why should Bernadette's body be uncorrupt but not Thérèse's? It is all rather wonderful, but like most wonderful things, there's not much rhyme or reason to it.

...

When the coffin of a young girl is opened up and we smell roses, maybe the Divine Poet is reminding us that in this life we are in death, but in this death we are also in life. When a saint lies in a glass coffin like Sleeping Beauty, the Divine Storyteller may be reminding us that we have a final hope in the destiny of Love. Bernadette in her coffin reflects the truth that for those who are saved, dying is like falling asleep while we await the kiss of the Beloved. Uncorrupted bodies and the odor of sanctity may not be there to prove anything. Instead, like the gift of roses to a lover, such things may simply be tokens of love. They may be tender reminders that these funny, smelly bodies are intended for glory. The roses just might hold a deeper significance. We may discover, like Dante, that Paradise itself is a rose of eternal mystery, interlayered with an endless pattern of meaning, redolent with fragrance, and radiant with overwhelming beauty.

I like that last bit that mentions Dante. Leslie, did you ever have to read any Dante for Italian class? I read the Inferno a couple years ago (in English, heh heh) and I thought it was pretty good.

Home Sweet Home

My father eventually got to Athens at about 1 AM on Tuesday morning. He had a meeting to go to later that day so he needed to do the run to Athens pretty ... uh, early. We got home at 4:30; I tried sleeping in the car, but it was a pretty lost cause. It was impossible to sleep with the radio on, and Papa needed it on in order to stay awake.

I slept until 1 PM today; I felt rather icky because I was still in the clothes I wore yesterday. Ugh. Too much trouble to change before collapsing into bed. I only vaguely remember getting out of the car and going upstairs; that's how tired I was!

At least finals are over. Time for vacation Fun. Yah. I have to get a job. Time to call Kelly Services! Yay! Not!

Saint of the Week

I love her habit :)



St. Catherine Laboure

1806 - 1876

Feast Day: November 28




St. Catherine's Incorrupt Body

The fact that Saint Catherine rested her hands on the lap of the Blessed Mother did not make her a saint. She personally worked no miracles, nor did she practice externally heroic charity like other great saints. She was not materially poor as were the children of Fatima and Bernadette... She sprang from upper middle class parents among the meadows and vineyards of Burgundy, France. Her father was an educated man and an excellent farmer living in the village of Fain-les-Moutiers not far from DiJon. Her sanctity consists in half a century of faithful service as a simple Daughter of Charity ...

On the eve of the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, July 19, the Sister Superior spoke to the novices about the virtues of their Holy Founder and gave each of them a piece of cloth from his surplice. Catherine earnestly prayed to Saint Vincent that she might with her own eyes see the mother of God.
She was convinced that she would see the Blessed Virgin Mary that very night; and in her conviction, Catherine fell asleep. Before long, she was awakened by a brilliant light and the voice of a child. "Sister Laboure, come to the Chapel; the Blessed Virgin awaits you."

Catherine replied: "We shall be discovered."

The little child smiled, "Do not be uneasy; it is half past eleven, everyone is sleeping... come, I am waiting for you." She rose quickly and dressed. The hall lights were burning. The locked chapel door swung open at the angel's touch. Amazed, Catherine found the Chapel ablaze with lights as if prepared for midnight Mass. Quickly she knelt at the communion rail, and suddenly, she heard the rustle of a silk dress... the Blessed Virgin, in a blaze of glory, sat in the director's chair. The angel whispered: "The Blessed Mother wishes to speak with you."

Catherine rose, knelt beside the Blessed Mother and rested her hands in the Virgin's lap. Mary said:

"God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace to do what is necessary. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the world."

A pain crossed the Virgin's face.

"Come to the foot of the altar. Graces will be shed on all, great and little, especially upon those who seek for them. You will have the protection of God and Saint Vincent. I always will have my eyes upon you. There will be much persecution. The cross will be treated with contempt. It will be hurled to the ground and blood will flow." Then after speaking for some time, the Lady like a fading shadow was gone.

Led by the child, Catherine left the Chapel, marched up the corridor, and returned to her place in the dormitory. The angel disappeared and as Catherine went to bed she heard the clock strike two.

MARY REAPPEARS

Catherine lived the normal life of a novice of the Daughters of Charity until Advent. On Saturday, November 27, 1830, at 5:30 p.m., she retired to the Chapel with the other Sisters for evening meditation. Catherine heard the faint swish of silk... she recognized our Lady's signal. Raising her eyes to the main altar, she saw her beautiful Lady standing on a large globe.
The Virgin spoke, this time giving a direct order: "Have a medal struck as I have shown you. All who wear it will receive great graces."

Catherine asked how she was to have the medal struck. Mary replied that she was to go to her confessor, a Father Jean Marie Aladel saying of this saintly priest: "He is my servant." Father Aladel at first did not believe Catherine; however after two years, he finally went to the archbishop who ordered two thousand medals struck on June 20, 1832. When Catherine received her share of these first medals from the hands of the priest she said: "Now it must be propagated."

The spread of a devotion to the medal urged by Saint Catherine was carried out so swiftly that it was miraculous itself.

Read more here.

Funny jokes! He he he. Who needs to study? Not me.

Over in the Free Republic religion forum, a poster started this thread, asking, "can anyone tell me the differences between Christian denominations?" Talk about asking for trouble! In case you didn't know, the people on Free Republic can be sort of ... Touchy. There is bitterness even between different factions of Roman Catholics - schismatics, traditionalists, normative-liturgy people etc. It is actually a pretty good thread, although I have to warn you that there is Catholic-bashing, Evangelical-bashing, Mormon-bashing, and ECUSA-bashing (although personally I think that with regard to the ECUSA, they have done a pretty good job of winning that scorn).

I did come across these two jokes on the thread, though. I've heard the second one before, but the first one is equally priceless ...

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb? Depends.

Charismatic: Only 1. Hands already in the air.

Pentecostal: 10. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Presbyterian: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptist: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.

