|
| ANY STEUBENVILLE CONFERENCE ALUMS OUT THERE??? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/19/2010 |
I discovered Steubenville (which I later attended and where I met Matt) at one of its conferences. I did not realize until I read the cover story over the Register that I actually attended the THIRD one (which shows how old I am).
I will say that the three conferences I attended made a real, lasting difference in my life. Of course, I struggled but I knew from what I was straying when I chose the world over Christ. I learned that from Steubenville.
I also learned that there were a whole lot more kids who loved Jesus than were in my circle of friends. I did not feel as an outsider.
Check out the story:
http://www.ncregister.com/register_exclusives/summers-in-steubenville/ |
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| WILL THE PRESS COVER THIS?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/19/2010 |
The press is ever eager to cover AIDS issues from the need for more research and funds (true) to its inevitability (not true).
Will they have the courage to cover this story?
"Leading experts fighting the world's worst Aids epidemic have called on African leaders to head a month-long sexual abstinence campaign, saying it could reduce new infections."
And their reason is based not on some silly religious tenet towards chastity but on the science of viruses:
"Researchers Alan Whiteside and Justin Parkhurst cite scientific evidence that due to ''viral-load spikes'', a newly infected person is most likely to transmit HIV in the month after they were exposed to it. Up to 45pc of HIV transmissions result from sex during the highly infectious ''spikes'' period."
I am not one who will claim to understand the biology but reducing the number of those affected by AIDS seems to be a good thing - but will the media think so???
Full story:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/04/hiv-abstinence-aids-africa |
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| HOW MUCH COULD YOU LIVE WITHOUT? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/19/2010 |
How about a microhouse. A house small enough to pull behind a U-Haul??
http://vitality.yahoo.com/
We'd need more space just for space for sleeping the kids at home full-time and Matt and I.
I love the idea of de-cluttering but...... |
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| IN REGARD TO HELPING YOUR KIDS - ACTUALLY YOUR DAUGHTERS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/19/2010 |
Another plug for Dr. Meg Meeker's "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters".
This is a great book for both the Dads and Moms to read. If you want to raise up strong daughters knowing what they face is key to success.
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| DO YOU HAVE KIDS ON THE INTERNET - CHECK THIS OUT [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/19/2010 |
Now, I do not have tech-savvy kids. We've never posted anything on you-tube - due only to our inability rather than desire. But even my kids desire is pretty low. We've got some friends who do it with funny stuff their kids do and my kids like checking those out, but that's pretty much all there is.
Here's a story about the other end with a girl who is able to post her vulgar rant and her father who seems to respond in kind (tho' without the four letter words).
I have not seen either on-line post (and won't) but the story is a lesson even without seeing the sources.
Check on your kids and know what they are doing:
http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2010/07/the-helplessness-of-a-father-in-the-internet-age/59950/
I can appreciate the helplessness of a father as many dads seems unable to figure out how to help their children but as the article points out - this is NOT it.
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| PUBLIC PRAYER IS ILLEGAL?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/20/2010 |
"Police say prayer illegal on U.S. Supreme Court grounds
ADF attorneys send letter to Supreme Court officials urging them to allow constitutionally protected prayer outside court building"
ADF - Alliance Defense Fund - is following this issue as they were notified when a group of students with their teacher were told to stop praying.
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=5342
Now, I am not defending this action by the police at all. However, Matt (who works in DC) will attest that any group who pauses just about anywhere will probably be questioned and told to move along. There is heightened concern about security in our current society and most police truly are just trying to keep everyone safe -including the court officials and the tourists.
In a world where children and women can be forced into being suicide bombers, police have a right to ask folks to just keep moving. Matt checked into the story deeper and also found laws that seek to prevent any groups from gathering attention to themselves, stopping the flow of traffic, etc., etc. without proper registration.
I don't know if this was the case here. It may have been just a group of students and a teacher as described. The police officer may have overstepped his authority.
But, regardless, keep praying when you go to DC or your local gov't buildings. Keep the prayers flowing through your heart, soul and mind while your feet keep moving.
