Praise the Holy Trinity!

On the Feast of the Holy Trinity, let us sing for joy! The organ is the proper instrument for raising our hearts and minds to God and these videos show exactly why.

Happy Birthday, G. K. Chesterton!

Chesterton was born on May 29, 1874 so today is the 141st anniversary of his birth.

In honor of the day I offer a few of his incredibly insightful quotations. Each one is well worth a meditation. And all are as current today as when he wrote them, some over 100 years ago. If you aren't familiar with Chesterton, please remedy the situation immediately. The easiest place to start is with his Fr. Brown stories, but his biographies of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi and his collected essays are also good starting points.

I freely admit that some of Chesterton makes me scratch my head. I'm still trying to figure out what The Man Who Was Thursday is about. But even as I scratched my head over it, I found it an entertaining romp in the English countryside. So enjoy these bits of Chestertonian wisdom, but don't let them be you last!

How U.S. Money Perverted Ireland

What Really Happened?

The election was bought and paid for with U.S. money.

The War on the Holy Trinity

By Fr. Tom Collins

As we approach the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, we need to recognize the harsh reality that those who allege the Church's teachings on modesty, chastity and marital fidelity as part of a great "war on women" are themselves engaged in an unholy war on the Holy Trinity. I dare say that this is one reason why they are so willing to enter into an unholy alliance with radical Islamists, who attack
the Christian teaching on the Holy Trinity as a form of pagan polytheism. Only by desecrating this most sacred mystery can the Culture of Desecration and Death be successful in destroying people's appreciation of their authentic God-given dignity as human beings.

And You Thought Politics Played no Part in Faith?

Of course that's a joke. Politics has influenced Christianity since the Pharisees conspired to bring down Jesus and bribed Judas to betray Him. So the article below is no surprise. It is absolutely predictable that liberals are meeting to strategize how to put forth their agenda at the October Ordinary Synod. Let us pray that the orthodox are seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to foil their plans. 

Remember the Scripture passage about the dishonest steward in Luke chapter 8? Jesus commends him for his shrewdness. He wasn't praising his evil acts, but the steward was cunning and planned ahead. Too many Christians think sitting on their hands and letting God do everything is a virtue. But we would do well to remember that quietism, the belief in complete passivity in moral matters, annihilating the will and leaving all to God, is a heresy. 

We are called to be as shrewd as serpents and as gentle as doves. So preparing with a zeal equal to those who are undermining the faith is a moral responsibility. Pray for those preparing for the synod who love God with their whole heart, mind, soul and strength, that God will give them all they need to defend Holy Mother Church against her internal enemies. God knows there are plenty of them! 

Liberal European Bishops Plan Synod Strategy

The Love that Kills

A post at Abbey Roads sent me to the website of Joseph Sciambra, a same-sex attracted Catholic who left the gay lifestyle and returned to the faith after a road to Damascus experience. What he wrote describing his descent into the gay underworld really gripped me:

I walked slowly and steadily deeper and deeper into the black night of confusion and desperation. Stopped by God only at the very gates of hell.

Wow! Talk about recognizing that the path you are traveling leads to a precipice and a very evil end. What a grace!

Sadly, what enabled Sciambra's walk, he says, was the acceptance of his lifestyle by family and friends who, no doubt, thought they were being kind and "tolerant":

The Devil Wins in Ireland

'Bold' Ireland votes to legalize gay marriage in landslide

The referendum on gay "marriage" is over and the majority of Irish citizens voted that perverted homosexual activities are the equivalent of marital relations. The land that once loved children, probably more than any other on earth, now believes conceiving them in the marriage bed is unnecessary. No longer is marriage about the good of the other, two becoming one flesh, the procreation and education of children, and seeking each other's salvation. It is, instead, about lustful pleasure and self-gratification.
 
What a tragedy!  (Read more...)

