New Image In Collection

I've added a beautiful stained glass picture to my Rosary Art Collection.

I've often thought, what a pity nobody wrote down what Jesus and the Teachers of the Law

said to each other during those three days.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

I'd like to invite you to join a growing group of bloggers at Sunday Snippets. Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've discovered some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: New Painting in Collection

Semper Gaudete!: Update on Deacon Bill

Semper Gaudete!: I Hope It Was Wonderful

Semper Gaudete!: Another Ancestor

Semper Gaudete!: Priests for Life Secures Religious Freedom Exemption from HHS Mandate in Federal Court | Blog – American Freedom Law Center

Semper Gaudete!: Heard On A Commercial

Semper Gaudete!: Another Sabbath Enhancement

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read In The Past Week

Books Read In The Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #
Classics are marked with a *
(Some books may get both a # and a *)

"Stand Up, Lucy!"
by Elizabeth Hall
[children's fiction, historical]
{carried over from last week}

"Try Giving Yourself Away"
by David Dunn
[non-fiction]
{carried over from last week; carrying over into next week}
(This is a book that I could easily read in a couple of days,
but it is one that I like to linger over.)

"A Christmas Carol" *
by Charles Dickens
[fiction]
(my yearly December 24th 
 reading of this book!)

"By The Shores of Silver Lake"
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
[children's fiction, historical, series, autobiographical]
{carrying over into next week}

"Around the Year With the Trapp Family" #
by Maria Augusta Trapp
[non-fiction, Catholic]
(read online; Open Library Loan)

Another Sabbath Enhancement

I added, several weeks ago something new to the way I begin my Sunday, the way I welcome the Sabbath.   Now, after lighting the votive candle [electric, for safety!],  and praying, "Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has commanded us to keep holy the Sabbath day," and before praying Evening Prayer, I sing the hymn On This Day, The First of Days.

Heard On A Commercial

This morning I heard a radio commercial in which someone said that there has never been a name (or was it a word?) for the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
I guess they never heard of the Octave of Christmas.
Then again, to be fair, I didn't know about Octaves either until I became a Catholic.

Priests for Life Secures Religious Freedom Exemption from HHS Mandate in Federal Court | Blog – American Freedom Law Center

Priests for Life Secures Religious Freedom Exemption from HHS Mandate in Federal Court | Blog – American Freedom Law Center

I couldn't post this right away.   I was too busy cheering! 
This major victory calls for a very loud
DEO GRATIAS!
 

Another Ancestor

I've found another one of my paternal ancestors on ancestry.com. 
Michael Keating was born, and died, in Tipperary, Ireland.

Michael Keating (1780 - )
is your 8th great grandfather

Johanna Judith Keating (1793 - 1867)

Daughter of Michael

Ellen Dowdall (1818 - 1909)

Daughter of Johanna Judith

Owen Byrne (1810 - 1901)

Son of Ellen

Mary Catherine Byrne (1838 - 1919)

Daughter of Owen

Thomas Henry Cunningham

Son of Mary Catherine

Michael Cunningham

Son of Thomas Henry

Mary Cunningham (1874 - 1949)

Daughter of Michael

Edgar George Brown (1899 - 1938)

Son of Mary

Robert Eugene Brown (1921 - 1974)

Son of Edgar George

Rochelle Brown

You are the daughter of Robert Eugene - 

I Hope It Was Wonderful

I hope everyone had a wonderful first day of Christmas.  Thank God, Christmas is a season, and not just one day!
I expressed this thought in a slightly different way last year.

Update on Deacon Bill

In his homily this morning,  (which I will post on this blog when it has been uploaded to YouTube) Fr. Joseph gave us the sad news that Deacon Bill's health has taken a turn for the worse.  Let's continue to pray for him.

New Painting in Collection

I've just added this painting to my Rosary Art Collection.  In this beautiful picture, Our Lady seems to represent all mothers who have, or who will, kiss and cuddle their little babies.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

I'd like to invite you to join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.
Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've found some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: Painting Added to Collection

Semper Gaudete!: New Page

Semper Gaudete!: Today's Homily - 2012-12- 17 - Fr. Anthony Mary MFVA - Advent Monday

 Semper Gaudete!: New Year's Resolutions

 Semper Gaudete!: Philippines’ anti-life Reproductive Health bill passes final reading in House and Senate | LifeSiteNews.com

 Semper Gaudete!: British politician: ‘consider compulsory abortion’ for Downs babies LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: A Bit More About My "Jots of Joy" Page

 Semper Gaudete!: Addition to Break-Off Collection

Semper Gaudete!: Judge overrules Obama admin on HHS mandate | LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read in the Past Week

Books Read in the Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"On The Banks of Plum Creek"

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

[children's fiction, historical, autobiographical, series]

{carried over from last week}

"The Books You Read

Business Edition"#

edited by Charles E. "T" Jones

Foreword by Og Mandino

[non-fiction]

"Phoebe Snow"

"Stand Up, Lucy!"

