My daughters will require my permission before the age of 18
>to get her ears pierced.
>to get a tatoo.
>to get her drivers license.
>to make chargable phone calls.
>..i am sure there are more, as well as anything I deem worthy as her parent.
No acceptions. Oh wait...
Under FOCA, at as young as the age of 12 or 13 she could go get an abortion on her own, or possibly with her rapist at her side, and we'd never know. She'll be allowed the right to murder her unborn child at an age when common sense isn't even fully developed.
Since when is Parental Consent unnecessary for major, permament medical procedure on a minor?! Necessary for a permament tatoo, but not a permanent abortion. Boy, are some people's ideas about constitutional rights mixed up. What's next?
A special Thank You to Paula and (Sarah), who gave me this award for being her blogging friend.
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”
I would like to pass this award onto my blog friends who encourage me with their comments and advice, and who so lovingly write their own blogs to share with me and the rest of the world. You don't have to repost this - just know I was thinking (and reading) about you today! And please be sure to visit all these blogs this week - they're all incredible and worth the time.
Paula - back at 'cha, for staying connected! Bruce - for preaching the truth for all to hear/read. Laura - for being honest, when others hold back. Jamie - for loving so deeply and lending a shoulder. Sarah - for living one day at a time. Tracy - for encouraging creativity. Jessica - for staying strong in adversity. Alison - for staying true to yourself.
Come Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!
So many of my fellow bloggers have been posting information about the state of the American Mass and their being drawn to the conformity and old tradition of the Latin Mass. My recent post regarding old traditions and new positive changes coming soon, speaks to this.
But might I endulge for a moment about what I feel is a treasure to our Catholic Church, that has indeed changed my life forever. I wish more people who are inclined to increase their faith lives experience this level of worship.
The Charasmatic Renewal of the Catholic Church:
Shortly after I was Baptised (in Jan 1980), my parents began to attend a new parish forming, The Church of St. Paul. They were there at the ground-breaking just a mile from our house. They helped build that church, worked in the music ministry, VBS and bible study. I grew up not understanding completely the charisms that occured there, but loved how the Holy Spirit moved through this parish, through this Charasmatic Mass. It's worship, its call to evangelization, vocations and more. When my dad applied for the Deaconate more than 20 years ago, he was told that there was no opening for a Deacon at St. Paul's - so he moved on to my school's parish - Epiphany. We've belonged to many parishes since then, and my dad - Deacon Bruce - is now back at Epiphany. They are great leaders and incredible examples to me and others who witness their great love and knowledge of the Catholic Church and its teachings.
When I was attending the College of Visual Arts, I attended mass just down the road at the Cathedral. It was special to me, because it was the first time in my life I decided to live my faith without the push of my parents. I was deciding on my own, praying on my own - it was just between God and me. At one particular Mass, during the transubstantiation of the Eucharist, I felt God calling me in a loud voice... asking me to leave my college to go back home and be a minister to the youth of the area. Though I had no idea how or what - it didn't take me long to pack my bags and head home. Who am I to question God?
I applied for the NET Ministry team, and was accepted for their retreat interview. They told me that I was right for the vocation, but with limited openings - not quite yet. To reapply in 1 -2 years. I had to take some more time developing my personal understanding of the faith and the Holy Spirit. I don't read much, or often, but after that interview I read several books on evangelization, the Catholic Mass, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and Catholic Apologetics. I attended classes, and most importantly I attended Adoration. By that time my parents had begun a Monday Marian Cenacle and Adoration night. Somewhere in the middle of it all, I was invited to attend a Steubenville Youth conference with some friends and a local parish.
During the Steubenville [Franciscan Youth] Conference in Ohio, I opened myself to a new level of prayer - a Charismatic prayer. I spoke in toungues , was called to evangelization and offered my life up to the possiblity of joining the sisterhood. I gave my most devout confession, and reconciled the burdens of my past giving them to Jesus. It was beautiful. That year I also went to the adult conference in Ohio, then attended as a chaperone the next year to Steubenville of the Rockies CO, and the following year I lead my own parish and homeschool teens to Steubenville North At St. Thomas Univeristy, MN. IN these 3 years I was asked to lead the local Catholic Homeschool Teen group, which was a stepping stone for me in deciding to homeschool my own children. It was during all this, I saw how God's calling for me was being fulfilled. Imbedding the faith in teens and deeper in to myself.
CONSIDER SENDING YOUR TEENS - I BEG YOU!
