Happy New Year's Eve!

Here's a list of the books I read this year! :D

1. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever by Arthur S. Beaman

2. Poodles by Kerry Donnelly

3. Opossum by Tom Jackson (a kid's book)

4. Pocket Babies and Other Amazing Marsupials by Sneed B. Collard

5. Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey across the Life Line by Abby Johnson, with Cindy Lambert

6. Angels (and Demons) : What Do We Really Know About Them? by Peter Kreeft

7. Infinite Space, Infinite God - edited by Karina and Robert Fabian

8. Every Young Man's Battle: Strategies for Victory in the Real World of Sexual Temptation by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey

9. Sex is Not the Problem (Lust is) : Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World by Joshua Harris (formerly titled not even a hint)

10. Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West

11. The Courage to be Chaste by Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R.

12. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

13. Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care by the USCCB

14. Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life by Karina Lumbert Fabian and Deacon Steven Lumbert

15. STAR WARS Last of the Jedi: Against the Empire by Jude Watson

16. STAR WARS Jedi Apprentice: The Dark Rival by Jude Watson

17. "...And you are Christ's" - The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M.

18. Our Lady of the Lost and Found: A Novel of Mary, Faith, and Friendship by Diane Schoemperlen

19. Woodsong by Gary Paulsen

20. Homosexuality and the Catholic Church by Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS

21. Judith: Captive to Conqueror by Gabrielle Gniewek and Sean Lam (graphic novel)

22. My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen

23. Understanding the Catechism: Morality by Michael Pennock

Books I started, but haven't finished yet:

1. Memoirs of a Soldier, Nurse, and Spy: A Woman's Adventures in the Union Army by Sarah Emma Edmonds

2. The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio

3. Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community by Charles R. Figley, PhD and Robert G. Roop, PhD

4. Mastering the Methods (All Church Training Teacher Certification) by D.V. Hurst and Dwayne Turner

My goal for next year is to read more, starting the books on the "not finished" list :)
I wish you all a happy and blessed New Year!

Blessing of the Pets

Last Sunday at my church, in honor of St Francis' feast day ^_^

My mom with our three dogs:


Our two kitties were OK with it (though not really happy) until they were sprinkled with Holy Water. Then we'd gone too far! lol


Henrietta the Chicken ^_^



This family had 3 HUGE dogs


The ceremony, lead by Rev. Robillard from the Trinity Episcopal Church down the street

God's Chisel -- the Skit Guys

"When God chisels the dead weight out of our lives it can be very painful. In one of their most requested skits, Tommy and Eddie give a very creative look at a typical believer having to go through the process of discipline."

Reflections on forgiveness

• Notes from Fr Wayne's homily today:
- God demands we forgive the terrorists -- "How in God's name can He expect us to do that?!"
- Need to understand what does forgiveness really mean?
- It is accepting the reality that justice and punishment ultimately belong to God. -> No matter what certain politicians may say, we humans cannot deal out "the ultimate punishment;" that's called "hell" and only God can sentence someone to it
- Difference between "forgiveness" and "no punishment"
- Forgiveness does not mean that there's no punishment for sins, even if God forgives them -- otherwise, there is no justice. God is both just *and* merciful! (This is where Purgatory comes in)
- It also isn't pretending the offense never happened and allowing yourself to be abused again and again.
- Forgiveness means letting go of anger, fear, vengeance, wrath, etc. -> you must "forgive from your heart"
(Connection: Story of Cain and Abel -- God punished Cain, but he also had mercy on him and forbade anyone from harming him. "justice tempered with mercy." All human life is sacred to God, not ours to take. "Do not be so quick to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends.")
- What good does it do to hold onto anger? To hate and condemn a whole religion and ethnic group because of the actions of a few?
- On a purely human level, if we do not allow ourselves to forgive, it means we let them win -> overriding purpose of terrorism is not murder but to instill terror, anger, and hatred.
- And they did win in a big way! Effect on US culture (paranoia, inane "security" measures - grasping at straws for a feeling of safety, hatred towards foreigners, esp. Middle Easterners in general, Muslims in particular)
- Readings today call us back to "what makes us Christians?" - Our ability to forgive
- God demands we forgive others because we are all sinners ourselves.
- We are also all God's children - even terrorists.
- No one is born a terrorist; people are taught to hate
- All those terrorists on 9/11 were once someone's adorable little toddler
- What went wrong in their lives to make them choose to do something so evil???
- Ultimately only God knows for sure.
- Therefore, God is the only one who can judge
- We trust that He is both merciful and just

- Jesus repeats over and over again "Do not be afraid."
- What is the driving force in your life? Love or fear?
- "Love casts out all fear."

Today we remember those who died and pray for the thousands more who survived but were left with severe physical, spiritual, and psychological wounds.

Pray for our ability to forgive, for God to set free those still enslaved by anger, hatred, and fear.

