secular Institute for the laity under religious vows

One Church

The Catholic Church counts over one billion persons, slightly more than half of the total number of Christians in the world, or 16 percent of the world population. Most belong to the Latin Church and worship according to the Roman rite. But there are 16 million members of Eastern Catholic Churches, of whom approximately 7,650,000 worship according to the Byzantine tradition, and 8,300,000 according to various other ancient Eastern Christian traditions, such as the Armenian, Coptic and Syriac traditions.

All, East and West, belong to the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.

Phyllis Zagano is the author of several books, including Holy Saturday: An Argument for the Restoration of the Female Diaconate in the Catholic Church (Crossroad/Herder, 2000). She teaches at Hofstra University, in New York.

January 10, 2006
St. Gregory of Nyssa
(c. 330-395)



The son of two saints, Basil and Emmilia, young Gregory was raised by his older brother, St. Basil the Great, and his sister, Macrina, in modern-day Turkey. Gregory's success in his studies suggested great things were ahead for him. After becoming a professor of rhetoric, he was persuaded to devote his learning and efforts to the Church. By then married, Gregory went on to study for the priesthood and become ordained (this at a time when celibacy was not a matter of law for priests).

He was elected Bishop of Nyssa (in Lower Armenia) in 372, a period of great tension over the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Briefly arrested after being falsely accused of embezzling Church funds, Gregory was restored to his see in 378, an act met with great joy by his people.

It was after the death of his beloved brother, Basil, that Gregory really came into his own. He wrote with great effectiveness against Arianism and other questionable doctrines, gaining a reputation as a defender of orthodoxy. He was sent on missions to counter other heresies and held a position of prominence at the Council of Constantinople. His fine reputation stayed with him for the remainder of his life, but over the centuries it gradually declined as the authorship of his writings became less and less certain. But, thanks to the work of scholars in the 20th century, his stature is once again appreciated. Indeed, St. Gregory of Nyssa is seen not simply as a pillar of orthodoxy but as one of the great contributors to the mystical tradition in Christian spirituality and to monasticism itself.

Comment:

Orthodoxy is a word that raises red flags in our minds. It connotes rigid attitudes that make no room for honest differences of opinion. But it might just as well suggest something else: faith that has settled deep in one's bones. Gregory's faith was like that. So deeply imbedded was his faith in Jesus that he knew the divinity that Arianism denied. When we resist something offered as truth without knowing exactly why, it may be because our faith has settled in our bones.

Tonight I get together with my whole family for the last time here in the Boston area with my brother and his two daughters and we open our Christmas gifts. It is in our genes that we love turkey so much. So, his girlfriend is making a thanksgiving dinner for all of us with all of the trimmings! Tom, my brother from Iraq and I love turkey! I bought his daughters both new purses and I put money in their bags! I bought him tee shirt for Iraq! He must wear long sleeves there due to the sand flees!

I got his girlfriend dog bones and a dog ball that records her voice when he moves it. When the dog moves the ball it says whatever she wants it to say with her voice and it spits out a dog treat! So much for her dog being on a diet! I bought all of the Valentine heart chocolates!

Well friends, I must get ready for my turkey!

n

Have a great time, Nancy!

Bon appetit

Hello gang:

Here I go:

So last night I DID get the chance to see my brother and the gang. We got together at 5:30 p.m. at his girlfriend's house with her dog, a fox terrier! My brother put on out plates a scratch ticket and none of us won! We had shrimp and cheese and crackers for appetizers and talked for an hour telling "remember when..." stories again They are getting old!

We all had our favorite turkey dinner. His daughters gave me my usual present, their school pictures framed. I am always excited to received my neices' pictures!

We sat around and opened presents for about an hour telling why we got what we got and laughed at the gifts! We had such a good time!

n

Thanks so much for your kind wishes! I love my baby brother so much. I teased him about changing his diapers. He is 10 years younger than me!

n

Taken from the New York Times:

Democrats and Religion

Published: January 11, 2006
To the Editor:

Joseph Loconte writes ("Nearer, My God, to the G.O.P.," Op-Ed, Jan. 2), "If Democrats give religious progressives a stronger voice, they'll only replicate the misdeeds of the religious right."

People of faith do not expect Democratic politicians to quote the Bible every time they state a position. Nevertheless, we want some assurance that they, and the judges they appoint, respect our religious beliefs and values.

The Democratic Party needs more leaders like William Jennings Bryan and Jimmy Carter.

John Engelman
Wilmington, Del., Jan. 2, 2006

Here is a hot topic, condom use in the Catholic Church! Here is what one Bishop has to say...........

TANZANIA: Roman Catholic bishops oppose teaching of condom use
10 Jan 2006 13:59:42 GMT

Source: IRIN

DAR ES SALAAM, 10 January (IRIN) - Roman Catholic bishops in Tanzania have condemned as "unacceptable" a new science syllabus for primary schools that incorporates the teaching of proper condom use.

"Introduction of the [teaching of] use of condoms in schools, apart from being sinful, is indeed justification and opening the door for immoral lifestyles," Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, the archbishop of Dar es Salaam, said on Monday in a statement issued on behalf of Tanzania's Episcopal Conference.

"Teaching children, some as young as 12 years old, the use of condoms is disastrous," he added.

The disputed part of the syllabus is a section that lists several means of preventing the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic, including the proper use of condoms. The Ministry of Education released the new primary school science syllabus in November 2005.

The Episcopal Conference has remained steadfast in its opposition to condoms as a means of contraception and HIV/AIDS prevention, despite the fact that at least two million Tanzanians are HIV positive.

The Conference said its opposition did not imply that the church was "blind to the magnitude of the loss of life and suffering to millions of people infected by the disease". However, it said, the church was obliged to defend the dignity of human beings and, as such, therefore, had to speak out.

However, Halima Shariff, an official of the Tanzania AIDS Commission said: "The clerics say the only way to check further spread of HIV/AIDS is to abstain from sex or having a single partner. Well, that is indeed good; but what do you do with those who cannot manage to abstain or stick to a single partner?"

From The Imitation of Christby Thomas a Kempis,

Chapter 3

The Doctrine of Truth

HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words that fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses often deceive us and we discern very little.

What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters when our ignorance of them will not be held against us on Judgment Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and necessary and undue concern with those which are irrelevant and harmful, are great folly.

We have eyes and do not see.

What, therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? He to whom the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing. For from this Word are all things and of Him all things speak -- the Beginning Who also speaks to us. Without this Word no man understands or judges aright. He to whom it becomes everything, who traces all things to it and who sees all things in it, may ease his heart and remain at peace with God.

O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.

The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?

A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has to do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but according to the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.

Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well.

If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.

Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you knew so well in life and who were famous for their learning? Others have already taken their places and I know not whether they ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed to be something; now they are seldom remembered. How quickly the glory of the world passes away! If only their lives had kept pace with their learning, then their study and reading would have been worth while.

How many there are who perish because of vain worldly knowledge and too little care for serving God. They became vain in their own conceits because they chose to be great rather than humble.

He is truly great who has great charity. He is truly great who is little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest honor. He is truly wise who looks upon all earthly things as folly that he may gain Christ. He who does God's will and renounces his own is truly very learned.

Tonight, after work, We Annunciationist have our evening of recollection together at the Daughters of St. Paul. I shall tell you about it tomorrow!

n

from americancatholic.org
catholic news!

Catholic News for Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Maryland governor allots $4 million for program in nonpublic schools


DUNDALK, Md. (CNS) -- In a Jan. 5 assembly at a Catholic school in the Baltimore Archdiocese, Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. announced he will allot $4 million in the state budget for the funding of the textbook and technology program in nonpublic schools. The figure represents a $1 million increase from last year, but is $2 million short of what had been requested by Catholic school leaders and Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore. "To make education work in Maryland, we need to have a very strong public school system," Ehrlich said at the assembly at Our Lady of Hope-St. Luke School in Dundalk. "We need to have a very strong parochial school system and we need a very strong private school system. They're all complementary. The state should help -- and it does." Ronald J. Valenti, superintendent of Catholic schools, said he was "very grateful" that nonpublic school students will continue receiving funding for nonreligious textbooks and technology, but he was "a little disappointed" that funding is "still far below" the $6 million allotted when the program began in 2001.




