Father Marcial Maciel, Founder of the Legionaries of Christ Dies

Legionary of Christ Founder Dies at 87


Father Marcial Maciel Began Lay Regnum Christi Movement



ROME, JAN. 31, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Father Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ and the Catholic lay Regnum Christi movement, died Wednesday at age 87.

A communiqué from the Legionaries of Christ reported that Father Maciel died in the United States and that he had "communicated to Father Álvaro Corcuera, general director of the congregation, his desire that the funeral be celebrated in a climate of prayer, in a simple and private way."

"The Legionaries of Christ and the members of the Regnum Christi movement announce with sorrow the loss of their dear father founder who was the instrument of God in beginning this work at the service of the Church and society," the note added.

Father Maciel suffered various health conditions, aggravated by his advanced age.

"He leaves as a legacy the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and the apostolic movement Regnum Christi, present in nearly 40 countries," the communiqué stated. "In his 87 years of life, Father Maciel dedicated his energy to completing the mission that God entrusted him of contributing to the evangelizing mission of the Church, so that more men and women of all social conditions would know, live and spread the love of Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel."

"The Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi movement ask prayers for the eternal rest of his soul and earnestly appreciate all the condolences and signs of appreciation and affection," the note concluded.

St. Guízar

Marcial Maciel was born in Cotija de la Paz, Mexico, in 1920. During his childhood, Mexico suffered the religious persecution of the 1920s. Maciel left for the seminary at age 15, studying under his great uncle, Bishop Rafael Guízar of Veracruz, who was running a clandestine seminary in Mexico City. Bishop Guízar was canonized Oct. 15, 2006.

At age 20, before his priestly ordination, Maciel founded the Legion of Christ, establishing a minor seminary where 13 adolescents began studies for the priesthood.

Maciel was ordained four years later, in 1944.

In the 1960s, Father Maciel began the group Regnum Christi, made up of laypeople (including lay consecrated men and women) and diocesan priests.

In the 1970s, Pope Paul VI entrusted the Territorial Prelature of Chetumal in southern Mexico to the Legionaries of Christ. The prelature, renamed in 1996 to Cancun-Chetumal, is populated by a large number of Mayans, and includes popular tourist destinations such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The Holy See approved the constitution of the Legion of Christ in 1983 and the statutes of Regnum Christ in 2004.

In 2005, Father Maciel stepped down as superior-general of the Legionaries of Christ, after having been elected for another term by the General Chapter. The congregation elected as his successor Father Álvaro Corcuera Martínez del Río.

In May 2006, after accusations against Father Maciel, which he repeatedly denied, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "taking into account both the advanced age of Father Maciel as well as his poor health [invited] him to a reserved life of prayer and penance, renouncing all public ministry."

The Vatican note at that time recognized "the distinguished apostolate of the Legionaries of Christ and of Regnum Christi," saying they were "acknowledged with gratitude."

Scary Stuff

You will want to watch this. I pray it isn't true, yet it is hard to shake the eery feeling that Big Brother really is coming.

"Porkchops and Applesauce"

Do you remember the Brady Bunch episode where they had pork chops and applesauce?? Me neither, but the saying stuck and my family won't eat their chops without their sauce. Crazy isn't it?
I have a delicious, gluten free, milk free, soy free, beef free recipe that my family loves. I don't know where I got the recipe - I wish I could give credit because this is so good.


Apple Saucy Pork Chops

2 cups applesauce
1/3 cup sugar
2TBS soy sauce ( I use fish sauce from the Thai section of the store to make this g/f and soy free)
1 garlic clove minced
1/4 tsp ground ginger
6 pork chops ( give or take)
2TBS EVOO (calls for butter but this is a great substitute)

In a bowl combine applesauce, sugar, fish sauce, garlic and ginger. Mix well.
Pour into greased 13x9x2 baking disth. In skillet brown chops in oil. Place over applesauce mixture. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or until tender.

Baby Luke, pray for us!

5 years ago, January 29th, I gave birth to a very special baby. He was born with cystic hygroma. But he was an overachiever - his was the largest ever born. We only had him for 4 short months but we were very blessed. As hard and as sad as that time was there was so much good and we received so many blessings. Baby Luke changed all of us. Without him and his short life my other children would not know suffering, sadness, loss in such an intimate way. Without Luke they also wouldn't know sacrifice, generosity, love of others, personal saint in heaven. They love him and never ever say a prayer without the invocation " Baby Luke, pray for us". I know that he is praying for us. He and my 4 other babies that we have lost. I always say "God must have big plans for us to put so many saints in heaven with no one else to pray for but us!"

