Posts
I received this via email quite some time ago and ran across it, so I thought I would post it.
100 Years Ago
The average life expectancy in the United States was forty-seven.
Only 14 percent of the homes in the United States had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
A three minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
There were only 8,000 cars in the US and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was ten mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
With a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the twenty-first most populous state in the Union.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in the U.S. was twenty-two cents an hour.
The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2500 per year, a veterinarian between $1500 and $4000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the United States took place at home.
Ninety percent of all U.S. physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."
Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee cost fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law prohibiting poor people from entering the country for any reason, either as travelers or immigrants.
The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.
Drive-by-shootings -- in which teenage boys galloped down the street on horses and started randomly shooting at houses, carriages, or anything else that caught their fancy -- were an ongoing problem in Denver and other cities in the West.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was thirty. The remote desert community was inhabited by only a handful of ranchers and their families.
Plutonium, insulin, and antibiotics hadn't been discovered yet. Scotch tape, crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented. There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
One in ten U.S. adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Some medical authorities warned that professional seamstresses were apt to become sexually aroused by the steady rhythm, hour after hour, of the sewing machine's foot pedals. They recommended slipping bromide -- which was thought to diminish sexual desire -- into the women's drinking water.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and the bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."
Coca-Cola contained cocaine instead of caffeine.
Punch card data processing had recently been developed, and early predecessors of the modern computer were used for the first time by the government to help compile the 1900 census. Eighteen percent of households in the United States had at least one full-time servant or domestic.
There were about 230 reported murders in the U.S.annually.
Monday, June 30, 2008
One Minute Each Night
From an email I received:
ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT...
This is the scariest election, we as Christians have ever faced, and from the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees.
Do you believe we can take God at His word? Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold. This scripture gives us, as Christians, ownership of this land and the ability to call upon God to heal it. I challenge you to do so. We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land.
This election is the scariest I remember in my lifetime. 2 Chronicles 7:14...'If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.'
During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group Of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed Hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America
The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever!!! If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time; 8:00 PM Central; 7:00 PM Mountain; 6:00 PM Pacific; stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U .S.
If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.
Thank You. Please pass this on to anyone who you think will want to join us.
God Bless You!!!
ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT...
This is the scariest election, we as Christians have ever faced, and from the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees.
Do you believe we can take God at His word? Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold. This scripture gives us, as Christians, ownership of this land and the ability to call upon God to heal it. I challenge you to do so. We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land.
This election is the scariest I remember in my lifetime. 2 Chronicles 7:14...'If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.'
During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group Of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed Hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America
The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever!!! If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time; 8:00 PM Central; 7:00 PM Mountain; 6:00 PM Pacific; stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U .S.
If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.
Thank You. Please pass this on to anyone who you think will want to join us.
God Bless You!!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Free Hugs
Being a Franciscan and a hugger at heart I found this video interesting.
H/T to The Deacon's Bench.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
Here is the book relating to the video below.
Here is the editorial review from Amazom.Com:
In today’s increasingly complicated world, it’s often difficult for parents to connect with their daughters–and especially so for fathers. In this unique and invaluable guide, Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician with more than twenty years’ experience counseling girls, reveals that a young woman’s relationship with her father is far more important than we’ve ever realized. To become a strong, confident woman, a daughter needs her father’s attention, protection, courage, and wisdom. Dr. Meeker shares the ten secrets every father needs to know in order to strengthen or rebuild bonds with his daughter and shape her life–and his own–for the better. Inside you’ll discover:• the essential virtues of strong fathers–and how to develop them • the cues daughters take from their dads on everything from self-respect to drugs, alcohol, and sex• the truth about ground rules (girls do want them, despite their protests)• the importance of becoming a hero to your daughter• the biggest mistake a dad can make–and the ramifications• the fact that girls actually depend on their dads’ guidance into adulthood• steps fathers can follow to help daughters avoid disastrous decisions and mistakes• ways in which a father’s faith–or lack thereof–will influence his daughter• essential communication strategies for different stages of a girl’s life• true stories of “prodigal daughters”–and how their fathers helped to bring them back Dads, you are far more powerful than you think–and if you follow Dr. Meeker’s advice, the rewards will be unmatched.
