Saturday, October 25, 2008

F.AS.T Annual October Rally



REMINDER!
F.AS.T Annual Rally this Monday night (October 27, 2008)
Members check with your pastor for location, time, and car pooling.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Did you see Michelle?

Did you see Michelle?
Evelyn --

I am so lucky to be married to the woman who delivered that speech last night.

Michelle was electrifying, inspiring, and absolutely magnificent. I get a lot of credit for the speech I gave at the 2004 convention -- but I think she may have me beat.

You have to see it to believe it.

And make sure to forward this email to your friends and family -- they'll want to see it, too.

Watch Michelle's Speech


You really don't want to miss this.

And I'm not just saying that because she's my wife -- I truly believe it was the best speech of the campaign so far.

Barack


Donate



 



Saturday, June 28, 2008

Deadline: Monday

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with a message from the camp for Presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
--------------------

Dear Evelyn --

On Monday, everyone will be watching our fundraising totals to see if we can compete with the McCain campaign.

This month is the first test of our grassroots fundraising strategy since we declared our independence from the broken campaign finance system.

You can help build our organization and show that a movement of ordinary people giving only what they can afford is changing the way presidential campaigns are funded.

Now is the perfect time to step up and own a piece of this campaign. And if you make your first donation right now, you'll receive a special gift.

Make a donation of $15 or more by midnight on Monday, June 30th, and show off your support with an Obama logo car magnet:

Donate Before the June 30th Deadline

https://donate.barackobama.com/logomagnet

Thanks to the support of people like you, this is the first presidential campaign in a generation to build an organization in all 50 states.

This campaign is committed to changing the political map and competing in every part of the country, not just in traditionally Democratic areas.

It's going to require unprecedented resources to take on John McCain in states like Virginia, Alaska, North Carolina, Montana, Georgia, North Dakota, Indiana, and Colorado.

And right now, we're opening offices and adding staff in these states and many more. That's why your contribution now is so crucial to our success in November.

Make a donation of $15 or more before Monday's financial reporting deadline. Not only will you help build our 50-state strategy, but you will be able to show your support with an Obama logo carmagnet that's not available anywhere else:

https://donate.barackobama.com/logomagnet

Thank you for everything you're doing,

Obama for America

Donate



 

Paid for by Obama for America
 

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

VIDEO: Barack speaks to staff


Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with a message from the camp for Presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

--------------------

Dear Evelyn --

I want to share a very special video with you that shows a side of Barack Obama few outside the campaign have seen.

A few days after he became the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack spoke to campaign staff and volunteers at our headquarters in Chicago.

He shared his personal thoughts about what we had accomplished and outlined the challenging road ahead.

We were all so moved by what Barack had to say that I knew we had to share it with all of you:

Video: Barack Speaks to Staff and Volunteers

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

In just a few minutes, Barack expressed what this campaign is all about. He reminded us of the challenges we face -- and that our fellow Americans are counting on our success.

That's a message that everyone who believes in this campaign should hear.

And now that we have declared our independence from a broken campaign finance system, what Barack said about building a national movement for change is more important than ever.

The consequences of allowing John McCain to continue George Bush's failed policies are too great -- we all need to take action now.

Watch this video and join more than 1.5 million donors who own a piece of this campaign by making your first donation. If you give right now, your gift will be matched by a previous donor, doubling your impact. You can even choose to exchange a note with a fellow supporter about Barack's speech and why you are supporting this campaign.

Watch this video and make a matching donation of $25 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

The stakes in this election couldn't be higher. Help build this movement by supporting our campaign today.

Thanks for everything you do,

Steve

Steve Hildebrand
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Donate




 

Paid for by Obama for America
 

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The General's Health

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,
with the latest on the health of Attorney General Bill McCollum.
__________________________________________________________
News Release: June 10, 2008


Statement from the Attorney General's Office


TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Attorney General's Office released the following
statement regarding a medical procedure Attorney General McCollum underwent
earlier today:

“Last week, Attorney General McCollum's physicians discovered a singular
partial arterial blockage during a routine screening. At his physicians'
advice, the Attorney General underwent additional tests earlier this week
to determine the best course of treatment.

“Today, the partial blockage was successfully remedied by the placement of
a stent, a small metal tube that is inserted permanently into an artery to
improve blood flow. Attorney General McCollum's physicians expect that he
will have made a full recovery within the next few days and will be able to
return to his normal activities soon.”

This statement may be attributed to the Attorney General's Press Secretary,
Sandi Copes.

-------------

Evelyn out.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Crime has . . .

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with a little wisdom from the old but not so old. These saying of my are turning into a neat little collection.

Crime has . . .
Crime has no and every color. It has no economic level and the highest of
economical level; no age and every age; no sex yet every sex.


Know and be safe.



Evelyn out

Sunday, May 25, 2008

2008 Election and The Catholic's Voice

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

Much is being said about this 2008 election on the many of the polical websites. Whether the candidates are running for a chance to win the Republican, the Democratic or an  Independents nomination for the presidency,  the websites are filled with timely reports of what is happening with the candidates, their opinions, and the results after each primary race.We have read them. We have  watched and and now we can hear what Catholics are saying.

American Catholic - Election 2008

Evelyn out.

Jesus Christ - A Poster Card

Hello Everyone,
Evelyn Here,

Below is what I believe to be a truly beautiful attempt by the unknown artist to express the purity and spirituality of Jesus in this portrait. In doing so the artist revealed the purity of his/her own soul. Although this portrait entitled, "Jesus Christ", is on a poster card, it reflects the true spirit of Christian belief.

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ

Evelyn out.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Politico.com Breaking News

ws
Politico.com Breaking News:
---------------------------------------------------------

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) says he has a malignant brain tumor, AP
reports.

For more information...http://www.politico.com


Sunday, May 18, 2008

Friar Jack's E-spirations: Catechism Quiz: The Mosaic of Our Lives


Friar Jack's E-spirations: Catechism Quiz: The Mosaic of Our Lives
May 14, 2008
 

Q U I C K S C A N

The mosaic of St. Francis
Each piece is a moment in our lives
The whole mosaic is an image of our lives

Friar Jack’s Inbox:

Readers reflect on Friar Jack’s musings


Catechism Quiz —
The Mosaic of Our Lives

by Friar Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M.

My theological training in preparation for my ordination to the priesthood in 1961 took place at St. Leonard College just south of Dayton, Ohio. The building was brand new when we moved there, built because of the growing number of friar students. At the same time, the chapel was the last part of the seminary to be completed, and so we had a chance to watch workers lay the marble altars, do the terrazzo and put in the stained-glass windows.

The mosaic of St. Francis

One of the treats was to watch the workers who came from Italy install a gigantic mosaic on the outside wall of the chapel, greeting the people as they came in the main entrance for Mass and services. It was a massive piece of artwork depicting the hymn of St. Francis, the “Canticle of the Creatures” in which Francis praised God for all of creation, including Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Fire and so much more.

The mosaic was composed of more than 250,000 small pieces of mosaic tile, with no single piece being identical in color, shape or size to any other piece. The artwork measured about 15 feet wide and 35 feet high. It was a wonderful gift of the many Secular Franciscan (Third Order) fraternities of our province.

Many times I gazed at that piece of artwork both as a student and, later on, when I was stationed at St. Leonard Center from 1991 to 2002 as chaplain and pastoral care director. As I looked at this colorful and detailed mosaic, it occurred to me that, in many ways, a mosaic like this was a very good image of what our lives look like as we journey on earth.

Each piece is a moment in our lives

If you think about it, for all the years we are on earth, our lives are still made up of moments and small actions. Each one of them contribute in some way to the whole picture or mosaic of our lives, as through the years we place piece after piece of colored stone next to one another. Every piece is a little different in color, shape or size. No one piece is the whole mosaic. It takes hundreds of thousands of moments to describe our whole lives. Yet, each small distinct piece does play a role in what our whole lives ultimately look like.

Looking up at the figure of St. Francis in that mosaic, there are pieces that are golden, some that are black, blue, brown, silver and so many more colors and various shades of color. It seemed to me that we know ourselves well enough—our weaknesses, frailties and, yes, our sins—that if pure gold is the color of perfection, no human mosaic will be pure gold. Truth be told, our lives are more like all the colors of the spectrum. Yes, there are those moments of great, wonderful acts of faith, charity, love and care for others. There are the colors that are drab and dark and pieces that are roughly shaped and discolored. And yet, there are two things that always struck me as truly wonderful. It is the mixture of color and hues, shapes and sizes that actually make our personal mosaics interesting beyond words. It is the dark mosaic pieces that cause the bright ones to be highlighted. The dark ones stand out next to bright ones.

The whole mosaic is an image of our lives

But isn’t that really what our lives are like? God made us in his own image and likeness—talk about beautiful pieces of mosaic! However, we are wounded, hence the dark and drab pieces. But when combined with all the various colors and shapes and sizes, the final picture is truly one of beauty. You ask, how can our sins contribute to the beauty of this mosaic of our lives? Simply because they are what remind us of the love and mercy of God that we have all experienced in our lives. The beautiful reds and blues and golds are those moments of God’s love, moments when we prayed, loved others and served them, sacrificed for family and loved ones, forgave those who may have injured us, chose God and sought his will. Each became another piece of mosaic placed in our life’s journey.

There is something else we can hardly see, but it is essential. When the workers were installing the mosaic of St. Francis on the front outside wall, it would not hang by itself. It was placed against a bed of powerful mortar, which held it all together against rains, snow and sleet. What’s the mortar? What else but the unseen grace of God that holds us together and supports us through our lives.

Perhaps we could title our own mosaic the “Canticle of Our Journey in Christ.” One last point: It is only when we see God face-to-face as we enter eternity that we will see our whole life as one piece. It will indeed be a “thing of beauty” far beyond our wildest imagination

Friar Jack’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jack’s musings on “ Philippine Diary: The Old Franciscan Church in Santa Ana.”

Dear Friar Jack: Thanks so much for all your e-mails. I’m especially writing about Our Lady of the Abandoned. It is a beautiful article and prayer. I will keep the prayer to say for all the abandoned and especially for the mentally ill. Mental illness is a widespread and serious family problem. I will offer this prayer as often as I can. Many thanks and God bless. Nella

Dear Nella: I thank you for your note and for the others who responded this month. You are all in my prayers. Friar Jack

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

 
Friar Jack's E-spirations
Catholic Greetings Premiere
Saint of the Day
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Your E-mail Address:


 
 
A Message From Friar Jack
Welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy all of the news about what’s happening at AmericanCatholic.org, as well as my “musings.” By the way, I am a real Franciscan friar, as is my coworker, Friar Jim. You can find out more about us here.

 
Prayers From Franciscan Hearts
Contemporary Reflections From Women and Men
Book by Paula Pearce, S.F.O.
Foreword by Murray Bodo, O.F.M.

As Franciscans celebrate the 800th anniversary of their founding, this collection of prayers and reflections from Franciscans in several countries will be a valued addition to your trove of prayer resources. Learn more here.


 
Faith Formation Update

A free monthly e-newsletter for catechetical leaders. The focus is parish catechesis beyond textbooks and classrooms.

Click here to find May’s issue.


 
Song of the Sparrow
New Poems and Meditations
Book by Murray Bodo, O.F.M.

Father Murray highlights the spiritual path for those new to it and those who, like him, are always rediscovering it. His musings, meditations and messages are a font of inspiration for those seeking new ways to pray. Learn more here.


 
Catholic Greetings

Beautiful, free Catholic e-greetings for graduations, summer vacations and many other occasions.
Click here for details.


 
101 Inspirational Stories of the Priesthood
Book by Sister Patricia Proctor, O.S.C.

Each story in this collection offers a window into the special relationship that each person has with the ordained priesthood, the ministry that makes present Jesus himself through the sacraments. Learn more here.


 
Free Samples—ONLINE!

Sample book chapters, audio clips and video clips before purchasing items from St. Anthony Messenger Press. Click here to find the latest from your favorite authors.


 
Deeper Conversion
Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times
Book by Sister Ann Shields, S.G.L.

This book will help readers examine their lives in the light of the Bible so they can harvest the Word and apply it to daily circumstances. A Servant Book. Learn more here.


 

If you want to know more, try our St. Anthony search engines.


St. Anthony, Help Me Find...
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Check out the entire St. Anthony Messenger Press
family of e-newsletters:

 

   

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Attorney General Consumer Alert

An Attorney General Consumer Alert has been issued.



McCollum Issues Consumer Advisory on Wireless Safety

Advisory follows warning from Federal Bureau of Investigation about
wireless internet safety

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a
consumer advisory cautioning Florida consumers about potential risks
associated with unsecured wireless internet connections. The advisory,
originally issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), warns
consumers about hackers, viruses and other potential issues caused by
using unsecured wireless connections to the internet.

"As technology evolves so do the methods of hackers and other
individuals who can steal your personal information or disable your
computer," said Attorney General McCollum. "Florida’s computer users
should be careful not to trade convenience of access for compromised
information."

According to the FBI, there are 68,000 Wi-Fi "hot spots" in the U.S.,
most commonly located at airports, coffee shops, hotels, bookstores,
schools, and other heavily trafficked locations. Wi-Fi is the common
name for high-frequency wireless technology; hot spots are locations
with networks which consumers can use to connect their computers to
the internet without a physical network connection.

While many of these hot spots have secure networks, some do not and
those unsecured networks can pose substantial risks to computer
users. Personal information, passwords, bank account numbers and
other sensitive information can be compromised over these unsecured
networks. Viruses and worms can also be transmitted much easier over
an unsecured network than through secured networks.

The FBI warns that a common method used by hackers is a bogus but
legitimate-looking Wi-Fi network with a strong signal strategically
set up in a known hot spot for consumers to use. The hacker then
waits for nearby laptops to connect and can mine the computer for
valuable data, record keystrokes, unload viruses or engage in other
maliciousactivities.