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U.S. court upholds verdict finding Salvadorans liable for abuses


ATLANTA (CNS) -- A federal appeals court has upheld a $54.6 million jury verdict against two retired military officers from El Salvador holding them liable for human rights abuses in their home country during the 1980s. The defendants -- Jose Guillermo Garcia and Carlos Vides Casanova -- served as Salvadoran officials during a 12-year civil war in the Central American country. They were accused in a civil suit by three Salvadoran plaintiffs who said they were tortured by military personnel during the time the two generals were in office. "Our victory in this case is a victory for the entire Salvadoran community. This decision from such an important U.S. court sends a strong message to the Salvadoran military that they will not get away with their crimes," said Neris Gonzalez, one of the plaintiffs. Gonzalez was a catechist and environmentalist in El Salvador when she was arrested and tortured for organizing human rights groups and organizations defending natural resources. She eventually moved to the United States.




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Cardinal Rigali asks Senate to reject House immigration bill


PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia has asked the Senate to reject a House-passed immigration bill that stresses law enforcement to prevent illegal immigration. "A more comprehensive and humane approach to immigration reform" is needed, he said in a Jan. 9 statement. The Senate should support legislation "that reforms all aspects of our nation's immigration system, not simply law enforcement," he said. The statement was issued to coincide with National Migration Week, celebrated Jan. 8-14 this year by the U.S. Catholic Church. The cardinal urged the Senate to consider legislation that would allow the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. to legalize their status. This would be an "earned legalization" program that would require immigrants "to work for up to six years before applying for legal permanent residence," he said. "Earned legalization is not amnesty," he said.




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Alito's longer paper trail gives senators much material for questions


WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As the second Supreme Court nominee in five months faced the Senate Judiciary Committee in early January, Judge Samuel Alito Jr. encountered a hearing markedly more skeptical in tone than the one now-Chief Justice John Roberts sailed through in September. Contributing to the difference were Alito's lengthier record of judicial opinions and a perception -- described by several Democratic members of the committee -- that Alito would be more judicially conservative than Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, whom he would replace. One key area on which committee members focused in opening remarks and early questioning was Alito's writings on abortion, including his 1985 application to become deputy assistant attorney general, in which he said he personally strongly believed in the government's position that "the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion."




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San Antonio Catholics lead retreat for peers in Honduran archdiocese


SAN ANTONIO (CNS) -- The San Antonio Archdiocese has been providing spiritual, social and material help to the people of its sister Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, since Hurricane Mitch dealt a blow to the Central American nation in 1998. Each January, the U.S. archdiocese takes up an annual collection in January to benefit its Honduran counterpart. The multipurpose Centro San Antonio there includes a day care and nutrition center, runs a variety of programs and offers courses in job skills for adults and children. But a new chapter in the San Antonians' outreach was started this past fall when 26 of them, including Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, led a special retreat for 45 Honduran men. Called an ACTS retreat -- an acronym for adoration, community, theology and service -- it is directed primarily to those within a parish to help them enter into a new or deeper relationship with God and fellow parishioners. Founded in San Antonio in 1987, the retreat sprang from the Cursillo movement, which seeks to promote individual and organized apostolic action.




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Parish giving goes electronic


WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As Americans move increasingly to an electronic economy, Catholic parishes are finding that many of their members prefer making their regular parish offerings by credit card or electronic cash transfer. W. Brian Walsh, founder and president of Faith Direct, said that typically about one-fifth of envelope holders sign up for electronic giving within the first year after a parish offers that option. Faith Direct, based in Alexandria, Va., is one of several U.S. firms that help churchgoers do a better job of stewardship by committing themselves to an automatic monthly bank account deduction or credit card charge for support of their church. "Most people are accustomed to monthly charges" for financial transactions ranging from mortgages and car payments to utility bills and credit card bills, Walsh said.




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Entries for Archbishop O'Meara awards due by Feb. 28


NEW YORK (CNS) -- Feb. 28 is the deadline for entries in the 2006 competition for the Archbishop Edward T. O'Meara Awards, presented annually by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith to honor writing about the missions. Writers for Catholic newspapers are eligible in five categories: visits to the missions, involving trips to the missions by newspaper staff; interviews with missionaries visiting the U.S.; news events from the missions; mission series, involving two or more articles about a specific mission country or aspect of missionary work or life; and original promotion of World Mission Sunday 2005, in cooperation with the diocesan Propagation of the Faith director. Diocesan directors are eligible for awards based on a single article about the missions or for promotion of World Mission Sunday through the diocesan newspaper. Writers for Catholic magazines are eligible for an award honoring the best single article with a worldwide missionary theme. More information is available online at: www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org.