Praying for my Dad on Memorial Day

He didn't die in battle, but he served our country his entire adult life. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1940 and was an ensign on a ship in Pearl Harbor, the light cruiser U.S.S. Detroit, the day the Japanese attacked. He remained on the Detroit throughout the war engaging in action in the Marianas. After the war Daddy continued to serve his country and rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. His biggest feat was rearing ten children. Every Sunday we filed into the Church, always on time, taking up an entire pew. God bless you, Dad. Thank you for your faithfulness to God, family, and country! 

Rest in Peace 1917-1985

I Love This Wise Man: Wish He Were the First Black President!

Alfonzo Rachel has Michelle Obama pegged!

Remember when the Boy Scouts said changing their policy wouldn't involve gay scout leaders?

Well that was then.

Boy Scouts President Robert Gates Calls for End of Ban on Gay Troop Leaders

The new policy is coming quicker than you can say Jack Robinson. In effect gay scout leaders are now permitted since Gates says he will not revoke the charter of troops that allow homosexuals leaders. 

Any parents who leave their sons in the Boy Scouts are insane. Homosexuals represent about 3% of the population; they commit about thirty percent of child sex abuse. Not every homosexual is an abuser, but those who are look for opportunities to be around children -- especially without the supervision of their parents. Check out this article: 

How the 'gay' child-sex-abuse cover-up kills young men

My husband and I were camping last weekend in Gettysburg. Two scout troops were camping there as well with several dozen tents set up -- lots of young boys, an ephebophile's dream.

 Thirty-eight percent of children identifying as gay were victims of sex abuse. Homosexuals aren't born; they're made. There is no evidence of a "born that way" gene. It's all about recruitment and gay/straight alliance clubs, homosexual education, etc. are all opening children to perverted sexual experimentation. Our culture actively cooperates to train youngsters to be heterosexually and homosexually active or both. 

God made us male and female. Any claim otherwise is straight out of the mouth of the deceiver. Those who are same-sex attractive need our love, but they also need the truth about chastity. Hell is forever.

Tis a Puzzlement: Celebrating Ascension Thursday on Sunday Creates a Dilemma

Here's my dilemma. When my husband and I are at home we go to daily Mass and rarely miss. Last week, however, we left on Wednesday to pick up our new camper at Lerch RV in Milroy, Pa. (Great experience, by the way. If you're in the market we recommend them.) We ended up spending Wednesday night in a little town out in the middle of nowhere not far from the dealer. I didn't even think about Ascension Thursday because our diocese shifts the Holy Day to Sunday. There was, in fact, a Catholic Church about half an hour away, but, I didn't know it at the time.

On Thursday afternoon we traveled to Gettysburg where our square dance camping club was meeting over the weekend. We settled in about supper time and, again, did not think about the holy day.

On Friday, we went to the battlefield visitor center, bought one of the auto tour CDs, and drove around the battlefield. Then we decided to check out where the church was for Sunday Mass.

Corruption in Church Charities

I gave up giving to any special collections years ago. Sad to say, the Catholic Church can no longer be trusted with your charity dollars. When you put your dollars in the basket for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) or Catholic Charities or Catholic Relief Services (CRS) you don't have to guess whether you are funding evil, you know it! Catholic Relief Services has been documented again and again to be up to their necks in supporting abortion and contraception in the third world. Leaders in those organizations have sold their souls for the Almighty Dollar. Getting grants from the government is more important than saving souls. They are an instrument of the evil one.

Catholic Relief Services has been under the microscope recently and the picture in the lens is far from pretty:

What an Amazing Young Man!

Think of all the "beautiful people" whose behavior is cruel and ugly and then look at this young seventeen-year-old with his incredibly positive outlook on life. What an inspiration! His philosophy of life reminded me of the advice Cinderella's mother gave her before she died: "Have courage and be kind." That about sums it up, doesn't it?

Archbishop Cordileone Is Greeted Like a Rock Star

While his enemies, like the Queen of Hearts, call "off with his head," Archbishop Cordileone's supporters gathered at a family picnic recently to celebrate his strong leadership and courage.

