Just What the Doctor Ordered?

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented grapes/grape juice but is it just what the doctor ordered? It depends on which doctor you ask. The "wine" or "no wine" controversy has reigned almost as long as wine has been produced.

Research has show that grapes used with rice produced mixed, fermented beverages in China as early as 7000 BC. Early wine in Europe dates to 4500 BC. In medieval Europe, the Roman Catholic Church supported the making of wine as it was necessary for the celebration of Mass.

Some of the oldest vineyards in the United States can be found in the Hudson Valley where French Huguenots planted the first vines in 1677, 100 years before vines were planted in what is now California.

In 1991 60 Minutes did a segment which is know as the French Paradox segment. It contained breakthrough information that showed that despite eating food with high saturated fat and getting little exercise the French had a lower mortality rate from heart disease and fewer heart attacks than Americans.

I like an occasional glass of a sweet wine and have developed a taste for Italian limoncello (which I'll blog about at another time). As with many things, moderation is the key.

RENEW International For Spiritual Renewal

In these times of economic uncertainty, possible job loss, foreclosures and other unpredictable events, your morale and spirit can really take a beating. To help people in good and bad times, RENEW International reaches out to millions of people in the United States and thousands of others world wide. They have touched lives in 23 countries, across 6 continents and in 44 languages.

RENEW International focuses on spiritual renewal in the Catholic tradition as a ministry. Empowering individuals and communities to encounter God in everyday life, people strengthen and share their faith. In their 28 year history, they have revitalized parish life in over 150 dioceses in the United States.

Programs and materials are provided to a dioceses by RENEW International to help them meet their annual goals. Their RENEW Theology on Tap reaches out to Catholics in their 20's and 30's both married and single. They use informal discussions in various settings to empower the young. RENEW Worldwide is a 3 year renewal process that is offered to parishes outside the U.S. This enables them to minister to those who are suffering from oppression, war and poverty.