Search This Blog

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Do not love the world or the things of the world

Do not love the world or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father but is from the world.
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

December 30, 2006

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Psalm: Saturday 51

Reading 1
1 Jn 2:12-17

Friday, December 29, 2006

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Pro-Life New Year's Resolutions for 2007

Pro-Life New Year's Resolutions for 2007

Yesterday was the Feast of the Holy Innocents in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. This feast celebrates the deaths of innocent children who literally died for (in place of) Christ and whom the Church has venerated as martyrs officially since about the sixth century. Their feast day has always been located in the Octave of Christmas to emphasize their intimate connection with the baby Jesus. We are reminded on this day of both the fragility of new life and our obligation to protect it and so it is fitting that as we enter this new year I challenge each of you to renew your commitment to the defense of innocent life.

First, contemplate. The Holy Innocents' feast day serves both as a reminder of a tragic historical event and as a grim reality check for those of us who live in this society where abortion is practiced as casually as shopping! A short moment of reflection on this scriptural passage will help us to discern the parallels to the abortion industry in our society: the irrational command of a powerful person to kill, the executioners with blood on their hands, the suffering of the innocent victims and the secondary victims who were scarred forever by the deaths of their children. We also contemplate the truth that "where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more," (Rom 5:20) in order to see how God brings good out of so much evil.

Second, pray. Pray for those who are blinded to this reality and ask God to grant them the grace of conversion. Remember that we are all tainted by this massacre of innocents because our lives are intertwined with the culture of death, so we must pray with humility for the gift of perseverance to bring it to an end. Prayer will bring the power of Christ to bear on this sinful institution of death. He alone can transform the world.

Third, act. God does not work through prayers only. We are His hands and feet in this world so our pro-life resolutions for 2007 have to be very direct and specific; if you are not sure what to do, I have given some suggestions below on how to meet the challenges set before us:

Find the local abortion clinic in your community and make a promise to pray there at least three times in 2007 - minimum.
While you're at it, find the local pregnancy care center and make contact with them. It is likely they are in need of volunteers. Be one of them! They all operate on shoe-string budgets too so support them!
Speak up in some forum and defend life, be it on the internet, in a letter to the editor, or in conversations with friends, family and co-workers. Of course they will call you a fanatic! It does not matter. You must think of that Day when the Lord will ask you what you did to defend His precious little ones. You must be able to say you spoke out on their behalf.
Boycott the businesses that fund the death industry. These groups don't deserve one dollar of our hard-earned money if they are material cooperators in the killing of innocents. The most reputable boycott group that I know of is Life Decisions International whose detailed corporate boycott list you can order from their website (www.fightpp.org) and who provide ongoing insight into the activities of Planned Parenthood.
I'm sure there's much more we can all do, but these things are good for starters! I will be praying for you and your families as we finish this year of pro-life election losses and enter into a year full of hope and promise. May the Holy Innocents guide our commitment to be more active in saving their innocent brothers and sisters!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,


Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer
President, Human Life International

FINALLY!!! Got my African Trophies in


3 crates arrived today with Doug and my hunting trophies. These were taken back in August of 2005.

Gerry

lees storie eers en kyk dan na foto's

New Year's Weekend

We are thinking of going to Beefs tomorrow afternoon if anyone wants to meet us

I was going to visit Sharon at work today but got my crates in which I was awaiting for over a year so that was like a 2nd Christmas ripping into the crates.

Sunday--like to go to St Alphonsus for the Tridentine Mass or Latin--always very nice at 1130 if anyone want to join us--maybe do something at inner harbor after.

Sunday night--not sure

Monday--reserved soccer dome indoor soccer from 2-3p--if anyone needs some exercise

Now Sharon is off on Tuesday as well

Gerry

Lucky Strike Washington DC


Last night: thursday night along with erik's family we all went to Lucky Strike for dinner at 6p and about 7ish gals went to see High School Musical at Verizon Center and boys bowled 2 games.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

humanity consider itself the "self-sufficient master of its own destiny."

CHRISTMAS-POPE Dec-26-2006 (1,230 words) With photos. xxxi

World needs a savior despite modern advances, pope says at Christmas

By John Thavis
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating Christmas at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said the world still needs a savior, despite technological advances that make humanity consider itself the "self-sufficient master of its own destiny."

At Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope said the birth of Christ should focus attention on all the suffering and abused children in contemporary society.

Later, in a Christmas Day blessing "urbi et orbi" -- to the city of Rome and the world -- he said recent developments like space travel, genetic engineering and the Internet only accentuate man's need for spiritual salvation.

"In this postmodern age, perhaps he needs a savior all the more, since the society in which he lives has become more complex and the threats to his personal and moral integrity have become more insidious," the pope said.

The Mass and blessing, broadcast around the world, were the public highlights of the pope's Christmas, but the 79-year-old pontiff also marked the festivities in quieter gatherings with friends and colleagues.

An old friend drove down from Germany with three small Christmas trees -- which were decorated and placed in the papal apartment -- and several batches of Bavarian cookies. A separate gift of venison meat arrived from Germany in time for Christmas dinner.

On Christmas Eve, as a crowd gathered for the unveiling of the Vatican's own larger-than-life Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, the pope made his way to the packed basilica for midnight Mass.

Young children from five continents brought flowers to a statue of the baby Jesus in front of the altar, a moment that highlighted the liturgy's international atmosphere.

In a sermon, the pope said the meaning of Christmas was quite simple: God "makes himself small for us."

"This is how he reigns. He does not come with power and outward splendor. He comes as a baby -- defenseless and in need of our help," he said.

"In this way God teaches us to love the little ones. In this way he teaches us to love the weak. In this way he teaches us respect for children," he said.

The pope said Christmas should draw people's attention to all children who suffer and are abused in the world, "the born and the unborn," particularly those who are hungry, unloved, forced to beg or "placed as soldiers in a violent world."

He emphasized that the sign of Christmas -- a newborn baby lying in a manger -- corresponds with the essentially straightforward message brought by Jesus: to love God and love one's neighbor.

"This is everything -- the whole faith is contained in this one act of love which embraces God and humanity," he said.

He said this core message has sometimes been turned into something long and complex, especially by Scripture experts who "became entangled in details and in particular problems, almost to the extent of losing an overall perspective."

In the season of giving at Christmas, the pope encouraged people to reflect the spirit of Jesus' selfless love.

"When you give gifts for Christmas, do not give only to those who will give to you in return, but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back," he said.

At noon the next day, in an event broadcast to some 60 countries, the pope offered his blessing and pronounced Christmas greetings in 62 languages, including Chinese, Arabic and Latin.

"May the birth of the Prince of Peace remind the world where its true happiness lies; and may your hearts be filled with hope and joy, for the Savior has been born for us," he said in English.

Speaking from the central outside balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the pope asked whether the idea of a savior still has meaning "for a humanity that has reached the moon and Mars and is prepared to conquer the universe; for a humanity which knows no limits in its pursuit of nature's secrets and which has succeeded even in deciphering the marvelous codes of the human genome?"

"Is a savior needed by a humanity which has invented interactive communication, which navigates in the virtual ocean of the Internet and, thanks to the most advanced modern communications technologies, has now made the earth, our great common home, a global village?" he asked.

Yet despite these advances, he said, the need for Christianity's saving message is also evident: many people continue to die of hunger, disease and poverty, even in an age of unbridled consumerism; some are enslaved and exploited; and some are victims of racial or religious hatred and discrimination.

"Others see their own bodies and those of their dear ones, particularly their children, maimed by weaponry, by terrorism and by all sorts of violence, at a time when everyone invokes and acclaims progress, solidarity and peace for all," he said.

The pope said the catalogue of suffering includes those misled by "facile prophets of happiness," who struggle with relationships, loneliness, alcohol and drugs, and who "choose death in the belief that they are celebrating life."

All this adds up to a "heart-rending cry for help," he said. It illustrates that despite humanity's material progress it always needs a savior to help choose between good and evil.

The pope then turned his attention to areas of conflict throughout the world:

-- He made an "appeal to all those who hold in their hands the fate of Iraq, that there will be an end to the brutal violence that has brought so much bloodshed to the country, and that every one of its inhabitants will be safe to lead a normal life."

-- He said he was deeply apprehensive about the continuing crisis in the Middle East, but expressed hope at recent signs of a resumption of dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis. In a separate Christmas message to Middle East Catholics, he also said he wanted to visit the Holy Land as soon as circumstances permitted such a pilgrimage.

-- He lamented the destruction and uncertainty in Lebanon, where a war last summer left many victims, but said he was confident that a democratic Lebanon would survive.

-- He urged an end to civil strife in Sri Lanka, and prayed that fratricidal conflicts in Darfur and other African areas would cease.

