Thoughts of a Midget

A bit of wisdom from Norah Jones....

2008-11-28T17:58:00.002-06:00

"My Dear Country"
by Norah Jones
'Twas Halloween and the ghosts were out,
And everywhere they'd go, they shout,
And though I covered my eyes I knew,
They'd go away.

But fear's the only thing I saw,
And three days later 'twas clear to all,
That nothing is as scary as election day.

But the day after is darker,
And darker and darker it goes,
Who knows, maybe the plans will change,
Who knows, maybe he's not deranged.

The news men know what they know, but they,
Know even less than what they say,
And I don't know who I can trust,
For they come what may.

'cause we believed in our candidate,
But even more it's the one we hate,
I needed someone I could shake,
On election day.

But the day after is darker,
And deeper and deeper we go,
Who knows, maybe it's all a dream,
Who knows if I'll wake up and scream.

I love the things that you've given me,
I cherish you my dear country,
But sometimes I don't understand,
The way we play.

I love the things that you've given me,
And most of all that I am free,
To have a song that I can sing,
On election day.

First Communion

2007-04-29T00:42:00.000-05:00

With my First Communion anniversary coming up soon (May 7) I began reflecting on the Eucharist and what it really means to me. I surprised when I began thinking about it, how much I take it for granted and sometimes receive communion out of subconscious habit. I pulled together a few random thoughts:

Anytime we wish, we can receive Jesus -Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. HE is at OUR disposal.
The creator of the ENTIRE universe comes to us. In the form of bread and wine no less.
At Mass, we join Mary and John in Calvary at the foot of the cross; we take part in the greatest event in the history of mankind. When the priest raises the host during Consecration, Heaven and earth collide. Angels bow before, what is seemingly to our human perception, simply bread and wine. When the Host touches our tongue, we take part in the consummation of Christ's marriage to the Church. No where else can we experience Christ in such a real, true, profound, and absolute way. This Sacrament is the Source and Summit of our entire Catholic faith. Nothing else on earth will ever matter this much.
Jesus said, "This IS my body" - And he meant it. Really.

In the Eucharist is mercy;
in it is love;
in it is strength;
in it is joy;
in it is hope;
in it is all things good.

Jesus loves us that much.

And, like Flannery O' Conner said, "If it's only a symbol- to Hell with it."

Blessings,
Jenny

See you at Easter!

2007-02-20T21:44:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to wish you a most Blessed and dolorous Lent! I'll be giving up blogs for Lent (among other things) and I'm going to try not to skimp out on Sundays this year, so I'll be seeing you after the Resurrection of our Savior!

Blessings,
Jenny

You know you're a true Minnesotan.....

2007-02-06T22:40:00.000-06:00

...if you have to get just one more Icee refill for the drive home from the Theatre (in -30° weather).

Childhood innocence....

2007-02-03T14:33:00.000-06:00

My sister Holly and I teach a 3rd grade religious ed. class once a month, and today the lesson was about the popes. So, as an activity, some of the kids decided to write letters to the Pope. They're very sweet, so I thought I'd share some of them.

This one is my favorite:
Dear Pope Benedict,
I live in Minnesota. I have five sisters and one brother who is in Heaven. I think you are a great Pope. I am 8 how old are you?
Love,
Anthony

This one amused me:
Dear Holy Father,
Do you go to mass every day? If you go to Church every day that's big! I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It's cool here.
We made a big chain of all the popes [referring to a paper chain we made in class]. We even read every popes name!
Who is your favorite pope besides you. My favorite pope is you!
Love,
Marissa

The kids were very fascinated to find out that Papa B has an ipod ...
Dear Pope Benedict,
What's your favorite song on your ipod? My brother has one.
Do you go to mass every day? How much time do you spend in prayer.
I am 8. My name is Patrick. Have a great day.
A Catholic,
Patrick

Dear Pope Benedict,
I think your a great pope. Please pray for us. My name is Grace I live in Minnesota. I am in 3rd grade my hair is brown I'm a girl I'm Catholic. What is your favorite song to listen to on your I-pod. We made a pope chain we are going to send a picture to you. If you are wandering what I mean by us it's my family formation class where we learn about Jesus and God. My teachers for family formation are Holly and Jenny, I think their great teachers.
Write back soon (please)
God Bless,
Grace

Dearest Holy Father,
May the Lord bless you!
Whats your favorite song?
I'm a third grader. I have brown eyes, tan skin, and brown hair. I go to Catholic Montasori school called The Way of the Sheperd. It's the only catholic montasori school in Minnesota! I have 2 brothers and 1 sister I'm the second child in my family. My birthday is Febuary 7th. I'm praying for you.
Please write back soon
Your admirer,
Allyson

Happy Birthday to....me!

2007-01-08T11:06:00.000-06:00

That's right! It's my birthday today!!! 15 years old!!! (All my friends keep reminding me that I'm halfway to 30).

~Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!~

Randomness.....

2006-10-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, okay, a REAL post.

