St Gabriel Windows

St Gabriel Windows
Photocopy c. 2013 Jamie Laubacher

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

"How happy when they die must be those who have lived heroically every minute of their life! I can assure you it is so, because I have seen the joy of those who have prepared themselves for many years, with calm impatience, for this encounter." (Furrow, 893)
 
 
Wow, isn't this something to really think about?  Living "heroically every minute"....I too believe and have seen those who have done it, and are doing it now.  (I'm not sure I can be counted among them!).  But what excellent examples.  Oh, how we need these examples!  Living examples that "live it", walk the walk, not just talk it.  How much we can learn by watching the thoughtful footsteps placed by these heroic others living for Christ, preparing to meet him face to face.
 
St. Josemaria Escriva, pray for us!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Here's an interesting gift you might consider for the gentlemen in your life this Christmas.
 

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Made in the U.S.A.
 
 
Here's something to help with Christmas shopping:
 
American Made:
Products and Services
 
 
 
What about Christmas gift giving?

I've been thinking about this, how to avoid products from China, of course my philosophy has been all along for years that we should be boycotting China anyway, due their one child forced abortion policy. I am very unhappy about the Olympics taking place there - nonetheless that I heard they evicted 1.5 million of their own people from their homes, to clear out the area for the Olympic park that is being built. I do hope internationally there is some kind of outrage.

Anyway....I am avoiding "Made in China", and one Christmas gift I did come across for young people that I thought was quite nice, is a commemorative edition of Pope John Paul IIs talks to youth, World Youth Day, 2002. The edition I saw (and ordered several of), came with a mini music CD of the music from the WYD event. This book is a "prayer book", using JPII own words, a challenge for youth to put into action and prayer, covering 52 weeks. It is called: "My Dear Young Friends".....and is edited by John Vitek. (St. Mary's Press) The ISBN for the edition I'm getting is: 9780884897484. If you go to:

www.smp.org and type in the title, you can view pages of this book. It's a great "teen" or young adult book.

(Not made in China....)

More later.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

What Am I Currently Reading...?

I do get asked a lot; right now I am reading a well done juvenile book pick:

Condoleezza Rice: America's Leading Stateswoman
by Christin Ditchfield
from the Great Life Stories series (Scholastic)
A Franklin Watts Library Edition
Spirit of Christmas Award
I nominate the following five:
(if you've already rec'd it, you are excused :-)

Catholic Mom in Hawaii, Esther
http://hicatholicmom.blogspot.com


Life is Beauty, Lynn
http://sacredday.blogspot.com/


Sweetness & Light, Meredith
http://happyheartsmom.typepad.com/sweetness_and_light/


One Came Back, several contributor's, all worthy, worthy, WORTHY!
http://onecameback.blogspot.com/


Cay's Cajun Cottage, Cay
http://caygibson.typepad.com/cays_cajun_cottage/
 
 
(Please refer to my post for more information:
Now if I can just get that spirit of Santa to appear again at my post...he's disappeared on me!
 

Monday, November 19, 2007

"Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial"
 
Anyone else watch this PBS 2 hour documentary that aired on November 13th?  Our family did.  As our son is heavily into studying Biology in this his junior year of high school, we found this real life event to be very interesting, every last bit of it.
 
Here's a glimpse of what it was about at this link (editorial):

Spirit of Christmas Award



Thanks to Barbara at Praying for Grace for this special award. I will shortly nominate five others. In the meantime, my heart-felt thanks. May the "true spirit" of Christmas reign in your hearts this season.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Spirit of Christmas
"Take things calmly; let time pass"
 
You are worried. Listen: happen what may in your interior life or in the world that surrounds you, never forget that the importance of events or of people is very relative. Take things calmly; let time pass; and then, as you view persons and happenings dispassionately and from afar, you will acquire the perspective that will enable you to see each thing in its proper place and in its true size. If you do this, you will be more objective and you will spare yourself many causes of anxiety. (The Way, 702) 
 
Don't be frightened; don't fear any harm, even though the circumstances in which you work are terrible, worse even than those of Daniel in the pit with all those ferocious beasts. God's hand is as powerful as ever and, if necessary, he will work miracles. Be faithful! With a loving, responsible and cheerful faithfulness to the teaching of Christ. Be convinced that our times are no worse than those of other centuries, and that Our Lord is always the same.

I knew an elderly priest who used to say with a smile: 'As for me, I'm always calm and peaceful.' That is how we should always be, immersed in the world, with hungry lions all around, yet never losing our peace, our calm. Always loving, believing and hoping, and never forgetting that Our Lord will work all the miracles we need, if and when we need them. (Friends of God, 105)
 
Courtesy of: Opus Dei 
 

Friday, November 16, 2007


It's hard to know when to "speak out in love". It's hard to tell if you are doing so....however, I think that when one is truly sincere in their motives and moved by the spirit of God, not only will the right words come, but the right time will come as well. Oswald Sobrino gives us some insight at his blog in his article: The Wisdom to Speak Out. Follow the link in the title.

God bless!



UPDATE: I apologize for the LINK that was previously incorrect in this post. Barbara brought it to my attention and I really appreciate that! Thanks for reading!...

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Make-up, anyone?
 
For my lady friend visitors out there.  I know this sounds entirely vain, but what is your favorite make-up?  I have fair skin, sensitive skin, and my eyes are sensitive to different make-ups as well, so I have to be so careful what I use. Fragrance on my skin or around my eyes is definitely a no-no.  I have used everything from Avon (I sell Avon), to Almay, Mary Kay, and some Clinique, and I just wonder, what is everyone using out there with success and little fuss?  I don't use much make-up, but I do like to "dress-up" a little.  (I'm also not a hair person - it has to be simple!)
 