EU panel expresses concern over doctor's right to object to abortion


VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Criticizing a proposed treaty between the Vatican and Slovakia, a European Union advisory panel said there are limits to a doctor's right to conscientiously object to performing abortions. In mid-December, the EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights said conscientious objections cannot be allowed to prevent women from having an abortion when the procedure is legal. In its 41-page report on conscientious objection clauses in Vatican treaties, specifically looking at the proposed treaty with Slovakia, the panel also said such provisions could be seen as granting special status to the Catholic Church and its members in violation of national, European and international laws. The network, an advisory body whose opinions are not binding, was established by the European Commission, an administrative body of the European Union. The commission asked the network to study the Vatican-Slovakian concordat.




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Empty hospital beds in Rwanda show cholera epidemic is fading


KIGALI, Rwanda (CNS) -- Many of the beds set up to deal with a cholera epidemic at the Masaka Health Center are empty. But Joyce Ngoma, a nurse at the church-supported health center on the outskirts of the Rwandan capital, said the empty beds are a recent development. "The other day it was full," she said Jan. 10 while taking a break from treating some of the more seriously ill patients at the health center. A deadly cholera outbreak hit Masaka Dec. 29 and was declared an epidemic by the Rwandan Health Ministry Jan. 2. The outbreak, which has since spread to surrounding areas and reportedly as far away as Ruhengeri in Rwanda's northwest, killed nearly 20 people. None died at the Masaka Health Center. At the height of the outbreak, Ngoma said, the Masaka Health Center filled all 250 beds set up to deal with the outbreak. On Jan. 10, there were only 25 cholera patients, and only four were dehydrated enough to require intravenous fluids.




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German bishop withdraws priest's license to teach theology


COLOGNE, Germany (CNS) -- A German priest suspended for celebrating a high-profile Mass where he invited non-Catholics to partake of the Eucharist has had his right to teach theology withdrawn by his bishop. Father Gotthold Hasenhuttl released a letter dated Jan. 2 from Bishop Reinhard Marx of Trier, who said that Father Hasenhuttl's recent writings "have made it clear that you are not prepared to give way, that you consider your view to be correct and that you see no reason to bow to the ecclesiatical discipline on the issue which led to your suspension." Father Hasenhuttl, who was a professor of systematic theology at the University of the Saarland until his retirement in 2002 and who still teaches there occasionally, was suspended from the priesthood in 2003 after he invited the participation of non-Catholics in a Mass he celebrated on the fringes of an official ecumenical church day in Berlin.




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Lebanon's bishops urge government leaders to strive for stability


BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- Lebanon's Maronite Catholic bishops urged government officials to work toward strengthening stability in the country and said recent allegations about Syria's involvement in the assassination of a former Lebanese leader demonstrate the strong influence Syrian intelligence and military have wielded in Lebanon. "The series of bomb explosions and assassinations which occurred in Lebanon last year spread a heavy atmosphere of fear and caution throughout the country," said the Maronite Council of Bishops in a statement following their monthly meeting. "The Lebanese authorities should exert their utmost to resolve this atmosphere, which has greatly damaged the country on all levels, especially the economy." The bishops also referred to the recent statements made by a former Syrian vice president alleging that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad had personally threatened former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri before Hariri's assassination. The bishops said the allegation "brought to light the great effect which the Syrian military and intelligence presence had in shaking the bases upon which stands the Lebanese state. Nevertheless, it is a statement which should inspire the authorities in both countries to establish true relations that will yield a benefit for both peoples."






Bishop McAuliffe, retired bishop of Jefferson City, dies at 85


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) -- Retired Bishop Michael F. McAuliffe of Jefferson City died in his sleep Jan. 9 in the Jeanne Jugan Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Kansas City. He was 85. His successor, Bishop John R. Gaydos, described Bishop McAuliffe as "a gentle man of God" and said "it was in keeping that he gently slipped the traces of this earthly existence." His funeral Mass was scheduled for Jan. 14 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City, followed by burial in Resurrection Cemetery, also in Jefferson City. A priest of the Diocese of Kansas City, later renamed the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese, Bishop McAuliffe headed the Jefferson City Diocese from 1969 until his retirement in 1997. Although he headed a relatively small diocese, with about 90,000 Catholics, Bishop McAuliffe became nationally known when he chaired the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Women in Church and Society from 1974 to 1982.




