A Mooncake Day

Thanks to Wiki

OK, I just ate half of a mooncake and I think I am going to die. It is like eating half of a Death by Chocolate cake. The inside is lotus seed paste with a duck egg yolk. Mooncakes are eaten today because in Singapore it is Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu) today. 

Now, I did not worship the moon, but I do feel like the moon. There is a legend which states that the fall of the Mongolian rulers happened with messages smuggled in mooncakes.

Lanterns are a big deal today for this feast day.

update: http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/world-news/detail/articolo/mooncakes-hongkong-prisons-china-27944/

Well, at least they cannot pretend they are Catholic anymore....

The Anglicans in Wales has approved female bishops by a democratic vote. Will this only lead to more Anglicans joining the Catholic Ordinariate? Thanks to St. Peter's List for this news. You can look at the bigger article. Talk about leaving behind apostolic succession....

'Long Overdue' Decision Approves Female Bishops

www.huffingtonpost.com

A Thursday vote in Wales has approved women to become bishops in the Anglican Church, a landmark decision which is expected to put increasing pressure on the Church of England to allow women to rise to senior posts. People cheered after the ruling was announced, which will 

ROFL

http://www.climatedepot.com/2013/09/14/earth-gains-a-record-amount-of-sea-ice-in-2013-earth-has-gained-19000-manhattans-of-sea-ice-since-this-date-last-year-the-largest-increase-on-record/

http://www.climatedepot.com/2013/09/14/new-paper-finds-glaciers-may-be-advancing-in-size-in-asia/


The nuns in grade school a long, long time ago said we were heading for an ice age. They were correct!

Man, what will it take for the global warming groups to get the reality of what is happening?

http://www.climatedepot.com/2013/09/14/the-climate-science-capitulation-beginsun-ipccs-dr-hans-von-storch-we-definitely-have-seen-less-warming-than-expected/

1. Excavation of the Great Lakes
2. Diversion of the Missouri River
3. Diversion of the upper Mississippi River
4. Diversion of the Ohio River  https://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/Research/What-If/WhatIf.HTM

What does it mean to carry a cross?

The big problem with the present generations is that they avoid suffering at all costs. Suffering has been seen as evil, rather than an opportunity for growth. We cannot escape suffering.

How do we accept suffering and what type of suffering should we accept?

The most obvious type of suffering is illness, which is usually totally out of our control. Illness must be endured, and perhaps, with the help of our physicians, overcome. But, not always.

We not must only accept our cross, but embrace it. What does this mean?

We usually know our cross, the main one. I do not need to make a long list. Maybe your parish is a cross, your diocese, your national church. The point is that God in His Perfect Will has placed each one of us in our situation. Yes, we have free will, but if we are in sanctifying grace and praying, if we are pursuing perfection and the love of God, we shall know our cross.

Today, at Mass, the priest communicated a great love of the cross in his life merely by showing his gratitude for the moment of salvation on Calvary. How wonderful it is to see that gratitude, that peace and joy even in suffering, which comes with the knowledge that God has died for each one of us.

The acceptance of our individual cross is part of the Dark Night. One begins to see that a person, the self, in sins and failings is the true, personal cross. Too often we look at circumstances and other people as crosses. No, how we react to those events or persons is our own lack of virtue; hence our cross is our own sins and imperfections. Truth is humility and in accepting our sins and imperfections we embrace our cross, in a pale imitation of Christ, But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.  Philippians 2:7 DR

And, what type of suffering should we accept? That which is obviously completely out of our control....

We do what we can to alleviate pain and suffering in the lives of others and our lives, but, if we cannot, we can only say, Thy Will Be Done.

Tomorrow is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. I have asked her to be my personal patron. Mary, Our Lady, accepted the Cross and went through the Passion with her Son. What better person is there to help us on our way?

http://drsanity.blogspot.ie/

If you have never read these articles, before they disappear, you must.

My mentor on line....

• NARCISSISM, PATHOLOGICAL LYING, AND POLITICS

  With the classic narcissist, language is used cruelly and ruthlessly to ensnare one's enemies, to sow confusion and panic, to move other...
• STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH DENIAL - Part III

  In this final essay, I will discuss strategies for dealing with denial in one's self and in others. I apologize in advance for the lengt...
• A Lesson in Narcississtic Rage

  Let me give a mini-lecture. Here are some characteristics of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder : A pattern of grandiosity , need for admi...
• PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENSE MECHANISMS - A Review

  Psychological defense mechanisms are psychological strategies used by individuals (and by extension--groups of indidivuals and even entire n

As a Notre Dame graduate, I recommend this....

http://new.livestream.com/churchmilitanttv/events/2390913

Persecution Watch-Zanzibar

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/13/us-tanzania-zanzibar-acid-idUSBRE98C0RY20130913?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=22

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

COLLECT

O God, today's feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross fills us each year with joy. May we, who have known its mystery on earth, also be worthy to enjoy in heaven the happiness which it has purchased for us. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Decadence Watch

http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2013/09/12/lesbian-romeo-juliet-curio-theatre-company/

Persecution Watch Canada

http://www.lifenews.com/2013/09/13/canadian-pro-life-activist-jailed-for-seven-months-for-protesting-abortion/

Dogs/Cats

Well, I like dogs. I even like little, yappy dogs. But, dogs do not act the same when they are left at home by themselves as cats do under those circumstances.

A little dog lives in the flat beneath me. When it is alone in the flat, it sometimes cries for a long time. Then, when the owner comes home at 1:45 a.m., it is so happy, it yip and yaps. And, therefore, the happy dog, which was a sad dog, wakes me up, or keeps me from sleeping.

But, then, I am a light sleeper and feel sorry for it.

On the other hand, here is what cats do when the owners are away, and when they come back home.

Ah, it is 1:50 and quiet again. Good night, readers.......

The Walsingham Project

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23465169.html?premiumA=true

If anyone feels called to help set up the Adoration House in Walsingham for reparation for abortion, sins against the Eucharist and praying for priests, please let me know. The house price has been dropped.

This would be for a group of three to four women who would want to adore Christ daily in the place in England where the Blessed Lady appeared. There is great need for prayer at the place where 17 people were martyred. If you do not know the history, my play is here.

http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.ie/2013/06/walsingham-drama-in-three-acts.html

Other posts on Walsingham on under the tag.

This would be a "Tyburn in Walsingham" but for laity. The idea is to have the daily prayer of the Divine Office in the Benedictine mode, Adoration and have one room for priests to come and have a prayer get-away. When I worked in Walsingham one summer, some priests who came with parishes or dioceses said that they wished there was a place for them to have a mini-retreat away from the group. One room in a house of prayer could provide this.

This is for traditional Catholics, not charismatics or any other groups, but for orthodox Catholics only.

Please pray about helping. The original price was 425,000 and now it is 375,000. This would not be a mixed community, obviously.

I have one person who would come part-time for a month at a time. Others who live in the area say they would drop in for prayer. But, I need a core group and a house.

God bless anyone who would like to help in any way.

Another Talk by Father Ripperger

I am highlighting these because of of some conversations which indicated that more people need information on this. I shall say the decades for posting these.

Father Ripperger Again

All of his talks are on line. But, I am merely highlighting some. Father Ripperger is highly balanced and experienced. One must listen to him as an antidote to much of the wrong teaching floating around the international charismatic community. Only priests or lay people on teams which are approved and trained by approved exorcists.

One of the things Father Ripperger refers to is the growing involvement of young people in the occult, especially witchcraft. What I want to stress that one cannot ask for charismatic graces. He says that a lot of people come under demonic influence through charismatic renewal. Especially chasing after apparitions and looking for consolations in prayer are dangerous. He also has a lot to say about Harry Potter.

Spiritual Warfare Conference #2 http://www.sensustraditionis.org/multimedia.html

These media files are Penanceware, which require that you do one of the following: (1) $1.00 via Paypal (http://www.sensustraditionis.org/inde...), (2) offer up a decade of the Rosary, or (3) perform some form of penance for the intentions of Fr. Ripperger (for each individual media file downloaded). The same rule applies if you copy and distribute to friends.

On angels and not from a new age view

Father Ripperger, in one of his talks, states that angels are stronger and smarter that humans. I was talking to a friend who could not understand that Satan was extremely intelligent, more so that the smartest human being. He was arguing with me that God would not have an evil being smarter than a human in sanctifying grace.

Sorry. This is simply not true. As an exorcist, Father Ripperger is well-experienced in angelology from solid orthodox view. Angels communicate with something like telepathy and can will to be somewhere and are.

We would be full of pride to think we can come up against demonic power by ourselves. Too many charismatics think they are dealing with angels when in reality they are being deceived. Only priests who are appointed exorcists under a bishop and those lay people who may be on a diocese exorcist team. No one else can be doing the work of dealing with evil spirits. This is a huge deception from the charismatic renewal.

Father Ripperger reminds us that angels were created in innocence; they have only three virtues, faith, hope and charity. They also were created in sanctifying grace. They were creating in a state of knowing. But, they function differently than we do. If they think of something, they know all about it according to their nature.

Each angel from creation had a role to play in relationship with Christ. So, Lucifer knew that he would serve a God-Man. Satan could not accept the fact that Mary, a woman, would excel him in grace-a woman and a person.

He rejected Christ because of Mary, says St. Louis de Montfort. Therefore, Mary will be the one to overcome Christ and did through the Incarnation. Our Guardian Angels knew from the moment of their creation to whom they would be a guardian. How wonderful. The second act of charity of

From the first moment of their creation they knew and chose God or against God. Christ said, Satan was a liar from the beginning. Father Ripperger, from whose talks I have taken this knowledge, states that the battle imagery is just fake. Of course, he is correct, as pure intellect chooses immediately.

One of the most interesting things which Fr. Ripperger states is that angels should not be depicted as women, and that this is a new thing in more recent times, than in the past.

Every single angelic nature is different from each angel. Their differences are huge. All priests have two angels-a second one received at ordination.

Father Ripperger states what we know, that sin makes human stupid, but not angels. They have all the intelligence given to them before their fall. Demons do not know future events and cannot read our minds. Father Ripperger warns us all to stay in sanctifying grace. Without grace, we do not have a chance against demons. Period. The demons experience the pain of loss-they will never be happy, as they are separated forever from God. Certain actions open one up to demonic activity. Do not commit mortal sin and try and work to stay away from venial sin.  The saints take the place of the lost demons. Cool...And we have actual grace to gain us the place we have in heaven. Father Ripperger is particularly fond of St. Padre Pio., btw.

Father reminded us that the Vatican said we cannot, cannot name our guardian angels. Only those who have authority over someone can name them. If you have done this, repent.

Maybe, to be continued...

Father Ripperger on Protection from Demons

Custody of the senses and of the mind...avoiding division....etc. Good for many reasons. Sunday is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Pray to her to reveal to you the predominant fault, defects, and satanic influences. She will protect us. Dads and other protectors, listen to this.

One of the great insights is the sin of simulation-which is one trying to be too holy too fast and ending up in burn-up. This is a process, folks.

And, towards the end, the sin of effeminacy in men....superb.

Look into this group as well if there are serious problems in your family.

http://www.auxiliumchristianorum.org/

Thoughts on Another Movie

Now, I have not seen this movie since the first time I saw it in 1960. I was eleven. My dear Uncle Charles, who died last year on November 11th, would take one of my brothers and I to the movies frequently. He is responsible for my love of the cinema. He was also my Godfather. May he rest in peace.

