My Christmas Flower

I walk into my bedroom half an hour ago, look at my bookcase with my potted plants on top and suddenly I notice two purple flowers on my African Violet!

She hasn't had any flowers since about October/November and now, in the midst of winter she pops forth with two! I asked my sister Kathleen if she'd seen them before, and of course she replies "Oh yeah, I saw them sometime last week." I was like "WHAT??? Why didn't you tell me that Alice had flowers!???!?!?!?!?!??" Response: shrug.
So I am very excited with Alice's new flowers, they are so pretty! (Yes, I named her Alice - not *cough* after the Twilight character). I wonder what made them pop up? Christmas, or the change of scenery and temperatures? Alice used to be in the back hall by two doorways, but after it got colder I moved her to my bed room. So it's either warmer there, or maybe she likes water from the bathroom sink better then water from the filtered drinking tap.
Again, yes I named my plant. She looks like an Alice, don't you think? And don't worry, this is not my first plat I've named. I have two others, a some kind of green plant and an ivy plant. The green unknown plant is Fred. He was the first plant I got. Actually, his birthday is soon... and Holly is my ivy. ;) All three are very good friends and decorate the top of my book shelf nicely. I'm thinking of adding to my menagerie with maybe a baby pine tree, or something.
Feel free to leave your congratulations for Alice here and I shall pass them on to her!

EDIT: Ha ha! My 300th post!!!!

Events of Pope Benedict's Visit: April 20th

At ground zero, pope offers silent prayer, comforts survivors
NEW YORK (CNS) -- In the most somber moment of his six-day visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI knelt alone at ground zero and offered a silent prayer. The cheering crowds were far away as the pope blessed the ground where the World Trade Center stood until terrorists forced planes into its twin towers Sept. 11, 2001. Read the rest...




Build on 'Impressive Legacy' of U.S. Church, Pope Urges at Final Mass
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Honoring the bicentennial of four U.S. archdioceses, Pope Benedict XVI praised the "solid foundations" of the American Catholic Church and said "the future of the church in America" must continue to build on that "impressive legacy." But in his homily for the final Mass of his April 15-20 U.S. visit, the pope also said the "impressive growth" of the U.S. church has been "not without its challenges," comparing those challenges to the "linguistic and cultural tensions" found in the early church. Read the rest...

'Move Forward' in Faith, Pope Urges Catholics at Yankee Stadium Mass
NEW YORK (CNS) -- At Yankee Stadium, transformed into an open-air church April 20, Pope Benedict XVI urged more than 57,000 Catholics to "move forward with firm resolve" in continuing the legacy of faith set in motion by the country's first Catholics. "Follow faithfully in the footsteps of those who have gone before you!" he told the stadium congregation on a cool, breezy and overcast afternoon. Read the rest...

Click Here to read the Holy Father's Homily from Sunday's Mass.


Address at JFK Departure Ceremony
Mr. Vice-President,

Distinguished Civil Authorities,

My Brother Bishops,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The time has come for me to bid farewell to your country. These days that I have spent in the United States have been blessed with many memorable experiences of American hospitality, and I wish to express my deep appreciation to all of you for your kind welcome. It has been a joy for me to witness the faith and devotion of the Catholic community here. Read the rest...

Articles and photos found on the EWTN and official Papal Visit Websites.

Events of Pope Benedict's visit: April 19th

Enthusiastic crowd greets Pope Benedict on New York's Fifth Avenue
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Hours before Pope Benedict was scheduled to travel along Fifth Avenue people began lining the barricaded route hoping to get just a glimpse of him. A group of students from Ave Maria University just outside Naples, Fla., waited five hours in a spot right in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral, where the pope celebrated a morning Mass for clergy and religious April 19. Read the rest...

