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Sunday, 28 April 2013

The Millennials and Vocations

A sister, not in "my" order, told me last week that there is a problem in vocations about which I have never thought.

This good head of her order told me that the younger ones coming in do not last in novitiate because of a lack of stamina.

This point is very interesting. The sister told me that the Millennials lack the staying power or the ability to keep up with schedules.

Now, this is in England. It would be interesting if I could find out if the same is true in America.

Why would Millennials lack stamina? It is possible that their lifestyle is more sedentary. My generation did lots of physical labor: ironing, doing dishes, cleaning, cooking, shopping, taking care of younger siblings, walking to school, bicycling, etc.

I think the lack of doing chores may be one of the things which creates a lack of stamina.

Stamina may be learned when one does not get immediate results from activity.

Here is a link from a group on the Millennials and the work ethic. Here are two independent sources.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larissafaw/2011/11/11/why-millennial-women-are-burning-out-at-work-by-30/

http://www.slideshare.net/Jerry-28/millennials-13509180

This present young generation do not have as much stress in some ways: they are surrounded by technology which does things easily and fast; they are not used to waiting for anything.






Oh no....someone who thinks she is a priest

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/28/us-usa-religion-womenpriests-idUSBRE93Q0EE20130428

FBI shut down by judge with possible Muslim Brotherhood links....

http://patdollard.com/2013/04/judge-marianne-bowler-who-mirandized-jihadi-bomber-has-ties-to-muslim-countries/

An afternoon at Polesden Lacey



The most wonderful thing for me in this house today, was the Perugino Institution of St Mary Major oil painting in superb condition. A small gem...no copy on the web that I could find. A true masterpiece.

The second most wonderful thing was the collection of Meissen China dating back to the early 18th Century.


The third most remarkable thing were the Crown Imperial Fritillaries, truly magnificent flowers. If one can see into the flowers, one sees the parts which look like pearls.


On Catholic Identity Again


From experience and reflection, I want to share some thoughts on what Catholic identity is and is NOT.

Bear with me while I outline a few ideas here. This is not an exhaustive list and much is repetition  However, one cannot say these things too often.

My mom used this and so did I and there was another one for Lent and Easter.


Firstly, remember that I am old enough to remember what Catholic identity was in the 1950s and 1960s. I have a few posts on the old days of organized community and parish life which most people have never experienced. These ideals can be reinvigorated.

I used this all the time


Everyone knew everyone in the 12% of Catholics in our city of 80% Lutherans and a few Presbyterians.

The Catholic community was not only strong, but vigorous before Vatican II.

Choirs, charities, youth groups, adult study groups, (yes, including Bible study), women and men's groups all happened before the seventies.

Secondly, Catholic identity starts in the home. This identity takes work. Sadly, so many converts who have never experienced mothers baking special cakes for holy days, or name days (saints' days) or having small home devotions do not know what this entails. Christmas customs have been largely lost, as well as Easter ones.

In the 1950s, the parish priest went from home to home and consecrated the families and house to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Usually, there were pictures on the wall bought for this occasion  one of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and one of the pierced heart of Mary. Because of the number of priests, the parish priests could visit houses for sick calls as well. We would meet the priest at the door with lit candles as he brought the Eucharist to the sick person. Every house had a sick call set, and I did as well.













The family rosary was said in our house when I was young in October and May. This custom dwindled later on, but I remember this, and my son remembers his parents praying the rosary out loud at night when he was a baby.

Catholic identity meant studying and my parents did this as well in parish groups. I remember the first meetings which involved using the St. John's Collegeville bible series (some are not so good, and some are). To say that Catholics did not read the Bible is a huge overstated lie.

Fourthly, Catholic identity involved modesty, about which I have many posts, and also a decorum, about which I have written as well on this blog. Catholic children learned to be ladies and gentlemen. We were counter-cultural in our behavior. This was all part and still should be part of the life of the virtues for the formation of children.
A 1950s girls' Catholic choir

Fifthly, Catholic identity meant going to Confession regularly as a family on Saturdays. Daily Mass, if possible, and the awareness that the sanctifying grace of the sacraments was necessary for supernatural life was passed down from mom and dad.

