Catholic Homeschooled Teens

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-25T13:47:00.001-10:00

Merry Christmas all! Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season when you are having fun!

First Semester of College OVER!!!

2009-12-21T08:16:00.002-10:00

For all those wondering why I stopped posting, it is because I am no longer a Cath...wait a second, I mean HOMESCHOOLED teen. I have just finished my first semester in college, and I conclude that it is really different than Seton or homeschooling.

First of all is the fact that you are much more independent. There's nobody to baby you (unfortunately) so you have do everything yourself. This includes making a schedule for your semester and also your overall degree plan to make sure you take the required classes and credits in a reasonable amount of time. Some classes have prerequisite classes so you have to do those too. Fortunately, academic advisers are there to help, so it isn't entirely a solo endeavor. I suggest getting a head start on this if you are accepted into a school so you aren't left taking terribad classes in your first semester or stuck with a ridiculous schedule.

Speaking of schedules, College is MUCH easier than homeschooling, at least for me. I don't have to go to the same classes every day, I have massive breaks in between some classes because of my schedule (which usually means increased video game time). Also, the grading standards are a lot lower than Seton. To my shock an "A" in most of my classes is 90%! Take that Seton and your 97% A! That means I can give 7% less effort in a class and still get an A! That 7% less effort in that class can go into another class or into video games!

It isn't all fun and video games though. There are dangerous creatures lurking in all colleges called TESTS, PROJECTS, and DEADLINES. These buggers will sneak up on you and snack on your brain. The only way to defeat them is to pay attention: keep a calender/organizer, keep up with your required work and reading, and by all means ask questions if you don't understand! The teachers are there to help you! They probably want to give you a good grade just as much as you want one. Make it easy for them by showing interest in their class!

Unlike your parents, who push you to the point of snapping, most college teachers are likely to be more lenient on you, especially if you show yourself to be a good student. For example, if you miss a deadline, you can probably get an extension. If you get a lower grade than you feel you deserve on an essay, try clarifying your point or seeing where the teacher might have missed something. Do all of this politely and show respect to your teacher, and they will respect you. It's a win-win-WIN!

I'm not going to comment on dorm life because I have little experience with it.

Last but not least, don't forget to go to the church/chapel on your campus and pray! Prayer really helps calm you down and get in touch with the only important reality: God.

Update

2009-08-30T17:06:00.004-10:00

I finally finished my report and subsequently high school. I will be starting college very soon (I'm staying local), so I guess I won't be a "Catholic Homeschooled Teen" anymore. Maybe I'll rename my blog to "Catholic College Adults".

:P

Trip to New Jersey

2009-05-16T11:32:00.002-10:00

Well, after a long nine hour plane trip thanks to Continental Airlines, I am finally safe and sound in New Jersey!

Yay!

Now to get into the gritty details of my endeavors to arrive here.

So, on the 14th, I headed to the airport, ready to fly off into the blue skies by myself. I had printed my boarding pass online before I came there so I was all set and prepped. I checked in my baggage, went through the security guards/football tacklers, and found I was 2 hours early. Not a big deal.

So I wait...

and wait...
and wait some more.

Finally, they begin to board the airplane at around 7:00 PM. As we are taxing on the runway and preparing to take off, the pilot tells us via intercom that one of the engines wasn't starting and that we would have to go back to the gate to have maintenance look at it. On the bright side, the engine didn't fail while we were in the air. We might've gotten stuck otherwise.

Anyways, the flight was delayed until they could get it fixed. They let passengers off the plane while they checked it out. It took them until 1:00 AM to tell us they couldn't fix it and they canceled the flight.

Yup, that's right. They canceled it. I had been at the airport for nine hours by that time, and I had to stay longer in order to clarify what was going to happen with my flight and any arrangements I needed to make. They gave some people, including me, taxi vouchers to get home, and hotel/food vouchers for everyone else who didn't live on the island. They told us they were going to create a new flight and rebook everyone. Ok, I guess that would have to do.

