Can I do it?? No Facebook for 6 weeks!!!

Well, here comes the big question!!! Can Lisa give up Facebook for 6 weeks?? The scary thing is, I DON'T KNOW!?! It totally freaks me out that I'm so addicted to something, especially something I told my son less than a year ago, was stupid and that I would never do! But, let me sing the praises of FB (that's what we users call it). I think like any other thing in this world, that if used properly, Facebook is a wonderful thing. Since signing up for FB, I have reconnected with so many old friends, kept in touch with my neighbors, and even talk with people I've never met. I have been shown love, support, and kindness by so many people (and everyone seems to know my birthday, haha). As a communication tool...it rocks!! But, with the good comes the bad...it lacks physical presence and speaking via text doesn't always help some conversations. One cannot discern the tone and expression of others and that makes some people jumpy and defensive. I've had my share of family arguments via Facebook and it's not something of which I'm proud. It does have a touch of voyeurism too...I know what my neighbor is cooking and when one of my son's friends pierced her ears for the 3rd time without her mother's permission! It seems to swallow up whole hours and keep one from getting a good nights sleep. 15 minutes at 11pm, turns into 2 hrs., and before you know it...it's 1am!! I'm definitely not saying I'm giving it up forever!! LOL (that means laugh out loud)!! But, I am thinking that I might could do this for 6 weeks. Of course, I'll miss out on what all my friends are doing and when their next haircut occurs, but I'm going to try and devote a little more time to my family. And give more time to my Lord and Savior, who has given up so much for me. Turns out, after a Google search, I'm not the only person addicted to Facebook that plans to take a break for Lent!! Don't worry about it...I'll be back!! I get much joy out of being there for you, supporting you and praying for you. I feel honored to share in your joys and sorrows. And I thank all of you for being there for me too! God bless you my FB Friends!!

Keep on Dancing!!

Let's "Give it Up" for Lent!!

The season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17th, is an awesome time to refocus our lives. As Catholic Christians, we take this 6 week period before Easter to peel away the layers, to look inside at what may be keeping us from having a closer relationship with Jesus. We evaluate our sinful nature and try to recommit our lives to Him. It's hard to look inside at the ugliness of sin...to really take responibility for the things we do...or don't do for that matter!! What's keeping me from Jesus and my ultimate goal of spending eternity with Him?? Is it a preoccupation with worldly possessions? Is it to much time on the computer or some other addiction? Is it a hatred for someone or an apathy for my job? To be honest, I often find it's the little things...like being late (for which I'm famous), or not giving time and attention to my spouse, or not giving 100% to the task at hand.

To get refocused and recharged we use certain practices to retrain ourselves. I'm often asked about the practice of fasting and abstaining. During Lent, we fast at certain times and abstain from eating meat on fridays. Most Catholics "give up" something as well. It maybe a certain food, or some habit of which we aren't proud. Some people give up watching TV or they may decide to give up sweets, or a favorite drink. Yes, these are trivial things, but it's not necessarily what your fasting from, but the ability to practice self-denial, obedience, and self-discipline. Our ultimate model, is Jesus himself...who was obedient to the Father and willing to sacrifice his own life for our sins. While practicing this self-denial we can relate in some small way to our Lord. It allows us to open the scripture and be more spiritually focused.

We try to take up habits and practices that are more pleasing to God. We can decide to help a neighbor with a task, or sponsor a young girl who is with child. We can donate clothing or food to the homeless shelter or spend more time with family in prayer and devotion. We're reminded that our lives are like waves which crash upon the sand, our mortal bodies are fleeting...we want to focus on what will last, and that's the soul!! We're preparing for our heavenly home which will be filled with richness, goodness, and abundance beyond compare!

So, let's be committed to "giving up" that which is keeping us from Christ! Let's turn away from sin and be faithful to God's message in the Gospel! Let us be cleansed from our sinful ways and open our hearts to what God is offering us!!

Keep on Dancing!!

Why do we Have to Choose Sides?

As we celebrate the national Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, I was thinking how far we've come from the 1960's...and how far we have to go as a human race. My question is, why do we have to choose sides? Why do we have to divide ourselves into black and white, rich and poor, this or that?? Why can't we be a part of the human race and why can't we respect each other in spite of our differences? Why do we even have to point out our differences? It seems that many national leaders, political pundits and activists are always pointing out our differences and things that separate us...never the things that unite us! It seems they are so far removed from the true picture, where most of us live and work with many different races and cultures. We seem to be doing ok with each other, but they are constantly telling us we are not. They are constantly pitting us against each other and wanting us to take sides. How fitting that as we celebrate this day, we as Americans are united behind the Haitian people. Disaster and tragedy know no color or station in life. It is simply humans in need of human kindness and I think Dr. King would like that!!

Keep on Dancing!!

There's Something About Mary

Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a day to give honor to our Blessed Mother. She is the perfect model of a Christian. She said "yes" not even knowing what was happening to her or what her life would hold from that time forward. She is the model of true faith!! Many non-Catholics don't quite understand the reverence given to Mary, but it is quite simple...and Biblical! We are often scorned for saying the Hail Mary, but many do not know the prayer is scriptural. The first part of the prayer consist of scripture found in the first chapter of Luke.

Hail favored one! The Lord is with you. Luke 1:28

This was proclaimed by the Angel Gabriel...then...

Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Luke 1:42

These words were spoken by Mary's cousin Elizabeth, who was carrying John the Baptist at the time.

Now listen to the Hail Mary-
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God.
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

The last part of the prayer is a simple petition for Mary to pray for us. That's it, nothing more...so simple! Just as we ask each other for prayer, we can ask Mary and the Saints to pray and intercede for us at the throne of God. They are alive with him in Heaven!