Sixthly, Catholic identity did NOT include dissent, but solemn questioning and examining and finally, conformity with the teaching of the Church at the adult level. It also involved missionary activity with the realization that we had to convert the world, as Jesus commanded. This was not seen as a option or non-politically correct attitude.
From The Mission



What Catholic identity is NOT are these few points.

Firstly, Catholic identity is not part time, but full time. One does not have a split personality of being Catholic at home and secular at work, for example.

Secondly, Catholic identity is not an identity of negativity or argumentation. In other words, it is being for the Church and not merely against the prevailing culture or other religions. A person who identities themselves in negativity or argument will never grow spiritually.

Thirdly, Catholic identity is not the proliferation of devotions, visionaries, medals or statues one collects, but a conforming of the mind to the mind of the Church. Too many people here in England (and some in Malta) think that in order to be Catholic one has to believe any new so-called revelations. Absolutely not.

Even the writings of the visionaries who are saints are not infallible.

Fourthly, Catholic identity is NOT automatic, simply because one's family is Catholic or one's surroundings. It is an interior disposition to holiness and putting  on the Mind of Christ, which is the mind of the Church. As an Irish priest reminded me not too long ago, the Irish loss of faith was a long time happening owing to the lack of adult appropriation of the faith-no study and no effort leads to secular attitudes.

Nuns passing guards on the way to see Pope Pius XII’s body. Photograph by Mark Kauffman. Rome, Italy, October 1958.

Lastly, Catholic identity is NOT being more Catholic than Rome. Extremist groups on both the left and right cannot be truly Catholic, as the Church is one, holy, true and apostolic, and therefore solidly balanced. To fall into liberal camps, such as being a socialist, which one cannot be and be Catholic, or to fall into far-right camps which add teachings to those of the Church, such as cultic dress or following false seers, are not part of Catholic identity but errors of modernism and gnosticism.

I could add more points, but most of these things I have discussed here on this blog in the past. I shall only add that Catholic identity means teaching your children the Faith in season and out of season.




For the doubters-- terrorist mother and son discussing jihad on phone

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/27/dzhokhar-tsarnaevs-mother-terror-database-us-inves/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

"The CIA declined to comment Saturday."  Duh. Three dead and 270 injured, many losing arms and legs and there is no comment.

And, a heads up on this from Morocco-fatwas for Muslims converts to Christianity.

http://www.bosnewslife.com/28041-morocco-fatwa-demands-death-sentence-for-christian-convert

And sexual slavery in GB...why? Is this a civilized country? Sexual slavery is condoned in the Koran.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2315224/Ipswich-sex-slave-case-Judges-fury-jails-trio-men-abducted-girl-13-forced-sex-slave.html?ICO=most_read_module

Fountains Poem 32



Deer in the park remind me of the freedom
of youth, innocence long gone, resting in the
grey stones of the Fair Lady of the West Riding.

She waits, like a dowager queen, for attention,
knowing that some pay her homage in small
tokens of love, like tickets at the gate.

So long, at the gate, the porters opened doors
for the guests, the rich, the poor, the lost
wanting the security of the arms of Mary.

She, too, waits, for England to return
to her. She waits for her sons and
daughters to find themselves again.

Lost children walk the paths of old
prayers and longings for God.
But, they are too busy to know

the quiet of the place, which is only
found inside and not in the bustle
of pilgrimage or holidays...

Time is speeding up
and all is shortened..
visions truncated

by the lack
of love.

For Mary and for My Mother, Charlene



They walk in silence,
the men in white robes.
thinking of beer and cheese
in the dark evening..

They sing in darkness,
lighting candles at nocturnes
waiting for the intonation
before the bird's chorus..

They pray in lightness,
waiting for those who
bring their horses
into the sanctuaries

of the Nine Altars,
trampling the Body
of the Vulnerable God
unwilling servants

of the Visitators, who
bragged to Cromwell
(the first one) of such
sacrilege and hate.