A few weeks ago, in my British Letters class, we were reading The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer. If anyone has ever read it, they will then be familiar with, "the general prologue", which is a colorful biography of all the characters in the book. The entire book is in rhyme, and is about a group of pilgrims traveling to visit the bones of St. Thomas Becket. Someone suggests that they have a storytelling contest to make the journey less boring. So these people of extremely differing characters (you'll find if you read the prologue) tell interesting stories. One of our homework assignments was to compose a "general prologue" for ourselves. Mine was as follows:

In our troupe with us was a sister,
And from this journey she got many a-blister.
Of sisters she had four, and brothers had she one.
And when she grew old, she became a nun.
At least that is what I have heard of her,
But they may be rumours, as it were.
She had deep knowledge of the language of Latin.
And her tunic was composed of a fine satin.
Many a-tall tree could she climb,
And she didn't care if she be covered in grime.
With the Church she was quite lovesick,
For if it chanced she'd burn many a-heretic.
That is all I have to say myself;
If you want more, you should ask her yourself!

In that class we just finished reading How the Reformation Happened by Hilaire Belloc. Tedious to read, and I probably wouldn't have read it on my on accord, but, when all's said and done, I'm glad I did. It's ultimately a Catholic view of the Protestant Reformation ... quite interesting. For that book I'm writing an argumentative essay with the question: What means are acceptable for fighting heresy? Should be good (I hope).

I saw a "60 minutes" commercial the other day advertising an interview with Charlie Weis and how he uses profane language during games. I mean really ... is this the best they've got? A football coach swearing at a ref's call? Pathetic. One of their advertisments featured something about how the "Preists aren't going to want to hear that"...They obviously don't know some of the Priests at Notre Dame ;-) It amused me.

I just saw The Prestige ... talk about weird. Relatively clean, though, I must say. But just weird, with a very twisting plot. Huh. Don't think I'd buy it, but I kind of liked it.

And now to leave you with a few random and bizarre quotes that people have said recently.

"You can't outrun a Medusa, but you can outrun a Chameleon...Words to use for life."- Grant

"My resurrected body is gonna be better than your resurrected body."- Holly

"Hic, not to be confused with...Hic"- Magister

I told you it was going to be random!

Next week I should be able to publish my returned Latin composition ;-)

THERE!

2006-10-28T18:45:00.000-05:00

Are you happy, Magister?

3 memes and a side of fries, coming right up....

2006-10-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

Okay...Well I've recently been tagged for 3 different memes. Must be popular...Here goes!

Tag from Katie:
Supposedly if you've seen over 85 movies, you have no life. There are 163 movies on the list, bold the ones you've seen and italicize the ones you've seen part of.

Rocky Horror Picture Show
Grease
Pirates of the Caribbean
Boondock Saints
Fight Club
Starsky and Hutch
Neverending Story
Blazing Saddles
Airplane! (is Airport or Airplane the spoof?)
The Princess Bride
Anchor Man: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
Napoleon Dynamite
Labyrinth
Saw
Saw II
White Noise
White Oleander
Anger Management
50 First Dates
The Princess Diaries
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Scream
Scream 2
Scream 3
Scary Movie
Scary Movie 2
Scary Movie 3
Scary Movie 4
American Pie
American Pie 2
American Wedding
American Pie Band Camp
Harry Potter
Harry Potter 2
Harry Potter 3
Harry Potter 4
Resident Evil I
Resident Evil 2
The Wedding Singer
Little Black Book
The Village
Lilo & Stitch
Finding Nemo
Finding Neverland
Signs
The Grinch
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
White Chicks
Butterfly Effect
13 Going on 30
i Robot
Robots
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Universal Soldier
Lemony Snicket's: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
Along Came Polly
Deep Impact
Kingpin
Never Been Kissed
Meet The Parents
Meet the Fockers
Eight Crazy Nights
Joe Dirt
King Kong
A Cinderella Story
The Terminal
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Passport to Paris
Dumb & Dumber
Dumber & Dumberer
Final Destination 1
Final Destination 2
Final Destination 3
Halloween
The Ring
The Ring 2
Surviving X-MAS
Flubber
Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
Practical Magic
Chicago
Ghost Ship
From Hell
Hellboy
Secret Window
I Am Sam..
The Whole Nine Yards
The Day After Tomorrow
Child's Play
Seed of Chucky
Bride of Chucky
Ten Things I Hate About You
Just Married
Gothika
Nightmare on Elm Street
Sixteen Candles
Remember the Titans
Coach Carter
The Grudge
The Mask
Son Of The Mask
Bad Boys 2
Joy Ride
Lucky Number Slevin
Ocean's Eleven
Ocean's Twelve
Identity
Lone Star
Bedazzled
Predator I
Predator II
The Fog
Ice Age
Ice age 2 The Meltdown
Independence Day
Cujo
A Bronx Tale
Darkness Falls
Christine
ET
Children of the Corn
My Boss' Daughter
Maid in Manhattan
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Frailty
War of the Worlds (if they mean the old one)
Rush Hour
Rush Hour 2
Best Bet
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
She's All That
Calendar Girls
Sideways
Mars Attacks
Event Horizon
Ever After
Forrest Gump
Big Trouble in Little China Town
The Terminator
The Terminator 2
The Terminator 3
X-Men
X Men 2
Spider-Man
Spider-Man 2
Sky High
Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers 2
Catch Me If You Can
The Others
Freaky Friday
Reign of Fire
Cruel Intentions
Cruel Intentions 2
The Hot Chick
Shrek Shrek 2
Swimfan
Miracle
Old School
K-Pax
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
A Walk to Remember
Boogeyman
The 40-year-old-virgin

I'll tag anyone who wants to do it.
It's too bad they don't have any old movies on there. Those are the good ones.

