Candles are an important feature in Catholic Churches, services, and ceremonies, especially in the one I used to go to over in North Carolina. That one had some nice custom or designer made furnite as well. The candles that flicker in shrines throughout the Roman Catholic world represent many things and enhance the religious experience. They may represent the flame of devotion, sacred enlightenment, faith, unity, reverence, and many other transcendent elements of worship. When you have them, you really do not even need the designer lighting or anything like that actually.
It has been said that each candle is to the worshipper a symbol of prayer, sacrifice, joy or sorrow. It has also been noted that a candle is a material thing, however, and costs money. So in some churches it is a practice to set a box of candles by every shrine, let the faithful help themselves and leave a small offering in repayment. I suppose I tend to prefer gel candles but I know some people who are more partial to other kinds. Oh well, to each his own I suppose. I also tend to like large and also the other types so go figure.
Interestingly, this practice was recently banned in the diocese of Rome by the vicar general, Francesco Cardinal Marchetti-Selvaggiani. The cardinal has determined that there is to be no more of this candle in exchange for money.
Candles will be burnt as before but gone will be the practice of giving a friend a coin and asking that a candle be burnt. Gone will be the practice of photographing sacred functions, and gone will be the joyful decorating of shrines with tacky artificial flowers.
Cardinal Marchetti-Selvaggiani has been quoted as saying, “The present use of candles can easily take on the appearance of superstition……” To change the subject for aquick momment, if you are looking for a top notch North Carolina Furniture direct source then I can certainly suggest to you this fine resource. Although based in North Carolina they are world class and also feature custom furniture, Lorts, Leathercraft, designer lighting and even some good Shabby Chic Furniture as well.
However, not all Catholic dioceses are following Rome’s example. However, it has also been said that they will doubtless pay attention to it and look within their churches with an equal seriousness, for Rome’s guideline comes from the vicar of Rome’s Bishop, who, it has been noted, is Pope Pius XI, vicar of Jesus Christ.
Historically, the candles used in the church have been made traditionally of beeswax, for bees were once thought if as to be virginal. The paschal candle represents Christ’s flesh, its wick His soul, its flame, Divinity.
On Candlemas Day (Feast of the Purification, Feb. 2) there is a ceremony for blessing candles. In other traditions, a burning candle is placed in the hand of a person at baptism, and as Death comes. Like I said, you do not even need custom or designer lighting when you have these, which is cool.
March 31, 2010
Candle-for-a-Coin Practice Nixed by Cardinal
March 24, 2010
More turning to a Cosmetic Surgeon
I just returned from San Diego, land of the sun and youth, The truth is that age bias is rampant, and in this currently tough job market people feel like they need to look as young and fresh as possible to compete for the short supply of jobs. Eyelid surgery (called blepharoplasty) is used to reshape your eyelids. It can remove bags and tighten lose skin around the eyelids. It will not, however, remove fine wrinkle lines. Swelling and bruising can occur afterward, and can sometimes last for a week or two. The bruises usually fade in a week to 10 days. Vision can be blurry for a few days after the operation. You could experience some tearing up, or conversely, experience dry eyes. Fees for this procedure can run from around $2,000, but can surpass $4,000, depending on the surgeon and the extent of the reshaping. Tummy tuck is also popular these days. You might need a san diego cosmetic surgeon
And of course, breast enhancement and augmentation are a perennial favorite. Aslo breast lift and implants plus tumescent liposuction, botox and rhinoplasty, etc. They consist of saline-filled bags placed in between your breast tissue and your chest muscles, or between your chest muscles and your chest wall. Typically, you should be able to get out of bed a day or following surgery, but you most likely won’t be able to bathe for three days to a week. Many feel well enough to return to work after about a week. The fee of this procedure runs around $3,000, but again varies. Some need a mommy makeover from a good cosmetic surgeon as well.
March 8, 2010
Protecting Consumers Against Predatory Credit Practices and More
Barack Obama has had a proposal for on the table since last summer that is a sweeping package of financial reforms including the creation of a stand-alone agency that would regulate virtually all credit, savings and payment products offered by U.S. banks and some nonbank financial institutions.
The Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency would still regulate banks, but their powers to regulate consumer products would be entrusted to a new Consumer Financial Products Agency. Predatory practices have caused a lot of problems such as causing a lot of people to get debt help, credit counseling, Debt consolidation and management, as well as simple debt relief.
The agency would not have the power to set a limit on interest rates. However, it could establish sound financial practices, such as require at least a 20 percent down payment on home loans or, as Douglas Elliot of the Brookings Institution has been quoted as saying—“require lenders to provide a two-page summary of a mortgage that would be clear to anyone who read it.” Teaser rates on mortgages or adjustable rate mortgages might be banned altogether. “I’m not saying it will do these things,” Elliott says, but it would have the power to do so. At least this may cut down on the number of people who need to get credit counseling and/or Debt consolidation.
Last December, the House passed a financial-services reform bill that incorporated most of Obama’s proposals including the new agency. There were no Republican votes.
But when the bill hit the Senate, the real trouble began. Even though Senate banking committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., had proposed a bill in November that was similar to Obama’s proposal, he ended up rescinding it. He then started negotiations with Republican committee members. I mean, anything to cut down on the high Debt consolidation and default rates out there.
March 6, 2010
Art Nouveau a Complex Movement in Jewelry and Other Artistic Expressions
I am not a big jewelry person exept for the occasional gold chain, techno master watch and other bling bling jewelry, but Art Nouveau jewelry fascinates me. Art Nouveau literally means new art. It is an intricate and innovative European style of the 1880’s and 1890’s, and into the first decade of the twentieth century.
