So, in spite of the fact that God sought to humble me during my Totus Tuus interview I just received this message from Totus Tuus:
"Thank you so much for your recent Totus Tuus interview. Your interview and application packet were very impressive, and you are exactly the type of person we are looking for to teach in the program."
God has a funny sense of humor.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Nick Alexander
So at Brother Philip's request I checked out Nick Alexander, the Weird Al of Catholic music. I found his myspace page and particularly enjoyed "Should I Stand or Should I Kneel," coming from a parish that had problems with this in the last 5 years and now when I go to the Mass in the abbey and we look like a bowl of popcorn. Some of us have popped and some of us haven't. It made me laugh.
He's not quite as good as Weird Al, but entertaining just the same.
http://www.myspace.com/nickalexandermusicpage
He's not quite as good as Weird Al, but entertaining just the same.
http://www.myspace.com/nickalexandermusicpage
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I know it's a little late...
I know St. Valentine's Day is gone and past but I think this it the valentine I should send out next time.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sigh...
I really need to learn to control my temper and not speak bad about men of the cloth. It's so embarrassing to have to confess it. That's all I really wanted to say tonight. Have a restful night.
Maria Goretti Movie
I went and watched the new Maria Goretti Movie at the sisters' house. It was good except for a few points.
1) Maria hardly fought off her attacker
2) Her attacker repents very shortly after he attacks
3) She does not appear to him
4) When the attacker's father finds her he yells at Maria's mother and she mysteriously knows what happened
What I really liked was that they showed Maria's attacker before he was corrupted by hate. It reminds me that even the people whom do wicked things to me were once children too, with good hearts.
Overall it was a good movie.
1) Maria hardly fought off her attacker
2) Her attacker repents very shortly after he attacks
3) She does not appear to him
4) When the attacker's father finds her he yells at Maria's mother and she mysteriously knows what happened
What I really liked was that they showed Maria's attacker before he was corrupted by hate. It reminds me that even the people whom do wicked things to me were once children too, with good hearts.
Overall it was a good movie.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Covering Statues: Questions Answered
Catholic Answers:
Q: Can you explain the custom of covering the crosses and images in the Church during Lent? Is this allowed?
A: This custom is one that, except for the Triduum, the Church leaves for local bishops’ conferences to decide. Paschales Solemnitatis provides that on the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of Lent:
The practice of covering the crosses and images in the church may be observed if the episcopal conference should so decide. The crosses are to be covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Images are to remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil (PS 29).
In his book Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Msgr. Peter J. Elliott explains that this custom "helps us to concentrate on the great essentials of Christ’s work of redemption."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has decided not to observe this custom; therefore, it is not permitted in the United States:
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has never voted to continue the practice of covering crosses and images and so the practice, in accord with the rubric of the sacramentary, has not been permissible for the past twenty-five years. Individual parishes are not free to reinstate the practice on their own (Committee on Liturgy Newsletter, April 1995, 31:14).
On Holy Thursday, though, crosses are to be covered after Mass. This is something that the Vatican has not left to the discretion of national bishops’ conferences:
It is fitting that any crosses in the church be covered with a red or purple veil, unless they have already been veiled on the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of Lent (PS 57).
Q: Can you explain the custom of covering the crosses and images in the Church during Lent? Is this allowed?
A: This custom is one that, except for the Triduum, the Church leaves for local bishops’ conferences to decide. Paschales Solemnitatis provides that on the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of Lent:
The practice of covering the crosses and images in the church may be observed if the episcopal conference should so decide. The crosses are to be covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Images are to remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil (PS 29).
In his book Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Msgr. Peter J. Elliott explains that this custom "helps us to concentrate on the great essentials of Christ’s work of redemption."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has decided not to observe this custom; therefore, it is not permitted in the United States:
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has never voted to continue the practice of covering crosses and images and so the practice, in accord with the rubric of the sacramentary, has not been permissible for the past twenty-five years. Individual parishes are not free to reinstate the practice on their own (Committee on Liturgy Newsletter, April 1995, 31:14).
