Put it in the right hands

✠ A basketball in my hands cost only Rp.50 thousand, but in the hands of a Michael Jordan, it costs Rp.5 million.

✠  A foot ball in my hand cost only Rp.75 thousand, but in the hands of a Ricardo Kaka it costs RP. 75 million.

✠  A guitar in my hand cost only Rp.500 thousand, but in the hands of Paul Gilbert it costs Rp.500 million.

THE COST DEPENDS ON THE HANDS THAT HOLD IT

✠  A tennis racket in my hand means sport, but in the hand of Serena Williams it means Wimbledon champion.

✠  A pen in my hand is just a stationary, but in the hand of Don Moen it means new songs for God.

✠  A stick in my hand can only be used to drive away animals, but in the hand of Moses it could split the ocean.

✠  A slingshot in my hand is just a toy, but in the hands David it is an incredible weapon.

✠  2 fish and 5 loaves in my hands means 2 fish sandwiches, but in the hands of Jesus 2 fish and 5 loaves means satiation for 5000 men

✠  Nails and wood in my hand would mean a new place for my dog, but the nails and wood in the hands of Jesus means salvation for the whole world.

YOU SEE? THE VALUE DEPENDS ON THE HANDS THAT HOLD IT

What I want to say is, There is hope for your future, your family, your relationships, your dreams, BUT it all depends on whose hands you lay it all.

YOUR LIFE’S VALUE DEPENDS ON THE HANDS THAT HOLD IT.
MAKE SURE YOUR LIFE IS THE RIGHT HANDS, THE HANDS OF JESUS.

Thanks to Jack Loloin.

La Australia del Espiritu Santo

"La Australia del Espiritu Santo"

(South Land of the Holy Spirit)

400 Year Anniversary, 14th May 2006.

"Let the heavens, the earth, ....and all those here present witness that I, Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quirós......in the name of Jesus Christ.... whereon He gave His life for the ransom and remedy of the human race ...on this Day of Pentecost, 14 May 1606......I take possession of all this part of the South as far as the pole in the name of Jesus.......Which from now on shall be called the Southern land of the Holy Ghost...and this always and forever ...to the end that to all the natives, in all the said lands, the holy, sacred evangel may be preached zealously and openly."

Pharmacist Supported

In this world we are all called to be witnesses to Christ (Acts 1:8) - regardless of our vocation to the religious-life, lay or secular life. Below is an article showing a perfect example of one such person, putting morals and Church teaching above all else - moral above money? I like it!

This is taken from the "Together" newspaper, December 2009 issue - the free newspaper for the Wagga Wagga Diocese.

Pharmacist Supported
Church community admires courageous chemist
Griffith Pharmacist, Mr. Trevor Dal Broi, gained international media attention recently when the secular media beat up a story that he did not dispense the contraceptive pill from his pharmacy.
Several months prior to the sensationalised story hitting the headlines, Mr. Dal Broi had removed condoms and the 'morning after pill' from sale at his pharmacy. Also, when Mr. Dal Broi dispenses the oral contraceptive pill, he discreetly and politely gives the customer a leaflet explaining that the pill can be used to treat a range of medical conditions, but that if it is being used as a contraceptive then the customer is kindly asked to respect his conscientious objection to the sale and support of artificial contraception, and requests that in future the customer has their prescription filled elsewhere.
"I haven't stopped selling the pill", Mr. Dal Broi said. "I don't enquire why the customer is using the pill. That's their business unless they want to talk about it with me or ask my advice as a health professional."

