Breaking News; Pro-Life Vigil at Merrion Square Dublin on 19th January at 4.30pm

Pro-Life Vigil will be held in Merrion Square in Dublin on Saturday the 19th January at 4.30pm.*

http://www.prolife.ie/prolife/dublin-rally-life-january-19

Pledge will be made of our affirmation of the Sanctity of All Life.
Why not join this wonderful affirmation of how precious each life is in our society?

A candle has been lit by Lumiere in remembrance of eighteen year old Marla Cardamone and her son Christopher Michael who both reportedly died during legal abortion procedure R.I.P.
Lumiere was sent the reported autopsy photos which are in the public domain. 
The suffering of mother and child is so heartrending the photographs have not been put on our site.
A candle has been lit in remembrance of the grieving family of Marla and Christopher.

A candle has been lit for all men, women and children who have been affected by abortion.

A candle has been lit for Survivors of Abortion.
Gianna Jessen reportedly survived saline olution procedure, and afflicted by cerebral palsy resulting from lack of oxygen in the womb. 
http://www.blessedcause.org/aborticide/survivor.htm
Ana Rosa Rodriguez reportedly lost her right arm during the dismembering procedure when she was 32 weeks in her mother's womb.
http://culturallegacy.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=25220&PID=448762
Baby Claire reportedly lost her right arm due to it being twisted off during the procedure.
http://culturallegacy.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=25220&PID=448763
See link for stories of abortion survivors.
 http://culturallegacy.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=25220&PID=435140

In pregnancy crisis?
Not sure what to do?
Your baby lives from the very first moment of conception.
What is happening within you is a miracle - the miracle of life.
See link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJIKe9eJLh4

If you need assistance, consider contacting a reliable pregnancy crisis group in your area which can assist you.
A hasty decision now may cause heartache later.

*Photograph by Rev Catherine Nicolette - please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose
*With thanks to Youtube and aflame4God

The joy of Gift boxes

Lumiere was delighted that Christmas boxes brought much joy. 

They are a practical way of sending gift items that will make a difference to others.

Practical tips for Gift Boxes;
We start in January. Whenever there is a sale of
Hair combs
Hair brushes
Practical clothing like good cotton T'shirts, skirts, trousers, clothing appropriate for the climate
Sandals or shoes appropriate for the climate
School writing books
Pens
Pencils
Erasers
Pencil Sharpeners
Maths equipment boxes
Paints (non-flammable) and brushes for painting pictures 
Rulers
Reading books suitable for children and local village and school libraries
Teddy bears and soft cuddly toys suitable for children (no items on them that a child could twist off and either hurt themselves with or swallow by mistake)
I am sure you can think of many more!

We buy items of each and store them during the year. 
We then box them out in time for Christmas. 
We also send Gift boxes during the year, or if we find a local family in need of items we give them from our stores.

Why not start buying your own items for Gift boxes during the year? It's a great way of sharing our blessings with others ...
Happy New Year!

Lumiere remembers Abortion Survivors

Lumiere has lit a candle in remembrance of abortion survivors.
Babies at times survive the termination procedure, which can leave them disabled. 

Gianna Jessen reportedly survived saline solution procedure, and afflicted by cerebral palsy resulting from lack of oxygen in the womb. 
http://www.blessedcause.org/aborticide/survivor.htm
Ana Rosa Rodriguez  reportedly lost her right arm during the dismembering procedure when she was 32 weeks in her mother's womb.
http://culturallegacy.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=25220&PID=448762
Baby Claire reportedly lost her right arm due to it being twisted off during the procedure. 
http://culturallegacy.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=25220&PID=448763

See link for stories of Abortion Survivors. 
http://culturallegacy.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=25220&PID=435140

With thanks to Blessed Cause, Cultural Legacy

Lumiere English Academy; How to use Verbs and their Tenses correctly (4)

Lumiere English academy

A Basic Grammar

THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
I was loving
We use this when the action we are describing was continuing to happen, e.g. I was reading in the family room when the front door bell rang.
Also when something in the past took place on an ongoing (continuous) basis, e.g. When they were small, the two brothers were forever quarrelling.
When an action takes an instant, we use the past indefinite tense: "Oops! I broke a cup!"
Not; "I was breaking a cup."
Second language students like to say: "I was dropping a cup," "I was having a headache" instead of "I dropped a cup", "I had a headache."