All articles found on http://www.uspapalvisit.org/

Events of Pope Benedict's Visit: April 18th

Pope, at U.N., says no government or religion can limit human rights
UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- Neither government nor religion has a right to change or limit human rights, because those rights flow from the dignity of each person created in God's image, Pope Benedict XVI said. In his April 18 speech to the U.N. General Assembly, the pope insisted that human rights cannot be limited or rewritten on the basis of national interests or majority rule. But he also said the role of religions is not to dictate government policy, but to help their members strive to find the truth, including the truth about the dignity of all people even if their religious views are different. Read the rest...

At New York synagogue, pope encourages 'bridges of friendship'
NEW YORK (CNS) -- In a brief, movingly simple visit to a New York synagogue, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his respect for the city's Jewish community and encouraged the building of "bridges of friendship" between religions. The encounter April 18 marked the first time a pope has visited a Jewish place of worship in the United States, and it came a day before the start of the Jewish Passover. Read the rest...

Pope says divisions, abandoning tradition weaken Christian witness
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Using unusually strong words for an ecumenical prayer service, Pope Benedict XVI said the witness of Christians in the world is weakened not only by their divisions, but also by some communities turning their backs on Christian tradition. "Communion with the church in every age," he said, is needed particularly "at the time when the world is losing its bearings and needs a persuasive common witness to the saving power of the Gospel." Read the rest...

All articles found on the Papal Visit official website: www.uspapalvisit.org

Events of Pope Benedict's Visit: April 17th

Pope urges U.S. Catholics to renew their missionary energy
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Celebrating Mass in a Washington baseball stadium, Pope Benedict XVI urged U.S. Catholics to renew their missionary energy at a time when American society is at a moral crossroads. The pope warned of "signs of a disturbing breakdown in the very foundations of society" and said people need the church's message of hope and fidelity to the demands of the Gospel. Read the rest...


Catholic University students thrilled to welcome pope 'on our turf'
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The pope doesn't visit a U.S. college campus very often. So when four seniors at The Catholic University of America heard that Pope Benedict XVI was coming to their campus, the roommates knew they wanted to witness it. So they arrived on the lawn behind the Columbus School of Law shortly before 10 a.m. April 17 to wait for the papal arrival on campus some seven hours later. Read the rest

Pope urges U.S. Catholic educators to lead students to deeper faith
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged U.S. Catholic educators April 17 not to simply transmit knowledge to their students but to bring them to a deeper understanding of faith "which in turn nurtures the soul of a nation." "A particular responsibility ... for each of you, and your colleagues, is to evoke among the young the desire for the act of faith, encouraging them to commit themselves to the ecclesial life that follows from this belief," he told more than 400 Catholic college presidents and diocesan education representatives at The Catholic University of America. Read the rest...

Events of Pope Benedict's visit: April 16th

Multiple Choruses of 'Happy Birthday' Mark the Pope's 81st
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At 5:21 a.m., the disc jockey on a country music radio station in Fredericksburg, Va. -- 50 miles south of Washington -- invited listeners to join her in singing "Happy Birthday" to Pope Benedict XVI. On the South Lawn of the White House, dignitaries, bishops and guests joined in an impromptu rendition of the song. Later, opera star Kathleen Battle led the song again, and the pope blew out candles on a four-tier cake. Read more...

Bush, Pope Exchange Gifts Accompanied By Lemon Cake
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- With the formal greetings out of the way, Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush got down to serious business during their historic White House meeting April 16 -- the exchanging of presents. On his 81st birthday, the pontiff received a lead crystal cross sculpture and a collection of American classical and religious compact discs from the president... Read more.

Pope, Bush Discuss Fighting Terrorism While Respecting Human Rights
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a meeting at the White House, Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush discussed the problem of terrorism and how to confront it while respecting human rights. The two leaders also expressed their joint concern for the protection of human life, marriage and the family, according to a statement issued after a private meeting April 16. They also prayed for the institution of the family. Read the rest...

U.S. Ambassador Says Pope-Bush Meeting Was Proud Day for Americans
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush was a proud day for Americans. "It was wonderful to have this great world religious leader express his appreciation for so many things we take for granted," Mary Ann Glendon told Catholic News Service April 16. Read the rest...