There are many people who deny global warming, even in the face of mounting evidence and climate scientists who state emphatically that global warming is not only a reality but it's dangerous to ignore.
I have no doubt that global warming is taking place, even though I live in the Northeast where we have been going through a bitter cold and snowy winter. The jet stream which affects weather patterns over North America and Northern Europe is undergoing a dramatic shift, which may mean harsher winters. There is no proof that it is related to global warming but it could be, since weather patterns are changing. "Temperatures in the Arctic have been rising two to three times faster than the rest of the planet" according to weather expert James Overland (see Mail Online-"Is The Jet Stream Changing Direction?")
I read a while ago that one of the effects of global warming is that some areas of the world will receive little rain and experience severe droughts and other parts will receive excessive rainfall. From what I read, it will seem in certain parts of the world as if the "door" to the Arctic was opened, which is what it felt like in NY for many weeks before the recent warming trend began. It was bitter cold for weeks and it was the worst winter I can remember.
Parts of England are experiencing record rainfalls and flooding, the pictures are sad.
Parts of southern California are experiencing historic droughts, which is affecting the farmers and may soon threaten water supplies.
And so, when will human beings wake up? When will they take responsibility for their actions and start adopting measures that will help the environment and lessen greenhouse gases?
The scientists say we are approaching a tipping point. A point at which the damage that has been caused so far will be irreversible.
Is it human pride or just plain foolishness? God created such a beautiful world and yet we continue to pollute it and destroy eco-systems, thinking that there will be no repercussions to selfishness, arrogance, and irresponsibility. No wonder pride is a deadly sin.
Christians must always remain hopeful so for the good news.... China and the United States, announced a plan to combat global warming together. Let's pray their combined efforts, ideas and action plan works and encourages other countries to follow.
NJA
Pride is the primal sin and the most grave of all the sins, the spiritual rebellion that untuned the harmony of the Universe. Pride is also the most glamorous, pervasive, fatal and insidious of the sins.
(from "The Wisdom of the Saints" An Anthology-Jill Adels
The climate system is an angry "beast" and we are poking at it. (Dr. Wally Broecker)
Friday, February 21, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Happy Valentine's Day 2014-It Comes Back to Jesus
A day to celebrate love. Perhaps only the poets and artists capture it best. Or perhaps Jesus captured it best. Self-sacrificing, unconditional love- deep, pure, without conditions. When I give talks I usually tell people that many of the saints (St. Augustine, St. Therese of Lisieux) said that God loves each soul as if there were no other. It's very personal. People often seem shocked when I say that, but its true. Though it's a mystery as so much is when you are in relationship with the Divine, God loves us personally, individually, knows "each hair on our head."
And we are to love Jesus, to love The Trinity, in return, with all our being.
As Pope Francis recently said, "it is not enough to say one loves Jesus, it must be shown in love for those he loved (loves). 'Ask yourself, if going to Mass helps you to reach out to the suffering, or am I indifferent or am I gossiping.'"...................The Pope said going to Mass should be a life changing event. And of course it should be , if we truly believe what we say at Mass and what we believe is taking place at Mass.
At Mass I feel totally calm, at peace, enthralled with the ancient ritual and the feeling of being so close to God in worship in that sacred, consecrated place. I wish everyone felt as I do, because then it would be life changing and people would want to come for that feeling of fulfillment, enrichment and peace and to give glory to God and to be closer to the One who deserves our commitment, prayers and unconditional love.
NJA
And we are to love Jesus, to love The Trinity, in return, with all our being.
As Pope Francis recently said, "it is not enough to say one loves Jesus, it must be shown in love for those he loved (loves). 'Ask yourself, if going to Mass helps you to reach out to the suffering, or am I indifferent or am I gossiping.'"...................The Pope said going to Mass should be a life changing event. And of course it should be , if we truly believe what we say at Mass and what we believe is taking place at Mass.
At Mass I feel totally calm, at peace, enthralled with the ancient ritual and the feeling of being so close to God in worship in that sacred, consecrated place. I wish everyone felt as I do, because then it would be life changing and people would want to come for that feeling of fulfillment, enrichment and peace and to give glory to God and to be closer to the One who deserves our commitment, prayers and unconditional love.
NJA
Friday, February 7, 2014
Philip Seymour Hoffman-The Demons That Haunted Him
Such a sad story about the untimely death of talented Oscar winning actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Much to the dismay of his family and friends, he gave into his demons and succumbed to a heroin drug overdose. He tried to stay away from alcohol and drugs for years and was reportedly going to AA meetings for over 25 years, but for some reason, he couldn't fight off addiction. The demons kept coming, kept gnawing at him.
Perhaps I'm idealistic but I always think that if perhaps he had "clung" to Jesus, prayed and kept going to the AA meetings regularly (those meetings have helped so many overcome addiction), he could have been helped, could have overcome his addictions. His partner and the mother of his children tried to help him and encourage him to seek help but I guess he was too deep in his addiction for it to do any good.
At the Sundance Film Festival in January people said that he "looked more like a homeless man than a movie star." Didn't anyone think to contact his partner inquiring to what was happening to him or to question him and ask if he needed help? Perhaps someone did and it didn't make the news.
So sad for his children. What do they know of addiction, demons, the evils of heroin and drug abuse. What do they know about the stress of acting or being famous and staying in the limelight? All they know is they lost their father, all they know is that he isn't coming anymore to pick them up. So tragic, so sad, so senseless.
NJA
In every human heart there is a God-shaped vacuum which nothing created can fill.
Blaise Pascal
It is in prayer that God completes us. Doris Strife
Perhaps I'm idealistic but I always think that if perhaps he had "clung" to Jesus, prayed and kept going to the AA meetings regularly (those meetings have helped so many overcome addiction), he could have been helped, could have overcome his addictions. His partner and the mother of his children tried to help him and encourage him to seek help but I guess he was too deep in his addiction for it to do any good.
At the Sundance Film Festival in January people said that he "looked more like a homeless man than a movie star." Didn't anyone think to contact his partner inquiring to what was happening to him or to question him and ask if he needed help? Perhaps someone did and it didn't make the news.
So sad for his children. What do they know of addiction, demons, the evils of heroin and drug abuse. What do they know about the stress of acting or being famous and staying in the limelight? All they know is they lost their father, all they know is that he isn't coming anymore to pick them up. So tragic, so sad, so senseless.
NJA
In every human heart there is a God-shaped vacuum which nothing created can fill.
Blaise Pascal
It is in prayer that God completes us. Doris Strife
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Movie "Philomena" anti-Catholic?-I Think So
Today I saw the movie, "Philomena," after a friend suggested I go. It is based on an investigative book, "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee." I didn't want to see it at first as I was told it was anti-Catholic but then I decided to see for myself. Did I think it was anti-Catholic? Yes, I did and I thought it was anti-belief- in -God as well. I thought the acting was excellent and the story, since it's true, deserves to be told, but it could have been done differently, more respectfully. (After reading Bill Donohue's article-"Debunking Philomena," I would have to say it's fictionalized truth.) And I certainly didn't like when the actor Steve Coogan (playing journalist Martin Sixsmith) states in the movie, "F---ing Catholics!" That should have been eliminated from the script, that was crass and unnecessary and yes, anti-Catholic. That offended me as a Catholic.
The story tells the real life drama of Philomena Lee, an Irish woman who was forced to give up her toddler for adoption in a convent in the 1950's after he was born out-of-wedlock. Decades later, (over 50 years) Philomena consents to go in search of her son (who she has never stopped thinking of) with journalist Martin Sixsmith. What transpires is very interesting. She does find closure at the end of the movie and the movie is engrossing and has won many awards.
However, as one writer (CNN) mentioned, "The film doesn't mention that in 1952 Ireland both a mother and child's life would have been utterly ruined by an out-of-wedlock birth and the nuns are actually giving both a chance at a fresh start, that both enjoyed." Of course the nuns at the center of the movie, who apparently put up for adoption children born out of wedlock are portrayed in a one sided way. Many of these children were sent to America, without ever knowing their biological mothers and there's no question it's a sad story and those adoptions should have been handled differently as well as future inquiries. But the fact is Philomena, in real life, went on to become a nurse and have a career and family and her son who was adopted by a wealthy American family went on to a successful career as well.
But there are subtle ways that anti-Catholic dialogue and attitudes creep into the movie, alittle here, alittle there. And at one point, Steve Coogan (an atheist), who is playing the journalist Martin, who is also an atheist, compares God to a terrorist. That offended me as a believer. So atheistic views seep into the movie as well.
Some good is coming of the movie as the real Philomena Lee has begun an initiative (The Philomena Project) to reunite Irish parents with their children, seperated by oversees adoptions such as portrayed in the movie.
Judi Dench was excellent in the role portraying Philomena. And those are my impressions after seeing this controversial movie, but I'm not a film critic, just a believer in God, who thinks religious views and beliefs, should be treated more respectfully, in all art forms.
NJA
UPDATE: Philomena meets Pope Francis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26050019
To all unbelievers I quote the "Cloud of Unknowing"
Thought cannot comprehend God. And so, I prefer to abandon all I can know, choosing rather to love God whom I cannot know. Though we cannot know God, we can love God. By love God may be touched and embraced, never by thought.
I would add that we can come to know aspects of God through love as the mystical saints attest to.
The story tells the real life drama of Philomena Lee, an Irish woman who was forced to give up her toddler for adoption in a convent in the 1950's after he was born out-of-wedlock. Decades later, (over 50 years) Philomena consents to go in search of her son (who she has never stopped thinking of) with journalist Martin Sixsmith. What transpires is very interesting. She does find closure at the end of the movie and the movie is engrossing and has won many awards.
However, as one writer (CNN) mentioned, "The film doesn't mention that in 1952 Ireland both a mother and child's life would have been utterly ruined by an out-of-wedlock birth and the nuns are actually giving both a chance at a fresh start, that both enjoyed." Of course the nuns at the center of the movie, who apparently put up for adoption children born out of wedlock are portrayed in a one sided way. Many of these children were sent to America, without ever knowing their biological mothers and there's no question it's a sad story and those adoptions should have been handled differently as well as future inquiries. But the fact is Philomena, in real life, went on to become a nurse and have a career and family and her son who was adopted by a wealthy American family went on to a successful career as well.
But there are subtle ways that anti-Catholic dialogue and attitudes creep into the movie, alittle here, alittle there. And at one point, Steve Coogan (an atheist), who is playing the journalist Martin, who is also an atheist, compares God to a terrorist. That offended me as a believer. So atheistic views seep into the movie as well.
Some good is coming of the movie as the real Philomena Lee has begun an initiative (The Philomena Project) to reunite Irish parents with their children, seperated by oversees adoptions such as portrayed in the movie.
Judi Dench was excellent in the role portraying Philomena. And those are my impressions after seeing this controversial movie, but I'm not a film critic, just a believer in God, who thinks religious views and beliefs, should be treated more respectfully, in all art forms.
NJA
UPDATE: Philomena meets Pope Francis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26050019
To all unbelievers I quote the "Cloud of Unknowing"
Thought cannot comprehend God. And so, I prefer to abandon all I can know, choosing rather to love God whom I cannot know. Though we cannot know God, we can love God. By love God may be touched and embraced, never by thought.
I would add that we can come to know aspects of God through love as the mystical saints attest to.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Little Sisters of the Poors' Victory (Let's Hope It Lasts)
The U. S. Supreme Court stated that the Little Sisters of the Poor, a religious order of Catholic nuns who run nursing homes, do not have to comply with President Obama's healthcare law requiring employees to provide insurance that covers contraception. This is considered a partial victory, as litigation continues. There is a requirement in that religious groups will have to send a written notification saying they object to the contraception mandate, in order to receive the exemption.
The Becket Fund for religious liberty made this statement, "We are delighted that the Supreme Court has issued this order protecting the Little Sisters. The government has lots of ways to deliver contraceptives to people, it doesn't need to force nuns to participate."
This is good news for the Little Sisters of the Poor. I am very familiar with their excellent nursing homes. A priest I knew was living and receiving excellent care, for years, in Queen of Peace Residence in Queens which is run by the nuns. The atmosphere they provide and the care is amazing to see. A friend of mine who was often at the nursing home calls the nuns, "The angels of the earth." I volunteered for a time at Queen of Peace helping with grant writing. The nuns were so appreciative.
Bishop Ignatius Catanello, who was a Brooklyn auxiliary Bishop was cared for at Queen of Peace residence during a long illness. He died in March of last year. I know from having observed their good works, that the nuns are wonderful religious who care about each patient and show concern for them. It's evident the moment you walk into the nursing home that this is no ordinary facility.
So it couldn't happen to a better group of nuns to have this ruling, at this time. Let's hope it holds. It makes perfect sense.
NJA
Making the elderly happy, that is what counts
St. Jeanne Jugan-foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor
The Becket Fund for religious liberty made this statement, "We are delighted that the Supreme Court has issued this order protecting the Little Sisters. The government has lots of ways to deliver contraceptives to people, it doesn't need to force nuns to participate."
This is good news for the Little Sisters of the Poor. I am very familiar with their excellent nursing homes. A priest I knew was living and receiving excellent care, for years, in Queen of Peace Residence in Queens which is run by the nuns. The atmosphere they provide and the care is amazing to see. A friend of mine who was often at the nursing home calls the nuns, "The angels of the earth." I volunteered for a time at Queen of Peace helping with grant writing. The nuns were so appreciative.
Bishop Ignatius Catanello, who was a Brooklyn auxiliary Bishop was cared for at Queen of Peace residence during a long illness. He died in March of last year. I know from having observed their good works, that the nuns are wonderful religious who care about each patient and show concern for them. It's evident the moment you walk into the nursing home that this is no ordinary facility.
So it couldn't happen to a better group of nuns to have this ruling, at this time. Let's hope it holds. It makes perfect sense.
NJA
Making the elderly happy, that is what counts
St. Jeanne Jugan-foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Caroline Kennedy's Brave Tweet To Bring Attention To Massive Dolphin Killing
I thought it was quite brave and noble of Caroline Kennedy, U.S. ambassador to Japan to tweet about her concern about the inhuman and barbaric slaughter of dolphins in Japan. She tweeted on Sunday, "Deeply concerned about the inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing." Her parents would be proud of her, she is certainly a credit to the Kennedy's. I have always admired her, though I don't agree with all her political beliefs. But as a modern day woman, she has managed to balance raising children, while staying involved with charitable causes, writing books and now in her esteemed role as a U. S. ambassador. Quite impressive! She feels comfortable enough in her "own skin," and as a woman in a important role, to give her opinion on an crucial conservation topic.
I never saw the documentary, "The Cove," but I was reading up about it and how it exposed the barbaric slaughter of dolphins which happen through drive hunts. Once again hundreds of dolphins were slaughtered in Taiji Cove in Japan by Japanese fishermen, a few days ago. The U. S. government opposes these fishing techniques.
Drive hunt refers to the practice of herding dolphins into a cove and then killing them. This is legal in Japan but offensive and disturbing to people in many countries who see this as a slaughter of intelligent, beautiful animals that are trapped and destroyed, in large numbers. I don't see this as a time-honored tradition, as many in Japan claim, this is an ego-driven, selfish event which harms intelligent animals, that are known to help humans when humans are in danger. They are intelligent, they have a language and its a horrible injustice and cruel to treat these animals so barbarically.
Let's hope in the future, with international pressure and more enlightened thought, these drive hunts will end. (I'll add my prayers as well that these hunts will end and become illegal in the future.)
