'"It is easier for a camel to pass through (the) eye of (a) needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:25

Memories of Home

Bonifacio Monument

Jeepney

Intramuros

Manila Bay

How to Live to 100

Is it possible to live to age 100 ? The answer, ageing is inevitable, but poor health is not. Read this article for the most effective ways to live to 100.

Photos from the Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn

A close-up view of the famous chedi.

A view of the Grand Palace and the Chao Phraya river from the top of the chedi.

Human figures support a portion of the chedi.

JM rested a while from the climb up the chedi due to the intense heat and humidity.

A statue of an ancient Chinese soldier stands behind the twosome.

At the foot of the chedi.

Father and son posing at the bank of the Chao Phraya river.

JM and dad at a Thai souvenir shop.

Music Time

Learning and enjoying music at the same time.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels

An aspect of Catholic piety comforting to parents is the belief that an angel protects their little ones from dangers. Guardian angels are not just for children. Their roles are to represent individuals before God, to watch over them always, to aid their prayer and to present their souls to God at death.

Month of the Rosary

The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.

6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

12. All those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination

The Feast of the Archangels

Saint Michael

Saint Gabriel

Saint Raphael

Prayer to Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, the Archangels

Heavenly Father, you have given us archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth. Saint Michael is our protector, I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger for the Good News, I ask him to help me clearly hear your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel, I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Help us O Lord to realize more fully the reality of the archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy Angels pray for us. Amen

CCD Altar Servers Taining

The group of altar servers during thee training.

A group souvenir photo. JM is on the far right end in green t-shirt.

JM with other altar servers during the training.

Cheers to another successful year of CCD education.

Saint Paul's Remains

Pope Benedict XVI said that the first test on the on what is believed to be the remains of St. Paul the Apostle "seems to confirm" that they do indeed belong to the Roman Catholic saint. The carbon dating tests confirm that the remains in a sarcophagus dates back to the first or the second century. Read the rest of the article on Papal Claims on St. Paul's' Remains.

What is a Christian ?

* A Christian recognizes the good done by others. even by those very different from him/her.
* A Christian accepts the variety of talents and charisms and promotes their growth instead of stifling them or eliminating anyone who might come up to be equal to him/her,
* A Christian strives never to be an obstacle to the growth of others.
* A Christian struggles against jealousy and envy, in the church ans civil society.

CCD Newsletter
September 27. 2009

Padre Pio

"Love is the first ingredient in the relief of suffering"

Padre Pio

Padre Pio, Cappuchin Priest, Mystic, Confessor, Stigmatic. For 50 years he suffered the five wounds of the crucifixion. Like the Apostle Paul, Padre Pio da Pietrelcina placed at the centre of his life and apostolic work the Cross of his Lord as his strength, his wisdom and his glory. Inflamed by love of Jesus Christ, he became like him in the sacrifice of himself for the salvation of the world. For Padre Pio, faith was life: he willed everything and did everything in the light of faith. He was assiduously devoted to prayer. He passed the day and a large part of the night in conversation with God. He would say: “In books we seek God, in prayer we find him. Prayer is the key which opens God's heart”. Faith led him always to accept God's mysterious will. During his lifetime, he enjoyed a vast reputation for sanctity, because of his virtues, his spirit of prayer, sacrifice and total dedication to the good of souls.

12 Rules for Living

1. When you say "I love you", mean it.
2. When you say " I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
3. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
4. Talk slow but think quick.
5. Say "Bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
6. Remember the 3 R's : Respect for self ; Respect for others ; Responsibility for all your actions.
7. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
8. Read more books and watch less TV.
9. Trust in God but lock your car.
10. When you realize you've made a mistakes take immediate steps to correct it.
11. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
12. Spend some time alone.

Bangkok CCD Newsletter
September 20, 2009

Servant of God

Photo taken during CCD Mass.

September 20, 2009

Parenting My 11 Year Old

My 11 year old son JM will be in high school next year. Two years from now he'll be a teenager.

It is time for me to expect significant changes in his behavior and attitude towards school. I did some searching on the Internet on topics related to changes and behavior of 11 year olds and I found Parenting and Behavior in 9-11 Year Olds and Parenting 9-to 12- Year Olds - What to Expect useful.

Naughty Scoob

by JM, 11 years

To My Son

*A Poem Dedicated to My Eleven Year Old Son John Michael*

Oh how the years go by, Oh how time can certainly fly.

From once just a thought in far away dreams, now into my arms and in my eyes gleam the presence of you.

