My Beautiful Autistic Daughter has been trying with all of her might to find a job for the three years since she graduated from high school. She only wanted a part time job, nothing fancy or career oriented, just something that would give her a little pocket money and a sense of accomplishment as she attempted to work through some courses at the local Community College.
She has had so many disappointments in the past two three years, I can't tell you. One store here in town wouldn't consider her for a stock person job because she might have to talk to shoppers and they were afraid she wouldn't be able to do that. In all the times I have shopped there I have never had a stock person talk to me, (and when she worked for a short time at the IU bookstore as stock help she was wonderful about helping students find the books they needed, so what joke that the other place wouldn't give her a chance). Most of the other places took one look at the way she paces and doesn't make eye contact and wouldn't even give her an interview beyond allowing her to fill out an application.
Yesterday she was offered a job with the IU Libraries, which is the perfect position for her. She can work on her own, she has volunteered in a library setting for years and doesn't need much training, and she did a trial run there in January for a month to prove to them that she could hold her own.
Thanks to laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, people like my daughter can find meaningful employment. All they want is a chance to prove that they can do the job just as well as anyone else.
It isn't lost on me that her job offer came on the anniversary of this groundbreaking legislation.
Thank you to all of my friends who have been praying for this for so long. We knew it would happen if we waited long enough, but it didn't keep us from getting discouraged as the months kept going by without any sign of movement in her direction.
This just proves that God is faithful, and God's time is perfect.
Pax
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Liturgy Transcends
I had a moment today at daily mass. Somewhere between the Gospel reading and receiving communion I became overwhelmed with emotion.
At one point I was caught up in an anamnetic euphoria at the thought of how infinite the cloud of witness was that were surrounding me. Perhaps because Father had chosen the wonderfully name dropping Eucharistic Prayer 1 I my mind's eye began to see the altar space fill up with all those who had gone before at the table of the Lord; among them the personal witness of my grandparents, and my father and the children that were lost to me through miscarriages who have joined the Church Triumphant. I felt so totally wrapped in love as the words of the prayer wove through this reverie.
As we drew close to reception of Communion, I had a quantum leap in my understanding of how we all become the Body of Christ through the reception of The Body of Christ in the Eucharist which unites us in a way that is so much more cosmic that it transcended and transported me into that Cloud of Unknowing. As I walked back from receiving I was uncontrollably racked with sobs of joy, tears streaming down my face.
When the Mass had ended, I left my parish community feeling such love that I had to stop and thank Father. Not knowing exactly what to thank him for I decided that thanking him for his homily (on not being judgemental) would be great. It was a great homily, but it would be silly to thank him for a transcendent experience. He was so humble he couldn't even accept thanks for the homilette, as he called it, because he was simply trying to work on his own stuff.
I am so glad that I had this experience, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm hoping that it doesn't become a regular occurrence. I don't think I could handle crying at every Mass. Oh well, maybe I should start carrying tissue just in case.
Pax
At one point I was caught up in an anamnetic euphoria at the thought of how infinite the cloud of witness was that were surrounding me. Perhaps because Father had chosen the wonderfully name dropping Eucharistic Prayer 1 I my mind's eye began to see the altar space fill up with all those who had gone before at the table of the Lord; among them the personal witness of my grandparents, and my father and the children that were lost to me through miscarriages who have joined the Church Triumphant. I felt so totally wrapped in love as the words of the prayer wove through this reverie.
As we drew close to reception of Communion, I had a quantum leap in my understanding of how we all become the Body of Christ through the reception of The Body of Christ in the Eucharist which unites us in a way that is so much more cosmic that it transcended and transported me into that Cloud of Unknowing. As I walked back from receiving I was uncontrollably racked with sobs of joy, tears streaming down my face.
When the Mass had ended, I left my parish community feeling such love that I had to stop and thank Father. Not knowing exactly what to thank him for I decided that thanking him for his homily (on not being judgemental) would be great. It was a great homily, but it would be silly to thank him for a transcendent experience. He was so humble he couldn't even accept thanks for the homilette, as he called it, because he was simply trying to work on his own stuff.
I am so glad that I had this experience, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm hoping that it doesn't become a regular occurrence. I don't think I could handle crying at every Mass. Oh well, maybe I should start carrying tissue just in case.
Pax
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Prophetic Letter
This letter was written by a parish priest in November of 2008. Those who voted for social justice over life are beginning to reap what they sowed. He is pretty spot on in his predictions of how things would unfold.
Pastor’s Corner 11-9-08
Brothers and Sisters,
For most people this week, the presidential election was first and foremost in mind. As the pastor of the souls of this parish, for whom I will have to give an account to the good God, it is important to put before you a few observations. Voting in a democracy is very serious business. It is a sacred duty and the exercise of power that can have far reaching consequences for our lives and the lives of others.
