Catholics
Comments
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Pat ~ thanks! Yes, Santa's helpers are very useful indeed, however, I didn't know that until this year! I credit that to part of my BC journey, I was being too much as a "control freak" before. I have now learned
Hi Squid
...Traci ~Thanks for the post and the description of the Biography channel, I missed it last night 
But those stories are so very interesting. I can certainly relate to them b/c of my own experience. I wasn't given a choice but to simply put "it's not your time/turn yet, you need to go back!"...
Apple ~ I hope that your stress will ease and to know that you are doing a service to all the parishioners
You are playing the organ to praise God, how wonderful ! Do you have a recording of your pieces? Will you share it?Ellie, Alice and Janet, thanks for posting, I will check out the link that you put up.
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Traci ~ check your PM
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AnnaJean ~ welcome. Can you describe more in detail about your discussion board? I think that most of the members here would like to know a bit more from you than just jump to a link.
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Traci, Whats the name of that program, time and day its on. I have cable and Bio channel. I would love to see it. Thanks Betty
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Blessing of a Christmas Tree
Holy Creator of Trees, bless with your abundant grace this, our Christmas tree as a symbol of joy.
May it's evergreen branches be a sign of your never-fading promises.
May its colorful lights and ornaments call us to decorate with love our home and our world.
May the gifts that surround this tree, be symbols of the gifts we have received from the Tree of Christ's cross.
Holy Christmas tree within our home, may Joy and Peace come and nest in your branches and in our hearts.
Amen
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Ladies... a lot of spammers come onto BCO. Many times over the past 2 + years. This lady posting her site might be good.. and might be not so good. Be careful!
Love you
Laura
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Good evening sisters - I'm in South Jersey this week, so have limited time to read and absorb and write. :-) So much good information, though.
I was very sorry to hear the news about Elizabeth Edwards. It really puts our "condition" in perspective... makes me sick to my stomach actually. We shouldn't be dying from cancer with all the science and medicine and treatments etc etc etc!!!!!! May her soul rest in peace.
Ellie - I'd like to hear about your dissertation too!! Wow, a doctor in the house! :-) Maybe it's just my family, but it seems the women in my family are either vocal (mouthy) when angry or silent (brooding) and hold that grudge. The men tend to get angry, let it out, then it's gone. My grandma was very peaceful and I don't ever remember her being angry. My Mom was a hot head. I think I'm half and half.
Pat - yes, we should meet up!! I'm not sure how many more times I'll come to NJ. I'm here until Thursday, then Skip and I may come back up in a couple of weeks for our SFO meeting.
I met with my formation director last night. She's so sweet. We went over the November lesson on Penance and Reconciliation. Pretty heavy topic. Very central to the Franciscan way of life.
Tomorrow is a Holy Day of Obligation... Immaculate Conception.
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God bless Elizabeth Edwards and her family. May she rest in peace. Amen
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Tori,
What a wonderful blessing to the Christmas tree. You know how I love nature, and see God so intricately enmeshed with the Trees, Mountains, Lakes, Oceans.....I enjoyed.
Betty,
The show is on Biography, and they fall under the category of I Survived....then the ones on NDE are I Survived Beyond and Back. It is on at 10:00 PM EST on Sundays. This is not the first time Biography has done a documentary on this topic, and I have even seen ones about meeting Angels. Very uplifting
Laura,
Thanks for the reminder!
Theresa,
I thought you sounded farther away...What do you do in particular to recognize Holy Day of Obligation? Glad you met your formation director. I know about Penance, and wondering if you have particular steps for Reconciliation? Certainly not an easy topic.
and I join you all in the sadness of Elizabeth's passing. She had a message on Facebook posted yesterday, that you can google. I can't imagine she would have been able to write it or do that herself just one day ago, but it was nice to read her thoughts. Onwards and Upwards Elizabeth.
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Hi All,
I join in the prayers for Elizabeth Edwards - I don't know why but her struggle and death have been an emotional journey for me as well. God bless her soul and all of us who are struggling with this terrible disease.