“Reassuring and challenging . . . a helpful road map for concerned fathers [that] tackles difficult issues.”–National Review
“A touching, illuminating book that will prove valuable to all of us who are fortunate enough to have been blessed with daughters.”–Michael Medved, nationally syndicated radio talk-show host, author of Right Turns
“Dr. Meeker’s conclusions are timely, relevant, and often deeply moving. No one interested in what girls experience growing up in our culture today–and the impact that parents, especially fathers, have on the experience–can afford to miss reading this book.”–Armand M. Nicholi, Jr., M.D., professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Meg Meeker - Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters (part 1)
See the other related parts on YouTube. Search for Meg Meeker.
Hands
From my Parish bulletin this week...
Happy Fathers Day to all the men of our parish who bless us with the gift of a father's love.
I recently received an e-mail from Dan Monnin, who moved from our parish to Ohio about a year ago. It contained a reflection written by Dan's cousin Doug about his grandfather. With Dan and Doug's permission, I share it with you. I find it especially appropriate on this day when we reflect on the gift of a father's love.
"Grandpa Urb, some ninety three years old, sat quietly on the hospital bed. He
didn't move, just sat staring down at his bands. I said hello and asked him bow
be was doing. He raised his head, looked at me, and smiled that 'grandpa smile'
I knew so well for forty something years. "Doing OK," he said. "I didn't want to
disturb you, grandpa, but you were just sitting there staring at your hands and
I wanted to make sure you were OK, " I explained to him. "Have you ever looked
at your hands, " he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened
my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms
down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands, as I tried to figure
out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and related this story as only he
can: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served
you throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, hardened, and weak have
been the tools I have used all my life to reach out to grab and embrace life."
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I fell to the floor. As a
child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled
on my boots. As a young man they threw the crossfire pitch past many batters
right into Paul's glove. They grasped udders, operated tools, distributed feed,
and turned steering wheels on the farm. They held Elfrieda and wiped her tears
when she agreed to marry me. They packaged materials all those years at Superior
Aluminum. They signaled "2" for curve ball when I stood behind the screen
watching you on the mound, thinking about throwing a fastball on that 3-1 count
to the cleanup batter." "They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and
bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I held your dad, my first newborn son.
Decorated with my wedding band, they show the world that I am married and have
loved the most special person in the world, your grandmother, for over 70 years.
They trembled and shook when I buried my parents. They have held my children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and greeted friends.
" "They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed my body. They have been
sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much if
anything else if me works real well, I still use these hands to greet visitors
and continue to fold them in prayer. "
"These hands are the mark of where I've been. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when He leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side, and there I will use these hands to touch the face if Christ. "
God will soon reach out and take my grandpa's hands and lead him home.
But I know I will never look at my hands the same again. When my hands are hurt or sore, or when I stroke the face if my children, I will think if grandpa. I know by then be will have been held by the hands if God.
I, too, want to touch the face if God someday and feel His hands upon my face.
Thank you Grandpa for your examples, your stories, your caring, and for everything you've meant to me. I'll always love you Grandpa."
Thanks to all the fathers whose hands have reached out and brought love and care to our community. Happy Father's Day.
Happy Fathers Day to all the men of our parish who bless us with the gift of a father's love.
I recently received an e-mail from Dan Monnin, who moved from our parish to Ohio about a year ago. It contained a reflection written by Dan's cousin Doug about his grandfather. With Dan and Doug's permission, I share it with you. I find it especially appropriate on this day when we reflect on the gift of a father's love.