A majority of Americans, including those who identify themselves as Catholic (54% if the exit polls are correct), chose to elect our new President. The election of this candidate to the presidency will have far reaching consequences. Our Lord Jesus tells us to judge a tree by its fruit. A good tree produces good fruit, a bad tree bad fruit. I would urge us a rational persons to look beyond the smile and mesmerizing words and pay attention to the deeds – these will show what kind of president we will have.
In my view as a priest, scholar and professor, never before has the Culture of Death been given so much power in this country. Our new president is committed to promoting and protecting with law intrinsically evil acts, acts that are never justified and should never be done by a rational person. The fruit of this conviction is that he is committed to creating and ratifying unjust laws. The clearest deed that will reveal this truth is when he signs the ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ into law, which was one of his campaign promises. This legislation will virtually abolish ANY restrictions on abortion that exist now. This legislation will result in the killing of tens of thousands of innocent children. The killing of the innocent is a sin that cries out to Heaven for justice (Gen. 4:10). Those who voted for this president will now share in the indirect responsibility and guilt for these killings. Such is the serious nature of voting.
But I Voted For Social Justice Issues
Those who voted for him may respond that their vote was not based on his pro-abortion stance but other social issues. The response I gave in a previous homily is that clearly and logically this election did not involve a situation of ‘proportionate reason’ mentioned in the USCCB’s Faithful Citizenship. The issues of quality of life come into play only when candidates vying for office are equal on the issues dealing with life itself.
My Predictions
The ‘Freedom of Choice Act’, and other unjust legislation like it that will likely be proposed, also has the potential to force the Church out of health care. The Church, as the bearer of the Gospel of Life, will refuse to take part in committing intrinsically evil acts. The names like Providence, St. Vincent, Sacred Heart may remain on the outside of the hospitals, but their internal policies may no longer meaningfully reflect the teachings of Christ and His Church. Thus the legislation would spell disaster for the poor and will create a huge societal problem since the Church is one of the major providers of health care in the country, especially to the poor. Moreover, if the Church is not providing health care, then those with terminal illness and those who do not seem to have a sufficient ‘quality of life’ will lose their last protection from those who will want to kill them to save health care dollars – still more innocent lives lost.
Some may be reading this thinking that I’m being overly dramatic, that I’m over reacting. I would ask you to pay attention to the fruit; pay attention to actions and deeds and not the smile or soothing words. Beneath the smile and words is one who has already identified himself through his actions that he is against Christ and His Church on fundamental, non-negotiable issues.
The Coming Tribulation
For those followers of Christ who are serious about following Him understand that we may be entering a very difficult and trying period of history. The Church has had such times in the past and will again have them in the future. In the late 1990s, then Cardinal Ratzinger commented that he thought the Church was entering a period of trial, a time when the Church was to be more of a persecuted Church, a time when it would be most costly to follow Jesus, and thus a time when many of those who identify themselves as Catholic will fall away. Now he is Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of St. Peter and our chief Shepherd. It will become increasingly evident as the years pass whether he is a prophet. Personally, I believe him to be right. In my prayer over the past few years, I have sensed the same thing. It may take many years for it to come into full view, but with this ascendency of the Culture of Death we may see the beginnings of it in the next few years.
Be Prepared! Seek Mercy!
And so as the pastor of your souls and as your spiritual father, I urge you to prepare yourselves spiritually, through prayer, fasting, virtuous living and most of all faith, hope and love, for what is to come. Let us recommit ourselves in joy to protect and cherish the weak and vulnerable among us. If you are one who cast your vote for our new president, I urge you to seek the mercy of Jesus through the Sacrament of Confession that you may be absolved from the great evil this president says he will do. Jesus Christ has already definitively broken the power of evil and death. He will never abandon us or the world. He may be asking the members of His Body to have a deeper share with Him in the Cross, that the world might be saved.
Be A Saint!
We do not have to be afraid. We did not choose to live in these times, but He chose us to live in these times (In. 15:16) – that is a comforting truth. It is in times of trial that the members of Christ shine more brightly. St. Paul tells us as he told the Philippians, ‘Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14). Now is the time for saints! We stand with Our Lord Jesus and His angels and saints and will bring down the Culture of Death through the might of the divine love because with St. Paul we can say, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. John Cihak
http://www.courageouspriest.com/warning-did-you-vote-for-obama
Just in the past week we have seen tax funds funnelled to Pennsylvania to fund abortions under the Obamacare Health Program. (something we were promised by the President was off the table). We are seeing the beginnings of dismantling of the Catholic Health Care system due to the forcing of the abortion agenda on Catholic hospitals (either they will provide abortions or they will have to close) . Fr. Cihak's predictions are coming true.
