TwoGirlsandaPuppy and 20 Hours...

For those who missed this little flash facebook news story, allow me to recap.  Yesterday (about 20 hours ago according to the page I am looking at right now,) two little girls created a facebook page and put a picture of themselves and their three little brothers on it, holding a sign.  The sign read “Hi world.  We want a puppy! Our dad said we could get one if we get 1 million likes! So LIKE this! He doesn’t think we can do it!”  As of right now, 20 hours later, this photo has 1,249,589 likes.  In 20 hours.  That’s a lot of people.  In not a lot of time.  That, my friends, is social media.  

Personally, I think the family should look for a GoldenNewf to rescue, don't you?

Now why was this so popular?  Probably because it contained cute kids, no political statements, and the fact that this family had a dog who died of cancer not too long ago. The fact that there was no foul language in sight helped too, I’d say.  People liked it, and they shared it.  I liked it and shared it - and I rarely do that.  So now five little kids are getting a puppy.  Yay for them!  I think it’s great.  It makes me smile. 

Lets look at this.  Not only did over one million people all over the world see this picture, they also acted.  Granted, it was a small act, but it was an act.  How many more ignored it? It doesn’t matter, because over one million people DID act.  

I would like to ask you to do something very small.  It costs no money.  It only takes 5 minutes. You don’t even need an internet connection. You can do it where you are sitting, or while you are driving, or while you are sitting on hold.  You can do it while you wait for your latte.  You have five minutes, I know you do.  What is it I want you to do?  Pray one decade of the rosary.  Just one.  Who doesn’t have five minutes to do that?  Pray one decade of the rosary a day, for the conversion of hearts to Christ the King.  

If you do that, and you get four other people to do it, that’s five decades of the rosary that weren’t being prayed before.  And if this goes viral...who knows?  

We can’t change the world through legislation.  We can only change it by changing hearts and minds.  Yes, it is helpful when the state agrees when something is right or wrong, but in the end it is only by the people believing it that there is any effect. 

One depressing thing about social media is that you see first hand that the saying “for those who believe, no proof is necessary and for those who do not, none is sufficient.” People hear and see and believe what they want to.  Yes, we must put the truth out there, but it is only by God’s grace that people will listen.  It is only by His grace that we listen.  So, we must pray for that grace, not only for ourselves, but for our family, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and that nut on youtube who seems to have no idea what logic really is.  Because calling names does nothing, and arguing does little.  Without grace, it's just water off a rock. 

I will encourage you to pray a full five decades of the rosary a day, with your families.  But maybe you aren’t ready for that - just as I’m not ready to pray a full 15 decades, even though I know that doesn’t take much longer.  So lets start with one decade, every day.  And let’s see how many decades we can add up together.  God Bless,Rae

P.S. 
I won't even bother predicting when I'll post again.  I give up.  

Pretty, Pretty Christmas Cookies

Aren't they lovely?

'Tis the season for baking.  Especially Christmas baking.  Especially Christmas cookies.  And I made the most BEAUTIFUL Christmas cookies yesterday.  I can't help it.  I love the way these look.  And taste, of course.

They are very simple, as simple as peanut blossoms.  Actually, they were inspired by peanut blossoms, but instead of chocolate kisses, they are made with peppermint kisses.  And since peanut butter and mint are just weird together, I had to use a different cookie.  We used snickerdoodles last year, and they were very good.  But this year I was flipping through my Taste of Home cookbooks and came across the recipe for Chocolate Crackle cookies.  Perfect!  They are nice and chocolatey, and easy to make.  Excellent compliment to the peppermint kisses.  And this combination is not only great for eating, it is also very pleasing to the eye.  At least, I think they are.  So without further ado, I give you my Pretty Peppermint Kiss Cookies.

Pretty Peppermint Kiss Cookies
Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar6 Tablespoons oil (I used coconut)2 eggs6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon saltpowdered sugar36 Peppermint kisses

In a large bowl, beat sugar, cocoa, and oil until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until chilled - at least 2 hours or overnight.  I didn't take it out until right before scooping and I didn't have any trouble.


Shape dough into 1-in. balls - I used my small cookie scoop, so about 1 Tablespoon size. Roll in powdered sugar. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks. Immediately press one peppermint kiss in each cookie. They do tend to puddle a little, but if you don't jostle them and have the kitchen cool enough, they should hold their shape. Makes about 3 dozen.

Here's the original Chocolate Crackle Cookie recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Old-Fashioned-Crackle-Cookies 

The Immaculate Conception - Novenas

This WILL be the year that I will get all of my advent post done! Ok, so it probably won't be.  As usual, I will get one or two done, and the rest will slip through the cracks.  But hey!  On the bright side, those posts are adding up!  

Again, I'm running late, so hopefully I will get another post done soon on this topic, but for now here are a few novenas for this year.  First, you can refer back to last year's post on the Immaculate Conception.  It has one novena option that is very beautiful.  

During the whole pre-election prayer season, I somehow connected to a website that sends the novena prayers to your email every day, praymorenovenas.com.  Brilliant!  No more forgetting! It's also nice for those novenas where every day's prayers are a little different. I only wish you could personalize the novenas a bit.  Here is the text for today: 

Day 1 - Immaculate Conception Novena Prayers 

 

O most pure Virgin Mary conceived without sin, from the very first instant, you were entirely immaculate. O glorious Mary full of grace, you are the mother of my God - the Queen of Angels and of men. I humbly venerate you as the chosen mother of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

The Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords chose you for the singular grace and honor of being his beloved mother. By the power of his Cross, he preserved you from all sin. Therefore, by His power and love, I have hope and bold confidence in your prayers for my holiness and salvation.

 

I pray first of all that you would make me worthy to call you my mother and your Son, Jesus, my Lord.

 

I pray that your prayers will bring me to imitate your holiness and submission to Jesus and the Divine Will.

 

Hail Mary...

 

Now, Queen of Heaven, I beg you to beg my Savior to grant me these requests...

 

(Mention your intentions)

 

My holy Mother, I know that you were obedient to the will of God. In making this petition, I know that God's will is more perfect than mine. So, grant that I may receive God's grace with humility like you.

 

As my final request, I ask that you pray for me to increase in faith in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in hope in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in love for the risen Jesus!

 

Hail Mary...

 

Amen.

One more novena, this one sent from a friend for the intention of a friend.  I don't want to post too many details until I have their okay, but I do think the more people praying for this little girl can't hurt anything.  Of course this novena you can also change for your own intentions.

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Prayer
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception." A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy. 

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request. 

  (state your request) *THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MONICA'S BODY AS MUCH AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER DEEMS IS GOOD FOR HER SOUL*

 Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

Now don't forget to start the St. Andrew Novena tomorrow!God Bless!

Prayer for the Election

Dear Jesus, King of Kings, we call upon all of our relatives in heaven, along with their Guardian Angels, and indeed, upon every American in heaven and their angels, going all the way back in history to all of their relatives beginning with your Apostles, to intercede with You to Our Heavenly Father to ensure a resounding victory for the presidential candidate and all candidates most aligned with your will for the cause of protection of life from the moment of conception, for the dignity and liberty--especially the complete religious freedom--of all persons in the United States and all people in the world effected by the election today.
With serene confidence in Immaculate Mary, who our bishops chose as Patroness of the United States, we call upon her today. We beg you, Jesus, send forth her spouse, the Holy Spirit, to crush any and all forces of evil prowling about our count

ry seeking the ruin of souls. We call upon all Angels You have assigned to every governmental body, jurisdiction, and civic institution across the Land of the Free, to vouchsafe the first freedom, the right to life.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, pray for us.
Saint Katharine Drexel and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and Saint Marianne Cope, pray for us.
Saint John Neumann and all American Jesuit Martyrs, pray for us.
Little Flower Therese, who so many Americans love dearly, help us.
Saints Joseph, Anthony, and Jude, pray for us.
Immaculate Mary, Patroness of the United States, crush the serpent's head!
Jesus Christ, King of Kings, have mercy on us and on the whole world!
Father in Heaven, Release Saint Michael Now!
Father in Heaven, Release Saint Michael Now! Amen.

It's Time!

Time to cast our votes!  Time to rid ourselves of terrible political ads!  I hope and pray that everyone gets out to vote today.  Yes, the current ballot is a little discouraging…but can you honestly think of one President that this country has had that you would wholeheartedly endorse?  Actually, I'd like an answer to that one :).

For me, the most important issue on the ballot is not the Presidential election.  Yes, I dread the thought of Obama being re-elected, but you have to admit the last four years have at least started to give the bishops a backbone again.  If our votes can't stop the persecution, than maybe our suffering will strengthen the Church.  That is usually how it works, anyhow.  I can only pray we will have the grace to persevere in our faith.

No, for me the really important vote is the vote for the Minnesota Marriage Amendment.  I hope my state has the clear-sightedness to realize that this vote is not against people.  It is not about limiting the "rights" of a (very small) group of people.  It is about promoting the true definition and purpose of marriage.  That purpose is creating a stable environment for the upbringing of children.  We've already seen that environment damaged by the ease with which marriage can be destroyed through divorce, and by the effects of contraception and abortion, both which serve to separate children from marriage.  And we have seen the devastating effects of the deterioration of the home and family being reflected in society.  For as the family goes, so does society.

Allowing for gay "marriage" will not strengthen marriage, because one of the primary ends - and the only end that truly benefits the state - is missing.  It takes a male and a female to produce offspring.  That is biology 101.  Unless you are a worm, but we are not worms, and our bodies don't work that way.  People scream "discrimination" when we suggest that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.  Yes, I am discriminating.  But I'm not afraid of gays, nor do I hate them.  I do consider homosexual actions sinful, and against both natural law and God's laws, but that is not why I believe so strongly in maintaining that marriage is between one man and one woman.  I believe that marriage is only to be between one man and one woman because it is the only way that the purpose of marriage can be fulfilled.  And I very, very strongly believe that the only reason that the state should be involved in any relationship is because it is necessary for the good of society.  Otherwise, they can keep their pretty little nose out of it.  So the only reason the state should be involved in marriage is because of kids.  End of story.

So today I will vote "Yes" for marriage.  And I leave the rest in the hands of my King….

Minnesota, Vote Yes!

Vote Yes

To Protect Marriage

None of us would want to be told we don’t

 have the right to a mother and a father.

The state doesn’t issue a license for friendships or dating.  The state doesn’t require us to file with a justice of the peace to share an apartment.... Why regulate marriage?  

Because the state has an interest in protecting the future generations of citizens.  

Children do best when raised in a family with both a Mom and a Dad. Men and women think differently, and love differently; and these differences provide something unique and necessary for the development of the whole child.  We recognize marriage as a civil institution between a man and woman, not because of the love, commitment, and responsibility of the adult spouses, but because of the love, commitment, and responsibility our children need.  Marriage is a child-centered institution.  

 Marriage isn’t a freedom; it’s a constraint, to protect the rights of children to be raised with a mother and a father, the ideal environment. 

Vote Yes on the Marriage Amendment.  A non-vote is a No vote.

Memento Mori

I do believe this is my favorite time of the year.  Next to Christmas.  And Lent.  And Easter. Probably somewhere between Christmas and Lent, even though it is technically between Easter and Christmas.

I've always loved fall.  I love the sights and the sounds and the smells.  I love waiting for the first frost, and especially for the first snowfall.  I love piles of leaves (not that we ever have any around here, since the wind just blows them all away, but I love them all the same.)  I love the sweaters and sweatshirts and hats and gloves.  I like watching my brothers getting excited for deer season, and I love planning for Thanksgiving.

And I love the liturgical side to November.  "Memento Mori" is the motto - Remember Death.  This focus starts today, October 31st, with the vigils of All Saints and All Souls.  It's a stacked vigil, because of the stacked feasts.  My family hasn't done the whole "Hallow'een" thing in about 21 years (to the day.)  I remember the last time I went Trick-or-Treating, though I was only 5 at the time.  It was the year of the great Halloween Blizzard, and somehow my mother got my (clown?) costume over my snowsuit.  I remember waiting to cross the street with my dad, standing in snow up to my waist.  I wasn't very big at the age of five.
But after we moved to a new neighborhood and we started homeschooling, Hallow'een was out, and All Saints Day parties were in.  I never minded it.  There were plenty of saints to choose from.  The two who stand out are St. Therese of Lisieux, who I got to be great friends with through my dressing up and later choose as my confirmation saint, and St. Brandon, who was always fun because we got to use Daddy or Grandpa's old Navy uniforms.  Not exactly a genuine period costume, but it worked.  Most of our Saints Day parties included at least two or three other big families, a pot of chili, some doughnuts, and the rosary.  Wonderful times.  One family hosted the best party - they had games.  I wish I could remember the details.  They did the dart game, and cherry tree, and a few others, all aptly named and decorated to portray a saint - or their death.  I seem to remember stoning St. Stephen….

But I'm getting a bit off track.  Back to Memento Mori.  That simple phrase does appeal to my dark side.  Remember death.  And we are reminded of our own mortality these next few weeks leading up to the last Sunday before Advent starts.  It's so fitting here in the midwest, the way nature is dying away, preparing for the long sleep of winter.  In times past I imagine these signs of the season were even more poignant, as we were so much closer to the land.  In the liturgy, we are reminded of the four last things: Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell.  We are also reminded that Christ conquered death.  We see the connection of the Church Militant (us,) the Church Suffering (the souls in purgatory,) and the Church Triumphant (the souls in Heaven.) Especially the first two days of the month, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, we are reminded to pray for those who have gone before us, and to ask their intercession.  Did you know that you can ask the intercession of the souls in purgatory?  Their prayers in their suffering are very powerful, and they are destined for Heaven.

One of my favorite practices in November is to stop at the cemeteries and say a prayer for the souls.  There are indulgences, both plenary and partial, attached to this act. It is an especially enjoyable thing to do after dark, while the people passing by wonder what mischief you are getting into.  I don't know why, but there is just something about having strangers suspect the worst about you when you are really doing something quite good.  Within reason, of course. Usually when we stop we pray:
 5 Apostles Creed
1 Hail Holy Queen
1 Our Father
1 Hail Mary
1 Glory Be 
1 Requiem (Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in Peace. Amen.)

Or we pray the prayer of St. Gertrude:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

For more information on the indulgences granted for the souls in purgatory this month, check out this article: 
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1178

I have two bits of recommended reading.  The first, for study, is "Read Me or Rue It," by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan.  It is a short booklet, and is available for reading online here.
The second is just for fun.  It is the Father Baptist series by William Biersach, starting with "The Endless Knot."  If you throughly enjoy all the creepiness of this time of year, you will enjoy his books.  And you might just learn something about the Catholic faith while you are at it.  The series on Amazon or on Tumblar House Publishing's website, http://www.tumblarhouse.com/.

Memento Mori!
Rae