Obama to Sign Order for Embryonic Stem Cell Research

The raindrop does not want to think that it was the one single event that changed the puddle from becoming a flood.

When will the blood of unborn children cease to be shed, and who will take responsibility for the travesty that will finally be wrought on American soil when God's ears have been over-filled with the cries of the innocents?

Who will be the one to say that he (or she) was the one that changed the events that were a few court rulings into a massacre?

I'd cry, but the tears wouldn't end. Last Lent I spent time praying and fasting for the end to abortion and spent much of the time crying for the loss of the children: for the unknown siblings, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, grandparents, etc.

Yet, on Monday March 9th, Obama will sign an order authorizing widespread provision of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research.

Sometimes I am forced to wonder. Many have prayed, many have fasted. Many have prayed and fasted, yet God stands by. But I know that He stands by our side and is waiting for His perfect moment. I just wish it wouldn't be at the cost of so many lost lives, loves, and souls.

Lent 2009

For years I've had one image of Lent, that of going out into the desert. To me the desert signifies letting go of things, of sacrifice, and ardent prayer. This is imagery not only given in readings such as this Sunday's (Mk 1:12-15) which briefly describes Christ being driven into the desert for fasting and resistance to temptation for 40 days. Or even Hosea, where the proverbial adulterous wife is hedged in, wooed in the desert and so forth.

However I was recently thinking that Lent should invite us to something closer to Christ: the scene between Him and St Simon helping Him take up the gloriously wretched Cross. Are we walking with Christ, close enough that we can be friends, or the bride as He is the Bridegroom? Can we claim to be His helpmate as Eve was to designed to be for Adam?

Patrick Henry Quote

"Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."

Did you know that I get caught off guard each time someone asks if I have a brother or not. I don't really know what to say. Some people know about you, but most don't.

I wish I could see you. Who do you look like, mom or dad? Are you the perfect middle child, bridging the two extremes between me and monkey? What do you like? What do you see? Where are you? What's it like to be nameless until 2006, when you would have been 21? You know that I miss you, without having ever seen you, right? You know that I love you too?

I'm sorry that you were just discarded in a biohazard bin. I gave you a name in 2006, Joseph. Maybe that can begin to make amends. It was Jennifer's idea, and it was good, but brought the pain to a new high. It made it real, that you were no longer a mere abstract, but my brother. My little baby brother ... dude, I don't even know what that means; what it feels like or anything else at all.

Remember last year when I hit a point during Lent? I know in my head that its not my fault, that somehow my costing mom and dad over $100,000 in neonatal and preemie care, is not reason alone for you not living. I can't be used as the excuse, nor can your disorder. You've probably seen how that that 'perfect child' ideal has backfired.

There's many reasons why I'm not happy with my mom, but you know that you're among the top. You are probably also aware that each 40 Days campaign I do is somehow for you; mom's never really shown remorse.

Oh, say Hi to Jesus for me, would you? Tell Him I'm doing okay here, but He's got to start coming through for me in some huge ways. He knows what I mean.

See you,

Your sister, Megan

Dissent Fest

The brochures and registration packets are now available in parishes throughout the Los Angeles archdiocese, for the RE Congress.

As a member of USC Our Savior Chapel's Peer Ministry Council, I recieved the packet this evening and tried very hard not to show my distaste.

Liturgical direction is headed under Ed Archer, from St. Monica's Parish in Santa Monica. That's for the Youth Day. St Monica's thinks that having a homosexual community and a dating lounge in the church's auditorium is the greatest way of attracting young adults.

As for Mass, there are different "characters", or flavors. There are some pretty wild themes: "Church on Way to Unity," Hawaiian, Celtic, etc.

There's the returning classic of Sacred Space that unwittingly promotes Centering Prayer.