HUMILITY: pain and anguish - joy and happiness

Cause Way Thursday
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Who do teens look up to and listen to?

words vs deeds?

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- Singer Duffy (born Aimee Duffy), Spin, August 2008, pg. 62

"Sometimes I do feel like I want to disappear. People judge you for all the wrong reasons. If you get any element of success or recognition, people want to hate you for it. I never made music to be hated. I don't do this for any reason other than the fact that I love music."

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- Jonas Brothers’ Nick Jonas speaking about the purity rings the brothers wear, Rolling Stone, August 7, 2008, p. 100.

“To us, the rings are a constant reminder to live a life of values. It’s about being a gentleman, treating people with respect and being the best guys we can be.”

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- Dancing With the Stars champion Julianne Hough (19 year-old Mormon) answering if she is a virgin, CosmoGirl, April 2008, p. 106.

“Yes. I want to be with that special person. I think the decision to have sex before marriage is an individual one, but if you’re just with one person, it’s only for one good reason, and (waiting to have sex) will strengthen the relationship. I’m not trying to preach consequences here, but I think when you say no, down the line it will be a better decision.

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the following is excerpted from a post on Abbey-Roads2

Some thoughts on humility
posted by Terry Nelson July 31, 2008

“The first kind of humility is this: This is the kind that is necessary for my eternal salvation, and consists in subjecting and humbling myself so that I can obey the law of God…”

Ignatius briefly explains this as being a determination to avoid mortal sin - to keep the commandments of God, and by extension, the Church. [more]

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“The second kind of humility: The second is more perfect than the first. I have it if I find myself at a point where I do not desire, nor even prefer, to be rich rather than poor, to seek fame rather than disgrace…provided it is the same for the service of God and the good of my soul…”

Ignatius continues his instruction with the attitude the soul must have of avoiding even deliberate venial sin, no matter the cost, even one’s life. [more]
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“The third kind of humility: This is the more perfect humility. It is present when - given the first and second kinds are included, and supposing equal praise and glory of the divine majesty - in order to imitate Christ our Lord and to be actually more like him, I want to choose poverty with Christ poor rather than wealth, ignominy with Christ rather than fame, and I desire more to be thought a fool and an idiot for Christ, who first was considered such, rather than to be thought wise and prudent in this world.”

I have no comment on this last degree of humility. [to read entire post 'click here']
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nous arrivons

My Way Sunday
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[you can 'click-on' pictures to see enlarged version]
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No, we're not in France - we're home! We left Akron OH shortly after 2pm EDT and arrived back in East-central IN about 5 hours later.

Fr. John Valencheck, of Adams' Ale, conspired with some of his local Cleveland OH blog-o-sphere friends to have a get together. The event was highlighted by a group outing to see the Vatican Splendor exhibit now starring at a local museum. It had been in St. Petersburg FL before coming to Cleveland since May, and next goes to St. Paul MN.Several blog-o-sphere friends from out of town made the trip to Cleveland and Akron to be part of the festivities. Aunt Rozann accompanied me, and Adoro Te from the Twin-cities area of MN made the trip, as did Fr. Kyle Schnippel of Called By Name from Cincinnati. Others included LM, and MJ, and Sparky, and various combinations of initials and monikers - all now uncovered and gone public in a small kind of way.

And a great time was had by all.

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our future ... our children

Cause Way Thursday
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I know several families who are blessed with 'special' children - children diagnosed with autism. Their's are special families which love and protect ... and cry and worry. Please help them.

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the veiled face of autism
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[ 3:52 ]

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[CLICK ON the above > and watch one famliy's effort for the daughter.