The power of prayer does not require you to stop, pause, bow heads, hold hands or even kneel. It is great if you can, but when you can't - Don't stop praying!! Pray harder knowing that in a perfect world such displays of public prayer would not only be legal but welcome!! But, let's face it, we are not in perfect world. And let's keep that in prayer!
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| MAUREEN DOWD IS NOT AS INTELLIGENT AS SHE THINKS SHE IS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/20/2010 |
And Carl Olson does a good job explaining why:
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/07/whats-the-old-saying-dont-argue-with-a-fool-onlookers-wont-know-the-difference-true-enough-but-i-think-im-on-safe-ground.html
Over at Ignatius Insight, Carl takes on Ms. Dowd's inability to see both the great good Pope Benedict is doing in regard to the scandals and the harm woman's ordination would cause.
The article is lengthy but well worth reading. Here's a bit:
"There is surely much poppycock in the room, but its coming from Dowd, whose ability to misrepresent history, theology, doctrine, present-day situations, and basic facts is, admittedly, perverse and astounding. She mistakenly or misleadingly confuses the ordination of men (a matter of doctrine) with celibacy (a discipline); she takes it for granted that "society" (by which she means herself and her like-minded friends) should set the agenda for the Church; she says that the sexual scandals were the logical consequence of an "all-male hierarchy" (which doesn't help explain why nearly 10% of students are targets of educator sexual misconduct in public schools, which have many more female than male teachers); she brandishes silly and vapid sound bites about "the normality of equality" ("normality" defined by whom, and by what standard? and for what end?); she suggests that American Catholics are increasingly "disenchanted" with Rome, which a perfect example of wishful projection built on legless substantiation."
We know not everyone - such as Dowd - who claims to be Catholic is, and their actions and words often reveal the truth. I am grateful for people such as Mr. Olson who can clear up any confusion in that regard. |
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| FREE SPEECH??? A JOB I COULD NOT DO.... [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/20/2010 |
I've written about my disgust over the entire existence of pornography. Its harm, addictive nature and evil is well studied documented and endured. From the NYTimes comes an article about the people who endure it for our sakes - computer content reviewers.
Policing the Web’s Lurid Precincts - over at www.nytimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/19/technology/19screen.html?_r=2&src=un&feedurl=http:%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Ftechnology%2Findex.jsonp
The article begins with this:
"An Internet content reviewer, Mr. Bess sifts through photographs that people upload to a big social networking site and keeps the illicit material — and there is plenty of it — from being posted."
But what I found most distressing was this:
"Ms. Laperal also reached some unsettling conclusions in her interviews with content moderators. She said they were likely to become depressed or angry, have trouble forming relationships and suffer from decreased sexual appetites. Small percentages said they had reacted to unpleasant images by vomiting or crying."
If this is the reaction to materials being reviewed for posting on the internet what is the reaction you would expect to see from people who watch what makes it??
The article relates that reviewers at YouTube are only allowed to work there one year and counseling services are included!
Be very aware of what you, your spouse and your kids are watching and for how long. Our minds, attitudes and very souls are affected by what we watch.
And then add an extra prayer each night for those who are striving to keep the internet clean. Theirs is a thankless job. |
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| TODAY'S GOSPEL - A SOWER WENT TO SOW SOME SEED [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/21/2010 |
How's this spin -
A mom and her kids went to plant a garden. Some of the seeds- cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, cantaloupe - were planted in the house early in the season where they took root and thrived. Some of the seeds were planted directly in the garden - pumpkins, carrots, watermelons. They also put some seedlings from the seed store in as well - tomatoes (two kinds) and peppers (two kinds).
When the mom and the kids went to take the house seeds out to the garden they did not label the rows as they should. They also did not 'thin' the herd so to speak. Weeding was deemed optional as well when the heat wave hit and it was too hot to go out except at night to water.
Weeks went on and the garden burst with vegetation but Mom and the kids were unable to tell which plant was which - except for the bushy carrot tops.
The result of their efforts? Many, many (too many) vines in the garden that look way too much like each other so they were left to grow until fruit appeared. The result of this approach? So much, way too much zucchini and squash, but only a one watermelon that we can see, one cantaloupe and one pumpkin.
The tomatoes are doing really well but all still green, while the jalepeno peppers are great but the green and red ones still not there.
What is the lesson of the parable the apostles might ask? Well, it could come directly from today's gospel.
Some of our seed must have been eaten by the birds as evidenced by the lack of produce (I'm thinking the watermelon especially). Some of our seeds fell into 'rocky soil' as we did see it sprout (the cantaloupe, I think) but did not take deep root. While some was truly choked by the weeds we did not pull.
However, some of our seeds (especially the zucchini) fell on good soil and has yielded a huge amount (thankfully our church's food pantry takes fresh veggie donations).
Lessons learned you can apply? Label your garden and know where you are putting your seeds. Knowing what I putting down would have helped me glean out a few of the zucchini plants (sorry, guys) and given the others more room to grow.
For you, I'd remind you to remember to 'know' what grows and helps your soul's garden such as the sacraments and daily prayer/gospel.
Weed frequently. Weed frequently. Weed frequently. Confession and an evening balance/Act of contrition is the best way to do this for us. For me - I can't do anything about the heat and my inability to be out in it so I'll have to tolerate the weeds but I don't have to tolerate sin.
Don't overdue one thing to the neglect of another. I should have pulled a few of those mystery vines early in the season knowing that our garden does not provide all of our food but rather some of our food. I don't have space in it to grow every squash plant that sprouts - some have to go.
The same is true of our spiritual lives. You can overdo it. A bible study every night, a prayer group every weekend (perhaps two prayer groups??), and more and more. It sounds so good to be so holy but at what cost. If you are out 'being holy', who is putting your kids to bed? Are you with your spouse or with other people's spouses?
Your marriage and your family are your first and most important apostolate or work of God - all else must come second. It might be time to glean your garden down to a one or two activities that really produce wonderful fruit rather than five or six activities that give paltry results because there just isn't enough room!
And finally, my garden, as I said, is a family venture that adds to our table but does not fill it. I do not have the skill or time for that but I am grateful for what we can do based on our limitations and skills. The same must also be true of our lives as Catholics. Not everyone is able to go to Mass every day so making a heartfelt Spiritual Communion while at home with a sick child is more than wonderful.
We cannot all be cloistered or even involved to the same level as others. God doesn't want that - He wants you to 'bloom where you are planted' as they say on those lovely embroidered pillows and t-shirts.
Let your garden grow under His watchful eye and the Master Gardener will assure that your seeds are all zucchinis!!
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| IS HAVING ONLY ONE CHILD THE BEST PLAN FOR THE FUTURE??? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/21/2010 |
Check out this op-ed piece over at Headline Bistro:
http://www.headlinebistro.com/hb/en/columnists/datiles/071610.html
It takes on this - "this Sunday’s Time magazine cover story has dubbed as the new ideal.
The article, “One and Done,” by Lauren Sandler, promotes the one-child family as the new American family model. According to the article, who needs siblings, anyway? They’re expensive, lead to lower SAT scores and cause poor self-esteem. And the bottom line is – as the article put it – it’s “simply easier with one.”
Shall we all hum along to "Imagine" by John Lennon - imagine no sisters, brothers or guaranteed playmates at home when it is raining, you have been booted out the popular clique or you are just lonely.
Imagine two parents taking care of one but eventually it will be one taking care of two which will happen when the parents are older and, perhaps in poor health.
Imagine that one child tragically falling victim to a childhood illness or accident and the loneliness that will drop like a weight.
Imagine a society that can longer sustain itself (as Europe is quickly learning) because one is not enough for economic sustainability.
Imagine a complete loss of freedom as we decide that your family plans must be approved by the government or you risk loss of property, imprisonment, or death. OH- that's right we don't have to imagine that - we just have to visit China!
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| WHAT TO POST SOMETHING THAT MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/22/2010 |
Is your family planning up to God, you, or your doctor's God?
This leading question comes from USAToday's Faith and Reason column.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/07/the-pill-god-sex-family-planning-catholic/1
I love that the word 'catholic' even comes up in the http address!!
The article is brief and is written to create conversation - consider joining in.
