Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America - Record of Protest Against the Infringement of Religious Liberty by HHS
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, which is comprised of the 65 canonical Orthodox bishops in the United States, Canada and Mexico, join their voices with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and all those who adamantly protest the recent decision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and call upon all the Orthodox Christian faithful to contact their elected representatives today to voice their concern in the face of this threat to the sanctity of the Church’s conscience.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Shwachman-Diamond America Approves Additional Funding for the SDS registry
The SDA board recently approved $7,000 of additional funding for the North American SDS registry. We received info on the registry and have paraphrased it below. For more information or complete details, please contact SDA.
The registry has identified more than 80 patients for the SDSR and has signed consent for more than 70, with data extraction and data entry in progress.
SDS registry projects for the upcoming year:
1) Continuing efforst to obtain medical records from enrolled patients.
2) Analyzing the data available thus far to define the clinical spectrum of presentation. The goal of the project is to improve diagnosis.
3) Analyzing the family history of patients with SDS to determine the clinical significance, if any, of being a carrier for the SBDS gene mutations.
4) Investigating the clinical spectrum and medical course of patients presenting with "clinically defined" SDS but who lack SBDS gene mutations. Also conducting studies to determine the pathophysiologic basis of disease in these patients.
Of note, these projects depend on increasing patient accrual over the coming year.
Just wanted to keep everyone up to date on what SDA has been doing.
Pattie Curran
President, SDA
The registry has identified more than 80 patients for the SDSR and has signed consent for more than 70, with data extraction and data entry in progress.
SDS registry projects for the upcoming year:
1) Continuing efforst to obtain medical records from enrolled patients.
2) Analyzing the data available thus far to define the clinical spectrum of presentation. The goal of the project is to improve diagnosis.
3) Analyzing the family history of patients with SDS to determine the clinical significance, if any, of being a carrier for the SBDS gene mutations.
4) Investigating the clinical spectrum and medical course of patients presenting with "clinically defined" SDS but who lack SBDS gene mutations. Also conducting studies to determine the pathophysiologic basis of disease in these patients.
Of note, these projects depend on increasing patient accrual over the coming year.
Just wanted to keep everyone up to date on what SDA has been doing.
Pattie Curran
President, SDA
I Am a Tomboy
Imagine my shock when my boys told me I was a tomboy! I protested. Then they reminded me, "Mom, you were in the Army." Oh, yeah, I see your point. This conversation began because I was telling them how excited I am that our pigs will be arriving soon. I love dissection!
I have such fond memories of dissecting things in high school. I was fortunate to have biology I and Biology II (Medical Life Science). Through these courses, we dissected a worm, a fetal pig, a cat, a dog (it had been put to sleep and donated to the class) and a fetal horse. In college, we also dissected things and one of the experiments I remember most was done on a live turtle-- we poured digitalis and caffeine on his heart and recorded the effects. What's not exciting about these things? Matthew thinks he can use the "It will take me from my REAL school work" line to get out of participating in dissection. It won't work!
The boys think only tomboys like to dissect things. I disagree. I'm only PART tomboy. I balance it with all my cooking, baking and gardening, right? I wear skirts to Mass. I don't wear make-up often at all and I think that goes with embracing my natural feminine side.
The boys blood draws went well yesterday morning. After the last several required four sticks each, Joseph only needed one stick. We had to arrive in the morning for a special test that has to be frozen and arrive at the hypertension lab before noon. Sean is on day 10 of being sick, ran a fever last night, but is better on the fever front today. I'm hoping to avoid a visit to the doctor! Maybe the pigs will help him feel better. ~evil laugh~
I have such fond memories of dissecting things in high school. I was fortunate to have biology I and Biology II (Medical Life Science). Through these courses, we dissected a worm, a fetal pig, a cat, a dog (it had been put to sleep and donated to the class) and a fetal horse. In college, we also dissected things and one of the experiments I remember most was done on a live turtle-- we poured digitalis and caffeine on his heart and recorded the effects. What's not exciting about these things? Matthew thinks he can use the "It will take me from my REAL school work" line to get out of participating in dissection. It won't work!
The boys think only tomboys like to dissect things. I disagree. I'm only PART tomboy. I balance it with all my cooking, baking and gardening, right? I wear skirts to Mass. I don't wear make-up often at all and I think that goes with embracing my natural feminine side.