Episcopalian: 3. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

Unitarian: ?. We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent,3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodist: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church-wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene: 6. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

Lutheran: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

Ahhhhhh. Most amusing. Yay, candle-lovers! I would have to say that some Lutherans do like change, as evidenced by some recent developments in the ELCA. Here's another good one:

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man about to jump off. I immediately ran over and said:
"Stop! Don't do it!"
"Why shouldn't I?" he asked.
I said: "Well, there's so much to live for!"
"Like what?"
"Well... are you religious or atheist?"
"Religious."
"Me too! Are you Christian or Jewish?"
"Christian."
"Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?"
"Protestant."
"Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"
"Baptist."
"Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"
"Baptist Church of God."
"Me too! Are you Original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"
"Reformed Baptist Church of God."
"Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?"
"Reformation of 1915!"
To which I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.

LOL. Sometimes it seems that way in our Big Happy Christian Family!

Ah, headache

Being Genius Me (stop laughing out there!) I left studying for my Statistics exam until the last minute. Which is now. 60 seconds, 59 seconds, 58 ... Anyway, I also started to come down with a bit of a cold on Thursday (when I was getting ready for my Logic exam) and it has since come on full force. I made the mistake of coughing whilst on the telephone with Mother, and she made me promise to pick up some cough syrup called Delsym (or similar). I can't see how it has helped, although I've only taken two spoonfuls in the last 18 hours ... The bit of information on the label was in teaspoons. What rot! I don't have those sorts of measuring things in my dorm room, we aren't allowed to cook. "Streeeectly against the rules."

Also I would probably manage to poison myself.

How many teaspoons is a spoon? Ack, I didn't feel like overdosing and lapsing into a coma, so I only took two. Perhaps, however, I ought to reconsider. Girls in comas are not made to take Statistics finals, are they? With my luck, they would arrive at my bedside with some fantastic gizmo and say "Right, marvelous news, we've invented a way for you to determine whether to reject the null hypothesis while you are yet in Floaty Floaty Land." And Dan the Logic Grad Student would pop up and say, "And for this one, would you use De Morgan's or Trans?" And I would say, "Trans is the one with the wedge?" And he would reply, "No, idiot, that's Implication."

If you have no idea what I have been saying, count yourself lucky and pray you never have to learn. I, myself, have not learned it. It would probably irk you, too :)

How to perform a valid Baptism (no one yell at me!)

This is a verrrry tricky question and it can cause some controversy. All Christians abide by the rule requiring the words "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" but some practice baptism by immersion, while others "sprinkle." The Mormans (many of who are wonderful people but who unfortunately can not be considered Christians because of their denial of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) do not use these words to carry out their baptisms and so the Church does not consider them validly baptized. The Church does recognize as valid all Protestant baptisms that use water and the proper words.


Q. 638. How is Baptism given?

A. Whoever baptizes should pour water on the head of the person to be baptized, and say, while pouring the water: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

Q. 639. If water cannot be had, in case of necessity, may any other liquid be used for baptism?

A. If water cannot be had, in case of necessity or in any case, no other liquid can be used, and the baptism cannot be given.

Q. 640. If it is impossible, in case of necessity, to reach the head, may the water be poured on any other part of the body?

A. If it is impossible, in case of necessity, to reach the head, the water should be poured on whatever part of the body can be reached; but then the baptism must be given conditionally; that is, before pronouncing the words of baptism, you must say: "If I can baptize thee in this way, I baptize thee in the name of the Father," etc. If the head can afterward be reached, the water must be poured on the head and the baptism repeated conditionally by saying: "If you are not already baptized, I baptize thee in the name," etc.

Q. 641. Is the baptism valid if we say: "I baptize thee in the name of the Holy Trinity," without naming the Persons of the Trinity?

A. The baptism is not valid if we say: "I baptize thee in the name of the Holy Trinity," without naming the Persons of the Trinity; for we must use the exact words instituted by Christ.

From the Baltimore Catechism. There's lots more great stuff there :)

More lols

Ahhhh when one is tired, one should always go peruse Homestar Runner.com and have laughs. Then one will feel better.

I laughed so hard at this one, my belly hurt. Hmmm, it must be too empty. Time for chocolate! (Make sure your volume is up)

::: possums ::::

Teen Girl Squad! Issue #3

Heh heh, I would probably be best represented by the girl who shops at the thrift store with the clothes that "smell like grandmas" ;)

Requiescat in pace

Sad, sad news. Gerard Serafin, of A Catholic Blog for Lovers, has died. I always enjoyed his blog - it's such a shock! He wasn't in the best health, when on earth, and now he is in ecstasy. We've got to try not to be selfish, and think about how good it is for him, not how bad it is for us :(

Yucky morning

What awful weather. I just wanted to stay curled up in bed this morning, and avoid the slightly chill air, gray sky and very soggy ground.

But nooooo, I had my Precision Language (Grammar) Final Exam at lovely 8 AM. So I dragged myself out of bed at six, showered, procrastinated, studied, and then went to Scripps. I actually feel like I aced that test, which is as sure a sign of failure as any I know. I guess I won't know 'till I get my grades ...

The good news is that taking it at 8 gets it out of the way and off my Stress Meter. I don't have another exam until Monday, when I have two (at 3 ish and 7 - French and Stats). So, after 9:45, I came back to my dorm for what is basically a three-day weekend. Ah, lots of time. To study :)

French will be pretty easy, I think. Stats will beat me, kill me, and throw my body to the pack of starving wolves howling outside the door of the examination room.

In other news: The USCCB has elected its new president, Bishop Skylstad of Spokane, Washington. From all that I have heard, he is Bad news, with a capital B. His diocese is filing for bankruptcy, he fumbled the sexual abuse scandal horribly, and he is not conservative (most notably on the Communion issue, but, disturbingly, on a whole host of other subjects). And Bishop Trautman was put in charge of a committee on the liturgy. Gulp. I love these men as fathers, of course, but some of them do not have the best judgments ...

The only good news was that Cardinal George was elected VP, and the VP usually becomes President (Skylstad was previously VP).

Here are the results of the Presidential and Vice Presidential votes. (As you can see, they had to have several tallies before they made a choice.)

Sorry

That blogging has been sporadic lately. I'm taking finals and it's all killing me. I just got finished with failing my Logic exam, actually. There are at least 17 points I know that I missed. Whippee! I bet GRAMMAR will be just as fun tomorrow!

