In the Quiet

Examine your conscience. Just a word of caution to the scrupulous: don't overdo it. You know your sins. Hopefully you went to confession this Lent; if you didn't, try really hard to go today. Don't leave anything out, and tell God you're so sorry. Saint of the Day Saturday, March 30, 2013 St. Peter Regalado (1390-1456) Peter lived at a very busy time in history. The Great Western Schism (1378-1417) was settled at the Council of Constance (1414-1418). France and England were fighting the Hundred Years’ War, and in 1453 the Byzantine Empire was completely wiped out by the loss of Constantinople to the Turks. At Peter’s death the age of printing had just begun in Germany, and Columbus's arrival in the New World was less than 40 years away. Peter came from a wealthy and pious family in Valladolid, Spain. At the age of 13, he was allowed to enter the Conventual Franciscans. Shortly after his ordination, he was made superior of the friary in ...

Yesterday, I got my hair trimmed. I hadn't done that since last December. My bangs were getting pretty long, and I got them cut to be blunt. My hair is pretty long (almost below my chest) and I just got it trimmed. I did the slightly choppy effect for some edge. I've never been wild about my hair. The most daring I've gotten is to dye my hair dark red, still a natural hue, but some people who knew me well could tell I'd dyed it. Still, though my hair's back to its natural color these days, it fluctuates from light to dark in the summer and winter months and people who haven't seen me in awhile think I've dyed it darker. Below is a picture that is kind of what I'm talking about, but it's from December of last year.

Resist judging coworkers. That guy who's packed on the pounds lately? He may have a medical problem. That woman who won't quit eating chocolate (even though she gave it up for Lent)? She may have just lost her spouse. Saint of the Day Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Blessed Francis Faà di Bruno (1825-1888) Francis, the last of 12 children, was born in northern Italy into an aristocratic family. He lived at a particularly turbulent time in history, when anti-Catholic and anti-papal sentiments were especially strong. After being trained as a military officer, Francis was spotted by King Victor Emmanuel II, who was impressed with the young man's character and learning. Invited by the king to tutor his two young sons, Francis agreed and prepared himself with additional studies. But with the role of the Church in education being a sticking point for many, the king was forced to withdraw his offer to the openly Catholic Francis and, instead, find a tutor mor...

Hello spring, it’s so nice to see you! Warmer weather, longer days, blooming flowers — there are so many reasons to love this season. But above all this, the spring is a wonderful opportunity for a fresh start. After a long, cold, sometimes difficult winter we could often use a clean slate. Susan J. Bissonette once said, “An optimist is the human personification of spring.” So why not take this time to incorporate some spring practices into your life Here are some ideas: Say hello to spring cleaning:  It’s time to go through your closet and get rid of the stuff you no longer want. Here is a general rule I have for myself; if I can’t remember the last time I wore it, it no longer zips up (see number 2), or it’s no longer the color it was when I bought it, it’s time to toss! Besides, then you’ll have an excuse to pick up a few fresh things next time you’re at the mall. Out with the old, in with the new! Get healthy:  While I do love the spring, it’s also a scary reminde...

Give away all your "extras." You know, all those extra shirts that you have, the pairs of shoes you don't wear, and the dozens of CDs that you have. You only use Spotify and Pandora anyway, right? Someone else has none of those luxuries. You have more than you can use or wear in a week, and you have extra, for sure.  Saint of the Day Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Blessed Didacus Joseph of Cadiz (d. 1801) Born in Cadiz, Spain, and christened Joseph Francis, the youth spent much of his free time around the Capuchin friars and their church. But his desire to enter the Franciscan Order was delayed because of the difficulty he had with his studies. Finally he was admitted to the novitiate of the Capuchins in Seville as Brother Didacus. He later was ordained a priest and sent out to preach. His gift of preaching was soon evident. He journeyed tirelessly through the territory of Andalusia of Spain, speaking in small towns and crowded cities. His words were abl...

Visit a shut-in. I don't know about you, but I know a couple of these. They happen to be my grandparents, and neither one of them can drive. They stay indoors much of the time and caregivers watch over them. Cheer them up and brighten their day and yours. Saint of the Day Monday, March 25, 2013 Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord The feast of the Annunciation, now recognized as a solemnity, was first celebrated in the fourth or fifth century. Its central focus is the Incarnation: God has become one of us. From all eternity God had decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human. Now, as Luke 1:26-38 tells us, the decision is being realized. The God-Man embraces all humanity, indeed all creation, to bring it to God in one great act of love. Because human beings have rejected God, Jesus will accept a life of suffering and an agonizing death: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’...

