Remembering My Dad with Gratitude

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He was born in 2017, the first of five children born to Raymond Michael Schneider and Marie Zurlinden Schneider in Cleveland, Ohio. His dad, my grandfather, was an organist who played in vaudeville for the silent movies and later was organist at St. James Catholic Church in Lakewood where his men and boys' choirs became well known. He taught his own children to play and Daddy played the organ later for the Catholic community at the Naval Academy when he was student there and for St. Augustine's in Elkridge, MD after he retired.

In 2009 my brother, Ray Jr. (now deceased), posted this on his blog:

Raymond John Schneider — Dad

Ray's first ship was USS DETROIT, which was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. DETROIT subsequently transported the Philippine Government's gold and silver monetary reserve, which had been removed from Corregidor by submarine, from Honolulu to San Francisco.

What's Wrong with the World?

What's wrong with the world?

G. K. Chesterton famously responded to that question with two words.

I AM!

From the Lunacy Files -- Don't let it rob you of hope and trust in God's goodness and mercy!

Sometimes when I read things that are happening in this poor country I just shake my head and lament:

• Are they really that stupid? 

• Or...are they really that evil? 

• Or...Do we live on the same planet?

Remember the old Twilight Zone show on TV? Every episode was introduced by Rod Serling with this come on:

What If...? Questions I'm Thinking About Today...

 

What if...:

• ...people spent less time complaining and more time saying, "Thank you?"

• ...people recognized that all suffering is used by God to bless us instead of bewailing their fate and being angry at God?

The Echo of Wedding Bells: A Blessing from Heaven!

 Hear the mellow wedding bells,

Golden bells!

What a world of happiness their harmony foretells!

Through the balmy air of night

How they ring out their delight!...

Oh, from out the sounding cells,

What a gush of euphony voluminously wells!

How it swells!

How it dwells

On the Future! how it tells

Of the rapture that impels

To the swinging and the ringing

Of the bells, bells, bells....

Our granddaughter married a wonderful man last Saturday. What a joyous bell-ringing celebration a wedding is! It gathered friends and family from far and wide. I saw two of my nieces for the first time in several years and had a chance to catch up since we sat at the same table. 

Before we left for the wedding, I was sick, which caused us to delay our departure for a day. Happily I recovered enough to go after dosing up with Vitamins C and D and drinking a disgusting immunity tea recommended by a friend. 

Is a Vote for Trump Formal Cooperation with Evil?

A discussion came up in the comment section yesterday on the Tulsi Gabbard post about whether a Catholic commits a mortal sin by voting for Trump. You can read the discussion here. It started with a priest preaching that you can never vote for a candidate who supports an intrinsic moral evil. The reader who commented raised the question of whether the fact that Trump has endorsed IVF and even inserted it into the GOP platform disqualifies him from the Catholic vote. Correct me if I'm wrong, Aqua. 

Hmmm...True or false?

I did not hear the sermon so I can't comment on that; I only have the reader's brief description. Did the priest explain the distinction between formal and material cooperation with evil? That's where the rubber meets the road, I think. 

Sunday Meditation from Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence

“Far from being prejudicial to you, your failures, insofar as they give you the opportunity of submitting to His Will, will be as it were a monument to your perseverance in God’s service, and the more numerous they have been, the more glorious will be their witness to your perseverance.”

Love is Patient; Love is Kind....

As regular readers know, I decided to meditate on 1 Corinthians 13, St. Paul's admonition on love, until the new year of 2025 (and perhaps beyond). The focus on patience has gone on for about two weeks. I'll be working on being patient until I die, of course, but last Sunday my husband and I had to practice patience big time and we did it fairly well.

Tulsi Gbbard Nailed It....

When she describes her reasons for leaving the Democrat whore-house she succinctly nailed the disaster that the party has become. Read her commentary and, if you're Catholic and Democrat, isn't it time to leave too? She doesn't mention abortion, but in 2020 when Tulsi was still a Democrat, she introduced two pro-life bills. That took courage in a party that cancels any politician who won't embrace their abortion sacrament. Let's pray that many other Democrat politicians follow her example.

