Mormon weirdness

Two Mormon missionaries descecrated a shrine. Great way to advertise for your faith guys and taking pictures of yourselves was just the icing on your rotten cake.

The trouble with Mormon missionaries, besides the whacky theology they're peddling, is that they are mostly just boys who have never seen or heard of anything outside their own little insular culutre.

The years of 18 to 20 are the dumb years and I can't say that I'm surprised. Considering the stinking crap that's been force fed to these guys for their whole lives it's no big shocker that it backed up and spewed out for the world to see.

Don't marry him!

Just because you are pregnant. Years ago couples did the shot gun wedding thing all the time. Sometimes it worked out. Usually it was a recipe for household hell. If you don't want your child to be a bastard don't have sex outside of wedlock.

Don't marry a last chance man. Women's fertility is finite. The feminists lied to you, sweetie. We bloom like roses and then decline. By the time you hit your 30s there aren't too many more shopping days until Christmas so to speak. Don't pick a man just because you want him to be a stud. Studs usually move on to other females and you may find that settling for a man because he's your last chance to be a mother is more than you ever bargained for. Besides, it's unfair to the man. You should marry a guy because he's the one, not because he's pleasant enough, has a job,is good with kids and has working parts.

Don't marry because you're lonely. Figure out why you are alone or embrace it but don't misuse the sacrament.

Don't marry for sex.

Dedicated to Fr. Francis Mary Stone

Thou Art A Priest Forever
To live in the midst of the world, without wishing its pleasures;
To be a member of each family, yet belonging to none;
To share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets; to heal all wounds;
To go from men to God and offer Him their Prayers;
To return from God to men; to bring pardon and hope;
To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity;
To teach and to pardon, console and bless always--
What a glorious life! And it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!
Author unknown

We need you Fr. Get back to work!

Pray for our priests!

Nobody seems to care much in the Western media but Catholic Archbishop Faraj Rahho was kidnapped in that suburb of hell, currently known as Iraq. I don't even want to think about what this poor man is suffering right now.

Our priests are under constant physical, mental and spiritual attack from the evil one. Some fall on the battlefield.

Jesus, Savior of the world, sanctify Thy priests and sacred ministers.

. . . . You must never forget that priests are, and that they remain, men.
God does not perform a miracle to wrest them from the human state.
The priesthood does not of itself give a person the power to do everything or to excel in everything. It is important to remember this lest you fall into a very old error . . . that of dehumanizing the priesthood and consequently of setting the priest outside of ordinary life.
That does great harm for by thus isolating him, as unbelievers do, to the exclusive realm of ceremonies . . . he is deprived in good part of his reason for being. If men refuse to pass through him, he no longer can be, at least fully, their mediator.

Cardinal Suhard

Happy Anniversary Rocky

On Saturday Rocky and I will celebrate 20 years together. It's really funny. I can't believe it's been that long.


Happy Anniversary to my own very perfect knight. The one guy who ever caused me to hearZing Went the Strings of My Heart in my head.

William F. Buckley

William F. Buckley died. When I was a kid I used to watch him on Firing Line and I was dazzled by his brilliance and his total ease with that brilliance. He wasn't showing off. He didn't need to. The man was just that smart. When I was a teenager I began reading National Review. It was one of the messy ingredients that went it the stew of ideas that shaped who I am now. Mr. Buckley's beloved wife, Pat died late last year. I didn't think he'd last very long after her passing.

A number of Catholic blogs have commented that Buckley dissented from Humanae Vitae but none of them had a link to what he actually said. If Buckley did dissent in public. I can imagine why. Think back to 1968, and what Catholics were seeing. Suddenly their Mass was gone. Suddenly priests were making fun of them for saying the rosary. Suddenly there was no more Adoration. Suddenly the priests weren't wearing cassocks and the nuns weren't wearing habits. If you complained you were called old fashioned and disloyal. A lot of people became bitter. Others left the Church or sought solace with SSPX. So...........then Humanae Vitae hit the press. And I guess it must have seemed like a slap in the face to lay people. Everything has changed but you married people and you alone must stay the same. Humanae Vitae was the right idea but it came to press at an inopportune time. So I can imagine that even serious Catholics were confused and mad.

May Mr. Buckley rest in peace.

reaping what was sown

Catholics are no longer the biggest denomination in the United States. We've been supplanted by the Evangelicals. Clearly a lot of people have lost their faith. Some left due to the homosexual pedohplile scandal but I'll bet that was just the final straw for many of those folks. There has been crashingly poor teaching and preaching from Catholic ambos as a norm for decades now.

All the kids who were taught that Jesus is their buddy and that the Mass is just a symbolic meal had no roots at all and when hard times came they blew away. We have nuns who wear earrings, and would throw a fit before they wear a habit. We have priests who have no problem openly defying the pope, publicly saying that there were no biblical miracles, publicly saying that Jesus didn't know who He was, publicly saying that gay sex is okay or at least aint so bad..... no wonder the Church in the USA is in the state it's in. If you persecute good and holy priests and promote the hard eyed, crafty and politically correct what else can you expect? If you allow the seminaries to become gay playpens then don't act surprised if normal men leave and tell their friends and brother not to try their vocations. If you drive the good and holy nuns out of their convents and disgust any devout young woman who shows up for vocation week, then don't be surprised if your order dies (Having said that some ---okay, quite a few orders need to die out, by the way).

If they have no good and holy priest or nun to see day after day what can the people do but lose hope, faith and trust. The bishops of our country have only reaped what too many of them sowed.

a tragedy in England

A 31 year old woman aborted her twins and then hanged herself. She only had the abortion to please her boyfriend. Abortion is a filthy business and nobody walks away from one untainted. It kills the baby of course, but it kills the woman too, sometimes physically, as in this tragic case, but always spiritually.


Say a prayer for Emma Beck, God's mercy is infinite. Hopefully, she's either with her children now or will see them soon after her time in Purgatory is done.

i did a dumb, dumb thing

My medical records from when I was in the hospital arrived yesterday. I was going to send them to my doctor but started leafing through the packet. It was actually interesting; almost like watching a surgery on the Discovery channel and then I turned a page and found the section on my baby. The headline said Product of Conception and it was the pathologist's report. I read one or two sentences and couldn't read anymore. My face was burning but the rest of my skin was cold and tingled like frost nip, and I felt as if I was going to vomit or faint. I tottered to the bedroom, fell into bed and staid there until I felt that I could stand and walk again. Unfortunately Rocky was home when this all happened and was very concerned about me. I wish he hadn't seen me like that. I feel better but the aftershock, for lack of a better word is still there. I think I'll take it easy this weekend and spend a little extra time in prayer.


John Mary Thomas, my little treasure in Heaven, pray for us.

Psst. You probably won't be able to get tickets to the pope's Mass

I just saw in my parish bulletin that we have to call the office and add our names to the ticket lottery if we want to attend the Papal Mass in DC. Tickets will be given to individuals, not families or groups so if I get a ticket there is no gaurantee that Rocky will get one. Nuts. I will simply content myself with standing on the street and waving or maybe I'll just watch on EWTN. Oh well.

a word to Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama said something that made me very sad. For the first time in her life she's proud of her country. Michelle, sweetie, darling. What the flip is wrong with you? You and your husband live in a home finer than the one my great grandmother and possibly yours used to go clean back in the 50s. Your children go to a private school. You wear high fashion clothes and probably haven't seen the inside of a Wal-Mart in 20 years, if ever. Your kids have probably never even seen a rat, felt a bedbug's bite and will never know anyone who died of TB. They've never had to empty a chamber pot or gather wood like my mother did. No-one even thought of slicing up their genitalia, a normal everyday thing in many African countries. You got to marry Barry because you wanted him, and not because your dad threatened to kill you if you didn't. You appear to be content in the marriage unlike millions of Indian, Aboriginal women, Muslim women from a bunch of different countries and Black African women who are living in hell each day with their masters/husbands. You got to go to college instead of leaving school in the 4th grade because you were needed in the cotton fields like my granny. 