Let's hope future generations in Japan and elsewhere learn to appreciate and protect the environment, and all of God's creatures and have more respect for ocean creatures, who are already in distress from environmental pollution in our oceans.
NJA
I never saw the documentary, "The Cove," but I was reading up about it and how it exposed the barbaric slaughter of dolphins which happen through drive hunts. Once again hundreds of dolphins were slaughtered in Taiji Cove in Japan by Japanese fishermen, a few days ago. The U. S. government opposes these fishing techniques.
Drive hunt refers to the practice of herding dolphins into a cove and then killing them. This is legal in Japan but offensive and disturbing to people in many countries who see this as a slaughter of intelligent, beautiful animals that are trapped and destroyed, in large numbers. I don't see this as a time-honored tradition, as many in Japan claim, this is an ego-driven, selfish event which harms intelligent animals, that are known to help humans when humans are in danger. They are intelligent, they have a language and its a horrible injustice and cruel to treat these animals so barbarically.
Let's hope in the future, with international pressure and more enlightened thought, these drive hunts will end. (I'll add my prayers as well that these hunts will end and become illegal in the future.)
Let's hope future generations in Japan and elsewhere learn to appreciate and protect the environment, and all of God's creatures and have more respect for ocean creatures, who are already in distress from environmental pollution in our oceans.
NJA
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cardinal Dolan Officially Meet
According to an article in today's New York Post, Mayor de Blasio met with Timothy Cardinal Dolan on Monday at the cardinal's residence behind St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was the mayor's first meeting with Cardinal Dolan since becoming mayor of New York City. De Blasio seems to be a fan of Pope Francis calling his voice, "the most powerful voice on this earth on inequality." Apparently both the mayor and Cardinal Dolan are hoping that the popular Pope will visit the "Big Apple," sometime in the future, which both men say would be a big blessing for the city.
I attended Papal Masses when Pope John Paul II visited NYC in 1979 and again in 1995. How fortunate I was to attend two papal masses in NYC, one at Shea Stadium (1979) and the other at Aqueduct Raceway (1995). When Pope Benedict came to New York in 2008 I attended the Departing Ceremony at Kennedy Airport. All of those religious events were amazing and yes, filled with many blessings.
The mayor was baptized Catholic and raised Catholic by his Italian family but he has fallen away. He now considers himself "spiritual" but he is not practicing any particular religion. So where are the evangelizers in NYC, seems like the mayor could use some evangelization?
Perhaps if Pope Francis comes to New York then Bill de Blasio will be so moved by his presence that he will return to his Catholic roots. Or perhaps Cardinal Dolan can encourage him to return to the faith he was baptized into.
It is good that the new mayor and the Cardinal have met. It seems they have a lot in common when it comes to subjects such as affordable housing, the work of Catholic Charities and fighting inequality. They should keep the conversation going.
NJA
And it's my fervent hope that at some point, working closely with the Cardinal, we'll have the opportunity to bring Pope Francis to New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio
I attended Papal Masses when Pope John Paul II visited NYC in 1979 and again in 1995. How fortunate I was to attend two papal masses in NYC, one at Shea Stadium (1979) and the other at Aqueduct Raceway (1995). When Pope Benedict came to New York in 2008 I attended the Departing Ceremony at Kennedy Airport. All of those religious events were amazing and yes, filled with many blessings.
The mayor was baptized Catholic and raised Catholic by his Italian family but he has fallen away. He now considers himself "spiritual" but he is not practicing any particular religion. So where are the evangelizers in NYC, seems like the mayor could use some evangelization?
Perhaps if Pope Francis comes to New York then Bill de Blasio will be so moved by his presence that he will return to his Catholic roots. Or perhaps Cardinal Dolan can encourage him to return to the faith he was baptized into.
It is good that the new mayor and the Cardinal have met. It seems they have a lot in common when it comes to subjects such as affordable housing, the work of Catholic Charities and fighting inequality. They should keep the conversation going.
NJA
And it's my fervent hope that at some point, working closely with the Cardinal, we'll have the opportunity to bring Pope Francis to New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio
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