Prayer Request (Edited) Good news!

This will be quick. In a few minutes, we'll be going to the hospital where my husband will be having his colonoscopy. It's been almost one year since last year's cancer scare. His tumor was removed and no other cancer cells were found in his body. By God's grace, we pray that today he'll receive a clean bill of health.

We're both a bit nervous, so prayers for him, first and then for me. :-) I know God has everything under control. I ask that we both would be given God's grace to accept whatever is His will. Thank you so much and God bless you for your prayers.

Edited to add: Great news! They found just one little polyp and removed it. The doctor said he didn't need to see Mickey for another colonoscopy for 3 years. This is such wonderful news! Mickey was very concerned, as you might imagine, and of course, so was I. I am deeply thankful for your prayers. I felt the peace of God in the waiting area and knew I felt answered prayer. God bless you guys!

Prayer Request (Edited) Good news!

My friend Kimberly has need for prayers for her little girl, Abigail, who recently visited an eye doctor, where some abnormalities were discovered in the nerves. She was referred to a neurologist and will likely have an appointment soon.

My friend is a home-schooling mother who has had many challenges to her own health last year. Little Abigail is nine, and I know that no mother wants to see their child go through anything like this.

Would you join me in prayer for Abigail's healing, and for peace and comfort for the family? I always ask for God's will to be done, but still, we are encouraged to ask our heavenly Father for help in time of need.

Bless you for doing so and I'll keep you posted.

---

UPDATE: Abigail is going to be alright! From her mother:

After 4 hours with a pediatric ophthamologist we have a diagnosis: Optic Nerve Drusen, astigmatism, farsightedness and intermittent esotropia.

This is wonderful news! It simply means that Abigail has a congenital eye disorder that could possibly cause problems later, but most likely will not. She has difficulty coordinating her eye movements and can't see things well up close. A very small cross to bear, considering the alternatives imagined by her very worried parents...

Thank you for praying! I can't imagine what it was like, wondering if the worst was ahead for this dear little girl. God is so good and merciful!

Update on Prayer Request, and Thank You for Praying!

Stephen's condition has improved and I know he had reconstructive surgery yesterday. Before he did, he had remarkable improvement with his condition. So much so that his nurse who first saw him was amazed that he was standing with help and eating pureed foods. He seems to have a little short-term memory loss. He can see out of his left eye but his right eye is still swollen and that may last 3-4 weeks. He said he can see the outline of things.

So prayers are being answered! Thank you for the prayers offered and if you could, continue to keep Stephen and his family in your heart. God bless you richly. :-)

The Post I Never Thought I'd Write: Update on Prayer Request #Catholic

My last post requesting prayer was cryptic for a few reasons. First, I notice that many Catholic bloggers, when requesting prayers for certain situations, are vague with whom they are for or the reason for the request. This practice is surprisingly refreshing and humble, since it seems Catholics have a prayer for every need on earth and quite a few that cover a multitude of needs.

Second, I really wasn't sure what was going on but there also was a bit of shock going on in my system as I entered into the unknown. I now come to you and ask for your prayers and intercession on behalf of my darling husband, Mickey. As some of you know, Mickey is not Catholic although he has Catholic great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers. He was cooperative enough to enter into the annulment process (because he was divorced) on my behalf so that our marriage could be blessed by the Church when I returned to Catholicism in 2008. I could not have asked God for a better spouse and our love for one another only has deepened over the years.

Yesterday, we celebrated our nine year anniversary in a hospital. Not where I would have wanted to do so, but circumstances had brought us there. Mickey was admitted to the hospital on Friday, December 3 for rectal bleeding. As you may suspect, this caused alarm. We went to the hospital's emergency room where, after checking him, they advised to admit him so they could keep an eye on him. I agreed and we did. A colonoscopy was ordered, but unbeknownst to me, there are certain procedures that aren't done over the weekend unless it's an emergency. So Mickey had to wait until Monday.

