R U God's Pumpkin?

                                               
 A woman was asked by a coworker, “What is it like to be a Christian?”
The coworker replied, “It is like being a pumpkin.  
God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.
Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. 
He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed
Then He carves you a new smiling face
And puts His light inside of you to shine for all
the world to see.”

Happy Autumn and May God Bless You Abundantly!

Feast of the ArchAngels: September 29th

Angelic Council
(wikipedia)

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world -- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

                                                                                                               Revelation 12:7-9

The feast of Saint Michael, one of the seven archangels of Scripture, originated in the sixth century. It was known, in English, as "Michaelmas", and this name lives on in a wildflower, a white aster with many small star-like flowers, that blooms in late September, known as the Michaelmas daisy.
Recently two other of the archangels named in scripture, Gabriel and Raphael, are also honored on this day.

Michael the archangel, whose name in Hebrew means "Who is like God?", is revered as the leader of the angelic army who will conquer Satan and his armies of demons, and is considered the defender of the Church. Michael is more often represented in art than any other angelic being. He is often shown wearing armor, in the act of slaying the great Dragon of the Apocalypse [Satan] in Revelation 12:7-9.

The archangel Gabriel, whose name in Hebrew means "Strength of God", announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zachariah, and soon after, announced to Mary that she was to become the mother of Our Lord. His address to her, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee" (the "angelic salutation") is familiar to all who say the Rosary.

The archangel Raphael, whose name means medic or ointment of God, is mentioned by name in the Old Testament book of Tobit (Tobias), whom the angel aided by healing him of blindness and guiding him on his travels.

"We speak of nine orders of Angels, because we know, by the testimony of Holy Scripture, that there are the following: Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim. It must be realized that "Angel" is the name of their office, not of their nature. For the holy Spirits of the heavenly homeland are always Spirits, but they cannot always be called Angels; they are Angels only when they are announcing something. Those who announce less important things are called Angels, and those who announce the highest things are called Archangels. And so not any Angel but the Archangel Gabriel was sent to Mary; for this ministry, it was fitting to have the highest Angel, since he was to announce the greatest news of all. These Archangels are also given special names to describe their particular virtue. For Michael means "Who is like to God?" Gabriel means "Strength of God," and Raphael "Medicine of God."
except from the "Sermon  of Pope St. Gregory" Visit:  Women For Faith & Family for full story and for prayers to each Archangel

Did you know, Holy Communion is often called the “Bread of Angels”?
For full article by Fr. Ben Reese go to Angels and the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist

For Fun Family Activities:  Women For Faith & Family
An angelfood cake -- so named because of its pristine whiteness and ethereal lightness -- would be a most appropriate dessert on this feast. It could be frosted with white icing. If you cover the center of the cake with a piece of cardboard before frosting the cake, it will support a small figurine of an angel. Silver dragees could be added for an even more festive look.
Go to: For Angel Food Cake recipe

Prayer
God our Father,
in a wonderful way you guide the work of angels and men.
May those who serve you constantly in heaven
keep our lives safe from all harm on earth.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen

http://catholicexchange.com/2007/09/28/97623/ for more on the Archangels

Feast of St. Wenceslaus: September 28th

 

St. Ludmilla and young Wenceslaus

Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, was born of a Christian father, Wratislaus, and a pagan mother, Drahomira (who had feigned conversion and received Baptism). Brought up in piety by the holy woman Ludmilla, his grandmother, he was adorned with every virtue and with the utmost care preserved his virginity unspotted throughout his life. His mother, having murdered Saint Ludmilla, seized the reigns of government; but her wicked life, and that of her younger son, Boleslaus, excited the indignation of the nobles. These, wearied of a tyrannical and impious rule, threw off the yoke of both mother and son, and proclaimed Saint Wenceslaus King at Prague.

