Gun Lovin' Alaskan Catholic Club

Catholicism...

2011-11-27T01:25:00.001-08:00

...The Movie!

So, if you haven't heard yet, Fr. Barron has an exciting series about the Catholic faith called, quite simply and to the point, Catholicism. I've only had the opportunity to see the tail end of one episode on EWTN, and I'm sure a lot of people didn't get to catch any of it.

Well, if you life in Anchorage, you've got a chance to not only see Catholicism, but engage in a discussion with a panel of priests afterward about the subject matter of the show.

Beginning on December 1, the Archdiocese is going to have this going on at the Wilda Marston Theater in the Loussac Library. Read the Catholic Anchor for more details.

I don't know about you, but this is defiantly the kind of stuff I feel the Archdiocese should be doing in order to engage in a public--Catholics and non-Catholics alike--who have received nothing but dark scandal after dark scandal in regards to the Catholic faith. There is a great joyful and overwhelming message of hope that the Catholic Church brings. Take it from a convert, when you see the Church as it truly is, it's almost like scales falling from your eyes. Things get a little clearer. The problem has always been how to properly promote--EVANGELISE--that message. Hiding behind things and not being upfront with the folks is probably the last thing you should do. I'm hoping that the panel of priests who are going to be engaging the movie goers are unafraid in their faith, and clear in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. I think that now would be a good time to pray for them, both in thanksgiving to their willingness to witness, and that they may have the heart of evangelists.

I may travel up to Anchorage to view one of these showings. Times like these, and I wish I still lived in the city. To make it up to me, dear reader, do me a favor and go to these showings. Show your support for our Archdiocese and our faith. God willing, there will be a fair number of people who are either on a journey to find God or completely reject the notion of a God in heaven. May this show turn their hearts toward our Lord! And if you go, may it be a welcome way to rejuvenate your faith during Advent.

Cain, the GOP, and Abortion

2011-10-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

So unless you live under a rock or don’t give a hoot about GOP politics (or both), you’ve heard about Herman Cain’s recent abortion gaff. If you haven’t, go here. Anyway, I posted a comment on Facebook that I was very disappointed in his response in the interview with Piers Morgan. If he truly is pro-life in all cases, it isn’t too hard to defend or define your position on the matter. I stated as much in my response to Cain’s Morgan interview link.

A bit disappointed with your abortion comments. The proper answer to Piers' question about the granddaughter being raped is that two wrongs don't make a right. Killing a baby, even one conceived under the evil of rape, is punishing that life for the sins of his or her father. Mr. Cain, you have to clarify yourself, because after that interview, I'm not sure anymore where you stand.

Pretty easy stuff if you ask me. I want, with all my heart, to give Herman Cain the benefit of the doubt. Being grilled by a reporter of television personality who isn’t exactly an ally or worse is spiteful toward your positions, can be a hard thing to overcome. Mistakes –gaffs—can be made. It would only make sense that you send as much information to clarify your real position on an issue if you thought that it was misunderstood by the people you’re trying to gain the support of. Later on his Facebook page, Mr. Cain posted this:

I’m 100% pro-life. End of Story.

No it’s not the end of the story, even if Mr. Cain wants it to be. Again, I posted a response on Facebook as soon as that post went out:

Great that he is, but we need a little bit more meat. Is this "I'm 100% pro-life" with a but added in for certain situations, or is this "I'm 100% pro-life" with the understanding that every abortion results in the loss of innocent life, and therefore is an intolerable action that should not be legalized? Silly as it is, there are plenty of politicians who believe the former rather than the later but still call themselves "100% pro-life".

And that’s true. There a so many people within the GOP who simply aren’t ‘100%’ prolife. There are certain qualifiers that allow them to turn a blind eye toward the murder of an innocent infant, rape and incest being primary among them. Here’s one example of a lady that I had a back and forth with on Herman Cain's Facebook post who claims to be prolife but…

I am Pro Life..but..as a mother who loves her baby..if I was raped or my life was in danger..it should be my choice if I keep the baby or not.

You almost have to cry with the way this response has been framed. ‘It should be my choice if I keep the baby or not.’ Why, if this woman feels so strongly about this, does she not use the right terminology in her response? The answer is because it’s much easier to dismiss the baby in the womb as a lost possession then it is to deal with the ramifications of that ‘choice’. The baby dies.The statement should have read “…it should be my choice if I kill the baby or not."

But this is typical among the different factions in the GOP. While it’s head over heels closer to being genuinely more pro-life then the Democrats, the Republican party can hardly be called a solid pro-life party. I think Mr. Cain, and his supporters (to whom I had once counted myself as), have proven this fact. As a matter of fact, there were some people that even dropped their support once Cain posted that '100%' comment on Facebook.

We here in Alaska are well aware of pro-choice Republicans. In this state, life is a secondary issue compared to the amount of pork someone can deliver to the state from the Federal coffers. For Mr. Cain and his supporters, it’s all about 999. Like the GOP in Alaska, social issues are a big question mark easily put aside for more…important…issues like the economy.

Latter in the day, Herman Cain did, finely, put out a longer more detailed statement:

Yesterday in an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN, I was asked questions about abortion policy and the role of the President.
I understood the thrust of the question to ask whether that I, as president, would simply “order” people to not seek an abortion.
My answer was focused on the role of the President. The President has no constitutional authority to order any such action by anyone. That was the point I was trying to convey.
As to my political policy view on abortion, I am 100% pro-life. End of story.
I will appoint judges who understand the original intent of the Constitution. Judges who are committed to the rule of law know that the Constitution contains no right to take the life of unborn children.
I will oppose government funding of abortion. I will veto any legislation that contains funds for Planned Parenthood. I will do everything that a President can do, consistent with his constitutional role, to advance the culture of life.

Is this enough? Does Mr. Cain mean this, or is this a play with semantics? Is he simply giving the right answer to avoid the issue, like I believe Mitt Romney is doing? Has he given social issues any thought, or is he stuck on 999? And the most important question, is he ready for prime time?

I don't know. I thought Mr. Cain was a candidate I could hands down support. But with this gaff? Like I said above, it should have been an easy answer. And what gives me a little bit more pause is that this isn't the first time Mr. Cain has tripped over his words in regards to abortion, as highlighted in a REDSTATE article by Lean H. Wolf.

It's a long road to the GOP nomination. Cain has a lot of time to make up for lost trust. I can say without a doubt that I'm not rock solid in his corner like I once was. Newt is looking pretty good, and despite the fact that he appears to snarl a lot, Rick Santorum is look pretty solid as well. Romney, never. Perry, eh. Maybe Paul if he wasn't so darn bat shit crazy. Bachmann seems a little off. And Huntsman is a joke.

It's going to be a long next couple of months.

One alternative is as legitimate as another...right?

2011-10-09T00:58:00.000-07:00

And why not? If the very meaning of marriage has been changed to include one 'alternative lifestyle', why not another?

When gay marriage is argued for by activists who want it legalized, they often unfairly compare it to the civil rights struggles of black Americans. If they were able to use that comparison as part of a strategy to have government force others to recognize their lifestyle, then they should have no problem with other alternative lifestyles using their struggle to legitimize their own movement.

The Angels

2011-09-27T03:06:00.000-07:00

The Defend Us in Battle blog has an interesting novena going on concerning angels. While I myself am not partaking in the novena, I did find it interesting that one of the first pages I turned to in an old Catholic Children's book I bought a while back on was on that very subject. This book, written in 1918 and given an Imprimatur by William Cardinal O'Connell, the Archbishop of Boston, has an interesting way of putting the story of the Angels together for the children of that age. One thing I found refreshing about it was that it wasn't full of the kind of fluff you'd perhaps see in a modern made for children Catholic publication. Here it is:

THE first beings created by God, my dear little ones, were spirits--the beautiful angels. At first, they were all good and happy, but after a while many of them forgetting the goodness of God became very proud and would not obey Him. Of course, dear children, this was a sin. God punished the bad angels by sending Michael, the great archangel, to fight against them; he drove them down, down deep into the fires of hell, and ever since they have been called devils, while their leader is often called Satan.

These bad angels hate God and all that is good; they hate us also, and do all they can to draw us away from our dear Father in Heaven; they are envious of us, too, because God means to give us the place in Heaven left vacant by them.
But the good angels, those who did not disobey their Maker, are happy with Him in Heaven, and they love us very much.

Many times God has sent His angels as messengers from Heaven to earth. Have you not often seen, children, the picture of a lovely maiden kneeling at prayer and an angel with outspread wings standing before her? Well, that angel was Gabriel, and he was sent by God to the Virgin Mary to tell her that she was to be the Mother of the little infant Jesus.

Then, too, every one, even every little child, has a guardian angel who always watches beside him. If the child loves and obeys God as he ought, if he is obedient at home and does just as father and mother tell him to do, and if he is always gentle and kind with other little boys and girls, oh, how closely that dear angel companion folds his soft white wings about that good little child!

Now, all good little children just as soon as they open their eyes in the morning, of course thank God for keeping them through the night; and before going to sleep, they say a prayer to God for being so kind to them all day long. Perhaps after thanking God, they would like to whisper into the ear of their of their guardian angel these few words:

"Angle of God, my guardian dear,
to whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide."

This little, almost century old book is greatly illustrated, and the stories are pretty well written. When compared to the children's bible stories I bought my girls from one of the big box stores, the stories here are by far superior.

I haven't bought another old Catholic book on ebay, but since looking at this book more in depth, I've kept my eye out for good deals on books who's pages might be yellow with age and the cover worn, but are treasures none the less.

Not Those Who Should Be

2011-09-21T03:03:00.000-07:00

I can’t seem to stop thinking about the comment I receivedon this blog in regards for my September poll question, which was posing thequestion if we are safe than we were on 9/11/2001. Now besides the kind ofannoying “we” (why in quotes?) and the black helicopter rhetoric that the religiousright is on some sort of government terrorist watch list, the anonymouscommenter made a great point.

And ifby "we" you happen to mean the 3000 unborn babies who are abortedeach and every day in this country by our own mothers, fathers, and doctors,then again, "we" are not safer than we were on 9/11. Every single dayin this country we kill the equivalent number that were killed on 9/11 byterrorists through the unspeakable sin of abortion. We commit a 9/11 onourselves by killing our unborn every single day.

Safe? Not those that should be.

You know,I guess I couldn’t agree more.

If we truly believe what the Church teachesabout life, then it is under constant assault every day in this nation in theway it treats it’s unborn—or if you live in Canada, the recently born. SinceRoe v. Wade in 1973, there have been near fifty million abortions performed inthe United States alone. That equals about sixteen thousand times the deathtoll on 9/11.