I think I can say that Monday was one of the most trying times of my life. The colonoscopy wasn't scheduled until the end of the day. It is a fairly quick procedure and thank God we have this method of examining our colons. Sometimes polyps grow in the colon that if left unchecked, can become cancerous. During a colonoscopy, they can safely remove these little buggers before they cause trouble. With Mickey's colonoscopy though, they found something a little larger than a polyp. They found a tumor.

And... that's when the roller-coaster ride of "what is it and what do we do?" began. The doctors determined that Mickey needed surgery to remove that section of his colon and tests began. CAT scan, X-rays, blood work. The good news is that his CAT scan came back clear as did the X-ray. Later on Tuesday, he had a bone scan. Yesterday morning we received more good news that his bone scan was clear. I was elated! Yesterday, on our ninth anniversary, Mickey had surgery to remove that nasty tumor, for which I was immensely grateful. But now, there is one more test to take, which I especially ask for your prayers: the lymphatic system. During surgery, it's routine to remove lymph nodes to test. So my prayers have been that this test will also show up as clear.

When things like this happen, it's so easy to say, "Why me? Why us?" As I walked down the hospital's corridor yesterday, I said to myself, "Why not me? Why not us?" We don't know the reason why God permits certain things in our lives, we only know that He is there and He is in charge. My faith has been getting a huge work-out this week and dare I say, so has Mickey's. I have been incredibly touched by the prayers and support we've already received from my home church as well as friends and family.

God has given me encouragement in many ways. For instance, the first nurse I talked to in the endoscopy department was very compassionate. After I got the news (and heard for the first time the word "tumor"), I said to her, "I think I'm going to cry." She immediately came over and gave me a hug and told me it was totally understandable as I cried on her shoulder. I then collected myself and said, "Well, I'm going to find the right saint for this one and start a novena!" She smiled.

I walked away and then thought, "Hmm. She looks Catholic to me." So being the enormous extrovert that I am (even in this circumstance), I marched back over to her and asked, "Hey, by any chance are you Catholic?" She smiled and nodded. In fact, she told me she attended St. Cecilia's, which is around the corner and down the street from where we live. I was surprised. "Wait a minute," I said. "I attend St. Cecilia's too, on occasion. I think I might know you...." As my mind ran through past introductions, it dawned on me. "I think you're my neighbor!"

She looked at me smiling, but with a puzzled look. I then described her back yard, which is adjacent to our building, and then described her husband who takes such pride in his garden, and especially in growing his hostas'. She nodded. Yes, that was her husband and garden. I slightly remembered here because one time when I went to church, I noticed she was getting in the car with her daughter. I pulled out behind them and saw they were going to the same place as me. We both talked about what a small world it was. I knew in that moment that I was in the right place and that God was watching over us.

At the moment, my husband is recovering from his surgery yesterday. There are all sorts of things he is going through in order to help him heal. But what I cherish above everything else is prayer. I attended Mass yesterday for the Holy Day of Obligation for our Blessed Mother's Immaculate Conception. (I found it interesting that I chose that day to get married without even realizing what day it was. Even though I wasn't in the Catholic Church at the time, I can't help but think this is significant.) I have been discovering some beautiful prayers and yes, the patron saint for cancer is St. Peregrine. This morning I prayed the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer for the first time, at least for the first time I can remember. (What a tender and lovely prayer!)

So I ask for you to also keep my darling man in prayer. He is such a good man and treats people with love and respect. He gets along with everyone and is full of life, very much a "happy-go-lucky" type that can charm anyone. Throughout it all, I do ask for God's will and know that His will is indeed perfect. I ask for the grace and strength to accept whatever His will may be and the same for Mickey and our family and friends.