He ruled his kingdom rather by kindness than authority. He helped orphans, widows, and all the poor with the greatest charity, sometimes even carrying wood on his shoulders by night, to those in need of it. He frequently assisted at the funerals of poor persons, liberated captives, and often visited the prisoners during the night, assisting them with gifts and advice. It caused great sorrow to his tender heart to condemn even the guilty to death. He had the greatest reverence for priests; and with his own hands he would sow the wheat and prepare the wine to be used in the Sacrifice of the Mass. At night he used to go the round of the churches barefoot, through ice and snow, while his bloodstained footprints warmed the ground.

The Angels formed his bodyguard. In order to spare the lives of his soldiers, he undertook to fight in single combat with Radislaus, Duke of Gurima; but when the latter saw Angels arming Saint Wenceslaus, and heard them forbidding him to strike, he was terrified and fell at the Saint’s feet begging his forgiveness. On one occasion, when he had gone to Germany, the Emperor Otto I, at his approach, saw two Angels adorning him with a golden Cross; whereupon, rising from his throne, he embraced the Saint, bestowed on him the regal insignia, and presented him with the arm of St. Vitus. Nevertheless his wicked brother, instigated by their mother, invited the Saint to a banquet. Afterwards, while St. Wenceslaus was praying in a church and preparing himself for the death that he knew awaited him, Boleslaus, together with some accomplices, killed him. His blood is still to be seen sprinkled on the walls. God avenged his Saint; the earth swallowed up the inhuman mother, and the murderers perished miserably in various ways.

Picture: Encyclopedia.com

Saint Wenceslaus won the crown of martyrdom in the Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, which he visited on account of their Feast on September 27. He also acknowledged the Feast of tomorrow with his last words at the fratricidal banquet: “In honor of the Archangel Saint Michael, let us drink this cup, and let us beseech him to lead our souls into the peace of eternal happiness.”

Christian de Scala, son of the fratricide Boleslaus the Cruel, and nephew of the Saint, became a monk and wrote the lives of St. Wenceslaus and St. Ludmilla. The feast of the latter is celebrated on September 16.

more information at St. Wenceslaus where this article can be found

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"Good King Wenceslaus" is a popular Christmas carol about a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (the second day of Christmas, December 26). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by the heat miraculously emanating from the king's footprints in the snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935), known in the Czech language as Svatý Václav. The lyrics are by English hymnwriter John Mason Neale, and the tune is Scandinavian, from Piae Cantiones.

Feast of St. Vincent de Paul: September 27th

Patron Saint of Charitable Societies

Many parishes have a St. Vincent de Paul Society. It is a wonderful group to be involved in, esp. these days with so many out of work or down on their luck and in need of help. A collection just held was, School Supplies, for children going back to school and in need of supplies. SVDP programs help with food and/or small finances such as paying a utility bill. They can not sustain an individual or family for a great length of time, but long enough to give some immediate relief. The most active time for this society is Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter when food baskets (toys/gifts included at Christmas) are donated by parishioners and given to those in need.  Many SVDP programs have a food pantry and are always seeking food items. Check with your local parishes to see when they collect and what they need the most. Please don't forget that people need food even in the summer. This is when cupboards are bare because many are on vacation. Food and monetary donations are always appreciated. Christ asks us to take care of those less fortunate...let us all make an effort to do so. God Bless!

St. Vincent was born of poor parents in the village of Pouy in Gascony, France, about 1580. He enjoyed his first schooling under the Franciscan Fathers at Acqs. Such had been his progress in four years that a gentleman chose him as subpreceptor to his children, and he was thus enabled to continue his studies without being a burden to his parents. In 1596, he went to the University of Toulouse for theological studies, and there he was ordained priest in 1600.

In 1605, on a voyage by sea from Marseilles to Narbonne, he fell into the hands of African pirates and was carried as a slave to Tunis. His captivity lasted about two years, until Divine Providence enabled him to effect his escape. After a brief visit to Rome he returned to France, where he became preceptor in the family of Emmanuel de Gondy, Count of Goigny, and General of the galleys of France. In 1617, he began to preach missions, and in 1625, he lay the foundations of a congregation which afterward became the Congregation of the Mission or Lazarists, so named on account of the Prioryof St. Lazarus, which the Fathers began to occupy in 1633.

