Continue to Pray for Betty

Do you remember this post?
Well, another pro-lifer and I think God has softened her heart just a smidgen and now is the time to pray for her ever so much more than in the past! Keep Betty in your prayers!

Sermon Within the Octave of Christmas

Feast of Saint Sylvester, Pope

Saint Sylvester was born in Rome around the year 250. At a young age, he was put under the care of a priest to be formed in the practice of religion and sacred literature. He enjoyed providing shelter to Christians passing through the city, and would take them with him, wash their feet, serve them at table and give them all the care the needed in the name of Christ.
One of the Christians that Sylvester hosted was Timothy of Antioch, an illustrious confessor of the faith. When he arrived in Rome, no one dared to receive him, but Sylvester considered it an honor.
For a year, Timothy preached the gospel Jesus Christ with great zeal, while Sylvester selflessly shared his own home. After Timothy died as a martyr, Sylvester buried his remains, but was quickly accused of having hidden the martyr’s treasures, and the governor had him imprisoned.
In reply to the accusation, Sylvester said, “Timothy left to me only the heritage of his faith and courage.”
After the governor one day swallowed a fish bone and died, the guards' hearts were softened, and they set the brave young man free. Sylvester’s courageous acts became known to Pope Melchiades, who elevated him to the diaconate.
Under the tyranny of Diocletian, the persecution of Christians grew worse while Sylvester was still a young priest. Most Christians that went abroad were put to the test of offering sacrifice, with the alternative of apostasy or death.
During this difficult time, Sylvester strengthened the confessors and martyrs, and God preserved his life from many dangers.
Sylvester became Pope in 314, after Pope Mechiades died, and reigned until 335. He is remembered in particular for the Council of Nicea, the Baptism of Constantine, and the triumph of the Church.
A memorable story from Sylvester’s pontificate involved Constantine, who was attacked by leprosy. He was still a pagan at the time, and unconcerned for the Christians, whose doctrine was entirely unknown to him.
One night Saint Peter and Saint Paul appeared to him and commanded him to call for Pope Sylvester, who would cure him by giving him Baptism. He obeyed, and the Pope baptized him, with which came Constantine’s conversion.
Even though some facts about Pope Sylvester are unknown, his feast day is celebrated on December 31 in memory of his death in 335.

Taken from here.

2018 Personal/Spiritual Goals

1. Attempt to read 12 books by the end of the year. Last year was dismal for me- I am ashamed!
2. Walk or complete a workout video three times per week (walking the dog doesn't count).
3. Complete one specific sacrifice each month.
4. Work on finalizing my Third Order Dominican vows.
5. Be more organized and stop procrastinating so much! Get things done as soon as possible.
6. Combine errands to optimize my use of time. I know I will be working more Saturdays this year so I can combine that with my pro-life work.



I would like 10 goals- do any of you have suggestions?

Link to last year's goals here.

Yep, I Still Got It....

So.... I was at the abortion clinic when this guy drives up and starts talking to me while basically parked in the middle of the street. I couldn't quite hear him and was thinking that he may have brought his girlfriend to the clinic for an abortion. I asked him to turn down a nearby road and I would speak with.  He agreed and I walked across the street to meet him.
For the sake of the story we will call this man "Luke".  Luke was drunk. He had an open beer can in his hand and was taking copious gulps in between asking me to get into this car and drive up the street with him. Apparently, the " woman of his dreams" had broken his heart and he was going to flirt with a woman and had chosen me.  I talked to him and asked him not to drink and asked him numerous times to turn off the car engine. As his voice raised and he threatened to drive off- I motioned over a male friend to come and talk to him. As they spoke, I was able to call the police... and boy did they come! Six cop cars came for one drunk man!  From what I observed, they did not treat him poorly and took their time arresting him. By his vehicle were the beer cans and other alcoholic beverages he had consumed or would be consuming. Pray that he will be alright. The young man spoke of losing his mother and a brother and that tells me he was(is) in a bad place.

On a side note- yep I still got it.... as long as you are a young man who has been driving drunk all night after breaking up with his girlfriend and comes upon an older woman outside of an abortion clinic offering pro-life counseling.


I made sure to let my husband know... this babe needs protection.