You, my dear readers, have encouraged me with your comments many times in the past. I want to thank you for your past prayers and ask if you send up a few more on behalf of my dear husband. I felt the prayers yesterday from my church family. How anyone gets through such times as these without faith is a mystery to me. Praise God for His Son, His Holy Spirit, for our Blessed Mother, and for all the angels and saints who constantly intercede on our behalf. I can safely say that since returning to the Catholic Church, I feel as though I have more "spiritual coverage" than I ever did outside of it. I am amazed and humbled, surprised and delighted. To God be all the glory. :-)

Prayer, Catholicism, and Non-Denominational Intercession

"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matt 6:5-8 RSV)

One of the "anti-Catholic" teachings I received was the belief that praying the rosary was "vain repetition," using Matthew 6:7 as proof. But notice in that verse that Jesus said "empty phrases." The Greek word used is battalogeō from the root word Battos, meaning a proverbial stammerer. I have written about my new found delight in praying the rosary and how it has helped orient my day. When I pray it early in the morning, it reminds me of several things: 1) I am wholly dependent upon God's grace and 2) Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, went through an extraordinary effort to bring salvation to me.

I would say those two revelations would sit well with any Protestant. It may be that for some, praying a prayer over and over again seems senseless. It's not. I'm not sure of the details, but I do know that when praying, my mind gets easily distracted. It can be all over the place. But when I pray the rosary, my mind has in a sense, "train rails" to keep me on track. As I pray the "Our Father," the "Hail Mary," the "Glory Be" and the Fatima prayer, my mind also is focusing on the mysteries. There are four: The Joyful Mysteries, The Glorious Mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries, and The Luminous Mysteries. Each mystery focuses on Jesus Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection. It also includes meditation upon the role of Mary, the Apostles, and the Holy Spirit.

I've given some thought about what I was involved with during those years in non-denominational churches. I have made mention of this before but will delve a little deeper with this entry.

One of the first things I wanted to do after I left the Catholic church and entered into a Presbyterian church was learn more about prayer. For reasons familiar with many of us who left the Catholic church, the prayers within the liturgy weren't "enough" for me. At the time, those prayers seemed "rote" or "mechanical." So, I was off and running to learn what I could about prayer.

I studied prayer extensively, especially focusing on famous intercessors like Rees Howell and the many historical figures who were part of great revivals in the United States, which were preceded by earnest, heartfelt prayer. I joined prayer groups, eventually learning enough to teach others. When I switched my church membership to the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, I immediately joined a small group who prayed with the pastor early Sunday morning before the service. I branched out into two areas of prayer: intercession (praying for the spiritual needs of our community, city, state, nation, and world) and prayer ministry (praying for the specific needs of an individual).

During my final years of involvement with a non-denominational church (at this time, it was not the Vineyard but a 'prophetic movement' church), I noticed something that concerned me regarding intercession. My role at the time was to organize intercessory teams for our conferences. These teams were predominately made up of women. The process for preparing these teams and the actual time of interceding was getting more and more complicated.

Before, we would gather in rooms before the conference and intercede, praying for God's direction in guiding the speakers and worship. We prayed for protection and empowerment by the Holy Spirit, seeking God's will in all things. But we slowly moved from that to other activities. Activities, that, interestingly enough - were all about being "seen by men."

The intercessors wanted special badges to distinguish themselves from the attendees of the conference. Then, they wanted special seating, to be in the front row so their prayers could truly "cover" the worship and teaching. I started to notice pride entering in as some women relished being on the front row and would pout if they they were somehow overlooked. I had to juggle the names and rotate the teams since there were many "breakout" sessions that 'needed' the intercessory team present.

So. Which scenario best fits the passage above from St. Matthew? Praying the rosary or the intercession teams I facilitated? I know my answer.

What we must always guard against (and believe me, I put myself through the same examination) is a desire to be seen and praised by men. Many women who get caught up in the race for recognition, often forget Jesus' words when it comes to prayer. We are not to make a show out of it, or seek admiration. In fact, Jesus Himself would find a quiet place to be alone with His Father and pray. Does this mean there is no value in corporate prayer? Of course not. We are strengthened when we gather with others to pray. But it is the attitude of our hearts that will let us know if we are really there to pray, or there to look good because we're praying.

I both witnessed and was a part (to a degree) of some crazy intercessory stuff when I was away from the Catholic church. But being involved with heavy-duty spiritual warfare has its consequences. One of them is an understanding of a believer's authority in this area. Many intercessors have suffered physically or experienced hardship in their life because they didn't understand that there are some areas we do not have the authority to confront in the spirit realm.

This is when I learned about St. Michael the Archangel, and Jude 1:9:

But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

Even St. Michael, as high up as he is in the Angel Army - did not judge the devil but said, "The Lord rebuke you." It is a powerful reminder to us that although we can boldly approach the throne of grace with our needs, we must remember our place and ask for the intercession of St. Michael in such spiritual battles.

I am slowly entering into intercession again, but with much more sobriety and awareness than ever before. Praying devotions is powerful. I am looking forward to learning more and hopefully, will avoid true "vain repetitions."

(5/8/09 9:30 PM) Note: Shirley just commented that today is the Feast Day of the Apparition of St. Michael. I had no idea, but appreciate her letting me know. I had intended on blogging about this topic earlier but had a very busy week with a work-related conference. What timing, eh? St. Michael, pray for us, for we need your sword more than ever.

Praise Report: New Job!

I am in awe of God. My gratitude toward His infinite mercy and providence truly knows no bounds at this moment. Through a very odd set of circumstances, it looks like I will start a brand new job next week!

What is amazing to me is that I could not have asked for a more perfect job. In fact, I have been searching for this type of a job for quite some time, with no success and today, it literally fell into my lap. So next week, I will be "testing out" my new position as a Graphic Designer/Writer/PR assistant/Web Design Support for a small company. I am beyond thrilled that God has answered my prayer to find a position that would utilize my college degree, and my writing/designing skills.

The company culture is a good fit for me. They're a great group of people who genuinely enjoy working together. It is a casual environment and for the most part, laid-back. I don't sense that the company president is a frantic ball of nerves, demanding everyone to wrap themselves around his personal brand of crazy.

I'll be in a "testing phase" because both of us want this to be a good fit. If I'm not what they need, they'll interview more people and I'll bow out. If they're not what I like, it's understood I'll move along. I have several part-time jobs but quite honestly, I need more income - hence the requests for prayer and petitions.

What is wild is that just this morning during Mass, I asked God to please bring me an opportunity to use my talents, education, and skills. I was getting a little discouraged because I realize I'm not, as they say, "a spring chicken" anymore. As much as some companies would deny any bias against older applicants, I know it exists. One look at my resume and anyone could tell I've been working for quite some time. And some read that as potentially problematic because older employees generally ask for higher pay (and typically deserve it) and are not as "pliable" in attitude.

In other words, older employees often don't mince words and if they have a bad attitude, it will not likely change.

So. This company is willing to give me a chance and I am ready to make the most of it. Now my prayers will be that I'll be on the same page with their vision and able to execute it with precision. I'll still be praying!

Meanwhile, I wanted to thank you if you sent up a prayer or two for me. Job hunting is never fun. Although I've been searching for a part-time position, I'm thinking I'll be able to deal with an office environment full-time if it is a creative position. And this position will definitely be using every creative bone in my body.

Thank you God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, St. Joseph, St. Anthony, and all the saints who heard my cry! Amen and amen!

Back to Catholic Stuff: Praise Report

I simply wanted to publicly thank the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. Anthony for their petitions regarding my work situation. I've been sending out resumes and have not had any success in getting an interview. This gives me a slight surreal feeling since I have a college degree and decades of administrative experience. My desire is to work part-time in an office environment for a company or organization that actually interests me.

So in other words, I don't want to work for real estate, a doctor, or a company that manufacturers the plastic cheese part that goes into the mousetrap.

It's hard, harder than I thought. One part-time job I applied to had 171 responses. 171! For part-time!

I'm also pursuing creative ideas for bringing in an income such as writing and design. I'm moving into the direction of writing but also fiddling around with computer graphics, which I love.