It would be impossible to enumerate all the works of this servant of God. Charity was his predominant virtue. It extended to all classes of persons, from forsaken childhood to old age. The Sisters of Charity also owe the foundation of their congregation to St. Vincent. In the midst of the most distracting occupations his soul was always intimately united with God. Though honored by the great ones of the world, he remained deeply rooted in humility. The Apostle of Charity, the immortal Vincent de Paul, breathed his last in Paris at the age of eighty. His feast day is September 27th. He is the patron of charitable societies.

Article St. Vincent de Paul  found on Catholic Online

Reach Out & Touch Someone

I was recently presented with a lovely award and asked to pay it forward to 15 other bloggers. I was thrilled, elated, people actually read my blog and someone liked it! After the initial euphoria passed, came the thought...I don't know 15 bloggers, no make that 30 because my cooking/recipe blog, Cucina Nanette, was also given the award. How do I go about this, I fretted? Find blog sites I like & contact bloggers...Could I find the time? After all, I have 2 blogs to "run", my activities on CookEatShare.com (more fretting), a full time job, a home-life that keeps me busy. That's when I heard that God voice in my head..."Wait a darn minute, Nanette." Does God say, darn..I think He did?
Wasn't it a short while ago that your wonderful friend, Mary (Beautiful Gate), mentioned in one of her posts that it would be nice to  reach out to new bloggers and let them know that someone is aware that they exist...actually cares? Wasn't it Vic & Bernie that agreed, saying that bloggers need encouragement....our encouragement? Mary stated that many bloggers feel ignored, they write and write and no one comments...no one cares. Hurt and disillusioned, some "close up shop".
How sad and even sadder if it involves Catholic blogging. Where's Christ in all of this? Aren't we, His messengers, supposed to lift each other up? Encourage the talents he/she has been blessed with?  Bring joy to a "stranger"? Yes, yes to all these questions. I had the opportunity to do all these things and I was fretting? Shame on me.
So where to start? I went to the Catholic blog directory and began searching. Gems were everywhere I looked. Eventually, I had the blogs I needed...some of them new ones, the ones with no comments, yet. I recalled the first comment I had received and how thrilled I was, now I wanted someone else to experience the same feeling. I even threw in a few not-Catholic bloggers, after all, the apostles didn't preach just to followers, right? So through this I met Maria of This Crazy Life, Mike at My Life and Such, Margo at the Rosary Trail, Grace Marie at the Rustic Home, and other dear, dear bloggers.
I can't reach out to every blogger in the blogoshere, but I can make an effort on a regular basis..and if you reach out to 5 bloggers, and someone else reaches 5 more..just think how many bloggers we can touch. Just think how we are serving God.
So, the invites went out....and I kinda held my breath. Would anyone accept the award....would I get a , "Who the hell are you?" response. I had nothing to fear....the response was terrific! Even Mike, who I thought might say, "A Lovely Blog Award" with a rose and tea cup badge...are you kidding? said, "Wow" and would display it proudly.
Have there been rejections...a few. Would it have been polite to have accepted it and passed it on to just two other bloggers. Yes. But I'm not here to judge...that would be unkind.  Then there are those like Claudia (Pegasus Legend) who is so, so , so busy, who graciously accepted it, but said it would have to wait a bit because of her schedule. Perfectly fine. This is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Send it to 3 bloggers instead of 15....and at your leisure.
This is a random act of kindness. I think God is pleased with the idea and the space we make in our hearts for others. Mary, Vic  & Bernie hit on something God-Approved....to encourage other bloggers to use the talents they are blessed with. To show strangers, as well as friends, that we care. We should always be looking for ways to bring Christ's compassion to others. We are Catholic-Christians, we are obligated to go out of our way..to be inconvenienced sometimes. If I am blessed, then I should be a blessing to others.

