April 28, 2005
Catholic Americans and Veruca Salt
Thanks to a heads up from Jimmy Akin.org, I came across an excellent article entitled My Kingdom for the Pill by Abigail Palmer. Here are a few excerpts:
A certain figure has been looming unexpectedly in my mind over the last month. The adverb "unexpectedly" is the key -- it could not refer to the Holy Father, whose passing gripped the Church and the rest of the world. Pope John Paul II, may he rest in peace.(Read the entire article here.)Rather, the figure that plagues me was provoked by something quite removed from the Pope: whining. And that figure? Veruca Salt. There isn't a person in my generation who hasn't seen "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Since the classic is soon to be remade (like all classics), I'm sure another generation will be made familiar with Miss (or Ms.? She might like that) Salt. For the reader who does not know this young lady, I'll make introductions.
While I regrettably have not read the book, I have seen the movie more times that I can count. Forgive me if I unwittingly diverge from Roald Dahl's text! Veruca Salt is one of the youths who wins a tour of Willy Wonka's candy factory. In this strange morality tale, almost every child (and accompanying parent) who wins the contest displays some kind of vice: one boy is obsessed with TV; a girl incessantly chews gum. All are spoiled, and each meets his bizarre demise. But Veruca, at least in my mind, is the most spoiled of all. The child of wealthy, pushover parents, she whines incessantly and throws violent tantrums....
...What in the wide world could possibly remind me of whining, and of dear Veruca, and of those lovely lyrics? I happened to watch the coverage of the Holy Father's death, which included much commentary. Some praised his charisma; others, his love of fellow man. Then there were those who would form their brows into a tragic crinkle, utter a sigh, and lament the fact that the Pope was out of touch with American Catholics. So right-wing! So divisive, with iron fist firmly grasped! This was usually followed with the "wise-up" argument, which went something like this: "you know, most American Catholics don't even follow the Church's teaching on birth control/divorce/premarital sex. We need someone who will move us into the 21st century."
In light of these kinds of laments, I can easily make a broad, extreme, and uncomfortable statement. American Catholics are the most spoiled Catholics on the planet. A Catholic in Baghdad just hopes that his church won't be bombed this Sunday; Sudanese Catholics hope that they can face another day without brutal, unspeakable religious persecution. In many of the dioceses of the world, a roof on the church or running water would be nice. And we, in all of our prosperity, want more ease. We can go to church when we like, say what we like, do what we like. We want, if it's even possible in this world, an easier life, a life less uncomfortable, and one that doesn't involve explaining "arcane" doctrines to non-believers. The idea of prosperous people sliding into laziness and insolence is not unheard of in history. The real outrage is that it is happening to a people who has received teachings that extol sacrifice, humility, fidelity, and love of the helpless and lowly. The excuse "But Zeus does it, too" won't work for us...
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December 31, 2004
7/8/04 - Anti-Catholic American Girls
Many of us remember the American Girl Dolls when we were growing up and some of us have now bought them for our own daughters. However I received an email from a friend/ home schooling mom that surprised me. You can read it for yourself �
�My daughter's b-day is coming up and she's wild about American Girls. She's read just about all of the books. They have a new series for older girls called Dolls of Many Lands. One of them is an Irish doll that comes with a book called Kathleen: The Celtic Knot. I "preread" it before wrapping it and giving it to her and boy am I glad I did!This book is positively horrible! Within just the first few pages it starts up with the old stereotypes of the mean Catholic nuns teaching school. It then goes on to develop the hero of the story - Kathleen's 20 year old aunt "Polly" who likes to wear bright red lipstick, smoke, and hates anything to do with Christianity or the Church. The truth is that "Polly's" real name is "Mary", but she cannot bear the idea of that name so she demands that everyone call her "Polly" instead.
In one scene Polly lectures her brother-in-law, Kathleen's father, on the dangers of going to mass, praying, and devotions. This book isn't good enough for bird cage paper, as one of my dearest friends would say. I wrote American Girl and told them exactly how offended I am - as a Catholic Christian and as an Irish citizen - by their negative portrayal of the Irish of the 1930's and of Christianity in general. Hopefully this heads up will save some of you the same experience. God Bless, K.
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December 31, 2003
9/29/03 - The comment that became a post.
In the 9/26/03 comment box I received a letter from Maria in Mass. Since I also received another email asking about SCOL and previously someone else asked me about LOTR I decided to post my answer in the blog instead of the comment box to make things easier.
You are getting me interested in "Lord Of The Rings". I never read any of the books or saw the movies. Do these books and movies have some kind of Catholic influence?
