Sunday, December 4, 2016

Second week of Advent

Im·mac·u·late Con·cep·tion
noun
  1. the doctrine that God preserved the Virgin Mary from the taint of original sin from the moment she was conceived; it was defined as a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1854.
    • the feast commemorating the Immaculate Conception on December 8.





Lectio Divina For Advent


young-man-holding-bible-montage
Lectio divina is a form of meditation rooted in liturgical celebration that dates back to early monastic communities. It was a method practiced by monks in their daily encounter with Scripture, both as they prepared for the Eucharist and as they prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. 
The Latin phrase "lectio divina" may be translated as "divine reading."  As one reads and invites the Word to become a transforming lens that brings the events of daily living into focus, one can come to live more deeply and find the presence of God more readily in the events of each day. The method of lectio divina follows four steps:
  • lectio (reading)
  • meditatio (meditation)
  • contemplatio (contemplation)
  • and oratio (prayer).

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Father Peter Stamm of Needham MA




A GREAT Homily by a very young Priest on the Catholic T.V. Network broadcast of the Mass today!
It is one I will listen to more than once.




http://www.clipartkid.com/images/239/clipart-catholic-google-search-catholic-traditional-pinterest-SqqlLQ-clipart.jpg



Friday, November 18, 2016

Super moon photos...again in Dec.?






 Moon over Maine
A couple of days ago we had a "super moon"


"supermoon" occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day as its perigee, the point in the moon's orbit when it is closest to Earth.
The term is borrowed from the pseudoscience of astrology but has been adopted by popular culture and astronomers. Supermoons generally appear to be 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons.
A month after the mega-supermoon, another supermoon will rise on December 14.
It too will be a sight to behold, but it'll also limit our opportunity to see something just as beautiful -- a Geminid meteor shower.
The Geminid meteor shower, an annual event, got its name because the meteors look like they're coming from the constellation of Gemini.
But the supermoon's brighter light will drastically reduce the number of meteors you'll be able to see.
NASA says we'll be lucky if we see a dozen meteors in an hour at the shower's peak, when normally the shower lights up the night sky with more than 100 meteors per hour.
CNN's Doug Criss and Holly Yan contributed to this story.


Thursday, November 10, 2016

Christ the King....Crown Cake!


The Feast of Christ the King 2016: November 20, 2016


Crown of Bolesław I the Brave ...
Totally unrelated photo:)

Chocolate Crown Cake

Ingredients

·        1 cup sugar
·        1/2 cup butter, softened
·        1/4 teaspoon salt
·        2 eggs
·        1 teaspoon vanilla
·        1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
·        1/4 cup chocolate syrup
·        1/2 cup milk
·        1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Prep & Instructions
Heat oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease and flour Bundt Pan.  In large bowl, mix sugar and butter until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Add all remaining ingredients except chocolate syrup and baking soda; mix well. Spoon 1/4 of batter into small bowl.  Stir in chocolate syrup and baking soda; mix well.  Pour chocolate batter into prepared pan.  Spoon white batter over chocolate batter.  Bake at 325 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes.  Remove from pan; cool completely on rack.   8 servings.

https://www.nordicware.com/recipe/chocolate-crown-cake#.WCPKuPkrKDI

Responsorial Psalm PS 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5


R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.


http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112016.cfm


Tuesday, November 8, 2016

We are in His Hands...He Made us!

You are a beautiful building, built by The Master and He smiles at the beauty you are!  He Loves you so much and is proud of you no matter how you feel about yourself.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d7/82/44/d7824438562d461f5d484e41ecde0652.jpg

Brothers and sisters:
You are God’s building.
According to the grace of God given to me,
like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
and another is building upon it.
But each one must be careful how he builds upon it,
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,
namely, Jesus Christ.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God’s temple,
God will destroy that person;
for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
http://media.gizmodo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/communion.jpg

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Advent is waiting.....