On Monday night I met up with a woman (a medical doctor) who is on my college's foundation board and from whom I hadn't heard anything for a while. She hasn't come to meetings and I've been worried about her. But, because of what I've been dealing with over this past year, I hadn't had much time to contact her. I did that last week and we decided to meet for an event dinner on Monday night. When I asked her what had been happening over the last year, she told me that on Dec 14, 2009 due to new prescription interaction from her cardiologist, she "died" for about 10 minutes while at an event she was attending out of this area. She remembers seeing her mother and father and sister and several relatives who had predeceased her and it was beautiful and happy and she wanted to stay but suddenly she was sucked back, like a magnet was pulling on her. Next thing she knew she was looking at a couple policeman and EMT and was carted off to the ER. She told me she doesn't tell many people this story because they think she is a bit crazy. I've known this lovely lady for over 20 years and she is a brillant woman who is not crazy. Her story gave me much peace and comfort. We got interrupted to join some other folks at another table and I didn't get a chance to speak further with her but we're going to have breakfast together to talk more. I did tell her a bit about my last year and why her story was so comforting to me.
I pray Elizabeth Edwards and all of us, when our time comes, had/has a beautiful, happy experience moving on to our rewards in heaven. I still pray I've got another big block of time here on earth so that I can protect and nurture my grandson to adulthood....but it doesn't seem quite as scary when you hear about such things...although I am more pained about the separation from loved ones than the actual passing part.
Love you guys!
Pat
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Pat,
Thanks so much for sharing her story. It's so interesting how there are such common threads...down to the feeling of being sucked back like a magnet, some say like a vacuum. I can say, when you hear and watch each person's story, they are so genuine, and have such love in their voices. This has for many made their hardships here much more tolerable, even down to struggling with constant pain. I am so glad her story brought you comfort and peace. Everything in it's own time, and to not fear our experiences. One of the comments from the young boy really struck me, as he said he knew there were people on the other side waiting for him, so many, and anyone he had ever met that had passed and they were there to support him. Sounded like a big old "birthday party" (my words.)
I want to be proud of myself when I get there. Does that make sense? Keep myself pushing forwards through the fray.
Love you too Pat!
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It's the feast of the Immaculate Conception. (I don't have a recording of my organ playing Diamond Girl.. maybe someday).
I am playing Mass at 6 pm and will power clean, sew curtains and maybe practice this day.
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Pat - I found your post very comforting. I agree with you that leaving your living loved ones to fend for themselves will be the hardest part. My children are "grown" so to speak - but neither are married yet and I'm the only parent left and only a couple of other relatives (my age or older). So I really worry about them and hope I can see them settled into families of their own. All the documentation certainly points to what we all know deep in our hearts - that death does not conquer love. And why it makes perfect sense that deceased loved ones are there to welcome those passing loved ones from life into death - united once again. I know I'll be there jumping up and down for joy to see everyone again!! I hope this doesn't sound morbid - because that's not what I feel. The reminder of the sad passing of yet another wonderful woman (E. Edwards) is an important reflection and i think bc brings us all to heightened awareness.
Last night ABC news had some lovely tributes to her - and I was struck by one of the interviews they replayed of her. She said she accepted her God as a God of salvation and not of intervention. I don't know. I have to think about that some more - because I definitely believe in miracles too.
Traci - on holy days of obligation (there are about 15-20 of them each year - such as Ash Wednesday, all major religious holidays, and then some special ones) we go to Mass that is offered for that special occasion. Some are on a Sunday and others are designated days.
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Hi sisters,
A philosphical/religious/spiritual question. If heaven is perfect, why does Our Lady cry? Many of the visionaries report that our Lady is sad and wants us to convert our hearts. How can she be sad if heaven is perfect peace? I am interested in your thoughts about this question. Thanks
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LMFSH,
In my humble opinion, I think Our Lady appears sad to many visionaries due to the fact that we and the world we live in is imperfect, and because of that imperfection, many people turn to the evilness of the world in order to TRY to make things better in their lives; many succomb to the temptations presented by Satan instead of turning to her, her Son and God...
