Category Archives: Critical Mass

It’s the Cow’s Fault

Critical Mass, Daily Mass Readings, , ,

I always feel a little bad about digging in my purse during Mass, grabbing a pen and paper and writing. I feel like the priest or deacon preaching the homily is up there, looking at me, upset that I’m not paying attention. Even though, this is just what our pastor has suggested that we do, as we are supposed to be listening, especially during the Gospel, to what God is saying to *me*. And the homily is meant to break open the Word.

Today, I drove out to Plymouth for Mass, as I was scheduled to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Deacon Chris is a transitional deacon who is assigned to our parish for the year. As he proclaimed the Gospel today — the story of the Prodigal Son — I was reminded of the first reading, of the Israelites making and worshiping the golden calf.

As Deacon Chris read the Gospel, I thought about the different characters in the story. Today, I lingered on the person of the older brother. The first reading gave some insight (or perhaps I just had a wacky thought) on the older brother.

The Israelites were fine with following God when He was in their midst day and night. Of course, this isn’t to say that they were grateful for what they had. On the contrary, they complained about food, water, walking…. But things really began to unravel when God went up the mountain and left them at the base of the mountain with with Aaron. Once God wasn’t immediately present to them, they put their focus on something else and their priorities in their affections became skewed. Suddenly, this golden calf became the center of their worship.

I think something similar was going on with the older brother. Although we didn’t specifically hear it in the Gospel, we can assume that he was fairly okay living with his father. From his later statements and actions, we can surmise that he wasn’t entirely grateful for the life he had in his father’s household, but that he felt like he was a slave within his father’s house, “working” for him. But it wasn’t until the prodigal son came back home that this disorder within his heart was revealed. What he pointed to as being the problem was the fact that the father killed the fatted calf for the welcome home party.

Again, this calf distracts from the blessings offered by the father.

It’s all the cow’s fault.

Lop eared Calf

Maybe I Should Have Been Frankenbabied…

Bioethics, Critical Mass, Health and Medicine, Jennspeak
Baby Frankenstein Costume

I was reading through my blog feed, trying to get caught up, when I happened upon this article regarding genetic modification of embryos. In a nutshell, the article takes a look at the morality (or immorality) of taking the nuclear DNA from an embryo and implanting it within a denucleated egg cell from a donor which contains healthy mitochondrial DNA as a “therapy” for patients with mitochondrial disease.

Is “therapy” the right word?

The article suggests that maybe not. The way they argue it, you aren’t “treating” a condition of the patient, but you are modifying the genetic make-up of the person from the beginning — taking some genes from the father, some from the mother and other genes (the mitochondrial ones) from a second woman (the donor egg). Then, you slap together all the pieces parts to Frankenbaby yourself a genetically “improved” embryo.

By the way, I just made up that word.

Frankenbaby = to genetically modify an embryo

Given that my condition is progressive and terminal and relatively uncommon, I’m kind of happy that the medical community is bothering to think up ways to help me out. However, (1) it’s a little too late at this point and (2) it’s not moral.

Keep trying, though…

An Encounter with the Living Christ

Critical Mass, Prayer/Prayer Requests

This fall, my parish — Our Lady of Good Counsel — is going to be focusing our efforts on facilitating encounters with Jesus. This will mainly be done by via the Alpha program (of which I know just about nothing… yet…).

DSCN2352
Jesus is right here in the tabernacle.

What made me think about this this morning was a podcast I was listening to by Fr. John. No. Not our Fr. John, but Fr. John Nepil of “Catholic Stuff You Should Know.” His podcasts are hilarious and very informative. 🙂

His latest podcast is called “Theology of Mountaineering” and in it he and Deacon Nathan talk about a recent pilgrimage they made where they were away from technology. I think one of the great things about this podcast was that they noted that while surrounding yourself with beautiful places, great people and removing distractions may be helpful to dispose yourself to having an encounter with Jesus, they don’t guarantee that you will have an encounter.

So, don’t get discouraged if you “do everything right” and still feel that the personal connection you were seeking “didn’t happen”. No time spent in prayer is wasted. Even if you don’t “feel” anything. And faithfulness and perseverance in prayer is important.

Pilgrimage to Rome: Day 9

Critical Mass, Pilgrimage, ,

Itinerary for Today:
Flight over the Atlantic back home!
airplane

Predicted Italian Weather:
88 degrees, bright sunshine. YAY!

Predicted Michigan Weather:
91 degrees, 96% humidity, heat advisory, partly sunny. Welcome home! 🙂

Pray!
Pray for the safety of all travelers this day. Write a letter or a note to one of the pilgrims you have been praying for about your experience on this pilgrimage journey. Join in 8:00 A.M. Mass one morning this week to celebrate the end of the pilgrimage and maybe to meet a pilgrim in our midst. In gratitude, be good to others today.

The Lord will set me free and rescue me because He loves me.

Gracious Father, I will thank You each day for Your merciful goodness to me. With Your help, I will ever praise Your kindness in my trouble. Please assist me now, as I faithfully follow Christ, my Savior, and call upon the friendship and intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, by granting my petition (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims! May He grant you a swift, safe, and easy journey back home! Thank you for your prayers for our community! Can’t wait to see your pictures and hear all of your stories! 🙂

Pilgrimage to Rome: Day 8

Critical Mass, Pilgrimage, ,

Itinerary for Today:
Rome:
St. Peter’s Basilica*
St Peter's Basilica

Necropolis-Scavi Tour of St. Peter’s Tomb*
A Tomb in the Vatican Necropolis

Pasta Farewell Dinner*
Pasta

Ok, so the pasta dinner is just a guess. I’m sure whatever they end up having will be WAY more epic than anything I could dream up. And I bet they aren’t going to bring us home leftovers. *sadface*

Predicted Italian Weather:
90 degrees, mostly sunny. YAY!

Pray!
Find out something about St. Peter. Read about him in Scripture and identify areas of your life where you have denied Christ. Pray for the leadership of the Catholic Church, for our priests and pilgrims, for our OLGC community, and all people throughout the world. Ask God for the courage to seek to encounter Jesus and look for a conversion in our hearts. Turn back to Him, like Peter, to love Him and to spread the faith like an intentional disciple every day. Help someone you know who is in need of your friendship and support.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

Your goodness, Heavenly Father, responds speedily to our sorrow. In my distress, I call upon You to hear and answer my prayers (mention your request). In You, O God, I will continue to trust despite everything. I ask this request in Christ’s name and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi. Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Pilgrimage to Rome: Day 7

Critical Mass, Pilgrimage, ,

Itinerary for Today:
Assisi:
Basilica of St. Clare*
Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi, Umbria - Italy

San Ruffino*
Inside San Ruffino. Assisi.

St. Francis of Assisi*
Assisi - sunset - Basilica di San Francesco

Predicted Italian Weather:
89 degrees, mostly sunny and nice. YAY!

Pray!
Come to Mass and focus as the gifts are being brought to the altar that we are in communion with each other in prayer at this moment. All of our intentions are being brought to the altar of the Lord. Spend a moment to talk to someone in the community about how you are experiencing this pilgrimage. In imitation of Christ and St. Francis, do good to those who may dislike you.

The Lord is a stronghold in times of distress.

Father in Heaven, You never reject those who seek Your help and are ever ready to comfort the sorrowful. Through the intercession of Saint Francis and in Christ’s name, I implore You to have pity on me in my needs (mention your request), and to rescue me from all afflictions. Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Pilgrimage to Rome: Day 6

Critical Mass, Pilgrimage, ,

Itinerary for Today:
Rome:
The Holy Stairs*
Holy Stairs

Basilica of St. Mary Major*
St Mary Major mosaics

Basilica of St. John Lateran*
Rome, Basilica of St. John Lateran

Holy Cross*
Rome Basilica of Holy Cross in Jerusalem 95

San Clemente*
The Triumph of The Cross in Basilica San Clemente, Rome

St. Lawrence Outside the Walls*
IMG_4020.jpg

Predicted Italian Weather:
90 degrees, partly sunny with thunderstorms in spots in the afternoon.

Pray!
Read St. Paul’s letters in Scripture as he describes the early Church community: Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35; Peter’s speech at Pentecost: Acts 2:14; and the end of the first mission of Paul: Acts 14:21. Banish from your mind and tongue unkind words and thoughts today.

O Lord, do not chastise me with Your anger.

Merciful Father, You know my weakness and disobedience. Yet, You are ever ready to forgive and be gracious to me in my trouble. In Christ’s name and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, quickly come to help me (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Pilgrimage to Rome: Day 5

Critical Mass, Pilgrimage, ,

Itinerary for Today:
Pompeii and Herculaneum:
Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary*
Shrine of Our Lady of The Rosary of Pompeii

Excavations in Pompeii*
POMPEII RUINS - HDR * DSCF2452

City of Herculaneum*
Herculaneum

Predicted Italian Weather:
88 degrees with showers in the morning; otherwise sunshine and patchy clouds. 🙂 This sounds better!

Pray!
Fast today (from food, coffee, soda, candy, TV, etc.). Offer a prayer each time you remember your commitment to fast. Bring all the children to church to pray the rosary with teens leading. For God’s sake, help some person whom you may not like.

O Lord, grant safety to those who long for it.

In You, Heavenly Father, I confidently place my trust. In your hands, I leave all my anxieties with faith in Your care for me. From You, and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, I await relief from my present distress (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Pilgrimage to Rome: Day 4

Critical Mass, Pilgrimage, ,

Itinerary for Today:
Ancient Rome and Genazzano:
Coliseum*
Coliseum

Circus Maximus*
Circus Maximus

Roman Forum*
Roman Forum

St. Peter in Chains Church*
Church of St Peter In Chains, Rome

Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel*
Mater Boni Consilii 2

Church of St. Ignatius*
Altar and fresco in Church of St. Ignatius

Predicted Italian Weather:
88 degrees and cloudy; chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. 😦

Pray!
Remember the community of OLGC and all the petitions each time you use stairs in your life today. Keep the physical journey and the strength and endurance of the pilgrims in your prayers. Consider today how you can do God’s will.

Make Your ways known to me, O Lord.

Father Almighty, Your ways and purpose are often hidden from us. Guide me now and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, I beg You, in my sorrow, and by Your power, to let me know Your will regarding my special need (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Pilgrimage to Rome: Day 3

Critical Mass, Pilgrimage, ,

Today, Fr. John said “Good Morning” and sent out a video update, letting us know that the pilgrims might get to see Pope Francis on Sunday!

Itinerary for Today:
Rome:
Catacombs of St. Sebastian*
Catacombs of St. Sebastian

The Vatican Museums*
Vatican Museum Steps

Sistine Chapel*
Sistine Chapel

Predicted Italian Weather:
89 degrees and partly sunny, turning colder in the afternoon with a thunderstorm in spots. Sounds humid. 😦

Pray!
Celebrate a pasta meal. Whether at home or away, eat pasta as a way to join with the dinner celebrated in Italy. Offer an extra prayer for the food that we are given and commit to bring food to church each week. Throughout the day, give your cares to the Lord.

Lord, be not far from me.

Loving Father. You are not far from any of us, since in You we live, move and have our being. Increase my awareness of Your presence and through the intercession of Saint Francis, take care of my pressing need (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!