9/11 was a horrible attack committed bybrutal, barbaric fanatics. The images of that attack, from the planes crashinginto the twin towers to their eventual collapse, will haunt and anger manypeople for a long time. Furthermore, the events after 9/11, the reaction,caused even more death and loss of life. Agree or disagree with America’s warsafter September 11, there’s no denying that our retaliation was a bloody onethat also—though I believe for the most part unintentionally—dealt death toinnocence.

Whilethe attacks on 9/11 were showcased constantly on news media, and the pain ofthat day relived every anniversary, the attack on the unborn is largely ahidden massacre. The attacks on 9/11 were committed by jihadists, whose organizationand purpose are regarded by all but the most extreme cooks as villainous. Meanwhile,the slaughter of the unborn is regarded by at least half this country as a ‘moral’choice, and protected by law. Though both the one time event on 9/11 and theongoing killing threw abortion both result(ed) in the loss of innocent life,they are both thought of quite differently.

And Ibelieve that thought, that somehow the tragedy on 9/11or any other mass killingof humans outside the womb is more of an issue then abortion, is prevalent evenin the Church. An interesting example to illustrate this is a poor response by Geoff Kennedy to an anti-Catholic rant by another blogger from the AnchorageDaily News. Geoff makes the following claim about the majority of Catholic laymen and women, priests, and bishops.

While it’s true, some Catholicstoday continue the obsession with sexual sins, most of the Catholics,especially the priests and bishops I know, are more concerned with socialjustice. Some evangelicals are still stuck on sex: Witness the obsession withabortion and same-sex marriage.

Instead of abortion being an issueabout life, Mr. Kennedy lumps it with sexual sin. And while I could go on abouthis obvious error on the teaching of the issue, and his being a hypocrite sincea lot of his writings for the Anchorage Daily News deals with ethical doublestandards, that’s not my focus. Instead, I point out his erroneous writing becauseit could very well be and honest reflection of the attitude of modern AmericanCatholics today. And though it’s very hard to believe that he knows priests andbishops who share his point of view as he claims, it could very well explainwhy so many lay Catholics have a blurred view on what should be very clearChurch teaching.

This, by the way, is the same camp that posesthe moral question “How can you deal with abortion without dealing with themoral wrongs that cause abortion?” My own question to that is simple, how canyou expect a nation to care about any morality in dealing with the poor whenits legal to kill—as Blessed Mother Teresa called the unborn—the poorest of thepoor?

Theembattled Fr. Frank Pavone has written an interesting article that fitsperfectly with this point that we tend to view the cause and effect ofterrorism as a greater evil than abortion. He also points out the willingnessof Catholics and Catholic leadership to abandon the poorest of the poor in thepolitical arena:

Many will support a particular party because it’s afamily tradition (or a Church tradition?), or because they are in bed withleaders in that party who support their social programs in exchange for theirsilence on baby-killing. That’s often the reason for the perplexingspinelessness often observed among Church leaders on the abortion issue.

So back to the question of the poll I posted forthis month. Are we safer since 9/11? I think the anonymous commenter’s finalwords are true, and if we are people who love life, should shake us to ourcore.

Safe? Not those who should be.

Mindlessness from More Mary

2011-09-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

If I were going to do a daily blog, here are my entry titles:

Monday’s Mind-Wandering Mary (scattered ideas I have been thinking about)

Teaching Tuesdays (matters related to homeschooling)

Wednesday’s Weeds (matters related to gardening, composting, recycling, etc; but you know what I really wanted to call it….Wacky Wednesday….I have read Dr. Seuss’ book so many times and it isn’t my favorite one as it takes forever to go page by page and find all the wacky things and yet, the title is so catchy!)

Thankful Thursdays (discussion of something I am thankful for---so important to focus on the many blessings in our lives; I must acknowledge Heavenly Homemaker’s original Gratituesday for the idea)

Family Fridays (issues related to Catholic families) alternating with Family Fun Fridays (focusing specifically on ways to have fun, of course!)

Saturday Sanity (I either complain about not being sane anymore or I discuss some “thing” that keeps me sane. I’m thinking a new cleaning gadget, fastest dish to make, etc.)

Study Sunday (this is when we’d gather in the study to learn more about the richness of our Catholic faith; never mind that I don’t have a study. There’s enough room in cyberspace to build a study for us!)

Okay, I said IF and frankly, I know I am incapable of keeping up my normal duties and carrying off something like this. I can barely carry off my normal duties and write in my “spare” time. However, I must admit it was really fun trying to come up with alliterations for each day that were doable and relevant. You’re lucky I spared you from my late night, punchy ones.

Reality now

I think I mentioned this before, my writing takes place during sleepless nights. I like to post them on Sundays, as was my habit during Lent way back when. Then, life took over and well, I got out of sync and overwhelmed dealing with things. More recently, I have been able to post by writing snippets here and there. I am hoping to return to posting on Sundays again.

So here I am tonight, thinking about what my contribution should be to GLACC (if anything) now that Daniel is “back on.” I’m glad to be able to read his perspectives again. Nevertheless, his return brings up a crossroads, a discernment phase for me. Daniel brought up a bit ago his concerns about blogging, and I share some of those concerns, but don't worry; I'll save this discussion for another entry….

What if....?

2011-09-15T01:31:00.000-07:00

...the Society of St. Pius X came into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church

So again, there are talks that the SSPX is coming closer to being in full communion with Rome. Ah, optimism…it’s the prelude to thecrushing disappointment to many of us who desperately wants those who haveremoved themselves from the Roman Catholic Church to return. Be it Protestants, Orthodox, ‘Catholic’ separatists,or the very large population of secularized Catholics. There has been a greateffort by the Vatican to reach out to these groups, to welcome them home. Andevery so often there are talks accompanied by the rumor that ‘unification isnear’. And always there is disappointment.

I’m not so optimistic this time. As a matter of fact, Ithink the most we can hope for from the SSPX is individuals and religiousgroups coming across rather than the society as a whole, like many Anglicansare doing thanks to Anglicanorum Coetibus. The leadership of the SSPX seems,quite simply, far too arrogant and/or stubborn to agree to any compromise that would see themback into full communion. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.

What if I was wrong? What if these recent talks produced thewonderful outcome of the SSPX coming into full communion with Rome? What would that mean for the Church? Whatwould that mean for our Archdiocese? I think sometimes we are so excited for theaspect of lost brethren to come back to the Church we hardly asks ourselvesthese questions.

In Anchorage, on the Old Seward Highway near Huffman, thereis a white building that looks like someone’s house. It’s not a house; ratherit’s St. Therese, Patron Saint of Alaska Mission, a SSPX mission and as far as Iknow the only SSPX operation in the state. I remember when I first started theprocess of entering the Church, there was a letter from the Archbishop clarifyingthat going to St. Therese Mission did not fulfill a Catholic’s obligation toattend Mass on Sunday. I really wish I could reproduce that letter, but I do rememberit quite clearly, because before that point I had never heard of the Society.

If the SSPX came into full communion with Rome, be it undera separate ordinate or whatever, what would that make St. Therese, Patron Saintof Alaska Mission? Would the people who attend that mission welcome theirbrothers and sisters who, like themselves, are traditionally minded yet foundit repugnant to break away from the Church? Would the Archbishop be off the hook so tospeak to cater to people wanting the extraordinary form practiced in the Archdiocese? The most important question is wouldthere be resistance or lack of cooperation from either the Archdiocese or the SSPXcommunity?

It’s hard to speculate on the answers to these questions.There are a lot of variables, to include knowing the details of any agreementbetween the Vatican and the SSPX, which come into play. But we can never losehope that, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, unification will come. We seem soclose on many fronts to unifying lost brethren, yet so far on many other fronts.

September GLACC poll: Are we safer since 9/11/01?

2011-09-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

For this months blog poll, I wanted to do things a little different. It's been ten years since the attacks on 9/11. It's hard to believe, really. For me it doesn't seem that long. But in that space of time I got out of active duty with the Marine Corps and started a family that now includes five children. A decade ago, I was a scared but excited twenty four year old corporal in the Marines. That morning all I could think of was going to someplace like Applebees to celebrate my birthday (yes, I was born on 9/11). That all changed after we realized what had happened in New York City.

According to the Battalion CO we had, who briefed myself and other young Marines selected for a base reaction team, we were on the highest alert since the Cuban Missile Crisis. That day we really didn't know who struck us, or if they'd strike again. I mentioned before I was both scared and excited. Kind of seems like a contradiction, I know. But I was scared not because I feared for myself, but that I would never see my fiance, and future wife, again. I was excited not only because I was young and dumb, but because all the years I spent training in the service of my country were going to be--so I thought--put to use.

As I've said in posts before, I never went to war. A lot of brave people did, though. Some of them I knew. Since 9/11, we as a country have been in a state of constant war. Ten years...one decade...is a long time. And it doesn't seem like there will be an end any time soon.

My question of the month is this: Are we in the United States of America safer then we were since 9/11?

I want to avoid the moral question of 'adventurism' or torture or any of the other legitimate questions that could be attached to such a question. Please comment in the comment section, and let me know what you think. Be objective, and be fair. Again, this does not ask the moral questions if our actions since 9/11 were 'right' or 'wrong'. That's a debate for a different time.

Fasting Fridays

2011-09-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

I know that we don't have to fast on Fridays, but it has been one of the best spiritual endeavors I have done. I have known many people who fast, and I wasn't drawn to it...in*the*slightest. I love food and overlooked the merit of doing it when it wasn't required by the church. However, as with almsgiving, when done as a spiritual exercise, it is wonderful what can happen! I have been amazed.

Don't get me wrong, some would scoff at my "fasting." See it started as part of a contribution to a spiritual bouquet for my bishop at the urging of Joe @ Defend Us in Battle. Then it just clicked. Why not fast for my own spiritual intention? Offer something to our Lord (in this case it is not eating for a period of time), but not as a bartering tool and instead as truly an offering to Him. My first intention didn't have to do with me but more my children and their spiritual pursuits. The details don't really matter but suffice it to say that it was a Friday-thing for the past 11 months for a particular intention. More recently, I have been fortunate to change my intention (usually for someone other than myself…unless I am having a really bad day then I offer it for a virtue/skill I am lacking). I can’t say how much my resolved intention was due to the Lord acknowledging my offering and how much was due to other factors. But what I can say is that my intention came to fruition in an almost too-good-to-be-true way; we had some issues but nothing we couldn’t overcome.

Ok, don’t laugh here but my fast started as “eating nothing but one pop until dinnertime in which I could eat the family meal with everyone else.” It was hard to remember at first. I would be on automatic pilot at times, and start eating breakfast with the kids or finishing leftovers or sampling as I cooked for them. Luckily, the kids reminded me on Friday mornings until I got into the swing of things. I don't claim to make a perfect fast every Friday. And Lent? Lent was a piece of cake because I did the normal requirement which is easier than my non-Lenten fast. Now, if I mess up and absent-mindedly pop something in my mouth, my kids remind me that I am "still doing better than the Church's fasting."

