tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144610918591567302024-02-06T23:04:56.746-05:00The Journeyman CarpenterProgress, man’s distinctive mark alone,
Not God’s, and not the beasts’: God is, they are,
Man partly is and wholly hopes to be.
-- Robert Browning “A Death in the Desert”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-2953612283662418762012-10-22T09:17:00.001-04:002012-10-22T09:17:31.054-04:00We're in this together!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRv2fWxZbl6sUfJFOLmV9aqF7CmaFKPVHz5JJaichHwgmQjyyrw781GhKhIgPJV3tk-IJ23cWk9zqCFlEzPsjFwRyuPkc7FhVHsQMzsRhyd7_tcy-FkC_0K8o5_2Xx4k_n6ycxyPcJ_mlb/s1600/Ordination_Procession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRv2fWxZbl6sUfJFOLmV9aqF7CmaFKPVHz5JJaichHwgmQjyyrw781GhKhIgPJV3tk-IJ23cWk9zqCFlEzPsjFwRyuPkc7FhVHsQMzsRhyd7_tcy-FkC_0K8o5_2Xx4k_n6ycxyPcJ_mlb/s640/Ordination_Procession.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Katie, William and I preparing to process at the beginning of the ordination (Photo by: </span>Colleen Bonadonna)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This weekend, I came across the following words from the Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey. It was part of an <a href="http://www.eucharisticcongress.net/bishop-oconnells-ec-homilies/remarks-to-permanent-deacons-and-their-wives/" target="_blank">address he gave to his permanent deacons </a>on October 13, 2012 - the day of my ordination in Richmond, Virginia! I think they reflect the sentiment captured by this photograph perfectly. The only thing I would add is that our children have an integral role to play as well! <br />
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"A word about the person who came here with you, the person sitting next to you, the person who shares you with the Church: your wives.<br />
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"In addition to loving you — and that is a probably a special challenge in itself — she is called to love your ministry. Together, you give powerful witness to the Sacrament of Marriage and to family life. There is a special grace and holiness to that. The more you grow in mutual love, and love and dedication to your family, the greater the witness you give to the Christian community. A married deacon cannot do this alone. You must do it together with your wives. As a couple you make an incredibly unique contribution to the renewal of married life and love in your communities. The wife of the married deacon is called to an extraordinary life of faith and fidelity. Your life as wife and mother goes hand in hand, literally, with the pastoral ministry your husband exercises. Your love and support sanctifies him and gives the most profound witness to those he serves. Love, cherish and sanctify her as well."<br />
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- Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Bishop of Trenton, New Jersey </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-23806496631505895282012-06-29T18:14:00.000-04:002012-06-29T18:14:26.995-04:00Retreat!Well, I am heading off to the <a href="http://www.stfrancissprings.com/catholic_retreats.html" target="_blank">Saint Francis Springs Prayer Center</a> for five days of solitude in the woods of North Carolina. All candidates for ordination are required to make such a retreat before they are ordained (<a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3R.HTM" target="_blank">Canon 1039</a>). I have never been on a silent retreat before, so I am really excited to see what God has to say, if I am only willing to let him get a word in edgewise! I promise to keep you all in my prayer this week and ask you to do the same.<br />
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A friend described this center as "Frank Lloyd Wright meets the Adirondacks" From their <a href="http://www.stfrancissprings.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StFrancisSpringsPrayerCenter" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, it looks like I will have a wonderful experience. In the "It's a Small World" category, the spiritual director on site next week is from the motherhouse of the <a href="http://www.scceast.org/" target="_blank">Sisters of Christian Charity</a>, located in Mendham, New Jersey - my hometown! Since I am a firm believer that God often uses the pseudonym "Coincidence," who knows what He has in store for me!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-60886375343321798012012-06-23T21:51:00.000-04:002012-06-23T21:51:50.778-04:00Promises, promises....Since deacons are permitted to preach during Mass, and are official representatives of the Church, <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2R.HTM" target="_blank">Canon Law requires</a> that all candidates for ordination to the diaconate must make a profession of Faith and take an Oath of Fidelity in front of the Local Bishop (or his delegate) prior to ordination. Today, I did just that.<br />
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<b>PROFESSION OF FAITH</b></div>
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I, <i>Joseph Marotta</i>, with firm faith believe and profess each and everything that is contained in the Symbol of faith, namely:</div>
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I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.</div>
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With firm faith, I also believe everything contained in the word of God, whether written or handed down in Tradition, which the Church, either by a solemn judgement or by the ordinary and universal Magisterium, sets forth to be believed as divinely revealed.</div>
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I also firmly accept and hold each and everything definitively proposed by the Church regarding teaching on faith and morals.</div>
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Moreover, I adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman Pontiff or the College of Bishops enunciate when they exercise their authentic Magisterium, even if they do not intend to proclaim these teachings by a definitive act.</div>
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<b>OATH OF FIDELITY</b></div>
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<b>ON ASSUMING AN OFFICE</b></div>
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<b>TO BE EXERCISED IN THE NAME OF THE CHURCH</b></div>
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I, <i>Joseph Marotta</i>, in assuming the office of deacon, promise that in my words and in my actions I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church.</div>