 Your life is sweeter and softer than that of Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great or Victoria. How can you not look at Africa and the Caribbean-- especially Haiti and not thank God on your very knees that you are American? I don't get it. I don't want to get it either. Michelle is there any country on the face of this earth that has allowed black people to live as well as we do here in the USA? God knows there is racism in America, Rocky and I have been stared at as if we were dragons at more than one parish although I have to say that the worst experience was at a Hispanic parish, not an all white one---but I'd rather be here than any other place on earth. 

Sunday

Since it's Lent we usually try to add more church related activities to our routine. We went to Adoration at St. Mary's in Old Town, Alexandria. The priest there said the Divine Mercy chaplet so fast I could barely keep up. Since he didn't leap up to run to the bathroom afterwards I assume he's just speedy.

Last night we went to our own parish and attended a lecture given by the PV, Fr. Scalia on the beatitudes. That was quite good. I confess that I've always had a tiny bit of a problem with the beatitudes cause I've never fully understood what poor in spirit means, I don't want to be meek, and I'd hate for anyone to describe me as docile but Fr. Scalia carefully explained to us all that poor in spirit means quite simply to acknowlege that we are nothing without God. Our next breath, the car, the house, the 6 figure job---all that comes from God. The devil would not own up to his dependence on God and so today do the proud and haughty who food themselves by thinking they have it all together and don't need God or that God should be pleased to have such a prize as them.

Fr. then went on to explain that meekness is not mealey mouthed mascochism. Meekness is the ability to realize that you don't know everything about God and the Faith and that you need to be taught. Fr. talked about "Blessed are those who mourn" and reminded us that we should be able to mourn for our sins and those of the whole world. The person who can't even bring themselves to be sorry for their sins will never ask for forgiveness. The person who proudly states that yeah he made some mistakes but heck, he lives his life HIS way is the same guy who leaves wives, children and a slew of emotional wreckage behind him as he moves through life. We could all do with a little bit more "Catholic guilt" and a lot less of "I'm okay, you're okay."


We always enjoy Father's lectures and we're both looking forward to next week.

It's Friday so don't forget to say the Stations of the Cross

You can find the Stations with reflections from Mother Angelica here






You can here it prayed here








Here is a beautiful Station of the Cross from the Cathedral of Mary, Our Queen in Baltimore.

Obama gives me the creeps

I haven't cared too much about politics because frankly, I believe God rewards or punishes the nations with the leaders He allows us to have. I never could've voted for Romney becuase I can't vote for a man who believes he's going to be a god one day. That's the original lie that Satan told Eve. "Ye shall be as God,". I've met several nice Mormons but so what? The bottom line is what they believe and that aint Christianity.

Now Obama has a positively messianic vibe going on and it gives me the creeps. When I talk to other women about him they act like he's Elvis or as hot as Bear Grylls. It's been said that American women vote for their fantasy man. They either pick the ideal daddy, (Ike, Reagan) or the dream lover, (JFK, Clinton). I guess it's too late to repeal the 19th ammendment----just kidding---maybe. But back to Obama. When I read an Obama quote like this:

We are the hope of the future; the answer to the cynics who tell us our house must stand divided; that we cannot come together; that we cannot remake this world as it should be.Because we know what we have seen and what we believe - that what began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be ignored; that will not be deterred; that will ring out across this land as a hymn that will heal this nation, repair this world, and make this time different than all the rest - Yes. We. Can.

And when I see stuff like this:

I am once again reminded how Hitler came to power in a country full of smart, sophisticated people. I mean, damn, somebody cue the little German boy to start singing "Tommorow belongs to me."

a few days away

Rocky and I went to Charles City, Virginia for a few days to celebrate my birthday. We hiked at the Lake Harrison Fish Hatchery, watched a red tailed hawk swoop down and carry away one of the fish, visited the Pamunkey Indian reservation and museum and saw where Chief Powhattan (the father of poor Pochahantas) is buried. We saw of flock of Turkey vultures flying low above us and about ten does. We also prayed at the Poor Clare Convent in Barhamsville.

Saturday we went to West Point, Virginia and attended Mass at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. It was a fine Mass. The priest was a missionary from Holland. He was 85 but gave the most fiery homily I've ever heard this side of Fr. Corapi. The people at Blessed Sacrament was very pleasant. None seemed shocked to see us and the folks we spoke to seemed happy we were there. They have Perpetual Adoration which is always a sign of a good parish. We may go to Williamsburg or Jamestown today or we may go back to West Point. It's so great to be alive and on a trip with Rocky.

Thank you St. Bernadette
St. Therese
St. Joan
Fr. Vincent Cappadono
St. Pio
Archbishop Sheen
St. JoseMaria Escriva
St. Rita

ash wednesday

This morning I went to the 8 AM Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Fr. Caulfield, who looks all of 15, was the celebrant and he was wonderful. It's so good seeing a priest who really loves the Mass and who gives a instructional homily. I love Lent. Some people are surprised by that but think about it: for the next 40 days we have a precious chance to get closer to God. How can you not be excited about that?

Here's the most moving piece of Lenten reading I've ever found. The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. The whole book can be read and wept over here :


God bless you all, and may this Lent bring you just a little closer to Heaven.

Ah shucks... I'm rated E

E for Excellent. Thank you to Vir Speluncae Catholicus, a true gentleman and Marine-- of The Lair of Catholic Cavemen for nominating me. The rules of the E awards are that I have to pass the joy to ten other bloggers. That's easy. Behold:

Dawn Patrol

Curt Jester

Lair of the Catholic Cavemen I know they already have the award but they deserve it.

The Cafeteria is Closed

Tea at Triannon A beautiful blog. I read it everyday and enjoy it so much.

Catholic Mom of Ten Astonishingly good.

Damian Thompson

The Bride and the Dragon

Saintly Salamagundi Fr. Sibley doesn't blog anymore but this was the best blog by a priest ever. Period.

Off the Record

Make me want to cry (When will the 60s finally die?)

You don't know...

You don't know how to ease my pain...

You cheat, you lie....

You make me want to cryyyyyyyyyyyyy (and kick somebody's butt)

I saw the above pic and then read about this abomination on the Catholic Church Conservation blog and I felt that I really could cry. Then I got mad. I'd like to ask the priest who celebrated this Mass two questions: Does he believe in the Real Presence and does he love Jesus, even just a little bit? After looking at these pictures I don't think he does.

The devil is the ape of God

The devil longed to be equal to God but all he can do is imitate, like a monkey. At Lourdes, Fatima and Beauraing there were false appartions designed to confuse and distract the Faithful. I happen to thing Medjugorje is a false apparition but I've said that before and this isn't a Medj. post.

A few days ago clergy members, (no Catholics, thank the sweet Lord, Jesus) gathered to bless an abortion clinic. One poor deluded preacher actually called the abortion clinic "sacred ground". Sacred ground? Sacred to whom? Certainly not God. Heaven weeps at the sight of the slaughter of the innocents. This spectacle was nothing more than the devil attempting to imitate the holy and using his servants (witting or unwitting) to do it.

Too little, too late.

The LA diocese is selling its headquarters. Too little and way too damned late.

The Jesuits did as expected

Apparently the new head of the Jesuits is cut from the same cloth as Fr. Arupe was. All I can do is shrug my shoulders. There is a tiny glimmer of hope for the order. Once the Baby Boomer generation starts the Great Die Off, younger men can take over but, and this is a big but; will there be younger men? Should there be younger men? Maybe the order should die out. When salt no longer does it's job you through it out. Just a thought.

And now word about Football........

As expected the Patriots (yuck, ick, poo!) are going to the Superbowl and the Giants will be the sacrificial lambs. I was torn all through the Giant/Packers game because I love Brett Farve but I really wanted Eli Manning to do well too. Eli's taken a lot of crap from the media so he deserves to be where he is now. Boy, I wish they could beat the Pats.....

Martin Luther King Day Mass

My childhood parish St. Augustine is having its annual MLK Day Mass tommorow. Although I'm thankful for all MLK did--- people forget how horrible daily life was for black people when my parents were young; but I'm not happy about this at all. MLK was not Catholic and not a saint. He was about as faithful to his wife as JFK was to his, which is to say, not at all. A Mass in his honor seems um.... silly.

Because He loves me!

