Bethune Catholic

Here is an interesting article in this month's crisis Magazine on the "separation of church and state". I have read a handful of good articles on this subject over the past few years. I recall at least one on CatholicExchange.com. I looked for it this morning in the archives, but was unable to locate the one I was looking for. I did find this one however, which gives yet another take on 'separation'. Personally, I have always been amazed (maybe amazed is not the right word...) how the idea of separaton of church and state, as understood by the ACLU and many others can be gleemed from reading the Constitution - and even less if you research the thought of the founding fathers.

In a related vein, the idea of a Christian Liberty Party advances. Here is the preliminary discussion forum. So far there is 1 post and 230 people registered to the form. This forum may be one to watch.

Today we start winterizing the house. Last year winter swooped down on us unexpectedly. This year we had a touch of cold weather last week, so I won't delay. I have a few window panes to replace and some overall inspection to see where we can tighten the ship. Our only source of heat this year is propane. (Last year we used the wood stove also until we had a chimney fire. We had had the chimney inspected before ever using it and got the green light. Unfortunately as we found out, the sweep we had contracted either didn't inspect carefully or was incompetant. After the fire we got a different chimney sweep to inspect. He told us the chimney should have never been used. We were lucky because we had been using the wood stove heavily at night. But the long and the short of it is that we can't afford to get chimney fixed until Requiem Press have a bestseller or some other windfall.)

Today we are expecting to receive the advance copies of "Catholic Laity in the Mission of the Church", by Russell Shaw. You can read about the book here or buy it here.

Speaking of Requiem Press, a reminder that you all have a little more than a week to take advantage of the discounts on quantity purchases of the Daily Prayers for the Church Suffering booklets. My family thanks those who have purchased some of these in the last month. You don't know how much this has helped us bridge the gap in October so far.....

We unexpectedly ran out of chicken feed (laying pellets) last week. (The unnamed boy responsible for feeding and warning us of shortages, fell down on the job.) The hens went a day an half on corn and table scraps, and basically stopped laying eggs. (Recall this happened earlier in the year when we changed their diet.) It has almost been a week and the six hens are only back to 3 eggs a day (down from 6). Mrs. Curley and I are in agreement that they better get back to production or they will see the pot sooner than planned.

From Bethany, the small holding in Bethune...Oremus pro invicem!