Advent is Right around the corner.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S02KOlw7dlA




Advent
http://www.motherteresa.org/11_Advent/2010Advent/index_advent2010.html

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).
Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Our Advent calendar above can help you fully enter in to the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare you spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ.  More Advent resources are listed below.
ADVENT RESOURCES

All this information was found at: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/index.cfm

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Fresh eggs!

It has been very peaceful and quiet, despite the "doom and gloom" media.
I am forcing myself to " not get distracted" and to focus on what is most important!
Faith and Family!
(I did not think this would be difficult, but it is.)

My grandson with 2 fresh eggs....much thanks to my girls, (chickens).

Cinnamon

Nutmeg





Thursday, October 27, 2016

Have you armed Yourself?





Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Eph 6:10-20

Brothers and sisters:

Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm
against the tactics of the Devil.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood
but with the principalities, with the powers,
with the world rulers of this present darkness,
with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Therefore, put on the armor of God,
that you may be able to resist on the evil day
and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
So stand fast with your loins girded in truth,
clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,
and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace.
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield,
to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.

With all prayer and supplication,
pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.
To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication
for all the holy ones and also for me,
that speech may be given me to open my mouth,
to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel
for which I am an ambassador in chains,
so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Narrow gate




"He answered them, 
'Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough'."

LK 13:22-30

Christ is the Narrow Gate!


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Stormy, angry wind and waters.

The waves were high and the water rough and angry near Phippsburg's Popham Beach.  I had a hard time walking the force of the wind was amazing!  Stormy life, like stormy seas, can quickly calm in a moments time. 
Trust in Our Lord.








Saturday, October 22, 2016

St. John Paul ll The Great


The Preacher of God's Mercy!
Totus Tuus*


Image result for picture of John Paul 2

Today is the Feast Day of St.John Paul ll The Great.
 
"Do not be afraid"   These were some of the first words he spoke....he repeated them over and over through out his pontificate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Mariology#/media/File:JPIIGuadalupeDF.JPG
The Prophetic Pope....
"As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live."

Image result for divine mercy picture
https://www.google.com/search?q=divine+mercy+picture

 * Totus Tuus was Pope John Paul II's apostolic motto. It is a Latin phrase meaning "totally thine" and expressed his personalConsecration to Mary based on the spiritual approach of Saint Louis de Montfort and the Mariology in his works.[1] The pontiffexplained the meaning further in his book Crossing the Threshold of Hope where he defines it as not only an expression of piety but also of devotion that is deeply rooted in the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totus_Tuus




Friday, October 21, 2016

Quiet reflection time at the beach: to me the ocean is another part of creation that reflects God's Sacred Wonder!


A few days ago I spent time alone at the beach ....even though it was a beautiful day there were only a dozen or so people on the beach.

God's Mercy is larger and deeper than any ocean...Praise and Thanks be to Him!!!


The evergreen Love of  the Triune God , 
The Rock of our faith, the white foam of the Holy Spirit reaching out to us,
the magnificent depth and breadth of God Mercy, 
souls on a journey, 
and the blue sky of Mary's Mantel which covers us.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Cranberry Time

Tim and I went wild cranberry picking not to far from our home, I was able to make Holiday Cranberry Jam. The recipe is from the Taste of Home web site and is one of my favorites. 


http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holiday-cranberry-jam 


Holiday Cranberry Jam Recipe
     
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1 medium orange, peeled and broken into sections
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen sliced strawberries, thawed
3 cups sugar
1 pouch (3 ounces) liquid fruit pectin
Directions
1. In a food processor, coarsely process cranberries and orange sections. Place in a Dutch oven with strawberries and sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the pectin. Skim off the foam. Carefully ladle into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner. Yield: 5 half-pints.
Editor's Note: The processing time listed is for altitudes of 1,000 feet or less. Add 1 minute to the processing time for each 1,000 feet of additional altitude.
Nutritional Facts
2 tablespoon: 66 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
© 2016 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC






Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Prayers: Memorare~ Holy Spirit




Holy Spirit, you are a loving Spirit.
 You are one of three persons of love.
Live and love in us,
and let us live and love in you!
Amen

Tina C




Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.