On Holy Thursday, though, crosses are to be covered after Mass. This is something that the Vatican has not left to the discretion of national bishops’ conferences:
It is fitting that any crosses in the church be covered with a red or purple veil, unless they have already been veiled on the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of Lent (PS 57).
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Nothing Much
There hasn't been a lot going on here. I had my Totus Tuus interview yesterday and completely botched it. I was too nervous and thus got that shaky sound in my voice. It's all in God's Hands now. His Will may be leading me elsewhere.
Oh and here was the final count on facebook invites...
Oh and here was the final count on facebook invites...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
March for Life
I felt like a spaz when I watched myself.I was talking about the pro-life Mass when I said 10,000 people and it looks like I am talking about the March.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Birthday Presents!
I got money for my birthday from my grandma and grandpa the other day and I went and spent some of it today. I got a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin CD. Call me a nerd.
The Coffee House for the Pregnancy Center went amazingly well. It was pretty exciting.
Also...
To Brother Philip,
I am not a heathen. I couldn't come to evening prayer the last three nights for good reasons. I have a night class on Wednesday, I went to the Knight's Valentine Dinner on Thursday, and... yeah I don't have an excuse for Friday except I was being anti-social with my suite mate, Peggy. So blame her.
Provided by Brother Philip:
God, who inflames the hearts of the faithful, help me to know my true vocation in life and the grace (and courage) to follow it faithfully until the end.
The Coffee House for the Pregnancy Center went amazingly well. It was pretty exciting.
Also...
To Brother Philip,
I am not a heathen. I couldn't come to evening prayer the last three nights for good reasons. I have a night class on Wednesday, I went to the Knight's Valentine Dinner on Thursday, and... yeah I don't have an excuse for Friday except I was being anti-social with my suite mate, Peggy. So blame her.
Provided by Brother Philip:
God, who inflames the hearts of the faithful, help me to know my true vocation in life and the grace (and courage) to follow it faithfully until the end.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Little House on the Prarie Meditations
So, I have recently become "re-obsessed" with Little House on the Prairie. I own Seasons 1-4. Right now I have 2 more episodes to go before I am done with Season 4 and then I don't know what I will do. I know that in the last two episodes a baby will be added to the Ingall's family and Mary will begin to lose her eyesight. I have been putting off watching the last two episodes because I do not have season 5 and then I will be stuck.
Two days ago, Alicia and I sat down and watched an episode. A boy, Peter, comes to stay with the Ingalls family in hopes that he will build character. He has been stealing and acting up at a private school his father sends him to and is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Olson (if that tells you anything).
Charles Ingalls knows exactly what to do with the boy and he turns his life around.
Granted, this is a TV show but Alicia and I started discussing why Charles Ingalls can fix just about everything and we came up with a conclusion. The thing about Charles is that he lives out his vocation as a man in such a way that everyone around him knows how to live out their vocation as a man or woman. He treats everyone around him in a way that brings out his or her personal abilities and special vocation. When Peter comes Charles is very stern with him but praises him in a way the boy has never been praised before. He says that Peter does a man's work and the he (Charles) has a hard time keeping up with him. He doesn't make fun of him when he doesn't know how to swim, instead he tells him that he will teach him and throws him in the water.
Two days ago, Alicia and I sat down and watched an episode. A boy, Peter, comes to stay with the Ingalls family in hopes that he will build character. He has been stealing and acting up at a private school his father sends him to and is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Olson (if that tells you anything).
Charles Ingalls knows exactly what to do with the boy and he turns his life around.
Granted, this is a TV show but Alicia and I started discussing why Charles Ingalls can fix just about everything and we came up with a conclusion. The thing about Charles is that he lives out his vocation as a man in such a way that everyone around him knows how to live out their vocation as a man or woman. He treats everyone around him in a way that brings out his or her personal abilities and special vocation. When Peter comes Charles is very stern with him but praises him in a way the boy has never been praised before. He says that Peter does a man's work and the he (Charles) has a hard time keeping up with him. He doesn't make fun of him when he doesn't know how to swim, instead he tells him that he will teach him and throws him in the water.