I need some color for the holidays ahead.....
 
So what about foundations and eye make-ups?
 
I'd love to hear from you; please leave a comment.
Blessings,
Denise
I'm back, sort of :-)

I have a lot on my mind, some of which concerns the presidential election.

We'll talk more later!

God bless,

Faith Should Affect Voting, Say U.S. Bishops

Prelates Approve Citizenship Document

WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 14, 2007 (Zenit.org).- U.S. bishops are encouraging people to use their faith and a well-formed conscience as guidance in political choices.

The U.S. episcopal conference approved today a statement called "Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility." The bishops are meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, for their fall general assembly through Thursday.

"In this statement, we bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote," a statement from the bishops explained. "Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God's truth. We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election."

The Church's role in helping Catholics to form their consciences is a central theme of the document.

"With this foundation," the bishops explained, "Catholics are better able to evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates' promises and action in light of the Gospel and the moral and social teaching of the Church in order to help build a better world."

The bishops affirmed their legitimate role in public life. "The obligation to teach about moral values that should shape our lives, including our public lives, is central to [our] mission," they stated. "Our nation's tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions and concerns into public life."

Opposing abortion

The document recalls that respect for the dignity of every human being is a foundation for Catholic teaching about "faithful citizenship."

The statement says people must oppose actions that are intrinsically wrong, such as abortion and euthanasia, because these actions involve directly and intentionally ending an innocent human life.

It also affirms the obligation to promote the common good by combating such threats to human life and dignity as hunger, poverty, racism, unjust immigration policies, and unjust war. "Both opposing evil and doing good are essential obligations," the document says.

The bishops warn of two temptations for Catholics in public life.

"The first is a moral equivalence that makes no ethical distinctions between different kinds of issues involving human life and dignity," the statement says. "The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life […] is always wrong and is not just one issue among many. It must always be opposed."

A second temptation, the bishops said, involves "dismissing or ignoring other serious threats to human life and dignity. Racism and other unjust discrimination, torture, the use of the death penalty, resorting to unjust war, war crimes, the failure to respond to those who are suffering from hunger or lack health care, or unjust immigration policies are all serious moral issues that challenge our consciences and require us to act."

A duty

The bishops call Catholics to a different kind of political engagement shaped by well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the protection of the weak and the vulnerable.

They add, "Participation in political life in light of fundamental moral principles is an essential duty for every Catholic and all people of good will."

The bishops also acknowledge the challenges faced by Catholic voters: "Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised sensing that no party and too few candidates fully share the Church's comprehensive commitment to the dignity of the human person.

"As Catholics we are not single issues voters. A candidate's position on a single issue is not sufficient to guarantee a voter's support. Yet a candidate's position on a single issue that involves an intrinsic evil, such as support for legal abortion or the promotion of racism, may legitimately lead a voter to disqualify a candidate from receiving support."

Getting involved

Despite challenges, the statement urges Catholics "to become more involved: running for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials."

It suggests that Catholics should be "guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group."

As they prepare for the elections, the statement says "Catholic voters should use Catholic teaching to examine candidates' positions on issues and should consider candidates' integrity, philosophy and performance."

St. Albert the Great (1206-1280)


"It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for "God is Charity."
-St. Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus)


Albert was a Dominican philosopher, theologian, and scientist. He taught at Cologne and Paris, where he had Thomas Aquinas among his pupils, and compiled an encyclopedia of the learning of his day. His study of the natural sciences was far ahead of his time.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Dear Friends,
 
I'm needing to take a break.  We had a death in the family, an aunt, and one of my brothers-in-law recently suffered several serious injuries in a car accident. 
 
I hope to return to blogging soon, but in the meantime, please visit some of the wonderful blogs I enjoy so much, which are included in my blogroll on the leftside margin.
 
God bless you all!
 
(I would add the lovely signature my friend Esther designed for me, but I don't have access to it while publishing off line - you'll just have to imagine I signed a lovely signature :-)
 
Denise
"The race of the children of God"
 
We are children of God, bearers of the only flame that can light up the paths of the earth for souls, of the only brightness which can never be darkened, dimmed or overshadowed. The Lord uses us as torches, to make that light shine out. Much depends on us; if we respond many people will remain in darkness no longer, but will walk instead along paths that lead to eternal life. (The Forge, 1)
 
Iesus Christus, Deus homo: Jesus Christ, God‑man. This is one of "the mighty works of God" [1], which we should reflect upon and thank him for. He has come to bring "peace on earth to men of good Will" [2], to all men who want to unite their wills to the holy will of God — not just the rich, not just the poor, but everyone: all the brethren. We are all brothers in Jesus, children of God, brothers of Christ. His Mother is our mother.
 
There is only one race in the world: the race of the children of God. We should all speak the same language, taught us by our Father in heaven — the language Jesus spoke with his Father. It is the language of heart and mind, which you are using now, in your prayer — the language of contemplation, used by men who are spiritual, because they realize they are children of God. This language is expressed in a thousand motions of our will, in the clear insights of our minds, in the affections of our heart, in our commitment to lead a virtuous life, in goodness, happiness and peace. (Christ is passing by, 13)
 
Courtesy of Opus Dei (www.opusdei.us)
 

Saturday, November 03, 2007

This Train is Bound for Glory

There is a wonderful little article from Oswald Sobrino at Catholic Analysis (as usual...when is something not wonderful there)? It reminds me of...this train is bound for glory. Visit it at: Jesus is Passing By.

While you're there, check out his pieces on vocations and charisms; very hopeful, very inspiring.

We are off this weekend (Sunday) to see the movie: "Bella"; I'm really looking forward to it. Make it a great weekend! God bless!