Preparing for Eternal Life

Homily Quick Takes, Of Trials Opportunities and Gifts, , ,
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Fr. John suggests that we bring a Bible, paper and pen to church on Sundays. This way, when God speaks to us during the readings or homily, we can write these things down, reflect upon them and put them into work in our lives.

I haven’t reached this point yet.

But, for the past two Masses, I *have* had a couple index cards in my purse….

Yesterday, I caught the 5 pm Mass at St. Anastasia. Fr. JJ was celebrating and gave a homily on John 6, where Jesus says that whoever eats of Him will have eternal life. He went on to give a story of a family on a cross-Atlantic voyage, rationing on bread and cheese, who only finds out at the end of the journey that a sumptuous feast was included in the price of their tickets. So, they could have been eating like kings the whole way. Not only do we sometimes miss the “feasts” that God sends our way during this journey on earth, but we also go the other way and take them for granted — not seeing them as the precious gifts that they are.

In what way to we take Him for granted?

Fr. JJ also reminded us that partaking of the Eucharist is an intimacy, an exchange between people who love each other, and not a one night stand experience. But how many of us treat Communion as a Wham-Bam event? Leaving church as quickly as we can, without so much as a Thank You?

Finally, he left us all with a question. What are we doing — how are we planning — to be a better person?

Because growing in holiness isn’t just going to happen. We have to work on it. We can’t just say, “Oh, I want to pray more.” We have to deliberately set aside the time and DO IT. Are we willing to put forth the effort?

Makenzie’s 1st Birthday!

Celebrations, , , , , ,

I wasn’t feeling very well on Sunday, but knew that I should be there for my cousin’s daughter’s first birthday. It’s kind of odd that most of my family doesn’t know what is going on with me, but what do you do about that? I don’t think they’d understand if I wasn’t able to make it, so I dragged myself off the couch and headed over, knowing that it would have to be a short visit. Hopefully, they are okay with that.

Kenzie is such a cute little girl, and very well-behaved, at least as far as I can tell from the times I’ve been around her. 🙂 But instead of me talking all this time, why don’t I show you….

Having late lunch/early dinner:
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I just love her little pigtails!

Her heap o’ presents:
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Pink flower cookies:
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Laughing, like any girl should at her birthday party:
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She had a very fun candy cake. The lollipop theme carried over from Michelle’s baby shower.
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Playing with a balloon:
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Lisa’s son, Leo. At one point, Kenzie and Leo were sitting next to each other and she gave him a kiss. It was very cute, and thankfully, Aunt Anna caught it on video. 🙂
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Close-up of the brightly colored gifts. I really liked this wrapping paper.
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She was having a lot of fun on one of her new scooter toys:
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Here’s a quick video of her on her toy:

Sometimes, depending on how you photograph her, she looks like her Grandma Marilyn. 🙂 Her mom had one of these monthly photo frames on the table I was sitting at, and you could especially see this in the 9 month old photo.

I had to leave before the presents were opened, but I hope she had a great birthday and got lots of fun presents! 🙂 Love you, little girl!

Character of the Happy Warrior

Neat Things I Didn't Author
The Book of Man

In this poem by William Wordsworth, he offers an answer to the question:
What are the characteristics of a warrior?

Someone who gives generously from his heart
Someone who faces challenges cheerfully
Someone who assesses, analyzes, and executes
Someone who continues to learn
Someone who has a firm moral compass and lives his integrity
Someone who turns pain and struggle into advantage and strength
Someone who doesn’t allow himself to become jaded, but increases in compassion
Someone who grows in virtue the more he is tested
Someone who acts according to reason
Someone who rights wrongs
Someone who will bear authority honorably, or step aside for someone who can bear it better
Someone who is trustworthy and faithful
Someone who is not caught up with material pleasures
Someone who is noted for being calm when things are not
Someone who perseveres
Someone who is dedicated to his cause
Someone who does not seek fame nor anonymity but accepts his lot
Someone who draws comfort from the upright life he leads

Quanta Cura: Forbidding Traffic in Alms

Neat Things I Didn't Author
The Papal Encyclicals

The second encyclical is Quanta Cura: Forbidding traffic in alms, and was written on 30 June 1741.