"I simply advise the customer that I have a conscientious objection to selling the pill when it is used as a contraceptive." Mr Dal Broi said, "and humbly request the customers respect my views."
Mr. Dal Broi's objection is based on his acceptance of Jesus' moral teaching as faithfully transmitted through the Catholic Church, founded and preserved by Christ Himself.
Two of the major problems with the contraceptive pill are that on one hand it breaks the inseparable connection between fertility and sexual intercourse, and on the other hand, when the pill fails to supress ovulation, it acts as an abortifacient - killing new human life resulting from intercourse.
Mr. Dal Broi received the power to take his stance when he and his wife, Catherine, attended World Youth Day 2008, where they were inspired to draw closer to Jesus and live by His teachings.
"I used to be quite blinkered and only saw what I wanted to see. I didn't have much of an idea about my faith" Mr. Dal Broi admitted. "World Youth Day, our local youth group and my parish priests - Fr. Andrew Grace and Fr. Anthony Dunne - broadened my mind and opened my eyes to the truth. I have come to realise that when it comes to ethics there are some things that are right and some things that are wrong."
Mr. Dal Broi has joined a growing number of pharmacists who do not dispense the pill when it is used as a contraceptive/abortifacient.
Many people would not be aware that the pill is an abortifaceant when used as a contraceptive. Many people would also be unaware of the manifold increase in the incidence of cancer, particularly cervical and breast cancer among long term users of the pill, especially amongst younger users.
"There was a bit of a backlash when the news broke - people told me various things like 'keep your faith separate from your work and just do the religion thing on Sunday' and things like that," Mr. Dal Broi said. "But most of the feedback has been really positive. I am grateful for the love and support I have received from people in Griffith and all over - I even got a phone call of support from New York after it has hit the news in the USA!"
"Selling condoms and the 'morning after pill' was troubling me for a while, but when I decided to stop selling them I felt an enormous weight lift off my shoulders and I felt an amazing sense of peace. I knew straight away that I had done the right thing."
Mr. Dal Broi is not the only pharmacist in the diocese to take this stance. Mr. Simon Horsfall, owner of the Thurgoona Family Pharmacy found himself in the headlines a few years ago for the same reasons. There are also other pharmacists in the diocese who do not sell condoms or the 'morning after pill'.
Mr. Dal Broi and Mr. Horsfall's leadership is commended by informed pharmacists and authentic Catholics. Mr. John Wilks, consultant pharmacist, researcher, lecturer, author and faithful Catholic, said "Mr. Dal Broi is to be applauded for his stance", and quoted Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in support of Mr. Dal Broi's actions. Mr. Wilks said that these popes have affirmed that pharmacists act in accordance with their professed belief.
Mr. Wilks also affirmed that "Mr. Dal Broi is not required to act against his conscience or to dispense products which are known to have deleterious effects on customers."
Courageous pharmacists like Trevor Dal Broi in Griffith and Simon Horsfall in Thurgoona deserve support from all people of goodwill in the community.
Moreover, Mr. Wilks said that all pharmacists who claim to be Catholic should follow suit, given the proven abortifacient nature of the pill. "Furthermore", Mr. Wilks said, "the Head of the Faith they claim to belong to has repeatedly said that a Catholic pharmacist cannot dispense or sell these products. So the question becomes this: to whom does a Catholic pharmacist give his/her loyalty - to arbitrary public opinion or to Jesus Christ?"

7%

THIS IS AWESOME....READ IT EVERY WEEK!!!

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 44 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".

26. Always choose life.

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

32. Believe in miracles.

33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

36. Your children get only one childhood.

37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere

39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

40.. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need

41. The best is yet to come.

42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

43. Yield.

44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

It's estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'. I'm in the 7%. Remember that I will always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves

Reflections on Jesus

The following reflections on the person of Jesus make us more aware of what an extraordinary person He was and is. Some of the lines that follow are original, the majority belonging to those writers we fondly recall as "Author Unknown", though where possible, the author has been identified.

He was conceived and born contrary to all biological law.

He grew up to be a very bothersome man.

He told the truth and it cost Him His life.

He could have avoided assassination by going fishing in Galilee for the weekend.

He was often seen talking and laughing after His death.

He remains forever a question mark with which people are never quite finished.

Non-believers forever worry lest they might be wrong.

The Church He founded is discussed daily on the first pages of the major newspapers of the world.

What might He have accomplished has He lived to 50?

As a babe, He terrified a King. As a youngster, He puzzled scholars. As a man, He intimidated a Roman Governor.

He was constantly in hot water. He did not seem to mind. He felt it would keep Him clean. He has no training in psychiatry. Yet, He has cured more minds and spirits than anyone else in history. - G.K. Chesterton.

Alexander, Caesar, and Napoleon established mighty empires by force. He began His with love and service. Theirs have disappeared. His remains.

Statesmen have legislated on their turn. Artists and philosophers have reigned for a short period. Some have said they were more popular than He. But their names are written in the sand. His is spoken with frequency by one billion followers.

Each week, millions assemble to salute Him in the Eucharist. He spoke that last night to a small band of illiterate men as though the memorial ceremony would continue down through the centuries. History has proved Him correct.

He calls us to Liturgy both to remember Him and worship Him.

The first food consumed on the moon was bread and wine consumed in His name.

Those who discover they cannot believe in Him live with sorrow. Those who believe but lack the courage to resemble Him survive with regret.

Though centuries separate us from Him, He is more vital than we. We will not even be memories in the next generation, but He will flourish.