"All very well," you may object, "but the headache lasted for two hours."
Sorry, I have no explanation for the inconsistencies of the English language.
Some things you simply have to memorise.

EXERCISE
1. Last year this time we (study) .................... for matric (were studying)
2. Jenny (prepare) ......................... supper when the electricity cut out (was preparing)
3. While we (buy) .................. groceries, Peter filled up the car with petrol (were buying)
4. When we (go) ....................... to Bloemfontein, the car stopped (were going)
5. Although she (to try) .................... to study, the children screamed loudly (was trying)
6. At the time when we (attend) ................. church, she was out shopping (were attending)
7. When they were small, the brothers (argue) ......... always ............ (were always arguing)
8. When Maud went outside she found that her husband (mow) the lawn (was mowing)
9. When we (be) ................... still (live) ................. at home, we had fewer worries (were still living)
NB Not less worries. Why not?
Because less denotes quantities, like sugar, and few denotes numbers, so less sugar but fewer people
10. For as long as it took for them to get to Gauteng, they (sing) ................... songs (were singing)
11. While they (criticise) ....................... the food, the others ate their share (were criticising)
12. The husband washed the dishes while the wife (dry) .................... them (was drying)
13. I (try) ......................... to remember when you celebrate your birthday (was trying)
14. They (practice) .................. their running in preparation for the Comrades (were practising)
15. We had finished our work while they .............. still (get) ................ up their courage to start
(were still getting)
16. Although the sun (shine) ......................,  a few raindrops fell (was shining)
17. They (refuse) .......................... to obey in protest against the unfair treatment (were refusing)
18. John (untidy) ........................... the house as fast as Mother (clean) ...................... up
(was untidying the house as fast as Mother was cleaning)
19. When Father was alive, we (be) .............. forever (go) .............. on holiday (were forever going)
20. While Mother was ill, Father (cook) .......................... the meals (was cooking)

THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE
I will be loving
We use this when we describe doing something in the future on a continuous basis, e.g. Next year I will be studying engineering at university.
Also, when we are looking forward to something in the future which may or may not happen: I hope you'll be inviting me to your wedding.

EXERCISE
1. At their AGM next month the Rotarians (elect) .................. their new president (will be electing)
2. I (visit) .......................... my daughter in London next year (will be visiting)
3. I (call) ....................... the bank manager on his first name if I win that money (will be calling)
4. He (driving) .......................... all the way to Cape Town next April (will be driving)
5. Joan (take) ............................ a parcel up to my son in Gauteng tomorrow (will be taking)
6.The president (have) ................... tea at Buckingham Palace when he goes to the UK (will be having)
7. I hope I (see) ......................... you when we attend the next conference (will be seeing)
8. I suppose you (attend) .................... your new grandchild's christening? (will be attending)
9. I estimate that it (take) ............................ twelve thousand bricks to complete the house (will be taking)
10. As usual we (play) ................... cards on Thursday night (will be playing)
11. When he goes in for his operation all of us (pray) ...................... for his recovery (will be praying)
12. We (plant) ......................... bulbs for our winter garden soon (will be planting)
13. (Be) ............ you  .............. (visit) ........ your family next Christmas  (Will you be visiting)
14. (Be) ............ you ............... (drive) ........ tomorrow or will Bill take the wheel? (Will you be driving)
15. Do you think Jack (be/divide) ....................... up the proceeds fairly? (will be dividing)
16. (Be)  ............. the cake (finish) .................... in time for tomorrow's party? (Will the cake be finished)
18. (Be) ................ Esther (take) ........................ the lead role in the play? (Will Esther be taking)
19. Janet (to be/give) .................... a lift home to Mary when she has her car serviced (will be giving)
20. I (celebrate) ........................ my twenty-first birthday in three weeks' time (will be celebrating)
21. If I don't study, I (waste) .................... my own time and that of my teachers (will be wasting)
22. I (arrive) ................................... at 10:30 on Friday the twelfth (will be arriving)

Dr. Luky Whittle

Lumiere English Academy; How to use Verbs and their Tenses correctly (3)

Lumiere English academy

A Basic Grammar

THE FUTURE INDEFINITE TENSE
I will love (An abbreviated version can be used - I'll; you'll (singular); he'll; she'll; it'll; we'll; you'll (plural); they'll).

