Sweet Home Carolina!

In a landslide decision, the great state of North Carolina has voted to protect Marriage.  The state and its voters have decided to amend its constitution in order to make it clear that a marriage is only valid between one man and one woman.  Kudos to North Carolina from a northerner!  The other states must follow!

I hope to see the day when the US. Constitution is amended to protect LIFE from Conception to Natural death and Marriage!



Source:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/amendment-one-north-carolina-anti-gay-marriage-measure-passes/
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0508/North-Carolina-bans-gay-marriage-with-constitutional-amendment
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/08/11584860-north-carolina-marriage-amendment-could-impact-gay-and-straight-couples
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-gay-marriage-20120508,0,776172.story
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/08/politics/north-carolina-marriage/index.html
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/north-carolina-voters-banned-gay-marriage-civil-unions-011158194.html

Christmas

Jesus is born!  We celebrate that night when the Savior of the world was born from a humble Virgin named Mary.  What an awesome event.  The All Powerful, All Knowing, All Good God became a human baby to show us He will not take no for an answer.  He loves us so much He will do any thing to get our attention.  He will do anything to show His.  


Babies change us all.  They bring joy and just melt our hearts when they are in sight.  Our Lord came as one to melt our hearts and open ourselves once again to holiness, true love and happiness.  Christmas is not about family, friends, gifts and so on.  While they are good, the true purpose is the Birth of Jesus Christ the Lord.  Family, friends, giving all have their substance from the Birth of the Lord.  


Families come and go, move, die, and so do friends.  Gifts break and we get bored with them, but Jesus Christ is Forever!  Let us pray that Jesus continues to be born in our hearts not just on Christmas but on every day of the year.  

Christmas Eve

It is Christmas Eve.   We place ourselves in that anticipating moment: the birth of the Savior. The Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is born.  God kept His promise!  


Take this time to meditate on the Incarnation.  God becomes Man.  God takes on Human form, Human Flesh!  This is awesome!   


God Our Creator becomes our Brother!   He is One of Us!   It can't get any better than that.  If that is not love or dedication, then I don't know what is. 




 For an all knowing, all powerful, eternal, magnificent Supreme Being - the Absolute Singularity to become a mere Human man to save all men women and children is both a brain cooker and a simple expression of Love.  

Christmas Eve is a time to reflect on this and remind ourselves how much God loves us.  Yes family time is nice, gifts are nice, Santa Claus stories such as the Night Before Christmas and Christmas music are nice, but Jesus is the Reason for the Season.  2000 years ago the world received the best present of all.  Let us continue receiving that present daily and open it daily within our hearts and minds.  










It is no wonder why St. Francis of Assisi loved the Incarnation so much that he was the first to start the Creche tradition.  To picture God as a small baby boy is just amazing.  To picture a mere woman named Mary holding God, her Creator!  It is just amazing to picture.  

Gather with your families, take your Bible and read the story of the Nativity.  Prepare your mind, hearts and souls for Jesus.  Then go to Midnight Mass and contemplate some more.  May Jesus Christ be born in our hearts daily!  


  

Santa is Real!

We all grew up hearing about Santa Claus.  Did you know he was real?  Well not in the "jolly elf" sense, but as in a Saint.  


St. Nicholas of Myra is the man that is represented by the caricature "Santa Claus."  Born around 342, St. Nicholas was the Bishop in Myra which is in modern day Turkey.

He lived the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity well.  He would secretly go to homes and leave bags of coins and food for the poor.  People would leave their shoes outside so he could drop a coin into them.  He was known as the "Wonder Worker" for the many miracles Our Lord granted through him.  The name "Santa Claus" comes from the Dutch, "Sinter Klaas."  


During Christmas, families should reflect on this great man's life and virtues.  We should imitate his faith, hope and works of love by giving to those in need.

Christmas is about the Birth of Christ, but is also a reminder that Christ must be born daily in our hearts.  We must carry out His words to Love God above all things and love our neighbor as ourselves just as St. Nicholas did.

We should help others, especially those in need.  We should give to others not to get something in return, but out of complete generosity and love.

His feast day is on December 6.  He is the Patron Saint of Children, Pawnbrokers and Bakers.   

God, Our Father, we pray that through the intercession of St. Nicholas You will protect our children. Keep them safe from harm and help them grow and become worthy in Your sight. Give them strength to keep their Faith in You; and to keep alive their joy in Your creation. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Here is a nice website:  http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/

Thanksgiving

On the last Thursday of every November Americans celebrate Thanksgiving day.  On this day, the traditional turkey meal is enjoyed by families across the nation.  Americans give thanks for life, their families, health, goods etc.

The origin of this day is said to come from the Pilgrims who settled at Plymouth rock.  The Wampanoag Indians taught these settlers how to farm and hunt.  As a deeply religious people, the Pilgrims then had a meal thanking God for the many blessings in this new land. However, the real first Thanksgiving was done by Catholics.  Many do not know that the first Thanksgiving was done by Catholics over 50 years before the pilgrims.  Native Americans and Spanish settlers had a Feast and Mass in 1565 on September 8th, the feast day of the Birth of Mary.  This took place in St. Augustine, Florida. Thanks were given on this day by the Natives and Spanish.  

While the day is great, we should always thank God daily for everything, both good and bad.  Everything is a blessing whether direct or hidden.  The Catholic Church always gives thanks in the Eucharist.  The word "Eucharist" means Thanksgiving.  We offer out prayers to God, thanking Him while remembering His Son's sacrifice on the Cross.  Jesus Christ becomes the bread and wine at Mass not symbolically but literally.  The Mass takes place daily throughout the Earth.  There is only one day where Mass is not said and that is on Good Friday.   So before the Pilgrims, Catholics have been having Thanksgiving, not with comfort food, but with The Bread of Life.  

Let us Thank God for everything, not just on this last Thursday of November, but daily; whether at Holy Mass, work, school or at home.

Source:

A Spanish Expedition Established St. Augustine in Florida (americaslibrary.gov)

Microsoft Word - Thanksgiving.doc (nps.gov)

StAugustine.pdf (legendsofamerica.com)

Atheism Blunder

Atheists often present themselves as being "intelligent," "rational" or some how "enlightened."  They go about criticizing religion and calling those who believe unintelligent, primitive, delusional and what not.  However, recently an atheist group called "Backyard Skeptics" caused another "foot in mouth" moment for the atheism belief cult.    

The California based group paid for a billboard with the image of the third President of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson with the quote, 'I do not find in Christianity one redeeming feature. It is founded on fables and mythology.'  This quote according to the atheist group was thought up by President Jefferson; however, historians have corrected them by stating that this is not the case at all.  President Jefferson NEVER said or wrote this quote which the atheist group falsely attributed to him.

Once again, atheists have shown their dishonesty by using false propaganda to spread bigotry against God and religion.  They misinterpret facts and/or fabricate them in order to cause division, confusion and scandal.  By doing so, they commit a huge blunder and are made to look like morons - ironically the word they use to describe theists.


On Twitter I have had my share of encounters with atheists who try hard to make themselves feel educated and correct by presenting a nonsensical spin on history, facts and by using a play on words.  Some memorable moments were with tweeters: @askegg @steviebryant @SkepticalSkotty @_7654_ @sapient_ape @heathen_chick @RosaRubicondior @dredpiraterob and others who tweet some ridiculous fallacious ideas regarding science and religion. Some were not even aware that it was a Catholic priest (Fr. Georges Lemaître) who formulated the Big Bang Theory! :-)  So much for "reason..."


Hey atheists let President Jefferson speak for himself!


"I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ."
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, p. 385.



Source:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=8408874
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2054893/Atheist-group-Backyard-Skeptics-unveils-billboard-Thomas-Jefferson-anti-Christian-quote--NEVER-said-it.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2054893/Atheist-group-Backyard-Skeptics-unveils-billboard-Thomas-Jefferson-anti-Christian-quote--NEVER-said-it.html

For truthful information regarding President Jefferson, contact: http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/jefferson-library