I saw this picture on the super awesome and frequently funny Abbey Roads2 blog and was struck. So many crucifixes are too pretty. They try to show Our Lord's serene acceptance and His majesty but they make Him look physically too healthy and the cross appears to be a mere annoyance. Not this one. This artist, whoever he was, shows what a scourging looked like and reminds us that Our Lord loved us so much that He willingly embraced and indeed even desired to suffer the worst death known to mankind at that time. Thisugly sight is beautiful because it is a picture of perfect love, love that most of us can't even grasp in our finite minds.

Dear Jesus, let me not forget what I cost You.....

Never, no more

Sigh. As I've said before, I love fashion. I see no reason why a modest, serious Catholic woman has to go around with a unibrow, yellowed fuzzy knee socks, dirty clogs, and a shapeless plaid jumper with baby stains on it in public. Folks, Catholic women can look good. St. Elizabeth, Blessed Zellie and St. Gianna were attractive females who made their husbands proud to be with them.

But anyway.......up until today, one of my favorite little treats was to cuddle up on the couch with a copy of Vogue magazine. But that's over. Vogue has forgotten that it's just a fashion magazine and has done a lavish, adoring article promoting partial birth abortion, one of the foulest, most vicious crimes to ooze out of a doctor's mind since the WWII Nazi "experiments". I'll never buy Vogue again.

The Pope is coming!

The DC Diocese has finally gotten somewhat on the ball and has a website on the Holy Father's visit to DC. They still have no information on how to get tickets to the Mass but I'll be there if I have to stand in the parking lot or climb a fence.

Joy Behar

Joy is a silly woman but you know who's worse? The women who sit around watching her show on a daily basis. The View is even more disgusting than Oprah and that's saying something because I'd rather drink castor oil laced with garlic than spend one second watching Oprah fling her swill.

Seriously, there are better uses for your time. Go back to work. Take a class at the community college, clean under the couch, attempt to teach the dog to read, trim your husband's nose hair, decorate your pig's pen....... anything's got to better than The View!

On the last day of Christmas my true love

and I went to Mass, of course. It was at St. Rita's and Fr. Donahue gave his usual sterling homily. After Mass I got to thinking about all the silly fads that have swept the church during my lifetime. Remember the old hippie cantor strumming tunelessly on a guitar? Remember those stupid burlap banners and acting out the gospel at the kiddie Mass? Remember Fr. telling jokes and even cursing on occasion in order to be "relevant"? Remember Sr. reading the Gospel?Ugh!


Communion in the hand is one of those unfortuneate fads. I know it's permitted but I don't feel good about it. No-one should touch the Host but the priest (Eucharistic Ministers are a lousy developement and have become such a powerful group that woe to the priest who tries to get rid of them in his parish.). On the fabulous Carolina Cannonball blog there is a brilliant post on this subject. Communion in the hand doesn't contribute to reverence of the Blessed Sacrament, allows for abuses--- people pocketing Jesus for later consumption as if our God was a snack, people taking the Host home, people sharing the Host with friends---- and I don't see any good that has come from it. God bless, this bishop for speaking up for the Holy Eucharist.

The Jesuits

The Jesuits are about to elect a new head of the order. Read the fascinating details on this worthy blog. Frankly, I think that a suppression or a major reorganization is in order. Yes there are good Jesuits, like Fr. Hardon of blessed memory and Fr. Pacwa but for the most part if you hear something looney/blasphemous from the pulpit or you walk into a parish where the Mass is celebrated in such a way that you wonder if it's really a Catholic church, chances are you're dealing with Jesuits.

Happy Feast of the Ephinany. Here's a meme....

This meme was stolen from Fr. R. at Orthometer

1. Do you wear a name tag at work? No!

2. What kind of car do you drive? Don't drive and the world is grateful.

3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? Three soft tacos, no sauce.

4. Have you ever had a garage sale? No.

5. What color is your iPod? Don't have one.

What kind of dog do you have? Don't have one but I'm working on it.

7. What's for dinner tonight? Nutrisystem.

What is the last alcoholic beverage you had? Cherry martini.

9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Well, I've lost it a couple of times.

10. Last time you were sick? November.

11. How long is your hair? Shoulder length.

12. Are you happy right now? Yes.

13. What did you say last? I'm okay, Rocky.

14. Who came over last? Mammy.

15. Do you drink beer? No, it's nasty tasting.

16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted? Only child.

17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys? Shiny pink charm.

18. What did you get for graduation? Can't remember.

19. Whats in your pocket? Lent, change and reciepts.

20. Who introduced you to Dane Cook? Eh?

.21. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? No.

22. What DVD is in your DVD player? Christmas withth Trap Family.

23. What's something fun you did today? Ate peanut butter out of the jar

24. Who is/was the principal of your high school? Sr. Marcella Scully, rest in peace.

25. Has your house ever been TP'd? No. Didn't grow up in that kind of neighborhood.

26.What do you think of when you hear the word "meow"? Hello Kitty!

27. What are you listening to right now? Maria Von Trapp singing.

28. Drinking? Nothing.

29. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart? Cosmetics.


30. When is your mom's birthday? Feb. 1

31. When is your birthday? Feb 9.

32. What's the area code for your cell phone? 703

33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now? I'm not wearing a shirt.

34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror? No! That's tacky.

35. How many states in the US have you been to? Five?

36. What kind of milk do you drink? Skim.

37. What are you going to do after this? Fool around on the computer.

38. Who was the last person you went shopping with? Mammy.
39. What is your favorite fruit? Apples.

40. What about your favorite dessert? Cream cheese pound cake.

41. What is something you need to go shopping for? A terry cloth robe.

42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives? No.

43. What kind of car does one of your siblings drive? Only child.

44. Do you like pickles? Yes.

45. How about olives? NO!

46. What is your favorite kind of gum? No gum! It makes you look like a cow chewing her curd.

47. What is your favorite kind of juice? Cranberry.

48. Do you have any tan lines? Certainly not.

.49. What hospital were you born in? Georgetown University Hospital.

This is not a good thing

According to PewSitter and the New York Times the Hispanic Quinceañera Mass custom is taking root among American Catholics. This is not a good thing. In theory the quiceanera sounds sweet but as many high school teachers can tell you in practice it usually means one thing: the girl is a woman now and so she can quit school, start having sex and get pregnant out of wedlock. This is why many priests have simply refused to say the quince Mass.

Not all customs from the old country are worth keeping.

Rest in peace.

The world's longest serving priest passed away on Christmas day. Eternal grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and remember, it's the Solemnity of the Mother of God so get your butt to Mass!

Tony Blair

As every blogging Catholic knows by now, Tony Blair was recieved into the Church. I feel ambivalent. I'd be happier if he'd done it while he was still Prime Minister--that would've been a real act of swashbuckling guts, but so be it. A lot of people are disturbed because while he was in power Blair was pro abortion, pro killing babes in embryo (stem cell experiments) and pro gay rights. He has not publicly repented these public sins. Other people feel that since so many of us are lousy Catholics anyway we can't criticize Tony. I don't know.

Does his conversion help the Church or does it confirm the cynical belief that our prelates have one law for us common folk and quite another set for the stars. Damian Thompson has this sharp post and Mark Gordon has this to say. I'm reminded of what Kathy Shaidle posted when Pavarotti died.

Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea

Rocky and I went to Baltimore yesterday. We got married in a civil ceremony there 19 years ago--- we were impatient young things and weren't willing to bother with Pre-Cana or the Gordian Knot of his family's disapproval---- and were married in Church a little while later------- so the dirty old town has sentimental value to us.

Baltimore is a rough place. If you go, stay in the tourist areas. Do not take the public bus, especially if you are white or just don't look like a local. Having said that there are many lovely sights and experiences in Bmore if you're careful. We visited the St. Jude Shrine, Holy Cross Church, the Baltimore Basilica, Lexington Market and went to the vigil Mass at St. Mary's Star of the Sea in South Baltimore.

The church is very old and was built by Irish immigrants. Most of it survived the 60s. The main altar is gone and so is what I guess was once the St. Joseph altar which was replaced by a rather drab little box on an ugly plaster pedestal containing the Blessed Sacrament. It made me so sad because nobody stopped to genuflect or visit Our Lord before or as far as I could see, after Mass. The cantors bowed to the altar but ignored the Blessed Sacrament. Moving Jesus to side chapels or even out of the building all togethter was a terrible mistake.