Fast and pray.
Pax
Pastor’s Corner 11-9-08
Brothers and Sisters,
For most people this week, the presidential election was first and foremost in mind. As the pastor of the souls of this parish, for whom I will have to give an account to the good God, it is important to put before you a few observations. Voting in a democracy is very serious business. It is a sacred duty and the exercise of power that can have far reaching consequences for our lives and the lives of others.
A majority of Americans, including those who identify themselves as Catholic (54% if the exit polls are correct), chose to elect our new President. The election of this candidate to the presidency will have far reaching consequences. Our Lord Jesus tells us to judge a tree by its fruit. A good tree produces good fruit, a bad tree bad fruit. I would urge us a rational persons to look beyond the smile and mesmerizing words and pay attention to the deeds – these will show what kind of president we will have.
In my view as a priest, scholar and professor, never before has the Culture of Death been given so much power in this country. Our new president is committed to promoting and protecting with law intrinsically evil acts, acts that are never justified and should never be done by a rational person. The fruit of this conviction is that he is committed to creating and ratifying unjust laws. The clearest deed that will reveal this truth is when he signs the ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ into law, which was one of his campaign promises. This legislation will virtually abolish ANY restrictions on abortion that exist now. This legislation will result in the killing of tens of thousands of innocent children. The killing of the innocent is a sin that cries out to Heaven for justice (Gen. 4:10). Those who voted for this president will now share in the indirect responsibility and guilt for these killings. Such is the serious nature of voting.
But I Voted For Social Justice Issues
Those who voted for him may respond that their vote was not based on his pro-abortion stance but other social issues. The response I gave in a previous homily is that clearly and logically this election did not involve a situation of ‘proportionate reason’ mentioned in the USCCB’s Faithful Citizenship. The issues of quality of life come into play only when candidates vying for office are equal on the issues dealing with life itself.
My Predictions
The ‘Freedom of Choice Act’, and other unjust legislation like it that will likely be proposed, also has the potential to force the Church out of health care. The Church, as the bearer of the Gospel of Life, will refuse to take part in committing intrinsically evil acts. The names like Providence, St. Vincent, Sacred Heart may remain on the outside of the hospitals, but their internal policies may no longer meaningfully reflect the teachings of Christ and His Church. Thus the legislation would spell disaster for the poor and will create a huge societal problem since the Church is one of the major providers of health care in the country, especially to the poor. Moreover, if the Church is not providing health care, then those with terminal illness and those who do not seem to have a sufficient ‘quality of life’ will lose their last protection from those who will want to kill them to save health care dollars – still more innocent lives lost.
Some may be reading this thinking that I’m being overly dramatic, that I’m over reacting. I would ask you to pay attention to the fruit; pay attention to actions and deeds and not the smile or soothing words. Beneath the smile and words is one who has already identified himself through his actions that he is against Christ and His Church on fundamental, non-negotiable issues.
The Coming Tribulation
For those followers of Christ who are serious about following Him understand that we may be entering a very difficult and trying period of history. The Church has had such times in the past and will again have them in the future. In the late 1990s, then Cardinal Ratzinger commented that he thought the Church was entering a period of trial, a time when the Church was to be more of a persecuted Church, a time when it would be most costly to follow Jesus, and thus a time when many of those who identify themselves as Catholic will fall away. Now he is Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of St. Peter and our chief Shepherd. It will become increasingly evident as the years pass whether he is a prophet. Personally, I believe him to be right. In my prayer over the past few years, I have sensed the same thing. It may take many years for it to come into full view, but with this ascendency of the Culture of Death we may see the beginnings of it in the next few years.
Be Prepared! Seek Mercy!
And so as the pastor of your souls and as your spiritual father, I urge you to prepare yourselves spiritually, through prayer, fasting, virtuous living and most of all faith, hope and love, for what is to come. Let us recommit ourselves in joy to protect and cherish the weak and vulnerable among us. If you are one who cast your vote for our new president, I urge you to seek the mercy of Jesus through the Sacrament of Confession that you may be absolved from the great evil this president says he will do. Jesus Christ has already definitively broken the power of evil and death. He will never abandon us or the world. He may be asking the members of His Body to have a deeper share with Him in the Cross, that the world might be saved.
Be A Saint!
We do not have to be afraid. We did not choose to live in these times, but He chose us to live in these times (In. 15:16) – that is a comforting truth. It is in times of trial that the members of Christ shine more brightly. St. Paul tells us as he told the Philippians, ‘Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14). Now is the time for saints! We stand with Our Lord Jesus and His angels and saints and will bring down the Culture of Death through the might of the divine love because with St. Paul we can say, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. John Cihak
http://www.courageouspriest.com/warning-did-you-vote-for-obama
Just in the past week we have seen tax funds funnelled to Pennsylvania to fund abortions under the Obamacare Health Program. (something we were promised by the President was off the table). We are seeing the beginnings of dismantling of the Catholic Health Care system due to the forcing of the abortion agenda on Catholic hospitals (either they will provide abortions or they will have to close) . Fr. Cihak's predictions are coming true.