Temporal benefits

My earthly benefits have been tremendous. First, I am so efficient in getting my chores done. I am not focused on what I can eat next or nibble on to “get me going.” I have learned to keep all food put away so I don’t absent-mindedly pop something in my mouth. Recently I noticed the correlation between not eating breakfast/lunch and an increase in chores accomplished. I really think if I put it to a scientific study I would be able to demonstrate a strong correlation. Second, I have become more aware of my poor eating patterns. I eat what I see...what’s left on the counter, on the kids' plates, etc. I use food as a crutch... to get me started on food prep for the next meal, to reward me for doing some chore, etc. Food should not equal reward and I am not a human garbage disposal.

Spiritual benefits

I know my family has received a blessing from having me fast. Namely, an intention finally answered. Secondly, they have greater awareness of this kind of devotion. I can’t say that I feel lightning bolts or anything outwardly noticeable, but I am noticing more awareness of my sinfulness. Hey, that is a blessing! Unless I can see my own sin, I cannot change it. (It would be nice to only see it one sin at a time so I can happily fix one before noticing another; alas it doesn’t work that way.) I would like to think that my intentions for others have been responded to but I leave that up to God. I don’t pretend to know His ways.

Improvements?

Yes, I know I have room for improvement in my practice of fasting. All of you that scoffed at my soda…for the calories….for the lack of being able to give up my one vice…for whatever reason you might have. Yes, I do need to try a water (with lemon?) fast. That would be a trial of its own sort. Anyway, I am aware that I could do better.

What suggestions do you have? What spiritual exercises have you found beneficial? What are your thoughts about fasting or anything else for that matter?

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

2011-09-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have a conundrum. I don’t like to be the type of person that says anything negative about priests. I am grateful to have them. I know I need to show respect for them and for their vocation. We all know St. Francis’ response when posed with the question of a priest who transgressed, he did not criticize him but said something to the effect, “I would kiss the hand….” I am terrible with the details but you get the idea. I’m a wanna-be St. Francis.

So here I am, sitting in the pew and hearing flat-out incorrect statements by our priests. First, on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, I was told that it was not about celebrating the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist….it is about us-- the community being the body of Christ! Really?!? I know I shouldn’t be sarcastic and I don’t want to be snarky but really what am I to do!? We mentioned to the children the “real” meaning of the Body and Blood of Christ and hope they weren’t paying attention to what the priest was saying.

Second, the priest today asked, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all love each other and not focus on correct doctrine?” (Italicized words are hazy from memory; he might have said worry about). I want to be charitable; I know I am CALLED to be charitable….but what? Ahem. Pardon me?! If we don’t believe in the doctrine of the Catholic Church and try in every way we can (acknowledging that some genuine errors may occur but be willing to make corrections) to follow it, what do we have as Catholics?! Nothing. We might as well split off, agree to disagree, and start up a new community of believers.

My conundrum is that I am angry when I am put in a position that I have to correct what my children hear from the pulpit, especially from the priests! I don’t want to feel angst about this but I do. I don’t pretend to know everything or be remotely scholarly, but these are blatant. These inaccuracies are from two different priests. I know that this diocese draws more liberal priests. I know that it is up to the Bishop to manage his flock (priests included). I sometimes think it might be better to NOT have as many priests instead of having to correct (in private) the ones we have to the children. Lastly (and maybe most importantly), I know that I need help. I shouldn’t allow the inaccuracies of others to get my dander up. Please pray for me and my parish!

St. John the Baptist, Pray for Us!

2011-08-29T10:15:00.001-07:00

On this, the Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.

Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist-The American Catholic

Dying for Truth: St. John the Baptist

The Church's Teaching Is Clear

2011-08-18T01:06:00.000-07:00

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Religious affiliation:Roman Catholic

Stance on abortion: Pro-abort

“Catholics are called to defend human life, particularly that of the unborn. The Church’s teaching is clear. If we don’t challenge public officials who reject this teaching, we leave them in their sins and confuse the faithful,”-Bishop Aquila, Diocese of Fargo

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)

Religious affiliation:Roman Catholic
Stance on abortion: Pro-abort

August GLACC Poll

2011-08-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

BUY SHAVING PRODUCTS, WEB POLL, Casino Las Vegas, Dating Site, Williamhill

The Pink Ones Kill Too Part II

2011-08-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

H/T Jimmy Akin.

Yeah...not going to buy my girls one of these anytime soon. There's a fine line between buying something attractive for a girl to shoot and buying something that looks like a toy. I'd rather my girls know that a rifle is not a toy, but a tool with the power to take life. Toys are to be played with, rifles are to be respected.

The Pink Ones Kill Too Part I

**UPDATE** Akin has found yet another Hello Kitty gun, this time a 9mm pistol...with matching holster.

Meme meme meme meme!

2011-08-10T11:04:00.001-07:00

Yes, a meme. I hate them, and I think the people who start them are secretly working for the prince of darkness. Anyway, I was tagged by the master Catholic librarian of the blogosphere, Dim Bulb, for a meme. Here's the 'rules':

Assuming you are a saint, and your cause has been executed, your miracles confirmed, your date on the calendar established, all that is required is select that of which Holy Mother Church will name you Patron(ess).

For this meme, you must name your patronage. and then tag 5 other people who would like to play along. Linking your answer to your nominator’s post would make it easier to get your answers.

Well, my patron saint...lets see, I've had a couple of days to think about this. Ah, I got it. I would be the patron saint of people who dress up like Klingons during, before, and after Star Trek conventions. I never have, but always wanted to.

Yep, I'm that breed of geek.

My tags!

I throw it back to Dim of The Divine Lamp: He threw it back to poor Puff, so I'm giving him a taste of his own medicine.

Joe from Defend Us In Battle: I believe has ALREADY been tagged by another member of the Michigan Catholic Cartel. So, I'll tag him again. The guy needs a break from being SOOO freaking serious of late.

Mindy from The Devout Life: I expect a 1500 word essay on why and how. I know it's a challenge to write so little (sarcasm) but I think she could do it.

Laura from Day By Day in Our World: Take a break from homeschooling and frugal rebate giveaway stuff...you must meme. It's the law.

Mark Shea from Catholic and Enjoying It!: Might as well reach for the moon on one of these, right?

Providence: How and when will the Archdiocese repsond?

2011-08-10T08:19:00.000-07:00

So I mentioned in my post below that there is a new controversy in the Archdiocese of Anchorage. This time, it has to do with a known abortionist setting up shop in Providence Hospital, our Catholic hospital in Anchorage. Defend Us in Battle has once again caught wind of this, posted it, and gave it enough fuel to ride on over to the national blogosphere. Lisa Graas is on this like a wolf on a caribou carcass. I’ve also already seen this news tweeted around. And, this is the kicker, it's going to be talked about on the air. All in all it’s not good. Not good at all.

Important among all other questions, in my opinion, is this; How will the Archdiocese respond? Will they respond? We’ve seen in the past an almost panicked reversal of a decision to allow the Episcopalian Bishop of the United States ordain a bishop for Anchorage in Our Lady of Perpetual Help when news of that hit the blogs. We’ve also seen sort of a stone walling when it came to information about rumors that the excellent editor of the Catholic Anchor was being let go from that publication, where no information was given to requests for clarification. In either case, the Archdiocese didn’t handle the spread of new media type news very well. Whether it was in the dark about Alaska Women’s Health doing business at Providence or not, it still needs—no has to—respond to this quickly and clearly. This new issue just simply isn’t going to go away. Of course, the fact that this is all coming out while Archbishop Schwietz is in Madrid for World Youth Day doesn't help.

Like Joe from Defend Us In Battle, I urge prayer for our Archbishop. I’m sure it’s not an easy task to be the shepherd in a in a diocese so vast and in many cases so extremely rural it presents its own unique challenges, while also having to deal with issues like Alaska Women’s Health setting up in Providence. And if you do write him, please be respectful.

GLACC: To be or not to be...

2011-08-09T00:33:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. Obvious I know. My excuses are as follow: The birth of my fifth child and first son Nathanael, I’ve picked up on some talent so blogging isn’t just a ‘me and Cableguy’ thing here at GLACC, old objections and questions about blogging as a Catholic have again plagued me.

It was November 26, 2007 when I—or was it Cableguy?-- had destroyed the original GLACC. Things in the chaotic Catholic blogosphere just didn’t make sense anymore. I wrote about the visceral attitude that blogs often convey. And since blogging has always been about my journey with the help of God, Deo Adiuvante was born. The goal was to become more focused on growing in my faith, to be more…oh I don’t know…spiritual I guess would be the right word barring the new age flakey connotation.

And it failed.

Miserably I might add.

I was fooling myself. I’m no theologian, philosopher, or even that great of a thinker. I like to think I have common sense, but more than anything I was just a regular guy who’s incredibly in love with Jesus. Even the Latin in my old blog’s name was an affront to my nature. Why have a Latin named blog if I didn’t speak a word of Latin? It was more of a farce then the Looney Tune posts of old (and new).

So I began, again, the strange journey into a multi themed blog. GLACC was reborn. Thankfully I’m not alone. There are others, who I might add are BETTER thinkers and writers then I, who are aboard the crazy train. They’re people who I’ve come to respect and trust. Whose faith constantly amazes me, and gives me inspiration to continue on. Bumps on the road towards the ultimate goal of eternity with our Lord come and go, as usual. I can only compare my journey to traveling at night on a very narrow mountain road with no guard rails, and the vehicle I’m driving favors drifting toward the side that will ultimately throw me into oblivion. I thank God for giving me friends, even those who have temporarily lost their way, who constantly bolster me. When I get near the edge, they gently tug the wheel enough for me to get back on track.

When I started Deo Adiuvante, I tackled the issue of what I would call the ‘poison well’ effect of the Catholic Blogosphere:

Other blogs, however, were anything but enjoyable. I’ve found that what could have been a fountain of knowledge is more of a poisoned well. The most damaging aspect of the blogosphere is the inability of bloggers to hash out disagreements rationally. Instead, difference of opinion is followed by slander and name calling. Comments are often misread by others, further damaging understanding and logical debate. The inability to look another person eye to eye has given some people license to be rude little trolls.

I won’t name any blogs or authors, but the guiltiest of being uncharitable and rude are those that narcissistically proclaim to have an error free understanding of Catholic social teaching. Dangerous is the blogger who claims this, and in the same breath say they are not partisan towards a left or right ideology…because in most cases they are, but are just too full of themselves to admit such a thing. All the while they are the worst offenders at sniping at other blogs. Because, you see, they are on the moral high ground, and the others are not. Their quest for holiness is complete, and nobody can tell them anything different. And though what they say is truth, it’s not the whole truth. Bloggers seem very skillful at giving you just enough to justify their position, and leave out the parts that hurt it.