Anyway. My part-time job at Michaels did give me more hours for next week and a few more tomorrow. I am very grateful to God and to the saints who stood in the gap for me. I feel very upbeat about the future. What is tough is to resist applying for just "any job." By the time one hits their forties, they know what they're good at doing and which environments best suits them.

If you're also looking for a job, have you noticed how many "thrives in a fast-paced environment" job ads there are? Ugh. Sounds to me like a company that expects you to pack a 70-hour work week into 40 hours. No thanks.

Premature Sexualisation Pushes Young Girls Toward Depression: New Study

As I was scanning the news online, I came across this (emphasis mine):

"Premature Sexualisation" Pushing Young Girls into Depression and Self-Harm: New Study
By Hilary White

July 14, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "When I was 11, I read a teenage magazine for the first time and that is when it kind of clicked, 'I should be like this'," says one young girl surveyed in a study by Girlguiding UK and the Mental Health Foundation, that has revealed three leading potential "triggers" for serious mental health problems in girls: premature sexualisation, commercialisation and alcohol misuse.

More generally, the report reveals a loss of childhood innocence and says girls today experience high levels of "stress, anxiety and unhappiness". The study found that premature sexualisation and pressure to grow up too quickly are two "key influences" in the anxiety felt by girls.

"Sexual advances from boys, pressure to wear clothes that make them look too old and magazines and websites directly targeting younger girls to lose weight or consider plastic surgery were identified as taking a particular toll," the report says.

"Premature Sexualisation" Pushing Young Girls Into Depression and Self-Harm: New Study

How sad. This is one of the many reasons why I feel so strongly about reaching out to younger women regarding chastity and self-respect.

Years ago, I felt prompted to see the movie, "Thirteen." I don't have children, but I sensed God wanted me to see a glimpse of what many younger women endure in school. It wasn't pretty.

"Thirteen" is a gritty, unpleasant movie. Chronicling the life of a young thirteen-year old girl raised by a single mother; it shows the unvarnished truth of life for many such teens. In order to be accepted or seen as "cool," one must throw themselves headlong into a life of deception, drugs and alcohol, and self-abuse. The film showed one previously innocent thirteen-year old girl being systematically corrupted by the "popular" girl - who in reality was an abandoned child.

Where were the voices in their lives? The adults who would tell them they were heading down the wrong path? A parent who closely watched who her daughter befriended? Mothers who knew what mothering really meant?

They were nowhere to be seen. One mother was a recovering alcoholic who was trying her best but falling short of connecting with her daughter. The other "wild child" didn't have a mother but was staying with a cousin who really didn't care when this thirteen-year old girl came home and even gave her a beer from time to time. How "cool."

I am thinking about this story in light of the youth attending World Youth Day in Australia. What kind of impact can these young people make in their schools and with their peers? Their influence cannot be overestimated and more than anything, we need to gird these young missionaries with prayers and novenas. They truly are in the lion's den of society but by the grace of God, they will emerge in one piece, victorious in Christ.

Pray for our sons and daughters, that they would not only know of God, but really know Him.

Raising Support: Sancta Missa Workshop for Laity on TLM

You may have noticed I added a Tip Jar on the left side. I am using all means possible in order to raise the funds needed to attend the Sancta Missa Workshop for Laity on The Latin Mass, held in Chicago, Illinois, August 25-29.

Chicago is about a six hour drive and an hour by air. I am asking around my parish if anyone is planning on attending. So far, no one else is going (and many have not heard of it).

Ever since I found out about this workshop a month ago, I knew I wanted to make every effort possible to attend. I have been extremely blessed to have nearby a parish which celebrates the "Gregorian Rite" several times a week. A Low Mass is offered Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:00 AM, Thursday evening at 7:00 PM, the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 AM (Low Mass) and every Sunday at 9:00 AM (Solemn High Mass). I knew this was unusual when I started to notice that not only is the Gregorian Rite not offered in many dioceses, some are even actively blocking it. I realize I have in my own backyard an embarrassment of riches.