He no longer stands in the dock. He has nothing to prove. He has survived the test of time. It is we who are on trial in our reaction to Him.

Unlike countless peoples who impacted society by jumping in front of it and going with the flow, He got in front of the parade to take it in the opposite direction.

He presides over the world like a Colossus.

After almost a century in U.S.S.R gulags, He walks openly in Moscow, Kiev and St. Petersburg. No one seems surprised.

No historian can portray humanity honestly without giving Him the foremost place. - H.G. Wells.

Millions utter His name upon rising. Other millions will shout it throughout the day in anger or pain. For still other millions, it is the last name they whisper before they die and the first they expect to speak when they awaken in His presence.

He is the hero you could never invent. - Robert Griffin.

Angels rush to Him. Devils flee from Him.

He not only pushed the envelope. He broke through it.

In a poor mans apparel, He pursues us always.

He is the long delayed but always expected something we live for. - Tennessee Williams.

His name is not so much written into the history of the world as ploughed. - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

He changed B.C into A.D. - Harry Emerson Fosdick.

He has no interest in people theorising about Him but rather reproducing Him in their lives. - Albert Nolan.

"Time" magazine suggests that in His lifetime, He had no equal. It is the same today.

It is not He who needs us. It is we who need Him.

Isn't it strange?

How a dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

How two hours seem so long when you're at church and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

That you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

How everyone wants front-row tickets to concerts or games but they do whatever is possible to sit in the last row in church?

How we need to know about an event for church two-weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust for other events at the last minute?

How difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

How we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

How everyone wants a place in Heaven but they don't want to believe, say or do anything to get there?

OPEN: Sacred Heart Church, Wodonga

Sacred Heart Wodonga is now open and ready for business... or prayer, rather! The church was closed on Easter Monday 2009 for renovations of both the interior and exterior, which was warmly welcomed by parishioners, young and old, new and life-long. The church was built in the 1960's/70's and after decades, time was taking its toll - both in aesthetics and general wear and tear.

On Saturday 12th December, the doors were once again reopen for the Vigil Mass of the Third Sunday of Advent, followed by an invitation to come and check out the new presbytery adjoining St. Augustine's Church (which the three priests only moved into over Friday and Saturday!) while the official opening and blessing will be over January 30th and 31st, officiated by the Bishop of the Sandhurst Diocese, Bishop Joe Grech.

All I can say is... WOW! What they have done to Sacred Heart is amazing! It is much brighter, much warmer looking and where everything is placed makes things much easier! As for the presbytery, once a convent, it has sat there unused for quite some time, giving off quite a derelict appearance if only you could see over the fence. Now it is fully renovated and looking just like a newly built home!

There are many rooms - quite the maze - with plenty of bedrooms for the three priests and guests. Upstairs also has a nice room with just window panels and slats for ventilation which would make a lovely summer room to sit and relax, read a book, or even put a table and some chairs in to share a meal. There has also been an extension so it adjoins the church with easy access inside for the priests. Perhaps if he gets sick of his parishioners, he can even slip out and go back home!

Overall I give the effort put in to this project a total thumbs up! It wasn't a half-assed attempt at making things look nice, but a major overhaul of the two sites! St. Augustine's was not left out of the loop though by all means. Though I have not yet been in there, work has also been done to make it more welcoming and safe. It is the older of the two churches, built sometime in the latter 1800's, though it has of course kept its original character and charm of a traditional Catholic Church. Sacred Heart on the other hand is by no means "traditional" so there is nothing the same there!

A job well done! I am only sad that this has all come to fruition after I have moved to this side of the border and not while I was still in Wodonga!

I MADE IT PEOPLE!

YES! I DID IT! I MADE IT TO MASS THIS MORNING! :-D

The way it turned out, seems like I was meant to go for a reason. Not only did the readings talk to me, I also spent a good ten-minutes before mass started, on my knees, deep in prayer, and several times during the mass.

At the conclusion on my way out, I checked for any interesting reading material to take away with me. It's the start of the month, so naturally the December issue of "Together", the monthly newspaper for the Wagga Wagga Diocese, was there, along with the Christmas edition of "Australian Catholics". Hidden beneath a bunch of St. Vincent de Paul Society "Vision" magazines, I found a small paper publication of the Sacred Heart parish - "Our Special Heart". I knew of this publication from seeing the parish website, but have never seen it at the church since moving here in April.

I was quite excited by this as I missed the similar "Parish Talk" that is distributed in the Wodonga Catholic Parishes. Once arriving home - a short stroll over the road - I opened it up and had a little flip through it. Haven't read any of the material yet, more just a flick through, but an advertisement caught my eye in "Our Special Heart" calling for front-cover design for what will be renamed "Heartbeat".

"Great! This is right up my alley!" I thought, so jumped straight online and emailed the parish secretary checking if they are still looking. I'm not sure if this is a monthly publication or a quaterly one, like "Parish Talk". Assuming it is quaterly, they will be taking submissions for some time. In the meantime while I wait to hear back, I plan to make a few rough sketches of different designs, choosing a few of my favourites to then transfer into digital-form using Adobe PhotoShop and/or Illustrator.

Many of the people in the parish are older, so presumably not many people would have ideas to enter, or if they do, they will be somewhat too outdated looking, not the look they're after, too simple or something-or-other. Not big-noting myself there, but that's the way I see it! With my creative talent and ideas, perhaps each new edition of "Heartbeat" will be adorned with MY design I can only hope!

It will give me a stronger sense of belonging in the parish. At the moment, I don't really "belong" in the parish as I have rarely been going to mass. The Church I have the strongest sense of belonging to would by far be the Wodonga Catholic Parish, where I was bought up, where my parents attend. I did their website for sometime, I had regular meetings with one of the priests for a general chit-chat over coffee and a bite at the cafe, I would help out on the days when the school-kids were to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion (as my mother was the Religious Coordinator at one of the Catholic Primary schools in Wodonga) and was also a Eucharistic Minister, though I never actually administered it too often as there are so many active parishioners there willing to do it, and I would always get a little shy standing up at the sanctuary in front of the congregation - Sacred Heart Church in Wodonga is a pretty big church!!! However, I was a Eucharistic Minister - I had been educated, I had received my certificate signed by the Bishop, name badge to identify myself if I administered to those at home or in hospitals or elsewhere.

I really want to become an active parishioner of a church - make it mine. So by participating and hopefully having the winning design will be the start of that, giving me a bigger sense of belonging!

Speaking of belonging, on my way out, I held the door open for two ladies coming out. They smiled and thanked me, and one of them started talking, "I haven't seen you here before. Are you new?" to which the other replied "Oh yes I have seen you before!" I told them how I had only moved here in April, and lived right across the road, pointing to my block of flats. We continued our little talk as we walked out of the Church grounds, then went our seperate ways. I liked that! Someone noticing another they haven't before encountered! Had I never been before, I am sure she would be the "Welcome!" type. That made me feel happy, brightened my day just that bit.

Another thing that brightens my day - usually happens every time I go on a weekday - are the many old people who look at me and simply flash me a warm smile - a happy smile, welcome smile, good to see a young person smile - not a look of worry - "Is he one of those thugs that will sit at the back and steal my purse when I go for communion?"

Mass Attendance

I really need to be filled. No more "half-empty glass" syndrome - I want it filled to the brim; overflowing. Lately I've been staying up watching tele until I fall asleep, then I wake up at that hour or two in the morning when the only options to watch is basically infomercials or evangelical-TV. Never been a fan of either, but I've chosen the latter for these early-mornings before "Sunrise" or the "Today" shows.

I'm not as annoyed at evangelical-TV as much anymore... I guess I was just watching the wrong ones! These spoke to me more - Scripture was involved as opposed to some craze guy strutting the stage, talking in riddles, making false promises, creating false hope - basically detracting all the attention from God and putting it all onto himself.

I live just across the road from a Catholic Church and they have weekday mass at 9:30am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If I wanted to go everyday, then on Tuesday's and Thursday's I could catch a bus into town and go to St. Patrick's. Maybe that will come one day, once I get back into a rhythm of actually going to mass again! Bad me...

Lately I've been reading heaps about things to do with religion, watching religious movies and checking out religious websites. Also downloading religious videos off YouTube and podcasts off iTunes. Still, it is not enough, I hunger to go to mass again! It has been too long - perhaps a month - perhaps a little over? I really don't know, so in other words, too long. Besides, that last time was a funeral not a general mass.

So on Monday I was going to go, but I was crook as. Probably half a Xanax pill I had the day before, on top of a few other things... Endone and Buprenorphine. Wednesday I was still a little crook - a different kind of crook though. Just depressed. Couldn't work up the energy to do anything all day. So tomorrow - tomorrow I will go! Nothing will stop me, unless I get another one of my bouts of depression where I can't do anything... but unlikely, that only happened the other day.