Well, the well is still full of poison. Not much has changed. People still snipe; call each other names etcetera...etcetera. I’m not sure it will ever change, though I can honestly tell you I’m not as scandalized by it as I once was. The reason is this; there is nothing else out there. Some of these ‘harsh’ blogs are needed not because they are harsh, but because they are honest. I’ve come to learn…no ACCEPT…that there is a vacuum of leadership within the hierarchy of the Church here in America. There seems to be a culture of hide behind the desk hubris in what one of my good friends dubs the “AMCHURCH”. I’m not sure why there’s that vacuum. There just is. One thing is certain though, a lot of the warriors who ARE fighting to preserve the Church and push back at the tide of the culture of death in America belong to a phenomenon that the hierarchy in the United States hasn’t been able to grasp: the new media.

So yeah, it gets dirty out there. But until there is a positive change in the attitude of ‘leadership’, it’s all we got!

Am I worthy of this task? How do I balance the virtue of love as described by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 with the blunt and often nasty world of the Catholic Blogosphere? What can I offer? Is it worth it? Why even blog? Why not just build a bunker and just wait it out?

These are questions that have again surfaced, and I again wrestle with. It’s going to take some time to discern the answers I need to either carry on this blog, or send it back to the graveyard. Until that time, I’ll try blogging as often as I can. There’s a lot going on even here in Alaska (yes, yet another scandal in our local Archdiocese has found its way to the national new media outlets) that deserve a little bit of ‘regular Joe’ perspective. And of course there are the amazing posts by More Mary and the deeply analytical posts by Florian to look forward to.

So there might be more activity from me. I do have a meme (thanks Dim) I have to write out. Aside from that…well, we’ll see.

VEILS: TO WEAR OR NOT TO WEAR

2011-07-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that I have been in the process of discerning whether or not to start wearing a veil (again). I started years ago wearing one during Lent and then continued for a while after Lent. I ceased the practice, and given a particular circumstance, I was forced to revisit it.

I really had a hard time during this process finding information about wearing veils. Those that wear it were able to provide some information, but I didn’t feel satisfied with it. There isn’t a particular well recognized source that explains “veil wearing.” I have been quite frustrated by this; I hope that by writing about it, I will come to a clearer position.

I will have a brief series on my discernment process. This topic can stir very intense emotions. I would appreciate (and relish) a charitable exchange with anyone wishing to engage. I just want to “set the stage” in which discussions might be the most beneficial (regardless of your position). I hope you are able to glean something useful for yourself and/or your families.

Part 1: Discussions

After being in a position of having to discern whether or not I should be wearing a veil, I decided to informally start the process by consulting with other women. Now these aren’t just women passing by on the street. I had a criterion: the women had to be people who desired to closely follow the Catholic Church’s teachings (not that they didn’t perhaps struggle with them). Some of the women wore veils and some of them didn’t. Some of them were from Alaska and some of them were in other parts of the United States.

Those that wore veils were usually eager to discuss veil wearing and their particular reasons. Their reasons varied but there was an underlying desire to please God and/or to acknowledge His physical presence. Upon request, they offered information that they had used in their own process; however the information seemed inadequate. I mean, if it was that clear then why didn’t everyone wear it after reading it. Something was missing.

Those that didn’t wear a veil produced mixed comments to my inquiry. Of course they were all polite and very kind to indulge such a discussion. Some hadn’t really thought of it at all and brainstormed along with me. Others had distinct answers and had clearly thought through the issue. Others simply hadn’t felt called to explore it.

In the end, I was really glad that I had talked to each of them. To tell you the truth, I was really hoping that my non-wearers were going to offer compelling reasons why I could be comfortable not wearing the veil. I was hoping that after I talked to all the women that I would know clearly what I was supposed to do. It didn’t happen that way.

Norway

2011-07-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

St. Olaf, pray for the victims of the awful act of terrorism that has struck Norway. Amen.

LITTLE GEM

2011-07-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

I know I am not the only one that finds the tucked away church in Cooper Landing, Alaska, a gem. It is. My reason is neither for the gorgeous, purposeful grounds that seem to draw me closer to my faith nor for the quaint, Alaskana feel of the building (antiquated log structure, unpretentiousness of the worship space and the people in it, as well as the warmth of both).

It was the priest!

Two weeks ago, I found a gem in the priest, Fr. Dick from Michigan. I don't know him personally so I guess I should state it was his homily and his willingness to preach it. No doubt, it can be draining to bemoan the dearth of priests with true love of the Church and all her teachings. In fact, I think it might be downright sinful of me to dwell on such things. Ergo today, I give you a priest with a great sermon or is it homily? I can't remember which it is (Sorry, Fr. Andy).

As part of his homily, Fr. Dick urged those present at Mass to READ about the Church's teachings and why she teaches as she does. She has good reason and a long history... When we read the teachings and we struggle to understand them or accept them, he urged us to pray and ask for help in understanding. He urged us to persist in this. I am paraphrasing here and I am sorry I didn't write this earlier as I would have done a better job in relating what he said.

Big deal you say. That's it!
Really? I say. Why yes!

The big deal is 1) He is encouraging us to learn more about our faith by reading what the Church teaches (documents and saints’ writings). He didn't say discuss it in a small group community, take a poll, or even consult a priest. I read as GO TO THE SOURCE. Woohoo! (This is brilliant and understated too often and unfortunately sometimes mocked in other parishes.)

2) He acknowledged that this may be hard: Hard to read (for some), hard to understand (for others), and hard to accept (for still others). Yes to all of these, and ask for God's help in this hardship. I appreciated that he recognized his audience....I am not Einstein! However, he didn't let me off the hook because of it. Don't give yourself a pass. Don't blow it off as antiquated teachings of days gone by. Don't focus on community because it is easier. Instead, he said to ask for God's help in your endeavor. (Simple and poignant!)

Thanks, Fr. Dick! I needed this homily and especially you as priest to remind me that some still got it!

Have a happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T02:27:00.000-07:00

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-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!

Community and Disunity

2011-07-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

More Mary had an interesting post a few weeks a ago here at GLACC called "Confession". In it, she writes, The fact is that I can’t go anywhere…the post office, the grocery store, the library and not run into a woman of varying ages showing cleavage and skin from all kinds of body parts that should be covered....I feel violated and angry that I have been forced to see what I would rather not and that I have to deal with this.

I read this, and thought: I don't doubt this, but I've never really noticed it being very bad. Maybe I'm gay or something? But seriously, the post springboards thoughts I've been having about modern culture and Christianity for some time.

It always seems to come back to "community", doesn't it? Maybe the libs have it right, after all. Or said another way, what exactly is the proper balance between freedom and commune? And is this an important issue?

To me, there are generally two logical approaches to living at peace with others: we must either a) be bound by familial or religious bonds that willingly relinquish personal freedoms (in clothing, morals, & culture, like the Amish or even Mormons), or b) be bound only by laws enforced by the physical force of the State (laws which must of course remain minimal to prevent our own freedoms from being trampled by others). And since everyone, even Christians, generally agree that religious beliefs should not be enforced upon others, our culture by default falls into the second camp.

Serious Christians - who used to own the culture in America by the numbers - are an odd lot since they have become a minority some time ago. They seem to 1) expect the agnostic culture to behave like them and get frustrated and surprised when it doesn't, yet 2) show little expectation of unity among themselves (exceptions being Mormons, Amish, etc.), probably because most of us value personal freedom over moral unity. I know I likely do.

My personal thought on the matter is that I can live with the effects of disunity as long as I am not directly persecuted for my moral disagreements and am not forced to join the broader culture (that is, I can still avoid the culture by homeschooling, operating my own business in a free economy, etc.). In fact, I confess I'm grateful for the freedoms of modern culture that allows people to dress immodest because it is then be harder to stop me from living my own moral lifestyle as us serious Christians slip into a tiny minority.

In the meantime, I have zero expectations whatsoever for the world around me - this culture is amoral at best and evil at worst. I don't get excited, merely watch suspiciously and partake carefully. So my view is: partly naked women at the post office? Heck, if that's the best Satan can do, Christians of this era have certainly got it easy!

But don't get me wrong. I don't think that's the best Satan can or will do. Not by a long shot. And things like immodest dress are merely a canary in the coal mine. Methinks Christians will think deeper about unity as the number of "uncomfortable" experiences increase over the years.

Cause for Hope

2011-07-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

From Live Action.

CONFESSION

2011-06-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

No. This isn’t me trying to make a plug for going to confession: The dread of going but the peace of having been.

This is different. I want to write a little about being modest particularly in clothing (but words and decorum also apply). As a female, I write from my own perspective but I am sure many men could write on this topic as well.

Modesty is sorely lacking in our culture today. I know I am going to sound like a dinosaur after writing this but I don’t think it can be discussed enough. Many times we don’t even realize what we are doing until we come across something to make us stop and rethink it.

We have excuses for dismissing this discussion. We can point to current fashions, gripe about the difficulty of finding “modest clothing,” retort how modern standards are different, etc. The fact is that I can’t go anywhere…the post office, the grocery store, the library and not run into a woman of varying ages showing cleavage and skin from all kinds of body parts that should be covered.

I really don’t think I am a prude. When I go to the beach, I expect to see skin and more than I want. I accept that in certain places (maybe for Alaska it would be a pool) I will likely see more than I want. I prepare. I accept. I get over it.

I gotta tell you though I have a variety of feelings when I can’t go to town for the day and not run into it---even in Alaska. Usually, it starts with disbelief as I gawk with some guilt. I wonder why she doesn't value herself more. If I have to have a conversation with her, even as a woman I struggle to keep from being distracted by it. How much more must my male counterparts struggle! Somewhere in the mix, I feel violated and angry that I have been forced to see what I would rather not and that I have to deal with this.

I’d also like to confess that in my younger days I have done my fair share of enticing others; I am no stranger to the pull that can take hold. Embarrassing to admit, but I was naïve as to my accountability into leading others to sin. Even today, as I struggle with staying fashionable I am attracted to certain styles over other more modest ones. Yet, I also know that I cannot divorce myself from my accountability today as I could in years past.

Maybe you don’t have these issues either in being affected by it or by succumbing to current fashions. I hope not, but I’d encourage you to do a self-check on your wardrobe and your children’s. Why not teach them the concept of modesty now and the importance of taking care of their bodies and souls?

Fr. Corapi and Sin

2011-06-22T01:35:00.000-07:00

You may have seen the title and thought "Oh I wonder what my good friend, Daniel, has to say on the matter." Well, I'm sorry to mislead you. It’s just me giving some thoughts about turning a bad thing into perhaps a good(?) thing.