"Grandpa Urb, some ninety three years old, sat quietly on the hospital bed. He
didn't move, just sat staring down at his bands. I said hello and asked him bow
be was doing. He raised his head, looked at me, and smiled that 'grandpa smile'
I knew so well for forty something years. "Doing OK," he said. "I didn't want to
disturb you, grandpa, but you were just sitting there staring at your hands and
I wanted to make sure you were OK, " I explained to him. "Have you ever looked
at your hands, " he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened
my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms
down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands, as I tried to figure
out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and related this story as only he
can: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served
you throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, hardened, and weak have
been the tools I have used all my life to reach out to grab and embrace life."
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I fell to the floor. As a
child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled
on my boots. As a young man they threw the crossfire pitch past many batters
right into Paul's glove. They grasped udders, operated tools, distributed feed,
and turned steering wheels on the farm. They held Elfrieda and wiped her tears
when she agreed to marry me. They packaged materials all those years at Superior
Aluminum. They signaled "2" for curve ball when I stood behind the screen
watching you on the mound, thinking about throwing a fastball on that 3-1 count
to the cleanup batter." "They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and
bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I held your dad, my first newborn son.
Decorated with my wedding band, they show the world that I am married and have
loved the most special person in the world, your grandmother, for over 70 years.
They trembled and shook when I buried my parents. They have held my children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and greeted friends.
" "They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed my body. They have been
sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much if
anything else if me works real well, I still use these hands to greet visitors
and continue to fold them in prayer. "
"These hands are the mark of where I've been. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when He leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side, and there I will use these hands to touch the face if Christ. "
God will soon reach out and take my grandpa's hands and lead him home.
But I know I will never look at my hands the same again. When my hands are hurt or sore, or when I stroke the face if my children, I will think if grandpa. I know by then be will have been held by the hands if God.
I, too, want to touch the face if God someday and feel His hands upon my face.
Thank you Grandpa for your examples, your stories, your caring, and for everything you've meant to me. I'll always love you Grandpa."
Thanks to all the fathers whose hands have reached out and brought love and care to our community. Happy Father's Day.
Prayer to St. Joseph
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death nor be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them, neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, nor shall be burned in any fire, nor be overpowered in battle.
Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask for.
Oh St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.
This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death nor be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them, neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, nor shall be burned in any fire, nor be overpowered in battle.
Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask for.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Justified by Faith
Here is a homily by Father Martin Fox, Bonfire of the Vanities, which I found very rewarding. I enter it in it's entirity.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
'Justified by Faith': Rules or Relationship? (Sunday homily)
In the first reading, Moses talked about keeping the commandments.In the Gospel, the Lord himself said the same.But in the middle, Saint Paul said,we are “justified by faith apart from works of the law.
”So which is it: are we saved by “faith alone”—or is it “faith and works?”Another way to put it is, is it about “rules”—or about “relationship”?
The answer is—and this is what Paul means by faith—is that it starts with relationship—and the “rules” flow out of that.
When Paul talks about “works of the law,”he means specifically religious observances—for Jews like Paul, things like what you eat;for us, things like no meat on Friday or Sunday Mass.
Does that mean we don’t have to come to Sunday Mass?No; but without the relationship, the “rules” by themselves won’t save you.Recall what we just heard Jesus say: “Depart from me: I never knew you.”
Here we can appreciate the great treasure we have in our Catholic Faith:All the ways God comes so close to us!
Long ago, God made told Moses about himself,And through signs and wonders,he led the people from slavery to a relationship with him.
But God has gone so much further!When the time was right,through an angel, he came to Mary, and said,will you allow me to be conceived in you?Mary—who gives us a perfect example of faith—had as intimate relationship with God as anyone can.With her “yes” she gave everything to Godand God came into her in the fullest way possible!
There’s a social dimension here as well.If we understand “faith” too narrowly,then it’s just about me and my choices.As Americans, we’re all about individualism,and we chafe when we’re held accountable.
In Kansas, the bishop said to the governor:you reject Church teaching on protecting the unborn;you can’t come to communion.People are outraged—who is he to say that?The answer is, the father of the family.We’re in a relationship with each other.