Alicia and I went on to discuss how some men in our lives were like Charles and some were not. When one lives out their vocation they allow others to live out theirs. There's something about the love for others and their own vocation that makes you want to live out yours.
P.S.
I did figure out when/why were are supposed to cover up the statues but I have class in 15 minutes so I'll post later (or tomorrow).
I did figure out when/why were are supposed to cover up the statues but I have class in 15 minutes so I'll post later (or tomorrow).
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Facebook...
I gave up facebook for lent and only get on it Sundays to check messages people may (or may not) have sent me. I was off facebook from Wednesday of last week until Sunday. I had 56 invites to different applications. I had two wall posts. I think something is wrong with this picture. Not only do I not want to find out what type of bride I would be or what type of granola bar I am most like, it takes just about all Sunday to reject all those facebook applications. It makes me think I should give up facebook permanently, but then what would I do on Sunday?
To prove my point I signed on to facebook to see how many requests I have received since Sunday. I promise, I didn't look at anything else.
Here is the total so far.
I'll let you know how many I have by the end of the week.
P.S.
I also have to be more careful of what I say on here because I found out that Brother Philip reads my blogs... So you know I won't be talking bad about him anymore...
To prove my point I signed on to facebook to see how many requests I have received since Sunday. I promise, I didn't look at anything else.
Here is the total so far.
I'll let you know how many I have by the end of the week.
P.S.
I also have to be more careful of what I say on here because I found out that Brother Philip reads my blogs... So you know I won't be talking bad about him anymore...
Explanation
The rubric in the Sacramentary (Roman Missal) states: "The practice of covering crosses and images in the church may be observed, if the episcopal conference decides. The crosses are to be covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord's passion on Good Friday. Images are to remain covered until the beginning of the Easter vigil."
So this practice is dependent upon the decision of the bishops' conference of a given country.
However, the covering is not done throughout all of Lent. The crosses (crucifixes) are to be covered only from the Fifth Sunday of Lent until Good Friday (as the rubric states), and other images are to be covered only from the Fifth Sunday of Lent until the Easter vigil.
The purpose of covering the crosses is to emphasize it being revealed on Good Friday. The purpose of covering other images is to take the focus off the images and focus the attention of the people on the central mysteries of our faith -- the death and resurrection of Jesus.Also, we are not allowed to sing allelulia during lent. We usually have some other praise sung before the Gospel.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Liturgical Abuses
They covered up the statues in the chapel of my college.
26. The practice of covering the crosses and images in the church may be observed if the episcopal conference should so decide. The crosses are to be covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord's passion on Good Friday. Images are to remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.[30]
They also sang Alleluia on the the feast of St. Scholastica.
18. Likewise, from the beginning of Lent until the Paschal Vigil, "Alleluia" is to be omitted in all celebrations, even on solemnities and feasts.[21]
http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWEASTR.HTM
26. The practice of covering the crosses and images in the church may be observed if the episcopal conference should so decide. The crosses are to be covered until the end of the celebration of the Lord's passion on Good Friday. Images are to remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.[30]
They also sang Alleluia on the the feast of St. Scholastica.
18. Likewise, from the beginning of Lent until the Paschal Vigil, "Alleluia" is to be omitted in all celebrations, even on solemnities and feasts.[21]
http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWEASTR.HTM
Sunday, February 10, 2008
"Who was Jesus looking for in His apostles-- to be the leader of His leaders? Simple sinners, just like us. He looked for men who loved much, whose love made them unafraid, and whose love never put a stop to God's grace. When Jesus said, "Go out without scrip or shoes" they were dumb enough to go-- they were loving enough to go." -Mother Angelica
Let's be dumb enough to preach the Good News at all times. :)
Let's be dumb enough to preach the Good News at all times. :)
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I am not saying that I won't vote for Romney or any of the Republican Candidates once it comes down to one, I was just stating my problems with each. All of them are better than the Democratic Candidate.