{carrying over into next week}

by Elizabeth Hall

[children's fiction, historical]

"Try Giving Yourself Away"

by David Dunn

{carrying over into next week}

[nonfiction]

Judge overrules Obama admin on HHS mandate | LifeSiteNews.com

Judge overrules Obama admin on HHS mandate | LifeSiteNews.com

This is not getting mentioned on my "Jots of Joy" page.  Wondering why?
Because this is NOT a "jot" of joy.    This is a mega-sized...
WOO-HOO!

Addition to Break-Off Collection

The right handle came off my glasses, and I was not able to re-attach it.  Therefore, I added it to my Break-Off Collection.  I was glad, because I hadn't found anything for the collection since  October.

A Bit More About My "Jots of Joy" Page

I've decided to do a bit more with my Jots of Joy page.  Besides writing down, each day, at least one thing, one event, that made me happy, I will also, from time to time, mention something that I like.

British politician: ‘consider compulsory abortion’ for Downs babies | LifeSiteNews.com

British politician: ‘consider compulsory abortion’ for Downs babies | LifeSiteNews.com

There is someone who would approve Geoffrey Clark's sentiments...
MARGARET SANGER. 
There is someone else who approves his sentiments...
SATAN!

Philippines’ anti-life Reproductive Health bill passes final reading in House and Senate | LifeSiteNews.com

Philippines’ anti-life Reproductive Health bill passes final reading in House and Senate | LifeSiteNews.com

This is TERRIBLE news. 

New Year's Resolutions

I've decided on my New Year's resolutions (only two) for 2013.

The first, which I've already started, is to make more frequent acts of Spiritual Communion.

The second is to read at least one classic a week.  It can be new to me, or it can be one I've read many, many times.   Children's books, such as Little Women,  Heidi, Pinocchio, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and the first two Pollyanna books DEFINITELY count.

Today's Homily - 2012-12- 17 - Fr. Anthony Mary MFVA - Advent Monday

A very comforting homily from Fr. Anthony, much needed
in the wake of the horrific events in Connecticut.

Great Picture of Fr. Miguel

I just had to share this picture of Fr. Miguel.  I hope that he'll share some more details in a future homily.

New Page

A couple of years ago, I decided to have a Jolly Book like Jamie's in Pollyanna Grows Up, as an extension of my Gratitude Attitude Game. (I did not, however, call it a Jolly Book.)  Well,  it didn't work out; writing things down doesn't work very well when one has dysgraphia.

Now, two years and a couple of months later, I've revived and revised that plan.  However, this time I'm doing it online, right here on this blog.  I've made a new page called "Jots of Joy," where I will jot down, every day, at least one good thing that happened that day, at least one thing, however small, that made me happy.  In fact, I think I will record mostly small things.  After all, the name of the page is "Jots of Joy!"

Painting Added to Collection

I've just added a new painting to my Rosary Art Collection.  

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Please join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've discovered some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: Written By the Finger of God: Animals and Advent
(Shared from Anabelle's blog, with some added material on my own blog.)

Semper Gaudete!: New Image in Art Collection

Semper Gaudete!: Today's Homily - 2012-12-08 - Fr. Anthony Mary, MFVA -The Immaculate Con...

Semper Gaudete!: Today's Homily - 20120-12-10 - Fr. John Trigilio, Ph D., Th. D. - Persev...

Semper Gaudete!: Today's Homily - 2012-12-11 - Fr. John Trigilio, Ph D., Th. D. - St. Je...

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012 12 12 Fr John Trigilio Ph D Th D Our Lady of Guadalupe

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012 12 13 - Fr John Trigilio Ph D Th D - St. Lucy

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-12-14 - Fr John Trigilio Ph D Th D - St John of the Cross

Semper Gaudete!: Not Cover to Cover

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read in the Past Week

Books Read in the Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"Little House in the Big Woods"

{carried over from last week}

"Little House on the Prairie"

"On the Banks of Plum Creek"

{carrying over into next week}

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

[children's fiction, historical, series, autobiographical]

"The Books You Read--Devotional Edition" #
Edited by Charles E "T" Jones
Foreword by D. James Kennedy
[non-fiction]

"The Story of a Pantry Shelf, and Outline History of Grocery Specialties" #

published by The Butterick Publishing Company

[non-fiction]

(Executives from various companies share the history of their products, 

along with their advertising and distribution methods in this book published in the 1920s.)

[reading online in Open Library.]

{carrying over into next week}

Not Cover to Cover

Once again, I am trying to read the entire Bible.  No.  Not trying.  This time,  I am READING the entire Bible.  What I am NOT doing is reading straight through from cover to cover.  Instead, I'm selecting a book, reading it, making a mark next to the title in a list in the front, and then choosing another book.  I've already started with The Gospel According to St. Luke. After that, I'll read The Acts of the Apostles.  Next, I'll probably read one of the books of the Old Testament, most likely one of the Wisdom books.

The Historical books will be read in their proper sequence, but probably (I'm not saying "definitely") not one right after the other.  It would be very confusing to read, let's say,

Deuteronomy, and then Exodus, and then Leviticus, and then Genesis, and then Numbers.

And yes, I am using my well-worn RSV-CE Bible!

And even though I'm not reading from cover to cover, I think I'll save The Book of Revelation, which, incidentally, I love, for the last.

