Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

On Friday night I went with two friends to see the new movie Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. I thought is was going to be just a cute chick-flick. I didn't know much about it but it was PG-13 so how bad could it really be right? WRONG! I can not believe that they would let 13 year olds see that movie. It had several scenes that I would call soft porn. Throughout the entire movie the male characters objectified women in action and speech. Women ran around in their underwear throwing themselves as men and this was presented as completely acceptable. I have never been as offended as a woman as I was for the hour of the movie I stayed for. We kept hoping it would redeem itself by saying that behavior was all wrong but it just kept getting worse until we finally left. We asked for our money back and the customer service person said that we are not the first people to complain. Do not see that movie, it is horrible.

Props to ArchBishop Burke

I love this man! 

Archbishop Raymond Burke, formerly of St. Louis is so solid and never afraid to speak out about the truth. He has recently been appointed as the prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican's highest court. He is a sweet, gentle man but is also stern when it comes to sin and scandal. He reminds me very much of what I imagine God the Father to be.

Now, he is taking a stance and speaking out about the scandal of Notre Dame giving an honorary degree to President Obama. He ALWAYS stands up for life. He even stepped down from the board of a children's hospital in St. Louis because they asked Sheryl Crow (openly anti-life) to be on the board as well, and he knew it would be scandalous to remain there.

I want Pope Benedict to live a long life because he is so ridiculously awesome, but during the next conclave, I will likely be praying for Archbishop Burke to be the first American pope! (And because he's a friend of the family, we'd have an in with the pope!)

To read more, click here.

Pro-Life Ad to be Aired during American Idol

After being rejected from airing an ad during this past Superbowl, Catholicvote.org has persisted and created a new pro-life ad to be aired during the American Idol season finale. Let's pray that its message has an impact on viewers.

Liturgically Correct

So, my man and I have talked about how our life is liturgically correct because we prepared for our marriage during Advent last year, and then we awaited the birth of our daughter this past Advent (Dec. 13th - a little early). But it is now getting out of control.

Ash Wednesday we decided to "look into" a job 3 states away. All lent we prepared and worked toward this possible new life. Good Friday the dh jumped in the car and drove to the new possible job. Easter Monday he got it.

All I can say is that if God wants you to do something, and you listen, you may end up doing some pretty weird things. However, it's kinda nice that He works in themes.

this is a test.

i dont know how to post. so im tryin this out. im new to the computer world...ok i lie.

The Attack has begun...

We've known that our government, particularly our President, has it in for the unborn for a while. But something just happened to make even this blog, according to our leaders, a "threat to this nation." Barack Obama appointed a radical liberal woman as the head of the Dept. of Homeland Security (Yes, the department that is meant to protect us).  She is Janet Napolitano, and she will do everything in her power to make sure we have none.

She sent a 9 page terror alert document out to every law enforcement agency in the country claiming that the biggest threat to this nation is, "right-wing extremism." She specifically named those groups who are "single issue, like those against aboriton," and continued to even say Christians could be dangerous.  If you read the actual document, be warned, it is frightening. It literally sounds like something Satan himself wrote.

Girls, we might get the opportunity to be a real martyr for Christ after all. This letter is giving permission to persecute those with conservative ideals. Let us pray for justice, for peace, and a beacon of hope in this nation and our world. And as the Lord said, let us love those who hate us, for we should want their salvation over our own lives. Let us prepare our minds, hearts and souls for what is to come, and pray that the Lord's will be done.

Mr. President, You've Got Mail!

Here is an article following up on the Red Envelope Project, which was brought up in an earlier post. The White House has confirmed that it got 2 million red envelopes, making it one of the largest mail campaigns in 35 years! Yes, our little voice can be heard! Thank you to those who spoke up for the unborn.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/?pageId=94142

Pro-Life Message in Breaking Dawn

Caution: Spoiler Alert! Do not read this post if you intend on reading the Twilight book series.

I have to confess that I’ve been caught up in Stephanie Meyers’ Twilight Saga over the past few months. Yes, these books are targeted to teen girls, but I surprisingly found myself swooning over the romantic series and often relating to eighteen-year-old Bella Swan, the story’s main character and narrator. My motivation for this post is to recognize the fourth and last book of the series, Breaking Dawn, and its awesome pro-life theme.