also check out: stblogsparish.com  &  catholicconverts.com for new bloggers

Sunday Snippet-Catholic Carnival

What did you post about this week? Stop by the weekly Catholic Carnival and share what you've been blogging. Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week.  You're invited to share a blog post or two from last week. Here are my contributions for this week:

Feast of St. Pio
Feast of St. Matthew, the Apostle
A Tribute To God & Country
18 Year Old Italian Woman Beatified

18 Year Old Italian Woman, Beatified 9/25/10

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, pray for us!

Chiara died on 7 October 1990 at 18 years old. She is to be beatified on 25 Sept. 2010 at the shrine of the Virgin of "Divine Love" (Rome - Castel di Leva) chaired by Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Sometimes we’d prefer that our lives be a different story than the one God seems to be writing.  In our fragile existence it doesn’t take much to turn a romance into a drama, or an adventure into a tragedy.  At a glance, the story of Chiara Badano—an only child conceived after 11 years of marriage, who died at 18 after a bout with a painful form of bone cancer—looks like an empty tragedy, but not from the perspective of the Divine Author.  
Chiara seemed to have everything going for her as a teen.  She had a loving, holy family and a rock solid faith that was nurtured by retreats and youth ministry programs.  She was popular amongst her friends and was liked by boys.  It’s not hard to see why.  She was beautiful.  Chiara loved to hang out in coffee shops.  She was great at tennis, swimming and mountain climbing.  Her outgoing personality and adventurous spirit made her dream of becoming a flight attendant.  Chiara had a bright life ahead of her. 
One day while playing tennis, Chiara experienced excruciating pain in her shoulder.  Shortly afterwards she was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma.  She watched her bright future slip away.  But it’s here that the real story of her life begins—the story of heroic virtue.
Chiara’s joy was explosive and it only increased with her suffering.  After one very pain-filled night she said, “I suffered a lot, but my soul was singing.”   Story continues at link below

By Christopher Stefanick.

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano

Chiara Luce Badano - born October 29, 1971
Died of bone cancer - October 7, 1990
Cause for beatification opened - June 11, 1999
Diocesean Inquiry closed - August 21, 2000
Declared Venerable - July 3, 2008
Miracle Approved - December 9, 2009
Beatification - September 25, 2010

Prayer

O Father, source of all good,
through Your Son Jesus You produce wonderful goodness in those
who entrust themselves to Your  love,
we give You thanks for the Christian
testimony of Chiara Badano.
Inspired by the fervor of Your Spirit,
she found in the union with Jesus
the light to recognize in Love
life's ideal and the strength to offer her youth,
in filial abandonment to Your will,
for the good of the Church.
If it is Your will that
the example of the Servant of God
be proposed to the veneration
of the faithful, we pray that you give us
the grace of ..… for the glory of
Your Fatherly benevolence.
We ask this through Our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen

A TRIBUTE TO GOD AND COUNTRY

Jon McNaughton is a rising artist from Utah whose paintings are attracting the attention of collectors from across the country. Late evenings and stormy days are frequent subject matter for this young artist. A McNaughton painting can be recognized for the rich color and chiaroscuro effects reminiscent of the French Barbizon painters of the mid 19th century.
McNaughton's roots trace back to the small town of Grafton, Ut. He feels a deep love for the land and of his pioneer heritage. He says it was instrumental in developing his artistic tendencies. From an early age McNaughton showed great promise that eventually led to a full art scholarship to Brigham Young University. Only two out of 2000 received the award. While a student, McNaughton received both the Art Talent Award and the Design Talent Award from the university.
McNaughton describes his work as the "essence of nature". Spending hundreds of hours simply observing and studying the varying nuances of the landscape, then he will return to his studio and paint from memory. Refusing to work from photographs, mental notations and an occasional pencil sketch are enough to inspire a beautiful painting.
McNaughton's artistic style stems from his study of the forerunners to the Impressionists. Artists such as Camille Corot of the French Barbizon school, and George Inness, one of America's premier tonalist painters, have influenced the direction of McNaughton's work. Because these artists painted during the 19th century, few artists today follow in their footsteps.
 From: Jon mcnaughton BIOGRAPHY

Aside from his nature/landscape paintings, his depiction of American History, as seen through the eyes of the common man/woman, has found popularity. The details and emotions are amazing and brings his paintings to life. His Christian paintings are among the best and is a blessing to all those who view them. Below are three videos that show a sample of his talent. The websites at the end of the videos are a must see! To view or purchase a Jon McNaughton painting/print go to http://mcnaughtonart.com/

THE FACE OF CHRIST



ONE NATION UNDER GOD



THE FORGOTTEN MAN

FEAST OF ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA

The Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina is September 23rd.
St. Pio is considered an "incorrupt" saint. He died over 40 years ago and his body shows no sign of  decay. The body was exhumed in early March 2008. His body is viewed by thousands of pilgrims each day. St. Pio's body, as seen in this video, is in a remarkable state of preservation.

A Prayer to Padre Pio

         

Beloved Padre Pio, today I come to add my prayer to the thousands of prayers offered to you every day by those who love and venerate you in Jesus’ name. They ask for cures and healings, earthly and spiritual blessings, and peace for body and mind. And because of your friendship with the Lord, he heals those you ask to be healed, and forgives those you ask be forgiven in Jesus’ name.

Through your visible wounds of the Crucified Jesus, which you bore for 50 years, you were chosen in our time to glorify the crucified Jesus. Because the Cross has been replaced by other symbols, please help us bring back the veneration of the wounds of Jesus Christ, for we acknowledge His Precious Blood as true a sign of salvation, cleansing and purifcation.

As we lovingly recall the wounds that pierced your hands, feet and side, like beloved Jesus Christ, we not only remember the blood He shed as you also shed in pain, along with your smile, and the invisible halo of sweet smelling flowers that surrounded your presence, certainly the Scent of The Lord, symbolic as the perfume of sanctity.

Padre Pio, may the healings of the sick become the testimony that the Lord has invited you to join the holy company of Saints. In your kindness, please help me with my own special request: (mention here your petition, and make the sign of the Cross).

Bless me and my loved ones. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

St. Pio Pray For Us!

FEAST OF ST. MATTHEW, THE APOSTLE

Feast Day - September 21

Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, also called Levi, was sitting at his tax-collector's desk in Caphernaum when he was called by Christ. He followed Him at once, and also gave a feast for Him and the other disciples. After the resurrection of Christ, while Matthew was still in Judea before going to the district which it had fallen to his lot to evangelize, he wrote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Hebrew for the sake of the Jews who had become believers. Then he went to Ethiopia and preached the Gospel, confirming his teaching with many miracles.
By one of his greatest miracles, that of bringing back to life the king's daughter, he converted the king and his wife together with the whole country to the faith of Christ. When the king died, his successor Hirtacus wished to marry Iphigenia, the daughter of the former king; but she had vowed her virginity to God, and she persevered in her holy determination. Since the vow had been taken through Matthew's influence, Hirtacus had Matthew killed at the altar while celebrating Mass. It was on the 21st of September that Matthew's apostolic work was crowned with the glory of martyrdom. His body was taken to Salerno, and later, under Pope Gregory VII, it was transferred to the church dedicated to St. Matthew. There it is honored devoutly by a great number of persons.            St. Matthew Pray For Us!

Happy Patron Saint Day to all those named Matthew,
esp. my nephew Matthew DeStefano

livingwatercommunity.com for this and other information on saints.

I've Been Tagged!