The problem here seems to be this: Fr. X was getting paid to say Mass for someone in parish A, where the standard stipend for this was, say, $20. Fr. X would then say the Mass at parish B, where the stipend was, say $10. So, he would give parish B $10 and pocket the difference. At least, this is kind of what I’m thinking was going on – it wasn’t entirely clear to me. 🙂

What was wrong was a couple of different things, according to the Pope. First, the Mass being offered was not celebrated in a location necessarily known to the parishioner who commissioned it. Which could not only upset the parishioner, but also money would have been directed away from the parish that the parishioner intended to support by his alms. In addition, people might start to think that the priest was ripping them off, especially if they didn’t ever see him say a Mass when he had already been paid for doing so.

On top of all of that, was the real spiritual danger inherent in these practices; the priest would be tempted to avarice by behaving in this manner. It would be possible for him to get caught up in making a profit and not be saying Mass for the good of his flock or the Church.

So, the Pope censured these activities, asking that his fellow bishops post this letter in their diocese and warn people of the following repercussions for doing this. Laity would be immediately excommunicated. Priests would be automatically suspended, and could only be reinstated by the Pontiff himself. How’s that for deterrent?

Little wonder that today, if you would like to have a Mass said, the price is only $5 or $10, and Father can only receive one stipend a day, regardless of the number of intentions which are offered at the Mass. (At least, that’s my understanding of current practices. But don’t take my word for it…. Confirm with a canon lawyer! )

She was Conceived at Conception

Homily Quick Takes
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I went to the 7 pm Mass at St. Anastasia for the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let me just say, it was one of the more amusing Masses that I’ve been to in a while! 🙂

I arrived about an hour early and sat in the darkened church, reading a book on prayer. As it got closer to Mass time, Holly pulled down the flag, indicating that they needed Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, of which I am one. So, I put down my book and wandered over to the usher’s room. She saw me and said, “I knew that putting up the flag would get you out of your seat!” !!!

After the start of Mass, the lector began to proclaim the Word. Or, um, to tell us a scary campfire story. He was VERY expressive. Lots of dramatic pauses. And even a different “voice” for the Voice of God. Well, I certainly paid attention. But I’m not sure that I paid as much attention to *what* he was saying as to *how* he was saying it.

And then for Fr. Eric’s homily. He started off well with, “She was conceived at conception.”

Very true. And she was probably born at birth as well.

Then, he spoke of angels. And how 1/3 of the angels fell. Which means that 2/3 of the angels remained. This is what I was thinking: If each of us gets our own guardian angel and since there are twice as many angels as demons, does this mean that there is only one demon for every two people (relatively speaking)? This gives us even more reason to hope.

Fr. Eric also spoke of how God does not see our flaws and our failings, but rather our potential.

With all of the emphasis on how Mary is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant, this led me to another way to think of Mary. Not only was she sinless, not only did she have incredible faith and trust in God, not only does she continually point the way to her Son, not only does she teach us how to be a disciple, but Mary also teaches us how to be a tabernacle. Through Mary’s example, we can better know how it is that we are to live and have the Holy Spirit of God and — literally, physically, via the Eucharist — Jesus dwell within us.

Response to the Archbishop of Canterbury

Neat Things I Didn't Author
The Book of Man

In this passage, Colin Powell, the then Secretary of State for the United States, defends the use of military might as opposed to diplomacy against Saddam Hussein.

He says that the time for diplomacy and “soft power” comes after the battles are won, when we have the opportunity and responsibility to build the defeated nations back up and to restore peace to areas ravaged by war. He doesn’t say this explicitly, but I get from what he is saying is that the men of the United States do not fight because they are bellicose but rather because there is injustice which needs to be rectified, and as soon as the mission is complete, the need for force is gone and we just seeks to honor our dead for the lives they have given to the cause.

Sometimes great sacrifices must be made for the greater good. The only questions to ask are whether the cause is just, and if it is worth the incredible cost of even a single human life, much less many.

As Colin Powell puts it, “But there comes a time when … talking with evil will not work….” And that’s when we need to take action.

