New Pope, Same Old Church

So, If you haven't heard yet, the Holy Father, (aka Pope Benedict XVI, aka Papa Benedict) is stepping down and resigning from his position of Peter's successor, saying "...In today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."

I'm sure people are hoping that this new Pope will suddenly agree on the Church's behalf that same sex marriage, abortion, and whatever trending nonsense is completely all right and morally acceptable (he won't). 
Knowing today's media, there will be hundreds of articles about why he really left, probably a lot of them looking like this, or filled with scandals, so make sure to pray that wavering Catholics are not turned off by the "scandals" created by the press.  

Also please, keep Benedict in your prayers!! Imagine being sick and tired enough to resign from the Papal Throne.

~Rachel 

You can see the full abdication video here...to get English subtitles, click on the CC button in the lower left corner of the video and choose "English"

...and read a great letter from a local youth group leader here...it's basically what I've been trying to say, but 10 times more coherent, and covering all that I should have and would have if I had known how :)

March For Life!

On January 25, Rachel and I went on the March For Life! (I went on a bus with Sarah K, and Rachel went with another family).

Aside from the uncomfortable seats and lack of sleep, it was wonderful!!

This year was my first year, and we took a red-eye bus from FGR and drove all night to D.C. We got there at around seven and went to the Verizon Center for the Youth Rally and Mass. Okay, Have any of you seen 400 priests in one place at the same time? Let alone about 30 bishops? Well then you should go to the youth rally!

All the bishops in their pink Yarmulkes!!
:)

the never-ending procession

It was so cool, and the bishop representing the U.S. (to the pope) came!!! He was sent by the Vatican and read us a letter from Pope Benedict (especially for the youth of America) and gave us the pope's apostolic blessing.

And there were friars, seminarians, and monks there! As well as Missionaries of Charity (yup, Mother Teresa's order!) Dominican sisters, the Sisters of Life, and tons of different orders!

Aside from the consecrated men and women of God, there were 17,000 different young people from all around the country. :D

with 17,000 other young people from America (and beyond!)
in the Verizon Center

In short, the Youth Rally and Mass was incredible :)

And then there was the actual March for Life:

Sarah, Mackenzie, and Me :)

Marching  through snow towards the Capitol

Abortion is NEVER okay...look at the evidence!!

Senator Rick Santorum talks about his special needs child, Bella,
and how beautiful every life is.

Barack Obama's words about the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy,
unwittingly encouraging thousands of pro-lifers. 

Avenging Life...

The Missionaries of Charity marching for life!

The pictures of the aborted babies were heartrending
I felt like crying and throwing up at the same time :(

                                                   
Miracles are happening every day in the Pro-Life Movement, starting with the March For Life. Click here to read the story about how Jane Roe, the woman who legalized abortion, became Catholic and is now tirelessly working to end abortion!

I recommend that you all join me in going on the march for life next year!

until then--
Nina

Intelligence radio :)

I never thought I'd thank my mom for making me do dishes all the time, but while flipping through the radio stations I found a really cool station to listen to so...Thanks Mama!
_____________

I have a new idol. No, he isn't good looking or young, and actually I know nothing of his personal life, so if he's some kind of messed up man in one way or another, don't blame me...don't tell me either--I like him too much :)

No, what I find so incredible about this guy is that not only is he a pianist and a composer (I Will Always Love You, Carol of the Bells, Can you feel the Love Tonight(!!) and many more), but he's filled with random bits of intelligence that he shares with his listeners. Apparently he's well known around the entire world, but if you're like me, and not in "the loop" that means that maybe I got to bring this tidbit of fun into your life...tune into 105.1 (FM) the River sometime in the evening to hear an random selection of music and in between every single song hear Mr Tesh share a little piece of incredible knowledge...it's so much fun! 

~Me

Michigan Theatre...and Les Miserables!!

On New Year's Day, Rachel and I went to go see Les Mis at Michigan Theater. I feel like just going to Michigan Theater by itself is a show!

before the show in the streets of Ann Arbor

Everything at M theater is fancy (even just the lighting!)
This is the place to go if you want to feel like royalty :) 

An organist played for us before the movie started.
The music was so beautiful!! (I never super appreciated organs, but this
was really cool, with bells and other sounds along with the organ music)

We sat in the balcony, at the front...the view was amazing after I realized
I probably wouldn't plummet to my
death (don't get me started on my fear of heights)

Everything was so incredibly beautiful and the show itself was absolutely breathtaking! the casting was great (I was a little worried about Anne Hathaway, but she was sooo good!) and the singing was superb! I think I would have picked someone else for Marius, but other than that...

Until next time!
Nina

it's Christmas Time...how are YOU doing?

**I wrote this before Christmas, but never posted it, so I realize some of it is a little dated :)
regardless, this is all still true! Christmas is a 12 day celebration and you need to remember that...not to mention this is a good way to live regardless of whether or not it's the Christmas season.
____________

One of my favorite priests ever pointed out the other day that in all the rush to get ready for Christmas, sometimes it's really easy for us to remember what it's all really about...when someone asks you if you're all ready for Christmas do you reply "well, I still need to get to confession" or "hmm...I haven't really fully given myself to the Lord this morning"?

you do?? wow :)

no, but really, a lot of what you hear nowadays (from me included) is something like "auuhggghhh!!!!  I need to finish shopping!!" or, from someone more competent (Nina?) "oh, yeah, I finished three weeks ago...".  But either way, I feel like it is incredibly easy for Christmas to turn into one big celebration and exchanging of gifts.

I know this post is starting to sound like a downer, and I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't celebrate and be happy...I mean, come on, it's only like, the most important birthday in the history of birthday's...

So--lesson to be learned from this scatterbrained post...the Christmas season isn't just about presents and food, but waking up each morning and choosing to get down on your knees and offer that day up to God...

xoxo,
Rachel and Nina

PS-the goal here is that others see God in you...yup :)

New look?

What do y'all think of the new look?
I think I just got bored with it and decided to change it, but now I'm not so sure...let me know what you think!!

With love,
Rachel and Nina <3

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!!

Can you believe it's almost Christmas? Christmas Eve is here!!! I feel like it's actually starting to feel like Christmas, thanks to the (somewhat late) appearance of snow, the real tree, and the smiles hanging on people's faces like Christmas stockings!!

Much too excited for Christmas. :D

Walkin'  in a winter wonderland....I LOVE SNOW!!!!

Chocolate--what can I say?!?!
Except a big thank-you to God for inventing it :)
The magical qualities of chocolate include
making great Christmas presents and memories.

One of my favorite things about December is that we light
fires indoors...ahhhh :)

Caroling!!!
Introducing people to the real reason for Christmas: Jesus!!

The red, green and white lights on our Christmas tree (it's real this
year, and it smells wonderful! It's a Frazier Fir--
not too poky and not
high-maintenance :)
This picture was a time-exposure, with me twirling the camera

Baby Jesus <3

Getting ready for Christmas Eve Mass.
Essie looked like a little sugar plum fairy.