Of Sisters and Friendship

There is something incredibly blessed about sibling friendship. Family feuds seem to be 
pretty common these days. And perhaps it's always been that way. Think of Joseph and his jealous brothers who sold him into slavery. Isaac and Ishmael are still going at it today. Remember Esau and Jacob who fought over the birthright and blessing. And, of course, how can we leave out Cain who murdered his brother Abel?

On the other hand, what a beautiful thing to enjoy sibling friendship. My visit with my sister Laura this week was a double blessing. I didn't really know her growing up. When I started high school she was only five. When I left for college she was nine. After that I was only home for a few months in the summer when I worked. And then I left home for good when I was 21 and she was 13. Only in adulthood have we gotten to know each other and grown in friendship. As I said, what a blessing!

Mass Shootings and Mental Illness; There's a Connection!

Another day, another mass shooting. God help us!

From 1440 Daily Digest

Minneapolis School Attack

We are all philosophers searching for life's meaning.

Jesus in the Temple by Heinrich Hofmann

Watching an episode of the Papal Posse the other day, I listened to Fr. Gerald Murray discuss the reason so many young people are coming to the Church. He described the four fundamental questions that encourage a serious examination of life. These questions often lead people, especially the young and idealistic, to make life-transforming decisions. 

Sunday Meditation: Another Vatican Scandal -- Welcoming LGBT Pilgrimages for Jubilee Year

Vatican Officially Recognizes LGBT+ Pilgrimages for Jubilee Year

Not again! More hopes dashed to the ground. One hoped when Robert Prevost  XIV stepped out on the balcony of St. Peters as Pope Leo that we would experience a sea change in papal leadership. Yes, we knew he was a close protege of Francis, but hope springs eternal as they say. Many were optimistic because of the traditional vestments and change in tone. The prudent waited, giving Pope Leo the benefit of the doubt and praying. Yes praying for renewal of the Church and a return to sanity. 

Remembering a Special Couple

The county fair begins tonight with the pageant for Miss Shenandoah. We drove by the fairgrounds last night and saw the midway going up. It gave me a little thrill remembering the days when  I anticipated a visit to an amusement park with joy. It also reminded me of a couple who were important to me when I was in 8th grade.

Life is valuable, even the life of a chicken!

One of my chickies is sick. At first I thought Flapper was getting broody because I'd find her in the nesting box. But her behavior wasn't normal for a broody chicken. She wasn't puffing up and acting aggressive; she was acting...well...sick. 

Of loose ends and readjustment

I've felt a little off balance since my sister's death. I feel like I need a readjustment. Jeanne was a big part of my life for the past six years since she went into the assisted living and then the nursing home. Cleaning out her apartment was like one of the labors of Hercules or a scene from Great Expectations. I had to wear a mask to deal with the dust. It's hard as you get older to keep up with everything. I get it. I was on spider patrol in the basement yesterday. And the battle with the dust bunnies is ongoing.

An Argument about the Papacy that Matters

Do some popes lead us down
the "primrose path of dalliance?"

The debate between those holding the sedevacantist position and those who've adopted the refuse and resist position about the pope matters, if only as a lesson in theological argument. But there's a way to argue with grace and courtesy that is often lacking in discussions of this stripe. 

I've often felt beat over the head by sedevacantists who cannot possibly think their position may be in error. So they browbeat those who will not jump on their "The pope is a heretic so he can't be pope!" bandwagon. Are they correct? I don't know! 

The other side is often just as acrimonious in defending their belief. Who can see the issue for all the dust stirred up by the shouting?

Do You Really Need that Star on Your License?

My husband and I decided to go to the DMV yesterday to apply for Real ID. I hadn't really done any research on it. I presumed it was just an enhanced driver's license, not much different from the standard license issued by the state. Fortunately, I ran into a snag. I didn't have my official marriage license and needed that to validate the name change from my birth certificate. So I came home without filling out the applicatio. My husband was able to get one though, more's the pity.

The Blogger Censors Pulled My Post on the Jab!

We live in times where tyrannical censors control speech. The other day I wrote a post about the COVID gene therapy. It was a piece backed up by facts and linking to articles by scientists pointing out the very real dangers of the jab. Blogger pulled the article saying it violated their guidelines. I can only presume they objected to scientific evidence that conflicted with their opinion and agenda.

Fortunately, one of my readers reposted the article on his site. So you can read it at Non Veni Pacem. Thanks, Mark, I think it's time for me to shift to another platform. If I were more tech savvy, I would have done it long ago. And I may not have the energy to do it now. But I think I will back up my work from now on and save articles from the subjects I research.

You need to watch out for the orcs and Sauron. If they can they will be Lords of the Internet. Bow to Lord Blogger, hobbits. He will rule the internet.

There's a Just Judge Who Will Right All Wrongs!

Not long ago I wrote a post titled, Who's Telling the Truth? about the case of Fr. Gordon MacRae. I wrote the post after several comments from an anonymous reader insisting on Father's guilt based primarily on the New Hampshire AG report, a tainted source if there ever was one.

One of the points my reader stressed over and over was that Father pleaded guilty to several charges. I decided to reread Dorothy Rabinowitz's article, The Trials of Fr. MacRae, which contained this paragraph about the "guilty pleas.":

Still, the jury trial would end with a conviction in September 1994, and a sentence equivalent to a life term handed down by Judge Arthur Brennan. That would not be all. The state threatened a new prosecution on additional charges unless the priest pleaded guilty to those, in exchange for no added prison time. Without funds and unable to hire a new lawyer, already facing a crushing sentence and certain, given the climate in which he would face a second trial, that he could only be convicted, Father MacRae accepted the deal.