EXERCISE
1.   Next year John (to attend) ................................ the Technical College (will attend)
2.   All of us (to take part) ..................................... in tertiary studies next year (will take part)
3.   I (to get) ............................................ my driver's licence, you will see (l will get)
4.   One day we (to meet) .................................. again (will meet)
5.   They (to be) .................................. happy when their new baby is born (will be)
6.   Once John manages to pay off his debts he (to start) ........................ saving money (will start)
7.   Tomorrow he (to visit) ................................... his grandparents (will visit)
8.   You (learn) .................................... for the exam, even though you say you have no time (will learn)
9.   On his return from London they (to be) ................................. married (will be)
10. Perseverance (to be) ................................... rewarded (will be)
11. When she goes to Klerksdorp, she (look) .......................... for a bargain for curtains for us (will look)
12. She (to arrive) ........................... at ten o' clock tomorrow morning (will arrive)
13. Who do you think (to win) ............................. the Oscar awards next year? (will win)
14. We (to do) .............................. what we can to help you in your plight (will do)
15. If all goes well we (to have) ......................... enough money to buy a new car by next year (will have)
16. If we go on using so much food, it (to be) ........................... finished before we're paid again (will be)
17. Do you believe those enemies (to make) ................................. up their quarrel? (will make)
18. What programmes do you think she (to watch) ........................... on television tonight? (will watch)
19. He (to learn) ............................... to fly an aeroplane soon (will learn)
20. He (to come) ................................... to grief unless he learns to drive more carefully (will come)
21. He (to prune) ..................................... the trees in his garden in July (will prune)

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
I am loving
We use this when the action we are describing has been carried on for a period of time and is still continuing e.g. "I am (in the process of) studying English," and when we do two things at once, e.g. "While holding the milk jug in one hand, I am stirring the porridge with the other."

EXERCISE:
1.   I am (love) ............................ my year in the bridging school (loving)
2.   While (study) ........................ in the daytime, he is working at night to cover his fees (studying)
3.   While (drive) ....................... the car, one should not speak on the cellphone (driving)
4.   They are (hope) ............................ to get married early next year (hoping)
5.   It's no use (cry) ............................... over spilt milk (crying)
6.   (Laugh) ...................... helplessly, she is trying to tell us a joke (laughing)
7.   Not (take) ............................ responsibility for one's mistakes is to burden others (taking)
9.   Having lost her husband early, she (raise) .................... her children all on her own (is raising)
10. Please don't come in while I'm (study) .............................. (studying)
11. He (recuperate) ...................... slowly after a recent operation (is recuperating)
12. (Criticise) ........................ others is easy, but to do better is hard (criticising)
13. After an initial difficult start, the film .....  now (start) ..................... to show a profit (is now starting)
14. The sunflowers (to turn) ............................ towards the sun (are turning)
15. The dogs are forever (to cause) ...................... troubles with the neighbour's cat (causing)
16. (To feel) .......................... lonely, even in a crowd, is a feeling we often experience (feeling)
17. Is that lazy boy still (to sleep) ......................................? (sleeping)
18. Why aren't you (to have) .......................... your bath? It's almost bedtime (having)
19. At present we are (to struggle) ................... to pay back our debts (struggling)
20. (To smile) ........................... when you feel like (to cry) ..................... is an act of bravery
(smiling when you feel like crying)
21. While the dogs are (to fight) ........................... the noise is deafening (fighting)
22. Do you think Elizabeth (to think) .......................... about us still? (is thinking)
23. (To dream) ............................... about winning the Lotto is a waste of time (Dreaming)

Dr Luky Whittle

Pope Benedict XVI affirms sanctity of life of the unborn child

This international spiritual leader affirms the wondrous sanctity of life.
"...at the origin of every human being there is not something haphazard or chance, but a loving plan of God."
Pope Benedict XVI in Valencia, Spain July 9, 2006. (1)

Pope Benedict thus affirms that each of us is individually created not as the result of coincidence, but as a loving creation of our God.

