Videos, Information, and a Call to Action
For a background on all of this, here again is the link to the video of Fr. Sammie Maletta's homily + transcript. Last week, when we thought it couldn't get any worse, we saw Sandra Fluke's opening statement before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee....
Fr. Sammie Maletta’s Homily on Religious Liberty and the HHS Mandate (Transcript)
Prayers for and cheers to this courageous priest-lawyer for speaking the truth! May more of our priests be like him. Spread the word. I'm posting the transcript of his homily here for my parents' benefit. If you see any errors, please comment and I will edit. In...
Lent, In Which I Read Science Fiction
This is my Lenten penance for the year. I just finished reading Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn. An exciting read, at least it gets exciting about halfway through. I had to drag myself through the first few chapters because I am so not a science fiction fan. Our kids are...
Some Thoughts on Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of an emptying that continues throughout the forty days of Lent. In the Philippines we call the Liturgical Season of Lent cuaresma, from the Latin word quadragesima, or forty. Today, Ash Wednesday, is like that metabolism boost at the...
Lenten Plans
I am keeping it REALLY, REALLY SIMPLE this Lent. We are using Jenn's Lent for Children. This evening I also put together a music playlist based on the suggestions in this thread. Our mornings will begin with this Lenten Novena: Father, all-powerful and ever-living...
People of Faith, Stand Up and Be Counted
These are exciting times. Religious persecution is a scary thing, I don't think my children even fully grasp yet what is happening right now in the country, though we've explained it to them. But to see people of all faiths standing up for what is right, not just...
Prophetic?
Hm... Those Great Strong Towers of Ice and Steel from Fr. Z, on Thomas Merton's poem penned in 1947, the whole thing here. Ten years later, I'm still processing. How life changed that day. In some ways, for the worse. But for our family at least, much for the better....
Migi’s Curriculum, 8th grade, 2011-2012
Just finished designing Migi's curriculum for the year. I usually start this in May before the previous schoolyear ends but this year we're ending late and so we're also starting later than usual. We school year-round because we travel a bit (with hubby, for work) so...
Yeah, Just Give Up Already
An utterly hopeless piece on our imperfect world made of imperfect beings. Yes, let's reject all "shoulds" since we've armed ourselves from head to foot with all these "can'ts". No wonder the Philippines is in trouble, they're littered with.... dare I say it... yes I...
Saul and David
A few short thoughts this morning before I get started on my mammoth list of to-dos: Samuel's message from God to Saul. 1 Samuel 15:22-23: 22And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold,...
O Spirit, All-Embracing
Love this song. Thaxted tune by Gustav Holst. Lyrics by Delores Dufner. Every time we sing this melody in Church we keep telling ourselves to find a good recording, and then forget, so I'm putting this here as a reminder.
The “Ideal” Family Size
Prompted by this news article. I've been closely following the RH bill debate in the Philippines for several months now. One of the biggest reasons proponents of the bill give for pushing for the bill is that the bill will legislate helping families achieve their...
40 Days for Life Journal
First time at PP (this location: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/centerDetails.asp?f=3346, not putting a direct link from here) praying last Saturday. Another family and ours went, and it was peaceful. They had 4 of their 6 there and I had all the kids....
Fifteen Will Do
It hasn't even been here a week. And one doesn't even need thirty minutes a day. Fifteen will do. Fifteen minutes of this gives one enough practice and knowledge to read fifteen minutes of this:
Preliminary Confirmation Prep Plan for Paco
Study of the Saints Joseph of Nazareth -- read 5 pages daily and write in reflection journal Read and narrate books on other chosen saints: Mary: Mary, Mother of Jesus by Joslin, Mary by Brian Wildsmith, Mary: The Mother of Jesus by Tomie de Paola St. Francis of...