The Dignitiy of Life

Weeping Angel II
Originally uploaded by Eric Webb Photography

A few days ago I was visited via email by someone who offered both a compliment and criticism of A Bit of the Blarney. It was suggested that I had a nice blog, but I was mistaken in my views and opinions on ProLife. I was slightly taken aback as A Bit of The Blarney really is not a forum for the ProLife Movement, just a place where I can share and offer who I am to you.

Though I find that I don't pointedly make reference to the movement itself, I do promote the quality of life and that, indeed, is ProLife. I went to this person's blog and found it a dark place to be. It was cold and without life. I deleted the email, accepted it for what it was worth, and went on my merry way.

Apparently, the Good Lord has other ideas about how I should handle that particular email. For two nights ago I was visited in a dream. Lest you be skeptical about the reality and value of dreams one only has to go to Holy Scripture to find it used often to instruct and embolden.

So it is that I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in this endeavor. First, I enjoy a debate as well as the next person. But when I am right, and in this case I am, and it becomes an argument for the sake of arguing, then I don't want to continue the dialog. That's why I initially discarded the email.

I have been guided to say, in the gentleness of our Savior this.

Whether you believe in a Creator or not, one must understand that in order for the conception of a child to take place it requires two living cells (life). For those cells to begin to grow into this life they must be joined (living life). When these living cells grow and divide they become a living work of art (viable life). And by any law, Divine or man made, to end that life is murder.

Perhaps, this is way too simplistic but if it gets too complex then somehow the true meaning of life loses its value in the mechanics of science. It then is no longer personal. And life is personal!!!! It is real!!! It has value!!!!! The point is that life is valuable at ALL times!!! The life of a person should have dignity from its conception to natural death.

When someone does not see or accept the concept and value of the life given to us all I have to ask that person to rate his/her value. Is the dignity they share with the rest of us greater than the lowliest of us? And if so why? Who places the value on the life of a human? Finally, I think the most important question I'd like to ask is, "Do you like who you are and does this affect how you value the life and gifts of others?"

And so to the one who sent me the email I must say thank you! And to the One-Who-Visits-Me-I-My-Dreams I must thank heartily for giving me the words and the courage to post this offering.

Let it be known that I will post all comments from those who chose to do so, whether in agreement or dissent. But I will not argue or debate the point. For I am right. Abortion is WRONG and LIFE IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING ANY OF US WILL EVER HAVE.
For as Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, "Life is worth living."

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

Please visit also HuMAMAe Vitae.

Weeping Angel II
Originally uploaded by Eric Webb Photography

Bad Haiku Friday

Summer is fading
The school year is advancing
Have fun while it lasts!



Dedicated to my kids and grand-kids, teachers and students all!
School starts here on Monday!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Judy Garland - Meet Me in St. Louis (song)

The Duchess asked which movie was a favorite for a summertime hot spell. So for for your perusal I offer one of my favorite "heatwave" movies! What might you add to the list of Heatwave Movies? Please stop by and thank her for asking! Have a grand Summer's Day!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Honored and Humbled...

I have been both honored and humbled by Lisa at Are We There Yet who offered me the opportunity to participate in the Queen of All Things Meme. This is a difficult task, as unlike other memes that ask me to tell you something about myself, I must offer you something quite different. I must share with you what makes me special, and without sounding as if I am boasting. And so it is with much humility that I offer you my list of seven. First, here are the the rules.

Rules:
1. List Seven Things That Make You Awe-Summm!
2. Pass the award on to seven bloggers you read religiously.
3. Tag those seven bloggers.

Cathy's Wall of Honor:

1. I am a good public speaker. I spoke at my high school graduation and have been called upon to speak before groups and I find it a pleasure to do so.

2. I was a den mother in Cub Scouts for 10 years.

3. I am my children's and grandchildren's most enthusiastic supporter. (After Marianne had graduated high school, we went to a basketball game, I was told I was missed because the mother's section needed my enthusiasm...Marianne always thought I was TOO enthusiastic! If you polled the rest of the kids they would tell you the same!)

4. Baking bread is a gift I learned from my mother and Great-aunt Ida. I do love to bake bread and sweet rolls. Just don't have as much time to do it right now.

5. Photography is a passion. I love to take pictures!!! God has created such beautiful art I just have to acquire it!

6. I am most happy with my faith community and endeavor to contribute time and talent as well as treasure as often as I can.

7. Finally, I am a compassionate nurse. I love the people for which I care, and I think they all know I enjoy my work.

*******

Now the difficult task of offering this Meme to others. I would gladly have given this to all I know. But what follows is only a preview of all the grand women out there who have much to offer us all!