"God's love does not distinguish between the infant in the mother's womb or the child or the youth or the adult or the older person. 
In each one God sees His Image and Likeness. 
Human life is a manifestation of God and His Glory." (2)

Benedict speaks of the eternal truth that our Loving Creator God does not differentiate life stages in the life of each person as being of lesser or more importance. 
Each life stage is important, because the person who is growing through those life stages is unique. 
We - each of us - whatever gender, age, life stage, culture, health status, ability or disability status, intellectual quotient, are equally precious to God.

"They are the truths which alone can can guarantee respect for the inalienable dignity and rights of each man, woman and child in our world - including the most defenceless of all human beings, the unborn child in the mother's womb." Benedict XVI in Yankee Stadium, April 20 2008 (3)
Benedict speaks about the dignity and rights of each human being, including the most vulnerable in human society.

The miracle of life 
A baby recently reached out from the womb to hold her delivery doctor's hand during the caesarean section to deliver her.
See link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A04_CEQrPJs (4)


(1.) http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20060709_valencia_en.html
(2.)http://inclineyourheart.blogspot.ie/2012/01/human-life-is-manifestation-of-god-and.html
(3.) http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20080420_yankee-stadium- ny_en.html
(4) With thanks to Youtube and UpdateNews13

Quick 'N Cheap Vegetable Curry Recipe

Here is a great recipe from my Mom's kitchen. 

We have always loved Mom's curry, no-one makes it like she does. 
It is great for vegetarians too,  as vegetarian mince can be used - no animals are thus hurt to enable this recipe.

Allergy Alert; Before starting the recipe, check first that you have no allergies to any of the ingredients.
If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, then don't use this recipe.



Here's the recipe;

QUICK 'N CHEAP VEGETABLE CURRY;

Ingredients;
One onion
300 grammes mince ( such as vegetarian mince)
Two tablespoons oil (you can alternatively use ghee, which I do 
Mom uses sunflower oil)
Three teaspoons curry powder
One tomato
Handful seedless raisins or sultanas (optional)
Two tablespoons apricot jam or chutney
Salt to taste

How to make;
1. Fry sliced and cubed onion in two tablespoons of oil at medium heat till the onion is
    golden brown             
2. Reduce the heat and sprinkle three teaspoons curry powder into the onion. 
    Stir for two minutes so the onion and curry powder doesn't
    stick to the bottom of the pan
3. Brown 300 grammes of mince in the onion and curry powder mix, still stirring
4. Add diced tomato and keep stirring on low heat
5. Add tin of mixed vegetables; continue stirring
6. Add handful of washed, seedless raisins or sultanas if you have 
   (they are optional; and tasty!)
7. Add two tablespoons of apricot jam or chutney
8. Stir the lot on slow heat for twenty minutes.

How to serve;
Serve with rice. If you have bananas, slice them and arrange them around the plate. 
They are delicious!

What to be careful of;
Don't leave the handles of the pots out over the ends of the stove - children can pull them off the stove and burn themselves; or you can knock the pot off the stove and over yourself, causing a nasty burn.
Don't let the babies or children play around your feet while you are cooking. 
Don't let animals play around your feet while you are cooking.
That is how accidents happen. 

Don't leave your cooking pots unattended. 
A child can pull it over him or herself, the cat can knock it over if it gets into the kitchen and jumps around. 
Also, you can forget the time, the food can burn, and a fire can begin. 
That can be very dangerous.
In squatter camps and slums, if you are using a primus stove, be very very careful with it. Don't leave the meal unattended. 
Also, primus stove fuel is very flammable, it can catch alight easily and can cause burns or shack fires. 
Please be very careful with the fuel.

Don't leave your fuel container for filling the stove lying around. 
Lock it up carefully.
A child can drink the contents, or can knock it over if it is not safely locked up.
Don't leave matches, cigarettes, cigarette lighter, or candles lying around. 
Inquisitive children can start fires without meaning to.

If you use tins, make sure to dispose of them safely. 
Never open tins and leave the opened sharp edges free. 
If a child or adult trips on an opened can, they can cut themselves. 
If a can is not disposed of safely, the sharp edges can cut the fingers of the waste collector/ person picking the discarded can up.

If you are cooking over a wood fire, also be very careful not to get burned.
In other words, keep safe.

Enjoy your meal!