Your laughter and smiles which go on for miles, warms my heart and soul.

You're growing up so fast, as I wish each moment with you to last forever.

My little boy will someday be a man and right by your side I will forever stand.

I will pick up the pieces when you fall, I will hold your hand and help you stand tall.

And when the day comes when you are on your own, never feel that you are alone.

No matter how near or far apart I am always right there in your heart.

Always remember whatever you go through that no matter what, I will always love you.

-A Son Poem by Amy Campbell

New Species

Scientists, academics and filmmakers from the British Broadcasting Corporation visited the South Pacific island of Papua New Guinea last spring to film a nature documentary and in the process discovered 30 new species of animals all living inside the extinct volcano Mount Bosavi. Read more about these unknown animals here.

Our Lady of Sorrows

Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

Adriaen Isenbrant

1518-35

The sorrows:
* at the prophecy of Simeon;

* at the flight into Egypt;

* having lost the Holy Child at Jerusalem;

* meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary;

* standing at the foot of the Cross;

* Jesus being taken from the Cross;

* at the burial of Christ.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

John 19:25-27

Involving Kids in Tasks and Chores

The rewards of involving kids in home chores :

1. When children contribute to family life it helps them feel competent and responsible.

2. Sharing housework can minimize stress in a family.

How ?

1. Ask your children for contributions that you value and that suit your children’s age and ability.

2. Do not to give incentives such as pocket money for doing jobs that contribute to the household. Giving children the idea that helping out makes you happy and makes them an important part of the family is more productive.

3. Making the children do tasks that show care for the family as a whole are more likely to promote a sense of responsibility and participation.

4. If your children are old enough, you can have a family discussion, which reinforces that the whole family contributes to how the household runs. Children over six years old can help decide which tasks they’d prefer.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee, for by thy cross thou hast redeemed the world.

*******

Dying, you destroyed our death; rising you restored our life. Save us by your cross, Christ our Redeemer.

A Cheery Day

by JM, 11 years

Most Holy Name of Mary

"O name of Mary! Joy in the heart, honey in the mouth, melody to the ear of Her devout clients!"

St. Anthony of Padua +1231

Superman

Time Picture of the Week

September 8, 2009

Trappist Monastery

A peaceful and sacred enclave in Guimaras Island, Philippines run by monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance is the Trappist Monastery. The monks in this monastery follow the rule of St. Benedict and are best known for the extreme strictness that characterizes their discipline.The monks earn a living by selling souvenir items and processed foods which are sold in a small shop within the monastery grounds. The ingredients that go to these products are grown in the Trappist grounds.You can tour the monastery grounds and visit their prayer areas. There are also guest houses available at reasonable prices for those who would want to get away from the hassles of daily life.The Trappist Monastery is located in Bgy. San Miguel, Jordan Town in Guimaras. From Iloilo, Jordan, Guimaras can be reached by riding a pumpboat in Ortiz St., Iloilo City.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Today the barren Anna claps her hands for joy, the earth radiates with light, kings sing their happiness, priests enjoy every blessing, the entire universe rejoices, for she who is queen and the Father's immaculate bride buds forth from the stem of Jesse" (adapted from Byzantine Daily Worship).

Remembering Mom

She is Gone

*A poem dedicated to the memory of my late mom, Esperanza.*

You can shed tears that she is gone Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

David Harkins

CCD

CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) opened today at our parish church. I came upon this program three years ago when my son was ready to receive his First Holy Communion. I searched for cathechism classes offered in the English language in churches around Bangkok but found none. Either the church offers the program once a year during the summer in Thai language or the program is integrated in the regular Catholic school curriculum in Thai language also. Our parish church offers this program in English for children who are attending non-Catholic schools. This is my son's fourth year in program . He is in the sixth grade and hopefully will be in the Confirmation class next year.

Remembering Mother Teresa

1910-1997

“It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa of Calcutta was an Albanian-born Roman Catholic nun, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, and Nobel laureate. Read about her beatification, her life and her vocation here.

MV Doulos

On August 23rd, we went to a pier here in Bangkok to visit MV Doulos and buy books that interest us. Little did I now that day was the last time I would a see her in Bangkok. She left the following day. And she is now on her last worldwide tour. I have always been facinated by this ship, not only because of her age, but also because of her history and her mission. The oldest active passenger ship, she is now used as the largest floating bookshop, bringing books to port cities around the world. Read more about MV Doulos and her history here.