Catholic Christians do not worship Mary. We only worship God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are one. We honor Mary just as Christ honored Mary. As Mother Teresa said, "I only want to love Mary as much as Jesus did, no more, no less."
I think that was beautifully said.

Without even knowing it, Mary was the first Christian, the New Eve, and the Ark of the Covenant. Mary is our spiritual, heavenly, and Blessed Mother. As Mary herself put it in Luke 1:46-55, My soul glorifies the Lord. Mary glorifies Jesus, she brings us closer to Jesus. She only wants us to know him and serve him. Thank you Mother Mary for showing us how to love your Son, Jesus!

Keep On Dancing!!

It's NOT Christmas, it's Advent!!!

As I keep telling my children, who have been bombarded by the commercialism of the season; it's NOT Christmas, it's Advent!!! For Catholic Christians, Christmas doesn't officially begin until Christmas day, hence the 12 days of Christmas that follow. Prior to Christmas, we celebrate Advent. This is a time of anticipation, waiting, and longing for our Savior to arrive. We try to prepare our hearts and minds for the awesome event that changed our lives forever. Therefore, at the Dougherty household, you will find no babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger until Christmas Day (well, I do put a Nativity in our yard). You will find no wise men hovering over the creche until their appointed time (Epiphany)!! And speaking of Advent, one of our favorite traditions is to keep the baby Jesus hidden until Christmas day. I usually hide him somewhere in the house and on Christmas morning, the kids run around trying to find him. The one who finds him gets to place him in his "SOFT" bed...yes, I said soft. All during the Advent season the kids place cotton balls in his straw bed for each nice thing they say or do...and by Christmas morning, hopefully we have made a cozy bed for our Savior! Yes, I even make Taylor participate and sometimes Mama and Daddy do too!! This is a special reminder, that the things we do and say everyday, do make a difference. When we hurt others, it hurts Christ, and when we help others we are helping Christ. Don't forget those who are sick, lonely, hungry, cold, and needy this season and ALL year long! One of my favorite Christmas songs is by Celine Dion and isn't a traditional carol, but I think the words say everything that need to be said..."Don't save it all for Christmas day, find a way, to give a little love everyday." God bless you during this Advent and Christmas season!

Keep on Dancing!!

Communion Scandal...Should a Bishop Withhold Communion?

As many of you may have heard in the news, the Bishop of Rhode Island asked Representative Patrick Kennedy(D), to abstain from receiving Communion in the Catholic Church. He was asked to abstain several years ago, but Representative Kennedy felt the need to reveal this information this week.

As a Catholic Christian, Holy Communion(Eucharist) is sacred. It is the reason we come together in unity/communion with one another. The Eucharist is our spiritual food. Just as nutritional food nourishes our bodies, the Eucharist feeds our soul! As Catholic Christians, the Eucharist is not a symbol of the body and blood of Christ. We believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, just as Jesus described in John, Chapter 6. Jesus makes no bones about it. He says in verse 55, For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Verse 52 says, whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Verses 53 and 54 say, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life... Catholic Christians take these verses literally. But, the big kicker for Rep. Kennedy comes with 1 Corinth. 11:26-29;...Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgement on himself.

This brings us to Bishop Thomas Tobin of Rhode Island. Normally the average person's Bishop doesn't know the conscience of every member under his care and therefore, usually doesn't demand such of his flock. But, Rep. Kennedy has made himself a public figure and made his will known through the public record. He has upheld and supported the killing of unborn babies through his public actions and voting record. His conscience has been made known to all and I believe his Bishop has the duty to ask Rep. Kennedy to abstain from eating and drinking judgement upon himself. This Bishop is one brave voice crying out in the wilderness. While other Bishops struggle to find their voice and remain speechless, this Bishop is a true leader.

Rep. Kennedy has several options. He can abstain from receiving Holy Communion...since he is NOT in communion with the Church, he can cease to be a Catholic Christian and continue on with his defective moral beliefs, or he can renounce abortion, ask God's forgiveness, and come forward to receive his Lord and maker. I hope he chooses the latter. The "rights" of some in society, do not justify the killing of others. Along with the accolades of being a congressman, and a Kennedy, come the responsibilites and duties of being a public figure, with a public record. As Rep. Kennedy's grandmother would say, "To whom much has been given, much is required."

The Last Things

Wow...I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I've posted! Needless to say, I've had a busy few months, with school, work, children's activities, the Swine Flu, and keeping the Grandparents well!! Hopefully, I can post at least once a month until school is out...we'll see! I just love this time of year and I guess it got my creative juices flowing. I always like to slip something in here for my non-Catholic friends, to explain my crazy ways!! The Catholic Church runs on a liturgical calendar or cycle...and our lives as Catholic Christians revolve around the Church. For the Catholic Church, it's the end of the liturgical year. The beginning of the year starts with Advent on Nov. 29th of this year. But, the scripture readings for Mass and the focus at the end of the year, turns to death, judgement, Heaven, and hell! I know it sounds a little scary, but it gives us time as Christians to reflect upon our lives and how we are living them. Are we prepared to face death and judgement? Are we prepared to meet our Heavenly Father and give account of our daily choices? We also remember those who have gone before us to their Heavenly home. Our precious family members, who have been a witness and example to us. We must choose to model our lives after those who have loved and served the Lord. We recognize that we to are called to be Saints and bear witness to the Gospel. We have to be willing to see our faults and failures and sincerely want to change and grow closer to God! God gives us this great gift through the Church...as the leaves are changing colors, dying, and falling to the ground, as the chill of the Fall wind blows, we to must face our mortality. But, through the Grace of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we are given a chance to be immortal...to live with him for all eternity.