Catholic Online Forum

Val, I just had a nightcap . . . so maybe that will help with my neck pain.

James Daly will be proud — it's an Aussie wine!

Full disclosure: I am one of three people in the world (at last count) who actually LOVE fruitcake!

Now, it's take an Ambien, grab a book and off to bed. Within three or four hours or so, I will be fast asleep!

_________________
In Christ,

Jim B

I will consider your position if stated with firm, well-thought-out, quiet reasoning. Hateful diatribe, ad hominem attacks and shouted rhetoric don't impress.

Wow, three or four hours to sleep with an Ambien? It put me out in minutes, unfortunately, it also made me suicidally depressed in four days. I take an old fashioned, weak and sedating anti-depressant. It was never very useful as an anti-depressant and is now almost exclusively used for sleep in lower dosages than for depression. It occasionally stops working but for most of the last twenty years, it has worked well for me and is dirt cheap.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Jim,



Well, soon it will be time for Christmas cake.

I sometimes used to buy mine from someone who used to sell them from a trestle table outside St Pat's after Mass, raising money for various Catholic charities. He was a member of our state parliament. Every session he would introduce an anti-abortion private member's bill. It was never passed, but every session it would be back on the table.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johno_Johnson

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

I made an appointment with the GP man for Tuesday, which has caused my swollen foot and ankle to immediately improve overnight. Apparently, my foot felt threatened.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Val, sounds good...I've been concerned because many years ago one of my daughters broke a foot playing frisbee. Her pain increased during the night and we took her to our doctor who sent us straight to the orthopedist. I can't recall how long it took to heal.

I sure hope yous is getting better but maybe you should keep the appointment?


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Val, my insomnia, a faithful companion most of my adult life, has never been very impressed with any kind of sleep aid.

Sunday evenings are the worst. Back when I was a construction superintendent, I would go to bed on Sunday evening, then go over the coming work week agenda. After I started teaching, it was the lesson plans that kept my eyes open until the early morning hours.

Now that I'm retired and the only reason I know for sure that it's Sunday is because I attended Mass — and even that is an unreliable indicator since I sometimes attend weekday Mass, I still lie awake on Sunday night.

I think it's a similar phenomenon as muscle memory!

_________________
In Christ,

Jim B

I will consider your position if stated with firm, well-thought-out, quiet reasoning. Hateful diatribe, ad hominem attacks and shouted rhetoric don't impress.

Mary,



I felt a little stupid making the appointment, mostly did it because I walked on a broken ankle all day one time (I hope I didn't already mention that). So, late today, after it still seemed better I cancelled the appointment. It was an hour later that it's swelled up again. So, apparently my foot knew I cancelled the appointment. I see a doctor tomorrow at UCLA at the obesity clinic...if it seems significant, I'll ask them to look at it but probably not because I feel embarrassed by it.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

You're going to think two things, 1) that I say too much about medication... .well, I have to spend a lot of time everyday thinking about it so you'll have to live with it or ban me, 2) that the following doesn't sound true.

But, I've been taking a medication for one and half years that overheated me to the extent that I was walking around the monastery last year when it was around 30 degrees wearing just a sweatshirt and a thin, silk thermal. It had to get to around 20 when I finally felt the need to put on a jacket and gloves.

Over the years I've become increasingly sensitive to cold.

Now, I just went off this med two days ago and I'm freezing. My thermostat has been set to 58-60 and I was fine and now it's set at 72 and I'm still feeling cold and I'm wearing a heavy sweatshirt.

Do you think it's wrong to go back on a dangerous medication that can cause permanent neurological damage just to be warmer through the winter? I'll have to buy more clothing if this keeps up and I get the med for free.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Val, we must be related...I wear a jacket or sweater or both, even in the summer.

People stare at me, and then I smile at them and we both grin!


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

With due respect you do not appear to have been a victim of violence

http://theweek.com/article/index/237735 ... -no-choice

http://www.rawa.org/self_immolation/gan ... ustice.htm

There is lots of crime outside of the Church,Afghanistan is just one country where violence is pervasive.

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Simon

Dear fsimon,

Thank you for your reply. You are correct, I have never suffered the degree of violence that Jesus suffered or His mother Mary, or those who continue to suffer all over the world in various ways. I read both of the articles for which you gave links in your post, and my heart goes out to those young persons, even as it goes out to the persons in CT who are suffer.

My point is that all of us will suffer in this world. Sin entered the world and so we continue to see violence. Some will suffer more and some may suffer less, but God never gives us more than we can bear with His grace. The lives of the saints testify to the heroism of men, women and children who have practiced heroic virtues of faith, hope and charity in the midst of horrible crimes against humanity.

I believe they were able to grow in faith, hope and charity by God's Grace. So we too, by God's Grace are enabled to grow in faith, hope and above all charity, no matter how great nor comparatively small our suffering may be. By God's Grace we can all look to the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and find all we need.

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MariaChristi

Christian Societies have less crime.But take a country like Afghanistan , Pakistan and crime seems to be the rule rather than the exception.
Converting these people to my mind is impossible without Christianity.The task is monstrous.Even in India domestic violence is commonplace.I keep to myself and dont try to change the world .Christianity has not impacted enough for christian values to seep into society.So I am a "minority" as far as christian social values go.

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Simon

Simon, you have already done something for your neighbors.

You have made known to us the situation in your country and now many of us will be praying along with you for them.

God works in 'strange ways'.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Thats true-God writes straight with crooked lines

_________________
Simon

Dear Mary and simon,

It is very true that the knowledge of the suffering endured by others all over the world helps us to pray more fervently for them. It is also true that God permits situations in which all of us can give to others what they need and we, in turn, receive from others what we need. God is always working good. (Romans 8: 28)

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MariaChristi

Dear simon,

In every situation, we need to remember God's Word: "Nothing is impossible with God". (Luke 21:37) God is more powerful and more merciful that our limited intellects can fully comprehend, and faith goes beyond what we can see. Jesus performed many miracles and told His disciples they would do even greater things. The first Christians were a minority in the terribly cruel culture of the Roman occupation, yet by God's Grace and their quiet lives of holiness many converts were made. It will be very difficult and seemingly impossible to penetrate into the culture of present day India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and many other places in this world. Nevertheless, the Church exists to evangelize. We can still carry Jesus , as Mary carried Him, in silence, or if God gives us opportunity we can speak the Truth with some persons, as saints before us have done.

I have great concerns for my own country. Here in the United States, we "used to be" more of a Christian country, but we are seeing more and more violence in places where people used to feel safe. I believe Bl Mother Teresa's words continue to ring true for us and for the world, i.e. when a baby is not safe in a mother's womb, no one is safe. The evil one is a liar and a murderer from the beginning and the lies of abortion, contraception and "might makes right" continues to make war against those who choose to love God and one another; against those who remain faithful to Christ and the Church He founded. Christians may become a minority here in the USA, in my lifetime, as things have moved so swiftly toward secularism. God is being systematically pushed out of our culture more and more on the grossly misunderstood phrase: "Separation of Church and State" .

Still, I remain convinced that God is not unaware of all the situations in our world and He continues to "work good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose" (Romans 8:28). We can, by His Grace, remain faithful, simon, and trust Him to give us His Holy Spirit as we ask, seek and knock on the door of His Heart. Let us look to Him especially through the intercession of Mary His Mother whom He gave to us from the Cross. Her life was not an "easy one" as she encountered the same sinful world we encounter everyday. There is a spiritual war between good and evil that will continue until the end, and we know God remains Lord of all. One day He will wipe away every tear. Until then, let us be faithful to the Truth we know, let us continue to pray and to do His Will, that by His Grace we will be ready when He comes in glory.