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With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the duties incumbent on me toward the Church, both universal and particular, in which, according to the provisions of the law, I have been called to exercise my service.</div>
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In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety; I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it, and I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it.</div>
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I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the entire Church and I shall maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law.</div>
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With Christian obedience I shall follow what the Bishops, as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith, declare, or what they, as those who govern the Church, establish. I shall also faithfully assist the diocesan Bishops, so that the apostolic activity, exercised in the name and by mandate of the Church, may be carried out in communion with the Church.</div>
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So help me God, and God’s Holy Gospels on which I place my hand.<br />
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It was a pretty major step for me, and as you can tell by its length, we are being asked to promise some pretty serious stuff as we embark on a pretty serious job! But it really hit home when I was given a stack of the following announcements:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfQHSujcSoN4UKSYofHW2gzT1hnqUPLMFmkUflDsbBgpfB_mf-YCLZ_2LdiaWMz8HpIZpouL0xXTUumZuzTkA6Z9eHj5WdHo5U3gnjGqbEdopxWjuj94ma6ST-OHPvuiEuc8TQ5OwvwgT/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfQHSujcSoN4UKSYofHW2gzT1hnqUPLMFmkUflDsbBgpfB_mf-YCLZ_2LdiaWMz8HpIZpouL0xXTUumZuzTkA6Z9eHj5WdHo5U3gnjGqbEdopxWjuj94ma6ST-OHPvuiEuc8TQ5OwvwgT/s640/DSC_0155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So folks, mark your calendars! I sure hope someone remembers to mop the cathedral floor!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-90973993548391452292012-06-16T06:48:00.001-04:002012-06-16T06:48:24.835-04:00Pre-Cana, American Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
A couple of days ago, Deacon Greg lamented the current state of affairs when it comes to <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/06/can-you-perform-the-wedding-ceremony/" target="_blank">Catholics preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony</a>. I came across this video that I think goes a long way to explaining how we arrived at that state. It is a bit on the long side (nearly 15 minutes), but makes an important point in a funny way.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uxvEi7reiHw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Simply providing more instruction on the sacrament is <i><b>not </b></i>the answer. The problem is much deeper than a lack of knowledge. I think we need to reintroduce nearly an entire Church to the concept of marriage as a <i>vocation</i>. So the question really is, how the heck do we do that?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-573534456821329622012-06-15T23:37:00.000-04:002012-06-15T23:43:40.592-04:00The Sacred Heart of a Parent<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bzNZOwD0p2g3ArYhMQtQ3DFVHztHsD2IywVP1PKFMLJ_OXCPPmg7y7qOSzel8nNvJWrTEqIW5UPnBnWkCG38shnd2759xKwKvpNrEuqmTtm61xQf6JuXo273Jw5CVJUi_fK1Rp-BKrBw/s1600/7058857547_00a137c858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bzNZOwD0p2g3ArYhMQtQ3DFVHztHsD2IywVP1PKFMLJ_OXCPPmg7y7qOSzel8nNvJWrTEqIW5UPnBnWkCG38shnd2759xKwKvpNrEuqmTtm61xQf6JuXo273Jw5CVJUi_fK1Rp-BKrBw/s400/7058857547_00a137c858.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/7058857547/" target="_blank">Mike Baird</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Conspicuously absent from the Ten Commandments is any obligation of parent to child. We must suppose that God felt it unnecessary to command by law what He had ensured by love. ~<a href="http://www.robertbrault.com/" target="_blank">Robert Brault</a></span></i></blockquote>
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My family spent the past week at the beach. The weather has been great, and I have enjoyed watching my four children play in the surf and sand. It was not too long ago that Katie and I would not even think of allowing them to go near the water without one of us within arm's reach. As their swimming ability improved, so did our comfort level - first ankle deep, then knees, until now we are able to enjoy the sun on the beach as they frolic in the waves. However, we still find ourselves counting heads every few moments... just to be sure. My guess is that we'll do that forever.</div>
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Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a feast that calls us to reflect upon the love God has for each of us. The readings proclaimed during Mass today help us in this endeavor. The <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062212.cfm" target="_blank">First Reading</a> - from the Book of Hosea, opens with a reminder that God's love is a parent's love: "When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son...I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks." The intimacy of this passage is quite profound! Our God is no distant deity - his care and concern bring him as close as a parent's affectionate embrace. </div>
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As we grow, we become less and less fond of that embrace. We seek to find our own way, and crave independence. Still, even after our parents relent and allow us to head out on our own, they are usually not far behind - read to pick up the pieces. My kids may think they are on their own in the ocean, but it would only take one big wave to propel Katie and I out of our beach chairs and into the surf. </div>
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And so it is with God.<i> </i>His love for us is not conditioned on our making good choices. He is there for us regardless. Hosea reminds us, "though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer." The Sacred Heart of Jesus is with us whenever we encounter sacrificial love. Whenever we sacrifice for others, we participate in the Sacred Heart. </div>