The Mass itself was celebrated in a solid manner. The elderly lector was excellent. The cantors were typically annoying, they butchered the Gloria and the Santus and good grief --it's Mass ladies, not a concert. We're here for Jesus, not you. Both sang beautifully but nobody in the pews joined in because it was too hard to follow. It would be like trying to play football with Peyton Manning--- you'd look and feel like a fool.

The parishioners were very friendly. South Baltimore doesn't get too many black people walking around but no-one seemed the slightest bit surprised to see us. They were really nice folks, especially the old sacristan and his sweet wife.

The priest fascinated me. He's the pastor of THREE churches. After Mass he had just 20 minutes to get his vestments off and trot two or three blocks to another parish to say Mass there. We looked at his schedule in the parish bulletin and were amazed. It's definitely an assignment for a young priest because he does a lot of running. The sight of one priest pastoring three parishes and having no parochial vicar made Rocky sad.

After that we left Baltimore and went to Columbia to look at the drive through Christmas light display.

There's somebody else I have to thank everytime I go to a Tridentine Mass

Go here, to read a wonderful poem by the terrfic blogger : Long Skirts


Long-Skirts: MERCI MARCEL

and the word became flesh and dwelt among us

Merry Christmas!

J.K. Rowling took you for a fool oh Christian Harry Potter fan

When a smiling J.K. Rowling announced that Dumbledore was gay a lot of people twisted themselves into pretzels to defend her, the character and the series. Regina Dorman has written an interesting essay in defense of Dumbledore.

Regina is a talented writer but honestly, I'm tired of this......... Can't people just accept the fact that Rowling played them for fools? Gee whiz, stop drinking the Kool-Aid . Please note that Rowling Did Not out Dumbledore until after the last book was published and the millions had already rolled in.

Two priests who need our prayers

*I was born at night but it wasn't last night so I don't believe a word of this.





*Remember the priest who went jogging naked? Well he's about to have his day in court......... The fact that guys like this got ordained in the first place is a tragedy.

Fr. Coyle, martyr of the South, pray for us.

Rocky and I sometimes joke that accept in places like New York and Maryland it's almost impossible to just drive around and happen to come upon a Catholic church. Our churches are usually on side streets or tucked away down a long road. Our joke is that for Pete's sake the KKK is not riding the hills and valleys anymore but we both know that at one time in this country being Catholic could get you killed or discriminated against and it was prudent to not build a Catholic church on the main street. That's why old churches in the South are discretely tucked away. The story of martyred Fr. Coyle is a reminder of those ugly days.

Don't forget Fr. Francis Mary of EWTN

I think it's safe to assume that he won't be coming back to Life on the Rock and that's perfectly sensible but the important thing---- the absolutely vital thing is the state of his vocation. The story has died down now but please don't forget him. He must be terribly sad right now. Imagine being a priest and not being part of your church's daily life. He must miss saying Mass something awful. Let's keep praying for him.

happiness

*I spent some time reading the Family of the Americas website and I am studying their book. I'll be talking to one of their instructors via phone tommorow and I feel hopeful that I'll be able to master this method. I'm going to back it up with this.

*Our pastor has been ill for weeks and last night for the vigil Mass he was able to be the celebrant. Rocky and I were thrilled to see him back in action. After Mass he gave us both a blessing and I was greatly comforted. We gave the Frs. a capon for Christmas and they were amazed at the size of the thing. They were even more amazed when I told them what capon is.

*At home I felt good enough to attempt Christmas baking. I'm not going to produce my usual amount of cakes this year but a few people are getting goodies. All in all, it was a happy Saturday.

*Golden Compass is a bomb. One it's boring, two it has Nicole Kidman in it which is never a good sign and it's anti-Catholic crap. This stinker will be headed straight to video faster than you can say, "See I told you so."

My patron saint for 2008

is...... St. Jose Maria Escriva. I find that funny because it was an Opus Dei priest who got me to come back to going to to Mass when I drifted in college and it was in the Opus Dei run Catholic Information Center library in DC that I found a treasure trove of solid Catholic books which inspired me. St. Jose Maria was a no-nonsense kick butt sort of saint. This should be an interesting year spiritually.


Thank you, Angela Messenger for coordinating the saint for the year project.

I am the Immaculate Conception

Those were the words Our Lady of Lourdes gave St. Bernadette in answer to the little saint's querry as to who she was.

Yesterday Rocky and I went to the 2 PM Tridentine Mass in honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Rita's. Fr. Scalia and a visiting priest celebrated the Mass. Frl Scalia's homily was spot on as usual. Davd Alexander of the Man with a Black Hat blog and his lovely friend Sal (she's a lady) sat two pews in front of us but I didn't introduce mysefl. One because I'm shy and two because I dislike chit chat in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

The altar boys were amazing. The church was packed with young people and kids. There were a wide array of veils on display. Mine was cherry red and Rocky is quite fond of it.

I felt pretty good but was exhausted when we got home. I was absolutely wiped out and sore.

Was Shakespere actually St. Edmund Campion?

This website proposes a theory that doesn't seem so wild once you read her arguments. I am pretty sure that Shakespeare, was Catholic but if he could've actually been one of England's greatest saints too..... Alas, we'll never know for sure this side of Eternity. http://www.shakespeareunmasked.com/default.htm

Oh dear... this is most appalling

I sympathize with many people who go to SSPX Masses. I actually have bought books from Angelus Press and I enjoyed watching the online catechism taught by Fr. Daniel Cooper and Bishop Fellay seems like a cautious and sensible man but Bishop Williamson makes me cringe.

As long as he's the "face" of the SSPX and says things like this the entire worthy Trad movement will have an image problem. Could someone persaude Williamson to take an extended retreat to a nice, cozy hermitage in Pantagonia or South Dakota?

Crushed and anxious

We went to the Vigil Mass at St. Rita's last night. It was my first day back and it was hard. Mass was wonderful, the homily was well thought out and darn near magnificent but I felt crushed. I guess it was the sight of four adorable little kids sitting in the pew in front of us. I was exhausted, and had been worrying myself about the inevitable conversation I am going to have with my gynecologist. She's not Catholic and will probably argue that I'll need to go on the Pill on some other contraceptive method. I know that it would be dangerous for me get pregnant again even as late as January or February and frankly the idea is enough to make me feel like an anxiety attack is coming on. I'm not a fan of NFP and don't look forward to sitting through a class with some gooey, grinning instructor.......... Drat it all.


St. Dymphna, my dear patron please pray for your namesake.
John Mary Thomas, pray for your mom, darling.

Not this crap again

Sooner or later this Advent I'm going to hear the "Joseph and Mary were illegal immigrants/homeless so it's a sin to be worried about the 50 increasingly as the day goes on, drunk or sexually suggestive guys standing at the day labor lot next to your office or to rush past the hulking young man who's demanding a dollar from you after Mass," argument.

Crap.

First off, Joseph was not an addict who has consumed all the family's money. Nor was he insane and in need of medical care. He and Mary were on their way to Bethelehem to pay his taxes. Bethehem was a one horse town then and it was full of people doing the same thing.

A few years ago Rocky and I were traveling through Blacksburg, Virginia. We were tired and decided to spend the night at a hotel. Alas, Virginia Tech was playing a football game that weekend and there wasn't a hotel room available for a 50 mile radius. That didn't make us homeless, it made us out of luck, hotel wise.

Second, Joseph and Mary were not entering Egypt illegally to work. They fled to Egypt to avoid Herod, yes but they were not technically refugees. Egypt belonged to the Roman empire as did most of the known world. As Roman citizens they were free to go anywhere in the empire. In the face of Roman power Egypt's borders meant nothing.

Third, Joseph and Mary did not bring any social problems to Egypt. They did not demand that their Egyptian neighbors speak Hebrew or Aramaic to them. They certainly didn't demand that the Roman soldiers speak something other than Latin. They did not get onto the Egyptian welfare system, had there been such a thing.