But, yesterday, a friend of mine in Germany reminded me of this film, The Time Machine. She, too, saw it as a child and was affected by it. Despite its limitations, the movie, based on the novel by H. G. Wells, seemed prophetic to those of us growing up practicing nuclear war drills in schools, which, by the way, in tornado alley, was just one more drill among many.

Now, the point of the movie, and the novel, is that mankind destroyed most of the world, with the help of the nuclear winter, and only two groups evolved-the predators, called the Morlocks, who raise and eat the Eloi, the peter pans.  The Eloi have become rather stupid, apathetic, docile and fearful creatures. But, they finally rise up with the help of the Time Traveler, and defeat the Worlocks.

When I saw it, the Cold War was at its height. We were aware of both apathetic and stupid nations as well as predator nations. I was intrigued that a man from Victorian England had to put "gumption", as we say in the Midwest, back into Eloi in order for them to defend themselves. 

I especially liked the 

I shall leave the extrapolations to you, dear readers....

From a comment on Fr. Z. and Wikimedia

Chasuble sewn with Turkish tents captured by Polish Army in Vienna 1683, from the Battle, Sept.11-12

Points To Ponder Now

1) Obama set up the false red line without doing his homework.

2) England has enough sense to say no to WWIII.

3) Putin came in on his white horse and cleared up the problem, supposedly.

4) Obama gave Putin a blank check to redeem the Middle East and make Americans look like the bad guys.

5) Putin just sent a back-order of more weapons to Syria.

6) Rebels are making fun of Obama as the big fail.

7) Iran comes in with threats of nuclear war against America.

8) Potus manipulates, almost, the American public into thinking he is reconsidering strikes. But, he is just a pawn for bigger powers.

9) The neo-cons want war, for whatever reason.

10) Natural gas and more oil have been discovered and a plan for oil to go from Saudi Arabia to Europe is on the table. But, who is in the way?

11) Europe is bankrupt and would benefit from a war. Industry would start up again, etc.

12) Putin can look like the good guy, solving all the problems of the world for his own reasons. The man is smart, really smart.

13) Americans cannot think in realpolitik terms and miss the entire point of compromise, which is the name of the game in the Middle East, unless we have enough real men for a new crusade.

14) No European country or Russian has succeeded ever in ruling the Middle East since the creation of Islam.

15) Muslims want global domination. Maybe two big countries who hate America would use them to break the West. The Chinese come in from the East, Russia from the north, and the Muslims from the Middle East, in a pincer movement which kills Europe and America.

I first had this idea in the summer of 2008 and even saw the map clearly in my head. I thought it was connected with the election of Potus, later in the year, but he is just a pawn.

Are you....? continued

Gnosticism, according to some, is the heresy of England. I think it is Pelagianism, but I shall put on my friends' thinking caps for a mo and consider Gnosticism as the major problem of the ordinary Catholics.

Gnosticism is behind all the New Age false programs and so-called spiritualities. But, here is the real definition from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Whereas Judaism and Christianity, and almost all pagan systems, hold that the soul attains its proper end by obedienceof mind and will to the Supreme Power, i.e. by faith and works, it is markedly peculiar to Gnosticism that it places the salvation of the soul merely in the possession of a quasi-intuitive knowledge of the mysteries of the universe and of magic formulae indicative of that knowledge. Gnostics were "people who knew", and their knowledge at once constituted them a superior class of beings, whose present and future status was essentially different from that of those who, for whatever reason, did not know. A more complete and historical definition of Gnosticism would be:

A collective name for a large number of greatly-varying and pantheistic-idealistic sects, which flourished from some timebefore the Christian Era down to the fifth century, and which, while borrowing the phraseology and some of the tenets of the chief religions of the day, and especially of Christianity, held matter to be a deterioration of spirit, and the wholeuniverse a depravation of the Deity, and taught the ultimate end of all being to be the overcoming of the grossness ofmatter and the return to the Parent-Spirit, which return they held to be inaugurated and facilitated by the appearance of some God-sent Saviour.