Sunday, October 16, 2016

RE-Posting this great bread recipe and a wonderful video~ Lent is Wed Feb, 14th~Challah Bread / Video of Psalm 121 sung in Hebrew or Yid*dish? / GREAT Article about civilization!

The Eight Stages of the Rise and Fall of Civilizations


 • October 12, 2016 This article was taken from the web site: New Advent  and was found in Community in Mission    http://blog.adw.org/2016/10/eight-stages-rise-fall-civilizations/
Cultures and civilizations go through cycles. Over time, many civilizations and cultures have risen and then fallen. We who live in painful times like these do well to recall these truths. Cultures and civilizations come and go; only the Church (though often in need of reform) and true biblical culture remain. An old song says, “Only what you do for Christ will last.” Yes, all else passes; the Church is like an ark in the passing waters of this world and in the floodwaters of times like these.
For those of us who love our country and our culture, the pain is real. By God’s grace, many fair flowers have come from Western culture as it grew over the past millennium. Whatever its imperfections (and there were many), great beauty, civilization, and progress emerged at the crossroads of faith and human giftedness. But now it appears that we are at the end of an era. We are in a tailspin we don’t we seem to be able to pull ourselves out of. Greed, aversion to sacrifice, secularism, divorce, promiscuity, and the destruction of the most basic unit of civilization (the family), do not make for a healthy culture. There seems to be no basis for true reform and the deepening darkness suggests that we are moving into the last stages of a disease. This is painful but not unprecedented.
Sociologists and anthropologists have described the stages of the rise and fall of the world’s great civilizations. Scottish philosopher Alexander Tyler of the University of Edinburg noted eight stages that articulate well what history discloses. I first encountered these in in Ted Flynn’s book The Great Transformation. They provide a great deal of perspective to what we are currently experiencing.
Let’s look at each of the eight stages. The names of the stages are from Tyler’s book and are presented in bold red text. My brief reflections follow in plain text.
  1. From bondage to spiritual growth – Great civilizations are formed in the crucible. The Ancient Jews were in bondage for 400 years in Egypt. The Christian faith and the Church came out of 300 years of persecution. Western Christendom emerged from the chaotic conflicts during the decline of the Roman Empire and the movements of often fierce “barbarian” tribes. American culture was formed by the injustices that grew in colonial times. Sufferings and injustices cause—even force—spiritual growth. Suffering brings wisdom and demands a spiritual discipline that seeks justice and solutions.
  2. From spiritual growth to great courage – Having been steeled in the crucible of suffering, courage and the ability to endure great sacrifice come forth. Anointed leaders emerge and people are summoned to courage and sacrifice (including loss of life) in order to create a better, more just world for succeeding generations. People who have little or nothing, also have little or nothing to lose and are often more willing to live for something more important than themselves and their own pleasure. A battle is begun, a battle requiring courage, discipline, and other virtues.
  3. From courage to liberty – As a result of the courageous fight, the foe is vanquished and liberty and greater justice emerges. At this point a civilization comes forth, rooted in its greatest ideals. Many who led the battle are still alive, and the legacy of those who are not is still fresh. Heroism and the virtues that brought about liberty are still esteemed. The ideals that were struggled for during the years in the crucible are still largely agreed upon.
  4. From liberty to abundance – Liberty ushers in greater prosperity, because a civilization is still functioning with the virtues of sacrifice and hard work. But then comes the first danger: abundance. Things that are in too great an abundance tend to weigh us down and take on a life of their own. At the same time, the struggles that engender wisdom and steel the soul to proper discipline and priorities move to the background. Jesus said that man’s life does not consist in his possessions. But just try to tell that to people in a culture that starts to experience abundance. Such a culture is living on the fumes of earlier sacrifices; its people become less and less willing to make such sacrifices. Ideals diminish in importance and abundance weighs down the souls of the citizens. The sacrifices, discipline, and virtues responsible for the thriving of the civilization are increasingly remote from the collective conscience; the enjoyment of their fruits becomes the focus.
