TheDarrenator

1. Easter egg baskets and hunts.
2. Easter bunnies.
3. Outdoor "sunrise services."
4. Hot-cross buns.
5. The English word "Easter."
Those who insist "Easter is pagan!" act as if these things are the
essence of what Easter is -- that without them, there is no Easter.
Yet the observance of Easter (i.e., the annual commemoration of the Resurrection) does not hinge on these things.
I
turned to Catholicism about 24 years ago, observing Easter each year
since then. Not once have I participated in an egg hunt, decorated with
bunnies, or attended an outdoor "sunrise service." I don't know whether
I've even seen a hot-cross bun.
I don't oppose these things; I just haven't done them. They're not important.
If the way I've observed Easter is still objectionable to the
anti-Easter crowd -- and it is -- then it's not because they oppose
"paganism." It's because they oppose the annual commemoration of the
Resurrection of Jesus.
That's a sober realization.

2024-04-22 12:35:33

1. Easter egg baskets and hunts.
2. Easter bunnies.
3. Outdoor "sunrise services."
4. Hot-cross buns.
5. The English word "Easter."
Those who insist "Easter is pagan!" act as if these things are the essence of what Easter is -- that without them, there is no Easter.
Yet the observance of Easter (i.e., the annual commemoration of the Resurrection) does not hinge on these things.
I turned to Catholicism about 24 years ago, observing Easter each year since then. Not once have I participated in an egg hunt, decorated with bunnies, or attended an outdoor "sunrise service." I don't know whether I've even seen a hot-cross bun.
I don't oppose these things; I just haven't done them. They're not important.
If the way I've observed Easter is still objectionable to the anti-Easter crowd -- and it is -- then it's not because they oppose "paganism." It's because they oppose the annual commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus.
That's a sober realization.

2024-04-21 23:04:45

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This was excellent.
But I can't understand how the cute cat video didn't tug on TikTok's heart strings and give you a pass.

2024-04-09 17:43:10

No one around my office seems to mind seeing a person's pronouns in the email signature.
But when it was noticed after almost a year that my email signature included my "Preferred conjunctive adverbs," I was told (without a smile) to delete that line.
I should sue.

2024-03-24 11:44:45

This is a striking comparison of the old Traditional Latin Mass and the New Mass. It's not just a matter of Latin vs. English. It affects what we believe.
While both are valid, the New Mass withhold things that better express hidden realities, such as the Real Presence and that the Mass is a sacrificial rite. It's really undeniable to any honest person.
That's what makes it so evil to work so hard at suppressing the ancient Mass. One has to ask, Why?
https://catholicfamilynews.com/blog/2024/03/22/is-a-reverent-novus-ordo-just-as-good/
#TLM

2024-03-08 21:29:47

https://write.as/wqgkusi4pkeqf4ir?trk=feed_main-feed-card_feed-article-content

2024-03-03 12:55:57

https://habla.news/a/naddr1qqxnzdes8y6rxvpsxyer2v3kqgsycu6uqqvhvchr2qgml9dlamcm9rjpzxqnp02gsljn70jh876w8kgrqsqqqa2845jenw

2024-02-28 17:34:31

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I like it not only for no tracking, but also for the elimination of exasperating ads (especially for short videos). And the ease with which it can download videos.

2024-02-27 04:21:46

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Hey, Father. You know you shouldn't be using YouTube!
Newpipe for Android, and FreeTube for desktop! I use FreeTube frequently without oroblems. You can import your subscriptions. Just can't comment from there.

2024-02-14 01:15:43

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(Thanks for linking to the Odysee channel, btw.)

2024-02-11 18:40:04

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Agreed.
How would you put into words what makes a woman womanly/feminine?

2024-02-11 15:54:14

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Pardon my ignorance, but what are the brown crispy things to the left of your burger?

2024-02-07 16:50:22

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I admit to registering an account with Bluesky -- to see it for myself.
Of course I used an email alias, a phone number with no name attached to it, and a profile picture from ThisPersonDoesNotExist dot com.
These days I see no reason to fully reveal my identity to the world.
I like Nostr best. Would be better if the BTC "community" didn't dominate the discussions, but it's still good. We just need more vocal Catholics (and other Christians).