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how do I love thee ...let me count the ways

chastity - the giant killer

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the following is an excerpt from a post by Fr. John Valencheck of Adam's Ale

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Now, if a person sees faith as something as intimately tied to who he is like being male, he is far less likely to be a cafeteria Catholic. Even if he have other predilections, opting out of being a man is not in the cards save through complicated and expensive illusion. The same should be said of the man or woman of faith. He would say, “I am Christian and that is the lens through which I see life and therefore effects even my politics and what I do behind closed doors. It is like being a gentleman. If I am pleasant in public but rude in private, I am not a gentleman but a rude person who has moments of acting like a gentleman. So if I love this woman, it is more important for me to say no to carnal relations even if I really want to have them because it will be more important for me to see the one I supposedly love get into heaven than it would be for me to demand this action of her for my benefit. We love each other more in saying, “No,” (even though it may not feel like it) than in giving in to what I want. [ click here to read entire entry for July 22, 2008]

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a second chance

Your Way Tuesday
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from a homily by Fr. Dennis Schenkel of Vita Mea

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Weeds & wheat

Homily for 20 July, 16th Sunday, Cycle A

By Fr. Dennis | July 21, 2008

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[an excerpt - click on links to read entire entry]

In the gospel, Jesus proposes to us an answer to the problem. The master in the story has the power to send his workers out to rip up the weeds. He could do it without hesitation, and since the entire harvest belongs to him, he would have the right to do it.

God is truly powerful. But God is so powerful that he can afford to be merciful. You may know from your own experience that the truly powerful rarely have to exercise their power. It is only the weak that must constantly prove themselves. But God has nothing to prove, and he best displays his power when he reveals his mercy.

It’s just as the author of the book of Wisdom tells us in the first reading. Addressing God, he says:

“But though you are the master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must also be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.” (Wis 12:18-19)

God does not send his workers into the field to rip up the weeds because some of the wheat might be damaged by it. He forbears. He withholds his judgment. He reveals his power through the exercise of his mercy.

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sloppin' the pigs

Cause Way Thursday
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it ain't likely they have real answers

fred and fannie down on the farm

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I think it is time for some tea-tax rebellion - don't you?

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there, but for the grace of God, go I

Your Way Tuesday
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a little late, i know ... but better than never

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Seeds of Sainthood:

Homily for 13 July, 15th Sunday, Cycle A
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By Fr. Dennis of Vita Mea

When I was a little boy, 5 or 6 years old, my family lived across the street from a little girl who was about my age. And while I liked to climb the big magnolia tree in the front yard or play games that involved throwing something or running somewhere, Robin, the little girl across the street, wanted to play a game called “house.” As in she would tell me, “Let’s play house. You be the daddy and I’ll be the mommy.” Which basically involved her pretending to prepare some kind of meal in an Easy-Bake Oven and me pretending to eat and drink from a little tea set of some kind and disciplining some misbehaving teddy bears or something.

I did not care for that game, but it always came with the promise that we’d play football or hide-and-seek afterwards. I only fell for it a few times.

Read the rest of this entry »

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let it all hang out

any way saturday

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i'm a 'no show today

DIY does me in
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I got up at 6:30 am, and by 7:30 am had another wall of the closet ripped out. Then I stopped for breakfast. In between finishing tearing out the carpet and padding, I got 90% of the crown-molding and floor board molding ripped out. I've repaired some damaged sections of the floor. I've been to the big-box do-it-yourself center and purchased 16 sheets of 4' x 8' drywall to install. I've installed the ceiling strips for the new ceiling treatment - AND I've gone out for ice-cream this eve with my wife, daughter, and her two little ones [5 yrs and2 yrs old]. In other words ... no POST today.

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the family that prays together

Cause Way Thursday
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Seriously - there are times I look around the church and see mostly old women, and mothers with small children. Noticeably absent are the men.

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I could have told you that

churchgoing married couples happier
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Charlottesville, VA
Jul 5, 2008
(CNA)

A new analysis of three major national surveys claims that married couples who attend church together tend to be happier than couples who rarely or never attend services and are also less likely to divorce.