So, weak from exhaustion and lack of food, I used my voucher and took the taxi home. The taxi was a great experience. I believe it was Charlie's cab or something. The taxi I took was very clean, the ride home was completely smooth, and the taxi driver was very friendly! I would suggest that company if anyone in Hawaii needs to take a cab.

By the time I collapsed in bed it was already around 2:00 AM. I woke up five hours later because I needed to confirm what was going on with my new flight. Thankfully, they had already rebooked everyone for a flight that left at 1:50 PM and no further action was needed on my part except to get to the airport. I went through dejavu motions to the airport and got on the plane. This time it didn't fail. It wasn't without its near miss moments though. The gate was changed before boarding, which made everyone move. Then, it was announced the flight was delayed AGAIN, which prompted a groan from many of the passengers. The flight wasn't actually delayed, it was just accidentally announced or something. It left on time.

I must take a moment to mention the professional attitude of the Continental workers at the airport. Despite being under tremendous pressure from upset passengers and time constraints, they were able to get everything sorted out. None of the workers lost their cool, they remained polite, accommodating and very helpful. Kudos to them.

So, what of the plane ride? I guess it was basically what anyone could have expected from a nine hour plane ride. I slept about half the time and watched some movies the other half. I talked to the friendly guy sitting next to me a couple times. I listened to some music. I got a window seat so I was able to see the ground sometimes (although it was pretty dark/boring most of the time).

The two movies that were available for viewing were Inkheart and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. PB: Mall Cop was about a fat, bumbly, but dedicated security guard who has to save his mall from organized criminals. It was a decent movie with a lot of funny moments. Inkheart was a fantasy movie about a guy who had the ability to bring what he read to life. It started off well but it got confusing and boring by the middle.

They DID feed us pretty great meals on the plane. For dinner there was some spicy chicken sandwich with salad and the works. For breakfast there was an absolutely delicious chocolate chip muffin with fruit salad. Mmmm. Who said airplane food wasn't good?

Well, that's enough details for now. If anything interesting happens I'll be sure to post about it.

Oh noes, a blackout!

2009-05-08T20:52:00.001-10:00

No, not a real one! I just haven't had time to update my blog. I do apologize for not having written a thing since Easter. It has been a busy time for me! I am finishing up my homeschooling (I still have to write a report on Roe Vs Wade) and am getting ready for my annual trip to New Jersey.

Please pray for me and my schooling! My teacher demands A's. :)

Happy Easter Everyone!

2009-04-12T21:06:00.002-10:00

I hope everybody had a great day. I sure did. Keep in mind that the resurrection of Christ is in the creed we say at Mass every Sunday (or Saturday night). It's an important part of our Catholic faith!

PS: I had steak today.

Oh, the places you'll go...

2009-04-08T09:22:00.003-10:00

...and the strange people you'll meet. I'm not as good at rhymes as Dr. Seuss, as you can easily see, but this pretty much sums it up. Today I was walking the dog in a little grassy area. Some guy carrying two gym bags suddenly stopped on the sidewalk and started making kissing noises toward the dog. He wandered back and forth doing this for a minute or two. This obviously distracted the dog and kept her from performing her...duty (not to mention creeped me the heck out) so I left. I guess from his smoked out point of view the dog was a gorgeous redhead...or maybe not. Either way, it was pretty strange. The puzzling thing is when I walked past him as I headed back, he didn't even seem to notice the dog. I guess he got over his crush.

Speaking about the dog, the idea of picking up the dog's waste seems a bit backwards to me. I mean, if there were aliens watching us from some invisible spaceship, what would they think if they saw a human picking up a dog's waste and treating it as if it were a delicate valuable?

Palm Sunday Adventures

2009-04-06T18:15:00.004-10:00

This Palm Sunday I had to go to Saturday evening mass by myself. I had my schedule all set in my mind: At 5:00PM I would get dressed and I would leave the house at 5:30PM. If all went according to plan I would arrive 10-15 minutes early for the 6:00PM mass.