The pope then explained why Christmas should stimulate the church in its evangelizing mission. The belief that "our Savior is born for all" must be proclaimed in word and deed by Christians everywhere, he said.

The church evangelizes with passionate enthusiasm, with joy and with full respect for all cultural and religious traditions, he said.

He ended his talk with a direct appeal to the millions watching and listening around the world to "open your hearts" to Christ as the savior of the world.

On Dec. 26, the pope recalled the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, and prayed for Catholics who are persecuted today because they show fidelity to the Vatican "without accepting compromises, sometimes at the price of serious consequences."

The pope appeared to be referring to China, where a government-approved Catholic association rejects Vatican ties, and where underground Catholics loyal to Rome have been the targets of discrimination.

"The entire church admires this example and prays so that they have the strength to persevere," the pope said.

END

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250

Saint Stephen

St. Stephen

December 25, 2006

Stephen was the first Christian martyr, although James the Great was the first Apostle to die for the faith. Stephen was also one of the first seven deacons chosen in the Church. The name Stephen signifies a crown, and is Greek.

Scripture tells us that Stephen “full of grace and power” did great wonders and signs among the people, but his teaching outraged the Jews and they accused him of blasphemy. During his speech to the Jewish council, “his face was like the face of an angel” but the Jews became enraged and ground their teeth. When Stephen looked up into the heavens and proclaimed that he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, that was all the Jews could stand. At that point they grabbed him, and dragged him out of the city to stone him. As he was being stoned, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he cried, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” and then he died. (Acts 7:8-60)

Lessons

Stephen’s death brought widespread persecution in Jerusalem and caused the Christians to disperse, taking the Gospel to other cities and towns and spreading it around the world. Like the death of Jesus, Stephen’s death was salvation for many souls who might not have heard the Gospel had the Christians not dispersed and carried the message of salvation around the world.

Prayer

Lord, we thank you for St. Stephen and the great example he gave to others in the way he died. St. Stephen's willingness to die for his faith showed great courage and love for You and brought many others to salvation. Amen.

26th Of December

2nd day in Octave of Christmas/ St Stephen's Feast day.

Just got home from 830a Mass/ McDonalds with Brooke and Ava/ haircut.

Yesterday: Christmas--kids opened presents about 6a. Family over about 2ish to about 8ish

Christmas Eve: set up Nintendo Wii and played until 430p Mass at Arundel HS and then over to the Lauths afterwards.

Saturday 23rd: 830a Mass/ kids chocolate party in afternoon/ 4th Sunday of Advent Mass at 5p and the Norman's Christmas party in the evening.

Gerry

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Fed 245 Homeless Last night

Goal was to feed 200 last night--I think highest before was 180 or so--but 245 passed through the doors last night. I suppose if you build it they will come, especially on a cold, damp, and rainy night. There continued to be a nice flow in and out all night--perhaps as people left they told there buddies to check out the feast.

There was surely a truckload of items brought up to Baltimore last night: Over 8 big coolers of soda/ water/ juice boxes; gigantic table of desserts/ cotton candy; had to be over 35 casseroles incl some 8 of meatballs and sausages to go with tons of submarine rolls. Each casseroles especially the meatballs and sausage should have fed 8-10 people so those 240 ate well with food piled high. Don't believe a crumb was leftover.

They also received a bag to add fruit, sandwiches, etc while going through the buffet line. When they left each received a bag of snacks/ toiletries as well as bag of winter items: sweatshirts/ hat/ gloves/ etc. All were very grateful!!!

THANKS to all whom helped in any way. On top of the 245 served, there had to be over 50 whom came out to serve.

Who is ready for next month: January 26 ?

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Gerry

Blessings on those who serve the poor

Blessings on those who serve the poor
Serving poor may be The Right Thing To Do; but the Bible also associates it with material and spiritual reward. Here we'll look at the benefits promised to those who serve the poor; in the next section we'll examine the consequences of not doing so.

Prov. 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

Jer. 22:16 "Did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is that not what it means to know Me?" declares the LORD.

Deut. 15:10. You shall give generously to [your poor brother], and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.

Prov. 19:17. He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.

Jer. 7:5-7. "For, if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever."

Is. 58:10. "And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

Luke 14:12-14. "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Luke 12:44. "Sell your possessions and give alms; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Mt. 19:20ff. The young man said to Him, "All these commands I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Commentary:Americans like money; the American dream is about being rich. No wonder we're susceptible to religious quacks who promise riches to those who believe in God.

We do find promises of reward in the Bible-- to those who serve the poor. God's making a very simple proposal here: "You help the poor, and I'll repay it."

Full disclosure: there's a little bait-and-switch going on. Jesus promises treasure in heaven. In the sociology of religion game, we call this spiritualization. In plain English, it means that Jesus is asking us to go way past our comfort level in giving things away. And in not getting them back.

Who are the poor, by the way? Among our rationalizations is the feeling that the actual poor aren't people we really have to pay attention to. They may be of different races, or not speak our language, or aren't moral enough for us; they may be illegal immigrants. (Imagine that, a class of human beings that are illegal. Imagine explaining that to God.)

God doesn't want to hear these excuses; he specifically commands us to help the stranger, the alien, the sojourner. Jesus' command on dinner parties couldn't be clearer: the people you need to help are not the people like you, the people you like, the people who can repay you. As for racial prejudice, note that the first person in the gospel of John to whom Jesus clearly confesses to being the Messiah is a Samaritan; Samaritans were despised by the orthodox Jews of the time. (And for that matter, she was a woman, and an adulterer.)

Can you give too much? We believe in moderation in all things. Unfortunately, we get this idea from the Greeks, not the Bible. Jesus asks for immoderate giving.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Feed the Homeless Day


All in order to go!

Just returned from church and there are some 11 casseroles in the fridge and 2 trays of brownies.

Ill be back at 3p to start cooking. May be a struggle to cook all so if possible if you can cook and bring up before 4p that may be the best.

We will be packing 200 bags of winter items--someone dropped off some real nice winter coats yesterday. Plus 200 sweatshirts/ gloves/ hats/ scarves/ etc. Also, packing in another bag: candy/ gum/ snacks/ toiletries/ etc. So, each will get a bag of each.

I think we have enough coolers for everything--if you have an extra let me know.

Also, I think we have enough room to transport all--if you have room let me know--tons of stuff.

All should ready to be served by 5p. Again dinner will include: salads from Beef'O'Brady's / casseroles/ desserts/ fruit.

Jet Services/ Aramark/ Ravens sending over: 250 rolls/ hot coffee and cocoa/ fruit/ cotton candy.

Upon leaving is when each will get a 2 bags of goodies as well as a to-go sandwich meal from Beef'O'Brady.

Gerry

Thursday, December 21, 2006

X-MAS

Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:28 AM
Subject: Re Xmas


It still drives me nuts when I see this. We dont speak greek and I guess if we did we could call it 'chi'-mas not x-mas. I still think it is the lazy way out--not to spend the time on 5 more letters to spell the whole word.

Gerry

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Dave Green

Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:54 PM
Subject: Re: View Selected In Memoriam Record


Gerry,

Dave passed away Tuesday (possibley Wed.) before Thanksgiving. He was struggling with depression and his death was self inflicted. A mass was held Dec. 2nd for him at Sacred Heart and there was a reception at the Comfort Inn. I went to both and the mass was very moving. The chapel was packed with people and Father Perry did a really good job w/the sermon considering he didn't know the family prior to this. . Dave's father and brothers spoke about him after the mass. His father gave a brief summary of his illness (originally diagnosed in '05). Apparently Dave was doing well earlier this year, but had relapsed. He lived in DC and has his own law firm that as I understand it was a temporary agency for lawyers. He wasn't married and didn't have children. Both of his brothers told some pretty funny stories about Dave. They also talked about his love for his family, golf, Japan, poli tics and learning.

There were quite a few old high school friends at the services. I'm sorry you didn't know earlier.

Mary Ann

Masses Intentions

Family Member: Death Date: Mass Celebrated:

Mercedes Scheidhauer 10/30/2001 10/31/2006 830a

Wm Roy Scheidhauer 3/18/1971 3/18/2007 1230a

Beatrice Scheidhauer 9/30/1988 10/28/2006 830a

Aloysius Dowd 12/26/1980 12/24/2006 930a

Catherine Jackson Dowd 5/10/1972 5/10/2007 830a

OBX Beach Vacation

Another future reference

http://www.resortquest.com/portal/page?_pageid=795,1067567&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Disney Florist

Just for future references:

http://www.disneyflorist.com/ffo_index_fullinfo.html?source=&index_id=fol_christmas&price_range=&website_id=485745524856546565&sidenav=holidays&language_id=EN

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Is There a War on Christmas? You Betcha!

Is There a War on Christmas? You Betcha!

By Tim Wildmon
December 19, 2006

(AgapePress) - Perhaps you saw the story out of the state of Washington last week, where a Jewish rabbi wanted to have a menorah (seven-branched candelabrum) put up at the Seattle-Tacoma airport alongside the "holiday" trees that are traditionally on display this time of year. Before political correctness came along, we all knew that these trees were called Christmas trees. In fact, there is a fellow selling trees near my house whose sign reads: "We don't sell holiday trees; we sell Christmas trees." Now there is a man after my own heart!

Those responsible for putting the trees up at the airport -- the Seattle Port Authority -- took them down very quickly when they got the letter from the rabbi. When the rabbi explained that he was not threatening legal action to have the trees removed -- only that he was requesting a menorah be put up -- the trees went back up again. Follow me here? It was a total overreaction on the part of the Port Authority, but this is the climate the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has created in our country where public officials think they may be sued because they display Christmas trees. Not Nativity scenes mind you, but trees. It's insane.

The NBC Today show interviewed me on Monday about this story and about the general idea of a war on Christmas. They wanted to know what I thought about it. They taped a good 20 minutes of questions and answers. Ten seconds of it showed up on the program. But what I basically said was, "Yes, there is a war on Christmas. How many examples do you need?"

I went on to explain that there are forces afoot in America that want to "sanitize" our country of its Christian heritage, and one of the ways this can be accomplished is by diminishing the impact of Christ on Christmas and diminishing the impact of Christmas on the American consciousness. You do this over time. This is also accomplished under the banner of promoting "multi-culturalism," "diversity" and "tolerance" -- all of which I don't have a problem with in their proper context. But what I resent, and a whole lot of Americans resent, is when in the name of multi-culturalism, diversity and tolerance, we began to sacrifice traditions that have made America great in the first place.

For example, news services across the country reported this earlier in the week: "Zogby polling shows an overwhelming majority (95 percent) say they are not offended by being greeted with a 'Merry Christmas' while shopping, including 98 percent for weekly Wal-Mart shoppers. But greet them with a 'Happy Holidays,' and 46 percent say they take offense."

The reason that 46 percent of those surveyed take offense is because they are Christmas shopping, not holiday shopping, and everyone knows this. Families don't give each other presents on Thanksgiving Day. Kids don't run downstairs on New Year's morning seeing what awaits them under the holiday tree. The Christmas-gift buying season is what keeps the American retail business in business.

These numbers also mean that most citizens want Christmas to maintain the special place it has long held in the American heart. We don't want to see Christmas melt into a generic "holiday season" or "winter celebration" some hard-core secularists and atheists want to see happen.

Now I am about to give you an example of how the political correctness / multi-culturalism movement seeks to remove the Christian message about Christmas from the scene. One of the things it has done recently is attempt to elevate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as if they were equal to Christmas in American cultural relevance. They are not, but because we have been brainwashed with political correctness for a number of years now -- and because we are fearful of being labeled racist or as anti-Jewish -- many people in our country feel compelled to mention Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in the same sentence with Christmas. In America, Christmas -- as a holiday -- has always been in a league of its own. It points to the message of Christ and to our Christian heritage, and that is what the multi-culturalists and the politically-correct crowd want to change.

Hanukkah is actually a minor Jewish holiday. Passover and Yom Kippur are much more important to practicing Jews. As for Kwanzaa -- which is a celebration of African culture observed from Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 -- very few people had ever even heard of it before 10 years ago. The majority of African-Americans don't even celebrate it. Compare that to the fact that the vast majority of black people do celebrate Christmas.

Another interesting fact here is that Christians do not consider the tree to have any spiritual significance. Especially in the same way a Jew looks at a menorah for instance. A Nativity scene would be the equivalent to the Christian. The tree is simply a traditional decoration that many Americans use to mark the Christmas season. Most people consider them just something nice to look at.

As a Christian I don't have a particular problem with the menorah being up at an airport. After all, Christianity does have its roots in Judaism. But putting the Christmas trees back up was the right thing to do. We can't give in to those who are on a mission to rewrite the history of America and remove any vestige of Christianity from the public square.
Tim Wildmon is president of American Family Association, one of the largest pro-family organizations in the country. He also leads tours of Washington, DC, and Mount Vernon twice a year with special emphasis on America's Christian heritage. More information on the tours is available at SpiritualHeritageTours.com.

© 2006 AgapePress all rights reserved.


email this page to a friendE-mail this page to a friend

Monday, December 18, 2006

Christmas Banquet Comments

Hello Gerry:

You should be commended for all the work you are doing on this. We have tow large coolers you can use if you need them.

David

Casserole Supper: Monday

Ok--looking real good for Friday

Still need about $150

Also, drinks and desserts

Casseroles looking good--just limited on how many I can cook/ transport.

Not packing goodie bags until Thurs --maybe Friday am since I have to wait until all my orders come in--so could still use winter clothes items/ toiletries/ etc.

May need coolers for casseroles and drinks. Not sure on how many transporters/ servers I have but we have a bunch of stuff to transport. Looks like we will serve buffet style.

Thanks
Gerry

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Why go to Mass?

Why Go To Mass?
by Steven R. Hemler

Not every Mass is going to be a great and deeply moving experience. Lifelong Catholics may have grown so used to the ritual that they aimlessly go through the motions and find their minds often wander. So, why bother going to Mass? Here is a list of the "Top 10" reasons:

Reason #10: To Follow the Commands of God, Jesus, and the Church
The third of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God is, "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day." Christians observe Sunday as a day of worship and rest in order to honor the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Before his Crucifixion, Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper when he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you. Do this in memory of me." When we celebrate the Mass, we repeat the Last Supper, as Jesus commanded us to do. In doing this, we remember his great act of love for us on the Cross - taking our sins upon himself so that we can live with him forever in heaven. Therefore, the Church teaches that we must fulfill the command of Jesus by attending Mass. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2042) explains that attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is the first of the five Precepts of the Church. Willingly disobeying this precept is seriously sinful.

Reason #9: To Develop and Express Our Faith Commitment
Another reason to go to Mass is to develop the habit of worshiping and glorifying God. Human beings ordinarily develop by forming habits, some good and some bad. The discipline of worshiping God helps us to grow into being habitual "adorers of God," even when we do not feel like it. Like any other major commitment, our spiritual life involves discipline and restraint. Mass can sometimes be boring. Children and young people often wonder why the Mass can't be more "fun." But, if someone lives just to "have fun" they will most likely end up being selfish and unhappy. Focusing on our own selfish desires is empty and unfulfilling. It is only when we get out of ourselves and live for God and others that we truly find peace and happiness. Participation in the Mass is our duty as baptized Christians, but it is much more than that. It is an opportunity to actively express our commitment to Jesus Christ and to help fulfill our role in the Church.

Reason #8: To Gather Together in Christian Fellowship
Living a truly Christian life is not easy and a supportive community is vitally important. We cannot live as Christians just by ourselves. We are, rather, called to enter into relationships with others on our Christian journey through this life. Without fellow Christians, our faith would be stunted, fade away and die. It is while united in active celebration together at Mass that we will most powerfully experience the joy implicit in Jesus' saying "For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them." Active involvement in a broad range of parish activities, beginning with Mass, gives great meaning and support to our lives as Christians.

Reason #7: To Receive God's Help and Healing
It is hard to do difficult things alone. Following Jesus can be tough work. We go to Mass to receive the help we need to live the Christian life. Going to Mass gives us a sense that there are other people who are also struggling to live better lives and maybe we can all make it together. It's been said, "The Church is not a haven for saints, but a hospital for sinners." We don't go to Mass to proclaim our holiness, but rather we go to humbly seek God's help and healing. To change our lives - in Biblical terms, to repent, to convert - we need the help and support of others. At Mass, we join with others who are also trying to live the gospel and follow Jesus, and we share in the Spirit of Christ and we are empowered by that Holy Spirit.

Reason #6: To Celebrate With Song
Congregational singing has always been one of the most powerful ways to for the community to pray together. In the words of St. Augustine, "Singing is praying twice." Many find good liturgical music quite inspiring and an important part of worshipping God in a community of believers. But, liturgical music cannot be mistaken as entertainment. Music in worship is also a means towards prayer, contemplation and reflection. Good liturgical music is carefully selected to reinforce the central message of the Word of the Lord during Mass.

Reason #5: To Pray and Worship God Together
From the earliest days of Christianity, men and women have brought their deepest needs and desires to the table of the Lord, confident that they will be joined to Christ's great act of intercession before the Father. So, we can bring our deepest desires to the table of the Lord, confident they will be heard. St. John Vianney said of liturgical prayer, "Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that." So, we come together to join our prayers of Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (the acronym "A.C.T.S.") with the other members of our faith community. If we love God, we will want to spend some of our time with Him as He wants us to - giving ourselves to Him in worship.

Reason #4: To Receive the Word of God
During the Liturgy of the Word, we hear Christ's voice in the scripture readings. As Vatican II's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy states, "it is He himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church." We also hear Christ's voice in the homily, when the priest seeks to apply these inspired words to our lives. We know that if we listen in the right frame of mind, asking Jesus to open our hearts and minds, we will receive a message - a personal message.

Reason #3: To Commemorate Christ and Perpetuate His Sacrifice on the Cross
Whenever we gather together at Mass, we remember Christ. Furthermore, as the bishops said at Vatican II, "…it is the liturgy through which, especially in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, the work of our redemption is accomplished." At each Mass, God makes present and available to us, with lavish generosity, the saving power of the cross. Through the Mass, we offer God our praise, sorrow for our sins, and our deepest thanks for the gift of our redemption.

Reason #2: To Strengthen Us for Our Mission
The Mass provides us with a sense of why we are here, namely to love and serve the Lord and one another. When we hear the words, "Do this in memory of me," we hear God's voice not just challenging us to go to Mass but also challenging us to that self-giving love that the Mass celebrates. We are to live as Christ lived and act as Christ would act. The hard part of the Eucharist is not only believing that the bread and wine become Christ's body and blood, but the most difficult thing is accepting the challenge to "do this" - to live with that same self-giving love.

The Mass not only gives us a sense of what we ought to do, it also strengthens us for doing it. When we hear "The Mass is ended; go in peace" we know that Christ has come physically to the altar, then flows outward to the congregation, who carry Him out into the world. Our Lord does not send us out into the world as orphans. Rather, He equips us for the journey. He has formed us by teaching us through His Word, and He has fed us with His very Presence.

Finally, the #1 Reason to Go to Mass: To Be Filled with Jesus Christ
At the Consecration, the bread and wine, through the power of the Holy Spirit, become the Body and Blood of Christ. When we receive Holy Communion, we receive Jesus Himself. He said this very plainly: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."

Without physical food we will die physically. In the same way, without spiritual food we will die spiritually. By receiving Holy Communion we receive the graces needed to become more like Christ. It's been said, "We are what we eat." St. Augustine expressed this well when he said about Eucharist, "Believe what you receive. Receive what you believe. Become what you receive." This is why we are called to receive Holy Communion regularly and frequently.

Vatican II emphasized that the Mass is the "summit" toward which all our activities point and it is the "source" from which all our blessings flow. The Mass is the Lord giving Himself to us in His Word and in His Real Presence, and calling forth our self-giving in return. Going to Mass allows us to meet Christ within His community and to be with others whose faith makes a difference. This enables us to make the lived Presence of Christ - going forth and doing God's work in the world - the central element of our lives.


E-mail this article to a friend
Copyright © Steve Hemler. Steve Hemler has been involved in youth ministry, pro-life political activism and religious education. His articles have been published in America, Liguorian, Church, Modern Liturgy, Religion Teacher's Journal, Liturgical Catechesis, and National Review.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Casserole Update--week away

Planning to head to BJ's this afternoon.

If I get all items for the goodie-bag, id like to start putting them together on Sunday around 2p.

Will take as well any gently-worn backpacks/ sweatshirts/ etc/

********************************************

Still accepting money/ casseroles/ desserts/ drinks/ etc.

*********************************************

Next Friday: Need help preparing all/ baking casseroles at church/ looks like will need help transporting items/ serving/ cleaning-up.

I know a couple of families already told me they'd love to help.

Thanks

Gerry

When was Jesus Born?

When was Jesus Born?
by Fr. William P. Saunders

Was Christ really born on December 25?

One would think that if anyone's date of birth were remembered exactly, it would that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the Gospels do not pinpoint the date of Christ's birth. The reason is probably that the focus of the Gospels is on the kerygma or mystery of redemption — the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This focus is also probably why St. Mark's Gospel does not even include the Christmas story, but instead begins with the baptism of the Lord at the River Jordan. Easter, on the other hand, can be better dated because of its concurrence with Passover.

Prior to the legalization of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., no universal date or even formal celebration of Christmas is found. For instance, Origen (d. 255), St. Irenaeus (d. 202) and Tertullian (d. 220) do not include Christmas or its date on their lists of feasts and celebrations. Again, the spiritual focus was on Easter.

After legalization, the Church was better able to establish universal dates for feasts and to organize their public celebration. Moreover, the Church had to address emerging controversies concerning Jesus as true God and true man, and how He entered this world. Such concern would focus more attention on the importance of celebrating Christmas, the birth of our Lord.

On the more "practical" side of this issue, Roman pagans used to gather at the hill where the Vatican is presently located to commemorate the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun." This pagan feast was celebrated throughout the Empire either on Dec. 25 (according to the Julian Calendar) or on Jan. 6 (according to the Egyptian calendar). Although not proven with certainty, some historians credit Constantine, who declared Sunday as a day of rest in the Empire, with replacing the pagan festival with that of Christmas.

However, we must not impetuously conclude that Constantine simply wanted to replace one imperial pagan religious festival with another imperial Christian religious festival. There is a deeper theological reason why Dec. 25 was chosen as the date to celebrate the birth of our Lord. St. Paul indicates in his Letters to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians a cosmic relationship with Christ. Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, true God and consubstantial with the Father for all eternity. He is the Word of God, through Whom the Father spoke and creation unfolded: A In Him everything in Heaven and on earth was created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, principalities, or powers; all were created through Him, and for Him@ (Col 1:16). By the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered this world, true God become true man, A the image of the invisible God@ (Col 1:15). Only Christ, true God who became also true man, could take unto Himself the burden of all sin: A It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in Him, and by means of Him, to reconcile everything in His person, both on earth and the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross@ (Col 1:20). Moreover, on Easter Sunday, Christ rose from the dead; He conquered not just sin, but death itself. Through His passion, death and resurrection, Christ has created a new world order, A so that at Jesus= name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord@ (Phil 2:10-11). Therefore, A God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan He was pleased to decree in Christ, to be carried out in the fullness of time: namely to bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ= s headship@ (Eph 1:9-10).

With this teaching in mind, the birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new world order, a restoration of the cosmos and a reconciliation of mankind with God — all of which will be fulfilled in the passion, death and resurrection. Interestingly, since the 200s, Jesus was honored with the title, "Sun of Justice." So rightly, the Church utilized a Roman pagan feast, A The Birth of the Unconquered Sun,@ and positively transformed it into a commemoration of the Birth of Christ, the Lord of creation and the light that came into the world to dispel sin and darkness.

Later Christmas sermons reflected this understanding: St. Jerome preached, A Even creation approves our preaching. The universe itself bears witness to the truth of our words. Up to this day [Christmas], the dark days increase, but from this day the darkness decreases … The light advances, while the night retreats.@ St. Augustine preached, A Brethren, let us rejoice. The heathen, too, may still be merry, for this day consecrates for us, not the visible sun, but the sun= s invisible Creator.@

In practice, Christmas was celebrated in Rome by Pope Liberius (352-66) on Dec. 25. On Dec. 25, 379, St. Gregory Nazianzus preached a Christmas sermon in Constantinople. In the Cathedral of Milan, St. Ambrose (d. 397) celebrated Christmas. Therefore, by the year 400, generally, the birth of Christ was set on Dec. 25 with the exception of Palestine, where it was celebrated on Jan. 6 until the mid-600s when it was then transferred to Dec. 25.

As an aside, the feast of the Epiphany also emerged in Gaul (the Roman province of present day France) about the year 361. This feast was moved to Jan. 6, which remains the official date.

While the concern for exact dating may preoccupy us at times, the most important point is celebrating the birth of our Lord. Remember that the title Christmas is derived from the Old English title Cristes Maesse which means "The Mass of Christ." This Christmas, may we lift up our hearts at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive our Lord, born again into our souls through the grace of the holy Eucharist.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Enter the “Why I Hate Christmas” Contest

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 13, 2006
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, and Don Feder, president of Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation, have launched a "Why I Hate Christmas" contest today. Donohue explains as follows:

"On December 6, a Zogby Poll disclosed that 95% of Americans are not offended by being greeted with a ‘Merry Christmas' while shopping. Don Feder and I would like to know more about the 5% who object and have thus launched our ‘Why I Hate Christmas' contest. Contestants must answer the following questions:

1. Explain relationship with father.

2. Explain relationship with mother.

3. State what religion, if any, were you raised in.

4. List all phobias, e.g., fear of God.

5. List all superstitions, e.g., belief in Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.

6. State which historical figure is most like you: (a) Hitler, (b) Stalin, (c) Mao, (d) Pol Pot, or (e) Rosie O'Donnell.

7. State last time you hallucinated.

8. State last book you read before crashing.

9. State how many times you've laughed in the past 10 years: (a) once, (b) more than once but not more than thrice, (c) more than thrice but not more than five times, (d) can't recall.

10. List all prior mental disorders.

"Please send us a photo so we can post your picture on our website, along with your response. The winner will receive a free copy of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Finally, we will send your statement to Jackie Mason for a free psychological evaluation."

(This update courtesy of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.)
» login or register to post comments | email this page
http://www.catholicexchange.com/node/8247

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Last few days

Friday: 830a Immaculate Conception Mass; Shipping; Creston and I to Crofton Irish Restaurant; Al Gore movie--fell asleep.

Saturday: 830a Mass; Thanks for Smoking-netflix movie; boys basketball practice 7-8p; Cloyds Christmas party until 1a or so--had too much to drink.

Sunday: Hangover--not feeling so good; Chelsea vs Arsenal 11a; Mien and Tai popped over; NFL Football.

Monday: still feeling effects of hangover; 12-345 Crofton Elem--subst PE--Punchball with 5th graders pulled muscle or something in my back; ready to go to 11p soccer but back killing me.

Tuesday: still back killing me; past on CES 1st grade all-day job; AHS 1030-130 or so; got home and worked on computer; 9p Frontline: TankMan.

Weds: cool, rainy, and overcast--ready to work all day 3rd grade CES; tickets for Wizards tonight; back still killing me.

Gerry

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Dead Pool 2007

proposed list of 20 for 2007:

Politicians: yr born
1 Yushchenko UKR President 1954
2 Dick Cheney VP 1941
3 Boris Yeltsin SSR 1931
4 Lady Bird Johnson Former 1st Lady 1912
5 Osama Bin Laden Terrorist 1957
6 Noriega Panama 1938
7 Gerald Ford ex-Pres 1913
8 Fidel Castro Cuba 1926
9 Mandela South Africa 1918

Sports:
10 Maradona former soccer star
11 Muhammed Ali Boxer 1942
12 Robby Gordon car racer
13 Lance Armstrong biker
14 Terell Owens NFL football

Entertainment:
15 Betelgeuse Howard Stern
16 Keith Richards Stones 1943
17 Dick Clark TV 1929
18 Abe Vigoda Fish 1921
19 Harry Morgan Mash 1915
20 Brtiney Spears singer 1981

alt: O'Reilly
M J FOX
Downey Jr
Eminem
Noel Gallagher
Tiger Wood
Phil Rizzuto
saddam hussein 1937
Jerry Lewis 1926
Billy Graham 1918
Paris Hilton
Nicole Richie
QE II 1926
W-Pres 1946
Margeret Thatcher 1925
50 Cent 1975

Substituting

Today was in Arundel HS for lunch monitor as well as monitoring Busn Educ. I have now been in Arundel/ South River/ Spalding HS; Arundel/ Crofton MS; as well as Incarnation MS; Crofton and Davidsonville Elem Schools.

Saturday, December 9, 2006

10 Raising Children Principles

Raising Children of Character: 10 Principles

THOMAS LICKONA



"Raising a civilized child takes 20 years of constant teaching and another
10 of review." ~ Judith Martin (Miss Manners)



Parenting is arguably the hardest job there is and the one for which we get
no training. Here are ten principles of parenting that can guide us in the
demanding work of raising children of character.

1. Make Character Development a High Priority

One of my college students, reflecting on her character development, wrote:
"I was an only child, and my parents let me have my own way most of the
time. I know they wanted to show how much they loved me, but I have
struggled with selfishness my whole life."

We need to view our children as adults-in-the-making. What kind of character
do we want them to possess as grown men and women? Will they be generous and
responsible adults? Will they make loving husbands and wives, and capable
mothers and fathers? How is our approach to parenting likely to affect these
outcomes?

2. Be an Authoritative Parent

Parents must have a strong sense of their moral authority - their right to
be respected and obeyed. Psychologist Diana Baumrind's research has
identified three styles of parenting: authoritative, authoritarian, and
permissive. Authoritarian parents use a lot of commands and threats but
little reasoning. Permissive parents are high on affection but low on
authority. By contrast, authoritative parents are high on authority,
reasoning, fairness, and love. The authoritative parent "explains reasons
behind demands, encourages give and take, and sets standards and enforces
them firmly but does not regard self as infallible." Baumrind finds that at
all age levels, the most self-confident and socially responsible children
have authoritative parents.

To establish an authoritative parenting style, we should have a zero
tolerance policy for disrespectful speech and behavior. When kids engage in
disrespectful back-talk, they need immediate corrective feedback ("What is
your tone of voice?", "You are not allowed to speak to me in that way, even
if you're upset."). Allowing our children to speak to us disrespectfully
will quickly erode their respect for our moral authority, our rules, our
example, and our teaching.

3. Love Children

When kids feel loved, they become attached to us. That attachment makes them
receptive to our guidance.

One-on-one time. We need emotionally intimate time to keep any relationship
strong and growing. To protect one-on- one time with our children, we should
plan it. I know a school superintendent, a father of four, who can show you
in his appointment book which child he'll be spending the coming Saturday
afternoon with. "If I didn't schedule that time," he says, "it wouldn't
happen."

Love as communication. Good communication doesn't happen automatically. We
often need to do something deliberate to bring about a meaningful exchange
of thoughts and experiences. When our older son Mark was 13, I became
frustrated with the fact that our exchanges typically consisted of my asking
questions and his giving monosyllabic answers. ("How was school?" "Fine."
"How'd the game go?" "Great.") One day, in exasperation, I said: "It would
be great if you asked me a question."

He said, "Okay, Dad, how are your courses going this semester?" It was the
first time I ever talked to him about my teaching. After that, even if we
had only five minutes in the car, we'd do "back-and-forth questions": I'd
ask him one (e.g., "What was the best part and the worst part of your
day?"), he'd ask me one (often the same question), and so on. It became a
family tradition.

Love as sacrifice. About a million children see their parents divorce each
year. Marriages fail for many reasons, including violence, alcoholism, and
infidelity. Researcher Judith Wallerstein's book, The Unexpected Legacy of
Divorce (2000), documents the often lasting repercussions of family
breakdown for both kids and adults. Given such evidence, both secular and
religious marriage counselors are now urging married couples having problems
to do everything possible to try to save their marriage.

4. Teach by Example

Teaching by example goes beyond treating our children with love and respect.
It has to do with how we treat each other as spouses and how we treat and
talk about others outside the family - relatives, friends, neighbors, and
teachers. These days, the most important example we set may be the stands we
take - especially stands that are unpopular with our children or at odds
with what other parents are permitting. What do we prohibit? Violent video
games? TV shows and movies that contain sex, violence, or foul language? All
forms of pornography? Immodest dress? Parties where there's drinking? Do our
kids know where we stand on the great moral issues of the day - respect for
life, war and peace, threats to the environment, the plight of the poor?
Stands like these define our values.

5. Manage the Moral Environment

How should we regulate kids' use of media - TV, movies, music, video games,
and the Internet? The basic rule: The use of media in the home is a
privilege, not a right. Exercise of that privilege requires parental
permission and presence. We should also thoughtfully explain our moral
objections to something rather than simply forbidding it.

Today's moral environment also requires more vigilant supervision of our
children. The research report Building a Better Teenager (
www.childtrends.org) finds that "hands-on"
parents - those who know about their children's activities, friends, and
behaviors and monitor them in age-appropriate ways - have teens with lower
rates of sexual activity and drug and alcohol use.

We should also expose our children to what is noble and heroic. Somewhere in
the evening paper there's at least one example of integrity, courage, or
compassion. The website
www.teachwithmovies.com is a source of films that offer positive role models
and matter for moral discussion. Books That Build Character by William
Kilpatrick provides an excellent annotated bibliography of more than 300
books appropriate for different age levels.

6. Use Direct Teaching to Form Habits and Conscience


7 Ethical Tests


1. The Golden Rule (reversibility) test:
Would I want people to do this to me?
2. The what-if-everybody-did-this test:
Would I like it if everyone else acted this way?
3. The parents test:
How would my parents feel if they found out I did this?
4. The religion test:
Does this go against what my religious faith teaches?
5. The conscience test:
Will I feel guilty afterwards?
6. The consequences test:
Might this have bad consequences, now or in the future?
7. The front-page test:
How would I feel if my action were reported on the front page of my hometown
paper?