Maria at This Crazy Life invited me to write 10 surprising things about myself. Sounds easy...I think not. But here goes:

My cousins, Tom & Teresa are my 1st and 2nd cousins. Their mom, Nina, is my mom's first cousin and she married my father's brother, Peter. We are related on both sides of the family. How cool.

Counting my Mom & Dad, there are 9 members of my family (1 brother, 5 sisters, and me) Each one of us have the number 2 in our birth dates...no teen numbers and only one single #, 2. 10/22, 9/12, 1/28, 8/28, 3/22, 7/12, 2/20, 12/2, 10/27

I eat everything from exotic to weird to basic, but I don't! eat anything burnt and I don't cook on Wednesdays.

I exercised in a Gym with the romance novel cover model, Fabio. It was just the two of us there and he actually helped me with a set of exercises.

I attended a Christian Fundamentalist College for a spell because it had a few classes I was interested in. I was told, "You won't be Catholic in about 2 months" by a few students. I ended up a much more educated and "on-fire" Catholic because I had to really learn Catholic Apologetics in order to survive. I think it killed some of my professors to give me an A on my papers with a Catholic slant to them!

Of all my sisters and those who knew me from childhood, to teens, to young adult to adult....I was the least likely to be so "religious" and so in love with Catholicism and God.  The Crooked Halo is very fitting! Do you remember, Haley Mills' "Trouble With Angels"?

I asked my husband out on our first date

The last time I was in a movie theatre was in 2002 when I saw Robin Williams in "One Hour Photo" It wasn't a good movie.

I've written 4 Historical Romance Novels, 15 Children's books, many Poems and Short Stories & started a Christian Contemporary Novel...my agent was arrested for swindling her authors. The publisher who was to publish  my children's book series died suddenly, and the series was shelved. So much for my writing career.

I drink a jigger of Apple Cider Vinegar every day.

Blog Award

Many thanks to Mary at the Beautiful Gate http://openingthefloodgatesofmercy.blogspot.com/ for sending me this award! I am so proud to receive this lovely gift.

Here are the rules for passing it on

1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pay it forward to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.
3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.

I'd like to pass the award on to the following great blogs:

Patti at Abba's Little Girl http://abbaslittlegirl.blogspot.com/

Grace Marie at From The Rustic Home http://fromtherustichome.blogspot.com/

Lelia at Little Catholic Bubble http://littlecatholicbubble.blogspot.com/

Mike at My Life and Such http://mikeshaw65.blogspot.com/

Margo at The Rosary Trail  http://therosarytrail.com/

Maria at This Crazy Love http://andyourlifewillbefilledwithsunshine.blogspot.com/

Karen at Gem Of The Ocean  http://gemoftheocean.blogspot.com/

Patty at My Apologies http://freakinominalblog.blogspot.com/

Kerri at Sea Cottage http://seacottage.blogspot.com/

Julie at Hand Me Down Heaven http://juliecragon.blogspot.com/

Kasclar at Journal Of Nobody at http://journalofnobody.blogspot.com/

Carrie at Ouite The Normal Life http://quitethenormallife.blogspot.com/

OLR Dad at Will There Be Donuts? http://willtherebedonuts/

God Bless Catholic Bloggers and all that you do for God's glory.

Have You No Shame?

