As transportation has made good, fresh fish available everywhere, at least

in my world, I sort of have to question "what is the sacrifice in abstaining from meat on Fridays in Lent?"
More often than not, when dining out throughout the year, my choice of entrée is seafood. I'm crazy about rainbow trout,
and when in Florida, nothing beats a good serving of grouper.

Yes, meat is more readily available, and easier to prepare, in most cases, so there is sometimes a certain inconvenience in abstinence, especially for one who feels a need for some protein at most meals.

So, I abstain, even while wondering if there isn't a better way to observe the preparation for Easter.

What is your prize? nt

Bragging rights don't count.

Sign up and take it month by month.

I often talk back to the television - especially annoying people, or

those who are just plain wrong.

I listen when I'm in the car when it's being broadcast.

That's often early Sunday afternoon, about 1p.m.
Some parts I like better than others.
I enjoy Lake Wobegon especially, not too crazy about Detective Noir.
Enjoy Garrison Keillor's songs, but not always the country-style guests.

I do hope Keillor stays around for a while - I'm getting older as well.
Another 10-15 years, it won't make any difference.

There are many ways to honor the memory of her son. It doesn't have to be a cross

in a public right of way.
I am a religious person myself, and feel sorrow for this mother in her loss.
I hope she can find another positive way to get through her grief.

This new contract is obviously to protect the Archdiocese from lawsuits when a teacher

or employee is fired for expressing their opinions that are contrary to Catholic doctrine.

Last year a vice principal at a local Archdiocesan high school was fired after expressing support for gay marriage.

A year or two before, an unmarried teacher was fired when she requested maternity leave; IIRC, she may have had a female partner. She said she did not know that her actions were contrary to Catholic doctrine because she was not Catholic. (I believe she taught computer skills, thus had no reason to be familiar with Church teaching.)

It's a very sticky subject, in that parents are paying big tuition (ca $3000/yr for elementary students, $8000-10,000 for high school) to have their children in these Catholic institutions; many are there just for the fine education, others are there to learn Catholic thought and doctrine. It's possible that many of the parents live in contradiction to Catholic doctrine and morals. Some may feel that muzzling teachers' free expression of opinion is immoral if not illegal, while others will agree with the Archdiocese.

A friend from my grade school & high school days has been debilitated by

anxiety for the last four years.
She is a senior who raised a family and led a very active life until this struck.
Between that & depression she had to move into a senior living facility.

She was given all manner of meds to no avail until the last month or so, when Risperdal was given.
She is now in charge of her life again, when hope had nearly faded that she would ever be able to cope.

My understanding is that Risperdal is given to autistic and/or ADHD youth.
I know all meds are not for all people, but just wanted to share in hope of sparing someone the agony my friend (and her family) have gone through.

Best wishes to you.

My surname is the second most popular in Ireland, and the first name also common.

I have the family history back to arrival in US ca 1820.

But, as anyone familiar with genealogy and Irish history knows, the British forbad the keeping (and practice ) of RC records, and civil records for that period were few and far between.

The nearby church that I frequent - not my parish- was packed, with standees in the back.

Many are regulars there throughout the year at the noon Mass; others made the special effort today, Ash Wednesday, at the beginning of Lent.
Probably many are like me - starting off with good intentions. My history of making through Lent with intentions completed is very poor. Maybe this is the year I'll do better.
Not planning to deny myself, but to improve both spiritually and even physically.
One day down.