Interesting things to know...

Bananas
Originally uploaded by Dr. GORI ( PJr.)

My friend, Dolores, sent this to me. I wanted to share it with you all. It is pretty interesting and fun.

Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

Add cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat the eggs. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream.

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simple chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.

Reheat Pizza: Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heatto med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting: When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Reheating Refrigerated Bread: To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture is 2%.

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Thanks be to God!!

100th Anniversary of St. Philip Neri in Pictures

Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh,
together let us extol his name.
I seek Yahweh, and he answers me
and frees me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:3-4
The New Jerusalem Bible

The University of Notre Dame Handbell and Celebration Choirs as they prepare for the concert.












The glory of the Easter celebration continues as we begin our worship together.









Father Jason visits with his family after Mass.

Father Tim, Christel and Dennis Butrum, and Kay and Allen Hagemeier. Friends for many years.

Ron speaks with Nina Marczak, the church historian and Frank.

Father Jason sends us forth with his blessing.
A grand day was had by all, to be sure.







~~~^j^~~~

Ron and I would personally like to thank Father Jason and the Family of St. Philip Neri for their hospitality, generosity, and love. You truly are wonderful and we are proud to call you Family. May God bless you in His generosity for another 100 years!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

St. Philip Neri Cathlic Church

Our Family spent 20 years as members of this community. They were baptized, made their First Communion, were Confirmed and were married.

Yesterday Ron and I went "home" for this family reunion. You see, the people of this community really are family. When our immediate family was in Colorado and Texas, and when visits with them were rare. These dear people were there with love and assistance to nurture and care us.

Going "home" yesterday was a real thrill. We had gone back on a few occasions the last 10 years, but yesterday it was as if we never gone away. We felt welcome, so welcome. And so we hugged and laughed and shared our stories. We celebrated Mass and shared a meal. And all was well.

For all these people and the significant role they play in my Journey. I say, "Thanks be to God!!"

(Photos to follow.)

A Public Apology...

This morning because of irresponsibility I left a lector to read without letting him know I would not be there. Why? Simple. I didn't check the schedule. In all my ramblings the last two days, about how I feel the "call", I think I got a simple but BOLD answer from Our Lord. "Cathy, do what I have called you to do already. "

This is most humbling, for even as I write this, Bernie is doing both readings this morning. And it's not because he cannot do them that I bear this humiliation. It's because I was not responsible. It's because I left him wondering without the courtesy of a call or explanation. Yes, this has happened to me on more than one occasion by others, but that doesn't excuse my lack of integrity or even simply LOOKING at the ministers schedule last night...So, God has said to me in a way most revealing today, "Cathy, if I want you to enter into another "Place" I will call you in MY good time."

And so I say, "Bernie, I am sorry for leaving you to take the responsibilities as lector without the courtesies that this position implies." Now, to phone Bernie and apologize to him.

***+***

To Ron, who called this to my attention,
Thank you and thanks be to God!

The Week Ends...

with a most wonderful surprise!!!

Let the same mind be in you that was in
Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death
even death on a cross.
~Philippians 2:5-8~

Today, what a surprise and blessing for Ron and me. Shannon is state-side to renew her visa so that she can continue her work in China. We really didn't think we would have a chance to visit with her as her visit here is very short. But, you know, I believe in miracles...Meeting her and her mother, Colleen, in the parking lot at Schnucks was absolutely that for me. Like a child at Christmas surprised by the wonder of the gifts, so was I at seeing her. I could only greet her with hugs and joy!!!

Shannon has a most infectious smile that lifts your spirits. She emanates love, compassion and grace. And when she speaks of the children she cares for, one can only believe that the love they are given is tender and warm. There is a sincere desire in her to do the will of God where she is and that is caring for these children who are at risk.

My dear friends, my hope is that you have model of Christ, like Shannon, who can motivate you to submit your will to the will of God, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today I feel rejuvenated. And since the beginning of this week, there have been many moments in which I have felt the presence of Christ. Now, it seems He is calling me to serve, perhaps in ways I have not served before. Please pray I will hear the call as his will, and not MY egos will to serve.

+++

For all his gifts to me, I say,
"Thanks be to God"

A Week of Christian Action...(part 2)

Witnessing God's people at work this week has as been an inspiring time for me. Being in the midst and hearing the progress only bolsters resolve. Because not all are called to actively participate in the day to day workings of social justice organizations, it is good to know that what we contribute in funds and prayer do not go unnoticed or ignored. God is GOOD.

Tuesday night there were 2,000 people at the Rite to Life banquet. For the first time I heard them use the "Prolife" phrase "From conception to natural death" in their talks. They didn't just talk about abortion though it was and has always been the focus of this annual event. Now we are considering the whole of humanity.

***

Last night at St. Benedict Cathedral we witnessed the work done by CAJE (Congregations Acting for Justice in Evansville), an interfaith coalition working for social justice. The commitment of this group is to work with elected leaders and the mayor in this area to supply affordable housing for the working poor. It was inspiring to see the mayor and members of the county council commit to work. This is a complex topic and requires commitment on the part of all individuals who know that there must be a change in how we value those in need. One had only to listen to the speakers to know that this is HARD work and there is no doubt that it has been diligent by those who are closely involved.

Again I see the Beatitudes at work where I live!!! I see Jesus in our midst. "We are One Body, One Body in Christ, and we do not stand alone." (Dana)

