In Saturday's post I said something about making a shoe rack for our side porch. Never happened. We had another project which took more of the day than I anticipated-but I will share it (sorry no picture). We had bought a crucifix as a gift for our friend's daughter who is heading off to college. It was unclear whether the college dorm would allow a crucifix (or anything else) be nailed to the walls, so we wanted something versatile. We could buy a crucifix on a stand, but we like some of the wall hanging ones better and again versatility was a factor.

So I decided to buy the crucifix we wanted and make a stand so it could be used either way. The crucifix was mahogany, and fortunately I had some scraps of the same in the shop from some years ago projects. Here's what we did (the boys were helping where possible):

1. cut 2 pieces (~3x5") to stack on top of each other.
2. Before stacking, drilled almost 20 1/4 inch holes (depth ~ 1/2 inch) in the base piece.
3. Filled holes with lead shot from our fishing gear. We flattened the shot first so it could be packed tightly. We wanted some weight to the stand.
4. Glued and clamped the two 3 x 5 pieces together, matching grain directions on the ends.
5. We beveled the front of the stand at about 25 degrees.
6. Drilled two 1/2" diameter holes through the center of the base directly (about a 1/4 inch apart) next to each other, and then cleaned out the excess would with a chisel. This is the space the crucifix is placed in.
7. Sand until smooth like glass.
8. Stain (in our case cherry) to match crucifix as closely as possible.
9. Apply final finish. Usually I would use a polyeurothane varnish-apply several coats sanding with 0000 steel wool in between coats, and this is the best way. But I was pressed for time. By this time it was after dinner and the gift needed to be ready for Sunday. Further, varnish may not cure as fast as it should in the weather we were having. So I opted for a clear laquer spray from Minwax. Drys in 30 minutes and doesn't need sanding between coats. However, you pay a bit-it doesn't come out so smooth either.

Good project. Wish I had a picture to share.

Ponderings on blessings and sufferings

This morning I was up pretty early and got an hour or two of patent application work done. Then it was time to fill some book orders. One was just picking the books and packing them. Another we had to print some of the books. You know we print, stitch (staple), fold and trim some of the small booklets we sell. If a booklet really starts to make a hit, we will then go get it printed. We're pretty conservative in our projections. I must have personally printed, stapled, and trimmed almost 2000 copies of The Chapel Veil before I was convinced we'd be able to sell a bunch more and got it professionally printed.

In those early days my printer didn't do double-sided copies, so I would print 50-100 copies of page 1 and then re-load it in the printer for page 2, etc. Now I have a great workhorse which does double-sided automatically (Brother HL5250DN). We loved getting those orders for 50-100 copies or more, cause it meant we could eat. But boy I dreaded those same big orders; by the end of stapling 200 copies, my back would be killing me.

We had another booklet which I almost sent out for printing after I had done about 1200 copies. Fortunately I didn't, because in the next year, we didn't sell more than about 25 or so after the first 1200.

Today I was filling an order for 25 booklets we print ourselves, not too bad. But I was printing an order of 200 of another booklet. We had a quality problem due to a defect in the drum. Fortunately I caught it before too many booklets were printed.

At this point, I've just returned from the post office, shipping out a couple orders. I have to change the toner in the printer before finishing the printing job on that 200. But I am sipping a beer, so I'll finish it up tomorrow.

I was reminded (in an opposite sort of way) of the joy and relief (and thanks to God) we used to experience in the past (and even today at times) when those big booklet orders would come in when this morning I read of the despair which accompanied the potato famine in Ireland. I am still reading The Silent People (see post somewhere below) by Walter Macken. The Irish (most of whom didn't own their land and if they didn'tt have a crop they would not make rent and would be evicted-no mercy here) have just gone through the first winter after the first year of blight. It is July and everything is looking good. Then one morning:

And so he was crying, 'They are gone! They are gone!'. the replies to him were like an echo in the valley. They saw other men in the fields. It was five o'clock in the morning. and they paused and heard and ran to their own fields behind the house, and could not believe their eyes. For the green fields were blasted to death. The strong stalks and the broad leaves were lying like brown muck on the ground, and the same smell was with them that had been there last year. They were blighted to death. Every single stalk. It was no use going digging with your fingers. You didn't have to look under the stalkes to know. You knew what wasn't there. It couldn't be true. Not now! After all the sacrifice! After all the pain! After all the beggary! No again!

There was a silent wail went up from the valley that would have drowned the highest wind, if men had the strength to shout it.

.....It cannot be so. Where was God, they asked? What is He doing to us? What have we done to deserve this? Wasn't one year enough? Were there not enough of us eliminated from the face of the earth like much scraped off with a shovel? They would not forget this day.

After reading this, our petty struggles a couple years ago and last year seem trivial. God is good. God is with us even if we don't understand His plan. This is a hard lesson to learn-that you must conform yourself to God's will not the other way around.

Oremus pro invicem!

So yesterday one of our neighbors comes by. He has some dead chickens and saw a yellow lab-type dog in the area the morning of the chicken raid. Just wanted to let me know as he knows I have a yellow lab-type dog. He's not sure its mine, but just wanted to let me know before he did anything.

Now on one hand it could be mine. Bunny has killed our chickens. On the other hand, I don't think she has been roaming (can't keep her in the pen-she jumps over) of late. Several weeks ago she started to run with a couple wild dogs. But we took care of the problem. I don't believe she's left our property since we returned from MA on the 6th. But ..... once a dog tastes chicken, its almost impossible to cure it.

Of course keeping friendly relations with our neighbors is more important than any dog.

Will let you all know how things develop.

Oremus pro invicem!

In the Mail ...

... the spring/summer Catholic Men's Quarterly. You know I am a fan of this magazine-it is the only one I make a point to link to on my sidebar. (Not that CMQ is the only one worth reading-there are several). Haven't started in on this issue yet-I got it from the P.O. box only 10 minutes ago.

But I did have time to note an add in the front cover: now you can get CMQ gear: here. Personally I think I may like the large coffee cup or the hat.

More later... Oremus pro invicem!

For today....

Was telling someone yesterday how our buck (rabbit) had choked on a piece of carrot and died. She said, "That's nothing. We had a thirsty goose who went after some water in a tall bucket, fell in head first, and drowned.

