God Bless America and Bring Her to Honor Christ the King!

Have a blessed Independence Day!

Is This Upcoming Birthday a Secret?

America's 250th birthday is just around the corner. Have you heard one word about it in the mainstream media? The 1976 bicentennial was hyped long before it arrived. and we are only a little over two years away from this historic event.

So why the silence? Where is the enthusiasm for celebrating 250 years of America? What is the difference between the America of 1976 and the America of today? 

There were few people in our country shouting "Death to America" in 1976 like recently happened at a pro-Palestine demonstration in Michigan. Few pastors imitated Rev. Jeremiah Wright screaming, "God damn America." 

Is America Collapsing Like this Ancient Barn? It's Not Hopeless!

I love Victor Davis Hanson and enjoy his columns in the Epoch Times and his interviews on TV. We don't agree about everything, but his opinions are so thoughtful and thought-provoking that I always find myself stopping to reflect as I read. The article below is one such thought-provoking, not to mention inspiring articles. Is it a metaphor for our country? I hope so, because perhaps the 1,000 years of survival mentioned by one of the contractors will be our happy fate. Let us pray for our country and all resolve to build on the strength of the past for a solid future, but always according to the will of God. May Jesus Christ be praised!

Ode to a Collapsing Barn.

By: Victor Davis Hanson

 

Part One - February 20, 2024 

Every night the Political Prisoners from January 6th Sing the Star Spangled Banner

The spirit of the founding fathers who fought against the tyranny of England lives on in the hearts and minds of these patriots falsely incarcerated by an evil, weaponized Department of Injustice. Pray for them and send your guardian angels to pray with them as well. These people are the early victims of the police state, but it will eventually come for many others, maybe me and you.  

 

Sunday Meditation: Cherish Family and Go Camping!

Huge family party to celebrate the 55th wedding anniversary of Shirley (Larry’s cousin) and
Charlie, What a joyful reunion with so many relatives and friends. 

If you want a big dose of hope in the future, go camping. I’m not talking about snowbird camping which is fun, but usually will find you camping with a lot of lovable seniors, but few children. I’m talking about family camping like we found this weekend on a Halloween-themed event complete with trick-or-treaters visiting the campsites by the score. We gave out about 200 pieces of candy and enjoyed all the little ones from babies in strollers to teens carrying a “Trump in 2024 sign” and another reading “You know Trump Won!” There were dozens of children in the morning bike parade. 

Well...We Used to Know We Were Free! If the Biden Administration has their Way our Freedoms are on the Cancel Culture List!

Are you proud to be an American? Are you proud of our boys in blue and the brave Americans who defend us in the armed forces? 

Remember when bishops took a firm "tone" defending the truth? Let us pray for its return!

You can view the full 25 minute episode from which the short episode was taken below.

A Little Optimism from President Trump! And Don't We Need It?

Hate Trump all you want, he loves America unlike many of our liberal politicians who engage in a continuous mantra urging people to hate our patria, our homeland. Patria is the root of the words patriot and patriotism, the love of country. St. Thomas Aquinas describes piety (from the Latin pietas meaning dutifulness) as a special virtue that "pays duty and homage to our parents and country":  

"Just as religion is a protestation of faith, hope and charity, whereby man is primarily directed to God, so again piety is a protestation of the charity we bear towards our parents and country. (my emphasis) 

God save America!

I Never Thought I'd be Featuring a Member of the Rock Band KISS...

In fact, I once ripped a KISS poster off the wall of one of my teenage children's rooms.

Nevertheless, Gene Simmons' story is too good not to share. And I give two thumbs up to his message, "Never be ashamed to say, 'God Bless America!'"

But frankly, what I loved best about this was the tribute to his mom and the obvious love he had for her.

Blessed Mother, intercede for him for whatever graces he needs to be in union with your Son.

Oh, Say Can You See

Robbin Williams on Stage Speaking as the American Flag  Priceless!