  5. From abundance to complacency – To be complacent means to be self-satisfied and increasingly unaware of serious trends that undermine health and the ability to thrive. Everything looks fine, so it must be fine. Yet foundations, resources, infrastructures, and necessary virtues are all crumbling. As virtues, disciplines, and ideals become ever more remote, those who raise alarms are labeled by the complacent as “killjoys” and considered extreme, harsh, or judgmental.
  6. From complacency to apathy – The word apathy comes from the Greek and refers to a lack of interest in, or passion for, the things that once animated and inspired. Due to the complacency of the previous stage, the growing lack of attention to disturbing trends advances to outright dismissal. Many seldom think or care about the sacrifices of previous generations and lose a sense that they must work for and contribute to the common good. “Civilization” suffers the serious blow of being replaced by personalization and privatization in growing degrees. Working and sacrificing for others becomes more remote. Growing numbers becoming increasingly willing to live on the carcass of previous sacrifices. They park on someone else’s dime, but will not fill the parking meter themselves. Hard work and self-discipline continue to erode.
  7. From apathy to dependence – Increasing numbers of people lack the virtues and zeal necessary to work and contribute. The suffering and the sacrifices that built the culture are now a distant memory. As discipline and work increasingly seem “too hard,” dependence grows. The collective culture now tips in the direction of dependence. Suffering of any sort seems intolerable. But virtue is not seen as the solution. Having lived on the sacrifices of others for years, the civilization now insists that “others” must solve their woes. This ushers in growing demands for governmental, collective solutions. This in turns deepens dependence, as solutions move from personal virtue and local, family-based sacrifices to centralized ones.
  8. From dependence back to bondage – As dependence increases, so does centralized power. Dependent people tend to become increasingly dysfunctional and desperate. Seeking a savior, they look to strong central leadership. But centralized power corrupts, and tends to usher in increasing intrusion by centralized power. Injustice and intrusion multiplies. But those in bondage know of no other solutions. Family and personal virtue (essential ingredients for any civilization) are now effectively replaced by an increasingly dark and despotic centralized control, hungry for more and more power. In this way, the civilization is gradually ended, because people in bondage no longer have the virtues necessary to fight.
Another possibility is that a more powerful nation or group is able to enter, by invasion or replacement, and destroy the final vestiges of a decadent civilization and replace it with their own culture.
Either way, it’s back to crucible, until suffering and conflict bring about enough of the wisdom, virtue, and courage necessary to begin a new civilization that will rise from the ashes.
Thus are the stages of civilizations. Sic transit gloria mundi. The Church has witnessed a lot of this in just the brief two millennia of her time. In addition to civilizations, nations have come and gone quite frequently over the years. Few nations have lasted longer than 200 years. Civilizations are harder to define with exact years, but at the beginning of the New Covenant, Rome was already in decline. In the Church’s future would be other large nations and empires in the West: the “Holy” Roman Empire, various colonial powers, the Spanish, the Portuguese, and the French.  It was once said that “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” Now it does. As the West began a long decline, Napoleon made his move. Later, Hitler strove to build a German empire. Then came the USSR. And prior to all this, in the Old Testament period, there had been the Kingdom of David, to be succeeded by Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
The only true ark of safety is the Church, who received her promise of indefectibilityfrom the Lord (Matt 16:18). But the Church, too, is always in need of reform and will have much to suffer. Yet she alone will survive this changing world, because she is the Bride of Christ and also His Body.
These are hard days, but perspective can help. It is hard to deny that we are living at the end of an era. It is painful because something we love is dying. But from death comes forth new life. Only the Lord knows the next stage and long this interregnum will be. Look to Him. Go ahead and vote, but put not your trust in princes (Ps 146:3). God will preserve His people, as He did in the Old Covenant. He will preserve those of us who are now joined to Him in the New Covenant. Find your place in the ark, ever ancient and yet new.
This video of psalm 121 is sung in an ancient language and manner, but its message is still current:
I lift mine eyes to the Mountains from whence cometh my help (Psalm 121).



Filed in: Uncategorized

A "vintage train" ride. Enjoy the sounds of long ago, ( and yes, I did get soot on me). This is a coal powered steam train.