Hey, it’s Tulsi Gabbard.

Study History and Fight the Ugly Americans among Us!

"Rachel" Levine and Sam Brinton, are among the "ugly Americans" destroying our country.

Have you ever read The Ugly American? You should. It details failed U.S. foreign affairs around the world due to greedy, corrupt, ignorant, and incompetent ambassadors and foreign service members. The way elitists are assigned plum roles around the world reminds me of Cromwell and his stooge, Richard Rich, in The Man for All Seasons. Some things never change. Power continues to corrupt and many are willing to sell their souls for both power and money.

Vote for the Party that Inflicts the Lesser Harm -- Pope John Paul II

Before I get into today's post I offer this example of Kamala's contempt for the Founding Fathers as she rewrites the Declaration of Independence to leave out the "right to life." Are we surprised? Her liberal extremism and rabid commitment to the murder of the innocent through all nine months of pregnancy should make her anathema to Catholics. Real Catholics can't support this champion of child killing and child mutilation! The Democrats' hatred for parents and the family is on display daily.

And now to go on....

Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais Dies

The SSPX has released the death notice for Bishop Tissier who died today at 10:08 p.m. in Econe, Switzerland. You can see the announcement here which links to the pdf with brief biographical information. His biography of Archbishop Marcel LeFebvre is a tour de force that will live after him. It is a tremendous resource relating the history of the crisis in the Church and the archbishop's heroic defense.

May Bishop Tissier rest in the peace of the Lord and rejoice in meeting his dear friend, Marcel. 

Repose en paix avec le Seigneur.

Pray for Bishop Tissier de Mallerais and for the SSPX

SSPX bishop, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, took a serious fall about a week ago and has not regained consciousness. Please pray for him and for the SSPX bishops and priests.

Two Great Videos from the Trump Campaign

 Check them out on Mundabor's blog. And here's one more. Pray for the happy repose of the soul of Corey Comperatore and for the comfort of his family.

Check out some photos from the massive rally here.

Do You Think Cultural Collapse in the West is an Accident?

Think again. 

A few days ago I began rereading the novel Victoria: a Novel of 4th Generation War by William Lind under the pen name Thomas Hobbes. The blurb at Amazon describes the book saying:

Victoria is more than a conventional novel and involves considerably more than mere entertainment. In much the same way Atlas Shrugged was the dramatization of a particular philosophical perspective, Victoria is the dramatization of a new form of modern war that is taking shape as the state gradually loses its four-century monopoly on violence. It is a book that informs, even teaches, through example. And sometimes, the lessons are very harsh indeed.

Sunday Meditation: Still Working on Patience

Surprise! I'm still working on patience and, as I wrote in a previous post, it's essential to be patient with ourselves as well as others. Practicing patience with myself can increase my patience with others. I'll give a concrete example. Once when I was praying for patience, I caught a spoon in the garbage disposal and had to call a repairman to come and get it out. That spoon was jammed so tight I couldn't budge it and neither could my husband. I was embarrassed, but the kind repairman showed me how to use a broom handle as a lever to turn the disposal. Fortunately, I've never needed to use that strategy again and we are now on a septic system with no garbage disposal, so I'm safe from that mistake. But I still make plenty of others, new opportunities to be patient with myself.

Serendipity: the Art of Happy Accidents

My husband and I spent the last six days with our youngest and her family celebrating our dual anniversaries. Larry and I chatted for the past few months about whether to do something special for our 55th. Trips have become a rare adventure for us. Driving long distances seems like too much trouble and neither of us wants to fly any more. Between the sardine can experience on the plane and the rude and crude treatment by the TSA, we'd rather go to the dentist. Our last significant trips were one for our 50th anniversary when we drove to the Great Smoky Mountains with another daughter and her husband and a trip to Sandbridge in 2021 for a beach week. In the Smokies we stayed in a charming air B and B with a Lord of the Rings theme complete with a cardboard Gandalf. Both of those trips were family events which always doubles the fun.