1. Tracy at A Catholic Mom in Minnesota.

2. Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

3. Theresa at Aussie Coffee Shop.

4. Abbey at Abbey's Road.

5. Yvette at A Journey Through His Garden.

6. Bernie at On My Own.

7. Jennifer at My Chocolate Heart.

And one for good measure!

Eileen at Umma's World.

Thank you again, Lisa!!! This was grand! Please all who visit here visit with these ladies as well! They are grand company!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Resting Today, But Still Working

By Mary Engelbreit

As I am recuperating from most busy day at work yesterday, I would guide you to two post I found this morning to be most refreshing. The first is SuzyQ's Sailing by Starlight. The other is quietly beckoning at The Duchess.

Have a grand day, All

~~~^j^~~~
And thanks be to God!

Praise God!

After a Stupendous Sunday, it is a wonderful time to take time to offer praise and thanksgiving for all the gifts we are given. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

And so I praise God for:

1. Cool breezes, sunshine and flowers.

2. Cleansing rain that has nourished the beautiful flowers.

3. Family outings, shopping with Laura, Kellie and Neil for Mariannes baby shower.

4. The harness for Duchess' seat in the car when we travel to Atlanta in two weeks. She seems to take to it well as long as she's not left in it in the car.

5. Chicken fried steak. What a tasty dish with fresh ripe tomatoes and mashed potatoes and gravy.

6. Mass and communion with parish family and the community shared after.

7. A baby afghan, nearly complete!

~~~^j^~~~
For these and all His gifts
I say, "Thanks be to God!"

End of the Weekend Humor!!

Enough Said!!!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Sensational Saturday~

Glorious, yes it is! Sensational! It's the 1st of August in Indiana and the sky is clear and the air cool! Sensational! Today is a day to glory in the goodness of God!

Today is the day I cultivate family! How? Well, shopping for Marianne's baby shower with Laura and Kellie, because I can.

I'll pay the bills with a smile, because I can!

I'll dust and clean with a song, because I can!

If you wish to share your Sensational Saturday, please do!!!! All are welcome! Enter have a seat and enjoy the conversation!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

The Gift of Humor...

Forgetter Be Forgotten?
My forgetter's getting better,
But my rememberer is broke
To you that may seem funny
But, to me, that is no joke

For when I'm 'here' I'm wondering
If I really should be 'there'
And, when I try to think it through,
I haven't got a prayer!
Oft times I walk into a room,
Say 'what am I here for?'
I wrack my brain, but all in vain!
A zero, is my score.
At times I put something away
Where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from
Is, generally, me!

When shopping I may see someone,
Say 'Hi' and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself, 'who the hell was that?'
Yes, my forgetter's getting better
While my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me plumb crazy
And that isn't any joke.
CAN YOU RELATE???

~~~~~~

I certainly can relate...I offer this in lieu of Bad Haiku Friday! It is much too funny to ignore. Please enjoy~~And Thank You to Margaret for sending it!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Road to Providence

As I have journeyed on The Road to Providence these many months, I have arrived at the point of drafting my Commitment. The lesson in the chapter before drafting the commitment is about Mission and Ministry. Seemingly simple words, they ask the question, "What is my mission and to whom do I minister?" Then as always, I seem to be guided by the Holy Spirit to a place of explanation.

Putting Our Temperaments
in the Service of God

Our temperaments--whether flamboyant, phlegmatic, introverted, or extroverted--are quite permanent fixtures of our personalities. Still, the way we "use"our temperaments on a daily basis can vary greatly. When we are attentive to the Spirit of God withing us, we will gradually learn to put our temperaments in the service of a virtuous life. Then flamboyance give great zeal for the Kingdom, phlegmatism, helps to keep an even keel in times of crisis, introversion deepens the contemplative side , and extroversion encourages creative ministry.

Let's live with our temperaments as with gifts that help us deepen our spiritual lives.

Bread for the Journey
by Henri J. M. Nouwen

So I reflect on my mission and ministry, as we all must. And when I reflect, I see that none of this is possible with a commitment to service to others. As Christ served those is his midst while he was physically here among us, he taught us and urged us to do the same.

Who do I serve? To whom do I minister? Do I use my gifts and talent to be an example of service to others? Do I serve in joy or in anger and frustration? In other words, am I a true servant? These are question I will ponder as I compose my commitment letter.

And so I pray:

Lord, I want to be where I can make a
difference, where I can spice up another
person's life by bringing him or her the good
new of your love and justice.

Help me discover all the gifts you have
graced me with so that I can help turn this
world around--starting with my own life!
Show me how to keep fresh in your commit-
ment to serve you each day. Amen (pg 1330)

The Catholic Youth Bible
New American Bible

Please pray for me as I pray for you!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!