Bella and Edward are taken by surprise upon the conception of a child during their honeymoon—after all, Edward is an immortal vampire and it is difficult to imagine that their love could be life-giving! Of course, as Bella’s pregnancy symptoms quickly turn for the worst, there is no doubt that this child may be something other than human… Worried about his wife’s health, Edward and the majority of his family insist that Bella has an abortion before the baby harms her life. As things worsen, there is very little doubt in anyone's mind that Bella will die from the pregnancy.

Bella’s reaction to this event is somewhat surprising to the reader — we can't ignore that she is simply an ordinary teen, and it is clear that (teen) motherhood was not in her plans. From Bella’s point of view however, we experience her love for her unborn child, stemming from her knowledge that this child is an eternal symbol of her union with her beloved, Edward. For this reason, she strongly believes that destroying their child would be destroying a part of Edward as well.

In order to let the child live, Bella sacrifices her health to the ultimate extreme. In the end, Bella gives up her life during the birth of her vampire child, who is much too strong for her human body. (Thankfully Edward is present to turn her into a vampire at that very moment, so they can live together immortally forever). The baby is a beautiful half-human half-vampire girl, who brings much joy to the Cullen family and all those around her.

I was greatly moved by the heroism of young Bella and the ultimate sacrifice she made for her unborn child. Putting aside the strange vampire-isms, this moment in Bella and Edwards’ love story almost mirrored that of "St. Gianna meets Pop Culture". Although I did find some of Breaking Dawn's content slightly mature for teenagers, I am inspired by the role model that Bella becomes for young women. Through this book the author grasps and communicates one of the most beautiful pillars of true marital love-- that it is life-giving and co-creative! Spouses love each other so much that they long for an eternal union, and God can make this possible through their begetting of children. For the most part, our media culture ignores this awesome gift, and instead promotes the idea that romance and children do not go together. For this reason, Breaking Dawn becomes a refreshing representation of true romantic love. What a blessing it is for Edward and Bella Cullen, that their love will forever be united in the eternal soul of their daughter, Renesmee...

Be Still

Due to the fact that my husband and I are expecting our first baby (any day now), we have kept our schedule for the last couple of weekends as free of commitments as possible. As a result, on Saturday we spent some time at a local shopping center, simply enjoying the beautiful weather, sitting on a bench and "people watching". In observing others going through the hustle and bustle of their weekend, I realized how out of the ordinary it was for me to really stop, step outside of my busy routine, and enjoy a peaceful moment, whether it be alone, with a companion like my husband, or with our Lord.

One of the main things that pregnancy has taught me is that it is acceptable to be Mary, instead of Martha once in awhile. Although there is no doubt that God loves for us to serve Him and His children in every way that we can, it is also important that we take some time to simply sit and listen to Him. This can be most obviously done through prayer and meditation, but it can also be accomplished in small and unusual ways, such as by spending some quiet time alone, sitting with a friend in need, nursing a child, or even humbling ourselves by letting others take care of us.

Even after 9 months, I often feel guilty for all of the extra responsibilities that my pregnancy has forced onto my husband. When I let go of this guilt and give into humility however, I can see God working in our marriage and building it up in new ways. For example, never has my husband resembled St. Joseph more to me, than through this pregnancy. And of course, my efforts to spend more time resting peacefully and spiritually preparing for motherhood is possibly the best gift I can give my growing child. Besides, there is no doubt that in a matter of just a few more days, I will be called to a busy life of service through parenthood, and I will have to be more like Martha in my daily routine.

Let's make an effort to make this Holy Week as peaceful as possible. Let's turn off the TV, spend less time on the internet and rid of unnecessary distractions. Who knows, you too might end up with some extra time to simply sit and spend time with our Lord...

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.
-St. Francis de Sales

Spreading a Good (and Modest) Message

Since modesty has been brought up a few times in the past week, I thought that I would link this great interview of one of our very own bloggers and her mission to spread the message of chastity and modesty to young girls. Go Jes!

The Modest Power Ranger
http://tonyrossi.blogspot.com/2009/03/modest-power-ranger.html

"Who Painted it?"

During her visit to Mexico last week, Sr. Hillary Clinton made an unexpected visit to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, leaving flowers for her "on behalf of" the American people.