Start something good. It doesn't have to be something big, just something good. Start hanging up coats for people in your parish when there's a function at the hall. Sing in the choir. Visit a sick person (who isn't contagious).  Saint of the Day Friday, March 22, 2013 St. Nicholas Owen (d. 1606) Nicholas, familiarly known as "Little John," was small in stature but big in the esteem of his fellow Jesuits. Born at Oxford, this humble artisan saved the lives of many priests and laypersons in England during the penal times (1559-1829), when a series of statutes punished Catholics for the practice of their faith. Over a period of about 20 years he used his skills to build secret hiding places for priests throughout the country. His work, which he did completely by himself as both architect and builder, was so good that time and time again priests in hiding were undetected by raiding parties. He was a genius at finding, and creating, places of sa...

Start something good. It doesn't have to be something big, just something good. Start hanging up coats for people in your parish when there's a function at the hall. Sing in the choir. Visit a sick person (who isn't contagious).  Saint of the Day Friday, March 22, 2013 St. Nicholas Owen (d. 1606) Nicholas, familiarly known as "Little John," was small in stature but big in the esteem of his fellow Jesuits. Born at Oxford, this humble artisan saved the lives of many priests and laypersons in England during the penal times (1559-1829), when a series of statutes punished Catholics for the practice of their faith. Over a period of about 20 years he used his skills to build secret hiding places for priests throughout the country. His work, which he did completely by himself as both architect and builder, was so good that time and time again priests in hiding were undetected by raiding parties. He was ...

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Pray for an enemy. This is hard. You don't like the person, but you have to ask God to bless him or her. You have to wish good upon the individual. They may hate you, but you must plead with God to have mercy on your foe. Saint of the Day Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Solemnity of St. Joseph The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment: he was a “just” man. The quality meant a lot more than faithfulness in paying debts. When the Bible speaks of God “justifying” someone, it means that God, the all-holy or “righteous” One, so transforms a person that the individual shares somehow in God’s own holiness, and hence it is really “right” for God to love him or her. In other words, God is not playing games, acting as if we were lovable when we are not. By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God. The rest we can easily sur...

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Top 5 Movies I can Watch Over and Over Emma (2009)   You've Got Mail My Big Fat Greek Wedding Grease Pride and Prejudice  (any of them)

Pray for a friend. I know a friend that really needs prayers. But then, who doesn't? Pray that you may be a good friend to that person. Pray that that person can see the light of Christ.  Saint of the Day Monday, March 18, 2013 St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315?-386) The crises that the Church faces today may seem minor when compared with the threat posed by the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ and almost overcame Christinity in the fourth century. Cyril was to be caught up in the controversy, accused (later) of Arianism by St. Jerome (September 30), and ultimately vindicated both by the men of his own time and by being declared a Doctor of the Church in 1822. Raised in Jerusalem, well-educated, especially in the Scriptures, he was ordained a priest by the bishop of Jerusalem and given the task of catechizing during Lent those preparing for Baptism and during the Easter season the newly baptized. His Catecheses remain valuable...

I saw this movie yesterday, and I was very impressed. The graphics were incredibly beautiful, the acting was superb, and the story had just enough of the original Oz in it to make it lovable but not too predictable. From left to right: a good witch, Oz, and Glinda the Good. Oz arrives in a hot air balloon. Wickedness, meet deceit. I would love to travel in a bubble. Glinda believes in Oz unconditionally. So sweet! I hope you get to see this if you haven't already. It is so worth it!

I don't really remember the last random act of kindness I performed, because I don't usually do things randomly. I help people out because I thought about it first and then did it. So I went to coffee with my mom last week and I paid for her coffee. I helped my little sister with a computer game she was playing. Stuff like that. Nothing too significant or big. Just things that I premeditated and then carried out. I think that someone was helping me out when they were cleaning out the cat litter when it was my turn. Thanks to whoever that was. During Lent, my mom likes us to do random acts of kindness for each other. I think it's a nice idea anytime of the year. Really, maybe I just need to be more spontaneous and of-the-moment, on a whim and all that. I just need to live a little, let things flow. Notice people in need and jump in to help without wondering if I have time or the resources. You have to be logical and realistic, but maybe I think about things too much. Actuall...