I miss my baby, my buddy, my sweet little boy. I know that he is in heaven. I can hardly wait to get there and be with him.

I wish I had a picture to post. Maybe someday I will figure it out.
God Bless,
Christy

A Meme

Just because I have always wanted to do one of these!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? My dad - his nickname was Chris when he was young (but his name is Gene? )(3 of us were named after him!)
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Thursday - when I heard of a mommy who is carrying a baby that wont live.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? If I take my time
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Honey ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 8 living 5 in heaven
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I am trying to quit this vice!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Yes. well, maybe I would rather jump out of an airplane
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Baby cereal - wheat, cold with milk and lots of sugar - no I don't feed this to my babies. It was just the only cereal my mom always had around!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, but I don't wanna be sometimes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Not big on icecream.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I notice folks’ smiles.
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? If I told you I would have to kill you
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Luke
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Denim and no shoes.
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? PB cookie
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? silence
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? sky blue
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Newborn babies, and my dh when he gets out of the shower.
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?Cassie
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Any sport my kids are in - but basketball is the favorite.
25. HAIR COLOR? Brown
26. EYE COLOR? Blue
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no
28. FAVORITE FOOD? Sushi
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? National Treasure 2
31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Grey basketball T-shirt
32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Spring and Autumn.
33. HUGS OR KISSES? um, both
34. FAVORITE DESSERT? raw chocolate chip cookie dough
35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Splendor of Love by Fr. William Schu LC,
36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have one
37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Monk and Psych
38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? silence, babies breathing, my oldest son singing in Latin
39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? um, neither -
40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Italy
41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? No, my "talent" is appreciating others talents - someone needs to clap!
42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Fort Wayne

Dan Morgan, Rifleman

Dan Morgan Rifleman
By Josh

After a day of hunting Dan was coming home when on his way he saw a trail of foot prints. Dan thought that he was the only one that knew the trail.
So he started to follow them for awhile and as he did he thought maybe his father was out looking for him or a farmer who lived near the Morgan’s was near.
But their was some thing about them that was strange but what was it Dan thought.
Then he dropped to one knee to get a better look at them.
The footprints had no heel marks in them so the man that was wearing moccasins.
Then he jumped to his feet the thought that Indians were around instead it was Jed.
That is when he met him after that he would see him every once and a well.
Then after many years Dan and Jed were in the army then Dan became General Morgan.
He and his 1200 man went to Quebec and lost the battle and became prisoners they were released months later then he became Colonel Morgan and fought hard in many battles.
He died of old age in his bed.

Davy Crocket

DAVY CROCKET BY Joe


When Davy was a boy all he wanted to do was hunt. The first time he did it was when he was 10 years old. It was Christmas and when his dad thought he was big enough he got to shoot. The first time he did it he missed but his older brother asked his dad to give Davy another try. His dad said yes and Davy hit the bulls-eye. When he got older he ran away sometimes. When he got married He had two kids. Then he became a colonel. Everybody knew Davy because he was a great hunter. Davy became a congressman and moved to Washington .This was around the time when we were fighting for Texas. So Davy went to Fort Alamo and that’s where Davy Crocket died.

The end

Weight loss - is Weigh Down ok for Catholics?

This is what Amy Wellborn has to say about the Weigh Down Diet started by Gwen Shamblin. I bought the book at the local Thrift store on Saturday and have not been able to put it down. Weight is something I struggle with - like most Americans I suppose. She has some good points - you can't let food be your god, and you can't "make food good". But I had some nagging thoughts in the back of my head and so I googled and came upon Amy's take. She too has valid points.
I also found a Catholic Site with a weight program all on one page. It also has one of those BMI calculators.
I was so hoping that I had found what I needed when I read the book by Gwen. I believe that God is leading me to answers to my prayers about weight loss. I just must be careful and take only what is "good, lovely and of good report".

This I do know, God doesn't want me to love food more than Him. He wants me to be healthy. I pray that I will find the answers. In the meantime I will eat only when I am hungry, stop before I am full and pray like the dickens when "head hunger" is pulling me to a sleeve of crackers or a bowl of raw cookie dough.

