Be kind....

St. Catherine of Siena

25 March 1347 at Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Youngest child in a large family. At the age of seven she had a vision in which Jesus appeared with Peter, Paul, and John; Jesus blessed her, and she consecrated herself to Him. Her parents wanted her to marry, but she became a Dominican tertiary. Mystic. Stigmatist. Received a vision in which she was in a mystical marriage with Christ, and the Infant Christ presented her with a wedding ring. Counselor to Pope Gregory XI and Pope Urban VI. Canonized July 1461 by Pope Pius II.
She died 29 April 1380 of a mysterious and painful illness that came on without notice, and was never properly diagnosed.
Proclaimed Doctor of the Church on 4 October 1970.
From Abbey Roads: "Perhaps if any one of us aspires to be like Catherine, we should first pray for the grace to imitate her penance, her solitude in the cell of self-knowledge, imitating her prayer, which lifted her soul in heroic charity - intense love of God and neighbor.. - then those of us who dare, may try to reform the Church. Remember, perfection lies in union with God through charity... In a way, all I'm saying is that if we think ourselves to be so perfect, the measure we should use is Catherine's charity - love of God and neighbor, as well as her forgetfulness of self - rather than her militancy."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ice cream habit

Really??? Is this really news? It seems incredible to me that my morning newspaper included a half page write up on the excessive ice cream consumption of the Prime Minister's household. Oh, and he loves pistachio! They really ripped him up over it. While reading this article, I kept thinking -- is this for real? Why are they writing in such a vitriolic manner over this issue? Then I started wondering how much our own president spends on ice cream and how much does he eat?? Oh, never mind - I have better things to think about.

Wardrobe mishap

I saw this posted on facebook and thought it was funny -- not that I was laughing at the Pope; far from it. I love the Pope and deeply respect his office, but don't you think God has a sense of humor? I really think Pope Benedict thought it was funny too.

The Pope resigns

repost from Abbey Roads:
"When someone we know and love dies, we wish we had him near, that we might listen more attentively to his every word. We are fortunate to be able to savor this time with Benedict while he is still our Holy Father, to take to heart his every word as Vicar of Christ. I think it is a special grace for us. More important than discussions of legal procedures and candidates to replace him. Truth be told, with Benedict XVI still alive, I cannot imagine a suitable successor - I can't even desire one."

Be the Light of the World

and Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14