Thank God for the gift of life. Perhaps you'll be a mother someday or you want to thank God for your little siblings. Pray for them now. Life is so very precious. Life is good. Saint of the Day Sunday, March 17, 2013 St. Patrick (415?-493?) Legends about Patrick abound; but truth is best served by our seeing two solid qualities in him: He was humble and he was courageous. The determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided the life of God’s instrument for winning most of Ireland for Christ. Details of his life are uncertain. Current research places his dates of birth and death a little later than earlier accounts. Patrick may have been born in Dunbarton, Scotland, Cumberland, England, or in northern Wales. He called himself both a Roman and a Briton. At 16, he and a large number of his father’s slaves and vassals were captured by Irish raiders and sold as slaves in Ireland. Forced to work as a shepherd, he s...

Advocate on behalf of social issues such as affordable housing. If you believe in a cause, it won't be helped by you except financially or by volunteering your services. Offer your time and talents if you can't donate money. Sometimes even a dollar a day (thirty dollars a month) helps. You'll feel good and help other simultaneously.  Saint of the Day Friday, March 15, 2013 St. Louise de Marillac (d. 1660) Louise, born near Meux, France, lost her mother when she was still a child, her beloved father when she was but 15. Her desire to become a nun was discouraged by her confessor, and a marriage was arranged. One son was born of this union. But she soon found herself nursing her beloved husband through a long illness that finally led to his death. Louise was fortunate to have a wise and sympathetic counselor, St. Francis de Sales, and then his friend, the Bishop of Belley, France. Both of these men were available to her only periodically. But from an in...

My dream job. Let's see. I think I'd like to work either at a television station, radio station, or something heavily involving the media. I could be a news anchor, radio DJ, or something like that. I don't really know. I'd love to maybe make some CDs as well, or do some acting. Not modeling, thanks, though countless people have told me that's what I should do. I love to sing, hence the CDs. AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE to dance! I used to take ballet, and now I swing dance, Lindy Hop, and ballroom dance. I even go to Zumba. I also love photography. I'm not a professional by any means. I'd need to take some classes and have WAY more experience. I'm pretty good at writing, but I don't think I'd like to do it full-time. I also don't really want to be a teacher, unless it's to home school my kids. Oh it just dawned on me. HELLO! I'd love to have my dream job be a stay-at-home wife and mother! That's my ultimate dream that tops them all. So i...

If you love someone, say so. This doesn't have to be a romantic thing to say. You should say it to your husband, wife, children, sisters, brothers, and other relatives. You should love your family and friends. Vocalizing this doesn't hurt; it helps. Saint of the Day Thursday, March 14, 2013 St. Maximilian (d. 295) We have an early, precious, almost unembellished account of the martyrdom of St. Maximilian in modern-day Algeria. Brought before the proconsul Dion, Maximilian refused enlistment in the Roman army saying, "I cannot serve, I cannot do evil. I am a Christian." Dion replied: "You must serve or die." Maximilian: "I will never serve. You can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ. My army is the army of God, and I cannot fight for this world. I tell you I am a Christian." Dion: "There are Christian soldiers serving our rulers Diocletian and Maximian, Constanti...

My pet peeves are many but I don't necessarily want to state them all here. I'm a picky person. It's kind of humbling for me to do this. Please don't take advantage of this list if you know me in person. When people pop their knuckles When they pop their gum Clicking fingernails on the table People who wear two different colored socks Pajamas in public Chewing with your mouth open Putting on coconut around me because I HATE the smell Fingernails on a chalkboard Fork across the plate Certain lotions that smell terrible (seriously, did something just die?) People who shut down psychologically during an argument or conflict. People wearing their wedding ring the wrong way.

visit Paris, France Get my AA degree take a picture of myself in front of Niagara Falls eat at a cafe in Paris visit the Statue of Liberty visit England meet Colin Firth visit The White House Go to New York City for New Year's Eve stay a night in Cinderella’s Castle go to the top of the Empire State Building visit London see a real life fashion show in either New York, Paris, or Milan ride my favorite roller coaster with my husband (I don't have a husband yet, but hey) take a photography class visit the south of France in the summer take a picture of Judy Garland’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame celebrate one of my birthdays in Germany own a really cool car (A lot of these were Tiffany's or modified. I just think her ideas are cool.)