Another way our Faith challenges usis to keep expanding who is included in that family.How do we welcome others?How actively do we share the Gift of Faith?Who do we mean by “we”—“us”?
Our children and teachers in Piqua Catholicdecided the “we” included a village in Haiti.They raised over $11,000—and some of our adults will go to Haiti to build a house.
When we realize faith is a relationship,it gives new light to what the sacraments are about.They aren’t about checking a box or doing the minimum;the sacraments can only give us life if we have a relationship with Jesus.
When parents bring a baby for baptism,The priest asks, will you teach her to know and follow Jesus?
That’s why the sacrament of confession is so useful and necessary—a real relationship only works if we can admit wrong,and seek reconciliation, or it won’t last.In a marriage, if this doesn’t happen, what becomes of the intimacy?It becomes phony and forced, and ultimately dies.
The Eucharist is essentially the same.We call it “communion” because it’s a “becoming one” with God, and one anotheralmost exactly parallel to the way a couple becomes one:in the choices they make, in dying to self,in their moral and physical union.
Jesus said it: a fool builds his house on sand:“I followed the rules.”But he invites us to build our house on the Rock:“Let Me live in you, and you will live in Me.”
Sunday, June 01, 2008
'Justified by Faith': Rules or Relationship? (Sunday homily)
In the first reading, Moses talked about keeping the commandments.In the Gospel, the Lord himself said the same.But in the middle, Saint Paul said,we are “justified by faith apart from works of the law.
”So which is it: are we saved by “faith alone”—or is it “faith and works?”Another way to put it is, is it about “rules”—or about “relationship”?
The answer is—and this is what Paul means by faith—is that it starts with relationship—and the “rules” flow out of that.
When Paul talks about “works of the law,”he means specifically religious observances—for Jews like Paul, things like what you eat;for us, things like no meat on Friday or Sunday Mass.
Does that mean we don’t have to come to Sunday Mass?No; but without the relationship, the “rules” by themselves won’t save you.Recall what we just heard Jesus say: “Depart from me: I never knew you.”
Here we can appreciate the great treasure we have in our Catholic Faith:All the ways God comes so close to us!
Long ago, God made told Moses about himself,And through signs and wonders,he led the people from slavery to a relationship with him.
But God has gone so much further!When the time was right,through an angel, he came to Mary, and said,will you allow me to be conceived in you?Mary—who gives us a perfect example of faith—had as intimate relationship with God as anyone can.With her “yes” she gave everything to Godand God came into her in the fullest way possible!
There’s a social dimension here as well.If we understand “faith” too narrowly,then it’s just about me and my choices.As Americans, we’re all about individualism,and we chafe when we’re held accountable.
In Kansas, the bishop said to the governor:you reject Church teaching on protecting the unborn;you can’t come to communion.People are outraged—who is he to say that?The answer is, the father of the family.We’re in a relationship with each other.
Another way our Faith challenges usis to keep expanding who is included in that family.How do we welcome others?How actively do we share the Gift of Faith?Who do we mean by “we”—“us”?
Our children and teachers in Piqua Catholicdecided the “we” included a village in Haiti.They raised over $11,000—and some of our adults will go to Haiti to build a house.
When we realize faith is a relationship,it gives new light to what the sacraments are about.They aren’t about checking a box or doing the minimum;the sacraments can only give us life if we have a relationship with Jesus.
When parents bring a baby for baptism,The priest asks, will you teach her to know and follow Jesus?
That’s why the sacrament of confession is so useful and necessary—a real relationship only works if we can admit wrong,and seek reconciliation, or it won’t last.In a marriage, if this doesn’t happen, what becomes of the intimacy?It becomes phony and forced, and ultimately dies.
The Eucharist is essentially the same.We call it “communion” because it’s a “becoming one” with God, and one anotheralmost exactly parallel to the way a couple becomes one:in the choices they make, in dying to self,in their moral and physical union.
Jesus said it: a fool builds his house on sand:“I followed the rules.”But he invites us to build our house on the Rock:“Let Me live in you, and you will live in Me.”
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