2024-02-07 16:29:15

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Absolutely no Catholic is against a person with homosexual attractions receiving a blessing.
Pope Francis knows his critics are against the blessing of homosexual "couples." He knows this.
People are tired of the deflection and word games.

2024-02-07 12:25:27

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I look forward to seeing the interview. Tucker actually IS "fair and balanced," in that he asks tough questions while being polite, digging for the answers we all want and not merely tossing softball questions. I can't argue with his approach and philosophy of journalism.
I guarantee he will not look like a Democrat CNN reporter doing a sit-down interview with Joe or Kamala -- which would turn out to be the very definition of propaganda and the promotion of all kinds of evils.
I guess we'll see how it goes.

2024-02-05 04:23:41

My wife and I just now finished "binge watching" the entirety of the *Little House on the Prairie* television series.
It took us about three years to see all the episodes.

2024-02-03 20:27:24

Does anyone ever do anything with their nostr-acquired zaps in real life? Or do they just remain as numbers on a screen?

2024-02-03 15:48:19

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It's universal in the sense of all nations (not just one tribe or nation or kingdom, like Israel).
It does not mean we "open the door" to unrepentant adulterers or homosexuals, or heretics and infidels. Like the rest of us, they need to repent, or face hell.
"Maturing in the Catholic Faith" does not mean permissiveness, but involves perseverence and holding onto the Faith once delivered to the saints (see Jude). It's NOT embracing Eastern paganism.

2024-02-02 00:14:38

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Maturing in the Catholic Faith means to be more, not less, Catholic. Would you agree?

2024-02-01 19:55:03

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That priest seems not to believe in Catholic christology or soteriology, and doesn't understand the Liturgy.
I would never let him catechize my children. He's more of a New Agey, Buddhist hippy than a Catholic priest.
I want to buy him a catechism or two for Christmas.

2024-02-01 18:25:19

A Protestant's trinitarisn baptism is a valid, Christian sacrament that forgives all past sins and their consequences.
One considerable difficulty, however, is what a Protestant does about any mortal sins he might commit after baptism.
They don't have access to the sacrament of Confession.
Will they always have perfect contrition for their sins -- a sorrow arising from a perfect love of God (not just a fear of hell), a pure sorrow of having re-offended the God who gave his life for us?
I need the sacraments, because I don't always repent as profoundly as I should. I need Confession, as well as the Eucharist, regular mental prayer, etc., to strengthen me. And I don't think I'm alone in that.

2024-02-01 04:55:49

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What Wiki software do you use?

2024-02-01 02:48:39

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I just subscribed to your blog (RSS).

2024-01-31 23:57:19

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I'm wiith you. I do the same.
You don't have to log in to see Nostr links either.

2024-01-31 23:14:38

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I feel like the "dramatic chipmunk" on YouTube.

2024-01-31 22:53:48

Is there any chance that Joe Biden will be president one year from now?

2024-01-31 16:51:44

Remember that after your death, your eternal fate is not determined by weighing the good versus the bad in your life, and calculating the average. It’s judged by whether you died in a state of grace (friendship w/ God)—even if you were a major creepo until the hour of your death.

2024-01-30 04:00:40

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I understand. No prob. I wouldn't know how to do it, so I can't complain.
Your project sounds great. Thanks for working on it, Mike.

2024-01-27 23:33:12

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That's a good answer. I will remember that.

2024-01-27 01:04:36

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I'm just not seeing the exact link. Am I looking in the wrong place?
https://image.nostr.build/cab5f2f72fdd5b10a7ba889aa38206db7383d700a0fbc81377a84d0f04cc4989.jpg

2024-01-25 12:14:09

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I've been wanting to try Gossip. I'm using Manjaro Linux, but can't find it in the repositories.
When I go to Mike's website, I can't find the AppImage file to download.

2024-01-21 20:59:05

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Yes, my handle was slippery, too. But then later I obtained a knurled handle for it, and it's perfect now.

2024-01-21 12:55:44

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Dominus vobiscum!

2024-01-21 12:54:08

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The Edwin Jagger DE89 is my daily shaver, and has been for years. It's the best I've ever used (cf. Merkur adjustables & HD, various old Gillettes, the Walmart Van der Hagen, etc.).
Edwin Jagger's is just right. Not too bulky to fit under my nose. Provides just the right amount of aggressiveness. Perfect for me.
And it's dang pretty, too. Will last a lifetime.
I still don't have a favorite blade. Feathers don't agree with my face. I end up buying cheap grocery store blades, which seem to work as well as any I've used. But when I find a name brand that works well, most definitely I'll buy it in bulk on Amazon or Ebay. (Anyone need some Feathers?! I've got some for sale. haha)

2024-01-21 12:36:34

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I watched much of the game. Was fun to watch.
I'm not a huge football fan, but I have friends who are big Packers fans. And the 9'ers' quarterback Purdy -- a couple or so years ago our favorite local little college volleyball team (University of Northern Iowa) had a player who is now Purdy's fiance, so we feel a connection with him.
And then there's the Chiefs' kicker who's a Traditional Latin Mass goer.
Like I said, I'm not a huge football fan for football's sake, but there are always little reasons to like someone or some team in whatever game is happening.

2024-01-21 03:55:14

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That's a profound cartoon, really.

2024-01-21 03:54:32

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The Cardinal speaks of "the joy that flows both from hearing and from proclaiming the Good News."
How do you understand what we mean by the "Good News"? What is it? Obviously it's the "gospel," but what is the good news of the gospel? Curious about your thoughts.

2024-01-21 03:29:44

I would love to send someone 410 Sats in exchange for the equivalent in Monero (what's that -- about 17 cents right now?).
Contact me here or on Session Messenger (ID: "darren").

2024-01-14 04:31:06

Due to weather conditions, I went to a nearby Novus Ordo Mass this morning.
It really does almost feel like a different religion. Puts me in an annoyed mood -- thinking about how many people have been robbed of the fullness of the Catholic Faith.
My annoyance started when Mass began with a campfire song written by one of those gay Saint Louis Jesuits.

2024-01-14 03:44:02

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Is it a hot (spicy) dish?

2024-01-14 03:35:23

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I wish companies could use XMPP (if not Session) for customer support.

2024-01-14 03:23:35

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It looks like monkey vomit.
But I'm not familiar with Indian food. It's probably good. Probably maybe. 😁

2024-01-08 14:18:02

Donald #Trump is not my first pick for prez, but he was the POTUS for four years. Can anyone really say his presidency resembled Nazi Germany? I could argue that anyone comparing him to Hitler is guilty of "hate speech."

2024-01-03 13:25:17

Is it wrong that I'm tired of hearing about Bitcoin?
It still feels like people here view it as a "religion." I like crypto (Monero in particular), but it's not our savior; it won't bring us world peace or even internal peace. (Though it can bring us some privacy and great services like trusted VPNS, etc.)
When we die, we can't take our stacks of crypto coins with us. We're too caught up in the digital life. We need to foster a real life, one with real people, real activity, real interaction, real work, real books. A life ordered toward our proper end: God.

2023-12-22 12:41:12

I've been following this guy for a good while. Makes a lot of sense.
https://youtu.be/z8E_b8faB0I

2023-12-22 05:11:15

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I'm not asking you to condemn, but to identify.
To the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again" (John 8:11).
Jesus here identifies adultery as "sin." He says it in the same sentence as "Neither do I condemn you."
Why are you not willing to be like Jesus, to be forgiving AND say that a particular act is a sin?
The reason I say mercy is meaningless without sin is that sin is why we need mercy. Otherwise, in the context of salvation, mercy is not needed.
Forgiveness needs something to forgive. If there's no sin to forgive, forgiveness doesn't exist -- it would be a meaningless word. The same goes for repentance: it is sin we are all told to repent of.
If you can't say something is a sin, then you can't repent of it. If you can't repent, you can't be forgiven. If you aren't forgiven, we don't receive the gift of eternal life.
I don't know you. You might have homosexual attractions yourself. IF that were the case (I'm not saying it is), to use an illustration, that would be okay. Everyone here without exception has disordered appetites of some kind or another, especially sexual ones.
If you should fall and sin, however, you would need to repent of the sin and confess it. If you sin yet again, you must repent yet again. That's the Christian life we all have to live.
To not be able to say sodomy is a sin is a great disservice to our fellow man. Everyone deserves to hear the truth, so they can act accordingly. Otherwise they may live in ignorance or indifference. It could lead them onto the path that does not lead to eternal life.

