Found an interesting story on WFSB News channelabout the man with 24 fingers and toes.
"It's thanks to my 24 digits that I'm able to make a living, because I have no fixed job," Hernandez said.
Known as polydactyly, Hernandez's condition is relatively common, but it's rare for the extra digits to be so perfect. Anyone who glanced quickly at his hands would be hard-pressed to notice anything different unless they paused and started counting.
Hernandez said that as a boy he was visited by a prominent Cuban orthopedist who is also one of Fidel Castro's doctors, and he declared that in all his years of travel he had never seen such a case of well-formed polydactyly.
"He was very impressed when he saw my fingers," said Hernandez, who is the only one in his family to be born with extra digits."
From the bible: 2 Samuel 21:20
"There was another battle, at Gath, and there was a giant, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from the Rephaim."
Irondale, AL – Do you secretly wish you could meet a saint– or perhaps someone who may well be on their way to sainthood? Then tune into EWTN Global Catholic Network this September. Here’s a sneak peek at September’s premieres: (Please see www.ewtn.com for more information.)
Saints Alive! What if 10 of history’s greatest saints returned from heaven to be interviewed and questioned about some of the most important issues of our time? That’s the premise of this show. You’ll be captivated by their holy wit and wisdom! Airs 10:30 a.m. ET, Sundays; 6 p.m. ET, Mondays; 4 a.m. ET, Tuesdays; 10 p.m. ET, Wednesdays; and 4:30 p.m. ET, Saturdays.
Catholic Lives Ireland: The all-star line-up includes Irish luminaries – and saints in the making -- from all walks of life. There’s Richard Moore, founder of “Children in the Crossfire,” who struggled to forgive after being blinded as a child by a British soldier’s plastic bullet during Northern Ireland’s infamous “troubles.” There’s Sister Miriam Duggan, a gynecologist whose chastity program transformed Uganda into Africa’s success story in the fight against HIV/Aids. There’s Mickey Harte, three-time winner of Ireland’s prestigious “Sam Maguire Cup” and manager of the renowned County Tyrone Gaelic Football Team. And that’s not even the half of it! This must-see series airs at 5:30 p.m. ET, Mondays and 4 a.m. ET, Thursdays.
Saints of China: Martyrs of the Middle Kingdom: How do you grow a Church when the government wants to control it? This series, hosted by Anthony Clark, assistant professor of East Asian history at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, examines the history of the Catholic Church in China, from the Jesuit missions to the massive growth of Catholic missions before the Communist government came to power in 1949. Learn about the lives of Chinese martyrs, and the state of the Catholic Church in China under the Communist government. Airs 11 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 2:30 a.m. ET, Fridays.
Mary, Mother of the Philippines: Some believe that no country outside of Italy has more beautiful churches and shrines dedicated to Our Lady than the Philippines. Are they right? Join Fr. Melvin Castro’s tour of these holy sites at 2:30 a.m. ET and 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays.
Crash Course in the Saints: EWTN favorites, Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Ken Brighenti, explore the lives of the lives of the saints in this new series. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 5:30 a.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesdays.
Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola: This saint’s spiritual exercises are one of the most famous methods of discerning God’s call – whether you are a religious or laity. If you’ve always wanted to learn more, but haven’t had the time, this is the series for you. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sundays; 1 p.m. ET, Mondays; and 5 a.m. ET, Fridays.
The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God: Fr. Robert Spitzer examines the physical evidence – and metaphysical premises for – the existence of God. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Mondays; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Fridays.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide shortwave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.
Recently Irish Bishop Christopher Jones of Elphincalled children of divorced parents "born losers". This, as you might imagine didn't go over well with a great many people. I'm one of them.
"Many of them were born losers," he continued. "They had no start in life in terms of a loving relationship ... They grow up disturbed and dysfunctional."
"When a culture of marriage weakens, an ever-growing number of children will never experience the inestimable value of being raised by a loving, married mother and father," he added.
That's rather a broad statement don't you think? What if the father wasn't "loving" to begin with? What if he was an abusive loser himself? What if he physically, verbally, and emotionally abuses the children and wife? Does anyone think that type of father is needed in a child's life?
There are women out there who pray to God everyday to make their husbands better spouses and fathers because they know these fathers are BAD for their children. These fathers who are supposed to be caregivers and role models are instead alcoholics, abusive, adulterers, addicted to pornography and perhaps the worst of all is the selfish uncaring father who has no excuse for his appalling behavior to his offspring. To say that all children need their fathers in their lives or they will be 'born losers' is quite frankly wrong unless we all live in a Norman Rockwell world.
Bishop Jones, no disrespect intented but you are wrong. Maybe if we lived in an ideal world, your statement would be true. But not all men are good fathers, and the last thing children need are bad fathers setting bad examples for children to mimic and one day become.
