GOODBYE 2009, WELCOME 2010

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and happy New Year.

YOU SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and a Happy New Year, as well!!!

AWESOME QUOTE!!

“If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hates. My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world. Look for the Church that is hated by the world, as Christ was hated by the world. Look for the Church which is accused of being behind the times, as Our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth. Look for the Church which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils. Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because he called Himself the Truth. Look for the Church which amid the confusion of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect its voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly, it is other-worldly. Since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself. … the Catholic Church is the only Church existing today which goes back to the time of Christ. History is so very clear on this point, it is curious how many miss its obviousness…”
- Bishop Fulton Sheen (from the preface to volume one of Radio Replies)

h/t to Msgr. Charles Pope of the Archdiocese of Washington, via The Deacon's Bench.

GEEK HEAVEN

I'll admit it... I'm a little bit geeky (R U a little bit rock and roll?) and it shows at my desk.

Nice, huh? And don't miss my Pope Benedict XVI bobble-head!!

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Señorita Brenda!

Update:    Dinner at Casa Garcia... the birthday girl!!

BEST WISHES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

Time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

May the Peace that is Christ and the Joy that is the salvation He brings be yours today, tomorrow and forever!!

HAOH2*

*Happy Anniversay, Officer H2!!!

It was one year ago today that H2 entered the New Orleans Police Academy!

CONGRATS TO SIL-O, RN, BSN, MSN

A HUGE congrats to Maggie on earning her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of South Floriday!! Way to go, Mags!!!

She's the one in the cap and gown!!

BANDOLIERS IN LITURGICAL COLORS?

Fr. Z over at WDTPRS had THIS to say about a question sent in by one of his readers:

I have a question for you. Suppose during a EF Mass, a gunman or threatening person enters the church, and opens fire. What can be done within the rubrics to protect the Blessed Sacrament, the priest, the servers, and the congregation? Please keep in mind that the congregation is made up of slow, aging men, who no offense to them, really can’t protect anyone.

Read the comments, as well!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHAEL!!!

DIL1 already set the theme so here's a continuation... Nothing like the original:



Happy Birthday, Michael!!

DECEMBER TO REMEMBER (NOT THE LEXUS ONE)

December is always a busy month for everyone, and Linda and I are no exception.  Just birthdays alone are enough to keep us busy.  We have birthdays on December 3rd (Linda turned 23 yet again!), December 10 marks H1's entry onto the world scene, December 16th is yours truly's b'day, of course the birth of our Lord and Savior on the 25th, and SIL-O on December 31st.  Now we've added H2F (formerly H2GF) on December 27th! Whew!!

Then there's the Covington Craft Fair which always falls on Linda's birthday weekend, so we take that Friday off to go to the fair.  This year it was just the two of us.  In past years Aunt Bev and Uncle Mick, and DLG would go, too.  Those of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook already know that this year was especially nice because... why???... because they had CRACKLINs!!!  Oh, my, yes!!  Yummy!

If all that wasn't enough, add to the mix a trip to Orlando/Tampa to attend SIL-O's graduation from USF with a Master's Degree in Nursing.  That is this weekend coming, so we'll be heading that way on Friday, with a scheduled return to NOLA on Monday.

And finally, I'm scheduled to preach three out of four weekends this month!  Whew!  The New Year can't come to quickly if you ask me!! 

There's still plenty of time for some good Advent self-reflection and preparation, though.  Keeping in mind that Jesus is the reason for the season, Advent is a time to ask ourselves if we are truly prepared, that is, in a right state of mind and spirit to meet and greet the savior of the world.  A popular hymn/song nowadays in many Catholic churches goes, "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love".  If we were to meet Jesus at His second coming this month, or this week, or today, could we truly say that we are living up to His commandment to love one another?

The Christmas season brings out the best in most of us.  We are filled with a spirit of giving, and take joy in bringing smiles to the faces of our family and friends with that perfect gift, or in sharing a bountiful table of delicious treats...  But as Christians, do we let this spirit of love and giving extend beyond our tight circles of family and friends to those less fortunate?  Do we "feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, or visit the sick and imprisoned", especially during this season?  With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, and parties and visiting, can't we take time out to pick up a couple of blankets, or some bags of socks, or a sweater or two, and donate them to a local homeless shelter?  Giving with no thought of getting, now THAT is the spirit of Christmas!!

God bless you, and may your Christmas be Happy, healthy, and filled with LOVE for Jesus, and for one another!!

¡Feliz cumpleaños, mi amor

Happy birthday to the woman who makes my life complete!!!

I love you more than words can ever say!