I really don’t want to add to all the fervor of Fr. Corapi’s situation EXCEPT to say that it might be a good time to examine our own lives. Since I have heard about his situation, I have been asking myself where my own weakness is. Where is Satan likely to squeeze me? So I started with the seven deadly sins thinking I might get by on a few. Yep, that’s me: the path of least resistance (even as I am writing this—how I need to work on just that attitude alone!). Nary a sin that I can say, “Whew, I’m safe on that!”

It doesn’t matter who you are, Satan wants you too. We might not be as public as Fr. Corapi, but he wants us just the same. He doesn’t care if allegations are real or not. He (Satan) will turn nothing into something, and vice versa. That’s how he is. That’s what he does.

So I was thinking, if every time he tries such a public infiltration and I do something purposeful to strengthen my faith, Satan doesn’t win. I hopefully get more focused on reducing Satan’s toehold of me, staying aware of my own struggles and progress. In the end, it’s all about staying out of Satan’s domain and within our Lord’s grace.

Death and Media-A GLACC Poll

2011-06-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

No matter where you turn, death is everywhere. No, not real death. Quite frankly, we here in the United States don't really come into contact with real live death. What I'm talking about is death in movies, video games, and television shows. It's something that's been part of our culture now for some time, and I'm finding people are less shocked in what they find in the media concerning death (parody, glorification, ect.). One would think, as a culture, we've become ambivalent toward suffering ,vother's loss, and death itself.

Yet, I can't help but think of situations like the aftermaths of Hurrican Katrina, the tornados at Joplin and Alabama, and the earthquake in Japan. The outpooring of sympathy seemed overwelming. And the United States has always been the leader among it's citizens to give to others.

So the question is, has glorification of death in media made us more or less numb to it? Has it even had an impact at all?The first official GLACC poll below asks this question. In additoin to the poll, comments in the com box would be helpful.

Online poll, Party poker, SPIN PALACE CASINO, winner, spin palace

A Letter...

2011-06-12T21:41:00.000-07:00

... from the GM/President of Catholic Baseball Players for Christ

Hi Daniel,

You have a very nice blog. Welcome to the Catholic Baseball Players family.

We are slowly but surely changing hearts and minds and trying to build a culture of Faith and Catholicity back into America. Thank you for the kind words and directions to our website.

Our current culture has tended towards corruption and unbelief. In a small way, we are trying to be a part of demonstrating that Christ can be brought back into every activity of mankind.

God Bless you and all of Alaska,

Jim DeSana-GM/President

Lake Erie Monarchs

Catholic Baseball Players for Christ

P.S.- I traveled to Alaska in 2004 and 2009 but had to stay home this year.

(Too many ongoing responsibilities for right now.)

Thanks for the compliment, Mr. DeSana. It was a pleasure to watch the Monarchs play. Those guys were true competitors, and I know they’ll find success whether it be on or off the diamond. It’s refreshing that there are organizations like yours who seek to do what we are all called to do--proclaim the gospel of Christ. Evangelization comes in many forms; I can’t think of a better way to minister to the youth of our nation then threw competitive sports. And I think it’s also something special that these young men are not only given the chance to go to far off places like Alaska, but also can freely be able to grow in their faith with other Catholic teammates where they might not have that same opportunity in the colleges they come from.

So even though they pretty much spanked the teams they’ve played here in Alaska, I pray for only good things to come to the Lake Erie Monarchs and Catholic Baseball Players for Christ.

Operation Fast and Furious

2011-06-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

It’s a story that hasn’t gotten any traction. The United States Department of Justice allowed over a thousand weapons to cross the border into Mexico. No, these were not normal purchases. As told in this news story, gun shop owners were told—against their better judgment—to proceed with selling these firearms to buyers who were obvious gun runners. The ATF and the DoJ are guilty of proceeding with an operation (fast and furious) that aided in killing God knows how many Mexicans, and at least one border patrol agent. Only recently did the ATF even admit this was going on, and to this day seem resistant to come clean about the operation.

Meanwhile, we’re all too concerned about Sarah Palin’s account of the history of the Revolutionary War. And gun shop owners, who were told to proceed with these transactions by the Feds, are painted as the bad guys over a Federal Government that watched as thousands of guns that were part of their operation in Mexico made the drug war there even more brutal and bloody. One can only wonder if there is more to this story besides what we’ve been told. Certainly the left and the press (one in the same, I know) ate up the story of greedy gun owners selling assault weapons to the cartels.

Rewind to March 3^rd of this year, when Mexican president Felipe Calderon called for the United States to reinstate the assault weapons ban while he spoke to congress.

I wonder if his tune has changed now that Operation Fast and Furious has come to light.

I also wonder if Bono of U2 is going to sing a protest song about the ATF, rather than America and its gun shop owners.

And how about all you Catholics who supported Obama? The continuation of two wars, another air war in Libya, secret bombings in Pakistan and Yemen, and a contribution to violence in Mexico via the ATF allowing smugglers to buy weapons they know will be used in the extreme violence that is the Mexican drug war. Hope and Change working for you yet?

Baseball isn't dead...yet

2011-06-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

There’s something about baseball that tugs at the heartstrings of every American. The game is about as American as apple pie and the blues. The icons of baseball are heroes, and perhaps in many circles—depending on what city you live—are as remembered and honored as even the great pioneers who’s skill paved the way for the settlement of our country, or the veterans of war who’s blood was spilt to guarantee our freedom. Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Hank Aaron, and many more gave us a reason to love the American summer. I remember one of the greatest memories of my life was when Kirk Gibson knocked that memorable homerun against Oakland in the 1988 World Series. The Dodgers were and still are my Dad’s favorite team, and since Alaska has no MLB team, I picked up on being a Dodger’s fan myself. That series in ’88 was magic for my Dad, my younger brother and I. That sort of thing—moments in time so gladly experienced because of a sports team—happens all over the country every year. That’s the allure of baseball, and why it’ll be America’s game for as long as there is an America.

Or will it?

Recent events in baseball, or more specifically the ‘show’ aka Major League Baseball, have tarnished the proud American sport. First among them is the steroid controversy. Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens were names that defined the sport in my generation. They are also cheaters…men who got to where they were not through hard work and adversity, but threw performance enhancing drugs. What they did to baseball was take the game away from an entire generation. The purity, the beauty, of the game has been tarnished. The question of if Major League Baseball will ever stand out as America’s premier professional league I think at this time is unknown. For this century, the National Football League seems to have captured more love and following, especially from the younger generation.

If baseball is ever to come back into the hearts of Americans as the top sport, it’s going to first come from the young players who are currently in the minors and collegiate leagues. Passion from the players for the game is still there, and it’s infectious. Here in Alaska we’re blessed with more than a couple of teams in the Alaska League which is filled with young, vibrant, and excited players from the colleges. The mere fact that these guys are giving up part of their summer just to play baseball is outstanding. And it’s not just in Alaska; these leagues are all over the United States. If you have a chance, and want to pass the time like many of our parents and grandparents did in years past, go to one of these games. It’s our game--our history.

On the ninth of this month, I’m going to the opening home game of my local team, the Peninsula Oilers. Hopefully, if he’s not trying to snipe a black bear, another-- more known-- Alaskan Catholic blogger will join my family to watch the Oilers take on the Lake Erie Monarchs. Quite frankly I’m not sure who to cheer for. You see, the Monarchs aren’t just a baseball team…they are a Catholic ministry! The Monarchs represent the Catholic Baseball Players for Christ, a Catholic ministry using baseball to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can find information about them here. Seeing their information, and what they're all about, has made me even more invigorated to get out there, eat a hot dog, and watch some baseball.

Baseball isn’t dead. The game might have had a few dips along the road, but our game is still with us.

GREAT AMERICAN LOONEY TUNES

2011-06-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

Anthony Wiener

After finely admitting his lewd behavior, and smearing the people who initially reported the story, the congressman from New York is refusing to resign.

Thank you, Mr. Wiener, for your fine example of the rotten core that is our Federal Government. Liberals in your district would no doubt re-elect you...morality for them is simply a relative matter. But will you survive Nancy 'Drain The Swamp' Pelosi's Inquisition on whether or not you misused federal assets for your frat boy horn dog antics?

Eh, don't worry. If Good old Charlie Rangel can get away with tax fraud, I think your chances of staying in congress for simply showing your...I'm trying to avoid last name jokes...private parts to ladies who weren't your wife are pretty good. And to be perfectly honest, I view your indiscretions to be the least of your recently uncovered flaws.

No, it's your cowardly actions that you took once your filthy Tweet was intercepted that has me most up in arms. Your denial, and flat out accusations that you were hacked. You tried, in every way possible, to deflect this story away from you. And that worries me. You, Anthony Wiener, are a despicable coward. Cowardly people do the most desperate things when cornered. What would have happened if say, the Chinese got a hold of these pics? If they dangled it in front of you and threatened to release them if you didn't play in their favor, I have a feeling you would have folded. You only--ONLY--admitted to your wrong doings because Breitbart had you. You would have done anything to make it all go away. And that includes burying the very people who uncovered the story in the first place.

All this because you wanted to show your manhood. You have no honor, sir.

So this GALT award goes out to you, Anthony Wiener. May you cherish it forever, you yellow bellied moron.

UPDATE: I saw this on a National Review Online article by Michael Walsh. A very fine example why I really don't have much sympathy for Weiner.

The Third Testament

2011-05-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

Several years ago my wife Jennifer and I were planning a trip to Germany (a trip we never ended up taking but still hope to). I had recently bought the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz and was looking through the section on Bavaria. I came across the remarkable story of the village of Oberammergau. In the seventeenth century the people of Oberammergau were ravaged by the bubonic plague, the Black Death. Guided by faith, the villagers made a pact with God to perform a Passion Play every ten years for eternity in exchange for a reprieve from the Black Death. They performed the first play at Pentecost in the year 1634, and miraculously no further lives were lost. The passage in Schultz’s book made me say “Hey, that sounds like something that could be in the Bible.” Around that same time I was reading Dan Brown’s infamous novel The Da Vinci Code. In the novel Brown erroneously describes the council of Nicea as the place where the early Church leaders decided what events and writings should be included in the Bible. All of a sudden a light bulb went on in my head. I became deeply intrigued by the question- What modern day events and writings would be worthy of being deemed “biblical.” It was then that I decided to begin writing The Third Testament, a pro-Catholic novel about the history of God’s people dating from the time of the apostles until the present day. I spent the next six years researching and writing about the most fascinating topics in the history of the Church and the world, and I loved every minute of it.
For those interested, here is more information about my book:

Brief Description of The Third Testament:
Guided by a mysterious old friend, forlorn Catholic professor Fred Sankt unlocks the hidden truths of the past two thousand years, and struggles to achieve a heavenly reprieve from the deep and dark troubles that mercilessly haunt him.

Book website: http://www.thethirdtestamentnovel.com/

God’s Blessings,
John Eklund

Mitt Romney: Believe In America

2011-05-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

But can we believe in you?