Homily 2012-12-14 - Fr John Trigilio Ph D Th D - St John of the Cross

Fr. Trigilio finishes the week with another wonderful homily.

Homily 2012 12 13 - Fr John Trigilio Ph D Th D - St. Lucy

Fr. Trigilio gives a wonderful homily on St. Lucy.
Her life story is fascinating!

Homily 2012 12 12 Fr John Trigilio Ph D Th D Our Lady of Guadalupe

Another great homily.  

Today's Homily - 2012-12-11 - Fr. John Trigilio, Ph D., Th. D. - St. Je...

Great homily!  And I love the part about Irish sheep!

Today's Homily - 20120-12-10 - Fr. John Trigilio, Ph D., Th. D. - Persev...

Wonderful homily, great anecdote.
I'm keeping Fr. Trigilio and his mom in my prayers.

Is That Judge SERIOUS???

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/judge-rules-choose-life-license-plates-violate-the-first-amendment

I have just one word for that judge's ruling:

PHOOEY!!!

Today's Homily - 2012-12-08 - Fr. Anthony Mary, MFVA -The Immaculate Con...

A wonderful homily from Fr. Anthony.   Don't be surprised if I
re-post this next year!

New Image in Art Collection

I've just added this 12th century stained glass depiction of The Visitation to my Rosary Art Collection.

Written By the Finger of God: Animals and Advent

Written By the Finger of God: Animals and Advent: I wish I was an animal sometimes.   They have the communication thing down so easy, no need to worry about grammar, style and st...

I just HAVE to share this wonderful post.  And I, too, have spiritually adopted an unborn baby in danger of abortion, to whom I've given the name Lucille.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

I'd like to invite you to join a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting.  I've found some wonderful blogs here/

Semper Gaudete!: New Painting in Collection

Semper Gaudete!: Today's Homily - 2012-12-03 - Fr. Miguel Marie - The Centurion

Semper Gaudete!: How to illegally abort your child at home…the video game! | LifeSiteNews.com
Semper 

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012 12 05 Fr Miguel Marie Advent Weekday

Semper Gaudete!: Two top medical associations promote dangerous abortifacients, Plan B to teens | LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: New Magnets Ordered

Semper Gaudete!: Splat!! (Brat!!)

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read in the Past Week

Books Read in the Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"Tides"

by V. M. Caldwell

[children's/YA fiction]

{carried over from last week}

"The Books You Read: Historical Edition" #

edited by Charles E. "T" Jones 
Foreword by James Newton

[non-fiction]
(There are four volumes in the "Books You Read" series. I own, and have read, two of them.)

"Stars In Their Eyes"
by Aidel Stein
"The Inside Story"
by Libby Lezewnik
"Trapped!"
by Libby Lazewnik, Miriam Zakon, and Emmy Zitter
[children's fiction, Jewish, "Baker's Dozen" series]

"Little House in the Big Woods"
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
[children's fiction, historical, series, autobiographical]
{carrying over into next week}

Splat!! (Brat!!)

I think it was Aunt Lily (actually my great-aunt) who first told me this story about my cousin Leslie, but it may have been Baba.

Okay, enough prologue.  On with the story!

Baba, Aunt Lily, Aunt Ethel, (Great-Uncle Sam's wife) her little son Leslie,  and several other family members had spent the morning on the beach.   They walked home, and went to the basement of the apartment building to shower.  There was a woman already there, and she was singing as she showered.  Leslie did not appreciate her voice; perhaps it was too high for his taste.

Whatever the reason, he picked up the custodian's mop and....

SPLATTT!!!

As you can imagine, the now ex-singer was furious, and that is an understatement.  Aunt Ethel apologized and apologized.

She was going to give Leslie what I admit would have been a well-deserved potch, but Baba and

Aunt Lily stopped her. 

Whether or not he got that potch  later on, when she got him home, nobody ever knew.

New Magnets Ordered

I've just ordered two more magnets for my collection.

Two top medical associations promote dangerous abortifacients, Plan B to teens | LifeSiteNews.com

Two top medical associations promote dangerous abortifacients, Plan B to teens | LifeSiteNews.com

God help us!

Homily 2012 12 05 Fr Miguel Marie Advent Weekday

I am going to look up and read the document Fr. Miguel quotes in this homily.

How to illegally abort your child at home…the video game! | LifeSiteNews.com

How to illegally abort your child at home…the video game! | LifeSiteNews.com

This so-called "game" is more obscene than pornography! 

Today's Homily - 2012-12-03 - Fr. Miguel Marie - The Centurion

Fr. Miguel gives us a wonderful, thought-provoking homily.e

New Painting in Collection

I've just added this painting to my Rosary Art Collection.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

 Please join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting!   I've discovered some wonderful blogs here.


Semper Gaudete!: Disrupted Card Game

Semper Gaudete!: Appropriate Reading Device?

Semper Gaudete!: Life on the Rock - 2012-11-22- Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Wo...

Semper Gaudete!: 491 babies born alive after failed abortions, left to die: Statistics Canada confirms | LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-11-29 - Fr Mitch Pacwa SJ - All Saints of the Seraphic Order

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-11-30 - Fr Leonard Mary MFVA - St Andrew Apostle

Semper Gaudete!: Woman of Valor? YES! Woman of Valor? NO!!!

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read In The Past Week

Books Read In The Past Week

 Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"Of Swedish Ways"
by Lily Lorenzen
[non-fiction]
{carried over from last week}

"The Majesty of Grace"
{carried over from last week}

"The Boyhood of Grace Jones"

by Jane Langton
[children's fiction]

"Little Blog on the Prairie" # 
by Cathleen Davitt Bell
[children's fiction]
(read on Amazon Kindle cloud reader)

"The Ocean Within"
"Tides"
{carrying over into next week}
by VM Caldwell
[children's/YA fiction]

"The Books You Read"
(AKA "The People You Meet
and The Books You Read
Professional Edition")
edited by Charles E. Jones
foreword by Og Mandino 
[non-fiction]
(various people in various fields
comment on their favorite books, 
and/or about books and reading in general.)

Woman of Valor? YES! Woman of Valor? NO!!!

I know of two books with the title Women of Valor.  The first, written by Irving Finemann,  is about Henrietta Szold, who rescued thousands of children from the Nazis.  She was, indeed, a woman of valor.

 I plan to get and read this book.

The second book, written by Ellen Chesler, is about Margaret Sanger, who founded the organization which causes the death of thousands of children every year.  She was anything but a

woman of valor.

I will NOT be reading this book.

Homily 2012-11-30 - Fr Leonard Mary MFVA - St Andrew Apostle

Great homily by Fr. Leonard.   Be sure not to miss
what he says about James and John, and their mother! 

Homily 2012-11-29 - Fr Mitch Pacwa SJ - All Saints of the Seraphic Order

A wonderful homily from Fr. Mitch.

491 babies born alive after failed abortions, left to die: Statistics Canada confirms | LifeSiteNews.com

491 babies born alive after failed abortions, left to die: Statistics Canada confirms | LifeSiteNews.com

This makes me feel sad, horrified, disgusted, and angry...make that FURIOUS!!!

Life on the Rock - 2012-11-22- Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Wo...

I love it when they have the friars on LOTR!

Appropriate Reading Device?

I've just started reading Little Blog on the Prairie  by Cathleen Davitt Bell online.  Somehow it seems to me that a book with a  title like that ought to be read on the computer.

Disrupted Card Game

I've known for a long time that my Farmor (paternal grandmother) played cards.   It's only recently that I've learned that she belonged to a card club,
the D. D. D. Card Club.  (So far, I haven't been able to find out what D. D. D
stands for.)
One afternoon, Farmor had some of her friends over for a game of cards.  Perhaps it was a meeting, and her turn to entertain.   Perhaps it was just a friendly get-together.
Suddenly, the game was interrupted when a skyrocket came through the screen window, and whizzed around the players' heads.   The guests left, quickly, one might even say hastily.
I heard this story years later from the culprit... my father! It was when his mother got a hold  of him that the real fireworks happened!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.   Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've found some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: Novena for the Canonization of Fulton J. Sheen

Semper Gaudete!: NunEssential: Strength and Grace

Semper Gaudete!: New Item In Vintage Media Collection

Semper Gaudete!: Andrew Brown, my great-great grandfather

Semper Gaudete!: The Old Rugged Cross

Semper Gaudete!: Gobble Gobble?

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-11-18 - Fr Anthony Mary MFVA - Canticle of Creation- 33rd Su...

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read in the Past Week

Books Read in the Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"The Great American Broadcast:
A Celebration of Radio's Golden Age"
by Leonard Maltin
[non-fiction]
{carried over from last week}

"Five Little Peppers Midway" #
by Margaret Sidney
[children's fiction, series]
{read online}

"Of Swedish Ways"
by Lily Lorenzen
[non-fiction]
{carrying over into next week}

"The Majesty of Grace"
by Jane Langton
[children's fiction]
{carrying over into next week}

Novena for the Canonization of Fulton J. Sheen

 Please join me in praying this novena.

Homily 2012-11-18 - Fr Anthony Mary MFVA - Canticle of Creation- 33rd Su...

A not-to-be missed homily from Fr. Anthony.

Gobble Gobble?

It sort of gets my goat when I hear people refer to this holiday as "Turkey Day."

Hello!  Where on the calendar does it say Turkey Day?

It's Thanksgiving Day.  Or rather, it is the official American celebration of Thanksgiving Day.

Because, after all, every day should be a day for giving thanks.

The Old Rugged Cross

I have a connection to the  composer of the famous hymn, The Old Rugged Cross.

Rev. George Bennard

Relationship to you: husband of sister-in-law of great grand aunt

Additionally, one of the witnesses to his marriage also witnessed the marriage of my great-grandparents, John and Hulda Isberg.

Andrew Brown, my great-great grandfather

I've discovered a bit more about my paternal great-great grandfather.   The information here matches the information I've found on ancestry.com.
Now I am trying to find his birth and/or baptismal certificate.

New Item In Vintage Media Collection

"Father Knows Best" debuted on the radio in 1948.   I've just added the pilot episode to my Vintage Media Collection.

NunEssential: Strength and Grace

NunEssential: Strength and Grace: I had to write about a beautiful image I saw today. While at Mass this morning, I noticed a police officer in full uniform who had his s...

Once again, I've come across a "must-share" post.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've found some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: More About My Father's Family

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-11-11 - Fr Joseph Mary MFVA - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordina...

Semper Gaudete!: Guess Who Says "It's Great To Be A Slut"

Semper Gaudete!: GEORGE WEIGEL COLUMN

Semper Gaudete!: Magnets In Mail Order Catalog

Semper Gaudete!: New Item in Vintage Media Collection

Semper Gaudete!: Radio Scripts

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read in the Past Week

Books Read in the Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"Papa's Daughter"

{carried over from last week}

"Dear Papa"

by Thyra Ferre Bjorn

[fiction, Christian (Protestant) themes]

"Stargirl"
"Love, Stargirl" #
by Jerry Spinelli
(young adult fiction)

"Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" #
by Margaret Sidney
[children's fiction, series]
(this is one of those books I've had
for a long time, and finally got around
to reading.)

"Two P's in a Pod"
by Susan Terris
[children's fiction (older kids)]

"The Great American Broadcast:
A Celebration of Radio's Golden Age"
by Leonard Maltin
[non-fiction]
{carrying over into next week}

Radio Scripts

I've just found this website of old-time radio scripts.  I will probably be adding some of the actual broadcasts (if available  online) to my Vintage Media Collection.
I love the way the commercials are included in the scripts.


 

New Item in Vintage Media Collection

I've just added this advertisement to my Vintage Media Collection.

I'll have more to say about this product in a future post.

Magnets In Mail Order Catalog

Whenever Mom gets a mail-order catalog, I look through it for decorative magnets.  Sometimes there aren't any at all, sometimes there are, but they aren't the kind I collect, and sometimes I already have them.

Today, however, Mom got one of those catalogs, and it had a set a set of magnets that I don't have, and is the kind I collect.  In fact, they are just about the darlingest magnets I've ever seen.

Mom is going to place the order tomorrow.

And I love the fact that I found them in a catalog!

GEORGE WEIGEL COLUMN

GEORGE WEIGEL COLUMN

Patrick Madrid shared this on Facebook. 

Guess Who Says "It's Great To Be A Slut"

Anybody want  to guess which organization is telling teenage girls that it is great to be a slut?

Click here .
   
Surprise, surprise!! (Not!)

Homily 2012-11-11 - Fr Joseph Mary MFVA - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordina...

Fr. Joseph shares a wonderful true story in this homily.
Adoption, not abortion! 

More About My Father's Family

Using new information I received from my cousin, I was able to look up several family trees on ancestry.com.  I now have the names of several more of my ancestors on my father's side.

                             My paternal great-great grandfather:

                             Andrew Brown

                             My paternal great-great-grandmother:

                             Mary Moore Brown

                            My paternal great-grandfather:

                            Edgar A. Brown

                            My paternal great-grandmother

                            Mary, (or Marie) Cunningham Brown

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've discovered some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: Strong Fathers

Semper Gaudete!: New Item in Vintage Media Collection

Semper Gaudete!: My Paternal Grandfather

Semper Gaudete!: Written By the Finger of God: Ten Reasons Why I'm Passionately Pro-life

Semper Gaudete!: Sandy

Semper Gaudete!: Stop Planned Parenthood

Semper Gaudete!: Two Great Homilies From EWTN

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read In The Past Week

Books Read In The Past Week

Books Read for the first time are marked with a #

"Papa's Wife"

{carried over from last week}

"Papa's Daughter"

{carrying over into next week}

by Thyra Ferre Bjorn

[fiction, Christian (Protestant) themes]

"Walking on Water #

Reflections on Faith & Art"

by Madeleine L'Engle

[non-fiction]

Two Great Homilies From EWTN

Here are the links to  two great homilies from EWTN.

Homily 2012-11-07 - Fr Mark Mary MFVA - Discipleship
Homily 2012 11 08 Fr Anthony Mary MFVA Blessed John Duns Scotus

Stop Planned Parenthood

Here is an organization that is working to stop Planned Parenthood.   There is a graphic video on the site, showing how PP is targeting KIDS.

Warning: The video is not only graphic, it is sickening.   You may want to grab a basin or a barf-bag before watching.  

Sandy

I haven't blogged much about Sandy and its aftermath.

Debris, debris, and more debris outside. 

(Thank God, the Sanitation Department was FINALLY able to haul it away)

Sand on the SIDEWALK and in our yard.

And today, SNOW!

This is the most severe storm we've EVER had in Brooklyn, the first time we've had so much debris in so many places, AND the first time a hurricane (some people are calling this a superstorm; what other people are calling it I won't repeat!) has been followed by snow.

This wasn't just weather; this wasn't your average storm;  this wasn't even usual  kind of a hurricane.  This was something special. This was historical. 

Years from now, people will be talking about how their great-great-great- grandparents were just little children when Sandy happened.

Written By the Finger of God: Ten Reasons Why I'm Passionately Pro-life

Written By the Finger of God: Ten Reasons Why I'm Passionately Pro-life: 1.   Life begins at conception.   (I didn't have to hear my first baby’s lub-dub-swoosh-swoosh heartbeat at her 6 week ultrasoun...

