RIP Harvey Korman

One of my favorite Carol Burnett skits of all time:

Rest in Peace

Yesterday, Harvey Korman, 81, died from complications from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was best known for his comedy on The Carol Burnett Show, where he did some of his best work with comedian Tim Conway. May he rest in peace.

Xavier and Morgan updates

First, please pray for Morgan, who is back in the hospital with a fever. Her mom says, "So far, her heart is fine." Pray it stays that way. They are very weary and need Jesus' strength.

Xavier, who has been hospitalized since Christmas, is home with his family now. Praise God!


Lord, protect your children.

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The Heart of Jesus has long been a symbol of His great Love for us. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus tells us,

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and humble of heart: and you shall find rest for your souls."

At the Last Supper, also the first Mass, Saint John, the Beloved Disciple, had the privilege of leaning against Jesus' beating heart. Jesus is our sure refuge. In Him, we truly find rest for our souls.

In the early days of the Church, (A.D. 165) Justin Martyr spoke of Christians as being

"carved out of His heart as from a rock"

and even today, in the Litany of Humility, Catholics still pray, "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours" for that is the goal of this life: to conform our will and our heart to the Heart of Jesus.

Litany of Humility

From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of comfort and ease, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being passed over, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being lonely, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being hurt, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering, deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, strengthen me with your Spirit.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, teach me your ways.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
help me put my self importance aside
to learn the kind of cooperation with others
that makes possible the presence of your Abba's household.

~Amen

In Memoriam

RIP Dick Martin

Dick Martin, of TV's Laugh In, the irreverent comedy of the 1960's died Saturday in a hospital in California of respiratory complications at the age of 86.

Here is a clip of Laugh-in, including some true classics!

Moment of Rememberance

Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States. It is the day set aside to remember those who have died for our country. This, of course, is still occurring every day. Men and women die for our country (and others) daily. No matter what you may think of the politics of the conflict, these young people are sacrificing their lives for us and for others around the world.

I think most Americans do not realize (I didn't until a mother who lost her son in Iraq pointed it out) that the Congress has established a National Moment of Rememberance, to take place at 3pm, local time, on Memorial Day. Here is the explanation from the website:

The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute).The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans.

Perhaps, not coincidentally, 3pm is also the "hour of mercy" as told by Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska, because it is the hour in which our Savior died for us.

So, on this Memorial Day, pause at 3pm to say a prayer for all those who have given their lives for our country, and for those who survive to mourn them.

A Story for Corpus Christi

I was truly touched by a story that our priest told us during the homily today. Two weeks ago, our parish had its First Holy Communion. Last week, Father said, a young boy who had made his first communion the week before came forward in the communion line with his arms crossed, indicating that he was not going to receive the Eucharist that Sunday. Father said his heart was broken. He asked to see the young boy after Mass. The child said, "Father, I had a tiny sin on my soul and I didn't want to receive Jesus in communion until after I had gone to confession."

Wow. At the age of 7. In the year 2008. Wow. There is a saint in the making here, folks.

Jesus said to them, "Yes. Did you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?'" ~Matthew 21:16

The image is from Holy Cards for Your Inspiration.

The Real Presence and the Rosary--Meditating on the Mystery

The Real Presence and the First Christians

This is one of Steve Silvia's videos. He has some wonderful videos on YouTube.

Corpus Christi

In honor of Corpus Christi, the Solenmity of the Body and Blood of Christ, here is Jesus in New York, a film showing Eucharistic processions for vocations and conversions in New York, USA.



I think we need more public Eucharistic processions. As Pope John Paul II said, "Do not be afraid to go out into the streets and into public places like the first apostles."

The Wonders of Technology?

Believable. Creepy, but totally believable.

Wow. Makes me want to install those solar panels, learn to garden, and be done with it.

(Turn on the sound to watch this one.)

http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf

Praise God!!! Morgan update

Here is the news from Morgan's mom:

She had an echo today and we got the results a few hours ago (around 2:30 pm.) Her heart's function at the last echo on Wednesday was at 17%. NOT good. (It was 5% last Sunday to give you an idea.)

Well...today it's at 39%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the average person is considered to have "normal" function at 30%. Her heart is NORMAL!!!!!! No one expected that much improvement. It is truly a miracle.

I am so thrilled I can hardly believe it all. And so incredibly relieved. The plan is to get her drain tube out tomorrow since there is very little fluid reaccumulating and most likely go HOME on Monday. We will have follow ups with her cardio pretty regularly for a while. I haven't specifically asked yet, but I'm pretty sure this means that transplant is not a consideration anymore.

Praise His holy and perfect name!!!!!

Famous Deaths

Today in history, many influential people passed away into eternity.

1984 - Andy Kaufman, comedian (Latka-Taxi), dies of cancer at 35

1985 - Margaret Hamilton, actress (Wicked Witch-Wizard of Oz), dies at 82

1990 - Jim Henson, puppeteer (Sesame Street, Muppet Show), dies at 53

1990 - Sammy Davis Jr, singer/actor, dies at 64

May they rest peace.