Using the Holy Family to push a political agenda is wrong. Illegal immigrants are working for substandard wages, in often shameful conditions. Creating a permanent underclass of 30 million people who we only want to do our hard work for us is unAmerican and will come back to bite us all. Perhaps it would be best if that day comes sooner rather than later. In the mean time let's not use the Holy Family as slogans.

John Mary Thomas, pray for us

Rocky and I decided that the baby should have a name. John because he (for some reason I feel like he was a he) was a gift from God, Mary, for the Blessed Mother and Thomas because every other guy in Rocky's family has Thomas for a first or middle name.

and i lived to tell the tale

On November 5th I went to work and passed out at my desk. At the hospital a surgeon told me that I had an cornual ectopic rupture. Our poor baby just got confused and implanted in the thickest part of my left fallopian tube instead of making it down to the uterus.

The hospital chaplain, a wonderful priest from Nigeria gave me Last Rites and then I went to surgery. Recovery has been slow but I was very much encouraged by my family, friends and the grace and mercy of God and His holy church. Priests came to give me confession and communion in the hospital and my parish priests called me on the phone to comfort me. Another wonderful priest walked from his rectory to my mom's home where I'm recuperating to give me Holy Communion.

Thank you, Lord for sparing my life.
Thank you St. Bernadette, St. Therese and St. Joan for your prayers.

Mozart's version of Dies Irae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl-wRbJoWVA

the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven

Last night Rocky and I went to St. Rita's for the Tridentine Mass. It was for All Souls day and I can't remember a time when I've been so overwhelmed at Mass before. Everything was gorgeous. We had three (young!) priests in birettas and black vestments--- when I saw them I almost cheered. We had six well scrubbed altar boys. Those kids didn't make one mistake. We had chant provided by a schola choir. We had a sublime homily and the Dies Irae was the Sequence.

I cried the whole time. It's been a long time since I've felt like my heart was tearing itself out of my chest because of sheer, wild joy. That's what happened last night.

The church was packed and it was so quiet. I don't know if it's due to the action on the altar or the calming effect of chant but the babies and toddlers were very still and seemed to be happy. Young people were everywhere I looked. The Missionaries of Charity nuns came all the way from DC to attend the Mass and seeing the variety of veils on the ladies was cool. Everyone was decently dressed. I didn't see any butt cracks spilling out from low slung jeans and most of the young guys had on blazers. There were also a lot of first and second year seminarians there.

I almost couldn't walk out when Mass was over. I was so taken up with the love of Jesus that my legs didn't seem to want to work. There is something about the Traditional Mass that seems to let me be free to think, to pray to really focus on the holy sacrifice and who Our Lord is. In the Novus Ordo we are encouraged to be active, and to talk back and forth to the priest. In the Traditional Mass we are encouraged to pray hard.

I think I could've sayed for hours if Rocky hadn't had to go to work early the next day.

I don't know when St. Rita's will try this experiment again but I am sooooooo there when they do.

Sad, sad, sad today.

I read on Tea at Trianon and the Catholic Musings blogs that Fr. Francis Mary, the host of EWTN's Life on the Rock has decided to take a leave of absence to discern his vocation. Uh oh. Usually when priests announce that they are discerning their vocations it means they are really half way out the door already. Fr. Francis Mary is a fine man and I feel terribly sad and sorry for him and for all of us cause you know the Catholic haters are going to eat this like sweet cream.



A saint, I can't remember which one, said that priests must be ultra careful about women. Not the obvious trampy ones becuase they all but shout what they're about but the real danger is the nice ones, the ones who genuinely mean no harm. I've seen many a Protestant minister fall this way. It starts innocently enough. She needs help... she needs kindness... she's the most devoted worker in the parish.... she's the one person who will stay up all night blowing up balloons for the senior's dance. She thinks he's wonderful... he finds that he looks forward to seeing her alone each day and suddenly stuff happens.


Pray for our priests. They are men called to a divine vocation but they are just men and in the ungaurded moment stuff happnes in the mind, the heart and the body. Ladies, have a care for your priest. He's your father, not a regular guy. Don't get into the habit of hanging out at the rectory, no matter how legit your business there is. Whatever you need to see Father about can be taken care of in the office. Do not get into the habit of traveling alone with him, even if it's giving him a ride to the Catholic Family conference in the next county. People WILL talk and it could be an occasion for temptation--- yours, his, whatever.

Do not invite him to your house for "counseling". See him in the confessional or across a table in the office. Do not invite him to your house, PERIOD, if you are single or if you are alone in the house. People will talk.

Do not call his personal number unless it is for a genuine reason. Arranging a time for confession or checking to see what time he needs your husband to come by with the chain saw to clear the brush around the parish playground or asking a theological question is fine. Calling him just to say "hi" is flirting and darn if you don't know that deep down inside.

If you are afraid of sex and prefer to hang out with men who are unavailable go see a good Catholic therapist. Do it right now. Do not hug Father, especially if you are the type who tends to do the grinding bosom thing when you embrace someone. Do not ask him to be a dad figure to your son. That's asking too much and if he's at your house all the time people will talk and temptation might arise. Do not dress provocatively around Father because you assume he' s above all that and you can go all wild thing with him without any complications. Do not flirt with Father on ANY level.

If you have a crush on Father, take a deep breath, grow up and get over it. If you have to join a different parish, then do it.

Pray for our priests.

All Saints

Today was a holy day of obligation so I hope you made it to Mass. It’s easy to look at the saints and think I can’t be like them but except for a very few, like St. Therese and St. Dominic Salvo, the saints weren’t astonishingly pious from tender youth. Most strove hard for their level of holiness and we can do the same. St. Pelagia, started out as a harlot, St. Moses was a thief and a killer. St. Margaret of Cortuna lived in sin with a man for years. Blessed Bartolo Longo was at one time a satanic priest. That’s right, the dude was a devil worshipper. Once you repent and amend your life, great things are possible.

The saints are our friends in Heaven. We have very real relationships with them and they care passionately about us. Tonight, don’t forget to say thanks for all their prayers.

St. Elizabeth, pray for us.
St. Rita , pray for us.
St. Giana, pray for us.
St. Therese, pray for us.
St. Anthony, dear, dear friend, who’s never let me down, pray for us.
St. Joan, in this age of the “nice gospel” where so many of us would rather go along and get along, pray for us.
St. Pio, pray for us.
St. Nicholas, who once punched out the heretic, Arius, pray for us.
St. Athanasius, pray for us.St. Dymphna, pray for us.
St. Joseph, patron of the universal church and model for men, pray for us, especially for all the confused guys who have no clue what manhood is.
St. Maria Goretti, pray for us and all the young girls who think sex is love.
St. Raphaella Maria, pray for us.
St. Gemma, pray for us.
St. Martha, pray for us.
St. Jerome, pray for us.
Solanus Casey, pray for us.
Fulton Sheen, pray for us.
Catherine Dougherty, pray for us.
Queens Isabella and Catherine, pray for us.
All holy men and women, pray for us.

The Mass that will not die

The Washington Times had a nice article about the Traditional rite Mass. A reporter and a cameraman went to St. Mary's in DC. I used to go to that church. If you're ever in China town go visit. It's beautiful.

Arlington diocese blogger

Here's a new (to me) local blog that got me very excited. http://tlmarlington.blogspot.com/

Mass tonight

Mass was beautiful tonight. Father gave his usual sterling homily this time it was about pride. How many of us are like the pharisee who was so smug that he was no longer talking to God in the temple but was really carrying on a lovefest with himself when in his prayer he listed all his virtues. How many of us prayer like the publican who knowing himself simply said, "Oh God, be merciful to me, a sinner."


After Mass I went to confession-- we got there too late to go before and ordered a Christmas wreath. For Priesthood Sunday we gave the Fathers two dozen home made doughnuts. I hope they get a kick out of them.

a silly daydream

I have this recurring daydream of being able to go back in time and finding Martin Luther straining over his chamber pot. I'd hand him a bottle of Kaopectate. "Here Marty, drink this!"

Hopefully he'd mistake me for an angel or a demon, drink the constipation medicin and the whole cleaving of Christendom thing never would've happened.