However unsatisfactory this definition may be, the obscurity, multiplicity, and wild confusion of Gnostic systems will hardly allow of another. 

Gnosticism reveals itself among the charismatics and those who are looking for special knowledge. It accounts for self-satisfied groups who only want good feelings and the cookies of consolations from God.

But the real dangers, are the beliefs in those deities or powers or even spiritualities not connected with Christ Himself or the Trinity. There is no such thing as neutral powers.

Here is the CE again.

Gnosticism is thinly disguised Pantheism. In the beginning was the Depth; the Fulness of Being; the Not-Being God; the First Father, the Monad, the Man; the First Source, the unknown God (Bythos pleroma, ouk on theos, propator, monas, anthropos, proarche, hagnostos theos), or by whatever other name it might be called. This undefined infinite Something, though it might be addressed by the title of the Good God, was not a personal Being, but, like Tad of Brahma of the Hindus, the "Great Unknown" of modern thought. The Unknown God, however, was in the beginning pure spirituality; matter as yet was not.

This source of all being causes to emanate (proballei) from itself a number of pure spirit forces. In the different systems theseemanations are differently named, classified, and described, but the emanation theory itself is common too all forms of Gnosticism. In the Basilidian Gnosis they are called sonships (uiotetes), in Valentinianism they form antithetic pairs or "syzygies" (syzygoi); Depth and Silence produce Mind and Truth; these produce Reason and Life, these again Man and State (ekklesia). According to Marcus, they are numbers and sounds.

These are the primary roots of the Æons. With bewildering fertility hierarchies of Æons are thus produced, sometimes to the number of thirty. These Æons belong to the purely ideal, noumenal, intelligible, or supersensible world; they are immaterial, they are hypostatic ideas. Together with the source from which they emanate they form the pleroma.

The transition from the immaterial to the material, from the noumenal to the sensible, is brought about by a flaw, or a passion, or asin, in one of the Æons. According to Basilides, it is a flaw in the last sonship; according to others it is the passion of the femaleÆon Sophia; according to others the sin of the Great Archon, or Æon-Creator, of the Universe.

The ultimate end of all Gnosis is metanoia, or repentance, the undoing of the sin of material existence and the return to the Pleroma.

In the greater number of Gnostic systems an important role is played by the Æon Wisdom — Sophia or Achamoth. In some sense she seems to represent the supreme female principle, as for instance in the Ptolemaic system, in which the mother of the seven heavens is called Achamoth, in the Valentinian system, in which he ano Sophia, the Wisdom above, is distinguished from he kato Sophia, or Achamoth, the former being the female principle of the noumenal world, and in the Archotian system, where we find a "Lightsome Mother" (he meter he photeine), and in which beyond the heavens of the Archons is he meter ton panton and likewise in the Barbelognosis, where the female Barbelos is but the counterpart of the Unknown Father, which also occurs amongst the Ophites described by Irenaeus (Against Heresies III.7.4).

I am sure many of you will recognize just some of these beliefs as held by your family members or even pastors.

There is more, but the dangers include also, a clinging together of little groups of people who think that they are in the know about things in the Church and no one else. These cliques may be in chancery offices, or schools, or parishes and purposefully exclude others who are not in the know.

The other great error of Gnosticism is the denial of the need for personal redemption or salvation-a person just grows as society evolves, and another heresy, that of progressivism, which holds that people will evolve into holy, good people, is connected . This is the great heresy of Star Trek. Gnosticism denies grace and redemption and relies on the secret knowledge of the few.

Part of the nonsense and nastiness on line has been caused by cliques who either are in the know or want to be in the know or think they are in the know.

Thankfully, I aspire to none of this private, inner knowledge of the workings of the Church. I am merely, a Catholic.