A tag from Ria:
Five things in our freezer:
1. Wax seals
2. Ice
3. Chapstick
4. Way over-ripe bananas (for banana bread of course!)
5. Lots of tomatoes

Five things in my closet
1. A box of winter clothes
2. Lots of shoes (most of which I inherited from sisters)
3. A box of old cassettes from my childhood
4. The video camera (it's usually in the living room, but that's being re-floored)
5. A cash box (no cash though...darn)

Five things in my car
Not really my car.
1. Gasoline (unleaded...none of that ethanol crap)
2. A car-kit (you know, one of those cassettes with the funky cord that you hook up to your CD player)
3. Garbage
4. A map
5. An umbrella

Five interesting things in my backpack
Ha! I don't carry interesting things in my back-pack...It's just 50 pounds of school books. How about my oversized purse instead.
1. The Manual of Prayers
2. A half-finished Rosary
3. Matches
4. My firearm safety card
5. A house key

Five people I tag
1. Katie 2. Holly 3. Emily 4. Thursday 5. Anyone else

Another Ria:
A geography meme...
1. A Place You've Visited and Your Favorite Thing there
Notre Dame, Indiana. The basilica of course! (And the football).

2. A Country You'd Like to Visit and Why
Rome, and the Vatican while I'm at it. Why? Isn't it obvious.

3. A Place From History You'd Like to Visit and Why
medieval Europe. Because it's cool. Knights, beautiful churches, lords & ladies...*sigh*

4. A Place You Know a Lot About
Minnesota...Very creative, I know.

5. A Place You'd Like to Learn More About
The Sandwich Isles. Not really, that's just a cool name.

6. A Fictional Place You'd Like to Visit
Narnia. When I had first heard the stories as a little kid, I used to dream of going to Narnia and having adventures with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. Middle Earth definitely gets second though.

I tag anyone else who has had the patience to read all of these!

Congratulations! You made it to the bottom! I promise there will be a real post soon!

This is your Birthday song; it isn't very long....

2006-10-01T20:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Em!!!!!!

Happenings...

2006-09-27T15:28:00.000-05:00

I was camping this past weekend so I missed my favorite saint's feast day! Saturday the 23rd was Padre Pio's feast day! And since I took Francesca Pio as my Confirmation name in honor of him, it was my feast day too (so to speak)! So what did I do to celebrate? I went to a cold, rainy picnic all day, and ate jello! I think my patron was trying to teach me something about suffering (the cold rain, not the jello)...

Our next edition will feature 3 memes for your viewing pleasure....

Thanks to Holly for the neat picture she made me.
BTW If you can't read it on the picture, the quote is the same one I have on my side-bar.

The Mystery of the Abbey....

2006-09-01T13:29:00.000-05:00

I don't own it, but have had the pleasure of playing this fun, P.O.D. game on two separate occasions. It's a lot like Clue, but more complicated. Someone at the abbey is murdered and you have to figure out 'who dun it'. There's the Templars, the Benedictines, and the Franciscans. The board is in Latin, some of the cards have saint quotes on them, and everyone has to go to the Chapel for Mass every 4 turns (you get to ring a bell when it's time for Mass). One of the "event cards" said that every player must (instead of talking) chant everything until the next Mass. It's not available on Amazon yet, but I'm hoping it will be in time to add to my Christmas list.

There and Back Again...

2006-08-31T22:16:00.000-05:00

I FINALLY finished the ENTIRE Lord of the Rings Trilogy! It only took me since the middle of June. I think my favorite out of the three was The Two Towers. It was really the heart of the adventure. Then again, it's virtually impossible to beat the Battle at Pelennor Fields.

Quotes that I love:
From The Fellowship,
"'I wish it need not have happened in my time,' said Frodo. 'So do I' said Gandalf, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Timeless. Frodo's lamentation and Gandalf's advice seems fit for all eras. There are advantages and disadvantages to every time in history, but we were placed in our time for a reason. God knew the exact second that we drew our first breath, and the exact second when we will draw our last and everything in between. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 But I digress....

From the Return of the King,

Gandalf - “‘Yet it is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.’”

“So that those who live after may have clean earth to till”. Gives you something to think about.

Hmmm…I said The Two Towers was my favorite, and yet I don’t have a quote from it. Oh well. I cried a lot during these books…When Gandalf is reading Balin’s journal in the Chamber of Mazarbul, when Aragorn and Legolas are singing the lamentations of Boromir, when Sam thought Frodo was dead at Shelob’s Lair, when Theoden died, and, yes, even when Sam had to cast away his pots and pans in Mordor.

I would recommend reading the books before watching the movies (though you’ve probably already done both), because it’s more exciting that way. I, unfortunately watched the movies first, but the books were still adventurous and surprising. After all, Tolkien wrote things that Peter Jackson failed to capture; The Old Forest, Tom Bombadil, That exciting surprise in “The Pyre of Denethor”, “Ghan-Buri-Ghan”, the Scouring of the Shire, and much more. And aside from that, all the cinematography in the world can’t take the place of your imagination.

Anyway, I read them, and enjoyed them, and want to read them all over again; alas for school….

I've been tagged!

2006-08-10T13:53:00.000-05:00

I got tagged by Ria, so here goes.

1. One book that changed your life.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The first "big kid" book that I read.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once.