Fast and pray.
Pax
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Our Lady of the Desert
One of my favorite things about traveling is getting to worship with new communities. I love being part of a universal church where I am welcome wherever I go, and I can see how other people celebrate Liturgy.
We had the distinct pleasure today to worship with an amazingly dynamic Catholic community on the Base at NAWS China Lake, California. They call themselves Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Community and they worship in the All Faith Chapel on the base.
This little community is a very vibrant one, led by a retired Navy chaplain Fr. James Dowds. C. Ss. R. Fr Dowds was charming and relatable and had a wonderful singing voice. Someone told us that when he first came to the chapel he did all of the music ministry himself, because to him a Mass without music was unthinkable.
The community while small, seems to be very active, with daily Mass and music and religious education ministries as well as other outreaches going on all year.
In fact the chapel on the base is so busy that the 9:00 a.m. Mass is on a time constraint in that the Protestant Community has a worship service that begins at 10:00 a.m. so we Catholics have to get done with Mass and clear out so that our brothers and sisters in faith can begin to prepare for their service.
Today we were lucky enough to be gifted with a musical selection from the protestant community bell choir during communion (I think it was probably their practice session for their service). How great is it that the communities that share the worship space feel that collegial about sharing their gifts. I also watched as the Protestant minister came over to retrieve the wireless microphone from Fr. at our Coffee and donuts so that he could use it at their service. (Fr was still in his vestments when he came over to share coffee and donuts with us).
I will take back a few lessons about Liturgy from this little community of faith that I will be able to bring to my work with the Liturgy committee at my own parish.
Pax
We had the distinct pleasure today to worship with an amazingly dynamic Catholic community on the Base at NAWS China Lake, California. They call themselves Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Community and they worship in the All Faith Chapel on the base.
This little community is a very vibrant one, led by a retired Navy chaplain Fr. James Dowds. C. Ss. R. Fr Dowds was charming and relatable and had a wonderful singing voice. Someone told us that when he first came to the chapel he did all of the music ministry himself, because to him a Mass without music was unthinkable.
The community while small, seems to be very active, with daily Mass and music and religious education ministries as well as other outreaches going on all year.
In fact the chapel on the base is so busy that the 9:00 a.m. Mass is on a time constraint in that the Protestant Community has a worship service that begins at 10:00 a.m. so we Catholics have to get done with Mass and clear out so that our brothers and sisters in faith can begin to prepare for their service.
Today we were lucky enough to be gifted with a musical selection from the protestant community bell choir during communion (I think it was probably their practice session for their service). How great is it that the communities that share the worship space feel that collegial about sharing their gifts. I also watched as the Protestant minister came over to retrieve the wireless microphone from Fr. at our Coffee and donuts so that he could use it at their service. (Fr was still in his vestments when he came over to share coffee and donuts with us).
I will take back a few lessons about Liturgy from this little community of faith that I will be able to bring to my work with the Liturgy committee at my own parish.
Pax
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Young Adult Spirituality: Help Is On the Way!!!!
I am so excited to announce that my friend Fr. Mark Mossa SJ has a book on spirituality for young adults that he has been working on for a long time that is available for pre-order from Amazon. I can assure you that this book will be worth the cost, and a great help to any young adult and anyone who works with young adults. I read a few of the chapters very early in the process and was very impressed.
Please consider placing your pre-order now for delivery in August for all the young adults and young adults ministers you know.
While you are waiting for the book to arrive, Fr. Mark has a website set up:
Spoiler Alert filled with fun posts and extra links that you can use while you are waiting. btw: I added the website to my blogroll on my sidebar.
Pax
Please consider placing your pre-order now for delivery in August for all the young adults and young adults ministers you know.
While you are waiting for the book to arrive, Fr. Mark has a website set up:
Spoiler Alert filled with fun posts and extra links that you can use while you are waiting. btw: I added the website to my blogroll on my sidebar.
Pax
Monday, May 24, 2010
Rabid Fandom
I am finding that in the aftermath of the Lost finale last night there are many on the social network sights that are inconsolable or are not taking well to being teased for their attachment to a show that I never quite got in its six year run. Fans of Lost show it a reverence that is a bit bizarre in my book and are bereft that it is gone.
