Dreams - by Nicholas Norton

A poem written for 5th grade class as part of a butterfly project:


Dreams
By Nicholas Norton
September 7, 2006

As I sit there watching a butterfly
Flutter by,
I begin to wonder -
"What if I could fly?"
Oh, I know how my heart would sing
If I could take to the wing!

And I thought about all the wonderous things
I could do if I had wings.

But alas!
That dream will fade.

That's not the way I was made.

But wait!
Dreams can come true!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you have a great day!.

Holy Father, please bless my mom. Help her to have a great year and grow in Your grace. Thank you for letting us know her. Help us all grow in love and faith. Help us all to praise You and give You glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From My Inbox: Recall Notice

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been technically termed "Subsequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will
Have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention!
GOD

Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by "kneemail".


Tags: From My Inbox

Madonna on NBC

From the news media and Catholic Fire:

Following the lead of Rosie O'Donnell and ABC, NBC has decided to join in the bashing of Christians by airing a Madonna special in November. A specific date has not been released. In the show, Madonna, wearing a fake crown of thorns, descends on a suspended mirrored, disco ball-type cross. When some Christian leaders complained about the mockery, NBC ignored their concerns.

Making mockery of the crucifixion of Christ has been a trademark of Madonna for many years. In 1989 she had a video for the hit song "Like A Prayer." The video featured burning crosses, statues crying blood and Madonna--representing Jesus--freeing a saint from his sexual repression by seducing him. This is the same Madonna who once said, "Crucifixes are sexy because there's a naked man on them."

Kevin Reilly, an executive at NBC, said Madonna considered the scene mocking the crucifixion of Christ the highlight of her show. "We (NBC) viewed it and didn't see it as being inappropriate." Madonna considers mocking the crucifixion of Jesus the highlight of her show and NBC agrees.

The American Family Association has a petition here if you want to send emails. I have sent one to NBC's Chairman John Wright and the president of our local NBC affiliate, WLEX-TV.

Minute Meditations - September 17

Scripture
"So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
(Phil 2:12)

Reflection
"You have been created for the glory of God and your own eternal salvation. ...This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.
If you reach the goal, you will find happiness. If you fail to reach it, you will find misery."
- St. Robert Bellarmine

Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me to do everything for Your honor and glory. Grant me the grace to work out my salvation with anxious concern each day of my life.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

From My Inbox: Dogs

Here are some quotes related to dogs. There are a few practical hints of wisdom in these. Our loveable mutt, Benji (pictured on the left when he was a pup and much leaner) would appreciate these, if he could read. Enjoy!

• The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -Anonymous


• Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. -Ann Landers


• If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. -Will Rogers


• There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. -Ben Williams


• A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings


• The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. -Andy Rooney


• We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. -M. Acklam


• Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate. -Sigmund Freud


• I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. -Rita Rudner


• A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. -Robert Benchley


• Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog. -Franklin P. Jones


• If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. -James Thurber


• If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise. -Unknown


• My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money. -Joe Weinstein


• Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth! -Anne Tyler


• Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein


• If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. -Mark Twain


• You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!' - Dave Barry


• Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras


• If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them. -Phil Pastoret

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.


Tags: From My Inbox

Prayers, Please

Prayers, please, for the family of Larry Jones, who drowned this past weekend. He was a classmate of mine at St. Mark Elementary and his family are members of our parish.

Incline Your ear, O Lord, unto our prayers, wherein we humbly pray You to show Your mercy upon the soul of Your servant Larry Jones, whom You have commanded to pass out of this world, that you would place him in the region of peace and light, and bid him be partaker with Your Saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Minute Meditations - September 1

Scripture
"They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers."
(Acts 2:42)

Reflection
"When the Church prays in her Liturgy it is Christ Who prays.
For the Church prays in Christ,
and Christ prays in the Church:
the Body prays in the Head, and the Head in the Body."
- St. Augustine

Prayer
Glorious Lord, help me to pray the Liturgy in union with Christ for Your glory. At every Eucharist, let me consciously adore and thank You, make reparation to You, and present my petitions before You.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations