LIB'S LABYRINTH

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Catholic Confession

CONFESSION (SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION) IS A SIGNIFICANT PART DURING LENT FOR ALL CATHOLICS. When Pope Francis was asked why people should go to confession - he said, "Because we are all sinners." Everyone needs forgiveness for their sins, for the ways we think and act contrary to the Gospel.

In a booklet titled "Safeguard your heart," the pope listed 30 key questions to reflect on as part of making an examination of conscience and being able to confess well. The booklet contains quick introductions to Catholic basics, the text of the Creed, a list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. The pope wrote, confession is meant to be a sincere moment of conversion, an occasion to demonstrate trust in God's willingness to forgive his children and to help them back on the path of following Jesus.

The questions include: (From October 10, 2014 Homily)

Do I only turn to God when I'm in need?
Do I attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation?
Do I begin and end the day with prayer?
Am I embarrassed to show that I am a Christian?
Do I rebel against God's plan?
Am I envious, hot-tempered, biased?
Am I honest and fair with everyone or do I fuel the "throwaway culture?"
In my marital and family relations, do I uphold morality as taught in the Gospels?
Do I honor and respect my parents?
Have I refused newly conceived life? Have I snuffed the gift of life? Have I helped do so?
Do I respect the environment?
Am I part worldly and part believer?
Do I overdo it with eating, drinking, smoking and amusements?
Am I overly concerned about my physical well-being, my possessions?
How do I use my time? Am I lazy?
Do I want to be served?
Do I dream of revenge, hold grudges?
Am I meek, humble and a builder of peace?

Some Christians, I was told, don't want to be Catholics because they have to go to confessions. Some people don't like the Catholic religion because it is so strict and "complicated." Catholic confession is FREE. They'd rather go to psychiatrist and tell all and pay $500 or more per hour. And there is no forgiveness.

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This is dedicated to all who's got nothing to say but bad things to President Bush.

CONDEMNATION

By Roxie Lusk Smith

Until you've walked a second mile

In someone else's shoes,

Or stood an hour in the heat

Of hurts you did not choose.

Until your heart has felt the sting

Of criticizing tongue,

You cannot taste the salty tears

A wounded soul has wrung.

Unless you've walked a moon or more

Along a thorny road,

You cannot feel another's need

To know his trying load.

May God Protect our beloved President Bush who's doing a terrific job!

Get MSN Messenger with Video Conversation - FREE. The next best thing to being there.

Published 9/4/05 ALT MSN Group
Web Page: Condemnation Nothing to say but bad things

Monday, March 9, 2015

Overseas Filipino Workers

THERE ARE 72 OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) ACCUSED OF CRIMES AND AWAITING IN JAIL IN SAUDI ARABIA TO BE EXECUTED BY BEHEADING.

Joven Esteva, 39, a Filipino driver in Saudi Arabia was beheaded Monday, March 9, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. in Riyadh for stabbing his Arab boss and injuring the son in 2007. Joven, with the help of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) whose defense was "he was not in his right mind at the time" begged for forgiveness from the victim's family but was rejected. Another Filipino is awaiting execution. The new King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has executed more, 42 ? this year, than the former King Abdullah.

New King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

One of the national products of the Philippines is the OFWs. The money remittance they send to their families and relatives in the home country is what pumps up the economy. Before leaving for employment in other countries as teachers, engineers, nurses and healthcare workers they are given tips on the ways, cultures and traditions in the country where they are going to work. For instance, Saudi Arabia is 100% Muslims while the Philippines is 99% Christians. Totally different laws. It's very risky to work in Arab countries where abuses and rapes of Filipino workers by abusive bosses that treat them like dogs are well documented but not pursued in court.

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Filipino OFW Carlito Lana beheaded in Saudi Arabia on December 12, 2014.

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http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/shoetrees.html

Published 10/3/04 ALT MSN Group

Web Page: Shoe Trees. Roadside America

Sunday, March 8, 2015

John the Baptist Bones

Related Blogs:

http://libslabyrinth.blogspot.com/2010/12/maze-st-john-baptist.html

http://libslabyrinth.blogspot.com/2010/06/maze-m-istanbul.html

Recycled Web Page

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This teenage boy needs a girlfriend named Delilah.