Don't get me wrong, I love television. I especially love good writing, and was very upset when some of my favorite shows were cancelled, (I actually wrote to the network to try to get them to reconsider the cancellation of Joan of Arcadia), but I have never been one to analyze an end of show episode the way these folks have. It is almost spooky. I made what I thought was a harmless joke as a comment on one person's sight and he lashed back at me and called me intolerant for mocking his love of the show.
I wonder if these same fans are upset with Jimmy Kimmel for his series of Lost the"alternate endings" one of which I hear includes a surprise appearance by Bob Newhart. I didn't see those either, but I bet they were funny even if you hadn't ever seen the show.
Maybe I have a different perspective on the whole thing because I am a writer myself and I realize that all of the things these people are hotly debating are just stuff that somebody made up (as my husband says). In the grand scheme of things it just doesn't matter. Tomorrow, or next week, or next season a new show will come around and people will like it or they will find it oddly familiar in style. Then they will notice that the people who wrote for the show they were crying over the demise of last season are now writing for this new show. Life will go on.
Pax
Don't get me wrong, I love television. I especially love good writing, and was very upset when some of my favorite shows were cancelled, (I actually wrote to the network to try to get them to reconsider the cancellation of Joan of Arcadia), but I have never been one to analyze an end of show episode the way these folks have. It is almost spooky. I made what I thought was a harmless joke as a comment on one person's sight and he lashed back at me and called me intolerant for mocking his love of the show.
I wonder if these same fans are upset with Jimmy Kimmel for his series of Lost the"alternate endings" one of which I hear includes a surprise appearance by Bob Newhart. I didn't see those either, but I bet they were funny even if you hadn't ever seen the show.
Maybe I have a different perspective on the whole thing because I am a writer myself and I realize that all of the things these people are hotly debating are just stuff that somebody made up (as my husband says). In the grand scheme of things it just doesn't matter. Tomorrow, or next week, or next season a new show will come around and people will like it or they will find it oddly familiar in style. Then they will notice that the people who wrote for the show they were crying over the demise of last season are now writing for this new show. Life will go on.
Pax
Friday, May 14, 2010
A Good Read
I have it on good authority that this book is really good. I am not just saying this because the author happens to be one of my absolute favorite Grad School professors.
Ryan was our Pastoral Ministry professor at St. Meinrad. He is a Psychologist who graduated from West Point. He is the most soft spoken yet intimidating man (I am only half joking here) I have ever met. He taught me so much about myself and how to be a good minister to others in the time I was in his class that I can never thank him enough. He also made me want to be a better writer by making me cry, but that is another story for another day. He continually encourages me to write and share my gift of writing .
His writing is very engaging and the subject matter is very interesting. I would encourage you to read it if you have any interest in emotional maturity.
Pax
Ryan was our Pastoral Ministry professor at St. Meinrad. He is a Psychologist who graduated from West Point. He is the most soft spoken yet intimidating man (I am only half joking here) I have ever met. He taught me so much about myself and how to be a good minister to others in the time I was in his class that I can never thank him enough. He also made me want to be a better writer by making me cry, but that is another story for another day. He continually encourages me to write and share my gift of writing .
His writing is very engaging and the subject matter is very interesting. I would encourage you to read it if you have any interest in emotional maturity.
Pax
What I Learned From Walking 13.1 Miles
So, most of you know that I trained to walk in the Festival 500 Mini Marathon last weekend. I finished!!! in just over 4 hours. It was the most excruciating, amazing thing I have ever done. I know that I would have been so much faster if I hadn't gotten sick in February and March, but I kept at it, and even though I never quite got back the speed I had built up in early February I never gave up.
I met a woman in the corral before the race and we walked the entire way together. Without her support and companionship I don't know that I would have been able to finish. When I was out of steam she gave me what she had left, and I did the same for her.
We had one bad patch, just after we entered the Speedway. We made the mistake of stopping for a pit stop at what we thought was the designated place, and we waited for almost 15 minutes to use the "facilities". It turned out that there were plenty of "potties" just past the bathrooms where we stopped. What a waste of our time.
Mrangelmeg ran the race and finished in an amazing time of 1:41. I am so proud of him. He is ready to start training for a marathon. I will be right there to cheer him on if he does run in a marathon, but I think 13.1 is the longest distance I ever want to go.
I will admit that this was probably the best run event I have ever seen, and except for the very cold weather, was a lot of fun. You should give it a try.
I also want to give a big shout out to all of my classmates from Terre Haute South Vigo High School class of '78 we might be 50, but we are fabulous, and still BRAVE! Saturday proved that.
Pax
I met a woman in the corral before the race and we walked the entire way together. Without her support and companionship I don't know that I would have been able to finish. When I was out of steam she gave me what she had left, and I did the same for her.