After observing it for a while, Mrs. Clinton asked “who painted it?” to which Msgr. Monroy responded “God!”

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15511

Brides of Christ

The love song of St. Philomena is a beautiful meditation, and I highly recommend it if you've never heard it. It gave me a lot to think about today as I listened to it. The line, "when will you come to take me home?" holds so much emotion.

If I think of my final hour, it brings me anxiety, and sadness as the thought of leaving my husband and daughter breaks my heart. Yet, for a bride of Christ, what solace must they have in that hour so many dread. My vocation is natural, and holds me to things of this world, which makes it harder to leave, but also harder to remember I am not meant for this world. Theirs is supernatural, and they spend their lives as I pray we will spend eternity.

My husband was talking to a Sister for Life and in the conversation, she humbly said, "When you look at me, you are seeing Heaven," because we will all be spouses of Christ there. How true this is. Death, for these beautiful women will only be the removal of the barrier which separates Lover and the beloved. Let them bring consolation to us all as they allow us a glimpse of eternity with our Divine Spouse.

Thank you Brides of Christ!

Women & Dress

Right now I'm reading an awesome series of talks for young women given by a solid priest in the 1920s. Though written almost a century ago, his words still ring very true. I highly recommend the entire booklet, but this excerpt on modesty struck me today...

"Of course I know that many excuses will be given for indecency in dress. Some girls say that they cannot spare the time or money to have a dress made, but must buy it ready made, and they can only get what is in style. But many of the dresses that are objectionable are not obtained at the stores, but are made to order.

Moreover, if the store style is extreme, it is because the demand for it is great. If Catholic girls insist on the proper style, it will be found on the counters. In most of our cities, the Catholic trade is worth having, and stores will supply that trade. But even if the stores are to blame, which I do not concede, a modest girl will know how to make a modest alteration.

Why should Catholics take up the fashions of those who are living merely for the life that is passing? Our forefathers suffered confiscation, imprisonment, exile and death for the Faith. Were they all fools? Millions of martyrs endured indescribable torture for the the Faith. Were they wrong?

Is what Christ says true, or not? 'What does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul?' The life is more than the body, and the soul is more than life. Because there is a sort of Christianized paganism abroad, are we going to be swallowed up by it?

In the early days of Christianity, the followers of Christ had to take their stand. If they had not, there would have been no Christian civilization. And are not we going to take a stand to preserve what was established in their blood!"

Bottom line, it is worth the extra time to look at our outfits on a daily basis and question ourselves. Do we look like Christian women, or do we blend in with the crowd? Looking fashionable and attractive is a good thing, and we should take our time getting dressed, embracing our femininity. But there is no excuse for immodesty. It should never be acceptable to leave the house with the potential of leading one of our brothers in Christ to sin, and giving other women the example that such dress is ok. Women are God's beautiful creatures and we should embrace this beauty by dressing with dignity.

Human Respect

A good friend of mine and I have recently been having a discussion about the vice of human respect. Human Respect basically means not saying the truth out of fear of offending someone. It is crazy to think that it is ever justified to withhold the truth of God because of someones feelings. Just today someone I don't even know sent me a very angry e-mail because of a comment I made on Facebook. A girl I know posted that she is having a bad day and looking for a reason to not get drunk. The reason I gave her is that God would rather she didn't. Accord to the girl who e-mailed me, that was very insensitive and I should apologize. Why would I ever apologize for encouraging someone in the truth? I have seen instances though where someone does state the truth in a way that appears unloving. We have to balance never be afraid to preach the gospel but at the same time not be offensive in a way that will turn someone off to the Lord. Mother Theresa was the master of this. Even if people did not like what she had to say, they respected her. I guess if one day I am as holy as her I will be capable of this too. Maybe in the meantime it is better to risk offense then hide God. Souls are thirsting for God. We can get upset and fight it but ultimately it is what we long for in the depths of our souls.

St. Patrick, Pray for Us

Happy St. Patrick's Day? In my opinion, this "holiday" is absolutely ridiculous in the United States. Green food, pinching and beer. That's all I have to say.

Read about the awesome Saint that American's (mostly non-Irish and non-Catholics) are apparently so "happy" about today.

http://catholicexchange.com/2009/03/17/116775/