OK I changed my mind...from a reader

http://allnewspipeline.com/Feb_28_Warning_International_Day_Of_Blood.php

and

http://news.yahoo.com/russian-opposition-leader-boris-nemtsov-shot-dead-moscow-220603814.html

Pray for Leonard Nimoy

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/02/27/leonard-nimoy-spock-star-trek-dead-at-83/

I liked him as the prophet Samuel in David.

Spock quote of the day...

“It is curious how often you humans manage to obtain that which you do not want,” 

Blogger Killed

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/28219608/attackers-in-bangladesh-hack-to-death-american-blogger

A Timely Reading

In one of today's readings from the Office of Readings, St. Aelred reminds us of Christ's forgiveness of His enemies. One section from the reading contains this thought, which is pertinent to us today.

 Yet he put into it something more. It was not enough to pray for them: he wanted also to make excuses for them. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes, but they have little judgement; therefore,Father,  forgive them. 

We are to move beyond sin. Sin destroys discernment and the ability to hear God. What Aelred is saying emphasizes the need for purification. Christ made excuses for sinners, and we are all sinners. But, we are not to remain in sin and ignorance.

The Kingdom of God needs saints, who sin as least as they are able through grace, and who have knowledge, having moved out of ignorance into illumination.

Too many Catholics make excuses for ignorance. Sin cannot be an excuse, although Christ gave us that excuse. His Passion and Death removed us from the land of sin and death to the land of life and holiness, if we cooperate with grace.

This Lent, re-read my long series on perfection.

Etheldredasplace: Aelred of Rievaulx

22 Jan 2013

Aelred of Rievaulx. Posted by Supertradmum. When in the monastery, I read much, again, of Aelred, especially on friendship. In his Spiritual Friendship, he reminds us of two things. One, that one must surround one's self with really holy companions in order not to fall away. And, two, that Christian community must be based on friendship. Aelred was ... Dedicated to St. Etheldreda: Abbess of Ely. Dedicated to St. Etheldreda: Abbess of Ely a blog since early 2007 ...

http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/

Sleeping As The Wolf Steals The Sheep

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Wolf_sneak.jpg

One of the obvious changes in the last few years on blogs has been the change in readership. This is obvious on Father Z's excellent blog, where many names of commentators have faded from the regular list over his long years of blogging.

Same with me on this blog. Many of the original readers are still with me, but many have gone on to other sites or have stopped reading blogs.

Some have just stopped commenting, which is fine.

But, I have a hunch that some readers fade away because they fall back to sleep instead of keeping watch for the wolves among the sheep. It is hard to stay awake, to pray many hours of the day, to go the daily Mass and weekly Confession. It is hard to study the faith and keep up with daily work and chores.

I know, I lived the harried life of the single mum, working and homeschooling. God did it, not me.

It is extremely important that the faithful who keep up with the blogs at least read some of the articles posted by Father Z or Southern Orders, or other good blogs. Why? We are entering into a new unleashing of evil and many Catholics will get battle fatigue and fall away. Some will fall away from the Church by choosing an alternative, perhaps a local Catholic parish which will leave over ssm, or some other issue, like not giving Communion to those in irregular marriages, and so on

I had a long talk last night with a friend of mine and we came to the conclusion that despite many months, if not years of talking about community and podding, "it just ain't gonna happen."

The time has passed. This male friend, a wise and holy person, can see that most Catholics just do not get it--that we will be scattered and impoverished, according to the Will of God in the times to come upon us soon.

I am sorry that so many good and traditional Catholics did not heed the call to building community. I understand how easy it is to fall back into the stress and busyness of everydayness.

God bless all my readers. Do not give up the daily fight for holiness, and pray for strength, for perseverance. And, contrary to some writings on line recently, now is the time for the new evangelization. Our days for freedom are numbered.

Someone looking for a job

C.V. Name and contact given if you are sincerely interested

- Director, Iowa Space Science Center (at start-up phase)
- Auditory electrophysiologist, 15 years, University of Iowa
- Psychophysics and electrophysiology research, 3 years, University of Michigan
- Principle Investigator, NIH funded research (5 years, 4.25 FTE's)
- Co-investigator on NIH grants (11 years)
- Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa (11 years), teaching and Ph.D. committees
- Ad hoc grant reviewer (NIH, NSF, & private foundations)
- Automated test-systems engineer, Motorola Inc
- Skills: 
- Auditory physiology of single nerve fibers
- Complex data reduction of single-fiber (spike) data
- Expertise in electrical stimulation of neural tissue
- Expertise in recording neural spikes & electric artifact elimination
- Author of >40 peer reviewed scientific papers.
- Grant proposal and scientific paper reviewer
- Software programming (Basic, Fortran, Matlab)

Director

Rediscover Science / Iowa Space Science Center

October 2009 – Present (5 years 5 months)Iowa City, Iowa Area

Facilitator and developer of a new model for public informal science education for children, adults, and gifted children. Current focus is on doing outreach events with our traveling planetarium and also providing information / talks on science literacy and the "STEM challenge"

(Open)1 project

Principle Investigator

University of Iowa

July 2005 – June 2010 (5 years)

Headed 5-person group in research in neurophysiology of auditory nerve

- Grant information:
- Title: "Auditory nerve responses to electric pulse trains"
- Role: Principal Investigator
- Source: NIH, NIDCD
- Grant number: R01DC006478
- Funded amount: $2.2 million
- Grant period: 5 years
- FTE's supported: 4.15

- Work description / Skills:
Auditory physiologist specialing in gross evoked potentials and single-auditory-nerve-fiber recordings from mammalian animal models for applied research related to clinical auditory prostheses (aka "cochlear implants").

Expertise included (1) systems physiology, (2) animal surgery, (3) complex data reduction, (4) software programming, (5) NIH grant writing, (6) scholarly publications (over 40).

Adjunct Associate Professor

University of Iowa

July 1997 – June 2010 (13 years)

- Taught graduate-level course in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

- Served as faculty committee member on several doctoral-student committees

- Supervised doctoral candidates in their laboratory research within the Auditory Physiology Research Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

co-investigator / advisor

University of Iowa

June 2008 – June 2009 (1 year 1 month)

Advisor / Supervisor for a colleague's funded research activity

- Investigator: Ning Hu, M.D., Ph.D.
- Funding organization: National Organization for Hearing Research
- Funded amount: $20,000
- Title: "Correlating Clinical Measures of Cochlear-Implant Channel Interaction to Auditory-Nerve Activation"

Member of local media-reform group (Iowans for Better Local Television)

IBLTV

2005 – 2007 (2 years)

- Built and maintained website and web-based petition for civic group
interested in improving accountability of local media (www.ibltv.org) after a local television station / network smeared local citizen

- Helped with effort to create a Petition to Deny Relicensure that was submitted to the FCC

- Conducted quantitative research regarding televised program content and across-station comparisons

Co-investigator

University of Iowa

October 1999 – June 2006 (6 years 9 months)

Neural Prosthesis Program Contract N01-DC-2-1005 (funded through July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2006)
"The Effects of Remaining Hair Cells on Cochlear Implant Function"
Paul J. Abbas, Principle Investigator
Charles A. Miller, Co investigator

Neural Prosthesis Program RFP NIH DC 98 11 (funded from 1 July 99 to 30 June 02)
"The Effects of Remaining Hair Cells on Cochlear Implant Function"
Paul J. Abbas, Principle Investigator
Charles A. Miller, Co investigator
Jay T. Rubinstein, Co-investigator

Neural Prosthesis Program RFP NIH DC 98 141 (renewal funded from 1 Oct 99 to 31 Sep 02)
"The Neurophysiological Effects of Simulated Auditory Prosthesis Stimulation"
Paul J. Abbas, Principle Investigator
Jay T. Rubinstein, Co-investigator
Charles A. Miller, Co-investigator

NIH R29 DC02822 “Development of a cochlear neuron electrophysiology model”
Lianne A. Cartee, Ph.D, Principle Investigator
Chris van den Honert, Co-investigator
Charles C. Finley, Co-investigator
Charles A. Miller, Co-investigator (subcontract)

Teaching / Research Fellowship

University of Iowa

September 1987 – October 1992 (5 years 2 months)

Departments of Speech Pathology & Audiology and
Otolaryngology * Head & Neck Surgery
University of Iowa Cochlear Implant Program Project

Test Systems Engineer

Motorola

July 1983 – August 1986 (3 years 2 months)

Created automated test software and interface electronics for post-manufacture testing of communication equipment as part of in-factory quality assurance.

Publications

40+ peer-reviewed scientific publications on auditory physiology and psychophysics(Link)

Hearing Research, Ear and Hearing, JARO

Good blog to follow

http://southernorderspage.blogspot.com/2015/02/yikes-old-tricks-that-undermined-pope.html

Troubles

http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-film-depicts-jewish-students-growing-insecurity-on-campus/

Over Two Days

I have had discussions with three people, in separate conversations, regarding the evil of unapproved and false apparitions and seers.

These unapproved and false apparitions take away from considering the words of Mary at Fatima, Akita and Betania, all approved.

Having stayed for a brief time recently, (three weeks or so), in the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, where the cause of the beatification of Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini has been opened, (she is already a Servant of God), I can assure you that that diocese desperately needs a saint.

In case you missed this, here is the announcement of her cause.

http://catholicreview.org/article/life/metuchen-opens-sainthood-cause-for-venezuelan-mystic-who-died-in-us

Both the apparitions of Mary at Akita and at Betania are not only approved but timely.

I suggest readers leave off reading unapproved and even condemned visionaries and follow the true ones.

BTW,  through the Fifth Lateran Council and Pope Leo X, only the Pope can approve prophecies. Bishops can approve or disapprove visions.

Of course, I made a comment on this

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2015/02/how-us-school-lunches-now-compare-to-other-countries/#comment-495211

Thanks to a reader, a sensitive obit on Father Kevin Knox-Lecky

http://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/mass_of_ages_spring_2015_ezine_d921f93c8635e1?e=1127854/11395253

I do not see how Catholics can support this man

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/at-a-conservative-gathering-jeb-bush-hopes-to-change-some-minds/2015/02/25/43d769b0-bcff-11e4-b274-e5209a3bc9a9_story.html

Pope Francis Would Agree And This Man Could Be A Saint

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/02/25/homeless-man-buried-on-vatican-grounds/

Demons+Gods

There are still some Christians who do not see the connection between the gods of the pagans and demons.

All the gods are demons. Period. And, most serious character flaws and psychological deviancy of all kinds involve demons. Some problems begin with innocent or naive purchases of games or pieces of statuary.

For Catholics not to recognize that Hermes, or Osiris, or Shiva are actually the names of real, fallen angels seems to be a serious problem. Few catechists are willing to discuss demonology, or the reality of the pagan gods representing real created beings.

That neo-paganism has become popular again reveals the persistence of these demons in the City of Man. Augustine reminds us that demons dwell in the City of Man, just as the good angels dwell in the City of God.

For Catholics to have demonic images of gods in their homes is an oversight which must be corrected. Demons lie. They are experts at deceit. They can make a person believe that one is only exhibiting art in the home with a statue of Isis or Kali on the mantel, when in reality these pieces give glory and honor to the demon by that name.

We do not have to go out of our way to honor or recognize demons. They are everywhere, except in houses, homes, where people are living in sanctifying grace, not watching television or listening to evil music, or playing computer games which are doors to demonic activity.

Sadly, too many sophisticated people deny the presence of demons, or minimize their activities in the lives of men, women and children.

That some secret societies worship demons under the names of the gods shows one the power of these creatures to cajole men and women to honor them in return for wealth, status, power.

Not much has changed since Jonah preached to the Ninevites.