We had one bad patch, just after we entered the Speedway. We made the mistake of stopping for a pit stop at what we thought was the designated place, and we waited for almost 15 minutes to use the "facilities". It turned out that there were plenty of "potties" just past the bathrooms where we stopped. What a waste of our time.
Mrangelmeg ran the race and finished in an amazing time of 1:41. I am so proud of him. He is ready to start training for a marathon. I will be right there to cheer him on if he does run in a marathon, but I think 13.1 is the longest distance I ever want to go.
I will admit that this was probably the best run event I have ever seen, and except for the very cold weather, was a lot of fun. You should give it a try.
I also want to give a big shout out to all of my classmates from Terre Haute South Vigo High School class of '78 we might be 50, but we are fabulous, and still BRAVE! Saturday proved that.
Pax
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What Catholics Can Learn from Kierkegaard
Of all the philosophers I read while I was studying for my MA degree, the one that I comprehended the most ( HA, the one I comprehended at all) was Soren Kierkegaard.
This article gives great insight into my understanding of how Kierkegaard viewed faith.
my favorite nugget of wisdom from the article is :
All in all, although Kierkegaard was not a Catholic, he reminds us that the monastic life is a shining example of how Catholics ought to approach their faith. Not by calling for all Catholics to take official vows or wear robes, but calling us to remember that at the heart of it all is a personal Divine Being who is worthy of and desires our simple, personal, and passionate commitment.
Pax
This article gives great insight into my understanding of how Kierkegaard viewed faith.
my favorite nugget of wisdom from the article is :
All in all, although Kierkegaard was not a Catholic, he reminds us that the monastic life is a shining example of how Catholics ought to approach their faith. Not by calling for all Catholics to take official vows or wear robes, but calling us to remember that at the heart of it all is a personal Divine Being who is worthy of and desires our simple, personal, and passionate commitment.
Pax
Sunday, April 25, 2010
This is . . . well . . . Awesome! The Only Four Chords You'll Ever Need
These guys are The Axis of Awesome, a comedy group from Australia. Warning they drop a few F-bombs, but the experience so much fun. Wish they would come to the USA.
Friday, April 23, 2010
You've Got Dragons-- Feast of St. George
Today our Calendar celebrates the feast of St. George. Patron Saint of England, and fighter of a dragon, or so the story goes.
Fr. had a really good homily about that today at the children's mass. You see, the story says that the dragon lived outside the town and the only way the townsfolk could get to their water supply was to "feed the dragon"; first sheep, but then when the sheep supply ran out they began to feed it their children. They cast lots to decide which children would be fed to the dragon.
Fr. said that the dragon was a metaphor for all the evil things that take away the good in our lives. We have to "feed the evil" and it continues to thrives so long as we feed it. It becomes more destructive and more greedy, asking more and more of us.
St. George didn't kill the dragon though. He tamed it. He told the people that there was only one way that the dragon would flee from their homeland, never to return. They had to accept Christ as their savior and be baptized, for Christ has promised that nothing that is His will ever be lost. (John 18:9). The story goes on to say that thousands were converted on that day and "the dragon" was never a problem for them ever again.
A while back one of our instructors read a children's book that made this exact point. It was called You've Got Dragons, by Katherine Cave and Nick Marland. 
What are "the dragons" in your life that you must feed? If you simply turn this over to Jesus, and trust that He will protect you, can you have faith that your dragons will be tamed, and then sent away?
Something to ponder.
Pax
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Prayers for Pope Benedict XVI
The Knights of Columbus have called for a Novena (nine days ) of prayers for support of Pope Benedict XVI beginning today and ending on April 19th. Each day, join us in saying the prayer below:
PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI
Lord, source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit
of courage and right judgment, a spirit
of knowledge and love. By governing
with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he, as successor to the Apostle
Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your
Church into a sacrament of unity, love
and peace for all the world. Amen.
V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.
R/ May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand
be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son,
whom you have anointed.
be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son,
whom you have anointed.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
In Solidarity With Our Holy Father
Adapted from Manual of Prayers
16000 4-10
Monday, March 29, 2010
Owl City artist on his faith
Owl City artist on his faith.
I heard Sean from the Air1 morning show read this on the air this morning and it brought tears to my eyes. These are the artists we need to support. My 13 year old daughter brightens up immediately when she hears his music come on the radio. He is truly glorifying God and sharing his love of creation through his music.
And what makes it nice from a parent's standpoint: not a single objectionable lyric in it at all.
Pax
I heard Sean from the Air1 morning show read this on the air this morning and it brought tears to my eyes. These are the artists we need to support. My 13 year old daughter brightens up immediately when she hears his music come on the radio. He is truly glorifying God and sharing his love of creation through his music.
And what makes it nice from a parent's standpoint: not a single objectionable lyric in it at all.