On the make-up test, I ended up with an 84%. Thank you, Jeeeesus! No joking, either, that was a miracle if I ever saw one ;)

I haven't been able to read a lot of the news lately (study study study sleep sleep sleep), which is a shame since the United States Council of Catholic Bishops is having their fall meeting this week. All I can offer you by way of entertainment is the new StrongBad E-mail. Ahhhhhh. It's good.

So you want me to shut my pie-hole do you?

He he he. Stupid but rather amusing video. This has nothing to do with anything, except with the fact that I am avoiding studying ...

Hmmmm ... No, I don't buy it

'God gene' discovered by scientist behind gay DNA theory

Ah! It harkens back to Mind-Brain Identity Theory! Tad's class just keeps rearing its ugly head ... What's reality? It's all just a bunch of electrical impulses ... ;) Shut up Tad, and go back to playing with your cat. What was that cat's name? Something horribly corny, I recall.

Basically, the scientist's idea is that some people are more "wired" for spirituality than others. I guess you could find an example of this in that both me and my identical twin sister are Catholic Wackos :) Yet, is he suggesting that the presence of this gene makes for a hard and fast rule - "have gene, will pray?" ;)

Surely, among identical twins, there is at least one counterexample. And doesn't one counterexample disprove his theory? If all identical twins are genetic copies, and at least twin of one set that has the "God gene" does not have this spiritual aptitude ... I guess you could investigate whether other physical variables negated the gene's effect. But would the same physical attributes be consistent in all the counterexamples?

In my opinion, there are too many variables involved in this kind of investigation. Environment has to play a role. Siblings are very close, genetically, although not as close as twins. We were all raised in a non-practicing, sometimes-not-even-Christmas-and-Easter Catholic household, and my brothers (who, like I said, have a very close genetic code to we girls) have never shown the slightest interest in religion. Another interesting question that would have to be answered: Where did my sister and I "get" this "God gene" from? We certainly did not inherit it from our parents or either set of grandparents. I can not speak very much for my great-grandparents on either side. I have a gut feeling, however, that my father's people were "it's convenient" Protestants. And as for my mother's people - well, my intuition tells me that we were the original Bad American Catholics, TM ;)

Interestingly, Dr Hamer's little caveat at the end - that "religious believers can point to the existence of god genes as one more sign of the creator's ingenuity - a clever way to help humans acknowledge and embrace a divine presence" does not fit very well at all with Catholic theology, but it does seem like it would work well with Calvinist theology - the Elect receive the gene, while those who are not destined for salvation do not.

I would also like to add that I do not find his research into homosexuality terribly compelling, either. Although the homosexual orientation may very well be natural, I wouldn't think it would have a genetic cause - it would be natural more in terms of a psychological phenomenon.

Sorry for the novel. Writing long posts on Telegraph articles is a nice way to burn time when trying to avoid the Logic Final Exam "natural deduction" material that can actually cause tears if you work and work and work and still swing and miss ;)

(Singing) Happy Name Day to Me, Happy Name Day to Me

I look like a monkey ... ;)

Here is the Latin for the Roman Calendar and Daily Collect, which I got off of a neato button on The Shrine of the Holy Whapping. I know hardly anyone can read Latin (but you know who "Margaritae Scotiae" is, don't you. If you have a well-stocked English vocabulary, you can probably figure out what "In Hungaria nata est circa annum 1046" means), and even I can only half figure it out, but it's still quite cool.

Die 16 novembris
S. Margaritae Scotiae

Deus, qui beatam Margaritam eximia in pauperes caritate mirabilem efficisti, da ut, eius intercessione et exemplo, imaginem bonitatis tuae inter homines referamus. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

In Hungaria nata est circa annum 1046, dum pater ibi, exsilio mulctatus, degebat. Malcom III, Scotorum regi, nuptui tradita est, cui octo peperit filios. Exemplum exstitit optimae matris et reginae. Obiit Edimburgi die 16 novembris 1093 et tumulata est in Dunfermline.

Die 19 iunii 1250 facta est elevatio eius corporis. Festum S. Margaritae ascriptum est in Calendario romano anno 1673, die 10 iunii celebrandum.

Ahhhhhh the PC Police are after my Marlboro Man Marine!

From WSJ Opinion Journal "Best of the Web Today":

Lopez is right, of course, but that doesn't make Linda Ortman any less ridiculous. Ortman's scolding letter appeared in the Dallas Morning News Thursday (third letter):

"Are there no photos of nonsmoking soldiers in Iraq?

We are all aware of how important it is to help people stop smoking because of health risks.

Please, Dallas Morning News, be more sensitive. Youth are easily influenced. Let's stop reinforcing the smoking habit. Stop publishing photos like the one on the front page Wednesday."

The WSJ also posts this lovely quote from the always wonderful G.K. Chesterton, circa 1917, about some chap - a clergyman in Bromley, England - who was upset about Brits sending ciggies to the troops in World War I:

There is the lack of imaginative proportion, which rises into a sort of towering blasphemy. An enormous number of live young men are being hurt by shells, hurt by bullets, hurt by fever and hunger and horror of hope deferred; hurt by lance blades and sword blades and bayonet blades breaking into the bloody house of life. But Mr. Price (I think that's his name) is still anxious that they should not be hurt by cigarettes. That is the sort of maniacal isolation that can be found in the deserts of Bromley.

There's also this awful bit:

If cigarette-smoking Marines aren't outrageous enough for you, check out this letter to the editor of the Portland (Maine) Press-Herald from one Florence White (last letter):

"Am I the only one who finds the idea of sending candy to Iraqi children not only not brilliant but insensitive, offensive and stupid ("Kids offered sweet deal on candy," Oct. 29)?

The candy is not good for our children's teeth but OK for kids who probably have no access to dentistry?

"Can you catch just a glimmer of why Americans are so hated in other parts of the world?"

Maybe the Iraqis would like us if we forced them all to go to the dentist.

LOL! If I were an Iraqi child, I would focus my hatred on the nasty PC types who were trying to come between me, the nice Marine, and his candy.

And, heh heh. I love the Wall Street Journal and especially Best of the Web. They are as sarcastic as I am.