Genuine shame: is associated with genuine dishonor, disgrace, or condemnation (ashamed: to shame). Remember that word? It was used at a time when people took responsibility for their actions. It was when people blushed. You were ashamed of your actions if it harmed or embarrassed others, and not just because you "got caught". It would shame my family's good name if I cursed in public. My mother actually washed my mouth with brown soap because I called my sister a bum. I bubbled for a week. I wouldn't dream of shouting at my mother in public or at home. Nor would my son diss me or his dad.
There's something called, self control..it's not that I never do anything wrong, I just know there are boundaries not to cross.  I'm aware of an inner voice telling me not to do such and such, you know, the conscience.  My dad liked to say, "You have two things to fear in life....the Man in heaven...and me." And the fear he referred to wasn't the fear that he would hit me, no, it was the word fear as in the Bible. Fear...the respect for God.  I was taught and believed that God was watching. I had to answer for my actions...here on earth to my dad...and someday in heaven...to Abba.
These days, what we ought to be ashamed of, we boast about. The following was part of a conversation among a group of 50- Somethings, "My son has been living with his girlfriend for 5 years...finally...they're getting married. Their baby, who is 2, will look sooooooo cute walking them down the aisle." What's wrong with this picture? Lots. Let's not tell dear son that his behavior is wrong & affects others, nope, that might alienate him...he might get upset. Listen people...I'm not my kid's friend...I'm his parent. So, I parent and tell him when he's out of line or not in line with God. I actually say, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself." Phooey on his psyche. If throughout the years, a parent has shown love, support and encouragement...than your child knows how to take a reprimand. God approves of discipline, done in a Godly fashion. BTW...I'm not talking about the type of shame that a child feels when neglected or abused...but shame due to bad behavior when an adult ought to know better.
At what point did a parent become afraid of their kid's reaction to, "You can't wear a skirt up to your navel to Mass" or a tee-shirt that says, "Life Sucks" to Grandma's house. How about, " Sorry, young lady, church is no place to wear a blouse that shows cleavage." Where's the fear...the respect...for the Lord? When did it become admirable for a politician to stand before the press, announce his infidelity and people hearing it comment, "I give him a lot of credit to come out and tell the truth"? Tell the truth?...hey buddy...you've been lying for how long to your wife..you've now humiliated her and your family, disappointed the citizens who trusted you, but it's honorable that you told the truth? Before or after you got caught? Shame, shame, shame. You shouldn't have cheated to begin with!

Eve covers herself and lowers her head in shame
in Rodin's sculpture "Eve after the Fall".
(wikipedia)

There are 145 references to shame on the online New International Bible concordance. The Bible practically begins and ends with references to this word. The first is seen in  the book of Genesis 2:25, "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." So sin entered the scene and the sense of shame disappeared.  The second is found in the book of Revelation 21:27, where it speaks of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." It seems that God has a lot to say about shame and shameful behavior.

Contrary to the belief in psychotherapy that shame does damage to our self esteem and we should be purged of this inner-critic...I think a healthy dose of  feeling shame is a good thing. We ought to feel shame if we lie, slander some one's good name, drive drunk or while texting, use God's holy name in vain, or cheat. Yes, that "inner-critic" is the Holy Spirit convicting us, reminding us that we are not in keeping with God's laws. Shame is the sickness of one's soul...that dreaded, pit-dropping feeling that we've done something wrong. Our spirit should  feel injured.

Looking at the definition of shame in the first sentence of this post gives us the way in which we avoid feeling shame...be honorable, do little to disgrace ourselves so there is no need for condemnation. Let's be accountable for our own actions. If we bring shame upon ourselves, it's not the duty of a teacher, pastor, or even our own parents to remove the consequences..it is our problem to take care of our problems. We must ask God for the grace to do this..to remove the spiritual blindfolds from our eyes through prayer, fasting, meditating on Scripture, penance and attending Mass. We should ask the Holy Spirit to fine-tune our senses so we stop! before we shame ourselves. The roots of the word shame are thought to derive from an older word meaning "to cover".  If we should feel shame to the degree that we need to cover our eyes in embarrassment or guilt, then for certain we are in need of God's help. We are one step closer to humbling ourselves, to admitting that we need healing, forgiveness and most of all His guidance. God's love is infinite and there is no shame in admitting we are sinners in need of His mercy,  no shame at all.
**Don't Get Me Started Series

Why Did My Son Have To Die?

A mother asked this President..

'Why did my son have to die in Iraq?'

A mother asked this President..

'Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia ?'

A mother asked this President...

'Why did my son have to die in Kuwait ?'

Another mother asked this President...

                              'Why did my son have to die in Vietnam ?'

Another mother asked this President...

'Why did my son have to die in Korea ?'

Another mother asked this President...

' Why did my son have to die on Iwo Jima ?'

Another mother asked this President..

'Why did my son have to die on a battlefield

in France? '

Yet another mother asked  this President...

'Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg ?'

And yet another mother asked this President...

 'Why did my son have to die on a frozen field

near Valley Forge ?'

Then long, long ago, a mother asked..

 'Heavenly Father .. Why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem ?'

The answer is always the same...

So that others may live and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom.

Don't be Hoodwinked: Pro-Life vs Obama's Health Care

MANHATTAN DECLARATION: PRO-LIFE NEWS

In an attempt to quell the outrage of pro-lifers that taxpayer dollars might be used to pay for abortion, President Obama signed an Executive Order on March 24, 2010, “to ensure that Federal funds are not used for abortion services.” The president's Executive Order did not satisfy pro-life groups, however. In fact, as the pro-life Family Research Council noted, the "uselessness" of the executive order was one of the few things that FRC and Planned Parenthood agreed on during the health care debate.

The National Right to Life Committee says that on June 28th, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario (appointed by Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell) issued a press release announcing that the federal Health and Human Services Department had approved his agency's proposal for establishing a high-risk health insurance pool in Pennsylvania

The National Right To Life (NRLC) noted that the Pennsylvania plan's section on abortion – found on page 14 of the plan -- says "elective abortions are not covered." But NRLC called that statement a "red herring”, because the operative language does not define 'elective.’

The Pennsylvania plan says it includes “only abortions and contraceptives that satisfy the requirements of (Pennsylvania law),” and it specifically refers to 18 Pa.C.S. § 3204-3206 and 35 P.S. §§10101, 10103-10105. The most pertinent law, according to NRLC, is 18 Pa. C.S. § 3204, which says that an abortion is legal in Pennsylvania if a single physician believes that it is “necessary” based on “all factors (physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman's age) relevant to the well-being of the woman.”

NRLC noted that Pennsylvania law bans abortion prior to 24 weeks, only if it is being done "solely because of the sex of the unborn child. Therefore, given the way the guidelines are written, under the Pennsylvania plan, “federal funds will subsidize coverage of abortion performed for any reason, except sex selection," said NRLC's Johnson.

“The Pennsylvania proposal conspicuously lacks language that would prevent funding of abortions performed as a method of birth control or for any other reason, except sex selection -- and the Obama Administration has now approved this," Johnson said. Susan Jones, Senior Ed at CNSNews.com 7/15/10

Visit www.manhattandeclaration.org for details

Check out Other Six: Loyola Press

About Other Six, an experience offered by Loyola Press

Some of us find God in Church on Sundays, but finding God the other six days of the week can be a puzzle. Other6 is a community dedicated to helping each other experience God at all times, in all things.

The 2 questions are answered within 140 characters...very short


Ignatius of Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Jesuits, devised an “examination of consciousness”—a prayerful review of the day intended to help people recognize where they were finding, or needing to find, God in their lives. Other6 takes the essence of this centuries-old practice of the Examen and adapts it for today’s Internet-driven world by posing two questions: Where have you found God today? and Where do you need to find God today?

Other6, an online ministry of Loyola Press, is Jesuit and Catholic in its inspiration but pushes no particular agenda; it is meant for anyone who seeks God with a sincere heart. Our prayer is that you will find this community a help in your search to draw closer to God.

To learn more about Ignatian spirituality and the examination of consciousness (Daily Examen), visit IgnatianSpirituality.com.

   http://other6.com/ is the online experience

The offering of Ignatius of Loyola:


My loving God,
Take and receive
All my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will
And all that I have and possess.
You gave it all to me.
To you, my God, I return it!
All is yours, dispose of it according to your desires.
Give me your love and grace.
This is enough for me.