Melania: Beauty is Skin Deep

 Today my husband and I celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. Sad to say, one of the first things I saw this morning were excerpts from Melanie Trump’s soon-to-be-released memoir. Her position on abortion reads like a Planned Parenthood ad. It reeks of selfishness and god-like autonomy and pride. All I could think was poor, selfish, silly woman. Beauty is skin deep; what about your soul? How many of your children did you kill? When a woman is that adamantly pro-abortion, one can’t help wondering if guilt is behind it. I’ve met many women justifying their abortions with abortion advocacy. I’ll be praying for Melania’s conversion.

Fr. Chad Ripperger's Prayer for the Outcome of the Election

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of heaven and of earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to Thee, our refuge and hope.

Medjugorje,: Good Fruit from an Ambiguous Tree?

I visited Medjugorje in the early 90s with a friend. We'd spent two weeks exploring Ireland and she wanted to make a return visit to Medjugorje. She had been practicing the Wednesday and Friday fasts and attributed her return to the faith to Medjugorje. So we joined a group of Irish pilgrims and spent the last week of our trip in the little village which was already beginning to experience a tourist boom. 

Does a Heretical Pope Lose His Office?

Despite his many material heresies, the cardinal said in an interview last year that Francis
 has not committed formal heresy and that, even if his election was flawed,
acceptance of Francis as pope has made up for it. 

There's been quite the disagreement about whether or not Pope Francis is really pope. Lots of people say he's not for varying reasons, especially the sedevacantists. Here are some of those reasons:

• His election was invalid.
• He's made some heretical statements.
• St. Robert Bellarmine says a heretic can't be the pope and he's a heretic.
• He pals around with those who embrace intrinsic moral evils.
• He's mean and nasty.
• Whatever.....

Looking for Your next Good Read?

 I just finished reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. It’s a historical fiction about the pack horse librarians who traveled the Kentucky wilderness of Appalachia to bring reading materials to far flung often isolated patrons. It also focuses on the “blues” whose congenital blood disease turned their skin blue from lack of oxygen. 

Random Thoughts for Monday

• When a man defends a woman's "right to choose," I always wonder how many women he's used as a sex object and how many times he's hired a serial killer abortionist to kill his children.

• Following your conscience makes sense only if you have an informed conscience. For some people, following their conscience is like hiring a guide who's blind, deaf, and dumb to lead them to their destination. 

Sunday Meditation: Turning Catastrophes in our Lives into Eucatastrophes

                                                                                               

Those who visit here regularly know that I'm a big fan of the Epoch Times. I especially appreciate their Life and Tradition section and always read it carefully. I often clip articles for a grandchild or a friend to tuck into a letter. So much joy overflows those pages and I learn a lot as well.

A few days ago I was catching up on back issues and found a wonderful quote from an article by Jeff Minick who lives in my own neck of the woods. One day I'd love to meet him. The article was titled The Boons and Blessings of Eucatastrophe.

If you're like me, you've never heard that word before. It was invented by J.R.R. Tolkien and described in his essay On Fairy Stories. Tolkien defined eucatastrophe as "the joy of the happy ending: or more correctly of the good catastrophe, the sudden joyous 'turn.'" He called the Resurrection the greatest eucatastrophe possible!

Time Out for a Digression on Word Expressions

I'm always fascinated to discover the origins of expressions. Where did the expression, for example, mind your Ps and Qs come from? Some are obvious and based on common sense. How much thinking does it take to realize the meaning of "A stitch in time saves nine." Every seamstress knows that. And then there are those relating to the company we keep. "One bad apple can spoil the whole barrel." or "Birds of a feather flock together." My mom used those expressions warning about the importance of choosing friends wisely.

Be Patient with Others, but First with Yourself!