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| CHILDREN ARE VULNERABLE NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE - INCLUDING THEIR HOME! [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/22/2010 |
"Malicious adults use drugs, alcohol to abuse kids
Sleeping pills, cough syrup, laxatives harm 160 children a year, study says...."
160 kids! And this is what is found from the study, but what about those that go unreported and are covered up.
“We believe that the malicious use of pharmaceuticals may be an under-recognized form and or component of child maltreatment,” said Dr. Shan Yin, who led the study conducted at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver.
Yin, a medical toxicologist, analyzed more than 21.4 million calls to the National Poison Data System between 2000 and 2008. When he looked at cases of drug and alcohol poisoning coded as “malicious” in children younger than 7, Shin found 1,439 cases of kids who’d been exposed. Some 172 children were seriously injured and 18 died."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38347257/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
The sad thing is that I've overheard parents talk about doing this. The 'I know how to get them to sleep through the night' line you hear at picnics and church gatherings. I've heard some people say and always wonder if they are serious or just joking. Now, I know - they are actually serious about slipping a child a bit of cough medicine or something else!!!
Unbelievable!
" |
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| REVIVING FRIDAY SACRIFICES [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/23/2010 |
Do any of you keep the Friday "Meatless" Fast? I will admit we don't regularly. We are culturally Catholic in that regard but certain situations in my family have made me decide to revive it.
These situations are with extended family members rather than my own children/husband but still cause me sorrow and concern (prayers are welcome).
I was considering what concrete sacrifice I could do for this situation - and in that it is Friday - thought of meatless. It is not as if it is really hard anymore as pizza and grilled cheese are easy enough and always welcomed.
I also know that my four oldest children all do meatless as a part of their religious lives so I can be with them spiritually in this as I was when I wore skirts every day for a year as my daughters do. (I still wear skirts most days but not every day).
I am pondering what to do as daily fast/sacrifice for this family situation and would welcome suggestions as I tend to think of things that really aren't that hard but easily fit into my life.
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
| LET THE FRIDAY FUN BEGIN....... :-) [Rachel Watkins] |
| 7/23/2010 |
'Corpse flower' bloom could stink up Texas wedding' -
From MSNBC - "The flower girl at Jessica Zabala's wedding is purple, six-feet-tall, uninvited and smells like dead bodies.
She is Lois, a rare "corpse flower," deemed the world's stinkiest bud.
Lois is unexpectedly blooming in the Houston Museum of Natural Science, in the room right next to where Zabala is marrying Jonathan Smith on Saturday.
"I don't need a florist anymore," Zabala laughs. "I've got Lois."
Read the full story here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38376749
But in short, the flower looks like it is getting ready to burst and if it should, the smell would ruin a very happy day. Neither the museum or the couple could have known or anticipated this so they're all crossing their fingers.
AND this one:
Beer in Dead Animals -
"You'd expect a lot from a bottle of beer costing $765. What you get is 55 percent alcohol — and served in a squirrel."
Think of the dead animal as a beer cozy - surrounding the bottle of this overly expensive beer.
Full story - http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38376048/ns/us_news-weird_news/
Having a husband and brothers who love beer and a brother who is a trained taxidermist, I could help but laugh and consider the options.
We could have Tom (the brother) make the cozies and then Matt (the husband) put any number of beers within. I am thinking that more common beers (such as Coors or Bud) would be best served in a common animal such as the squirrel but for more exotic beers (such as can be found at our local beer place) in more exotic animals such as a - koala???
I KNOW, I KNOW - eeewww and gross and so inappropriate but growing up with six brothers I couldn't help myself. I just started laughing and thinking how I could work this into my stand-up routine.
I won't pursue the business of the beer cozies or as a stand-up comedian but I will give you the site to one of the best places in the country to buy beer and it is only 3 miles from my house. My family is only to happen to visit us when they come and visit it -
|
| E-Mail
Author |
|
Return to top of page.
|
| Pastoral Solutions
Institute Resources |
|
| Recommended Reading |
|
| |
| Contributors |
|
| Links |
Coming soon...
|
This site designed and powered by the Ridgefield
Group. |
|
