Know where I have been the last few days... attending a Mission in our parish. It began on the evening of the 9th and ended on the evening of the 12th. It was fantastic. What do I mean using that adjective? Using good to describe those four nights wouldn't be enough. If it disappears tomorrow, for those nights I was a Catholic again, not just in my heart as it has been for all these long years but a Catholic in action. Celebrating the Mass, receiving the Eucharist. Everyone in attendance went to confession. There wasn't the abuse of a general confession where everyone is absolved at the same time. Three priests heard individual confessions.

We are living in some difficult times, so you Catholics out there, get your act together.

Stations of the Cross

The cult of Moloch lives on today

(Fr. Richard Perozich, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Escondido, published the following commentary in the Sunday, Feb. 1, parish bulletin.)

"Jesus came to save us from abortion, homosexual lust, socialism, liberalism, and greed of money. He begins by gathering us into His Holy Catholic Church in baptism, giving us faith in HIM rather than the perversions and evil legacies of the world and worldly people. He fills us with His Holy Spirit in confirmation to give us the gifts of HIS wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, courage, piety, and fear of the Lord, so that we are formed to conquer the world. He nourishes us with His Body and Blood to fortify our Spirit to hear the counsel of the Holy Spirit to reject not only for ourselves the evil legacies, but to fight for others who are under evil's influence."

Read full text here

Before I begin this post, I would like to say to my once earthly father, "Happy Birthday Daddy, Pray for Us." I have said many times in my life that I am a stickler for the truth and once I have found that truth, I will hold on, no matter how rough things may get for me. Oh, I don't arrive at these truths on my own, I use the gifts that have been given to not only me but to others.

49 John 16

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he you. shall show.

With my daughter's permission, I have posted her response to Mississippi being first among the religious.

" I'd like to preface this post with this acknowledgment: I am aware that what I am about to say is unimportant, illogical, and pointless in the grand scheme of things....

That said... I am from Mississippi. Yes - from that state that is last in everything from education to pet license registration.. (including Latin masses). First only in such things as teen pregnancies and obesity -- oh and honored with the unique privilege of being the only state east of the Mississippi river to have been used for a nuclear test site. (Thanks!)

I was thrilled (but not surprised!!) to see my state first in this particular poll.

Speaking to the protestant/Catholic divide... Yes - Mississippi is predominantly protestant. However, here on the mostly Catholic (sadly, more culturally now than spiritually) Gulf Coast we have been all but completely abandoned. Our diocese is currently without a bishop. Our parishes and schools have been closed, merged, and protestantized.

With a lot of prayer and support - we could see little dismissed-as-protestant states such as ours bring about a profound renewal of the Catholic faith... My Catholic ancestors founded every city on the Mississippi Gulf coastline beginning just over 300 years ago. We could make 'em proud guys.

Pray for us -- please. Don't just dismiss us because we're not impressive enough percentage-wise."

Also there is another great writing at her site. I personally dedicate these writings to George, Peter, Yvonne, Emily, William, shown in the picture, but also to Chase, Jordan, Matthew, Blake, Nicholas, Grace, Samuel, Daniel ... my grandchildren. Eius Gratia (by His grace)

Well it certainly looks like worship of our Creator is trying to be snuffed out. The following report has singled out the most religious states. Does this mean that we will be lined up against the "wall" for giving due worship to God? Since I am from Mississippi, I am very proud of our State for standing strong.

STATE OF THE sTATES: IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION

This is a great article entitled "Bishop Herman Continues To Speak The Truth

You might want to read this article before you read what I have to say on the subject.

Gerald Warner Blog

When all the chaos started after Vatican II, although I knew as so many others did that something was wrong we were waiting on official word from the Magesterium. Well you know folks when there are enemies in the Church hellbent on nothing but destruction, we didn't get the word. Although Pope (Paul VI) at the time and then John Paul II tried they had to trust those who served under them and the true teachings of Vatican II were never told to us. I have since read many of the documents and they are Catholic just as they have always been for centuries. Unfortunately, we didn't have the Internet as we do today because I believe much of this would not have happened. I applaud Pope Benedict XVI for going on YouTube.

I felt like the Israelites must have felt wandering in the desert for forty years. Did I go to Church all through the chaotic years? No I did not attend regularly. I was much younger and I was angry about all that was happening. I saw, heard and had a few heated discussions with certain priests and literally asked, "What's going on? Why has the Blessed Mother's statues been removed from the Church? Why is the tabernacle not in a place of honor anymore? To find a parish church that was in accord with the Magesterium became an impossibility as the years passed.

A priest told me that Jesus did not know he was God. I think I screamed, "What?" He said that Jesus was uneducated and that's why he spoke in parables. And since he saw His mother bake bread etc. and farmers sowing seed , He used them in the parables.

Matthew Chapter 13 verse 24

34 All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them. 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.

Mark Chapter 4 verse 11

34 And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he explained all things to his disciples.

I have many other experiences to talk about and I will, a little at a time. Until then, hang in there!

Isn't the above painting beautiful? It's a depiction of the Blessed Mother as she presents the rosary to St. Dominic of the Dominican Order. Dominic was born in 1170 and died in 1221.

Every night for 1 1/2 yrs., I have been praying the rosary. I am praying for all the people I have known in my life and also for those who only played a very minute part. If I have had any contact with you on the Internet, as a beggar on the street or we just had a friendly chat in Wal- Mart's, you are in my prayers. So if you should find yourself doing something or thinking something that never crossed your mind before, you can lay the blame on me. Of course, is there any need to say that I mean only good things?

Many people have a misunderstanding of the Rosary, it is all scriptural. I say the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries on different nights. Comes straight from the bible.