Ubi Primum: On the Duties of Bishops

Neat Things I Didn't Author
The Papal Encyclicals

An encyclical, as defined in the Introduction, “is a document in the form of a letter sent by the Pope to the bishops of the entire world…directed to the whole Christian people… as a means of insuring unity within the Church.”

This particular encyclical was written by Pope Benedict XIV (Prospero Lambertini), who reigned from 1740-1758. It was written on 3 Dec 1740.

He begins with shepherd/sheep imagery. I like him already! 🙂

The importance of clergy is to be examples for the faithful. Quality rather than quantity of priests is to be preferred.

Seminaries – train them in piety, integrity and discipline, visit them, expand them, create them where necessary, prepare good laborers for the harvest, invest in them.

Selecting clerics – “Entrust the care of souls to exemplary men.” These men should teach the basic information needed for salvation, divine law, and Catholic dogma. They should teach children the faith (here he’s talking about equipping the faithful). They need time for rest and spiritual exercise, i.e. a retreat annually. It’s comforting to know that this basic task of our priests hasn’t changed. And it’s a good reminder to our bishop, who often and increasingly in these time of priest shortage ask so much of our beloved pastors, that these good men need rest as well. We can’t expect them to run the race in a dead sprint all of the time and be able to finish strong. They need to recharge so that they can continue to fight the fight and to lead us all to greater holiness.

Necessity of Residency – You can’t be a good shepherd if you don’t live among the sheep. Being away from your diocese for 3 months out of the year is too much time away. The people should hear the voice of the bishop even over the voice of the priests, as special grace is given to the bishop by the Holy Spirit. Because of this particular grace, you should not rely solely on the priests for the formation of the flock.

Visitation – Visit your churches, get to know your flock personally, visit every part of the diocese so that nothing will be hidden. Be diligent and attentive to the entire area in which your flock resides. If you find things wrong, not only make recommendations to fix them, but follow through and see that it is done. I think this is a good quality for any leader to remember. If you are personally involved, not only will people not shirk on that which they are supposed to be doing, but they will also grow to trust you, because they will see by your behavior that you are invested in them and truly care about their well-being.

Exhortation – Be the primary teacher, celebrate Mass frequently and solemnly, and may all imitate you as you imitate Christ. Do all this; God will be with you and the Holy See has got your back

After reading encyclical #1… This pope is awesome! I love him! 🙂 I can’t wait to read the rest of his encyclicals! 🙂

Saint Crispin’s Day Speech

Neat Things I Didn't Author
The Book of Man

Another entry from “The Book of Man,” Saint Crispin’s Day Speech, by William Shakespeare.

This poem gives an “interpretation of what manhood looks like in war.” In the midst of battle with France, in the face of daunting odds, English King Henry V gives a rousing speech to his men.

He reminds them that there are things worth fighting for, and that a man’s honor is worth more than any material possession, any wealth, that one may accumulate. He places a greater value on a small group of determined men rather than a large army of half-hearted men. There is pride in seeking honor and a brotherhood forged in combat which cannot be broken. The proof of a true man is he who fights for what is truly important.

Isn’t this still so true? Some of the best, most character-forming, richest experiences I have had have come from a small group of people working against significant challenges for the greater good. I have experienced this in the Navy, and also, on a less grand scale, in the workplace. There is a bond made between people who have fought side-by-side that is not easily forgotten. It could be years before you hear again from these men, these fellow brothers, but there is not a day in which they are not carried within your heart.

It is your brothers, your comrades, who carry you on when you contemplate giving up. You spur each other on to greatness. And when it is all over, win or lose, you know that you are better off for the experience. And ever after, you know that you are not alone in the world. There is a level of loneliness which you cannot sink to, because you brothers exist somewhere in the world. You are connected, united.

There are few better feelings in the world than knowing that an honorable, courageous man has got your back. And there are few things of greater worth than to give your life and your self for the sake of one of your brothers.

South Haven 2012

Day Trip, Photography, Travel, Vacation, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yesterday was the family reunion, and from the time that I heard it was going to be so close to Lake Michigan and South Haven, I wanted to take some time and head over there. I love being by the water and 15-20 miles is NOTHING to me! 🙂 The only question was if Mom would go for it.