I think it saddens her to see the world in the state it is in...
I am not a mom of human children (just my 2 fur babies), but putting myself in a position where I imagine seeing "my children" displaying themselves unfavorably, or doing things that may hurt me and others, would cause me to be saddened as well...
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Ellie:
The Catechism of the Catholic church says this:
973 By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body.
974 The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body.
975 "We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ" (Paul VI, CPG # 15).
So, if she is continuing in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of us, then like Tori was saying, she still feels all the maternal longings for us and if her children are not turning toward Christ and doing bad things, evil things, this brings her great sorrow. Our Blessed Mother offers us her continual guiding presence TOWARD her Son.
Heaven is more of a mystery than Mary, I think:
1024 This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called "heaven." Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.
1029 In the glory of heaven the blessed continue joyfully to fulfill God's will in relation to other men and to all creation. Already they reign with Christ; with him "they shall reign for ever and ever."
So, I think, as long as there is earth and as long as we ask (as we should) for the intercessions of the Angels and Saints to bring us to Christ, how could those heavenly souls *not* be affected by the sorrowful and horrid things that go on here, especially those things directly offensive to God? As they have seen God face to face and know His consuming goodness. There is no doubt of it, as we tend to do here on earth. So they live in the supreme, definitive happiness of heaven with God, but are called to continue to help us in our world of sorrow.
Pat:
That was a nice post, and I really appreciate these types of stories that are shared here. It's a nice reminder that life isn't about the daily grind. It's about attaining everlasting joy.
Squid:
Yes, I'm 200+ miles away, so my voice is probably fainter. :-) How do I recognize a Holy Day of Obligation? Like Janet said, there are certain days of the liturgical year where the Catholic faithful are obligated to attend Mass (besides Sunday) and today was one of them. Christmas is one of them. The word "obligation" has negative connotations, I think, today, but it's more of a Feast day, as opposed to a feast day. Feast day is special honor. I wish the priest would have given a Marian homily, but he didn't give a homily at all! Bummer!
Reconciliation/Penance. Again, I think many people have negative connotations about this sacrament, when it really should be looked at joyfully. I certainly don't look forward to going to confession, but, boy, when I come out, I feel like a new woman! Sin begins before the act of sinning. Sin begins with a bad/negative/evil attitude, then that attitude and free will gets us in trouble. And we tend to sin over and over again (I forget the word for it) the same sin. I used to think, Geez, the priest doesn't want to hear me confess this sin every single time! That's an error in thinking. For one, the priest is acting as Christ, so I'm confessing to Christ, not Fr. So and So, even though he's the one sitting there. Oh, I'm rambling.... but basically, I prepare by doing an examination of conscious and you can find many books, pamphlets on how to do that or just sit and meditate on the sins committed or the sins of omission... good things you could have done but failed to do. Then I spend some time in prayer. Then I go to confession. A good priest will give some good advice, then give you a simple penance to do (prayers to say, acts to do), he gives you absolution and blessing, then I go into the church and pray. Simple as that. I need to go more often.
But my laptop battery is running out and I promised myself I'd go down to the hotel gym and ride the bike, so I better close.
Sorry if I'm long winded. Lots of good questions tonight and I love to research! :-)
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Hi Lovemyfamily -
I agree with Tori that our Lady shed tears and has sorrow over many things - the suffering she sees on earth (remember she also suffered at her son's side at the cross) - like our own struggles with disease and illness; the suffering caused by natural disasters on innocent folk - especially the children; the horror of war; and the suffering caused by selfish people to others...to name a few things that would make any selfless and loving soul sad. it's not the beauty, peace and perfection of heaven that keeps her attention - I think her status as mother to all of us turns her attention to this world rather than resting forever in the other. But that's just my view and like all things about God, heaven, Mary, etc. you take a leap of faith and believe....rather than rationalizing everything.
