The Long Lent (of 2002)

I read George Weigel's Courage to be Catholic yesterday, written to help Catholics cope with the sexual abuse crisis in 2002. 

It was good review after the Legion of Christ news.

I was struck especially by a line in the afterword section of the paperback edition:

If Catholics retreat into the parishes, renewal movements, or retreat centers that they know and trust, effectively cutting themselves off from the life of the diocese or universal Church, the cause of authentic Catholic reform is likely to be further impeded.

I realize there is a lot to be said for community support; I'm not denying that. But the temptation to use your clique as an excuse to avoid "crappy Catholics" is a real one.

Fr. Barron, in this videoclip, says that he tells his seminarians [at Mundelein] that they need to have a love for the sinner, while at the same time have no desire for the sin.   I think that could apply to all of us.

You might be a homeschooler. . .

h/t Waiting for Charlie

I can't tell which is my favorite. Ah, heck. They're all my favorites!



And, an oldie but goodie!

SSS

Sorry So Scarce!

We've been Painting, Painting, Painting around here.

Quite the learning experience!

I'll try to be around on Fridays.

Painting gives me plenty of time to ponder life. . . but I'm so exhausted by the end of the day any useful ideas just melt into my pillow!

~ Whimsy

Do the Bird

People of all ages are invited to go outside and look for Birds in Art/Art in Birds for a contest sponsored by the Celebrate Urban Birds project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Celebrate Urban Birds is a free, year-round citizen-science project focused on birds in neighborhood settings.

For the Birds in Art/Art in Birds challenge you can take photos, do some painting, write a story, create a sculpture. What do you see in a bird that is beautiful, stirring, or inspirational? It could be a broken-down nest in winter, a song recording, video of a bird perching on your window, something that makes you stop, look twice, laugh, cry.

Prizes include bird sound recordings, books, gift certificates, "green" products, and more. We’ll send the first 50 entrants a copy of our "Doves and Pigeons" poster by Julie Zickefoose. Selected images will be posted on the Celebrate Urban Birds website.

How to enter:

1. Email your photo, art, or video entry to urbanbirds@cornell.edu. Links are acceptable for videos.

2. Write "Art in Birds/Birds in Art contest" in the subject line. 

3. Include your name and mailing address 

4. Tell us why you submitted your entry to the Art in Birds/Birds in Art contest. 

Deadline for entries is February 28, 2009

Visit  the Celebrate Urban Birds web site for more information.

Homeschool Humor

h/t Homeschool Goodies,  from Politickles

Drawbacks to Homeschooling*

1. No snow days
2. You can’t miss the bus
3. You can’t be suspended and sent home
4. You can’t hide the vegetables you don’t like in a milk carton
5. Mom always sides with the teacher
6. Dad always sides with the principal
7. You can’t intercept your report card and “fix” it before your parents see it
8. You can’t transfer to another school
9. The nightmare of showing up at school in your pyjamas is a daily reality
10. The good-looking boy/girl in the desk next to you is your brother/sister (gross!)

*from a kid’s perspective

Benefits to Homeschooling

1. The teacher never threatens to tell your mom
2. Your parents never get called in for a “conference”
3. You can’t be expelled
4. You don’t care what your classmates think of you
5. You don’t have to worry about forgetting your lunch/lunch money
6. You don’t have to change clothes after school
7. You don’t have to sell raffle tickets, cookies, or chocolate bars
8. The dog is always nearby and ready to eat your homework
9. If the teacher grades on the curve, you’re guaranteed an A
10. Unless you have a twin, you’re bound to be the valedictorian

Another Reason to Homeschool

Dear Mrs. Jones,

I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, 

an ex-t-c d-nc-r.  
I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit.  I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it.    Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole.  It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.
From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.
Sincerely,
Mrs.  Smith 

March for Life:  Next Thursday, January 22, 2009.

Wish I were there!