Private Vows in The Laity/Spirituality

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LEMON GINGER TEA

I usually switch to decaf coffee around 3pm; however, I have discovered lemon tea with ginger, which is caffeine free.  I really enjoy it and far more than the decaf.   Don't know cost of it just yet.   Deo Gratius.

 

 

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Journeying Detached and Faithful

 

Quote of the Day – December 4

 

 

Let us give ourselves to God as best we can,

expecting only trials and sufferings from our own men, with perfect assurance that they will not be lacking to us

if we are faithful to seeing that the Rules and holy customs of our vocation are observed (V:324).

St Vincent de Paul

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LEMON GINGER TEA

and more chat

Wow - Twinings Lemon Ginger Tea $AUD8.35 for pack of 40.  Quite expensive, but I can buy the 10 pack $AUD2.95 now and then and intersperse with decaf coffee here and there and cut down on the cost.  I really like the lemon and ginger tea and it's healthy too.  I think if I bought the expensive 40 pack, I just might probably drink more Lemon Ginger Tea than with the 10 pack every so often.  See how I go with the 10 pack.  Revise decision if necessary.

Saw my GP and she has done a Health Plan for me and I have three specialists I need to see - I'm leaving that until the new year.  Nothing is urgent.  I will be seeing a psychologist to determine if Seroquel is my weight reducing problem or whether it is in my head because of what I have been told over many years and more recently read on the net about Seroquel and weight problems. I am highly suspicious of which is the problem and asked my GP to refer me to their psychologist.  I will be then seeing a dietician and told my GP that if the dietician doesn't listen to me that I am on a low income (diet food can be expensive) and also that taking me down to 1000 calories first appointment is ridiculous -  I will not be seeing the dietician again.  Finally, I need to see a podiatrist as washing feet and cutting toenails is now really problematic (with the large hernia under my ribcage).  In the podiatrist's surgery apparently he does have assistants who do this kind of more menial tasks not asking his level of professionalism.  I can have 5 free visits year.  All specialists under a GP Health or Medical Plan in Australia are free of charge to those on low incomes.  We are truly blest in so many ways in Australia. 

My GP has also changed the medication I have been buying over the counter for my back injury (government took them off prescriptions and therefore reduced cost, forcing over the counter more expensive purchasing).  She has changed me over to prescriptions with reduced cost, which will more than halve my monthly bill chemist bill.

Both the lady who gives me a lift to Lectio every Monday during Advent, as well as I, were unable to go today.

I do pray that I might win the lottery and buy a car - I would be able to do much more than now, especially since rather often I need take taxis to and fro wherever and drains the pocket.  As long as I don't have the lottery win and a car, The Lord wants things as they are, I figure.  Perhaps He knows that I would quickly spend any lottery win on nothings at all, even though I do tell myself I wouldn't.   I must admit, however, that I have adjusted (just a happening over time) to this way of life with Bethany located in this suburb - though hard work and being busy and under pressure was always right up my alley and my cup of tea - and something I enjoyed.  The hard work etc. was something that radically changed (ceased really) when I was shifted to where I am now.  But I do try to look on it the same way (I hope) as a religious would transferred from one place to another or from one duty to another, once cell to another - i.e. God's Will.  And I am very far from perfect on that score too.

One thing can be a nuisance and confusing.  Why is it that my phone or doorbell does ring at the most inconvenient of times.  Although I do suspect that I am not alone at all.

Ah here there .....and everywhere.......imperfection faults and failings and worse.

I am concerned about my ironing client, admitted to hospital with potential liver failure.  According to Google it is not of necessity terminal, depending on what exactly the problem is.  I haven't heard anything from her husband since she was admitted.  She also has breast cancer.  She is an extremely beautiful person, a really rare type of person.  Never an unkind word out of her at any point at all, for any reason at all, over the years and a few times she has called in just for a cuppa and chat.  She was always very thoughtful and generous.  She is not Catholic, she is/was? atheist (another story).  Her and her hubby shifted to Australia a few years ago to start a new life - and now this.  They are a young and not all that long married couple.  When I gave up most of the ironing, I kept her on as a client because she was such a lovely person continually telling me she really appreciated the ironing being done for her.  Also my foster son's marriage is going through a difficult patch and I am hoping they will work through it; however, at this point it does not look good at all on one level - while all things are possible to God on the primary level.  I have put a request for prayer for my ironing client and my foster son into our Prayer Forum on Pham.  A prayer very much appreciated if you read this.