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As we enter into this Father's Day weekend, I invite us to call to mind all of the sacrifices our fathers made (or continue to make) for us - to provide for our material, emotional and spiritual needs. However expressed, that gift is a constant reminder of the love God has for each of us. No matter how big the wave, there is always a loving arm to keep us safe. </div>
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<u1:p></u1:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-7507639232320777302011-07-15T15:36:00.001-04:002011-07-15T15:38:22.538-04:00Joke of the DayI think having a son named Jack made me giggle all the more at this joke: <br /><blockquote>Jack's mother ran into the bedroom when she heard him scream and found his two-year old sister pulling his hair. She gently released the little girl's grip and said comfortingly to Jack, "There, there. She didn't mean it. She doesn't know that hurts."<br /><br />She was barely out of the room when the little girl screamed. Rushing back in, she asked, "What happened?"<br /><br />"She knows now," Jack replied.</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-81155827562571330502011-06-29T14:00:00.002-04:002011-06-29T14:03:12.394-04:00Joke of the DayThanks to the <a href="http://happycatholic.blogspot.com/">Happy Catholic</a>, I came across <a href="http://branemrys.blogspot.com/2011/06/jesuit-jokes.html">this site </a>with a few gems, including this one:<br /><blockquote>A miser had three sons, one of whom became a Dominican, one of whom became a Franciscan, and one of whom became a Jesuit. On his deathbed he called them in and told them that he wanted each of them to place a thousand dollars in his casket to be buried with him.<br /><br />At the service, the three went up and the Dominican said, "This is a waste of money, Dad, but since you are my father and I owe you your last wishes, I've gotten permission from my Order to fulfill them." And he place a thousand dollars in hundred-dollar bills in the casket.<br /><br />The Franciscan said, "Dad, it eats me up inside, but there is so much good that could be done with that thousand for people who need it more that I just can't do it: I will not waste it on something so frivolous."<br /><br />The Jesuit behind him clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, brother, I have you covered." Then he took the Dominican's thousand out of the casket, pocketed it, and replaced it with a check for three thousand dollars.</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-10437996838125717962011-04-27T10:00:00.004-04:002011-04-27T10:05:29.340-04:00Prayer of the Week<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tmwmn1P_PlOVhJtuEt6XZPPHJ1i-JW8CaXaGYTGKy-7c3KPaHcEz2yqJyf3W9qEkHxmWoDfCJhwoO_wqoVCKpZZX1yHWzamP7RG889e5ZOaLTHgkjwfC18z7twjiptfTLhUa_g2NlZJz/s1600/untravelled+road.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600263725822667682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tmwmn1P_PlOVhJtuEt6XZPPHJ1i-JW8CaXaGYTGKy-7c3KPaHcEz2yqJyf3W9qEkHxmWoDfCJhwoO_wqoVCKpZZX1yHWzamP7RG889e5ZOaLTHgkjwfC18z7twjiptfTLhUa_g2NlZJz/s400/untravelled+road.jpg" /></a><br />MY LORD GOD,<br /><br />I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.<br /><br />But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.<br /><br />Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. </div><br /><br /><div align="right"><br />- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude" </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-88089997838918217282011-03-25T09:00:00.058-04:002012-06-15T21:19:19.392-04:00The Annunciation<div align="justify">
Today, is the Solemnity of the Annunciation. It is nine months to the day before Christmas. If retailers had any clue about this feast's significance, I am quite certain we would be hearing Christmas carols on the radio and the window displays would be up already!!</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588002078912853234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfc6siqQ-dCfBRZhJQtOwIGgWJIfRnEC8XrP-OlosJ-JbELsHplLkx2yTX7h2cFbiOfs5uVus69BvohRDl3zB68Ym3xA3qRpk7tlsQfdHB7ywdv1qoIUCTA5Ii1kuzghdmNEZVA_y3uqXw/s400/annunciation-by-collier-298x300.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 298px;" /><br />
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Last year, <a href="http://www.patheos.com/community/deaconsbench/2010/12/20/hail-full-of-grace/">Deacon Greg </a>shared this depiction of The Visitation, painted by <a href="http://www.hillstream.com/index.html">John Collier</a>. I think the expression on "Mary's" face is priceless. You can almost hear her say, "Ummm....excuse me?!?!"</div>
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I am taking time this lent to read some of my favorite Jesuit authors. This morning, as providence would have it, I came across the following poem by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denise_Levertov">Denise Levertov </a>in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Like-No-Other-Experiencing/dp/0829427023"><em>A Friendship Like No Other</em> </a>by William Barry, S.J.</div>
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<pre style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Annunciation</u></span></strong><span style="font-size: large;">
We know the scene: the room, variously furnished,
almost always a lectern, a book; always
the tall lily.
Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings,
the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering,
whom she acknowledges, a guest.
But we are told of meek obedience. No one
mentions
courage.
The engendering Spirit
did not enter her without consent.
God waited.
She was free
to accept or to refuse, choice
integral to humanness.
Aren't there annunciations
of one sort or another
in most lives?
Some unwillingly
undertake great destinies,
enact them in sullen pride,
uncomprehending.
More often
those moments
when roads of light and storm
open from darkness in a man or woman,
are turned away from
in dread, in a wave of weakness, in despair
and with relief.
Ordinary lives continue.
God does not smite them.
But the gates close, the pathway vanishes.
She had been a child who played, ate, slept
like any other child—but unlike others,
wept only for pity, laughed
in joy not triumph.
Compassion and intelligence
fused in her, indivisible.
Called to a destiny more momentous
than any in all of Time,
she did not quail,
only asked
a simple, 'How can this be?'
and gravely, courteously,
took to heart the angel's reply,
perceiving instantly
the astounding ministry she was offered:
to bear in her womb
Infinite weight and lightness; to carry
in hidden, finite inwardness,
nine months of Eternity; to contain
in slender vase of being,
the sum of power—
in narrow flesh,
the sum of light.