All of the Chronicles of Narnia.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island.

Well, if the Bible doesn't count, than I would want The Lord of the Rings (I know it's not really one book).

4. One book that made you laugh.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

5.One book that made you cry.

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

6. One book that you wish had been written.

I don't know.

7. One book that you wish had never been written.

Bridge to Terebithia...Just Kidding, it wasn't *that* bad.

8. One book you’re currently reading.

The Return of the King, and Pride and Prejudice.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read.

See below.

I tag Holly, Katie, Mary Liz, Lucy, and David.

~reeeeeeeee!~ (Sorry, inside joke)

2006-08-09T18:17:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the fine young men who were vested into Dominican Habit on Tuesday (the solemnity of St. dominic)!

VBS....

2006-08-07T06:52:00.000-05:00

Our Vacation Bible School is taking place this Monday through Friday. Our theme is "The Life and Times of Moses". Please keep us in your prayers as our 300 volunteers minister to these children. Thanks!

Meditation

2006-07-10T15:25:00.000-05:00

Taken from Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort.

Imitation: Book 2, Chapter 12

Unto many this seemeth an hard saying, "Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow Jesus" (Matt. 16:24). But much harder will it be to hear that last word, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire" (Matt. 25:41). For they who now willingly hear and follow the word of the Cross, shall not then fear (Psalm 112:7) to hear the sentence of everlasting damnation. This sign of the Cross shall be in the heaven, when the Lord shall come to judgment (Matt. 24:30). Then all the servants of the Cross, who in their life-time conformed themselves unto Christ crucified, shall draw near unto Christ the Judge with great confidence.
Why therefore fearest thou to take up the Cross which leadeth thee to a kingdom? In the Cross is salvation, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is protection against our enemies, in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the Cross is strength of mind, in the Cross joy of spirit, in the Cross the height of virtue, in the Cross the perfection of holiness.
Take up therefore thy Cross and follow Jesus (Luke 14:27), and thou shalt go into life everlasting.

Book List

2006-07-07T11:43:00.000-05:00

The following is a list of books that I have to read before I die. Any that I'm missing?

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (that's what I'm reading right now)
The Silmarillion
The Secret Garden
Dante's Inferno
Anything and Everything by Shakespeare
The Man Who was Thursday
Anne of Green Gables
Tom Sawyer
Peter Pan
Pride and prejudice
The Borrowers
Of Mice and Men
(finish) Augustine's Confessions
Fr. Brown Mysteries
Tale of Two Cities
Brideshead revisited
Sherlock Holmes (the ones I haven't already read)
Shadow of the Bear
Black as Night
Jane Eyre
The Scarlet Pimpernel
The Robe
Emma
(finish) The Series of Unfortunate Events
(finish) The Harry Potter Series

Well, you're probably wondering what I do with my time...But I will recommend some books that I have read.

The Hiding Place
Little Women
The Merchant of Venice
Much Ado About Nothing
The Giver (by Lois Lowry)
Uncle Tom's Cabin
The Chronicles of Narnia (duh)
The Hobbit (double duh)
A Philadelphia Catholic in King James' Court
The Screwtape Letters
The Confessions of St. Augustine's (I know that's on my "to read" list also, but as far as I've read it I like it.)
The Series of Unfortunate Events
The Phantom tollbooth

Hmmm...that's all for now folks.

More History Day News...

2006-06-01T08:32:00.000-05:00

So there's this guy named Charlie Maguire who helped us with our History Day project via e-mail. He was the one who sort of re-discovered the story of Mary Gibbs (our topic) so he knew where to find the resources that we needed at the history center. Anyway, he somehow fanagled that our History Day project (and only ours) be presented at the State Fair in the DNR building! So, if you happen to be at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday, August 24, come by the DNR building at 10:40 or 1:40 and catch our performance! We're right after an extremely popular puppet show! (apperently):-)

2006-05-19T09:31:00.000-05:00

"You know a movie's a dud when even its self-flagellating albino killer monk isn't any fun. "

Homeschool Conference....

2006-05-09T22:15:00.000-05:00

Here's a plug for the 8th Annual Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference (trying saying that ten times fast). Our keynote this year will be Kimberly Hahn, and if that's not enough to get you to come, how about a whole fieldhouse of books. It's held at the University of St. Thomas and we usually have about 1,000 people show.
Hope to see you there!!!

Urgent Prayer Request....

2006-05-03T09:52:00.000-05:00

Sorry, this blog has become a litany of prayer intentions lately. Newborn Benedict Richard Berthiaume is in critical condition with meningitis which attacked his brain. Prayers are very much appreciated. BTW the patron saint against meningitis is Saint Padre Pio. Thanks!

Hurray!!!

2006-05-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your prayers!!! Out of 48 projects competing in our category, we got 3rd!!!!!! You have to win 2nd or 1st to get to nationals, but we are the alternate group in case on of the winners can't make it. I recommend History Day to anyone in grades 6-12. It's an awesome learning experience!!! I'll post a picture or two once I get them. Thanks again!!!
God Bless,
Jenny

Yea!!!

2006-04-27T21:58:00.000-05:00

I'm confirmed now!!! You can practically see the graces flowing out my ears...Or something like that. Anyway thank you for your prayers!!!
Another quick prayer request is for a history performance that me and some friends will be doing on Sunday. This will be the state competition that determines whether or not we go on to the national level at Washington D.C. Thanks!!!