A long time ago, about thirty-six years ago, I bought some beautiful Mexican silver earrings which depicted a Mayan theme. I paid quite a bit for these. When I got home, I placed them on the end table and did something else for a while. After a bit, I hear a voice say to me, "Throw away those earrings."  I was surprised. I went over to the table and took the earrings out of the jewelry bag and looked closely at the god. I realized that is was the sacrificial altar of cuauhxicalli, the receptacle of the blood of the sacrifices of men and women. Again, I heard, "If you wear these, you give glory to this god." The earrings were connected to the worship of the rain god of the Mayans, Tlaloc.

I threw them away. 

There is not neutrality in art. One can study art and visit museums and some historical places without harm. But, one cannot honor these demons. I mention this because I have seen many women, and men, wearing symbols of pagan gods. They may not know that by wearing these they are glorifying the demon. Just as we wear the cross or crucifix or the miraculous medal to honor Christ or Mary, so too do these emblems honor a real being.

That some secret societies worship demons in the name of the ancient gods reveals the fact that these demons give power to men and women....for a price. That price is the damning of the soul to hell.

Pieces of jewelry which depict the evil eye, which contrary to belief causes evil and does not keep it away, have become popular again. Such things honor the demons connected. A Christian should only glorify the one, true God.

On Charity

The tendency to not want to get into personal charity, as a friend of mine told me today, has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with getting involved. How interesting that people have been made afraid of giving time and energy to a person in need.

Time and energy are gifts most of us have, at least to a certain age. As a person who is past mid-sixties, I have less energy but do what I can daily. We have many opportunities to reach out daily.

Today, I shoveled walks again for some neighbors who are older and busier than I am. I was engaged in praying for the dead, intensely, and listening as well as giving spiritual direction.

I cleaned someone else's house and had to admonish a neighbor who put garbage in that person's yard.

Busy days but with a purpose of serving immediately and willingly. This is our call.

The difference has to do with one thing-trusting in Divine Providence, and for those who read the series on Divine Providence, this will resonate with them.

Trust in Divine Providence unravels the bonds which hold back living in the Beatitudes, which is our ultimate call.

Here is Garrigou-Largange on this point, with my comments in blue.

Christian perfection, according to the testimony of the Gospels and Epistles, consists chiefly in charity which unites us to God.(1) This virtue corresponds to the supreme precept of the love of God. We read also: "He that abideth in charity abideth in God, and God in him." (2) "But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection." (3)

Some theologians have questioned whether for perfection, properly so called, not that of beginners or of proficients, but that which characterizes the unitive way, a great charity is necessary, or whether this perfection can be obtained without a lofty degree of this virtue. Some authors doubt it.(4) They even declare that a high degree of charity is not necessary to perfection, properly so called, because, according to the testimony of St. Thomas, "the very least grace is sufficient to resist any degree of concupiscence." (5)

The virtue of charity blossoms in the Unitive state, after the Dark Night and after Illumination. But, this charity takes a long time to acquire, after one has lost egotism and been cleared of the predominant faults.

The majority of theologians answer, on the contrary, that perfection, properly so called, is obtained only after long exercise of the acquired and infused virtues, an exercise by which their intensity increases.(6) Before reaching the age of perfection, the perfect man must have been a beginner, then a proficient. In the perfect man, not only can charity conquer many temptations, but it has in fact triumphed over many, and has thereby notably increased. Therefore Christian perfection, properly so called, that of the unitive way, cannot be conceived without a lofty charity.(7)

Charity goes hand-in-hand with trusting in Divine Providence. The more one becomes like a little child, the more one is free to give, like a little child.

If we were to read the contrary in the works of St. John of the Cross, for example, we would think we were dreaming and that there was a typographical error. It seems altogether certain that, as for adult age greater physical strength is needed than for childhood (although accidentally certain particularly vigorous adolescents may be stronger than certain adults), likewise for the state of the perfect a loftier charity is also needed than for that of beginners (although accidentally certain saints have a greater charity at the beginning than certain perfect souls already advanced in age).