There's a lot about Mitt Romney I could like. But there's also a lot about Mitt Romney I don't like. First and formost his shady posistion on abortion. People can come around to the reality that abortion is baby murder,but I can't help but be suspicious that Romney's conversion to the pro-life cause is nothing more than a political maneuver to get the votes of the conservative wing of the GOP.

He is a great businessman, and a fine tuned politician. But do his values reflect that of conservative America? I can't seem to find one friend, let alone a Catholic friend, who plans to vote for Mitt. He may be a money making magnet, and a shoe in for New Hampshire...but I'm just no sure the rest of the country wants phoney baloney.

Herman Cain: Passion for God and Country

2011-05-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I want an executive...but doesn't Herman Cain have that executive experience I'm looking for? He turned Godfather's pizza around. And while some would qualify 'executive' experience as being associated with a government position, I'd say that someone who saw success in the private sector is at least on par or more qualified than a good governor or mayor.

Cain really speaks to me. He's got passion, and a love for God and country not yet articulated by the others in the GOP field. But can he overcome the establishment money making juggernauts like Romney, or the extremely popular outsiders like Palin (if she runs)?

Iowa couldn't come soon enough.

Tim Pawlenty: I'll Just Tell You The Truth

2011-05-22T21:29:00.000-07:00

Not a bad message. It's no secret that I'd like a candidate in the GOP who has executive experience. Well, Pawlenty has that. He's going to have to show me that he's up to snuff, however. Hopefully his telling the truth doesn't include that he's a closet liberal.

Or Maybe Not

2011-05-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Daniels Out.

Does this effect my thinking that the GOP can field somebody 'presidential'? You bet it does. As I've said before, the current field looks like a great list of possible vice presidents.

Then again, America DID elect a community organizer turned junior Senator with no executive experience. And if America made a guy who barley even voted in the US Senate the most powerful person in the world, then it seems far from outlandish that we would vote for someone who--say--is the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza.

Dennis Prager: The Middle East Problem

2011-05-21T13:29:00.001-07:00

From the wisest man on the radio:

Dispatches from Cableguy #3: The Rapture

2011-05-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Another email from the founder of GLACC. This time Cableguy deals with the recent rapture weirdness in his own unique way.

Hey bro. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. I know me and thinking is a dangerous prospect. Never the less, this hub bub about the rapture has been everywhere, even out here in BFE Alaska. I have a co-worker who believes that the rapture will be on Sunday. So does the rest of his congregation, Riverside Christian Fellowship. Well, by congregation I mean about four other people. Their church is the old bus for Pleasant View Christian Fellowship. Back in ’06 Pastor Bob of PVCF had a disagreement with the assistant pastor, Martin, over the belief of millennialism. They split, and since the church bus belonged to Martin, he made off with the vehicle to a piece of land by the river and made it his own ‘independent’ non-denominational church. He took with him the bus driver and the bus driver’s family. My buddy joined them about a year ago after he left Christ the King Church of God because he found out the minister there drank beer and watched HBO.
ANYWAY, he’s pretty much into this rapture stuff. It’s got him pretty hyped up. I haven’t seen him this worked up since the last time the Aces won the Kelly Cup. The whole work place has made him out to be some kind of fool.
Me being me I said to him “Yo ma man, What’s up with this rapture stuff. The bible says that we shouldn’t know the time or day of Christ’s coming.”
You wanna know what he said to me?
“Cableguy, that’s just part of the plan. God knows that everybody is going to think Saturday isn’t the day he’s coming. Imagine everyone’s surprise when he actually makes the rapture on that day because everyone’s going to think that it couldn’t POSSIBLY be that day because of what the bible says.”

Take a breath. A deep breath. You breathing? Okay, because I think in a way I agree with him. I don’t believe in ‘rapture’. I think when Christ comes again he’s going to settle everything at one time. But God says that we wouldn’t know the time or place. Of all the days to catch us off guard, imagine it being the day we LEAST expect it to be. Yep, Saturday. It’s a brilliant game plan when you think about it. So my wife and I are getting prepared. By prepared I mean going to confession. What the heck else are we supposed to do, have a barbecue? I just wanted you to keep in mind that God can choose ANY day, even one predicted by some whack job for rapture. We should be thinking of repentance always, and be thankful that our Lord…who WILL come again…is a merciful Lord.

Peace out bro,

Cableguy

Theme Song For THE RAPTURE

2011-05-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

I guess the REAL end of the world will come on October 21, according to Harold Camping. But hey, I guess you could listen to REM's song till then?

They Are Among US!!

2011-05-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Joe at Defend Us In Battle has an important blog post that may-or may not-save your life. Raptors, a dangerous carnivore that can rip a man to shreds. How do we survive such a beast? Joe suggests buying ammo. I suggest…we stop voting for them.

Yes, raptors are among us. But thousands of years of evolution has given them the ability to blend in. Lucky for you, we know who they are.

Here is a picture of Hillary Clinton. Obvious raptor. Rumor had it that Bill Clinton gave up McDonalds not because he wanted to shed a couple pounds, but because the smell of grease on his breath was almost too much for his carnivorous wife to handle. It was simply a matter of life and death.

Ah, exhibit B. Lisa Murkowski. I heard from a buddy who lives in a small town between Nome and Sitka that when he was at a Murkowski speech in Anchorage he witnessed Murkowski putting a baby’s head inside of her mouth. Was it not for her wise campaign chief, she would have surely eaten the poor kid. Instead she reluctantly took the baby’s head out of her mouth, kissed it on the cheek, and gave the kid back to it's mother.

So there are, and always have been, Raptors among us. I think they’re a lot smarter then we give them credit for.

Because They Can Not Breed

2011-05-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

Another interesting article from Lifesitenews.com. A lot of us already knew that the left, to include the pro-gay lobby, operated this way. Yes, because they can’t breed, they need to indoctrinate. Left thinking people by their very nature are very ‘me’ orientated. The culture of selfishness has no need for children, save the novelty of ‘having children’…kind of like owning a dog.

Having children takes work that at most times is thankless. People who generally have more than two children often times don’t really have a lot of time to be completely self-absorbed. No, more often than not people with children have only one thing in mind, the welfare of those kids. For Christians, this includes making sure that our child or children are true to their faith and embrace the tenants of Christianity. We want desperately for our children to go to Heaven. And in order to do that we must pass on a tradition of ethical and moral teaching that has been commanded for us to follow by God.

The left can’t stand this.

So we have going on what the homosexual columnist highlighted in the lifesitenews.com article pointed out. Indoctrination of our children in any way possible in order to not only have their lifestyle excepted, but as a recruiting tool to bring more people into that lifestyle. People don’t realize that it’s not just political action, but an all-out push by the media to get the message of homosexual ‘rights’ out to our children. Flip on ABC Family one night and I think you’ll understand what I’m talking about.This is, in other words, a full frontal assault. The covert stuff of the past in long dead.

So it’s a battle for our children. The left realizes that without the numbers, their cause is doomed. The problem is, the majority of us—people with real traditional families—seem to be asleep in the fox hole. Do we understand…I mean truly UNDERSTAND... what’s at stake here? Do we really understand the lengths that the left, in particular the pro-gay lobby, is willing to do in order to win the day? Do we understand that these God hating people don’t really give a hoot if your child or mine goes to heaven?

We honestly need to wake up.

A Great Use For Google Maps

2011-05-17T00:24:00.001-07:00

Here. H/T to Mark Shea.

Amazing, the hardships of the Apostles. Are we willing to die for Christ? These men were. As I said before, even today Christians are being killed because they proclaim and live for the TRUTH that is Jesus Christ.

Hawking Says Heaven Is A"Fairy Story"

2011-05-16T23:36:00.000-07:00

And?

You know, there are some sad, really sad, folks who were once Christian or maybe were on the verge of being so who’s faith was lost because of the ‘scientific’ claim that there is no God, heaven, or whatever. I have to shake my head. Faith is the key word. Without faith, no amount of unexplained healings, visitations, or even the sun freaking dancing around the sky UNATURALY is going to do much good for anybody. Much about God is a mystery, and always will be. Our minds, even those as brilliant as Dr. Hawking, aren’t meant to completely understand the nature of God.

Does the fact that Hawking believes there is no heaven affect my believing there is? No. I have faith. And despite the wailings of the atheist elite, I believe that like a lot of Christians I also have the ability to intelligently reason. Don’t let anybody ever tell you that religion is a thing for the intellectually challenged. That’s poppy cock. Since becoming a Christian, and even more so when I entered the Catholic Church, I’ve met my fair share of extremely intelligent and logical people who are as much in love with Christ as the most ignorant and simple believer is.

Anyway, I’ll be saying a short prayer for Dr. Hawking, as well as for the people with weak faith who got swallowed up by the scientific pursuit to disprove God’s existence.

Possible GOP Nominee?

2011-05-16T01:35:00.000-07:00

I like this video, especially Governor Daniels engaging those who obviously don’t agree with him. With all the candidates running for the GOP nomination looking like a bunch of duds, I think Governor Mitch Daniels has the best chance to defeat Obama if he runs.

My mind, of course, isn’t made up. I do like a lot of the guys who are running officially right now…all of them would make excellent Vice Presidents.

DUIB POLL

2011-05-16T00:47:00.001-07:00

A Defend Us In Battle Poll, as posted by Joe, asks some questions about the Extraordinary Form of the Mass being offered in the Archdiocese of Anchorage. If you're a parishioner from this neck of the woods, I would strongly encourage you to reply. With the release of Universae Ecclesiae, this poll is pertinent. And though there seems to have been many challenges with the Extraordinary Form's implementation in the past (on Friday in Eagle River? Why not Monday in Girdwood while we're at it? Pfft!), Universae Ecclesiae should give at least a glimmer of hope for those of us who would like a steady and active Extraordinary Form on Saturday night or Sunday here in the A of A. Nothing, however, is going to be done if you just sit on your hands and brew that 'there's no darn TLM in Alaska'. Go over to Defend Us In Battle, vote, and let your electronic voice be heard.

GREAT AMERICAN LOONEY TUNES

2011-05-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

When you get your masters of divinity from a Cracker Jack box: Matthew Westfox

So, yeah, this guy is not only a complete and utter moron, but a willing participant of infanticide aka baby murder. Read his drivel here.

My advice to this carrot top looking mama jama? Repent. Repent buddy, because Hell is an awful AWFUL place to end up, and if you continue to be the mouth piece of SATAN, you’ll more than likely end up having the same fate as he. Cast out, and burned.

Jennifer Hartline has an excellent write up about this clown at Catholic Online. The dude needs our prayers.