Prayer Request.....

2006-04-23T20:25:00.000-05:00

Please pray for me, as I am receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation tomorrow. Thanks!

2006-04-10T21:49:00.000-05:00

Popule meus, quid feci tibi?
Aut in quo contristavi te?
Responde mihi!
Quia eduxi te de terra Aegypti:
Parasti crucem Salvatori tuo.

O my people, what have I done to you?
Or in what way have I made you sad?
Answer me!
For I have led you from the land of Egypt:
You prepared a cross for your Savior.

Quia eduxi te per desertum quadraginta annis,
et manna cibavi te,
et introuduxi in terram satis optiam:
Parasti crucem Salvatori tuo.

For I led you through the desert for 40 years
and I fed you with manna,
and I led you into a land of plenty:
Your prepared a cross for your Savior.

Quid ultra debui facere tibi, et non feci?
Ego quidem plantavi te vinem meum speciosissimam:
et tu facta es mihi nimis amara:
Aceto namque sitim meam potasti:
et lancea perforasti latus Salvatori tuo.

What else ought I have done for you, and I have not done?
I even planted you as my most precious vine:
and you have become to me exceedingly bitter.
You quenched my thirst with vinegar
and you pierced the side of your Savior with a lance.

I pray that you have a sorrowful Holy Week and a most glorious Easter!
Blessings,
Jenny

In Memoriam

2006-04-02T22:02:00.000-05:00

This is something I drew on our driveway last year after hearing the sad news.

2006-03-15T11:55:00.000-06:00

The other day I came across an old box of school books and found a paragraph that I had written about 3 or 4 years ago. Grammatical errors included.

Almost everyday I practice piano. I no longer take lessons, for
I had not the dilligence to practice ten minutes a day. I usually
start off by playing Fur Elise for the thousandth time with no ending.
After that I play whatever my fingers please. Though I may not be
good at time keeping or finnishing a song or playing soft enough,
what do I care. I'm not Lorie Line. It doesn't matter if I play Tarentelle,
The Campells are comeing or live the life, I'm sure to get crabbed at
sooner or later. :-)

I now enjoy playing piano very much, thank you.

Prayer Request.....

2006-03-09T10:21:00.000-06:00

Please pray for me and the 250 others teens from the Twin Cities area who will be attending the Hunger for Catholic Missions retreat tomorrow and Saturday. We are going to fast from eating for 30 hours and do mission work. After the 30 hours are up, we break the fast with Mass. How cool! We've collected prayer pledges and money to support some mission outreach projects in Nigeria, North Dakota and Texas. Our theme this year is the underground church, so we are asking people to pray for those without religous freedom. Thanks!

And the winners are...

2006-03-07T17:31:00.000-06:00

Sr. Mary for the most creative guess (at least from a 14 year old's point of view)
Tim Ferguson for the snarkiest guess (you'd fit in nicely with my family)
Mark and Tim for guessing the closest (yes, unfortunately it is one of the Stations of the Cross)
Fr. Dennis - thank God it is NOT a prayer labyrinth! (those things are creepy)

Good guesses all around, but unfortunately none were correct. The answer is....The 13th Station - Jesus is taken down from the cross. Don't feel bad though, even the people at our church can't identify them...Really, they hand out guide books each Friday when we pray the Stations.
Don't you just love abstract church "art"?

And now it's time to play Guess That Church Ornament!

2006-03-03T21:17:00.000-06:00

Aren't you inspired by its beauty? Don't you feel better informed by the lessons it teaches?

What is the perfect gift for for your beloved Latin magister's baby?

2006-03-02T17:44:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Berthiaume who are having their first baby in a couple months!

2006-02-17T21:46:00.000-06:00

Be sure to remember and pray for all the people who don't have anywhere to go tonight in this -20 weather.

Hurray!!!

2006-02-08T20:11:00.000-06:00

I finally got around to filling out the paperwork for my Confirmation saint. I chose...*drum roll*...Padre Pio! So after Confirmation this spring, my name will be Jennifer Marie Francesca Pio Klejeski!!!! Yay!!! "Francesca" is the feminized version of his given name (Francesco), and Pio is the name he took when he became a Capuchin friar. He is the patron against menigitis and of the Rosary. As many of you probably know, he was a stigmatist, had visions, could read souls, tell the future, bilocate, and emitted a heavenly perfume. Cool.

Yeah....Because you can tell SO much from a 5 question internet quiz...

2006-02-07T17:38:00.000-06:00

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern

At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent

You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet

Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

How it should be...

2006-02-01T13:43:00.000-06:00

I was reading about the Middle Ages today in my history book, when I came across a description of the Liturgy during that time:

"The Liturgy itself was a splendor for the senses, with rich and colorful vestments,
the smell of incense, the chant of choirs, the sonorous bells calling all to worship."

(*sigh*) Why can't all Masses be like that?

The 2006 Minnesota March for Life

2006-01-22T22:00:00.000-06:00

What are YOU Doing to End Abortion?

2006-01-22T21:59:00.000-06:00

Pray for an End to Abortion!

2006-01-22T21:57:00.000-06:00

2006-01-06T15:27:00.000-06:00

Happy Epiphany!

2005-12-26T13:55:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Nick!!!!!!!