Being a divorced parent with children I can honestly say sometimes divorce is the BEST thing a parent can do for their children. You see there are ex-husbands who don't want their children raised with God in their lives. Husbands who degraded the Christian faith and toss out slurs against Christians every chance they get. Trust me on this. Children are put in the position of having to decide if "Mommy is telling the truth (thus making Daddy a liar)" or if "Daddy is telling the truth" leaving Mommy as the lying party in this situation. Dysfunction is born.
There are fathers who mock God, mock church attendance and instead embrace secularism (sadly I know this from personal experience). These same fathers support putting teens on birth control, they have the theology of "if you're going to drink or sleep with your significant other, do it in your own home where its safe" mentality. They see nothing wrong in teens "experimenting" with alcohol, drugs and sex - it's a rite of passage to some of them "oh everyone does it".
This is NOT the type of "father" children need. THIS type of father is detrimental to the well being of children. I understand the gist of Bishop Jones' statement. In the world we live in divorce has become commonplace and many times the couple don't do enough to try and work things out. They don't take their vows to heart that in good times and bad you need to work together to sustain the marriage. As soon as things get tough, some people ditch the marriage and move on to the next. This is rampant in our society and yes it is harmful to children. I do agree with the Bishop on that.
In my opinion the work needs to be done BEFORE the marriage begins. Children need to be raised on HOW to chose a good spouse. Talk to your kids as they are growing up. Point out the things that make a good spouse, a compatible spouse and perhaps most important of all a respectful and honorable spouse. If children aren't taught how to find a good spouse is it any wonder so many people marry people who are wrong for them?
Christian women need to make sure they marry good Christian men who share the same values they do and have the same ideals for raising children. Saint Paul was right when he said not to be "unevenly yoked" (2 Cor.6:14-18) with unbelievers. It's just too difficult on the marriage and children. That's not to say it can't ever work, it can, but much of the time it doesn't and the children suffer for it. If the spouses are divided on how to raise the children, the children get mixed messages, confusion and dysfunction.
In these and abusive situations the parents' divorce CAN be a good, healthy and spiritually beneficial act IF the main caregiver makes God the center of the broken family's life.
I have a 1945 Catholic "Mother's Manual" that contains prayers to be said for many situations we are faced with in our lives. I'd like to offer this prayer to our Holy Mother Mary to be prayed by divorced moms struggling to raise their children on their own. May they find comfort and strength in God and our loving Mother Mary.
"Mary, my Mother, grant that my little child/children may instruct me in the ways of God. Let its innocent eyes speak to me of the spotless holiness of Jesus. Let its open smile remind me of the great love God has for His creatures. Let its happiness teach me the unbounded power of God. May its first feeble effort to speak call to my mind the wisdom of the Almighty. May its simple trust in me lead me to cherish a like confidence in God. May my love for God be stimulated by the deeprooted affection my child has for me. May I in all these things grow in a greater appreciation of my holy motherhood. Mary, I trust in you to obtain this favor for me. Amen
Mother of Mothers, pray for me!
My grandmother gave me this picture of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus years ago. I have never seen this particular picture anywhere else and I was wondering if anyone could tell me about it.
In the bottom right side it says "1933 M.M.N". In the background there is a bird on a wicker basket with book inside it.
Any information on this particular picture would be GREATLY appreciated!
I just don't like it. The new CEB bible translation leaves much to be desired in my humble opinion.
All references that currently read "Son of Man" (referring to Jesus) now read "the Human One". And the Beatitudes have changed the "blessed" to "happy".
As if messing with the Beatitudes wasn't bad enough, the Lord's Prayer has changed to:
"Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
And no more will we recognize the "ashes to ashes" at funerals because Genesis 2 "dust from the ground" has been changed to fertile "topsoil". Thus leaving me with the impression of a newly potted petunia.
PHENOMINAL ProLife short film!! You must watch this and please share it on your blogs, Facebook and Twitter!
Volition noun
1. the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing: She left of her own volition.
2. a choice or decision made by the will.
3. the power of willing; will.
Earlier today I read a post by Michael Tomasky at The Daily Beast. I was really surprised at how Mr. Tomasky says liberals, conservatives and Republicans viewed President Bush and President Obama. Here is what he had to say:
"When my friends and I looked at George W. Bush in 1999, we shuddered like people who’d turned a street corner and stumbled across a dog’s corpse. We knew and had contempt for his beliefs, but it had nothing to do with them, really. It was just the way he presented himself. That puffed-out chest. That self-satisfied smirk. All that Jesus talk—even in the event that it was sincere, which we never quite bought, it was to a liberal deeply inappropriate to haul it into the public square like that. He represented Southern country clubs and Dodge Durangos and Browning bolt-actions and homes with no books in them (putting Laura to the side, since she wasn’t the candidate). He was the kind of man who, if I ran into him at a hospitality tent at a tailgate party, I’d make an effort to avoid. Liberals just couldn’t stand the sight of the guy. And that was before he ruined the country.