Saint of the Week

Yup, it's name-day time! My patroness, St. Margaret of Scotland. Hmmm, I could use her prayers for finals this week ;)


ST. MARGARET, QUEEN OF SCOTLAND
"THE PEARL OF SCOTLAND"


1046 - 1093

FEAST: NOVEMBER 16

Patroness of Scotland, death of children,
large families, learning, queens, widows


Hymn by Canon John Gray

Saint Margaret, the winds of yore
Oppressed the bark that carried thee
And drove a treasure from the sea
To Scotland's wild and barren shore

The providence of God is strong
To rule the tempest and the tide;
It gave the king a royal bride
And thee a folk to dwell among.

Of virtue who could undertake
To tell thy sweet unending store,
And all thy love for Scotland's poor
And poverty for Jesu's sake?

Beseech the King of endless days
To bless the land in breadth and length,
To clothe its sons with godly strength
And valiant women with their praise.


Great (but long) piece on St. Margaret

"It is of interest that Pope Pius IX had a great devotion to St. Margaret of Scotland, and it was to her inspiration that he attributed the design of restoring the Scottish Hierarchy, which he did so much to accomplish. The origin of this devotion to St. Margaret is no doubt to be found in the fact that, as a young cleric in minor orders, Pope Pius IX was a member of a confraternity which held its meetings in the Scots College Church ( 1808—47 ) . There the young cleric could not but be impressed by the beautiful and striking picture of St. Margaret."

"It has been suggested that Margaret gave to her fifth son the name Alexander as a tribute of respect to Pope Alexander II. It was a new name in Scotland and it was destined to become a favourite."

Margaret was an English princess. She and her mother sailed to Scotland to escape from the king who had conquered their land. King Malcolm of Scotland welcomed them and fell in love with the beautiful princess. Margaret and Malcolm were married before too long.

As Queen, Margaret changed her husband and the country for the better. Malcolm was good, but he and his court were very rough. When he saw how wise his beloved wife was, he listened to her good advice. She softened his temper and led him to practice great virtue. She made the court beautiful and civilized. Soon all the princes had better manners, and the ladies copied her purity and devotion. The king and queen gave wonderful example to everyone by the way they prayed together and fed crowds of poor people with their own hands. They seemed to have only one desire: to make everyone happy and good.

Margaret was a blessing for all the people of Scotland. Before she came, there was great ignorance and many bad habits among them. Margaret worked hard to obtain good teachers, to correct the evil practices, and to have new churches built. She loved to make these churches beautiful for God's glory, and she embroidered the priest's vestments herself.

God sent this holy Queen six sons and two daughters. She loved them dearly and raised them well. The youngest boy became St. David. But Margaret had sorrows, too. In her last illness, she learned that both her husband and her son, Edward, had been killed in battle. Yet she prayed: "I thank You, Almighty God, for sending me so great a sorrow to purify me from my sins."

Let us take this saintly Queen for our example. While we do our duties, let us keep in mind the joys that God will give us in Heaven. Her feast day is November 16th.

From Catholic Online.

Ugh, feeling bloated

I didn't get a chance to write how my weekend went ... It went yummily (is that a word?) In spite of the fact that both Lyndsey and Lauren were gone (sob) I got to hang out with both Jen and Leslie, so the long break was not a total loss! Jen very sweetly used one of her meal plan meals to get me chicken at the Grab n'Go, since I had already had lunch (chicken) and it was only 3 o'clock and we wanted to eat then(darn them with their little 4 o'clock dinner-time rules) ... Of course, that left me with a meal left for dinner. I decided to get ... Chicken!

I went to St. Paul's and spent an hour and a half in Adoration. When I came back, me and Leslie (or is it properly "Leslie and I"? Death to Precision Language!) went to Taco Bell. I had my usual Number 7. The result of all this eating was a rather bloated feeling which has carried over through Sunday to today. Hopefully I am digesting properly. I still feel pretty full. Me? Full? Yes, it is an anomaly equal in enormity to the time when I felt sick of chocolate. Oh, the humanity.

Between this and the Ten Brownies Escapade, I would likely break my scale if I stood on it. Therefore, to avoid this catastrophe, I am going to pretend my scale does not exist. Hum hum hum. La la la. It's certainly a lovely day, isn't it? A lovely day to pretend scales do not exist! What scale? I don't know anything about a scale ...

I Always Love a Man in Uniform

Leslie, this is the picture I was talking about:



Siiiiigh. I would have to get him to quit smoking, but other than that ... and I'm sure he would be a "good provider!" ;)

It's a Mad, Mad World

PC bosses ban C-word

That would be, "Christmas." Gasp! Oh no! I said it!

Bosses at the Eden Project tourist attraction have banned the word Christmas.

They do not want any mention of what they call the C-Word because they are worried it will offend followers of other faiths.

Management have renamed Christmas "Time of Gifts" claiming this will appeal to everyone at the domed eco project in Cornwall which gets millions of pounds in funding each year from taxpayers.

A gift shop at the site has been re-named the Great Gift Grotto.

Staff have been told to stop visitors saying Christmas.

...

Eden Project spokesman Ben Harding said: "We are having a seasonal celebration so there is no need to mention the C-Word because it's a celebration for everybody."

What is really funny (and sad) is that they actually descend to the juvenile depths of referring to it as the "C-Word." As though it were some kind of profanity. Personally, I have never met a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu who was offended by public acknowledgement of Christmas, just as I could really care less about public celebrations of Hanukkah or Ramadan. Most of us are too busy working, taking care of our families, or spending time with our friends to work ourselves into a lather about this sort of thing. Unlike the Professionally Offended corps of PC types that infest Western civilization.

They do, however, have their finger on the pulse of the latest swell of hedonistic materialism, as evidenced by their choice of the name, "Time of Gifts." Because that's what Christmas, Hannukah, Ramadan, and all the wonderful, diverse holidays from all the wonderful, diverse cultures that they long to "include" are really about. Getting things. Right. I am sure every Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu is happy to see his religion reduced to an exchange of goods, just as I, as a Christian, enjoy seeing the Nativity of Christ morphed into Santa and 50% off at JC Penny's.

