Thursday, November 28, 2013

A little Apologetics piece

This whole idea was new to me as far as a"re-designed crucifix" is concerned.  None the less, have a look and comment should you so desire.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables together to celebrate we would do well to read and contemplate the following words from George Washington as he proclaimed the first official Thanksgiving for our newly founded country:

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789."

A VERY timely massage for us to ponder as our secular society moves to relegate religion to something that the government, in its most beneficent state, allows us to do within the confines of the 4 walls of a church building rather than practice as a way of life.

You can see this and a copy of the original here:  George Washington's 17789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Monday, November 4, 2013

Simcha Fisher on NFP!

Please check out this book review and interview with one of our favorite catholic bloggers, Simcha Fisher!  I would describe her as a modern day Catholic Erma Bombeck!  She has self published a book on NFP, available via Amazon.com entitled The Sinner's Guide to Natural Family Planning.  I  have read it, and though I do not need it for myself at this point in life, I know that we will share it with our own kids for sure!  It is truly worth the price and the read.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Spiritual Gifts in a Beer Commercial?

Leave it to Msgr. Pope to find spiritual direction in a German beer commercial!  Please click here to read the blog and be sure to read to the end to see this....by the way it is also a window in to the male/female relationship and what is important to each in a good natured and funny little video clip!  Enjoy!