This post continues my reflection on the virtue of patience which I've discussed here, here, and here. It may take me a long time to plumb the depths of this difficult virtue. 

I was reminded of patience in a recent conversation with a soccer coach I know.  He described one of his young players as being very hard on himself. Whenever the lad makes a mistake on the field he berates himself with self condemning statements. I don't know exactly what he says, but I can imagine, since many of us are also quick to condemn ourselves for our mistakes. Can you hear the refrain in your head?

The Democrats and Their Allies Have Created an X-Rated LaLa Land Where Crazies Thrive!

The latest would be Trump assassin, Ryan Wesley Routh, sounds like a man who is mentally unbalanced, like the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, who terrorized the nation for almost two decades before his deranged 35,000-word manifesto led to his identification and arrest. A psychiatrist diagnosed Kaczynski as a paranoid schizophrenic. He pleaded guilty to prevent his lawyers from entering an insanity plea. Here's an excerpt from a 2023 NPR article written after Kaczynski died in prison at the age of 81:

Planting the Seeds of Patience in the Soil of Silence

The last time I spoke about patience, I gave its etymology. today I'll offer Fr. John Hardon's definition from his Catholic dictionary, a source I often use. I want to understand what I'm talking about, particularly when it involves the faith. Fr. Hardon, S.J. can always be relied upon. Here's how he defines patience:

Pro-LIfers Sitting Out the Election is Political Suicide and Abandons the Babies!

Lila Rose vs. Donald Trump -- How does telling voters not to vote for Donald Trump
 help babies in the womb? It doesn't! It will help elect pro-abort radicals Harris/Walz!

I'm shocked by some of the pro-lifers who would rather feel self-righteous in their moral purity than vote for Donald Trump. Politics is not and never will be our salvation. There is one Savior, Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, engaging in politics is a moral duty for Catholics. And, like the doctors' motto, First Do No Harm, that should be our motto as well. And putting Harris/Walz in office is to inflict a grave harm to babies in the womb.-

Are We In for an October Surprise at the Synod on Synodality?

Does anyone else find this creepy? Are all those folks going up to St. Peter's
to knock on the door and say, "Trick or Treat?"

The Synod on Synodality seems to have gone low key over the past few months. Some of the most controversial issues were taken off the table and designated to study groups. Does that make you feel relieved? Not me. It takes them away from the public spotlight and lets the assigned committee members, dare I say change agents, work in the dark. The enemy sneaking up on you from behind is always more dangerous than the enemy you face directly. And there are many enemies within the walls of Holy Mother Church!

What's at stake? Plenty! As Jonathan Liedl wrote at the National Catholic Register:

1 Corinthians 13: Love is Patient.

Well, I posted yesterday about my plan to focus on 1 Corinthians 13 as a meditation for the rest of the year. It starts with reflecting on the virtue of patience. I will get lots of practice today because I have an appointment in Northern Virginia that will put me enroute for 85 minutes, most of it in what I call the "white knuckle zone." How I hate that drive! But today I will think of it as the learning lab experience offering me plenty of real-time practice. I will not call any drivers names (at least I'll try) and will take a deep breath before I get upset at any traffic slowdowns. I will repeat over and over, "Love is patient....Love is patient....Love is patient." 

Sunday Meditation: From Here to the New Year -- 1 Corinthians 13

For a few weeks I've thought about choosing an extended Bible focus on 1 Corinthians 13. What a wealth of thoughts for meditation! The vocation of a Christian is love. Love God first; and then, out of love for God, love for yourself and for your neighbor. St. Paul give a pretty complete list of the attributes of love. Some are positive describing what love IS; and some are negative describing what love IS NOT. According to St. Paul, these attributes 

define love:

• Love is patient, 
• Love is kind. 
• Love does not envy.
• Love does not boast.
• Love is not proud. 
• Love does not dishonor others (Love is not rude.)
• Love is not self-seeking.
• Love is not easily angered. 
• Love keeps no record of wrongs. 
• Love does not delight in evil. 
• Love rejoices with the truth. 
• Love always protects.
• Love always trusts. 
• Love always hopes.
• Love always perseveres.
•  Love never fails.