I am glad that Romney claims to be against stem cell research but it does bother me that he would make allowances for embryos that are already in existence. Nic said that the embryos are, in fact, dead. I may be completely wrong but I believe you can still unfreeze the embryos and implant them in a woman's uterus then they will grow. Even if that is not the case, it is still not ethical. This only contributes to the making of more embryos with out any intent to allow them a life.
I will say this again. I will support which ever Republican candidate who ends up getting the nomination. The Democratic philosophy makes all the Republican candidate's stances look like pumpkin pie.
Let us pray that God will get us through this dark time. Thanks for your comments Nic.
I am glad that Romney claims to be against stem cell research but it does bother me that he would make allowances for embryos that are already in existence. Nic said that the embryos are, in fact, dead. I may be completely wrong but I believe you can still unfreeze the embryos and implant them in a woman's uterus then they will grow. Even if that is not the case, it is still not ethical. This only contributes to the making of more embryos with out any intent to allow them a life.
I will say this again. I will support which ever Republican candidate who ends up getting the nomination. The Democratic philosophy makes all the Republican candidate's stances look like pumpkin pie.
Let us pray that God will get us through this dark time. Thanks for your comments Nic.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
To Mr Nic Hoch
In response to Nic Hoch's comment on my political views:
I guess I should have been more specific about the embryonic stem cell research that Romeny supports.
"Romney supports research on excess embryos created during fertility treatments. Because couples are making embryos to have a baby, he reasons, it is ethical to use the leftovers for research when they would otherwise just be discarded." -Boston Globe
I cannot agree with this, no matter how the embryos are created they are still babies.
As for the abortion in cases of rape, it really bothers me because it is illogical. If he is against abortion it's because he thinks it's murder. If he thinks it's murder then what difference does in make how the baby was conceived. It's illogical, thus annoying. It shows an inability to reason clearly. On top of that, it's immoral.
There really is no good candidate. Huckabee is a socialist, McCain scares me, and Romney... well I just went through that. In the end it will be picking between the lesser of two evil it doesn't matter what Republican candidate I support at this point since I have already voted in my primary. I miss Fred! :(
~Emma
I guess I should have been more specific about the embryonic stem cell research that Romeny supports.
"Romney supports research on excess embryos created during fertility treatments. Because couples are making embryos to have a baby, he reasons, it is ethical to use the leftovers for research when they would otherwise just be discarded." -Boston Globe
I cannot agree with this, no matter how the embryos are created they are still babies.
As for the abortion in cases of rape, it really bothers me because it is illogical. If he is against abortion it's because he thinks it's murder. If he thinks it's murder then what difference does in make how the baby was conceived. It's illogical, thus annoying. It shows an inability to reason clearly. On top of that, it's immoral.
There really is no good candidate. Huckabee is a socialist, McCain scares me, and Romney... well I just went through that. In the end it will be picking between the lesser of two evil it doesn't matter what Republican candidate I support at this point since I have already voted in my primary. I miss Fred! :(
~Emma
Happy Lent!
I love lent! It is so wonderful to have a time set up for us to get our lives back on track ;).
A Continued Look at Politics
I suppose I should first discuss why I am a Republican. First I am Republican because of the pro-life and pro-family issues. The conservative ideals stand for the baby in the womb and for the "traditional" family. There is only one type of family, namely a husband and wife and anything other than that is not a family even if we called it an "untraditional" family. It kind of like Thomas Aquinas on laws... if it doesn't fit the definition of a law it is not an "unjust" law, it simply isn't a law. These are givens to any Catholic and I think I will leave them at that.
