Somthing is wrong...scroll down

Further Update: Thanks to Fr. Dowd at Waiting in Joyful Hope you can see that the problem is fixed. As you can see in the comments below - you must add

div { clear: none !important; }

to the css portion of your template. Thanks very much.

I will try to bring back the links - with some additions later this week.

Update: The only way I could make this better was to delete most of the links. I will restore them (I need to add some anyway) when I figure this out. But is something I can't afford to spend time on.

This morning, I came to BethuneCatholic and somethings wrong. There is this huge space between Wednesday's heading and the post. It almost looks like there is nothing there at all. I have no idea what happened or how to fix it. My first effort is to post this and see if just by putting a new post up, the problem will be fixed.

Here is the pantry I built for Mrs. Curley - in installments. Most was built in October, the doors were built and installed about two weeks ago. It is bigger than it looks here. It is 7 feet tall and something like 32-35 inches deep. The lighting is bad, but hopefully you can get the idea of it.

Feast of Saint Thomas More

As busy as things have been, I couldn't let this day pass without comment. Thomas More is a favorite of mine. Many biographies have been written on Thomas More. I have read several. Most of these follow his life (and his spirituality) through his writings - (of which I highly recommend 'The Sadness of Christ" - available from Scepter Press). I could write much more of Thomas More this morning, but must get on working.

So I will leave you this quote from one of his last letters to his daughter Margaret Roper during his imprisonment:

"Mine own good daughter, our Lord be thanked, I am in good health, and in good quiet of mind; and of worldly things I no more desire than I have. I beseech Him make you all merry in the hope of Heaven. And such things as I somewhat longed to talk of them with you all, concerning the world to come, our Lord put them into your minds, as I trust He doth, and better too, by His Holy Spirit; who bless you and preserve you all. Written with a coal by your tender loving father, who in his poor prayers forgetteth none of you all, nor your babes, nor your nurses, nor your good husbands, nor your good husbands' shrewd wives, nor your father's shrewd wife neither, nor our friends. And thus fare ye heartily well, for lack of paper."

From Bethany, the small holding in Bethune...

(I will get to the comments left below - eventually.)

Saint Thomas More, Saint John Fisher - ora pro nobis!

Oremuse pro invicem!

Quick Notes...

Update: "The Chapel Veil-symbol of the spouse of Christ" is now available at our website.

Jeff at Hallowed Ground relates his experiences at a father-son camp put on by the FSSP; as well as allowing his guest columnist teach us about irrigation for the urban homesteader.

William Luse tells us why he is going to (semi?)retire from blogging here .

I am sure there is plenty more going on around the blogs, but I just haven't had much time these weeks.

An eventful weekend here at Bethany. We were getting ready for the arrival of our new chicks, Rhode Island Reds - from which we hope to perpetuate our own flock. (Our original flock were of all different breeds, so while we are keeping the hens as layers, we will eventually have eaten all the roosters.) Since the holes in normal chicken wire are just big enough for a day-old chick to get through, we put up some extra screening around the base of the run. (These are segregated from the original flock.) They have a small house for now, but we will have to build a new hen house for the 2nd flock within the next month or so.

While all this is going on, my oldest son is building a rustic fence across the front our property. He is simply using pine limbs as posts and rails - nailing them together. (I don't know how long the fence will last... but it does look good, and it sturdy for now.) In the course of the morning the handsaw slipped while cutting a rail and soon son and I were off to the emergency room. I was tempted to stitch it myself - maybe next time I will after observing the doctor's technique. Of course the rest of Saturday was shot. We spent 4.5 hours at the hospital - and another hour getting there and back.

This morning we picked up the chicks, and they are driving the dogs crazy, and getting alot of interest from the neighboring flock.

The rest of the week we are preparing for a 'send-off' party for my oldest daughter who will be going away for some time come August - (I may blog more on this later). (The send-off is early, but we are hoping that the weather is a little cooler in June than July or August, plus we get it out of the way and don't have to worry about it all summer.) So cleaning and painting and dusting are the order of the days until our first out-of-town visitors show up on Thursday.

