Merry Christmas, Phoenix. You Now Have Catholic Radio

Merry Christmas, Phoenix. You Now Have Catholic Radio

Happy Birthday Little Nicholas

This is such a beautiful story of a little boy born a year ago without a brain. It wasn't so long ago that babies like this were just thrown away and left to die a slow death. But thank God this little guy has been a blessing to many for the last year and for however long the Lord allows him to bless this world before he takes him home to bless heaven. Happy Birthday Little Nicholas!

Fa la la la la la la la la

T'is The Season To Be Sneezin'

Tissues to go.

Your Child May Find Himself Sent To Therapy For His Faith

OK, this is a real winner. A little boy is asked to draw a picture of something that reminds them of the holiday season. Now I'm open minded here. I would think it would be very normal for kids to draw a wide variety of things. Jewish kids might draw a dandle or a menorah. Most of the kids would draw something about the gifts they want to get from their parents. I'd expect some pictures of reindeer, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, etc. But when a little boy whose family had just gone on pilgrimage to a Catholic shrine draws a crucifix, he ends up being sent to therapy! In fact, his whole family was put under scrutiny because the assumption was made that no sane child would draw a crucifix!? Now the poor kid has to move to another school and try to get a fresh start after being made the focus of an investigation and a completely unnecessary intervention.

If only the adults of this country realized that all the sweetness of Christmas is because God came in the flesh, in the form of a little baby, to sanctify human life and ultimately to redeem the human race by his sacrifice of himself on the cross. If the theme of these holidays is love, then this little guy had the right idea. While you're admiring the little baby in the manger, remember the God-man who gave himself to save the souls of men and women.

Pray for Peace in Afganistan

I can't imagine what it must be like to be them. But the Marines have always had a special place in my heart and I am hoping you all will join me in praying for victory in Afghanistan and safety for our boys.

Carmel Awaits!

When I realized that my kids were approaching the age of emancipation, I figured that I would soon be able to live the kind of quiet, contemplative life I have longed for ever since I became Catholic. See, inside, I’m a cloistered nun, and outside I’m a very busy Nana, Mom and full time employee. I’ve been struggling with the conflict for the last few years as it has become obvious that my own emancipation is not coming any time soon. My oldest daughter is back home with her two boys (that’s my major source of business) and my youngest daughter is home temporarily, working and planning on getting some credits out of the way before heading back to finish her degree out of state. That’s three women, two toddlers, an undisclosed number of cats, and a partridge in a pear tree! Oh, and two cars, which only adds to the chaos since all three women have jobs and other obligations that keep us moving most of the time.

So when, O Lord, do I get to soak in the silence of my home and Adore Your Holy Face? I’ve asked that question over and over. Then one day last week, I was reading the readings for the day and the Holy Spirit answered my question! “When He calls you home, it will be your time to enter your Carmel.” Now that wasn’t a new thought to me. We all tell ourselves that someday, when we go to heaven, all our troubles will end. But this time it struck me that I actually have a date, written down in the foreknowledge of God, when I will finally take my veil and enter into His Presence forever. I was downright giddy at the thought.

So in the meantime, I have learned to make diaper changing, toy restacking, dish washing, toy restacking, laundry, rush hour, deadlines, grocery shopping, toy restacking, etc. a prayer. I’ve learned that pouring my life out for those God has placed in my life is a good way to spend my novitiate. That doesn’t mean I don’t try to steal some time to practice praise and prayer, but I am far more content with waiting for solitude knowing that He has chosen the day and that Carmel awaits!

I Think I Have A New Computer Virus

Steals your passwords and your lunch!

Peace

"“Peace based on surrender to our passions is what the world gives, but the peace Jesus gives is founded on victory over our passions. The peace offered by the world is a source of unhappiness; the peace Jesus offers is a source of true joy. The Master said, ‘He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” He meant that he who seeks himself instead of God finds unhappiness and death.”