What I envision standing in my way of going tomorrow is sheer laziness. That isn't a good enough excuse though. I will most likely end up waking up (I generally have another sleep around 7am then wake by 9am at the latest) but feel too tired to go... however, I have been out of coffee the last week, and got some today, so that will perk me up! I'm one of those people who really needs his morning coffee and cigarette or else I'm hell!!!

So... Tomorrow... Over the road... Mass... Better be there!!!

Race Relations

Last night I finally watched "MY" very first episode of "John Safran's Race Relations" on ABC. The reason I hadn't watched it in the past (NOTE: I am a HUGE Safran fan! I own "John Safran v God" DVD, all the episodes as podcasts of "Speaking in Tongues" - co-hosted by Fr. Bob - and listen to "Sunday Night Safran" - also co-hosted by Fr. Bob - on JJJ) is because there has always been something more pressing on. Now it is summer-time television, most the good shows are over, opening my window to watch different things. I know they ran "Race Relations" on ABC2, but I am still stuck in analogue-TV mode and forget all the digital channels - except "GO".

Moving along, it seemed quite the appropriate episode to watch given I am battling with my faith at the moment. I know it is still there, otherwise why would I care I was losing it? But my glass half empty, not half full - and I want it filled to the brim, overflowing! Though I will settle for just half-full!

This episode, John decided to de-Jewify himself by going to the Philippines and partaking of a traditional Easter ceremony where one goes through all the torture Jesus endured - yes, even the crucifixion, with real nails - real blood.

It was quite interesting as I heard of Safran doing this earlier this year and just assumed that it would have already been on "Race Relations" - not the last episode!!! Thinking I need to go buy the DVD now, except this time I won't have to limit myself to the small selection they have at Dymocks as JB-Hi-Fi has recently opened here in Albury - yay!

Has re-opened my eyes to my faith somewhat - thinking of watching "Jesus The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "Passion of The Christ" again sometime soon. However I am also thinking of buying "The Nativity Story" given it is that time of year, and I need a bit of Christmas cheer - REAL CHRISTMAS - not this capitalistic, consumerism, materialism Christmas celebrating the birth of Santa.

At the end of the crucifixion - not straight after, but once back in Oz and recovered - he talked how he couldn't de-Jewify himself blah blah blah. I think otherwise... perhaps he COULD have done so, but he went about the wrong way doing it! I mean, what's more Jewish than being tortured and crucified like Christ? Remember people - Jesus wasn't a Christian... He was a Jew!

Sacred Heart Church opening!

After years of talk and planning, and months of construction and renovations, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wodonga is finally near completion. I drove past it today and can hardly recognise it! No longer is it the massive yellow-brick monstrosity it once was, but a nice, modern, white-rendered building with nice stained glass windows throughout. Inside are many changes, including, best to my knowledge, a hospitality section, meeting rooms and new piety stall (I think!).

Next weekend will be the first mass held there in months since being renovated - Saturday 12th at 6pm and Sunday 13th at 10:30am - followed by a tour of the new presbytery between St. Augustine's Church and St. Augustine's Primary School, in the former convent, which, like St. Augustine's Church, has also undergone massive changes and renovations.

No longer is the main Catholic Church of the Wodonga Parish an eyesore, but the best looking modern-church in the area. I look forward to seeing just what has been done to the church, also the presbytery, and finally, St. Augustine's, the original Catholic Church in Wodonga - an old, but lovely, traditional church.

TIME

There are so many things

I'd have liked to do.

If I could do life again

Then I surely would.

People I would like

To have met.

Places I'd like

To go more often.

But now

It's too late.

Time

Has ticked past.

I'm getting on

Getting old.

Time to settle

Back down.

Sit at home

Be a recluse.

Ban the "Budgie Smugglers"

Lately I see on the weekday morning shows, also the late-night shows and early-evening ones, the likes of "7pm Project" (Network Ten), where the panel will talk about Budgie Smugglers, and men without tops etc;. I really don't understand the mentality of the heterosexual female. They are attracted to guys, right, yet not many approve of Budgie Smugglers or shirtless-men. Are they actually all closeted lesbians?

The thing that pisses me off so much is that it is fine for them to walk around in much the same thing - the bottom half of their bikini - and then there's the top half which clearly show their breasts and cleavage! On a man however, they find it WRONG. Why??? It's HOT!!! OK so not on old men, but young, hunky guys - yummy!

It's so hypocritical... The Budgie Smugglers reveal too much. And your point? Sorry but I thought you were a hetero-woman! As I said before - womens boobs are right there in front of you in a scantily clad bikini top! Seriously, women can be soooo fucking stupid.