I mentioned this to Rocky once and he, bless his heart, suggested that Martin Luther probably would've been so shocked to see a woman in his privy that he would've refused the bottle. Rocky's other theory is that Luther and I would've had a Star Wars Duel of the Fates type argument and he would've gone dark anyway. Rocky then went on to point out that Luther's problems with the Church went beyond crazy thoughts while having chronic battles with his bowels. Oh well.

Oops

J.K. Rowling says that Dumbledore's character is gay. My brother-in-law wouldn't allow his kids to read the series because something about it just didn't feel right. I thought he was being extreme at the time but now...

Dymphna asks a few rude questions...

Tony Blair the former Prime Minister of Great Britain was the speaker at the annual Al Smith Dinner in New York. Now Tony is not a Catholic or if he is he is a secret one which I find inexcusable unless you are in stuck in Muslim country and announcing your faith would get you slaughtered in the street by the neighbors--- and I don't recall that he was much of an abortion fighter so why is he the key note speaker? Eliot Spitzer, (NY State gov) and Michael Bloomberg (da mayor of NYC) were also there, and I have to wonder why was Cardinal Egan even present at this dinner.

Somebody may read this and say, "Now Dymphna, Jesus went to dinner with sinners." Yes, He did and He told them to repent and sin no more. He didn't sit around shooting the shit with them and confirming them in their wicked ways.

Priesthood Sunday

October 28 is Priesthood Sunday. Say a prayer for your priest or do something thoughtful for him. Invite him to dinner (obviously this is not an option for single women unless you invite other people as well), bake him cookies, offer to sweep the leaves away from the church door, pick up the trash in the parking lot, offer to drive him to the hospital for his sick calls some time (this is a great gift to elderly priests who are having problems driving at night). If you're handy offer to do some of the repairs around the church and rectory.

There are a whole lot of little things that go into a priest's day. Some members of the laity who are dying to "help" really could help by offering to do the mundane tasks that make Father's life a little easier or let me put it more bluntly: instead of clamoring to be Eucharistic Ministers more of us should be volunteering to clean the toilets and the pews.

You gotta read this

Last Sunday, my pastor preached on contraception and it was a mighty sermon. He said he knew this would not be well recieved but he had to speak the truth and that he was inspired by Our Lady of Hope.

This absolutely brilliant blog post from Mission Territory is very much along the lines of what Fr. was talkin' about:

WARNING: What follows is going to be a pretty bitter rant. Let me qualify everything I may say (since I won’t have time to edit it) with this: no, I have not lost my faith. I am still every bit the traditionalist, pro-life, wholeheartedly believing Catholic I was. I’ve simply seen too much in the past few days to believe that we’re having any success whatsoever at reaching those who need us more than anyone else: the poor.
————————
We’re fighting the wrong battle. Abortion is so visible; it attracts so much attention; but, it’s a wicked feint. We’re like French soldiers haplessly manning the impregnable Maginot Line while the Germans, ruthlessly efficient, simply marched around. We feel so good praying our Rosaries in front of abortion clinics; we might even spend time showing others the horrors of “termination” with graphical photos of dismembered fetuses. We donate to pro-life causes; we volunteer at agencies that promote support of pregnant women. We really do make a difference.
But for every person we help lead back to a culture of life, we lose countless others who fall victim to the ultimate modern seduction. It goes by a simple name; it is a simple ploy; and unfortunately, it works. It’s called the Pill, and it may be the Enemy’s perfect weapon.
Think about it: what else can you procure that will instantly divest you of any responsibility for anyone but yourself? Just take a pill every day (or even better, a shot every three months or a patch every week), and you no longer have to worry about kids interrupting your pleasure. It’s no wonder that the vast majority of poor Hispanic women, of whom a large number are nominally Catholic, fall for it. Why have a brood of children when you can have sex with your boyfriend (and why bother to get married for that matter?) with impunity?
And yes, there are consequences to this libertine mentality. Sexually-transmitted diseases are rife. But there’s another subtle aspect to this sabotage of fertility: an often warranted faith in the infallibility of modern medicine. If we do get sick, the doctors can fix it. What’s scary is that, in many cases, we can.
So, on the one hand, we have the Catholic ideal: accepting the God-given gift of marriage and fertility, loving children as we procreate them, supported by a community–a Church–that makes the raising of future faithful generations possible. It’s an incomparably beautiful vision–but it relies upon self-denial. On the other hand, we have the modern ideal: planned parenthood. Sex is for your pleasure only; if you want to, you can let it follow its “natural” course to produce children; if you don’t, it’s not a problem. Hedonism rules under the guise of liberty, and self-denial is the ultimate evil.
Look at the evidence and tell me which of these two visions is winning the hearts of the one group of people that we are commanded above any other to serve: the poor. We well-catechized Catholics can see the beauty of the culture of life–and even we, if we really look into our hearts are seduced to some extent by the other side. Imagine those who do not know their Faith–those who often simply struggle from day to day to make ends meet. They are provided–usually for free, by our health care system–access to the modern vision of freedom. We Catholics, on the other hand, offer an alternative that is costly. Beautiful and true, yes, but at a price that most people today are unwilling to pay.
So what can we do to stem what I’ve described as an inexorable tide? I really don’t know, but here are some thoughts.
We have failed first and foremost in community. If a woman has a child in an adulterous relationship, we should step and help her to take care of him. If she can’t, then we should take the child in. We must, for our own souls’ sake, rely upon others of like commitment.
We have also been failed by our priests. If Father neither preaches from the pulpit nor counsels in private that contraception is a problem, then the message is obvious: that it’s OK. Even worse, if he actively counsels his flock in private (or in public) that it’s OK to contracept and have sex outside of marriage–and I know this happens in our parishes daily–there is no way we will be able to convince people otherwise. Especially not in a hierarchical Latin-American society where the padre, for some reason which escapes me, still commands a vestigial position of authority. Our pastors must be men of faith who preach and practice what the Church teaches. Yes, they are human and they will sin, but that does not change the Truth they proclaim.
And we have failed, and will continue to fail, individually. Original sin still haunts us and will continue to do so. So, in the end, despite my bitterness, I am compelled to write that there indeed is hope. We are not intrinsically different from our fathers; they failed but the possibility of life eternal continues. We should pray; we should start attempting to rebuild, on a small scale at first, the communities, pastored by good priests, that make living the Catholic life possible. It was possible before despite our sinfulness; it is still possible. Maybe, as Alasdair Macintyre suggests, we do need a new St. Benedict to lead us into the desert and teach us to purify our souls.
We rightly fight the evil of abortion, but by all means, we mustn’t lose sight of the real battle.

some times my fellow Christians embarrass me pt. 2

I saw this story about a priest who is an Elvis impersonator at Ignorant Redneck and Carolina Cannonball. He also sings Celine Dion songs.

Oh my.


Somehow I don't think St. John Vianey would give this young and perhaps well meaning priest a pat on the back. I wouldn't expect a bucket load of praise from Archbishop Fulton Sheen either and I almost tremble to think what St. Pio's reaction would be.

Somebody needs to run screaming to Fr. Petrescu's bishop. Gee whiz!

A word of wisdom from St. John Eudes

"The most evident mark of God's anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds. Instead of nourishing those committed to their care, they rend and devour them brutally. Instead of leading their people to God, they drag Christian souls into hell in their train. Instead of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, they are its innocuous poison and its murky darkness...."

some times my fellow Christians embarrass me

Really now, people this is ridiculous! If you believe this story you should just go join a church where they dance with snakes on Saturday night.

while I was out

My mama and I went to South Carolina to sell my some family property. It went very well. The lawyer I found did a great job and I thank God my father left such a clear and straightforward will. Afterwards we bought flowers and visited the family graves. There is a small Catholic church in my mother's home town and I've always wanted to go there but it's a mission church which means the priest comes twice a week for confession and for one Mass. I was reminded yet again how lucky I am. There are several parishes near me and my own is open for most of the day and evening.

Beware of mini popes

Coming from Mark Shea that's a really ironic statement since the man makes his living off a Catholicism. He's attacking a woman named Janice Kraus who dares to say that some Evangelical converts have been confused in their application of the Faith and are causing confusion because of their teaching. Shea calls her a lot of names and snobbishly insults her job---- she's an Administrative Assistant but he never answers her questions. Is the church served by people who aren't priests, traditional nuns or bona fide theologians going from parish to parish giving speeches and selling their books just like a Evangelical preacher on a revival tour?

