Saturday, February 27, 2010

Prediction

The massive killer earthquake in Haiti and a mag 8.8 today in Chile, tsunamis, monster blizzards, landslides ... I predict that Time Magazine will name "Mother Nature" the Person of the Year.

Let's pray for the people of Chile, Oceania, Haiti and anywhere that the powers of nature are threatening human life, health, and livelihood.

-- ((((..))))

Photo: Intellencia Cathedral, Concepcion, Chile by Black Cass, Flickr

"Congratulazioni" to La Famiglia Restaurant!


Congratulations to Dino and Sheila Zeytinoglu, owners of La Famiglia restaurant, the wait and kitchen staffs and everyone in the La Famiglia "family" on the restaurant's selection by Baltimore Magazine as one of the top 50 Baltimore restaurants this year. Baltimore Magazine rated this year’s ‘50 Best Restaurants’ on five criteria: food, service, ambiance, price and creativity.

Auguri!

You can read the inaugural review of La Famiglia Restaurant in Baltimore Magazine by clicking here.

Defigured by sin...

... transfigured by His grace!

Blessed 2d Sunday of Lent to all!

-- ((((..))))

"Reproductive rights"?

"Reproductive rights" - what does that mean?

Coined by the cult of death, this phrase is liberally used to cover the agenda which seeks to use every means available, "legal" and illegal, to kill preborn children when for whatever reason they are deemed inconvenient.

This is another example of a euphemism popularly used to conveniently paper over a lie.

Reproduction is not killing. Reproduction means replacing oneself by giving life to another human being.

Reproductive rights, therefore, means not killing but, rather, demanding the defense of those conditions necessary within which man and woman, that is husband and wife, are able to bring new life into the world in the family unimpeded by the evil agendas of pagans, governments and others in the collusion against the right to life for every human being, a fundamental principle of justice.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bishops Call for Bipartisan Action to Advance Health Care Reform That Protects Human Life and Dignity

WASHINGTONOn the eve of the White House Health Care Summit, the U.S. Bishops urged Congressional leaders “to commit themselves to enacting genuine health care reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.” In their February 24 letter to Congressional leadership, the bishops also cited their longtime support of adequate and affordable health care for all, calling health care a basic human right.

The letter was signed by Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chairs of the bishops’ committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Pro-Life Activities and Migration, respectively.

The bishops urged the House and Senate to adopt legislation that ensures access to quality, affordable, life-giving health care for all; retains longstanding requirements that federal funds not be used for elective abortions or plans that include them; effectively protects conscience rights; and protects the access to health care that immigrants currently have and removes current barriers to access.

“We hope and pray that the Congress and the country will come together around genuine health care reform that protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all,” said the bishops.

For more information about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ teaching on health care reform, visit www.usccb.org/healthcare.

Full text of the bishops’ letter found here.

"From whence shall come my help?"


I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me.

My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.

Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.

The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not burn thee by day: nor the moon by night.

The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul.

May the Lord keep thy going in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.

-- Psalm 121
Douay-Rheims Bible

Photo taken with Treo 755 by APL.

More on barbaric conditions at Phila abortion mill

Predatory exploitation of vulnerable women and their babies which exposes them to dangerous and unregulated conditions is an intolerable injustice. This is evidence not of a so-called "women's rights movement" but an industry which preys on women with the collusion of those persons responsible within government and the society which turn a blind eye.

Is it merely coincidental that this so-called "women's" clinic is located near a university campus?

-- ((((..))))
More on the AP story:

Pa. abortion doctor's license suspended after raid

Feb 23, 9:24 PM (ET)

By JOANN LOVIGLIO

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Federal agents raided a clinic where abortions are performed and found "deplorable and unsanitary" conditions, including blood on the floor and parts of aborted fetuses in jars, according to the state agency that shut it down and suspended the license of the doctor in charge.

In the order suspending Dr. Kermit Gosnell's license, the Pennsylvania Department of State's Board of Medicine said investigators found numerous health and safety risks at Gosnell's abortion and pain-management clinic, including a preoperative and recovery area that consisted of several recliners grouped together.

The Women's Medical Society clinic is open during the day, but Gosnell does not arrive until somewhere between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and is the only person with a medical license working there, according to the order.

A clinic employee told investigators that Gosnell directed her in his absence to conduct gynecological examinations and administer painkillers to patients, the document states.

The temporary suspension of Gosnell's license follows at least two raids by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. At the time of one raid - at 9 p.m. on Feb. 18 - investigators found the clinic full of patients.

On Nov. 20, the document states, a patient died after being given two separate doses of painkillers plus anesthesia before an abortion.

The full report:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100224/D9E28RNO0.html

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Lord Jesus, have mercy on us!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Dozens of frozen fetuses found in raid at Philadelphia abortion mill

Philadelphia and federal authorities who raided a doctor's office
after allegations a woman died following an abortion made a shocking
discovery: more than two dozen frozen fetuses.

For the second time in four days, Philadelphia Police, along with
State Licensing officials and DEA agents, searched the West
Philadelphia office of Dr. Kermit Gosnell on Monday.

Sources tell Eyewitness News that the search came after a patient
reportedly died following an abortion on November 20.

You can read the rest of the report by clicking this link:
http://cbs3.com/local/West.Philadelphia.Dr.2.1512077.html

Sunday, February 21, 2010

In the desert of temptation

... the Father strengthens us to do His holy will through the grace of the Word!

A blessed Lent to all!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Boots'n'utes *

Running solo in uniform and boots through the snow in the woods today. Beautiful.

* boots and utes or boots'n'utes — boots and utility uniform, minus the blouse; sometimes used for physical training or working in hot environments.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

What does "fasting" mean?

The Church defines fasting as, at a minimum, one full meal and two
other smaller meals which, together, do not constitute another full
meal.

Happy Lent!

"Your Father who sees in secret will reward you"!
-- ((((..))))

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

What to give up for Lent?

Telling people what you are giving up for Lent.
-- ((((..))))

Monday, February 15, 2010

Father Dwight Longenecker: "I Am What I Shop?"

"Am I more alive only according to the car I drive?

Is my soul determined by the shoes I choose?

Am I one of the elect by the coffee I select?

Will I go to heaven if I shop at the 7-11?

Shall I be held in awe by the shopping mall?

Can I prove I exist by my shopping list?"

To read Father Longenecker's homily, please click here.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

PriestYear "Priest in Focus": Father Larry Richards


Father Larry Richards is a PriestYear "Priest in Focus"

Through The Reason for Our Hope Foundation, his podcast homilies and his apostolate for Catholic men he helps to serve the great needs of God's people here and now.

If you are a man, and want to be a better one, read his book, Be a Man. If you are not, give it to the man or men in your life. You can find information about ordering the book by clicking here.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Happy Birthday, Conor


May the Lord keep thy going in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.
-- Psalm 121:8

Douay-Rheims Bible

Thursday, February 11, 2010

An Italian Lesson / Lezione in Italiano



The comedian on the left, as well as I can make it out, is speaking Neapolitan dialect, the man in the middle proper Italian and on the right English, as well as he can manage.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Venturing Out

Father Foley and I headed out to check out the neighborhood. The view of the church from the parking lot.

Father has been out his skis quite a lot lately.

Heading down Governor Bowie Drive

Barely discernible in the center of the photo, a flock of Canadian geese huddle on the lake.

Wind-driven snow and bitter temps shortened the trek.

Robins and finches huddle for warmth in the trees on the grounds of Darnall's Chance.

Darnall's Chance historic home dressed in white.

Flora and fauna form a trio of colors with the dusting of white.

The finch mutual-protection society sticks together and posts one member as a look-out.

Our Lady's grotto on the edge of the church grounds.

Saint "SnowMary's"


Saint Mary of the Assumption in Upper Marlboro, Maryland

I am taking photos today of our church as it appears in blizzard conditions for a little newspaper for which I do some work and thought I would share one of the results with you. Thank you for visiting.

With prayers for safety for all today.

-- ((((..))))

Whiteout

Wind is up and visibility down as more snow accumulates.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Okay, so how cool is this?





For all you Papist fans out there, a little amusement for a snowbound afternoon:

Holy See (Vatican City State) arrived from wdtprs.com on "Meeting Christ in the Liturgy"

Always good to know there's a little interest...

-- ((((..))))

Breakout

Given the availability of hosts, wine and suitable vessels, holy Mass is thankfully a portable grace for the ordained. It was for sake of the hallowed custom of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice in an appointed and sacred place for the good of the people and for natural means of bodily sustenance that a breakout on foot was necessitated after the blizzard subsided.

My handiwork of Sunday resulting in a driveway clear of snow and free of ice is of no use for extricating the car as the road out remains unplowed.

D., who also lives on the compound, made three runs of 7/10 of a mile each from his house to the road and back with a snow-blower to clear this car-wide path on the main entrance lane into the compound.

Trailing the movements of indigenous creatures is made easy by snowprints.

This is the main road into the compound; as you can see, not high on the county plowing priority list and remaining buried under what began as over two feet of snow.

The deer have no need of plows to get from home to work and back.

After a short hike I discovered that Mattaponi Road was plowed only from Saint Thomas Church Road up to the last descent toward the bridge over the river and the entrance to the retreat center.

Greater telescopic capacity was needed than I possess to give a better view of this feathered sunbather.


Hiking against traffic on St. Thomas Church Road.

Cleared very well for two lanes of traffic and quite dry.

Idyllic winter view of St. Thomas Church

The steeple, roof and gravestones capped in white
V. met me not far from this spot for transport back to the church. Mission accomplished.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Happy Birthday, Sheila

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

always in every prayer of mine for you making my prayer with joy,

And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(cf. Philippians 1)

May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord shed his light upon you,
May the Lord look upon you kindly
and give you peace.

Catonsville, MD, Sunday Mass dig-out

This photo just in from brother, Patrick, in Catonsville, MD, as he digs out the family 15-passenger van to attempt the trek to Sunday Mass with wife, Joanne, and six offspring. The family completed their mission successfully by reaching Saint Agnes Church where they attended Mass with about 12 other hardy souls.

For those unable to attend Mass today: Spiritual Communion Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

1 Genuflecting Before Jesus in Blessed Sacrament

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.


"In the sacramental liturgy of the Church, the mission of Christ and of the Holy Spirit proclaims, makes present, and communicates the mystery of salvation, which is continued in the heart that prays. The spiritual writers sometimes compare the heart to an altar. Prayer internalizes and assimilates the liturgy during and after its celebration. Even when it is lived out 'in secret,' prayer is always prayer of the Church; it is a communion with the Holy Trinity."
-- CCC 2655

Shoveling

After morning Mass in observance of the Lord's Day the work begins.

Nature adorned by its Creator in a vestment of white

A task awaits

Beginning to emerge

Back porch buried

Road indistinguishable from the surrounding fields

Is this why people usually park the car at the end of the driveway when a blizzard is expected?

Shovel-width path from the door to the driveway.

Is "shoveling" an Olympic sport? The East Coast could field a gold medal team after we dig out from more than two feet of snow. Colesville, MD, reported 40 inches and Washington Reagan National reported accumulation of 17 inches for the fourth biggest snowstorm in DC recorded history.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Caption Contest

First entry: "Observe how this piece of paper contrasts dramatically with the color of the sky when it is held up for the purpose of drawing attention to it."