Pray for our enemies, for all who hate us.

And pray for our own Christian witness and renewed faith in God, who is both just and merciful.

~*~

While I didn't lose anyone in the attacks, I have lost someone I loved dearly to murder. I understand the pain, the anger, the "Why, God?!?" I understand the cry of someone's blood for justice. But I also understand just how powerful God's healing can be, how freeing forgiveness is. Because of God's grace, I was able to honestly pray that my cousin's murderer didn't get the death penalty, that his chance for redemption not be stolen from him, and that his time in prison not drive him away from God but into His loving arms.

I make the same prayer today for terrorists and everyone else who commits violence against their neighbor.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

God is good,
All the time.
All the time,
God is good.

Today's readings

We Catholics don't choose the readings for Mass on a given day. They're all in the Lectionary on a three-year cycle, which was set down decades ago (I'm imagining somewhere around the 1960s, during Vatican II. Please correct me if I'm wronng). That we would just happen to have the readings we did today, on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks is simply, as Fr Wayne put it, "Providential."


Later I'm going to type up my notes from the homily, after I reflect on them a bit, but for now I leave you with what God had to say to us through Holy Scripture.



Mass Readings for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

Reading 1 - Sirach 27:30-28:7

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.

The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.

Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.

Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?

Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins?

If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,
who will forgive his sins?

Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults.


Responsorial Psalm - Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12


R. (8) The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.

R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.


Reading 2 - Romans 14:7-9

Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.


Gospel Mt 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.'
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."

My baby niece/nephew

Amber went for her ultrasound yesterday. She's 10 weeks along, so it's still too early to tell if it's a boy or a girl.

These are the best pics. They got much clearer images while they were there, but every time the doctor went to take a still shot, the baby would start flipping and kicking and just generally being a hyper little brat :P

Hi, little baby! *cocks head* you kinda look like a turkey...


This one makes me think of a chibi cartoon lol

From B's pregnancy book:
"Your baby is about 2 1/2 inches in length now -- about the same size as a strawberry. Buds for future teeth appear. Fingers and toes continue to grow, and soft nails begin to form. Although all the organs are formed, they are not yet fully developed."

sooo now I have this mental pic of B's baby:

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, VA

Memorial Day

Rachel weeping for her children
(Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, VA)

Charlie napping at prayer time

I took this just two days before he passed away. He looks so happy, simply napping there next to my breviary :)


Rest in peace, buddy. I'll see you again someday :)

St. Kim Taegon Catholic Church, Richmond, VA

St. Kim Taegon


The Sanctuary


The "Tantum Ergo" in Korean!!


And yes, the entire Mass was in Korean! But since it was still the Mass, I could follow along fairly well (yay! ^_^), and just said the prayers quietly in English. After all, the Eucharist is the Eucharist, and Jesus is Jesus, regardless of the language you use to pray ^_^
Two observations:
1) They are VERY into the "sacred silence" bits of the Mass, which are usually much shorter in English and Spanish Masses. It was hard for me to just sit quietly and be still; I kept catching myself fidgeting and whining inwardly that we ought to get on to the next part of the Mass already, sheesh. Patience is something I really need to work on! lol
2) Where we would raise our hands as we say "and also with you"/"Y con tu espiritu," they bow instead.

And there was a very nice nun, Sr. Lady-vina (at least that's how it sounded), who came over to welcome me. She's with the Little Sisters of the Holy Family and invited me to come to Sunday Mass, after which they have a big community dinner with tasty, tasty Korean food. Mmmm. I just wish I could get someone to go with me. Any takers?

I'd debated with myself about whether or not to go, but God gave me the distinct impression that I should go. And I'm glad I did; it was quite the experience!

Mass, Nature Walk, and Youth on a Mission -- a perfect Wednesday ^_^

Sanctuary of St Peter's Catholic Church, Richmond, VA


Last Supper, stained glass window in St Peter's


Flowers behind the Religious Ed building


St Anthony


Youth on a Mission kids


Mario giving tonight's talk

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, VA

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, VA

Sanctuary of the Cathedral

Divine Mercy

(This is the talk I gave on Wednesday to my church's youth group, with Mario's helpful suggestions added in -- many thanks to him!)

Last Sunday was Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter. It is the Feast of Mercy, requested by Jesus through Saint Faustina. It's purpose is to highlight the merciful love of God that's the whole point behind Easter -- and the Eucharist we celebrate at every Mass.



First, just a little bit about St. Faustina. She was a young, uneducated Polish nun who lived between 1905 and 1938. She was a modern woman -- not someone way back in ancient history. Jesus came to her in visions, and he gave her the prayers of the chaplet and urged her to share the message of Divine Mercy. She recorded all these things in her diary, and from then on she recited this form of prayer almost constantly, especially for the dying.