As is evidenced, this stage of my journey and perhaps the final stage..........happily......... (71yrs in Jan 2017.....happily too to be free of the concerns/anxieties of youth with some wisdom gained) is that of a gal who falls and rises continually -  and in a most ordinary type of continued journey and way of life.

Fiat Voluntas Tua - Deo Gratius!

I am sick to death of writing about myself!  A line in one of my poem's ran "merely a creative urge none can still - and passion would have its fill, as passion often will."    A reason perhaps, no excuse I know ........ nevertheless it's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

 

[Guest]

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Edit, addendum, or whatever:   Sitting out under the pergola with coffee (my thinking spot) and it occurred to me Philippians Ch 4 "Rejoice  in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! ".........what on earth do we not have to rejoice over, to praise, thank and adore God for on this earth of many varied days and many varied seasons.  Nothing at all, nothing. 

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I can, must and do suffer humanly because of the unrepentant and the suffering in our world on all levels including my own sufferings of one kind or another - but at the same time I needs must reflect on the Doctrine of Divine Providence as per CCC.and that is and must be on the primary level and therein rejoice and give thanks, praise and adoration to God - and all and any glory or Glory to Him alone. 

If only I would remember to do so.  Mea maxima culpa.

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What is it with this merged business on Phatmass, the time available to do so seems to vary?  Or is it just me?  Distinct potential.

[Guest]

AMORIS LAETITIA - A DIFFERENT VOICE

Cardinal-designate Kevin J. Farrell, was recently appointed by the pope to head the new Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, stated that he disagreed with Chaput’s position.

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2016/11/17/new-vatican-family-czar-criticizes-chaputs-guidelines-amoris/

Excerpts only: VATICAN CITY - Cardinal-designate Kevin J. Farrell believes the U.S. bishops as a whole should have discussed pastoral guidelines for implementing Pope Francis’s exhortation on the family before individual bishops began issuing guidelines for their own dioceses.

Implementing the pope’s exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia,” he said, “has to be done in communion with our bishops. I think that it would have been wiser to wait for the gathering of the conference of bishops [see below] where all the bishops of the United States or all the bishops of a country would sit down and discuss these things.”.............

...........'The cardinal-designate was asked specifically about pastoral guidelines issued for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who also is head of a U.S. bishops’ ad hoc committee for implementing “Amoris Laetitia. ”

Among other things, the Philadelphia guidelines state that while divorced and civilly remarried couples should be welcome in parishes and accompanied by priests, they may not receive Communion unless they live as brother and sister.

Farrell was bishop of Dallas and a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops until September when he became prefect of the new Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life.

“I don’t share the view of what Archbishop Chaput did, no,” the cardinal-designate said. “I think there are all kinds of different circumstances and situations that we have to look at - each case as it is presented to us.”

“I think that is what our Holy Father is speaking about, is when we talk about accompanying, it is not a decision that is made irrespective of the couple,” he said. “Obviously, there is an objective moral law,” he said, but you will never find two couples who have the same reason for being divorced and remarried.

Catholic News Service attempted to contact Chaput, who was unavailable for comment..................

.........."

The Catholic Church cannot react by “closing the doors before we even listen to the circumstances and the people,” the cardinal-designate said. “That’s not the way to go.”

While a few cardinals and bishops have disagreed with the general interpretation of Pope Francis’s exhortation, “I think the bishops are unified,” Farrell said.

“Each bishop in his diocese has to set certain rules and parameters, but at the same time, I think that they need to be open to listening to the Holy Spirit and open to what the bishops of the world” discussed at the synods on the family in 2014 and 2015..........

.......................

The Catholic Church cannot react by “closing the doors before we even listen to the circumstances and the people,” the cardinal-designate said. “That’s not the way to go.”

While a few cardinals and bishops have disagreed with the general interpretation of Pope Francis’s exhortation, “I think the bishops are unified,” Farrell said.

“Each bishop in his diocese has to set certain rules and parameters, but at the same time, I think that they need to be open to listening to the Holy Spirit and open to what the bishops of the world” discussed at the synods on the family in 2014 and 2015.

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[My comment:  A conference of bishops is a gathering and community of all bishops of a particular country and to my knowledge all countries have such a community or conference]

[Guest]

Thanksgiving

My ironing client (has breast cancer) admitted to hospital with suspected liver failure is back home and ok.  More details in Prayer Forum.

Our parish priest who had surgery for prostate cancer is also now fully ok and in the recovery stage, all cancer gone. I received a note yesterday from him.   More details in Prayer Forum.