~~~+~~~

Thanks be to God!!

A Birthday...of sorts.

It's hard to believe but just a little over a year ago I began this endeavor here. Little did I know at the time I would meet such delightful people along the way. And so it is that to all of you who comment, and those who choose not to, I say thank you! For me this is a grand journey from which I am learning, oh so much!!! God bless you all this day!!!

***+***

Thanks be to God!!

A Week of Christian Action...

"The practical result of this, for us, is that now on earth the whole of Christ's life is always being lived, things that happened to Him on earth are happening to Him now in His members; the things that He did on earth, He is doing now through us. In us are all His needs as man. His need of food and drink and sleep, of sympathy, friendship, comfort, and love; His need of solitude, His need to adore." By Caryll Houselander

The quote above is part of a much more extensive and lovely piece of literature. Please visit Prayer, Poetry and Praise for the rest of this wonderful excerpt.

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It has been our privilege to attend the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet for a number of years. Each year about 1,500 people of all Christian denominations come together to give support to this Pro-Life movement. If only this banquet were a celebration of life alone. Tomorrow evening the speaker will be Cal Thomas. It is wonderful to experience the coming together of God's people in this way. In this way we are able to proclaim the value of every human life, born and unborn. We all have worth! And we are witnesses as the Body of Christ.

Then Thursday night, as Christians from all denominations, we are called to gather at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville to silently voice our concerns at the Social Justice Action Meeting. Not by the clanging of bells or the tooting of horns but by the silence of numbers we are to bring before the mayor and city council, who will be in attendance, our concerns regarding the need for affordable housing for the working poor. It is the hoped that by addressing this real problem "hope and dignity" will be given to those most in need.

You see, as the Body of Christ, we are called to action. We are not to sit passively by and watch...we must contribute. Christianity is NOT a spectator sport!!!