While the Gifts of the Holy Spirit were renewed and released. The Spiritual Gifts - Charismsfrom the Holy Spirit I have experienced since are: Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation, Resting in the Spirit - possibly more?
Some of these, are enumerated by St. Paul in 1Cor.12. They are 9: "The word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the grace of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues" (I Cor.12:4-10).
This is how I am certain that God has big things instore for me, and I am not nearly finished. My ministry will continue, as a wife and sister, in my motherhood and in my church. God will bring those oportunities to me in the right time. The original 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit imbedded in us at Baptism and released fully at Confirmation - are in each one of us.
[These] are specially intended for the sanctification of the person who receives them: The seven gifts of Is 11:2-3: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety (godliness), and fear of the Lord.
These are incredible, and I can see them in the words you all share with me in your blogs. In your lifestyles, teaching, and faith sharing. IF you feel your parish needs to be uplifted and renewed, consider the Catholic Charismatic Renewal...
The central goals of Catholic Charismatic Renewal include:
To foster mature and continuous personal conversion to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
To foster a decisive personal receptivity to the person, presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.
These two spiritual graces are often experienced together in what is called in different parts of the world a baptism in the Holy Spirit, or a release of the Holy Spirit, or a renewal of the Holy Spirit. They are most often understood as a personal acceptance of the graces of Christian initiation and as an empowering for personal Christian service in the Church and in the world.
To foster the reception and use of the spiritual gifts (charismata) not only in the charismatic renewal but also in the broader Church. These gifts, ordinary and extraordinary are abundantly found among laity, religious and clergy. Their proper understanding and use in harmony with other elements of the church life is a source of strength for Christians on their journey towards holiness and in the carrying out of their mission.
To foster the work of evangelization in the power of the Holy Spirit, including the evangelization of the unchurched, the re-evangelization of nominal Christians, the evangelization of culture and social structures. The renewal especially promotes sharing in the Church's mission by proclaiming the gospel in word and deed, and by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through personal testimony and through those works of faith and justice to which each one is called.
To foster the ongoing growth in holiness through the proper integration of these charismatic emphases with the full life of the Church. This is accomplished through participation in a rich sacramental and liturgical life, and appreciation of the tradition of Catholic prayer and spirituality, and ongoing formation in Catholic doctrine guided by the Church's magisterium, and participation in the pastoral plan of the Church.
"These goals and the projects that flow from them have marked the Catholic charismatic renewal in individuals, prayer groups, communities, local, diocesan and national service teams and ministries."
This is just part of my renewal in the Catholic Faith - part of my "Conversion Story." Even though I was a cradle Catholic, I didn't always trust and I didn't always live as one. My conversion was when I decided for myself that this is what God is calling us all to. Of course it has only begun - I am still learning and growing in faith. So far, I love what I've found!
Have you?
*****
I would like to branch out and share my thoughts with others and see their comments - so please take a minute to mention me in your blog sometime. Thanks!
Instructions: 1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me". 2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions). 3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. 4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. 5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
So, here are the 5 questions with my answers...
1. If your husband died, do you think you'd ever get re-married? I have thought of this one before. My husband's life is always at high risk with his commercial carpentry job. Especially with my beautiful children, I would certainly consider it. Being a parent really takes two! But the whole idea of it just makes me ill to my stomach - so I just trust God will put the right people in and out of my life when he thinks it's necessary.
2. If YOU died, would you want your husband to get re-married? I've told him to go for it. I am living a low-risk lifestyle.. so there is no real worries there. But you never know. To find true love twice is to be twice blessed. If God brings you to it...
3. If you died, and your husband got married, would you want your kids to call their step-mom "Mom"? If he picked the kind of woman who would be a great mother to my children, then yes. I don't think he'd chose anything less. Calling her by her first name would be disrespectful. But I'm sure they'd ease themselves into it. Do you recall this situation from "The Sound of Music?" That's what I'd hope for... without all the nazis.
4. If you could pick a method of death, what would it be? (examples: dying of old age in sleep, car crash/instant death, jump from a building, beheading...) My ideal death would be none at all. I am really hoping to be lifted off this corrupted world into heaven while God renews it into a new Garden of Eden like in the book of Revelations. But if that is not meant to be, I would like to die in my very old age beside my husband, in my sleep, exactly like in the movie "The Notebook."