Yesterday I spent the day with patent agent hat on. Today I will be a woodworker. We are making a cubbyhole-type bookcase unit to house shoes on our side porch. If we've been in the chicken coop and like places, we try not to track that in the house. The current situation (throw your shoes anywhere) is okay in the winter, cause if they pushed off the porch you can find them in the barren ground. But in the summer, the 4 o'clocks are so full, you don't know what you will find if you go searching in the bushes. (We don't have chickens at the moment, but are getting ready to try them again.

Read the following poem this morning (couldn't link to it properly, but it is from Long-Skirts- am sure she won't mind me reproducing the whole thing):

BEER

My cup runneth over
With debts and big bills.

My cup runneth over…
Insurmountable hills.

My cup runneth over
With worries and fear –

Dear Lord, no more cups -
Just a cold mug of beer!

Got some work to do (shipping a couple books) before the sun properly rises.

Oremus pro invicem!

Homeschooling

A couple years ago when my daughter was home on vacation from college, she commented that of all the homeschooled kids at school she knew (and at Christendom College there are plenty) she was the only one (or one of the only ones) who didn't get all "A's" in high school. In fact her friends sort of thought it was weird that her parents wouldn't give her all "A's". This surprised me. I thought we Catholic homeschoolers were an ethical bunch. My daughter was a pretty good student, but not all A's. In fact her college grades were almost identical to her high school grades. This gave us some comfort that the grades we gave were a fair assessment of her work.

I think some homeschooling parents make their child retake tests or whatever evaluation is used until they get an "A"-meaning they've mastered the material-I guess that is fine. But I'm sure this is not the case for all homeschoolers. I mean you have to move on eventually. I think other homeschooling parents just give their kids "A's", and thus colleges have to rely on SAT scores.

And what of people like us who try to grade fairly? Does a college then think my kids are dopes because even though they are homeschooled they don't have all A's? What to do?

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I have had a few years off from formal teaching of my children. I usually start helping out in the high school years. My daughter finished a few years ago and now my oldest son is entering high school. I will be tutoring him in history (Ancient Civ), religion (can't remember the subject at the moment), and math. I am looking forward to the next 4 years.

Oremus pro invicem!

Huh?

Fox news reports:

WASHINGTON — A new threat assessment headed for the White House says Al Qaeda is "better positioned to strike the West," but President Bush insists the terror network is not as strong as it was before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Details of the report revealed by an unnamed counterterrorism official who revealed its contents to The Associated Press said Al Qaeda is "considerably operationally stronger than a year ago" and has "regrouped to an extent not seen since 2001."

"They are showing greater and greater ability to plan attacks in Europe and the United States," the official said. The group also has created "the most robust training program since 2001, with an interest in using European operatives," the official quoted the report as saying.

So what have we been doing the last 6 years? Am I niave? Should I have expected better results? I understand the difficulties-we are not fighting a country, but I can't help but think the war in Iraq (which I predicted would go almost EXACTLY they way it has gone) has taken our focus away from the real target. Even if only half true, this is a terrible indictment on President Bush's tenure.

Odds and Ends

In our area (Kershaw County-but not in Columbia, SC) you stay somewhere, you don't live somewhere. For example, a person does not say, "I live in Bethune". They would say, "I stay in Bethune." And you don't ask someone where they live; you ask them where they stay. Personally, I can't get used to it. I do my living wherever I am staying....

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MacClouds Peach Farm in McBee (prounounced MacBee) is a big deal out here. They have more peaches than anyone else (and although Georgia is known as the peach state, SC actually grows more). They also sell cantaloupe, watermelon, blackberries, peppers, well everything. They also sell ice cream and and have free antique museum. Mostly the museum has old cars, trucks and tractors. But they also have old wood planes (in useable condition), windup phonographs, washing machines, washboards, wringers, you name it-anything old. Unfortunately none are demonstrated-you can't play a record for instance. Some of the wood planes I would love to use-I have a couple myself. But we go every time we get peaches-like we did today. (We won't get our own this year because we lost all the buds to a late frost.)

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Earlier we went up to the town of Patrick to a junk yard to get a new vent window for the big van. The latch had broken. The dealership wanted $90 + tax for a new one. (The give you the whole window). I got one up in Patrick for a about a 1/3 of the price in about a 30 minute wait. Not too bad. I remember sitting all afternoon in a junk yard outside of Camden a couple years ago when I wanted to replace the headlight module on the mini-van after Mrs. Curley killed a deer with it.

Walking, hats, and torturing your wife

We have a new routine this summer. I am of course up before dawn as usual. I get the kids and Mrs. Curley up a point past dawn-usually around 7:00 AM. After a quick prayer the kids all go weed the garden(s) (and after being a way for 10 days it really needs it) while Mrs. Curley & I walk. Its a cardo-vascular thing you know.

I used to run in the mornings when we lived in the city. I would run our neighborhood streets at 5:30 every morning. When it rained or was very cold, I would run in place in front of the TV watching the morning news. Out here, I really can't run the roads as they are too thin and the speed limit too fast to my liking. The cornfields are too sandy. So I walk. Its probably better for my aging knees anyway.

After we finish walking, I come up to the office to start or finish something. Mrs. Curley prepares breakfast, and the kids continue to weed until breakfast is ready. This way the weeding gets done every day-but in the cool (if that exists) of the day, and Mrs. Curley & I get some time and exercise without feeling we stealing time from other places. So far it has worked well. We started before our jaunt to Massachusetts at the end of last month and were able to pick it up again now that we are home.

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People who know me well or see me often, know I am not too fashion conscious, but they also know there are two things they will most likely see me with/in: a sweater vest and a hat. (Some people say that I wear a hat to torture Mrs. Curley-but its not true.) All this to introduce a picture I came across which shows I came by my habit of wearing hats honestly and at a young age.

I am the little fellow in the striped shirt with the hat (not the Indian headress). Some of my siblings and I are gathered around my Grandmother at my old home in MA. I wear similar hats to this day.

And now about torturing Mrs. Curley-wearing my hat may be torture for Mrs. Curley, but that is not the intent. But, this brings to mind HT Webster who was a cartoonist (NYTimes) in the early to middle part of the 20th century. He had a number of 'series', one of which as called "How to torture your husband", and another called "How to torture your wife." My mother did have a copy of "The Best of HT Webster". I was looking for it this past week when visiting, but it seems that she has given it away to one of my siblings. I wanted to show Mrs. Curley some of the cartoons from this series. Here is one I found on-line from the cover of one of his collections:

Have a great day. More on the topics posted below later. -- Oremus pro invicem!