Hundreds Attend Picnic

Despite the overcast day, hundreds came out to greet the archbishop, receive his blessing, ask for his autograph, and have him bless their rosaries. San Francisco Catholics organized the event that drew people not only from the archdiocese but as far away as southern California.

Pray for Archbishop Cordileone who is among the few and the brave in the hierarchy. If there were a Church special battalion, he would be its commandant.

Thank you, Archbishop Cordileone, for your faithful leadership and thank you, San Francisco Catholics, for organizing the support event. Where the shepherd is, the sheep will gather.

Save the Bees: President Obama's Latest Crusade

New Steps to Promote Pollinator Health

As a beekeeper, I'm very concerned about taking steps to to reduce risks to the honeybees. But frankly, I wish President Obama were more concerned about saving babies, especially black and Hispanic babies who are particularly targeted by the abortion industry. They are more endangered than the honeybees. In fact, abortion is black genocide.

Are American Catholics an Endangered Species?

Where have all the Catholics gone, long time passing?

A recent Pew Survey shows some alarming trends. The overall Christian population is declining while the numbers of unaffiliated are growing. Here are a few bits of data from the poll of 35,000 Americans:

1) The percentage of adults (ages 18 and older) who describe themselves as Christians has dropped by nearly eight percentage points in just seven years, from 78.4% in an equally massive Pew Research survey in 2007 to 70.6% in 2014. Over the same period, the percentage of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated – describing themselves as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” – has jumped more than six points, from 16.1% to 22.8%. And the share of Americans who identify with non-Christian faiths also has inched up, rising 1.2 percentage points, from 4.7% in 2007 to 5.9% in 2014. Growth has been especially great among Muslims and Hindus, albeit from a very low base. 

Are Vatican Sharks Purging Orthodox Bishops?

Why Bishop Finn but not Cardinal Danneels?

Bishop Finn's "crime" was that he delayed reporting a priest with child porn on his computer. There was never an accusation of his covering up sex abuse. Danneels, on the other hand, did cover up sex abuse (including his own nephew!) for years. But he is still A-okay while Finn was purged. Is this the Vatican administration of the long knives? In with the progressives out with the orthodox?

Here's Finn's real crime:

I haven't seen this, but it sounds interesting....

Daredevil and the Devil

"Daredevil's greatest superpower is his Catholicism." Slate

Are you as intrigued as I am? It sounds like it actually presents a priest as a wise counselor instead of a child molester or other kind of monster. Think I'll watch an episode. Looks pretty violent, but so is the Old Testament when you get down to it.

Have you seen it? What do you think?

Contraception: The Deadly Compromise between Politics and the Pro-Life Movement

I remember forty years ago when National Right to Life (NRLC) wouldn't say one word about contraception. Thinking with the world's mind, the leaders did not want to rock the boat and risk losing Protestant support. They also wouldn't cover the rescue movement. That's one reason a friend of mine, who was the editor of NRLC News in the late 70s, quit. The powers that be tied his hands and censored the news. That's why I've never contributed a cent to NRLC. They just don't get it.

The first comment to this Vortex from "Old Man in Ohio" is a sobering one:

Are You Willing to Suffer for Your Marriage?

Marriage is no piece of cake and it's becoming harder with the relentless assaults against it. I recently read an insightful article on the marriage battle and this paragraph really hit a chord:

Those manning the barricades describe themselves as "defending marriage." That is a deep inaccuracy: marriage, as an institution, was surrendered quite some time ago. Today's battles are not about marriage but simply about dividing the spoils of its destruction. It is too late to defend marriage. Rather than being defended, marriage needs to be taught and lived. The Church needs to be willing to become the place where that teaching occurs as well as the place that can sustain couples in the struggle required to live it. Fortunately, the spiritual inheritance of the Church has gifted it with all of the tools necessary for that task. It lacks only people who are willing to take up the struggle.

Are you willing to suffer for your marriage? Did you mean it when you promised to stick it out "for better or worse?"  Here's another paragraph to contemplate:

The classical Christian marriage belongs to the genre of martyrdom. It is a commitment to death. As Hauerwas notes: faithfulness over the course of a life-time defines what it means to “love” someone. At the end of a faithful life, we may say of someone, “He loved his wife.”