This post should be shared by every pro-life blogger.

Staying Up Tonight

I'll be staying up tonight, waiting for the results of the election, AND PRAYING!

My Paternal Grandfather

I've finally learned my paternal grandfather's full name: Edgar George Brown.  And I've started corresponding with a cousin on my paternal grandmother's side.  And all because I joined ancestry.com!

New Item in Vintage Media Collection

I've just added this advertisement to my Vintage Media Collection.

Strong Fathers

Strong Fathers

I just HAD to share this lovely, loving tribute to fathers.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've discovered some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: Thank God for Family!

Semper Gaudete!: Priests For Life Hit By Hurricane Sandy

Semper Gaudete!: How Winky Spent His Time

Semper Gaudete!: kcolC ehT

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read In The Past Week

kcolC ehT

What does "kcolc eht" mean?

It's just a reminder that we tonight we turn the clock back.

Books Read In The Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"Rhoda Thornton's Girlhood" #

by Mary Elizabeth Pratt 

[children's fiction, some Christian (Protestant) themes] {This is the book

I grabbed and put into the shopping bag when we were getting ready to leave on Sunday afternoon, and as it happens, I hadn't read it before.}

"Portrait of a Lady"#

by Henry James

[fiction]

{Only partially read.  Kathryn lent it to me after I finished Rhoda Thornton's Girlhood.  I hadn't finished this when we were ready to leave, so she gave it to me as a gift. However, when Mom, Winky and I returned home,  I decided that I wanted, needed, to read a book I already knew and loved. 

I do, however, plan to read, this book some time in the future.}

I am currently reading (make that re-reading, and you can add quite a few re's!):

"Papa's Wife"

by Thyra Ferre Bjorn

[fiction, Christian (Protestant) themes.]

How Winky Spent His Time

This  post is about Winky, and how he spent the time we were away because of Sandy.

Paul, Kathryn's husband, is extremely allergic to cats, so Winky had to stay in the garage.   And yet, in spite of his allergies, Paul sometimes went into the garage to feed the cat!

Mom visited Winky every day, but we agreed that it would be best if I didn't go into the garage until we were ready to go home. 

Meanwhile, what did Winky do while he was in the garage?   He ran around, he climbed, he explored, he had a terrific time.

Winky was on vacation!

Priests For Life Hit By Hurricane Sandy

  I received the following e-mail from Fr. Frank Pavone.   I ask everyone who can make a donation to do so. I did.  But what I am doing most of all, what we ALL need to do most of all, is pray.

Dear Rochelle,

We need your help. Right now.

You’ve no doubt seen the path of devastation that Hurricane Sandy left in its wake.  Homes destroyed.  Buildings demolished.  Hospitals without electricity.  Generators failing.  No heat.  No hot water.  No gasoline.  No food.

As you pray this Feast of All Saints, please remember the victims of this terrible storm.

Sadly, Priests for Life has not been spared. As you know, our headquarters is located in Staten Island, New York - right at the center of the storm! We lost all power Monday.  Our computers are down.  No phone service.  No fax service.  Water damage everywhere. Mail delivery is spotty.  No email all week until just a couple of hours ago.

One of our own Priests for Life staff members lost her house (please pray for her). Others are under water.  Most have lost their power.

It will take weeks to recover. Or months.

If ever I needed you to give Priests for Life a donation, it is right now.

Please click here and make as large a contribution as you possibly can.  Send whatever you can ... $5 ... $10 ... $25.  Obviously if you can send more do that. 

But the important thing is that you give whatever you can right now.

I have so much to tell you, but no time really.

The big thing right now is LOST CONTRIBUTIONS that we were counting on to fund our last-minute efforts to rally the People of Life all across the country and convince all Americans to VOTE PRO-LIFE ON NOVEMBER 6 ... and in every election!

The storm has cut off mail delivery ... and almost all contributions to Priests for Life.  The only donations we’re getting are the few that are trickling in over the Internet.

We were counting on additional donations to fund all of our “Political Responsibility” efforts over this final week of the campaign season.

But Hurricane Sandy has hit us hard, and we don’t know what to do.

Or was it the devil?  Is this his work?  His attempt to thwart our efforts to end legalized abortion-on-demand in America?

Personally, I cannot help but believe that it is.

Well I refuse to allow him to destroy us or our work!  Literally tens of millions of innocent lives are at stake in its outcome.

So rather than wait for the mail to resume and the contributions to pick up I took a leap of faith and decided to go full speed ahead with everything we’d planned for this final week, including:

• My whistle-stop Gospel of Life tour through the state of Ohio, which concludes tonight in Cincinnati
• The pro-life mission trips of our priests and Pastoral Associates to other states
• Our special election programs that continue to air on EWTN
• The final wave of our nationwide “Voter Guides” distribution effort
• A special “Get Out the Vote” video that is being sent to hundreds of thousands of pro-life activists

Speaking of that “Get Out the Vote” video, it was scheduled to go out Monday.  Final edits were being made when we lost power.  So one of our dedicated staffers spent countless hours WORKING IN HIS CAR to finish up the video and prepare it for viewing.  What commitment!

And he’s only one hero.

In spite of the bridges to Staten Island being out, homes flooded and damaged, and lingering flood waters, most of our staff have come to the make-shift office we set up at a local hotel that has power so that they could carry on with the fight to save the lives of our unborn brothers and sisters.

In spite of tremendous personal loss, they are giving everything they have to the pro-life fight.

And that’s what I’m asking of you right now.

Please click here and make an emergency contribution to Priests for Life.

Don’t let the devil and Hurricane Sandy shut down our efforts to advance the cause of life in America.

Make whatever size contribution you can.  I don’t care if all you can give today is $10 ... give it.

Please!

We are literally fighting for the survival of the pro-life movement.

Thank you.

And again, please PRAY!!!  Pray for everyone suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  The devastation is far worse than I can describe.   So many need so much help.

But no one needs our help more than our unborn brothers and sisters.  Homes and roads can be repaired.  Businesses and subways can be rebuilt. 

But a life snuffed out in abortion can never be restored.

For their sake I ask you to please click here and be as generous to Priests for Life in this emergency as you possibly can. 

Thank you again and may God bless you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Thank God for Family!

Mom, Winky, and I stayed with my ex-sis-in-law Kathryn (still VERY much family!), her husband Paul, his son John Paul (called J.P.) and my nephew James from Sunday afternoon until today.

It was SO good of them to ask us to stay, and SO good of Kathryn to come pick us up.

And, as it turned out, this time we really NEEDED to evacuate.  The neighborhood we live in was hit, and I mean SLAMMED!!!  

I can't blog much about it yet; I am still overwhelmed by all the damage Sandy did, even though our house itself wasn't hit TOO badly.  Only the basement got flooded.  HOWEVER, I had a LOT of books  down there!  I don't know which books I've lost, and which I still have; I haven't been down there yet.

But books can be replaced, and we are all safe.

Thank God for family.

Let me modify that.

Thank God for caring family!

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've discovered some wonderful blogs here.

Semper Gaudete!: New Bible, Old Bible

Semper Gaudete!: Today's Homily - 2012-10-22 - Fr. Joseph Mary MFVA

Semper Gaudete!: New Item in Break-Off Collection

Semper Gaudete!: New York City Council launches abortion clinic ‘escort’ program | LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: Typo, or Subconscious Inspiration?

Semper Gaudete!: Senate candidates say ‘life begins at birth’: don’t expect the science police to call them out | LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: 'Catholic' university hosts pro-abortion theologian who compares Mass to gay sex | LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: Lena Dunham: Your First Time

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-10-25 - Rev Br John Paul Mary MFVA - Setting the Earth on fire

Semper Gaudete!: Terrible News from France
Semper Gaudete!: A Teacup and A Frog
Semper Gaudete!: Books Read in the Past Week

Books Read in the Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"Milepost 67" #
by Marian Potter

[children's fiction]
{carried over from last week}

"Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers"

"Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure"

"Andrea Carter and the Price of Truth"

by Susan K. Marlow

[children's fiction, Christian (Protestant), historical]

"A Circle of Quiet"
"The Summer Of the Great-Grandmother"
{carrying over into next week}

by Madeleine L'Engle
[non-fiction, taken from her journals]

A Teacup and A Frog

I expect to have a teacup and a frog within the next week.  Those are the two new magnets I've just ordered for my Decorative Magnet Collection.

Terrible News from France

I heard about this on the news.  

Free abortions?

No.

No such thing.

Every abortion costs at least one human life,

at least one person

and everything that person would have achieved.

Homily 2012-10-25 - Rev Br John Paul Mary MFVA - Setting the Earth on fire

Great homily!  

Lena Dunham: Your First Time

Warning: You might want to have a barf bag on hand when you watch this video!

'Catholic' university hosts pro-abortion theologian who compares Mass to gay sex | LifeSiteNews.com

Ever read an article and want to scream?   I've just read this article, including the quotes from Tina Beattie.  What she has written about the Mass is nothing less than blasphemy.  It is also complete and utter nonsense, in the most negative sense of that word!
I've also read the items about that [cough cough] "Catholic" university at the bottom of the article linked above. 
Ever read an article and want to scream?

Senate candidates say ‘life begins at birth’: don’t expect the science police to call them out | LifeSiteNews.com

Senate candidates say ‘life begins at birth’: don’t expect the science police to call them out | LifeSiteNews.com

"Life begins at birth?"  BALONEY!  And I'm using the word baloney as a substitute for another word, one which is not appropriate for this blog.

Typo, or Subconscious Inspiration?

I recently came across, and shared, an article in which "Planned Parenthood" was written as "Planend Parenthood."  Now, while this be a typo, there is a great deal of truth in it.

After all, that IS that organization's PLAN... END PARENTHOOD.

New York City Council launches abortion clinic ‘escort’ program | LifeSiteNews.com

New York City Council launches abortion clinic ‘escort’ program | LifeSiteNews.com

Of course "Planned Babykilling" is involved.  Of COURSE!!

New Item in Break-Off Collection

I've added something to my Break-off Collection.  It is a brass knob from, I believe, a small drawer or cabinet.  It is smaller than the one I found a couple of months ago, and has a different design. If it had been the same size, with the same design, it would not have gone into my collection. No duplicates.

Today's Homily - 2012-10-22 - Fr. Joseph Mary MFVA

Great homily, with good anecdotes, about Blessed John Paul the Great.

New Bible, Old Bible

I recently ordered, and have already received this Bible.  It took me a few weeks to decide whether or not to purchase it.  I knew that it would mean economizing for a while in other areas.

Less expensive orders at the online grocery store.  Less Chinese take-out (not a problem; a couple of lunch specials go a long way).  Cutting down on book orders.

So is this Bible worth the price?

Yes, and more.

I love Biblical art, and this Bible has absolute gorgeous, full-page stained-glass window pictures.  I did not know this when I sent for this Bible, so I was pleasantly surprised.

And now the question is, what will become of my old, paperback, over-marked Bible? Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

The Bible I just got will be my study Bible, but this is still my cozy, comfortable, familiar, primary

reading Bible.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

• 
  
• Join me and a growing group of Catholic bloggers at Sunday Snippets.  Thanks to RAnn for hosting!  I've discovered some wonderful blogs here.
• 
  

• http://semper-gaudete.blogspot.com/2012/10/priesthood-sunday-novena.html
• 
  
• Semper Gaudete!: This is SICKENING!!!

Semper Gaudete!: I Wish I Watched This Channel

Semper Gaudete!: 61 Years Ago Today

Semper Gaudete!: What Is Your One More Thing?

Semper Gaudete!: Sorry, Mr. Vice President, that is not a ‘fact’ | LifeSiteNews.com

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012 10 16 Fr Mitch Pacwa SJ Christ has set us free

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-10-17 - Fr. Joseph Mary MFVA - Feeding what is good in us

Semper Gaudete!: Family Names

Semper Gaudete!: Homily 2012-10-19 - Fr Anthony Mary MFVA - The North American Martyrs

Semper Gaudete!: The Gossip of Viznits

Semper Gaudete!: New Item in Chocolate Collection

Semper Gaudete!: Books Read In The Past Week

• 
  

Books Read In The Past Week

Books read for the first time are marked with a #

"The Chalet School and Jo" 

by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer
[children's fiction, school stories, series]

{carried over from last week}

"Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home"

"Andrea Carter and the Dangerous Decision"

"Andrea Carter and the Family Secret"

by Susan K. Marlow

[children's fiction, Christian (Protestant), historical]

"Take The Trophy and Run" #

 by Gail Sattler

[fiction]

(Bloomfield series)

"Jenny Jones and Skid" #

by Jane Quigg

[children's fiction]

"The Great Brain"
"More Adventures of The Great Brain"
[children's fiction, historical]

"The Cutters"
by Bess Streeter Aldrich
[fiction]

"Milepost 67" #
by Marian Potter

[children's fiction]
{carrying over into next week}

Priesthood Sunday Novena

Please join me in praying this novena leading up to Priesthood Sunday.

New Item in Chocolate Collection

Here is the latest addition to my Chocolate Collection, added just minutes ago!

The Gossip of Viznits

Back when there were horses, instead of cars, on the roads, there was a woman in Viznits, Austria, whom I shall simply call "The Gossip of Viznits." (For one thing, I never knew her real name!)

All I know is what happened the day she gossiped about the wrong person, my Baba's grandmother, Leah.  And it is from Baba that I heard this story when I was about eleven years old.

Anyway, The Gossip of Viznits used to go around telling stories about everybody.  Lies.  Half-truths.  Slander.  Insinuations. Inuendos.  

And yes, there were reputations ruined because of her.  

She was feared.  She was hated.

But, she was also listened to.   So many people will listen to gossip, as long as it isn't about them.

My great-great grandmother never listened to her.

Perhaps that is why The Gossip of Viznits decided to start a particularly nasty rumor about her. I do not know what that rumor was; Baba didn't tell me.

But as that woman was talking, great-great grandmother herself walked by and heard her.

She took swift, decisive action.  She scooped up a handful of dirt from the road, a road used,

as I said, by horse, and shoved that dirt right into The Gossip of Viznits' mouth!

That woman stood there, coughing, gagging, spitting.  Baba's grandmother walked away,

head held up, dusting off her hands.

Several hours later, one of her friends came to warn her, "That woman's husband is on his way over to see you.   You'd better hide." 

Hide?  Not great-great grandmother.

When the woman's husband came and asked her, "Did you stuff dirt into my wife's mouth?"

Baba's grandmother answered, "Yes. I did."

She expected a terrible argument.

The man bowed to her, and kissed her hand.

"Thank you," he said.  "Maybe now I'll have some peace."

And, as far as I know, that woman never gossiped again.  She didn't dare!

And after that, my great-great grandmother was considered a heroine in Viznits.

When Baba told me this story, I remembered an incident from my nursery school days.

I walked by the sandbox, and heard another little girl telling a lie about me.  Without realizing it at the time, I emulated my great-great-grandmother.

That girl ate sand that day!