Lists, I Love Them

I am a list maker.  I think as soon I could write I became a list maker.

There is even special paper numbered for list making.  There are printed grocery lists with the staples there and you add your items.  Scrap paper can be used for list making.  The ever popular note pad, index cards; lined of course.  And now there are list Apps.

I find that I get sucked into buying the list app and then using good old paper and pencil.  I do not like pen for list making.  I will admit to making a list of things that I have completed so that I can line through each item.   Sometimes you need a completed list after the events as much as before the events.

Currently I have a shopping list, a packing for Guatemala list, a to-do list for genealogy, a book reading list.  Actually the book reading list is several lists combined on a website.  You know goodreads.com where I have, books to read, books read, books currently reading, books I couldn't finish, etc.

There is the list about putting away the motorhome while we are in Guatemala.  The list to remind me of things to tell my family before I go to Guatemala.  The list about the cleaning the boat when we get to Guatemala and eventually the list about putting the boat up for sale in Guatemala.

In all honesty I must admit that I just bought a new list app.  It is called "Clear".  I will have to let you know what I think about it as soon as I transfer my paper lists to it.

Clear App

Happy list making!

Cafeteria Catholics

I admit it, I am a Cafeteria Catholic.  Most of us are, if we are honest with ourselves.  Unfortunately being Catholic is not like ordering from a Chinese Restaurant; one from column A and one from column B.

We are expected to follow the precepts of the Church, all of them.  Right now there is a large political firestorm about the HHS mandate.  I have set in the pew and have heard the Bishop's letter.  I have watched TV Spinners and I have struggled with my heart.

I have heard about who is a Catholic on Capitol Hill and it concerns me.  First and foremost I do NOT know, nor do I want to know the status of their soul.  That, like the condition of my soul is between me and my God.  It it hard enough to know that HE knows.  We must remember that they are speaking as a single Catholic.  They are NOT speaking as or for the Catholic Church.  We have Priests,  Bishops, Cardinals and the Pope for that.  Not our political representatives.

  Secondly, we as Catholics have given the press and the public in general plenty of ammo.  Many Catholics use Birth Control and we are not talking the Rhythm Method.  Many of us know of a Catholic that has either had an Abortion, helped pay for an Abortion or turns a blind eye, because it would cause a division in the family if we followed the Church Teaching on Abortion.

Thirdly, there is the Church's stand on Homosexuality.  This is where I your humble struggling Catholic have a problem.  If God made us in his image and likeness then I can't believe that he didn't make homosexuals.  I believe that he loves them as much as anyone else.  I can not believe that they are an abomination.

When you look at someone and label them Catholic please remember that they are imperfect souls, struggling with their own demons and questions.  Please don't say well there goes a "Good Catholic" when we breakdown and do something totally human, try and forgive them.  They are only 'Saints in the Making", not Saints.