Do you truly love? Or did you make a mental reservation on your wedding day to stick with it as long as things weren't too difficult?

The best thing you can do for marriage today is be a witness to its permanence. Love is a decision not a feeling.

Georgie Porgie: The Plot Thickens!

Time to remove Georgie Porgie from ABC's Sunday talking heads program where he pretends to be a serious journalist and leave him on Good Morning, America with all the giggling fluff heads. Check out the latest on this maven of malicious media manipulation.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS A MEMBER OF CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE IN 2010, 2011
But George is sorry so no one who is kind and tolerant could possibly hold him responsible for being biased and unethical. After all, "What difference at this point does it make."

So...do you trust Georgie Porgie's reporting? Should ABC let him cover the Clintons? Or is he too compromised "at this point"?

George Stephanopoulos is Short...

...on ethics! In fact, he's an ethical pygmy. I watched him interview the author of Clinton Cash, Peter Scweizer, a few weeks ago and really pound the guy insisting that the Clinton's didn't do anything wrong. He accused Schweizer of being biased because he worked in the past for George Bush.Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! While George hammered Schweizer defending to the hilt his Clinton pals, he neglected to tell the audience that he himself contributed $75,000 smackers to the Clinton Foundation. The hypocrisy of liberals knows no bounds. What was he thinking while he criticized Schweizer's past political connections to Bush knowing of his own current connections to the Clintons.

Georgie has apologized and says he made an "honest mistake" and ABC agrees. They will take no punitive action against the first class hypocrite.

Pulleeze!

If ABC doesn't remove this ethical pygmy from covering anything about the Clinton's during the 2016 election cycle, they will have absolutely no credibility! But, as far as I'm concerned, they have none already. Just one more shoulder shrug over a corrupt media that do everything they can to advance their liberal agenda. After all, it's okay because they're the good guys defending the world from evil conservatives who love babies, motherhood, natural marriage, and apple pie. The gall!

Movie Review: Miss Potter is a Delight!

Last night I watched Miss Potter based on the life of children's author Beatrix Potter. What a delight! I've always loved Beatrix Potter and her animal friends: Mrs. Tiggy Winkle with her pocket handkerchief, mischievous Peter Rabbit wearing his bright blue jacket with brass buttons, Squirrel Nutkin and his adventures. What an imagination she had bringing all these wonderful creatures to life to charm children through several generations.

I'm never quite sure whether movies about real people accurately reflect the truth about their lives. So the first thing I did was look up Potter's biography. The facts are all accurate in outline. Whether the portrayal of her mother as a bossy matriarch who never understood her daughter and failed to appreciate her talent is still a question. The same can be said of the portrayal of her father as an indulgent and loving man who greatly appreciated Beatrix's artistic talent and accomplishments.

The story fascinates from the first scene. One of its especially charming features is the way some of her illustrations "come to life" as she draws. Occasionally the imaginative Miss Potter scolds them, telling Jemima Puddle-Duck and Peter Rabbit to behave themselves.

Renee Zellweger is absolutely perfect as the adult Beatrix and child Beatrix played by Lucy Boynton charmed me from her first appearance. In fact, the entire cast reflected the spirit of Victorian England convincingly, while also catching the breeze of a new era where women take a more active role in society.

The romance between Beatrix and her publisher, Norman Warne, played by Ewan McGregor is heartwarming. The scene where he sings and dances with her to the tune of a music box gave me chills. You can see the budding love between these two kindred spirits.

I heartily recommend this delightful film. It would make great family viewing. If you haven't seen it, get out the popcorn, invite your favorite movie buddy to join you, and settle in for an enjoyable evening.

A Practical Suggestion for the New Evangelization

Do you have a burning desire to bring people to Christ? If you are a real Catholic you do, because evangelizing is the duty Jesus laid on us when he ascended into heaven.