JR Tolkien, the author of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, was a Catholic. The story may not be "Catholic" in name but it contains many beautiful "Catholic" lessons. I find it incredibly uplifting although it is rather dark at times. My worldview sees Catholics as fighting a battle for God. (Hence the name "revolution of love.") So the battle of good vs evil in LOTR is more than just a story to me; it is something I can apply to my own life. There are also more subtle images that will evoke thoughts of Catholic elements such as the Sacraments.
I would highly recommend you reading the books! If you are the type that likes to read first before watching the movie, do that. (I saw the LOTR and TT first then read the trilogy before I see ROTK.) If you are not that motivated to actually read the book you should at least watch the first movie Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings. It is so beautiful. (If you rent it, get the extended version with extra footage.) More than likely you will get so into it you'll want to read and see the rest! Do watch it and let me know what you think!
I do not have anyone my age around here who are Catholic....and my church does NOT have a singles group...yet...I am working on encouraging our Pastor on forming one though.
The last time we approached our pastor about starting a YA group church, he agreed if we were the ones to put it together. It is easy to tell the Pastor "You should do this..." but it is another thing to say "I would like to do this for you...". Perhaps you should offer to start and run the group? (But only after prayer and discernment that it is what God wants.) If you do this and the Pastor still says no, then you'll have to brainstorm something else! But, yes, I do wish we were all closer to each other! I long to be able to see you (and the others around here) face to face instead of email to email!
Can you believe nobody has written me yet from Ave Maria Singles? I just updated my profile again...I need to just trust God on this and keep praying...please keep me in your prayers!!
As far as AMS goes, hang in there! I know how hard it is! Although I am married now I still keenly remember how hard it was to wait and be patient for my future husband! Personally, I would not wait for a guy to write you. (I didn�t and look where it got me! haha!) Don't forget there are hundreds of other girls on there and it is quite normal for girls who "won't write first" to get to NO messages. (And some are very pretty, intelligent and faithful!) It's just the nature of the situation. There are so many people on there! Look through the guys profiles. See who has common interests and a strong faith. Don't worry so much about his pic. (Some guys take terrible photos and others that are "not so handsome" become extremely attractive to you once you get to know them. In the end you will fall in love with his "soul", not his face!
With that said, however, don't feel bad if you write a guy and he says he is not interested. Don't take it personally! And when you do begin corresponding just take it slow and really get to know the person. Don't get emotionally involved until you discern that it's what God desires. (That will save a lot of heart ache when friendships do not develop into something more!) In the end, whether online or in person, you'll find him! In the meantime, continue to develop your relationship with God, keep busy serving Him, and pray for your future husband, particularly entrusting your future marriage and children to Our Lady.
Okay I think I've stood on this soapbox long enough! I hope that helps, Maria. And do know that you (and all those looking for a holy spouse) are in my prayers. Don't worry. I'm the poster child for "Yes, it can happen to you!" In the end it will be worth the wait! Trust me!
Love and prayers to you, dear Maria.
Bobbi
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9/11/03 - We will never forget...
When I was younger I used to always wonder why people would ask "Where were you when Kennedy died?" I didn't get what the big deal was. Now when someone asks me "Where were you on 9/11?" I understand perfectly what they were talking about. I was no where near NY. In was living in Pacific Grove, CA with Brian almost 8 pregnant with Bella. I woke up to kiss Brian goodbye for work and he told me I had better check the news because online there was news of a terrorist attack. When I turned on the TV, I first thought a single terrorist flew his own plane into the TT. Then a realized a regular commercial flight with innocent people on board were made into human bombs. And not just one flight - many of them. I kept thinking that the TT workers never saw it coming but the people on the plane were aware and watching it unfold. I was dumbstruck until all I could do was sob. (Man, even now its hard to hold back the tears when I think about it.) I don't think I ever got off the couch that day as I watched and cried. Brian came home and eventually made me turn off the TV so I'd stop thinking about it.
I remember at one point someone told me that it was a shame that I was bringing a baby into a world such as this. For a moment I thought she was right but as I came to my senses I thought - no! This child of mine is a sign of hope! It is a breathe of joy and peace in the midst of darkness.
Two weeks later Bella was born a month premature. (I always wonder if my stress at that time had something to do with it.) Weighing only 3lb, 12 oz she was tiny but had a feisty, fighting spirit and came out fine. My beautiful little Isabella Rose Marie. She was my proof that no matter how troubling things may look or how small and insignificant we may feel, with God, there is a purpose, a means, and always hope.