When I spoke to my parish priest about this workshop, he said, "I wish I had the time to give such a workshop myself!" He is very, very busy. Meanwhile, we have an active group of Una Voce and a solid group of people who cherish this beautiful Mass.

I am committed to not only attending, but taking copious notes (not to brag, but I take killer notes...), and then passing them onto my blog readers. For those who contribute, I want to do something extra special for them. I want to bring this information to both my family, my parish friends, my parish priest, my readers, and ultimately, my Castitas crew.

It is my goal to educate more young people about the Gregorian Rite. I'm not sure how God will work all of this out, but I know this burning desire in my heart is for a reason.

The registration price for the workshop is $600. I'm estimating that whether I drive or fly, it would be around $150. If you are able to contribute, mega-blessings be upon your head. Even if you're not able, please pray that I can attend this wonderful workshop. I think it's going to be an amazing time and I look forward to passing on everything I've learned to you. :-)

Why Catholic Identity Is Important

It was with great sadness that I read this:

Washington, D.C., June 5, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic University in the U. S., has hired lesbian Shiva Subbaraman to act as director for its new Homosexual Campus centre that is to be opened in the fall.

Subbaraman was formerly the associate director of a homosexual equity office at the University of Maryland campus in College Park. After the school threatened to cut funding for the office, Subbaraman started looking for a new job.

The pro-homosexual newspaper, The Washing Blade, reports that Georgetown decided to start the LGBT Equity office after two "anti-gay incidents" occurred on campus. In the first case a student was arrested and accused of assaulting a homosexual student and shouting anti-homosexual slurs at him. The case, however, was dropped due to lack of evidence. In the second incident campus police prevented a group of homosexuals from presenting a petition for the LGBT resource center to the university president. According to the Blade, the police said they were restricting access to the building due to the fact that there was a special event going on inside.

Georgetown University, which is fully funding the new homosexual campus centre, including paying for two full time staff members, has been known to proclaim itself a Catholic institution while going out of its way to support things dramatically opposed to Catholic teaching, including abortion, homosexuality and certain bioethical issues.

The latest news about the founding of the LGBT resource center comes as little surprise to those who have been following Georgetown's movement away from its Catholic identity.

Catholic University Hires Homosexual Campus Director for Gay Campus Centre

The article also pointed out a horrible portion of high school literature that their High School Bioethics Curriculum Project uses in its program. It brings up a situation where a baby, who needed long-term medical care, only lived 2 1/2 years and the medical costs totaled half a million dollars. (And why can't they just say $500,000? Oh, yes. 'Half a million' sounds so much more extreme...)

The literature posed this question: "Do you think this is an appropriate use of the money? Do you think Baby K's mother's religious beliefs should trump issues of fair distribution of resources?"

Unbelievable.

As long as Georgetown University is throwing sick babies under the bus, they may as well strip themselves entirely of what little Catholic identity is left and declare themselves a communist college.

Because the Bible has made it clear that homosexuality is a sin, I would think a Catholic university (or any Catholic group) would want to make sure a person was confronted lovingly with the truth. I do stress lovingly because I've seen too many Christians become harshly judgemental when dealing with this issue. God is a loving God who desires all to have relationship with Him. He does, however, judge our sin. If we can't admit that maybe our way is the wrong way, then it only makes it more difficult for the truth to enter our hearts.

This bit of news from Georgetown saddens me because I see it as the church capitulating to society. We are to stand strong for the truth and the truth is - sexuality is a very important part of our identity; but it is not the only part of it. I've met many gays and they are far from being "gay" or happy. They are wounded on many levels. It is my prayer that the Catholic church will stand more strongly in this area and not justify immorality or euthanasia.

And to think this happened after Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States.

Georgetown U definitely needs our prayers.

Blessed By a New Priest: How Cool Is That?

I have to share my excitement here because really, I don't have many fellow Catholics in my life who would relate. I have my father, who lives in another city two hours away, but at least I can talk to him about Catholicism. And I'm starting to make some new friends at my parish, but other than that, this blog is it.