How Liars Lie to Say Words Don't Mean What They Say!

I wrote yesterday about how language is being manipulated and used to attack the truth. Immediately after writing that post, I came across a blatant example. Governor Tim Walz, candidate for Vice President, represents the most radical wing of the Democrat party. Among his atrocities in Minnesota are new teacher licensing rules set to go into effect in July 2025 before the start of the school year. [Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standard Board Standards of Effective Practice] The rules will force teachers to respect and affirm in the classroom a panoply of abominations, in fact all of the liberal talking points about gender, sex, diversity, etc. Here's some wording from the rules:

Semantic Gymnastics and Language Manipulation

Do you ever think about how your are being twisted and turned by experts in language manipulation, semantic gymnastics, and propaganda? I first encountered the term, "semantic gymnastics," in a 1970 editorial in a medical journal, California Medicine. It was titled A New Ethic for Medicine And Society. The unidentified author wrote:

Who is really behind the transgender agenda?

LifeSiteNews  recently reviewed Jennifer Bilek's book, 'Transsexual Transgender Transhuman: Dispatches from The 11th Hour'. Bilek, an investigative journalist, is an atheist and feminist. That being said, she also appears to be an honest person looking for the answers to what she describes as “a glamorous ad campaign generated by elites, invested in tech and pharma, to normalize the changing of human biology.”

Another Conspiracy Theory Turns Out to Be True. Venezuelan Gangs Are Terrorizing Aurora!

"Yes, Virginia, a Venezuelan gangs has taken over at least one apartment building in Aurora, CO." In fact, a Denver law firm investigating the situation at Whispering Pines for Wells Fargo Bank confirmed it in a ten-page letter to the city. Here's the Epoch Times article reporting on the gang banger activity:

DENVER—As early as November 2023, armed Venezuelan gang members began to terrorize residents of an Aurora, Colorado, apartment building, according to a Denver law firm hired to investigate.
Law firm Perkins Coie’s 10-page letter to city officials details how the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang took over the Whispering Pines apartments using threats of murder, intimidation, and beatings.

Tough Love and the Upcoming Election

How many parents are still supporting adult children? Are you nodding and saying, "Been there; done that?" How many sons and daughters earned diplomas you paid tens of thousands for and then end up living at home letting Mom and Dad foot their rent, utilities, food, and even babysitting expenses?

At the same time, how many of those college-educated freeloaders think Mom and Dad are dinosaurs who know nothing about how to make the world a better place, in fact, by creating the liberal Utopia promised by the Democrats?

Shock of the Election Cycle? CNN Calls out Kamala as Bigtime Liar!

Fact check: Harris campaign social media account has repeatedly deceived with misleading edits and captions

Whodda thunk it? 

College Needs to Change and St. Joseph the Worker Agrees

I was excited to read about a new college in Steubenville, OH that opened this fall. The first class at the College of St. Joseph the Worker is now learning more about their Catholic faith and also learning a trade. Let's face it, the typical college experience these days is too expensive and many graduates end up driving trucks and working as wait staff in local restaurants. We have some of those in my own extended family. 

Don't get me wrong, there's no shame in working those jobs; but do they take a $60,000 to $100,000 diploma to do them?

Swifties for Trump?

I have several granddaughters who are Taylor Swift fans. One, in fact, traveled with friends to Vienna to attend the show cancelled because of terrorist threats. So I found the X message from Swifties for Trump interesting. (See below) If you search Swifties for Trump, you find numerous articles claiming the group doesn't exist. Everything is AI-generated. Maybe, maybe not. The group claims over 800 members. The message on X generated almost 700 replies. Half of them, however, are from Swifties for Trump so it's certainly possible that the "group" is only one person with plenty of time and 800 ghost members.

