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You have to laugh.  Language, translations, my name, all often offer moments of hilarity.  Two things in particular made me laugh.  You see Claire Derville wrote an article in La Vie Monde on my "cloistered brothers."  Claire Derville - publié le 26/05/2011 La Vie Semaine Du 26 Mai 2011 No 3430

When you read the original French, I see that Claire thought my name was "Fait," not Faith.  I'm not surprised.  My French Canadian grandmother, use to call me "Fait," because she couldn't pronounce the "th" in Faith.  (Neither could my Lithuanian grandmother; she called me "Face.")  I guess English is the only language that has the sound "th."  Anyway, Claire wrote,

Retour derrière les murs de Norfolk, où les membres de la fraternité ont rendez-vous dans la chapelle catholique. Une vingtaine d’hommes âgés de 25 à 60 ans ont pris place autour de Fait Flaherty, l’animatrice, pour lire des textes de leur héros, le frère Lataste. En 1866, ce dominicain avait fait scandale en créant la première congrégation pour les femmes sorties de prison en France. « Ce gars avait du cran », lance un détenu. Tatouages, cicatrices : malgré leur croix autour du cou, certains ont gardé des traces d’un passé violent. Et pourtant, la discussion est incroyablement érudite. Dans la bouche de ces ex-criminels en quête d’éternité, certains mots prennent un sens très concret.


which google translated into:

Back behind the walls of Norfolk , where fraternity members have appointments in the Catholic chapel. Twenty men aged 25 to 60 years took place around Manufactured Flaherty, host, to read texts of their hero, brother Lataste. In 1866, the Dominican had caused a scandal by creating the first congregation for women released from prison in France . "This guy had guts," says one inmate. Tattoos, scars: despite their crosses around their necks, some have retained traces of a violent past. And yet, the discussion is incredibly erudite. In the mouth of these ex-criminals in search of eternity, some words take on a very real sense. 


So I'm Manufactured Flaherty; that's my name.  Well, you see the French word "fait" means "make," as a verb, or "manufactured by hand," as a noun.  Hence my name is Manufacted Flaherty.


But it gets better.  Sunday's Gospel is Jn 17: 1-11a and I read:

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world...."


Not so easy to reveal a name, obviously.  I guess I have nothing to complain about. 


Do you think I should rename my blog, The One True Manufactured?

My Plate is Full

I've talked about "portion control," before. The United States Department of Agriculture has an excellent web site on portion control.  Their plate, as you see, is a bit different than mine.  Whereas mine has half my plate full of vegetables, the USDA has that half, full of fruit and vegetables.  Yes, I like that.  That's a good idea.

You really should look into the USDA's site.  Their suggestions on balancing nutritions and their tips, and ideas go along with everything my program promotes.  

My problem is peer pressure, maybe my environment.  For example, we're having a meeting at work tomorrow where breakfast will be served.  "Served" is coffee and donuts.  Lunch is provided too--pizza.

What's a girl to do?

Related articles

• "My Plate" replaces USDA's familiar food pyramid (salon.com)
• Will USDA's New 'Plate' Icon Make a Difference in American Diets? (livescience.com)
• Getting Portion Sizes Back Under Control (everydayhealth.com)
• USDA: The Plate is the New Food Pyramid (politics.blogs.foxnews.com)

Call for Boston Bishops to Pray

The storm in Massachusetts last night was wicked awesome.  My town didn't have any tornadoes, but we had everything else: hail, thunder, lightning, rain, wind.  It brought me to prayer.

Thank God for my iphone and texting.  My family and I kept tabs on each other and we're all OK.  Some friends, even Omega in New Jersey called to check and see that I was fine.  Deo Gratias!

Then this morning, I was reading where the Bishops of New Orleans called for Friday to be a Day of Prayer and fasting for protection from hurricanes and floods.  We in the Archdiocese of Boston, also get hurricanes and floods, blizzards, and now tornadoes.  I call for my bishops to pray as the good bishops of New Orleans are.  I ask that they dedicate a day of prayer and fasting for protection from our adverse weather conditions.

Let us Pray

Related articles

• Mass. tornadoes kill 1, damage homes (msnbc.msn.com)
• Tornadoes hit Massachusetts, killing four (theglobeandmail.com)
• Tornado watch issued for eight counties in Massachusetts - Boston Globe (news.google.com)
• Right mix of warm, humid air, winds stirred up state's rare tornadoes (boston.com)

New Thomistic Institute

Visit the new Thomistic Institute website. Situated within the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington, D.C., the Thomistic Institute promotes research into the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the subsequent Thomistic tradition.

The research of the Institute is both historic and systematic, deeply rooted in the classical Catholic tradition while engaging contemporary discourse and thought. It recognizes also the importance of the philosophical heritage of the Common Doctor of the Church as a well-spring that can enrich the study of theology.

An educational project of the Order of Preachers, the Thomistic Institute is situated within the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Faculty grants pontifical and civilly accredited degrees to clerical, religious and lay students alike. Its placement in our nation’s capital ideally suits the goals of the Institute, allowing it to initiate and respond to academic, cultural and public policy developments at a central crossroads of national and international exchange. Through this work, the Institute approaches Catholic theology as an invaluable resource for the evangelization of human culture and as a perennial dimension of Christian intellectual life

Lost and Found

Brother Tonto lost a contact lens while pulling weeds in the garden. Again.  He looked everywhere: under leaves, under clumps of earth, on himself, etc.  Brother Tonto prayed to Saint Anthony:  Tony, Tony, please come down; my contact lens is lost and must be found.


Then Brother Tonto prayed to St. Jude.

The lens was nowhere to be found.  Brother Tonto finally gave up looking and told the Prior.  The Prior came out and looked around the garden.

After a few minutes, the Prior bent down and picked up the lost lens.  "How did you find it," asked Brother Tonto?

"We weren't looking for the same thing," exclaimed the Prior.  "You were looking for a small plastic circle.  I was looking for $ 150."

My Prayer for Memorial Day

Again, I thank God I'm Catholic.  I love our respect for the dead, and the love we Catholics have for the Mother of God.  Here is my Catholic prayer for today, Memorial Day:

Mary, as Mother of God, I ask you to intercede for those who have died serving their country.  Bring to your Son, my prayers that they may enjoy the fullness of heaven.  I honor with respect these men and women who have died serving in wars, terrorist attacks, peace keeping missions, and other works keeping my country secure.
     Eternal memory be granted to these servants of God.  Forgive them their sins, have mercy on them and bring then into Your loving presence.  Amen

As a Catholic, I've been taught the connection between that lifeless corpse decaying in the ground and the fullness of life that soul has been given, through Jesus' Redemption.  Thank You, Jesus!  Deo Gratias!  Thank God, I'm Catholic!

Memorial Day 2011

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On this day of remembrance, it's good to go to Mass.  I was going to say church, but we're having an outdoor Mass in the cemetery.  Memorial Day is to honor all American soldiers who have died defending our country.  This day of remembrance use to be called, Decoration Day.  President Grant started the tradition to honor all who died during the Civil War.

A good website to read and reflect upon is maintained by the descendants of soldiers who died in the Civil War.  It's a reference site that will direct you to other readings.  There's plenty of thought provoking literature.

While I was praying for our brave soldiers, I realized how blessed I am to be Catholic.  Catholic is the best religion to die in.  We are always praying for our dead.  We don't just dedicate one Memorial day to be remembered.  Our souls are constantly being prayed for.  One day I'll be one of those "Holy Souls in Purgatory," that the parish prays for.  My death will be considered a beginning of a new life.  Memorial Masses, All Souls Day, novenas for the dead will be prayed.  My funeral will be a Mass of Christian burial in sacred ground.  And being a Lay Dominican is an extra bonus.  Rosaries will be prayed for the repose of my soul, by my Dominican Family.  I thank God that I belong to the best Order to die in, and the best religion.