St. Patrick's 20s Group

The Saint Patrick's Twenties Group ( Website ) in Columbus, Ohio has been gaining numbers, and that is a great thanks to those who have been spreading the great news of this wonderful group. Just last night over TWENTY people were at the meeting! That is great in the opinion of this CORE team member.

Last night was our Catechism Night where we break up into small groups and discuss a topic from the Catechism. The topic was the last four things: Death, Judgement (Particular and General), Heaven, and Hell; we seem to keep it light as many of the 20s Group members joked about, since last week's meeting was a Member Talk about the End of Life issue for Cancer Patients.

These past two meetings are a great way to prepare for the coming All Souls' Day, where we remember the poor souls of purgatory. Since we had three small groups I cannot tell you how the discussion went for the other two, yet I can tell you the group I was in really focused on purgatory and death, it does seem to be an issue among our brothers and sisters Protestants who believe in Heaven and Hell (or some do not even believe in Hell) only.

How do we as Catholics explain purgatory? When I was in RCIA one of the friars explained it to us that even though you confessed your sins there is still a stain from the sins you committed and so purgatory is like the washer; your garment is stained and now you have wash out the stains. "Those who die in Gods' grace and friendship imperfectly purified, although they are assured of their eternal salvation, undergo a purification after death, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of God." (CCC 1054) You cannot go anywhere special with dirty clothes, you would want to look your best, why not be that way when you meet God face to face.

As I mention the group I was in discussed not only purgatory, but death as well. The question prompted to us was this: Why do you think the catechism says that Christ "opened the possibility of salvation to all men" instead of that he opened Heaven to all? This brings up another issue among all Christians (Catholic and Non-Catholic); God wants all His children to be with him, so He does open it for all men, but it by our free will that we decide if we wish to be with our Father in Heaven or not. That is why it is only a possibility and not a free-all. (To which I think about the Gospel Study three weeks ago about the Wedding Invitation)

After the meeting about ten of us maybe went out to Boston's (a nice pizza/pub restaurant). One of the great things is I found another friend who I hope will love John and Abigail Adams as much as I do. I might have a Revolutionary War Lovers started sooner or later. (not really, but would it not be wonderful?)

Please if you are in the Columbus area and you are 18 (high-school graduate) to mid-thirties, stop on by and join us for a meeting!

God Bless,
Nikita 

Blogging after a few days haitus...

One of my biggest flaws is having a lot on my mind, yet I cannot write the thoughts down (or in truth, type). It could be how I was educated in a school district that cared more of pushing testing scores than to actually teach.  It reminds me of a political issue commercial where a teacher says something about remember those who teach your kids for we care for your kids and if you vote yes on an issue it would take away our ability to teach your kids…if you cared for the kids you would fight to budget the school’s money better not ask taxpayers for more every five years. (Not even that sometimes)

With today being my great-grandmother Vada’s birthday (who died in 2009) I begin to write again. What happened these pasts few days? I began to read again Dominican Preaching a book which I wrote about in an earlier entry. I had left the book for a week, which I have done to other books before if I am dealing with a lot and feel I cannot focus on a book. It was yesterday night during Holy Hour that I read some great preaching by Fr. Charles Hyacinth McKenna, O.P. Currently I am still reading his sermon on The Confessional, which is a deep, logical, an easy flow explanation of the Catholic teachings on Confession (this sermon is not dated on when it was presented but around 1870s-1900s would be my guess).

A forewarning to the readers of this blog, these next few paragraphs will be quotes from the sermon:

“But some will say, “You are not one of the disciples. Granting that He gave this power to those who were there, will you claim that you also can forgive sins?” I ask, was this power for the benefit of the disciples, or for the benefit of the people? If for the benefit of the people, why in the name of God should it be confined to those days when our Lord appeared on earth, and we poor sinners be deprived of it since we need it surely as much as those who lived in the days of the disciples?”

“The power was for the benefit of poor sinners. The sun has no his light for his own benefit, the ocean has not its water for its own benefit, the stars in heaven do not shine for their own benefit, nor does the earth give its fruits for its own benefit. I am not a priest for my own benefit, but for yours. You understand that in the words of St. Paul we are the ambassadors of Chris for the benefit of man.”