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Catholic parents renovate house to raise school funds


PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- Besides the usual auctions and candy sales, St. Luke School in Woodburn has added real estate as a fundraiser. Along the way, school parents and members of St. Luke Parish have generated a stronger sense of community. It started last fall when parishioners Monica and Mark Nyman, temporarily flush with cash from the sale of a Willamette Valley farm, bought a $92,000 house as an investment. Experienced homebuyers and renovators, the couple asked other parents to volunteer to help rehabilitate the three-bedroom house, a mile from the church. When they resold the home early in December, their profit of $30,000 was donated to the school. The money likely will go to student financial aid. "It was kind of a fun thing," Monica Nyman told the Catholic Sentinel, newspaper of the Portland Archdiocese. She is on the school's fundraising team and husband Mark serves on the school advisory council.




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Pope appoints new archbishop for Winnipeg Ukrainian Catholic Church


OTTAWA (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a new archbishop for the Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ukrainian Bishop Lawrence Huculak of Edmonton, Alberta, has been appointed the Ukrainian archbishop of Winnipeg. "I'm quite honored to have been chosen for this," Archbishop Huculak said in a telephone interview from Edmonton Jan. 9. His installation will take place Feb. 11 at Sts. Volodymyr and Olga Cathedral in Winnipeg. The worldwide head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar of Kiev-Halych, Ukraine, will officiate. Archbishop Huculak will replace Ukrainian Archbishop Michael Bzdel, who formally requested retirement following his 75th birthday July 21.




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Bishop Wuerl elected chairman of NCEA board of directors


WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishop Donald W. Wuerl of Pittsburgh has been elected to a three-year term as chairman of the board of directors of the National Catholic Educational Association. When he begins his term in April, he will succeed Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of Austin, Texas, who had held the post since 2002. In a statement, Bishop Wuerl said Catholic education "has played a significant role in the United States, exercising an extraordinary impact on the life of individuals, the church and our society." He said it would be "a privilege and joy to serve as NCEA's board chairman and work with all to continue the important contributions that the NCEA makes to so many."

Arizona bishop requires ''natural family planning'' course in

premarital counseling

PHOENIX (AP) -- Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Olmsted is requiring couples who want a church wedding to take instruction in natural family planning, also known as the rhythm method.

Official church teaching holds that artificial birth control methods are sinful, accepting only abstention from relations during the time a woman ovulates each month.

Bishops in Denver and Fargo, N.D., also require premarital instruction in natural family planning.

The Arizona Republic reported on articles by Olmsted addressing the issue. The bishop argued that a ''marriage itself is gravely harmed'' and marital infidelity increases when a couple uses artificial methods. He said ''the use of contraceptives is always morally evil, and many of them have harmful side effects as well.''

The bishop urged those using birth control and fertility treatments that violate church teaching to ''seek forgiveness.''

About 2,000 couples a year are married in the Phoenix diocese.

Taken from cruxnews.com

There is some property of broccoli that evokes an almost instinctive revulsion in numerous children. Whether it is the texture, the color, or the smell, or whether it is some combination of these that is the cause, I do not know. I have read that both infant humans and monkeys have an analogous horror of objects that look like snakes. So perhaps the loathing of broccoli and snakes is somehow primordially hard-wired into the human brain.

I experience a similar, almost instinctive repugnance whenever I hear the word "parent" used as a verb. Since an unexamined revulsion is not worth adherence, I have pondered this usage for some time in order to determine whether my horror is reasonable or simply a pet peeve. This usage has crept into common parlance and become pervasive within the past twenty years. For the sake of the integrity of the language, for clarity, and for effective communication, we avoid neologisms because they make novelty trump accuracy and they confound our native tongue. Men of good sense have always eschewed neologisms. Completely made-up words and forced, inappropriate use of existing words both fall under the heading of neologisms. This is not to deny the legitimate uses of neologisms. An example of this is Einstein's "relativity." But the making up of new words is not to be casually undertaken. Boswell relates the following regarding the great Samuel Johnson: "Johnson assured me, that he had not taken upon him to add more than four or five words to the English language, of his own formation; and he was very much offended at the general license, by no means 'modestly taken' in his time not only to coin new words, but to use many words in senses quite different from their established meaning, and those frequently very fantastical."