2023-12-21 01:25:54

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I first asked you a direct question about homosexual behavior. Why won't you answer it?
If someone is same-sex attracted, or tends to be gluttonous, is quick to anger, is drawn to pornography or prostitution, or wants to steal to get ahead -- these are all problems we must see as "sin" and fight against them in ourselves if we are to be Catholic.
If we deny sin and talk only of mercy, then mercy is meaningless.
Do you think sodomy is a sin?
(We can talk about parables and other biblical passages later.)

2023-12-20 13:04:12

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It's hard to even have a conversation about this with you if you don't even believe sodomy is a grave sin. That's step one.

2023-12-20 03:28:14

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What do you mean by bringing up this parable?
God is generous, yes, but are you saying God approves of and blesses homosexual relationships?

2023-12-19 12:36:49

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I like it for frying steaks and eggs.
And it's surprisingly good for making stovetop popcorn (I usually use bacon grease, but I think tallow tastes even better for poocorn).

2023-12-19 12:34:17

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My wife makes tallow and would sell some for Monero (XMR).

2023-12-19 01:33:58

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We make our own tallow and lard. It's extra special.

2023-12-19 01:32:41

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I guarantee that homosexual couples who present themselves to be "blessed" by a priest are NOT there asking to be given the strength to repent of their homosexual relationships.
Instead they see it, along with Fr. James Martin today, as a "major step forward in the church's ministry to LGBTQ people and recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God's presence in their loving relationships."
What a low point we have arrived at in Catholic history.

2023-12-19 01:20:11

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I saw stories about this all day long on the bird app.
I'm Catholic, but I'm not so sure the pope is.

2023-12-09 04:01:13

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I think I have my wife reluctantly accepting to go with me. I'm glad you think it's solid and recommendable. I need to make plans to see it.

2023-12-06 21:44:16

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But we treat her more reverantly than Michael. The King's mother is greater than the King's messenger.

2023-12-06 21:41:35

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If Michael the Archangel appeared to you, you would surely venerate him.
That is, you would treat him with great respect and reverance as a holy messenger of God who kicks Satan's butt. You would treat him differently than Bubba from the local auto shop. But you would NOT worship or adore him as God.
Likewise, we venerate Mary as the mother of our King. But we would never worship or adore her.

2023-12-05 11:43:54

I believe crypto is a great tool with great potential. (I happen to prefer Monero for true privacy and low fees.)
But I wince when I see people treating crypto like the answer to all of humanity's evils.
The only savior we must all look to is not Monero or the lightning network, but Jesus Christ.
We can't take or coins with us when we die -- which will be sooner than we want to believe.

2023-11-27 22:58:49

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I agree with being more conservative (on political issues) in the most local levels of government.

2023-11-27 22:56:25

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I understand being politically moderate. I just thought you were saying you were moderate on the federal level with regard to being *pro-life*. That's what I would have a hard time understanding.

2023-11-27 00:59:11

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Why not full-blown, all-the-way pro-life at every level?
Excepting concessions in order to get something pro-lifeish passed instead of nothing, it makes sense to me to defend life all the way at every level.

2023-11-23 11:13:43

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I don't know about that, buy there's really good coffee for Monero from a business owner I know in Bowling Green, Ohio:
www.flatlandscoffee.com

2023-11-23 05:11:42

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That's good.
That kind of conversion will lead a person away from sexual deviancy as we've always understood it. It doesn't mean we will eliminate our concupiscence, but we will have the desire and power to overcome.

2023-11-22 15:52:55

Why do trannies often seek "gender-affirming surgeries"?
You'd think they would realize these surgeries reinforce the understanding that gender corresponds to the body.
If gender and bodily sex are unrelated, as some desperately wish us to believe, then why advocate for bodily mutilation?