You knew it would happen some day

Man Allegedly Bites Officer, Police Dog. Ha! This sounds like something that would happen here in Athens during Time Change. Now, remember, class, the most important thing is that you not bark at the police dog. You will be arrested, and we don't want to take up the court's time with that nonsense, now do we?

I have some good news: I got a 99% on my French test. I was actually surprised; I knew I did OK but I wasn't expecting "A" level work. Maybe I will make the Dean's list this quarter, after all. Egad! I can't believe I might not. Next quarter I am going to have to work myself to death. I refuuuuuuuse to return to my status as "the underachiever" of my siblings!

Ack, get a load of this video, which I got via Bettnet.com. It basically shows the priest dancing around like a dervish with the Book of the Gospels. Ugh. This is what makes Protestants think we are freaks! Check out the altar boy (on the left) gyrating with the processional candle near the end of the clip. Ugh. What can I say?

Too much sleep

All today I have been feeling like I am in the twilight zone - it's extremely odd to have a day off in the middle of the week like this. Not that I'm complaining, he he he. But I've been sleeping too much lately and not getting a lot of work done. I'm going to have to put spikes on my pillow or something.

No one is here this weekend! Lyndsey and Lauren have both gone home, although I don't know about Leslie. Is ANYONE sticking around besides El Dorka, yours truly?

I keep looking out my window and seeing the icky gray sky. I'm still not used to the sun going down around five. It seems too early! Blah blah blah. At least it was somewhat warmer today. I journeyed out to Shively Market to buy Ritz Bitz and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups - can you tell I'm on a peanut butter kick? The chicken place was closed for Veteran's Day, which was rather depressing. You know me, I live for chicken, especially of the fried variety. I wonder if I should go to dinner tonight. It would require leaving my room and interacting with others (what a drag!). However, my stomach is very demanding. We shall see.

At least there's not a lot of homework for me to do. Just Logic. I have to write a paper. Ugh. I don't want to ... ::: whine ::: I'm so charming.

I Love the Onion

Procrastinating Catholic 20 Rosaries Behind

He he he, speaking of which, I forgot to do my daily rosary yesterday ... crud.

Great article

Great piece on religion vs. "spirituality"

They're really, really spiritual - that is, totally selfish

All riiiiiight

If you read the comments on the previous post, here is the Story of the Ten Brownies:

So, last night, after I finished up with falling all over myself, Lyndsey and Lauren and I - oh and Jimmy too - went to Cici's Pizza, an all-you-can-eat buffet which also had BROWNIES for desert. Now, I had a total of four pieces of pizza, a glass of water, and two brownies, which I thought was quite reasonable, considering it was all you can eat. However, the brownies kept appearing in front of me, courtesy of my friends (I have told you how they are trying to fatten me up before they kill me and eat me, haven't I?;)). Also, Lauren began singing the "one little, two little, three little brownies; four little, five little, six little brownies" song and I thought it would be a darned shame if we started and didn't stop. So I had ten. Personally, I think my blood turned to chocolate for a good hour afterward.

After dinner we went to Petland, and I got to hold this sweet sad-looking beagle. He was very mischievous, however, and he bit a little hole in my jacket. Strong jaws, that baby pup! I kind of felt sad seeing all those doggies and kitties in little cramped cages like that. But at least they're being cared for.

Then I came home and fell asleep at 8 o'clock. I woke up around midnight, washed my face, said my rosary, and went back to bed. I must have been really tuckered out!

I forgot to mention that we also saw Chris Graham going into the Young Life house. I am also pretty sure that he saw us. I am positive he recognized "Lyndsey, I wish we were older" and the Public Knitter (Lauren). He he he.

Ow, it stings

Today has been what I call an Interesting Day. I was up until around 2 last night, studying for my French exam and my Grammar make-up exam. I woke up rather cranky, but I recovered long enough to do pretty well on my French (I hope!). Coming out of Stats, I managed to wipe out on the sidewalk in front of Porter Hall. This is the second time this year that I have ended up on my hands and knees in front of Porter. I fell forward and smacked both palms pretty hard. Leslie was there to witness it although I must say that my "contretemps with the concrete" was nowhere near as traumatic as Leslie's "rendez-vous with the pavement" sounds - she fell in the street, in front of an oncoming car, and was nearly killed; whereas I fell on the sidewalk, in front of a large number of undergraduates, and was thoroughly embarrassed.

As we got into East Green, and Leslie went inside Perkins, I fell AGAIN. I don't think she saw that one, but ow! It was infinitely more painful than the first. All I thought was, "What on earth is wrong with you, you idiot!? Ow, ow ow! Why don't you look we're you're going? Owwwww!" And my knee was already raw from the first trip down, so it was not ... Pleasant.

I must be losing my physical balance along with my mental balance. It can't be these lovely sneakers Lyndsey got me, because I wore them yesterday and I had no trouble! Maybe I have water in my ear. Or something.

The upside was that the piercing pain in my left knee seemed to all but cure the pulled muscle in my right leg. The down side was that there was a large, 2 x 3 inch scrape on my leg - and it wasn't the sort where it's just lightly scraped; there was a little bit of blood and it was a lovely reddish-purple raw color. Ah, that's one thing Scripps will not have to teach me: Word pictures. It was also square-shaped. Apparently my skin tears at right angles. More word pictures!

That's me: Making people go, "Eeeuh" since 1985.

Also on the bright side: A) I did not rip my jeans and B) I was wearing jeans, so I didn't have any dirt or gravel sticking in there and making my day more complex and painful than it already was. Count your blessings! Sometimes I really feel like hitting whoever came up with that phrase, which is not very Christian of me. But would one good smack do much harm? Just kidding.

I think I did ok on the make-up grammar test, although you never know in that class. Hopefully I can bump up that 69!

:: Pulls Hair Out ::

Okay, so after me forgetting to include a link, and the link I did include failing to work half the time, I have decided to just give you the picture:



IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, CLEVELAND, OH


Isn't it a pretty church? Me and Betsy have been going there whenever we're home from school, since this last summer. They have a little school (which has been in operation since the 1860's) and the Latin Mass. The inside is even prettier than the outside! But you'll just have to trust me on that since I have no pictures.