"Go forth and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spriit." Is that intimidating? I think so. But it doesn't have to be. We don't need to go out to the park, stand on our soapbox, and begin preaching (Unless we really feel called and have the skill to do it.). We can simply resolve to be the link between an evangelizer and the one who needs to hear the message.

Judge in the Netherland Offs Granny with Dementia

Visit EPC at http://www.epcc.ca/

Dutch judge rules dementia patient must be euthanised
It's obviously a capitol crime these days to have dementia or Alzheimer's - such a crime that a judge can order execution based on little more than his own opinion and family members claiming the patient has a "death wish." The woman had no advance directive and those caring for her resisted the decision to no avail. In the Netherlands killing helpless people is becoming the "default" mode according to  Theo Boer, a Dutch academic.

A Grim View on the Family in Great Britain

In an article on the recent Tory victory in the U.K. and its impact on Catholics, Peter Smith included this grim paragraph:

Same-sex marriage is over as a debate: it is not going to be abolished. However, fed by a number of incidents were surrogate mothers have lost control over their children, there will likely be greater public interest in same-sex couples who, frankly, have their offspring bred to order. The swirling mess that is the divide between genders in the British public imagination will only worsen: mothers and fathers are, it seems, wholly indistinguishable in public policy. Other than by putting more money into people’s pockets via economy recovery and one limited tax break, I cannot see the dire collapse of the family unit being arrested.

One is tempted to be downhearted over this, but,

Phil Lawler's View on the Upcoming Encyclical on Climate Change

His article is well worth reading. "Cui bono?" he asks. The answer is unsettling.

The Vatican's dangerous embrace of climate-change theory

The U.N. has proved itself an enemy of the unborn through its promotion of abortion and contraception, an enemy of the Third world through its programs that involve vaccines tainted with anti- pregnancy hormones, an enemy of people everywhere by its relentless mantra of overpopulation and encouragement of one-world government. Pray that in its relations with the U.N. the Church influences change that respects the dignity of the human person.

America, How Far You Have Fallen

I'm reading the April issue of Chronicles. The major articles focus on Appomattox because April 9th was the 150th anniversary of Lee's surrender there. Editor Thomas Fleming makes this sobering point  about the outcome in his commentary, Why They Fought:

The Theory of Democracy, which is in principle the right of a majority to strip a minority of its rights, was used to destroy the republic 150 years ago, and it is in the name of democratic equality that all the fundamental institutions of human life are now under attack. Once this principle is invoked, there are no barriers to the growth of government and its invasion of private life. We once had a constitution to defend us from the tyranny of the majority, but  the Constitution of the United States,

Michelle Obama is Such a Bigot!

Opening a museum, Michelle used the event to fan the flames of racial envy and division:

Here is her latest disgrace. A new type of race card you might never have imagined. She used a speech during the opening of a museum to fan the flames of racial hatred and divisiveness. So awful:

“Museums and concert halls,” she said, just don’t welcome non-white visitors – especially children – the way they welcome whites.

We go to museums and plays and concerts and there are ALWAYS minority visitors among those present. I have never observed them being treated differently from anyone else. The last museum we went to was the Air and Space Center in Virginia. A variety of races and nationalities were touring. We joined a tour group with a retired Air Force pilot as the docent. Several races and nationalities participated. We were all welcomed. Anyone who asked a question was treated with respect. The children, whatever their color, were encouraged to be involved.

Michelle Obama has the gall from her exalted position in the White House to take every opportunity to attack (and I use that word deliberately) white Americans. We are privileged. We are closing opportunities to Blacks like her. We are evil and biased and hateful.

If she weren't so obviously serious, one would be tempted to think she was in a comedy act. But the woman appears to be filled with hatred toward whites who must be blamed and condemned at every opportunity.Is it any wonder the country is more racially divided than ever since she and Barack entered the White House. I think they enjoy fomenting racial and class divisions. I just find it nauseating that the wife of someone who was elected by a majority of white voters has spent almost eight years despising and condemning them because of the color of their skin. She should be ashamed!

And You Trust Your Local Public School Why?