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MariaChristi

My reaction is to be disheartened-WWII types don't exist anymore-Obama is best ignored etc .I really don't know about violence and cannot comment. There are many many good christian websites which is inspiring.The USA is a world superpower but it should lead as a christian country.

That is a tragedy because then what will differentiate Americans from others?

I have at least become acutely aware of the need I have for God's Grace.But its God's Grace and not my culture that makes me a Christian.

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Simon

fsimon, is the photo in your avatar a pic of you?

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Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

Dear simon,

My cousins and my brother in law fought in WWII and there are some of us "WWII types" still around, but that does not stop the evil one continuing to make inroads into the minds and hearts of Americans. President Obama cannot be ignored -- he is the President and he exerts tremendous influence on this country. Too many have believed in his policies and they re-elected him. The good Christian websites you find are inspiring and I am grateful to be able to share God's Love with those who have faith, hope and above all charity. God's Grace makes us Christians, true, but our present culture does not help us to remain faithful. On the contrary, young people, especially have little to help them grow in the Catholic Faith -- some barely know what the Church teaches, and some seem no to care about learning more. The secular has become more important to many than the Sacred. Crowds will go to a pop concert, while the Church is half full.

It is a tragedy, if Americans continue to allow God to be "pushed out of their lives" because what made America great in the past was her strong faith in God. That faith has been weakened by a President who promotes abortion and is currently seeking to force Americans to pay for abortions on demand in his healthcare mandate. Perhaps the tragedy of 20 children being shot may enable him to see some connection to the sanctity of life in the womb. Every person's life is precious especially the most defenseless.

Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for your children in every country of the world. America looks to you as Patroness under your title of the Immaculate Conception. Intercede for us that we may repent as a nation for the millions of abortions performed in our country and abortions performed in other countries funded by our government. May God enable our leaders to see the terrible consequences of their actions, and may God strengthen the faith of those who continue to believe in Him Who is our Way our Truth and our Life. St. Joseph, Protector of Mary and Child, protect us by your prayers, against the evil one.

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MariaChristi

Thanks be to God for Pope Benedict's 'New Evangelization'.

What a gift it will be for all of us if we do our best
to keep 'Jesus in the midst' with our Holy Father.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Yes,I was lucky enough to attend Mass at US Army FOB at Kandahar and Bagram in 2010.So I have seen your faith first hand-good memories of seeing US army personnel at Mass,but also saw unbelievers there too.



no I put it there for fun-its an illiterate Indian woman trying to figure out what a computer is

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Simon

Santa brought me an early Christmas present; the cold my kids just got over.

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

Aww, Andrew...wasn't that sweet of them?

On the other hand...maybe not.

By the way, how many kids do you and your lovely bride have?


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Two, Mark and Skye. Pictured in my Avatar. Aren't they cute??

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

Um, that's not you and your lovely bride in your avatar?


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

Ha! No, that's my 14 and 12 year olds. Here is my wife Michele:




Your family is really photogenic!

Wait a second...that's only three people's photos...where's the fourth???


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

LOL We recently took our little dog to the vet because she had been walking around on three legs for weeks. AS SOON as she got into the vet's she started walking on 4 legs. As soon as we left, she again refused to use the back leg. Unbelievable.


Oh, my. I'm glad I saw this post because I'd noticed that avatar and I'd thought, "Huh. I always thought that fsimon was a man, but he's a woman. How could I have gotten that so wrong?!"

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

Thank you!

I guess the fourth is me? No picture right now; I don't want to scare anyone!

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Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

I was thinking it looks like a lot of us when finding something weird and awful on the internet: dumfounded and with a splitting headache.

chris kirk

Andrew,

Beautiful kids...I too, thought that was you and your wife.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Mary,

I went to the GP man just to satisfy my curiosity, upon examining it, he thought for sure my foot was broken but it was just my little toe...cracked in one place and completely fractured in another...thank God because when he said my foot might be broken I had visions of weeks in a cast.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Val,

Four decades or so ago, back when I was an active, fit human being rather than the shell I've become, I was chasing my kids through the house barefoot, in some long-forgotten game. Cutting through a doorway too close to the wall, I heard a loud pop and felt an excruciating pain in my foot. I looked down and my little toe was resting backwards against the side of my foot.

I recalled a conversation with a friend who had complained about breaking his little toe, going to the emergency room and paying a couple hundred dollars (remember, this was forty years ago ) to have the ER doctor tape it to the next one and give him some pain medication.

So I just moved it back in place (that WAS a bit painful!), taped it to the next toe, took a couple of aspirin and moved on.

Fortunately this happened early in the weekend. Limped into Church on Sunday wearing a house shoe on that foot and pretty much stayed off it other than that.

By Monday, I could get my shoe on and go to work.

_________________
In Christ,

Jim B

I will consider your position if stated with firm, well-thought-out, quiet reasoning. Hateful diatribe, ad hominem attacks and shouted rhetoric don't impress.

Simon,



Their accents.

_________________
James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

Ah dern't haav 'n acCENT!

_________________
In Christ,

Jim B

I will consider your position if stated with firm, well-thought-out, quiet reasoning. Hateful diatribe, ad hominem attacks and shouted rhetoric don't impress.

Jim,

I can't get my shoe on so I'm still in a house slipper, though a very sturdy one. I don't have a lot of space to spare in my shoes, I have wide feet so I guess there just isn't enough room in there for a bit of a wider and lumpier toe. I'm glad I didn't experience the level of fracture that you did, I'm just a wimp.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Val, does this mean you are not going skiing with us?


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Mary,

I think it's best I not go skiing with you, as I just now slammed my broken toe into the wall and am sitting here with one foot over the ice pack that's around my poor, abused toe.

In my younger, athletic and well coordinated days, I wanted to learn to ski but never had the opportunity and I would just instantly die if I did it now. Also, a friend who skis a lot told me a story about standing in line for the thingy that takes you up the mountain and a woman ahead of him lost control and both her skis went in opposite directions and she had to be carried away on a stretcher.

_________________
Valerie Garcia
vals1990@yahoo.com

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him ....." St. Benedict

Hmm, looks like I can't go either...I don't have skis for my wheelchair.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Sad to hear that you are in a wheelchair-I had fractured my leg last year and know how it feels to use a walker

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Simon

Thank you, Simon...

In the house I've been using a walker for nine years now and the wheelchair when I go out because I can only walk short instances.

I've always offered it for the Church and for "that they may all be one."

Did your leg heal well?


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Yes,it did thanks.I had to keep it in a cast for 4 weeks and then use a walker for some more time.The doctor aligned it perfectly with no operation .I hated the cast and it took some time before I could trust my leg to take my weight.So I have the experience of being unable to move freely.The only good thing I did was to remember that God used a broken leg to get St Ignatius of Loyola to examine himself.

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Simon

Nice post, Simon!
I forgot about God using a broken leg to get St Ignatius of Loyola to examine himself.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

This is an online catholic community.
I am questioning my own response to The Delhi gang rape.It is the response of a soldier in a battlefield who has seen a lot and dying around him>He is sorry when he sees someone dead and injured but then he has his own fight and moves on.There is always death on battlefield.Christ is the Life of the World so in a non christian society sin will be present in society in various hues.My attitude is cold and impassionate and that worries me a bit.

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Simon

I like your new avatar, Mary.

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.

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Simon

Thank you, Andrew...we have a two and a half x three and a half framed copy above our fireplace. I copied it from there.


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

I'm back again...I need to relax...


Mary

_________________
"Those who encounter the Risen Jesus
and entrust themselves docilely to him have nothing to fear.
This is the message that Christians are called to spread
to the very ends of the earth." Benedict XVI

Mary, I forgot to wish you a happy Friday! I hope you have a good weekend.

_________________
Andrew McAllister

Respect for the dignity of every innocent human being from conception/fertilization, without exception, without compromise, without apology.