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Incapable of Holiness

by our own efforts

 

Quote

 

"Let us acknowledge that we are incapable of becoming holy by our own efforts,

and put our trust in God,

who would not have taken away our ability to walk

unless he was to carry us in his arms."

Jean-Pierre de Caussade: Abandonment to Divine Providence

 

 

[Guest]

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

8th December

 

[Guest]

OVERCOMING SENSITIVENESS

FAMVIN - St Vincent de Paul Society

Quote of The Day: http://famvin.org/reflections/category/daily-reflection/

Dec 08, 2016

Quote

 

“We should overcome our sensitiveness,

paying little attention as to whether we are addressed or not,

or to the degree of affability with which we are treated,

but let us try to gain all hearts by cordiality and support.” – St. Louise de Marillac

 

 

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THE ONLY FRIEND OF HUMANITY

Saturday of the Second week of Advent

DailyGospel.org HERE

Commentary of the day (Saturday 10 Dec 2016)
Saint Romanos Melodios (?-c 560), composer of hymns
Hymn on the prophet Elijah

“How amesome are you, Elijah!… You were taken aloft in a whirlwind…You are destined… in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord.” (Sir 48:4.9f.)

"Confronted with human perversity, Elijah considered making the punishment even harsher. Upon seeing this, the Merciful One told the prophet: “I know your zeal for good (1 Kings 19:14), I know your good will, but I have compassion on sinners when they are punished beyond measure. You are angry because you are without reproach; can you not resign yourself? As for me,  I cannot resign myself to even one single person being lost (Mt 18:14), for I am the only friend of humankind.” (Wis 1:6)

In what followed, the Master, seeing how short-tempered the prophet was with respect to human beings, was concerned about them. He removed Elijah from the earth where they live saying: “Distance yourself from where human beings dwell. I in my mercy will go down to them by becoming man. So leave the earth and come on up, since you cannot tolerate people’s faults. But I, who am from heaven, I will dwell among sinners and save them from their faults, I, the only friend of humankind.

“If you cannot live with guilty human beings, come here, live in the domain of my friends where there is no more sin. I will go down, for I can put the lost sheep on my shoulders and bring it back (Lk 15:5), and I can cry to those who labor: Come quickly, all you sinners, come to me and rest (Mt 11:28). For I have not come to punish those whom I created, but to tear the sinners away from ungodliness, I, the only friend of humankind.”

Thus, when Elijah was lifted up to the heavens (2 Kings 2:11), he was perceived as the person for the future. This Tishbite (1 Kings 17:1) was lifted up in a chariot of fire; Christ was lifted up among the clouds and the powers (Acts 1:9). The former dropped his cloak to Elisha from the heights of heaven (2 Kings 2:13); Christ sent to his apostles the Holy Spirit, the Advocate (Jn 15:26), whom we, the baptized, all received and by whom we are sanctified, as the only friend of humankind teaches."

[Guest]

The above reminds me of something I read from Thomas Merton long ago - to paraphrase: the one thing we are probably not prepared to be detached from is our personal sense of security.  The desire to not experience anxiety, insecurity and the unknown.  Probably most all experienced this to some degree or other in the wake of Vatican II and well after the Council closed too.  Much of the disturbance over Amoris Laetitia reminds me of that period of insecurity and the unknown, confusions.  I am experiencing some anxiety, insecurity and the unknowing of what might lay ahead in the wake of Amoris Laetitia - and a desire (and struggle) to keep an open mind as it all unfolds and will unfold.  It will eventually resolve and conclude, perhaps with an undesired result.  Prayer for The Holy Father, our hierarchy, religious and laity generally: The Church here on earth.

Edited December 10, 2016 by BarbaraTherese

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According to Kids.....

 

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CHRISTMAS

I've had a bit of a rough time.  My little dog, Buddie, had diarrhoea cured with a chicken and rice diet - and then he developed constipation.  During that time and with a sudden burst of real heat here, I came down with heat exhaustion.  I also had a load of ironing to be done for my client.  However, now both Buddie and I are back to normal thankfully and the ironing has been struggled through and is finished.

During the Advent run up to Christmas and for a while after, I won't be posting much at all I anticipate.

I hope that all (with family and friends) will finish Advent in grand style and then celebrate Christmas and the Christmas Season with Peace and with Joy - which will be the yeast in all things in 2017.

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O Antiphons

17 - 24 December

 

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=958