A dear friend of ours sent along this link to a video of Robbin Williams on stage impersonating the American flag.  Not only is Williams forever funny, he reminds us of how lucky we are to be Americans, free to think and believe what we choose and not what we are told, and free to be different without coercion to conform.  We have this freedom because sacrifices have been made for us that preserve these concepts of freedom in spite of socialist efforts, which never cease, to try to take it all away from us.

Happy Fourth! Enjoy our National March Played by the President's Own

Happy 4th of July, America - God Mend Thine Every Flaw

What do you think? If you asked the average man on the street why we celebrate 4th of July, do you think he could tell you? I have my doubts. But I'm sure Ray Charles could. What a man! Have a blessed 4th of July!

Pray for the Fallen on this Memorial Day

This Made Me Sad

What a waste! One honorable young man dies in our country's unnecessary involvement in Iraq where we don't belong. The other, a dishonest young man thumbing his nose at the world, is killed in an unnecessary fight with a neighborhood watch volunteer. Pray for the repose of both their souls. 

And pray that our country commits to strengthening the family. It's pretty clear the difference between these two young men. Jaron Holliday grew up in an intact family with a mom and dad and lots of siblings. Trayvon Martin was the troubled child of divorce who was visiting the home of his dad's girlfriend when the shooting occurred. These days we rarely hear any defense of the intact nuclear family, but the greatest predictor of a kid staying out of trouble is having both a dad and mom in the home. Studies show that kids do best in an intact family. The most constructive thing government can do for kids is to develop policies that promote families staying together. 

Live for God!

Holy Week is a good time to reflect on living our lives "under God." Lord, help us to do Your will every day with every breath we take, with every word we speak, with every step we take. Help us to return good for evil and never to harbor hate toward our neighbors. Help all who are enslaved by sin to be freed by the grace of repentance and reform and a desire to be conformed to You, not the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In God We Trust: Happy 4th of July!

As you listen to our National Anthem consider the 4th and final verse and pray for our poor country. We will only continue to be the "land of the free and home of the brave" to the degree that we honor the "Power" that has "preserved us a nation." Pray that all patriots put their trust in God and obey his laws which were made for our happiness. When we throw out the laws of God, we guarantee the misery of our country and our people.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Rejoicing in Family!

I love holidays because they always bring family visitors. Not everybody, of course; we have to share with the other grandparents...but we are rarely celebrating alone. This July 4th brings our Texas daughter and her family which includes five little princesses including one not-so-little sweet sixteen. We plan on a special outing to celebrate her being on the cusp of Catholic womanhood.

We won't be able to see the youngest member of our family party because she is still in her own little watery world of Mama's womb. But we'll see the evidence of her presence. And we've already seen her first photos through the wonderful technology of ultrasound. If you'd like to be introduced, check her out on my gramma blog. Hope your 4th of July is as full of family and fun as ours.

God bless America!

Remember the Fallen

A wonderful veteran in our parish spends Memorial Day weekend on the Woodstock overpass at Int. 81 playing patriotic music and waving a huge American flag. Dressed in camouflage, he stands his vigil hour after hour honoring his fallen brothers and sisters. Thanks, Art, for reminding us what semper fidelis means!

Sunday Inspiration: Compassion is an art!

It's Flag Day; Fly the Colors

Today is flag day. Put on your red, white, and blue and, if you have a flag pin, wear it. This country was founded on godly principles and is still so attractive to the world that many want to come here.

So don't let the America haters get you down. If you love God first, you will strive to build your family and community in the image of the Holy Family at Nazareth. Pray and work for justice, especially for the weak and vulnerable.

Americans are blessed to be born in a country that was built on respect for the individual. We've had some bumps in the road, but our pledge still gives men the greatest hope of "liberty and justice for all." So wave the flag proudly and work to make her truly represent the hope she promises.

To paraphrase St. Thomas More, be your country's good servant, but God's first.