Massachusetts schools ask 12-year-olds if they’ve had anal or oral sex

Think this an isolated event?

Check out D.C. 

And it isn't just surveys. Many sex ed programs are graphic and offensive. Here's one in Shawnee, KS that teaches 13-year-olds about oral sex, anal sex, and other graphic sex terms. Think about children being exposed to this in the classroom with boys and girls present.

Texas is supposed to be so conservative, but the graphic programs are in Middle School there as well. 

Houston Parents Outraged over Graphic Sex Ed. 

Other states violating parents' rights?:

My Rx for Cheering Up - Cuddle a Baby!

If you are feeling down in the dumps I have a great prescription. Cuddle with a baby. If you can't do that, the next best thing is to look at photos of babies. Just google babies and browse all the sweet pictures. Babies really do reflect God's opinion that the world should go on!  And here are a few baby pictures from my grandchildren scrapbook.

Did You Ever Hear Anyone Call William and Kate's Baby the "Royal Fetus?"

Well, the royal baby has a name, quite a moniker for a tiny tot. She is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, reflecting three generations: her great grandmother Elizabeth, her grandmother Diana and grandfather Charles, and her own precious, unique self.

Since our own new baby born in April is Charlie I feel a special kinship with the royal couple. And Charlie is definitely a little prince in his family. The name means "free man," somewhat ironic in this age when all of our children and grandchildren are wage slaves to debtor governments. Let us pray they are never slaves of an anti-Christian government intent on persecution like the poor Christians under Islam.

What a joy it is to think that while we engaged in the "baby watch," the entire world acknowledged that the little person growing in Kate's womb was a baby. Did you ever hear anyone talking about the "royal fetus?"

Here's a good article on the royal birth, but the author gets one thing wrong. Charlotte is not third in line to the throne. Her big brother has that honor.

Can You Imagine Ronald Reagan Leaving Trapped Americans in Yemen?

Think about it...What would President Obama do if Malia and Natasha were trapped in Yemen. Would he say, "It's too dangerous to risk more U.S. personnel?" I doubt it. With this administration, whether it's Americans caught in the cross hairs in Benghazi or hundreds of Americans isolated in a violent, war torn country...well...they are just collateral damage.More than 700 Americans are stranded in Yemen. China, Russia, India, and other countries have evacuated their citizens, but not the Obama administration's State Department. Are we surprised?

To Think This Violation of Religious Liberty Happened in My Own Back Yard!

Protestant Church Faces Criminal Charges for Its Pro-life Signs

You can post your business's banner or flag. You can post your charity's logo. But the Harrisonburg government discriminated against the pro-life content of Valley Church of Christ's picture of hands holding a precious baby with Mother Teresa's quote: "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”

Well, it's also a poverty that little Boss Hogs think they can trample the Constitution because they don't like certain messages. It's kind of ironic because this area is conservative. Ah, but that doesn't stop the Christian bashers.

If I were the pastor of that church I would be inclined to hold a GAP (Genocide Awareness Project) display on the property. Now wouldn't that make the little despots in Harrisonburg upset?

Fr. Robert Lange, Rest in Peace

A dear priest who served the Diocese of Arlington well and faithfully died this afternoon. Below is the email I received from a fellow parishioner this evening. Father was a kind and dear soul. In December I reviewed his lovely book, Windows into the Life of a Priest. But the event I will most remember is a day of reflection Father gave for the Knights of Columbus and their wives. He shared a photograph taken of his home in Fort Valley. The room he used as a chapel was on the second floor in the exact spot where the "star" appears. The photo was taken on a cloudy, dismal day so there was no possibility of a reflection on the window of the room. Look at the picture and ask yourself where that wonderful light is coming from. Here's the article Fr. Lange wrote about the Eucharist that I originally posted with the picture. Dear Fr. Lange, rest in peace and intercede for we who loved you in this life.

The email announcing Father's death:

Women Suffer from their Abortions for a Lifetime!

Pray for this poor mother who is still suffering from her abortion. The pain is obvious in her voice. Thank God she was there and helped another couple not make the same mistake she did. God bless all sidewalk counsellors!