[ click here to read entire article]
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your child’s heart in pieces

sexual brokenness in teens

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By: Tim Geiger

Going to pieces

Dan and Michelle sat in front of their 16-year-old son Jared, who refused to make eye contact. Much was said, but now the silence was oppressive. The need to say more, to clarify positions and convince the other side of the legitimacy of their arguments, weighed on them all. No one could figure out what to say next. They all yearned to be heard and understood, but silence offered safety in the midst of this battle of ideals and wills. They sought safety among family members who had not been enemies eight hours earlier.

That morning Michelle had found some e-mails left on the printer. When she picked them up she realized they were Jared’s, but she was not sure from whom. Suddenly a phrase jumped off the page at her, then another and a third. She was shocked at what she read. All were sexually explicit. All were describing homosexual behavior—homosexual behavior between her son and this other person, whom she did not know. And now, Michelle was convinced she didn’t even know her own son.

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So what do you do, when the life you hope for yourselves and your children falls to pieces? Do you try to glue the pieces back in the same pattern they were in previously—to get back to “normal?” Do you put the pieces in a new arrangement that affirms your teen’s decisions? Do you throw out the pieces and give up on your dreams for your family? Is it some synthesis of all these? Is it none of the above?

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[click here to read rest of article]
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Editor’s note: While you may have never experienced the difficulties described in this article with your own or someone else’s teenager, we still think it’s vitally important for you to read and digest this valuable information. To youth workers and pastors—please make multiple copies of this article and stick them in an easily accessed place. When the time comes to minister to shocked and hurting parents, please pass a copy on to them. To parents—please read this article to gain a biblical perspective on choices, teenage sexuality and a biblical understanding/response.

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What do you think of this article?

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[click here for more teaching images like this]

Current Culture Image

This K-Y® ad appeared in the May 23 and 30, 2008 issues of Entertainment Weekly (pp. 77 and 91, respectively). The ad shows a blue “yours: for him personal lubricant” tube and a purple “mine: for her personal lubricant” tube, with a tag line that reads, “The best thing to happen to sex since love.” The small print at the bottom points to a website: keeplifesexy.com .

If you're up to it, talk to your teens about this ad. It could be used to discuss prevailing values, attitudes, and behaviors regarding sexuality (love, sex, intimacy), and the loosening mores regarding the marketing of sexual aids in mainstream magazines.

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view from the loft

Your Way Tuesday
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may you find the best clouds to ski down

"...I received my Father’s blessing."
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WILLIAM VALENCHECK
9 OCTOBER 1920 - 29 JUNE 2008
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The earthly father of Roman Catholic priest, Father John Valencheck, died this past June 29, 2008. The following is from the homily Father John delivered at his father's funeral.a caricature of Fr. John outside his recent former parish

St. Clare in Cleveland, OH
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I will tell you the truth, I was worried about my Dad. Not only was he not much of a Church man, he was not much of a God man either...though he tolerated my foray into both realms. He once told me that he was glad that I was going to be a priest. “Religion is for weak people,” he said, “and at least you will be a leader.”

['click' here to read the entire homily]
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Robert N. Going's b-log announcement

ISBN: 1438242530
EAN13: 9781438242538

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Robert N. Going is pleased to announce the publication of The Judge Report, Musings of a Conservative Republican Pro-life Catholic Red Sox Fanatic Currently Hiding Out in Amsterdam, NY USA.

The Judge Report is an eclectic mixture of essays on politics, religion, sports, the judiciary and just about any topic capable of inciting an argument, drawn from the pages of the author's popular blog, The Judge Report.

Laced with humor, wit, satire both biting and gentle, the occasional song parody and a good dose of old-fashioned sentimentality, The Judge Report seeks to show the world through the eyes of a lawyer and former judge in small town upstate New York, with all the foibles and fantasies that entails. Along the way you'll meet some interesting local characters and learn about the lives of some wonderful people who never made the papers much.

[Click here to read the rest of the announcement]
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second time around = second chances

My Way Sunday
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youth is wasted on the young -
they don't know what to do with it

the bells were ringing
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Saturday was quite a busy day. First it got started later than usual. I slept in until 7:30am and had an appointment with a computer technician at 9am. The computer guy was to help put together one or two 'good' complete units [a cpu with monitor and mouse] out of 4 units of varying age and speed and capacities and functionality.