They draw water from
other wells and die in
small cottages of those
who take them in

the sheepherders who
are not afraid of the
King's Men, sensing
where God is..

Mary's springs still seep
from the hillsides and
down into the small
Skell, rippling in the wind.

Our Lady of Fountains,
I love you...

Saturday, 27 April 2013

THE Record Post Day (?)

17...Well, not really, I forgot I have had two with 21 posts and some other big days as well. It just seemed like a big post day...

I was sick of packing and it was raining in the afternoon. Although the sun did come out later.


Thanks to John McGuirk




My favourite spot in England

My only regret going in on Wednesday is not getting back up to Fountains.

I wrote a book of poetry on Fountains way back in '79 and '80. To me, the place of Mary's springs is numinous.

Memory, understanding, will.

My spiritual home....


Excellent article on Bush, Obama, Clinton

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323789704578445232153839720.html

Finally, attention and good one for LifeSiteNews

http://www.lifenews.com/2013/04/22/members-of-congress-shocked-after-watching-kermit-gosnell-documentary/

On False Revelation and Sin


Two highly intelligent women hundreds of miles apart asked me in the past few days why other highly intelligent people get caught up in false seers, such as Maria Divine Mercy and Vassula Ryden.

I have come up with several thoughts on this.

The first, is that discernment and knowledge of holy things are gifts of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. We have the ability to sort out good from bad, truth and falsehood.

However, we can easily lose discernment because of one thing-deep, unconfessed sin in our lives.

Discernment is lost when one refuses to repent of sin. Now, the sin must be serious, like embezzlement  or heresy. Sin can be rooted in bad lifestyle choices, such as cooperating in contraception. Being a freemason leads one into deeper sin and one would lose discernment, as does adultery, homosexual activity, and so on.

That seemingly holy and very active Catholics refuse to leave prayer meetings based on false teaching or refuse to stop reading or giving money to fraudulent so-called visionaries may very well indicate the refusal to leave sin.

One person I know involved in following false revelations is an Irish person who hates the English. I have told some Irish acquaintances of mine that no hatred can be fed if one wants to be holy. Hatred and prejudice would cause a loss of discernment.


One may have be involved in New Age activities, like going to a New Age counselor, of which there are many in England. Such activity as seeking out false and even heretical forms of counseling would lead to a loss of discernment. And, what about the counselors who are Catholic themselves and are involved in things condemned in Jesus Christ the Bearer of the Water of Life? It is here linked again on the title.

Or, one may be dating without getting an annulment first, or one may be fudging on one's taxes and so on.

Sin leads to darkness of the intellect and will.


Sin opens the door to stupidity. And, following false seers is so stupid, one may lose not only discernment, but one's immortal soul.

There is only one way to salvation and that is through Christ, Who gave us the Catholic Church for clarity and the means of salvation-the sacraments, Tradition and Revelation.

If you are not obeying the directives of local bishops, or the CDF regarding false seers and if you are not examining statements with the CCC and other teaching of the Catholic Church, you are endangering your immortal soul.

Read, study, think, reflect, act.


2 Peter 2

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
2 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there shall be among you lying teachers, who shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their riotousnesses, through whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their perdition slumbereth not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them, drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell, unto torments, to be reserved unto judgment:
5 And spared not the original world, but preserved Noe, the eighth person, the preacher of justice, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.
6 And reducing the cities of the Sodomites, and of the Gomorrhites, into ashes, condemned them to be overthrown, making them an example to those that should after act wickedly.
7 And delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and lewd conversation of the wicked.

8 For in sight and hearing he was just: dwelling among them, who from day to day vexed the just soul with unjust works.
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented.
10 And especially them who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government, audacious, self willed, they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming.
11 Whereas angels who are greater in strength and power, bring not against themselves a railing judgment.
12 But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not, shall perish in their corruption,
13 Receiving the reward of their injustice, counting for a pleasure the delights of a day: stains and spots, sporting themselves to excess, rioting in their feasts with you:
14 Having eyes full of adultery and of sin that ceaseth not: alluring unstable souls, having their heart exercised with covetousness, children of malediction:
15 Leaving the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam of Bosor, who loved the wages of iniquity,
Irish Immigrant Memorial in Davenport, Iowa thanks to Wiki; a memorial to those who suffered prejudice
16 But had a check of his madness, the dumb beast used to the yoke, which speaking with man's voice, forbade the folly of the prophet.
17 These are fountains without water, and clouds tossed with whirlwinds, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved.
18 For, speaking proud words of vanity, they allure by the desires of fleshly riotousness, those who for a little while escape, such as converse in error:
19 Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of corruption. For by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the slave.
20 For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they be again entangled in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than the former.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that holy commandment which was delivered to them.
22 For, that of the true proverb has happened to them: The dog is returned to his vomit: and, The sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.




Left of Centre New Government in Italy

http://www.france24.com/en/20130427-italy-forms-new-government-letta

People who lie to their parents and .....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22310419

Girl Scouts and PP

http://www.lifenews.com/2011/05/18/new-pro-life-web-site-links-girl-scouts-with-planned-parenthood/

How strange....how wonderful!


I am going into a monastery on the same day as Benedict XVI. Nice...I love synchronicity. But, he will have the Internet (sigh).

Here are two notes on this monastery and the coming event.

"Thank you for who you are and for what you do, for your prayers and sacrifices for me and for the Church and for my co-workesr.  I am very grateful for your Benedictine presence and greatly need to be upheld by your prayers."
~Pope Benedict XVI to the Benedictine Nuns at Mater Ecclesiae from their order's website here http://www.walburga.org/about/history/mater-ecclesiae/





And from another site...

Finally, Father Lombardi confirmed that Benedict XVI is planning to move to Mater Ecclesiae Monastery on May 1 and that Pope Francis will remain in Domus Sanctae Marthae.

The Pope “is very well settled,” the Vatican spokesman said. “At the moment, he does not seem to want to change his dwelling, even if a final decision has not been made.”


Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/popes-plans-for-encyclical-travel-disclosed/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz2RflObZfT

From LifeSiteNews



http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/denver-priest-pulls-out-the-big-guns-on-planned-parenthood-says-mass-on-the

Psalms from None Today

Psalm 44 (45)
The wedding of the King

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
My heart cries out on a joyful theme:
  I will tell my poem to the king,
  my tongue like the pen of the swiftest scribe.
You have been given more than human beauty,
  and grace is poured out upon your lips,
  so that God has blessed you for ever.
Strap your sword to your side, mighty one,
  in all your greatness and splendour.
In your splendour go forth, mount your chariot,
  on behalf of truth, kindness and justice.
Let your right hand show your marvels,
  let your arrows be sharp against the hearts of the king’s enemies
 – the peoples will fall before you.
Your throne is firm, O God, from age to age,
  your royal sceptre is a sceptre of justice.
You love uprightness, hate injustice
 – for God, your God has anointed you
  with the oil of gladness, above all your companions.
Myrrh and aloes and cassia anoint your garments.
From ivory palaces the sound of harps delights you.
In your retinue go the daughters of kings.
At your right hand, the queen is adorned with gold of Ophir.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Psalm 44 (45)
The King's bride
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Listen, my daughter, and understand;
  turn your ears to what I have to say.
Forget your people, forget your father’s house,
  and the king will desire you for your beauty.
  He is your lord, so worship him.
The daughters of Tyre will bring you gifts;
  the richest of your subjects will beg you to look on them.
How great is the king’s daughter, within the palace!
  She is clothed in woven gold.
She will be taken to the king in coloured garments,
  her maidens will escort her to your presence.
In gladness and rejoicing they are brought
  and led to the house of the king.
Instead of your fathers you will have sons:
  you will make them rulers over all the world.
I will remember your name
  from generation to generation.
And so your people will do you honour
  for ever and for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Tyburn Australia