Unfortunately for me, my plan had "epic fail" written all over it. At around 4:57PM, I checked the church's website to make sure that mass wasn't at 7:00PM. After all, I didn't want to arrive too early and look all holy and devout. The good news was that it wasn't at 7:00PM. The bad news was that it started at 5:00 PM.

Oh deers!

I immediately went out the door dressed in street clothes. Yes, my attire wasn't very suitable for mass, but this was an emergency! I walked as fast I could to Church wishing all the way that I had bothered to get my driver's license. I tried to hope against hope that I would make it to Church before the consecration began. Amazingly, it was if time had slowed because when I got there I had only missed the blessing of the palms and the first reading! The church was packed so I had to stand at the back, but I made it!

This is where I noticed some very unusual and somewhat saddening things. Some people actually left Mass before Communion, the most important part! What's up with that? From my vantage point I also saw many people leave immediately after receiving the Eucharist, before mass was ended and without even pausing to pray! I can't think of many good reasons to not wait 5-10 minutes for the end of Mass. The sheer volume of people leaving early made it seem as if the Church was on fire! Ok, that was an exaggeration, but a good 15-20 people definitely left early and I am sure I didn't smell any smoke. Granted, maybe they did have good reasons to leave early, but I highly doubt all of them did.

So, have you readers ever left Mass before it was over? Did you have a good reason?

World of Goo

2009-03-11T08:41:00.016-10:00

I don't often blog about video games because I know my readers probably won't be too interested in violence and bloodshed in the virtual world. However, I cannot keep from at least mentioning this game (which contains no violence or bloodshed). First of all, since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm sure a video is worth much more:

World of Goo Trailer 3
by 2dboy

The game is called "World of Goo". It's an ingenious 2d puzzle game on the PC and Wii. Basically, you use little gooballs to try and build to a pipe where they get sucked in. You advance from level to level by collecting enough gooballs for that specific level. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it wouldn't be much fun just to build from one area to another (actually, it is) so in order to spice up the game the producers added different types of gooballs along with many different "environmental impediments to progress" (henceforth called "obstacles"). There are gooballs that can float, catch on fire, avoid fire, be reused, and even not "die". These are used to pass the obstacles that litter each level. In one level you might have to build a bridge across a chasm while making sure that it is properly supported (or else it would fall into the hole). In another you may have to build a structure around and over a fire using extremely flammable goo. The obstacles and various gooballs add an extra challenge to each level and makes the game feel unique and satisfying to play.

I'm not saying that without these obstacles the game would feel bland and average. Far from it. The art direction and music alone is enough to make World of Goo stand out like a lighthouse in the endless sea of generic games. The background and environment art is absolutely stunning and memorable, even when crudely drawn at times. Each "world" is also unique in its art and atmosphere. The music in the game is, in one word, awesome. Their soundtrack is available free and legally for those interested. All I can say is that this game was able to make me smile during the very first loading screen (I have never smiled before during the very first loading screen [or any loading screen for that matter]).

There is a plot, but I really didn't understand it. All I know is that there is a corporation involved that is turning the gooballs into products such as skin cream and drinks. Really.

The game also contains many great additions and elements that add to its value. The ability to skip levels if they are too difficult (up to a certain amount) is an excellent addition and should be included in every puzzle game. Helpful (although not game breaking) hints and humorous anecdotes are available on signs strewn throughout the levels. The ability to branch to a different level, on occasion, is also very welcome. On many of the levels there are bugs you can click to go back one move. Having an undo button is extremely useful in a game like this.

There are also "OCD" challenges that you can aim to achieve. They include collecting a minimum amount of gooballs, finishing the level in a certain time period, or using less than x moves to complete the level. This just adds to the replay value of the game.

World of Goo is not without its faults, however small they may be. It is rather short, even with 5 worlds and over 45 levels (not including a sandbox level). An occasional gooball may glitch and force you to retry a level. A simple misclick while grabbing a goo that is clumped may cause your structure to fall. When you meet the minimum requirements to pass the level, you can no longer use the bugs to undo a move. Accessing the menu is not possible after the minimum requirements have been met unless you click on a sign. Although these are not as evident during a first playthrough, if you are attempting to complete the OCD challenges they can become a pain. (Yes, I know I am nitpicking here.)