“Was the Republic for George Washington, or George Washington for the Republic? Surely you would say this wonderful man, so singularly gifted, was for the benefit of the people. Washington died, but the President lives. Adams died, but the President lives. Jefferson died, but the President lives; and so, too Pierce and Buchanan and Lincoln and Garfield and Grant one by one they died, but the President lives, aye, and will live, I hope to the end of the world, for he is necessary for the government of the people. So I would say Simon died, but Peter lives; Linus died, but Peter lives; Clement died, but Peter lives; and so the Gregorys, the Benedicts, and the Innocents one by one they died, but Peter lives in Leo XIII, and will live to the end of the world, because he is necessary for the government of the Church established by Jesus Christ, and to him the keys are handed down that were first given to Peter.”  (A great way to defend the Holy See, I think.)

“But you would ask the question, Can you forgive sins? I ask, What do you mean by that question? Can I as Mr. McKenna forgive sins? I answer, No. But If you ask me, Can I as Father McKenna forgive sins? I answer, By the grace of God and the authority of the Holy See, I can.”

“And now I would ask you a question. When the Governor of your State says, “Take this man and on such a day hang him, or put to death according to the law,” does he do this as a private individual? You say, No. I say, No; he dare not. How does he do it? Clothed with the sovereignty of the State, with the majesty of the law. Because as a private individual he has not that power. And how do I forgive sins? Ah, not in the name of a petty State, or in the sovereignty of a Republic of 100 years; but in the name of that grand old Church of 1900 years, of that republic spread throughout the whole world and in the name of the living God, who minister I am, I am pronounce the sentence of pardon; “And what you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Do you ask me; “am I the power? I answer, No; I am but the agent appointed to put that power in motion.”

“I will now answer an objection of our adversaries. Some have ventured to say that confession was an invention of the priest in order to have control over the people. Strange that he should establish a law which becomes to him the most arduous labor of his life; and invent, too, a law to which he himself must submit, for it is known to all that every priest from this Pope down to the lowest in the Hierarchy, must go to confession just as well as the people.”

I am hoping by the end of this month to finish Dominican Preaching and just to hint, I would love to own the book so I can actually highlight (with pencil) in the book. (This is why I rarely borrow books, because I cannot write in the book my thoughts at that moment) And this weekend I will begin Tuesdays with Morrie which is the first official book for the little book club I co-created with two of dear friends and sisters, Camille and Emily. (There is an entry about new blog that I write in for the book club) It will take me nine days if I just read three chapters a day, but I know me I will need to spread it a little more; more to come with the November book, hopefully in future entries.

A lot of other events have happened these past few days, but I do not to write those thoughts or events on this blog, that I will keep to myself and speak to those who need to know, just please pray for me.

God Bless,

Nikita

Happy Birthday to my Daddy, you old man you!

Today is my Daddy's 45th birthday! He is such an old man! (I am kidding, but do not let him know that, because he is an old man, I mean yeah the picture is of him is in his YOUTH, nope now he has loads of grey, false teeth and glasses, he is old :P)

As I think about the past, especially how many years my Daddy has been, well a Daddy I am reminded of how grateful I am to know and love my Daddy the way I do.

What I have learned from him is what I wish to achieve with his blessings. He taught me to love even when you feel no one wants that love; that being strong means to admit you are weak, and that whatever you do know that they might not like what you are doing, but they love you either way.

This post was not just going to be about how OLD my Daddy is, really this post I wanted to ask for prayers about a few things. When I mentioned what he taught me, I wanted to further explore a few issues that come to mind.

To admit I am weak....yesterday and today I have shown my biggest weakness, the lack of intelligence that I know I have. A friend of mine, a very dear friend has been the kindest woman ever by editing some of my posts for a blog I am co-creator of.

What I notice is that the school district who highly esteem themselves as being excellence never truly focus on writing essays or writing in general. So much focus was on getting you to pass the proficiency tests than to actually help you in life. I am learning now what a mistake they made especially with me.

I love writing and knowing that I cannot create a good blog entry or even a essay, really bothers me. But, for years I would never truly admit it, I would shrug it off saying that it was a glitch, I understand how to write. Apparently not, for when my dear friend showed me what editing she did I was upset with myself.