Saint of the Week

Ever hear of "Jumpin' Josephat?" Well, I don't know if this is that Josephat, a martyr for Christian unity ... "they shot the archbishop, crushed his skull, and threw his body into the river" - sometimes I think martyrdom would be a nice route to heaven - quick n' easy - but then I read the details and I think, naaaaahhhh ...


St. Josephat
1582-1623)
FEASTDAY: November 12

That brings us to St. Josaphat. Christianity was introduced into Russia by St. Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev, in 989. Since the missionaries to Kiev came from Constantinople, the type of liturgy adopted was both Greek and Slavonic. Constantinople and Ukraine at that time acknowledged the pope. The Greek Rite, in the Old Slavonic language, was used. After 1054, however, Constantinople, for political as well as religious reasons, declared its independence of the Holy See, and gradually the other Eastern Orthodox churches followed suit, especially Moscow.

Efforts were not wanting on the part of the popes and some Eastern churchmen to reestablish union with the Holy See. Thus, in 1595, the Orthodox bishop of Kiev and five other Ukrainian bishops sought official reunion with Rome. However, this partial reunion aroused great opposition on the part of the Russian Orthodox majority of the country, and much violence followed.

John Kunsevich was born in 1580 to a prominent Catholic of the city of Vladimir. A thoughtful and devout young man, John entered a monastery in 1604, taking the name Josaphat. He became noted for his holiness as a monk, and for his ability as a preacher. Since there was so much opposition to reunion with Rome, Father Josaphat devoted much of his preaching to defending Catholic unity. In 1617 he became archbishop of Polotsk. Here he struggled manfully but successfully to bring about a reform among his clergy and laity.

In 1620, however, the opponents of union with Rome set up a non-Roman archbishop of Polotsk to serve as a rival. Soon they had won a number of Catholic Ukrainians away from the pope.

As Josaphat battled to bring back his straying sheep, personal opposition against him became increasingly intense. Surrounded one day by an angry mob, he said, "You people of Vitebsk want to put me to death . . . I am ready to die for the holy union, for the supremacy of St. Peter and of his successor, the Supreme Pontiff."

Sometime later a gang entered his church. Crying out, "Kill the papist," they shot the archbishop, crushed his skull, and threw his body into the river.

St. Josephat's death served only to encourage the Ukrainians in their loyalty to the pope. In our own more ecumenical days, the Catholic Church is striving to reestablish unity with all the Orthodox churches through loving dialogue. To this work of reconciliation, we may be sure, St. Josaphat is adding his own powerful prayers.

Got it from Saints Alive!

I know you're all shocked

My life is rated G.
What is your life rated?

Stupid Me

I just realized that I forgot to include the link to Immaculate Conception Parish. So when I said "click to see a picture" you couldn't exactly click, now could you?

So, here it is: Immaculate Conception Church

We went to Mass there today, at noon. It was lovely - I have really missed the Latin and the choir. There was a different celebrant; I noticed the other priest stepping out of the Confessional just before Mass began.

Long drive, though, and now that I am back at school I have a ton of work to do. Stats project, here I come!

Mmmm, Beef

Today was fun-o. First, mother took me to get my hair cut - just a little trim, nothing drastic! - and we went to Target and Kohl's to do some shopping. I got some nice long skirts that I can wear to Church in the wintertime. I took mother to Confession immediately afterward. I was getting really annoyed at her while we were shopping, because her taste and my taste do not often meet. I felt badly about that, but I went to Confession last week, and I'm pretty sure I haven't fallen into mortal sin, even with my irritability. I was being provoked! That's my excuse :(

Around 5 I was supposed to go have coffee with Shanana, but I got lost! Yes, there is no one who can get lost in their own hometown but me, Einstein Maggie. I ended up driving around for a total of about an hour (after coming BACK home, once, to get driving directions) before I called it quits. Shanana was totally understanding, and so we changed our date from 5 (it was already after 6!) to 8:00. In the meantime, me and la famille went to Steak n' Shake for supper; I had BEEF TACO SALAD which was delicious - although, sadly, they did not give me very much beef. I held off on desert, which consisted of a chunky thick brownie topped with hot fudge, ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry. You have no idea how much will power that took, he he he :)

At 8 me and Shannon went to Starbucks (I managed to find her house this time! You would think after visiting there several times I would remember where it was) and it was tons of fun. I had a Tall caramel Apple Cider, yum yum. I'm all tuckered out and I still have a lot of homework to do - didn't do any today! Mass is at noon (we're going to the Latin at Immaculate Conception - if you click the link you can see a picture. Pretty church, eh?) so I'm going to stay up a bit.

Mmmmm. Sleepy.

I Just Busted A Gut Laughing. What A Mess!

My sis has a hilaaarious post on her blog, The Beautiful Roses. Being the considerate sister that I am, I am now going to steal it from her:

"I have it on good authority that me and my Republican accomplices are actually spawns of Satan; this sparked in me a period of interior reflection. Am I a card carrying member of a racist, homophobic, intolerant, facist organization? Below is my itinerary for today. You be the judge."

EVIL CONSERVATIVE TO-DO LIST

1. Kill a tree
2. Mug senior citizen. Steal Social Security check
3. Be mean to a little girl
4. Buy another gun. Name it Jenny
5. Update "Condemned to Hell" list
6. After dinner, time for some Warmongering with friends

Sadly, she forgot #7, which is Steal Money From Blind Homeless Children. And #8: Invent New Ways to Oppress Women And Destroy Their Precious Right to Kill Their Young. I almost forgot to do that today! Silly me!

Hmmm. I think I've used up my quota of sarcasm for today, don't you? ;)

Ahhhh fodder for my imaginary debates

Great post from Mark Shea (Catholic and Enjoying It!)

Note to self: Use whenever opponent claims that "the government shouldn't impose morality"

In fact, of course, the very nature of law is to impose the conscience of the community on the individual. The only question is On What Basis, and With What Limits?

The community's conscience imposes itself everyday, by direct state interference using the power of the police and jail systems, on those who have no personal problem with pedophilia, theft, murder for a Higher Cause, tax evasion, and heroin distribution and who just want to be free of the Encroachments of Caesar on these worthwhile activities that bring them so much personal fulfillment and happiness. If we, being normal, support such state interference with human autonomy and freedom, we call it "good government". If we oppose it, we call it "legislating morality" or "social engineering".

That's why "You can't legislate morality" is such an empty phrase to me. What on earth *is* law but legislated morality? We think it immoral and wrong to oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow and so we pass laws protecting immigrant workers, street kids, and 9/11 widows, for instance. We believe the purely mystical doctrine "all human beings are created equal" (a doctrine which, to Aristotle, would have been completely contradicted by the empirical evidence of the senses) and pass laws against slavery and giving women the vote. Voila! Legislated morality. Good government or social engineering? The only basis from which to judge is the basis, ultimately, of natural law and revelation. Otherwise it's whatever the majority thinks it is, according the whim of the zeitgeist.

It does not follow from this that *all* morality should be legislated. I don't want a law making sure everybody honors the Sabbath. I don't think homosexual activity should be criminalized. I don't think we need laws commanding people to pray without ceasing or to believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved.

Civil law is *floor* of human behavior, not the upper atmospher. It is supposed to guard against the *lowest* aspects of human behavior so that a civil society can function. What we *really* mean when we say you can't legislate morality is that the Law cannot put the things of the Spirit in the heart. It cannot instill love of neighbor, for instance. But it can and does punish those who can't even bring themselves to keep from harming their neighbor. It says, if you can't love your neighbor, at least don't beat him to death with a baseball bat or cheat him out of money. That's a really moral function. It's just not the *highest* moral function.

Happy Name Day to the Pope

Poles Help Pope Celebrate His Name Day

Today is the feast of St. Charles Borromeo, and John Paul II's baptismal name is Karol Wojtyla - and of course, Karol is Polish for "Charles." MY name day is November 16 - St. Margaret of Scotland, Queen. (Click to read her story). This kind of lovely story about her is why I don't mind my name even if it WAS originally meant to be a middle name. Hmm, November 16, it's coming up pretty soon! LOL in Europe they get presents on their name day ... Don't worry, I'm not expecting anything! ;)

PS Margaret is the lady in the black-and-white drawing on the bottom right, in case you were wondering who that was. Yah! I gotta have a picture of my patron saint on my blog, ya know :)

Tidbits

County-by-county comparison of Bush/Gore and Bush/Kerry from Bettnet.com. If you look closely at Ohio you will see blue little Athens County, almost all by itself in Southeastern Ohio. Blue, blue, blue. Darn it! ;)



Elizabeth Edwards diagnosed with breast cancer. This is really awful. I'll be praying for her :(

Arafat Deathly Ill - Conflicting reports say he has died, or is still among the living. Some suspect poison. I do not like Arafat at ALL - he qualifies as a terrorist in my opinion - yet, one never wishes illness on anybody (see Elizabeth Edwards above - although I don't meant to compare her to Arafat!). Not to mention the fact that the PLO would be in great disarray following his death. Or maybe not. Who knows? The news is so confusing.

Attorney General John Ashcroft Likely to Resign - Well, the post-election cabinet shake-up has begun. I can't say I'm particularly sorry to see Ashcroft go. He was supposed to be a concession to the Christian right, but he has always been a lightning rod for controversy. Supposedly Marc Racicot, Bush's campaign manager, wants this position.

Hilarious Parody of MTV's "VOTE OR DIE!" P. Diddy. Okay, okay. Lay off the young people. But frankly, this was not the year of the youth vote, contrary to expectations. And it was not monolithic in support of Kerry; he got 54% to 44%.

Pertinent quotes:

Jonah Goldberg: Look I don't know what the final tally will be. But it's now clear that the youth vote just didn't show. The liberal blogosphere is grumpy and introspective about it. I love it for reasons I will be writing about for months to come. The cult of the youth voter remains, once again, the most absurd, bogus, childish, romantic and misguided joke of liberal American politics. Period.

JAMES TARANTO on OpinionJournal: Gee, what might've happened to all the young voters? Well, consider this: You're not allowed to vote unless you've passed your 18th birthday. In order to have any birthdays at all, you have to have been born. And over the past 30 years or so, many Americans have ended up not being born.

About.com lists the number of abortions in the U.S. each year starting in 1973, "based on assumptions by the Alan Guttmacher Institute." If we add up the numbers from 1975-86, we come up with approximately 17.5 million missing eligible voters between 18 and 29 years old. Exit polls found that voters this age who were born went for Kerry over Bush, 54% to 45%, while Bush had a majority in all other age groups. If it's true that women who have abortions tend to be more liberal than those who don't, then the unborn 18- to 29-year-olds likely would have favored the Democrat even more heavily.

Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision mandating legal abortion nationwide, was written by Justice Harry Blackmun, a Nixon appointee. Perhaps somewhere old Tricky Dick is smiling at how his judicial legacy helped the Republicans.

C'est exact.

Bombo-o

That's what my academic life has been like lately. I got ANOTHER 70 - my third - in Statistics. I got a 69! on my test in Grammar. Luckily, the class average was so low that our professor is allowing us to take a make-up exam on one part of the test. On Tuesday. The same day as my French exam. Auuuugh.

When you add in the rainy weather of late days, you get a Cranky Maggie, which is not the sort of beast you want to A) Get near to or B) Poke with a long stick.

Cutest story of the day: New puppy to pad around White House

.... And Kerry concedes

Well, Kerry conceded the election today - without launching any huge legal battles. I have to admit I was impressed. He didn't turn the election into a petty court fight the way Al Gore did. He was a statesman in the end, and as much as I loathe just about all of his policy positions, I can definitely respect him for putting the welfare of his country above his ambition. Bravo!

Here's hoping we can heal the rifts we've developed in the American electorate. It was a nasty election, but we can't be nasty to each other forever.

Bush Wins!

Probably. But Kerry is probably going to challenge in ... Ohio! My dear, sweet Ohio. We are the new Florida. This means: Lawyers. Media. Tourists. Late-night talk show jokes. We've made the big time at last!

Hooray for Bush! Four more years! And we won even MORE seats in the Senate! FANTASTIC.

Sex and the Catholic Church

Oooo, risque title, especially coming from me, eh?

