Cottage Blessings

Prayers please

A very dear friend just miscarried at fifteen weeks.  

A tiny baby boy.

Please say a prayer for Mary and her family.

Some good news to start your day

Gallup poll:  Most Americans consider themselves pro-life

Now let's just hope those same Americans realize the issue is a desperately important one.

The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary

I placed the pre-order through Amazon months ago, so imagine my joy to receive Karen Edmisten's book, "The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary," in the mail yesterday,  just in time for Mother's Day!

As always, Karen writes with sincerity and clarity, drawing others to the rosary through a narrative that is intensely personal and deeply spiritual.  Without so much as a word wasted, the book is a course in Marian history, apologetics, scripture and prayer that I cannot wait to share with my teenagers.  (Truth be told, fifteen-year-old Agnes has already begun reading it without any encouragement from me--she knows a good thing when she sees it.)  

The real genius of the book is that it is at once both simple and deep--simple and not at all intimidating for those just learning to say the rosary, yet deep and full of new information for those who have loved this prayer a long time.  It is a book I can see myself revisiting whenever I need a lift or inspiration.  Karen's "Making it Work" chapter in particular is one I need right now while juggling a new baby along with days that are fuller than full.  My new motto is going to be "pray while you rock and nurse, rock and nurse . . . ." [p.70.]

Thank you, Karen, for a  labor of love sure to remain a favorite forever.  It is the perfect tribute to the "fairest of queens in the fairest of seasons, sweet May." 

Tact

Am I the only one who found this video of Susan Boyle more troubling than triumphant?

God bless Miss Boyle--I am happy she did well, though not convinced that the judges weren't expecting her that day. What bothers me though is the whole genre of shows that seem to be the modern day equivalent of the Roman Coliseum.  No matter how Susan Boyle looked--and whether or not she had an iota of talent--she should not have been treated so rudely by leering judges or a jeering crowd.

One of the most important lessons a child can learn is the virtue of tact which, at base, is the art of not hurting others. I have had countless conversations with my children explaining the nuance of how certain actions, words, or facial expressions could insult other people, whether or not intended.  This--I hope--will train them to be empathetic, sensitive, and kind-hearted.

It seems to me that a steady diet of  "Britain's Got Talent" and the million other shows featuring judges mocking or insulting the unfortunate is already leading to a coarsening of society that will have long-term effect.  (Can you imagine how a British audience fifty years ago would have treated a middle-aged woman on stage?) 

If only we could bring back tact and delicacy.

"Fathers for Good"

Don't miss this profile of Commander Francis X. Castellano, native Long Islander, Knight of Columbus, and commander of the USS Bainbridge--the naval ship involved in the rescue of Captain Phillips from Somali Pirates last week.

While you are there, take a look around the website of "Fathers for Good," an initiative for men by the Knights of Columbus.

HT:  Cranky Conservative

Primping

[Getting ready for the Vigil on Holy Saturday night.]

Happy Easter everyone!

You know it is spring when . . .

we begin posting over at Cottage Garden.

Here are some lovely photographs taken by Theresa.

Mr. Smith goes to Washington

In an address to the US House of Representatives, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) had something to say about the timing of Secretary of State Clinton's visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe immediately before receiving The Margaret Sanger Award from Planned Parenthood the following day:

"On the one hand, the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe has for five centuries brought a message of hope, faith, peace, reconciliation and protection for the weakest, most vulnerable among us. On the other hand, each year, Margaret Sanger's Planned Parenthood kills approximately 300,000 unborn baby girls and boys in their abortion clinics scattered throughout the United States."

Please click here to read more.

If you would like to encourage Representative Smith and thank him for his unequivocal support for the culture of life, contact information is available at his website.  I hope he will hear from many, many Americans.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, pray for us!

Raised on Song and Story

One of my favorite Irish ballads, “Dublin in the Rare Auld Times,” begins:

Raised on songs and stories,

Heroes of renown,

The passing tales and glories,

That once was Dublin town.

The hallowed halls and houses,

The haunting children’s rhymes,

That once was part of Dublin

in the rare auld times.

As often as I have heard these lines about Dublin long ago, my mind has lingered on the opening phrase, “raised on songs and stories.” There is something romantic, yet obviously true, about the idea behind it — that children are not only entertained by tales passed from one generation to the next, but nurtured and “raised on” them as well. Family stories in particular become part of who we are, an irreplaceable birthright.

Continued in The Long Island Catholic.

[Thanks so much for taking a moment to follow the link to the LIC!]

Has anyone seen Jude?

Baby brothers make the best toys.

And don't miss this dolly in Virginia!