Plus of course, Requiem Press does not stop. We have new release which should on the website later today or tomorrow. I have mentioned it before. It is a little booklet contianing two short essays concerning why two young ladies in college wear the chapel veil in the presence of our Lord. The support of this project will not only help yours truly and family, but will also assist (through royalties) three Catholic college students make their way as the essays and the cover were the work of Christendom College students.

From Bethany, the small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

Update: We drove down to Surfside Beach (just south of Myrtle Beach) today (Friday). Waves were good for body-surfing, and it actually wasn't too hot down there. The kids (and Mrs. Curley and I) should sleep well tonight. Have been eating a constant diet of zuccini (from our garden) and summer squash (from the neighbor's garden). I never thought there would be such a difference in taste with homegrown vegetables. I have never liked either of these squashes - but now I feel I could (almost) eat them all summer.

Well summer finally has come to South Carolina! High 90's and humid all week. We are building fences and forts this week, but always with a canteen at our sides.

My office with a window unit has been the coolest place in the house this week - this is until today when it stopped giving that cool air. I hope I don't have to replace it.

From Bethany, our small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

Another Round-Up

I noticed on the last installment on Catholic blogging at IgnatiusInsight (the question: What the problems with blogs?) that Jeff at Hallowed Ground says this:

"Blogging and blog reading can become an incredible waste of time. I think it is for most people, myself included. "

When you get really busy, you find out where you are 'wasting time'. This past week or so I have found that blogging and especially reading blogs has 'suffered'. Hopefully things are getting back to normal for a few days and I will be able to catch up a bit. (Speaking of Jeff - I note on his blog that he is out there doing something I wish I was doing this week - camping and fishing. We never did get up to the mountains this past spring. We have done some fishing. Hopefully more this week.)

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Here (scroll down to 'Home Funerals') is something I have talked about with Mrs. Curley. I really would like to have people taking turns praying for my soul all night long before my burial. We are so quick to shove death aside as an unpleasant, albeit necessary experience. Yet death is something we need to spend time on - in contemplation, in celebration, and yes in mourning. The death of a loved one is an ongoing opportunity to come closer to God. Where did I read so recently that death is not so much an end, but a transition into the continuation of our life? We can't have our heart in Heaven if we never think of death.

I also won't mind being buried somewhere in the backyard. (Mrs. Curley thinks I should be buried next to our deceased dog!). Seriously, it is easier to keep up a grave and remember to pray for a soul if it is not 5 miles (or more) down the road. I will need those prayers, so I want to be 'in the face' of my family as a constant reminder.

From 'Bethany', our small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

Round-Up

Destination Order recalls some insights from Maria VonTrapp on country life - especially the differing practices and views of it from Europe and America.

Jeff at Hallowed Ground, continues (to our benefit) to have guest columnist Franklin Jennings expound upon urban homesteading, and Jeff himself reflects on country life and neighbors. Jeff also mentions weeding. Funny my daughter commented the other day that she can understand some biblical passages better after weeding in the garden for a few hours.

Alicia has took and tagged me for the book challenge - but you can see my responses already below. In retrospect, I would now certainly add Familiaris Consortio by John Paul II as one of the 5 books which mean alot to me. I have read it several times and have consulted it many more times for guidance in dealing with family issues/problems which cross the modern culture.

Finally - I did get the 'punched-tin' doors finished on Mrs. Curley's pantry/hutch on Saturday. My daughter helped with the design on the tin as I finished up the door frames and hinges etc. It looks good - if I do say so myself. I will post a picture once I get around to developing them - don't hold your breath.

From 'Bethany' - the small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

It has been several days of no posting. Been busy at work - thank God.

I have never seen so much green this late in the year in South Carolina. Usually by mid-June everything is brown. It rained everyday but one in the past two weeks. (It almost seems like Ireland.) As a result the garden is thriving. We had our first meal with homegrown beans this week. They were little, but tasy and enough for all of us. The zuccini is coming in, as are the tomatoes. The sunflowers are thriving (although some we haven't even gotten in the ground yet) as are the grape vines we inherited. Flowers are everywhere. It is beautiful.