We need to practice what we preach, but we also need to preach what we
practice. Direct moral teaching helps to develop a child's habits and
conscience. "Pick up your toys." "Say please and thank you." "Don't
interrupt." "Look at a person who's speaking to you." Hundreds of teachings
like these communicate to children, "This is how we behave," "This is how we
live."

Direct teaching includes explaining why some things are right and others
wrong. Why is it wrong to lie? Because lying destroys trust. Why is it wrong
to cheat? Because cheating is a lie - it deceives another person. This kind
of moral reasoning helps children develop a conscience that will guide them
when we're not around. Developing our kids' decision-making skills also
means teaching them certain "ethical tests" they can use to evaluate any
given behavior. (See side bar.)

Finally, direct teaching can also take the form of guiding our children to a
good book, article, or pamphlet. A Canadian mother told me she was at a loss
for words when her 16-year-old daughter Lisa disclosed that she and her
boyfriend were thinking of having sex. When the mother said, "But sex is
meant for love," Lisa replied, "But we do love each other, and this is how
we want to express it." To help a teenager reflect on the meaning of love, a
parent could offer a pamphlet such as Love Waits. It reads, in part:

Love is patient; love is kind. Love wants what is best for another person.
Love will never cross the line between what's right and wrong. It's wrong to
put one another in danger of having to deal with hard choices, choices that
could change your lives forever. Having sex before marriage may feel right
for the moment. But the possible costs of an unexpected pregnancy, abortion,
and sexually transmitted disease - as well as the deep hurts that can come
from a broken relationship - outweigh the feelings of the moment. If you are
getting to know someone - or are in a relationship - remember: If it's love,
love waits.

7. Discipline Wisely

Disciplining wisely means setting expectations, holding kids accountable to
them, and responding to their lapses in a way that both teaches what's right
and motivates the child to do what's right. This means discipline should be
clear and firm but not harsh.

Sometimes a disciplinary consequence is needed to help kids realize the
seriousness of what they've done and motivate them not to do it again. In
imposing consequences, however, many parents come down too hard in a moment
of anger ("You're grounded for a week!") and end up going back on what they
said. A better approach is to ask a child, "What do you think is a fair
consequence for what you did?" Together the parent and child can then agree
on a consequence that will help change behavior.

Restitution is also important: When you do something wrong, you should do
something right to make up for it. Restitution is restorative. We should
teach our kids to ask: "What can I do to make up for what I did?"

8. Solve Conflicts Fairly


Fairness Agreement


1. If Mom has promised to do something with us, she will tell the
person she is busy and will call back later.
2. We will make a list of things to do while Mom is on the phone.
3. Mom will try to make her calls shorter.
4. If Mom has to be on the phone for a longer time, she will tell us,
and we will behave.

Mom, Phillip, & Ben

Conflicts provide important opportunities to foster character development. A
fairness approach can be used to solve a wide range of family conflicts. It
has three parts: (1) achieving mutual understanding; (2) arriving at a fair,
agreed upon solution to the problem; and (3) holding a follow-up meeting to
evaluate how the solution is working. One mom used the fairness approach
with her sons Phillip (7) and Ben (5) to address the problem of the kids
acting badly when she was on the phone. "The more we talked," the mother
says, "the more I understood their feelings of rejection when I'm on the
phone for a long time. I explained that with working and going to school,
this is often my only way of keeping in touch with friends." Once they
understood each other's feelings, the mother, Phillip, and Ben were able to
brainstorm solutions. They worked out a Fairness Agreement (See side bar),
which they all signed and posted. Two days later, Mom and the boys held a
follow-up meeting. The mother reports: "We agreed we had stuck to our plan.
The kids played together or did things independently when I was on the
phone. I made calls shorter. There has been much less hassling about this
problem."

9. Provide Opportunities to Practice the Virtues

Virtues develop through practice. We don't develop character in kids simply
by talking about it; they need real responsibilities in family life. A
mother of three sons (ages 2, 4, and 6) says: "The rule in our house is that
you get a chore for each year of your age. Our boys are all very proud of
what they do." Children should not be paid for these chores; such jobs are
the way they contribute to the family.

10. Foster Spiritual Development

"Religious Involvement and Children's Well-Being" (
www.childtrends.org) reports that young people
who frequently attend religious services and say their faith is important to
them exhibit higher levels of altruism and lower levels of drug and alcohol
use and sexual activity. It is certainly possible to be an ethical person
without being religious, and having religious faith by no means guarantees
that a person will be good. But for many persons, religion gives life a
higher meaning and an ultimate reason for leading a moral life. If we are
not ourselves religious, we must nevertheless help our children to develop a
spiritual vision that address life's largest questions: What is the meaning
of life? What is the purpose of my life? What leads to authentic happiness?

Kids will make mistakes growing up, just as we did. That said, it's our job
as parents to make the most of the many opportunities we have to help our
children become persons of character.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Thomas Lickona "Raising Children of Character: 10 Principles." taken from
Character Matters: How to Help Our Children Develop Good Judgment,
Integrity, and Other Essential Virtues (New York: Touchstone, 2004).

Reprinted with permission of Thomas Lickona.

Copyright (c) 2004 Thomas Lickona

Fr Larry

Mustard Seeds

Sometimes when we feel the Spirit prompting us to step out in faith and share the good news, we fear the risk involved. It’s at these times that we should trust that no one is alone in the work of evangelization. We are supported by all those who have gone before us and have stepped out of their comfort zones for the sake of telling other people about new life in Jesus.

As you encounter situations today that call for God’s presence, remember that God has sent you there and is calling you to sow seeds of encouragement, consolation, or peace. Don’t worry about making mistakes. God can take care of that. He has shown on many occasions that he can bless our imperfect efforts and produce wonderful results. We may not always gather the harvest of the seeds that we plant. Someone else may do that. But as members of the body of Christ, we can do our part to change the world.

What do you have to lose as a worker in the Lord’s field? He has already given you both the field and the seed. With just a little effort you will be able to share in the wonder of seeing the harvest of redeemed brothers and sisters growing in the love God has for them. All you really need is a humble and sincere heart. So what do you think? Can we all make a difference today?

Top 25 CATHOLIC web-sites

Headlines by FeedBurner
The Top 25

Here are the top 25 Catholic websites in the world, ranked in order of popularity according to Alexa's TrafficRank software. This is a list of the busiest Catholic websites, which are not necessarily the best Catholic websites. This list was updated on April 6, 2005.

1. The Holy See [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
2. New Advent [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
3. EWTN [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
4. Catholic Exchange [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
5. USCCB [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
6. ACI Digital [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
7. Catholic.net [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
8. Catholic Online [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA]
9. Spirit Daily [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
10. Zenit News Agency [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
11. CatholicMatch.com [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
12. Centro Católico de Evangelización [ALEXA]
13. Catholic Answers [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
14. Encuentra.com (Mexico) [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
15. Catholic Community Forum [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
16. Opus Dei [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
17. American Catholic [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA]
18. Amy Welborn's Open Book [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
19. Christus Rex [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
20. Conférence des évêques de France [ALEXA]
21. Catholic World News [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
22. Jimmy Akin [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
23. The Catholic Company [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
24. Catholic Culture [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]
25. Catholic Singles [CATHOLIC CULTURE] [ALEXA] [WEBSITE]

YAHOO Popular Searches

Yahoo! Buzz Index Leaders Overall

*
1. Britney Spears
- one week ago
*
2. Paris Hilton
- one week ago
*
3. Beyonce Knowles
- one week ago
*
4. America's Next Top Model
- 1 day ago
*
5. Lindsay Lohan
- one week ago

STILL NEED for Casserole Dinner

********UPDATE*******

Still need everything--not turning away anything

Looking good:
hats, gloves, scarves, earmuffs, razors, toothbrush, socks, salad course

NEEDS:
$$$: monetary donation

plastic grocery bags

Casseroles/ entree/ dinner--best if you can cook in your own kitchen and bring to church or my house by 4p on the 22nd

Desserts: Christmas cookies/ cakes/ brownies/ etc

Toiletries

Candy/ chips/ chocolate--this will be in there goodie bag

Will serve at about 5p on that Friday the 22nd

Goal is to serve 200 and have a gift bag for each filled with goodies for them to take with them.

Concentrating on quantity to be able to give each a bag filled. Haven't been pushing some of the bigger ticket items: backpack/ sweater/ sweats/ thermals. Also, thinking if you have gently worn items of the aforementioned I am sure they would be appreciated as well.

