Prayer After Holy Communion

Lord, help me to remove from my mind every thought
or opinion which You would not sanction,
every feeling form my heart which You would not approve.

Grant that I may spend the hours of the day
gladly working with You according to Your will.

Help me just for today and be with me.

In the long hours of work,
that I may not grow weary or slack in serving You.

In conversations,
that they may not be to me occasions of uncharitableness.

In the day's worries and disappointments,
that I may be patient with myself and with those around me.

In moments of fatigue and illness,
that I may be mindful of others also.

In temptations, that I may be generous and loyal,
so that when the day is over I may lay it at Your feet,
with its successes which are all Yours,
and its failures which are all my own,
and I may feel that life is real and peaceful,
and blessed when spent with you as the Guest of my soul.

Mary, Mother of Grace, Mother of Mercy, shield me from
the enemy and receive me at the hour of my death.

Amen

Do you have a prayer that you always say after Holy Communion?

The Airborne Toxic Event

The Airborne Toxic Event have signed to Majordomo Records.


Have you heard their recordings?

Sound and Vision: My Interview with The Airborne Toxic Event

Videos of the Pope's Visit

Videos of the Pope's visit at the National Shrine are available through the USCCB. You may find them here.

Are you aware of these videos?

The Definition of Some Men as They Relate to Some Women

Men are pretty good actors. They have resisted domestication by women throughout the ages.

True they are tame, will come to you for affection, come to be fed, play, and behave generally like other human beings with one exception, they will do this only if they want to or because there is a benefit to them in their choice.

No amount of coaxing, training, or discipline will make men obey if they deem otherwise.

They are completely independent by nature. They have many of the qualities, good and bad, that most actors have. They can be captivating, productive, self centered, and accomplished. They possess the ability to bring all of these characteristics into perfect play.

If you have ever watched a man court a woman, you saw there was little difference in his approach when he is working with a computer, looking for a car to purchase, or deciding on a good book to learn from. His mind is completely free from outside distractions while concentrating on his task. Nothing else but his goal is important. He will court the imagined prey, work with it in mock battle, dodge, flee in terror and hide, only to wait for the time to court again.

But do not ever think that he really cares long term for the woman, the computer, the car, or the book. After a while he will lose interest in the current woman, computer, car or book, and just as quickly as he started the play to reach his goal, or learn, he will drop it. (This could be due to his relating better to a more interesting, newer, better equipped, more informative or more entertaining, woman, computer, car or book.)

(This writing was inspired from reading page 21 of ON METHOD ACTING)

Man's best hope to master himself is to face these facts and turn to the Imitation of Christ.

Do you agree or disagree with these statements?

The Pope's Prayer Intentions

Apostleship of Prayer

Traditional Daily Offering of the Apostleship of Prayer

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

Do you pray for the Pope's monthly intentions each day?

Our Moment Seeing Pope Benedict XVI

Security was tight but catching a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI was still possible for many of the laity. Security teams and policemen were capable and kind concerning the crowds in the area where we were waiting.

Adrienne Marie and Matthew Dylan own a condo near the Vatican Embassy so parking was not a problem for us.

The Blessed Mother guided our path and we were able to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI during his return to the Vatican Embassy from the White House in the Pope mobile on April 16, 2008. We saw him exit his vehicle and enter the Embassy. He did not choose to face the crowd where we were standing so Parker Joseph was disappointed that we were not able to wish him Happy Birthday. There were many children in the crowd carrying signs wishing The Vicar of Christ, a Happy Birthday. Some were able to locate him in the few seconds allowed and some were not able. Parker Joseph wasn't able to focus and see him from the shoulders of his Aunt Anna, there just wasn't enough time.

Miranda Joanne, Parker Joseph, Miranda Patricia, Jane Katherine, Michael Alexander, Anna Claire (and her baby to be), Abigail Marie, Anna Patricia, Sophie Elizabeth and Michael Albert and I all drove to Washington DC together from our homes in Northern Virginia.

The laity showed their support, their love, along with their prayers. We were grateful to God who allowed him to visit the United States, and allowed us our moment to make an effort in showing our support.

God sees all of course, knows all, and reads hearts and not just appearances. We hope The Holy Father's visit will save souls and bring them back to God and inspire all to make better decisions in life.

Did you have an opportunity to see Pope Benedict XVI while he visited Washington DC?

1. The Pope in America Blog

Pope Benedict XVI Visits The United States

Pope Benedict Prepares for First U.S. Trip



NYC/USA Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI 2008



BENEDICT XVI_A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE TRUTH

Pope Mobile Route Announced

USCCB Papal Visit Site | Itinerary

Popemobile routes offer public chance to see Pope in D.C.

Will you have the chance to try to catch a glimpse of the Pope while he visits the United States?

Who will former President Carter support?