The term Art Nouveau comes from a shop owned by the dealer Siegfried Bing in Paris in 1896, called La Maison de l’Art Nouveau.
The Art Nouveau period transcended mere style, and was truly a movement. It was a movement in all forms of art and architecture, and included interior design, furniture, glass, pottery, textiles, art posters and book illustration. Part of its fascination for me lies in its naturalistic and stylistic curving and undulating lines, known as whiplash curves. I have noticed that most young folks today are moving more towards stuff like a Techno Master Watch diamond earrings, hip hop or icy items, 10k Gold Pendants and the venerable Diamond G Shock Watches as well.
The Symbolist Movement of the 1880s ignited the Art Nouveau. In this period religious mysticism and eroticism inspired some of the elements of Arts and Crafts philosophy. It was varied and asymmetrical and it has been said that it reflected the political climate of unease of the period. It has been written that Art Nouveau shows traces of in the Pre-Raphaelites artworks.
The 18th-century poet William Blake used the expression in his execution of surface decoration. The naturalistic elements of curving lines were based on the sinuous curves of plant forms and a transcended into fantasy.
But back to Art Nouveau jewelry; the decorative style was uniquely effective in jewelry, as well as metalwork, glassware, and book illustration. Even the influence of Japanese prints is woven into the tapestry-like feeling. It has been written that the seductive nymph of Pre-Raphaelite paintings is iconic Art Nouveau. Just do not forget those techno master watches.
Further, it has been said that Art Nouveau was a key development in the history of art, especially in architecture. It was iconoclastic in that it rejected conventional style and introduced a new era in art in industry. The powerful influence of it can be seen in the most modern art and architecture.
March 5, 2010
Hawaii Tsunami Sputtered Out, But Residents Prepared for the Worst
Paradise hardly felt effects the giant Chilean earthquake. Associated Press writers JIM CARLTON STU WOO and PETER SERAFIN wrote a story for the Wall Street Journal under the headline; the Big Island of Hawaii was Unaffected By Tsunami. In the 1960’s, an earthquake in the same region of South America triggered an earthquake which killed may folks on the big island, so the citizens there were a bit wary this time.
Woo and Serafin report that Hawaii escaped any major tsunami damage from the ferocious earthquake off the coast of Chile. Governor Linda Lingle gave an all-clear sign to residents and tourists in Hawaii who had evacuated the coast. There is some nice real estate over there, that is for sure.
Hawaii Department of Emergency Management officials use a bullhorn to alert homeless campers of the tsunami on Maile Beach, Woo and Serafin reported. If you need some scenic Big Island Real Estate then I can suggest Sotheby’s as they are certainly a top firm in this regard. All in all, they have been specializing in real estate on the Big Island for some time now. The two reporters also wrote;
Tsunami surges of six to 12 inches in height hit the “Big Island” of Hawaii beginning at 11:38 a.m. local time, 34 minutes later than oceanographers previously forecast, said Bill Hanson, administrative officer with the Hawaii County Civil Defense. Those were far lower than the waves of as high as 14 that feet some officials had predicted.
Rob Kay, a public-relations executive in Honolulu was quoted as saying, “Waiting for the tsunami is something in between waiting for Godot and being all dressed up with nowhere to go.”
On the Big Island, the worst of the damage had been expected, with the city of Hilo taking the brunt. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, based in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, had models that predicted “very rough waves” from six to 10 feet high.
In a curiously anticlimactic non-event, no damaging tsunamis were reported anywhere in the islands.
March 4, 2010
Sea Lions Come Back to San Francisco
I just returned from the great ‘city by the bay’ and thought it time to get some writing in. I had to see a particular personal injury attorney up there. Under the headline, “Famed sea lions returning to San Francisco’s Pier 39,” Juliana Barbassa wrote a story for USA Today, printed March 3, 2010. Not sure why they left, perhaps from personal injury due to natural predators or something?
Associated Press Writer Barbassa writes that, “Sea Lions are slowly returning to San Francisco….”
After about 1,000 Sea Lions disappeared off Pier 39 last fall, they seem to be returning to San Francisco 39. Are you looking for a good San Francisco personal injury attorney then I would be willing to suggest Steve Brady as he is certainly one of the better ones out there overall for sure. He is an expert attorney in the realm of personal injury related law.
The sudden disappearance last November left tourists disappointed and scientists mystified. But many folks are probably relieved to see the noisy sea lions returning.
Although the animals come and go, taking off in the fall to breed and bear babies in the Channel Islands, this last fall, something happened. The Lion population had swelled to 1,700 animals that flopped in a mass two and three deep on the piers, the sea lions begin swimming off. Only a few stragglers stayed behind.
Barmbassa reports that Marine scientists speculate that the animals may have traveled 500 miles north, in a search for fish along the Oregon coast.
As the lions return, the numbers are fewer. Around 80 or so animals were seen in the area last week — down from the 200 to 400 sea lions usually in residence this time of year.
Only a couple dozen animals lay on the docks in on Tuesday making their usual commotion.
Juliana Barbassa introduces us to Ryan and Wylie Geldert of Bunbury, Australia, who visited pier 39 several times in a week to watch for sea lions were glad to see them at last.
Ryan Geldert was quoted as saying, “The sea lions are pretty famous…”
Jim Oswald of the Marine Mammal Center—which has an information kiosk staffed by volunteers at Pier 39 was quoted as saying something about it.
At a private preserve near Florence, Oregon, biologists at Sea Lion Caves reportedly said that big groups of sea lions began showing up in October, around the time they started leaving Pier 39, perhaps because of personal injury by predators.
Backpack or Tote Diaper Bags, which are better
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