2018 House Goals

Here is a list of the house projects I would like to complete in 2018.  I  have a feeling I will only complete three of these and that is simply because everything costs money and I don't think the budget can handle all five.

1. Install the rest of the new windows in my home.

2. Complete the bedroom conversion to an office.

3. Pressure wash the exterior of the home.

4. Replace flooring on stairs and hallway.

5. Remodel 1/2 bathroom.
6. Finish paint the porch and doors!

Do you have any house goals for the upcoming year?

Jesus and the Last Supper

Wow. That is how I would describe this book. Brant Pitre is an amazing writer who spent a great deal of time researching and truly breaking down the meaning behind the eschatological meaning behind the Last Supper and Christ's words.  Pitre views Jesus' words from the point of view of a first century Jew and unfolds layer after layer of the hidden meanings.   Although I would consider this an academic book; my prayer life improved after reading this book. As you understand more deeply His words- it brings you closer to Him and the truest/purest meaning of what He was saying.  If you read anything this year- this is the book!

Love, Peace and Joy

For Christmas, Hubby and I read the thirty day devotional of Saint Gertrude the Great. I admit that I would have received more from it had I read her Revelations first. I do lo e how Our Lady is titled " Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus". First Friday Mass is my favorite and I love how Mary is linked to Our Lord with that title.

Christmas is Coming!

Part Song of Part Concert

 I wasn't able to get the entire song recorded and then struggled with transferring from one device to another so here is my alternative. This was my favorite piece we sang for the Christmas concert and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed singing it!

No, I am not obsessed.....um

 

So... I might have a problem.

Pray For Betty

 

I ask all of you to pray for the conversion of this woman. She is a pro-death, abortion clinic volunteer. She puzzles me because she is "kind" to your face while taking pictures of you, writing things down about you and calling the police. She has stopped pro-life counselors multiple times and does not think a child in the womb is a person. I have never met someone as two faced as she is and frankly, brainwashed. She is in her 70's so time is not on her side but there is still hope.

 

If you are interested, consider sending her an anonymous card stating you are praying for her. You may email me for her address at: hunieland@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Fridays Favorites: Cheese Please

Hubby says I am addicted to cheesy movies and I guess he is right. He catches me watching these movies but now he is addicted. We are watching these Christmas cheese movies together and lovin' it!

Can They Get Any Cuter?

Hey Everyone!

 

I just had to show you a couple of pictures of new shoes I purchased this week. How funky and fun are these? There are so many awesome designs from which you can choose! 

I have been testing them this morning for comfort since I work at a standing desk and so far they have been comfy.

 

 

Link to the website but you can also purchase these through Amazon.

Right now the website has a sale of 35% off.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Proclamation

[New York, 3 October 1789]

By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Sometimes....

Ah....to have no worries or cares!

Budget: I am currently behind on my record keeping-eek! I have added it to my List of 32 for the week 

Church: Working on getting our Advent display out by this weekend. We thought we would do it later but parishioners were already asking for things!

Dinner: I've been making the usual meals the last couple of months- nothing new.

Home: Clean, clean, clean! Pray I can get my house into some kind of order!

Pro-Life: Pray for the pro-life counselors and any mothers contemplating abortion. We have some NASTY pro-death women at the clinic who are constantly calling the cops on us.

Work:  Work is perpetually busy these days- I never seem to have enough time! I continue to work a lot of overtime and this week will be no different!

Prayer: Continue to pray the 15 decades of the Rosary each day. I have also been starting my day with the thought of, " What can I do to make the day worthwhile in the eyes of the Lord?"

2017 Reading List Update: Treatise on the Spiritual Life

 

What a great book! This is a quick read but something one could keep on hand for daily reading.

St. Vincent Ferrer (Dominican) wrote nineteen brief instructions on a variety of subjects to help all in the spiritual journey. I found chapters 16 through 19 the most helpful for my spiritual life.

 

 

2017 Reading List Update: The Happiness Advantage

 

 

 

I recently read this book for work purposes and thought I would give you a quick summary.

The book discusses how happiness can have a positive influence in your life externally, spiritually, and within your body. There are scientific studies showing that those who are more positive enjoy better health than those who worry and are negative.

 

St. Mary's Church

Saint Joseph's Church

San Fernando Cathedral aka Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe