Classic quotes

"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

‎"People travel to wonder
at the height of the mountains,
at the huge waves of the seas,
at the long course of the rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars,
and yet they pass by themselves
without wondering. "
— St. Augustine of Hippo

Awesome quotes

‎"There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tower high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
— J.R.R. Tolkien (The Return of the King)

“The issue is now quite clear. It is between light and darkness and every one must choose his side.”   (G.K. Chesterton, on his deathbed)

"I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers to God make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those effects down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives." (Dr. Peter Kreeft)

Parents, be aware! September 15, 2015 (LiveActionNews) -- Imagine sitting down with a 10-year-old child and not just talking to her about where babies comes from, but about her own “sexual rights” as a child in the third grade and how to engage in oral and anal sex to avoid pregnancy. If this seems odd – and inappropriate – to you, then why is Planned Parenthood receiving our tax dollars to do exactly that? Planned Parenthood, the same organization currently under investigation for illegally selling the body parts of aborted babies, has taken on the role of Sex Educator in our public schools, teaching children as young as 10 that they have the right to “sexual pleasure.” The International Planned Parenthood Federation showcases their work with children in their guide EXCLAIM! Young people’s guide to ‘Sexual rights: and IPPF declaration.’ The IPPF’s aim is to guarantee sexual rights for all young people so they are “able to explore, experience and express their sexualities in healthy, positive, pleasurable and safe ways.” IPPF says that sexual rights are the same as all other human rights: “universal, inalienable, indivisible, interrelated and interdependent” – unless of course we’re talking about the right to be born. IPPF actually promotes the idea that “sexuality is a central aspect of being human during all phases of each person’s life.” Here are some more shocking quotes from IPPF’s declaration: 1) “There is a common assumption that young people are incapable of making decisions for themselves, so parents or other adults should have full authority over decisions related to their sexuality.” Yes, young people are incapable of making good decisions until they are well into their twenties. It’s actually scientifically proven, but, as we know, Planned Parenthood is known for its denial of science, especially the fact that life begins at conception. 2) “Since each young person develops at their own pace, there is no universal age at which certain sexual rights and protections gain or lose importance.” So at what age do we protect children from sexual predators who trick them into relationships through lies and deceit? According to IPPF, any child, at any time, could be ready for sex – so who are we to stop them? 3) “All young people are entitled to sexual well-being and pleasure, whether or not they want to have children.” Because apparently pregnancy is not a direct result of sex and children and young people should be free to have sex without having the expectation that they should ever bear a child from it without wanting to. 4) “Everyone has the right to life.” Yes, Planned Parenthood actually admits this. 5) Young people are entitled to “autonomy to make decisions about one’s sexuality in line with the evolving capacity of young people and without forceful interference from parents, guardians or other adult figures.” “Forceful interference from parents”? I think we call that good parenting. 6) Young people are entitled to “removal of laws that require parental, spousal or guardian consent that discriminate against young people based on age or gender and prevent young people from accessing sexual and reproductive health services.” Because you can’t take Advil at school without a parent’s permission, but you can obtain dangerous birth control or receive an abortion that could kill you without your parents’ knowledge. 7) Young people are entitled to “access to a wide range of contraceptives and to the newest advances in reproductive technology.” Because that’s what makes customers for Planned Parenthood – and they make a good amount of money from birth control and other services. And when even that “advanced” birth control fails, guess what? More abortion customers. 8) Young people are entitled to “liberalisation of abortion legislation to enable all young women to access safe abortion care.” Because abortion is where Planned Parenthood makes its real money. Over 51 percent of Planned Parenthood’s clinic income comes from abortion. PP played huge role in creating the National Sexuality Education Standards promoted by the United States government. According to PP, they reach 1.5 million young people each year with their sexual education teachings. This is extremely bad news for our youth and for the future. According to the American College of Pediatricians, adolescent sexual activity is actually detrimental to young people, especially girls. They recommend and endorse abstinence until marriage and say that adolescent sexual activity is “detrimental to the well-being of all involved, especially young women, and society at large.” Children ages 10-19 are at a higher risk for contracting STDs due to an increased number of sexual partners and to the “immaturity of the cervical tissue of girls and young women.” Most teens who have been sexually active regret it. But Planned Parenthood chooses to ignore the science and data once again. Why? Because they make their money by playing the role of the stranger offering candy to children. They tell children they should be having sex and they offer them empty promises and lies. They teach our children how to engage in sexual activities that most of these children have likely never even thought of at 10 years old. They make children feel as though they aren’t normal if they don’t partake in these sexual activities. When these same children become pregnant or infected with an STD after listening to Planned Parenthood’s advice, PP is there to make more money from them. All the while, they are the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing. Nothing but the devil in disguise. (From Lifesite News)

Think you're healthy? Think again!

We all think of ourselves as being generally healthy. Sure, we have a few things that could be improved, but each morning we get out of bed with enough energy and strength to go through the day. We may not get 8 hours sleep, but we get by. We may not always eat healthy, but what we do eat keeps us going. We have our occasional, nagging aches and pains- headaches, joint pains, occasional stomach upset. We take our Tylenol, Pepcid, vitamin supplements. But for the most part, life goes on as usual with only a few bumps in the road. We expect nothing less! We take our basic health for granted. Then in comes microscopic germ warfare for a visit, and not your normal garden variety. Suddenly your expected ability to be able to live your life "normally" disappears. What the heck??! I ache all over and don't have enough strength to get out bed? I can't sit up without extreme nausea and the end result of it? Plain water and saltine crackers don't stay down! Fever comes and goes, with extreme chills. After several days of this, it becomes apparent- I need some help! And after IV fluids and meds for nausea, there is limited improvement- it will take days to recover. Our bubble of health was just popped by some organism we can't even see. It has been the case for me recently after contracting Influenza A- and yes, I had taken the flu shot. These past days spent flat on my back in bed allowed many hours to think. It occurred to me how fragile our balance of life really is. It seems we go through life looking the other way- it won't happen to me. I won't get in a car accident, I won't develop cancer, my children won't be abducted or abused, that violence that happens all over the world won't come here and affect me or my family....I am immune to this. Not so! We are all walking a thin line with our eyes closed. It's important to stop and think just how fleeting our health can be. And it's also important to give thanks every day for the many blessings we have which are expected and taken for granted. Thank you, God, for the gift of health, each day that I have it!

Adopt a Catholic Seminarian

Ten years ago, I would never have guessed I would be on Facebook- and not only every now and then, but daily. The internet age has provided us a way to communicate with others all over the world. When I first joined Facebook I assumed it would be a way to see family pictures of grandkids and that's about all. But I have found many fellow Catholics who share my love of our Church on that site. There are also countless pages dedicated to our faith. It was in February of this year that I saw a post from one of those pages with several comments from others. One comment caught my attention and I "liked" the comment. It was posted by a young seminarian in Uganda, and that day we became friends. We started communicating frequently and I learned a lot within a few weeks. Uganda is an extremely poor country where the average income is a dollar a day. Very few families have electricity or plumbing in their homes. The country is mostly Catholic, and families raise their children in the faith starting at a very young age. Many vocations to the priesthood are the result of frequent, usually daily, family mass attendance. However, seminary education is about 10 years of formation. It is not free, although very reasonable in cost compared to America. Families struggle to assist their sons, and some cannot pay. My new friend had been in seminary for several years and "cost sharing" had more than doubled recently. It was doubtful his family would be able to pay the higher cost. I decided to become his sponsor/benefactor. Since that time, I have gotten to know my young friend very well. We have used Skype several times and I was able to see him, other seminarians and the seminary where he studies. I have seen his family and talked to them. I have learned some of his language called Luo- just a few phrases but enough that his mother (who speaks no English) could understand me. I am so happy to assist him to reach the priesthood! He will be a fine priest in a few years. I hope to travel to Uganda for his ordination. I knew there were many more seminarians needing assistance, so I decided to start a page on Facebook called "Adopt a Catholic Seminarian." I posted pictures and a short description of others needing help. I currently have 7 young men listed, and 3 have received offers of partial assistance. There will be more listed as I know of them. The page just serves as a way to introduce the young men to those who may be able to assist. I suggest getting to know each other first. The cost sharing amount is $250 per semester which averages less than $50 a month. A sponsor can pay all or part of that- any help is greatly appreciated! Any funds are sent directly to the seminarian or to the rector at his seminary. Do you wonder what you can do to promote the Catholic faith? This is one way to do just that, and it is very rewarding. Please send a message to the "Adopt a Catholic Seminarian" page and I am glad to answer any questions. https://www.facebook.com/AdoptACatholicSeminarian

Setting Priorities

I don't have a huge amount of friends of Facebook- less than 300- but it occurred to me that many of my posts may irritate some people. I can imagine some of the thoughts- "is that all she ever posts about?"- "another post about religion"- "she has a holier-than-thou attitude." I admit, most of my posts focus on one thing. But we all post about what is important to us, and a relationship with God is at the top of my list. I do not claim to have the life of a saint! Far from it! But every day I cannot help but focus on that truth. It just is part of me, and comes to my mind constantly. It hasn't always been that way- something changed in me about 10 years ago. Before then, my life didn't include God much. I didn't particularly care about going to weekly mass. Outside of mass I never gave a thought to God. He was there, but in the background. I figured I could put Him off and concentrate on the "important" things. So what is important? Our family, friends, homes, jobs, health, wealth? Yes, to a degree! But our priorities need to look beyond and see the ONLY thing that truly matters! I recently saw a post about Joel Osteen, a wealthy television evangelist who preaches that God wants us to be wealthy. That may be true, but He expects us to use that wealth in ways other than buying multiple homes, private jets, and living like a king. If you are blessed with excess money, share it with those in need. If you don't have a lot of excess money, share as much as you can. I certainly am not rich, but I can look around and see excess in my life. What do I really need in this life? I need a relationship with the God who created me, because in the end, as Mother Teresa once said, it isn't about you and them, it's about you and God. Yes, I am Catholic and firmly believe in our faith. I depend on the sacramental gifts received there, especially the Eucharist. I wish all protestants knew of the joy and strength it provides! If you cannot accept those beliefs and choose to ignore the greatest gift given to us, so be it. I am quite well aware that there are many with a true love of the Lord in other denominations. But all need to have a relationship with God! Get out of the rut that keeps you from knowing Him. Everything you have is a temporary gift which will not last. Our lives are so short and can end at any time. I may have 30 years left, and I may have 30 days. God, help me to see past the clutter I have piled around myself, which blocks my view of You!

How much do we give to God? Something to think about

THE EXAMPLE SET US BY THE HOLY FATHERS CONSIDER the lively examples set us by the saints, who possessed the light of true perfection and religion, and you will see how little, how nearly nothing, we do. What, alas, is our life, compared with theirs? The saints and friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in work and fatigue, in vigils and fasts, in prayers and holy meditations, in persecutions and many afflictions. How many and severe were the trials they suffered -- the Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and all the rest who willed to follow in the footsteps of Christ! They hated their lives on earth that they might have life in eternity. How strict and detached were the lives the holy hermits led in the desert! What long and grave temptations they suffered! How often were they beset by the enemy! What frequent and ardent prayers they offered to God! What rigorous fasts they observed! How great their zeal and their love for spiritual perfection! How brave the fight they waged to master their evil habits! What pure and straightforward purpose they showed toward God! By day they labored and by night they spent themselves in long prayers. Even at work they did not cease from mental prayer. They used all their time profitably; every hour seemed too short for serving God, and in the great sweetness of contemplation, they forgot even their bodily needs. They renounced all riches, dignities, honors, friends, and associates. They desired nothing of the world. They scarcely allowed themselves the necessities of life, and the service of the body, even when necessary, was irksome to them. They were poor in earthly things but rich in grace and virtue. Outwardly destitute, inwardly they were full of grace and divine consolation. Strangers to the world, they were close and intimate friends of God. To themselves they seemed as nothing, and they were despised by the world, but in the eyes of God they were precious and beloved. They lived in true humility and simple obedience; they walked in charity and patience, making progress daily on the pathway of spiritual life and obtaining great favor with God. They were given as an example for all religious, and their power to stimulate us to perfection ought to be greater than that of the lukewarm to tempt us to laxity. How great was the fervor of all religious in the beginning of their holy institution! How great their devotion in prayer and their rivalry for virtue! What splendid discipline flourished among them! What great reverence and obedience in all things under the rule of a superior! The footsteps they left behind still bear witness that they indeed were holy and perfect men who fought bravely and conquered the world. Today, he who is not a transgressor and who can bear patiently the duties which he has taken upon himself is considered great. How lukewarm and negligent we are! We lose our original fervor very quickly and we even become weary of life from laziness! Do not you, who have seen so many examples of the devout, fall asleep in the pursuit of virtue! The Imitation of Christ Thomas à Kempis The Eighteenth Chapter