Often people will tell me I am only a Republican because of the life issues. This is not true. I am Republican economically as well. It is objectively wrong to take money from a person who has earned it and give it to someone who has not. The government is not a charity. That is the churches job. The churches have regrettably given up this job because, well honestly, they don't want to do it. This has led to people taking advantage of the government. Are all people on welfare like this? No. But there used to be a time when if you were down and out, could make ends meat you would do little odd jobs for the church. Americans used to be ashamed to take charity, now we reward people who do not work. The Republican party is not a party that gives hand outs, and maybe that's why we call it a "party of the rich" but that is not the Republican parties job, that is the job of the churches. Own your own business and you will become a Republican.
Environment. We are called as Catholics to protect the environment and Democrats make it a big campaign issue that they are for the environment. There is a difference between protecting the environment and just being ridiculous. It is ridiculous when there are so many law prohibiting you from building a fence because you might upset some bullfrogs. Every time we cut down a tree we plant two new ones. How is this not protecting the environment? You get too many environment restriction and it because insanely difficult for people who want to start new businesses.
Immigrants. Illegal immigrants do not deserve to live in the United States. If they legally enter the United States and become a U.S. citizen then they deserve to live here. That's really all there is too it. It is irresponsible for any government official to reward illegal immigrants.
Death Penalty. When talking with a fellow student he said if I was so pro-life was I apart of the Republican Party if it support capital punishment. First, I do not support capital punishment. The belief in capital punishment is one with out hope for redemption that being said, it is not one of the five non-negotionables. As Pope Benedict XVI said, "Not all moral issues have the same weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion." I am not very knowledgeable about politics, I will be the first to admit, but I do firmly believe that the Republican party does not conflict with Catholicism. Unfortunately, it is falling away from its ideals and thus we must pray and "voted" it back to the way it was meant to be.
Many people will not claim to be part of a certain political party because they think it is some sort of stigmata but I will say that I am Republican until the time that its philosophy no longer coincides with mine.
~Emma
Often people will tell me I am only a Republican because of the life issues. This is not true. I am Republican economically as well. It is objectively wrong to take money from a person who has earned it and give it to someone who has not. The government is not a charity. That is the churches job. The churches have regrettably given up this job because, well honestly, they don't want to do it. This has led to people taking advantage of the government. Are all people on welfare like this? No. But there used to be a time when if you were down and out, could make ends meat you would do little odd jobs for the church. Americans used to be ashamed to take charity, now we reward people who do not work. The Republican party is not a party that gives hand outs, and maybe that's why we call it a "party of the rich" but that is not the Republican parties job, that is the job of the churches. Own your own business and you will become a Republican.
Environment. We are called as Catholics to protect the environment and Democrats make it a big campaign issue that they are for the environment. There is a difference between protecting the environment and just being ridiculous. It is ridiculous when there are so many law prohibiting you from building a fence because you might upset some bullfrogs. Every time we cut down a tree we plant two new ones. How is this not protecting the environment? You get too many environment restriction and it because insanely difficult for people who want to start new businesses.
Immigrants. Illegal immigrants do not deserve to live in the United States. If they legally enter the United States and become a U.S. citizen then they deserve to live here. That's really all there is too it. It is irresponsible for any government official to reward illegal immigrants.
Death Penalty. When talking with a fellow student he said if I was so pro-life was I apart of the Republican Party if it support capital punishment. First, I do not support capital punishment. The belief in capital punishment is one with out hope for redemption that being said, it is not one of the five non-negotionables. As Pope Benedict XVI said, "Not all moral issues have the same weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion." I am not very knowledgeable about politics, I will be the first to admit, but I do firmly believe that the Republican party does not conflict with Catholicism. Unfortunately, it is falling away from its ideals and thus we must pray and "voted" it back to the way it was meant to be.
Many people will not claim to be part of a certain political party because they think it is some sort of stigmata but I will say that I am Republican until the time that its philosophy no longer coincides with mine.
~Emma
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Happy Fat Tuesday!
I will finish my blog later this week but I want to tell everyone Happy Fat Tuesday and let them know that it's a winter wonderland here! :)
A Look at Politics
I was looking through the blogs I usually read daily and found that a few of them were about politics. Some of them looked into who they would be voting for in their own primaries where others looked at the political system in general, questioning the Catholic place with in the political system.
I have a problem with a lot of what people are saying and I agree with some. I agree with the fact that hardly any of the Republican candidates have aligned themselves with conservative principles. That is a given. The few that are truly conservative, Duncan, Thompson, Brownback (to some extent), have dropped out of the race leaving us with poor alternatives. Huckabee, a conservative only on social issues, Romney, on economic issues but supports Stem Cell research and abortion of babies that are products of rape, McCain only in foreign policy, and Paul, who's position on the war in Iraq is troubling to say the least. Right now I am flip flopping between Huckabee and Romney knowing that it is only a matter of time before Hackabee is forced to throw in the towel.
However, I do think that the Republican Party is a place for Catholics. Do I think that the Republican Party is the home of Catholics, giving into blind loyalty? No, I have no loyalties to either party. The Republican Party's philosophy closely aligns to my own philosophical and religious views and thus I believe that the Conservative philosophy is very complimentary to a Catholic lifestyle.
To Be Continued after I finish my homework....
~Emma
I have a problem with a lot of what people are saying and I agree with some. I agree with the fact that hardly any of the Republican candidates have aligned themselves with conservative principles. That is a given. The few that are truly conservative, Duncan, Thompson, Brownback (to some extent), have dropped out of the race leaving us with poor alternatives. Huckabee, a conservative only on social issues, Romney, on economic issues but supports Stem Cell research and abortion of babies that are products of rape, McCain only in foreign policy, and Paul, who's position on the war in Iraq is troubling to say the least. Right now I am flip flopping between Huckabee and Romney knowing that it is only a matter of time before Hackabee is forced to throw in the towel.
However, I do think that the Republican Party is a place for Catholics. Do I think that the Republican Party is the home of Catholics, giving into blind loyalty? No, I have no loyalties to either party. The Republican Party's philosophy closely aligns to my own philosophical and religious views and thus I believe that the Conservative philosophy is very complimentary to a Catholic lifestyle.
To Be Continued after I finish my homework....
~Emma
Monday, February 4, 2008
21st Birthday
It's my 21st birthday today. Yippee! :) I am now able to drink and while I have had sips of alcohol at Thanksgiving and Christmas today was my first actual drink. It was a wine cooler, fuzzy navel style. It had 4% alcohol. I'm not sure if that's a lot or not. This is how it has effected me.
1. I am very warm which is a new experience for me since I am usually extremely cold
2. It has made me take weird pictures in the bathroom. This is due to the fact that everyone is 21 on my side of the suite and thus we can drink in the bathroom... just to say we did.
3. I don't really like the taste of alcohol.
4. It was still fun.
5. I probably won't drink it that much because why drink something if you don't like it.
6. Everyone at my meeting thought I was a little tipsy, I was really just very warm.
7. Even if I were tipsy I can get this hyper from not drinking alcohol.
8. My head does feel a little weird but how do I know if that isn't just me thinking that I am
9. I still need to do my ethics homework.
10. Ironically the meeting I went to was about alcohol prevention..
11. My suitemates think I am drunk (I am not)
12. My friends just came in with a cake and sang while I was writing this blog.
13. It made me smile.
And since 13 is my brother's favorite number I will stop there! Enjoy God's Blessings!
~Emma
P.S.
I didn't notice some of the comments until now. I promise I will post responses in the near future... It's 12:24 and I really should be getting to bed. I heard alcohol was supposed to make you tired. I'm not tired... weird.... I am no longer warm though.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Quote of the Day
"The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people."--G.K. Chesterton
How often does this seem true? To many times to count unfortunately. Our best friends can become our bitterest enemies because they have the greatest power to hurt us.
How often does this seem true? To many times to count unfortunately. Our best friends can become our bitterest enemies because they have the greatest power to hurt us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