Really?

Sometimes I just shake my head and say, "Really? Really?" What are people thinking?

From the gender insanity file:

MULTI-GENDER BATHROOM? Parents Outraged Over Virginia High School’s New Layout

        Lesson: Home School. 

The Blessing of Family and a Reminder that Life after Death Goes On....

Funerals and weddings are family reunions. It was a blessing to reconnect with so many members of our extended family at my sister Jeanne's funeral last Thursday. I think she would have been pleased. Over the years she wrote hundreds of letters and cards to siblings, nieces and nephews and friends. She sent cards: for birthdays, Christmas, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and sometimes just because. It was her little apostolate. She didn't drive and lived alone, but she spread a wide net to the outside world. 

Jeanne collected notepaper and cards and we had a big bin to set out at the wake and funeral to share. We invited people to take some in memory of Jeanne with a suggestion to write a letter to someone in imitation of her little apostolate.

And Now We are Six....

I came from a family of eleven children, one of whom died right before birth. The rest of us grew to adulthood: six girls and four boys. Daddy was in the Navy so we moved every three or four years, changing houses and schools, making new friends. After we grew up and began our own families, we shared many holidays together: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July. I can still smell the eye roast Daddy made on the rotisserie grill, a staple of many holiday meals.

Who's Telling the Truth?

A reader sent me several comments about Fr. Gordon MacRae's case (which I did not post) claiming I'm withholding information and I should let readers decide for themselves about his guilt or innocence. So I'm offering two pieces: the Attorney General's report from New Hampshire against Fr. MacRae and Fr. MacRae's description of the proceedings and the accusations against him. (Links below.) 

There are, in fact, hundreds of articles about the case. I've read a good many. I'll be completely transparent. I believe Fr. MacRae was railroaded, not only by prosecutors, but by psychologists, false witnesses, and even representatives of the church. Having said that, it's hard to know the truth of any allegation when there are no witnesses to the alleged crime and most of the evidence is "he said; she said". Who's telling the truth?

Justice Denied by Out-of-Control Judges Who Play God!

Judge Joseph Laplante

Another unelected federal judge has elevated himself to emperor of the United States. Judge Joseph Laplante recently overruled the Supreme Court Decision on birthright citizenship applying it to the whole country. We've seen this before but Laplante seems to be in a category by himself. It's not the first time his judicial arrogance manifested in a decision, but by this one he effectively gave the middle finger salute to SCOTUS!

The decision by the Supreme Court is somewhat ambiguous and the issue over birthright citizenship is still an open question. Nevertheless, Laplante's action was arrogant.

The article below is fascinating because, in addition to some brief comments by Fr. MacRae, the "author" was an AI generated response to a question:

QUERY

Calvin and Hobbes Explain It All for You!

I want to be a bird so I can fly!

We seem to be living in a world of make-believe, X-rated make believe in fact. Think about all the men who say they're women and the women who say they're men. Think about people who really believe that "men" can have uteruses and get pregnant and biological men can nurse babies. Crazy, eh? Not to mention the fat adult male who says he a six-year-old girl and was adopted by equally crazy "parents."

And don't forget forget all the furries out there who say they're animals. Species dysphoria is a real thing. I think it's still considered a mental illness at present, but just wait. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will likely be updated to normalize another bizarre insanity. 

Some Good News from the Headlines

Take time to smell the flowers, praise
God for the beauty of the earth,
and talk to the flamingo.

We all need to take heart from the good news that's out there. It's too easy to feel like the whack-a-mole when we read the media. Remember, the mainstream media are purveyors of the worst of the worst. "If it bleeds, it leads!" Every time a disaster occurs whether it's a terrorist attack or a natural event we get non-stop rehashing of it, sometimes for days.

Sad isn't it? Bad news sells apparently. Good news is "oft interred" and given little attention.

Well, today I'm focusing on some good news and praying in thanksgiving. I'm also asking my guardian angel to keep me focused on my blessings and all the beauty of the earth. Sure, evil assaults us and we, as warriors in the Church Militant, need to fight on the battlefield. But sometimes we all need R & R as a respite and opportunity to recharge. So check out the good news today and rejoice in hope. Nothing "just happens." All is according to the providence of God.

When Man Plays God....

Secretive Billionaire Plot to Dim the Sun Exposed

"In the over 400 obtained documents, emails and funding pleas show researchers eyed massive tests off North America, Chile, or Africa, detectable from space and risking unpredictable weather shifts....

St. Alphonsus Liguori, a Saint for All Liturgical Seasons

Today is the feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Reading about him in Butler's Lives this morning made me realize I really need him for a friend and intercessor. I had to laugh when I read his statement, "By the grace of God I have never confessed having acted from passion." Would that I could make that statement. But now I have a friend in heaven to ask for help! I have no doubt he will respond to my request because he had such zeal to save souls. 

Want to Rebel? Go to Church!

How do you rebel in a culture that encourages every kind of evil and insanity on the planet? When tattoos and body piercing and weird haircuts and colors are the rage, when perversion is accepted and even honored as "pride" -- well...how do you rebel against that kind of freak show society?