A Musical Game

2005-12-09T18:15:00.000-06:00

Step 1: Get your playlist (or Itunes library) together, put it on random, and play.
Step 2: Write down the first line from the first 30 songs that play or close to it.
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song the lines come from. (Title and Composer/Artist)
Step 4: Cross out the songs when someone guesses correctly

NO GOOGLING FOR ANSWERS!!!

1. One day at a time
2. Did you see the sky
3. I wonder what it's like to be the rainmaker
4. Never made it as a wise man
5. Could you whisper in my ear
6. What'll you do when you get lonely
7. The warden threw a party in the county jail
8. One, two, three take my hand and come with me
9. I'm finding my way back to sanity, again
10. I saw you there last night
11. She rolls the window down
12. Well you know that it's going to be alright
13. Here I stand head in hand
14. Every time I fall down on my face
15. I wanna go deeper
16. The devil went down to Georgia
17. I'm just fine, but in time, this sunshine will surely fade into the moonlight
18. Looking back at me I see that I never really got it right
19. She said it's cold outside
20. She got out of town
21. Now if your feelin' kinda low 'bout the dues
22. Within my mind's eye
23. Fee-Fee Fi-Fi Fo-Fo Fum
24. Sunrise, sunrise, looks like morning in your eyes
25. Carry on my Wayward son
26. Once upon a time not so long ago
27. Waiting for the break of day
28. It starts with one thing
29. Well I want you to notice
30. Well I just heard the news today

More Homeschool Humor....

2005-11-28T15:23:00.000-06:00

Top 10 Advantages to Homeschooling

10. If you can't find matching socks for your child first thing in the morning, who care?
9. Cleaning out the refrigerator can double as chemistry lab.
8. Your kids have good reason to think they might get spanked in school, but no reason to think they'll get beat up by a gang.
7. If the principal gives the teacher a bad evaluation, she can stick her icy feet against his legs at night.
6. You can post the Ten Commandments on your school room wall and won't get sued.
5. You never have to drive your child's forgotton lunch to school.
4. If you get caught talking to yourself, you can calim you're having a parent-teacher conference.
3. The only debate about the school lunch program is whose turn it is to cook.
2. The teacher gets to kiss the prinipal in the faculty lounge and no one gossips.
1. If your child claims that the dog ate his homework, you can ask the dog.

For your amusement.....

2005-11-16T14:07:00.000-06:00

FUN WITH HAMLET AND HIS FRIENDS

The big gripe at PTA meetings today is that such reading matter as Dick Dare and Dick and Jane are not important or educational enough for elementary school children. Here is how we propose first-graders be exposed to the world's important literature.

See the man. What a funny man. His name is Hamlet. He is a prince. He is sad. Why are you sad, Hamlet?

"I am sad for my father has died" says Hamlet. "My father was the king."

Where are you going, Hamlet?

"I am going to the castle," says Hamlet.

On the way he meets a ghost. "Where are you going?" asks the ghost.

"I am going to the castle." says Hamlet

"Boo, Boo" says the ghost.

"What is you name, you silly ghost?" asks Hamlet clapping his hands.

"I am your father," says the ghost. "I was a good king. Uncle Claudius is a bad king. He gave me poison. Would you like poison?"

"Oh, no," says Hamlet. "I would not like poison."

"Will you avenge me, Hamlet?" says the ghost.

"Oh yes," says Hamlet. "I will avenge you. What fun it will be to avenge you."

On the way he meets a girl.

"Where are you going ?" asks the girl.

"I am going to the castle," says Hamlet.

"Ha, ha," says the girl.

"What is your name?" asks Hamlet.

"My name is Ophelia," says the girl.

"Why are you laughing?" asks Hamlet. "You are a silly goose."

"I laugh because you are so funny," says Ophelia. "I laugh because you are schizophrenic. Are you schizophrenic?"

"I am not schizophrenic," says Hamlet, laughing and clapping his hands.

"I pretended I am a schizophrenic. I pretend, for what to fool my uncle. What fun it is to pretend that I am a schizophrenic."

See Hamlet run. Run, Hamlet, run.

He is going to his mother's room.

"Oh, I have something to tell you mother." says Hamlet. "Uncle Claudius is bad. He gave my father poison. Poison is not good. I do not like poison. Do you like poison?"

"Oh, no indeed!" says his mother. "I do not like poison."

"Oh, there is Uncle Claudius," says Hamlet. "He is hiding behind the curtain. Why is he hiding behind the curtain? I shall stab him. What fun it will be to stab him through the curtain."

See Hamlet draw his sword. See Hamlet stab.

Stab, Hamlet, stab.

See Uncle Claudius's blood gush.

Gush, blood, gush.

See Uncle Claudius fall. How funny he looks, stabbed.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

But it is not Uncle Claudius.

It is Polonius. Polonius is Ophelia's father.

What fun Hamlet is having.

"You are naughty, Hamlet," says Hamlet's mother. "You have stabbed Polonius."

But Hamlet's mother is not cross. She loves Hamlet. He is a good boy.

And Hamlet loves his mother. She is a good mother. Hamlet loves his mother very much.

Hamlet loves his mother very, very much.

Does Hamlet love his mother a little too much?

Perhaps.

See Hamlet run, Run, Hamlet, run.

Where are you going Hamlet?

"I am going to find Uncle Claudius."

On the way he passes a brook. In the brook he sees Ophelia.

Ophelia is drowning.