I don't know Janice Kraus from Eve and I'm not saying I'd rush to hear her talk or buy her books if she was selling any but I know I don't trust Shea and his ilk.

Pay any price, bear any burden

I was reading a post over at Walled Garden about facing possible infertility and deciding whetehr to fight or accept that some things are meant to be and was trasported back to the worst time of my life. One day in what now seems like a long time ago, I looked up at the calendar, did a mental calculation of how long Rocky and I had been married and realized that something was wrong. I should've have a successful pregnancy by then. I went to doctors and endured unpleasant and expensive tests. I decided that I was going to do whatever it took to get pregnant and stay that way until I could deliver a viable baby. I was willing to pay any price and bear any burden in my great crusade.

Here's something the infertility doctors don't tell you: Trying to get a baby costs a lot of money. Let no one sugar coat this. You will need LOTS of ready cash and in the end you may have nothing but massive credit card debt to show for it. Adoption, to be fair, also costs a LOT of money and you'd best try to do it while you are under 40 and before you spend all your cash on infertilty treatments. You will also have to put up with well meaning advice from people who have no freaking idea of what they are talking about and the smug near contempt of luckier women. (So much for universal sisterhood. I find that other women can be crueler than any man and with minimal effort.)


I remember going to the hopsital to have a test that my doctor told me would be mildly annoying, like a pinch. I knew I was in for trouble when I walked into the hospital room. He had three nurses. Two to assist him and one hold my hand if I needed it and to keep me from thrashing around. It was not mildly annoying. It felt like a swarm of bees was moving through my reproductive system and stinging me as they went. I prayed for courage. I prayed that I not start crying and embarrass myself. Finally, just when I realized that I couldn't contain myself anymore and was going to start weeping the test was over. The nurses and the doctor congratulated me for being so tough and remarked with wonder that I didn't carry on one bit. They had me lie still for about ten minutes(to avoid dizziness) and then slowly go to the dressing room. Rocky came in and helped me get dressed. I was still stunned from how painful the whole test was and pretty much did nothing but nod and grunt when the doctor told me that my tubes were clear.

We went home and Rocky told me to stop this. He refused to let me torture myself anymore. I was relieved but sad. Actually sad doesn't adequately describe how I felt. Amy Winehouse singing Back to Black sounds like a mere case of the blues compared to the state I was in. I felt like a failure. I felt as if I'd let everyone down. I, who was always the best little girl in the world. I, who was always a high achiever who feared and dispised failure, was publicly, spectacularly letting everyone down. Rocky would not have a child. My mother would not get a grandbaby. My deceased father's family line would die out. His genetic gifts would perish from the earth. It was as if he was dying a second time and it was my fault. A few days later my brother-in-law called to say that his wife was having a baby. I told him how happy I was for them and I meant it. Then I hung up the phone, collasped to the floor and cried and cried and then when I thought I was done, I cried some more.

I felt such rage. People like Susan Smith and Diane Downs have children easily. The undeserving, the ill equiped, the abusive all seemed to be able to have children but not I. I hated being around babies. I loathed the sight of a pregnant woman. It seemed like I was constantly being smacked in the face with reminders of my own physical decrepitude. I brooded and sank into a pit of despair.

And then one day, things got better. One day God decided that since I wasn't going to help myself He'd give me a shove in the right direction. I may tell that story one of these days. Say a prayer for childless women. It's not something you just get over and it's forever. I'm happy now and I can even suspect that it might be for the best. Two serious hereditary health conditions run in my family and I would hate to pass that on to a beloved child. One day, God will tell me why He said no and I accept that.

Please let this poor man retire.

Something is wrong with Bishop Donald Pelotte. The poor man should be allowed to quietly retire and he obviously needs prayers.

Pray for me St. Therese

Tridentine Mass at St. Rita's

Last Saturday my parish celebrated Mass in the traditional rite. It was gorgeous. I was struck by two things. First, it was so quiet. Even the littlelest kids were quiet. Maybe they were entertained by angels. Everyone was paying attention to the action on the altar. Nobody was talking to either each other or on their cell phones. Second, every veil Halo Works makes was on display and most were worn by young women. Black and white were the majority veil colors. I had a red one made by a nice lady in Alabama.


A few days later my husband had a fascinating conversation with a 70 year old priest about the Traditional Mass. The priest, a dear man really, said he thought it would all come to nothing because people don't understand Latin. Oh Fr., I wanted to say, give us a chance. Younger Catholics aren't as dumb as you think. If you challenge us we will rise to the occasion. If you give us the same old crap we will fall away.

At any rate, the Mass was stunning. My eyes were filled with tears and all I can say is thanks, Holy Father.
Laity, if you really want to do some Catholic action don't just bitch and moan. This is our moment. Get dressed, heave yourself off the sofa and go to any Traditional Mass that is offered at least once a month. If we don't show up the bishops will drop it.

Here's one thing you can't pin on the bishops.

This blogger blames part of the Church's current crisis on bishops who back in the 40s and 50s didn't preach breastfeeding to the people. I think that's a bit much. Oh heck, I actually think it's ridiculous.

How many straight and sober men in 1948, would've willingly lectured women from the ambo or at the dinner table about breastfeeding? And what effect would it have had, anyway? My mother was delighted with baby formula. If any man had told her to go back to breastfeeding she would've smacked him upside the head with one of my baby bottles and then told him to go jump into a lake.

Christopher Hitchens

Fr. Rutler rocks!

You what's wrong with Christopher Hitchens? I mean besides his drinking? I suspect that when he was a little boy somebody let him down. Maybe his parents didn't love him enough. Maybe he didn't get the pony he prayed for. Maybe the first girl he got a crush on broke his heart. At any rate he's mad with God and is having a tantrum in public. Sometimes the tantrum is pathetic. Sometimes it's just ridiculous but it's always ugly as you'll see after reading this exchange between poor Hitchens and the awesome Fr. Rutler, who thinks Hitchens will one day either pull out of his pity party and become Catholic or die a madman. My bet is on madman right now but miracles happen. Look at Ratisbone and St. Augustine.

The Mass that will not die.

On Sunday night Rocky and I attended a lecture on the Tridentine Mass. It was glorious. We all met in the church (the Blessed Sacrament had been removed and is every time a lecture takes place in the church) and Fr. proceeded to walk us all through the Tridentine Mass. It was crowded and you could've heard a pin drop. Every eye was on Fr. as he spoke and many of us were taking notes. The parish has bought a bunch of copies of the Ecclesia Dei mini missal for us. There were handouts and a list of books to read on the Tridentine.
I was so excited to see so many young people there. If anybody tells you that the desire for the Tridentine is just nostalgia tell them to get a clue. Most of the people in church that night were, like me, born after Vatican II and have never known anything but the Novus Ordo.

Fr. was so happy. You could see that he was thrilled to be talking about this subject and he's chomping at the bit to celebrate the Tridentine.

I laughed out loud when I saw this.

It's from http://athanasiuscm.blogspot.com/

Fr. Scalia explains it all

Fr. Paul Scalia, the PV at my parish explains Catholicism in 800 words or less here.

John Kerry bows out

John Kerry was supposed to give a lecture at Catholic University. That's right, I wrote Catholic University, the school where Archbishop Fulton Sheen once taught.

This weekend there was a second collection at Mass for CU. Rocky and I declined to give this year and so did many of the people sitting in front of us. Well it looks like Kerry will not be speaking due to a "scheduling conflict". Whatever. At any rate CU probably lost a lot of money this weekend. I hope they learn something from it. Don't spit in the face of the Faithful and then ask us to give you money.

Even lone wolves get the blues

I've always been something of a lone wolf. My husband, Rocky sometimes refers to me as his shy woodland creature. Last weekend there was an announcement that our parish is going to start a women's group. It's going to be for married women who are mothers. That upset me. The parish already has a mother's group and I felt stung to the core of my soul that I can't join because I've never had a successful pregnancy. I brooded and wrote a letter to the head of the group. She wrote back and said I can join and if there's anyone else in my situation in the parish they can join too.