Friday April 4, 2008

Former President Carter hints at support for Obama

By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, one of a handful of high-profile Democrats who has remained neutral in his party's presidential primary battle, has hinted he supports Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks during a news conference in Kathmandu November 24, 2007. (REUTERS/ Deepa Shrestha/Files)

Carter told a Nigerian newspaper that his home state of Georgia and his hometown of Plains backed Obama in the state's Feb. 5 primary. His children, their spouses and his grandchildren support Obama as well, he said.

"As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for but I leave it to you to make that guess," Carter told the newspaper This Day on Thursday.

A Carter spokeswoman confirmed the statement. Carter, 83, served as president for one term from 1976-81. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Democratic Party rules allow nearly 800 elected officials and party insiders, known as "superdelegates," to back whom they want at the party's nominating convention.

Those who remain unaligned are being courted by both campaigns, as they could mean the difference between victory and defeat in the hard-fought battle to win the nomination and take on Republican John McCain in the November election.

Neither Obama, an Illinois senator who would be the first black president, nor Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady who would be the first woman president, is likely to clinch the nomination through the state-by-state primaries and caucuses that continue through June.

"Both President Clinton and Senator Clinton have a great deal of respect for Jimmy Carter and have enjoyed their relationship with him," Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said. "He is free to make whatever decision he thinks is appropriate."

An Obama spokesman declined immediate comment.

Obama's camp has argued superdelegates should support the candidate who finishes with the most pledged delegates won in state contests.

Other superdelegates who remain uncommitted include U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Al Gore, the 2000 Democratic presidential nominee.

Carter has said he will remain uncommitted until the Democratic National Convention in August, Carter Center spokeswoman Deanna Congileo said.

Carter was in Abuja, Nigeria to help African countries fight Guinea worm disease. (Additional reporting by Matt Bigg)

Copyright © 2008 Reuters

The Carter Center: Advancing Human Rights and Alleviating Suffering

Have you considered supporting the good work of The Carter Center?

I wonder which one caused the food poisoning I am currently suffering from?

Food Poisoning Causes

More than 200 known diseases can be transmitted through food. Those are just the ones we know about. The CDC estimates unknown or undiscovered agents cause 81% of all food-borne illnesses and related hospitalizations. Many cases of food poisoning are not reported because people suffer mild symptoms and recover quickly. Also, doctors do not test for a cause in every suspected case because it does not change the treatment or the outcome.

• The known causes of food poisoning can be divided into two categories: infective agents and toxic agents.
  
  
  • Infective agents include viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
  
  
  
  • Toxic agents include poisonous mushrooms, improperly prepared exotic foods (such as barracuda), or pesticides on fruits and vegetables.


• Food usually becomes contaminated from poor sanitation or preparation. Food handlers who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom or have infections themselves often cause contamination. Improperly packaged food stored at the wrong temperature also promotes contamination.

Food Poisoning Symptoms

Symptoms of food poisoning depend on the type of contaminant and the amount eaten. The symptoms can develop rapidly, within 30 minutes, or slowly, worsening over days to weeks. Most of the common contaminants cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Usually food poisoning is not serious, and the illness runs its course in 24-48 hours.

• Viruses account for most food poisoning cases where a specific contaminant is found.
  
  
  • Norwalk virus: Causes a mild illness with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and low-grade fever. These symptoms usually resolve in two to three days. It is the most common viral cause of adult food poisoning and is transmitted from water, shellfish, and vegetables contaminated by feces, as well as from person to person.
  
  
  
  • Rotavirus: Causes moderate to severe illness with vomiting followed by watery diarrhea and fever. It is the most common cause of food poisoning in infants and children and is transmitted from person to person by fecal contamination of food and shared play areas.
  
  
  
  • Hepatitis A: Causes mild illness with sudden onset of fever, loss of appetite, and feeling of tiredness followed by jaundice, which is a yellowing of the eyes and skin. It is transmitted from person to person by fecal contamination of food.


• Bacteria can cause food poisoning by two different ways. Some bacteria infect the intestines, causing inflammation and problems with normal absorption of nutrients and water that leads to diarrhea. Other bacteria produce chemicals in foods (known as toxins) that are poisonous to the human digestive system. When eaten, these chemicals can lead to nausea and vomiting, kidney failure, and even death.
  
  
  • Salmonellae: Salmonellae are bacteria that may cause food poisoning; the illness itself is often referred to as Salmonella or Salmonella infection. Salmonellae cause a moderate illness with nausea, vomiting, crampy diarrhea, and headache, which may come back a few weeks later as arthritis (joint pains). In people with impaired immune systems (such as people with kidney disease or HIV/AIDS or those on chemotherapy for cancer), Salmonellae can cause a life-threatening illness. The illness is transmitted by undercooked foods such as eggs, poultry, dairy products, and seafood.
  
  
  
  • Campylobacter: Causes mild illness with fever, watery diarrhea, headache, and muscle aches. Campylobacter is the most commonly identified food-borne bacterial infection encountered in the world. It is transmitted by raw poultry, raw milk, and water contaminated by animal feces.
  
