The Manning Family "gets it"... Family FIRST!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not into Sports. I have always enjoyed Auto Racing... have attended several runnings of the Indianapolis 500. In addition to auto racing, I've attended several Cincinnat Reds games, a few Ohio State Football games and a handful of UD Flyer Basketball games. I also attended several high school football and basketball games "in the day". That said, for some reason, I've really gotten into the NFL this year. I have long admired the Indianapolis Colts, predominantly because of Peyton Manning.

As far as I can tell, Peyton Manning is a true "good guy".... a "what you see is what you get kind of guy". He doesn't show up in the tabloids, he is involved in many philanthropic activities. He gives back. His family roots have always been important. I have enjoyed the camrarderie between his younger brother Eli, also a pro football player. I've enjoyed seening them support each other... being there when the other had a big game (supporting each other in their recent Superbowl Victories for example).

And Eli was there again lastnight, when Peyton lead the Indianapolis Colts to win the AFC Championship. In fact, the entire family was there. The Manning Family's history with the NFL did not begin with Peyton or with Eli. Rather, it began with their Father, Archie, who played for 16 years with the New Orleans Saints. This is ironic, because the Colts, will play the Saints in the upcoming superbowl. And people have speculated who Archie would root for- his old team or his own son.

And others felt that Eli should root for the NY Jets rather than the Colts. Because, afterall, the Jets are from New York... and Eli plays for the other New York team, the New York Giants.

And those who are wondering really don't get what family is all about!!! But the Manning family does get it! Of course they do for they have always exemplified the ideal Family. Family comes first for the Mannings. No matter what! God Bless them, and I hope that people can learn something from the expample the set.

Click here to read story

Pope Pius XII - overdue praise

I tuned into the Michael Savage show on the way home.... and was surprised to hear him talking about the Vatican's involvement during the holocaust.

In recent history, it's been a common suggestion that Pope Pius XII did not do enough to help the Jews plight.

However, the link below demonstrates that this was not the case! On the contrary, the Vatican and Pope Pius did quite a lot. Here are some of the notable quotes on this page (link below):

"Only the Church protested against the Hitlerian onslaught on liberty. Up till then I had not been interested in the Church, but today I feel a great admiration for the Church, which alone has had the courage to struggle for spiritual truth and moral liberty."
-Albert Einstein in Time Magazine 1940, quoted in Three Popes and the Jews by Pinchas E. Lapide (New York: Hawthorn, 1967), p. 251.

"The people of Israel will never forget what His Holiness and his illustrious delegates, inspired by the eternal principles of religion, which form the very foundation of true civilization, are doing for our unfortunate brothers and sisters in the most tragic hour of our history, which is living proof of Divine Providence in this world."
-Rabbi Isaac Herzog, chief rabbi of the British Mandate of Palestine, March 1945.

"The Church and the papacy have saved Jews as much and in as far as they could save Christians.... Six million of my co-religionists have been murdered by the Nazis, but there could have been many more victims, had it not been for the efficacious intervention of Pius XII."
-Dr. Raphael Cantoni, director of the Italian Jewish Assistance Committee, American Jewish Yearbook 1944-1945, 233.

"We share in the grief of humanity at the passing away of His Holiness Pope Pius XII. In a generation affected by wars and discords, he upheld the highest ideals of peace and compassion. When fearful martyrdom came to our people in the decade of Nazi terror, the voice of the Pope was raised for the victims. The life of our times was enriched by a voice speaking out on the great moral truths above the tumult of daily conflict. We mourn a great servant of peace."
-Golda Meir, Israeli Prime Minister, message of condolence to the Vatican, sent 1958

Click here to view Michael Savage's webpage: Praise For The Holy Father, Pope Pius XII

Time FLIES

Well, I realize that I am quite delinquent in posting here. My last blog was in regards to the importance of Thanksgiving! I have skipped over holidays completely and we're almost three weeks into 2010. So belated New Years Greetings to one and all. Thanksgiving came and went. It was spent with family and friends, and we had a good time. Our van decided to "give up the ghost" and I now have a "new" Subaru Forester. I'm tickled with it. We could just have done with out a 2nd car payment, but in the scheme of things, we're blessed to be able to afford it at all!

Christmas was insanely busy. Our only decorations this year were two Nativity Scenes... one outdoors and one in our den. I didn't miss the tree. I loved looking at the Holy Family. It was nice to focus on the true reason for the season, when everything else is so secular. One of the highlights of the holidays was spending time with Family and Friends. Many of my cousins were in town from Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta and even Connecticut. We attended a beautiful Midnight Mass at Holy Trinity, which is a gorgeous old church in downtown Dayton.

New Years Eve was spent with our very good friends at their home. Life continues to move on. I've found a great group of Catholic Women on Facebook, and I'm going to join them in reading "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis. I mention this here because I will be sharing some of my thoughts here as I read this amazing book.

So that, in a nutshell brings this blog up to date! At least for now, as time really does fly!