Why did I not try to learn more independently? I thought upon it and found out I tried to with reading, hoping that reading all the books I could read especially chapter books and such, I would catch on and improve. As I stated before, guess not.

So I ask for everyone to pray for me as I try to really change this and become stronger by acknowledge my weakness.

To love even if you do not like what they are doing....there are so many examples, but one is right there dead center in my thoughts. While I went with my mom to go get some medical supplies for Darrell (which is not working well right now, so have to go back and get what we original should have taken) and we were talking about genealogy, which seems to be a topic that we can agree with and not fight. I explained to her that I have a problem with one thing how certain family members who have almost the key to all I would like to know and see about the family tree will never truly allow even copies.

My mom and I seem to have been on the same page about how we felt, we love them so much, but we cannot understand how much hatred these people have that they would horde all the photos, information, and etc. to only themselves and their children. By chance would you might see a picture or learn some information only to wish they had just given the copy of the picture or given you the information you asked so kindly.

You see, I do not wish to own the originals of anything, they belong to whom they are to belong to, but copies, I want copies. They can keep the originals! Why can they not understand that. And so what my Daddy taught about loving someone even when you hate what they are doing, makes me pray for those people who I know who they are, but do not wish to single them out on a blog, that is too cruel and unfair for this person who is still feeling the hatred they have felt since it all began. Please pray for these souls for they need to understand they are hurting the memory of the person(s) they believed hurt them by leaving.

I hope that all made some sense, if not I am really sorry. This post was to be sort of humorous and yet, I turned somber. Please forgive me.

God Bless,

Nikita

20s Group Member Talk that sticks with you.

"Death is the end of earthly life. Our lives are measured by time, in the course of which we changed, grow old and, as with all living beings on earth, death seems like the normal end of life. The aspect of death lends urgency to our lives: remembering our mortality helps us realize that we have only a limited time in which to bring our lives to fulfillment: 'remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,...before the dust returns to the earth as it was and the spirit returns to God who gave it'" (CCC 1007)

Last night was a memorable talk by one of the members of the Saint Patrick's 20s Group. Dave (that is the member who gave the talk, just so you all know) gave a talk about dealing with death as a cancer doctor, but dealing with death as a Catholic. It hit home for me, with Darrell, my great-uncle who has been dealing with cancer(s) since 2007.

One of the many things I liked about the talk was Dave had handouts with quotes from the Catechism dealing with certain aspects of his talk. There were a few that stood out from the rest because they stood testament for how I observed my great-uncle's sufferings:

"Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death. Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him." (CCC 1500-1501)

I have watched a larger-than-life man in my family turn into a man who will look at his great-niece and say, "I don't want to go to hell". In turn you ask, 'what can I do to help this man?' and the answer for me does not only come from this talk, but from how I know the Holy Spirit has worked in me. It is through prayer and listening (as Dave reminded us through the whole talk). For me it is not praying for them to live, it is prayer to help them with their sufferings, to offer it up to God (as I have always been told by my godmother). I have become the example of helping my great-uncle I do not allow him to sit there and wallow in his sorrows because he has hope, whether it is hope in living longer and cancer-free or hope in having a "beautiful death".

What is a beautiful death, this is more of after the talk with Dave, when he explained what he considers a "beautiful death". If you notice the picture above, which is after I looked and looked is titled, "Death of St. Joseph" Dave considered this a beautiful death, he was surrounded by Jesus, Mary, and the angels, for those who are dying it is their family surrounding them as they pass on, knowing that they are praying for them and loving them, holding their hands. That is a beautiful death, and I only pray that my great-uncle whether dying in an hospital bed before the age of 60 or dying in his own bed at the age 99 he will have this moment. I pray for everyone to have that, I pray I will have that.

I only left once during the whole talk to rush into the bathroom and cry for I knew I could not keep that straight face any longer. I should of ran to the chapel, which I wanted to, but I did not want to worry JR or anyone else. I think Dave and others who know me well in the 20s Group knew this talk hit home.