This is shamelessly stolen from The Catholic Guy on Sirius Radio.

St. Isadore the Farmer

In honor of today's feast of St. Isadore the Farmer, I give you this talented young man playing Schumann's "The Happy Farmer." Some of you may recognize this peice as being ingeniously used in the Kansas farm scenes of The Wizard of Oz.

Morgan Update

Here is Morgan's mom's latest update:

Morgan is doing very well. They have begun to wean her off of her PICC line meds so she can take oral meds instead and hopefully get out of the PICU tomorrow. So far, her body is responding slowly but positively to the weaning process. The fluid around her heart and chest ("effusion") is gone almost completely and they will probably take her chest drain out tomorrow. Her heart rate is better, her pressure is better and her oxygen saturation is up too! She didn't even need to wear the nasal cannula with extra oxygen last night which she was THRILLED about. One of her IVs is coming out today too.

She has another echo tomorrow morning to look at the heart function. I suspect a lot of the "plan" will hinge on that echo results. We are hoping to be out of her sometime next week and on maintenance heart meds at home. We will be seeing her cardiologist at least weekly for echos on an outpatient basis. If her heart shows little or no improvement by tomorrow or this weekend we may have to start the transplant process.

So, please pray for Morgan's electrocardiogram tomorrow and for her full recovery.

St. Dymphna, Pray for us!

Today is the feast of Saint Dymphna. Her mother died when Dymphna was a teenager. Her father, Damon, wanted her to marry him. She refused and fled to Belgium. He pursued her and killed the elderly priest she was traveling with. When she still refused his advances, he killed her as well.

She is the patron saint of those with mental illness as well as mental health caregivers and mental health professionals.

There is a beautiful full page of prayers to Saint Dymphna on the 2 Hearts Network. Below are 2 of them.

Prayer to Saint Dymphna

O God, we humbly beseech You through Your servant, St. Dymphna, who sealed with her blood the love she bore You, to grant relief to those who suffer from mental afflictions and nervous disorders, especially (Name).
St. Dymphna, helper of the mentally afflicted, pray for us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end.
~Amen.

For Those Who Suffer with Alzheimer's Disease

We turn to you, dear St. Dymphna, in confident hope that you will remember our special intention in the Presence of the Lord our God. To your caring intercession, we entrust those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, their families and friends, and all others who are seriously concerned about this disabling sickness so widespread in our time.

As patron of the nervous and emotionally disturbed, you are graciously channeling God's healing power even to the seemingly hopeless cases. We believe that you will show the same compassion to persons afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. Please pray with us that the medical teams involved in research may soon discover its cause and cure.

Dear St. Dymphna, now in heaven with God where there is "...no more death, no more grief or crying or pain.." (Rev. 21:4), you are our sign and beacon of hope. Be our direct channel to Jesus, the Divine Physician, and Healer of the Sick. With you, His faithful follower, we give thanks for all those who will regain health and wholeness in body, mind, and spirit.
~Amen.

Update on Morgan

Morgan's condition is not improving. If she doesn't improve in a few weeks, they are talking about doing a heart transplant.

Please pray for Morgan and her family.

Prayer for Healing
Lord, look upon Morgan with eyes of mercy, may your healing hand rest upon her, may your lifegiving powers flow into every cell of her body and into the depths of her soul, cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength for service in your Kingdom.

~Amen.

Prayer request

Please pray for a family on a message board I frequent. Their little daughter, Morgan, just had heart surgery and is now back in the hospital with a heart infection. This is, sadly, not the only serious illness the family has experienced.

Please pray for Morgan, her mom, Stacy and their family.

Thank you.

Our Lady of the Smile, who heard Saint Therese's prayer for healing on this day in 1883, we ask you to beg God to heal Morgan and return her to health.


Our Lady of Fatima, whose hand guided the bullet meant to kill Pope John Paul II, on this day in 1981, guide the minds and hands of Morgan's doctors to aid in her full recovery.

The Hand of God

AutumnRose invited me to participate in "In Other Words". Basically her question was, how do you feel the hand of God in your life?

I see God all the time in the weather (while trying not to take it personally when it rains and rains and rains like its been doing lately). I see Him in today's beautiful humidity-free sunshine. I feel like the weather is God's way of saying hello.

I also see God in family and friends. It is so tempting, when you are prone to depression, to isolate and catastrophize. But reaching out for help is the only way to get it.

It reminds me of the story of the man whose basement was flooding. He prayed to God to help him. He went up to the main floor of his house as the water rose. He then was forced onto the second floor as the water rose again. As he looked out his window to discern the situation, a neighbor came by in a boat. He waved away his offer of help, saying, "God will provide." As the water continued to rise, he sought refuge on the roof. Another neighbor rowed by in his boat and offered to help. The man said again, "God will provide." An army helicopter flew by and threw out a rope ladder. The man refused to climb aboard saying, "God will provide."

Eventually, he perished in the flood. When he got to Heaven he said, "God! I prayed to You and I had faith! Why didn't you save me!?!" God said to him, "I sent two boats and a helicopter! What more do you want?!?"