2023-11-22 10:49:01

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What you're describing is not biblical wifely submission.
I submit to my employer, but that doesn't mean I don't have input or have any personal pizazz.
The Church is supposed to be submissive to Jesus. The saints (i.e., the best examples), even the women, are not boring deadheads, but have tremendously unique and colorful personalities.
Belittling or mischaracterizating Christian submission is like making fun of Jesus for saying "Blessed are the meek." We can't pour our worldly meanings into his words.

2023-11-22 04:47:33

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Plants are living beings, too.

2023-11-21 21:56:22

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If by metanoia you mean "a change of mind," there is no virtue in that alone.
The virtue of metanoia is changing from wrong to right, from evil to good. It's not change for its own sake.
With regard to sexual morality, we already know what is right and wrong. To deviate from the Church's constant teaching here is to deviate from truth in a serious way, leading to mortal sin -- which leads to hell.

2023-11-21 11:40:03

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Metanoia is appropriate for a people who "repent and believe," not who fall back into sexual sin.
We have to trust Jesus to give us the grace to live a holy and chaste life.

2023-11-20 13:33:08

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2023-11-19 14:38:00

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The "synodal church" always like to "rethink" the Church's teachings on sexuality.
Wanting to think about them (meditation) is great, but wanting to change them shows a lack of faith.

2023-11-19 14:19:41

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I love Inkscape.
Many of my coworkers are snobby Mac-addict graphic designers, and I hear them complain about how much Photoshop and Illustrator, etc., cost to have on their home computer for their personal use outside of work.
Sometimes I'll preach the good news to them about GIMP and Inkscape, etc., but they'd rather spend money they don't have on Adobe for their private projects like photo touch-ups, greeting cards, logo designs, and the like.
If they were open to help, I would come over and install some of these good open source alternatives for them -- and I'd loan them my copy of Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" book!

2023-11-18 14:56:33

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Yeah, that's what I meant -- sorry. Thank you.

2023-11-18 03:07:32

Especially with my phone, I wish there was a good "edit" solution for nostr notes. We all know typos are always invisible until tapping the "post" button. That's when they shout to the world, "Look at meee!"

2023-11-18 03:02:57

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I find it fascinating that thoughts *generally* don't come upon us randomly; we're able to will the creation and direction of our thoughts. That's a wild concept, but cool.
And thoughts are spiritual in nature, because while they are absolutely real, they don't have size, weight, location, etc. So in once sense, we can't say they come from anywhere, because they don't exist in a particular place that a GPS could identify. But I'd say we can know they usually originate from or in "us."
I think the idea of thinking about thoughts is a good thought, and very thoughtful. At least that's my thought.

2023-11-18 01:24:20

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Are there ANY desktop clients that are safe to use secret key with (directly, without a browser extension)?

2023-11-18 01:15:30

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Comes from our spiritual, rational soul.

2023-11-14 23:46:50

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Interested in learning what you recommend...

2023-11-14 13:22:03

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Seems nostr would be ideal. He wouldn't be supressed, and we would get a healthy boost in users and awareness.

2023-11-14 02:45:14

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White supremecy bad. Patriachy good.

2023-11-13 13:01:44

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Very good, Alex. Keep up your good work.

2023-11-13 12:26:16

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I've only tried three of these soaps:
1. Van Der Hagen
2. Colonel Conk
3. Williams Mug Soap
The first two are excellent. I can always find Van Der Hagen at Walmart, and it does the job well. Colonel Conk is a little more expensive (I buy it on Amazon) but has some awesome scents, and lathers up quickly and produces a slick layer of protection.
Williams Mug Soap? Smells awesomely manly, but I say it's the WORST lather ever made! I don't see how this article calls it the "best lather." I get nothing but thin lather full of air bubbles. It's more of a watered-down meringue than a creamy texture. Causes trauma to my face.

2023-11-06 04:23:22

I'm sure you're all asking, like me, "What's the best way to learn Latin?"
I really like this home school course, called Visual Latin. (It uses ecclesiastical pronunciation!) First four lessons are free. Check it out:
https://compassclassroom.com/shop/product/visual-latin-4-free-lessons/

2023-11-06 02:06:01

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Preach it, sistah! GO MEAT!

2023-11-03 15:48:55

"Trust the science" is a very unscientific slogan.