Hadn't seen this one before...

Came across this one (Thomas More pic) from a book in the Gutenberg Project (I didn't note the title. Will have to go back and find it again.)

Had more rabbit and corn yesterday. Both delicious.

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Oh and here is a quote which may be possible to use in any liturgical music wars you may be engaged in:

For someone like me, who was interested in both the spiritual and intellectual grounding of the Christian faith, I didn't need the "folk Mass" with cute nuns and hip priests playing Kumbaya with guitars, tambourines and harmonicas. And it was all badly done. After all, we listened to the Byrds, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan, and we knew the Church just couldn't compete with them. But that's what the Church offered to the young people of my day: lousy pop music and a gutted Mass. If they were trying to make Catholicism unattractive to yo9ung and inquisitive Catholics, they were succeeding. [Francis Beckwith in the July 2007 CWR]

Now the guitars, harmonicas, and tambourines are mostly gone-but the music remains.

There is a discussion here and here about buying at discount stores. (Discussion starts about buying at a "Goodwill" or thrift shop and migrates to the Wal-marts of the world). It finally becomes a discussion about buying Chinese goods and how small family businesses can compete. More discussion about that topic (and the ethics of a Catholic store buying Chinese goods) here.

I have never had a problem shopping at thrift stores. Part of "Goodwill's" mission is to provide a place where people can learn how to work retail, not just to provide quality used products to the less fortunate. With a large family and one income, even in better economic days, I never felt any guilt shopping at a Goodwill.

Now, Wal-Mart is a different story. Wish I could say I never shop there, but again, today's economy sometimes makes these decisions difficult. I remember when at the entrance to Wal-Mart there would be a huge sign proclaiming "Proudly Made in the USA". Now the sign is gone and very little there doesn't come from China. I am glad that there is no Wal-Mart too close, but even so we still shop there.

You can read about the concerns over toothpaste, pet food, and produce now coming from China and other places overseas. America can't compete on those prices, but it is a product of 'we want everything now'. We don't care if its junk as long as we can have it now. We are materialistic. Yet we don't want to pay much either.

Now there are a couple ways I could go on this post now. One way is talk about what we are trying to do at Bethany. Or I could very easily go into government control of say healthcare (I want everything now and don't want to be bothered with the details, so government can control all aspects of my life.) or I could talk about the book publishing business and how discounts, large distributors, and the like contribute to the demise of small independent publishers like ourselves .

However, I have run out of time this morning, so I will continue the discussion over the next few days, hitting these and other topics.

Oremus pro invicem!

Yesterday our neighbor stopped by with some squash. He also left a bag and told our boys to go down and gather corn from the field by his house. The racoons were eating it all so he wanted it to go to some good use. It did last night-the most delicious corn you ever tasted.

Finished the last Walter Macken novel and am now reading the second in his Irish history trilogy (of course I am reading them backwards, but they do stand alone.) This one is about the years of famine in the 19th century. This one is also borrowed from my sister. I always steal a book or two on my way through.

Of course I am still reading John Senior's "Death of Christian Culture"; brought it on vacation with me, but never opened it. It always seems that something my sister has on her shelf is more appealing to me than what is in my bag.

We are still recovering from our trip north. Most bags are unpacked, but not packed away. I am still recovering from my year of teaching. (The nightmares have not stopped, but I no longer have the shakes in the morning.- Ha! Ha! am joking.) I have a stack of 'non-pressing' but unanswered correspondence from the past few months-most of them book queries. Lots of work to do.

Was contemplating blogging in general the other day. For some, it is a commentary on world or local happenings and/or cultural issues. For others it is more of an online diary. BethuneCatholic used to be a mix, but it has become more of a diary in recent months. It is not that I lack opinion on political/cultural issues, but opinion does take more time to write properly and that has been lacking around here in recent months.

Euphoria in Catholic blogosphere over the Motu Proprio is visible in many places. Some have celebrated by putting up some great pictures. I wonder what this will mean for our diocese. Bishop Baker has allowed the traditional Mass as long as there is a priest and congregation. Before he came, there were none (authorized that is) in the diocese. We have a weekly Mass already in the Charleston, SC area by a diocesian priest. There is a weekly traditional Mass in the Greenville area also, (don't know where the priest who celebrates the Mass is from.) Columbia has a monthly Mass from the FSSP.

Remember the fashion poll and free book offer in Saturday's post (which is actually dated today since I am leaving it on top).

Oremus pro invicem!

Poll and free book offer!!!!!!

You all need to settle an argument for Mrs. Curley and me. As an incentive for weighing in, I will give away either a copy of John Meehan's Two Towers, or Dr. William May's memoirs, Standing with Peter (read about these and other fine books: here) to all participants. [To get your free book, email me here i.e the the contact page on the Requiem Press website; just mention you participated in the poll, give your book choice, and name and shipping address.]

Okay, here's the question. In the picture below of Mrs. Curley and myself (taken many years ago when I had less pounds and more hair) does my outfit match, ie. the red shirt and sky blue coat? Don't want to bias anyone, so I won't say what I think-although I would bet many can guess...

What say you all? Do I match? (Poll will remain open and on top of the blog through Monday evening.)

Well, I read the translation of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (here). It is short and of limited scope. The MP does not seem to anticipate that the 'freeing of the 1962 Missal' is going to change much...

Here is how I see the evolution (for what it is worth). I note that religious orders and institutes have more freedom in requesting and using the 1962 Missal. This will be the main growth area and consequently those communities frequenting these religious order liturgies will be most affected by the 'freeing'. The main outgrowth of use, and ultimately the impetus for a revised missal (which takes the good of the 1962 and the 1970 missals) will come mainly from this avenue. Although certainly, the parishes which are allowed to be set up with the use of the 1962 Missal will also figure in this movement.

I just hope that traditional Catholics will work charitably with those who are 'attached' to the 1970 Missal in their parishes so that this can be a point of increased faith and unity and not disunity and fracture among good-hearted people as I have seen in places over similar issues.

Thanks be to God for this development and to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for this letter.

Oremus pro invicem!

It is good to be home at Bethany

We arrived home today at 1:00 PM-leaving the DC area at 6:00 AM. Yesterday we traveled from Otis, MA to my sister's place in the DC area. No traffic or problems on either leg. Boy, it is good to be home after a couple days in the car.

Never got to either shrine mentioned in my post below, nor to the Divine Mercy Shrine mentioned in the comments (thanks Alicia)-even though we were a mere 15 miles from the latter. Everything was just too crunched together-even though we did extend our visit by 2-3 days.

We were worried about the garden while gone, but not to worry. It did rain some while we were gone. The corn is looking good; the tomatoes excellent, the peppers good, and the rest... well we shall see what a little tender card can do.

Much to do...Oremus pro invicem!

Spent a couple days with my brother and family in NH. Had a great there and at my mother's birthday party (75) on Saturday. Now we are at my mother's house in MA. This morning we visited my Dad's grave (also my Grandmother's) and said the rosary there as a family.

More visiting with family today and tomorrow. We hope to be home by the end of the week. (Gout-if that was what it was-is almost gone completely). We may visit the La Salette Shrine this week or the Fatima Shrine. We shall see. Both are within a half an hour or so.

Last night we visited with a family friend and priest from the Boston Diocese. Always a pleasure to talk with Fr. Tom. He married two of my sisters, my brother, and buried my father. Pray for him and all priests in their vocation of bringing us the sacraments. Fr. Tom spent time with my oldest son last night showing him how to pray the Office of Readings.

Finally, remember the special at Requiem Press. (See a post below ~22 June, or go to our website).

Oremus pro invicem!

What I am reading on vacation ...

Never read anything by Walter Macken before, but he is a favorite of one of my sisters. (We have "Seek the Fair Land" by him about Cromwell's persecution in Ireland-but I have never read it.) This one (The Scorching Wind) is about the rising (in Ireland) in 1916. All are historical novels. So far my judgement is good. I will be reading the others when this one is done.

We are in the Berkshires at my in-laws. I am nursing what appears to be a case of gout (a new thing for me.) I can see how a writer may want to have a retreat out here. It is peaceful and quiet (and while hot-it cools down at night, unlike SC).

Oremus pro invicem!

Doings...

Monday we went to the Immaculate Conception Shrine in Washington DC and then on to the Franciscan Monastery down the street. I always like the latter better. My mother used to play on those grounds as a child and I believe my Grandfather is buried on the grounds. Both were a bit of a disappointment this year. We missed the last tour and therefore the catacombs at the Franciscan Monastery. Both had construction going on and both gift shops were closed. We got to the Monastery too late to enjoy the grounds either. But did see some wonderful statues and altars (I like the classic Franciscan Monastery works better than the more modern statutes at the Shrine.) And we got to pray.

Mrs. Curley and I barely navigated the city (once with the timely help of a truck driver I cut off trying to make an exit I missed) as we went in on a whim as we passed through.

Now we are in MA visiting family. My mom's 75th birthday party is this coming weekend. Will post as I have the chance.

By the way, the pictures are a dome painting from the Immaculate Conception Shrine and the Calvary Altar at the Franciscan Monastery.

Oremus pro invicem!

We are on the road, now at my sister's place with a dial-up connection, so I will make this quick for the moment. I present two quotes, but must warn readers-especially if you are mentioned in the quote, they are out of context-but too hilarious to pass by.

From Mrs. Curley on why she didn't avail herself of the sacrament of confession at the Franciscan Monastery:

"I wanted to wait to go to confession until after our visit at my parent's house."

And another gem from Mrs. Curley after spending some time in prayer at the same Franciscan Monastery:

"I told God, 'You're a hoot'! (context unknown)

Adventures are abounding; will give details sometime soon.

Oremus pro invicem!

Read this post from The Deliberate Agrarian- especially the first part. After reading Mr. Kimball's blog for the past year or so, I think he and I have a lot in common and see life through some of the same eyes. Mr. Culbreath one time mentioned that Mr. Kimball would make a good Catholic. I certainly agree-and realize that he is closer than he thinks.

Remember our deal a couple posts below in honor of the just past feast of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More. Don't pass up an offer this good!

Posts may be scarce or short the next couple days as I will be out and about a bit. (Details later.)

Oremus pro invicem!

Praised be to God

The body of Joshua Dorchak was found and lifted from the water at Lake Jocasse today at around noon. (hat tip to the anonymous commenter below.) See more details here & here

more More

Another Holbein portrait on the left. At Chelsea below.

Remember the great deal at Requiem Press detailed in the post below in honor of today's feast.

St. John Fisher, ora pro nobis!

St. Thomas More-ora pro nobis!

For the feast of Sts. Thomas More & John Fisher

As mentioned in the post below, tomorrow is the feast of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More-the latter of which is one of my favorites and inspirations. Therefore, starting tonight and through the 4th of July, Requiem Press is offering "Witnesses to the Holy Mass and other sermons" (see short reviews below) at an unprecedented discount of $4.00 plus $1.50 S&H (which by the way, doesn't cover the S&H). This book is about Cardinal John Fisher and Sir Thomas More and other martyrs for the Mass, for Papal supremacy, and the Faith of our fathers. If you haven't read it, get it for yourself. If you have, get it for a friend. It is a book which will inspire and recharge your spiritual life. Here's a couple quick reviews:

Witnesses is an extraordinary book about love and sacrifice for the Eucharist! Reading it will inspire a greater devotion to the Catholic faith, especially the Mass. Once I began reading, I couldn’t put it down. Once I finished, I couldn¹t wait to share it with others… Having read the book, I feel a greater desire to defend my faith even unto death. Thank you!- Dede Laugesen, Director, Holy Baby! DVDs and President, The Rosary Project-

"The gripping stories recounted will inspire not only a devotion to these saints, but also a renewed passion for the holy Mass that these holy men and woment shed their blood to preserve." - The Catholic Answer-March/April 2005

So you see, it is a book you have to have. Spread the word!

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Finally, let us not forget to continue our prayers for the Dorchak family. A funeral Mass will be said for Joshua later this week. Details here.

Oremus pro invicem!

Don't have much time this morning, but will let you in on a preview of what is coming....

Tomorrow, June 22nd, is one of my favorite saint feasts in the year-Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More. In their honor Requiem Press will have an internet only special on for the next week-which I will get on the website and announce later today-so check back.

We have planned to release a short sketch (reprint of a work never published on this side of the pond) of St. Thomas More this summer. It is a little behind schedule, but God-willing may make an appearance before the fall.

Just to get us in the mood for this feast, here is a sketch Thomas More's family (Holbein). Quite appropriate as he is the patron of large families-among other things.

Oremus pro invicem!

A good thing to remember ...

Found at The Curt Jester

Our “success” or “failure” as a parish is not measured by how we feel or how much money we raise or how many activities we can arrange. The true success of all our endeavours in the Church will be measured by how many of us are saved and go to heaven. A consequence of this view of “success” in a parish is that all our activities should be directed towards this final end. (Read the rest of Fr. Tim Finigan's homily here .)

The Curt Jester follows this up later with a post on parish mission statements. I think he is right on as to the origin and usefulness (in most cases) of these things-especially when it concerns a parish.

Changing topics, read this on what a true Christian culture may look like in practice:

Let’s have a little fantasy, shall we? Suppose that the city fathers decided to declare St. Isidore the city’s patron saint and to have a city-wide festival in his honor on the 15th of May. The day would begin with a Mass attended by all the city dignitaries. Then a solemn procession with St. Isidore’s statue from the parish church to the steps of city hall. The mayor would dress as St. Isidore and his wife as St. Mary la Cabeza and they would publicly thank St. Isidore for his patronage. A priest would then ascend the steps of city hall and invoke the saint’s intercession in securing God’s blessing over the town and, especially, the city government in the persons of the mayor and his cabinet.

This followed by games, dancing, feasting, merriment - the works.

Okay, so we can't have this in most places...but we can put a Catholic culture in the face of the secular. Parishes and even groups of Catholic families can have these celebrations in the public square. Culture will be transformed through God's grace working through the striving for personal holiness and the domestic Church. So gather with friends and family and parish-pray the rosary and march in the streets to honor our Blessed Mother, the feast of Corpus Christi (these processions are making a comeback), St. Thomas More (feast coming up) or as above-St. Isadore. Put it in your heart and then take it to the streets.

Oremus pro invicem!

Tonight's Dinner

Update: It was good! We grilled the rabbit-basting it with a garlic/butter sauce. Our neighbor had just brought over some squash, so Mrs. Curley made a baked squash casserole to go with the potatoes and rabbit. Everyone enjoyed it. (I marinated it overnight in beer with a little water and salt.) One down, two to go. We will probably cook the next one differently, but we'll see.

Last evening, number one son and I finally did what we should have done several months ago-we butchered our remaining rabbits. As avid readers of this blog (ha! ha!-I must humor myself) may recall, we tried unsuccessfully to raise rabbits. Our particular does all made poor mothers. Several months ago our buck died after choking on a carrot. (You see how our luck goes in these things.) So really, we had no purpose to keep the does hanging around, but time (or rather my lack thereof) delayed their demise-until yesterday.

Actually the process is pretty easy once you know what you are doing. The first one took us a while to dress (paunch), but that was because I was too cautious with the knife. The second and third went like clockwork-actually easier to clean than chickens.

I used John Seymour's "The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It" as my guide for skinning and butchering.

Tonight we will eat some rabbit and see how we like it. If we do, I (and my Henry .22) will put some more on the table in the fall when rabbit season opens.

Now we need to figure out how to dry and use the rabbit fur....Stay tuned.

Finally, continue to keep the Dorchak family in your prayers, and see if you can help out in their search to recover their son. See here and here for updates and how you can help.

Oremus pro invicem!

this is later ...

Had family in last week for the Confirmation. It was great catching up on family news. I do have a couple topics to write on, but it will be a few days as I have some catching up to do with some of the other work I am doing to keep the food on the table here.

Also must decide within the next day or two whether to take another job for the fall which will once again take me away from home (and away from needed attention to Requiem Press.) Please pray we will decide according to the will of God.

Oremus pro invicem!

Come Holy Spirit ...

Two sons were confirmed last night along with our CCD class in an absolutely beautiful Catholic Mass by the Most Reverand Robert J Baker STD.

Had dinner with our pastor and Bishop Baker before Mass. We discussed many topics including the recent sad events at Lake Jocasse and Requiem Press.

Much to do today. Will check in later.

Oremus pro invicem!

Varia

I know I have not written a proper post in some time. I have been so busy doing things, I haven't had time to write about them. We've been planting, fixing cars, replacing window sills, putting new bathroom floors in, taking 'care of' wild dogs, as well as getting some consulting work done, going on job interviews, and doing work for Requiem Press.

Most importantly, we are getting ready for Confirmation of two sons and our CCD class.

Several times I have considered going on a "formal" blogfast as I sort everything out. Big decisions to make this week once Confirmation is over.

In the meantime, I will leave you all with #475 from The Way:

You realize you are weak. And so, indeed you are. In spite of all that-rather, because of it-God has sought you. He always uses inadequate instruments so that the work may be seen to be his. From you he asks only docility.

Oremus pro invicem!

PS-Remember prayers.... The search for Joshua continues.

So our faith must be living-a faith which makes us really believe in God and keep up a continuous conversation with him. A Christian life should be one of constant prayer, trying to live in the presence of God from morning to night and from night to morning. A Christian can never be a lonely man, since he lives in continual contact with God, who is both near us and in Heaven. (from Christ is Passing By - St. Josemaria Escriva)

I especially like that last line: "A Christian can never be a lonely man"

Prayers still needed: The search for Joshua Dorchak is still ongoing.

Prayers Please ....

Further Update: They haven't found Joshua yet. Here is an updated story from Channel 7 news in Greenville. Please continue to pray for the Dorchak family:

A three year old boy and the sailboat he was on with his father are still missing on Lake Jocassee this afternoon. Search efforts continue, with searchers using underwater sonar to locate the boat and victim.

James Dorchak of Greer was with his son, Joshua, on the sailboat his son called "Pooh Bear" yesterday afternoon when the boat capsized and went underwater. Rescue workers were able to rescue James, but Joshua's lifejacket became tangled up in the boat's rigging, dragging him under. The incident took place about 2:00pm on Friday.

A family spokesman told News Channel 7 this afternoon that James and Joshua sailed on "Pooh Bear" almost weekly, and all was fine until the weather turned bad. James Dorchak served in the Navy and was an experienced sailor and swimmer. The family is setting up a memorial fund in Joshua's name at Greer State Bank.