Sunday Meditation: A Reflection on 9/11 by Fr. Jim Sobus

OnWednesday, 9/11, I received an email reflection from a dear priest about the tragedy that took place 23 years ago. It reminded me that some things are so serious they should never be forgotten. The sacrifice of  the early Christian martyrs who went singing to their deaths, inspires all who suffer "for righteousness sake". The actions of tyrants challenges us to act differently, especially when we have power and authority over others. We need to remember that God is the ultimate authority, and those who receive it from Him condemn themselves when they misuse it. So many bloody atrocities stain  the pages of history, especially the 20th century and these early years of the 21st. We forget them at our peril. Let us remember 9/11 with sorrow, but also with admiration and gratitude for those heroic souls whose glorious response merits our determination to never forget!

A Reflection on 9/11 by Fr. James Sobus

Did ABC Collude with the Harris Campaign?

Former Clinton adviser calls for investigation of ABC debate between Trump, Harris

Is collusion between ABC and the Harris campaign just the latest conspiracy theory swirling around the 2024 election? Let history give the likely answer. 

Seigneur, Venez nous sauver!

Lord, Come and save us!

Who Won the Debate?

As someone texted me after the debate, "It was a clown show." The question is, do debates win or lose elections? Watching the Reagan movie last night, it was interesting to be reminded of the Reagan/Mondale moment during the second debate when Ronald Reagan eviscerated the question and doubts about his age. It also validated Nancy Reagan's advice to the staff, "Let Ronnie be Ronnie." 

Speak Now Or Deserve What You Get! Write to Donald Trump!

Politicians are as fickle as false lovers. They say whatever they think they need to say in order to win or stay in office. As Lord Acton said, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." And we've seen the corruption of good men over and over in politics.

I spent a number of years working for the Republican party in a somewhat lackluster way. Politics was never something I enjoyed. In the early days back in the 1970s and 80s, all the pro-life politicos told us to just shut up about abortion during campaigns because it only lost them votes.

Thought for Monday on the Truth. Yes, Virginia, Truth Exists!

I had the great privilege of attending two retreats with Fr. John Hardon. The second in Windsor, Canada during the Fall of, I think 1999, was probably his last. Cardinal Raymond Burke (a bishop at the time) participated and Fr. Hardon passed the torch of the Marian Catechists to him. Those retreats were two of the greatest blessings of my life along with the two decades of the Spiritual Exercises retreats with Fr. James Buckley. God has blessed me abundantly with such great priest guides and continues to do so. The revival of the Church begins in the cradle and is magnified in the seminary. May God give us many holy priests to lead His Church. 

Fr. Hardon, Servant of God, please pray for us.

Sunday Meditation: Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother!

For Our Lady's birthday, I'm reading Pope St. Pius X's encyclical Ad Diem Illum. He wrote it in honor of the 50 year jubilee of the dogmatic declaration in 1854 of her Immaculate Conception. That dogma was declared by Pope Pius IX in his own encyclical, Ineffabilis Deus. If I finish reading the encylical by Pope Pius X, I will read the original declaration.

How Much Did Butter Cost in 2020?

We are on the way to economic meltdown. I just came home from the grocery store. Land o' Lakes butter is almost $8.00 for a two-pound box. I checked the inflation table and the cost of butter has increased by almost 35%. Consider that with everything else you're buying. And then remember that the feds are spending like drunken sailors to give goodies to illegals and to send trillions to foreign countries to wage war and protect their own borders when we refuse to protect our own. 

It's insanity on steroids! 

Tim Walz's family doesn't support their Marxist relative. The Family Feud Continues!

The ‘Nebraska Walz Family’ confirms viral pro-Trump photo: ‘The picture is real. The shirts are real’

From the article:

What's Wrong with In Vitro Fertilization? First and Foremost. It Offends Almighty God!

Baby dolls for sale through IVF

In vitro fertilization is grievously wrong, a mortal sin in fact. It treats babies like doll objects. It is the flip side of abortion. If you don't want a baby doll, get rid of it any way you can including infanticide. If you want a baby doll, do anything you can to get one including creating life in a petrie dish and hiring a poor third world woman to bear the little one with spares sent to the freezer orphanage.