Unfortunately, I have been stuck in the office. Occasionally I look out the window to see Mrs. Curley and the kids rejoicing over some new discovery. Tomorrow will be different. I have some work to prepare for new chickens and I must finish the doors to the hutch I built Mrs. Curley several months ago. It will be very good to do some physical labor.

From Bethany - the small holding in Bethune ...

Oremus pro invicem!

Just a quick note (of self-promotion) my latest on CatholicExchange.com is here.

From 'Bethany'... Oremus pro invicem!

Are you a church?...

Today is my oldest son's 12th birthday. All nine of us got up early to drive the 35 miles to St. Catherine's for Mass. About one mile after the last Gas station for some 15-20 miles, the car just died. We pulled over. I did the usual checks with nothing obvious jumping out at me. So we all got out and started hoofing it back to that last filling station.

When we arrived at the filling station, I waited for the stragglers to catch up - so we could all enter together. I told cashier our predicament and she handed me the phone book. As I looked through the book for the number of our usual garage, she asked, "Are you a church?"

She exclaimed surprise upon hearing my reply: "No, we're just a family...."

Still awaiting the diagnosis and the damage from our small holding in Bethune,

Oremus pro invicem!

The Two Towers Explained....

From the Preface to Two Towers:

"For too many years now, I have listened to questions from distraught, almost hopeless, lay people. Why does the Catholic Church in this country seem so wishy-washy? Why have so many young people stopped going to Mass? Why is there such a lack of reverence in church? What happened to priestly vocations? Why are parishes closing? Why is there so much scandal? How did this falling apart come about? What is the cause of this crisis? Who is responsible for it? This book will attempt to address the substantive issue behind the questions above, and to offer a practical solution."

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today is a special feast in our home and in of course in the Church. Several years ago we enthroned the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our home - as Lord and King. Each year in June we renew this enthronement and re-dedicate our efforts to live in God's presence.

This year is no exception. After Mass together as a family and breakfast with the parish and Fr. John (every 1st Friday those who attend Mass gather in parish afterwards for a simple breakfast), we will go home and enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our home.

Our ceremony goes something like this:

1. Recitation of Penitential Psalm 51

2. Recitation of Holy Ghost Prayer for help in Examine

3. Examination of Conscience

4. Act of Contrition

5. Asking forgiveness of each other in the family for wrongs we have done. (see here for the origin of this)

6. We sing and process with an image of the Sacred Heart throughout the house and grounds.

7. We place the image of the Sacred Heart in the place of honor reserved for it.

8. We recite the 'enthronement/consecration' prayer.

9. Some short prayers of intercession.

10. Parental blessing of each child.

11. Te Deum (in the form of "Holy God we Praise Thy Name")

12. Sometimes we finish with a meal or dessert.

I believe that family ceremonies such as these help create the Catholic culture in our homes and more importantly in our hearts. I know there are mixed feelings in the family about some parts of this ceremony[(5) above]. But all will remember that despite our numerous failings throughout the year - as a family (most of us have prepared for today by going to Confession this week) we re-dedicate ourselves to the struggle and formally recognize that our goal is to reach Heaven and to be a help (and not a hindrance) to each other in our journey.

For one of us, this may very well be the last time participating in this family ceremony. Thus it takes on a new urgency and meaning for all.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - have mercy on me a poor sinner.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - I place all my trust in Thee.

From the small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

Happy Birthday Brother!!!! He is in his early 30's now - he was much better looking (and had more hair, although you can't tell) in this picture. Since my brother believes that thousands actually read my blog everyday, he will be quite embarrassed to see this appear.

I let my subscription to Catholic World Report lag and almost missed the May 2005 issue - which was an expanded issue dedicated to John Paul II and Benedict XVI. We received our copy yesterday. I have had several discussions; some here, some at Hallowed Ground about Vatican II - most recently in connection with Mr. Meehan's new book "Two Towers" (Requiem Press). I was heartened to see Fr. Fessio's comments on Pope Benedict XVI's first homily as Pope regarding Vatican II - as they concur with my own beliefs and those expressed in "Two Towers". Fr. Fessio says:

"When the Pope says that he plans to "enact" Vatican II, that word in Latin is exsecutionem: to execute, to implement. Listen carefully! He's saying, "I'm committed to pursuing the implementation of the Council." What does that imply? That it has no yet been implemented! At least, it has not been implemented fully. And notice , too, that he plans to implement the Council "in faithful continuity with the millennia-old-tradition of the Church." He is giving an interpretation of Vatican II right there. He is saying this is not a break from tradition. This is not some opening of doors to new doctrines. No this is a traditional council that must be interpreted in light of the whole 2,000 years of tradition which preceded it. ....." (emphasis in original)

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Note regarding 'Two Towers' .... This will appear on our website later today, but we have some unexpected delays and thus TT won't be ready to ship for a few more days. Pray everything works out smoothly.

From the small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

The Book Challenge

Jeff at Hallowed Ground has tagged me for this book challenge thing. Jeff's introduction to his answers (here) express my thoughts exactly - I wish I had written it. So here goes:

1. Total number of books I've owned: At the present we estimate about 2500 volumes. We (reluctantly) parted with several hundred (possibly 1,000 or so) when we moved to Bethune due to severe space limitations. I just acquired some 50 more books (college texts and readings) from my oldest daughter who won't need them anymore where she is going soon ...

2. Last book I bought: The last two books I bought were same, "The Privilege of Being a Woman", by Dr. Alice VonHildebrand - one for my daughter and one for Mrs. Curley, yet at different times. The last book I bought for myself was, "The English Martyrs - Papers from the Summer School of Catholic Studies held at Cambridge, 1928", edited by Dom Bede Camm. It was of course, 2nd hand.

3. The Last book I read: I tend to read several books at a time - although I try to limit it to 3. Right now I am reading: "Favorite Father Brown Stories", by Chesterton; "Confessions" by St. Augustine (again); and "The Idea of a University" by John Henry Newman. The last book I finished reading was "The Reform of the Renewal" by Fr. Benedict Groeshal.

4. 5 Books that mean a lot to me: The 2 books I read most often, the (D-R) Bible and the Liturgy of the Hours would fall here, but I will leave them aside. There are some books you read, have a great impact, - and you read them over and over again. Other books have a great impact, you never read them again, but refer to them from time to time. Other books have a great impact, but you never touch them again. So here we go:

a. "Great Expectations" - Dickens: I read this book first when I was about 12 and absolutely hated it. I only finished it because it is my policy to finish any book I start (if I get past the first chapter). Some weeks later, for no apparent reason I could figure, I was inspired to read it again. I absolutely loved it and have read it since some 5-6 more times. It seemed that every time I read it I learned something new. I probably haven't read it now in some 15 years. The most important lesson I learned from "Great Expectations" is to be grateful.

b. "Witness to Hope" by George Weigel. My understanding of John Paul II, his role in Vatican II, his style of leadership, his reasons for many things became much clearer by reading this book. This book (along with the soon to be released "Two Towers") has helped me understand the role of 2nd Vatican Council in the present and future of the Church.

c. History of Christendom Series by Warren Carroll (founder of Christendom Collge) - I find almost no reading more enjoyable than to read history as told by Warren Carroll. It inspires the spirit and helps one to greater understanding of the present times. While I have 'singled-out' this series, all of his books on history are fantastic.

d. "The King's Good Servant But God's First - The Life and Writings of St. Thomas More" by James Monti. I am not sure this is the best life of St. Thomas More, but it started me off, both to more More biography's (Roper's, EE Reynolds', Wegemer's, Belloc's sketch) and to his writings - most especially "The Sadness of Christ" and "A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulations". All mentioned are highly recommended.

e. "The Jeweler's Shop" by Karol Wojtyla and "Marriage - a Path to Sanctity" by Javier Abad and Eugenio Fenoy (Scepter) are the two best books on the vocation of marriage which I have read. The first, of course, is a play needing no introduction which was written as meditation on marriage. The second is a (probably) little known volume, but Mrs. Curley and I have gotten much spiritual gain from it. It is a practical and spiritual guide (except for one chapter dealling with how to treat your servants!!) which we usually give to engaged family members. Both are sources which help the married see that their call to married life is a vocation and is their God-given path to sanctity.

I am sorely tempted to continue with other 'book(s) that means alot to me. Note that I didn't number these, but used letters, with the thought that if I added an extra one, no one would really notice. But I will restrain myself.

5. Tag 5 people: As I have looked around St. Blogs, I am starting to see, as Tracy Fennell says over at Nosce Te Ipsum "Seems like everyone has done it ..." If I find a few over the course of the day I will update this and tag them.

Here's the cover of "Two Towers" discussed in the post of Tuesday.

Now that I know for sure how to do this - I will try to post some other gems - like the chicken picture below - occasionally.

Can you believe this?

Plucking a chicken - It really did have a little more meat on it than it appears here!

Actually I was just trying to learn how to post pictures again and this one showed up. Can you imagine trying to feed a family with 7 children off of this bird??????

From the very, very, small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

Haven't posted anything new since Tuesday (except in response to the good discussion generated by the post below). Probably won't post much more til Monday or maybe even later. We are in the throes of getting Two Towers released and publicized - but we do have other books in the works. In fact, my catalogs have promised that a new booklet title, "The Chapel Veil - symbol of the spouse of Christ" would have May 2005 release. It is still possible we can make it. There has been considerable pre-publication interest in this title. It is outside of Requiem Press' stated mission - but when I read the manuscript it was too good to slip by. So while we are extremely excited and have high hopes for TWO TOWERS - we are also diligently working on getting this other title out next week. So while I will be checking - I may not have time to do much posting.

Finally, just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of the pre-release discount price on TWO TOWERS.

From the small holding in Bethune ...

Oremus pro invicem!

The Cover of 2-Towers

The release of Requiem Press' first original title, "TWO TOWERS - the de-Christianization of America and a Plan for Renewal", is rapidly approaching.

I have been asked several times about the cover. The "TWO TOWERS" of both the title and the cover illustration refer to the 'tower' of Faith and the 'tower' of Morals.

Mr. Meehan, (the author), desribes the construction of each of the towers - which the artist, (Sherri Trial of Carlisle, PA), translated into the cover illustration. (Unfortunately you will have to go to the Requiem Press website to see the cover as I haven't figured out how to load it up here.)

The tower on the right represents Faith - or the deposit of Faith. As John Meehan describes in the Preface:

"Scripturally grounded in our "Father in the Faith" — Abraham of the Old Testament — the tower of Faith is cemented firmly in an ancient heritage and a long-standing tradition. Moses, the Law, and the prophets are its girders. The apostles, the Gospels, and papal succession are its framework. Church councils, ex cathedra declarations, and the lives of saintly men and women are its exterior covering. The Eucharistic Sacrifice, seven sacraments, and Liturgy of the Hours are its interior activity. Comprised of sacred scripture, apostolic tradition, and a living magisterium, this tower is called by the Roman Catholic Church the 'Deposit of Faith.'"

As you can see from the cover illustration, the tower on the right depicts symbols of: the Eucharistic Sacrifice, Abraham, ex cathedra declarations, the sacraments, and others therein - representing the construction of the Tower of Faith.

Similarily with the tower of Morals - John Meehan describes:

"The architectural plan of the tower of morals is found in the order of Creation. Due to the Original Sin of Adam and Eve, the construction of this tower required "hands-on" experience and supernatural intervention. Thus, the erection of the tower of morals proceeded ever so slowly during a near 3,000-year course of Western history. Cost overruns, as it were, came from a long record of unjust laws imposed by a variety of oppressive political regimes and a lack of cultural consensus regarding right ethical behavior. To complete construction of this tower, a common codification of Church and secular law was necessary if the tower of morals was to settle into a recognizable hall of legal justice. The Judeo-Christian system of organizing and directing public and private life by way of Divine Law and the natural law is the foundation supporting the edifice. The administration of just laws is its framework. Human statutes are its exterior covering. Equal protection under law is its interior activity."