The Vatican Is on YouTube

And So It Begins

Police evict parishinors from shuttered church

Song of the Angels

It has been exactly two weeks since I have posted. I am not ill. it takes me this long to get out of the holiday mood. I think that things in the Catholic Church are coming at us fast. Sunday I attended the 8AM Mass and was greeted at the door by a brusque speaking man. Not that his rudeness affected my answer to his question, I just don't care for men who act roughly. With pen and paper in hand he asked me to choose what ministry I would like to assist in. He said they needed lectors and extraordinary ministers. My answer to him was, "Neither but thanks for asking." I have nothing against doing a reading but I have a reason that I didn't offer. I have a problem with lighting whether it be too dim or too bright. As for minister participation, I do have a problem with that. First I do not feel worthy to handle the Host. Obviously many do not share my feelings, it is easily detectable in their attire and their inattention as they casually hand out the Body of Christ. The altar is overrun with ministers. The Magesterium has said it can be used in extreme circumstances by people who are carefully chosen. The first criteria is they have to BELIEVE.

Needless to say, I felt guilty but Monday I was to get an answer. At early Mass my two young grandsons said the pastor couldn't be there but that he had consecrated a sufficient number of hosts. They assisted the female minister as she communicated the small number of people who were there. Now that is extraordinary and I WILL do it if the need is there. Will I be anymore worthy to touch the Host, "No" but even if we only have one priest left in a number of parishes and he consecrates the hosts, we who believe will give the people whom they came to receive... Jesus. I heard and can't believe that 70% of Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence. Fallen away Catholics and those Catholics that attend church for socializing with the community, go sit before the tabernacle, be still and listen.

Dave and Anita, my daughter and son- in -law, gave me the above picture.

The above rosary belonged to my mother, it is 51 yrs. old. My daughter inspired this post with an article she sent this morning. You will find this very inspiring as I did. Pew Sitter

It has been a busy Christmas season. so busy that I haven't left the house for the past three days trying to rest. In the Catholic Church, the season isn't over until after the Epiphany which is on January 6th.

As I said briefly in an earlier post, I attended a 5PM vigil on Christmas Eve that was to count as a Christmas Mass. The Midnight Mass was at 10PM. Confusing isn't it? In what I call, the real Church of 43yrs. ago, Midnight Mass began at the stroke of 12PM. Entire families came with their children. As a child I went with my family and would sometimes fall asleep. In my Junior and Senior years in school I was one of the angels on the altar who made all these graceful arm movements to "O' Holy Night". It was indeed a beautiful tribute to the birth of the Christ Child. The years passed and my husband and I brought our children to Church with us but it wasn't the same anymore.

I still attend Mass of course but it is with a different perspective. I go to be present at the Sacrifice of the Mass (Calvary made present) and to receive the Eucharist. I take note of the abuses be they big ones or small ones. The Church was crowded with people filling all the pews and some standing. Christmas songs filled the air before Mass began which was acceptable but then, they started singing a very lively "Jingle Bells". I found myself "dashing through the snow". Some may disagree but another song that is not correct with Church teaching is "Mary Did You Know?" Of course she knew, the angel Gabriel told her he was the Son of God. Reminds me of a priest telling me that Jesus didn't know he was God. I sum it all up to many people including priests probably never believed. I will end with Peter's words,

John 6

69 And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Wishing you all a happy Christmas with family and friends. If you are Catholic, your top priority should be to get to Mass and receive the Eucharist. Go to Confession first and receive worthily. I attended Mass last evening and the Church was "packed"almost beyond its capacity .. everyone received communion, me too. I prayed that we , as One Body recognized the Body of Christ.

So again I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As usual, I have some catching up to do. The month has been very busy with preparations for Christmas both secular and spiritual. On December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was celebrated. The church was filled with Spanish speaking people and a re-enactment of the apparition was presented. In July 1994, my late husband and I flew to Mexico City as pilgrims to visit the site of the apparition and view the "tilma". The above picture is of the image that my husband bought for me while we were there. The link below will give insight into what took place on the hill of Tepeyac.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Today ends the short Season of Advent.

I have some catching up to do with actually posting what is going on in the Catholic Church in my area. So far so good. Could it be that things are happening because the faithful are stepping up and speaking out? I believe so. As all Catholics should know, December the 8th is the feast day of the Immaculate Conception. I have put a link so that those who have an interest, be you Catholic or Non, can enlighten or re-enlighten themselves to the truth of the doctrine. Immaculate Conception

I attended the 8:00AM Mass that morning, all the children were there from 1st to 6th grade and as I watched the children I thought of

Luke 18 verse 17

Amen, I say to you: Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a child, shall not enter into it

After so many years of searching for the True Church, albeit slow, it is coming back. The Sign of Peace that we offer to our brothers and sisters in Christ is good but has gotten somewhat out of hand with people crossing aisles to shake hands, waving etc. Many people like this gesture and it will remain but be somewhat subdued. Since this immediately precedes the Consecration. Pope Benedict XVI is going to move this ritual to a more appropiate part of the Mass.

My two grandsons serve as altar boys at our local parish and, yes, there is still an occasional girl altar boy. That somehow doesn't fit does it? I hadn't heard the hymn "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" it seems like in at least "umpteen" million years but at the Immaculate Conception Mass the recessional hymn was sang. Music was played on a piano which doesn't do it justice. Fr. K told the boys that he was going to move the organ back into the Church.

There are many of us out there but, unfortunately, not everyone uses a computer to get the word out. There is something we can all do, we can be a witness to the faith by giving good example no matter where we find ourselves. Don't hide the Light that is in us, let it shine.

Pope Benedict XVI - St. Patrick's Cathedral Recessional Hymn

Lyrics to Holy God We Praise Thy Name

Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.

Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white-robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee,
While we own the mystery.