2023-11-03 03:49:00

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Fantastic. Even better than Christian pop radio.

2023-10-30 02:20:46

Two things I tend to do when I wake up in the middle of the night:
(1) I guess how much time I have remaining before my alarm sounds, based on how my eyes feel when I try to opem them. I amaze myself with my accuracy.
(2) I pray for whoever happened to be in the dream I woke up from, which helps me to drift back to sleep.

2023-10-22 23:44:07

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I grew up in a church where it was taught that Matthew 5:17 meant we should still be observing the old sabbaths, feasts, and dietary laws, because Jesus did "NOT come to abolish them."
Now a Catholic, I much better understand what Jesus meant.

2023-10-19 11:15:18

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You are speaking my language, brother. Good way to look at it.
Not long ago my wife and I went to La Crosse, WI, for mass with Fr. Carlos Martins, who brought with him a relic of St. Jude's arm. It was an experience.
All holy men and women, pay for us.
https://image.nostr.build/b55367cfd19c8bf2565bee236dd20276886e9d84dec574233a72d4201f6c654a.jpg

2023-10-18 12:19:39

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Yes. Shame on me, but I think I saw his resting place in Rome (during honeymoon); and with it being such a whirlwind trip, I don't remember it. I will have to sort through my pictures.
But yes, it is moving to be with such relics: a manifestation that the saints are still with us, though not just in their relics but in spirit as they pray for us even now. We need the help of our big brothers and big sisters.

2023-10-18 00:48:48

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My confirmation saint!

2023-10-14 05:23:56

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That's true. And part of that fake "listening" involves strategically choosing in advance who to listen to, who gets to "vote."
Overall, the manipulation is gross. Makes a mockery of the Magesterium.

2023-10-14 03:59:52

Eric Sammons’ definition of synodality:
“the effort to transform Catholicism into a religion in which vice and virtue are equal and are voted upon by its members"

2023-10-13 22:38:00

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THAT would be super sweet!

2023-10-13 11:45:14

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A person whose body is objectified and exploited by countless selfish men do not have to "feel" exploited to be exploited. It's simply a fact, regardless of whether the person volunteers to be exploited.
Porn users and addicts may not realize in the moment how harmful porn consumption is to themselves, but that doesn't mean it isn't harmful. All they know is that it feels good right now. And they can even say (in a way) that they are not "forced" to consume porn; they volunteer to do something that damages them. (In reality they are ensnared.)
Likewise, the porn stars who are sexually exploited may not realize for a time how exploited, objectified, and used they are. They know they get paid well, but they don't always understand how their sexuality (a core part of the human person) is being cheapened and their soul damaged. I believe they realize it at some level, but they justify it because of the money.
Morality is not determined by financial prosperity (wealth can be very deceitful). And morality is key to living a free life. Addicts and prostitutes are not free; they are enslaved. We should discourage the enslavement of their souls.

2023-10-12 21:44:45

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It is exploitation regardless of whether victims are paid. Choosing to be abused does not make it cease to be abuse.
I'm sure porn stars are paid much more than me, but who actually believes that's key to a "better life"? That's whack, bro.

2023-10-11 19:03:34

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When I do extended fasts, I find I'm much stronger and better off if I consume plenty of salt (sodium and potassium) throughout the day(s) with my water. I still feel plenty empty, but not weak.

2023-10-11 11:13:43

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But wait -- isn't this supposed to be "The Year of the Linux Desktop"? haha
Yes, I hear you.
I was interested in nostr before, but walked away because of its seemingly inextricable ties with crypto. I like crypto, but generally am not a fan of BTC due to privacy issues (I'm more of a Monero guy). As I learned about the browser extensions like Alby, I thought our crypto and online IDs were to be united in such a way that it could only result in bad things -- a "permanent record" that could affect our finances.
Now I know nostr is not built on crypto blockchains and that it's not necessary to involve one's crypto wallet with their nostr account. But I didn't really understand that until I watched many videos -- more than the average human is willing to watch about something that initially sounds strange.

2023-10-11 02:17:36

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mipcq4qds3s&t=757
This kid says nostr won't really be in use 5 to 10 years from now.
I can't say I agree, but it's still depressing to hear negative nancies like this.