The boys blood draws went well yesterday morning. After the last several required four sticks each, Joseph only needed one stick. We had to arrive in the morning for a special test that has to be frozen and arrive at the hypertension lab before noon. Sean is on day 10 of being sick, ran a fever last night, but is better on the fever front today. I'm hoping to avoid a visit to the doctor! Maybe the pigs will help him feel better. ~evil laugh~
Creative Minority Report: This Video Will Make Your Catholic Blood Boil
Creative Minority Report: This Video Will Make Your Catholic Blood Boil
See the BHO administration defend its decision to force the Catholic Church to cover contraception and abortion drugs in the HHS mandate.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Komen Still Doesn't Acknowledge Abortion-Breast Cancer Link | LifeNews.com
Komen Still Doesn't Acknowledge Abortion-Breast Cancer Link | LifeNews.com
Been saying this all morning! SGK cut funding to PP because PP is under federal investigation. It still doesn't admit the ABC link. A woman who has an abortion before her first fill term pregnancy increases her risk of breast cancer by 50-90% depending on family history. For statistics and medical articles about the ABC link, see the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute.
Been saying this all morning! SGK cut funding to PP because PP is under federal investigation. It still doesn't admit the ABC link. A woman who has an abortion before her first fill term pregnancy increases her risk of breast cancer by 50-90% depending on family history. For statistics and medical articles about the ABC link, see the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute.
World of Coke and Pokes
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| After poking 4 times, she called in another nurse |
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| The week before last--searching for another spot |
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| Sean is an easy stick. Got him the first try. |
The lobby of one medical plaza in Atlanta had some great art work. After our visit, Joseph and I stared at the blown glass art for quite a while. I actually laughed when I realized we'd been having a conversation about the art....that doesn't happen with a 14 year old very often....conversations about art.
The pokies were not fun. I tried to tell the ladies in Atlanta, but was told she could get blood from a turnip. I believe she was humbled by the 4th stick. The glass art shown here is amazing-- we tried to see if we could find any sort of pattern in the rainbow piece. Do you see a pattern? The pear is the most unique lighting fixture I have ever seen. It was fun to look at.
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| First try |
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| Second try |
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| Third try |
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| Between tries |
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| He looks a bit like Darth Vader during this CPET testing |
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| At the Varsity eating lunch--super cheap prices! |
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| my favorite art at the World of Coke--love this mixed media work |
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| 4th attempt and success |
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Got Sean on the first stick           |
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Top 10 Apple iPod Touch Apps for English and Language Arts Teachers
The Top 10 Apple iPod Touch Apps for English and Language Arts Teachers
Check out these free apps! We already have a few of them, but some are apps I had not seen or heard about. Fun stuff!
Check out these free apps! We already have a few of them, but some are apps I had not seen or heard about. Fun stuff!
Letter Raed in Many Catholic Churches Yesterday
It wasn't read in our church, but I've heard from many friends who said itvwasvread, or portions were read in their churches. A few even commented that their homily was on the same subject.
We need to pray and fast. Obama must be stopped.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Judge Stops Obama Admin From Silencing Pro-Life Activist | LifeNews.com
Judge Stops Obama Admin From Silencing Pro-Life Activist | LifeNews.com
Obama keeps losing in court.......you'd think being a lawyer and teaching constitutional law, he might be a better judge of things.
Obama and the Catholic vote - TheHill.com
Obama and the Catholic vote - TheHill.com
I did not vote for Obama. I'm pretty shocked that Obama is attacking the Catholic Church in an elections year, but it might pull Catholics together in opposition to Obama, which, in my opinion, is a good thing. Obama needs to be defeated.
Let the Quiet Children Come to Me?
I often wonder if "quiet" is a word many Catholics insert into Jesus' words when He says, "Let the children come to me." He didn't qualify that statement with "quiet", "well-behaved" or "mute". Our parish instituted a new policy last year sometime. Announcements about disruptive children being brought out were being made every week along with announcements about the "training room". We eventually began a nursery at one Mass. Note: this is not a teaching of the Catholic Church, it is a policy of our local parish. One I hope will change. Here is a good article on the subject: For Crying Out Loud
Not long after the policy went into effect, the priest asked a woman to take her child out during the homily. I was shocked, as the child was not being noisy. He was moving around a bit, sure, but 3 year olds do that. I complained. Then, the policy changed to making awkward pauses during the Mass for any noise or disruption. It has evolved into an atmosphere of complete intolerance for any noise, good or bad - from children. Adults talking during Mass goes without any punishment at all. I call the pauses and the asking people to leave Mass punishments.
Yesterday, this policy escalated into a new level of intolerance. Not only was Mass paused, but several parishioners, including an adult parishioner serving up on the altar, stared down a family whose baby cooed, babbled and made a few grunting noises. This baby was not crying. I was sitting directly behind this family with their precious children. Two well behaved toddlers and a baby in a car carrier. Really? A baby coos and people feel it is okay to turn their heads and stare them down? I'd never seen this family at Mass before and I hope they were not scared away. I was shocked by their actions and found it ironic that the man on the altar and one other parishioner staring had often disturbed me and my family with their conversations during the homily and even the Consecration!