Soooo....I can't help but share what happened yesterday.

My parish has several weekly Extraordinary Form Masses and the one I attend regularly is Wednesday mornings at 9:00 AM. The priest of this parish, Fr. L, also teaches a weekly Bible study on Tuesday nights. This past Tuesday, I was able to finally attend the study, which was really good. (It was the tail-end of a series on grace and salvation.) During the study, Fr. L happened to mention he would need to take one call on his cell phone from a newly ordained priest who was coming in for a visit. Fr. L mentioned that this new priest considered our parish his "second home."

So during the class, he received the call. He asked if the priest would be "willing to take the 9 AM Mass" because it would help prevent Fr. L from binating. (Saying two Masses in one day) I thought, "Hmmm. We may have another priest tomorrow morning..."

So as Mass started yesterday morning, I realized we did indeed have another priest. His voice was deep and clear as he recited the Latin prayers and said with obvious devotion. After the celebration, he announced to us that if we wanted to receive a blessing from him, to approach the communion rail. Almost every single person came up. I knelt at the end, right in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

I want to mention that yesterday's weather was very turbulent! We had heavy thunderstorms off and on all day. In fact, I was tempted yesterday morning not to attend Mass but now I'm so glad I did!

The priest came out after changing from his vestments and started to bless everyone. It wasn't until he came nearer to my area that I realized he was praying in Latin! I also noticed he was carrying a stack of holy cards. Finally, he came to me and laid hands upon my head and prayed for me. After I made the sign of the cross, he softly said, "You may kiss my hands if you'd like" and held out his hands. I quickly kissed them and looked up at him with a big smile while saying, "Thank you, Father." (Note: Kissing the hands of a priest is an old custom. It is meant to venerate the hands of the one who offers up the consecrated host. It is an expression of faith and love for Jesus, whom the priest represents.) I noticed how young he looked and was very blessed to see such a young man answer the call to this precious vocation. He then gave me a holy card.

When I got into the car, I took a closer look at the card. I was elated to realize that he was Fr. Jonathan Romanoski, one of the four priests who had just been ordained by Cardinal Hoyos into the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter this past Friday, May 30, in Lincoln, Nebraska! (FSSP) How cool is that?!! Here he is with an arrow pointing him out:













I'm including a scanned image of the card. I was so excited and sent up another prayer for this precious priest, that God would direct him in all ways and fill him to overflowing with His love.




I just thought it was the coolest thing to have a priest who was newly ordained to not only celebrate a Latin Low Mass, but to be blessed by him. Please keep Fr. Romanoski and his fellow priests, Fr. Jared McCambridge, Fr. Dennis Gordon, Fr. Justin Nolan, all of the FSSP, in your prayers. They are embarking upon a very exciting journey and one I pray will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God!

I'm Here, Just Sick

Blech. I'm so ticked off. I had a bad cold toward the end of March and it lasted about one week. My voice sounded like a frog's and I went through an entire box of tissues in a few days. Once it was gone, I thought that was the end of it.

Well, surprise, surprise - it's back! So, I'm back to a froggy voice and too much congestion. I've been busy with my various jobs so I'm going to have to call in sick today. Last night, I was storming Heaven's Gates for all the saints who have anything to do with throat ailments.

St. Blaise, St. Lucy, St. Etheldreda, St. Godelieve, pray for me!

Prayer Request: For my Stepson in the Army

My stepson is stationed in Iraq. I can't imagine the situations he has already endured but I do know he has recently seen things that has truly bothered him. He didn't go into detail and my husband didn't ask.

War is a very hard issue. I can't imagine the difficulty that many Christians have with participating in it, wondering if they are in the right or not. I do believe there are times when war is necessary to overcome evil.

My stepson is not Catholic but attended a non-denominational church when he was here in the States. If you could send up a prayer for my dear stepson who is struggling with what he is experiencing, I would appreciate it. It's also probably a good prayer for all of our men and women in service, especially our Christian brothers and sisters. Greater is He in us than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)