We spent the night in Paw Paw. In the morning, I dragged her to St. Mary’s Catholic Church for Sunday Mass. It was a cute little church right by the court building that we had looked at yesterday. All around the church, the sidestreet parking was clogged. We managed to find the last parking spot in the tiny parking lot, but people were already creating a middle line of cars where it wasn’t legal to park — just to be able to get in to Mass! A good sign, right? 🙂

We were a little bit late, and so we took a seat in one of the back pews, like any good Catholic would do. After Mass, I snapped a couple pictures to prove I was there and grabbed my Mass ticket (parish bulletin). I was surprised to find that it was only 4 pages long! At both my parishes, it’s usually more like 12!

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Next, we headed out of town. I didn’t have a lot of charge on my phone, so instead of using the GPS, I just found my way to M-43 and headed west. I wasn’t going to stop until I hit water! We had heard that there was a Blueberry Festival in South Haven this weekend and thought it would be good to check that out. We pulled into town and ended up on Phoenix Street. Just past the downtown area, right before the road dipped down to go towards the lighthouse, there were barricades for the festival. Luckily, there was also on-stree parking RIGHT THERE! We couldn’t have asked for a better spot!

We were on the southwest corner of the intersection, and on the northwest corner was this sign:
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I liked looking at all of the boats in the marina. If I could, I would love to live on the water and have a boat (or two or four) of my own!
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As we were walking down to the pier, we saw this big, pink flower. It was huge! Probably 7-8 inches in diameter! Even though it doesn’t really look that big in the photo.
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And, finally, THE BEACH!
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And the lighthouse:
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With sailboats on the water!
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We read all of the graffiti on the lighthouse. I saw one that said “Hannah was here” and wondered if it belonged to Hannah Ekblad…
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I even got Mom to take a picture…. And she was happy that I didn’t push her in the water! 🙂
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I tried taking a self-portrait, although it turned out a little funny because I kept squinting in the bright light.
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We didn’t take the time to actually swim on the beach, but I did sit down on the edge of the pier and dangled my feet over the side!
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More pictures of kids playing in the sand:
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Seagull footprints:
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Even though I had my good running shoes on, I still walked across the sand to take pictures of the waves. These are tiny compared to the waves of the ocean, but I will take what I can get! 🙂
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All of the water and boats actually looked like this:
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I added contrast to most of the other shots, but it was kind of cool as they were normally, with almost nothing to tell you where the sky ended and the sea began….

Like me, you might be wondering why my mom was looking at her feet so intently. Well, it appears that where she was standing, when she took a step, the sand would shift and “crackle out” about 12 inches away from her foot.
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The Ubiquitous Seagull Shot:
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Another look of the beach, pier and lighthouse:
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I took pictures of some treats for Erwin:
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And for Lindsay:
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Amy had suggested that we eat at the Phoenix Street Cafe while we were in town. So, after browsing through a couple of neat little shops, we did just that! I’m not sure if my brother or my dad would have enjoyed it as much as we did.

Here is Mom’s Asparagus Sandwich:
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And my Spinach Burger (no meat was harmed in the making of this burger!):
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Right next door to the Phoenix Street Cafe was The Blueberry Shoppe. I got 5 pounds of blueberries to take home, some mix to make Blueberry White Chocolate cookies, blueberry jerky, blueberry truffle, and we each tried a blueberry drink.

Mom got the Blueberry Lemonade (which was the better-tasting of the two):
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And, although I would have preferred the Blueberry Lemonade, I opted to try something different and got the Blueberry Jelly Belly soda.
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Our quick vacation to South Haven was now complete, and we headed back home. Plus, our 3 hour time limit for parking was about over…. 🙂

The Papal Encyclicals

Neat Things I Didn't Author
The Papal Encyclicals

This is another selection from the reference section of the parish library which caught my eye: The Papal Encyclicals.

It’s probably another way-too-ambitious undertaking, but I would *like* to read through them all. 🙂 Vol.1 covers years from 1740 to 1878.

I’m hoping, like “The Book of Man,” that I will be able to make this a regular blog posting event. I’m liking the idea of posting more frequently and having certain topics that I can follow through on long-term.

Let me know what you think and also if you have any suggestions for future discussion! 🙂