Oconee County Rescue Squads and Dive Team joined the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in the search, and a crew from the sheriff's office in Charleston is on scene with the with sonar equipment.

Rodney Burdette of the Oconee County Emergency Management Agency says they're not exactly sure, but believe the boat flipped over because of high winds due to a storm moving through at the time of the accident. Burdette says because of the lake's location, storms form quickly, and can overwhelm even experience boaters.

Officials say the water in the area where the boat sank is 100 feet deep with a slope that goes down to 400 feet, making the search effort difficult.

Update: No news on the 3-year-old boy. The divers are being pulled from the water due to thunder storms. Continue to pray for the family. They are a good family. Mother is pregnant. A priest has come and they are surrounded by friends.

We were supposed to go to the SC/GA Catholic homeschoolers jamboree campout out at Devils Fork State Park this weekend. We cancelled at the last moment.

There is an ongoing crisis there...From the local news in Greenville:

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C.-- A 3-year-old boy went missing in a lake on the Oconee-Pickens County line after a boat he and his father were in overturned.

Investigators said around 2 p.m. Friday a father and son launched their sailboat near Devil's Fork Landing on Lake Jocassee. While sailing, a gust of wind flipped the boat over.

Both the father and the son were wearing life jackets. The boy's life jacket got caught on the boat riggings, investigators said.

The father frantically continued looking for his son while his boat sank, according to investigators.

Dive teams and other rescue crews were called to the scene and were searching for the missing boy.

We have talked to a couple people up there and the seach for the boy is ongoing. We know the family. Please pray for them.

Oremus pro invicem!

Garden Report

Planting was a little late here (some is still ongoing), but fortunately so as we had a cold spring with some late frosts. In fact we probably won't get peaches this year because we didn't cover the peach tree.

Tomatoes (and should have plenty) are looking good. We may over-fertilized the peppers, we shall see. Two crops which should be going gangbusters are not doing well: cucumber and zuccinni. We had trouble with both last year too.

We also have some corn growing quite well. Number one son planted a bunch of radishes and sunflowers yesterday. We will be planing beans also this week.

Don't know what we are going to do with the radishes, but we had seeds and plenty of room. I told Mrs. Curley that if need be we will be radish farmers if we can't get anything else to grow. Radishes are great confidence builders and give immediate (25 days) satisfaction. (By the way, if anyone knows some good recipes, sauces, or uses for radishes, let us know. I think we are going to have alot of them.)

An ex-Jesuit seminarian, ex-Christian writes:

No man will want to go to heaven if heaven is a place where we have to stand on needle-points before the Universal Emperor. Which soldier would like to always be in the presence of his commanding officer?

John Senior (in The Death of Christian Culture) replies:

The answer is, of course, the good soldier, and certainly the Jesuit soldier of Christ - custody of the heart, as St. Ignatius explains, is precisely standing, "always in the presence" of the Universal Emperor.

And to which I might add that the ex-seminarian seems to have a distorted view of God and fatherhood in general.

This is a test

Funny thing, my post this morning was very short-noting the addition of a couple links, etc. Blogger said it posted, but it didn't show up on my computer at home (nor did the added links.) Yet on the computer at school I saw both the links and the post. Home tonight-no links, no post. So I am trying this test to see if it comes through.

A couple new links (finally) on the sidebar. I'm sure I have forgotten one.

I have one more final exam to give today, and then I am basically free except for a couple administration type things. It has been an interesting year.... It is enough to say, my experiences this year confirm our decision to homeschool.

John Senior (may his soul rest in peace) has been quoted here at Bethune Catholic before, and recently has been quoted frequently on Stoney Creek Digest and Catholic Restorationists. Mostly he is quoted from his classic "Restoration of Christian Culture." But he wrote another book, less popular, but so far in my reading (I have it on loan), just as quoteable: "The Death of Christian Culture"(1978). Here is a sample:

But the chilling truth is that industriaism brings on a paralyzing gluttonny and greed in which the qualifity of life is quantified. Paradoxically, you cannot afford children in the affluent society. The world has never been so rich and wretched as in these air-conditioned Edens where another child would sap the payments on a second car. There is no population bomb today. Quite the opposite: the question is whether industrialized society can reproduce itself at all.

Just a few pages later, Dr. Senior writes:

According to this view [Keynes], all men will be happy and good only when all men are rich..... Boethius, awaiting execution in a cell under orders from the barbarian dictator, Theodoric, reflected on the enormously gross product of his empire and concluded that the satisfaction of desire would better be achieved by wanting less.....Wars are caused not by poor nations but by rich ones; and the greatest crimes are not the consequence of slums but quite the reverse: slums are caused by the genteel criminality that lurks in country clubs and yahts.

More to come... Oremus pro invicem!

I am not really back to posting yet really. I just wanted to note a couple things. First, Catholic Rrestorationists is discussing some important things in a great way. Wish I had written some of the things going on over there on Liturgy, Home Enthronement, Catholic view of government. I have wanted to comment on many items over there but haven't for lack of time.

Am behind on responding to emails and many other things. Hopefully I will catch up in the next week. School is over for me on Tuesday or Wednesday. Confirmation at our parish (Mrs. Curley & I are the instructors of this class) is another week or so away. So soon....

Never had so many things to write about and so little time.

Oremus pro invicem!

May he rest in peace ...

We lost another good one down here this week. Les Gallagher was a friend of my Dad's. During high school I often played tennis with my Dad and Mr. Gallagher. I believe Mr. Gallagher was a daily Communicant. I know he was dedicated to the Faith and to achieving holiness. He will be missed by his wife and three children.

Just like my Dad's sudden death, here is another lesson in being prepared, story below (courtesy of the Sun-Sentinel):

The Florida Highway Patrol identified Lester Gallagher, 84, of Palm Beach Gardens, as the bicyclist who died after being struck by a car Sunday on State Road A1A, south of PGA Boulevard.Gallagher was riding south in the bike lane on A1A, when he was rear-ended by a 2006 Sonata driven by Joseph Shields, 77, of Delray Beach, according to the highway patrol report. Shields was suffering from a diabetic seizure, caused by low blood sugar, when he drove into the bicycle lane striking Gallagher's Diamondback 12-speed. Gallagher was knocked off the bicycle, hit the windshield and then the roof before landing on the road in front of the car, which then drove over him, the report said.