It's wrong -- plain and simple -- grievously wrong!

God is the Creator! We are called to be cooperators in creation, but He wrote the manual and the rule book. Scientists and lab workers have no right to co-opt and usurp God's rights. Men and women have no right to demand that God fulfill their desires.

Deus Vult: The Enemies of Tradition Can Never Win!

A wise philosopher once said, "Stupid is as stupid does." Read this article and take heart. When things seem dark, they are often closest to the light. You can only eclipse the sun for so long! Pray, hope, and don't worry. Deus Vult! God wills it!

The New TLM Suppression: Crisis Averted?

Remember when everybody was sure that there was a new Latin Mass suppression coming down the pike from The Dictator Pope and his mercy for the margins?

That came from a credible rumour published by our friends at Rorate back on June 17th. While that was brewing, Viganò got the axe from the Vatican, and a different report denied any existence of a new TLM suppression.

Meanwhile, the “Agatha Christie Petition 2.0” was released, along with a second petition by the same authors for the faithful to sign. A third petition was also put out (“An Open Letter from the Americas to Pope Francis”), signed by people like Trad critic Larry Chapp and endorsed by Archbishop Cordileone. [Continue....]

Curiouser and Curiouser: Election 24 and the Family Feud Games

Election 2024 just keeps on giving with the latest entertainment being a real life Family Feud game. Yup, the election feuds could give the Family Feud TV show a run for the ratings. Let's consider a few of the contestants.

Hunter Biden reportedly hates stepmom Jill and called her a "vindictive moron" and an "entitled c**t." [Source] Sometimes ya just gotta laugh. Think about it. An entitled, vindictive, druggie moron saying those things about his stepmom. Tut tut, Hunter, that's the pot calling the kettle black.

On the Feast Day of Pope St. Pius X: Challenging Times are Nothing New!

In the old calendar, today is the feast of Pope St. Pius X (pope from 1903-1914). In honor of his feast day, I am reading selections from My Words Will Not Pass Away: doctrinal writings of St. Pius X. I am personally grateful to this pope for encouraging the frequent, even daily, reception of Holy Communion and reducing the age for reception to the age of reason around seven years old. [This is what the Church means when it talks about "development of doctrine". It doesn't mean playing fast and loose with the perennial teachings of Holy Mother Church.] We have a lot to learn from this great saint!

Labor Day Is a Good Time to Say Thank You to St. Joseph, Patron of Workers

During my prayer time this morning, I was thinking about St. Joseph and what an appropriate day this is to thank him. He prayed, worked, suffered, and protected his precious family entrusted to him by God. What a model for all fathers who pray and work, suffer and protect their families. My husband's confirmation name is Joseph. He has three great saints watching over him. St. Lawrence, who suffered an agonizing torture for the faith who considered the poor his family. When the tyrannical authorities demanded he bring the treasures of the church, he presented the poor, God's little ones. 

The Republican Platform: Keeping First Things First!

I think this is the best article yet re the upcoming election and how one should vote. There really is only one choice. 

Donald Trump and the Sovereign Rights of God

Barbara Farrah summarizes some of the positions already presented over the last few days, but she also points to Kennedy Hall's view which goes beyond politics.

Farrah's summary of the situation adds another thoughtful perspective to your discernment. Here's just a bit of what she writes:

What We Can Learn From the Hummingbird Wars!

I have a hummingbird feeder hanging near my office window, a source of much amusement. One little female has delegated to herself the role of sentry. She feeds and then sits on the tippytop of the pole holding the feeder. From there she dive bombs other hummingbirds (mostly other females) to keep them from feeding. Occasionally, a ruby-throated male drops in for a drink, but most of boys apparently have already begun migrating. The females usually remain a bit longer, so the war is usually among the girls. Seems like a lot of wasted energy for nothing but territorial rivalry.