Vatican says it's sinful NOT to do it

Higly Reccomended:
Synopsis of Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body

See, contrary to our lovely little stereotypes, the Catholic Church is not about frigidity or sexual repression! Although it should be noted that all this pretains to married intercourse without the use of any form of birth control. So I'm off the hook as far as any OU boys - unless I marry one. Har, har. Thought you had me, didn't you? ;)

Neat blog

The ultra POD Dominican nuns in Summit, New Jersey are one order I have been rather interested in lately. Ahhhhh, my great personal conundrum: Carmelite or Dominican? Carmelite or Dominican? Carmelite or Dominican or wintertime white wedding? Hmmmm. Anyway, the point is that they have a fantastic new blog. Yay! I am happy! And that is really all that matters, according to the electric sign in Gordy Hall!*

PS: Check out their page on what they do all day. See, they don't just sit around doing nothing! :) Unlike, for instance, me.

*A while back I was stalking out of the Language Lab in Gordy Hall, deflated and depressed by my inability to grasp the semantic difference between the French prochaine as used in la semaine prochaine and la prochaine fois. In the Hall lobby, there is a red electronic bulletin sign a la Times Square in New York: The messages go by at a pace fit to produce a dizzy spell and are often in other languages (since foreign languages are Gordy's academic discipline). Anyway, this particular day there was a message (in English) that read: "The most important thing is that you be happy" or words to that effect.

Now, honest to goodness, I was under the impression that this was a university, and not merely the hatching nest for thousands of little denizens of the forth-coming utilitarian pleasure-palace utopia that America is destined to become. Think of all the abjectly miserable people who have contributed astronomically to human advancement. Poe was miserable. Lincoln was miserable. Dostoevsky did not have a happy life. Neither did Beethoven, Van Gogh ... You get the drift.

The point is that suffering is not the worst possible evil. The worst possible evil is accepting, believing, and living what is false. In other words, the most IMPORTANT thing is the truth. Not what will make you happy - either today or in the long-run. It's the old question of the pleasure machine - (Leslie, do you remember Tad? Auuuugh) - if you could, would you choose to permanently hook yourself up to a machine that could give you endless pleasure - that could simulate a life of fame, wealth, or bliss - even if it would all be a lie?

(If you've read Brave New World you sort of know what I'm talking about. Huxley's characters live blissful, thoughtless, robotic lives in which everything is completely controlled by the state via drugs. Interestingly, the only "libertine" element is sex, which is promiscuous and casual, thanks to the fact that conception is next to impossible and procreation occurs in government laboratories. "Mother" and "Father" are their equivalent of dirty words. Many commentaries on the text link this situation to our present day obsession with birth control. So imagine my amusement when, the next time I was in Gordy Hall, the red electric board flashed: "It's a gift to the world not to have children." Hmmmm. I thought the children were supposed to be gifts.)

Of course, no one likes suffering. We might admit that pain might be good for us, that it can build our characters and give us new insight into truth, but even so, no one "enjoys" suffering. Even some Christians today run away from the Cross. Catholics are usually accused of being too involved in the Crucifixion, with all its suffering, blood and pain; but even some of us tend to mimic the "feel good" TV preachers when we say - "Oh, it's much too violent and depressing. Let's focus on the Resurrection." Yes, that's obviously essential. But you only get to Easter Sunday by way of Good Friday.

Obviously it's not OU's job to promote the Christian idea of redemptive suffering. But I am pretty sure that universities are supposed to be focused on the truth - scientific, economic, philosophical, artistic - and not on what you can get by popping a bottle full of happy pills.

Geez. This belongs in a post by itself and not stuck on the end of a post about the nice Dominicans. I'll post a little on Brave New World, and a bit on Catholic sexual things (it will surprise you!). Sorry for the rant ...

Blah

Interesting bit on the rosary:

The Rosary

The word rosary comes from Latin and means a garland of roses, the rose being one of the flowers used to symbolize the Virgin Mary. If you were to ask what object is most emblematic of Catholics, people would probably say, "The rosary, of course." We’re familiar with the images: the silently moving lips of the old woman fingering her beads; the oversized rosary hanging from the waist of the wimpled nun; more recently, the merely decorative rosary hanging from the rearview mirror.

After Vatican II the rosary fell into relative disuse. The same is true for Marian devotions as a whole. But in recent years the rosary has made a comeback, and not just among Catholics. Many Protestants now say the rosary, recognizing it as a truly biblical form of prayer—after all, the prayers that comprise it come mainly from the Bible.

Read the rest here at Catholic Answers.

Okaaaaay so you wanna know why I was here at OU on Halloween weekend instead of at home, sweet home? Because, I wasn't supposed to go home until THIS coming weekend, but I also wasn't too keen on going uptown to deal with the ... uh ... revelers. So I thought it would be super convenient to say I was going home Halloween weekend, too, and therefore would be unavailable for the ... uh... party. No dice. Those OU Super Sleuths in Gamertsfelder Hall are too clever for me. As you saw if you've been reading regularly, I got suckered into going anyway ;) It wasn't too bad though. Only minor trauma.

This is me, ignoring the news: La la la la.

Here's another example of a cassock

This is Father Jim Tucker, (whose blog, Dappled Things, you would be reading daily if you knew what was good for you)




Hmmmmm. Sort of like Neo, Leslie :) But you can see that a cassock doesn't open in the front ... And Neo doesn't have a Roman collar either, he he he, although he has one of those high ones that sort of look like them ...

Then again, doesn't Neo end up with a girl named Trinity? (Haven't seen the original in awhile, never seen the sequels) And I guess you could say that priests "end up with" the Triune God. LOL, rather a bit of a stretch!

Soooo nervous about the election. I'm going to say my rosary for the President like I have been for the last few nights. And I'm going to try to avoid the news. There won't be results until at least late tonight, and I'll just work myself into a dither trying to figure out what's going on. Oremus!

Angry Alien Fun!

Thanks for the tip, Leslie :)
These are all rather violent, so don't watch if you don't wanna :)

Freddy vs. Jason
Scream
Texas Chainsaw Massacre

VOTE FOR LIFE !

Pro-Life Voting Guide By State