GOD is making headway! "Much of the idealism of the 1960s and the Second Vatican Council has dissipated. Being idealistic is in some circles considered anachronistic." I love HIS "plans" NOT MAN'S! This qoute is from the former one time editor and publisher of the National Catholic Reporter, Mr. Tom Fox. He is not happy about the current state of affairs within our country "Our government’s policies, favoring the wealthy and abusive of the poor, represent nothing less than greed articulated in fraudulent language" and within the Church -"concerning itself far too much with rules and rubrics that turn off the young and do little to inspire any of us."

A Happy Blessed New Year!

I want to take a moment to wish all a Happy Blessed New Year and in this wish I would like to offer from my heart the following suggestions:

• Always make sure to thank OUR LORD for all blessings--everything is a blessing--our lives, our families, our health, our homes, our work, everything! Also ask for all graces and blessings for HE is a loving FATHER.
• Always make sure that you have Holy Water. It is one of the many sacramentals available to us through our Holy Mother Church. This sacramental, most especially should be prominent in all homes. We should always wear a brown scapular as well. Make every effort to go to the sacraments--daily/weekly. Make time to go to HIM in the daily reception of the Eucharist at daily Mass. Make time to visit him in the Blessed Sacrament. At all costs make an effort to get to Confession if not weekly then at least once a month.
• Give everything to HIM--EVERYTHING--the fears, joys,sufferings, pains,tears,anxieties, all of it!

"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Everlasting FATHER, who takes care of you today, will take care of you tomorrow. HE will either shield you from suffering, or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations." St. Francis de Sales (*feast day Jan. 24th)

• Study the lives (Catherine of Siena) of the saints.
• Hug your children, love your husbands and wives, honor your mother and father, and assist Our Blessed Mother's priests in prayer support.
• Lastly- know, love, and serve OUR LORD in all you do! HE wants us all to be HOLY CHILDREN OF GOD!

These are what I would call New Year's resolutions.

Have a very HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!

In the "new" YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE!

The decline continues...."Spain's Government Approves Gay Marriage Bill"

"Spain's Socialist government today approved a bill to legalise same-sex marriages, putting the predominantly Roman Catholic country on course to become only the third country to recognise gay marriages."

"Gay advocacy groups are supportive of the new legislation but the influential Catholic church adamantly disagrees. A spokesman of the Spanish Bishops Conference claimed some months ago that allowing gay marriages would be like releasing a virus into Spanish society. If Parliament passes the legislation, Spain would join Belgium and the Netherlands in legalising gay marriages."

So very sad. My heart aches as strong as the underwater earth quake. What effects will ripple through society now by this legislation? Will it have the same effects as the tsunami's in Asia?

LORD have mercy!

Book of Isaiah: "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against it."

See the works of the LORD-
here:"With Little Warning, Director Saves 28 Orphans from Tsunami"-invoking the NAME OF JESUS!

"He raised his hand in the direction of the flood and shouted, "I command you in the name of Jesus -- stop!" The water then seemed to "stall, momentarily," he said. "I thought at the time I was imagining things." With the water pouring into the mouth of the lagoon, he then began to worry that waves would overtake them from behind, swamping the small boat. Reasoning that it was better to hit the waves head on, he said, he ordered the driver to reverse direction and head back toward the open ocean. "

With an acknowledgement to World Net Daily (one of my favorite news sources) here:

I am trying to disable the comments spot (by blogger) on the site-the one that is directly below and to the right of the posting. Don't use that one to make your comments. Please use the comments feature just underneath the dotted line under each posting. This comments feature works as the other one does not function correctly.

I have been praying for Terri Schindler Schiavo for over a year now. Please see here the latest disappointment.

I continue to ask that all be aware of her situation and pray for her. This situation is continued glee for the "enemy" and those that champion death. Oh, Blessed Mother will you intercede on Terri's behalf and the behalf of her dear mother Mary Schindler? And might we ask for miracles in this great season of miracles-Christmas? Might we also ask that the Holy Family be present to this family in their distress and anguish over their daughter and intercede before the throne of OUR LORD for the safety and welfare of their daughter Terri-that she may be spared from all harm?

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.

Prayer to Mary, Mother of Life

"O Mary,bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living,to you do we entrust the cause of life: Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God,the Creator and lover of life."
--Pope John Paul II

The Gospel of Life, No. 105

I hope all had a Blessed Christmas! And I pray that we will all be blessed in 2005. May HE grant us everlasting peace in this coming year.
I know...Instead of "new year's resolutions", I'll write a list of 2004's blessings. Maybe I'll post them here later this week. Right now the almost dead Christmas tree needs attention. I sure hope that I can keep it up through the Epiphany. We have all run around decorating since before Thanksgiving and now it the true time for Christmas decorating!

Are these people nuts? My bones hurt just looking at this picture! I had both hips replaced (titanium-now) a few years ago and they hurt so bad this week due to our cold temps here in the south. Brrrr!

A pro-life Democrat? I like what Fred Barnes has to say about the current Senate Democratic Minority leader -Harry Reid. We have to pay attention to all members of Congress. This battle isn't about political parties! It's a battle against the culture of death. We can only pray that all will come to know that a child is not a choice.
While I am on this subject read this from Monsignor Charles M. Mangan on "Instructing Those in Error" from Catholic Online (a good site to add to your favorite list).
And check out what the former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), outgoing minority leader said this weekend on NBC News' Meet the Press - Tim Russert asks: "How do you find common ground on those kinds of issues?" (abortion & gay rights)