Sunday, May 31, 2009

RIP Dr. Tiller


Doctor Murdered At Church

Law enforcement authorities in suburban Kansas City have identified a man detained by police after a late-term abortion provider was shot to death in a Wichita church.

Johnson County sheriff's spokesman Tom Erickson says Scott Roeder was the man whose car was stopped on Interstate 35 on Sunday, about three hours after the shooting of George Tiller.

Earlier in the day, Wichita police said the suspect was a 51-year-old man from Merriam, Kan., but they refused to identify him by name.

Roeder has not been charged in the slaying, but he was expected to be taken to Wichita for questioning.

The 67-year-old Tiller was serving as an usher Sunday when he was shot in the foyer of Reformation Lutheran Church.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant George with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing but life everlasting.

Friday, May 29, 2009


Blessing for a wonderful weekend to all!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Story now on KKTV.com

http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/46425782.html

Here's the story...

The Continuing Saga of Don Armstrong...

Here's the latest news... KKTV, Channel 11 reported on its 10 O'Clock news this evening that Don Armstrong FAILED to appear in court today for his first hearing on the criminal charges. There is a warrant out for his arrest. KKTV's website, unfortunately, does not carry the story. Stay tuned... more to come...

Oh Lordy....

Folks are going to have a field day with this one...
Will this be a positive or a negative for The Episcopal Church? Share your thoughts.
Priest who broke celibacy vow joins Episcopal Church

(CNN) -- Father Alberto Cutie, an internationally known Catholic priest who admitted having a romantic affair and breaking his vow of celibacy, is joining the Episcopal Church to be with the woman he loves, he said Thursday.

"I will always love the Catholic Church and all its members," he said at a news conference. "But I want to start today by going into a new family.

"Here before this community where I have chosen to serve and where I live, I am going to continue to proclaim the word of God and my love for God," Cutie said.

Cutie (pronounced koo-tee-AY) was received into the Episcopal Church earlier Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami, Florida. He will pursue the priesthood in the Episcopalian faith, the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida said in a written statement.

It was not immediately clear how long the process would take.

Cutie -- sometimes called "Father Oprah" because of the advice he's given in Spanish-language media -- shocked the Catholic community when photographs of him embracing a bathing-suit-clad woman emerged this month in the pages of TV Notas magazine.

The Cuban-American priest admitted having a two-year relationship with the woman, a long-time friend. She has not been publicly identified.

"This is something I've struggled with," he said this month. "I don't support the breaking of the celibacy promise."

Of his relationship with the woman, he said, "Through the photos, it looked like a frivolous thing on the beach, you know, and that's not what it is. It's something deeper than that."

After the photographs surfaced, Cutie was removed from his duties at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Miami Beach and on the Radio Paz and Radio Peace Networks. He had been president and general director of Pax Catholic Communications, home of Radio Paz and Radio Peace.

In addition to his television and radio appearances, Cutie has written newspaper advice columns and a self-help book, "Real Life, Real Love."

The Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida said Cutie will deliver a sermon Sunday at a church that diocese leaders are looking to restore: the Church of the Resurrection in Biscayne Park.

Cutie will be a part of this effort to revitalize this church and others, the diocese said.

Cutie was the first Catholic priest to host a daily talk show on a major secular television network, according to his information on the LinkedIn online professional network.

Be at Peace



Be at peace ---


Do not fear the changes of life~
rather look to them with full hope as they arise.

God, whose very own you are,
will deliver from out of them.
He has kept you hitherto,
and he will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms.

Do not be afraid of what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and everyday.

He will either shield you from suffering,
or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace --
and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.


St Francis de Sales

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Memorial Day 2009


Many thanks to the members of our Armed Forces for their service to our country. May you always be remembered and blessed.

Friday, May 22, 2009

FINALLY...FINALLY...FINALLY


Grand Jury returns 20-count indictment of felony theft charges against Rev. Armstrong

MARK BARNA
THE GAZETTE

A Fourth Judicial District grand jury Wednesday indicted the Rev. Donald Armstrong on 20 felony counts of theft charges, concluding a months-long investigation by the Colorado Springs Police and the Pueblo District Attorney's Office into Armstrong's financial conduct while rector of Grace Church & St. Stephen's parish.

Armstrong, who ministers to about 600 people a week, surrendered to police Thursday and was jailed at the Criminal Justice Center until posting a $20,000 bond later in the day.


If convicted on all 20 felony counts, Armstrong, 60, could spend the rest of his life in prison. Each count comes with a possible prison sentence of 4 to 12 years, said Pueblo District Attorney Bill Thiebaut. Fines against Armstrong could mount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.


The D.A.'s office did not provide a breakdown of the 20 counts. But in the search warrant executed by police in November on Grace Church, Colorado Springs Police Det. Michael Flynn sought evidence suggesting Armstrong had funneled money from the church to pay for his two children's college education.


On Friday, Armstrong was upbeat about the indictment, saying it was expected and he is confident he will be cleared of the charges.


"I will, after years of unbridled false accusations, have my day in court, so this is a good step in that direction," said Armstrong, whose Anglican parish is now called St. George's Anglican Church and meets in the Mountain Shadows area.


In a Friday statement from St. George's, the church expressed unequivocal support for Armstrong. "We know from our own thorough investigation that Father Armstrong has done nothing wrong and will be found innocent," the news release said.


Grand juries convene when an attorney general or district attorney concludes there is probable cause that a crime has been committed. The Pueblo District Attorney's Office convened the grand jury rather than the D.A.'s office in the Springs because of a conflict of interest; former Springs D.A. John Newsome once was a member of Armstrong's church vestry. A trial, however, would be held in Colorado Springs, though no date has been set.


Wednesday's indictment concludes a long chapter in Armstrong's ongoing saga that began in December 2006 when the rector was placed on leave by the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado for alleged financial misconduct.


Two years ago, Colorado Springs Police started investigating Armstrong's alleged embezzlement of about $392,000 of church funds.


Meanwhile, Armstrong and his Episcopal vestry were planning to break away from the Episicopal Church.


On March 26, 2007, the vestry of Grace Church & St. Stephen's voted to leave the Episcopal national body, join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America and name Armstrong as rector. The CANA parish, led by Armstrong, continued to meet in Grace Church downtown, resulting in lawsuits being filed to determine if the diocese or the CANA parish owned the property. A Fourth Judicial District judge decided on March 24 in favor of the diocese.
The CANA parish vacated the Grace property in April, and Armstrong was ordered to vacate his rectory, his home for 12 years, by May 8.


Leaders of Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal parish, which re-occupied Grace Church in April, expressed sorrow about the indictment of Armstrong.


"He's been a good friend and I am deeply saddened with this turn of events," said David Watts, junior warden of the Episicopal parish.


"It is always sad when a member of the clergy is accused of misbehavior," said Marty Pearsall, rector of Grace Episcopal.


But Edward Brown, a Grace Episcopal vestry member, was critical. "He's got great gifts, but also tremendous failings," Brown said. "He has a sense of entitlement about himself that can lead to this type of behavior."


The St. George's parishioners interviewed on Friday were in full support of their rector.
"Until someone actually proves something against Father Armstrong, I'm backing him," said Kathleen Buzby, a CANA parish member for two years. "He's straightforward and honest."
"The church is totally behind Don," Marge Goss said, "but we will be glad when this is behind us."


After being booked, fingerprinted, jailed and released on bond Thursday, Armstrong returned to St. George's to preside over the evening Ascension Day service. "It was a very good service with a good crowd," Goss said, "and Don was his normal self."

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Time to Plant!


With Memorial Day weekend approaching, it's now safe to plant my summer flowers. It will be so nice to see some color in the front yard. We are having a gentle rain today which will make digging in the dirt tomorrow easier. I'm ready for summer!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Nico Cravings`


Thank God I never smoked Camels!! Nicotine is out of my system. However the cravings are not gone yet nor the damn munchies. The last time that I quit, I didn't worry about the munchies because I was already overweight. So... what the heck!! In the past 2 years I have lost 60 pounds. I DO NOT want to gain back any of the lost weight. I enjoyed shopping today and buying 2 pairs of size 8 slacks as opposed to size 18 or 1X!
Our dear friend Tom B. gave me 150 cards games to play on the computer! I told him I was was playing Windows Solitaire to keep me occupied. The new games are really cool! So I'm off to play more cards. Later.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Prayer Requests




Prayer requests for Julie-Anne and Richard.
Julie-Anne had shoulder surgery today. She also suffers from Lupus and other medical conditions. Richard is in end stage liver disease and had a tumor removed today. There is still hope for a liver transplant for him. Thanks so much for your prayers!

Relax!


Enjoy your day and take it easy! Life is too short to do otherwise.
AND REMEMBER...
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming
WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

SO FAR, SO GOOD!


Still smoke free since Friday evening. No one has been maimed or killed!! YAHOO!!

Saturday, May 9, 2009


I begin again to quit smoking. I quit for a number of years (5 I think). Then my mother died unexpectedly while having surgery. The surgery was a success. However, the patient died. Her death really threw me for a loop! So one cig to calm the nerves and you know the rest!

I've now been smoke free for 12.5 hours, quitting cold turkey. I feel better already. Cravings haven't been bad. I will admit that I did miss my cig with my cup of joe this morning. But I got over it quickly. Chuck, of course, is thrilled as are some friends of mine.

This time I'm determined to quit. Just as I lost 60 pounds 1.5 years ago, I know I can "lose" the cigs also and NOT gain any weight. Here I go! Thanks Tom B. for pushing me along!

Friday, May 8, 2009



Happy Mother's Day Weekend to all the Moms!
Enjoy your weekend.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

It is truly a beautiful day.. "Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"


Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Chuck's Check-Up!


Chuck had a peaceful night and slept well. His doctor was absolutely thrilled with his progress one day post-op. Chuck's vision in his left eye is 20/30! His doctor was amazed. Chuck's vision is still 20/70 in his right eye. But that eye continues to heal. We are most pleased with the outcome and know that our prayers and yours were answered. Thank you so much!


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

GOOD NEWS!


Chuck's cataract surgery was very successful today and with no complications like the last time! Now we can take a deep breathe and relax!!

I hope he can resume driving very soon. I'm tired of having to do all the driving for the past 9 months!
Thanks for all of your prayers and good wishes.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Prayer Request


Chuck will be having his second cataract surgery tomorrow morning around 10 A.M. Please pray for a successful surgery and for the medical team who will be caring for him. There were complications from his first surgery that we are hoping to avoid tomorrow. Thank you!

Saturday, May 2, 2009


Blessing to all for a most enjoyable weekend!