Beware of Scientific Fraud

Love of money is the root of all evils and there is plenty of evidence out there that some scientists are willing to lie and falsify data in order to get grants and make a name. One University of Florida (now retired) con man is Nasser Chegini who received four million in federal dollars and provided fraudulent data in return on a paper that's now been retracted. But it isn't just one paper for Chegini. He's had EIGHT retracted papers.

Oh, you say, he's just an isolated renegade. Hardly!

Rick Santorum Loses His Mind!

Has Rick told us yet whether he's a man or a woman?

On Bruce Jenner: "If he says he's a woman, then he's a woman."

Uh...excuse me..."If HE says HE'S a woman, then HE'S a woman? That doesn't even make sense. It's an oxymoron! What if he says he's Napoleon or a two-humped camel or Superman or Jesus Christ?

We used to recognize when people make statements like that they need psychiatric help. No more. If you can imagine it, you can be it... even when you can't be it. And everyone will go along with you no matter how insane your belief is because that's the definition of tolerance and compassion in Wacko World.

Something Beautiful for God: Monks Singing Gregorian Chant

Isn't this a little bit of heaven here on earth? It puts you in touch with the eternal.

I actually feel a little monastic today because we've been playing with our bees and many monasteries keep bees. In fact, during the Middle Ages, many monks made mead, a drink brewed from honey If you want to get a feel for our little beekeeping operation check out the bee page at Camp Kreitzer and my latest post on bee managment. Maybe when the honey harvest is complete we'll try our hand at making some mead.

What a Thought! Federal Cops in Smallville?

Al Sharpton Wants Fed Cop Overlords

Just think of it -- the same government that gave us Benghazi and Fast and Furious being in charge of policing every little community in this country. (I'm pausing here for that to sink in.)

If you want to see what federal cops look like read 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. What we don't need is Big Brother controlling every tiny community in this country. We already have too much federal intervention - even the control of thoughts and beliefs. The rule of subsidiarity has almost disappeared!

Now, if you're Catholic you probably know about the rule of subsidiarity and how important it is. Fr. John Hardon defines it this way:

Archbishop Cordileone Sends in the Cavalry!

The attack on Archbishop Cordileone for daring to uphold Catholic teaching in his schools and for supporting Fr. Joseph Illo's decision to use only altar boys continues. What's the archbishop's latest response? He's sending in the cavalry -- another orthodox priest to run Star of the Sea School and support his brother priests.

Three cheers for the archbishop! 

Five Pinocchios and two thumbs down to all the liars attacking him and calling for his removal. Join the "waves of global support" by sending a message to the Archbishop. We need to thank and encourage the heroes among the clergy. Those with the heart of a lion willing to enter the coliseum and face the ravening beasts are few and far between. Please support the ones who do. 

Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

A good day to pray for all those who labor, especially manual laborers, and for these intentions:

For all those who are out of work and looking for a job, St. Joseph, pray for them.

For all the discouraged who haven't been able to find work, St. Joseph, pray for them.

For all parents working to rear and support their children, St. Joseph, pray for them.

For all those who feel trapped in their jobs, St. Joseph, pray for them.

For all families struggling in this difficult economy, St. Joseph, pray for them.

A Prayer for Workers (composed by Pope St. John XXIII)

O glorious Joseph! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity of custodian of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary under the humble appearance of a craftsman and provided for them with your work, protect with loving power your sons, especially entrusted to you.

You know their anxieties and sufferings, because you yourself experienced them at the side of Jesus and of His Mother. Do not allow them, oppressed by so many worries, to forget the purpose for which they were created by God. Do not allow the seeds of distrust to take hold of their immortal souls. Remind all the workers that in the fields, in factories, in mines, and in scientific laboratories, they are not working, rejoicing, or suffering alone, but at their side is Jesus, with Mary, His Mother and ours, to sustain them, to dry the sweat of their brow, giving value to their toil. Teach them to turn work into a very high instrument of sanctification as you did. Amen.