Thanks Again

Gerry

Friday, December 8, 2006

OBX: Corolla Light

Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 10:14 AM
Subject: Property Maps | Corolla Light Resort, Corolla, North Carolina



http://www.corollalightresort.com/maps/mainmap.htm

WALDEN

Richard / Pro-Comm;

Not sure who is responsible for the Walden newsletter which just came in the mail last week (Fall 2006) had some great information and very well done.

I also like the new Walden resident golf rates for 9 holes $20/ 18 holes $35.

Good work

Gerry

ARMANDS PIZZA

Armands opened up in Bowie--thinking Pointer Ridge shopping center
>
> May be a good place to visit--may have to go up tomorrow night if
> any interest
>
> Gerry

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Are We Living in a Secular World?

Seems to me we are in a secular world or at least a secular United States. Has God/ Christianity been completely removed? And to live in a secular world free of reprecussions I'd suppose you'd have to remove Satan as well.

I acknowledge it is not easy to be Catholic and follow the straight and narrow path. What percentage follow the minimum set of Commandments to be Catholic? I run into more and more people whom call themselves Catholic and some think they are devout Catholics, yet it doesnt bother than to miss Mass on Sunday. Is it the individual whom know determines there path to Heaven?

I know at least the last two Popes have spoken out on these dangers of relativism, individualism, and securalism. If not before, I think we are in the midst of these trends now.

I think if you are following those simple principles to be Catholic today, I think you are thought of as the Christian-Right or worst. Do those ensconced in this seemingly fun, secular world want to hear what we have to share?

Frustrated,

Gerry
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Naughty List: GAP & OLD NAVY

December 5, 2006

Gap, Old Navy censor 'Christmas,' replace it with 'Holiday'

Gap, which owns Old Navy, Banana Republic, Forth & Towne and Piperlime, has become the latest politically correct retailer, intentionally censoring the use of "Christmas" in their in-store, online and printed advertising.

Instead of referring to the season as Christmas, Gap instead uses the word "holiday." As hard as we tried, AFA could not find a single instance in which Gap-owned stores use the term "Christmas." Not a single time!

When one Old Navy store manager was asked by AFA if the word Christmas was in his store, he answered, "We have a lot of Christmas gifts in our stores, but the word Christmas is not used here. Everything is 'holiday.'"

Gap wants you to do your Christmas shopping with them, but they don't want to mention the Reason for the season. Gap doesn't want to offend non-Christians by using Christmas. The fact that their censoring the use of Christmas might offend Christians seems to be of no importance.
Take Action

Send your message of disappointment to Gap, Inc. Click here to send your email.

Forward this e-mail to your friends and family.

Send Your Email Letter to Gap Chairman Don Fisher Now!

If you think our efforts are worthy, would you please support us with a small gift? Thank you for caring enough to get involved.

Sincerely,

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

Monday, December 4, 2006

Big Fish Restaurant, Crofton, MD

Hello

We dined at Big Fish last night and had a great time. The prime rib was one of the best meals I enjoyed in a long while. Vincent was our server and we enjoyed top of the line service.

We just recently returned from Walt Disney Resort in Florida where we enjoyed the Disney dining plan and a great selection of steak while there. I thought the dining experience and service from Big Fish topped what we experienced down south.

We will for sure return and will enjoy sharing our experience with friends and neighbors

Gerry S
Crofton, MD

Keep Christ in Christmas

One of my main mantras is to keep Christ in Christmas, as well as keep Christ in Easter, even keep Satan out of Halloween.

I see Anthony B here on Catholic Pages goes a step further with Keep Christ in Christmas, and keep Christmas out of Advent.

Anthony B
Newbie/Lurker
USA
12 Posts
Keep Christ in Christmas, and Keep Christmas out of ADVENT.

For the great majority of the population we are in the 'Christmas Season' although some of the population seems to prefer the 'Holiday Season,' since I guess some of these are spending their hard earned cash on items from the other holidays this season? Anyway, commerical Christmas has been going on since at least Halloween.

On Sunday, we began our new church year with the first Sunday of Advent. What does that mean other than some four weeks to Christmas? Are we to prepare in anyway to get ready for the celebration of Jesus' birth on the 25th? We do for his death and resurrection during Lent. I thought at one time Advent, like Lent was also a time of fasting to help us prepare for Jesus's birth?

So, we are now in the Advent season which ends with the Christmas vigil Mass. The official Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass of Christmas and runs through the Epiphany--thus the 12 days of Christmas or Christmastide.

It is a nice thought to try to keep Christmas out of the Advent season--same as to keep Easter out of Lent. I guess commercial Christmas has got a giant hand in this matter and dont see it happening. Although, some are trying hard to turn Christmas secular or mix all the other holidays this month all into one???? Dont get me started with chrismukkah.

Religiously, we can be doing better to celebrate Advent and perhaps the twelve days of Christmas could be celebrated even more joyously.

Anyway--Great Thought!!!

Keep Christ in Christmas

Have a Great Advent
and Have a Joyous Christmastide
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

11&12 Boy's Basketball

Hello

I am Gerry and I will be your son's basketball coach this season.

I was just informed we have practice this Sunday at 2p at Crofton middle school.

Please let me know if you can attend this Sunday, if so Ill meet you there.

Thanks

Gerry

CHRISTMAS STORY

Fan restores 'Christmas Story' house By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer
Thu Nov 23, 4:29 PM ET



CLEVELAND - Ralphie Parker and Brian Jones know what it's like to want something.

ADVERTISEMENT

For Ralphie, the object of desire was an official Red Ryder, carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle. (Go ahead, say it, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid.") For Jones, the gotta-have-it item was Ralphie's house — the one in "A Christmas Story," the quirky film that's found a niche alongside holiday classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street."

Jones has restored the three-story, wood-frame house to its appearance in the movie and will open it for tours beginning Saturday. His hope is that it will become a tourist stop alongside the city's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other destinations.

He's unsure whether he'll make enough money to cover his $500,000 investment, but as sure as a kid's tongue will stick to a frozen flag pole, he's committed to the project.

"I just want people to come and enjoy it as I have," said Jones, a 30-year-old former Navy lieutenant.

"A Christmas Story" wasn't a big hit when released in 1983 but repeat TV airings and, in recent years, a 24-hour run on TBS starting Christmas Eve have made its story of boy's quest to get a BB gun for Christmas as infectious as the bespectacled Ralphie's eager grin.

"It just kind of sets the mood. In the Jones household, it's on all day once the marathon comes on," said Jones, who's married with an 8-month-old daughter.

Jones first saw the movie in the late 1980s and he and his parents became fans.

When the San Diego resident's dream of a becoming a Navy pilot like his father was denied because of his eyesight, his parents sent him a package to lift his spirits. Marked "FRAGILE" on the outside, it contained a leg lamp his parents built to look just like the one received by Ralphie's father, who proudly displayed it in the living room window, boasting, "It's a major award!"

Jones' mom noted that he could probably make a business out of selling them. In 2003, he started doing just that.

"I tooled together 500 lamps in my 1,000-square-foot condo in San Diego and sold them all in the first year," Jones said.

And he's still making and selling them — $129.99 for the 45-inch model, $159.99 for the 53-inch "deluxe full size" leg lamp.

When the house from the film was put up for sale on eBay in December 2004, it seemed like destiny to Jones.

"I said, `Ooh, I gotta have that.'"

The auction price got up to $115,000. Jones, who shares Ralphie's unflinching enthusiasm, less than 20/20 eyesight and ability to speak at a breakneck pace, said he'd pay $150,000 if the owner stopped the bidding.

"It was mine. I sent him a deposit and flew out two days after Christmas just to make sure it wasn't a falling-down shack," Jones said.

He put in new windows and replaced the 111-year-old house's gray aluminum siding with mustard yellow painted wood and green trim that perfectly matches Ralphie's house.

Although only a couple interior shots were filmed there, Jones has recreated the '40s feel of Ralphie's home with a brown-and-white tile kitchen floor, a wide cast-iron sink in the kitchen, a claw-foot bathtub and, of course, a leg lamp in the window.

He also bought the house across the street — Ralphie runs past it in the film's opening scene — to serve as a museum and gift shop. Several original items from the film are on display, including the infamous snowsuit ("I can't put my arms down!") worn by Ralphie's brother, Randy.

The house is located in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood, just a few minutes from downtown where the exterior department store shots were filmed at the former Higbee's.

The cooperation of the department store is what brought the filmmakers to Cleveland for the film based on author Jean Shepherd's stories of his upbringing in Hammond, Ind.

The house is well known in the neighborhood and neighbors like Marlene Childers have watched the house change owners and go through ups and downs over the years. She's excited about Jones' tribute — even if it means more cars and traffic.

"I love that story," she said.

Jones knows the feeling. And he says stepping onto Ralphie's old street makes him feel like he's in the movie.