All-in-all, World of Goo is an amazing and unique game which can guarantee at least an hour or two of entertainment (assuming you only play for an hour or two). Play longer and you might just dream about becoming an architect and using little goo balls to save the world.

World of Goo's website (demo available here):
2D Boy

Soundtrack is available here:
World of Goo Soundtrack

I iz adolt nowz

2009-03-05T09:07:00.002-10:00

So, this week I got a lot of things done.

First, I got my state ID. The government now recognizes that I exist. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not, though. Anyways, it has my age on it so now I can buy rated M games without forcing my parents to be with me! How cool is that? The process of getting it was rather easy. I filled out a form on the internet, paid 20 bucks, and we went over to the nearest processing center. I skipped a line of like 30 people because I did it online and was out within 5 minutes. My reason for getting one? I needed a government issued ID to open up my bank account.

Yup. Right after that we went to the bank and opened up my very own bank account. It comes with a debit card (which I have yet to receive). I even got to choose my own PIN number! The PIN was...HAH! I'm not going to tell you! :) Now if I ever need to run away or elope to Las Vegas, I can do it easily.

All I need now is to finish high school, get a credit card, and get a driver's license. Getting a credit card will probably be the easiest of the three.

Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season

2009-02-25T08:51:00.002-10:00

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season. I hope everyone now has black dust on their foreheads. Abstain, sacrifice and mortify your way to heaven!

Although I do have one question: Do you guys keep the ashes on your forehead all day? I personally keep my head nice and blackened for the entire day.

For Lent I have decided to give up snacks (among other things). It's just three meals a day for me. No more snacks or late-night leftovers for forty whole days. Geez, I'm hungry already.

Among the extra things I have decided to do, I (family included) am also going to do the 40 days for life.

From their website:
"40 Days for Life consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, 40 days of constant, peaceful vigil outside abortion centers and Planned Parenthood offices and 40 days of active pro-life community outreach."

We have done this before and this is the second year it is going to be done in Hawaii. The turnout at yesterday's start-off rally at the capitol was definitely larger than last year's turnout (although it was still a smallish crowd). Even so, I have good feelings about this year's efforts. Anyways, if you're interested, sign up at 40 Days For Life.

What did you guys (gals included) give up or decide to do extra?

It's a trap!

2009-02-05T11:48:00.000-10:00

Good News and Bad News

2009-01-28T11:12:00.006-10:00

Ok, this post isn't really what it looks like. In fact, this post actually contains no news whatsoever. It's more of me writing down my thoughts for posterity.

So I've been thinking seriously about this. When someone says "I have good news and bad news", they often give you a choice of which you want to hear first. I've run this over in my mind and I believe the best solution is to choose to hear the bad news first. Why? I'll explain in a moment.

Let's say we choose to hear the good news first. After hearing the good news, we are overjoyed! "Oh, that is good news"...and then the dread comes. We have a moment of anticipation and dread where we do not know the bad news. Is the good news good enough or will the bad news be so awful we do not enjoy the good news? All this horrible anticipation would be stressful! Once you are given the bad news, you feel an extra dread because of it.

Let's say we choose to hear the bad news first. After hearing the bad news, you will instantly be filled with dread. After the good news is given to you, you can tell if the good news outweighs the bad news or not. In between the hearing of the bad news and the good news, there is a slight period of anticipation of the good news. However, once you are given the good news you can immediately compare it with the bad news and see which is larger.

So, here's the comparison of steps:

Good news first:
Receive good news first, feel happiness. [Positive]
Dread the bad news (will it be a downer to the good news?). [Negative]
Receive bad news, feel dread. [Negative]
Compare good news to bad news. [Neutral]

Bad news first:
Receive bad news first, feel dread. [Negative]
Anticipate good news (will it be better than the bad news?). [Positive]
Receive good news, feel happiness. [Positive]
Compare good news to bad news. [Neutral]

Now, you can easily see that by receiving the bad news first, there is less negative feeling and thought throughout the process as compared to receiving the good news first...unless you're emo, in which case you're always depressed.

So now you know.

Update on Joey

2009-01-27T10:00:00.006-10:00

So the word "blog" has been in the deepest and darkest corners of the back of my mind for the past few weeks. I blame real life for this utter tragedy of having my faithful followers be deprived of having a piece of my mind.

Well folks, here you are!
My time in the past month has been taken up by work and play. I've been applying for schools and scholarships. I've also been trying to keep up with my home school schedule, which is becoming increasingly harder because of college classes. I've also been playing with all of my Christmas gifts. As you can see by the following pie chart, there really isn't much time left for blogging.

The following legend tells all:

"Work" is a broad category that encompasses everything NOT fun. This includes school, sleeping, chores, etc.

"Fun and Video Games" is a category that covers a broad range of entertaining and happy activities. This includes, but is not limited to, video games, computers, television, and turtles.

"Blogging" is a rather specific category that includes Blogger, thinking of Blogger, thinking of topics which may end up on Blogger, and general internet blogging.

As you can see from the pie chart, my schedule is rather full. Do not fear, though. I should have a free opening sometime in February.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2008-12-25T09:29:00.001-10:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

Advent

2008-12-10T09:34:00.005-10:00

Oh deers! I've neglected to post that we are in the Advent season!

Silly me.

Ok, so we are in the second week of advent already.

Think Lent, except happier.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!

Prince of Peace Award

2008-12-10T09:31:00.001-10:00

Thanks to View From the Pews

The Prince of Peace Award

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

In a world that seems to thrive on war and violence, it is indeed a blessing to have bloggers who share their faith and love of God with others.

These blogs are passionate about their faith, are a voice for the voiceless, are sources of inspiration, hope and true kindness, they are an oasis where a weary spirit can stop for a while and rest and be refreshed.

Every act of love no matter how small is a work of peace and these bloggers go above and beyond the call to reach out to others. They bring The Prince of Peace to us; we enter as visitors and fellow bloggers and leave as friends.

At this time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we thank you, our friends, for all you do to make the spirit of the The Prince of Peace ever more present in our lives, not only at this time but everyday.
Please accept and share this Award with Christian bloggers who bring The Prince of Peace to others.

Love, Joy, Peace and Merry Christmas

Youth Day Newsletter Focuses on Sexuality

2007-01-16T15:38:00.000-10:00

SYDNEY, Australia, JAN. 15, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The monthly newsletter preparing young people for Sydney's World Youth Day '08 focuses on sexuality in its January issue.

On the front page of this month's E-pilgrimage, Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher asks, "Is sex just a recreational activity? Is the body just a product to be bought and sold? Do I have to be sexually active in order to be really happy? What is the meaning of this kind of 'body language'?"

"There are many voices in the modern world that overestimate the importance of sex -- as if no-one could be happy who had not had sex in the last few hours -- or trivialize or underestimate its power -- as if it were no more humanly significant than any other bodily function," Bishop Fisher writes.

"But deep down most people know the body, sexuality and fertility are precious and important things which can be used to express some of the noblest things about human relationships, or which can be used instead to hurt and exploit," he adds.

This month's issue of E-pilgrimage explores various ways that "this very positive message about human bodily life and love have been expressed in the Catholic tradition -- right back to the Song of Songs in the Bible through to Pope Benedict XVI's recent encyclical 'God is Love.'"

The eight-page newsletter also includes a prayerful reading of the Song of Songs and a biography of the first married couple to be beatified together.
ZE07011505

Sunday's Joke - The Flat Tire

2007-01-28T10:37:00.000-10:00

Thanks Sue.

Four college friends were so confident that the weekend before finals, they decided to go up to Dallas and party with some friends up there. They had a great time. However, after all the partying, they slept all day Sunday and didn't make it back to Austin until early Monday morning.

Rather than taking the final then, they decided to find their professor after the final and explain to him why they missed it.

They explained that they had gone to Dallas for the weekend with the plan to come back and study but, unfortunately, they had a flat tire on the way back, didn't have a spare, and couldn't get help for a long time. As a result, they missed the final.

The Professor thought it over and then agreed they could make up the final the following day. The guys were elated and relieved.

They studied that night and went in the next day at the time the professor had told them. He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet, and told them to begin.

They looked at the first problem, worth 5 points. It was something simple about free radical formation. "Cool," they thought at the same time, each one in his separate room. "This is going to be easy."

Each finished the problem and then turned the page. On the second page was written:

(For 95 points): Which tire?

Hawaii Homeschool Students - Spelling Bee

2007-02-21T10:05:00.000-10:00

H/T to Hawaii Homeschool Nation
Picture courtesy of About Jennifer

MOANALUA — Spencer Setka, a 12-year-old homeschooled student and son of an Air Force major, correctly spelled "regatta" in the final round to win last night's Central district spelling bee.

Setka and runner-up Anthony Fugo, who is also homeschooled, will compete in the state Spelling Bee on March 11 at Windward Community College.

Click title above for complete article.

Oh The Irony of it All

2007-02-21T10:17:00.000-10:00

My mom read me an interesting article today. Seems like the Microsoft king himself, limits his kids' computer time.

"Just because you're the daughter of Bill Gates does not mean you get to play on your computer all day long."

To read the rest of the article CLICK HERE

Local Event - Teen Millionaire to Speak at HPU

2007-02-21T10:34:00.000-10:00

Picture courtesy of Dare to Be a Millionare

Courtesy of the Honolulu Advertiser And, heck yeah...I'm a little jealous.

The youngest African-American CEO of a publicly traded company — who also started his first business at the age of 12 and made his first million by age 16 — is coming to Hawai'i Pacific University on Thursday and Friday to give presentations to HPU students, faculty and staff. Ephren Taylor II, CEO of publicly City Capital Corporations and Amoro Corporation, will be speaking Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Amos Starr & Juliette Montague Cooke Memorial Academic Center at HPU and again Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Warmer Auditorium, 1060 Bishop St., penthouse level, HPU.

Taylor currently sees more than $100 million in assets for his clients, serving a diverse client list ranging from stock market day traders to hip hop icons. Beyond his unprecedented accomplishments in the technology and financial industry, Taylor is an author, inspirational speaker and real estate mastermind. Taylor's Web sites are
Ephren, Amoro Corp. and City Capital Corp..

Scouting for Alternative to Video Games

2007-03-15T18:42:00.000-10:00

Picture by Norman Rockwell

Organization Celebrating 100 Years of Youth Formation

ROME, MARCH 6, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The 100-year-old Scouts movement is an attractive alternative for youngsters dependent on television and video games, say its representatives.

The Scouts were discussed at a press conference held at Vatican Radio's headquarters recently. This international youth organization began in 1907.

Giovanni Franchi de' Cavalieri, federal president of Europe's International Union of Guides and Scouts, presented the legacy of the scouts' founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941).

"The alternative that Europe's scouts propose to the 'playstation' generation is that of playing, laughing, eating, joking, praying, singing in harmony with one's friends and without any one designing their adolescence, but living it as protagonist to become later, as our founder said, those who will guide their own canoe alone," Franchi de' Cavalieri stressed.

Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, retired archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia, Italy, intervened at last month's meeting to say that "the Church of today has the task to prepare different men from the past" and, for this reason, children take on a decisive role.

The 92-year-old cardinal added: "The Church's first concern is the child. Whoever wishes to guarantee the future of the world must attend to children. And it is in this framework that I, as bishop, see the Scout movement.

"The Scout method does not speak in generalities but leads to personal experiences, so that one is obliged to discover capabilities that one did not think one had."

Moreover, in the Scout movement, "attention to the individual prevails over attention to the community" Cardinal Tonini said. "[T]he community has its raison d'etre when it succeeds in giving the individual his right place."

He invited those Scouts present to "remember that your task is that of awakening the individual's inner world and his clear conscience."

Long tradition

The Catholic scouting tradition was started by personalities such as Father Jacques Savin, Count Mario di Carpegna, and professor Jean Corbisier.

The Scouts' method is that of inter-education, meaning "education toward the other" and of constant maturing in relationships with others, including the specific aspect of relationship between the two sexes.

For educational reasons, the European Guides and Scouts associations organize boys and girls in different sections with activities designed for each sex.

Each section is subdivided into three branches that include, as a whole, the age bracket of 8-21 years. After they are 21, members can remain in the association as leaders and directors.

In a letter from 2003, the Pontifical Council for the Laity communicated its decision to recognize the organization as a Private International Association of Faithful of Pontifical Right and to approve its status "ad experimentum" for a five-year period.

The Federation of European Scouting is open to groups or associations of the Eastern Orthodox Church or one of the Evangelical communities. Its unwritten rule is to bring together in the same units boys and girls of different confessions.

The Scouts number 38 million worldwide.
ZE07030619

Vicar Tells Youth of the Road to Happiness

2007-03-15T18:48:00.000-10:00

Picture courtesy of THIS SITE

It's in Works of Charity, He Says

ROME, MARCH 6, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's vicar for Vatican City commissioned young people engaged in works of charity to be "traffic signs directing to happiness."

Archbishop Angelo Comastri met recently in Rome with hundreds of young people to remind them that their faith was given them "so that many people will not be disillusioned with us, disciples of Christ."

Quoting Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, the 63-year-old prelate said that, if in the South people die for lack of bread, in the North they die for lack of love, "for lack of God."

"You, with your work, re-create a space for God; you build small Bethlehems where the Lord can be found, because God is only found in love," Archbishop Comastri said last Thursday.

The encounter with God takes place when one "leaves egoism behind," he added.

The challenge then is not "to go into this cage again," he continued, but to go forward with the option of charity, which converts us into "traffic signs directing to happiness for the many young people seeking it."

Wrong path

The 63-year-old archbishop explained that young people involved in charity are "right signals … for many young people taking the wrong path to happiness."

It is this gift that enriches, he stressed, since when one stops thinking about oneself, one finds God.

One of the greatest lies of today's society, added the archbishop, "is to make young people believe that happiness is found where it doesn't exist."

Young people, therefore, are "angry, react with violence and are disillusioned," he explained.

Instead, it is charity which gives happiness, the Vatican City official said.

"He who gives is enriched, becomes a giant, even if he is in a wheelchair or on a bed," the prelate contended. "How many giants there are who are without legs or health, and how many who do have legs and health live as if in a wheelchair, because they don't walk!"

Archbishop Comastri, who was a collaborator of Mother Teresa, concluded with an anecdote about her.

To a photographer who asked her why she seemed so happy, Mother Teresa replied: "My eyes are happy because my hands dry tears. You, do the same: I assure you, it works."
ZE07030601

The Catholic "Grout" List

2007-03-15T18:52:00.000-10:00

Picture courtesy of THIS SITE
H/T to Marci

by Bud Macfarlane

Converts and reverts to the faith are often unaware of the little things that good cradle Catholics "absorb" as children that make day-to-day Catholic living run smoother. While not as essential to the Faith as doctrinal belief and sacramental participation, these "little things" are the grout that binds the mosaic of Catholic living in place, giving it context and texture.

1. No, you don't have to wear your scapular in the shower. But keep it handy, so you can lunge for it in case you have a heart attack.

2. Yes, say grace in restaurants out loud, whether alone or with others, even for breakfast and lunch. You can say it in an understated way--Catholics are not ostentatious in public.