Our examination will reveal that the conversion in use of the word "parent" from noun to verb is an invidious instance of the illegitimate sort of neologism. "Parent" in English has always been a noun meaning the immediate, biological ancestor; it expresses a relationship based on a natural fact. In the current usage as a verb, however, "to parent" has no such clear meaning. Expressions such as "parenting class," "parenting magazines," and "how to parent well" are not instructions in begetting. We can see that though the dictionaries still have it as a noun, "parent" is being used as a vague replacement for "child-rearing," or "raise" or "nurture" or "bring up" children. The verb "parent" implies "the things done by a parent," without specifying what those things are or specifying the identity of the person doing them. Further, it negates the meaning of parent: a man or woman in an undeniable relationship with a child by reason of a biological fact.

The immigration dilemma

Tom Tancredo, a Republican, is threatening to run for president of the United States. The 60-year-old four-term Denver congressman has been making the rounds in New Hampshire. Last July in Iowa he received an enthusiastic response from members of that state's Christian Coalition.

Our retreat time last night was one charite and on the examination of conscience! We had a two hour time of prayer! It was beautiful! The blessed Sacrament was exposed!

We ate and laughed togetherQ I got home at ten to find my dog stuck between the bed and the wall crying to get out!

Nancyann

I've always had a problem with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
To my mind, it is intended to be eaten (preferably in the context of the
Mass), not looked at.


Poor puppy! Is that his (her?) picture used for your avatar?

Thanks George for posting! For many people, Exposition is difficult to understand and even harder to adore! When I was young I had a hard time also! It took many years for me to get to love this for of praying! I guess it is a grace and yes after a certain amout of time, it must be eaten in the context of mass! Thank you for your openness and honesty!

When I have adoration each day for one hour, our requirement as ANNUNCIATIONISTS, I talk to Jesus and tell Him all about the day and the worries of my life. I tell him about my brother in Iraq and to please keep him safe and my father who is ailing and my dog who is old. I ask for more time for all if it be his holy will for them. That take about 15 minutes. Then I just look and love and look and love as I would one whom I loved. Then the time passes by so fast! Before you know it the time is over. When I first started my hour years ago, I was antsy!

As for the dog, it looks just like my almost 13 year old doberman pinscher. But "Timberlandko" from A2K found it for me and fixed it so I could post it for me. He was so kind to me! It looks just like HIM, exactly! Thanks for asking!

Nancyann

When Goodbye Is a Gift
For those left behind, the last words of loved ones can offer comfort, insight into death, and lessons about living.

With his life ebbing, two miles beneath the earth's surface, Martin Toler, Jr. took what precious little energy he had to scribble a note to his loved ones. Toler, who died in the Sago Mine incident last week, turned his finals thoughts to those closest to him: "Tell all - I [will] see them on the other side..." "It wasn't bad, I just went to sleep." And at the bottom: "I love you." In reaching out to his family through the darkness, Mr. Toler also touched many of us.

I have often sat by the bedside of dying people with their relatives close, waiting for those "last words." The threshold between life and death imparts poignancy to the utterances of the dying. Some believe the veil between this world and the next is thinnest at this time, that we can somehow penetrate the mystery of death through their experience. Perhaps those closest to death can tell us what we long to know: What is this mystery we call death? And, knowing that death is inevitable, what do they treasure most?

What is Eucharistic Adoration? Catholics believe that during the Mass which we attend each week (for some of us daily), the priest (during the consecration) speaks these words as he holds the communion host, "...He took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you". When the priest says "this my body", it is at that instant when, through the miracle of transubstantiation, the bread and wine which we offer as the bloodless sacrifice to our Lord truly become the Body, Blood , Soul and Divinity of Jesus. It is His true Presence in the form of bread and wine. It is Christ.


What do you actually do during adoration? You may sign up to be an "adorer" which allows you to schedule yourself for one or more hours per week to pray before the very presence of Our Lord, exposed in the monstrance. It means that you can have some time alone with Jesus to recite your favorite prayers, read the bible, contemplate acts of faith, hope, charity, thanksgiving, reparation, pray a rosary or do whatever type of prayerful devotion that suits you before Our Lord. You can just sit and say nothing simply keeping Him company, just as you would with a dear friend.