The common teaching of theologians on this point seems clearly founded on the very preaching of the Savior, especially that of the beatitudes found in the fifth chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. This page of the Gospel admirably expresses all the elevation of Christian perfection to which Christ calls all of us. The Sermon on the Mount is the abridgment of Christian doctrine, the solemn promulgation of the New Law, given to perfect the Mosaic Law and to correct erroneous interpretations of it; and the eight beatitudes given at its beginning, are the abridgment of this sermon. They thus wonderfully condense all that constitutes the ideal of the Christian life and show all its loftiness.

Living in the life of the Beatitudes would be the mark of the saint, that person who has allowed God to take over one's soul and let the Trinity shine forth. Happiness comes with freedom. And, the free person lives only for the glory of God and for others, not for self. Time and energy given to God becomes multiplied in one's life through charity.

Christ's first preaching promised happiness and showed the means to obtain it. Why does He speak first of all of happiness? Because all men naturally wish to be happy. They pursue this end unceasingly, whatever they may wish; but they often seek happiness where it is not, where they will find only wretchedness. Let us listen to our Lord, who tells us where true and lasting happiness is, where the end of our life is, and who gives us the means to obtain it.

The end is indicated in each of the eight beatitudes. Under different names, it is eternal happiness, whose prelude the just may enjoy even here on earth; it is the kingdom of heaven, the promised land, perfect consolation, the full satisfaction of all our holy and legitimate desires, supreme mercy, the sight of God our Father. The means are quite the contrary of those suggested by the maxims of worldly wisdom, which proposes an entirely different end.

Indeed, the thinking of Christ is opposite of that of the world. Meekness, poverty of spirit, mourning, become marks of the adult Christian. Without the long process of purification, real charity is never achieved.

The beatitudes of the deliverance from sin correspond to the purgative way, which is proper to beginners and which is prolonged in the way the proficients and the perfect ought to follow. Whereas the world declares that happiness is in the abundance of exterior goods, of riches, and in honors, Christ states without any other preamble, with the calm assurance of absolute truth: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Although the Beatitudes blossom after the purification, these virtues can lead us to deliverance from sin. What does this mean? It means that the practice of the virtues, without the perfection of the soul, lead one through that purification.

Each beatitude has many degrees. Happy they who are poor without murmuring, without impatience, without jealousy, even if bread should be lacking, and who work while placing their trust in God. Blessed are they who, though more fortunate, have not the spirit of riches, pomp, and pride, but are detached from the goods of earth. More fortunate still are they who will leave all to follow Christ, who will make themselves voluntarily poor, and who will truly live according to the spirit of this vocation. They will receive the hundredfold on earth and eternal life. These poor are they who, under the inspiration of the gift of fear, follow the road which, though narrow at first, becomes the royal road to heaven, on which the soul dilates more and more, whereas the broad road of the world leads to hell and perdition. Elsewhere Christ declares: "Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger." (10) On the other hand, blessed is that poverty which, as the life of St. Francis of Assisi shows, opens the kingdom of God that is infinitely superior to all wealth, to the miserable riches in which the world seeks happiness.

Poverty opens the kingdom of God. The soul opens up to God's perfect will. Voluntary poverty is the best way, but the acceptance of poverty is good.

Blessed are the poor, or humble of heart, who do not cling to the goods of the body, or to those of the spirit, or to reputation, or to honor, and who seek only the kingdom of God.

The desire of riches divides men, engenders quarrels, lawsuits, violence, and war among nations; but Christ says: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land." Blessed are they who do not become irritated against their brethren, who do not seek to take vengeance on their enemies, to dominate others. "If one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other." (11) Blessed are the meek who do not judge rashly, who do not see in their neighbor a rival to be supplanted but a brother to be helped, a child of the same heavenly Father. The gift of piety inspires this meekness in us with a filial affection toward God our common Father. The meek are not stubbornly attached to their own judgment; they express themselves quite simply in a straightforward manner, and do not feel the need to call heaven to witness in trivial matters.(12)

God has a plan which is clear. It is simple,very simple. Many thanks to Ken, Marcia, and Jenna, who make it possible for me to continue this blog.