Attorney General McCollum offered the following tips to consumers
to protect themselves from becoming vulnerable to attacks over an
unsecured network:

- Consumers should make sure their laptop security is up to
date, with current versions of the operating system, web browser,
firewalls, and antivirus and anti-spyware software.
- Never conduct financial transactions or use applications
like e-mail and instant messaging on an unsecured network.
- Computer users should change the default setting on the
laptops so they have to manually select the Wi-Fi network to which
they’re connecting.
- Disable computers’ Wi-Fi capabilities when not in use.

More information is available at the FBI’s website,
http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/protect_online.htm.

Thank you.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

First Sunday of Advent

hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

the next four entries are form a series that I call my annual Advent Series for 2007, which were originally posted on my new A Catholic's Life homepage. For reason of space on this site, I have omitted the second reading in one or two of the entries and the biography of the artist.  I hope you enjoy viewing these entries as I have in putting then together.

-----------

 

Reading 1

Isaiah 2:1-5

 

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,

saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come,

the mountain of the LORD’s house

shall be established as the highest mountain

and raised above the hills.

All nations shall stream toward it;

many peoples shall come and say:

“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,

to the house of the God of Jacob,

that he may instruct us in his ways,

and we may walk in his paths.”

For from Zion shall go forth instruction,

and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations,

and impose terms on many peoples.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks;

one nation shall not raise the sword against another,

nor shall they train for war again.

O house of Jacob, come,

let us walk in the light of the Lord!

 

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

 

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced because they said to me,

“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”

And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city

with compact unity.

To it the tribes go up,

the tribes of the LORD.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel,

to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

In it are set upjudgment seats,

seats for the house of David.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

May those who love you prosper!

May peace be within your walls,

prosperity in your buildings.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Because of my brothers and friends

I will say, “Peace be within you!”

Because of the house of the LORD, our God,

I will pray for your good.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 

Reading II

Romans 13:11-14

 

Brothers and sisters:

You know the time;

it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.

For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;

the night is advanced, the day is at hand.

Let us then throw off the works of darkness

and put on the armor of light;

let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,

not in orgies and drunkenness,

not in promiscuity and lust,

not in rivalry and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

 

Gospel

Matthew 24:37-44

 

Jesus said to his disciples:

“As it was in the days of Noah,

so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

In those days before the flood,

they were eating and drinking,

marrying and giving in marriage,

up to the day that Noah entered the ark.

They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.

So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.

Two men will be out in the field;

one will be taken, and one will be left.

Two women will be grinding at the mill;

one will be taken, and one will be left.

Therefore, stay awake!

For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house

had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,

he would have stayed awake

and not let his house be broken into.

So too, you also must be prepared,

for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

 

New American Bible

First Sunday of Advent

Psalm: Sunday 41

December 2, 2007

 

Featured Artwork of the Week

 

  • They Shall Beat Their Swords Into Plowshares by Unknown Artist

 

 

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

02.02.07

Second Sunday of Advent

READING

Isaiah 11:1-10

 

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,

and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:

a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

a spirit of counsel and of strength,

a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,

and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge,

nor by hearsay shall he decide,

but he shall judge the poor with justice,

and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.

He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

Justice shall be the band around his waist,

and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

the calf and the young lion shall browse together,

with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,

together their young shall rest;

the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,

and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,

as water covers the sea.

On that day, the root of Jesse,

set up as a signal for the nations,

the Gentiles shall seek out,

for his dwelling shall be glorious.

 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

 

R. (cf. 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,

 

and with your justice, the king’s son;

he shall govern your people with justice

and your afflicted ones with judgment.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Justice shall flower in his days,

and profound peace, till the moon be no more.

May he rule from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,

and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.

He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;

the lives of the poor he shall save.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

May his name be blessed forever;

as long as the sun his name shall remain.

In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;

all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

 

 

 

GOSPEL

Matthew 3:1-12

 

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea

and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice of one crying out in the desert,

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths.

John wore clothing made of camel’s hair

and had a leather belt around his waist.

His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,

and the whole region around the Jordan

were going out to him

and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River

as they acknowledged their sins.

 

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees

coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!

Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.

And do not presume to say to yourselves,

‘We have Abraham as our father.’

For I tell you,

God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.

Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit

will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,

but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.

I am not worthy to carry his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand.

He will clear his threshing floor

and gather his wheat into his barn,

but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

 

New American Bible

Second Sunday of Advent

Psalm: Sunday 42

December 09, 2007

 

 

  • St. John the Baptist with the Pharisees by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

                                           Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

12.07.07