Pax
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Breaking Through
I had to write a paper for my Theology of the Trinity class that I took at St. Meinrad this semester. I was really worried about it because I have had writer's block since early last fall (as you can tell from my relative silence on my blog). I really wondered if I was going to be able to come up with anything of substance to say and tried three or four times to start an essay.
As last week moved along I really wondered if I was going to come up with anything. Then on Thursday morning I got an inspiration and sat down at my computer and came up with an introductory paragraph that actually sounded pretty good. After that, I began to put the threads in place, and I began to see a pattern emerging. As each strand of thought wove through the narrative, the piece became stronger. All the elements began to tie together in a way that had flow and resonance.
When I looked it over and moved a few paragraphs around and read through it in the finished form it actually gave me that fluttery, goose bumps feeling that I used to get when I wrote a good essay. That sort of feeling that comes from a place of awe as you read and think " did that actually come from me?" For the first time since last August I had written something I was really proud of having produced.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my joy with all of you. Hopefully, now that my writer's block is over I will be writing more on here than the short pieces I have been sporadically adding in the last few months. I am going to submit the essay I wrote for my Trinity class to Presence, the Spiritual Director's Journal and see if they will publish it. (yep, I really think it is that good.) If they do, I will post it here for you all to read.
Stay tuned, I will be writing more in the weeks to come. I have my passion for writing back.
Pax
As last week moved along I really wondered if I was going to come up with anything. Then on Thursday morning I got an inspiration and sat down at my computer and came up with an introductory paragraph that actually sounded pretty good. After that, I began to put the threads in place, and I began to see a pattern emerging. As each strand of thought wove through the narrative, the piece became stronger. All the elements began to tie together in a way that had flow and resonance.
When I looked it over and moved a few paragraphs around and read through it in the finished form it actually gave me that fluttery, goose bumps feeling that I used to get when I wrote a good essay. That sort of feeling that comes from a place of awe as you read and think " did that actually come from me?" For the first time since last August I had written something I was really proud of having produced.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my joy with all of you. Hopefully, now that my writer's block is over I will be writing more on here than the short pieces I have been sporadically adding in the last few months. I am going to submit the essay I wrote for my Trinity class to Presence, the Spiritual Director's Journal and see if they will publish it. (yep, I really think it is that good.) If they do, I will post it here for you all to read.
Stay tuned, I will be writing more in the weeks to come. I have my passion for writing back.
Pax
Sunday, March 07, 2010
One To Watch
My last year at St Meinrad I had the misfortune of taking philosophy classes with a young man who was a Glenmary Missionary preparing to enter the seminary. Where I was ending my gradual school time, he was collecting enough philosophy credits so that he would be allowed to enter the seminary in the fall.
Well, a year and a half ago Aaron Wessman did just that. He now isnot only a Glenmary Missionary but also a Seminarian at St. Meinrad School of Theology and has begun to share his reflections on his seminary time and his missionary work in a blog.
You can find it here:
Cognition of a Roman Catholic Missioner
I think if you want an interesting and refreshing look at what goes on in a semianry through the eyes of a Missionary seminarian you should be reading this blog. I have added it to my sidebar.
Well, a year and a half ago Aaron Wessman did just that. He now isnot only a Glenmary Missionary but also a Seminarian at St. Meinrad School of Theology and has begun to share his reflections on his seminary time and his missionary work in a blog.
You can find it here:
Cognition of a Roman Catholic Missioner
I think if you want an interesting and refreshing look at what goes on in a semianry through the eyes of a Missionary seminarian you should be reading this blog. I have added it to my sidebar.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Spread the Word Wednesday
Today is the official day of the week to spread the word about my new favorite comic strip:
If you used to like Calvin and Hobbes you will really like the wonderful adventures of Spencer and his best friend God. Spencer's family are very multi-dimensional. His parents are bemused but trying to be good examples for him and his little sister Ruby. Each week we get three new bits of what life is like for this family.
I hope you all come to enjoy it as much as I have.
Nate and Tommy are doing a really great job. but don't just take my word for it, my 13 year old daughter is a huge fan and can hardly wait until the next installment comes out.
Pax
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Day 11
My nephew Ben is recovering slowly from the skiing accident which happened eleven days ago. He went through a really bad patch over the weekend when his lungs were infected due to a nick that happened during a procedure to place a feeding tube when he first got to the hospital. Now he is awake, breathing on his own and talking to his parents.
There is a Facebook group Praying for Ben Smith that has 613 members already of friends of Ben's and friends of ours and friends of friends all pledged to help by praying for him. This just shows the power of prayer to uphold Ben and his family in their time of need. Ben has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but with that much prayer support backing him up, he has what he needs to get stronger every day.