Eternal rest grant to him O Lord. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

As you can see, postings have been either sparse, short, or both. The school year is in its final throes. Grading, making final exams, posting grades, etc. are taking much time.

But there is alot of other good stuff out there to read, so go to it.

In a week or two I will be spending more time on Requiem Press as well as other endeavors. By the way, I forgot to take the "Mother's Day Special" off the Chapel Veil booklet. So take advantage while it still lasts.

Don't think I will be teaching at our 'local' Catholic high school next year, so pray that we land on our feet again. I learned alot teaching in high school and about our Catholic schools. Some good, some bad. But all that is for another day-way down the road. Suffice to say, I like what we are doing here.

Oremus pro invicem!

Have you ever known someone who just seems to go around doing good for other people-I mean all the time, but in a totally natural (and humble) way. Not that these people are necessarily flawless, but that they always seem to be doing something for someone else; they always seem to be on hand to pick up the pieces, or do the favor, etc. We have been blessed to know several families like this in recent years.

Reminds me of the second half of Deus Caritas Est where Pope Benedict discusses the early Christian community.

Oremus pro invicem!

The Weekend

Update: It appears some of my car work did pay off over the weekend. I think the mini-van is back in action. Will have to see for sure tomorrow when I take it in to school.

Got the lawn mower fixed. Did a little car work-but didn't accomplish much. Only one of the cars is truly in good working order at the moment. I guess I will be spending a little more time underneath the hood...

Sunday, good friends came over for dinner-actually they brought most of it.

Spent some time talking to our 89 year old neighbor. He was reminincing about some of the changes he's seen in his life. One recent change is the price of corn. When he started farming at the end of WWII, price was about $3/bushel (I think it is per bushel). In recent years it has hovered between $2-$3 per bushel. This year it is pushing $4/bushel: ethanol. Rumor has it that an ethanol plant is slated for McBee (7 miles from here). I suppose this would boost the economy of the area (which is generally depressed) and rejuvanate the life of the farms around here.

We received a credit card offer in the mail the other day. The more we read the opening lines, the more we laughed:

You're pre-approved for a Platinum VISA card with a credit line of $200! Imagine shipping and dining at your favorite places in Bethune with the prestige of a Platinum VISA card.....

Just imagine, going into Mama's Kitchen or Dollar General, or the Exxon, or Trustworthy Hardware. (that's about the extent of shopping possibilities in Bethune), with the Platinum VISA-boy won't everyone be impressed.

Oremus pro invicem!

This is funny ...

From TS

You know you're way too much into blogging when you're in your boss's office and you have to stifle the impulse to ask him to repeat what he just said for bloggadocia purposes.

Mrs. Curley brought this faux antique sign back from Florida:

I'm thinking of bringing it to school tomorrow when I return the latest round of tests...

Need to get some work done. Oremus pro invicem!

Earlier today I treated you to a pic of my Henry .22 lever action rifle (here's another). Mr. Culbreath mentioned the other day at Stoney Creek Digest that he had a shotgun, but hadn't found much use for it. I tell you what, twice I could have used my Henry .22 on wild dogs who roamed in-two of which ate my chickens. I had to chase them off with the butt end of a BB-gun. Not anymore. A .22 will take down a dog (not to mention a deer if you're close enough and a good shot). But what I am really looking forward to is the fall: when it will be legal to hunt rabbit and squirrel.

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Prayers requested....As mentioned here before, I have been doing some teaching this year at the "local" (50 miles away) Catholic school. It has been more than 'some teaching'; I have been teaching full time since August. While the $ is certainly not making us rich, at least until the present gas woes, the job was stabilizing our economy here at Bethany, which had suffered a bit the last couple years when we were relying solely on Requiem Press (and the love of dear friends) for sustanance. This year has been a huge stress on the family, the long days and long commute-along with trying to keep Requiem Press' head above water in the meantime.

Fortunately during the year I have also picked up a couple consulting gigs which look like they may continue through the summer. So it is time to decide whether to teach another year, look for a job back in industry, or to try to make a go of it here with RP and some consulting work.

Personally, I hate to leave the Bethany homestead on any day-it has been hard to do so every morning-even if I do enjoy teaching after a fashion. I don't know if the consulting will be regular enough to take the place of that regular paycheck though. After a year, I think Mrs. Curley and I have found the regular paycheck may relieve some worry, but it doesn't make you happy. (Of course worry doesn't make you happy either. We have our way to go in trusting God-who has always come through-by the way, although not always how we have expected it.)

I was interviewed for the school newspaper last week and asked what my dream job would be. I gave a short answer, but would answer it more completely here: I would live right here and make wooden toys and furniture, be a local handy man while working my small acreage (and of course maybe reprinting a book or two here and there), and doing a little writing myself. I could work and teach my children and eat 3 meals a day with my family.

Now that that is said, I pray that Mrs. Curley and I can recognize and then embrace God's will for the Curley's in the coming year. Please do say a prayer for us, and we will say some for you too. Oremus pro invicem!

I'm still here ...

Busy time with the end of the school year. Please pray for our discernment on our plans for the coming year....

Don't have much time this morning, but I will leave you with this picture of a Henry .22 lever action:

Goodbye baloney!

Mrs. Curley and children have been in Florida visiting relations all week. They returned last night. I am ever so grateful. I was getting tired of a diet of baloney sandwiches (sometimes without the bread) and bananas. It is not that I can't cook (a little) or that I had no food around, I just don't want to take the time if its just me.

Once again ...

Was not called for jury duty. Don't know if it how I answered the questionaire or that they just didn't want me. Just as well-as the school year is winding down, I don't have much "extra" time.

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A couple things y'all should read: Yesterday on Catholic Exchange was this article by (one of my favorites) Russell Shaw. Here's how it starts:

Like a zombie trailing grave cloths through the halls of Congress, the Equal Rights Amendment, dead and buried this quarter-century, has come back to scare the living daylights out of us all. An icon for secular feminists that's coming up on its 85th anniversary next year, the ERA would lock abortion and, some believe, same-sex marriage into the Constitution far into the future.

and ends:

Too bad the nation, with better things to do, must fight this settled issue over again. But have no doubt — we must.

Wasn't contemplating this fight-and you know time has passed, people get used to an idea they hated before, and the battle is quickly lost.