Now I'm not so sure I want to join. I resented feeling cut out of the heard but on some level I'd rather run free byself. My moods are like quicksilver sometimes but I'm glad I wrote that letter.

Casualties of war

One of the sadest things about the aftermath of Vatican II is how many Catholics just said "I don't understand what's happening here so to hell with it. I'm leaving." These people wandered off into the New Age mess, cults, Protestantism, and schism. Others stayed in the Church, but endured such misery that they now no longer trust anything their bishop or even the Holy Father says. These people may or may not put a dollar in the collection basket and they attend Mass but they're so burned out and disgusted that their joy and peace is gone.

One of these people writes a blog that I can hardly bear to read. It's so pain and suspicion filled. This poor soul sees evil under every rock and has gotten to the point where she hates going to Mass. Pray for the casualties of the Spiritual war.

My answer to Kathy Griffin

May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, in heaven, on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the most holy Sacrament of the altar.

Amen

Saint Gwen?

Gwen Coniker, the co-foundress of Catholic Family Land has a cause for cannonization. Mrs. Coniker has been described as a housewife but that's not really acurate. Mrs. Coniker was an ordinary housewife the way Blessed Teresa was an ordinary nun or the way Fr. Capadanno was an ordinary priest. The lady was a champion mother and organizer. It will be interesting to see how her cause works out.

Never, no more

One of Rocky's favorite Patsy Cline songs is "Never, No More." That's the line that popped into my head when I read that DC Archbishop Wuerl is planning on closing 8 city schools in DC. One of them is my old school.

I will never give to any of Archbishop Wuerl's annual appeals again. Ever. That's it. I'm done. From now on, my charitable giving will go directly to the school, order or Catholic insitution and not through the archbishop's office.

Springtime? Yeah, right.

Fra Domenico asks,"Is it Springtime yet?," in this sensible post. The answer sadly is no. We're still in Winter. There are signs of thaw in various places but most of the church is still like pre-Aslan Narnia. It's always Winter and never Christmas.

Father Corapi .....um.... Facts

Father Corapi is awesome....

Father Corapi does not know where you live, but he knows where you will die (in order to administer Viaticum...duh).

Every time Father Corapi says Mass, an angel gets its wings.

Father Corapi and God once shared a high-five. The wind that was created caused Hurricane Katrina.

Father Corapi, when he was in the military, once shot down an enemy plane by pointing his finger and shouting, "Bang!"

They say lightning never strikes the same place twice. Neither does Father Corapi. He doesn't have to."

Abortion clinics, pornography stores...I would move my artillery into place and light 'em up! I would totally liquidate them...speaking metaphorically, of course"

The Soldier's Creed states, "surrender is not an option...except when Father Corapi is in town."

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. The only thing fear has to fear is Father Corapi.

Regardless of race, gender, location, or education level... at one point in your life you have underestimated Father Corapi. You will live just long enough to regret this.

"I am ready and willing to destroy my enemies in close and mortal combat."

Father Corapi's statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary wears combat boots.

Father Corapi's Rosary is made of spent .54 caliber bullet shells. No, really.

When Satan goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet to make sure Father Corapi isn't there.

An apple a day does not keep Father Corapi away. Only going to Mass and confession every day keeps Father Corapi away... sometimes.

Ask a rude question --- get a straight answer

Well enough people were grouchy enough to ask and amazingly enough we got an answer. According to his parish priest Luciano Pavoratti came back to the Church before his death. Thanks be to God.

Do not forget--- watch this video

9/11

And
death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.
And death shall have no dominion.
Under the windings of the sea
They lying long shall not die windily;
Twisting on racks when sinews give way,
Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break;
Faith in their hands shall snap in two,
And the unicorn evils run them through;
Split all ends up they shan't crack;
And death shall have no dominion.
And death shall have no dominion.
No more may gulls cry at their ears
Or waves break loud on the seashores;
Where blew a flower may a flower no more
Lift its head to the blows of the rain;
Though they be mad and dead as nails,
Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
And death shall have no dominion.

Giving scandal

Okay, somebody's got to ask. How come Luciano Pavarotti got a big Catholic funeral? He was an open adulterer who left his wife after 30 plus years of marriage to marry his girlfriend. I love Pavarotti and hope he repented while he had time but.... didn't it occur to Archbishop Benito Cocchi that this was not a good example to give to people. No wonder young Italians don't bother to go to Mass anymore. You have to say what you mean and mean what you say even with beloved celebrities.


Again, may God have mercy on the maestro's soul.

Give Fr. a break

On another blog, sorry I can't remeber which-- someone remarked that it's a shame that parishes were closed on Labor Day and glumly noted that the priesthood has become too much like a regular job. Well, in defense of priests everywhere I have to say that it's not Father's fault. Unless he's a tough old dude who's been there for 20 years or a bright, young fearless lad most parishes are run by grisled, bitter lesbians or grouchy church ladies in polyesther stretch pants. They run the office. They decide if your issue is worth calling Father. They make bad enemies. They write long letters to the bishop and get answered. They would be as fierce as harpies if Fr. dared to suggest that they work on a holiday. It's a rare man who wants to face down angry women.


My parish is blessed with high testosterone and no nonsense young priests so the church was open on Labor Day and Mass went on as usual but again, my pastor is a saint and the parochial vicar is as brave as Aragorn. How many parishes have that?

catholic lady frumpiness----

Kathy Shaidle at Relasped Catholic is a heck of a writer and I check her blog everyday. However, she's not sweetness and light. In fact, I get the impression that Kathy is extremely pissed right now because her boyfriend's annulment proceedings are taking so long. She does not like Jamaicans much and loathes Muslims. She's also quite disgusted with young Catholic women who go around looking like potato sacks.

I abominate deliberate ugliness so I completely reject this trend. There is no virtue is looking so unnattractive that your husband has to put on a brave face in order to perform his marital duties but Kathy is so harsh in her condemnation that I think she might drive some of her readers in the opposite direction.

the tricky thing about blogging

is that sooner or later you will offend someone. Normally I don't give a hoot but when it's people I like I cringe a little. Ah well... .these things must happen when you shout your opinion into the blogosphere.

Mahoney strikes again...

In order to pay for the pedophile suits these little old nuns are going to be cast out of their convent.

Lovely. Just frigging lovely. But come on, we knew this is how it was going to go down, didn't we?

My God, does Cardinal Mahoney have any shame at all? Why doesn't he sell his own home instead? It would fetch a bigger price than the modest home the sisters live in.

The above image is a millstone. I think it's appropriate.

Hooray!

Football is back! Tell Beckham to go pose nude in a gay magazine. Cue Hank Williams Jr. Fire up the grill. Yes, Bocephus I am ready for some football!

Did the Catholic Library Association sell out?

In 2006 the CLA asked for affiliate membership with the American Library Association, the biggest librarian association in the US. They were turned down essentially for being Catholic. In 2007 they got affiliate status. Cathy, at Recovering Disodent wonders what the CLA had to do to get that membership. As a Catholic librarian I wonder too. See Cathy's remarks here.

Farewell to the greatest

Luciano Pavoratti, the greatest tenor of our times has passed away. His private life was not lovely but his voice was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard in my life. One of the most beautiful things that ever graced the earth.


May God have mercy on his soul.

The bishop means well but....

Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo has instituted a new marriage prep program for his diocese. Engaged couples have to endure a course based on Theology of the Body and NFP. Bless his heart but I strongly suspect that this will simply lead to Catholic couples going to Vegas or Hawaii, getting married civily and then coming back to church to have their marriage validated. Who really wants to spend 4 to 6 months meeting in the church hall and listening to Fr. drone on about sex that you can't have yet?

Plus, NFP is contraception. Yes, I know there are no chemicals involved but it's supposed to be an emergency measure for short term use, not a lifestyle. And ultimately, by charting periods and testing mucas and avoiding sex during your fertile period you are, no matter how you sugar coat it, deliberately choosing to have sex ONLY when you are least likely to get preggers. That's contraception at heart, if not in mechanics.



Oh, one more thing. Despite the required marriage prep classes Catholic get divorced at the same rate as heretics and the unchurched.