Thanks to all of my friends who have pledged their prayer support for my sister Jeanne and her family as they live through this precarious time.
Pax
Friday, February 19, 2010
Because a Scooby Do Ending Makes Everything Better
And because I know you want more, click on the cartoon to get to the Doug Savage weblog of sticky note fun.
Pax
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A Few Reasons Why I Didn't Give up Facebook for Lent
There has been a huge push among Catholic Facebook users to give up their Facebook presence for the 40 Days of Lent as part of their Lenten Sacrifice. They see this as a way to strip away the "distraction" that Facebook may have become in their lives so that they can redirect that time toward God.
I did not join them. There are a few really important reasons why and I wish to share them with you:
Most of my extended family; all but three of my siblings, most of my nieces and nephews, my cousins, their husbands, wives, and children are all on facebook. As we have grown older and become separated geographically, Facebook is an immediate and very fun way to communicate and keep in touch with my family. I probably reply to my Cousin's daughter whom I have never met, but who is a college student in Texas every day. It is really nice that I have gotten this chance to get to know her. I would hate to give that up.
My nephew was in a skiing accident last Saturday and I have been able to ask all of my friends on Facebook to pray for him, and to connect them to his Facebook page Praying for Ben Smith where they can post prayers for him. There is such power in this for his family who are dealing with a long road to recovery. I have great friends and they are really stepping into the breach to show my sister and her family the power of Christian community on the Internet via Facebook.
I am also posting a snippet every day from the book I have chosen to use as my Lenten Reflection: Quantum Grace by Judy Cannato. The obedience of doing this every morning is helping me to stay faithful to my reflection on the book and has the ripple effect of sharing a bit with others (Catholic , non Catholic Christians, and non believers ) who are friends of mine on Facebook. To me this is a way for me to evangelize.
So, you see, I will be staying on Facebook. I will be posting daily updates about my nephew's progress as he heals of his injuries, and I will be posting my own progress as I move through the season of Lent. Oh and I will be posting responses to other people's posts in my normal, sarcastic, humorous style, because God gave me a sense of humor and I am pretty sure She doesn't want me to give that up for Lent.
Pax
I did not join them. There are a few really important reasons why and I wish to share them with you:
Most of my extended family; all but three of my siblings, most of my nieces and nephews, my cousins, their husbands, wives, and children are all on facebook. As we have grown older and become separated geographically, Facebook is an immediate and very fun way to communicate and keep in touch with my family. I probably reply to my Cousin's daughter whom I have never met, but who is a college student in Texas every day. It is really nice that I have gotten this chance to get to know her. I would hate to give that up.
My nephew was in a skiing accident last Saturday and I have been able to ask all of my friends on Facebook to pray for him, and to connect them to his Facebook page Praying for Ben Smith where they can post prayers for him. There is such power in this for his family who are dealing with a long road to recovery. I have great friends and they are really stepping into the breach to show my sister and her family the power of Christian community on the Internet via Facebook.
I am also posting a snippet every day from the book I have chosen to use as my Lenten Reflection: Quantum Grace by Judy Cannato. The obedience of doing this every morning is helping me to stay faithful to my reflection on the book and has the ripple effect of sharing a bit with others (Catholic , non Catholic Christians, and non believers ) who are friends of mine on Facebook. To me this is a way for me to evangelize.
So, you see, I will be staying on Facebook. I will be posting daily updates about my nephew's progress as he heals of his injuries, and I will be posting my own progress as I move through the season of Lent. Oh and I will be posting responses to other people's posts in my normal, sarcastic, humorous style, because God gave me a sense of humor and I am pretty sure She doesn't want me to give that up for Lent.
Pax
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
What He Said!
Everyone seemed to universally love the Doritos ad at the Superbowl that depicted the "tough" little boy. Everyone thought it was hilariously funny. Well I didn't, but my objections ran much deeper than that. I was livid after seeing that commercial, and for exactly the reasons spelled out in this wonderful article by Dennis Prager.
my favorite excerpt is this:
Those who argue that the boy was just defending his mom may well be right. But that only further reinforces the point of what a dysfunctional scene the ad was portraying: A leering man, a mother dressed in a sexually provocative way, and a sexually aware child who essentially serves as man of the house at the age of five.
Read it here.
So, call me a prude if you want, but give me the Betty White ad any day of the week.
Pax
my favorite excerpt is this:
Those who argue that the boy was just defending his mom may well be right. But that only further reinforces the point of what a dysfunctional scene the ad was portraying: A leering man, a mother dressed in a sexually provocative way, and a sexually aware child who essentially serves as man of the house at the age of five.
Read it here.
So, call me a prude if you want, but give me the Betty White ad any day of the week.
Pax
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