Jesus said: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Our world does too many things that needs forgiveness, in my opinion...I get why she cries.
Ciao,
Pat
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THERESA... Thank you ! I was just about to post those quotes on the Blessed Virgin Mother. THANK YOU!
Pat..... good to see you lady! I appreciate your post! Sometimes I am leery on these types of comments. Thinking they are more of a " false sense of security" put there in front of us by the evil one ( Satan).........But when I see a post like yours, of a dear Catholic woman who would NEVER say such a thing unless it was there, in front of her... it does warm my heart! TY!
Ladies........ I have a VERY FULL next 4 days............ work... and my m-i-l will be here from AZ with us.... for Christmas......................
............ wish me luck..... PLEASE! LOL0 -
Ladies... real quick before I join dh in bed......
I have been asking for prayer for my Salon for some time now. For 14 yrs I ran a very busy... financially lucrative Hair Salon. Now, during this economy and me being out of the Salon ( working) for a year to complete Chemo... mast/TE... rads.... herceptin.... ETC.... my salon is taking hit. I have never had it this poorly ever. I have cut my salary to pay my stylist ( 4) what they are used to... but I am getting to the point... after two years of little salary.... I need to make money again. I really do.
I am not sure why my prayers are not being heard..... and if others are really praying for me... why they are not being heard. I am TRYING SO HARD to hang in there... and I am waiting to see the turn around... but it is getting hard. BC took SOOOOOOO much from me.... and I just do NOT WANT BC to have taken the business I started from ground 0... and grew it into a very good thing!
I HUMBLY ask you all to pray for my Salon to grow... bring in more money.... PLEASE! This was the time in my life FINALLY..... that I could work 40 hours a week and save for retirement and such things.... ( kids are grown)... but now.. I feel like BC has taken it all away.
If you pray for me and my business... I TRULY thank you... and I will know you have... by the fact... your prayers will be heard and answered... I have such faith in our prayer.
In Thanksgiving,
Laura
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Laura... I was thinking about coming to get a haircut. (not that my hair is long enough to cut). I will certainly pray for your salon and will try to think of creative ways for you to advertise. and bring in new business... I'm thinking highlites for highschoolers or something.
Prayers for all.
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When God closes a door, he opens a window.
Theresa, thank you for all of your wonderful info.
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Laura,
Will be saying some extra prayers that things will turn around for you at your salon....
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Laura - I wish you were in VA, I'd certainly come to your salon. It's really hard to find a good stylist... you guys are like miracle workers for folks like me! :-) I usually wait too long between cuts, then go into the salon feeling all shabby, the stylist snips away and I feel like a million bucks when I leave! Kind of like how I feel after confessions! LOL (Just kidding - making fun of myself)
I know what you mean about BC robbing us of so many things in life. Skip and I were just starting to save for retirement, the kids are grown, thinking about taking a cruise then the economy collapses and BC hit, just awful. I pray the Lord will bless you and your salon, but more importantly, I pray that the Lord's will will be done for you (which is the best even if it's not what we think is the best) and that whatever happens, you will see God's hand in it and be joyful. You will be at the top 'o my list! :-)
Well, I'm home again this evening... a LONG drive home, Baltimore traffic even at 3:00 in the afternoon, returned the rental car, got my allergy shots. The last two times I've developed a headache a day or two after, so the nurses are going to monitor me and reduced the serum.
But I'm sleepy and still have to unpack and visit with the Skipper whom I haven't seen all week. I wish I had something uplifting to share with you ladies... maybe tomorrow at prayer time.
Pax et bonum!
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Laura - I'll be praying too that your salon will be totally booked and have a waiting list for customers to even get an appointment!! Would love to hear about your shop. Maybe start a 'frequent flyer' program - after 6 cuts a free one or something!
Theresa - glad you're home safe & sound.