Do Not Underestimate the Power…

2011-05-10T21:26:00.001-07:00

Of Liberal Moral Erosion

On April 26, Lifesitenews.com had an interesting piece titled "Here Comes Polygamy…And Why Not?" It's an interesting read, because for years during the homosexual marriage debate, anyone who warned that once you break the traditional western definition of marriage—between one man and one woman—you were opening society to any and all definitions of marriage, whether it be same sex, multiple partners, or multiple species, were shouted down. It was a stupid extreme thought by uncaring reactionaries. But as that article points out, practices that were thought even by liberal gay activists to be far in the extreme like polygamous marriages are indeed fair game to become legal. All one needs is a judge to rule the banning of that practice unconstitutional. If you think I'm wrong, then you owe me a drink when some judge overrules Florida's anti-bestiality law.

Like all 'progressive' measures, once you let that cat out of the bag, it's near impossible to put him back in. Redefining marriage will hardly stop at homosexual unions, and if we let the tainted liberal tide erode away what marriage has meant to our society for so very long, it shouldn't stop.

So now we turn to one of my favorite blogs, Defend Us In Battle. A new blog post detailing the controversial messages of a hockey player—who is for the legalization of homosexual 'marriage'—and a sports agent—who is for keeping marriage in its traditional form. Read the blog post if you're interested in the nitty gritty. The part I found interesting wasn't so much the agent's steadfast defense of traditional marriage or the statement released afterwards. No, it is Joe's reaction to one key sentence in one of the statements released.

First, the statement released by Don Reynolds, the father and president of the sports agency of the embattled Todd Reynolds.

It's sad. I mean, my personal position is that I do not support gay marriage, and I think it's wrong, as well. It's not politically correct to, I guess, give your opinion about a think like that. It's politically correct on the other side, for people to say, 'sure, I support gay marriage.' But the majority, I think, of Canadians would say that they don't agree with gay marriage- that man and woman were created to be married, not man and man or man and horse, you know?

Joe's response:

Now I think the 'man and horse' comment was a little over-the-top, but there are those that think "Gay Marriage" is a slippery slope. I don't think it's a concern that Bestiality will come out of it, so a statement like this will hurt their otherwise strong position.

Why wouldn't it be a slippery slope? Destruction of traditional marriage is destruction of traditional marriage. Morally is it any worse to sleep with an animal that it is a member of the same sex? I simply find it hard to believe that on one instance, there is congratulations that these people stick to their ethical guns, and the next they're blasted for not being PC enough. Over-the-top my foot.

Hey, I know how impossible it seems that bestiality will ever be accepted in the United States. But when I see the moral decay that has so rapidly overtaken this country, I say why not? When a society takes even the tiniest steps to eliminate moral standards, it tends to have a ripple effect threw out the coming decades.

A prime example of this is also probably the cause of this long cycle of the breakdown of moral sexuality: Contraception. Fr. Matthew Habiger of Natural Family Planning Outreach makes a good map of how contraception has basically managed to ravage the meaning of sex, leading to other ills such as increased divorce rates and abortion. One thing often, and very tragically, leads to another. As a child of a failed marriage, I can tell you that the moral choices we make certainly effect more than just us. Evil spirals to create new and more dynamic evil, like a cartoonish snowball rolling down a hill. And like that giant monstrosity of a snowball crashing and splitting apart when that sucker hits the bottom, so too does society with the breakdown of its moral soul. Eventually it simply has no other choice but to simply self-destruct.

Why not polygamy? Why not bestiality? I challenge anyone to tell me with all certainty that, like contraceptives perverted the meaning of sex and caused a catastrophic culture of death in the west, gay marriage won't open the gates to other 'alternative' lifestyles being forcibly accepted and an even wider relativistic view of 'marriage'. Will it happen in my or your lifetime? Eh, maybe…maybe not. In our children's lifetime? I shudder to think.

PRAYER REQUEST

2011-04-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

Just when I think I have things all planned out, God reminds me who really should be in charge.

My cousin has been sick for a while now. Lately, things have taken one bad turn for the worse after another. He seems stable now, but I have plans to head down and help him while he heals. I hope the healing is more spiritual than physical, but I would be grateful if it were both.

Please pray for him and my family while we are apart. (Thank you, in advance!)

God's will be done.

In This Time Of Easter, Love One Another

2011-04-24T08:24:00.001-07:00

Christ is risen!

This part of the year holds a lot of special meaning for me. First and foremost is the celebration that Christ—who died for our sins—defeated death and sits and the right hand of the Father. If that doesn’t make you feel good inside, then my friend, you’re not quite getting it. Because God loves us, because he sent his only son to live and die among us, we can meet God in beautiful eternity with him because we are free from the yoke of sin. This day is a celebration!

Secondly, every Easter marks the anniversary of my entering the Church. Yeah, I’m one of those bothersome converts (I converted therefore I blog), which means I’m neither a flipping lunatic liberal nor a hardcore radical traditional zealot. Oh, but I am zealot of sorts… but more in a later post. What I primarily am is a man who loves Christ. And because true love depends on truth, I’m here in the Catholic faith. The amazing thing about being objective and honest about anything is that it often leads you down paths that at the time didn’t make a lot of sense when you started but make complete sense in the end. So is the case with my coming over to the faith that I now know is the only keeper of the full truth regarding Jesus Christ and his Church.

Unfortunately unity, with which I was pretty sure the Roman Catholic Church had plenty of, is fleeting. I thought when I was a Lutheran there were factions! Indeed, while Protestants are free to split off from one another when major internal battles over doctrine occur, Catholics by their very nature are bound to stay together. As happy as this may seem—the not splitting that is—what it does do is create an atmosphere of entrenchment. And this is hardly a ‘heterodox vs. orthodox’ split. No, I see entrenchment even between faithful Catholics who are true to the Magisterium! So let us remember, on this day that Christ has risen from the dead, what he said to the apostles:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. [John 13:34-35]

I’ll be blogging more about what I see I the Church regarding the entrenched. I think it’s an important topic. We are called to proclaim the Truth openly, and as Christ said, to love one another. Sometimes love is harsh, but love is never, at least in this case, silence to one another.

God’s grace be with all of you. He is risen!

HAPPY EASTER!

2011-04-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

I know I skipped a week here, but things have gotten a little crazy. I have been thinking of you and what I want to write. I have an idea, but it has to wait until next time.

We are celebrating the Easter Octave so I have major plans of things to do for fun, to eat, and yes, even to blog. Until then, I hope you have a joyous Easter!

WHAT TO DO?

2011-04-10T01:57:00.001-07:00

I am at a loss. I am not sure what to do. I have two issues: 1) The issue of knowing people who do not have any faith in God (let alone the Catholic faith) and 2) How “forward” should I be when someone brings “it” up?

I have known people who didn’t believe in God. I have known people who have left the faith. Who doesn’t? But over the last year or so, I have really been looking at what my role is, if there is one, in this.

To start with, why hasn’t my “good” Catholic, God-loving example inspired them….led them to inquire….(I unfortunately know the answer to this: I AM NOT INSPIRING; I AM NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE. It’s painful but true. I have to address this in order for me to have any punch behind anything else I might do or say….) I have heard this quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.” It’s gotta start with my behavior.

Next, I know prayer is powerful. I do pray for those who have no faith and those who have lost it. I guess it just doesn’t seem enough.

What is enough? This is what I am discerning. Really. I HATE having to talk about it because I am NOT effective and I think I have the opposite effect…I don’t come across the way I mean. Yet, should I just say, “Eh, it’s not my strength?” I think not.

This all has been stirred up AGAIN because someone recently told me that they are having an “existential crisis. I now can’t hide the fact that I am not going to Mass.” Although we had met once before, I really never had a conversation with this person. During small talk this comes up. I wanted to say more, ask a question, even follow-up later. But WHAT DO YOU SAY? The environment isn’t conducive (an excuse but true). Subsequent times have not lent themselves to further discussion (“GO TEAM… I’ve been thinking about what you told me…SCORE…..) ...Yet, I feel negligent doing nothing. Not everybody gets told this kind of stuff, do they? So why me?

This isn’t the first time this has happened. I was in a conversation discussing challenges for a person (different than previously said person). I expected this to come up but I wasn’t expecting the answer. Did it strengthen their faith or has it dampened it? What was I thinking? Their faith was minimal before, but references of faith seemed to be spoken, I thought.….I was expecting to hear the challenges had enhanced it. Now what? I inquired about the comments made. What I thought was appropriate but I don’t know. Is that enough? Do I press even with the tension? I hope I will have another chance (at whatever). Their souls are worth it, but what? What possibly can I do?

As of today, I’d have to go to my grave having to answer to God why I did not help others believe. I know that He uses us to be His hands, His eyes, His ears, and His mouth…..I see His needs, but I don’t know how to help Him.

MORE THAN HALF WAY

2011-04-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

I have made it to only 22 days left until the Easter Vigil; that’s more than half way! Hooray!

I don’t know what it is about me but I always start Lent with the very best intentions. I have a tendency to take on too much and then half-heartedly finish. This Lent, I decided I would only take on a few things, but make sure I did them well. I have maintained most of it but really let one thing slide for a few days. (Just so happens to be something I enjoy; I knew what was happening and resisted self-correction. What’s up with that?)

I don’t know what it is but right about now….half way….I start to peter out….I want the grand finale, the finish line. I want to be the sprint runner NOT the distance runner. I enjoy the intensity, the challenge so to speak, but I also want to start seeing some change. I want it to be a big bang…poof...and forever be different, more deeply connected with God.

I know. I know. It doesn’t work that way. I have refocused myself. I am back on track. Ready to go it again…

I hope your Lent finishes strong.

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

2011-03-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else have a hard time with this? When my kids (or I for that matter) are sick, I am never sure if they are “sick enough” that we should stay home from Mass. Likewise, I am never sure when it is okay to take them to a gathering or pass. Having lots of kids means that someone is bound to be sick at any given moment. This winter has been the worst with illnesses for us. In January, February, and March, we have been sick now for at least two weeks. So I’m thinking about this more than ever now.

I know that a fever is a no-brainer, stay home. My usual rule is if they are coughing or have a runny nose to the extent that I have to keep wiping it, then it’s a no-go as well. However, there are those cases when it isn’t that clear. They aren’t coughing that much during the day but hacking up a lung at night…What about if some kids are sick and others aren’t? Do we stay home from a gathering knowing that those well are bound to be germ carriers?

I have to admit that I dislike it when people are sick (especially with coughing) and they don’t stay home and rest. I remember the day (do I sound like an old fogy here?) when being sick meant staying home. I don’t want to be “the one” who gets you sick. However, I just find that I would be staying home ALL THE TIME.

So what do you use to gauge whether you should go to Mass or stay home because of illness? How ‘bout a party/gathering? Do you consider the proximity to others?....I mean, do you consider whether it will be in a situation such as Mass where it is close proximity to others and involves shaking hands OR a playground with lots of air circulation and little to no direct contact with others? What are your “rules to go by” when it comes to illnesses….for yourself or your children?

The Feast of the Annunciation

2011-03-25T08:04:00.001-07:00

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. [Luke 1:26-38]

The Pink Ones Kill Too

2011-03-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

Believe people shouldn't carry guns to protect themselves? Think buying your wife or girlfriend a pink revolver or pistol is a cheesy investment? Read this.

The only people who suffer under strict gun laws are law abiding citizens. The fact that this lady owned a handgun--even a pink one--and knew how to use it saved both her and her fiance's life.

If the same situation happened in my home, I'd do the same thing. Except mine isn't pink. Meet my manly 1911:

What the Heck Are We Doing?

2011-03-21T01:56:00.001-07:00

To say that I'm confused to why we have participated in military actions against Libya is an understatement.

Maybe I should begin by stating that I am very far from being some sort of anti-war lefty who thinks America is populated by evil greedy capitalist slave drivers bent on war. No, I love America, and truly believe we are a noble people, who for the most part strive to do good in the world. I also support any military action taken by our country that may directly avoid immediate harm to our citizens or even the citizens of those countries we have alliance with (the UK and South Korea for instance). That being said I do have to ask, why Libya? Why now? What business is it of ours to meddle in any civil war? And if we involve ourselves in this conflict because we are trying to save civilians, why hasn't the United States, or more importantly the United Nations, stepped into conflicts that happened in places like Rwanda and Sudan? Why does it still tolerate North Korea? Why the double standard?

My opinion about this is a little mixed. First, I don't think it's about 'civilian casualties'. Right now there are countries that are abusing and even killing their civilians because they are protesting their countries policies and freedoms. In recent memory I remember this sort of thing happening in Iran. Little if nothing was done. When Saudi Arabia jails its citizens for public protest, not a peep comes from any foreign government let alone the United States. Yemen? Bahrain?

Second, I despise Gaddafi. He's a terrorist. He's a scum bag. Seeing him leave Libya either in exile or a body bag wouldn't so much as put a tiny little tear in my eye. I'm glad his people got motivated to protest for the ouster of their lunatic in chief. So does the fact that the United Nations, and even the Arab League, turned on him so quickly give me a little bit of joy? Well, not a little bit… a LOT of joy.

But I'm still confused, and conflicted. You see, I'm a Catholic. I do believe in the just war doctrine. Despite the fact that a part of me would love to see the world reign down on old Omar, I know that this action is not in keeping with the beliefs I'm called to follow. In no shape or form are Gaddafi's actions in his own civil war in his own country going to affect the United States. Isn't that a requirement of having a just war? This action, a war of intervention, is quite a leap even from Bush's war of pre-emption. I'm afraid it's just too big of a leap for me to swallow. There are also too many inconsistencies with the justification of these actions against Libya. It just does not make sense!

So again I ask you, what the heck are we doing? Why Libya, why now, and what the heck about every other murderous regime that seems to enjoy subjugating their people with violence? I'm open to hear any arguments for or against action against Libya. Thoughts?

WHY HAVE SO MANY KIDS?

2011-03-19T23:28:00.000-07:00

In times past, I have been asked about the number of children we have. People go about it in various ways (e.g., You know where those things come from, don’t you? WOW, are they all yours? How many do you plan to have? Do you think you are done?). I always try to reply cheerfully.

Mostly now though, I get the kind comments of older people commenting on how lovely they are, how I remind her/him of when s/he had X number of kids, how blessed I am, how quickly they will grow up, etc. I don’t want to sugar coat how blessed I am to have them. I know I am. Conversely, it is true that they are demanding, time consuming, self-focused (little people), and expensive on all levels of resources.

So why sacrifice? I actually forced myself a couple of kids back to write out my answer in an effort to explain to a dear family member (who thinks I have enough children). I asked others their responses too. Remember I process as I talk. Here's what I have concluded.

Kids force us to “grow up” and focus outside of ourselves. They help us on the spiritual path to heaven. The sacrifices (we make to meet family/kids’ needs) force us to narrow in on what is truly essential and what is frivolous and superficial. No long showers, no primping in front of the mirror, no spending hours finding the right outfit or the latest fad, no spending time focused on sheer pleasure-seeking.

Kids offer great reinforcement---their success can, in part, be attributed to your efforts; if you are blessed, as they mature they will naturally strive to return the investment you have made in them (in loving you, in having future generations, in the caretaking of you).

Kids are fun; they provide an opportunity for you to enjoy those things of your youth which are sometimes deemed “childish” for adults to engage in.

Kids offer a perspective of innocence and purity in a jaded world.

Kids provide a real sign that you are co-creating and cooperating with God; without your “yes” to having more kids, God doesn’t have any more generations. He can impact the world through us---our hands, our eyes, our mouths (etc.)--- and if we don’t provide him with future generations then it stops with us.

Kids, eternally living souls, have more meaning than anything else in life.

I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. See you next Sunday!

Prayer to Saint Joseph

2011-03-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

Feast of St. Joseph

2011-03-19T03:42:00.001-07:00

St. Joseph,

Foster father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and true spouse of the Virgin Mary,

pray for us.

So Maybe This Is A Start?

2011-03-15T19:45:00.001-07:00

The Archdiocese of Anchorage's newspaper, the Catholic Anchor, has posted a LifeSiteNews.com article about Senator Lisa Murkowski being the only Republican Senator to not support defunding of Planned Parenthood. Should we call this a good start for the Archdiocese to at least confirm that Lisa Murkowski's actions stand against Catholic teaching? I know I'm an optimist. Perhaps I'm being a naive convert, but I'm a little pleased that this article has appeared in the Catholic Anchor. Of course, the optimal course of action is to have the Archbishop publicly speak out to his people to counter Murkowski's heterodox positions. I am very doubtful that something like that would happen. I must say, however, that I'll take my victories no matter how small and minor they are. An article with Senator Murkowski's smiling face and big bold letters saying that she is the ONLY Republican blocking defunding of Planned Parenthood puts just a little smile on my face.

Lent Humor

2011-03-13T22:50:00.000-07:00

FLIGHT OF IDEAS

2011-03-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of things I want to tell you throughout the week, but I am restricting my blogging to Sundays only during Lent. So when I get to the computer, I forget all those little tidbits. My current method is to write it up before Sunday (usually when I can’t sleep) using Word and then cut and paste into the blog. (Am I archaic or what?)

I tell you this because it seems, well, weird. Nevertheless, I am going to copy Conversion Diary’s 7 Quick Takes Friday because it offers the best forum for my scattered thoughts….Here is what I have remembered to share:

~1~

Just a brief follow-up on my blogging entry….I found that I am very self-focused (translation: selfish) in the nature of my blogging. Really, I like to use it to process what’s going on in my head. (Scary, I know.)

I’d like to think I can sputter things that will be relevant to you, but I’m starting to wonder.

I’m thinking I have to have a “nobler” reason to blog than…me, my thoughts, and I!

~2~

I really like how some bloggers use themes to blog….primarily used by those who blog daily. I already mentioned Conversion Diary’s 7 Quick Takes Friday (she writes blurps about 7 different things that individually couldn’t make up a blog), but there are others (e.g., Heavenly Homemaker has Gratituesday—

she writes about what she is thankful for). The themes keep a rhythm to my blogosphere reading.

I look forward to reading them and anticipating what will be written….

~3~

I HAVE SPRING ON MY BRAIN. I am really getting geared up for gardening this year. I have been dying to do it for YEARS but we are perpetually under construction and there isn’t ever a sure place that won’t get some big machine charging over it….This year is NO different but I am going to try it anyway…..

movable garden beds, I think. Anyone want to talk dirt, worms, good AK varieties for veggies?

~4~

While preparing for Lent, it really struck me differently than any other time I have thought about it.

People are starving in other countries. People are really impoverished.

I am not. I want to do something….but what? Where? Big organizations tend to have lots of indirect expenses. I would really be thrilled to find some person/grass roots organization to donate to….

where it would be spent well on the cause….

Bottom line: I am NOT towing the line. Major consternation for me.

(Update: Recent earthquake in Japan might provide good opportunities for me in this area.)

~5~

Violence. I am amazed at how we accept violence as mainstream.

I have been known to say, “Oh, it’s only for violence” regarding a movie rating.

How awful that we, as a society, have accepted hurting one another as entertainment.

I know we aren’t the only society, but wham, it gets me.

I can’t go to hockey games locally either. I am all for “checking” and being rough, but when it is condoned to throw down gloves and head gear and go at it…..pathetic, it’s not about hockey then….

What’s even worse----is that here on the Peninsula we have FIGHT NIGHTs…..Billy and Tommy in a CAGE going at it….. We have lost something. It angers me whenever I see the signs for it.

I fantasize about what I would do if I were there. Of course, I'd never go, but I should do something.

Boycott the facility? One more nail in the "culture of death" coffin.

~6~

Going to Mass today left me feeling good. First, we have a visiting priest whom I enjoy listening to,

as he actually helps me reflect on the readings/our faith.

He presents it in a way that is straight forward and useful.

He doesn’t seem compelled to “entertain” me.

I love it.

The other really wonderful thing that happened was a young family

(defined by the age of the parents being younger than my husband and I) attended Mass

and the wife was wearing a veil. I was really moved.

Wearing a veil has been something I have been thinking about off and on.

I know many women older than me who wear veils, but it just warms me/inspires me/challenges me to see a young woman wearing one. I wanted to hug her or at the very least talk to her

(of course, the hugging might just freak her out, I realize. Don’t worry; I refrained on both counts.).

I was so uplifted and encouraged by seeing her gracefully wear it and handling her squirming little ones.

Just another reminder I have to explore the “veil issue.”

~7~

I just realized that this is two pages! #7 will have to wait for another day…..

I’ll try to stick to a one-page More Mary entry next time.

I am really trying to make these entries short and sweet, but I find I just get carried away…..

I hope your Lent is off to a great start!

Murkowski and Murder Inc.

2011-03-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

h/t to Joshua Mercer of CatholicVote.org for picking up on this with lightspeed.

From Politico:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has come out in opposition to the House’s attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, making her the first Republican senator to do so.
“I believe Planned Parenthood provides vital services to those in need and disagree with their funding cuts in the bill,” Murkowski wrote in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). “I ask you to consider these programs going forward to determine if there is room for allowing continued funding.”

So, there you have it. As stated in the post below, Murkowski is not--IN ANY WAY--a woman who uses any iota of Christian virtue in her political judgment. Any doubt that she sides with pro-abortion--pro-infanticide--politics should very well be wiped away with this statement. Yet she will continue to fool Catholics in this state because there is no repudiation for her anti-life antics. Then again, Alaskan Catholics are all to willing to turn a blind eye, as long as Murky brings in the Federal money.

Gotta have that fix.