One of the final things that I took home from this talk and my personal talk with Dave was this, "To pray, to love, and to listen", but we should not only do that for someone who is dying or ill we should do this for every human person from their natural conception to natural death. It is the true call to being pro-life, in my opinion.

God bless and pray for me,

Nikita

Two birthdays and a new blog o.o

Today is the United States Navy 238th birthday, but also today is my great-grandmother, Irene Beaver's 90th birthday.
As I have joking for the past few days, I knew the Navy and Granny would have something more in common than just my great-grandfather, Raymond Beaver.

It is hard to believe that my great-grandmother is 90, when she does not look the part. I love listening to her stories of her life and what she has went through, and yet she never makes it out like she was going through a Great Depression or a war, but was living the best she could.

The only sad thing that involves these two is the lack of effort to acknowledge their achievement of today. It is amazing and rare to meet a 90 year old woman who is clearly very independent and a Navy who has went through so much and yet has remained strong. Google is the one thing that has bothered me, they like to change their Google emblem when something important comes up, but yet today they never did anything for the birth of the United States Navy.

On another note, the idea of creating a blog for the book club I am a part of well it became a reality! Three Bookish Girls check it out and please comment on the entries that are there. We are hoping that this blog/web page will be a good thing for us. Plus, it will be nice to write things on another blog especially focusing on books and reading.

Well that should be it, write tomorrow about 20s Group and how Granny's birthday went (hoping more people will wish her a happy birthday).

God Bless,
Nikita

A Rainy Wednesday

It has stopped raining right now, but when I got up it was and up till now it was. I do not know if I have ever said this, but I absolutely love google+.

It is a simple and not cluttering like Facebook is doing so it can compete with other social media. But, google+ is also that clean slate for me, for I have had Facebook since freshmen year of college (when it literally was only for those in college) and one of the biggest problems I have is deleting or really removing people off my Facebook.

Though I know they would never care, I would because I have to remind myself why I added them and then why I am removing them (do not associate with me anymore, only trying to get me to play games, etc.) but really it is much easier for me to add and not add people on google+, because I understand myself more than I ever did when I was just starting college.

Wednesday means new updates for one of my favorite comic series ever! Which my friend Mary and I are really going to need tissues. Here is the link to the latest page to this wonderful comic: The Dreamer Comic

Yesterday before JR and I had what we call "Tuesday Home Date" (it is where we stay at my house and cook a home-cooked meal together and watch NCIS) I did something, updated my wish list on Amazon. My Wish List on Amazon check it out and maybe I might get a few presents!

Lastly that I wish to write about is how a friend, Emily and I have been talking on google+ about our little book club. I am happy to say we have agreed on creating a blog for the club and hopefully at the November meeting, we will have a list of the books we will read in the coming months. Very excited about this because it gives me something to really do, but actually I get to socialize with people who I consider my friends (which I am very happy to have them as my friends).

God Bless,
Nikita

Life in General, it is one of those updates

It is quiet here at the house on this Tuesday afternoon and so I thought it would be wonderful to write a little entry on the happenings in my life.
Second Sunday are of great importance to me, for it is when the Dominican Laity Chapter I am a part of meets as a whole community. (Which that in part is one of the pillars of the Dominican Order) This month was different than normal because it was the first time I did not have a class for formation. Which was strange a little bit for me, but reminded me in two month time I will be promising myself to the Rule of St. Dominic for three years. That brings a joy to my heart!

The Chapter I am in this month started a new on-going formation, which is the Scott Hahn Genesis to Jesus lectures. I am excited to see what is to come of this. (More details of my opinion of this on-going formation in later entries)

Another thing for this month is something I am quite happy about with the community, a friend of mine is discerning if he should join the Dominican Laity. It is great to see young adults like myself coming into this community. Please I ask for all of your prayers for my upcoming promise and his discernment into the Dominican Laity.

While at the meeting two other of my friends, Camille and Emily were discussing with me about how we really need to get our little book club going. (For we were suppose to meet up and discuss "Hail, Holy Queen" by Scott Hahn, but scheduling became an issue) So, we decided that we would meet at Emily's house on November 15th to discuss that month's book, "Tuesdays with Morrie", for which I nominated.