Standing in front of the house holding a replica Red Ryder rifle, he discusses his future plans — which could include a nearby bed and breakfast — when, seemingly on a director's cue, a motorist passes, stops his car, rolls down the window and shouts, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

___

On the Net:

http://www.redriderleglamps.com/

Works of Mercy

The traditional enumeration of the corporal works of mercy is as follows:

* To feed the hungry;
* To give drink to the thirsty;
* To clothe the naked;
* To harbour the harbourless;
* To visit the sick;
* To ransom the captive;
* To bury the dead.

The spiritual works of mercy are:

* To instruct the ignorant;
* To counsel the doubtful;
* To admonish sinners;
* To bear wrongs patiently;
* To forgive offences willingly;
* To comfort the afflicted;
* To pray for the living and the dead.

Sunday, December 3, 2006

Christmas CASSEROLE Dinner

Christmas Banquet for the Homeless

December 22, 2006, at Saint Vincent DePaul’s Baltimore, Md

Goal is to feed 200 homeless men on this evening and give each a bag with clothing, toiletries, and snacks to take with them. We need your help with either a monetary donation to put together their bags or with baking a casserole or dessert to feed them.

Menu:

Casseroles: prefer hearty meat dishes such as chicken and broccoli, spaghetti and meatballs, tuna noodle, but they also love mashed potatoes

Everybody loves dessert so cakes/ cookies/ etc are needed as well

Cans of soda/ bottles of water/ juice boxes


Swag / party-favors/ care-package:

Thermals Gloves
Hats
Socks
Scarves
Sweatshirts

Gum Candy
Granola Chocolate
Cookies
Toiletries
Combs Razors
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush

Casseroles need to be delivered to Our Lady of the Fields kitchen refrigerator by 2p on the 22nd of December. If frozen and delivered before then—let me know so we can defrost them in time. All other non-perishable items should be dropped at my house in Crofton. Questions/ comments please notify: Gerry at 4104516809/ Scheidhauer@Comcast.Net or Kelly at 4104516465. THANKS!!

Saturday, December 2, 2006

Charlie Brown Christmas

Luke 2:8 - 14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

ADVENT

Advent Vigilance
Recent Articles:

Touched By Grace

Bouquets of Love

Rejoice and Be Glad

Reflections on the End of the Church Year

The Nativity Story: A Well-Timed Gift

Feast of Christ the King

>>See more Touched By Grace articles



December 2, 2006

The secularization of Christmas by contemporary society, and its overemphasis on the material aspects of what began as a religious celebration, challenges Catholics and other Christians to utilize the season of Advent for its true purpose: preparation for Christmas.

The secularized version of Christmas begins on the Friday after Thanksgiving and ends on the evening of December 25. This presents a very difficult obstacle for Catholics who want to use Advent as a preparatory season for Christmas, since most Christmas office parties occur well before Christmas Day and the rush for gifts and the seasonal music heard on the airwaves lead to Advent being anything but preparatory.

The Gospel passage for this First Sunday of Advent presents another contrast: Advent invites us to meditate upon the coming of the infant Jesus, nurtured in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the humility and poverty of His coming in the "fullness of time." And yet the Gospel passage presents the triumphal return of the Lord Jesus in all His glory, power and might. In either scenario, the counsel imparted to us would be the same: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise...."

In other words, whether we consider the return of Christ at the end of the world or meditate upon the events involving His first coming, preparedness ought to be our proper disposition.

Later in the Gospel passage, our blessed Lord warns us to "be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent...." How often do we find ourselves overwhelmed by the material preparations for Christmas with no strength to prepare spiritually? We find ourselves "fitting prayer in" during Advent, instead of "fitting shopping in" and scheduling that less sublime activity around our prayer. While the material and spiritual preparations need not remain mutually exclusive, the latter should always take precedence over the former, if we intend to use Advent well.

Some years ago, I began the practice of keeping a container in my office known to my parishioners as "the bin." "The bin" is a plastic five-gallon container that I fill up during the year with future Christmas gifts. By Thanksgiving, "the bin" is full and my material preparations are complete before December 1. While it may be too late to embark on such a project this year, I offer it as a simple but highly effective way of avoiding the madness that all too often accompanies what should be a prayerful, peaceful and meditative season.

While there is still time to make a fruitful spiritual preparation for Christmas, be encouraged by the Lord's words in the Gospel passage, referring to those who will be ready to meet Him at the end of time (and this Christmas as well): "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."

Father Roger J. Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, ordained in 1999. After receiving a biology degree from Harvard College, Fr. Landry studied for the priesthood in Maryland, Toronto, and for several years in Rome. He speaks widely on the thought of Pope John Paul II and on apologetics, and is presently parochial administrator of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford, MA and Executive Editor of The Anchor, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. An archive of his homilies and articles can be found at catholicpreaching.com.

This article is adapted from one of Father Landry’s recent homilies.

Pope: Make Fishers of Men

It is to see how the seeds planted here grow, how they are watered and tended as they mature.

Pope Benedict, in his homily at the Mass on November 30, said the effort to bring the separated Christian Churches together, East and West, Orthodox and Catholic, was the chief goal of his visit, imitating the work of the Apostles Peter and Andrew, brothers called by Christ to leave their work as fishermen to become "fishers of men."

That call reveals much about the mind of Christ. He did not call them to create structures. He did not call them to build churches. He did not call them to delineate parishes or dioceses or patriarchates. He called them to catch men.

Their work was to propose to men and women a "good news" so attractive that those men and women would become different, filled with a new spirit, and being so transformed, would create the necessary preconditions for a more just, peaceful, and loving world.

And how did Peter and Andrew act?

They acted with courage. They risked everything. They left their ordinary work and took on a work which they did not anticipate, a work which was given to them by Christ. And they carried out that work even unto death - unto deaths on crosses, one crucified head down, the other crucified on a cross shaped like an X.

There are many in the Churches today who are giving lip-service to this work of Christian reunion.

Many Catholics, many Orthodox, are saying that they would like the day of full reunion to come soon.

But few are ready to act courageously, as Pope Benedict acted this week.

Few are ready to give up vested interests for the sake of a larger vision.

The Orthodox world itself is not united.

How can one end this part of the story of Benedict XVI's trip to Istanbul? By noting a simple fact: that what is needed now is sufficient vision to transcend old ways of thinking, old interests, and truly undertake the building of the kingdom of God, by becoming once again "fishers of men."

Dr. Robert Moynihan is an American and veteran Vatican journalist with knowledge of five languages. He is editor-in-chief of Inside the Vatican magazine.

Did Wii break your TV?

People aren't getting a grip on Nintendo's new system.

By Mike Smith

29 Nov 2006
ADVERTISEMENT

Picture this. You're lining up the perfect shot in Wii Bowling, remote in hand. You set up the shot, swing the remote with all the strength you can muster, and... follow through a little more than you intended.

Somehow the remote leaves your sweaty-palmed grip and bang, smash, there goes your TV, window, photo of your granny, anything that happens to be in the path of the newly liberated remote.

Hold on, though. If you're wearing the (supplied) wrist strap, no harm done, right? So you'd think. As you can see, some Wii owners are finding the strap decidedly lacking. (Check out nascent site wiihaveaproblem.com for more strap malfunctions.) The problem isn't with the amply broad strap itself, but the considerably narrower section that connects the strap with the remote, which is prone to fray in some circumstances. The result is smashed remotes, smashed televisions, smashed windows, and unhappy (or, at least, somewhat red-faced) customers.
image

image

Teething hardware troubles are hardly new to the world of console launches, especially in the last year or so. The Xbox 360's original overheating issues are well documented, with the first production run of consoles suffering what is generally regarded to be an unusually high failure rate. We're even hearing the start of mutterings about overheating issues with some brand new PS3s. But it's probably the first time a console's design has lead --albeit indirectly -- to quite such a catalogue of destruction. To its credit, Nintendo appears to be happy to replace the wrist strap in some circumstances, but if there really is an underlying design weakness, then it needs to be addressed before an unfortunate (or worse, sue-happy) bystander gets beaned by a stray remote.

Sure, it's easy to laugh at the misfortune of these hapless Wii'ers, especially if you're still combing stores for miles around looking for yours. One broken strap could be regarded as misfortune, but as the volume of fractured straps grows, it starts to look more like carelessness -- or, at least, evidence of a lack of real-world testing.

In the meantime, wise Wii owners will want to consider hunting round the house for something a little stronger -- or waiting for one of the more opportunistic peripheral manufacturers to cash in on the opportunity to flog reinforced replacements at an inflated price. That's business.

* Share your own stories on the Yahoo! World of Wii