Make someone else the center of attention. I know it's hard. You want everyone to see what you did that was right and good. Praise someone else publicly. They'll thank you for it, or blush. Saint of the Day Wednesday, March 13, 2013 St. Leander of Seville (c. 550-600) The next time you recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, think of today’s saint. For it was Leander of Seville who, as bishop, introduced the practice in the sixth century. He saw it as a way to help reinforce the faith of his people and as an antidote against the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ. By the end of his life, Leander had helped Christianity flourish in Spain at a time of political and religious upheaval. Leander’s own family was heavily influenced by Arianism, but he himself grew up to be a fervent Christian. He entered a monastery as a young man and spent three years in prayer and study. At the end of that tranquil period he was made a bishop. For the rest...

Surprise yourself. Ace that math test. Practice the piano (though it may be one of your least favorite pastimes). In each of your daily activities, aim high. Try something new on a whim! Saint of the Day Tuesday, March 12, 2013 Blessed Angela Salawa (1881-1922) Angela served Christ and Christ’s little ones with all her strength. Born in Siepraw, near Kraków, Poland, she was the 11th child of Bartlomiej and Ewa Salawa. In 1897, she moved to Kraków where her older sister Therese lived. Angela immediately began to gather together and instruct young women domestic workers. During World War I, she helped prisoners of war without regard for their nationality or religion. The writings of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross were a great comfort to her. Angela gave great service in caring for soldiers wounded in World War I. After 1918 her health did not permit her to exercise her customary apostolate. Addressing herself to Christ, she wrote in her diary, "I ...

When I wake up, I get ready for my day, spend some time on the computer, then head downstairs to eat breakfast. After eating, I head back upstairs to get on the computer again to check my e-mail one last time before I head out the door to my local community college. I go to school to math class. After that, I sit in the writing lab and either work at my laptop, like I'm doing now, read my current book (see the last post about books), or work on one of my subjects. Next is English 101. This is an interesting time of the day. My teacher is funny, but I don't agree with everyone's viewpoints. I head home for lunch. I usually have a bit of time to again plug-in and check what's happened online since I've been connected. After lunch, I take a nap. Around 3 PM I start working on homework. At 4:30 I listen to Adventures in Odyssey (I'm really a kid at heart). Now it's getting close to dinnertime. Time to wrap up homework and any loose ends. I may read, ...

The last two books I've read, plus the one I'm reading now, are Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray. This was interesting, but also very dark. I didn't like the insane secret wife upstairs, the fact that the guy hid it from Jane, and that she was going to marry such a very old man. This was also rather a dark novel, and consisted mostly of a conversation between a maid and a gentleman. Not my cup of tea. I'm in the process of reading this one. It's probably my favorite of the three. It's full of trivialities, secret unions, and prideful people. Kind of a mindless read. (I'm really sorry that I haven't been keeping up with this. My stupid internet connection doesn't work very well at all at home, so I have to wait until I'm at school for it to work. I'm going to do a bunch of posts in advance and save them because I won't be able to use this connection...

Readily forgive anyone who hurts you. We all have that one person in our lives that we see daily that just makes our day harder. This individual thrives on teasing and making you miserable for their own amusement and entertainment. Don't let this person bring you down, and just be nice. They'll wonder why you're not annoyed, visibly. Saint of the Day Monday, March 11, 2013 St. John Ogilvie (c. 1579-1615) John Ogilvie's noble Scottish family was partly Catholic and partly Presbyterian. His father raised him as a Calvinist, sending him to the continent to be educated. There John became interested in the popular debates going on between Catholic and Calvinist scholars. Confused by the arguments of Catholic scholars whom he sought out, he turned to Scripture. Two texts particularly struck him: "God wills all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth," and "Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh ...

Refuse to whine. It's easy to complain, especially when those closest to you are around to hear your litany of woes. You did nothing interesting in class that day, you couldn't find a parking spot, and you're so  tired. So what? Offer it up.  Saint of the Day Sunday, March 10, 2013 St. Dominic Savio (1842-1857) So many holy persons seem to die young. Among them was Dominic Savio, the patron of choirboys. Born into a peasant family at Riva, Italy, young Dominic joined St. John Bosco as a student at the Oratory in Turin at the age of 12. He impressed John with his desire to be a priest and to help him in his work with neglected boys. A peacemaker and an organizer, young Dominic founded a group he called the Company of the Immaculate Conception which, besides being devotional, aided John Bosco with the boys and with manual work. All the members save one, Dominic, would in 1859 join John in the beginnings of his Salesian congregation. By that time, Dom...