Then bring to birth,
push out into air, a Man-child
needing, like any other,
milk and love—
but who was God. </span></pre>
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And don't forget Canon 1251:<br />
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"Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, <strong><em>unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday.</em></strong> Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday."<br />
<br />
Have a blessed weekend!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-64530475466356592072011-03-19T15:26:00.008-04:002011-03-19T16:17:16.836-04:00Buon Onomastico!<div align="justify">Growing up, unlike my sister, I never received a St. Patrick's Day card from my Irish grandmother. No, the card I received in the middle of March every year wished me a "Happy St. Joseph's Day". I always thought that was the coolest thing. I had a feast day all to myself! I guess since Jesus' foster-father is actually the patron of the <em>entire</em> Church, that isn't entirely accurate, but a boy can dream, can't he? (<a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew1.htm">Joseph certainly did</a>!)</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585877277354106434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Lwkl18g6bUGv-iAzA74SHahslKyjhW8vg03QPe8LologAl5UeJHppm7l-TSm9wTO4bQMGvPffLzS8F8kWc-hfX9XsYuVstQfPeTkj4VO_IFXGgY5tRPaDhel_Ba0_xxdvYtwn9Vg04cE/s400/flight+to+egypt.jpg" /><br /><div align="justify">From the first time I saw it, I have always enjoyed Barocci's painting of the Holy Family. It is called "Rest on the Flight to Egypt" and, although it depicts <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew2.htm">Joseph taking the Son of God away from Herod's slaughter of the innocents</a>, there is such a serene joy to be found. The smile on his face says it all. Joseph is HAPPY to be a dad! </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Here is a little video clip from one of my favorite authors, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/James-Martin/e/B002L09ZEY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1300565800&sr=8-1">James Martin, S.J.</a> I have been reading some of his works this Lenten season, and I think he does a great job of painting a portrait of my patron!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /><object style="WIDTH: 640px; HEIGHT: 390px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gm1rUs39XWY?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gm1rUs39XWY?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Prayer to Saint Joseph for Fathers </strong></div><br /><div align="center">Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary,<br />you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty.<br />You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands.<br /><br />Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you.<br />You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes.<br />They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them.<br /><br />You too knew trial, labor and weariness.<br />But amid the worries of material life, your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother.<br /><br />Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone.<br /><br />Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done.<br /><br />Amen.<br /><br /></div><div align="right">-Pope John XXIII</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-32003757824930343402011-03-12T21:44:00.004-05:002011-03-12T22:18:03.211-05:00Tolle ... Lege!<div align="justify">A few years ago <a href="http://journeymancarpenter.blogspot.com/2007/10/this-is-my-path.html">I wrote</a> about a young woman named <a href="http://blinknow.org/about-maggie-doyne/">Maggie Doyne</a>. She grew up in the same small, wealthy suburb in Northern New Jersey as I. (Albeit nearly a decade later!) When she graduated from high school, she took a different path than the rest of her classmates (nearly all of whom were embarking on four years of parent-funded college education). Instead of studying, she went to Nepal and built an orphanage... using money she earned babysitting to purchase the land! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Road_Not_Taken_(poem)">Robert Frost</a> would certainly describe her path as the “one less travelled.” “And <em>that</em>” I am quite certain, “has made all the difference.”<br /><br />Now, I have never met Maggie, and all I know about her and her work has been gleaned from a couple of newspaper articles and her <a href="http://blinknow.org/about-kopila-valley/">website</a> (which, by the way, I encourage you to visit). Here is a little snippet:<br /><br /><iframe height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16012184" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe><br /><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/16012184">Kopila Valley Children's Home</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2889630">maggie doyne</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><div align="justify">The lives she and “her” children lead are far from easy, but there is a profound joy is quite evident in their faces.<br /><br />As I look at the Scripture readings from <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/031211.shtml">today</a> and <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/031111.shtml">yesterday</a>, a few things strike me.<br /><br />As we enter into Lent, we ask ourselves, “What will <em>I</em> give up this year?” Isaiah points out, however, that we have to move past the “<em>I</em>.” Instead, we need to look outward: to the oppressed, the hungry, the naked and the homeless. Instead of simply heading off to college, Maggie placed her own education aside and instead devoted her life to the <em>anawim</em> of Nepal. In doing so she has become, in the words of Isaiah, a “Restorer of ruined homesteads.”<br /><br />Today’s Gospel tells the story of Levi the tax collector. Christ commanded him to “Follow me.” “And leaving all behind, he got up and followed him.” He left one way of life behind, and embarked on a completely different one. <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/030311.shtml">Just last week</a>, we heard that after Jesus healed the blind Bartimaeus “he followed [Jesus] on the way.” Unlike Levi, however, Jesus did not order Bartimaeus to follow him; instead he said, “Go your way.” However, after his encounter with Jesus, Bartimaeus’ way was Christ’s way.<br /><br />Contrast these two stories, for a moment, with a similar one with a very different ending. Not long ago, we heard the story of <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/luke/luke18.htm">Jesus and the Rich Young Man</a>. (Luke 18:18-25) This official had <em>done</em> ‘all the right things’: he followed the commandments to the letter and felt quite justified in his life. He wanted to know what he needed to do to earn eternal life. Jesus’ answer was simple: “follow me”. However, in order for the officials’ “way” to be Jesus’ “Way” he first had to “sell all that [he had] and distribute it to the poor.” Well, that was just too much for the man. He was too attached to his old way of life. It was one where he was in control, and he simply had to do the right things.<br /><br />Letting go. Detaching. Turning away. Once we do that, we are able to start to follow God’s plan, and become one with Christ. Only then will His Way be our way. That’s what Lent is all about. When we focus our efforts on helping others, we naturally turn it away from ourselves. Maggie did, and her life is the richer for it. She is an Icon of the selfless service Christ calls us to offer. In fact, I am quite sure her story is a sacrament of the life offered totally to others. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-72911944439962617112011-03-11T22:53:00.012-05:002011-03-11T23:10:25.945-05:00Tolle ... Lege!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHok7goaYw2_cOI4x6wnvuGpmsGk3nkyv2sLx7fCOGnPmiNJliVMlfy3zdDtGTB735qD60E-kK4yrgk3xNTczIhwe3Nn39PnPFyB5-KLRhuHOOdJIDoyO3vhy92EZoh-J0fV5Ap8njOhWV/s1600/Tolle1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583038852832018034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHok7goaYw2_cOI4x6wnvuGpmsGk3nkyv2sLx7fCOGnPmiNJliVMlfy3zdDtGTB735qD60E-kK4yrgk3xNTczIhwe3Nn39PnPFyB5-KLRhuHOOdJIDoyO3vhy92EZoh-J0fV5Ap8njOhWV/s200/Tolle1.jpg" /></a> <div align="justify">In an attempt to increase the "post tempo" on this blog, I am going to embark on a little project this Lent. In his <em>Confessions</em>, Saint Augustine recounts the story of his conversion to Christianity. He was particularly torn between his licentious life as a teacher of rhetoric and the yearnings he felt to be closer to God. One day, as he struggled to choose, he heard a child’s voice instructing him to “take up and read!” (<em>tolle, lege! </em>in Latin). Believing it was a message from God, he grabbed a nearby copy of Scripture and randomly selected a passage. His eye fell upon Romans 13:13-14:<br /></div><blockquote><p align="justify">let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.</p></blockquote><div>Of course, as we know, the rest is history. As an aside, a professor of mine once commented on how different things might be if he randomly opened to the Song of Songs instead! </div><div align="justify"><br />In an occasional series, I will attempt to apply this approach in a manner consistent with a quote often attributed to the theologian Karl Barth: “preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” I will use the Lectionary Readings for a given day, along with randomly selected newswire sources as my inspiration. Here's hoping that a regular "feature" will encourage me to click "Publish Post" a bit more often.</div><div align="justify"><br />And, we’ll see where it goes…. </div><br /><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-75217375886675353522011-03-02T12:38:00.007-05:002011-03-11T15:38:48.601-05:00Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still...<div align="justify">In the wake of the Haiti Earthquake last January, <a href="http://www.dsj.org/being-catholic/worship/">Diana Macalintal </a>- a colleague of mine from our work with the <a href="http://www.naforum.org/wordpress/">North American Forum on the Catechumenate</a>, wrote a beautiful prayer. Like a master painter, she used scriptural allusions like so many brushstrokes upon a canvas. Little did she know that a year later, and half a world away, those words would be used to call upon God to comfort those affected by another tragedy. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">According to ElesiProductions's (The producer of the video below) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ElesiProductions">YouTube Channel</a>, "The Arch Bishop of Wellington [New Zealand] had sent out a letter to be read out during the liturgy which included a prayer titled "A Prayer After The Earthquake" by Diana Macalintal." </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Take a moment (or four) to join your voice in prayer with all those who continue to recover - be it in Haiti, New Zealand, or wherever the "earth refuses to stand still and ... homes no longer exist." Then, take a moment to join with me as I give thanks for people like Diana who give us the words to say when there are no words to say.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8Vfo_Y_zpjQ" frameborder="0" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><strong>A Prayer After the Earthquake in Haiti<br /><br /></strong>Lord, at times such as this,<br />when we realize that the ground beneath our feet<br />is not as solid as we had imagined,<br />we plead for your mercy.<br /><br />As the things we have built crumble about us,<br />we know too well how small we truly are<br />on this ever-changing, ever-moving,<br />fragile planet we call home.<br />Yet you have promised never to forget us.<br /><br />Do not forget us now.<br /><br />Today, so many people are afraid.<br />They wait in fear of the next tremor.<br />They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble.<br />They roam the streets in shock at what they see.<br />And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief<br />and the names of missing dead.<br /><br />Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.<br />Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,<br />and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist.<br /><br />Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day.<br />Console the hearts of those who mourn,<br />and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.<br /><br />Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion,<br />we who watch from afar,<br />as the poorest on this side of the earth<br />find only misery upon misery.<br />Move us to act swiftly this day,<br />to give generously every day,<br />to work for justice always,<br />and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.<br /><br />And once the shaking has ceased,<br />the images of destruction have stopped filling the news,<br />and our thoughts return to life’s daily rumblings,<br />let us not forget that we are all your children<br />and they, our brothers and sisters.<br />We are all the work of your hands.<br /><br />For though the mountains leave their place<br />and the hills be tossed to the ground,<br />your love shall never leave us,<br />and your promise of peace will never be shaken.<br /><br />Our help is in the name of the Lord,<br />who made heaven and earth.<br />Blessed be the name of the Lord,<br />now and forever. Amen.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Copyright © 2010, Diana Macalintal. Permission is given to reprint for non-commercial use.<br /></span><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-5874242845679522052011-01-29T10:51:00.002-05:002011-01-29T11:04:11.534-05:00A reading from the Holy Gospel According to Matthew...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbtAwI0qdR_vhF-cU25SdprgEELZzFu3ipUGR1_4T0bXjJuk1KcNoLNbOCYYpLuFBkbiL-cUkJQF6mjyrxAFJ8RjCFXFkKrAHbBWkU6FxIcbQJnsJdZl7VtcWk-r8K7yd9-FY2autdPtK/s1600/Beatitudes.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 606px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567639200720703730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbtAwI0qdR_vhF-cU25SdprgEELZzFu3ipUGR1_4T0bXjJuk1KcNoLNbOCYYpLuFBkbiL-cUkJQF6mjyrxAFJ8RjCFXFkKrAHbBWkU6FxIcbQJnsJdZl7VtcWk-r8K7yd9-FY2autdPtK/s400/Beatitudes.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-42750964233967404232010-09-23T21:22:00.003-04:002011-03-03T16:47:04.191-05:00Quote of the Day<blockquote><p align="justify">"If we're serious about our responsibility to the church, we must take a restorative approach to help victims and offenders instead of a revenge approach that most always hurts everyone involved."</p></blockquote><div align="right">- <a href="http://tnconfrev.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html">Harmon Wray</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-41308716771461869102010-08-27T20:17:00.003-04:002011-03-03T16:46:44.729-05:00Quote of the Day<blockquote><p><br />"We have come to know Man as he really is. After all, man is that being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord's Prayer or the <em>Shema Yisrael</em> on his lips."