"Where are you going?" asks the man.

"I am going to find Uncle Claudius."

"Oh ho! I am Laertes," says the man. "Let us draw swords. Let us duel."

"I don't think I'm going to find Uncle Claudius," says Hamlet.

See Hamlet and Laertes duel.

See Hamlet stab Laertes.

See Hamlet's mother drink poison.

See Hamlet stab King Claudius.

See everybody wounded and bleeding and dying and dead.

What fun they are having!

Wouldn't you like to play like that?

(via: Bettnet)

You know you're a Catholic nerd when....

2005-11-09T21:47:00.000-06:00

The speaker at your Confirmation class asks if anyone (out of about 45 teens) uses the word "heresy" in everyday conversation and you and one other friend are the only ones who raise their hands. (Very proudly, I might add.)

Special thanks to my equally nerdy sisters, and Bob the Inquisitor.

Saint Jen of Arc....

2005-11-09T21:39:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Mom for my fairly elaborate costume.

Homeschool Humor.....

2005-11-04T21:25:00.000-06:00

Well, I was going to post a picture of my All Saint's Day costume as Joan of Arc, but blogger is acting up, so I can't get pictures to work. So, in the mean time I thought I would share an amusing homeschooler jokes that I read in The Holy Family Newsletter.

How does a homeschooler change a light bulb?
First, Mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life.
Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles.
Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a $5 bill.
On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the $5 bill.
Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed.
And there is light.

At least, I thought it was funny.

The books are best.....

2005-10-15T09:47:00.000-05:00

I love the chronicles of Narnia....So naturally, I was a little worried when I heard that there would be a movie of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe coming out in December. But after reading this glowing review by Barbara Nicolosi, and watching the preview, I'm leaning towards anticipation rather than dread.
If you haven't read the Chronicles of Narnia yet.....READ THEM!!!!! And if you don't like reading, listen to the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre versions. They're excellent!!! They follow the book almost exactly.
I'll probably go and see it, and I might even like it, but it will never replace the book.

Question...

2005-10-07T15:53:00.000-05:00

Is this blog broken on anybody else's computer? On our's it's got weird black squares everywhere.

Happy Saint Therese Day!!!

2005-10-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

If you have some time, I encourage you to skim over this. It's interesting. BTW did anyone think that the Therese Movie was a big injustice to this incredible woman?

2005-10-01T12:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Emily!!!!!

Litany of Humility

2005-09-30T17:03:00.000-05:00

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Ghoti

2005-09-29T19:38:00.000-05:00

When we were playing "Balderdash" the other day at a friend's house (which I'm REALLY bad at), Holly told me that fish was spelled ghoti. She explained it this way: "gh" as in tough (tuff), "o" as in
"women" (wimen), and "ti" as in "nation" (nashun). I thought it was clever and was wondering if there are any other words that you can spell in that way.

This is kind of a dumb thing to post about, but I needed something to post.

I knew there must be a good reason for it....

2005-09-22T07:23:00.000-05:00

This is why homeschoolers are so much smarter than public schoolers. ;-)

Coincidence? I think not.

2005-09-13T21:10:00.000-05:00

This evening at Bible study (we're studying Genesis) we talked about how Melchizedek was a prototype of Christ (see Gen. 14:18-24 & Heb. 7). The ironic part of it is that when I got onto the internet this evening one of Catholic Exchange's stories was "Melchizedek: The Ancient High Priest Who Prefigures Jesus".

2005-09-09T15:05:00.000-05:00

You are Joan of Arc! You don't really want to hurt
anyone, but if they attack your friends or your
country and no-one else will stand up to fight
them, you head into the battle. Beware though,
conviction tends to get you killed.

Which Saint Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Kind of corny, but a fun idea!
Besides, unlike those "how smart are you" quizzes, you'll always be satisfied with your results!

2005-09-08T17:22:00.000-05:00

Sing of Mary, pure and lowly, Virgin mother undefiled.
Sing of God's own Son most holy, who became her little child.
Fairest Child of fairest mother, God the Lord who came to earth.

Word made flesh, our very brother, takes our nature by His birth.

Happy Birthday, Mary!!!!

Prayer Intention

2005-08-30T20:11:00.000-05:00

Please pray and fast for all the people who are suffering from the New Orleans disaster. These people need our prayers. It makes me incredibly thankful for nice, boring, inland, Minnesota.

"It is very foolish to shut oneself into any wardrobe"....

2005-08-20T21:06:00.000-05:00

Kind of a random title for this post, but it's the first thing I think of when I hear about someone who learned an interesting lesson from a bizzare situation. So naturally it's the first thing I thought of when I heard this.
(Click on the "OnStar" button once you get there)

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"......

2005-08-06T12:49:00.000-05:00

The other day, I was in the car and I was bored, so I decided to think of all the nicknames I've ever been given. Let me know if I forgot any. Enjoy!
1. Squeaker (also shortened by Dad to Squeak)
2. Jen
3. Jennybell
4. Lil Jen Jen
5. Jen Jen
6. Jenia
7. Janai
8. Mable
9. Winter
10. Jenethian (is that how you spell it Mary?)
11. Oscar
12. Squib (side-kick of BlackBeard)
13. Juniper
14. Fer
15. This one I can't remember, but I know I had it. (Remember at that one Saints yes, Mary?)
16. Jenovia
17. Puffercake
18. Sunfish or Snapper (did we ever decide on that one?)
19. Munchkin
20. Shortstuff
21. Thing 1 & Thing 2 (that's Nick too)
22. L'l J'n J'n (That's my rapper alias)
23. Jemma
24. There's another one I had and can't remember. (do you remember Bajuna?)
That's all I can think of at the moment, (I'm sure there's more) and since most of those are inside jokes I'll just give one big wink at the end instead of a bunch of little ones.