Mary, Our Mother

I need almost no excuse to re-post this video. Remember, Christ gave us His Mother to be our mother as He hung on the cross, suffering for our sins.

Stay the course

This picture really spoke to me when I saw it. I've never seen anything quite like it.

It is the chosen image for March 2, at Holy Cards for Your Inspiration Blog, which is a new blog on my sidebar. It is a site to peruse and meditate on.

"No matter what happens, stay aboard the Lord's ship. Never jump off. Persevere to the end and God's kingdom will be yours."

Fr. John Randall

Mother's Day Meditation

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. As you let the cleansing air into your body, feel the tension drain out.

Let your imagination take you to a place. It is early morning. The fog is just lifting as you tiptoe outside. You are barefoot. Feel the dew on the grass as it tickles your feet.

Feel the early morning sunlight on your face. It is the perfect temperature as it surrounds you. Feel the world awaken. Hear the birds prepare to feed their babies.

You wander down a small incline to a grove of beautiful trees in bloom. Take a deep breath as you inhale their fragrant sweetness. You notice a particularly beautiful tree whose branches are spread out to cover you.

Slowly, you begin to notice that the blossoms on the tree are part of a large piece of fabric. Voluminous and all-encompassing, it covers you protectively. Feel its weight as it lightly covers you.

It is the veil of Our Lady. She is your Heavenly Mother, come to take you in her arms and surround you with unconditional love. She is attentive, concerned and as close as a prayer.

You are at peace. You are secure, in this moment.

Image by Kathleen Giles.

Catholic Series on 12 Steps

I wanted to highlight yet another new (to me) blog and a wonderful series currently going on there. Adrienne of Adrienne's Catholic Corner has a great series on the 12 Steps of Alcoholic's Anonymous from a Catholic perspective. The 12 steps are so relevant in today's culture, especially with so much of our society based on our addictions: to possessions, to food, money, sex, power, computers...you name it; just about everything in Western society can be addictive to someone. It is only through surrender to Our Lord that we can become sane and functional.

Check out Adrienne's series on the 12 steps.

Hat tip to Father John Speekman.

New Blogs

Hey, everyone! I've put some new blogs on the blog list.

The first is A Traditional Catholic by Marilena. In this new blog, she will focus on the traditional Latin Mass, which is making a come back thanks to the Moto Proprio of Pope Benedict.

Another beautiful blog is Seeking Jesus by Shirley in Canada. Her sidebar is full of gorgeous and inspiring holy cards and her content is equally uplifting.

The White Stone Name Seeker is a Catholic wife, home educator and mom of 6 kids out of the U.K.

And, down under my Catholic Music and Media heading is a new fan blog focusing on Lino Rulli's show on Sirius radio called The Catholic Guy( both the show and the blog.)

Check them out!

May Crowning

May is the month traditionally set aside to remember Mary, the Mother of God. A practice that is coming back (thankfully) is the May Crowning, when traditional Marian hymns are sung and a crown of spring flowers is placed on a statue of Mary.

O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May,
O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.

Hat tip to Fr. Loren Gonzales of Overheard in the Sacristy.

Culture of Death in America

What has our country come to when one of the leading presidential candidates in the United States a) votes against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act and b)declares that he wouldn't want his daughter(s) "punished with a baby" if they "made a mistake". Wow. Babies are not "punishment" for a "mistake". They are logical consequences for a choice made (in most cases) and they are wanted by many, many couples whose hearts are aching for children, but they are not a "punishment" to be KILLED AFTER BIRTH by the very doctors we go to desperate to save our lives.

Where are we as a civilization if we are accepting, almost without question, the very values that Hitler's Germany stood for? By sugar coating our culture of death in sweet sounding euphemisms, we are copying one of the things that Nazi Germany did best--propaganda--"spin"--to make its goal of mass murder acceptable to society.

Anyone who can vote with a straight face against a law that declares a child a person with rights, AFTER IT IS BORN, and sees innocent children as "punishments" for "mistakes" does not deserve to be President of the United States.

Watch out, America. The leaders we have are the leaders we vote for.

Ascension Thursday

Today is Ascension Thursday when we commemorate the day Christ ascended into Heaven. Jesus asked the apostles to to stay in Jerusalem and pray until the Holy Spirit came upon them. As we see in Scripture, they all prayed together between the time of the Ascension and the time of Pentecost. In today's liturgical calendar, this is 9 days. Thus, we have the first Novena.

While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father 3 about which you have heard me speak;for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.

When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, 2 and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, 3 which parted and came to rest on each one of them.

And they were all filled with the holy Spirit

~Acts 1: 4-5, 8-9, 13-14, 2: 2-4

The 9 days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost is traditionally set aside for a novena to the Holy Spirit, asking for His gifts to be poured out on us. As the Church uses these days, we can join with our brothers and sisters and pray together, like the first Apostles in the upper room, for the Holy Spirit to come upon us and give us the courage to do what God will have us do in this life.

The novena is here on EWTN's website.