From:
Subject: The Hair Cut
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 14:22:56 -0500

The Hair Cut
>
>
> A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his
>
> father as to when they could discuss his use of the car.
>
>
> His father said he'd make a deal with his son, "You bring your grades up
> from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair
> cut. Then we'll talk about the car."
>
>
> The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the
> offer, and they agreed on it.
>
>
> After about six weeks his father said, "Son, you've brought your grades
> up and I've observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I'm
> disappointed you haven't had your hair cut."
>
>
> The boy said, "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've
> noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the
> Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair, and there's even strong
> evidence that Jesus had long hair."
>
>
> (You're going to love the Dad's reply!)
>
>
> "Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?"
>

Published 5/22/11 altgroup multiply
Web Page: The Hair Cut

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

SJA March 3rd Insights

NBC CHICAGO REPORTER MARY ANN AHERN INSIGHTS ON POPE FRANCIS, ARCHBISHOP CUPICH AND THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS ON THE FAMILY

Soul Sister Jo Ellen introducing Mary Ann Ahern

St. Joan of Arc Parish Pastor Fr. Dan Costello talking about his anecdotal meeting with Archbishop Cupich

The evening started with a Hail Mary prayer for the ailing Cardinal Francis George. He was admitted a few days ago at Loyola Medical Center for his bladder cancer that was diagnosed in 2006.

Archbishop Emeritus of Chicago Cardinal Francis George

Mary Ann Ahern as a veteran reporter on religion and politics has attended all of Vatican and local important religious events. She related her meetings with the new Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago.
The Synod on the Family is part of a greater discernment process begun by Pope Francis to have the Church discern where God is moving and calling us in this moment with regard to family life. He has called together two synods or meetings of representative bishops from throughout the world to consider the family. The first synod took place in the fall of 2014, and the second will take place this coming October 2015. Archbishop Cupich has been named as an alternate delegate to the synod.

The theme of the synod is the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world. The hope of the synod is to make the "gospel of the family" come alive in our world. The full documentation, called the Lineamenta or guidelines, along with discourses by Pope Francis and two articles, can be found at the archdiocesan website:
http://www.archchicago.org
The Holy Father will be visiting the United States for 6 days this coming September. He is going to be the first pope to address the US Congress in Washington, D.C. New York and Philadelphia are included in his itinerary.

Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich

Parish Consultation Form

How has family life been a grace or a blessing from God for you? I really and truly believe that "A family that prays together stays together." I'm so thankful that I grew up in a good family, mind you there's no perfect family, being cared for and well-provided by my loving and hardworking parents. I'm happy and contented with all the blessings I received because of my never-ending prayers for good health, mentally, physically and spiritually. Lucky me, God always answers my prayers. He never fails me!
In what way does our American culture at this historical moment help or hinder our families from being the families that God wants them to be? As a Filipino born Catholic, it's obvious I did not come from the very beginning in an American culture and its ways. But I don't think there's really no difference at all because the Catholic Church is a Universal Church under the dogmas and traditions of the Vatican. American culture is a modern culture, whatever that means. It is up to the parent or parents to be involved in their children's education and activities more closely. Remind and teach the children to trust God in all their daily undertaking - that He is the truth and the way to everlasting life.
In your experience, what are the main challenges that families face today? In an American society and any other society the main challenges are a broken family, poverty or too much money (the root of all evil), drugs, mental health, abuses of all kinds and no relationship with God.
How can we as a Church respond to those challenges? This is quite difficult for the Catholic Church with 1.2 billion faithful members. However, there's nothing to do but help by alms giving and support religious organizations such as Catholic Relief Service, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese Appeal, Peter's Pence among other things.
Can you suggest ways that parishes can include and be more available to those who might be overlooked when we consider family life, for example, single people, the widowed, single parents, divorced or separated, those who identify as gay or lesbian, and others. In my overall experience as a Catholic parishioner in my church I find all to be welcoming and friendly. For instance, the Archdiocese of Chicago have for many years endorsed celebrating the Filipino American community religious Christmas tradition of "Simbang Gabi" (Evening Mass). Also, the celebration of the miraculous Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Mexican American community. Most parishes have religious education and bible studies. Hey, there are no limits to liturgical festivities in the Catholic Church where all can participate and enjoy!

St. Joan of Arc Parish Evanston-Skokie

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6/20/10 Sunday: St. Joan of Arc Filipino Community of Skokie, Laramie Park

Published 6/26/10 altgroup multiply
Web Page: SJA FilComm Picnic 2010

Monday, March 2, 2015

Unusual Fashion

DRESS TO IMPRESS? Models sashaying at the runway.

Burka table mantle

Jackfruit

Ribbonize

The orange dress

Games of War dress

Mummified

Not so ugly

Useful in cleaning dust

Nice throw pillow

Not for pissing

Pretty in pink

Fishnet with feathers

The ugliest latex dress of 2015

Harlequin romance

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March 13-14, 2009

Published 3/23/09 altgroup multiply
Web Page: Mother Jovie

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Downton Abbey PBS

A CHRISTMASHING SEASON 5 FINALE. NOT EVEN THE OSCAR COULD TAKE ME AWAY FROM WATCHING THIS POPULAR DRAMA SERIES EVERY SUNDAY ON PBS. Season 6 will be shown January 2016.