We met at my office at 9am and he got started. When I left him at 12:30pm, he had one complete set up and running. He was well started on getting second one going - he had already swapped some memory cards and had 'trashed' one monitor. The cpu from which he was stealing pieces and parts would probably be scrapped once he was finished. There was a fourth unit that, while still functioning, was so old and slow that it wasn't deemed suitable to our needs and would end up in a reclamation station.

I'll check on that all today sometime and see where he ended up.

I left him because I needed to get home to shower and shave and dress appropriately for a 2pm wedding. I made it.

Marriage is such a wonderful event - this one in particular. The bride is a friend and neighbor of ours. When we're on vacation, she gets our mail. When one of her kids needs to use the internet for homework because their machine is down, they come to our house. When she has a fire in the kitchen, one of the kids runs down and gets me to help put it out. If she needs to be gone a day or two, the kids stay with us. It has been a good neighborly relationship. The missus and I admire her so much.

She has been a single mom for some time and she has done an absolutely marvelous job. Her oldest son is getting ready to graduate from an Ivy League College. Her daughter just graduated from High School - with honors. Her youngest son just graduated from 8th grade and starts high school in the Fall. She is a practicing RN and is loved by everyone at the hospital at which she works.

Her new husband is a former successful business man who is now teaching in an inner-city 'at risk' middle school in a large city in Florida. He grew up here in our fair city, and we've known his parents and one of his brothers, and one of his sisters, for years - there are 8 children in all, and we've met them all from time to time. He, likewise, has adult children from a previous non-marriage.

The wedding Mass was wonderful. They planned it so well - and they knew exactly what they wanted it to be. It was God centered and so richly reflective of their deep abiding faith. Their faith has been nurtured and has grown through the years of their life experience. They were like two young people getting married - all excited and happy - and their life experience allowed them to bring all that to the Lord's table. "and the two shall become one."

The reception party that they planned and put together with a lot of help from their close friends was truly a celebration of new love.

Wow! What a day Saturday was.

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my Redeemer lives

Any Way Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I know - this has been around before

hey, dad, let's go for a ride, OK?
140.6 miles
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[ 4:36]

'CLICK ON' the above > and experience true love

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For those who don't know, the 'Ironman' is the toughest triathlon.

The race encompasses three endurance events:
- a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by
- a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride followed by
- a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon.

This father and son completed the race together.
Our heavenly Father carries us the same way
... everyday.

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investment advise

finding the next starbucks

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you can lead a horse to the frappuccino,
but you can't make him succeed

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Freedom + Responsibility = Independence

Our Way Friday
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"Going Out of Business Sale?"
No, I don't think so!

We salute our heroes !

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[ 1:33]

'Click on' the above > and give thanks!

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ne'er the twain shall meet

Cause Way Thursday
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Pass this info on to ALL parents of teens you know

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current look at youth culture

Hottest Virtual Teen Hangout
... A Little Too "Hot"
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Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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A Virtual Pick Up Joint Where Authenticity is Scarce
David R. Smith

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MySpace? That's soooooooo 2 years ago. Teens have a better place to go hang out online, but this time as an animated hottie.

And what's on the menu for today? Hmmmmm. Should I pick up on some girls, get a virtual lap dance, or meet a stranger and give them a cyber French kiss... all in 3-D! (yes, you can actually select "French" from the menu of "flirt" actions)

It's called IMVU.com, and millions of teens are navigating through "rooms" making friends... and making out. It's little wonder that the site has registered 20 million users, most of which are American teenagers.

The Newest Online Hangout
Although it sounds a lot like it, IMVU is not just another virtual world. The company actually bills their site as the "world's greatest 3-D Instant Message server." If that sounds a little arrogant to you, just know they have very good reasons for making that claim.

IMVU encourages their users to "be the person you want to be" ... a tempting offer for teenagers who "represent" themselves online.

