Friday, October 19, 2012

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Beyond "Grinding" at School Dances

It's Homecoming season, and the perfect time to re-post about "grinding" at school dances. A friend of mine just posted this on Facebook: "Had some football players over tonight for a bonfire. They chose not to be a part of the homecoming dance that is now called "the grindfest". Makes me so sad that school dances are no longer a place I want my child to be."  
 
This blog post (titled "How Do We Help Our Young People Get Beyond 'Grinding'?") from my favorite priest, Fr. John Hollowell, is a must-read for parents and educators!  Until his recent re-assignment, Fr. Hollowell was the Chaplin and a teacher at Cardinal Ritter High School.  Read his post HERE
 
 
Parents, I'd like to encourage you to talk to your teens about this, and like my friend did, offer a better alternative for your kids and their friends on Homecoming night if "grinding" is an issue at their school dances.  And if it is an issue at their school, parents and teachers MUST go to the school administrators and speak-out against it.  EVERY school dance, regardless of whether it's a public school or private school, should have policies against "grinding" at school dances and enforce them.  Don't be naive in thinking that this kind of dancing is harmless.



Friday, October 5, 2012

"Does It Really Matter If I Vote?"



This 30 second video is so cute and has a VERY powerful message!

When I was in my 20's, before marriage and before children, I didn't really care about politics.  I had my own opinions about some things, and so I claimed to agree with a particular party, but I didn't exercise my right to vote.  I didn't think my one, little vote would matter.
 
And then I had my own family, and that changed everything.  I became passionate about certain issues and protecting this country's future for my kids' sake.  It's so important to vote!  EVERY vote DOES matter!
 
I 'd like to talk to people reading this who may have never voted before.  I use to be afraid of going to the polls and not knowing what to do, and looking like an idiot.  That was ridiculous of me, because it's SO EASY!  The volunteer workers will show you exactly where to go and exactly what to do, and they aren't going to wave a big, red flag and blow a bull-horn to announce that you've never voted before, and then laugh at you.  They're very helpful and HAPPY that you're there!
 
You might think, "My vote is just one, measly vote", but you can't think that way.  When you vote, and people hear, or know that you voted, that starts a movement.  I guarantee that will encourage someone else to vote (if not now, at a future election), for example a co-worker or two, a friend, a younger sibling, or even your own kids one day.
 
You might think, "I don't know anything about the candidates, or understand anything about politics, the government, or the issues."  While it's good to know as much as you can, that's NOT a requirement to vote.  Pick at least one topic, ask around, or Google it, and learn what each candidate proposes.  For example, if you feel strongly about being pro-life or pro-choice, learn what each candidate endorses about it and what their plans are for running the government regarding that issue.  That is enough to vote.

For those of us who plan on voting this election, ask others if they're going to vote (coworkers, friends, your family).  ENCOURAGE them to vote.  Encourage everyone you know to vote.  It doesn't mean you're trying to have a conversation with them about politics, just leave it as a question of whether they're going to vote or not.  You never know what an inspiration you might be! 

Now, my warning... if you do feeling even the slightest bit of interest about something that's a political issue this election, and you DON'T vote, you're just breathing air.  Why then does anything matter to you?  You're a child of God and your opinions and rights matter!   And don't you at least owe it to future generations, or your legacy (your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.) to take a stand and take action for something important?  Please.  Please get out and vote, and encourage other to vote too.  Millions of lives are depending on it - not just right now, but your vote this election affects the future too!
 
Register to vote right now!  Click on graphic below.


 
 
God, please bless American, and Holy Mother please pray for us.



Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Guardian Angels

Blessed feast day of Guardian Angels. 

From AmericanCatholic.org:

"Perhaps no aspect of Catholic piety is as comforting to parents as the belief that an angel protects their little ones from dangers real and imagined. Yet guardian angels are not just for children. Their role is to represent individuals before God, to watch over them always, to aid their prayer and to present their souls to God at death.
 
The concept of an angel assigned to guide and nurture each human being is a development of Catholic doctrine and piety based on Scripture but not directly drawn from it. Jesus' words in Matthew 18:10 best support the belief: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father."

Devotion to the angels began to develop with the birth of the monastic tradition. St. Benedict gave it impetus and Bernard of Clairvaux the great 12th-century reformer, was such an eloquent spokesman for the guardian angels that angelic devotion assumed its current form in his day.

A feast in honor of the guardian angels was first observed in the 16th century. In 1615, Pope Paul V added it to the Roman calendar."

From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God." - from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 336.
God bless my guardian angel - he/she has been given a big job!  I can recall numerous times throughout my life as I look back, where my guardian angel was working overtime!  Thank you dear guardian angel.  I hope I can live up to whatever reasons God has for me to still be hear, and doing well.  And for my childrens' guardian angels, please protect them as well as mine has protected me.

I love this dear, little prayer.  It's the first prayer my kiddos had memorized...

Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God, My Guardian Dear
to whom God's love entrusts me here.
Ever this day be at my side
to light, to guard, to rule, to guide.
Amen.

...and this one is a beautiful one too:

Prayer to One's Guardian Angel
Dear Angel, in his goodness God gave you to me to guide, protect, and enlighten me, and to bring me back to the right way when I go astray. Encourage me when I am disheartened, and instruct me when I err in my judgment. Help me to become more Christlike, and so some day to be accepted into the company of Angels and Saints in heaven.
Amen.