I would ask all of you for your prayers as we endeavor to bring about Christ's teaching by living the Beatitudes not just reflecting on them.

~~~+~~~

Thanks be to God!

The Journey

Road to Emmaus
Photo by Simon_K

We see once more that the divine dialogue, specifically designed to be in tune with the receptivity of the human subject, will take place at different levels. There differences were clearly shown by Pope Saint Gregory in his homily on the disciples of Emmaus; "The Lord appeared to two disciples who were walking along the road, speaking about him, although, in fact they did not believe in him. But he did not show them a face they could recognize; the Lord was thus revealing, on the outside, to the eyes of their body, what they were seeing inside, in the eyes of the heart. Deep inside, they loved and they doubted, and so the Lord was present to them on the outside, but he was not showing them who he was. While they were them, but since they doubted him, he hid the sight of his face from them."

Is there a better and more succinct way of saying that God reveals himself only insofar as he can be grasped to the recipient's advantage when he intervenes, even if it means that he will have to reveal himself more fully when the eyes of the heart will be able to receive the greater light? Besides, this is what St Gregory states a few lines further, when he attributes the fact that the disciples recognize Jesus in the "stranger," forced by their pressing invitation to accept their hospitality: "as they listened to the teaching, they were not enlightened; it is by carrying them out that they saw the light."

The lesson is always the same: interpersonal knowledge can only grow essentially at the expense of the transformation of the knowing subject: we know inasmuch as we love.

Father Maurice Zundel
(Father Zundel [+ 1075] was a Swiss
mystic, poet, philosopher, liturgist,
and author)

Quote from Magnificat, 4/2008 edition

I am profoundly grateful to John and his telling of the Walk to Emmaus. I am also thankful the Church has seen fit to make it such an important part of our tradition.

You see, in my simple way, I have seen Christmas as the coming of the Savior and Easter the fulfillment of God's covenant with us all. But until several years ago, I didn't see me, personally, in the picture. I listened to the Beatitudes and knew it was a lesson in charity, to which we are called. I heard the parables and the teaching of the Master. The Walk to Emmaus, though, has become a respite for me along this journey.

When I first realized the importance of this Scripture passage, I was a young mother and responsible for the week's gathering at church as we "broke open the Word" for the next Sunday's readings. I read this passage and read it and read it again, and I just didn't get it. DUH!! So why is this important, what did it mean? I could only hope that those who gathered with me would have the insights I was missing.

Well, as my father would have said, "The Spirit moved!" As we began the discussion, all of a sudden it became crystal clear! This passage is a lesson on the Mass. Our Lord set before us the Mass we celebrate. The Master instructed us in how to worship! Yes, and on that evening I found my place in the Liturgy. The Priest, as representative of Christ, is the center of worship, for with out him there can be no consecration. But if I am not in attendance, it means that I have missed that "Walk" with the Lord. I haven't heard the Word proclaimed; I haven't witnessed, through the consecration of the bread and wine, Christ's real presence in our midst.

Of all the readings in Scripture, I rank this one as one of my favorite because it was time in which I recognized how the Spirit works in our lives. How my eyes were opened. How He was made known to me through the Word, and finally, allowing me to understand his lesson in the "breaking of the bread."

Don't ya love it? You see in the moment I was "transformed."

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Thanks be to God!

Another Challenge

Mary Engelbrecht

So here's more for you to know about me... I was tagged by AutumnRose at Christ's Rose.

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

***

What I was dong 10 years ago:

In 1998, I was working at a new job as office nurse. We had recently moved to Newburgh from Bicknell. Our last child was in college.

Five Snacks I enjoy:

1. Chocolate
2. Cheetos
3. Yogurt
4. Oranges
5. Carrots and celery with veggie dip

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. I would give much of it away to those in need.
2. Renovate the house in which I live.
3. Visit family and friends.
4. Get a Prius
5. Travel and take the kids and grand kids with me

Five jobs that I have had:

1. Clerk
2. Nurse's aide
3. Nurse
4. Wife
5. Mother/grandmother

Three of my bad habits:

1. I am a poor loser.
2. I am intolerant of laziness.
3. I nag.

Five place I have lived:

1. Denver, CO
2. Alexandria, VA
3. Colorado Springs, CO
4. Monterey, CA/San Francisco, CA
5. Eufaula, OK
6. Bicknell, IN/Newburgh, IN

Five People I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG!)

1. Made for Joy
2. A Catholic Mom in Hawaii
3. Eileen on Him...at least I try!
4. Episcopollaynna
5. Mommy of Four

My thanks to AutumnRose and gratitude to all who have visited here.

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Thanks be to God!