Users express themselves by creating a personal, three dimensional character, known as an avatar, that can chat and interact with any other user from around the world. The options for customization are almost endless. Users can purchase a wide variety of virtual products including clothes, accessories, whole rooms, and even pets, using very real credit cards.

I investigated the site myself. Signing up was easy and I was able to create my very own "avatar," a virtual representation of myself. Okay, okay... it doesn't look anything like me at all! But I can see why teenagers like this site so much; there's no option for "overweight," "acne," or "straight-up goofy looking!" (You should see me...I'm a stud!)

The avatars are almost always depicted as very attractive teenagers, (regardless of the user's real age), and the graphics used by the designers give the avatars a very realistic appearance. Their body language can show emotions that range from interest, to confusion, to happiness, to boredom, and can even give that "come hither" look.

That look comes in handy for the female versions of the avatars who are dressed in incredibly sexy outfits. It's a rarity to find a room without at least one "girl" walking around wearing a skimpy two piece of some sort. Designers have also given the avatars the ability to perform physical acts with one another, including flirting, dancing, kissing, and massaging. (On my very first visit, a female avatar approached mine, said hello, and then mounted me on the couch and kissed me.")

Didn't You Say Something About Lap Dances?
As if the site was not raunchy enough, for a fee, IMVU offers an Access Pass for even racier content. Users can gain access to "restricted" material for those who pay a nominal fee and can prove they're 18 or older....

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE
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Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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additional evidence of wrong ideology

Teens, church hold different views of oral sex
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By Annie Greenberg |South Florida Sun-Sentinel
June 30, 2008
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More than 10 years after President Clinton made the argument that oral sex isn't really sex, a generation of adolescents seems to agree.

Defining chastity was a prominent issue of two religious youth conferences earlier this month, one for Catholics in Boca Raton and another for Mormons in Miramar. Although church and school leaders say they have become more explicit in their teachings, 70 percent of 14- to 19-year-olds still don't consider oral sex to be sex, according to a 2007 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Flavio DaCosta, 14, of Boca Raton, is among them: "I know you can still pass on STDs, but there's less of a chance, and no chance of getting pregnant."

To 15-year-old Jenni, a Coral Springs resident who didn't want her surname published, there is no controversy. "It's not intercourse, so I don't consider that losing your virginity," she said.

[ Click here to read the entire article ]

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185 year-old curse is broken

mistreated Jesuit pioneer priest curses parish

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from blog site Vita Mea post on 6/18/08
of recently ordained (June 7) Catholic priest

Father Dennis Schenkel

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Last Sunday (June 15), you’ll recall, I had noon mass at the parish where I was baptized, All Saints Church in St. Peter’s, Missouri. As mass began, the pastor came out to briefly introduce me before I continued on with mass. His introduction was something like:

Today, I want to introduce to you Fr. Dennis Schenkel, a priest of the Diocese of Memphis who was ordained only a week ago. Fr. Dennis is here today because this is the parish where he was baptized.

Now, many of you may know the legend that has been in this parish for many many years, that back in the earliest days of this parish, one of the pioneer Jesuit fathers who worked here was mistreated by the parishioners, and in response he placed a curse on this parish that we would never have a vocation to the priesthood.

Today, Fr. Dennis has broken the curse because he’s the first priest from this parish in the 185 year history of All Saints! Thank you, Fr. Dennis!

It was like playing for the 2004 Red Sox.

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Way to go Fr. Dennis
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things you thought you'd never see

Your Way Tuesday

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Jericho: and the walls came tumbling down

east meets west

I pray we all may be re-united some day. I am ashamed to drive by a dozen 'Christian' churches [ and one Jewish Temple ] on the way to work ... and they're all different denominations - divisions in the Body of Christ.

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amazing catch ... or is it?

ever feel like 'climbing the wall'?
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Go to this site and read the whole story then view the scene.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/advertisements/ballgirl.asp
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[ :39 ]

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