  
  
  • Staphylococcus aureus: Causes moderate to severe illness with rapid onset of nausea, severe vomiting, dizziness, and abdominal cramping. These bacteria produce a toxin in foods such as cream-filled cakes and pies, salads (most at risk are potato, macaroni, egg, and tuna salads, for example) and dairy products. Contaminated potato salad at a picnic is common if the food is not chilled properly.
  
  
  
  • Bacillus cereus: Causes mild illness with rapid onset of vomiting, with or without diarrhea and abdominal cramping. It is associated with rice (mainly fried rice) and other starchy foods such as pasta or potatoes. May also be used as a potential terrorist weapon.
  
  
  
  • Escherichia coli (E coli): Causes moderate to severe illness that begins as large amounts of watery diarrhea, and then turns into bloody diarrhea. There are many different types of this bacterium. The worst strain can cause kidney failure and death (about 3-5% of all cases). It is transmitted by eating raw or undercooked hamburger, unpasteurized milk or juices, or contaminated well water. Outbreaks of food poisoning due to E.coli have also occurred following ingestion of contaminated produce.
  
  
  
  • Shigella (traveler’s diarrhea): Causes moderate to severe illness with fever, diarrhea containing blood or mucus or both, and the constant urge to have bowel movements. It is transmitted in water polluted with human wastes.
  
  
  
  • Clostridium botulinum (botulism): Causes severe illness affecting the nervous system. Symptoms start as blurred vision. The person then has problems talking and overall weakness. Symptoms then progress to breathing difficulty and inability to move arms or legs. Infants and young children are particularly at risk. It is transmitted in foods such as home-packed canned goods, honey, sausages, and seafood.
  
  
  
  • Vibrio cholerae: Causes mild to moderate illness with crampy diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, and fever with chills. It strikes mostly in the warmer months of the year and is transmitted by infected, undercooked, or raw seafood.
  
  
  


• Parasites rarely cause food poisoning. When they do, they are usually swallowed in contaminated or untreated water and cause long-lasting but mild symptoms.
  
  
  • Giardia (beaver fever): Causes mild illness with watery diarrhea often lasting one to two weeks. It is transmitted by drinking contaminated water, often from lakes or streams in cooler mountainous climates.
  
  
  
  • Cryptosporidium: Causes moderate illness with large amounts of watery diarrhea lasting two to four days. May become a long-lasting problem in people with poor immune systems (such as people with kidney disease or HIV/AIDS or those on chemotherapy for cancer). It is transmitted by contaminated drinking water.
  
  
  


• Toxic agents are the least common cause of food poisoning. Illness is often an isolated episode caused by poor food preparation or selection (such as picking wild mushrooms).
  
  
  • Mushroom toxins: Illness can range from mild to deadly depending on the type of mushroom eaten. Often there is nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some types of mushrooms produce a nerve toxin, which causes sweating, shaking, hallucinations, and coma.
  
  
  
  • Ciguatera poisoning: Causes moderate to severe illness with numbness of the area around the mouth and lips that can spread to the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and weakness, headache, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat. It is transmitted by eating certain large game fish from tropical waters—most specifically barracuda and jacks.
  
  
  
  • Scombroid: Causes mild to moderate illness with burning around the mouth and lips, a red rash to the upper body, dizziness, headache, and itchy skin. It is transmitted in seafood, mostly mahi-mahi and tuna, but can also be in Swiss cheese.
  
  
  
  • Pesticides: Cause mild to severe illness with weakness, blurred vision, headache, cramps, diarrhea, increased production of saliva, and shaking of the arms and legs. Toxins are transmitted by eating unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with pesticides.

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Have you ever suffered from food poisoning?

Lost My Diamond

I lost the pear shaped diamond from my engagement ring. Don't know where or when it was lost. I only know that I detected it missing this morning April 8, 2008.

One of the prongs broke and the diamond slipped out. The value was great to me, so the loss of it is a suffering to be endured.

Have you ever lost a diamond from a ring setting due to the prong breaking?

First Monday of The Sacred Heart Of God The Father

http://movingheartfoundation.com/SacredHeartOfGodTheFatherReferencesForTheEightFirstMondays.htm


Are you aware of this Feast Day given to a chosen soul?

St. Vincent Ferrer Feast Day April 5

Patron Saints Index: Saint Vincent Ferrer

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Vincent Ferrer

www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/mchale.html




Do you have a devotion to this Great Saint?

I'll Be There

This, is our fork in the road
Love's last episode
There's nowhere to go, oh no

You made your choice, now it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key, but baby

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be around

I, knew just what to say
Now I found out today
That all the words had slipped away, but I know

There's always a chance
A tiny spark remains, yeah
And sparks turn into flames
And love can burn once again, but I know you know

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be around...yeah

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Even if I have to call, I'll be there
I'll be around

Just call me at home, I'll be there
I'll never leave you alone, I'll be there
Just call out your name you know I know you know
I'll be around

Who do you think of when you hear this song?