</p><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><p align="right">- Viktor E. Frankl</p><p align="right"><em></em> </p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14691139634120839702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-77060281666581359092010-01-12T22:00:00.000-05:002010-01-12T22:02:33.423-05:00Lord, hear our prayer.A Prayer for Victims of the Earthquake<br /><br />We mourn the death and destruction, O Lord,<br />And we pray for those who died in this recent disaster.<br />May their souls rest in peace. <br />May their families be comforted.<br /><br />We pray for the living survivors. <br />Be with them, Lord, in this traumatic time.<br />May they experience Your healing,<br />In their spirits as well as their bodies.<br /><br />We pray for the communities affected.<br />May they come together in solidarity<br />To rebuild and to affirm new life <br />Amid the ancient stones.<br /><br />-by Jane DerenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-10644388122982591032009-11-22T13:09:00.003-05:002009-11-22T15:04:30.311-05:00The Feast of Christ the KingSay what you will about liturgical dance, but this will <em><strong>always </strong></em>bring a smile to my face!!!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oASYa-Wkroc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oASYa-Wkroc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Although "King of Glory" has fallen out of favor as an Entrance Hymn at mass, I still have memories of many a childhood mass - in a school gymnasium - opening with this song!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-25768173398736410842009-10-27T04:12:00.004-04:002009-10-27T04:21:29.729-04:00M-I-C-K-E-Y .... M-O-U-S-E!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxniu5cWDTX4zgmMIC6D3EtNd3UuD-HsRfGUKDQtAwfN1LPMOxTHEY_PXP13B_UL21Z45Da_voMNA9Px_miwhLqswiWQBn5oYt5lGPYW-wehgrQdRvcV-PIaeQVmEvJcS5oHeC5oAsCd3/s1600-h/epcot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397191932290640562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxniu5cWDTX4zgmMIC6D3EtNd3UuD-HsRfGUKDQtAwfN1LPMOxTHEY_PXP13B_UL21Z45Da_voMNA9Px_miwhLqswiWQBn5oYt5lGPYW-wehgrQdRvcV-PIaeQVmEvJcS5oHeC5oAsCd3/s400/epcot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">It is four o'clock in the morning, and we are about to board a six o'clock flight to Orlando where we will celebrate the triplets' sixth birthday with our parents siblings Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Pluto!<br /><br />Although I had been to the Happiest Place on Earth many times before, going with our kids for the first time was a emotional experience. So, as we make our final preparations, I leave you with this reflection from the last time we went:<br /><br /></div><br /><blockquote><br /><p align="justify">As a child, my family made the trek to Florida about three or four times. Then, Katie and I made the trip a couple times before we had children. As wonderful, and memorable as all those trips were, they cannot compare with the experience we had when we brought all four children down for their first visit.<br /><br />It did not even take fireworks to make me tear up! Since we were staying at one of the resorts, we took advantage of the Shuttle Bus service from the airport to the hotel. The bus had little tv's to keep the kids (of all ages)occupied during the trip. Then, as we approached the main gate, the bus driver turned off the monitors.<br /><br />"Alright folks, here we go! Help me count down.<br /><br />"Ten, nine, eight, seven..."<br /><br />I looked over at my six year old son His nose was plastered to the window.<br /><br />"six, five, four ..."<br /><br />I thought, how cool to see the excitement in his face.<br /><br />"three, two, one... WELCOME TO DISNEY WORLD!!!"<br /><br />I was crying. The joy that I had remembered from my childhood. The magic of those days as a young couple, all the wonderful happy experiences that I associated with Disney World. We were going to be able to share with them as they made those experiences their own.<br /><br />I could not help but wonder, "Is this how God feels? Is this the kind of joy that he feels when we are able to experience His Kingdom?"<br /><br />I gave Christopher a huge hug. He looked at me, puzzled, and asked "Why are you crying?" I replied,<br /><br />"Someday, you will know. Until then, promise me you will never forget this trip."<br /><br />I know that I never will. I look forward to the day when, nose pressed up on the glass, I will ride into the Heavenly Kingdom and feel the embrace of God.<br /><br />I just hope that the wait for Space Mountain won't be as long!</p></blockquote><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-44313923039848416022009-10-03T13:02:00.002-04:002009-10-03T13:02:00.465-04:00"Sometimes I forget to pray. But some days I pray extra if there's nothing good on television."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm72GsRwg3nza4qCMuBzvVPm9sD6Tks9WaMiLzHUs3qkLPKrDpFqjtoHgqZA_ND7aV-n9Jrlnv4odcslVc7hqg58jw84_z3iSdSPAz_AVOjoie8uGzxYXoMHf0raFZqCPFoF8ce3LeLjM/s1600-h/Barbruck.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388396073137618882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm72GsRwg3nza4qCMuBzvVPm9sD6Tks9WaMiLzHUs3qkLPKrDpFqjtoHgqZA_ND7aV-n9Jrlnv4odcslVc7hqg58jw84_z3iSdSPAz_AVOjoie8uGzxYXoMHf0raFZqCPFoF8ce3LeLjM/s400/Barbruck.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I came across this interesting story at the Wall Street Journal website. The headline? "In This Picturesque Village, the Rent Hasn't Been Raised Since 1520"<br /><br />The <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123025158419834413.html#articleTabs%3Darticle">related article </a>has some great quotes, including the title of this post.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-47166497237588272032009-10-03T10:36:00.008-04:002009-10-03T11:15:30.352-04:00Yeah, but could St. Peter sing "Piano Man"?<a href="http://blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench/">Deacon Greg</a> shared the following video from his new digs over at <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/">BeliefNet</a> (be sure to change your bookmark!)<br /><br /><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xSu4pbhaOQY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xSu4pbhaOQY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />When you get a chance, check out <a href="http://www.liturgy.co.nz/#">Liturgy</a> - a site out of New Zealand with all sorts of resources about Christian liturgy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-61419436129699790982009-09-03T09:07:00.006-04:002011-03-03T16:48:11.592-05:00Quote of the DayFrom <a href="http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/2009/09/02/on-senator-kennedys-funeral/">Sean Cardinal O'Malley's blog</a>:<br />
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<blockquote><p align="justify">“If God were to take away all His blessings, health, physical fitness, wealth, intelligence, and leave me but one gift, I would ask for faith – for with faith in Him and His goodness, mercy, love for me, and belief in everlasting life, I believe I could suffer the loss of my other gifts and still be happy – trustful, leaving all to His inscrutable Providence.”</p><p align="right">- Rose Kennedy<br />