God Bless,
Christy

Green, crunchy and altogether earthy

At least that is what I would like to be. I love to read blogs like No Impact Man or Crunchy Chicken. To see what all the earthy crunchy, tree huggers are up to. And truth be told I am one - just in the closet. How far in the closet? Well you would never know if you came to my house but let me give you a few examples. Please keep in mind that there are 10 people living in my house. And a husband who makes a living recycling concrete but doesn't have another tree huggin' bone in his body.
1. We use plates. Real plates - maybe 3x a year I buy paper for daily use. Oh, and real cups that are used more than once.
2. I do not buy bottled water. We refill other containers with water from the tap and keep them in the fridge.
3. I cook with beans - dried beans several times a month.
4. I recycle gift bags over and over and over.
5. I buy with packaging in mind whenever possible.
6. I keep our house cold as I dare - I turn it down and someone who will not 'fess up turns it up. Not as cold as others do but definatly nippy.
7. Shop the Thrift stores and garage sales -
8. Clothing - those of us who can or are willing - myself, the littles boys, dd#4 and #5 wear our clothing over and over until it is dirty. I change my uw daily but who knows about the 10 and 11 yearold boys???
9. Towels - same one all week.
There are more but you get the idea.

Things I plan on doing or would like to do if the ick factor wasn't there.
1. I would love to use the Keeper and just might someday.
2. Keeping the temp lower - 65 in the day and 60 at night - but "I" am not the only one who lives here - just ask around .
3. Cloth wipes - for all. This has an incredible ick factor with 10 people but maybe I could myself. Hmmm.
4. Reusable grocery bags. This would be possible, just annoying as I buy lots of groceries because I only go ever 2.5 or 3 weeks.
5. Low water showers and washer etc.
6. I would love to hang my wash on the line but most of us have enviromental allergies and this just aggrevates them to no end.
7. Be a vegetarian - more because I don't really care for meat than because of its earthy crunchyness but that has some merit.
8. oh, and freecycle I would love to do this.

Just a few of my earthy crunchy hopes and dreams. I know that I cannot "save our planet" alone but do feel that being wasteful is a sin. I love it when earthy crunchy crosses with frugal living - it makes me so happy all over!

Here's to all the Republican earthy crunchy, in the closet, conservatives that I know are out there!!

Our January Read a loud

We have begun reading this book by Jean Lee Latham and totally love it! It is a suspenseful book about the founding of Jamestown. It is told from the perspective of a young nobleman who was "dared to be a man" by Captain John Smith. My kids are loving this book and it certainly gives a different view of the story than the one from Disney's Pocohantas movie. It was hysterical when they realized that Capt. John Smith and Powhatan and even Pocohantas were real people.

I highly recommend this book as a great read aloud.

Katy and the Big Snow

DD#4 and I are excited to get back into the FIAR swing of things. We will be doing Katy and the Big Snow. We read it tonight while we were waiting for dinner to be done cooking and we loved the book. I don't have any big plans but am certainly hoping for a snowstorm this week so she can go plow some snow with her dad or stinky oldest brother! Will keep you updated on the fun.

We have really enjoyed the FIAR method of learning. DD4 struggles to read and this is a nice way to still read picture books but not seem too babyish for a "3rd grader". Reading the book every day seems to really help her learn.

Blessed Christmas and a Holy New Year

How's that for being politically incorrect? We had a wonderful Christmas and a blessedly uneventful New Year. We even went skiing for a day at Timber Ridge Ski Resort in Michigan. What great fun! We took everyone except the little princess and added a girlfriend and boyfriend. The 3 youngest learned to snowboard - wow they did great. DD#3 worked through her fears and is now skiing allbeit slowly but off the bunny hill. Last time she skied she was removed on a board and taken to the emergency room. So you can see where she might have issues! She skied down the "big hill" the first time with her dad. It was a sight, he was holding her hand and had a cigarrette in the other as they plowed their way down the hill. God love her, she was crying. But at the bottom agreed to go back up! There is no place for wimps in our family!
I pray you all had a wonderful holiday season filled with graces and blessings like we did.
God Bless,
Christy

For Your Marriage

I discovered this great Catholic Marriage site
it is called For Your Marriage it is for those who are going to be married and those of us who have been married awhile. It has a tips page to help you bring kindness and thoughtfulness to your marriage. It even has a page with links to the official Catholic Teachings on Marriage.

I have seen protestant sites similar to this but this is the first Catholic one. I think it is done very well.
God Bless,
Christy