The tower depicted on the left (of the cover) shows: Eve (and therefore Original Sin); the last six commandments which are the foundation of our justice system and the human law represented by the 'balance'. The stormy background represents the slow and 'stormy' process described by Mr. Meehan to construct this 'tower' of morals.

Even if I weren't the publisher (and dependent on the sales to eat supper next month), I would highly recommend this book. Let's put it this way. Back in the Fall of 2004, it was not my intent to publish original works for some time (years) as they do take more effort (and capital) than reprints generally do. But upon receiving and reading this manuscript last Fall, I became finally convinced that Vatican II was inspired by the Holy Spirit - and that the documents of Vatican II must be implemented (note that I am claiming that for a large part they have not been implemented as yet.) for the New Springtime to come - this includes the role of the laity and the renewal of the Liturgy discussed in the Vatican II documents.

I know some of my readers may disagree with my beliefs on Vatican II and will disagree with the conclusions of Two Towers. However, it should be given fair hearing. Perhaps 'traditionalists' will either understand better what caused the upheaval in the Church in the last 40 years or at least understand better the viewpoint of those who don't think Vatican II was the problem (and even believe it may be the solution.)

I have been on both sides of the this anguish. Sometimes Mrs. Curley and I feel we can find no compatriots in the Church - because our friends on one side are traditionalists who close their minds to anything that doesn't support the 1962 Missal; and on the other side we have those who say they embrace Vatican II - but in reality embrace a smoke screen of what has been sold as Vatican II but in reality is abusive experimentation, Modernist theories, lack of reverence, sliding morals, etc. But to our consolation, we do stand with our Holy Father Benedict XVI, recalling his words during his first homily as Pope:

"I too, as I start in the service that is proper to the Successor of Peter, wish to affirm with force my decided will to pursue the commitment to enact Vatican Council II, in the wake of my predecessors and in faithful continuity with the millennia-old tradition of the Church. Precisely this year is the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of this conciliar assembly (December 8, 1965). With the passing of time, the conciliar documents have not lost their timeliness; their teachings have shown themselves to be especially pertinent to the new exigencies of the Church and the present globalized society. " (italics added).

From the small holding in Bethune...

Oremus pro invicem!

Yesterday I saw the future of the Church in America

Yesterday afternoon we had a covered dish (pot luck supper for non-Southerners) and May crowning of the Blessed Virgin with both the 'American' and the 'Hispanic' parishioners at our parish. Not too many of the 'Americans' showed up. The 'Hispanic' parishioners are mostly young families - with children. We don't see too many young families with children in our rural parishes.

We had a great time. We ate; played wiffle ball for an hour, (somehow my team was crushed). Then we processed around the church property saying the rosary (alternating between English and Spanish decades - Oh surely Latin begged to be used here. Unfortunately few know the Ave and Pater Noster in the Latin). During the last decade we entered the Church. We each presented a flower to our Lady and young girl named Maria crowned her. We sang a few hymns (some English/some Spanish - again Latin would have brought us together.)

My daughter was trying to teach us some rudimentary phrases in Spanish on the way there yesterday. She (who has taken 2 years in college) says she exhausted her vocabulary in about 20 minutes.

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We lost a hen this weekend. She laid our biggest eggs, but her production had been down a little the past few weeks, (4-5 eggs a week instead of one a day). Friday (I am told) she didn't walk around much and didn't seem to want to eat. Saturday she was in bad shape. We isolated her - but she died quickly. Because of the swiftness of the death we are really unsure of the cause - usually chicken sickness and death is a little slower - from my reading.

My oldest son dug a hole to bury her. We are concerned about coyotes digging up dead animals so I told him to make the hole deep enough. He dug a deep hole, then jumped in to see how deep it was. Well, it was so deep he had to yell for help to get out.

Against all my advice, the kids had named this hen. Since all chickens will eventually end up in the pot - unless killed by predators or disease, I have warned them not to name even the hens. But somehow this one got a name. Thus some wanted a funeral. I compromised and allowed them to sing "Happy Trails to you" as I dumped her (insensitively, I am told) into the hole.

The rest of the flock looks well, but we will keep a sharp eye on them for the time being.

From the small holding in Bethune ...

Oremus pro invicem!