;-)

2005-07-30T17:30:00.000-05:00

While browsing through the Manual of Prayers the other day, I came across this prayer. Something about it's simplicity intriuged me:

Prayer of Trust
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I
do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know where
it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact
that I think I am following your will does not mean that
I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to
please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that
desire in all I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will
lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing
about it. Therefore, I will trust you always, though I may
seem to be lost in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for
you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to
face my perils alone."
-Thomas Merton (Thoughts in solitude)

All modesty aside......

2005-07-30T16:18:00.000-05:00

Finally now that 4-H judging is done, we can brag about our accomplishments. Between Holly, Nick, and I, we won:

21 blue ribbons and 1 red
4 Grand Champion ribbons
3 Reserve Champion ribbons
1 Award of Merit
4 State Fair trips, including Nick's first trip (even though he's too young to take it.)
2 projects on the Alternates list

Projects that we're taking to the State Fair this year:
Holly is taking her impressive Child Development project about helping kids write letters.
I am doing a dramatic interpretation of The Quality of Mercy (From the Merchant of Venice) for performing arts.

(Via: But-I-Digress)

Congratulations Mary for getting your Fashion Show Trip!

Nick wanted me to post this...

2005-07-14T14:10:00.000-05:00

It's a verse that he made up all by himself (inspired by the computer game "Battle for Middle Earth").....

Many Men have fallen under the blade of Gondor;
Many Orcs have fallen under the blade of Gondor;
And today it shall speak again.
It will sing your death song.

2005-07-11T17:03:00.000-05:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Sidebar Changes

2005-07-10T16:35:00.000-05:00

After a long while messing around with my template, I finally figured out how to do things to it (why can't they make that thing simpler?). So I added links to blogs of people I know as well as a random quote and the Holy Father's monthly intention in the corner. Let me know if I screwed up any of the links.

2005-07-05T10:44:00.000-05:00

Only in the Klejeski house......
Only in the Klejeski house would your little brother walk up to you with 2 sticks of rhubarb in his hand, slowly hold them out to you, and in a solemn voice say: "Choose your blades".

2005-06-30T14:11:00.000-05:00

At long last....
After a few failed attempts to go to daily Mass at a local church Holly and I finally got it! The few times we tried, they had "communion liturgies" because we either came on the wrong day or the priest was unavailable. I'm not sure I was completely satisfied though. We opened and closed with Marty Haugen (if there's anything worse than Marty Haugen it's singing Marty Haugen accapella), no one kneeled at any point during the Mass except Holly, some other lady, and me, and during Communion was wierd too. Father consecrated 2 chalices and left them sitting on the altar. Father proceeded to distribute Communion and left them on the altar. I was a little curious why he would consecrate 2 chalices and not have Eucharistic ministers, but I went up to receive Communion. A little later I discovered that someone picked up the chalice and took it for themself (I didn't actually see this happen) then turned around and distributed to the next person, after that person recieved they distributed it to the next person, and so on and so forth. It was kind of like the handwashing system we use on Holy Thursday at our church. Doesn't this seem a little strange, not to mention possibly invalid? The whole distributing Sacraments to yourself (mind you, I didn't acutally see this happen, but I can think of no other way for the chain reaction to start) also, the fact that most of these people probably weren't Eucharistic ministers at all. Maybe we'll have to send them a well highlighted copy of the GIRM, anonymously of course.

2005-06-29T19:52:00.000-05:00

Oremus.....
The Pope is urging us to learn common prayers in latin. His reason is so that when people of different languages are gathered, they can pray together. Read the article here. Here's a site with latin translations of many common Catholic prayers. Thanks to Holly for this site.

2005-06-26T14:50:00.000-05:00

An interesting story....
Recently I attended a 4 day summer camp run by Schoenstatt sisters, a Marian order. During prayer we often refer to Mary as Mother Thrice Admirable, a favorite title of the Schoenstatt order. One of the girls was curious where this title came from, and Sister Emily answered with the following story.
In the early 1600's there was a priest named Fr. Rem, a mystic, who was particularly dedicated to Mary. He belonged to a Marian sodality where he there asked the Blessed Mother to reveal to him her favorite title. During the litany of Lorretto, (a very pretty litany) when they sang "Mater Admiribilis", Mother most Admirable, he was elevated and he told the cantor to repeat it three times. Thus Mary revealed her favorite title as Mater ter Admiribilis, or Mother Thrice Admirable.

2005-06-23T12:45:00.000-05:00

Blogger seems to be acting up, so none of my posts will have titles.

2005-06-22T20:58:00.000-05:00

Welcome!
For the past few months I've been fiddling with the idea of getting a blog, so here it is! A little about myself: I'm a 13 year old Catholic, homeschooler who loves to memorize Shakespeare, play piano, climb trees, and drive the tractor. I just hope I can find enough things to post about! Enjoy!

2005-06-22T14:30:00.000-05:00