"Tuesday with Morrie" was a book I was exposed to during my senior year thanks to a teacher. This book truly helped me understand the rights of dignity of Life as I reflect on it now, before I just thought it was a sad story that would make me cry at the end. So, I am going to have a great time discussing this book with Camille and Emily, but also of course I will post our little review on here and maybe we three will make a blog that deals with the books we decided to read, but that I do not know will happen, but it is an idea.

Yesterday was interesting for October 10th, 2011 was not only my cousin's birthday but was mark of my four years working for Kroger. It is difficult to understand that it has been four years, it does not feel like it has. I thought I was marking two years, not four. But it seems my job finds it not a great mark in life, but oh well.

Tuesday morning after coming home from work I watched my new favorite series (for which I hopes goes on for another season than just one) "Saints Alive!" This episode was Saint Gregory the Great. I find it interesting that so much of what he went through is parallel to what modern culture is now. I would like to quote this episode by Saint Gregory the Great:

"The eye of the icon is not only the eye with which we see God, it is the eye with which God sees us and thus loves us."

"We are called to live in our Lord's Real Presence where ever we are or whatever we are doing."

"When a girl ceases to blush she has lost the charm of her beauty."

"The Holy Spirit, is our personal guide."

"The Holy Bible is like a mirror before our mind's eye. In it we see our inner face, how spiritually beautiful or deformed we are, how near or far we are to perfection."

On a final note, before I went to bed I started (well re-started) a list of the books I have and the books I want. I only got to writing all the Catholic books I own and want. It is amazing I own thirty-eight books (six which are written by Dominicans) and I would like to own thirty-two more (well there are more but I could not remember the titles or the authors).

But, that is just my religious books, and I know I have secular books, but for what I can see with this list I am making I have kept an even balance between the secular and religious. Hopefully maybe next time I will make an entry with the list of books I would like to own.

God Bless,
Nikita

Our Lady of the Rosary and more...

Saint Dominic being given the Rosary by Mary, Mother of God and Jesus

"When we pray, we are not doing God a favor. He is gracing us with the awesome privilege of communicating with Him." -Fr. Mabura

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which for Church is a Memorial, but for the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) is a feast day. In the Liturgy of the Hours the explanation for this feast day is summarized as such:

"This commemorative feast was established by Saint Pius V (Dominican) on the anniversary of the naval victory won by Christian fleet at Lepanto. The victory was attributed to the help of the holy Mother of God whose aid was invoked through praying the rosary. The celebration of this day invites all to meditate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was so singularly associated with the incarnation, passion, and glorious resurrection of the Son of God."

Though that is the reason for this feast day, for me this feast is a reminder of the great power of praying the rosary. The rosary for Dominicans as I have been told many times, is our sword. In the opinion of this baby Catholic and novice Dominican, while the sword is the Rosary, the shield is Scared Scripture and the armor is the scapular.

What is the rosary, for many they condemn it as a worship to Mary, in turn that is false, we HONOR our MOTHER by praying for intercession to her. The rosary is in turn recalling of Jesus' life through the eyes of His mother who in turn He gave to us to be our Mother.

Yesterday was St. Patrick's 20s Group (website ) Gospel study, which is discussing the coming Gospel reading for Sunday. This Sunday's reading is Matthew 22:1-14,

"Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, "Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."" Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'the feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. God out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Many are invited, but few are chosen."

We (20s Group) split into two small groups, and so though I have no clue what group 2 spoke about, I do know what group 1 talked about. Group 1 main focus was really on was our intital reactions, which took us away from the discussion questions a little bit, and I actually liked that because it shows truly the depths of the Word.

I would like to share with all of you my thoughts on this parable that I discussed within the group. My intital reaction was on the wedding garment, for why would the king cast this one guest that does not have a wedding garment into the darkness?

Well, I and most of the group found the wedding to a metaphor to the invitation to Heaven and this one guest was a person who I would consider ritualistic Christian (Catholic and non-Catholic), the wedding garment is based upon their external and internal holiness, for which this one person only believed because they were going to church or were considering themselves Christian that it would not matter of their holiness.

This one guest refused to wear holiness, they turned themselves away from God, which is something else that we felt this parable was speaking of, how your free will to not love God or to seek holiness (or as I said my Granny old saying, "Go to church on Sunday, and cuss on Monday") is the guest without a wedding garment.

But the question came up 'if God loves us so much that He would still cast us out into the darkness?' that is a very good question, and the answer I gave and others gave were amazing thought out and compelling. In short, is it not true that God loves all His creatures, even if they are good or bad, but it is in turn our free will, He casts us out because we ourselves casts ourselves out.

When you read the parable and how the king speaks to the guest, he says 'my friend', if this is truly a man whom the king hated would he had called him 'friend', so that in turn shows that it is the guest who has done the damage.

My final thought about this parable and well all the parables is that we will never truly know the full meaning of any of them until we come face to face with God who created us. What I do believe is that each time you read the parables you were find something new that will add to your intital thoughts of the parable, kind of like building upon a foundation.

God Bless,
Nikita

Quotes from my Facebook Profile and few more

I thought this could be interesting if I pasted on my blog the quotes that I have on my facebook profile. Question I have for you all is which of these do you like the most and why? Comment please, this will be fun!

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead

"In my many years, I have come to the conclusion that one worthless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress."-John Adams (1735-1826)

"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." -Hebrews 11:1

"Will not be judge by the color of their skin, but the content of their character." MLK 63'

"It is not my fault, I voted for McCain!"

"And Love is the Key." -Jerry Goldsmith

"A person is a person no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss

"Roger do you know what they call the middle of a song." -Bennie, the Cab "I don't know....A BRIDGE" -Roger Rabbit

"Why do you get so cold when you are old? I am fatter than ever, yet the wind blows right through me." -Sophie from Howl's Moving Castle

"Oh, doctor, you've struck a nerve!" -Fred Astaire in "You Were Never Lovelier"

"Won't you ring dem(them) bells....haven't had a chance like that in years, I had to try it." -Bing Crosby in "Bells of St. Mary's"

"What's wrong with a priest wearing a Bandanna."-Father Andre-Joseph LaCasse OP

"Our cinder ash from life can be wiped away and have a happily ever after." -Narrator from HBO Series: "Happily Ever After"

"You believe this guy? Come on, Ninja kick the damn rabbit. Do something.-Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the Movie.

"Wise man say forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza." -Michelangelo from TMNT the Movie.

"Parents just should not lie to their kids." Guardie Quote

"You bid me burn your letters. But I must forget you first."- John Adams

"What do we mean by the Revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 1760 - 1775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington."- John Adams

"I must intreat you, my dear Partner in all the joys and Sorrows, Prosperity and Adversity of my Life, to take a Part with me in the Struggle." -John Adams writes in a letter to Abigail Adams on July 1st, 1774

"You have forgotten who you are and so you have forgotten me." -Mufasa in Lion King

"Simba, let me tell you something my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past are up there, watching over us....So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I." -Mufasa in Lion King

"Before sunrise, he's "your" son." -Mufasa in Lion King

"Nice house, nobody home." -Mother Superior Regina and Sister Huebert in Nunsense.

"It's all GEEK to me." -J.R.

"I will remember to bring my geek dictionary and translations." -Nikita

"Best of luck on the next tests. It is good to spend time with the Lord, and I'm sure he is calling on all the mathematician patron saints to help you with study!" -Father Thomas Blau, O.P.

"If, by supporting the rights of mankind, and of invincible truth, I shall contribute to save from the agonies of death one unfortunate victim of tyranny, or of ignorance, equally fated, his blessings and years of transport will be sufficient consolation to me for the contempt of all mankind." -Marchese di Beccaria

"Ashamed of his monstrous form, the beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?" -Narrator from Beauty and the Beast

"Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man's own will." -St. Thomas Aquinas, OP

"When we are whom we are called to be, we will set the world ablaze." -St. Catherine of Siena, OP

"No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it. The real conflict is the inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the hetacombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we are ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?" -St. Maximilian Kolbe