*********************************

And, there is some good conversation going on at Stony Creek Digest on killing (or my preferred term, smashing) the TV. When I read John Senior's "Restoration of Christian Culture" a couple years back, (see my comments here and here and here among other places) I discussed the TV smashing angle and other things. Time to get that book back in print....

Oremus pro invicem!

Now reading ...

"Christ is Passing By" (Scepter Publishers) by St. Josemaria Escriva. This was one of my birthday presents. I had read much of this back in high school-but those days are so far past it is liking reading it anew.

These are homilies for throughout the liturgical year. Thus I started in the middle and am reading the homily for Easter.

Here is a piece:

I want to review with you briefly how Christ is alive today-"Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, and yes, forever"-because this is the basis for all Christian living. If we look at the course of human history, we will see progress and advances. Science has made man more aware of his power. Technology controls the world much more than in the past, helping men to reach their dream of a greater level of culture, unity, and material well-being.

Some people are perhaps inclined to tone down this optimism, reminding us that men still suffer injustice and wars, at times worse than those in the past. They may well be right. But, above and beyond these considerations, I prefer to remember that in the religious sphere man is still man and God is still God. In this sphere, the peak of progress has already been reached. And that peak is Christ, the alpha and omega, the beginning of all things and their end.

In the spiritual life, there is no new era to come. Everything is already there, in Christ who died and rose again, who lives and stays with us always.

Good stuff to think about.

Oh yes, a note about one of our books. In the week coming up to Mother's Day (this week) we have "The Chapel Veil-symbol of the spouse of Christ" on special for quantity purchases. Check it out.

Finally, I read that Greencastle passed through our neck of the woods this weekend. I have been meaning to add some links to my sidebar-and this is one of them.

Oremus pro invicem!

A special day ...

Yesterday we took 2 cars to Mass as my nephew and my father- and mother-in-law are staying with us for a few days. Mrs. Curley was in rare form behind the wheel....

First, she hit and killed a dove. Actually, she almost go two in one blow, but one of them escaped.

A couple miles later, she hit a squirrel.

If that wasn't enough, on the way home she hit ... a turtle? She dragged the turtle under the car several yards before spitting it out. After this, she pulled over and said "I'm done." My father-in-law drove the rest of the way home.

More importantly, yesterday my youngest son (along with 5 others) received his 1st Holy Communion.

And then the parish celebrated together. Oremus pro invicem!

Yesterday I took the day off from school to celebrate a very important event: my father-and mother-in-law were renewing their vows at 1st Friday Mass at St. Catherine's. It was truly a joyous event and celebration afterward. Usually there is a breakfast after 1st Friday Mass-but yesterday it was enhanced with more than a few extras. The best part was all our friends joining us in the celebrating. Deo Gratias!

Today, now that the honeymoon period is over, father-in-law and I may take down a dead tree or two, and we certainly will do some car work-this time not critical for operation, but critical for comfort on long trips (window motors and AC).

Feast of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales

Let me start with yesterday....it had a foreboding beginning. I am driving to school along Route 1. For about 15 miles I drove behind a large truck carrying hogs. For 15 miles the hogs' mess splattered the front end of my car. I should have known to just turn around and go home. Actually the day wasn't that bad: a day of minor annoyances and hurt pride-the kind of day which provides several opportunities to offer our sufferings up without too much strain as the sufferings aren't that bad. But the day ended well with my brother saying he and family would be coming for a visit soon and my in-laws actually arriving for a visit.

Today of course is one of my favorite saint feast days. I first knew of these martyrs when reading a biography of St. John Fisher by Michael Davies (Neumann Press). I read of the Carthusian martyrs and for some reason was fascinated-and wondered why I had never heard of the them before. This began a quest for information which one day, unexpectedly, resulted in Requiem Press . In fact, the day I began editing "Witnesses to the Holy Mass", our first book, I looked at the calendar half way through the day and realized that it was 4 May.

One of my fellow parishioners is a descendant of the family of St. John Kemble, "the grand old man of the English and Welsh martyrs, who cheerfully laid down his life at the age of 80..." (the custom-for those who smoke a pipe-of calling the last pipe of a sitting "the Kemble pipe" comes from his last request before being brought to the gallows.)

What really struck me about the tales fo the English & Welsh martyrs was the suddeness and unexpectedness of their call to martyrdom. Some were religious and some lay, but at least at the beginning, martyrdom in England for the Faith would have been considered unthinkable-so stalwart was England for Catholicity. Yet in just a handful of years monks were being brutally killed, all kinds of religious turned out of their monasteries, the Mass outlawed, and violation of these laws: treason. This turn of events and fortunes have many precedants, but we never think it can happen to us. Although our trial may not be so dramatic-it will come never-the-less.

It got me contemplating on how prepared was I for a tribulation. Would I be the John Houghton or the Maurice Chauncy, or abandon the Faith altogether. It was a start of a new spiritual journey for me.

So on this day, ask these 40 martyrs-who represent countless more who weren't formerly reconized-to assist you in your spiritual journey so that you may be ready for the trials and tribulations which will surely come your way in one form or another.

Oremus pro invicem!

Passion Play 2007 ...

This year's installment which took place on Holy Saturday. We had some new players this year, many of whom came with great costumes. As every year, this is a kids only production. It is a walking play, that is, the audience follows the action around our 2 acres.

(Dont forgot "our" Novena. I will put it back on top later. And don't forget the special on "Witnesses to the Holy Mass". Feast of the 40 martyrs of England and Wales is tomorrow.)

Now, without further ado, Passion Play at Bethany 2007:

Behold the Man!

The scourging.

Carrying the cross....

On the cross!

Novena

I don't know whether or how much I will be posting the next few days. (Although I will try to post on 4 May, the feast of the 40 martyrs of England and Wales-remember our special mentioned below.) But I do invite you to join in a novena I will be doing for the next nine days. Technically this particular novena should be done for an 'urgent cause' over nine hours in one day. But I am sure God won't reject the prayers just because of the timing.

Join with me for my intention, or your own.

INFANT OF PRAGUE NOVENA PRAYER

O Jesus, Who has said, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened," through the intercession of Mary, Your Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who has said, "All that you ask of the Father in My Name, He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary Your Most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask your Father in your name that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who has said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass away," through the intercession of Mary Your Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

Oremus pro invicem!