</p></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-89348455201956177202009-08-15T11:15:00.002-04:002009-08-15T11:23:47.642-04:00Cooperating in a Miracle<p class="zemanta-img" style="DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 1em; WIDTH: 310px" jquery1250349228875="470"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HudsonRiverJavitsCenter.agr.JPG" jquery1250349228875="575"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="225" alt="Hudson from Midtown Manhattan with Javits Conv..." src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/HudsonRiverJavitsCenter.agr.JPG/300px-HudsonRiverJavitsCenter.agr.JPG" width="300" /></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HudsonRiverJavitsCenter.agr.JPG">Wikipedia</a></span></p><div align="justify">In today's Wall Street Journal, <a href="http://www.fatherjonathan.com/">Father Jonathan Morris, LC,</a> provides a poignant piece on his past week. He has been ministering to the family of the pilot involved in last week's mid-air crash over the Hudson River. A selection:</div><br /><blockquote><p align="justify">Capt. Clarke's loved ones—and all the families, for that matter—are cooperating in a miracle. In my opinion, they are giving evidence to the Judeo-Christian belief about how God responds to humankind's suffering. We believe that God's response to our pain is a promise that he will bring forth a greater good out of every instance of evil and suffering in this world, if we let him. These families are bringing into the world and into our lives love and blessings that would never have been there had this tragedy not occurred.<br /><br />Capt. Clarke believed in just such a promise of God's enduring love. In fact, he believed it so much that just recently he decided to come back to his Catholic faith through the sacrament of confirmation. He described this adult decision in a "letter to God" that his fiancée shared with me.<br /></p></blockquote><br />To find out what he wrote, as well as the responses of all the families involved to this tragedy, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574348703505285632.html">go take a read</a>.<br /><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px; HEIGHT: 15px"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" title="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/bd763320-f69a-4f52-8195-8f6db1221ceb/"><img class="zemanta-pixie-img" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; FLOAT: right; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=bd763320-f69a-4f52-8195-8f6db1221ceb" /></a><span class="zem-script more-related more-info pretty-attribution paragraph-reblog"><script src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-14418046289750146352009-08-14T14:15:00.007-04:002011-03-03T16:49:14.615-05:00Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0wlgAeIaY3SQvRU3jMUXO9uc4VOK5qpTz5QVozN-APUdOcYy72pjjg3ftdrdQA5J2DWWeHwScB1QnwQekZOp401alIBywwae2dSGjZOm-mvX1a9bYurlMbL3PRA4Y8zK4vn5jeuN_raW/s1600-h/RockwellPrint.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369889721756069394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0wlgAeIaY3SQvRU3jMUXO9uc4VOK5qpTz5QVozN-APUdOcYy72pjjg3ftdrdQA5J2DWWeHwScB1QnwQekZOp401alIBywwae2dSGjZOm-mvX1a9bYurlMbL3PRA4Y8zK4vn5jeuN_raW/s400/RockwellPrint.jpg" border="0" /></a>1 Kings 19:4-8 <div align="justify">Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2</div><div align="justify">John 6:41-51</div><br />
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<div><br />
</div><div align="justify">Walking through the airport the other day, my eye was caught by a photograph on the front page of the Washington Post. The image depicted a woman lying down – the expression upon her face was a study in desolation. Her gaze stopped me in my tracks and I was compelled to read the story – I wanted to understand what could cause such a look of despair. The headline was, “For Many Americans, Nowhere to Go but Down.” This is what I learned:<br />
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</div><blockquote>Scott Nichols sinks into the couch, foot jiggling, his gaze traveling from his wife to the television to the darkness outside, broken now and then by the distant glow of passing headlights.<br />
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Then, the 39-year-old husband and father of two thinks of the words he doesn't want to say, what for him, is the option he has hoped to avoid since being laid off nine months earlier.<br />
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They already took free food from a church pantry, cardboard boxes filled with Corn Flakes and bologna and saltines, his wife, Kelly, walking in, head down, while he stayed in the car, ashen. They pawned his wedding ring, sold part of her Silver Eagle coin collection and had help from the Salvation Army paying their electric bill.<br />
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Now another cliff approaches: the loss of the home they rent.<br />
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"Looks like we'll have to go to your mom's," Scott Nichols says to his wife, Kelly.<br />
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Moving to her mother's would mean returning to the rundown industrial town where they grew up, a place that makes him feel dirty, inside and out. They would sleep in her basement jammed with forgotten furniture, a few steps from a pair of cat litter boxes and below three narrow windows blocked by insulation.<br />
</blockquote><div><br />
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</div><div align="justify">I could not help thinking what must be going through Scott and Kelly’s hearts and minds, and how close it must be to the sentiments expressed by Elijah when he exclaimed: “This is enough, O LORD!”<br />
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The original audience for today’s First Reading was in exile. Most had been evicted by the Babylonians, and those that remained were surrounded by pagan worship. Remember that for the Jewish People, The granting of the Promised Land was central to their understanding of God’s commitment to the people of Israel. The community was struggling to answer the question, “What went wrong?” The editor of the Book of Kings was attempting to answer that very question. Therefore, we read a history that attempts to understand – if not fully explain – why God’s Chosen people had lost the land given to them by God. The editor clearly lays that blame at the infidelity of the People to the Covenant. The pagan worship that infiltrated their land caused them to turn away from worship of the one True God.<br />
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The current economic crisis has created massive job loss, and today, many people face an exile of sorts – one of foreclosure and eviction – brought about by the economic crisis that has swept across this country. The economic successes of the past several decades created an ill-placed confidence, an “irrational exuberance.” When many in our country began to presume what tomorrow would bring, instead of simply giving thanks for the bounty of the present day, their subsequent actions came awfully close to desiring to become like gods. Instead of only spending their earnings, many made purchases – financed with debt - based upon what they hoped to earn in the future.<br />
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Therefore, an idolatry of a different sorts infiltrated society; this time the calf was made of plastic, rather than gold. Decisions were made economically and politically in order to feed the ‘plastic calf’. Inevitably, when the bubble burst, and the collapse took place, everyone felt the blow. People who saved their entire lives in order to prepare for a comfortable retirement saw their savings evaporate. College graduates – who had invested years of their lives studying, were unable to find employment. Middle class families – like the Nichols family – sit at kitchen tables and struggle to explain why they must leave the only home their children have ever known to live in a basement. Each in their own way, the refrain repeats: “This is enough, O LORD.”<br />