5. If you could live forever (longer than most human beings but let's say you know you will go to Heaven), what things would you want to do first...what things would you want to learn since you have a REALLY long time to learn them? After talked to my grandmother before she died, I realized the last thing I want to do is live to be older than 95, unless of course I am able to live as in the book of Revelations (question #4). And this is kind of a trick question because we will live forever - in Heaven.
Anyways, if the main question is what are my personal worldly goals in life.... a. I've always wished that I could live at least long enough to see my great-grandchildren. b.Learn to Play Swing Jazz on piano (and dance to it) - I've already started. c. Learn to paint a realistic looking portrait, like Thomas Kincaide d. I really want to visit the Ordway and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. e. My huge goal is to visit Italy for one month (or more).
Thank you Laura for the questions. If you want ME to interview YOU, go ahead and put "interview me" in the comments to this post and I'll send you some questions...
While spending endless hours trying to catch up on reading blogs and emails after a few week break... I came across an interesting topic or set of topics regarding traditions of the Catholic Church. I thought I'd share my findings and opinions. Thank you to all who are participating in this - blogging and online research seems to be the new way of finding out the truths of our Catholic Faith.
The Roman Missal - A New English Translation by 2010
The USSCB has an article regarding the current english translation of the Roman Missal. This article as well as others, discuss how there is a committee appointed and blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, who's current studies show that there need to be a few minor changes in the American Mass. The Catholic Knight Blog seems to have sparked some interest in this being a positive move, as I agree - but for different reasons than he presents in his blog. He refers to an article about the current American Mass being "defective." This committee is working diligently to have these changes presented to bishops and priests by the year 2010. Of course, it will be awhile later before we see it in full at church. I am certain they want a smooth transition for all of us Catholics who are conformed to the almost 40 year old way. Making sure this was all "kosher" with the Vatican... I found this letter from the Pope blessing the committee.
I know many of my Traditional Latin Mass friends are excited about this change. But with all change comes opposition... so please pray for the souls of the faithful. I personally think that if something needs to be more defined or redefined, based on new translations stemming from new research... then let it happen. It will only make us stronger, right?
Their discussion stems from the tradition of women wearing veils or hats at Church prior to the change in the Canon Law in 1983. The previous tradition was enforced by church leaders, but is no longer stated in the new law. Those who still wear veils, want us to know that this is a right that was never taken away. It is no longer a law or enforced, but the tradition of it - and its original intent is still worth consideration. Am I understanding you all right?
Of course I wanted to know where this really all stems from - church documents or journalistic manipulations? I found this article helpful, from Fatima Family, which states there is no longer a force of this law, yet there is nothing restraining us from doing so either. It IS a personal decision and it is NOT a sin to not wear a veil to Mass or Adoration. But for those who chose to wear a traditional head covering when in the True Presence of Christ, they are always a good example of modesty.
I personally feel that wearing veils is up to the individual, if used respectfully and not as just another fashion trend. If it helps you be more devoted and modest, go for it. I personally believe that I will not have a better faith life or incur more blessings by covering my head while in church. I am not trying to disrespect God or the Angels by not wearing one. I however do attend in modest dress. I do not agree that it should be enforced as it was before the 1970s. I do agree that women who chose to wear a mantila or head covering be resepcted for their decision and let alone.
I think instead of a focus on whether or not to wear head coverings, there should be a nation wide effort to focus on teaching modesty in dress for all ages when attending Mass and in the secular world. I think if we simply enforce head coverings, you will begin to see baseball caps and other rediculous styles popular today - and/or it will lead to more vanity. It should be a choice just as much as it is a choice to wear slacks, a skirt, or a dress to Church. Hopefully more will begin to make the modest choices.
Isn't Fasting just for Lent?
I have heard discussions about fasting on all Fridays of the year, not just during Lent. Of course that peaked my curiosity. I went straight to the Code of Canon Lawfor my answer. You know, our faith is not just based on the Bible. It stands on three balanced legs of Writings, Tradition, and Papal Authority. Those things laid down for us by Christ and his first disciples. I figure their word is good enough for me, I don't have to refer to other websites or blogs for this.
The Canon Law has a section regarding Days of Penance:
Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons. Can. 1250 The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent. Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance. Can. 1253 The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.
Well, I hope you enjoyed learning more about the Catholic Faith. I encourage you to say your peace here, whatever your thoughts. Just try to be respectful of people's decisions, because no matter what we wear or what language we say the Mass in.. we are still all Children of God trying to live our faith the best we know how.