I understand that conservatives feel similarly about Obama. They look at him and see wine-and-cheese parties where people have jazz playing in the background and where talk turns to the merits and demerits of Jonathan Franzen, who drive Priuses (or is it Prii?) and buy espresso machines and live in homes with far too many books in them. And worse than that: for much of Red America, Dr. Frankenstein himself could not have stitched together a more perfect Other: urban, urbane, sophisticated, intellectual. “Black,” of course, may no longer be a deal breaker in this day and age, but it doesn’t help. Many conservatives clearly can’t stand the sight of him."
Wow huh? I can't speak for ANYONE else, but I'd like to say this is NOT how I ever viewed Barack Obama. My view of Obama was not good- still isn't good, but I never thought of "wine-and-cheese parties" with jazz playing or homes with too many books in them. No. My impression was more along the view of butchered babies, abortionists, inexperience, all mouth no action, spineless, backroom deals, Chicago politics, underhandedness and we can't forget the rantings of Obama's minister Reverend White who left a distinct impression on me of "Black America" hating every White American for the sins of American History. That was my view of Barack Obama when he was running for president. I can't say much of that has changed, perhaps it's only worsened.
My view of George W. Bush in 1999 was not "Southern Country clubs" or "Dodge Durangos" or "homes with no books in them". No, instead I thought we'd have a President who didn't cheat on his wife, have affairs in the Oval Office, lie under oath...to put it simply, I had hope that I would be able to respect him even if I didn't agree with all his policies. I am happy to say that I was right about my first impressions of President G.W. Bush.
Then Tomasky goes on to say that Rick Perry is "chillingly Bush-like", here is how Mr. Tomasky defines Perry as being "Bush-like"...
"Perry, on this scale, is chillingly Bush-like. I saw a clip the other day of him saluting—an off-screen soldier, perhaps, or a flag. It was a small thing. But he looked exactly like Bush. The chest pumped up with self-regard. The overly aggressive way he thrust his saluting hand out from his forehead. He even, I swear, was smirking. I shuddered all over again."
How does Mr. Tomasky know that Perry's "chest [was] pumped up with self-regard"? To me, he looked patriotic, with a chest swelled in pride of our great country. Interesting in how people can view the same thing and come to different conclusions and impressions.
I don't see Bush in Rick Perry at all. While they both may have come from Texas and have similar political views it is Ronald Reagan that I am reminded of each time I see Rick Perry in the media. I am not sure exactly what it is about him, but he always brings President Ronald Reagan to my mind.
I've been thinking of new ways to share the Catholic faith and came up with the "What does the Catholic Catechism say about that?" feature. Weekly (hopefully) I will post quotes from the catechism either on their own or in relation to a topic discussion. Today I am starting with the topic of "saints".
956 The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness.... [T]hey do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped." 495
Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life. 496
I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth. 497
957 Communion with the saints. "It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself" 498:
We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples! 499
960 The Church is a "communion of saints": this expression refers first to the "holy things" (sancta), above all the Eucharist, by which "the unity of believers, who form one body in Christ, is both represented and brought about" (LG 3).
961 The term "communion of saints" refers also to the communion of "holy persons" (sancti) in Christ who "died for all," so that what each one does or suffers in and for Christ bears fruit for all.
962 "We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers" (Paul VI, CPG § 30).
I truly welcome all emails, whether you are Catholic or nonCatholic, whether you agree with me or disagree with me. But some of you who write to me to purge yourselves of your immense hatred of the Catholic faith are wearing blinders. I can't begin to count the number of emails my blog has received over the years from Protestants who gleefully point their fingers at the Catholic Church portrayed in the media as an evil entity out to assault children and degrade women by not allowing them to be priests. Some of you actually manage to cackle in your emails! No easy task I am sure, but you some how manage.
While I don't disagree with your outrage over the sexual abuse scandals that have tarnished the Church's reputation and destroyed countless lives, I do have to wonder at your seemingly enjoyment of hearing horrid news. Does it really bring you such joy? Do you not weep for the victims instead of taking pleasure in any and all attacks against the Catholic Church?
There are several things I'd like to address today concerning scandals and these gleeful emails. First up, do you think assorted abuses don't happen in Protestant churches? Do you think that less abuse is happening in Protestant churches?? I know from your emails that many of you blame celibacy in the Latin Rite to be the reason for sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, but statistics say you're wrong.
Since you've got your crooked fingers pointing at the Catholic Church, let me point my finger at some facts and Protestant clergy in the news just to keep things fair.
Recently a protestant Youth Minister in CA decided to make up a game that including POURING HONEY on teenage girls then while they tried to shower off the honey the minister video taped them. The four girls were 15 and 17 years old. Will he get jail time?? Probably not because the statue of limitation for such a crime is only THREE years and the offense occurred in 2007.
But sex abuse isn't the only crimes happening in protestant churches, there is also violence. At a Baptist church in Alabama a minister fired the choir minister, Simone Moore (who by the way ran for the senate in 2010). The choir minister Moore wasn't happy with his severance pay so he whipped out a taser gun and tased his minister! A brawl ensued in which one of the church's deacon's decided to STAB the choir minister's MOTHER!
What kind of church is it that people carry around taser guns and knives?! What kind of message is being preached that teaches you to taser or stab people when you disagree with something?
How about those new fangled Baptist prayers?? Let's not forget about "smokin' hot" wives and fast cars when we pray to our Lord! Boogity, boogity, boogity amen!!
Let's hear that put to music, shall we?
So that's just what's happening in Protestant news recently. Now let's look at statistics and facts.
I've posted reports from Catholic sources and Protestant sources and secular sources on sexual abuse by clergy in the past. But I think the short and to the point statistics article published by "StopBapistPredators.com" is one of the best because it includes ALL clergy and compares the "Catholic Scandal" to what is really happening in Protestant churches that the media doesn't report.
Quote:
"A Baptist-published brochure states that 35% of ministers surveyed "had engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior." It also states that Protestant clergy are "sexually exploiting their parishioners at twice the rate of secular therapists." (Broken Trust, published by the Christian Life Commission of the BGCT)
Other studies "have shown no differences" in the frequency of clergy sexual abuse "by denomination, region, theology, or institutional structure." Thus, "the problem of clergy sexual abuse is not just a Catholic issue - the problem extends to Protestant denominations as well." (Ministerial Ethics at 162*) Penn State professor Philip Jenkens reported that between 2 to 3 percent of Protestant clergy are pedophiles. His same study reported that less than 1.7 percent of Catholic priests are pedophiles. There is simply no reason to think that clergy child molesters are solely a Catholic problem.
Insurance companies receive from Protestant churches each year about 260 reports involving allegations of sexual abuse committed against minors. This is LESS than the annual number of 228 abuse incidents reported against Catholic priests. That reality is particularly noteworthy because Catholics keep track of even "credible accusations," which Southern Baptists don't even bother to determine or keep records on."
Sexual abuse of ANYONE is a heinous crime, especially of our innocent children. They are to be protected and cared for. ANY clergy who harms them should be locked up for life with NO chance of getting out in my personal opinion. The Catholic Church's handling of abuse in the past is disgusting, with no question about it. But it was not our current Pope's blame, as many of you who've written me have declared (by the way, if you call my Pope "Rat" you will not get a response from me publicly or in email). Almost all of these cases happened years before Pope Benedict XVI was pope, and documents prove that while our current Pope was a Cardinal, he tried to make positive changes to help put a stop to abuse and remove guilty clergy. For the story on that go HEREandHERE.
Thankfully, there are new strict policies in place now to put an end to the abuses like we've seen happen in the past. As a convert to the Catholic Church, I can't help but wonder WHY the parents of abused children didn't go directly to the police? I would not leave it to the Church alone to deal with. I would inform the Church AND the police then let them handle the situation, thus making sure pressure would be put on both the Church and the police to investigate quickly, responsibly and above all else protecting other children.
I hear from my cradle Catholic family and friends "that just wasn't done back then" as if they truly believed going to the police rather than the Church would have been a sin. Perhaps they truly believed or felt that. I think maybe many parents just wanted to protect their children from having to expose themselves to questioning by police and a possible court trial where the child would have to relive the horror in front of numerous strangers, thus causing the child more pain. I can understand that.
Parents want to protect their children, but we must never forget that keeping silent only protects the abuser and makes more victims. Child abuse in any form is NOT a Protestant vs Catholic issue. The issue is the child and protecting them while punishing the guilty.
I have other emails about female priests (as if), the Eucharist and infant baptism that I will tackle soon. Until then I thank you for your comments and look forward to your emails.
Have you heard "Seraphim"?Do you know of Christa, Lisa and Theresa Hanson? If not you should.
Today I am sharing my love of the music produced by Seraphim. About a year ago, I received Seraphim's "Hail, Queen of Heaven" cd from a dear friend. This is one of my most listened to religious cd's of all time.
The songs included on this cd are:
-Ave Maria (Gregorian) -Hail, Queen of Heaven -Sing, Sing, Ye Angel of Bands -Immaculate Mary (*my personal favorite on the cd) -Mother Mary, At Thine Altar -On This Day, O Beautiful Mother -Salve Regina -Hail, Queen of the Heavens -O Sanctissima -Mother Dear, O Pray for Me -Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary -Hail, Holy Queen
If you visit their website you can hear samples of their music from all their cd's. http://www.hansonfamilysingers.com/seraphim/main/music.php