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But there is hope. If Scripture has anything to say, it is that God is with us, and will continue to nourish us as we journey through this period of exile. By turning to a more thankful way of life – one that appreciates “Our daily bread” – the Covenant is restored and we step back from the presumption to “be like gods” (Genesis 3:5). A credit card purchase of the newest game for the Wii does not happen. Instead, the old dusty board games are pulled out of a closet and placed on the kitchen table. An exotic trip to a Caribbean beach – financed with a draw on a home equity line is replaced with a tent pitched in the backyard, under a starry sky. Simplicity descends – one that protects that which is truly valuable and discards that which is unnecessary. God has – and always will – provide what is truly needed along the path of life. The challenge we each face is to “[g]et up and eat, else the journey will be too long” (v. 7).<br />
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That does not mean that it won’t be painful, or even a bit scary along the way. And that’s OK. Fear is a natural reaction to a difficult challenge. Thomas Aquinas once observed that “fear is the beginning of courage.” But God tells us to move beyond the threshold of fear and live life with courage – courage, after all, I was once told, "is the virtue of living beyond our comfort." I have not done an exact count, but the phrase “Do not be afraid!” appears in scripture over 200 times. It is clearly a message God wanted us to get!<br />
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“The fear of any failure is rooted in the fear of death.” It is mixed up with emotions of abandonment and isolation.<br />
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In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that he is the Bread of Life. We are a resurrection people. Through the power of the paschal mystery, Death – in any form – has no power over us. “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you” “Get up and eat” “the living bread that came down from heaven.” “Get up and eat.” and “make disciples of all nations.”<br />
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If we live the paschal mystery, if we allow the valleys and depressions of our lives to become opportunities to hope in God and demonstrate God’s love, we then are beacons of hope for the world. We allow courage to be our reaction to fear, confident that nothing can ultimately separate us from life. There is nothing that is truly “life threatening!” The only thing that threatens our lives is our choice not to believe and live that Truth.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514461091859156730.post-74023649252712922442009-08-06T22:35:00.017-04:002009-08-14T21:27:52.532-04:00What a blessing!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBvePeTt3cdoAYeenICgpLRNgmsk9EWBL0chyphenhyphenFEgAtZRPL-cR2y0I8Xwms2g7VNRVekbGtEgTF5uetPoHaVI9lPxD3k_kUk818XTsblq9ZCnCFgP-IFfSS3dHFV1xzoGsiQC_j44iYEqT/s1600-h/grand+rapids+cathedral.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367047966809649890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBvePeTt3cdoAYeenICgpLRNgmsk9EWBL0chyphenhyphenFEgAtZRPL-cR2y0I8Xwms2g7VNRVekbGtEgTF5uetPoHaVI9lPxD3k_kUk818XTsblq9ZCnCFgP-IFfSS3dHFV1xzoGsiQC_j44iYEqT/s400/grand+rapids+cathedral.jpg" border="0" /></a>So we have reached the mid-way point in the Beginnings Plus Institute here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It has been such a grace-filled week; God is busy within the community gathered and I have been so blessed to be a part of it! I apologize for not posting sooner, but there simply has not been time. Between revising my reflection for this morning's Celebration of the Word, and putting the finishing touches on my presentation on Evangelization the evening before, I have just barely had time to slip in a few winks. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">However, there is a sense of getting over the hump this evening. Tomorrow I am on tap for a brief overview of the period of Purification and Enlightenment, and then my 'official' duties are over! So, I have had some time this evening to look back and put into words some of the wonderful things that have been happening.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">This particular institute has a focus on the initiation of children within the context of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In order to demostrate some of the ways this can be done, a group of local children are invited to take part in part of the institute to model how catechist teams could celebrate the Rites in their own parish. At several points over the past few days, these children (aged eight to 15) were asked to contribute in front of the group. Speaking up in front of a group of over eighty adults is pretty intimidating for a child to begin with; when the subject matter is about something as personal as your faith, that is something else! But children have an honesty from which we can all learn, don't they? Some examples:</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">On the topic of forgiveness:</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Why is forgiveness important?</div><br /><div align="justify"><blockquote>"Because we all need second chances."</blockquote></div><div align="justify">What does Jesus mean when he tells Peter that he must forgive "not seven times but seventy-seven times"?</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><blockquote><div align="justify">"That we have to forgive each other all the time."</div><br /><div align="justify">"To always forgive"</div><div align="justify"></div></blockquote>What does that tell us about God?</div><br /><div align="justify"><blockquote><div align="justify">"That no matter what, God will always forgive you?"</div></blockquote></div><div align="justify">Later that evening, we celebrated an adapted Rite of Acceptance into the Order of the Catechmenate. It was a powerful liturgy, and each of the children again spoke up, asking the Church to strengthen them with knowledge, support, courage, and love. As part of the ritual, they were surrounded by the community, asked to embrace the processional cross as a sign of their embracing the Cross of Christ, and to touch the Book of the Gospels signifying their reception of the Word of God.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Right out of the gate, when asked about what it felt like to touch the book, a young girl, about ten years old said,</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><blockquote><div align="justify">"When I touched the book, I felt like I was touching God."</div></blockquote></div><div align="justify">It was a goosebump moment for me. There was Truth in what she said!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><blockquote><div align="justify">"When surrounded by the assembly at the beginning of the rite, I felt loved by God." Asked to expand on that a bit, she said "I felt like God was in my heart."</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">"When I touched the cross I felt the Holy Spirit come into my heart."</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div></blockquote></div><br />Although these words <strong><em>may</em></strong> sound trite or cliche when spoken by an adult (again, I emphasize <strong><em>may</em></strong>), from the mouth of a child, they take on a new profundity and clarity! It is <em>always</em> important to remember that children have something to teach <em>us</em>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0