Lawrence G. Lovasik
The Hidden Power of Kindness, Sofia Institute Press"

Perfection

Fight Organized Crime - Vote Conservative Next Time Around

God Doesn't Want You To Live The Christian Life

"“The reality is that none of us can live this Christian life, not one. But the hope is that there is one who did, and his name is Jesus. God’s plan throughout salvation history was to put the life of the one who did live the Christian life, and is still living it, into the lives of those who can’t—us. God doesn’t want you to live the Christian life; if that’s what you think the invitation is, you’ve got it all wrong. He wants Jesus to live the Christian life in you! And through Jesus you are to become the very righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).”

Jim Beckman
God, Help Me, Servant Books"

You Tell 'im Harold!

This following letter was written by an American Hero who is 95 years young and has earned the right to speak his mind and speak for his country. I think his message is worth sharing. I checked snopes.com and he and his letter are genuine.


Dear President Obama,
My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II, retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct, even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can't figure out what country you are the president of.
You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
" We're no longer a Christian nation"
" America is arrogant" - (Your wife even
announced to the world, " America is mean-
spirited." Please tell her to try preaching
that nonsense to 23 generations of our
war dead buried all over the globe who
died for no other reason than to free a
whole lot of strangers from tyranny and
hopelessness.)
I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said, "America hasn't lived up to her ideals."

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know- the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue . You were elected to lead, not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.
You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.
And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.

Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes

Evangelizing the Muslim World

I just found this on Patrick Madrid's site and it gives me great hope. Please check this out and please keep Fr. Z in your prayers. I had no idea this was happening and I can't think of anyone on earth who needs our prayers more than he does.

Muslims Won't Feel Safe Anymore

I've been watching this development in Europe with great interest. The Swiss have passed a ban on the building of Islamic Minarets in their country. Check out this article on Fox. I thought the most amazing statement was when an Islamic leader said that with this ban in place, Muslims won't feel safe anymore. Hmmm, welcome to our world. I don't know an American who has felt safe since 9/11. But there's a big difference between a ban on a building and blowing strategic buildings and their innocent occupants sky high.

Bo and Joe, starring in Brokebank Mountain

Thanks again, Mim!

I've Always Loved Incense, but . . .

this is beyond anything I ever imagined. I wonder if Heaven has one of these!

Search And Rescue

“You know, the loss when a soul leaves the Church is incalculable; but great is the rejoicing in Heaven when a sinner repents. You and I need to bring back fallen-away Catholics and to help our Father bring new sheep into His fold. When we do so, we obey His command to make disciples and we show our gratitude to Him for the immeasurable gift of His Church.”

Patrick Madrid
Search and Rescue, Sophia Institute Press

Nuns Robbed

Check this out. Apparently this dude has no idea Who this Nun's Spouse is, or more likely, he just doesn't care. In fact, he probably took some evil pleasure in robbing someone whose very presence in the world represents the Kingdom of God. Either way, as the officer says, if he will rob Nuns in full habit, he will attack any one.

What's funny is that of all people, he goes after two women who have taken a vow of poverty. Just what exactly does he think he's going to find in her purse. After all, she just bought what she needed, I'm figuring he was sadly disappointed with what was left over.

Let's pray for this Nun as she recovers from being targeted and let's pray for this guy that he will have an encounter with the One who really owns the contents of that purse. (I just can't help but smile when I write that!)

Praise For Charged Navy Seals

This one just gets my goat in the worst way. We've got a bunch of Navy Seals who risk their lives to capture a notorious terrorist and deliver him alive and well other than a bloody lip and they're up on charges??? Are you kidding me? A terrorist who would kill you or me without batting an eye and we deliver him to the hands of justice with nothing but a bloody lip and the heroes who did this are off to jail? We must the be most impotent country on the planet. We are literally "tolerating" ourselves to death. These guys should be coming home to ticker tape and marching bands and their getting this. Lord, have mercy on this country.