The Divine Mercy image is a painting St Faustina had commissioned that shows how Jesus appeared to her. It is an image of the Risen Lord, with rays of mercy coming from His heart. The red ray symbolizes blood and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The blue ray symbolizes water, Baptism, and the Holy Spirit. Both recall how when His side was pierced at the Crucifixion, blood and water flowed out, and we are redeemed by His merciful sacrifice for us.

Blessed Pope John Paul II said, "Right from the beginning of my ministry [...] I considered the message of Divine Mercy my special task." This Message of Divine Mercy is quite simple, but also an immense challenge -- Trust in Jesus, and be merciful as God your Father is merciful. "We are not only to receive the mercy of God, but to use it by being merciful to others" through the works of mercy (emphasis mine). As St. Paul said, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17). It does us no good to talk about Jesus all day long if we don't get out there and really live it.


What are the works of mercy? There are 14 -- 7 "corporal" (dealing with the body and physical life) and 7 "spiritual" (they deal with tending our souls and fostering eternal life).

Corporal Works
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Comfort the prisoners
6. Visit the sick
7. Bury the dead

Spiritual Works
1. Teach the uninformed
2. Pray for the living and the dead
3. Correct sinners
4. Counsel those in doubt
5. Console the sorrowful
6. Bear wrongs patiently
7. Forgive wrongs willingly

Can anyone here give an example of when they did one of these works of mercy? Why did you do it?

All of this is integrally linked to the Divine Mercy Chaplet because in this devotion we beg God to have mercy on us and on the whole world, for we are all sinners. We're nothing without His mercy.

Now, let's pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

For more information on St. Faustina and the message of Divine Mercy, check out The Divine Mercy, a website maintained by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception.

"When a man dies, a Christian never celebrates"

With you, O Mother of the Redeemer, may the hymn of the humble and the poor rise to almighty God: may He, the merciful one, bring peace to earth, reconcile the brothers at enmity, confound Cain, make Abel rise again, may He bring all of creation to the design He had at the beginning to the love of the Son, in the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
~ Pope John Paul II

The Beatification of Pope John Paul II -- and Divine Mercy Sunday

I awoke very early this morning, even for me -- 4am! The TV helps me fall asleep, but Animal Planet (my favorite channel) had "Lost Tapes" on, so I turned to EWTN. To be honest, I was thinking "this channel is usually very boring" (except for Life on the Rock, of course! ^_~). But not so this morning! I had forgotten -- they were broadcasting the Beatification of Pope John Paul II live! :D

I was originally planning to watch it, but then decided I'd sleep instead and watch it online later.
Apparently God had other ideas! ^_~

It was a beautiful ceremony, with pilgrims from all over the world. Among them, Poland was very well-represented, being the late Pope's homeland. And I'll admit it, I cried a few times :')

Especially touching for me is that today is also Divine Mercy Sunday: "My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy" (Diary, 699) . We are reminded of God's infinite mercy for us and His love, which shined through Blessed Pope John Paul II, in his life and in his writings. On a personal note, the late pontiff's "Theology of the Body" and "Mulieris Dignitatem" helped to heal some very deep wounds in my past that kept me from experiencing Christ's love, particularly His love expressed through His Church. I can now sincerely sing "¡Confíar en Ti! ¡Confíar en Ti! ¡Ahí está mi fuerza!¡Y confíar en, confíar en Ti!"
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is one of my favorite devotions, and if you've never prayed it before, please check it out! It's such a beautiful chaplet, and instills such a sense of peace and reassurance of God's mercy.

Saint Faustina, pray for us!

Little Sisters of the Poor French Food Festival

Tonight I had dinner at the Little Sisters of the Poor's French Food Festival. I ran into Sr Joseph Marie, and we talked about a girl in my church's youth group who's interested in the order. Of course I ate tasty, tasty noms. Also did some shopping for Mother's Day and B's B-day at the Sisters' booth, where they were selling things like pot holders, bags, bibs, and dishtowels, all handmade by the Sisters and residents. Other booths had homemade jams and jellies, desserts, wines, and food. Plus there was a whole area for kids with face painting, a moon bounce, and other fun stuffs! Next year I'll have to get my family to come along! ^_^

Sr Joseph Marie, sporting a lovely festival hat ^_~








My dinner -- salmon and spinach in a lobster sauce. Delicious! There was wine, too, but it was too dry for my taste so I only had a few sips :P






Little girls playing around the statue of St. Jeanne Jugan






Information about the Little Sisters, who have their mother house in France:


The Sisters' booth




A doll dressed up like a Sister


Fr. and two volunteers talking in front of the St Joseph's Home


A grotto dedicated to Our Lady




Not sure who this is; it might be St. Jeanne


Sacred Heart of Jesus


Jeanne Jugan


Bidding the Sisters good-bye