Decalogue for Daily Living

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.
2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices.
8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

~Pope John XXIII

Life in a big family...

is a special privilege, not a burden.

Rhetoric puts cloud over Our Lady...

I would like to think that the world is full of intelligent people. That the US is full of intelligent people. I would like to think that many have common sense and the ability to reason. So, why are so many missing the point of the pro-life/pro-choice debate?
I am fully aware that intelligent people can disagree. I realize that for every person who chooses white, someone else will say black. I recognize that for every left, there is a right. However, what I don't understand is why we, as a society, try to create more gray, and less black and white. More middle for every left and right. Why can't intelligent people disagree and then leave the choice to each individual to take a side or to remain indifferent. Why do we have to create non-existent, intellectually impossible middle zones where everyone can be validated by an alternative that is completely contrary to reason.

At least someone other than me recognizes the flaws glaring in Obama's supposed abortion stance.

What a lady!

The Laetare Medal is an annual award given by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic Church and society. The award is given to an American Catholic lay person "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity." First awarded in 1883, it is the oldest and most prestigious award for American Catholics. The medal is an external award which can be given to a person from outside the University of Notre Dame. It is named the Laetare Medal because the recipient of the award is announced in celebration of Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent. A candidate for the award must be a practicing American Catholic who has made a distinctively Catholic contribution in his professional or intellectual life.

Professor Mary Ann Glendon is an exemplary example of one deserving of the Laetare Medal. Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame University expressed his support of Ms.. Glendon, explaining why she would be Notre Dame's choice in 2009. “Both as a public intellectual and as a diplomat, Mary Ann Glendon has impressively served our Church and our country." Rev. Jenkins went on to say, "[Professor Glendon] is an articulate and compelling expositor of Catholic social teaching who exemplifies our University’s most cherished values and deserves its highest praise.”

Obviously qualified and deserving of the prestigious Laetare Medal, Ms. Glendon was chosen as the 2009 recipient. However, in the finest example of class, dignity and grace, Ms. Glendon has declined to receive such an honor. And with her statement, one can only wonder not whether Ms. Glendon should receive such an honor, but rather whether Notre Dame is qualified any longer to give it.