3. When you genuflect, you can pray this simple prayer: "I love you, Jesus."

4. The Big Five Intercessors are Saint Joseph, Saint Jude, Saint Anthony, Saint Therese the Little Flower, and Saint Michael the Archangel. Just about every good Catholic relies on them, often daily. Why? They really, really work. Please note: Saint Philomena and Saint Escriva seem to be trying to crack this list in recent years--please give them every opportunity to do so.

5. Yes, when you drive by a church, whether alone or with others, (and whether they are Catholic or not), make the sign of the cross, and tell Jesus you love Him interiorly. Only explain if you are asked.

6. Carry rosary beads with you at all times. You never know when Our Lady is going to need your help (and we hers). Some Catholics hunt for just-the-right-sized leather carry pouch so it's more comfortable in your pocket (for men) and doesn't get tangled in your purse (for women). What if you don't have rosary beads? Yes, it's okay to use your fingers; that's why God gave you ten. Make a habit of giving your rosary beads away at the slightest prompting.

7. At minimum, here are prayers that every Catholic should know by heart: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Memorare, Hail Holy Queen, the Angelus, Saint Michael Prayer, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Act of Contrition, the Miraculous Medal Prayer (O Mary, Conceived...), Guardian Angel Prayer, Grace Before Meals, and the Apostles Creed. If you want to show off at parties, also memorize them in Latin. Most of these prayers are available on the our free Rosary CD, or you can read them online.

8. Make a pilgrimage to Fatima or Lourdes or Saint Peter's in Rome or all three at least once in your lifetime. Short on cash? See Grout #4; the Big Five love to finance pilgrimages. Still short on cash? There are shrines to drive to in just about every state, including Fatima and Lourdes shrines, and the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC will substitute for Rome in a pinch.

9. If you meet the pope, kiss his ring. You can also kiss the ring of your bishop or cardinal (it makes the liberal ones squirm, but hey, that's their problem--you're honoring Christ, not them). Optional: Kissing the sacred hands of priests.

10. When you walk or drive by a Catholic Church, even if you're running late, stop. Walk in. Pray for someone. Tell Jesus you love him. Your visit doesn't have to last more than a few seconds. If the door is locked, genuflect and pray.

11. Keep a bottle of holy water in your house. Keep a small bottle of holy water in your travel kit--sprinkle it on your hotel bed and make a sign of the cross with water on the door of the room. Say the Saint Michael Prayer.

12. Invite the priests, nuns, brothers, and deacons you know to dinner. If you take them out, insist on buying. This Catholic tradition has fallen woefully out of favor in recent years. Reverse the trend!

13. Holy pictures and statues in your home and office are good for you. They remind you to pray. Buy according to your own tastes. Make your own little rules: have at least one crucifix, picture or statue of Mary or a saint, or of the pope, in every room. A stranger should be able to visit your house and be able to tell if you're Catholic in less than a minute. Keep Mary Foundation CDs handy in case they make comments. The Catholic Marketing Network has a list of Catholic retailers who sell statues and holy images in your area.

14. To keep your scapular from flapping all over the place inside your shirt or blouse, cut a small slit in the fabric at one end and slide a Miraculous Medal and/or Saint Benedict Medal in there. It will weigh down the front and relieve you from having your medal(s) tangle in the scapular cords. Keep a back-up scapular in your travel kit.

15. If you're not in a state of grace--especially if you're not in good health or have to travel--walk up to any priest, knock on any rectory door, call up any priest, and ask them politely if they can hear your "quick confession." Good priests will be glad to accommodate you, and you'll keep it short. In these days of sadly empty confession lines and truncated confession schedules, it's only just.

16. If you like to pray the Rosary in the car, but find you get distracted before you start, make sure you start praying it before you turn on your radio.

17. You can use a saftey pin to attach a Miraculous Medal to your baby's diaper or clothing.

18. If you pass an accident while driving, always say at least one Hail Mary and Our Father for the accident victims and the paramedics.

19. Although not "required," many Catholics like to print "J.M.J." on the tops of their letters and emails to honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

20. Whenever you wash your hands, say a Hail Mary.