"And finally, everything worked out just fine! Christmas was saved although there wasn't much time! But after that night, things were never the same! Each holiday now knew the other ones name! And although that Christmas got out of hand I'm still rather fond of that skeleton man. So many years later I'd thought I'd drop in, and there was old Jack still looking quite thin! With four or five skeleton children at hand playing strange little tunes on there xylophone bands. And I asked old Jack,''Do you remember that night when the sky was so dark and the moon shone so bright? When millions of small children pretending to sleep, nearly didn't have Christmas at all so to speak? And would if you could turn that mighty clock back to that long faithful night? Now think carefully Jack, would you do the whole thing all over again knowing what you know now knowing what you knew then?'' and he smiled like the old Pumpkin King that I knew, and turned and asked softly of me, ''wouldn't you?''" -Hidden Ending of Nightmare before Christmas (Santa Claus speaking)

Blessed Raymond of Capua

Blessed Raymond of Capua, OP and St. Catherine of Siena, OP

Today is the feast of Blessed Raymond of Capua, OP. This Dominican friar had a great role as the spiritual director and confessor of one of the Doctors of the Church, St. Catherine of Siena, OP. Blessed Raymond was born in Capua, Italy in 1330. It was when he was at the University of Bologna (the place where one of my Dominican Patrons was born and died, Blessed Diana) where he was to know of the Dominicans and then he would join the order.

There are other things he is well known for, such as he was a biographer for not only St. Catherine of Siena, OP, but also Saint Agnes of Montepulciano, OP. He was also know for being Master-General of the Order in 1380 until his death, if I am correct in 1399 in Nuremburg, Germany.

For what I have learned about him, he learned much by St. Catherine, even though in the beginning he never wanted to take on the task as being St. Catherine's spiritual director and confessor, but then meeting and listening to St. Catherine I think the Holy Spirit really helped him understand who this pious woman was, a great instrument of God's as was Bl. Raymond.

For more information about Blessed Raymond of Capua, OP check these two sites: Patron Saint Index and Brief Biography of Blessed Raymond of Capua

God Bless,
Nikita

Dislike not writing

I have kind of have been on hiatus since last Thursday. It was not that a lot was going on, it was more that I have been busy with life, well what my life consists of.

One of the biggest things is being a caregiver for my great-uncle. What most do not understand is the problems I have at times with being a caregiver, I never want to sleep, I am too worried he will be yelling for me, or even Granny and I will not be able to hear them. So for the past few days I would try to get at least three hours, only I think Friday did I get six or eight hours. (But that was after staying awake until 6am or 8am)

What I should make clear is I took this on because I live here and since I love them I never thought in the back of my mind that I should not do this. No, they are not only family, but humans who need comfort and love especially at this time of need.

Christians are called to help those who are most vulnerable, which these two are. But, there is one thing that I forget, I need to take care of myself and live my life. I have noticed that at times I overwhelm myself with things and I ask for everyone to please pray for me, I hate asking for prayers for me, when so many others need prayers, but if you all any room in your prayers keep a little one for me.

This entry was not to just be about ranting and venting, but also an update on what has been going on or what I think is interesting. First thing is first, most of you know about Charlie Sheen, who has lost his poor marbles (which makes me think of the movie "Hook"). But, do you know that his brother, Emilio and his father, Martin have teamed up and rallying around the country promoting a film called "The Way"? You have not,well you are in luck, I have a the link for the trailer:

I learned about this film after watching Raymond Arroyo's "World Over" on EWTN. This film is really going to be known if the word gets out, because big production companies did not back this film, it is a HUMAN story, which they do not like. Which if you notice some of the newer films some of the fewer are really HUMAN stories.

Another thing that has become a part of my life thanks to a dear friend of mine is "The Dreamer" (look at picture above). It is such a great story too! The one thing I have learned by reading this series is sometimes it is bad for American History Majors to read something like this. Why? Well, you get hook with a character by their attitudes and lines that you forget in history they died in battle or hung or etc. I was reminded after reading the latest page this past Friday. I literally just sat there in shock with myself really that I would forget that important part of what I knew of the wars of the Revolution. But, I truly do recommend this series to anyone who loves a good historical/modern story. The Dreamer

Well, right now that seems to all I would like to write about, hopefully I will get into a better mood later today after prayers and then write another entry.

God Bless,
Nikita