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Laura,
I'm wondering if you could also reach out to women who are about to undergo chemotherapy? I was lucky that I had a great hairdresser that brought me through a few haircuts, and we ended up with a fab pixie right before it all went. I really wished I had someone to help me shave it at home, and I'm curious if you could market in-home hair cutting sessions pre-chemo. I'm thinking along the lines of someone like me who had long hair, and coming into the home and either setting aside several sessions where you progressively cut their hair, and try different styles? It could even be a three cut session, taking your time and working with her to see what cut she might like afterwards, as well as .....DRUMROLL, wig cutting and styling! Or choosing different styles in order to find a cut that would look good in a wig, and then helping to select a wig, or touching up a wig to help really finish it out when they do purchase one. Then the reverse could happen. As it grows in, it would be great to have frequent trimming to help it grow in well, without having to get a Cut Cut. Fun with color, and pre and post chemo...the bob, the pixie, a punk do....well, the sky could be the limit, and they would have such a wonderful experience having your experience and support.
I did go to my hairdressers, but I wanted to vomit in fear thinking my pixie would be heinous, and I would have to get this cut with a bunch of people looking on, feeling bad for the girl who chose a horrible hair length/haircut.
I lucked out in that the pixie was such a hit, and I liked it too. But it was a gamble that was hard to take in a public setting. I wished I had someone "on call" to help me deal with when it came out....even coming at a moment's notice to shave it, hold my hand, let me cry etc....
what do you think?
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So happy to pray for you and salon Laura. You deserve so much credit for building your business! xo
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Good evening sisters,
So much going on...just love reading and catching up on things...
Hubby got home tonight...got into a car accident on the way home though...he is fine, and the other folks are too (thanks be to God), but it was kinda scary...Honestly, don't think I could have handled it if something else went terribly wrong...I would have lost it...
Laura, more prayers for you and your business...may you be blessed abundantly with customers and repeat business to keep you and your employees busy beyond belief!
Thinking of you all and lifting you all up in prayer tonight...
I hope you are all feeling blessed tonight..
Sweet dreams...
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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You are all so amazing and I am humbled........ YET again.
All your sweet and smart ideas.... I love that you share that with me!
I feel I should tell you, I have done all you are speaking of over the past 15 yrs... and it all has worked GREAT.... in the past. Now, the economy has changed the way business owners/managers are doing business.
I even ran adds and posted on street signs ... and put a HUGE add in my local phonebook... letting all know that we lowered kids cuts to $8.00... to help out families during this time...
Thank you kind ladies for you prayers. You know.. I have a business degree...... and I am good with finance and marketing........ and all these things have worked for me since I went back to work and opened a Salon.... BUT........now.... all my merits are worthless really. It has shown me that it was NEVER me who grew my business to the point it was at. No matter how educated I was ..... it has always been God. So, if I am to regain what I had for the past 15 yrs.... I need prayers... and also... as one of you kind ladies stated............. I need to be able to accept what He choose for me.
Peace and Love girls...... peace and love.
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Apple... you should come on out and let me do your hair! I give a 50% discount to my BCO sisters!
.... so... $7.00 haircut for you... cannot beat it! 0 -
Tori,
Thank God everyone is o.k. Let us thank the Angels tonight.
So I am cramming in fluids and a snack before the midnight 'ish rule of nothing to eat after midnight. Tomorrow I lose my under the skin brooch. There goes my fashion statement! I have been vacuuming like a madwoman with my new eureka pet lovers lite! And a few new rugs (I treated myself.) I am tickled beyond measure. And then...more fun, my scrapbook came with the beautiful paper by graphic 45. I have Vintage Christmas, Steampunk Debutante and the Transatlantique collections. The designs are gorgeous, and I am so happy to be able to put together memories for Dad to pour over. I have to be over to the hospital between 6 and 6:30 AM because my blood work is not current enough, boo! But all I have to do is sleep after that. A little propofol and that will be all...
Have a great day tomorrow all!
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