I am opposed to cry rooms, training rooms and nurseries. We do not raise Catholic children by keeping them out of the church. We raise Catholic children by having them celebrate the Mass with us in the actual church and teaching them proper behavior and reverence.
My letter to the parish council (I just emailed it to them all):
Not long after the policy went into effect, the priest asked a woman to take her child out during the homily. I was shocked, as the child was not being noisy. He was moving around a bit, sure, but 3 year olds do that. I complained. Then, the policy changed to making awkward pauses during the Mass for any noise or disruption. It has evolved into an atmosphere of complete intolerance for any noise, good or bad - from children. Adults talking during Mass goes without any punishment at all. I call the pauses and the asking people to leave Mass punishments.
Yesterday, this policy escalated into a new level of intolerance. Not only was Mass paused, but several parishioners, including an adult parishioner serving up on the altar, stared down a family whose baby cooed, babbled and made a few grunting noises. This baby was not crying. I was sitting directly behind this family with their precious children. Two well behaved toddlers and a baby in a car carrier. Really? A baby coos and people feel it is okay to turn their heads and stare them down? I'd never seen this family at Mass before and I hope they were not scared away. I was shocked by their actions and found it ironic that the man on the altar and one other parishioner staring had often disturbed me and my family with their conversations during the homily and even the Consecration!
I am opposed to cry rooms, training rooms and nurseries. We do not raise Catholic children by keeping them out of the church. We raise Catholic children by having them celebrate the Mass with us in the actual church and teaching them proper behavior and reverence.
My letter to the parish council (I just emailed it to them all):
Dear Parish Council,
The quiet baby policy has now escalated to an unacceptable level of intolerance. I’ve addressed each of these issues with Father XXX in the past, and have decided that it is best to inform the council of my thoughts regarding this matter. I find it quite ironic that those who stare down families whose babies coo or babble are often the ones who have disturbed me and my family with their endless chatter during Mass (even during the homily and Consecration!). I suggest adding announcements for restless, talkative adults. Perhaps suggest that the training room is there for them, as well.
Yesterday, there was a family directly in front of me with a baby and two young sons. Very well behaved young sons, I might add. The baby DID NOT cry during Mass. They baby cooed and babbled. I was embarrassed by the level of intolerance shown by my fellow parishioners, including one adult male serving up on the altar. At one point, the man on the altar stared at this family for at least one entire minute. I was horrified—he was standing sideways and adjusted his head so as to give them the “evil eye” when all their baby was doing was making a few coos and babbles.
My husband and I have already decided we would no longer attend Mass at this parish if we have any more children. No matter how wonderful, generous or brilliant the other parishioners are, they can never make up for the torment, embarrassment and torture parents must go through when their baby is cooing and babbling. A crying child seems to be an unforgivable sin. If we are truly a pro-life people, we would be filled with joy when we heard the voices of children. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” He didn’t qualify that statement with “quiet”, “well-behaved” or “mute”. Perhaps, the noise of children are the prayers God enjoys most.
Crying babies are a completely different matter, and not the point of my letter. We do not agree with cry rooms, training rooms or nurseries. We do not raise Catholic children by keeping them out of the church. We raise Catholic children by having them celebrate the Mass with us in the actual church and teaching them proper behavior and reverence. Children are not perfect, just as adults are not perfect. I personally am more irritated by adults who talk during Mass than any child who babbles or even cries. If you are going to punish families with pausing the Mass, evil looks and announcements, you need to treat the adult offenders accordingly. I am utterly disgusted by the treatment this precious family received on Sunday. I’ve not liked the policy from the very beginning, have voiced my opinion on the matter and believe, we, as a parish, have finally crossed the line.
One last note—while I do not care about the change in Mass times, I find it quite ironic that you expect parents to make their children behave inside the church, but do not require it outside the church. Isn’t is a bit ridiculous to be changing the Mass times when all that would be required would be to make parents be responsible for their own children? How about a few announcements about that?
If interested, here is a link to an article called “For Crying Out Loud” http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/01/for-crying-out-loud-a-pastors-message-to-parents/
Pattie Curran
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Quote of the Day
As I head to Mass, I am going to reflect upon this quote (below my ramblings), pray for Obama and his administration, pray for the Supreme Court to reach the proper ruling on this attack of religious freedom and pray for our nation. I believe our nation is headed in the wrong direction and we need to pray, pray, pray and vote pro-life and pro-religious freedom (i.e. not vote for Obama). These attacks on religious freedoms cannot stand. The last attack by the Obama administration was tossed out by a unanimous (that's all 9 justices) decision of the Supreme Court. Obama and his administration wanted to force churches to ordain men and women-- the Supreme Court stopped him and upheld religious freedom.